Truth Triumphs: Fifth Circuit Sides with Parents Protecting Children from Obscenity

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a powerful and long-overdue decision: local communities have the right to remove obscene and inappropriate books from public libraries. This isn’t just a legal win—it’s a moral victory for Texas families who are tired of seeing their values trampled and their children targeted.

In Little v. Llano County, the court rightly recognized that public libraries are not obligated to stock sexually explicit or patently offensive materials simply because activists demand it. In a clear rebuke of the lower court’s ruling, the Fifth Circuit held that the removal of books from the library did not violate the First Amendment, and that library curation is a form of government speech—not an open mic for radical ideologues.

This decision vindicates what many of us have said for years: parents and local officials have both the right and the responsibility to ensure public institutions reflect the values of the communities they serve. That includes removing content that is harmful, perverse, or grossly inappropriate for children.

Among those who stood firm was Bonnie Wallace, whose courage to speak out helped spark this important legal fight. Texas Family Project was proud to stand with her and others in Llano County as they took a principled stand. Bonnie is a hero, and this decision confirms she was right to raise the alarm.

The court's opinion cuts through the media distortion and political noise. This was never about banning books—it was about shielding children from harmful content and restoring sanity to our libraries. The decision also reinforces a vital constitutional principle: local governments cannot be forced to promote messages or materials that violate the conscience of their constituents.

Texas Family Project celebrates this as a victory for every parent who has ever wondered whether their voice matters. It does. It mattered in Llano County, and it matters in every corner of this state. This ruling provides a clear legal foundation for school boards, library councils, and elected officials to act boldly and lawfully in defense of children.

We are grateful to the Fifth Circuit for upholding the truth, to the leaders in Llano who stood firm, and to the families across Texas who refuse to back down. The fight isn’t over—but today, we win.