Tennessee librarian fired for refusing to move LGBTQ books from children’s to adult section

The Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee fired its top librarian for refusing to move LBGTQ books out of the children’s section.  

The board voted 8-3 Monday to fire library system director Luanne James after she said she would not move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children to the adult’s section, The Associated Press reported. 

The board voted earlier this month to move the books, saying they cause “gender confusion” for young children, especially those going through puberty. 

“Follow the law,” a Rutherford County school board member said when speaking in favor of moving the books “Protect the children. Hold the line.” 

The Hill has reached out to the library for comment.  

James said moving the books violates her First Amendment rights and the vote was tantamount to government-viewpoint discrimination, according to the AP. 

“Librarians should not be used as a filter for political agendas,” James’s attorney said in a statement from the librarian following the vote. “I stood up for the right to read, standing for the citizens of Rutherford County.” 

The firing is the latest in the years-long battle against books with LGBTQ and race themes for children in schools and libraries. 

Republican-led states have spearheaded the charge in state and local policies moving books with these topics out of the kids’ shelves or removing them from the library completely.  

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