Tennessee Charter School Network Removes LGBT-Themed Books Following Teacher's Religious Objection

KIPP Nashville, a network of public charter schools in Tennessee, has removed LGBT-themed children's books from its curriculum. The decision follows a legal dispute involving Eric Rivera, a first-grade teacher at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary, who requested a religious exemption from using the materials in his classroom.

Represented by the First Liberty Institute, Rivera argued that the school's initial refusal to accommodate his religious beliefs violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The legal group also contended that the inclusion of these books potentially conflicted with Tennessee state laws regarding parental consent for specific educational topics. Following a demand letter from the institute, the school network informed the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office that the books had been withdrawn. Counsel for the legal group stated that the removal protects both the religious rights of staff and the rights of parents under the Constitution.