6 days ago
Row as gender-critical feminist book excluded from National Library exhibition
Editors of The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht, a collection of essays by gender-critical feminists who campaigned against transgender law reforms, have written to National Librarian Amina Shah to express their fury that the book was not included in the Dear Library exhibition.
The exhibition aims to highlight the importance of libraries and how they can 'empower individuals and the communities they belong to'.
Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Susan Dalgety (below, second from right) claimed that their book had been nominated for display four times, which they said made it one of the most nominated books, but that it had been excluded after pressure from staff.
In their letter to Shah, they said that internal correspondence they obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed that bosses had 'capitulated' to staff they say had threatened to disrupt the exhibition if the book was included.
They claimed that the book was 'singled out' for an equality impact assessment but that the library had 'recognised that a range of other books from the alternative perspective would be going on display, with no questioning at all'.
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Hunter Blackburn and Dalgety added: 'You then capitulated to what we can only describe as threats from within the Library to disrupt the centenary exhibition.
'You felt unable to stand up to these threats from some of your staff, who also invoked the risk of further disruption from external activists, other parts of the local literary establishment and possibly your funders.'
The book, published in 2024 and featuring contributions from JK Rowling (below), former SNP MSP Joan McAlpine, Tory MSP Pam Gosal and others, tracks the campaign against the Scottish Government's failed bid to reform transgender identification laws.
The letter said: 'These are women who have changed the course of politics not just in Scotland but in the UK, and who spoke up for many who felt less able to do so. All these women have been smeared and their words excluded from the exhibition by your decision.'
Hunter Blackburn and Dalgety accused the National Library of having 'discriminated against this book purely for the position it takes on questions of sex and gender identity'.
They added: 'It is evident that you felt this decision was easier than including a single book in your exhibition which challenges the approved view of the political and cultural establishment of Scotland on this issue.
'This is nothing less than a betrayal of the principles which are core to your role and the place of the library in our nation's cultural and intellectual life. That the centenary exhibition is laced with claims about freedom of expression, the exchange of ideas, democracy and censorship just adds to the insult.'
They demanded the book be included in the display, a meeting with the National Librarian, an 'unreserved apology' and for the National Librarian to read the book.
Ash Regan MSP added: 'Another public body bullied into cowardice. The real reputational harm isn't a book by 34 women – it's a National Library too scared to platform it.
'Time to end this dark chapter and grow a spine. Scotland deserves its proud tradition of fearless, evidence-based debate back.'
The National Library was approached for comment.
