Public poll backs Pride in local libraries – TUC Midlands
Midlands TUC, the federal body for trade unions in the Midlands, has launched a petition to defend the freedom of libraries and librarians in the Midlands from political interference.
In recent months, Reform councillors in Staffordshire and Warwickshire have targeted LGBTQ+ visibility in local libraries.
In Staffordshire, library staff have been instructed not to celebrate Pride and to remove Pride-related displays, events and communications.
In Warwickshire, the Reform council leader criticised librarians wearing LGBT+ Pride rainbow lanyards and displays of books he claims promote “gender ideology”. He indicated that new policies for libraries and other public spaces are being developed.
Public support for Pride displays in libraries
A new poll of UK adults for the TUC finds that the restrictions that Reform council leaders are putting on libraries are at odds with the public.
In response to a question that asked if respondents supported or opposed banning the promotion of Pride events in local public libraries, 54% opposed bans compared to 30% support (the remaining 16% replied do not know).
This finding was reflected by a subsample of the poll for the Midlands, which found that 52% of adults in the Midlands opposed bans on the promotion of LGBT+ Pride events in local libraries, compared to 33% support (and 14% don’t know).
The TUC is calling on Reform politicians in Staffordshire and Warwickshire to recognise that they are out of step with public opinion and to keep libraries inclusive.
TUC petition to defend library freedoms
The TUC has launched a petition calling on George Finch and Martin Murray, the leaders of Warwickshire and Staffordshire County Councils, to “Leave librarians to decide how best to ensure these vital community services are inclusive and relevant for local people from all backgrounds.”
The petition states: “We believe that libraries should be inclusive spaces that help to educate, inform and entertain people of every age, gender, sexuality, background and political belief. They are here to help open minds, not close them.”
The TUC is inviting support for the petition not only from union members, but also from everyone who believes that libraries should be inclusive places for all.
Midlands TUC Secretary Stuart Richards said:
“Our libraries are for everyone. And they should be free from political interference.
“But Reform politicians are restricting the freedoms of our libraries and librarians. And they are singling out the LGBT+ members of our local communities for attack.
“We’ve launched this petition to defend the freedom of our libraries. And it’s to show solidarity with our friends, neighbours and colleagues who are targeted by this attack on LGBT+ inclusion.
“Libraries matter a great deal to trade unions. In times when workers had limited access to education, libraries provided a chance to learn about subjects like economics and law. This helped workers and unions win many of the rights and freedoms we enjoy today.
“It’s only right that we defend the freedom of our libraries and librarians now. If politicians start censoring our libraries and librarians, who knows where it will end.”
