http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/26/eveningnews/main691106.shtml

A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student
beaten to death because he was gay.

And soon, it could be banned in Alabama.

Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an
unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann
reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy
new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.

"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald
Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of
our children."

Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman
Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has
lesbian characters.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/26/eveningnews/main691106.shtml

A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student
beaten to death because he was gay.

And soon, it could be banned in Alabama.

Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an
unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann
reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy
new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.

"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald
Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of
our children."

Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman
Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has
lesbian characters.

Allen originally wanted to ban even some Shakespeare. After criticism,
he narrowed his bill to exempt the classics, although he still can't
define what a classic is. Also exempted now Alabama's public and
college libraries.

Librarian Donna Schremser fears the "thought police," would be
patrolling her shelves.

"And so the idea that we would have a pristine collection that
represents one political view, one religioius view, that's not a
library,'' says Schremser.

"I think it's an absolutely absurd bill," says Mark Potok of the
Southern Poverty Law Center.

First Amendment advocates say the ban clearly does amount to
censorship.

"It's a Nazi book burning," says Potok. "You know, it's a remarkable
piece of work."

But in book after book, Allen reads what he calls the "homosexual
agenda," and he's alarmed.

"It's not healthy for America, it doesn't fit what we stand for," says
Allen. "And they will do whatever it takes to reach their goal."

He says he sees this as a line in the sand.

In Alabama's legislature, the reviews of Allen's bill are still out on
whether to lower this curtain for good.

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