A trans art exhibition has been shutdown after facing a backlash for allegedly promoting “body mutilation”.
Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig was forced to intervene after becoming personally aware of the event at Norwich’s Millennium Library.
She issued an apology and ordered the event to be stopped.
The exhibition was scheduled to be held at the Forum to mark Transgender Day of Visibility.
A trans exhibition was set up
NORWICH WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUP
It looked set to include pictures of hypodermic needles for injecting testosterone and sculptures and images of bodies which have had gender-reassignment surgery.
Women’s groups vocally criticised the diplays, claiming it promoted the use of surgery and medication to young people suffering with issues about gender.
The row emerged after the publication of the Cass Review into the way the NHS handles young people questioning their gender.
The report found there was "remarkably weak evidence" to support gender treatment for children.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:It also highlighted how health experts had put many of them on a medical pathway of puberty-blocking drugs and hormones.
However, the Norwich event primarily received a backlash on social media.
Mason Billig took to Mumsnet to personally apologise as critics labelled the exhibition a “horror show”.
She said: "I was very unhappy when I heard about this display. Staff have guidelines, and this exhibition seems to have been approved without realising the actual content.
"As soon as it came to my attention, I alerted senior staff and it was removed immediately. I apologise if anyone was offended but thank you very much for alerting us.
"We are open to different points of view on all subjects but there are times and places for these and we have to handle them with sensitivity and consider the impact on others, especially children.
"There will be an investigation into how and why this happened and staff will be issued with strengthened guidance for the future."
One user said: "This display is apparently aimed at children and young people, which in my honest opinion promotes body mutilation and self harm and glorifies drug use. In the wake of the Cass report it's incredibly irresponsible.
The transgender exhibition sparked a backlash on social media
NORWICH WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUP
"The display is accessible to children as the cabinets stand only a couple of feet high.
"The cases are by the entrance - not noticeable when you go in but inescapable when you leave. I can’t believe someone authorised this."
Sarah Walker, a member of the Norwich Women's Rights Group, said: "If a library was promoting anorexia or cutting or glorifying steroid abuse to children and teenagers, we’d all see it for what it is. Instead, it’s promoting self-mutilation under the banner of trans joy.
"It’s especially irresponsible in the week that the Cass Review revealed how poor the evidence base for so-called 'gender affirming care' is and how little follow-up there has been to assess regret and de-transition rates."
