Caitlin Herrington , The Post and Courier; SC librarians wore rainbow lanyards when a Pride display was canceled. Then they were fired.
"Despite having a seasonal display for Pride Month for years, Hinson canceled it in 2023, according to the lawsuit filed June 12.
Concerned about the discriminatory message it sent to LGBTQ+ staff and patrons, the 61-year-old Andrus respectfully vocally objected to the decision and engaged in “protected activity” — wearing a crocheted rainbow lanyard that she’d made the previous year, the suit said.
Some of her colleagues saw this as political activity, the suit claims, including one who held a closed-door meeting with Hinson before leaving their position in July 2023.
Andrus felt the elimination of the Pride display was discriminatory against her LGBTQ+ colleagues, children, patrons and public at large, according to the lawsuit. It created a “created a hostile work environment for any LGBTQ+ colleagues and colleagues with LGBTQ+ children and associates.”
Despite having more than 20 years of service with the county library and being Hinson’s second-in-command, he stopped most communication with her, she said in her affidavit.
In early September 2023, a colleague with a transgender child who had also spoken out about the display and worn a rainbow lanyard was called into Hinson’s office and fired. Andrus was called in next."
