A public charter school in Nashville has removed LGBT children’s books from its library months after clearing the record of a Christian teacher who was disciplined for refusing to read from literature that “promotes same-sex marriage.”
According to the First Liberty Institute, a national group which defends religious freedom, administrators at Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Nashville, “have eliminated books that could violate Tennessee law regarding parental consent.”
“We are thrilled that KIPP Nashville voluntarily removed books that could run afoul of parents’ rights under the Constitution and Tennessee law,” said First Liberty senior counsel Cliff Martin. “It is paramount that religious views be respected in schools.”
The confirmation that the public charter school removed the controversial literature comes months after First Liberty announced an agreement with the school to clear the record of Eric Rivera (pictured above), a teacher at a KIPP Nashville school who received a “final warning letter” after he refused to read a children’s book about same-sex parents to his class at Antioch College Prep Elementary School.
Rivera reportedly received the letter, and was removed from the classroom, despite successfully finding another teacher to read the book.
“We are pleased that the school has made the right decision by accommodating Mr. Rivera for his deeply held religious views,” said Martin in March. “Our client is deeply devoted to teaching and is grateful that his record has been cleared and reasonable accommodations will be provided going forward.”
According to First Liberty, the public charter school also promised “permit all teachers to ask another employee to read materials objectionable to their faith.”
First Liberty’s success with KIPP Nashville is not the group’s first effort to support Tennessee faithful.
The group previously sent a letter urging a Tennessee school board to accept a family’s request to start a Christian athletic club last year. In 2024, First Liberty represented the Christian pro-Israel nonprofit, HaYovel, after a Nashville hotel canceled their event.
– – –
Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Eric Rivera” by Eric Rivera.
