LGBT+ booklovers in Wexford have reason to rejoice as Gorey Library have announced the launch of a section dedicated to queer issues.

The range of material on offer will include LGBT+ fiction as well as factual books, books and DVDs offering practical support and a host of material discussing mental health and well-being.

The driving force behind the Wexford library’s new section was the LGBT Steering Committee, which is composed of groups such as Gorey Youth Needs CLG, TENI (Trans Equality Network Ireland), the HSE, Tusla, FDYS and the Gorey Family Resource Centre.

At the launch, spokesperson Karen McCann from Gorey Youth Needs took the opportunity to praise both the range of new material now available and everyone involved with the library for being so welcoming of the original idea.

“The key message from all of this is one of inclusiveness,” McCann said. “The library could not have been any more supportive of it and everyone is very grateful for that. They are a great bunch of people who really work hard for the benefit of the LBGT community.”

Earlier this year, Belfast’s Holywood Arches Library in Northern Ireland was subjected to online trolling for organising a Drag Queen Story Time. These events, both popular and much protested across the United States, involve a drag queen reading fairy tales to young children in order to promote inclusivity. Despite the family friendly nature of these events, stories of protestors, hard line Trump supporters and religious bigots gatecrashing are rife. In one such case, a woman called Genevieve Peters said the organisers “invited the public to watch this perversion with these homosexuals,” her shouted anti-gay rhetoric proving to be much more upsetting and harmful to the gathered children than the perceived ‘threat’ from the reading.

With so many stories of divisiveness rampant across the world, Gorey Library’s message of inclusiveness and empathy is much needed and very welcome. Well done to the staff, organisers and steering committee.