You might have seen that we recently changed our logo to feature the Pride rainbow to mark our participation in York Pride over the weekend, one of three Pride festivals that are local to the Library’s sites in St Pancras and Boston Spa. 

We participate for many reasons: to share the countless LGBTQ+ stories in the national collection, to promote the services we offer as the national research library, and to support our workforce. Simply, we mark Pride because we are #foreveryone.

This year, changing to our rainbow logo for York Pride prompted a number of responses on social media expressing hate and contempt for the LGBTQ+ community - but a whole lot of love too. So, in response to the former and in solidarity with the latter, we’re keeping it for the rest of Pride month throughout June. The Library stands with those who oppose homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination in all forms.

I’d invite everyone to take a look through our LGBTQ+ Histories webspace. Libraries have always been places of learning, thought, and reasoned debate. They are places, I hope, where minds and views can be changed. 

Rob Field

Head of Public Policy