Jill Scheyk was an Edmonton Public Library trustee, but has resigned after she says she was forced out by the board over tweets on February 12, 2020. Shaughn Butts / Postmedia

An Edmonton Public Library trustee who resigned this week says she was forced out because of a dispute over tweets and what she deemed a transphobic article shared by the CEO.

Jill Scheyk stepped down Monday, after receiving a letter last month from an EPL board committee asking her to resign. It said she publicly presented a negative and biased opinion on the EPLs stance on hosting controversial speakers, for sharing an internal memo of talking points, and for representing the board without permission.

While Scheyk understands the library is limited in how it can restrict groups using its space, she said the EPL needs to find a way to support marginalized groups and free speech.

What I really want to see going forward is just an acknowledgment that it can be a fulsome approach, and that it doesnt have to be one or the other, like you get free speech or you get a welcoming environment, and its a zero sum game, she said on Wednesday.

Scheyks November 2019 tweets that raised concerns with the board followed online backlash directed at EPL CEO Pilar Martinez in October. In a tweet, Martinez praised Torontos head librarian for allowing a Meghan Murphy event to go ahead despiteprotests,and shareda National Post column that called the demonstrations a nauseating spectacle.

Murphy, an activist, has criticized transgender rights. She gave a talk at a Toronto library titled Gender Identity: What Does It Mean For Society, The Law and Women?

My attempts to highlight the issue of transphobia in that language went unheeded by leadership, Scheyk wrote in her open resignation letter posted on Twitter Monday. The trans community is actively fighting for their lives and human rights, and for the head of a public institution to degrade them casually is a slap in the face to people who are still in clear and present danger.

The tweets also led to an exchange of letters and meetings between Scheyk and trustees from November to January.

Scheyk, who was an EPL board member since May 2015, maintains Martinez needs to apologize for sharing the article that sparked the dispute.

Martinez told Postmedia on Wednesday she shared that article because it showed how libraries have a history of supporting freedom of speech, as well as for supporting LGBTQ rights, and the EPL is committed to both.

Censorship is not the answer to our social problems, in fact, traditionally and historically it has hurt minority groups more than any other groups, she said. We are a public library, key word being public. We are for everyone. We cant pick and choose, because today it could be Meghan Murphy, tomorrow it could be you.

She said there have been more complaints for their LGBTQ programming than for any other type of programming.

If we were not to uphold that fundamental value of public space and intellectual freedom, than we would be cancelling those programs as well.

The EPL held a round table discussion about their meeting room policy on Tuesday. Fern Snart, chair of the EPL board of trustees, wouldnt say what the 14 participants talked about or whether the library was planning on changing any of its policies or programs, but she said the discussion was productive.

People left smiling, not that everyone agreed or was pleased I think people left feeling heard, she said. Were continuing to look ahead, were continuing to ask how can we respond to the appropriate mandate of freedom of speech and absolutely desired mandate of welcome and meaningful inclusion and care for all of the communities we serve.

lboothby@postmedia.com

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Edmonton library trustee says she was forced to resign in dispute over free speech, tweets - Edmonton Journal