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Over the past year, 13 counties in the Volunteer State have faced down hostile protests from transgender activists and voted to remove books from school libraries that encourage and manipulate students into believing that children can be born in the wrong bodies.
The Rutherford County Library Board in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, voted on March 17 to remove books promoting transgender themes to minors from its library system.
The board’s resolution mandates the removal of materials that “promote, encourage, advocate for or normalize transgenderism or ‘gender confusion’ in minors.”
The 5-3 vote in favor of removing the books elicited cheers from supporters and shouts of “Nazis!” from opponents.
Cody York, who introduced the measure, emphasized the board’s responsibility to safeguard children. He argued that maintaining such books equates to expending taxpayer dollars on potentially harmful content. York referenced cases of detransitioners suing medical professionals over transgender procedures and highlighted governmental stances against promoting such practices among minors.
“The fact that some children in our community struggle with gender confusion means that we should be equipping them to successfully deal with the dangers of, and root cause of, that danger,” York stated.
During the public commentary segment, a speaker named Michelle cautioned about the potential long-term regrets children might face when exposed to complex topics prematurely. She expressed concerns about inadvertently sexualizing children by introducing concepts beyond their comprehension.
“If we cause children to go down this road, they can make decisions they will regret for the rest of their lives,” Michelle said.
Under the new policy, library staff are now required to identify books that promote transgender ideology to minors and present them to the board for evaluation. The board members who voted in favor of the resolution were York, Marzee Woodard, Dina Piazza, Susan Quesenberry, and Shaun Wright. Those opposing included Benjamin Groce, Kory Wells, and Rollie Holden.
Prior to this decision, the board voted 5-2 to remove Me & My Dysphoria Monster, an illustrated children’s book about a boy experiencing gender dysphoria who learns about his condition through a “trans man.”
This action aligns with broader efforts within Tennessee to scrutinize educational materials. The state’s Republican-controlled legislature has been active in proposing changes to how books are evaluated and removed from school libraries, reflecting a growing trend to regulate content deemed inappropriate for certain age groups.
This local action is part of a larger pattern across Tennessee. Over the past year, at least 13 counties have seen books removed from public school libraries, marking a significant increase since the passage of the Age Appropriate Materials Act in 2022. Among the notable titles that have been removed are The Color Purple by Alice Walker and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.
The surge in book removals has sparked debates about censorship and the role of educational institutions in determining appropriate content. Advocates for removal argue the necessity to protect children from exposure to complex or mature themes, while opponents raise concerns about limiting access to diverse perspectives and infringing on intellectual freedom.
Tennessee is not alone in removing transgender books from libraries accessible to minors. In Llano County, Texas, a public library removed 17 books addressing topics like LGBTQ+ issues and other issues last year, though some books were later returned to shelves.
A public library in Kansas also faced pressure to remove children’s books with LGBTQ+ themes. A six-person advisory committee evaluated titles by searching terms like “gay,” “transgender,” “lesbian,” “bisexual,” and “queer” in the library’s catalog, leading to the removal of certain books to retain the library’s building and funding.
Opponents of the Rutherford County Library Board’s decision liken it to Nazi book burnings, but these books are not “banned” or being burned. Any parent can obtain any book they want for their child, whether online at Amazon or Alibris, new at Barnes and Noble, or used at Goodwill. But a library has a unique responsibility to curate books such that children cannot easily, or unwittingly, access an inappropriate book illustrated with what are often disturbingly graphic sexual images.
The board’s decision to remove books promoting transgenderism to minors is not merely a political issue — it is a spiritual one. As Christians, we are called to be stewards of truth, protectors of children, and defenders of biblical values in a world that often seeks to distort them.
Transgenderism not only promotes the idea that children can be born in the wrong body but that one’s self-delusion must be affirmed and celebrated.
This issue presents an opportunity to reflect on our role in shaping a society that upholds God’s design for identity, family, and truth.
It also causes American society to grapple with the question: Who is ultimately responsible for directing children’s spiritual and emotional well-being — parents or the government?
Jesus made it clear in Matthew 18:6 that children are to be fiercely protected, saying, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
This strong warning underscores the responsibility of parents, educators, and leaders to shield children from harmful influences that could lead them astray.
When libraries include books that introduce gender confusion (and other inappropriate subjects) at an early age, they are presenting young minds with complex topics they are not equipped to handle.
Rather than allowing this confusion to take root, Christians can advocate for biblical truth and ensure that what is taught to children aligns with God’s design for male and female, as laid out in Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
The decision in Rutherford County also highlights the importance of parental involvement in education. Scripture, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, places the responsibility of teaching and guiding children primarily on parents. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Parents must be vigilant about what their children consume, both in media and literature, ensuring that their learning is grounded in biblical principles.
While many in favor of the library’s decision celebrated the outcome, the opposition responded with hostility, even resorting to calling board members “Nazis.”
Standing for biblical truth will often result in opposition, but we are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Our response should not be one of anger or hatred, but of steadfast commitment to God’s Word, coupled with compassion for those who are lost or confused. Ephesians 4:15 encourages us to “speak the truth in love” so that we may grow into spiritual maturity.
The removal of these books is a step in the right direction, but the work is not done. Parents face many additional challenges in schools, libraries, and public institutions to protect children. This means being involved in local decisions, voting for leaders who uphold biblical, child-friendly principles, and providing education alternatives that promote truth.
In a culture that often seeks to redefine truth, Christians are called to stand firm, ensuring that the next generation is raised in a way that honors God, upholds truth, and protects the innocence of children.
Many K-12 schools now embrace the secular woke agenda and are hostile to Christian beliefs and parental rights. Fortunately, parents don’t have to settle for this. Liberty University Online Academy is a K-12 program designed to educate your children in the ways of the Lord while preparing them to stand firm in their faith when they graduate. Our flexible online curriculum ensures that your student is trained at your convenience and keeps YOU the ultimate educator of your children.
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