Page 10 | Libraries promoting body mutilation as “joy” in Norfolk

CarobBean72 · 2024-04-12T08:28:43+00:00

Anyone here from Norfolk? Norwich Millennium Library has a display of “Trans Joy”, apparently aimed at children & young people, which IMHO promotes body mutilation & self harm of women & girls & glorifies drug use. In the wake of the Cass Report it’s incredibly irresponsible. It includes images of hypodermic needles for injecting testosterone, a packer & mastectomy scars, with the slogan “Self-made men play God right”. Most disturbing is a small figurine of a woman’s lower half, cut off at waist & knees, bearing what appears to be a hysterectomy scar & what is either a pseudo-phallus ( an appendage made from a flap of tissue removed from the woman’s arm or thigh, rolled up and sewn to the groin to mimic a penis ) or a hypertrophied clitoris, one of the often painful effects of testosterone on the female body. The display is accessible to children as the cabinets stand only a couple of feet high, designed for a child’s eye line and it’s placed next to the 8-14 book section. The cases are by the entrance - not noticeable when you go in but inescapable when you leave. I can’t believe someone okayed this. If it was promoting anorexia or cutting or glorifying steroid abuse to children and teenagers, we’d all see it for what it is. Instead, it’s promoting self-mutilation under the banner of “Trans Joy”. It’s especially irresponsible in the week the Cass Review revealed how poor the evidence base for so-called “gender affirming care” is and how little followup there has been to assess regret and de-transition rates. Ive been trying to find a contact for the head of Norfolk Library Services - it’s a woman called Kerry Murray, who is also the Safeguarding Lead! But I can’t find any email listing for her. Any suggestions? Sharing images with trepidation: it’s a horror show! **Post edited by MNHQ**

FrancescaContini · 15/04/2024 08:27

PaperWalkAndTalk · 13/04/2024 09:46

Is this in the same building as the BBC?

The irony…so local BBC news journalists have potentially been walking past this macabre display?!

EdithStourton · 15/04/2024 02:38

Sick fuckers.
Honestly, I have no other words.

startingagain202 · 15/04/2024 00:44

The irony of showing all the physical pain and the drugs & medical interventions and surgery's that Transpeople to chose to endure is fucking warped.
Someone needs to look up the word 'Joy' in the dictionary.

Original poster

CarobBean72 · 15/04/2024 00:06

lanadelgrey · 14/04/2024 18:29

Not a resident but a frequent visitor to the city. I do recall another memorable exhibition a couple of years ago that was all knitting and crochet including the amazing/utterly bonkers Sandringham. A joyful, eccentric labour of love in wool

Yes, the knitted Sandringham was a masterpiece. There was a giant knitted Christmas tree at one point.

Technically they were in the Forum though, which is the building - the Library is just one part of it.

Very cheering stuff to visit.

OP posts:

birchtreeglow · 15/04/2024 00:00

I've been looking into offence classifications today.

Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981.

It's not applicable here as it's in a library and probably falls under section 4 (c) of the Act "Nothing in this section applies in relation to any matter - ... by or with the authority of, and visibleo only from within a building occupied by, the Crown or any local authority..."

But thought that since I'd found it, I'd share in the event of other such displays being spotted. Could then check the legislation to see if it's applicable.

Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981

An Act to make fresh provision with respect to the public display of indecent matter; and for purposes connected therewith.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/42/section/1

AtrociousCircumstance · 14/04/2024 23:37

@Abeona thank you. What you wrote is very eloquent.

NoSnowdrop · 14/04/2024 23:34

That display is sickening. Who the fuck signed off on that? Pre or post Cass, it’s highly inappropriate and so worrying that this was deemed acceptable in a public space.

i hope this is being investigated at the highest level. What an insane response “we”ll reflect on the feedback for the future”. No apology, no acknowledgment that this was very very wrong, usual crap about the importance of everyone feeling included which damn sure doesn’t refer to women or children or gay people in this instance.

they need to be hit where it hurts, in their future funding, by taxpayers.

Abeona · 14/04/2024 23:21

I'll do it in the morning.

AtrociousCircumstance · 14/04/2024 23:19

@Abeona would you consider sending that as a reply?

Abeona · 14/04/2024 23:18

It is important that our libraries are a place
where everyone feels safe and welcome and we will reflect on the feedback that you have given us when considering future displays".

As a lesbian I don't feel safe and comfortable around material like that. I find it aggressive and threatening and deeply homophobic. It's a reminder of all the damage being done to young lesbians and the enormous regret and sadness they'll experience as they get older and realise the consequences of what they've done. The idea that anyone in a public service could think it's okay to encourage people to mutilate themselves rather than work on accepting who they are and learning to love their bodies as they are appals me.

duc748 · 14/04/2024 22:50

IcakethereforeIam · 14/04/2024 18:20

That reads like 'yah boo sucks, we were going to take it down anyway terf!'. Or perhaps that's just me?

I think it's pretty hard to see another reading! 😄

Chewyspree · 14/04/2024 21:05

lanadelgrey · 14/04/2024 18:29

Not a resident but a frequent visitor to the city. I do recall another memorable exhibition a couple of years ago that was all knitting and crochet including the amazing/utterly bonkers Sandringham. A joyful, eccentric labour of love in wool

It’s on display at the moment!

upthehill24 · 14/04/2024 20:18

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MrsOvertonsWindow · 14/04/2024 19:04

CarobBean72 · 14/04/2024 17:27

Thank you very much for your intervention @KayMasonBillig & for responding here with your contact details. Very much appreciated & I hope you get some answers & accountability.

