Case: O.R. v. Greenville County South Carolina

6:25-cv-02599 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Filed Date: March 28, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged the Greenville, South Carolina, library system’s alleged purging of positive portrayals of transgender or gender non-conforming people. The plaintiffs were a group of four minors who lived in Greenville, South Carolina, and brought their claims through their parents. One of those plaintiffs was a 17-year-old transgender boy who represented the “Juvenile & Young Adult Class,” which consisted of all minor, transgender library patrons who lacked adult library cards. Another plaintiff was a 12-year-old girl who identified as queer and represented the “Unrestricted Library Card Class,” which consisted of all LGBTQ-identifying library patrons who had adult or juvenile non-restricted library cards. The plaintiffs filed their complaint on March 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, and they sought to certify both classes under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b). The case was assigned to District Judge Donald C. Coggins Jr.

The plaintiffs brought four claims against the defendants, which were Greenville County, South Carolina, and two officials of the county’s library system. The plaintiffs alleged two First Amendment claims. First, the plaintiffs argued that the defendants’ written policy of moving materials that contained illustrations, themes, or storylines about changing one’s gender from their biological sex from the Juvenile and Young Adult sections of the library restricted their right to receive information. Second, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants’ unwritten policy of removing dozens of LGBTQ titles from the collection, disproportionately refusing requests by library patrons to order new LGBTQ materials, and granting requests to remove the materials violated their First Amendment right to receive information. The plaintiffs also alleged two Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause claims on the written and unwritten policies because they excluded patrons based on sex and transgender status. The plaintiffs argued that even though the policies were facially neutral, they disproportionately stigmatized LGBTQ patrons. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, nominal damages in the amount of $1.00 for each violation of plaintiffs’ constitutional rights, and reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiffs were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, a civil liberties organization.

On June 27, 2025, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims for a lack of jurisdiction and for a failure to state a claim. First, the defendants argued that the plaintiffs lacked standing because they failed to identify specific books that they had planned to check out and were unable to do so. In justifying its motion to dismiss for a failure to state a claim, the defendants argued that the plaintiffs had no valid First Amendment or Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause claims. The defendants argued that there was no precedent for a library patron having a First Amendment right to be provided with specific books. Moreover, the defendants argued that the selection, curation, and placement of library materials were not subject to free speech under the First Amendment. For the Equal Protection Clause claims, the defendants argued that their policy did not discriminate or distinguish based on sex or LGBTQ status; rather, the policy discriminated based on age. The defendants argued that the library’s purpose of maintaining a parental right to control their child’s educational purpose was valid under rational basis review. The defendants also argued that the plaintiffs’ putative class lacked merit, and they argued that they had a qualified immunity defense.

On March 19, 2026, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion to dismiss. First, the court held that there was standing for the plaintiffs’ First Amendment claim for the written policy because the movement of books away from the Juvenile and Young Adult section to the Parenting and Early Childhood section restricted the plaintiffs’ right to receive information. However, the court held that the plaintiffs had no standing for their First Amendment claim on the unwritten policies because the plaintiffs failed to make any allegations about their own First Amendment injuries. The court held that the plaintiffs had not identified any specific books they intended to check out that were removed. The court held that there was standing for the Fourteenth Amendment claims because the plaintiffs had sufficiently alleged a disparate impact against LGBTQ patrons by both the written and unwritten policies. The court held that even though the policies were facially neutral, the policies created a system where transgender and LGBTQ patrons were uniquely banished to a separate section of the library. Lastly, the court held that the defendants’ defense of qualified immunity was inapplicable because the requested relief here was prospective.

As of April 13, 2026, the case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Connor Mulvena (4/2/2025)

Ameya Kamani (4/13/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69812559/parties/or-v-greenville-county-south-carolina/

Judge(s)

Coggins, Donald Cecil (South Carolina)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Block, Joshua A (South Carolina)

Jr, David Allen (South Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant

Coleman, Miles Edward (South Carolina)

Jr, Charles F (South Carolina)

Judge(s)

Coggins, Donald Cecil (South Carolina)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Block, Joshua A (South Carolina)

Jr, David Allen (South Carolina)

Knizhnik, Shana A (South Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant

Coleman, Miles Edward (South Carolina)

Jr, Charles F (South Carolina)

Lindemann, Andrew F (South Carolina)

Ozmint, James Nathan (South Carolina)

Riordan, John P (South Carolina)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 6:25-cv-02599	Complaint for Declaratory Judgment, Injunctive Relief, and Nominal Damages O.R. v. Greenville County	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 Complaint
5 6:25-cv-02599	First Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgment, Injunctive Relief, and Nominal Damages O.R. et al. v. Greenville County South Carolina et al.	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 Complaint
20 6:25-cv-02599	Motion to Dismiss O.R. et al. v. Greenville County South Carolina et al.	June 27, 2025	June 27, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
44 6:25-cv-02599	Order O.R. et al. v. Greenville County South Carolina et al.	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 815913

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69812559/or-v-greenville-county-south-carolina/

Last updated July 28, 2026, 6:20 p.m.

