"Hero" librarian sues after being fired for refusing to hide LGBTQ+ books from childrenhttps://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/hero-librarian-sues-after-being-fired-for-refusing-to-hide-lgbtq-books-from-children/ 🔗Molly Sprayregen (28 Sep 2026)
A former library director is suing the Tennessee library system that fired her after she refused to shield over 100 books – many with LGBTQ+ content – from young readers.
In her federal civil rights lawsuit, filed last week, Luanne James claims the Rutherford County Library board violated her freedom of speech and the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause when it voted 8-3 to remove her from her position. The board, she claims, engaged in "discrimination, retaliation, obstruction, intimidation, and threats against LGBTQ community members."
In March, James wrote a letter to the board after it directed her to hide the books and declared, "I will not comply." She called the order "a clear act of viewpoint discrimination" and a First Amendment violation.
"Public libraries serve as vital repositories of diverse ideas, both popular and unpopular," James continued. "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 decision to fire Ms. James was rooted in Defendants' animus toward gay, non-binary, and transgender persons and in retaliation against Ms. James for associating with and defending them, as well as for refusing to participate in unlawful discrimination and unconstitutional censorship," the complaint states, according to Nashville Scene.--------------------
@Sarah B
