What’s better than a library? A library filled with a diverse range of books that allow everyone to explore their identity and grow up feeling accepted! Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with that sentiment, as some groups in Ireland have been protesting against certain books that provide information on LGBTQ+ issues, calling them “pornographic.”
The Natural Women’s Council, the Irish Education Alliance, and the Parents Rights Alliance organized a protest at Swords Public Library in north Co Dublin. These groups claim that books dealing with LGBTQ+ issues are pornographic and should not be available to young readers. Similar protests have been taking place in the US and UK, targeting library books that provide information to young LGBTQ+ people.
Luckily, the fun police didn’t get to have the last laugh. Members of the People Before Profit political party organized a counter-protest. Unfortunately, some of the counter-protesters were reportedly “physically pushed aside” by gardaí so that the book-bashing protesters could enter the library.
Leaflets handed out by the protesters listed six books they wanted removed, including This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson, and the Trans Teen Survival Guide by Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher. They claimed that many of the books contain pornographic material that would be X-rated if seen in a film. Yeah, because who needs support and resources when growing up, right?
People Before Profit fired back, stating that librarians and teachers are facing “hate-filled attacks by right-wing bullies and conspiracy theorists” and that it is “insulting to their professionalism” to suggest that they would provide pornographic material to children. Des Hennelly of People Before Profit expressed surprise at the protesters being allowed into the library, stating he was physically pushed aside by gardaí.
In an interesting turn of events, the Irish Education Alliance, a teacher organization claiming to have no political or religious affiliations, has launched a campaign to remove books that “clearly violate the Children First Act of 2015.” The campaign encourages parents to borrow the supposedly unsuitable books, report them to the local garda station, and request an investigation. The Gardaí, however, have so far dismissed four cases as civil matters, not criminal ones.
No arrests were made during the protest, and library staff declined to comment. But one thing’s for sure – everyone deserves to have access to literature that speaks to their experiences and identity. No matter how many misguided protests happen, we’ll always support our book-loving, fun-having LGBTQ+ pals!