Docket for: O.R. v. Greenville County South Carolina

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 26, 2025	COMPLAINT against Karen Allen, Greenville County South Carolina, Beverly James ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number BSCDC-12352638.), filed by W.M., Cheryl Rogers, E.G., M.G., O.R., Greg Rogers. Service due by 6/24/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A- Collection Policy, # 2 Exhibit B-Library Reconsideration Form, # 3 Exhibit C-Display of Library Materials Policy)(alew) (Entered: 03/28/2025) 1 Exhibit A- Collection Policy View on PACER 2 Exhibit B-Library Reconsideration Form View on PACER 3 Exhibit C-Display of Library Materials Policy View on PACER	Clearinghouse
3	March 26, 2025	Local Rule 26.01 Answers to Interrogatories by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M..(alew) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
4	March 28, 2025	Summons Issued as to Karen Allen, Greenville County South Carolina, Beverly James. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Greenville County South Carolina, # 2 Summons Karen Allen)(alew) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
5	April 4, 2025	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by W.M., Cheryl Rogers, E.G., M.G., O.R., Greg Rogers. Service due by 7/3/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Collection Policy, # 2 Exhibit B - Library Reconsideration Form, # 3 Exhibit C - Display of Library Materials, # 4 Summons) (Chaney, David) (Entered: 04/04/2025) 1 Exhibit A - Collection Policy View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B - Library Reconsideration Form View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C - Display of Library Materials View on RECAP 4 Summons View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
6	April 4, 2025	Summons Issued as to Greenville County Library System. (alew) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
7	April 24, 2025	Acceptance of Service - Complaint Served 1 Acceptance of Service -- Greenville County View on PACER	RECAP
8	April 24, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by W.M., Cheryl Rogers, E.G., M.G., O.R., Greg Rogers. Greenville County South Carolina served on 4/24/2025, answer due 5/15/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Acceptance of Service -- Greenville County)(Chaney, David) Modified on 4/25/2025 to edit text (alew). (Entered: 04/24/2025) 1 Acceptance of Service -- Greenville County View on PACER	RECAP
9	April 25, 2025	DELETION OF DOCKET ENTRY NUMBER 7 Reason: attorney refiled to make correction. Corrected Filing Document Number 8 . (alew) (Entered: 04/25/2025)	RECAP
	April 25, 2025	Entry Deletion
10	May 15, 2025	LETTER EXTENDING TIME TO ANSWER Greenville County Library System answer due 6/13/2025; Beverly James answer due 6/13/2025; Karen Allen answer due 6/13/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A: correspondence between counsel)(Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 05/15/2025)	RECAP
11	May 15, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew F Lindemann on behalf of Greenville County South Carolina (Lindemann, Andrew) (Entered: 05/15/2025)	RECAP
12	May 15, 2025	LETTER EXTENDING TIME TO ANSWER Greenville County South Carolina answer due 6/13/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Email from Plaintiffs' counsel)(Lindemann, Andrew) (Entered: 05/15/2025)	RECAP
13	May 20, 2025	NOTICE of Request for Protection from Court Appearance by Andrew F Lindemann for July 21, 2025 through August 1, 2025 & August 13, 2025 through August 15, 2025 (Lindemann, Andrew) (Entered: 05/20/2025)	RECAP
14	May 23, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Joshua Block ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number ASCDC-12478116) by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M.. Response to Motion due by 6/6/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Documents Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice, # 2 Supporting Documents Certificate of Good Standing)No proposed order.(Chaney, David) (Main Document 14 replaced on 6/3/2025) (alew). Modified on 6/3/2025 to replace with corrected document provided by filing user (alew). (Entered: 05/23/2025) 1 Supporting Documents Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice View on PACER 2 Supporting Documents Certificate of Good Standing View on PACER	RECAP
15	June 3, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 14 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice as to Joshua A. Block for the plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 6/3/25.(alew) (Entered: 06/03/2025)	RECAP
	June 3, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
16	June 6, 2025	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 6/20/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles) Modified on 6/9/2025 to correct motion relief (alew). (Entered: 06/06/2025)	RECAP
17	June 9, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 16 motion for extension of time. Defendants the Greenville County Library System, Beverly James, and Karen Allen's responsive pleading is due by June 27, 2025. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 6/9/25.(alew) (Entered: 06/09/2025)	RECAP
	June 9, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
18	June 13, 2025	ANSWER to 5 Amended Complaint, by Greenville County South Carolina.(Lindemann, Andrew) (Main Document 18 replaced on 6/16/2025) (alew). Modified on 6/16/2025 to replace with corrected document per attorney request (typo, removal of text) (alew). (Entered: 06/13/2025)	RECAP
19	June 13, 2025	Local Rule 26.01 Answers to Interrogatories by Greenville County South Carolina.(Lindemann, Andrew) (Entered: 06/13/2025)	RECAP
