Huntington Beach library battle continues: City to appeal judge's ruling

Jill Replogle covers public corruption, debates over our voting system, culture war battles — and more.

Published Oct 27, 2025 2:20 PM

A large yellow sign reads "children's" over the entryway to an area of a library. Through the entry, there's a person standing next to a baby stroller.

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The battle over Huntington Beach's library takes a new turn

The city of Huntington Beach is continuing its quest to block minors from reading public library books deemed sexually inappropriate.

At its latest meeting, the proudly all-MAGA City Council voted to appeal a judge’s order blocking the city’s controversial library rule.

Why it matters

The City Council passed a resolution in 2023 prohibiting minors from accessing books with “sexual content” in the public libraries without a parent’s permission. The term was never clearly defined. Critics argued it was actually an excuse to restrict books with LGBTQ characters and themes.

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The backstory

In a June special election, Huntington Beach voters repealed a citizen review board with the power to censor children’s books at the library. But a legal challenge to the sexual content restrictions, led by several city residents and the group Alianza Translatinx, is ongoing.

A judge’s ruling

Last month, Orange County Superior Court Judge Lindsey Martinez found the city’s sexual content restrictions violate California’s Freedom to Read Act. She ordered the city to comply with the law. The city plans to appeal that ruling.

What about the books?

While the legal battle plays out, books opposed by conservative activists, including Pride Puppy!, a LGBTQ-themed picture book, and Making a Baby, about human reproduction, remain unavailable for check out.

How to keep tabs on Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach holds City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 2000 Main St.
You can also watch City Council meetings remotely on HBTV via Channel 3 or online, or via the city’s website. (You can also find videos of previous council meetings there.)
The public comment period happens toward the beginning of meetings.
The city generally posts agendas for City Council meetings on the previous Friday. You can find the agenda on the city’s calendar or sign up there to have agendas sent to your inbox.