Latest news with #LetWomenSpeak
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Gender critical group threaten to sue Glasgow University Union
The women's rights group attended the Glasgow University Union (GUU) for a social event which followed a public demonstration held in front of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. After arriving in the GUU, The Herald understands that attendees decorated the room they had booked for dinner with banners which had featured in their demonstration. Images shared on social media appear to show banners displayed inside the room reading: 'Women's rights are not a hate crime', 'I'm not a vet, but I know what a dog is', 'Better to die on your feet than forever live on your knees', and 'We are all Sandie Peggie' among other slogans. Sandie Peggie is Scottish nurse at the centre of an ongoing employment tribunal who was recently cleared of gross misconduct following disciplinary proceedings with NHS Fife, after she faced allegations of failing to uphold patient safety as well as misgendering Dr Beth Upton, a transgender doctor. Read More: A video shared by Kelly-Jay Keen, Organiser of Let Women Speak, on X, formerly known as Twitter, appears to show a member of GUU staff telling the group that they had been 'confrontational towards staff' and that as a result they were 'going to have to ask them to leave.' An additional video shared from the same account appears to show Keen, also known as Posie Parker, addressing the Let Women Speak group saying that the GUU had 'told us to leave…on the basis of our beliefs. She went on to say: 'Questioning someone's belief will not hold up in a court of law and (staff) have put this University liable to being sued for discrimination against women'. While it exists as a student-run members club, the Glasgow University Union is a separate legal entity from the University of Glasgow. Let Women Speak is a prominent gender-critical organisation founded by Keen. The group hosts events around the world where they invite women to speak freely in a public setting. Let Women Speak say they are committed to 'defending the rights of women', whom they describe as 'adult human females'. However, some have criticised Let Women Speak for being 'transphobic' for their stance on gender, often describing them as 'TERFs', an acronym which stands for 'transgender exclusionary, radical feminist'. An attendee at the event, Kelly Oliver Dougall, told the student newspaper Hillhead Review: "We were meeting at the Glasgow student union after our Let Women Speak event which was held outside Kelvingrove Museum. We put the banners that we had been holding up on the walls. "Several members of staff came in and said that if we didn't take our banners down they would not serve us any more drinks. They stated that this was due to the beliefs on the banners and that their staff felt unsafe. "They went on to ask us to leave. Which we did. We were due to eat there and had already paid for food." The social in the Glasgow University Union followed a public event hosted by Let Women Speak. Ms Keen has also reiterated her intention to take legal action against the GUU, telling Hillhead Review: "(The manager) claimed that (our banners) went against the conduct of the university. 'This is not the first time women have been refused service or kicked out of a venue for our belief that women deserve rights. "I will be seeking legal advice about the quickest way to get these authoritarians to understand that discriminating against women is unlawful. Frankly, I can't wait." In a public statement livestreamed on X, formerly known as Twitter, the day after the event, Keen reaffirmed her commitment to take legal action against the GUU and went on to say: 'We are being ousted from venues, we do Let Women Speak in public because venues cancel. 'I think we need to get back to a place where people can say even the most offensive things. 'The men who say that women can have penises and it's fine for men to go and use women's spaces... I fully support their right to speak, their right to have a venue somewhere, as long as they're not inciting violence or breaking the law. I don't care what they say, they have a right to say it and we have a right to hear it.' The Glasgow University Union and Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Activists at women's rights rally at Glasgow University are refused service at the student union bar 'over their opinions and beliefs' and signs 'that make staff feel unsafe'
A group of women's rights activists were refused service and kicked out of a student union bar they had booked 'over their opinions and beliefs'. Let Women Speak (LWS) had booked a private room at Glasgow University Union (GUU) where they planned to hold a social after their rally on Sunday. LWS had gathered outside Glasgow University holding banners with slogans such as 'Terf Island' and 'we are all Sandie Peggie' - a reference to the NHS Fife nurse who was suspended after objecting to a transgender doctor using the women's changing rooms. Campaign leader and gender-critical activist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker, said the male manager told them he was closing the bar because the women's 'beliefs and opinions could constitute harassment toward their staff and make them feel unsafe'. Ms Keen said the women's right group had put some of their handmade banners up on the wall but were asked to take them down. In particular, the manager said one that read 'I'm not a vet, but I know what a dog is' was particularly offensive. However, when Ms Keen asked why, he apparently refused to give a clear reason and instead said: 'It's just one of those things where we are not going to get into specifics.' 