A Improvement UK-Rain CounselL has removed all transgender-related books from children’s sections in his libraries, the leader has announced.
Kent County Council Leader Lyndon Kemkaran said in a post on social media that the books would be removed with immediate effect in “victory for general knowledge in Kent”.
Councilor Paul web, cabinet members for communities and Regulatory services in the councilSaid that he worked to remove all books after concerns with a resident.
In a video posted on X, he said: “I was recently contacted by a member of the public who was found. Trans Conceptual materials and books in the children’s section of one of our libraries.
“I noticed it and this was the matter. I have issued a instruction for all of them to be removed from the section of any of our libraries. They are not in the section of children of our libraries.
“Our children do not need to tell that they were born in wrong bodies and it will stop from today.”
It is understood that books will not be completely removed, but will be transferred to different classes in libraries.
Ms. Kemkaran added to a post on X: “The children are wrong and simply unacceptable, telling that they are in the wrong body.”
The book is the title at the center of the dispute Autistic trans guide for life, Which is described by its publishers as a “essential survival guide, autistic trans and/or non-binary adults are given as all equipment and strategies that they need to live as their best self”.
It is not yet really known which books will be removed and how the council will classify what the “trans material” is.
Erin Strawridge, the manager of the Focestone Bookshop, an LGBT+ Bookshop in County, told the BBC Radio Kent: “The censorship does not stop the information of learning to the people, but sends the message, and it sends a message to the youth of Kent that they are not safe and do not welcome LGBT or Trans.
“It only pushes children into the closet, in worse mental health conditions. It is only scaring young people.”
The County Council is in charge of libraries run by 99 communities.
A statement from Kent County Council Said: “The Kent County Council has confirmed that there are no children and adults will not come in contact with transgender literature in our libraries.
“Employees of 99 libraries of County have been asked to ensure that books are always stocked in age-appointed categories and that no adult literature does not make their way in the areas especially for children, or where children will choose books, such as public reception.
“This follows a response from a resident, who saw a transgender book aimed at the purpose of adults in a public performance at the entrance of a library in Kent. The book has since been transferred to a section that is unlikely to go by children.”
Mr. Web said: “We keep child protection and safety correctly at the top of the list of our priorities, as all adults should be, especially those who have public offices.”
The Kent Library Service confirmed that the employees would “ensure that only age-appointed books are being displayed in sections of children’s libraries” or in areas where children would choose books to borrow.