The new Reform UK leader of St Helens Council ordered Pride displays removed from libraries and directed officers to stop council engagement with Pride activities, citing concerns about transgender ideology and a duty to protect children. Labour councillors, LGBTQ+ campaigners and former leaders condemned the move as harmful to visibility and young people’s wellbeing. The council says replaced displays remain in place and that no library books have been removed, while local organisers vow to continue Pride events independently.
Reform-Led St Helens Council Orders Removal Of Pride Displays, Sparking Local Outcry
George Woodward said the council does not consider "celebrations of sexuality" to be an appropriate use of resources [BBC]
Displays celebrating Pride Month have been removed from libraries across parts of Merseyside after the newly elected leader of St Helens Council, from Reform UK, instructed officers to stop the authority’s involvement with Pride in any form.
Council Decision and Rationale
Council leader George Woodward told officers to withdraw Pride displays and to cease council engagement with Pride activities. He said the council should not devote "valuable officer resources" to "celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride." Woodward added he was "deeply concerned that Pride has become affiliated with harmful transgender ideology" and framed the move as a duty of care to children.
Miguel Doforo founded St Helens Pride seven years ago [BBC]
Local Backlash
The decision prompted strong criticism from local Labour councillors, LGBTQ+ campaigners and former council leaders. St Helens Labour described the move as sending a "deeply damaging message to residents, particularly young people who rely on public services to feel seen, supported and safe." Former council leader Anthony Burns called the rapid changes "really worrying."
"This is an ongoing attack against marginalised communities," said local drag performer Dross Queen. "Staff have been told to remove all references to Pride. Rainbows and books have all had to be removed. Libraries should serve all people in their communities."
Organisers And Officials Respond
Miguel Doforo, founder of the independently run St Helens Pride, said the community would continue but that some council comments had been "highly offensive." He warned that removing Pride displays risks making young people feel "less isolated and alone" by erasing visible signs of support.
Mayor Steve Rotheram said it is up to local leaders to decide how to represent their communities [BBC]
St Helens Council issued a statement saying the contested displays "have been replaced with alternative displays" and that "no books or other materials have been removed from the library catalogue or withdrawn from public access." The BBC has reported that staff were also asked to rebrand Pride events in libraries as "creative crafts."
Broader Reaction
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, publicly disagreed with the decision, saying: "Pride is about celebrating the love people have for each other... We want to promote equality, diversity and we want to have a cohesive society that comes together and isn't divided and politicised."
The issue highlights a wider national debate about how public bodies engage with LGBTQ+ events, the language used to discuss transgender rights, and the line between political activity and community celebration. Some LGBTQ+ advocates object to describing transgender rights as an "ideology," saying that term can foster discrimination.
Separately, campaigners reported that the council also withdrew support for Refugee Week events, which contributors say has further heightened tensions in the town.
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