Latest news with #BlessingOlubanjo
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Christian residents launch legal challenge over trans pedestrian crossings that 'excluded and marginalised' them from affluent London neighbourhood
A Labour-controlled council is facing legal action from outraged Christians over pedestrian crossings painted in the colours of the transgender -friendly Pride flag. Four crossings were installed in upmarket Bloomsbury, central London, by Camden Council in 2021 to 'support the LGBTQ + community' and 'reflect the fabric of the public realm'. But opponents claim the crossings - which cost taxpayers £10,464 - constitute unlawful political messaging and make Christians feel 'excluded' and 'marginalised'. The legal challenge invokes the Local Government Act 1986, which bars councils from publishing material that 'promotes a political party or a politically controversial viewpoint'. The crossings - painted white, pink, and blue to represent the trans community - are situated between Tavistock Place and Marchmont Street. Blessing Olubanjo, 57, is leading the claim with the support of the Christian Legal Centre. The Camden resident has sent a pre-action letter to the council and claims she will begin judicial review proceedings if the crossings are not removed. She said: 'I brought this case because I believe in fairness, freedom of belief, and the proper role of public institutions. Four crossings were installed in upmarket Bloomsbury, central London, by Camden Council in 2021 to 'support the LGBTQ + community' and 'reflect the fabric of the public realm' 'As a Christian and a taxpayer, I should not be made to feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces.' When they were installed, the Camden Council said: 'The LGBTQ+ community are part of the fabric of Camden and specifically Bloomsbury and officers consider that this should be reflected within the fabric of Camden's public realm.' It said there had been 'a small number of concerns raised around disability access of coloured crossings - particularly regarding those with visibility impairment'. Charities for people who are visually impaired and legally blind warned the colours could cause confusion. And groups representing people with learning difficulties also said there could be a detrimental impact. Now Ms Olubanjo's lawyers have contended that the crossings constitute a violation of political neutrality laws - and a breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty due to 'risks to disabled and neurodivergent individuals'. She likened Camden Council to an 'ideologically captured local author[ity]', adding: 'This crossing sends a message that only one viewpoint is welcome, and that's not right in a truly democratic society. 'I'm standing up not just for myself, but for everyone who feels silenced or sidelined by discredited harmful activism forced on the public by ideologically captured local authorities.' Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'Not only is this crossing a matter of public safety and Christian freedom, it's about the misuse of public resources for political campaigning. 'The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties. 'This is not the role of local government.' In response to Ms Olubanjo's claims, a council spokesperson said: 'Camden is "no place for hate" and we have a strong and continuing history of respect and support for everyone in our borough. 'We fight discrimination in all its forms and this includes being an ally to our trans residents. 'These crossings are a visual statement to help celebrate transgender awareness and act as a reminder of the rich LGBTQ+ history and daily life in the Bloomsbury area and across Camden.'
Metro
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
We want dignity - our opponents want trans flag road markings banned
Honestly, I thought we'd peaked. I truly believed that the anti-trans backlash in the UK couldn't get any more ridiculous – I thought that we'd scaled every height of absurdity. That was, until this weekend, when I saw an article reporting that a woman named Blessing Olubanjo, backed by an activist Christian legal group, is threatening to sue Camden Council over a trans flag crossing in the London Borough. Yes, you read that right — a Christian woman believes that some painted tarmac is a breach of the council's safety and equality responsibilities, and seemingly thinks 'harmful activism' is being forced on the public by the simple act of crossing the road. You would think that we, as a society, had bigger problems that needed our attention, but it appears that trans-coloured crossings are a hill some people would like to die on. The arguments made are that this somehow violates her freedom of belief, fairness, and breaches the Local Government Act 1986, which 'prohibits councils from the promotion of a political party or politically controversial viewpoint' and that using public funding to pay for this crossing isn't proper use. She also claims that this is an infringement of freedom of belief and expression under the Human Rights Act 1998. Ms Olubanjo says that she feels 'marginalised' by the crossing, saying, bizarrely, that the crossing makes people feel 'sidelined by discredited harmful activism'. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Now, I'm no expert in law, but having to see a painted crossing done in support of a vulnerable community is hardly a breach of your rights. Camden Council have said they will battle the claims in court, and reaffirmed that the area is 'no place for hate.' I don't want to accuse Ms Olubanjo of hatred, but honestly, if there were ever a competition of someone desperately looking for something to be offended by, I think this would take the prize. The thing about freedom of belief and expression is that it's for everyone — and that includes trans people. They deserve to be seen just as much as anyone else, and right now, they need more support than ever. This isn't about 'ideology' – it is about our basic right to exist. