Many Juneau stores have removed the popular series of children’s titles off their shelves following the arrest of the person who designed the books has been detained in connection with being accused of leaving anti-transgender, threatening notes in the the town.
The week before, Kindred Post and Alaska Robotics both issued statements in support of the trans community while also condemning illustrator Mitch Watley’s behavior.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”I’m a good acquaintance with Mitch’s wife. It’s really difficult to get her books off the shelves, but they do have his name on them.” stated Pat Race, owner of Alaska Robotics. “And that’s why they’re out of our hands. .”
The wife of Watley wrote the books illustrated him.
Race declared that he wants people of transgender to feel a sense of belonging in Juneau.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”They are not worthy to be vilified or be afraid,” Race said. “Nor should be living in fear of them. .”
Race stated that Alaska Robotics will make a donation to an organization that helps transgender teens in Juneau.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Our store sold Mitch’s art work and we’ve made a profit out of it. This is a little odd considering the context,” Race said.
Christy Namee Eriksen is the owner of Kindred Post. She claims they have also taken Watley’s entire work off of the shelves after discussing the matter with their employees.
Eriksen claimed that this incident is only one of many attack on the transcommunity.
span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We are aware that this is taking place in a climate of anti-trans hate speech as well as legislation is already taking place not only in our community, but throughout the State,” Eriksen said. “As we’re witnessing with these (Alaska) House bills that are being proposed, and also our country.”
Hearthside Books owner Olga Sofia Lijo Serans said to KTOO that they’ve also taken away Watley’s books.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We want the trans community to know that we stand in their corner, and we are proud of them,” Lijo Serans said.
She also stated that she felt for the wife of Watley.
Rainy Retreat proprietor Tori Weaver said they have also removed all his books, but aren’t certain what they’ll do with them.
The proprietors of Wild Spruce Art Works, an artist distribution business in the area that sells artwork by Watley has declined to respond.
Watley is facing one count of felony for terroristic threat.
An initial hearing on the case is scheduled to take place on April 11.
