DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls for the 'immediate removal' of transgender-themed children's books from Northern Irish public libraries

Carla Lockhart was commenting on a story published last week by the News Letter, which gave a breakdown of the types of trans-focussed books now available to youngsters from toddler-age upwards.

The News Letter article revealed the contents of several such books, in detail:

• Libraries Northern Ireland stocking transgender-themed titles aimed at toddlers and book advising teenagers how to use casual sex hook-up apps

However it was a mere snapshot of the total collection, which is much bigger.

Also, the article only looked at transgender-themed books in the Libraries NI portfolio; it did not look at the titles in Northern Irish schools, nor is it possible to know whether such books are in private organisations like nurseries and non-state-run libraries.

In her statement today, Mrs Lockhart said: “I am increasingly frustrated by the infiltration of the ‘woke agenda’ being forced upon our children and young people.

"It is very concerning and highly inappropriate that books have been purchased by Libraries NI pushing this agenda.

"It is imperative that we prioritise the well-being and moral development of our young generation, safeguarding them from harmful influences.

"I firmly oppose the introduction of books that advocate gender transition, or provide guidance on how to utilise casual sex hookup apps to teenagers.

"These materials are not appropriate for young children who are in the process of forming their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

“If these books are currently available in our libraries, immediate action must be taken to remove them.

"Libraries should serve as spaces for learning, exploration, and enrichment, not to promote materials that could impact the moral and psychological development of our children.”

She called for a unified front on the issue among “fellow leaders, educators, and community members”.

She has also written to her DUP colleague Gordon Lyons, the new communities minister (whose department is responsible for libraries) to complain.

It follows a similar letter sent by Jim Allister of the TUV last week, to which Mr Lyons had replied that he was “concerned” by the details revealed in the News Letter’s article:

• DUP minister responsible for libraries calls meeting to discuss wave of transgender-themed books aimed at toddlers

Carla Lockhart is generally regarded as leaning towards the religious conservative wing of the DUP.

Though some DUP members – such as Edwin Poots – have spoken out strongly against transgender ideology, the party overall appears to have been relatively muted on the issue (in comparison with its stance against gay marriage, for example, where the party had a clear position of opposing it).

For instance, searching Google for the mention of the words “DUP” and “gay” from the start of 2019 to now brings up about 80,400 results.

Searching for “DUP” and “transgender” over the same dates brings up 12,500 results.

Asked about Mrs Lockhart’s calls for a withdrawal of the books, Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the lobby group [Sex Matters[ (which describes itself as “a human-rights organisation that campaigns for clarity on sex in law, policy and language”) said: “It’s irresponsible to encourage children to wonder if they’re male or female because they like the ‘wrong’ clothes, or to say that a boy might be a girl inside.

“Suggesting children can choose which sex they are is a cruel lie that risks putting them on a path to sterility if they pursue medical treatment, as the UUP recognised in its recent swift action to ban puberty blockers.

“Primary-school children trust adults to tell the truth.

"It would be so much healthier to challenge sex stereotypes instead of reinforcing them.”

The News Letter also contacted The Rainbow Project, arguably the country’s biggest LGBTQQIA+ group. It had not responded at time of writing.