Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Reform UK bans promotion of LGBTQ and Pride events at Essex libraries

104 replies

IwantToRetire · 02/06/2026 20:29

Essex libraries have been banned from promoting LGBTQ and Pride events by the county council’s new Reform UK leadership.

The diktat comes at the start of Pride Month: a four-week celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities.

A spokesperson for Save Our Libraries Essex said: “This is very disturbing and alarming news.

“What possible reason is there not to display Pride promotional material? It’s not as if it’s costing the library service anything, other than pure prejudice.

“It’s not just bigotry, it’s anti-business. Pride gets people out and spending money in our towns and cities. Where will this end up?”

Article continues with explanation from Reform for their decision at https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/reform-uk-bans-promotion-of-lgbtq-and-pride-events-at-essex-9468415/

Reform UK bans promotion of LGBTQ and Pride events at Essex libraries

A spokesperson for Save Our Libraries Essex said: “This is very disturbing and alarming news.”

https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/reform-uk-bans-promotion-of-lgbtq-and-pride-events-at-essex-9468415/

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 02/06/2026 21:23

it’s anti-business. Pride gets people out and spending money

😶

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 02/06/2026 21:14

Its also another instance that the bundling of people who are same sex attracted into some never ending list of people with "identities" are disadvantage by the posturing of Pride.

Cant say I am up to date of Reform policies, but would hate to think this banning of what even the Library users make clear is just a money spinner, that there wont be information and support services listed for lesbians and gay men.

OP posts:
SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 02/06/2026 21:09

You’d think it was pride a month for 11 1/2 months of the year in Brighton

Sounds great, Ban it.

popery · 02/06/2026 21:03

“libraries are spaces for everybody, for reading, learning and enjoyment in unity, and their shelves recognise authors, books and resources spanning a huge range of subjects, which we will endeavour to maintain.
With this in mind, we need to be careful not to highlight any particular groups or themes

What a daft comment from Reform.

The premise does not logically lead to the conclusion.

(And libraries highlight themes all the time. Books are even grouped by them. The fact that libraries are open to all of the public doesn't prevent that).

I may think that Pride is problematic and has been used to further a men's rights agenda by some, but you can say that about many groups, including Reform and the Christian church.

Bet they're trying to distract from cuts to library funding.