Warwickshire Pride has urged for the withdrawal of a statement issued by the leader of Warwickshire County Council, regarding libraries, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and what he describes as "contested gender ideology."

It comes after Cllr George Finch, posted to social media on Monday (8 June), and issued to members of the press a statement alleging that county council libraries "have been promoting contested gender ideology".

In response to the Cllr Finch's statement, Warwickshire Pride has highlighted the topics raised by Cllr Finch have left them "deeply concerned".

A statement shared by The Board of Trustees of Warwickshire Pride read:"At a time when LGBTQ+ people, and particularly transgender people, are facing increasing hostility, misinformation, and political targeting, it is disappointing to see the Leader of Warwickshire County Council adopt language that further marginalises members of our community.

"Cllr Finch's statement presents the existence of transgender people and information about LGBTQ+ identities as a political ideology rather than the lived reality of thousands of people across Warwickshire. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise part of the LGBTQ+ community is not an ideology. It is not a political campaign. It is not a belief system. It is simply part of the rich diversity of human experience.

"Libraries exist to provide access to knowledge, information, literature, and diverse perspectives. The suggestion that books or resources acknowledging LGBTQ+ people somehow undermine neutrality is both misleading and dangerous. Representation is not indoctrination. Inclusion is not political campaigning. Ensuring that LGBTQ+ people can see themselves reflected in books, educational materials, and public spaces is no different from ensuring that people of different faiths, ethnicities, disabilities, ages, and backgrounds are represented.

"Warwickshire Pride is proud to work alongside Warwickshire Libraries through our LGBTQ+ book groups at Leamington Spa Library and Stratford-upon-Avon Library. These groups provide safe, welcoming spaces where people can come together to discuss literature, share experiences, and combat social isolation. They are a positive example of libraries doing exactly what they are intended to do: bringing communities together, encouraging learning, and fostering understanding between people from different walks of life."

The statement went on to share Warwickshire Pride wants to express its "full support and solidarity with library employees across Warwickshire. Library staff work tirelessly to provide inclusive, accessible services for everyone in our communities.

"They should not be subjected to political attacks simply for ensuring that library collections reflect the diversity of the people they serve. We thank them for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to making libraries welcoming spaces for all."

Further concern was expressed regarding " the implication that information relating to gender identity and LGBTQ+ lives requires special scrutiny beyond that applied to other groups in society. Such rhetoric risks creating an environment where LGBTQ+ people are singled out, treated as inherently controversial, and excluded from public life."

Warwickshire Pride did however agree with Cllr Finch's declaration that Warwickshire County Council should "inform and serve residents, not campaign at them."

The Board of Trustees shared: "The Council's role is to serve all residents equally, including LGBTQ+ residents, transgender residents, LGBTQ+ families, and young people who may be questioning who they are.

"Public institutions should be places where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

"History teaches us important lessons about what happens when politicians begin deciding which books, ideas, identities, or groups are acceptable in public spaces. The book burnings of Nazi Germany stand as one of history's starkest warnings about the dangers of restricting access to information, suppressing diverse viewpoints, and targeting minority communities.

"While today's circumstances are clearly different, the principle remains relevant: public bodies should not seek to limit access to information simply because it relates to a minority group or because some people find it uncomfortable. Libraries should be places of learning, exploration, and understanding, not tools for political censorship.

"Unfortunately, this latest statement does not exist in isolation. Warwickshire Pride believes that Cllr Finch's comments form part of a wider pattern of rhetoric that has targeted transgender people and contributed to hostility towards the wider LGBTQ+ community. As a result, Warwickshire Pride has submitted a formal complaint under Warwickshire County Council's Code of Conduct process regarding Councillor Finch's conduct and public statements. We believe elected representatives have a responsibility to uphold standards of respect, equality, and inclusion for all residents, particularly those from minority communities."

Warwickshire Pride has therefore called upon Cllr Finch to withdraw his statement and engage constructively with LGBTQ+ communities across Warwickshire.

Also "to reaffirm his commitment to serving all residents of our county equally, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or background."

The statement from Warwickshire Pride concluded: "As a public servant, the Leader of the Council has a responsibility to represent every resident of Warwickshire, not just those who share his personal or political views. Leadership requires bringing communities together, not singling out already vulnerable groups for political attention.

"Warwickshire Pride remains committed to working with councillors of all political parties, public bodies, community organisations, library services, and residents to build a county where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect."

Warwickshire Pride has welcomed the opportunity to meet with Cllr Finch and the Council's leadership to discuss these concerns and "ensure that LGBTQ+ residents continue to feel valued, represented, and safe within Warwickshire's public services."

"We urge Warwickshire County Council to stand firmly on the side of inclusion, equality, evidence-based policy, and the rights of all residents to access information freely and without discrimination."

The statement has also drawn criticism from the Green group at Shire Hall.

Deputy Green group leader Cllr Will Roberts said: "To quote Walter Cronkite, 'Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation'.

"Libraries do so much for the community and are seen as a safe space, to start to remove books because of political ideology, is itself a case of political ideology.

"Libraries provide a place for people to learn, research and find out about different ways of life, giving people the option to do this, but Cllr Finch makes it sounds like because a certain book is on the shelf you'll read the cover and become converted.

"He has started by talking about gender ideology, gender is not an ideology it is a human right, and it is deeply concerning that Cllr Finch wishes to attack human rights in this way. He has also mentioned contested political ideologies, is his next step to remove all books that reference political thought, if so, this would be an attack on democracy itself.

"Warwickshire is the county of Shakespeare and George Eliot, and is now proposing to the ban books.

"We only need to look at the history of the last century to understand how banning books can lead us all into darkness.

"Libraries give people the opportunity to read books it does not force anybody to read them, that is through choice. The Green Party will be standing against any other attacks on democracy or human rights."