NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee library board has fired the county's top librarian for refusing to comply with its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books
In this photo provided by the Rutherford County Library Alliance, former Rutherford County Library System Director Luanne James speaks at a meeting of the Rutherford County Library Board in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
, on Monday, March 30, 2026, during which the board voted to fire her from her position due to her refusal to move more than 100 books from the children’s section to the adult section. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee library board has fired the county’s top librarian for refusing to comply with its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s to the adult section over its claims that they promote “gender confusion.” The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 on Monday evening to fire library system director Luanne James. James has previously said that relocating the books would violate her and county residents’ First Amendment rights and compromise her professional obligation against government-mandated viewpoint discrimination. The case establishes the county southeast of Nashville as another focal point in the yearslong national fight over library content, often centering on racial and LGBTQ themes. “Her story will echo from the Courthouse in Murfreesboro, TN, across the county, as emblematic of the fight against censorship and suppression,” said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program for PEN America, which advocates for freedom of expression on behalf of writers. Last fall, a former Wyoming library director won $700,000 to settle a lawsuit after her firing. Terri Lesley was removed during an uproar over books with sexual content and LGBTQ themes that some people sought their removal from youth shelves, though Campbell County officials contended that only her performance played a role in her firing. Additionally, in December, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on a Texas free speech case that allowed local officials to remove books deemed objectionable from public libraries. The Tennessee decision stems from a March 16 vote by the board to relocate the books to the adult section in county libraries. During that meeting, board Chairman Cody York said it is dangerous and inaccurate to tell children, particularly those going through puberty, that boys can be girls and girls can be boys. Two days later, James emailed the board and said she would not move the books. The meeting Monday was peppered with cheers and boos from the audience. When it was James’ turn to speak, she said, “I stand by my decision and I will not change my mind.” After the board voted to fire her, James’ attorney read a statement from her in which she said she thought the firing was an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination. “Librarians should not be used as a filter for political agendas,” the statement said. “I stood up for the right to read, standing for the citizens of Rutherford County.” Rutherford County school board member Caleb Tidwell, meanwhile, spoke in favor of moving the books out of the section for youth readers. “Follow the law,” said Tidwell, who started his public comments with a prayer. “Protect the children. Hold the line.” Last year, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office sent letters to library systems across the state requesting immediate reviews of what was in their children’s sections. They say libraries that receive federal and state funding have to comply with applicable laws, and mentioned Trump’s executive order about gender ideology. James was appointed as the county library director in July 2025. She has worked for more than 25 years in public library roles, including directorships in Texas and South Carolina.NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee library board has fired the county’s top librarian for refusing to comply with its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s to the adult section over its claims that they promote “gender confusion.” The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 on Monday evening to fire WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend its construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preservationist group’s request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts President Donald Trump’s White House A Buddhist meditation hall at the remote Tassajara Mountain Zen Center in Central California burned down just as practitioners were in the home stretch of a sequestered, three-month meditation program in which they had been contemplating the impermanence of existence. The March 26 attic fire swallowed up the entire wooden structure and damaged the nearby NEW YORK — In a new lawsuit, one of the first three women to officiate an NFL game describes her three years at the pinnacle of her profession as a descent into the grip of a sexist institution unable to treat a woman as an equal. Robin DeLorenzo cited gender-based scrutiny, humiliation and open WASHINGTON — A federal judge has agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s executive order to cease funding for NPR and PBS is SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The former chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board was indicted on charges that he drugged and abducted patients at a psychiatric facility in order to get more money from health care reimbursements, according to an indictment released on Monday. An Arkansas grand jury indicted Dr. Brian Hyatt in early March WSECU Community Champion: Chrystal Ortega’s mission to feed Spokane Chrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.When Shawn Tibbitts opened Tibbitts FernHill, he was just trying to survive. The small Tacoma restaurant has since earned culinary awards and praise.Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its cherished holiday tradition of giving back by donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the South Sound region this season.Matthew Ballantyne has transformed that early awareness into action, embodying the organization's mission:"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Netflix’s 100% RT Sci-Fi Anime Masterpiece Is a Perfect Weekend BingeNetflix symbol logo
Read more »
Prime Video’s 100% Sleeper Hit Proves It Has the Best Fantasy FranchiseA dragon surround in flame in The Legend of Vox Machina.
Read more »
Cole's French Dip closing for good after more than 100 years in LACole's French Dip, a beloved landmark in downtown Los Angeles, is closing its doors for good on Sunday after 118 years in the city.
Read more »
Police say nearly 100 rounds fired in deadly shooting at Tacoma, WA homeA homicide investigation is underway after someone shot close to 100 rounds at a home in Tacoma early Sunday morning.
Read more »
100+ rounds fired at south Tacoma house party, killing 1 woman and injuring anotherTACOMA, WASH. — A house party in South Tacoma turned deadly early Sunday morning after a barrage of gunfire left one woman dead and another injured.Police say m
Read more »
BTS Returns to No. 1 on Artist 100, Debuts 13 Songs on Hot 100 From ‘ARIRANG’BTS returns to No. 1 on the Artist 100 and debut 13 songs from new 'ARIRANG' album on Hot 100, including four in the top 40, led by “Swim” at No. 1.
Read more »