TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Paul Burch on Aug 29, 2023

The Rutherford County Library Board has ordered four books pulled from shelves following a recently-adopted Murfreesboro community decency standards ordinance and a Tennessee General Assembly law that requires children be protected from sexual descriptions, reports the Tennessean. During a contentious meeting, the board voted to remove the young adult books "Flamer" by Mike Curato, "Let's Talk About It" by Erika Moen, "Queerfully & Wonderfully Made" edited by Leigh Finke and "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson. Library card members can still gain access online to the materials because the state law and city ordinance does not govern internet access. In June, Murfreesboro City Council members agreed to an ordinance that includes punishments for violators exposing children on any city property to "public expressions appealing to prurient interests or that are offensive to prevailing community standards."