National Library of Scotland censors The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht

[OhBuggerandArse]

Took it out of their centenary exhibition because the staff LGBT+ network kicked up a fuss. Craven. This really needs massive public challenge and push back - if the National Library isn't able to fend off the censors we are utterly lost. https://x.com/EthelWrites/status/1955390550494023958

Jo Bartosch in Spiked

https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/08/15/the-feminist-book-too-dangerous-for-scotlands-national-library/

I'm at a loss as to how this can move on, really - I'd have thought that after three days now of raging headlines someone from the NLS would have felt the need to get some kind of statement out in response to all the criticism, but there seems just to be silence so far. Presumably they're waiting for everyone to get bored and move on, but I'm not sure that's going to happen. But if no-one from the government will give them a nudge, and no-one on the board is having the right kind of word-in-the-ear with the National Librarian, are we all just to be left in a kind of stalemate?

How did you complain? I sent a nice polite email to the chief librarian/CEO but she hasn't replied yet. Too busy I expect.

Sorry, not had time to read thread in detail.

So can I ask at anytime has the Library explained how the book has a negative impact on "some" staff.

Lets pretend someone who for whatever reason has not got caught up in the TRA campaign and the fightback by women might ask this.

I am really curious to know how anyone can explain to a person who hasn't followed the issue of women's sex based right, that a book written about women's rights makes someone feel unsafe.

And this being said by an organisation set up to make books available to the public (and to preserve for history?)

I am partly asking out of curiousity, but also because I am fed up with these bland nonsensical statements being given such power.

I filled in the feedback form and was amused that it didn't ask about my sex only my gender identity. So if they try to say it was only cis women who commented negatively about TWWWW being missing they don't actually know that - for all they know I'm a six foot bloke called Mabel. Silly sods.

Filled in the complaint form on their "Contact Us" page: https://www.nls.uk/contact/

I have complained 2 to them await a reply

Oooh this is interesting. www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/alex-graham-national-library-scotland-women-wouldnt-wheesht-gw8jfl7c8

Archive link for the above

https://archive.ph/XRhoI

This is an AI overview of section 28

Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, a controversial piece of legislation in the UK, prohibited local authorities from "promoting homosexuality". This meant they couldn't intentionally teach about, or publish material that promoted, homosexuality, including in schools. The law was repealed in Scotland in 2000 and in England and Wales in 2003.

Hauntingly familiar.

Section Wahhh! the act of cowing to activist staff is a tiresomely familiar piece of gutlessness in the UK, prohibiting anyone from 'promoting biological reality'. This means they/them couldn't intentionally approve of or show material that promoted 'biological reality', JKR, GC belief, people suspected of being or associating with TERFs, etc., including libraries, theatres, restaurants, films, radio, newspapers, social media, thoughts, prayers, books, hospitals, courtrooms, pubs, toilets, changing rooms, etc. It's apparently endless and is said to be kind.

This is a major development in this story, a very clear indication that there are “stakeholders” who were simply not considered when this decision was taken. It’s also true, as the article reports, that the more sensible staff are only able to discuss these issues sotto voce, but in that respect they are just like the vast majority of people working in the public sector in Scotland. People know that they risk ostracism, possible arrest, and loss of livelihood if they speak the truth aloud.

for those who are fed up with archive.ph making you confirm something or other the archive.is url doesn't.

So link for article https://archive.is/XRhoI

I have a reply.

Thank you for your enquiry.
You are welcome to visit the library during your break.
Everyone is welcome at any of our buildings, irrespective of who they are and we look forward to welcoming you on your visit
You can visit our exhibitions without joining and can ask for a fast pass to view our reading rooms. You can also join and you will have to bring ID to get a Library Card. If you register with a residential address in Scotland you can get remote access to some of our eResources, Anyone can visit our reading rooms and access this book as well as the 200 other titles that were not selected for display. A full list of those publications is available as part of the exhibition.
Libraries are vital places where people can access all kinds of publications for free and form their own opinions.”
Please note that this book is in use to a reader at the moment and they can have it on reserve for six working days. After this it can be swapped to another requester. To access material in our library you would have to join and bring ID to get a Library Card
I can't comment further, but for more information you are welcome to speak to Barbara Burke, Head of Media and External Relations. Barbara’s phone number is 447904 791002.
You can also email the address is [email protected].
If you want to make an official complaint the address is [email protected]

It's kinda fun that the people who are obsessively trying to remove a marginalised demographic are complaining about being "censored" because people a dreadful gaslighting book that few care about is not being put in an exhibition.

'Gender critical' activists truly are some of the most embarrassingly over-privileged people

Perhaps one for JKR’s fund were they to persist in bullying you (which I very much hope they don’t).

What other platform @VoleForceOne

Blah blah blah

Ah ok.
It would seem like madness to go after GC staff members but so many people in these roles also seem to be mad enough to do it.

Full page in Scottish Edition of Times. A key donor to the NLS is VERY critical.
In both edition is an article by Sarah Ditum about Nicola. Not positive.

yes that is very rich, I’m sorry you’re being put through this authoritarian process.

Here is a sharetoken link to the article mentioned before, I know there is an archive link as well which some people have problems accessing:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/8c144b2d-9ec0-4abb-923c-5567417ce81a?shareToken=7701724b0bf8cfd695c55fc120e459a1

You’ve been very brave. 💐
The little bullies are atrocious.

If you are the person who said that they had to order it or go out and buy it I would ask MNHQ to remove your last post, it is too easy to make the connection.