Australian and New Zealand libraries support equity, diversity and inclusion

South Taranaki District Council's Libraries and Cultural Services Manager Cath Sheard, pictured with Christina D’mour said Rainbow storytimes help children, and adults, realize it is the rich diversity of our world which makes it such a wonderful place.

​This week, Brisbane Square Library’s Drag Queen Storytime was disrupted by protests. The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa / Te Rau Herenga O Aotearoa (LIANZA) stands by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) in their support of any libraries hosting Drag Queen Storytime.

​LIANZA also does not condone online bullying of any kind. Australian and New Zealand libraries support equity, diversity and inclusion, and drag queen story times demonstrate this as well as encourage children to see and accept difference in their communities.

New Zealand has also seen complaints follow children's rainbow story times in Kāpiti and South Taranaki during 2018. Kāpiti Coast District Council spokeswoman Janice McDougall said at the time

Our libraries support inclusivity and diversity, and provide a range of programmes and services for everyone in our community to enjoy.

Netsafe spokesman Martin Cocker said there are laws preventing hate speech and threats. "People need to remember the online space is no different, they are New Zealanders and the New Zealand law applies to them,"

If your library would like to demonstrate solidarity with Australian libraries and widespread support for Drag Queen Storytime in libraries, you can send ALIA photos of your Drag Queen Storytime events, which they will then post on their social media to showcase how libraries embrace inclusivity.
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If you have an image to include in this campaign, please send it to media@alia.org.au along with any necessary photographer attributions and let them know if you’d prefer not to have the library named. Images should not show the faces of any children present.