APLS Board Holds Public Hearing on Transgender Book Policy in Alabama Libraries

The Alabama Public Library System (APLS) Board met on Tuesday to hear public comments on proposed rule changes to APLS policy that would protect minors from materials promoting gender ideology and gender-altering procedures in publicly-funded libraries.

In early September, the Board opened a period for public comments, with written comments being accepted through October 14 and oral comments being heard at Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposed rule change would set clear standards regarding the placement and accessibility of materials that promote gender ideology and transgender procedures in library youth sections. As currently worded, the amendment reads:

"Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth."

This proposed amendment follows the Board's policy change in May, 2025, which required libraries to develop policies addressing how minors are protected from access to sexually inappropriate materials and mandated that such materials be moved out of children's and youth sections. As such, the proposed rule would be in concordance with Alabama’s ‘What is a Woman’ law and President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) “DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,” signed January 20, 2025. In addition to acknowledging only two genders, the EO states that “Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology.”

As the books in question promote gender ideology, there have been ongoing concerns that noncompliance with the EO might lead to a loss of federal funds for some or all libraries across the State.

Final wording of the amendment will be considered by the Board after Tuesday’s hearing and review of submitted written comments.

Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, APLS Board Chairman John Wahl said in a statement that "The goal of this amendment is to ensure our libraries remain safe, family-friendly spaces for families across the state of Alabama. The APLS Board is committed to keeping our libraries focused on education and encouraging reading, while respecting parental rights and protecting children from sexual content. Sexuality is a deeply personal issue, and parents should never have to fear that their child will be exposed to explicit content they disagree with in our library youth sections."

In total, the Board received 8,478 written submissions by the October 14 deadline, with 6781 in support of the proposed change and 1697 opposing the change. At the meeting, approximately 30 people spoke in favor of the change, while 25 opposed it.

Public comments on the proposed changes were, in general, starkly divided. Those opposing the changes, from Read Freely Alabama and others, described them as censorship that would “clog the pipes of public education,” and “takes away the rights of individuals to decide for themselves.” The changes were also described as being unconstitutional (as a violation of the First Amendment), transphobic, a means to push “an extreme religious ideology,” and taking away local control of libraries.

Several members of the LGBTQ+ community spoke against the amendment, with one stating “we are not pornography—we are neighbors.”

The Board’s actions in denying funds to the Fairhope Library were described as governmental overreach, and “this is not accountability, this is punishment.” Several pleas to restore funding to the Fairhope library were heard on Tuesday.

Those who support the amendment were equally passionate, saying it would protect children from “filthy Sodom and Gomorrah images, “the path of evil,” “the divine plan,” “homosexual degradation," and “a ploy to confuse and indoctrinate our children.” The Bible was frequently invoked, both directly and indirectly. Others remarked that the materials in question promote a “dangerous, destructive and deadly ideology,” with several commenting on the serious medical consequences of biologic transition therapies.

It was pointed out that “no LGBTQ+ child became that way because of what they read.” Another reminded the Board that exposure of children to age-inappropriate is well known to have serious adverse behavioral and psychological consequences. Yet another mentioned the Cass Review, which found very little evidence that gender-affirming care reduces psychological distress or promotes positive outcomes in children and adolescents—and, in fact, might do just the opposite.

One presenter asked for the complete removal of the materials under question, as well as the addition of sexual identity to the amendment. Another reported that the North Shelby Library had introduced a restricted access library card for minors, but that other libraries in the County had not been honoring that restriction. It was requested that the Board look into that issue, as well.

Following the public comments, Board member Ron Snider—who has often been the Board’s lone dissenting voice in this and other matters—commented that most of the written responses were “form letters” that were received after staffers of the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) sent out a Call To Action (CTA) in support of the changes. He further accused Wahl—who is also ALGOP Chairman—of using ALGOP to promote the amendment in furtherance of Wahl’s political career, specifically the pursuit of the Lt. Governor’s position, both of which Wahl denied.

Apparently Mr. Snider was unaware, or chose to ignore, that both opposing and supporting groups issued their own CTAs and provided for letter templates to simplify the response process. Read Freely Alabama (opposing) and Clean Up Alabama/Eagle Forum (supporting) widely distributed their CTAs, and ALPolitics.com reported on both on September 26. Links to both opposing and supporting form letter templates were included in that article.

At this time, Wahl has not declared his candidacy for any public office, and would be at a serious disadvantage if he joined any race at this late date.

To close the meeting, Wahl commented that “we may have different opinions, but I hope that our goals are the same. We want Alabama libraries to be welcoming places for people of all backgrounds.” He went on to say that “parents have a right to be concerned,” and that “my goal is to put parents in charge of their child.”

ALPolitics.com reached out for comments following the meeting.

Board member and candidate for Alabama State Senate in District 10 Amy Minton responded, saying, “Thank you to all of the bold, compassionate people across Alabama for the  overwhelming 81% support of the APLS amendment supporting the removal of any books regarding gender ideology and transgenderism in the minor sections of our Alabama public libraries. Protecting our children and vulnerable is the most loving thing we as a society can do! Special THANK YOU to the majority of our Alabama Libraries that already choose to not include books on gender ideology and transgenderism in the books they purchase and shelve. 

Minton also commended the APLS staff, saying, “Thank you also to the APLS staff for their hard work and diligence always but especially during this extremely challenging time of public comment.”

Rachel Homolak of Madison voiced her support for the amendment, saying, “Gender ideology is not just delusional, it’s dangerous and deadly. I stand for the conveniently forgotten de-transitioners like Maia Poet, who was introduced early in life to dangerous gender ideology at her local library. Her life has been ruined, her body mutilated and she will forever bear the scars of the lies she was fed.”

Ted Halley described his personal experience, saying, “I am a de-transitioner. I’ve done it all. I went as far down that road as you can go. But, I want to point out that the idea of transitioning is not true. Gender is assigned at birth. You cannot change it. You can change the way you look, but you can’t change who you are. Children are innocent and they’re impressionable, and we can feed them truth, or we can feed them inconsistent stories.”

Terri LaPoint, candidate for Congress in AL3, told us, “Our children are being targeted by a strong political agenda. Many of those speaking against the policy changes today were librarians. Their salaries are paid by Alabama taxpayers. They continually asserted that libraries are apolitical and neutral. That statement is patently, demonstrably false. Their agenda is harmful and confusing to young, impressionable minds. Parents are pushing back. I have been fighting for families and parental rights for a long time, and it is literally a huge part of why I'm running for Congress. This is about protecting our children.”

Alabama Attorney General candidate Katherine Robertson offered the following statement on the proposed change:

“I want to thank Chairman Wahl and the other members of the APLS who have fought valiantly over the last few years to ensure that our libraries reflect our State's values, particularly when it comes to minors. Your leadership, and that of so many dedicated grassroots leaders, continues to encourage and inspire citizens from across Alabama to "take back" the children's section of the library in their own communities. This amendment has the added benefit of ensuring that Alabama’s public libraries are in complete alignment with President Trump's mission to quash the left's endless crusade for genderlessness that has all too often targeted young minds. I am in full support of the Board’s efforts and look forward to the adoption of this amendment.”

The Board will now consider possible changes to the amendment, which will likely be voted on at the next Board meeting.

The public hearing recording may be viewed on the APLS website at THIS LINK.

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