A Sydney council faced backlash for banning a children’s book depicting same-sex parents, resulting in national and global headlines. The book, Same-Sex Parents by Holly Duhig, was part of a series portraying diverse family structures for young readers. The ban drew protests from both supporters and opponents of same-sex parenting, leading to a heated debate at a council meeting.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the council chambers as councillors met to discuss reversing the ban. Despite disruptions and ejections from the chambers, Mayor Lisa Lake tried to maintain order during the four-hour debate. After several unsuccessful attempts at amendments, the original vote to ban the book was ultimately overturned.
Councillors voted to reinstate the book in the library’s collection but decided to move it to the junior non-fiction section in line with Australian library guidelines. The motion was put forward by Labor’s Kun Huang and received a 12-2 vote just before 10.45pm. One councillor was absent during the crucial vote.
In a surprising turn of events, Councillor Steve Christou was left without support from his own party colleagues, Paul Garrard and Helen Hughes, who sided with the majority in favor of reinstating the book. The decision marked the end of a divisive debate that had sparked outrage and controversy within the community.
The outcome of the council meeting ultimately allowed Same-Sex Parents to be accessible once again in the library, albeit in a different section. The reversal of the ban was seen as a victory for those advocating for diversity in children’s literature and for the inclusion of same-sex families in mainstream narratives.
Despite the initial controversy and fierce debate, the resolution to reinstate the book reflected a willingness to listen to various perspectives and to reconsider a decision that had caused widespread criticism. The event highlighted the ongoing importance of representation and inclusivity in children’s literature, and served as a reminder of the power of public opinion in shaping policy decisions.
