Children’s Books Ireland launches reading campaign in response to anti-LGBT protests

Children’s Books Ireland has launched a new campaign in response to anti-LGBTQ+ book protests held by right-wing groups. The Reading Matters campaign aims to highlight the importance of books in building solidarity, and will be accompanied by the publication of the organisation’s annual reading guide.

The charity says that during the past months, libraries and bookshops across the country have been targeted by protesters "attempting to restrict young people’s access to diverse and inclusive books". Since December 2022, protesters associated with the Irish far-right movement have been requesting that books featuring LGBTQ+ themes are taken down from library and bookshop shelves, the charity said. 

The Cork City Library was targeted by such protests in the summer. In July, the library closed down ahead of a planned demonstration due to safety concerns.

"Since early this year, we have witnessed a targeted campaign by right-wing groups to limit young people’s access to inclusive reading material," Children’s Books Ireland told The Bookseller. "This has taken the form of demonstrations at libraries and bookshops across the country, and at the offices of Children’s Books Ireland, with this vocal minority protesting the presence of LGBTQ+ material on bookshelves and on reading lists."

The Reading Matters reading guide published in light of these events features 286 titles published in 2023, bringing together the "best in children’s and YA publishing" across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels. Irish titles are marked with a shamrock symbol throughout and reviews included are in English and as Gaeilge, with cover artwork commissioned from the Irish illustrator Róisín Hahessy.

Commenting on the launch of Reading Matters, c.e.o. Elaina Ryan said: "It might be easy to think, sometimes, in a busy world, that reading doesn’t matter quite so much as it used to for children and young people when there are so many ways for them to spend their time. And yet, we believe that reading matters. It really matters. Sometimes, it can be life-saving.

"Reading is freedom – in the sense that it opens the world up to be explored and introduces important ideas to young readers: equality, justice, kindness, empathy. Reading is also freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and it matters that everyone can tell their story and can read a version of their story in a book."

Reading Matters is available for free in libraries nationwide, with a copy being sent to every primary and secondary school in Ireland. The guide is also free to download from the Children’s Books Ireland website.