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling in the UK on the definition of a 'woman' as it relates to the Equality Act, trans people fear that legal rights and protections might be stripped away from them. While the judgement was meant to bring 'clarity', it has only brought confusion and chaos. Trans people now fear for their safety more than ever. Hate crimes against the trans community have reached an all-time high in the UK in recent years, with cases nearly doubling between 2020 and 2024. Meanwhile, in parts of the UK, trans books are being removed from libraries as our history and very existence seems to be open to questioning. So while this woman is complaining about painted tarmac, trans people are fighting for our lives. The irony here, of course, is that in London alone it is estimated there are over 4,800 churches — and you basically cannot go anywhere in the city without seeing multiple religious buildings. If the same logic were applied here, I could claim that religious signs are a breach of my rights, and that I shouldn't be forced to see them in a public space. This whole kerfuffle also ignores the fact that there are indeed trans people who are Christians, who live openly as themselves and are accepted by their Christian community. For me, framing Christianity as being opposed to support for trans people directly contradicts its core values of love and compassion – and isn't exactly loving thy neighbour. The fact that this even registers as a problem in someone's life shows how truly obsessive and pathological people have become about trans people – seeing 'danger' from trans 'ideology' everywhere, apparently unable to do something as simple as crossing the road without criticising my community. What's truly pathetic is the scale of the outrage. We're talking about a handful of painted lines on a street — not legislation, not policy, not even a billboard. More Trending And yet, this is where anti-trans energy is being directed, as if the very existence of a trans flag is some kind of existential threat. The irony is, trans people aren't responsible for an existential threat – they are facing one. The disparity is staggering: one side is throwing tantrums over colours on the pavement, the other is fighting for the bare minimum of dignity. While some people are busy treating painted tarmac like a spiritual crisis, others are simply trying to survive. And if your faith is shaken by a symbol of inclusion, it might not be as strong as you think. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: England v India: Ben Stokes' team have begun to resemble a worryingly predictable cult MORE: Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning was monumental – but I left disappointed MORE: SEND parents are worried after more government chaos
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Camden Council to fight trans colours legal challenge
A woman is threatening to bring a legal challenge to have four road crossings painted in the transgender colours removed. The road markings at Tavistock Place and Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury, central London, were installed by Camden Council and have been in place since 2021. Camden resident Blessing Olubanjo argues that the installations are unlawful political messaging and infringe on her rights as a council said they were "a visual statement to help celebrate transgender awareness and act as a reminder of the rich LGBTQ+ history and daily life in the Bloomsbury area and across Camden". 'Supporting the LGTBQ+ community' Ms Olubanjo, who is a member of the Christian Peoples Alliance party, said she had sent a pre-action letter to the council and unless the road crossings were removed or repainted she would begin judicial review proceedings.A judicial review would decide if the council followed the correct legal procedures and acted within its Council said it had received the letter and it "entirely rejects" its arguments.A council spokesperson said: "Camden is 'no place for hate' and we have a strong and continuing history of respect and support for everyone in our borough. "We fight discrimination in all its forms and this includes being an ally to our trans residents."The coloured road crossings - the white, pink and blue stripes are representative of the trans community - were first installed in 2021 to mark Transgender Awareness the time the council said the installation of a painted crossing using the flag of the transgender community was "an important step in supporting the LGBTQ+ community within our public realm". 'Contested ideology' Ms Olubanjo argues that the crossings are breaches of equality and safety obligations and a violation of laws prohibiting political publicity by local case is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre. It said her legal team cited a section of the Local Government Act 1986 which prohibits councils from publishing material that appears to promote a political party or a politically controversial crossing, they argue, is a form of "publication" under the Act, designed to influence public opinion on a divisive political Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: "Not only is this crossing a matter of public safety and Christian freedom, it's about the misuse of public resources for political campaigning. "The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties. This is not the role of local government."Public spaces should be able to be used by everyone, not to advance divisive agendas that alienate people of faith and those who hold to biological reality." In her letter Ms Olubanjo also said the crossings were "a breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty due to known risks to disabled and neurodivergent individuals".In council documents from 2021, it said there had been "a small number of concerns raised around disability access of coloured crossings, particularly regarding those with visibility impairment".It said the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) stated it had concerns with "non-standard" crossings as they could cause confusion. The council documents state: "Officers consider that the crossing is sufficiently simple to mitigate these concerns."The RNIB told BBC London: "Ninety-three percent of blind people have some sight. Black-and-white stripe designs on pedestrian crossings offer high contrast, which is particularly important for people with low vison who need to stay on course when crossing roads."Colourful crossings won't always be recognised as a crossing point, which is a particular issue for guide dogs."
