Essex council softens library promotion stance after Pride backlash

Essex County Council appears to have softened its position on the promotion of events in its 74 libraries, following a strong public response led by LGBTQ+ and library campaigners.

Earlier this month, cabinet member for residents and community services and senior Reform UK councillor Chris Hossack stated that libraries would no longer promote events in-branch throughout the year. His comments were made at the beginning of Pride Month and were widely interpreted by campaigners as a “ban” on Pride promotions.

In response, a petition organised by Save Our Libraries Essex and supported by equality advocates has gathered more than 17,500 signatures, BBC reports. Campaigners argue that visible support for events such as Pride, International Women’s Day and Black History Month is vital to creating inclusive public spaces and sustaining the Essex Library Service.

Following the outcry, a council spokesperson issued a clarification, stating: “There is no ban on events at libraries for Pride. We have paused social media promotion of some themed days, weeks and months, which do not relate directly to county council services, while the calendar is reviewed.”

Throughout June, Pride Month book displays have remained in place at several libraries, including branches in Chelmsford, Coggeshall, Harlow and Writtle, signalling that in-library representation for LGBTQ+ communities continues even as promotional policies are reconsidered.

Members of Save Our Libraries Essex joined a Pride march in Chelmsford on Saturday, emphasising the role of libraries as open, inclusive civic spaces. A spokesperson for the group described the council’s latest comments as a “very different” tone from Hossack’s earlier remarks to BBC Essex.

“[The council’s] social media channels should be tapping into what’s going on, from the World Cup to Pride,” the spokesperson said. “This is about the continuing sustainability of Essex Library Service, and it must be free from political interference and prejudice.”

The group intends to present its petition at the next full council meeting on 14 July, pressing for a clear, inclusive policy that recognises Pride and other equality-focused dates as part of everyday library life.

In his earlier interview, Hossack told BBC Essex presenter Ben Fryer that “true equality” in libraries would be achieved by removing promotion for all topics, referring to campaigns such as International Women’s Day and Black History Month as examples of content he did not want actively promoted by the service.

The council maintains that Pride was not specifically targeted, and that the review of promotional activity coincided with Reform UK taking control and Pride being the first major event in that period.

For LGBTQ+ people and allies who see inclusive libraries as part of a wider push for equality in workplaces and communities, connecting with pro-equality employers and networks is another practical step. Those wanting to support inclusive values beyond local campaigns can explore and sign up for myGwork, the global LGBTQ+ business community.