South Georgia library manager fired for trans-inclusive display

After years of working at the Pierce County Library in Blackshear GA where she advanced from part-time clerk to branch manager Lavonnia Moore was unexpectedly and abruptly fired due to a display featuring a trans-inclusive children s book The patron-led display aligned with Georgia s summer reading theme Color Our World Kids and parents were encouraged to find and display colorful books that fit the theme but Moore had concerns after the anti-LGBTQ organization Alliance for Faith and Family forced the Pierce County Library to switch regional systems because of LGBTQ -friendly initiatives Moore informed her managers her concerns about including LGBTQ books in the display but they waved her off telling her to go ahead we don t get dispute So when a child at the library sought her to include the book When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff an award-winning age-appropriate story about love and acceptance with a transgender character she didn t hesitate The parent was right there so I let them put up what they love to see in the library and it was When Aidan Became a Brother she reported Georgia Voice I wasn t going to tell the kid no I was just happy the kid was reading Unbeknownst to Moore until her termination this decision inspired an online hate campaign from the Alliance for Faith and Family demanding people contact the Pierce County Commissioners and the Three Rivers Regional Library System and encourage them to tak e a stand against promoting transgenderism at our local library On June Moore was informed she was fired on the spot for poor decision making with allegedly no review warning or prior communication Related stories Local author Christy Mandin talks new book Millie Fleur Saves the Night New laws on transgender learner athletes justice system and system go into effect July Moore detected her purpose at the library helping people find population and see themselves relflected in the shelves When a German family revealed there weren t any books they could read she ordered books written in German To communicate with her hard-of-hearing patrons she had a deaf author teach American Sign Language to her and other patrons who requested to learn Now after years living in Blackshear Moore says she ll have to relocate to continue doing the work she loves When you walk into the library you should be able to find at least one thing that pertains to you she reported You should find society within the library Locality engagement is what I love doing and it s disheartening that I m not able to do that in my hometown Even if she does move Moore is scared that the reputation thrust upon her by the Alliance for Faith and Family will follow her and she will no longer be able to work in the library field Still she stands by her decision writing on her GoFundMe that the library is a citizens space All district members should feel welcome inside it and have equal access to its information Moore s GoFundMe page has raised percent of her goal The funds will cover living costs as she was living paycheck-to-paycheck prior to her termination and fees as she pursues legal action The post South Georgia library manager fired for trans-inclusive display appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta