Controversy Over LBGT Flyer at Nampa Library Grows

By Greg Pruett • November 20, 2024

A flyer posted on a community bulletin board at the Nampa Public Library has garnered considerable attention over the last few days.

The flyer, posted by a non-profit group called “Clutch,” was on a community bulletin board at the library. Here is the flyer:

The poster sparked a backlash from several organizations and a state lawmaker from Nampa.

According to Google, the address listed for the event is the Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene. Idaho Dispatch contacted the church to learn more about the Clutch events being held at their facility, but we have not received a reply.

One organization calling for the library to remove the flyers called “Idaho MassResistance” put out a post asking Idahoans to contact the library as well. On X, the organization posted the following message:

“.@nampalibrary why are you handing out #Groomer flyers to children?

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Why are 20-year-olds allowed to talk sex with minors?! Why is this permitted at all?!

Contact the #Nampa Library and tell them to remove the #LGBT #Groomer garbage NOW!

(208) 468-5800 connleyc@nampalibrary.org”

Idaho Liberty Dogs also shared the Idaho MassResistance post.

The flyer does not mention the subjects that can or cannot be discussed at the event. Idaho Dispatch reviewed the Clutch website to learn more about the organization and its events.

What can be found on Clutch’s website is the following wording about who they are:

“CLUTCH was born out of a desire to do better for the LGBTQ+ youth in the Nampa community.

Initially the brainchild of Sarah Riley, a local mom who wished for more safe places for her transgender daughter, this group became a labor of love for a small team of queer adults and allies in March 2022.

The plan is simple – provide a safe space where LGBTQ+ youth can feel free to be themselves, find acceptance, and feel loved.

The CLUTCH vision is for LGBTQ+ youth to be empowered to LIVE authentically.”

There is a legitimate question about the age range for the event. 14 to 17-year-olds are considered minors by Idaho law. 18 to 20-year-olds are considered adults by Idaho law.

Nothing on the Clutch website indicates that minors and adults are forbidden from discussing any particular topic with another attendee. Perhaps that is made clear when someone attends, but the website does not make it clear. Is parental/guardian consent required for the event?

Although the website says it is not ” a babysitting service,” it does not indicate that minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the weekly event.

If a minor comes to the event on their own, is there any limitation to what topics can be discussed with that child, and do they have to have parental/guardian consent to do so for certain topics? The Clutch website says resources are provided to attendees. What does that mean exactly? Are resources of a sexual nature provided to anyone who requests it?

The Clutch website says their volunteers are required to go through a background check.

On the Clutch website, the group says they do educational activities. A paragraph on their support page says,

“One of our main goals this year is to connect with more community members, to give the kids new ideas. New hobbies, workout routines, games and educational demonstrations etc. Let’s help these kids understand that they have a whole community behind them.”

Idaho Dispatch contacted Clutch to ask questions about their events. We asked them about parental/guardian consent and other questions regarding what is allowed or not to be discussed. ~~We have not received a response yet~~.

Update on 11/20/2024 at 8:44 p.m.: Idaho Dispatch received the following response from Clutch Director Mindy OldenKamp:

“Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate the opportunity to share about CLUTCH.

CLUTCH is a small non-profit organization that offers an affirming space for highschool and early college-aged youth. Our programming is simple – we offer a place these youth can receive a meal and participate in an activity in an environment where they are accepted. Our activities include things like karaoke, board games, flower arranging, button making and trivia nights.

We are run by a group of vetted, background checked volunteers, and CLUTCH’s entire purpose is to help remind LGBTQ+ youth that they have a community supporting their existence and right to be exactly who they are.

We encourage anyone curious about our organization to simply ask for more information rather than make any assumptions about how we operate.”

Nampa State Senator Brian Lenney (R-Nampa) posted a series of posts on X with his correspondence with the library. In the post, he says,

“Current thread with the @CityofNampa library.

They had an approved flyer up for children to meet with adults to talk about gay sex.

I emailed them about it.

This is their response.

#idaho #nampa”

Lenney’s post also has his communications with the library. His email says,

“Does the library know of this?”

The Director of the Nampa Public Library, Claire Connley responded to Lenney with the following message:

“The communication you have identified is not a library program and not affiliated with the library in any way. We have two Community Events boards on our 2nd and 3rd floors. Someone, not a library employee, posted the sign(s) in an appropriate area on the Community Events boards that is governed by our Library Board approved Community Events Posting Policy (attached). The poster meets conditions in our policy. Please notice that the policy states In providing public bulletin boards, the Library does not imply endorsement of the events or information posted.

It is unfortunate that this inaccurate information was shared, hopefully this clears things up. I would welcome a discussion at any time.”

Lenney’s reply to Connley was:

“So, your policy means adults can invite kids to talk about sex?

Is that NOT offensive/inappropriate?”

According to the “Community Events Posting Policy,” the following things are not permitted on the bulletin boards:

“Postings containing content that could be considered discriminatory or harassing based on a group or individual’s protected status (i.e., race, color, religion/religious creed, sex/gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin/ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or status in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law) or which advocates in any way for such discrimination.

Offensive materials (as defined in Idaho State Code 18-4105 or 18-1514), materials promoting illegal activities, or inappropriate materials.

Postings that support or oppose any current or pending ballot measure or political candidate.

Postings advertising the selling of goods, products, or services.”

Idaho Dispatch asked Lenney if he had any comments to add to what he posted on X. We have not received a response.

What do you think about the poster? Should it be allowed on the event board at the library? Do you believe it violates the library’s policy?

Let us know in the comments below.