20	June 27, 2025	MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 7/11/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles) . Added MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM on 7/2/2025; Modified on 7/2/2025 to add motion relief, to correct motion relief (alew) (Entered: 06/27/2025)	Clearinghouse
21	June 27, 2025	Local Rule 26.01 Answers to Interrogatories by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James.(Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 06/27/2025)	RECAP
22	June 30, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Charles F Turner, Jr on behalf of Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James (Turner, Charles) (Main Document 22 replaced on 7/2/2025) (alew). Modified on 7/2/2025 to replace with corrected document provided by filing user (alew). (Entered: 06/30/2025)	RECAP
23	June 30, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by James Nathan Ozmint on behalf of Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James (Ozmint, James) (Main Document 23 replaced on 7/2/2025) (alew). Modified on 7/2/2025 to replace with corrected document provided by filing user(alew). (Entered: 06/30/2025)	RECAP
24	July 1, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by John P Riordan on behalf of Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James (Riordan, John) (Main Document 24 replaced on 7/7/2025: to replace with corrected document (searchable, converted pdf) as provided by filing user) (kmca). (Entered: 07/01/2025)	RECAP
25	July 11, 2025	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of JurisdictionMOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M.. Response to Motion due by 7/25/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Chaney, David) (Entered: 07/11/2025)	RECAP
26	July 14, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 25 motion for extension of time. Plaintiffs' response to the motion to dismiss is due by July 25, 2025. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 7/14/25.(alew) (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
	July 14, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
27	July 25, 2025	RESPONSE in Opposition re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM. Response filed by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M..Reply to Response to Motion due by 8/1/2025 Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6. (Chaney, David) (Main Document 27 replaced on 8/8/2025: to replace with corrected document (corrected caption) as provided by filing user) (kmca). (Entered: 07/25/2025)	RECAP
28	July 30, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 8/13/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles) (Main Document 28 replaced on 7/30/2025) (alew). Modified on 7/30/2025 to replace with corrected document provided by filing user (alew). Modified on 7/31/2025 to correct linkage (alew). (Entered: 07/30/2025)	RECAP
29	July 31, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 28 motion for extension of time. The Library Defendants' reply to the motion to dismiss is due by August 8, 2025. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 7/31/25.(alew) (Entered: 07/31/2025)	RECAP
	July 31, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
30	Aug. 7, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 27 Response in Opposition to Motion, by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 8/21/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
32	Aug. 8, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 30 motion for extension of time. The Library Defendants' reply to the motion to dismiss is due by August 15, 2025. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 8/8/2025. (alma, ) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 8, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
33	Aug. 15, 2025	REPLY to Response to Motion re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM. Response filed by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. (Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	RECAP
35	Aug. 27, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Shana Knizhnik ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number ASCDC-12708910) by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M.. Response to Motion due by 9/10/2025. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice, # 2 Supporting Documents Certificate of Good Standing)No proposed order.(Chaney, David) (Entered: 08/27/2025)	RECAP
36	Aug. 27, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 35 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice as to Shana Knizhnik for the plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 8/27/25.(alew) (Entered: 08/27/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 27, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
37	Sept. 18, 2025	NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITIES by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M. to 27 Response in Opposition to Motion, 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM . (Chaney, David) Modified on 9/19/2025 to edit text (alew). (Entered: 09/18/2025)	RECAP
38	Oct. 2, 2025	REPLY by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James to 37 Supplement. (kmca) Re-filed by clerk to correct event. (kmca) (Main Document 38 replaced on 10/3/2025: to replace with corrected document (partially missing footnote and a typo) as requested by and provided by filing user ) (kmca). (Entered: 10/03/2025)	RECAP
38	Oct. 2, 2025	Supplement - Not an attachment to main document	RECAP
39	Oct. 28, 2025	NOTICE of SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M. to 27 Response in Opposition to Motion,, 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of JurisdictionMOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A -- E.K. v. DoDEA)(Chaney, David) Modified on 10/29/2025: to edit text (notice..) (kmca). (Entered: 10/28/2025) 1 Exhibit A -- E.K. v. DoDEA View on PACER	RECAP
