Library forced to shut down trans art exhibition after complaints (2024)

Library staff have been ordered to shut down an exhibition of trans art that included a person with mastectomy scars and a hypodermic needle for injecting testosterone after critics said it promoted self-harm.

The controversial exhibition in Norfolk's main library in Norwich was held to mark Transgender Day of Visibility.

It was organised by Norwich Trans Pride, a collective of transgender artists, and featured work by local artists.

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig has now demanded it be closed and issued an apology on Mumsnetafter becoming aware of the event.

The move comes after last week's landmark Cass Review report which foundtrans children had been set on the path to irreversible change despite 'remarkably weak evidence' to support medical treatment.

Retired paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass made 32 recommendations for the future of gender identity services for children in England.

The report prompted NHS England, which had already stopped puberty blockers being given to under-16s, to announce a review into the use of hormones.

Concerns were raised about the trans art exhibition at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library and formal complaints made to Norfolk County Council.

One critic said on Mumsnet: 'This display is apparently aimed at children and young people, which in my honest opinion promotes body mutilation and self-harm and glorifies drug use. In the wake of the Cass report it's incredibly irresponsible.

'The display is accessible to children as the cabinets stand only a couple of feet high.

'The cases are by the entrance - not noticeable when you go in but inescapable when you leave. I can't believe someone authorised this.'

Sarah Walker, a member of Norwich Women's Rights Group which submitted a formal complaint to the council, said: 'If a library was promoting anorexia or cutting or glorifying steroid abuse to children and teenagers, we'd all see it for what it is.

'Instead, it's promoting self-mutilation under the banner of trans joy.

'It's especially irresponsible in the week that the Cass Review revealed how poor the evidence base for so-called "gender affirming care" is and how little follow-up there has been to assess regret and de-transition rates.'

Another critic wrote: 'The exhibition contains explicit content which is targeted blatantly at children, at a place where they go to read, learn, and develop a love of books - and not swallow harmful propaganda.'

Local mother Nathalie Kail added: 'The library is no longer safe for families if as soon as you enter you have a cabinet display glorifying trans ideology.'

The exhibition at the Millennium Library, which ran from March 28 until it was stopped on April 12, was timed to coincide with Transgender Day of Visibility which fell on Easter Sunday, March 31.

The row broke out after the publication of the Cass Review, which flagged major concerns about how the NHS handles young people who question their gender.

It found there was 'remarkably weak evidence' to support gender treatment for children.

Many were given puberty-blocking drugs despite long-term risks to health and many later regretting the treatment.

Responding to criticism on Mumsnet, Mrs Mason Billig wrote there: 'I was very unhappy when I heard about this display.

'Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content.

'As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us.

'We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children.

'There will be an investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future.'

Mrs Mason Billig said she was alerted to the exhibition last Friday and passed her concerns on to staff, asking to confirm that it was no longer in place.

She added: 'It is always difficult when you are in my position to decide how to quickly answer what was an obvious and real cause for concern, so I wanted to reach out to those who had posted to assure them that we would take this seriously and deal with it as soon as possible.

'We will look closely at the guidance that is issued to our staff, to ensure they have the support and information to make the correct decisions on what is appropriate, and to prevent this from happening in the future.'

Norwich Trans Pride were approached for a comment.