The sign - declaring Norwich's Millenium Library a 'trans friendly safe space' - was taken down by senior officials last week amid a wider row over a separate trans exhibition at the venue.
The removal of the poster angered front-line staff as well as activist group Norwich Trans Pride, which organised a protest outside the library, in the Forum, on Sunday.
But even before the demonstration, the poster had been put back up.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council, which runs the library, said: "We have now had time to reflect on community feedback and to review our guidance. As a result, the poster has been returned to display in the library."
The poster had been removed after Kay Mason Billig, the council leader, personally intervened to criticise an exhibition at the library which was organised by staff and Norwich Trans Pride.
It featured artwork showing bodies which had undergone gender reassignment surgery, as well as hypodermic needles and testosterone, which is used by people who are transitioning.
Critics said the display was inappropriate for a public library, saying it 'glorified self harm' and promoted the use of surgery and medication among vulnerable young people with gender issues.
They said it was particularly shocking in the light of the Cass Review, which highlighted massive concerns over the use of puberty-blocking drugs to treat such people. One of the pieces of artwork that was displayed (Image: Norwich Women's Rights Group)But Norwich Trans Pride said that criticism of the exhibition and the removal of the poster had made its members feel "unwelcome and unsafe" at the library.
It claimed that front line staff - who had organised a petition for the return of the poster - supported them and had also been left feeling "unsafe".
The poster was put up on Friday, two days after it was reported to have been taken down.
Despite its return, Norwich Trans Pride went ahead with its protest on Sunday, saying the issue was "about more than a poster".
A spokesman said on social media: "Upper management and Norfolk County Council have made staff at the library and the wider LGBTQIA community feel unwelcome and unsafe. We want better for our public spaces."
READ MORE: Decision to remove 'vital' play equipment from city park branded as 'nonsense'
The poster has been displayed since 2022 (Image: Newsquest)A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "We are committed to providing an inclusive service that welcomes everyone and the service continues to support the trans, non-binary and wider LGBTQ community.
"Moving forward, as a service, we will be taking some time and space to reflect and learn from recent events, ways to better manage difficult and sensitive subjects in the future and how we can work together to support our trans community - and all LGBTQ people - to feel fully safe and welcome when using our services." Protesters gathered outside the Forum on Sunday (Image: Steven Whitear)
Library bosses backtrack and put trans poster back UP as staff and activists complain
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22.04.2024
The sign - declaring Norwich's Millenium Library a 'trans friendly safe space' - was taken down by senior officials last week amid a wider row over a separate trans exhibition at the venue.
The removal of the poster angered front-line staff as well as activist group Norwich Trans Pride, which organised a protest outside the library, in the Forum, on Sunday.
But even before the demonstration, the poster had been put back up.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council, which runs the library, said: "We have now had time to reflect on community feedback and to review our guidance. As a result, the poster has been returned to display in the library."
The poster had been removed after Kay Mason Billig, the council leader, personally intervened to........
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