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

[IwantToRetire]

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/

Whatva pity - but it's a start

I didn’t know what the Streisand Effect was either…. I’ve just googled it.
The same thing that’s happening in Essex libraries has also been announced in all the libraries in my county too. All the MPs and various other local VIPs are wringing their pick me hands over it. A huge percentage of local people are screeching about it on social media - about the “community” being silenced, genocide. Others are saying “well actually that sort of thing doesn’t belong in libraries”. Which the TRAs rebuff with should black history be banned too etc.

From what I’ve seen the “put the posters” back crowd is far bigger and definitely much louder than the opposing side. Largely because agreeing that the posters should go (and also our local Pride parade got cancelled last week!) is seen as supporting Reform.

We are a Reform run council in this town with a handmaiden Labour MP.
The argument is definitely massively raising the profile of the issue here….. atm the shouty lot are very shouty…… and may well succeed in getting the council to back down? Whether they do or not it’s all over the local social media atm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect

@Okiedokie123 I know what the Streisand effect is I just don't understand why the poster was linking it up.

But my bit of Essex really isn't going to give a stuff. Well, I mean I suppose it might yet happen...but it hasn't happened so far, nothing since this thread was started.

About the not having to pay to reserve books - that was actually mentioned to me by my neighbour who is a lesbian thinking about it - she didn't say anything about Pride.

But I looked up the scrapping of the reservation fee and it does seem that when the council was conservative, it was agreed upon at that time. It's good anyway.

I would imagine the front noticeboard at the library is the same as ever, but I don't think we had any local events targeted at specific groups anyway. I see hobby stuff advertised there - you know like art groups, church groups that type of thing.

@EmeraldRoulette - here….. the impact is huge atm. Very polarising . And for sure lost who previously knew very little about this issue are now learning about it.