Latest news with #Olubanjo
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
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