'If you're going to tell us that we're doing something wrong and tell us how to behave, then you are going to have to tell us what the specifics of that are,' Ms Keen told Daily Mail. She claims other members of staff 'broke GDPR laws' when they began filming the women during the interaction. The group eventually agreed to take the banner down and a couple of others which contained swear words but refused to remove the rest. When she asked the manager what he was going to do next, he said he would close the bar. Ms Keen said she agreed to take down a few more of the banners but the manager got 'flustered' and said he would still be shutting the bar. Some women from LWS tried to order drinks at the bar downstairs instead but were again refused service. The manager then came back and asked the group - who had paid a £150 deposit - to leave, claiming members had been 'aggressive' and were 'harassing' staff, which Ms Keen said is '100 per cent not true'. 'Now, I'm obviously not everywhere at all times, but I'm 99 per cent positive that beyond someone saying, "Why aren't you serving us? This is against the Equality Act. You're discriminating against us." I don't think that anyone was harassed,' she added. The women's right activist said the manager did not point out anyone specifically and believes his claims were a 'fabrication' which he 'used' to 'justify' asking them to leave. When asked about getting a refund for the £150 deposit they had paid, the manager told them he would 'try' to get it reimbursed. Ms Keen called the police to report the alleged 'discrimination' and said one of the officers who turned up told her the GUU may have refused their booking had they informed them it was a women's rights event. 'It wasn't a rally, it wasn't a protest, there weren't speeches. I just said to the officer, "do you really want to say that?". It's just so preposterous,' she said. Ms Keen is 'used' to incidents like this and thinks it 'just proves' she is right, but it was more distressing for other members who were newer or not as seasoned. She said: 'I think for some of them, it's the first time it's happened to them, and certainly for the young woman who booked the venue. She felt weird. She was very distressed. 'You know you paid a deposit for that venue and food is being arranged at the ticketed event, then you realise that you actually don't have the right to do that and people are quite happy to go against your rights in order to prevent you from from having.' 'You know, it's demented that we're now in an age where, someone like that, an officious little man feels that he has the power, and he did, to completely ruin our night.' She now plans to sue Glasgow University Union for 'indirect and direct discrimination'. 'I'm just constructing a bit of a letter this morning for subject access request and also comparing their code of conduct with actually what happened and how they didn't adhere to their own code of conduct,' Ms Keen said. She believes a counter-protest group who had turned up to their rally earlier in the day had put in a complaint and claims they had posted a video of the group on Instagram and tagged the union. The activist added: 'They're little authoritarians some of these kids. They think they can just stop you saying things they don't like. 'What if the staff had Palestine badges on and some guests had the Star of David around the necks? Where does this end?'
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Pox on both your houses': Victoria voters unimpressed
Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026.
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
'Pox on both your houses': Victoria voters unimpressed
Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026.
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Moment crowd of women's rights campaigners dressed in Niqab-style veils ripped them off to declare 'free your face' in provocative London protest
This is the moment a crowd of women's rights campaigners dressed in Niqab-style veils ripped them off as they declared 'free your face'. Up to 75 protesters gathered in London 's Hyde Park this afternoon for a Let Women Speak (LWS) event, spearheaded by campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker. The group, dressed in black veils with 'free your face' printed on them, walked through the park in unison, holding placards that read 'free speech for women' alongside black balloons printed with 'women: adult female'. Stopping at the popular Speaker's Corner area, Ms Keen pulled out a white ladder to stand in front of the crowd, stating: 'what we are doing here is something that women in the Middle East cannot do and that is to remove the veil.' The group then ripped off their veils in unison to the sound of passionate cheers and whistles, while others chanted 'free your face'. Ms Keen, who founded the #LetWomenSpeak movement and leads the Party of Women, said that the group had gathered as an 'act of solidarity with all of the women who have to live behind the veil because their husbands, cousins and brothers are too weak'. The events, which often take place across the country, see women take to the stage to talk about a variety of issues that affect them. Speakers are often known for their gender-critical views and the group also campaigns against using female-only spaces. One rival protestor shouted from the crowd 'women should be at home', but this did not deter Ms Keen. She continued: 'Four weeks ago, I received stories from women from all over the Middle East who have had to live behind the veil since they were 12 years old. 