Singapore libraries have withdrawn two children's books with gay characters. The books are And Tango Makes Three and The White Swan Express
Singapore libraries have withdrawn two children's books with gay characters, reports NPR.
In a Facebook statement, The National Library Board suggests that the subject matter of the banned books is incompatible with a “pro-family” stance:
"Young children are among our libraries' most frequent visitors. Many of them browse books in our children's sections on their own. As such, NLB takes a pro-family and cautious approach in identifying titles for our young visitors. In selecting children's books, we sieve through the contents and exercise our best judgement. Parents can be assured that NLB is sensitive to their concerns and views, and their feedback."
The two banned books are And Tango Makes Three, inspired by two real male penguins who hatched an egg together, and The White Swan Express, about three straight couples and one lesbian couple who travel to China to adopt baby girls.
Homosexuality in Singapore is criminalized with two years in prison.