Take Action: No LGBT Book Ban in NI Libraries

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Dear Minister Lyons, 
I am writing to express my concern about your attempts to pressure NI Libraries to remove LGBT-themed children's books from shelves across Northern Ireland. 
Books with LGBT themes, including those featuring transgender young people or gender diversity in any form, are not 'inappropriate' or dangerous. It is important that all young people see themselves represented in the literature that is available in libraries, and this attempt to target a particularly marginalised group of young people is extremely disappointing from an Executive Minister. 
Clamping down on, or outright banning, portrayals of LGBTQIA+ people in literature, including children's literature, is not a new or novel idea: recently we have seen similar censorship sweeping across the United States, pushing LGBTQIA+ people further into the margins of society, while Russia has long suppressed any expression of LGBTQIA+ experiences and identities. Throughout history, LGBTQIA+ art, literature and culture has been actively suppressed by authoritarian regimes. 
I urge you to focus on ensuring that all communities are supported, included, and see themselves reflected in the literature available in libraries across Northern Ireland. NI Libraries are doing an excellent job of curating a selection of books which represents the diversity of our society, and should be allowed to get on with that job without political interference.

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