Metro
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Council could be sued over trans flag zebra crossings
A London council has been threatened with legal action over four zebra crossings painted in the colours of the transgender flag. The pink, blue and white crossings in Bloomsbury were introduced by Islington Council in November 2021 to celebrate trans awareness and serve as a reminder of the LGBTQ+ history in the area. Now an evangelical Christian resident, Blessing Olubanjo, claims she will sue the local authority if they fail to remove them. Ms Olubanjo said she shouldn't be made to 'feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces' and that public spaces should not 'advance divisive agendas' and 'alienate people of faith'. She has been backed by the Christian Legal Centre, who called the crossings 'a visual endorsement of a contested ideology'. The crossings, at Tavistock Place and Marchmont Street, faced criticism even before they were installed, with The Royal National Institute for the Blind warning they could be hazardous for visually impaired people. Transport for London's Independent Disability Advisory Group, meanwhile, said individuals with disabilities, dementia or sensory sensitivity could become anxious by the colours or find it difficult to interpret the abstract shapes. Ms Olubanjo, 57, said she brought this case because she believes in 'fairness, freedom of belief, and the proper role of public institutions'. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! She added: 'As a Christian and a taxpayer, I should not be made to feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces. 'This crossing sends a message that only one viewpoint is welcome, and that's not right in a truly democratic society. 'I'm standing up not just for myself, but for everyone who feels silenced or sidelined by discredited, harmful activism forced on the public by ideologically captured local authorities.' Ms Olubanjo argues that the crossings breach political neutrality rules under the Local Government Act 1986. She also says they infringe on freedom of belief and expression under the Human Rights Act 1998. The Christian Legal Centre's chief executive, Andrea Williams, said: 'The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties. More Trending 'This is not the role of local government. Public spaces should be able to be used by everyone, not to advance divisive agendas that alienate people of faith and those who hold to biological reality. 'The council needs to remove or redesign the crossing and apologise to its residents and local businesses.' At the official opening of the crossings, then-councillor for Islington, Abdul Hai said: 'Camden is renowned for being 'no place for hate' and a borough that has a strong and continuing history of respect and support for everyone. 'These amazing crossings are not only an impressive visual statement to help celebrate transgender awareness, but also act as a reminder of the rich LGBT+ history and daily life currently in the Bloomsbury area and across Camden and should prove to be a popular draw to this vibrant area.' Metro has contacted Islington Council for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Posh London restaurant fined £31,000 after dead mouse found in kitchen MORE: Eurostar delays and 'café car raids': what to do if your cross-channel train is disrupted MORE: Mum hits back at TfL for 'blaming her' for losing arm and leg under Tube trains
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour-run council faces legal action over trans pedestrian crossing
A Labour-run London council is facing legal action after installing a set of controversial road crossings in the colours of the transgender pride flag. Camden council installed the painted blue, pink and white crossings nearly four years ago in Bloomsbury in a bid to 'help celebrate transgender awareness ' and to act 'as a reminder of the rich LGBT+ history in Camden.' But Camden resident Blessing Olubanjo is now threatening to bring a legal challenge to have the four crossings at Tavistock Place and Marchmont Street removed or redesigned, because she claims it 'constitutes unlawful political messaging.' The 57-year-old claims the installations, which cost £10,464 in taxpayers' money, constitute a violation of political neutrality laws under the Local Government Act 1986, as well as an infringement of freedom of belief and expression under the Human Rights Act 1998. The NHS administrator, who is an Evangelical Christian, told The Telegraph: 'I brought this case because I believe in fairness, freedom of belief, and the proper role of public institutions. 'As a Christian and a taxpayer, I should not be made to feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces. 'This crossing sends a message that only one viewpoint is welcome, and that's not right in a truly democratic society. 'I'm standing up not just for myself, but for everyone who feels silenced or sidelined by discredited, harmful activism forced on the public by ideologically captured local authorities.' Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, who is supporting Ms Olubanjo, added: 'Not only is this crossing a matter of public safety and Christian freedom, it's about the misuse of public resources for political campaigning. 'The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties. 'This is not the role of local government. Public spaces should be able to be used by everyone, not to advance divisive agendas that alienate people of faith and those who hold to biological reality. 'The Council needs to remove or redesign the crossing and apologise to its residents and local businesses.' At the time the plans were announced in Autumn 2021, the Royal National Institute for the Blind also told the council that colourful designs at crossings could cause confusion to the blind and pose safety risks to those with poor vision trying to cross the busy street. Transport for London's Independent Disability Advisory Group also said people with learning disabilities or dementia may struggle to identify the crossing. They also warned that people with sensory sensitivity could struggle with colourful crossings, which could cause anxiety, especially for people on the autistic spectrum. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said there was no 'conceivable justification' for the crossings to be in place after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex.' The women's rights campaigner added to The Telegraph: 'The trans flag crossings in Camden are not only a safety issue for the blind, disabled and elderly, but a costly exercise in celebrating a flag that represents unforgivable medical harms done to gender-distressed children in the name of 'progress'.' The crossing is also located in the same borough as the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which ran the UK's only gender identity development service for children. The youth gender clinic at the Tavistock and Portman centre closed early last year, ahead of plans to open regional hubs across England and Wales as part of recommendations made in the Cass Report. However, the council has insisted that the crossing had no relation to the gender clinic. Camden Council said they reject the claims in Ms Olubanjo's legal letter. A spokesman added: 'Camden is 'no place for hate' and we have a strong and continuing history of respect and support for everyone in our borough. We fight discrimination in all its forms, and this includes being an ally to our trans residents. 'These crossings are a visual statement to help celebrate transgender awareness and act as a reminder of the rich LGBTQ+ history and daily life in the Bloomsbury area and across Camden.'
