Oregon ACLU Joins ABFFE in Condemning Sexual Material Law

Mon, 04/28/2008 - 17:46 — birdie

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon has joined booksellers in the state to challenge a state law restricting the sale or provision of sexually explicit material to children, saying it could affect constitutionally protected material.

The ACLU says the law approved by the 2007 Legislature is vague and could result in parents being charged for providing educational books to their children - or even an older child who gives material to a younger sibling.

As an example, the ACLU cited the 1975 novel "Forever" by Judy Blume, a frequent target of censors because it deals with teenage sexuality. "A 17-year-old girl who lends her 13-year-old sister a copy of the book and tells her to 'read the good parts' could be arrested and prosecuted," said Dave Fidanque, ACLU executive director for Oregon. Story from kcby CBS.