58 UK public libraries have parenting books with advice to encourage children to detransition

February 7, 2026 - 14:23

A controversial book offering guidance to parents on encouraging their children to detransition is currently available in public libraries across the United Kingdom. The text, which advocates for what it terms ‘desistance’—the process of reverting to a cisgender identity—has been identified in at least 58 library authorities.

The book's presence in publicly-funded institutions has sparked significant concern and debate among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and healthcare professionals. Critics argue that the material promotes harmful, conversion practices by framing a child’s transgender identity as something to be corrected or discouraged. They emphasize that such content contradicts established medical guidelines, which support affirmative care for transgender youth as vital for their mental wellbeing.

Libraries typically operate under policies designed to provide a breadth of perspectives while ensuring collections are balanced and appropriate. The discovery of this title has prompted calls for urgent reviews of acquisition and stock policies to ensure they align with safeguarding principles and evidence-based healthcare. Proponents of the book’s availability maintain it represents a legitimate viewpoint for parents seeking alternative perspectives.

The situation highlights the ongoing, deeply polarized national conversation surrounding transgender rights, youth, and parental guidance. It raises complex questions about the role of public libraries in curating information on sensitive health and social issues, balancing free access to information with the responsibility to protect vulnerable groups from potentially damaging content. Local authorities are now facing pressure to clarify their positions on the material.