Allan government’s push to instruct Librarians to ask children their pronouns to be debated in Victorian parliament

The rollout of a LGBTQIA+ toolkit which orders public librarians to ask primary-school aged children whether they identify as a he, she or they is set to be debated in parliament, after a petition secured thousands of signatures.

The controversial rollout of a LGBTQIA+ toolkit which instructs public library staff to ask young children whether they identify as a he, she or they will be debated in parliament on Wednesday after a petition calling for it to be scrapped secured thousands of signatures.

MPs are set for a fiery debate over the contentious state library guidelines in the upper house, with the Coalition accusing the Allan government of indoctrinating children, while Labor accuses the opposition of Trump-style politics.

As revealed by the Herald Sun last year, library staff are being instructed to ask primary school aged children what their preferred pronouns are and to avoid “gendered-language”.

Liberal MP Bev McArthur. Picture: ANDY ROGERS

They are also being told to offer pronoun badges, pins or lanyards to patrons, and to add more books about gender diversity and sexuality to their collections.

A petition, launched by conservative Liberal MP Bev McArthur, has since gathered more than 4,700 signatures, making it eligible for debate in the upper house.

“For every person somehow validated by ‘inclusive’ questions, many more will feel uncomfortable, insecure and confused,” the petition reads.

“Parents should not have to worry that a visit to the library could confuse or indoctrinate their children.

“Five year olds are far too young to need to consider their sexual orientation or gender identity”.

Premier Jacinta Allan with Equality Minister Vicki Ward. Picture: James Ross

The petition was slammed by Equality Minister Vicki Ward on Wednesday, who fronted the media outside parliament with openly gay MP Michael Galea to defend the Rainbow Toolkit, calling it “a simple, low-cost toolkit used by library staff to create inclusive spaces”.

She accused Mrs McArthur of Trump-style politics and of the “mischievous, potentially malevolent use of … cultural warfare to harm people for no good reason”.

“Let’s be clear that Ms McArthur has had no hesitation in following the Trump agenda,” she said.

“She’s even invited Donald Trump to come to Victoria.”

She also defended asking primary school aged children their pronouns, saying it was “respectful”.

“I don’t think it’s disrespectful or harmful to ask a child how they want to be spoken about or how they want to be addressed,” she said.

“I think it’s respectful.”

A drag queen was among members of the LGBTQIA+ community who watched the debate in parliament on Wednesday evening.

Multiple cross bench members, including Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne and Greens MP Aiv Puglieilli, slammed the opposition and backed the guidelines as an “inclusive” tool that respects diversity.

Mr Puglielli said asking kids their pronouns was “entirely reasonable and respectful” while Ms Payne said the guidelines were no different to culturally safe practices in places like hospitals.

Openly gay Liberal MP Joe McCracken, however, told the state government to “get out of our lives” and “get out of our libraries”.

Liberal Member for Western Victoria Region Joe McCracken. Photo: Facebook

“So what if somebody is a lesbian or gay or trans or straight, who actually cares?” he said.

“Leave private matters in private.”

Minister Harriet Shing, who is also a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, read a book from her childhood, saying books about sexuality and gender were “absolutely” needed in public libraries.

The Coalition’s push to scrap the toolkit was eventually struck down, with almost all of the cross bench voting with the government in support of the Rainbow Toolkit.