40	Jan. 16, 2026	NOTICE of Hearing on Motion- 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM : Motion Hearing set for Thursday, 1/29/2026 10:00 AM in Spartanburg 2nd Floor, Donald S Russell Fed Bldg, 201 Magnolia St, Spartanburg before Honorable Donald C Coggins Jr. (alew) (Entered: 01/16/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 16, 2026	Notice of Hearing on Motion
41	Jan. 29, 2026	Minute Entry. Proceedings held before Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr: Motion Hearing held on 1/29/2026 re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction/MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Motion taken under advisement. Court Reporter Michele Becker (michele_becker@scd.uscourts.gov). (ncha, ) (Entered: 01/29/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 29, 2026	Motion Hearing AND Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim AND Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction
42	Feb. 13, 2026	MOTION for Extension of Time To File Supplemental Exhibit to the Library Defendants' Motion to Dismiss by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 2/27/2026. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A: Declaration of Beverly James)No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 02/13/2026) 1 Exhibit A: Declaration of Beverly James View on RECAP	RECAP
43	March 4, 2026	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings. Motions Hearing held on January 29, 2026, before Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr.. Court Reporter/Transcriber Michele E. Becker, Telephone number/E-mail Michele_Becker@scd.uscourts.gov. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Parties have 7 calendar days from the filing of the transcript to file with the court a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction.. Redaction Request due 3/25/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/6/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/2/2026. (mbec, ) (Entered: 03/04/2026)	RECAP
44	March 19, 2026	ORDER granting in part and denying in part 20 Motion to Dismiss as set out. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 3/19/26.(alew) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	Clearinghouse
45	April 2, 2026	ANSWER to 5 Amended Complaint, by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James.(Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 04/02/2026)	RECAP
46	April 8, 2026	Additional Attachments to Main Document 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of JurisdictionMOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM. First attachment description: Supplemental Exhibit: Declaration of Beverly James . (Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 04/08/2026)	RECAP
47	April 8, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Certificate of Appealability or, Alternatively, for Reconsideration or for a Stay by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Response to Motion due by 4/22/2026. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Coleman, Miles). Added MOTION for Reconsideration, MOTION to Stay on 4/8/2026; modified to add motion relief (alew). (Entered: 04/08/2026)	RECAP
48	April 16, 2026	MOTION for Reconsideration re 44 Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction, Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Greenville County South Carolina. Response to Motion due by 4/30/2026. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. No proposed order.(Lindemann, Andrew) (Entered: 04/16/2026)	RECAP
49	May 13, 2026	MOTION for Leave to File Opposition to 47 Library Defendants' Motion for Reconsideration by E.G., M.G., O.R., Cheryl Rogers, Greg Rogers, W.M.. Response to Motion due by 5/27/2026. Add an additional 3 days only if served by mail or otherwise allowed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 or Fed. R. Crim. P. 45. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A -- Plaintiffs' Response in Opposition to Library Defendants' Motion for Reconsideration)No proposed order.(Chaney, David) Modified on 5/14/2026 to ad linkage (alew). (Entered: 05/13/2026) 1 Exhibit A -- Plaintiffs' Response in Opposition to Library Defendants' View on RECAP	RECAP
50	May 28, 2026	ORDER granting 47 Motion for Certificate of Appealability; denying as moot 47 Motion for Reconsideration ; denying as moot 47 Motion to Stay; granting 48 Motion for Reconsideration as set out, and denying as moot 49 Motion for Leave to File. Signed by Honorable Donald C Coggins, Jr on 5/28/26.(alew) (Entered: 05/28/2026)	RECAP
52	July 16, 2026	NOTICE OF INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL as to 44 Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction, Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Karen Allen, Greenville County Library System, Beverly James. Filing fee $ 605, receipt number ASCDC-13273502. The Docketing Statement form, Transcript Order form, and CJA 24 form may be obtained from the Fourth Circuit website at www.ca4.uscourts.gov (Coleman, Miles) (Entered: 07/16/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

South Carolina

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 28, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are a group of minors who brought this suit through their parents. They seek to represent two classes-- one which consists of minor, transgender library patrons without an adult library card and another which consists of all LGBTQ-identifying library patrons with a library card.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

County

Greenville County, South Carolina

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of South Carolina 6:25-cv-02599

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of O.R. v. Greenville County South Carolina, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46312/ (last updated 4/13/2026).