A couple have taken their four-year-old daughter out of a pre-school after they say they were branded bigots for complaining about a book featuring men in bondage and with trans ‘top-surgery’ scars.
Will and Maria Taylor, of Hull, East Yorkshire, were horrified when they spotted ‘images of men who are partially naked in leather bondage gear’ in the pages of Grandad’s Pride.
One image featured trans men with ‘top surgery’ scars, sparking a furious reaction from parents who claims that it encourages body modifications too early.
‘Top-surgery’ involves either the removal or augmentation of the breasts, which if undergone by a trans man means breast tissue is taken out and the chest is contoured to emphasise the pectoral muscles.
‘Grandad’s Pride’ is the creation of Waterstones children’s book winning author and illustrator Harry Woodgate – who uses they/them pronouns.
When the couple approached Genesis Pre School in Hull with their concerns over the overtly sexualised images, they were shocked when the school refused to apologise for stocking the book.
The book, which has a 4+ reading aged, tells the story of Milly spending the summer in Grandad’s cottage by the sea.
When Milly is playing in the attic one day, she unearths Grandad and Gramps’ old Pride flag. When Grandad explains to Milly what Pride is, he and Milly plan a Pride march in the village.
The BookTrust, which promotes children reading, has already warned parents: ‘The illustrations in Grandad’s Pride include realistic depictions of what a Pride march might look like, including a person dressed in adult leather wear and some images which are culturally sensitive.
‘Parents and carers should read the book before sharing.’
Hellbound and Down 