Divided Rutherford County Library System board bans transgender books focused on minors
The majority of the voluntary board followed the lead of appointed member Cody York to "remove material that promotes, encourages, advocates for or normalizes transgenderism or 'gender confusion' in minors."
"We need to protect children," York said with the support of about half of those in the audience.
The Rutherford County Courthouse drew over 200 people on both sides of the issue, filling audience seats and lining the meeting room floor and balcony. They applauded, cheered, whistled and shouted — for and against — as speeches were given.
Jessica Robertson of Murfreesboro was among 10 speakers during public comment to address the issue. She voiced her agreement with audience members holding signs that said, "Leave it on the shelf."
"As the mother of a transgender child, the attempted erasure of my child in a public setting such as the library by members of this board is deplorable," Robertson told the board.
"I am outraged by the audacity in the belief that this action item is acceptable in any way."
Six out of 10 speakers opposed removing the books from the shelves.
Robertson wore a T-shirt with words that say, "All Genders are Valid." She sat in the audience next to a fellow book freedom supporter Heather Ahmie, who held a sign with words and letters in different colors to tell the board this message:
"More Pride, Less Prejudice, Ban Bigotry, Not Books."
'We are banished': Rutherford schools book banning upsets free speech advocates
Many in the audience applauded and cheered for the comments and decisions of York and the majority of the board.
Fellow library board members who agreed with York in removing the books are Marzee Woodward, Dina Piazza, Susan Quesenberry and Sam Huddleston, who's an assistant city manager for Murfreesboro.
Three board members opposed the decision: Kory Wells, vice chairman Rollie Holden and Benjamin Groce, a Smyrna attorney who mentioned concerns about the book removal decisions being unconstitutional.
Chairman Phil King abstains from voting unless there's a tie.
Prior to the vote to remove books about "transgenderism," the same five majority of board members also voted to remove the picture book, "Me & My Dysphoria Monster" from the library system. The book is by author Laura Kate Dale and Illustrated by Ang Hui Qing.
Wells and Groce opposed the removal of the book. Holden abstained.
First Amendment issue: Library supporters upset by board pulling 4 books say they're 'fighting against censorship'
Public comment speaker Robertson also questioned the board's use of "transgenderism" in banning books.
"The word 'transgenderism' is considered derogatory, but you may already know that and that's why you chose to use it," Robertson told the board.
"Now I am going to define the word bigotry as found on the Oxford Languages website: 'Obstinate or unreasonable attachment to a belief, opinion, or faction, in particular prejudice against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group."
The decision by the board also offended Chris Sanders, executive director of two advocacy groups promoting equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, Tennessee Equality Project and Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.
"We used to talk about an informed democracy," Sanders said. "Last night's actions by the Library Board indicate some people in positions of authority are abandoning that idea by removing books about a whole group of people. The public deserves accurate information, particularly about trans people right now because of the concerted efforts to vilify them."
This is a developing story.
Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.
Kory Wells
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Rutherford County Library System board bans books on 'transgenderism'
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