Protesters voiced concerns about Staffordshire County Council's decision to stop Pride displays in public libraries outside a meeting of senior members.

Messages of support for the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community and rainbow colours were on display outside Stafford's County Buildings on Wednesday (June 17), alongside a banner calling for four councillors who have come under fire for alleged posts on social media – which are not connected with the library decision – to stand down.

One of the protesters said they felt "physically sick" following reports that Pride displays had been removed from libraries in recent days.

They added: "I was utterly disgusted.

"I was at school in the 1990s and early 2000s during Section 28 (an amendment to the Local Government Act 1988 which prevented teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ issues with pupils between 1988 and 2003).

"If you had any questions about sexuality you couldn't get any help from school.

"It was a really difficult time for me – I didn't fully understand who I am until my 20s.

"Not being able to share information about our history is blatant censorship – removing Pride displays is not a politically neutral act."

An online petition started less than a week ago, calling on Staffordshire County Council to reverse any policy that prevents libraries and other council services from displaying materials that recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and other protected groups during awareness and heritage months, has now gained well over 2,900 signatures.

But the matter was not discussed by cabinet members at their meeting on Wednesday.

A county council spokesperson said that a decision to review and refocus the use of library display space was made by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture.

They added: "While the review takes place, all displays that do not promote the core library offer or wider council services have been paused; this has included Pride displays but applies to all other discretionary displays too.

"A wide range of books and materials can be loaned from us.

"These cover topics and authors of interest to the LGBTQ+ community and many others.

"No books or materials have been removed from the library.

"A community impact assessment will be carried out as part of the review."

In a social media post this week, Council leader Martin Murray said: "There has been a lot of commentary, and unfortunately, quite some politicisation about Staffordshire libraries in recent days.

"Let me first make one point very clear: no books have been removed from your library shelves, no authors have been pulled from the catalogue, no titles have been placed off-limits.

"Our new Staffordshire County Council Libraries Strategy will focus on core services and will no longer use taxpayer-funded resources, sites and communications channels to promote any particular group, cause or identity.

"That applies consistently to every group and every cause.

"Your library services belong to everyone in Staffordshire equally – they are not there to promote or privilege particular groups, causes or identities, however well-intentioned.

"As such, Pride events will no longer be promoted in our public libraries."

But Damon Hoppe, who was protesting outside County Buildings on Wednesday, said: "It's not just affecting the LGBTQ+ community, it's going to affect Black History Month and International Women's Day.

"I just couldn't believe it in this day and age."

Pride Month celebrates diversity and commemorates the history of the LGBTQ+ community, coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in the US.

Community events are set to take place in Stoke-on-Trent this weekend and the Staffordshire Moorlands later this month, with Stafford Pride being held in August.