An Alabama library board leader believes children should not be able to read library books about transgender people.

At a meeting Thursday, Amy Minton introduced a consideration to restrict children from reading “any library material that encourages, promotes or contains positive portrayals of transgender procedures, gender ideology or the concept of more than two genders.”

The language is modeled on a new state law, “What is a Woman,” and on two recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump that target transgender health care and certain procedures.

The state library board did not vote on the consideration, but it did adopt a new policy to regulate “sexually explicit” content, in an ongoing effort to stop children from accessing books some people consider objectionable. The new policy uses the same definition used by adult bookstores.

More than 30 people from around the state packed into the room for a chance to speak on the topic. Most spoke about protecting libraries, while a handful insisted on protecting children by moving books to the adult section.

“Reading has always been such a blessing to me,” said Betsy Pringle, a Mountain Brook High sophomore. “I stopped being able to walk around the time I learned to read and instead of my world getting smaller, it grew in epic proportions. In books I’ve climbed mountains, performed magic and traveled the world, I have learned skills such as empathy and kindness.”

The new rule attempts to clarify which books libraries cannot allow children to access. It defines “sexually explicit” content as “actual or simulated sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex; Sexual excitement; Nudity; Bestiality; Masturbation; Sadistic or masochistic abuse; or Lascivious exhibition of the anus, genital or pubic area of any person.”

Sarah Sanchez of Clean Up Alabama said “listening to a lot of the comments today, there’s a lot of passion and bitterness. I don’t share any of that bitterness from where I sit on my side of the issue.” Clean Up Alabama has been leading group challenging books statewide for content with LGBTQ or race-related themes and characters.

Fairhope libraries

About a dozen people spoke about the continuing situation in Fairhope, including the library director and the president of the board. For nearly two years, some residents have complained about sexually inappropriate books for children, while others trust the librarians.

The state library board suspended funding to the library for not following the state code, even though library staff said they were told they were in compliance.

While the state board didn’t vote on any decisions regarding the Fairhope library’s funding, many people spoke in support of resuming their funding and leaving decision-making to them.

“Our library has followed every policy that you have put forth, including creating a parental card system back in September of 2024,” according to Cheryl Corvo, a Fairhope resident. “But because they didn’t cave to your demands to remove books, books that have been reviewed and cleared multiple times using APLS’ code, you punish them. That’s not leadership. That is retaliation.”

The board meets again on July 17.