A group attending Essex Pride, on Saturday 20th June 2026, united to protest against Reform UK’s censorship in local libraries. Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) joined the parade with banners declaring “Essex Libraries are for all! Say no to political censorship” after libraries under the jurisdiction of Reform UK-led Essex County Council were told to ‘scale back’ their support for diverse events held at their sites including for Pride Month, and Black History Month.
The council said it wanted to avoid highlighting “any particular groups or themes” across Essex on social media. Staff at the libraries were reportedly verbally briefed on this change of policy and were told that written guidance would be sent out in due course.
Drag artist, Shar Cooterie, from Colchester, hit back at the move, calling it a “politically motivated” attack launched during Pride month.
“I would suggest there is maybe a confusion in priority, if we’re talking about getting back to ensuring libraries are doing their best work. There is a suggestion that the existence of an LGBTQ+ person is in some way political, which I don’t think it should be.”
At the time of the briefing earlier this month, a spokesman for Save Our Libraries Essex added: “What possible reason is there not to display pride promotional material – it’s not as if it’s costing the library service anything – other than pure prejudice?
“It’s not just bigotry, it’s anti-business. Pride gets people out and spending money in our towns and cities. Where will this end up?”
Credit: Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE)
While the council did seem to backtrack on the stance, clarifying that “there is no ban on events at libraries for Pride”, but that social media promotion of ‘themed months’ would be suspended while the calendar was reviewed, SOLE was keen to send a message to the leadership during Essex Pride. The group joined the parade which passed County Hall, marching with banners, and set up a stall set up at the assembly point.
SOLE is a community campaigning group which has, so far, successfully prevented the closure of 2/3 of Essex’s libraries. A petition has also been launched by the group, opposing the recent ban on Essex Libraries promoting Pride, Black History Month and other themed events. At the time of writing, the petition has received over 17K signatures.
SOLE writes: “For decades, our libraries have promoted a large range of themes and events linked to books, education, local issues, culture, and libraries themselves. As well as Pride, and Black History Month, there have been promotions for Remembrance Day, Holocaust Memorial Day, World Mental Health Day, International Women’s Day, the World Cup, and much more. These promotions are vital for making our libraries relevant to everybody within our communities, and ensuring the continuing sustainability of a much-loved public service.
“Essex Libraries staff have the professional skills, experience and knowledge to run and promote suitable events, and the council should not interfere and should not be allowed to stop our libraries from being places for everyone. t’s always been vital to ensure that public libraries are never manipulated by any politicians’ personal opinions or dislikes.”
