Manchester Central Library has defended the decision to stock a copy of controversial book When Kids Say They’re Trans
06:26, 19 Apr 2026Updated 09:25, 19 Apr 2026
Manchester Council has responded to criticism that Manchester Central Library stocks a specific book aimed towards parents of trans children(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Manchester library is at the centre of a bitter row following accusations it stocks a controversial book aimed towards parents of trans children, which recommends detransitioning.
When Kids Say They’re Trans, written by therapists Lisa Marchiano, Stella O’Malley, and Sasha Ayad, has been billed as a ‘guide for parents’ who have young people who are ‘struggling with the issue of gender identity’. However, some have alleged it features ‘harmful’ recommendations and ‘denies trans identities’.
First published in 2023 by Swift Press, its authors state they ‘don’t believe there is such a thing as a ‘trans child’’, instead referring to transitioning as an example of a ‘child’s self-destructive behaviour’.
A recent investigation by LGBTQ+ outlet QueerAF found that 58 public libraries across the country stock the title, including Manchester Central Library. Here, the one copy of the publication is usually held in the ‘Philosophy’ section, alongside LGBTQ+ titles like Will Young’s autobiography To Be A Gay Man, Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows by trans advocate Christine Burns MBE and The Book of Non-Binary Joy by writer Ben Pechey.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
When Kids Say They’re Trans has chapters on ‘detransition’ and ‘desistance’ (those who return to identifying with their sex assigned at birth), and claims that a ‘child’s trans identification is often a misplaced but healthy impulse to become her own person’.
Later on in the book, campaigners say it encourages parents to tell their children that ‘biological sex cannot be changed’. QueerAF, which is a non-profit publication, claimed the book ‘advises parents of Trans+ children to help them ‘desist’ from exploring gender diversity’, adding: “The book encourages parents to put children in anti-affirmation medical and educational spaces, and to cut off loved ones who support their child’s transition.”
A study published last year found that between 2011 and 2021, the number of young people in England who spoke to their GP about being trans or gender non-conforming had risen from one in 60,000 to about one in 1,200 – an increase of more than 50 per cent over ten years.
More than half of those were also found to have had a history of anxiety or depression.
Some readers have suggested that When Kids Say They’re Trans is ‘very harmful'(Image: Amazon/Swift Press)
When asked by the Manchester Evening News about the stocking of the book, Manchester Council said the function of its libraries is to provide resources of ‘legitimate interest’, but acknowledged that would often lead to situations when publications may ‘present different points of view’.
As a policy, its libraries follow the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) declaration. This determines publications that have not been legally penalised should not be excluded on ‘moral or political ground’ alone.
The book is also understood to be stocked at Eccles Library. Salford Council has been approached for comment.
‘Trying to present alternative facts as reality’
The Proud Trust, a Manchester-based organisation which supports LGBTQ+ young people across the country through youth groups, peer support, and mentoring programs, told the M.E.N. it has often heard from parents seeking to support their children but are unsure of the correct information or resources to use.
A spokesperson said: “It is vital that parents of trans and non-binary young people can access accurate and reliable information to best inform them in supporting their child, libraries must serve to ensure the information they are supplying the public with is accurate and trustworthy.”
When Kids Say They’re Trans suggests that puberty blockers are ‘usually the first medical intervention’ that is offered, with its co-authors sharing the belief that young people can ‘access most medical interventions without significant assessment, evaluation or exploration’. However, the NHS reports that puberty blockers are no longer available to children and young people due to a lack of evidence on their safety and effectiveness.
According to NHS guidelines, hormone therapy and gender-affirming hormones are also only available to children and young people who meet a strict criteria, which also includes a referral from a hormone specialist and a psychological report.
Campaigners say the book also suggests that puberty blockers can cause infertility, something which there is limited evidence to back up.
Published in 2024, The Cass Review independently looked into the gender services available for children and young people in England, including transgender youth and those with gender dysphoria. The report concluded that there was unclear evidence to support the use of ‘puberty suppression’ and such medication.
The M.E.N. has made attempts to reach out to co-authors Lisa Marchiano, Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad and publishers Swift Press for comment. Ayad said she would not be available to comment in time for the M.E.N.’s deadline.
Manchester Central Library’s one copy of the book is usually stocked within its ‘Philosophy’ section
Their publication has sparked controversy elsewhere online. Reviews on Amazon are polarising, where it is described as ‘essential reading for effective parents’ and ‘important’, at the same time as being dismissed as ‘dangerous and outrageously irresponsible’ or a ‘DIY child torture manual in disguise’.
Campaigners have also highlighted O’Malley, one of the authors of the book, is the executive director and founder of Genspect, an organisation which has been described as an ’gender-critical anti-trans group’ online.
Meanwhile, fellow author Marchiano has compared the rise in transgender young people to that of a ‘psychic epidemic’, whilst co-authors Ayad and O’Malley hosted the Gender: A Wider Lens podcast together.
‘Not about censorship but responsible governance’
Following QueerAF’s investigation, one person who contacted Manchester Council regarding the book said they were concerned it is ‘aligned with practices that are widely understood by medical bodies, safeguarding organisations, and human rights groups to be harmful to children’s mental health and wellbeing’.
In an email to the council, the resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said their concern was ‘not about censorship, but about responsible governance, child protection and public trust’, and asked the council whether the book’s material had been reviewed by professionals with expertise in child welfare and mental health. They also asked what steps had been taken to ensure public resources do not inadvertently promote harmful practices.
In a response, Manchester Council told the resident the book had passed its strict library policy regarding censorship, adding that it subscribed to the CILIP declaration that says library services are to provide all books which ‘satisfy any sectional interest’, as long as it has ‘not incurred penalties under the law’.
The council’s reply added that the book was chosen to be stocked at the library as it was ‘published by a renowned publisher’, and was ‘requested by another customer and was a big seller’. The reply added: “Therefore, in line with our stock policy, we propose that the book will remain available for users of Manchester libraries.”
When Kids Say They’re Trans has been billed as a ‘guide for parents’ who have young people who are ‘struggling with the issue of gender identity’. (Image: Amazon/Swift Press)
The resident said they were left taken aback by the Council’s response and felt ‘shocked and appalled’. Speaking to the M.E.N., they said: “I think I was most surprised by the argument that it was fine because it was deemed to be a ‘big seller’. Is that what basis they now use to stock books? It’s very disappointing.
“My concern when I first found out this book was being stocked at Central Library is that it is designed to be a self-help book – that’s the naughty thing about it. With the title, you think it might be helpful but it preys on the concern of parents who might of found out their children is questioning their gender. But it’s a very harmful book, in my opinion.”
They added: “They basically say right from the beginning that they feel there is no such thing as a trans child. Like, how can that be helpful to parents who are trying to find a way to support their child?”
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “Manchester City Council is committed to being an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We strive to lead a city that welcomes and supports all people and this commitment underpins our ambition to build a city founded on equality, tolerance, respect, and compassion.
“When it comes to our libraries, we subscribe to the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) declaration around censorship, which means the function of our library service is to provide resources that readers believe are of legitimate interest. As such, publications that have not incurred penalties under the law should not be excluded from libraries on any moral, political, religious or racial ground alone.
“We appreciate that publications in our stock will present different points of view, some of which will be contrary to those of some of our customers. However, the aim of our service is to make sure our library offer is as wide and as extensive as possible, while accepting some of our users may find some titles controversial.”