FYI the reply from the Library Services is rather at odds with yours. It’s anonymous (and also doesn’t explain how they got my email address - I assume because one of the County Councillors I emailed passed it on).

This is their message:

Good afternoon

Thank you for contacting us. The display at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library was planned to be in place for a short period as part of our programme of events, and is no longer in place.

It is important that our libraries are a place
where everyone feels safe and welcome and we will reflect on the feedback that you have given us when considering future displays".

Regarding the second sentence in bold, I would prefer libraries to be a place where everyone - especially children & vulnerable adults struggling with body issues - actually ARE safe. I’m sure most people would agree.

Show quote history

Thank you for sharing that ignorant response from the Library Service CarobBean72. It shows how much trouble we're in when they dismiss a safeguarding complaint about the display with a vapid statement about "everyone feels safe and welcome".

Failing to understand that the display is age inappropriate suggests that the library may be an unsafe place for children. It also raises questions about what other risks the service might pose, given that children visiting are often unaccompanied by an adult.

The fact that this response comes from the top of the service does suggest that Norfolk needs to conduct a swift safeguarding review to make sure that there is an understanding of safeguarding in the library service and that there are no other concerns .

lanadelgrey · 14/04/2024 18:29

Not a resident but a frequent visitor to the city. I do recall another memorable exhibition a couple of years ago that was all knitting and crochet including the amazing/utterly bonkers Sandringham. A joyful, eccentric labour of love in wool

IcakethereforeIam · 14/04/2024 18:20

That reads like 'yah boo sucks, we were going to take it down anyway terf!'. Or perhaps that's just me?

Original poster

CarobBean72 · 14/04/2024 17:27

KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 12:05

I am the Leader of Norfolk County Council, who are responsible for the Norwich Library at the Forum. I was very unhappy when I heard about this display. Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content. As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us. We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children. There will be a investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future.

Thank you very much for your intervention @KayMasonBillig & for responding here with your contact details. Very much appreciated & I hope you get some answers & accountability.

FYI the reply from the Library Services is rather at odds with yours. It’s anonymous (and also doesn’t explain how they got my email address - I assume because one of the County Councillors I emailed passed it on).

This is their message:

Good afternoon

Thank you for contacting us. The display at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library was planned to be in place for a short period as part of our programme of events, and is no longer in place.

It is important that our libraries are a place
where everyone feels safe and welcome and we will reflect on the feedback that you have given us when considering future displays".

Regarding the second sentence in bold, I would prefer libraries to be a place where everyone - especially children & vulnerable adults struggling with body issues - actually ARE safe. I’m sure most people would agree.

OP posts:

Abeona · 14/04/2024 15:42

KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 12:05

I am the Leader of Norfolk County Council, who are responsible for the Norwich Library at the Forum. I was very unhappy when I heard about this display. Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content. As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us. We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children. There will be a investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future.

Thank you for intervening and getting this taken down. I hope that particularly in view of the Cass Review of recent days the staff concerned will be given a very firm warning.

IcakethereforeIam · 14/04/2024 15:27

Sorry, my CC was the County Council, it was the other CC (City Council) beclowning themselves. I had my suspicions @CarobBean72 thank you for confirming.

ArabellaScott · 14/04/2024 15:25

KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 14:50

If anyone wants to contact me with any concerns my email address is [email protected]
I will ensure that your comments are seen by officers and responded to.

Show quote history

Thank you. I hope that you will investigate how this could happen and take steps to ensure that there is more oversight.

Original poster

CarobBean72 · 14/04/2024 15:21

IcakethereforeIam · 14/04/2024 12:58

Wasn't Norfolk (possibly not the CC though) one of the Council's thar passed a motion (oo-er, although appropriate imo) unanimously stating twaw, tmam, something, something non-bin? They should concentrate on the actual bins.

No, that’s Norwich City Council.

Norwich CC fund Pride - I assume that means funding Trans Pride too, which supplied the display.

I’m cursing myself I didn’t follow the link to the website…

OP posts:

upthehill24 · 14/04/2024 15:19

This reply has been deleted

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KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 14:50

Chewyspree · 14/04/2024 14:13

If this is true, then thank you for coming on here - probably making an account - and answering us. It is appreciated.

If you would like to DM any of us, your local residents and library users, and have a constructive discussion about the TRA agenda your library - my library - is pushing, I would very much welcome this.

Show quote history

If anyone wants to contact me with any concerns my email address is [email protected]
I will ensure that your comments are seen by officers and responded to.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 14/04/2024 14:15

KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 12:05

I am the Leader of Norfolk County Council, who are responsible for the Norwich Library at the Forum. I was very unhappy when I heard about this display. Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content. As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us. We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children. There will be a investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future.

I also hope that the Council looks at the safeguarding aspects of this. The adults who put up this display in an area where children of any age congregate, appear to have a serious lack of knowledge about safeguarding.

Hopefully there will be an investigation that will include a risk assessment. Should they have access to children given the evidence of their lack of safeguarding?

Chewyspree · 14/04/2024 14:13

KayMasonBillig · 14/04/2024 12:05

I am the Leader of Norfolk County Council, who are responsible for the Norwich Library at the Forum. I was very unhappy when I heard about this display. Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content. As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us. We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children. There will be a investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future.

If this is true, then thank you for coming on here - probably making an account - and answering us. It is appreciated.

If you would like to DM any of us, your local residents and library users, and have a constructive discussion about the TRA agenda your library - my library - is pushing, I would very much welcome this.