'In the UK, all over our cities we are seeing more women wearing the veil. As a free woman, I do not think this is acceptable. This is what happens when a man cannot bear for women to be free. 'If a man cannot control himself when he see's a woman's face, then he should wear a mask'. Ms Keen, who proudly stated she is 'not a feminist' added: 'I say no to the veil, no to the Niqab'. Speaking directly to a counter-protestor who criticised her for 'spreading aggression against men', she quipped back: 'f**k you'. Another woman who took to the stage to speak, added: 'We live in a free society so we do not want women being told what to do and not being allowed to live their lives. I cannot stand by and not say anything about this'. Meanwhile, another protestor, dressed in a necklace that spelled out 'women', tearfully struggled to get her words out. She said: 'You can make your choices, but they have to be free choices and the veil is never truly a free choice. Please for the sake of your sisters, choose freedom.' Founded in 2018, the LWS group was formed in response to proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA). Described as a 'bold, international movement' the protestors say they have worked to 'spark a global awakening around the importance of defending the rights of women-adult human females'. Ms Keen, dubbed 'one of the world's most recognisable defenders of women's rights', finished her passionate speech by declaring: 'The reason we created this movement is because so many men are frightened of our voices. 'Today we say for women all over the world, free your faces. And to the men who subject them to it, we say f**k you.' After the event, Ms Keen told MailOnline that the inspiration for today's speech came from an 'off the cuff' comment she made to two women who were wearing a Niqab at Speaker's Corner last month. She said: 'There were two women and I just said "free your faces ladies, free your face and liberate yourselves".' Ms Keen says a video of that moment was seen 24 million times across social media platforms and inspired a wave of Middle Eastern women to share their 'heartbreaking' stories. She continued: 'These women reached out to tell me things like "I haven't had the sun in my face since I was 12" or "I'm living a life of servitude because the mask is one thing, the niqab is one thing, but actually I don't feel like a complete human being".' Ms Keen said some women even revealed they were not allowed out in their garden and that the biggest thing they had to look forward to was going to the cafe alone. She is now vowing to keep pushing the message forward to stop women from being 'imprisoned' by the Niqab, despite pushback from some protestors. 'Speaker's Corner is a very unwelcoming place for women because the men are very loud and most women aren't,' Ms Keen continued. 'I happen to have quite a loud voice. Most women don't, so it can be a bit intimidating. But I was prepared. And I think it went really well and it was a spectacle. 'We always get pushback because there's some men that can't cope with women speaking. But those are really the men that we are very glad to hear women speak. So they start to understand that we're not stopping.' Ms Keen added that she wants to see the Niqab banned, saying: 'There's a rise in it being worn in various cities such as London, Birmingham and Bradford. 'I think we really need to think very carefully as a country. I'd like to ban the face covering. I think there's too many women that are forced to wear it for us ever to think that it's a choice.' Last October, up to 70 women gathered in Carlisle Park, Morpeth, Northumberland, for a Let Women Speak (LWS) event and were met with counter demonstrators who shouted through megaphones: 'Transwomen are women'. Branding Ms Keen a 'fascist', counter protestors shouted during the speeches: 'You're not radical, you're just d***heads.' They also blew whistles in an attempt to drown out the gathering and also shouted 'get off the stage' and 'get some new material'. But Ms Keen defended the group, remarking: 'Some women are coming to speak using some words, and some spoiled brats are trying to stop us. 'We just want to speak about our rights. We want to speak about our spaces, our sports, our children, our safety. 'Those people over there are from the elites and are trying to shut us up. Most of us are from relatively normal families who have to pay a mortgage, pay bills. 'They haven't sent us to a nice university to mess around with our fees and our grants and to come and harass middle-aged women.' The Labour party previously faced previous accusations of being 'undemocratic authoritarians' after a local party pressured a venue into cancelling a Conservative-run debate due to Ms Keen's attendance. The Tottenham Conservative Association was due to hold a debate on 'The Future of British Politics' in February last year, but the Clissold Arms pub in Muswell Hill, north London, told organisers yesterday that they had to cancel it after complaints. A letter sent to the pub by the Hornsey and Friern Barnet Constituency Labour Party executive committee, seen by MailOnline, said that 'Keen's events often attract other far right groups including neo-Nazi groups on a recent tour of Australia'. On her tour of Australia in 2023, men showed up to a rally in Melbourne and performed Nazi salutes, but she insisted they were not invited or welcome there. The letter accused Ms Keen of 'extremely transphobic views' and of harassing transgender people, adding that her attendance would create a 'dangerous and hostile environment for local trans people'.
