Randolph County commissioners fired an entire library board for refusing to ban a children’s book about a transgender boy, showcasing the dangerous lengths progressive activists will go to push gender ideology on our children. The decisive 3-2 vote to dismiss all trustees came after they defied community concerns and voted 5-2 to keep the controversial book “Call Me Max” in the children’s section. This action represents a powerful pushback against the promotion of age-inappropriate content and the broader national movement to reclaim local institutions from activist agendas.
Story Highlights
- Randolph County commissioners voted 3-2 to dismiss all library trustees after they refused to remove transgender book “Call Me Max.”
- The library board voted 5-2 to keep the controversial children’s book in the children’s section despite parent complaints
- Commissioners dissolved the existing bylaws and plan to appoint new trustees with different priorities
- The decision represents pushback against the 25% of banned books nationwide that feature LGBTQ themes targeting children
County Commissioners Stand Up for Parental Rights
Commissioners Darrell Frye, Kenny Kidd, and Lester Rivenbark voted December 8, 2025, to dismiss the entire Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees after nearly 200 residents packed a public hearing. The trustees had defied community concerns by voting 5-2 in October to keep “Call Me Max” by Kyle Lukoff in the children’s section. The book promotes transgender ideology to young children by featuring a boy claiming to be transgender and demanding others use his preferred name.
The commissioners’ decisive action came after months of community pressure following a parent’s legitimate complaint about age-inappropriate content being pushed on children. Trustee Betty Armfield defended the board’s decision by claiming they must “serve all sides of issues,” but parents rightfully questioned why gender confusion should be promoted to vulnerable young minds through taxpayer-funded libraries.
North Carolina’s Randolph County chose to dissolve its entire library board rather than allow a book about a trans child to sit on the shelves.
Last week, the county Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 to dismiss every single member of the library board, just weeks after they… pic.twitter.com/LKYVhsWDRV
— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) December 16, 2025
Woke Activists Cry Censorship Over Common Sense
Predictably, left-wing advocacy groups immediately attacked the commissioners’ decision as “censorship.” PEN America’s Kasey Meehan called the dismissal “a pretty dramatic response,” while Lawyers for Good Government labeled it part of an “authoritarian pattern.” These organizations consistently oppose parents’ rights to protect their children from inappropriate sexual and gender content in public institutions.
Author Kyle Lukoff expressed distress on social media about his book being challenged, but ignored the legitimate concerns of parents who don’t want their tax dollars funding materials that promote gender dysphoria to impressionable children. The commissioners cited concerns about “social contagion” – the documented phenomenon where exposure to transgender ideology can influence confused young people to question their biological sex.
Part of Nationwide Battle Against Gender Ideology
This case represents one victory in a broader national movement to reclaim local institutions from progressive activists. According to advocacy groups’ own data, 25% of challenged books nationwide between 2023-2024 featured LGBTQ themes, demonstrating widespread parental concern about age-inappropriate content targeting children. The Randolph County action sends a clear message that elected officials will use their authority to protect children when appointed boards refuse to listen to constituents.
The dismissed board’s bylaws have been dissolved, and commissioners plan to appoint new trustees who will prioritize community values over woke ideology. While two commissioners voted against the dismissal, the majority recognized their duty to ensure public institutions serve families rather than activist agendas that undermine parental authority and traditional values.
Watch the report: North Carolina Library Board Dissolved Over One Trans Children’s Book
Sources:
North Carolina county dissolves library board for refusing to toss book about a trans kid
NC County Board Dissolves Library Panel Over Refusal to Ban Trans Book
Randolph commissioners dismiss entire library board after book controversy
U.S. Book Challenges Update: December 2025 Edition – I Love Libraries.
