Conservative lobbyist Bernard Gaynor says he’s had a “partial win” in his efforts to remove alleged pornographic books from Logan libraries.
Earlier in the year, Mr Gaynor became aware of graphic novels on library shelves that contained depictions of bestiality and child pornography, one of which he said was in the children’s section.
He made complaints to Logan City Council and Logan police, who referred the books to the Australian Classification Board (RCA) for review.
Mr Gaynor even staged a protest outside the Council Administration Building in March.
At the beginning of April, the RCA classified one of the books, ‘Gender Queer: A Memoir’, as “unrestricted, with consumer advice of ‘M (Mature) – not recommended for readers under 15 years”.
He has since applied for an appeal to reclassify the book.
Almost month later, he received an update from Logan City Council CEO Darren Scott.
“Council… finalised an internal review of Gender Queer: A Memoir with reference to Council’s Library Collection Development Policy,” Mr Scott wrote.
“The outcome of the review is that Gender Queer: A Memoir is suitable to remain in Logan City Council Libraries’ collection and will be held in the Biography section of the Adult collection.”
Mr Scott said the books would be stamped with an advisory sticker to “assist library patrons in their collection selections”.
Mr Gaynor said it was a small win in the right direction, but it wasn’t enough.
“Logan City Council’s decision in relation to Gender Queer shows it accepts that it wrongly placed a book with controversial sexual content on shelves dedicated to teenagers and older children,” he said.
Mr Gaynor has also complained to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
OFT principal compliance officer, Elsie Dunphy, informed Mr Gaynor via email that OFT is investigating Logan City Council Libraries to “to determine whether there has been a breach of the Queensland Classification of Publications Act 1991”.
The books Mr Gaynor complained about were: ‘Gender Queer: A Memoir’ and ‘The Boys, Volume One’.
