LCSD's response to complaints about LGBT books restriction in HKPL is ambiguous and at odds with free access to information
Some of the books with LGBT themes that are remaining in the closed stacks section of public libraries.Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) users must continue to request access to the 10 children’s books featuring LGBT themes, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) reiterated in a phone call this morning.
The department responded to complaints made by the public earlier this month expressing opposition to the ban, which meant the titles would be kept in the closed stacks section of the city’s libraries.
In an email sent to those who had lodged a complain via the government website, the department said “In the light of public views, the HKPL has recently reviewed the 10 children books … The HKPL considers that the books are suitable to remain in the library collection for public reading. Members of the public may approach the library staff for viewing and borrowing the books. The LCSD notes that the community has diverse opinions on the handling of the 10 books.”
HK needs to stop hiding its homophobia behind contradictions and confusion
May Huang, 21, one of the complainants, was one of those to receive the response last Friday after she lodged a complaint as part of an email-writing campaign expressing her disappointment at the ban. She understood, as did members of the Young Post team, that the LCSD email meant the June decision had been reversed.
But when Young Post called the LCSD once office hours resumed this morning, the department confirmed that while the LGBT materials remained a part of the public library collection, they could still only be accessed and lent out upon request, without providing further explanations.
The resolution is at odds with their response email, which also stated that “The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) acquires library materials in developing a balanced and diversified library collection to meet the community’s needs for information and research, and to support continuing education and fruitful use of leisure time. The HKPL is committed to safeguarding the principle of free access to information and does not seek to promote any specific beliefs or points of views through its collection.”
10 LGBT children’s books removed to the closed section of Hong Kong Public Libraries
Huang told Young Post that she felt “optimistic” when she received a response email, but was disappointed about its ambiguity. “I didn’t realise that ‘approach the library staff for viewing and borrowing the books’ meant the books were still restricted,” she said.
Alfred Ip, the chairperson of Hong Kong’s leading pro-gay rights charity Pink Alliance, also criticised the LCSD for keeping internationally acclaimed children’s books, which include British author and TV star David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress, from the shelves of local public libraries without “exactly [pinpointing] if there’s anything wrong with the books”.
“The LCSD has in effect taken the side of the anti-LGBT group, [which also] means that they are not respecting access to information.”
Ip added that these books about “love” and “family” are important for young people who are coming to terms with their own sexuality, as well as for their families.
The decision to keep the books away from the public, first announced on June 20, provoked global outrage. International organisation Human Rights Watch said the move “deprive[d] people of their right to access information that could be important to their development, health, and safety”, while the non-profit organisation Planet Ally called for people to protest against the call at this year's HK Pride Parade in November.
Local gay rights activist Lee Tak-hung applied for a judicial review of what he described as illegal and unconstitutional decisions. The LCSD said in the email that they could not comment on the subject matter now due to the ongoing legal proceedings.