IT IS DONE: Tennessee: “Rutherford Library Board Rescinds Decision to Remove Books on Transgender Issues” for…see more

In a dramatic reversal, the Rutherford County Library Board voted Wednesday night to rescind its controversial decision to remove books dealing with transgender topics from public shelves — a move that drew national attention and sparked weeks of protest, debate, and legal scrutiny.

Following a packed public meeting and hours of impassioned testimony from residents, educators, parents, and advocacy groups, the board voted 5-2 in favor of reinstating the previously targeted titles. The books — which include memoirs, educational texts, and young adult fiction — had been removed earlier this spring after concerns were raised by a small group of residents claiming the material was “inappropriate for minors.”

Wednesday’s vote was met with a standing ovation from a majority of the more than 300 people who packed the Linebaugh Public Library meeting room, many waving rainbow flags or holding signs reading “Information is not dangerous” and “Trans rights are human rights.”

“This is a victory for the freedom to read,” said local high school teacher and parent Carla Jennings. “Our libraries should reflect the diversity of our community, not silence it.”

Legal pressure also played a role in the reversal. In May, the ACLU of Tennessee filed a formal complaint, arguing that the board’s original decision violated constitutional protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The prospect of litigation — as well as mounting public opposition — appeared to weigh heavily on board members ahead of the vote.

Board Chair Tom McGrath, who voted in favor of reinstatement, acknowledged the intense division but said the board had a responsibility to uphold public access to information.

“While we recognize that not every book is for every reader, we believe that every reader has a right to choose,” McGrath said.

The reinstated books will return to shelves by the end of the week, according to library officials. In addition, the board announced plans to establish a new community advisory committee to help guide future collection decisions with more transparency and public input.

The decision marks a turning point in Tennessee’s ongoing debate over library censorship and LGBTQ+ visibility — one that residents say will likely shape local elections and policy discussions for months to come.