22 Jun 2018

LGBT-themed Children Books Removed from Hong Kong Library

After pressure from anti-gay group, Hong Kong moves ten children books with LGBT themes off shelves.

Ten children's books covering LGBT issues have been removed from the shelves of Hong Kong libraries after a campaign by anti-gay group the Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group.
The group said the Home Affairs Bureau had granted their request after months of petitioning, in a statement released Tuesday.
The books had been moved to storage to "ensure children receive proper guidance when reading them," the Home Affairs Bureau said, according to Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP).
In a statement to HKFP, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said the books were moved based on "concerns expressed by various readers."
In January, the Concern Group criticised public libraries for "spreading unethical homosexual messages" by stocking titles such as Daddy, Papa, and me, Mommy, Mama, and me and And Tango Makes Three. 
LGBT-lawmaker Ray Chan said in a statement that the LCSD had "suddenly capitulated" and failed to uphold the values of balance, diversity and freedom of information.
"Its not enough that you're taking away their parents rights to raise a family of their own, you are now taking away books from libraries that show these developing minds and children from Rainbow families their realities, and the families and parents that raise them in love," said Ymania Brown, executive director of Pacific Human Rights Initiative.
Ten children's books covering LGBT issues have been removed from the shelves of Hong Kong libraries after a campaign by anti-gay group the Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group.

The group said the Home Affairs Bureau had granted their request after months of petitioning, in a statement released Tuesday.

The books had been moved to storage to "ensure children receive proper guidance when reading them," the Home Affairs Bureau said, according to Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP).

In a statement to HKFP, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said the books were moved based on "concerns expressed by various readers."
In January, the Concern Group criticised public libraries for "spreading unethical homosexual messages" by stocking titles such as Daddy, Papa, and me, Mommy, Mama, and me and And Tango Makes Three. 

LGBT-lawmaker Ray Chan said in a statement that the LCSD had "suddenly capitulated" and failed to uphold the values of balance, diversity and freedom of information.

"Its not enough that you're taking away their parents rights to raise a family of their own, you are now taking away books from libraries that show these developing minds and children from Rainbow families their realities, and the families and parents that raise them in love," said Ymania Brown, executive director of Pacific Human Rights Initiative.

Hong Kong