Kent Council’s removal of trans books will have ‘devastating’ impact on young people, author warns
The author says they are “worried” about what such book bans could mean in the UK (Dee Whitnell)
A trans, Kent-based author has said the decision by the Reform UK-run county council to remove trans-focused books from the children’s sections of its libraries will have a “devastating” impact on trans young people and their loved ones.
Last week, Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce the removal of “trans material” from all children’s sections of libraries in Kent.
Headed up by right-wing populist figure Nigel Farage, Reform was founded in 2018 as the Brexit Party and has since rebranded and made a name for itself because of its controversial anti-immigration policies and Eurosceptic stance. Unsurprisingly, Reform UK has a poor record when it comes to the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Following a sweeping victory in May’s local elections, Reform took control of Kent County Council with 56 councillors, the Liberal Democrats being the second largest party at the local authority with 12 councillors.
“Another victory for #commonsenseinKent my brilliant cabinet member Cllr Paul Webb has just got this trans material REMOVED from the children’s sections of all Kent’s libraries,” the post shared by Kemkaran read.
“Telling children they’re in the ‘wrong body’ is wrong and simply unacceptable.”
🔥Another victory for #commonsenseinKent 🔥my brilliant cabinet member Cllr Paul Webb has just got this trans material REMOVED from the children’s sections of all Kent’s libraries.
— Linden Kemkaran (@LeaderofKCC) July 2, 2025
Telling children they’re in the ‘wrong body’ is wrong and simply unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/nDTKG5rZGQ
Kent County Council runs 99 community libraries and five mobile library vans but it is currently unknown which books have been targeted and how many have been removed.
The decision was criticised by other members of Kent Country Council, with Antony Hook, the Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition, describing the decision as “vague” and the announcement as “bizarre” given it was made on social media “rather than to the council”.
Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tristian Osbourne, told the BBC the removal was an “unedifying gender baiting of the LGBT community”.
“You cannot erase trans youth, they will continue to exist”
Speaking to PinkNews, nonbinary activist and founder of the Trans Kids Deserve To Grow Up campaign Dee Whitnell – the author of LGBTQ+ inclusive sex-ed book Beyond Bananas and Condoms – said the decision taken by the council is “extremely frustrating”.
“Under the guise of ‘protecting the children’, this ban will actively do the opposite, and take vital resources away from them,” Whitnell said. “Not only am I a trans author, but I’m a trans author based in Kent. I am worried about what will follow this decision and if further steps will be taken to erase trans+ people from public view.”
Whitnell went on to say the ban will have a “devastating impact” on young people as well as adults who wish to support trans young people they know and access credible resources.
“At one of my signings, a young person told me that my book would ‘save lives’ and now that message rings even more true, particularly as my book covers inclusive sex education which the government has fallen short on delivering,” they said.
“You cannot erase trans youth, they will continue to exist – this ban will simply push young people to find other avenues for information, and that may put them in risky situations.”
Book bans, specifically LGBTQ+ book bans, are unfortunately nothing new
In 2024, the American Library Association’s (ALA) said in its annual report on book bans in the United States, entitled ‘The State of America’s Libraries‘, seven of the 10 most-challenged books in 2023 contain LGBTQ+ themes.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe topped the list for the third time since it was first published in 2019. The graphic novel memoir looks at Kobabe’s journey from adolescence to adulthood and details their exploration of gender and sexuality.
“We know the history of book bans, we have seen this happen before”
According to the ALA, the number of books at risk of censorship increased by 65 per cent in 2023 compared with the previous year – the highest number recorded by the association.
“In looking at the title of the most-challenged books from last year, it’s obvious that the pressure groups are targeting books about LGBTQ+ people and people of colour,” said ALA president Emily Drabinski in the report.
Whitnell said the fact this is seemingly now happening in the UK is “worrying” and sets a dangerous precedent.
“We know the history of book bans, we have seen this happen before,” they said.
“It’s worrying to know that this is now happening in the UK, and now in my own county and in relation to my own book (which is 16+).
“I hope that we do not repeat this history and that Kent Council listen to its community.”
The removal of books at Kent County Council is not the first time Reform has sought to remove references to LGBTQ+ people on council property.
Reform announced in May it would ban its councils from flying Pride flags and only allow only the union jack, St George’s flag and county flags on council buildings.
Then-chairman for the party, Zia Yusuf, said: “No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flagpoles, balconies, reception desks or council chamber walls.”
A Reform spokesperson also said at the time: “Reform UK will proudly fly the union jack, St George’s flag and county flags. Unlike Labour, we are proud of our country and history.”
