'It feels like Section 28': community speaks out on Staffs County Council Pride display removal
Following the removal of Pride displays from libraries, some fear the decision sends the wrong message, while councillors raise questions over consistency and political neutrality
The removal of Pride displays from Staffordshire's libraries has sparked dismay among LGBTQ+ residents, authors, booksellers and campaigners, with critics warning the decision risks making some people feel less visible and less welcome in their communities.
Just ahead of Pride Month, Reform-led Staffordshire County Council implemented a county-wide policy to remove all LGBTQ+ Pride-related displays and flags, pausing all discretionary displays from its local libraries to focus library spaces solely on core educational and council services. The removal of these displays in local hubs – including sites in the Staffordshire Moorlands such as Leek, Biddulph, and Cheadle – has generated significant local and national debate, with an online petition to reverse the policy generating more than 4,300 signatures.
Labour councillor Matthew Spooner, who represents Cheadle North East on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and is a member of the Pride in the Moorlands steering group, will hold a Queer Public Reading event outside Biddulph Library this Friday (26/06) at 3.30pm in protest at the ban, ahead of the event’s celebration of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Deputy council leader Hayley Coles stated the authority is taking a “consistent approach” to ensure libraries remain politically neutral, with physical display spaces redirected toward reading, learning, and local services. However, the Lichfield Liberal Democrats noticed that the council recently hosted a meeting in the town’s library, which questions their stance that libraries should not represent one group.
One of the policy’s fiercest critics is Labour MP for Stafford, Eccleshall and the Villages Leigh Ingham. She told The Knot many constituents had been in touch to raise concerns about the removal of the Pride displays and it’s been ‘very upsetting’ for a lot of people. “There is nothing wrong with a display with books about LGBTQ+ people or families with two mums or dads. They are only promoting inclusion and acceptance. It’s so sad that Staffordshire County Council seem to want to stop that.”
Ingham questioned where the policy could ultimately lead. “Based on their own criteria, this new ban could also end displays or resources being used to talk about Armistice Day, Women’s Suffrage, Mental Health Awareness, St George’s Day, Disability Awareness, Chinese New Year, Diwali, and even the Poppy Appeal. Will Reform UK be cancelling Christmas decorations too?”
The council said it is not their role to promote any identity group at taxpayer expense, but Ingham argued, "given that Pride displays were already up, I am not clear how the staff time used to take the displays down is a saving for the taxpayer. It doesn’t make sense.” She added that the removal of displays celebrating different groups and causes represented a missed opportunity to bring communities together.
Rotting Bible thrown into bookshop with Pride display
Mitch Hughes, owner of Hanley-based Vellichor Books, which currently features a prominent Pride display, told The Knot that a man threw a damp, rotting Bible smelling strongly of cigarette smoke into the shop last week before directing slurred remarks at a member of staff. He does not believe the timing is a coincidence and is worried it may be a brick through the window next. While local libraries can still lend out LGBTQ+-themed books, he is concerned that they may be targeted too. “It’s a slippery slope and it usually ends up one way – displays removed, books banned, then people are burning books and flags.”
