HK public libraries remove LGBTQIA+ kids books

The Hong Kong government has been accused of moving several LGBTQIA-themed children’s books out of public view in the city’s public libraries, following complaints by an anti-gay group, reports the Standard.

The Hong Kong government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) confirmed some titles have been moved to a closed location where they can only be read with parental guidance. Up to 10 titles have been affected, including The Boy in the Dress (David Williams, HarperCollins), Daddy, Papa, and Me (Leslea Newman, Tricycle Press) and Milly, Molly and Different Dads (Gill Pittar, Molly Molly Books).

According to the Standard, the decision to move the books was reportedly initiated after a complaint was lodged by the Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group on the basis that the books promote homosexuality.

Brian Leung, from activist group the Big Love Alliance, said the decision to move the books was ‘unacceptable’.

‘[LCSD] emphasised that they moved the books to the closed stacks and the decision is based on concerns expressed by various readers. But we all know so well that it’s not expressed by just regular readers of the library, it’s by a very notorious Hong Kong anti-gay hate group,’ said Leung.

The book’s removal prompted representatives from 40 activist groups to form the new group, United Front for Open Libraries, which gathered outside the Central Library in Causeway Bay to protest the decision, reports Hong Kong Free Press.

Category: Junior Library news International