Settlement for Former Wyoming Library Director
A former library director in Wyoming, who was dismissed amidst a community conflict regarding sexually explicit and LGBTQ-themed books for children, has reached a $700,000 settlement.
Terry Leslie, who previously served as the executive director of the Campbell County Public Library System in Gillette, initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit in April 2025. He claimed he was unjustly terminated in July 2023 for his refusal to relocate or remove books featuring LGBTQ content from the library’s youth section.
Leslie’s lawsuit states that county officials, along with library board members, supported a local “ban the book movement” categorizing certain books as “pornographic.”
“A small segment of the community openly supported homophobic, transphobic, and other hateful ideologies,” Leslie’s complaint mentions. “Instead of rejecting this campaign of fear and hatred, the defendants went along with it.”
Her lawsuit accused Campbell County, its board, library board officials, and individuals like former Commissioners Del Shelstad and Colleen Faber of discrimination and retaliation, asserting a conspiracy to violate her civil rights.
Defendants have denied the lawsuit’s claims, arguing that Leslie’s firing stemmed from performance issues.
The Campbell County Commissioner’s Office announced that the settlement was achieved through mediation by the county’s insurance attorneys, clarifying that no public funds were used and stating it wasn’t an admission of liability, but rather a way to avoid high legal costs from a trial.
“I feel vindicated,” Leslie stated. “It’s been a difficult path, but I stand by my decisions to uphold the First Amendment.”
The origins of the controversy can be traced back to June 2021 when a Facebook post celebrating Pride Month prompted backlash from some community members and Commissioner Kjelstad, who opposed endorsing LGBTQ+ materials for minors. Tensions increased following news of a transgender magician slated to appear in a children’s program, which led to protests and the eventual cancellation of the show.
Books often challenged, such as “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson, were among those targeted in Gillette. The challenges included titles like “How Do You Make a Baby” by Anna Fisk and “Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy” by Andrew P. Smiler.
Leslie voiced her concerns during library board meetings, stating that removing books from the children’s section amounted to censorship and conflicted with the First Amendment.
After her dismissal, Leslie filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and received permission to sue in February 2025.
Additionally, Leslie has a separate ongoing defamation lawsuit against a local family, alleging they played a role in orchestrating the campaign leading to her termination. The Campbell County Public Library Board has not yet responded to requests for comment.
