The "Segregation" of Minority Fiction

As a reference librarian I understand that nonfiction GBLTQ and Urban informational resources will be by the necessity of cataloging categorized in their own area. This is logical and for research purposes makes perfect sense. However, fiction is a different situation. I could possibly understand placing GBLTQ and urban fiction in their own category if a library system has their fiction cataloged by genre,  However, I would also argue that they certainly could also be cataloged and interfiled by other means; romance, action, historical fiction, and so on.

In the situation faced by the Orange City Public Library it appears that the library board is attempting to reach a compromise solution after a very aggressive drive by a portion of the community to outright ban GBLTQ materials, which to me is unthinkable. In this situation I would oppose grouping books by GBLTQ. In doing so you are allowing a group of homophobic community members to essentially create a "section of shame", which would be a victory for them. My reasoning is as follows:

1. In this situation placing GBLTQ fiction in it's own geographical location will discourage its use because of the stigma attached in this vitriolic situation. Patrons will not be comfortable checking it out because they will be easily observed by those who may persecute them. Statement three in the library code of ethics reads "We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted." Placing GBLTQ fiction in its own area inhibits patrons from perusing these materials in a manner that protects their privacy. 
2. Placing GBLTQ materials separate from other materials inadvertently (or not so) promotes the idea that GBLTQ people are other, abnormal, or bad and should not be included with the rest. As a librarian the last thing I would ever want to do is to contribute to the continuing ostracization of a unfairly and unjustly maligned minority.  
3. By separating GBLTQ fiction  and taking away the patrons ability to select GBLTQ material privately the library is inadvertently abridging some patrons access to materials. Meaning, because of the lack of privacy some patrons library access may be limited. Section V of the library bill of rights states that "A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views."

I would like to add that in a very progressive community where GBLTQ people are treated as equal citizens many of these arguments will be mute. I come from a deeply conservative community where an Orange City Public Library like event could easily occur and that is what shapes my perspective. 

Sources

A.P. (2018). Orange City library to change how materials are grouped after complaints on LGBTQ content. Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/03/21/library-change-lgbtq-content-grouping-change-orange-city-iowa/445970002/

Kilen, M. (2018). Drive to ban library books with LGBTQ content erupts in Orange City. Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/02/21/lgbtq-book-ban-controversy-erupts-iowa-orange-city/359780002/ \

"Professional Ethics", American Library Association, (2017). http://www.ala.org/tools/ethics (Accessed April 12, 2019) Document ID: 39f580a8-833d-5ad4-f900-53ecfe67eb1f

"Library Bill of Rights", American Library Association, (2006) http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill (Accessed April 12, 2019) Document ID: 669fd6a3-8939-3e54-7577-996a0a3f8952