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And Tango Makes Three among 10 children’s books with LGBT themes taken off the shelves in public libraries by Hong Kong government

Book banned in Singapore among titles hidden from view as anti-gay-rights group celebrates victory after months of pressure on Home Affairs Bureau

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The objected-to books were hidden from view at Hong Kong libraries. Photo: Felix Wong
Karen Zhang

Ten children’s books featuring same-sex parents and other LGBT themes have been hidden away from public view at Hong Kong’s libraries after months of pressure from an anti-gay-rights group.

Among the titles which have been moved to closed stack sections and are now only available on request is the critically acclaimed And Tango Makes Three.

The book, about two male penguins that fall in love and build a family together with the help of a zookeeper, was published in 2005 by Simon & Schuster and has been nominated for a host of awards.

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Ten children’s books with same-sex themes have been removed from the city’s public libraries. Photo: Handout
Ten children’s books with same-sex themes have been removed from the city’s public libraries. Photo: Handout

The pressure group, the Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group, celebrated its achievement on Facebook on Monday, posting a reply to its campaign from the Home Affairs Bureau, dated June 15.

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In its reply, the bureau said the Collection Development Meeting, consisting of library professionals, had reviewed 10 children’s books mentioned in the group’s complaint and had decided to move them to the closed stacks in the city’s public libraries.

Political censorship bad enough. We don’t need religious kind too

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