TL;DR
- Reform UK urges Essex libraries to limit Pride content.
- Community group Save Our Libraries Essex condemns the decision.
- Councillor Chris Hossack defends the censorship as unbiased.
- Essex Pride argues for inclusion and representation.
- Concerns raised about a ‘Trumpian’ era of censorship.
In a shocking move that has left many reeling, Essex County Council, under the banner of Reform UK, has decided to scale back the promotion of LGBTQ+ content and Pride events in its libraries. Yes, you heard that right! Libraries, the very sanctuaries of knowledge and inclusion, are now being told to hush up about Pride. What’s next? Banning rainbow bookmarks?
Reform UK councillor Chris Hossack, who recently strutted into office after the May 2026 elections, has taken it upon himself to instruct library workers to bar any events that aren’t strictly related to their daily operations. “This is very disturbing and alarming news,” said a spokesperson for Save Our Libraries Essex, a group that is rallying against this blatant act of censorship. “We see all sorts of other community events and organisations rightly promoted in our libraries. So what possible reason is there not to display Pride promotional material?”
And they have a point! Public libraries are supposed to be about information for all, not about politicians’ prejudices limiting what can be shared. Save Our Libraries Essex is raising the alarm, warning that we might be entering a “Trumpian” censorship era. “It’s not just bigotry; it makes no sense from a business perspective. Pride gets people out and about and spending money in our towns and cities,” they added.
Essex Pride didn’t hold back either, stating that this move suggests “LGBTQ+ people should be hidden away, rather than acknowledged as part of society.” They argue that libraries should remain spaces of learning and inclusion where everyone is represented. “It’s about us saying that we are proud of who we are,” they insisted. “Pride isn’t about saying the LGBTQ+ community is better than anyone; it’s about us saying that we are proud of who we are despite people often telling us that we should be ashamed.”
But Hossack defended the decision, claiming that libraries are spaces for everybody and should not highlight any particular groups or themes. “With this in mind, we need to be careful not to highlight any particular groups or themes,” he stated, as if erasing Pride from the narrative is the way to achieve unity. “Unless the activity is specific to libraries, we have taken a decision to pause promotion of such events.”
This isn’t the first time Reform UK has made headlines for its controversial policies regarding LGBTQ+ representation. Following the recent elections, councils controlled by the party will also be banned from displaying rainbow Pride flags in and outside of council buildings. Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform UK, announced this ban, arguing that flags should represent everyone and not divide. But let’s be real: erasing Pride from public view is not the answer.
As the community rallies against this censorship, one thing is clear: the fight for visibility and inclusion in public spaces is far from over. Libraries should be a beacon of hope and acceptance, not a place where LGBTQ+ identities are hidden away. So, what’s next? Will we see a ban on books that mention LGBTQ+ themes? It’s time to stand up and speak out against this nonsense!