Library that promotes ‘trans joy’ refuses Afghan women’s rights poster to avoid ‘bias’

A council library that promoted “trans joy” has refused to display an anti-Taliban women’s rights poster in order to remain “unbiased”.

Norwich’s Millennium Library held an art exhibition this year featuring displays on puberty blockers and images of bodies that had undergone gender reassignment surgery.

The library, run by Norfolk County Council, has since refused a request to display an anti-Taliban poster advocating for women’s rights, claiming that the institution must remain “neutral”.

The poster features the outline of a woman in a burqa, with the slogan “don’t forget about the Afghan women” and “No To Taliban”.

The poster, created by the local Norwich Women’s Rights Group – known for its gender-critical views and promoting the importance of biological sex – was intended to advertise a silent vigil dedicated to women and girls facing persecution.

It is understood that the request to advertise the vigil was refused. Campaigners were told: “As a library service we are committed to maintaining an unbiased and neutral stance.”

A council representative further explained that the library was unable to display material that lobbies for political causes, or seeks to raise funds, or advocates for a particular policy.

The refusal has caused confusion among Women’s Rights Network members, who intend to complain to the council. It comes following a controversial art show dedicated to transgender issues.

The exhibition features slogans including “trans joy”, boasting images of puberty blockers in hypodermic needles with the tagline “self-made men”.

Organised by Norwich Trans Pride, it also included an artwork depicting someone who had undergone a double mastectomy with the slogan “my garden, my choice”.

Kay Mason Billig, the Norfolk Tory council leader, was forced to apologise for the exhibition.

The council had faced a furious backlash from women’s rights campaigners, including the local Women’s Rights Group, who raised concerns that the exhibition promoted surgical intervention and puberty blockers.

It was announced this week that puberty blockers are to be banned indefinitely in the UK after a review by endocrinologist Dr Hilary Cass warning that there was “very limited” evidence that the treatment benefited young people who were questioning their gender.

It is understood that guidelines setting out strict neutrality for librarians were updated in August, in the wake of the transgender display in April 2024.

These guidelines forbid material that seeks to “lobby... the population or other groups”.

Concerns have been raised about this position as other council libraries, including Cumbria, have agreed to display the posters advertised in the Afghan vigil promoted by women’s rights group.

Sarah Walker, an author and local Women’s Rights Network organiser, wants answers from the council.

She told The Telegraph: “I’d like Norfolk Libraries to explain why a library that claims ‘everyone is welcome’ and which obviously promotes education & literacy, thinks they need nuance regarding women and girls being denied the right to learn, work and have medical assistance when giving birth.”

She added that “some of what Norfolk Libraries accept and promote” are “difficult to reconcile” with a claimed position of neutrality.

The library row comes as the Taliban is set to enforce even more restrictions in Afghanistan, including a total ban on medical training for women.

This was one of the last remaining avenues for further education for Afghan women and girls, who are denied schooling beyond the age of 12. Norfolk County Council has been contacted for comment.