Statement from VPL’s Chief Librarian regarding March 21 GIDYVR event
Over the past year, VPL has received concerns related to our room rentals, which began with a controversial event held by a group renting a room in January 2019. This led to an update of our Public Meeting Rooms and Facilities Use Policy including introduction of a risk assessment process to identify whether events are likely to, or will, violate the Criminal Code or the BC Human Rights Code, or present a significant security risk to the Library.
Library Square Conference Centre received a room rental request from Gender Identity YVR for the evening of Saturday, March 21, 2020. Following VPL’s updated policy, staff undertook a rental pre-screening and risk assessment. This assessment process included legal advice and advice from the Vancouver Police Department.
The VPL Board considered the rental request under the terms of the new Policy, reviewed the findings of the risk assessment (which included the conclusion that the presentation would likely not involve any breach of the BC Human Rights Code or Criminal Code), and received legal advice at their meeting on Wednesday. After a difficult and emotional discussion, a majority of the Board decided to accept the rental request. As with other room rentals, acceptance of this rental request does not mean that the Board endorses or agrees with the positions of the group or individuals using our space.
While many called on the Library Board to reject the rental request due to the opinions expressed by the room rental applicant and some of its speakers, as a public body VPL is expected to act in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which includes the right to freedom of expression subject only to limits recognized at law. VPL recognizes the importance of freedom of expression as a core principle of democracy, and identifies it as an organizational value. We believe that dialogue, not censorship, will ultimately lead to greater understanding and inclusion. Historically, libraries’ participation in defending freedom of expression has advanced the position of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ2+ communities.
VPL is committed to fostering inclusion and reducing discrimination. A significant part of that is providing welcoming spaces, including for members of trans and gender non-binary communities, and promoting respectful communication. We recognize people using their chosen names, and apply this for our library cards and staff identification. Our staff receive training to support these principles and our code of conduct and respectful workplace policy reinforce it. We proudly label our washrooms as welcoming trans people and staff will support a trans or non-binary person’s right to make that choice. This is not only important to us, but the right to not be discriminated against on the basis of gender identity and/or gender expression is part of the BC Human Rights Code.
We understand that the current legal framework continues to evolve, and VPL will, with the assistance of legal counsel, monitor these changes for guidance to inform future decisions. The Board will also be calling upon provincial and federal authorities to provide greater clarity regarding legal protections for marginalized groups.
With the Board’s decision, we will now work to prepare for this event and ensure that it occurs with everyone’s safety in mind. As this event may cause disruption to library services and programs, it will take place only after the Central Library closes for the evening.
We recognize and appreciate the ideas and work LGBTQ2+ staff and the public have contributed to help us create respectful library spaces and acknowledge that decisions like this have caused a loss of trust for some. We hope to continue to work with these communities to promote dialogue and raise marginalized voices through our programs and services, and we continue to welcome ideas for ways to do this within the current policy and legal environment.
If you wish to comment on this issue to VPL, please send them to policies@vpl.ca.