Community pushback forces Burleson library to revamp anti-Valentine party for teens
The Burleson Public library’s plan was simple enough: An “anti-Valentine” party for teens who weren’t interested in Cupid and “pink hearts.”
The party was going to include unromantic music and a nacho bar.
But after pushback from the community and from council member Jimmy Stanford, the library decided it was best to change course.
The library posted on its Facebook page that “it was never our intention to be hateful or to teach teens to be hateful with this event. We were simply trying to find a fun, different way to celebrate this holiday with teens. As you may know some teens don’t like all the lovey dovey stuff that comes along with Valentines. Some teens aren’t in relationships and can feel like this holiday excludes them. We want to create an environment that welcomes all teens.”
The party is still going on from 5 pm. To 7 pm. Tuesday. It’s now called “Nacho Average Valentine party.”
Stanford did not return a voicemail and email seeking comment.
Deanna Phillips, a Burleson spokesperson, said the library’s original plan was to play non-romantic music and have teens make anti-love crafts.
Soon after the anti-Valentine event was posted, the city started getting criticism, Phillips said.
Phillips said people commented that the library should be teaching about love. “There were concerns about that.”
But when the library apologized and changed the anti-Valentine theme, parents and others who thought their teens would like a party without the hearts and romantic themes weighed in on Burleson Library page.
One person wrote, “This makes me so sad! I, the parent of a teen who doesn’t like the hearts and lace stuff, thought this event looked like a ton of fun for them.”
Another person commented that now her teen wouldn’t be going.
Some who commented also criticized Stanford. One person wrote: “Since you’re worried about tax dollars, I’ll cover the cost of the party if you’ll back off attacking the library staff and let them throw it the way they want.”