Alabama library board bans ‘gender ideology;’ punts on Fairhope funding

The Alabama Public Library Service Thursday voted to restrict books for minors that address “transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders.”

The changes — which do not define what “gender ideology” is — group any books that discuss transgender individuals with items considered obscene, sexually explicit or any material deemed inappropriate.

“I think today was an incredible day for the people of Alabama, because it took a major step forward in putting parents back in control of what their children are exposed to,” said John Wahl, chair of the APLS Board and Alabama Republican Party. “And at the end of the day, that is what the APLS priority is. We want to put Alabama families in charge. We want them to make the decisions for what is best for their families.”

In a joint statement, groups including Read Freely Alabama; PEN America; Every Library and the Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition criticized the changes, saying they were pushed by right-wing and anti-LGBTQ+ groups.

“This broad language will likely result in any books with trans representation–regardless of their age-relevance–moved to adult sections of public libraries in Alabama,” the statement said. “The language in the code change does not define “gender ideology,” a vague, undefined term often used as an anti-LGBTQ+ dogwhistle.”

Wahl also introduced other amendments that the APLS Board adopted to require local libraries that the library cards they issue to minors prohibit them from having access to books and other materials in the adult section unless they have explicit permission from their parents or legal guardian.

The board also approved adding language to the code that requires libraries “recognize and comply with all state code, rules, and definitions adopted by the APLS executive board.”

The changes were more expansive than the original proposal made in March by Amy Minton, an APLS board member, that would have only prohibited positive depictions of gender ideology and transgender procedures in library materials for minors.

Wahl argued that removing the word “positive” would also limit material critical of transgender people.

“I don’t think that was ever the intent that we should be allowing negative content and not positive content,” he said.

Thursday marked the second time in three years that the APLS voted to update its administrative code in three years. Board members enacted the first set of changes that dealt with materials in the children’s section of libraries. In the summer of 2024, the board  required libraries to adopt policies to prevent minors from having access to materials that are considered obscene, sexually explicit or otherwise considered inappropriate.

Several groups, including the Alabama Library Association, have criticized the process that led to the vote as unfair and lacked transparency.

“This was all a mechanism for which they could have the end result that they already predetermined,” said Angie Hayden, one of the founding members of Read Freely Alabama. “I think that there has been a conflict of interest in Wahl’s role as ALGOP chair and APLS chair. I think he used one to influence the other.”

It is an accusation that Wahl denied.

“I also want to highlight to those who have tried to make the statement that this is already done, the wording was done and finished before this happened, that is not true,” Wahl said. “And you can see it based on the edits, the amendments based on the public comment.”

Fairhope

While the APLS Board voted to modify its administrative code, members delayed a vote on Fairhope Public Library’s compliance with the administrative code, which would reinstate its state funding.

“I know I have been working very hard to review the material, the books that they submitted,” Wahl said.

In March, Minton requested that the APLS Board vote to suspend state aid to the Fairhope Public Library after a handful of residents spoke during the public comment period that they found several books in the teens’ section of the library that violated the APLS administrative code enacted in 2024.

Fairhope Public Library Director Robert Gourlay, left, and Fairhope Public Library Board Chair randal Wright wait for the APLS meeting on Thursday, Nov, 20 2025 to begin. The APLS Board voted to delay its decision to reinstate the library’s state funding. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

The Board voted to suspend the library’s funding. The Fairhope Library Board then reviewed the 17 books that parents challenged. They eventually reshelved seven of the books but retained the remaining titles in the teens section.

During the meeting in September, the Board decided to wait until it had reviewed the books that parents challenged themselves. Thus far, Wahl is the only member of the board who said he plans on reviewing the books and will report his findings to the rest of the APLS Board who will then take a vote on the fate of the funding for the Fairhope Public Library.

“Are you becoming the censor in chief for Alabama, that you are reading these books?” said Ron Snider at the Thursday meeting, one of the APLS board members. Snider moved to have the Fairhope Public Library’s funding reinstated, but his request failed to get the necessary support.

Even prior to the discussion, Snider requested that Wahl apologize to the Fairhope Public Library after the library was forced to forfeit all its remaining state aid for 2025 that totaled about $22,000.

“The action of the board, in postponing a decision until you were going to review some books, clearly implied to them that their remaining funding, the $20,000, was going to be available to them subject to approval,” he said at the meeting Thursday. “When we found out that was not, in fact, the case, we owe them an apology.”

Wahl said the rule was already in place and that libraries, including the Fairhope Public Library, knew of the rule, and that other libraries had their state aid withheld. However, only the Fairhope Public Library had its funding suspended because of the administrative code pertaining to inappropriate books located in a section dedicated to minors.

“I am sorry for any misinformation or for people’s misunderstanding, and that is genuine,” Wahl said, but did not apologize for the rule that forced the Fairhope Public Library to forfeit its remaining state aid.

This article was originally published by The Alabama Reflector.