We are very disappointed by recent coverage accusing Historic Royal Palaces of banning the ‘Time Out Gay and Lesbian Guide to London’. Our commercial decision regarding publications for sale in our shops has been unfairly and unjustly turned into accusations of discrimination and homophobia.

To set the record straight Historic Royal Palaces has never banned the ‘Time Out Gay and Lesbian Guide to London’, as claimed in these articles. For purely commercial reasons we don’t stock any Time Out or other London guidebooks. This is a world away from actively banning one particular publication. As a conservation and education charity which relies heavily on retail income, making such informed decisions about our retail stock is crucial. The books and other products that we choose reflect feedback from visitor research and meet the purchasing habits of our customers. Therefore our core book offer is largely based on a range of history books, historic novels and children's publications.

This inaccurate reporting is especially saddening because Historic Royal Palaces supports inclusion regardless of gender, racial, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, sexuality or responsibilities for dependents. We value diversity and celebrate difference. Just because we look after what we value from the past, it doesn’t mean we have outdated views on the present. These misleading reports have genuinely upset many people who work for Historic Royal Palaces who know we are not in any way a homophobic organisation.