STATEMENT: Cumberland Council bans same-sex parents books in libraries
Banning books depicting same-sex relationships in public libraries is sending a message that LGBTQIA+ families are not welcome in their local community because of who they are.
If every Labor councillor at Cumberland Council had voted against this motion to ban the books, it wouldn't have passed.
If the NSW government is genuinely opposed to books being banned and wants to undo the damage, they should focus on their Labor colleagues at Cumberland Council who have the power to overturn this with a rescission motion.
We absolutely must not follow the US with censorship and book bans. This ban prioritises political point-scoring and a manufactured culture war over social cohesion and community safety.
We know that LGBTQIA+ support services have reported surges in requests for support after the cancellation of council LGBTQIA+ events in the past. The Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council reported an increase after drag story time events were cancelled by local councils last year.
Local resident Caroline has started a petition calling on Cumberland Council to reverse the decision.
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