'A stab in the heart to our community' - Stafford Pride respond to LGBT materials 'removed from libraries'

Stafford Pride claim it is ‘a stab in the heart’ to members of their community after claims that local libraries have been ordered to remove LGBT materials.

Chairman of the event, which is set to take place on August 8, Jack Taylor-Walker penned an open letter to the Reform-led Staffordshire County Council leader Martin Murray following reports that local libraries had been ordered to remove pride displays, books and activities.

He branded it a ‘vile decision’ and demanded it be overturned.

The open letter, penned during Pride Month, reads: “Well what can we say, Are we surprised at the above? No. Are we absolutely disgusted & appalled? Yes & you should be also!

“It is no longer the approach for Stafford Pride to tip toe around issues when it comes to the abhorrent & frankly vile behaviour that the administration of Staffordshire County Council has shown in the past and continue to this day show to the LGBTQ+ Community in Stafford.

“The decision to remove all LGBTQ+ displays, books, activities & mention of Pride at all as a wide spread ban goes as far as Section 28 back in 1988; I need not remind you this we repealed by Government in 2003; for good reason because it simply serves as a stab in the heart to every member of our community. The LGBTQ+ community has fought for years for the rights of the community & we will not stop.

“It is therefore without further delay you must overturn this vile decision & apologise to not only our community but your Library Staff & Volunteers. When it comes to removing specific literature, books etc focusing on a single group of people it is known as one thing; Censorship, a dangerous precedent to set for an administration.

“We trust you will see sense.”

A petition has now been created to overturn the alleged directive and has already surpassed 1,300 signatures.

Local MPs - including Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury, Lichfield MP Dave Robertson and Stafford MP Leigh Ingham - have also signed an open letter to the leader expressing their concerns and declaring that “Staffordshire is a welcoming and inclusive county.”

The letter adds: “We are writing about the worrying reports of a county-wide directive ordering the removal of all LGBTQ+ Pride-related displays from Staffordshire's libraries, the cancellation of all associated activities, and the removal of any mention of Pride from library social media channels.

“If this is the case, we are calling for you to immediately reverse this harmful decision and reinstate Pride month displays and activities across Staffordshire's library network.

“Public libraries are a valued source of information, education, and community. Taking down displays would send a clear and harmful message to LGBTQ+ library users and staff: that their stories and community do not deserve to be celebrated - or even acknowledged - in public spaces.”

It urges the leader to either confirm or counteract the reports, stating the directive in full, and to confirm their stance on other inclusivity displays in libraries, such as those for Black History Month.

Upon approaching Staffordshire County Council for comment, Councillor Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture said: “Staffordshire’s libraries are for everyone.

“They give local people access to books, digital resources, advice, activities and council services, and they are increasingly becoming community hubs where people can learn, connect and get practical support.

“As part of that approach, we are applying a consistent approach across our libraries on how public display space is used. Displays will focus on the core library offer, local services, reading and learning.

“Our priority is to keep libraries welcoming, useful and accessible to everyone.”

Staffordshire County Council were asked for further detail on the alleged directives and are yet to comment.

Councillor Murray has also been contacted for comment.