News and Events => People news => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on March 23, 2026, 09:07:27 PM Return to Full Version
Title: “Hero” librarian won’t comply with order to remove LGBTQ+ books...
Post by: Jessica_Rose on March 23, 2026, 09:07:27 PM
Post by: Jessica_Rose on March 23, 2026, 09:07:27 PM
"Hero" librarian won't comply with order to remove LGBTQ+ books from kids section
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/03/hero-librarian-wont-comply-with-order-to-remove-lgbtq-books-from-kids-section/
Molly Sprayregen (23 March 2026)
Luanne James, director of Tennessee's Rutherford County Library System (RCLS), is defying the library's board by refusing to shield over 100 books – many of which contain LGBTQ+ content – from young readers.
"I will not comply," James wrote in a letter to the board, calling its directive "a clear act of viewpoint discrimination" and a violation of the First Amendment.
"Public libraries serve as vital repositories of diverse ideas, both popular and unpopular," James continued, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Advocate. "Restricting access to these materials through subjective relocation or removal constitutes a violation of the community's right to information and a direct infringement on the principles of free speech."
"Our libraries are funded by and for the citizens; therefore, the right to access information–free from government interference–is a protected hallmark of our democracy."
The board voted 8-3 last week to relocate the children's books to the adult section – the result of a statewide "age-appropriateness review" ordered last year by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R).
At the contentious meeting where the board voted to move the books, board chair Cory York declared, "I would argue that gender confusion [is] the idea of telling someone that boys aren't really boys, they can be girls, and girls aren't really girls, they can be boys, and that you should advocate for [or] encourage the dismembering of healthy sex organs. I don't think that that's appropriate for children."
York said in a statement to WSMV that James's refusal to comply "constitutes insubordination."
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/03/hero-librarian-wont-comply-with-order-to-remove-lgbtq-books-from-kids-section/
Molly Sprayregen (23 March 2026)
Luanne James, director of Tennessee's Rutherford County Library System (RCLS), is defying the library's board by refusing to shield over 100 books – many of which contain LGBTQ+ content – from young readers.
"I will not comply," James wrote in a letter to the board, calling its directive "a clear act of viewpoint discrimination" and a violation of the First Amendment.
"Public libraries serve as vital repositories of diverse ideas, both popular and unpopular," James continued, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Advocate. "Restricting access to these materials through subjective relocation or removal constitutes a violation of the community's right to information and a direct infringement on the principles of free speech."
"Our libraries are funded by and for the citizens; therefore, the right to access information–free from government interference–is a protected hallmark of our democracy."
The board voted 8-3 last week to relocate the children's books to the adult section – the result of a statewide "age-appropriateness review" ordered last year by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R).
At the contentious meeting where the board voted to move the books, board chair Cory York declared, "I would argue that gender confusion [is] the idea of telling someone that boys aren't really boys, they can be girls, and girls aren't really girls, they can be boys, and that you should advocate for [or] encourage the dismembering of healthy sex organs. I don't think that that's appropriate for children."
York said in a statement to WSMV that James's refusal to comply "constitutes insubordination."