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Fired Library Director's Supporters Speak Out at Meeting to Replace Her
The board said the move would protect children, while James called it viewpoint discrimination and said she would not change her mind.
- On March 30, the Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 to fire Director Luanne James after she refused to relocate 132 children's books with LGBTQ+ themes to the adult section.
- The board's directive followed a statewide "age-appropriateness" review ordered last year by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett; James argued the order constituted "viewpoint discrimination" and violated her First Amendment rights.
- Community members voiced support for James at a meeting on Monday, while a GoFundMe campaign raised $120,461 as of Monday morning, with supporters holding signs urging the chairman to resign.
- Board Chair Cody York and the executive committee are ranking four internal candidates for interim director, with York stating the role mainly requires to "just keep lights on" and "get bills paid."
- This firing occurs amid a yearslong push by some Tennessee officials to restrict LGBTQ+ content, including a 2021 law limiting bathroom access for transgender people and legislation under consideration this year regulating pronoun use.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
Tennessee librarian is fired after refusing to remove LGBTQ+ children’s book
James’s dismissal follows Tennessee officials ordering state-funded libraries to conduct “age-appropriateness” reviews of children’s books The post Tennessee librarian is fired after refusing to remove LGBTQ+ children’s book appeared first on Attitude.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 40%
Factuality
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