Gay pride exhibit leads to countywide ban.(NEWS FRONTS)

A library school student's display of gay-themed young adult books in a public library branch for Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June has sparked a controversy that resulted in an official ban on promoting gay pride events in Hillsborough County, Florida.

University of South Florida SLIS student Meagan Albright originally developed the display for a course on children's and YA materials for multicultural and special populations. The class was taught by Assistant Professor Linda Alexander, who told American Libraries that the display consisted of about 20 books, a bibliography of gay-themed titles for teens, a pamphlet listing gay and lesbian support organizations, and a poster showing such gay celebrities as Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John.

Because she …