The US Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, issued a public apology on Monday for using incorrect pronouns to describe non-binary author Casey McQuiston. The library, which is funded by taxpayers, took to Twitter to express their deep apologies to McQuiston for the mistake. The library’s tweet with the incorrect pronouns was apparently deleted and did not appear in their Twitter feed the following day.
The Library of Congress recently hosted a book signing event for McQuiston, who identifies as queer and non-binary. The event aimed to celebrate the Amazon Prime adaptation of McQuiston’s book “Red, White, and Royal Blue” and also added the novel to its LGBTQ+ collection. The book tells the story of a feud between a British prince and the son of the US president that evolves into a homosexual romance.
However, the library faced backlash from some of its Twitter followers for what they saw as a grammatical mistake in the post. Critics called the library’s embrace of political correctness “embarrassing” for the US, librarians, and literacy in general. Even critics of “woke” culture, such as the account Libs of TikTok, considered the tweet “beyond parody.” Some questioned whether the Library of Congress had more pressing matters to attend to.
This incident is not the first time the library has faced controversy. Last September, when the library allowed pop star Lizzo to play a 200-year-old crystal flute that once belonged to James Madison, the fourth US president, opinions were divided. Lizzo, a classically-trained flautist, tweeted after the show, claiming to be the first and only person to play the presidential flute. She shared a video of herself playing the instrument while twerking in a bedazzled gold leotard. This event also received mixed reactions from the public.
Despite its prestigious status and vast collection of over 175 million works in more than 470 languages, the Library of Congress has faced pressure to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. This pressure aligns with the Biden administration’s emphasis on these values.
In conclusion, the US Library of Congress publicly apologized to author Casey McQuiston for using incorrect pronouns in their tweet about the book signing event. The library’s aim was to celebrate McQuiston’s book and its adaptation, as well as to highlight LGBTQ+ literature. However, the incident sparked a discussion about political correctness and the library’s priorities. The Library of Congress continues to navigate the challenges of promoting inclusivity and maintaining its reputation as a leading cultural institution.
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