A Sydney council has reversed a controversial decision to ban a same-sex parenting book from a local library after a heated debate lasting more than four hours.
The initial decision by Cumberland City Council to ban the Same-Sex Parents book prompted national outrage and garnered nearly 50,000 signatures across two petitions.
The councillors debated the book, which had been borrowed only once since it was added to the library in 2019, in a fiery and often unruly meeting.
Following intense discussions, the council voted 12-2 to rescind the ban. Riot police, including six officers and two security guards, were stationed outside in case demonstrations turned violent.
Most speakers at the meeting opposed the book, arguing it was "weaponising children".
Pro-ban protesters outside yelled phrases like "go back to Newtown" and "leave our kids alone", while one man, wearing a crucifix, declared: "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Several were asked to leave as Mayor Lisa Lake warned against interjecting and shouting over speakers.
Cumberland grandmother Caroline Staples, who spoke in favour of reversing the ban, said: "Rainbow families are part of all our communities." She added: "Perhaps the positive out of this debate is that those families will now feel seen, and they will have their own voices heard. We need to rescind this ban."
Former mayor and current councillor Steve Christou, a key advocate for the original ban, attempted to move the book to the adult section but failed. "We deserve a voice, and those residents that have come to me have come from all over," he said.
"It's not just about religion, and it's not about marginalising people, because I welcome everybody, and I want to make it clear that I represent everybody in this community."
In the end, he was one of two people who opposed last night's resolution.
The council's reputation has been trashed
Councillor Mohamad Hussein, who initially voted for the ban, changed his vote last night. He said while he could not "in good conscience" support something that went against his religion, he also admitted he could not "enforce my belief on someone else".
"If you want to shelter children from the mere image of same-sex parents, you will have to ban us from your community too," said Cumberland resident Alexa Kapust.
"At the end of the day, you can ban a book with same-sex parents, but this won't stop me, my family being seen by your kids at the local park, at the shops, at school pick-up, or even next door. We are nurses and doctors, shopkeepers. We are teachers and coaches. We are your neighbours."
Councillor Glen Elmore criticised the handling of the initial complaint. "The council's reputation has been trashed. Now it's caused a national embarrassment for our council," he said.
What is Same-Sex Parents about?
The book, written by Holly Duhig, is part of a series addressing challenging topics for children, including bullying, puberty, immigration, and disability.
The cover features two men and a young boy smiling. The book is recommended for children aged five to seven, and explains there are "many different types of family".
One chapter states: "Sometimes men fall in love with other men, and women fall in love with other women." The book goes on to emphasise "all loving families are good" and that unfair treatment of same-sex families is not acceptable.
The book does not include any sexual content.
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