Backlash After NSW City Council Votes to Ban LGBTQI+ Books in Libraries
Cumberland City Council in Sydney’s West has voted to remove books about same-sex parenting from its libraries – and the decision has quickly been met with backlash.
At a council meeting on May 1, the council voted 6/5 to “take immediate action to rid same sex parents books/materials in Council’s library service.”
Councillor Steve Christou put forward the motion, and claimed the now-banned same-sex parenting books did not align with the values of his community.
Cr Christou repeated statements such as “our kids shouldn’t be sexualised”, and “hands off our kids” throughout the meeting.
“This community is a very religious community, a very family-orientated community,” he said.
“They don’t want such controversial issues going against their beliefs indoctrinated to their libraries. This is not Marrickville or Newtown, this is Cumberland City Council.”
Other councillors disagreed, and spoke up during the meeting. Councillor Diane Colman, who voted against the motion, said of the same-sex parenting book that was specifically banned:
“It’s a sweet little book that is written specifically for children who have same-sex parents, so that they know that their parents are okay, that their families are okay”.
Mayor Lisa Lake told the meeting, “If it’s not a banned book then certainly there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be available to someone who may be seeking it through our libraries, and it’s certainly not a matter for us to censor.
“It’s not reflective of the principles that Cumberland City Council upholds generally in our community.”
Local library staff tell Star Observer they are “appalled”
Star Observer has learned that in some libraries in the council area, books had started to be reserved or taken down before the council’s vote had gone ahead.
A library worker in the council area, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to Star Observer about the decision, saying that management removed books without any prior consultation with members of staff.
“My colleagues and I are appalled,” they told Star Observer.
“Staff are distressed and furious. Library staff care deeply about serving all members of their community, and they want all staff to be supported in an inclusive workplace.”
NSW Govt could cut funding to library
NSW Arts Minister John Graham said that the NSW Government will be looking into the city council’s decision. Graham also confirmed that the impact of this could potentially include cuts to the funding that local libraries currently receive.
“We are examining the consequences this decision may have for the council continuing to receive library funding from the NSW government,” said Graham.
“When civilisations turn to burning books or banning books it is a very bad sign. That is equally true for local councils.
“It is up to readers to choose which book to take off the shelf. It should not be up to local councillors to make that choice for them or engage in censorship.”
Petition to reverse council decision quickly created
Local grandmother Caroline, along with Equality Australia, has organised a petition to reverse the decision, saying the motion “made [her] fear for the safety of the rainbow families in our community and the future cohesion of our community”.
“This crosses a dangerous line,” reads the petition.
“Our area welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs, we’re not about banning books just because someone does not like who is in them.”
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne Speaks Out “something we would expect to see in Putin’s Russia”
In a statement this morning Inner West Darcy Byrne has condemned the situation.
“The accusation from a Cumberland City Councillor that the Inner West community is wrong to have books for rainbow families in our libraries is pathetic” he stated.
“Inner West Council will continue to provide books and resources for all families, from all backgrounds, and will continue hosting drag story time events too.”
Mr Byrne affirmed his support for promoting inclusive and respectful communities.
“If someone as deliberately divisive as Councillor Steve Christou thinks the Inner West is too inclusive and respectful, we wear that as a badge of honour.”
“Let’s be honest, if someone as small minded as Steve Christou is allowed to decide what books kids are able to read and borrow, we’ll end up with nothing but comic books in library collections.”
He went on to compare the actions of the council to the controversial president of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
“Councils have a responsibility to serve all children and families equally.”
“Politicians punching down at constituents they are meant to serve and represent is beneath contempt.”
“Banning books is something we would expect to see in Putin’s Russia, not modern, inclusive Sydney.
However it appears that it is not the first time there have been attempts to have these books removed from libraries in the area.
“In recent months Inner West Council has been targeted by extremists seeking to disrupt and cancel a range of our LGBTIQ events including drag story times events” he revealed.
“We will not back down in the face of intimidation from such a small minority or bigoted reactionaries.”
Is the Council exempt from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act or is their action liable?
Same sex families are real and deserve to be treated equally by others
Bigotry is alive and well in Australia with many heterosexuals…so tragic the rainbowphobia in their heads and hearts
I salute those who have already condemned the action of Cumberland Council. To ban same parent books is a retrograde step and demonstrates a refusal to acknowledge the humanity of those who are different. The effect on children in same sex families could arguably be more damaging than to the parents because they will have witnessed and lived amongst those members of society who are narrow-minded, begoted, whose experience of living their lives is quite possibly tainted by a belief that they know more about the human condition than all they disagree with.
I live in this LGA as an openly gay person. This all terrifies me, sadly Im not surprised. It is a deeply conservative area, an area i dont feel altogether safe walking around. My husband and I’ve been called names, ive felt the glares of people and i refuse to catch public transport after dark because of this. I’m afraid to hold my husbands hand too in public or show affection. My family has history here, my dad had a restaurant in the area for a long time, as well as relatives here. The Western Suburbs can be such a great place with so much happening but this is the downside of it.
This is outrageous. Steve Christou is appealing to his support base not the broad spectrum of Cumberland communities. Banning books – what next? I take exception to interpretations of religious works that see women beaten, humiliated and subjugated, denied an education and a happy and fulfilling life, or closer to home see 16 year old boys stabbing random strangers. Can I therefore petition the council to ban those foundation works? Same sex marriage is legal – a majority of the Australian population voted for it – no one section of the population has the right to deny children living in same sex families the right to see their reality represented in print. And it’s even worse because the motion extends to any aspects of same sex parenting. Parenting is difficult for anyone, are same sex parents to be denied the same sort of guidance and advice extensively offered to heterosexual parents? Happy well adjusted children should be the goal – not demonising those who do things differently.
Change.org petition here: https://change.org/CouncilBookBan
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