Reform criticised for ban on Pride at libraries

Pride displays and events have been banned at Norfolk's libraries in a move described by an MP as "shameful, divisive and deeply damaging".

The new Reform administration at County Hall has informed staff across all 47 libraries not to exhibit any material or stage presentations or events which promote political messaging.

It said the directive did not single out Pride specifically and it was brought in to create a "genuinely neutral safe space" in libraries.

"Erasing LGBT+ visibility doesn't make people equal, it makes people invisible," said South Norfolk Labour MP Ben Goldsborough, who has called on the council leader to reverse the decision.

Scott Hussey, a senior Reform councillor, said the new rules were introduced after families raised concerns about activities in Norfolk libraries.

"Public buildings funded by Norfolk taxpayers must not be used to advance any political agenda or promote the interests of any campaign group, however well-intentioned," he told the Local Democracy reporting service.

"We have heard from residents who feel that hasn't always been the case, particularly with regard to materials aimed at children.

"As such, we welcome the steps Norfolk County Council has taken to ensure its library and museum spaces are inclusive and politically neutral for all visitors."

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It comes weeks after the party ordered the Progress Pride flag was not to be flown from County Hall, a move that prompted some staff to wear the Pride badge and display rainbows on computer screens.

When approached by the BBC, Hussey said the rules did not apply exclusively to Pride, which he described as political, and gave the example of pro-Palestine material also being prohibited.

In a post on Facebook, Goldsborough said: "Dressing it up as 'protecting children' or 'family values' repeats the same tired homophobic and transphobic tropes that have been used for decades to marginalise LGBT+ people.

"For many young people struggling to understand who they are, seeing a Pride display or finding an LGBT+ book can be the reassurance that they are not alone."

Brian Watkins, leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, said he was "extremely alarmed" by the move.

Unison also criticised the policy and said Reform was "busy clamping down on free speech and fighting culture wars" while council staff got on with their jobs.

"That includes making libraries genuinely open, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all residents, whatever signals councillors are trying to send," said Jamie Smith, its eastern regional organiser.

In Essex, the Reform-led administration had said last month its libraries could not promote any events unrelated to day-to-day activities, including Pride, Black History Month and International Women's Day.

Three weeks later, the county council appeared to backtrack and said there was no ban on events at libraries for Pride.

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