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Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin banned from Dublin trans and intersex pride march, organisers say
Despite a 'period of engagement' with party leadership, including a meeting with Mary Lou McDonald and other LGBTQ+ organisations, organisers have said they are 'not satisfied' with the party's position. They added that Sinn Féin has now 'officially' been banned from the march, which will take place in Dublin on July 12. Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin had released a statement last month calling on Sinn Féin to clarify the party position on the UK Supreme Court ruling and bans on puberty blockers. Last month, the British Supreme Court issued a landmark judgement which clarified that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the UK Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. In a post shared to X, Sinn Féin health spokesperson, David Cullinane, had said the ruling was a 'common sense judgement'. He subsequently apologised and deleted the post, and has since met with a number of community groups on the issue. His comments drew criticism from a number of LGBTQ+ groups and activists who called on the wider party to clarify their stance, with Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin organisers today saying Sinn Féin has had 'numerous opportunities to explain their position'. They cited Ms McDonald's appearance on RTÉ's Late Late Show, as well as an email being sent to her office regarding their position and 'a community engagement meeting with Mary Lou McDonald, David Cullinane, and other LGBTQ+ organisations across the island'. A one-on-one discussion meeting with Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin Organiser Jenny Maguire was also held, they said. The group sought clarity on the party position on the UK Supreme Court ruling, whether they continue to support the NI Executive decision to 'ban puberty blockers; and whether they would support a ban on puberty blockers in the south of Ireland'. However, organisers said they were 'not satisfied with the clarity received' and have since 'made the decision to officially ban Sinn Féin from Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin 2025'. "We have always banned government parties from joining our March, and we continue to say that Fine Gael, and Fianna Fàil are not welcome, but a real alternative to Fianna Fàil and Fine Gael has to firmly stand in solidarity with the trans community.'
Scotsman
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Watch as hundreds of trans rights campaigners protest at Glasgow office of European Human Rights Commission
The Supreme Court ruled that a woman in the UK Equality Act refers to a biological woman Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hundreds of trans rights campaigners protested outside the Glasgow office of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) against the recent Supreme Court ruling. The protest weeks after the Court ruled that a woman in the UK Equality Act refers to a biological woman. Transgender people can still legally become their acquired gender through the Gender Recognition Act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the wake of the judgment, the equalities watchdog, the EHRC has published interim guidance ahead of full advice that will be confirmed in the summer and will need the sign-off of UK Labour ministers. The interim guidance states that trans men should not use men's toilets and single-sex spaces and trans women should not use women's toilets and single-sex spaces. Protesters outside the local office of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, opposing their call for trans segregation after the recent ruling on biological sex by the Supreme Court in London. | Getty First Minister John Swinney has said that public bodies and organisations should instead "wait for definitive full guidance" to "give legal clarity". Dr Kirstie Ken English said: 'We see this ruling and the EHRC guidance as extremely harmful, impractical as well, and violates trans people's right to privacy.
The Journal
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Eoin Ó Broin says some constituents 'very upset' over colleague David Cullinane's trans comments
SINN FÉIN TD Eoin Ó Broin has said his colleague, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane, did the right thing by apologising for a tweet endorsing the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of a woman. Speaking to reporters today at Leinster House, Ó Broin said he has been contacted by constituents who were 'very upset' by Cullinane's comments. Asked by The Journal if the party needs to clarify its policies in relation to trans rights and healthcare for trans people after the comments by Cullinane and Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Ó Broin said no, 'the party's policies are the party's policies'. He continued: 'And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. I've been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans or family members of trans people who are very upset by it. 'Obviously, the party is doing a piece of work around further developing our policy on trans rights and trans healthcare, and the party will publish that in due course. But no, I think David, in the end, responded appropriately and I'm satisfied that the matter is now closed.' Last week, Cullinane apologised after he described the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the UK Equality Act do not include transgender women as a 'common sense' judgment. Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane Fellow Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn made similar comments about the ruling, telling Highland Radio that it is an 'important ruling' that 'does bring clarity'. Advertisement 'We're going to have to deal with the legislation in Ireland because unfortunately, it isn't clear,' Mac Lochlainn said. In the same interview, Mac Lochlainn said: 'In my view, and this is a personal opinion, to me, a woman is an adult female and a man is an adult male. However, I am extremely compassionate to somebody who feels they are in the wrong body, wants to transition and [I] want to give them every right in terms of gender realignment, but we need to do it in a way that brings everybody with us and doesn't threaten particularly women. 'You know, we look at the debate in Scotland, very divisive. 'This should not have been an issue that threatened women in general and it's been handled terribly. So that's my own view'. Padraig Mac Lochlainn The Journal The Journal In his apology, Cullinane wrote: 'I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the Trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all.' He added: 'I'm sure those in the Trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterday's judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that.' Responding to his comments, the organisers of the Trans and Intersex Pride march in Dublin said Sinn Féin will be banned from the event this summer unless it clarifies its position. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
John Swinney breaks silence on Maggie Chapman's Supreme Court criticism
John Swinney has responded to Maggie Chapman's criticism of the Supreme Court. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... John Swinney has criticised Greens MSP Maggie Chapman for attacking the Supreme Court over its ruling on the definition of a woman in equalities legislation. Ms Chapman has faced calls to quit her role on Holyrood's Equalities Committee after accusing the Supreme Court of "bigotry, prejudice and hatred". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad John Swinney and Maggie Chapman | PA The First Minister, who would not be drawn on questions about whether a trans woman was a woman, said that the 'issue has been settled by the Supreme Court'. He added: 'The Supreme Court has given us the basis of that. That's what I accept. 'This issue is settled by the Supreme Court judgment that was made.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pressed over whether Ms Chapman's remarks amounted to disinformation, Mr Swinney said: ' I think it is wrong to do that because at no stage should we question the independence of the judiciary and the judicial system. 'It operates in everybody's interests, in an entirely neutral fashion in accordance with the rule of law.' Ms Chapman's remarks came after the Supreme Court ruled that a woman in the UK Equality Act refers to a biological woman. A trans woman can still legally become a woman under the UK Gender Recognition Act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie told journalists that a trans woman is a woman. Ms Chapman previously defended her comments and said she did not need to apologise for her remarks. Read more: Supreme Court sex definition will have huge impact Scotland's Faculty of Advocates has called for Ms Chapman to issue an apology for her 'irresponsible and reprehensible' comments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to journalists at Holyrood, Ms Chapman said: 'I think the important thing here is we have seen in the last week trans people and their friends, families and allies be really concerned. That's why there were thousands of people on the street at the weekend. People are scared and worried about the impact of last week's ruling.' Asked if she would resign from the equalities committee, Ms Chapman said: 'It is part of my role as a legislator to speak out for people when I see the need and cause to do so. 'There are a lot of politicians in Scotland and beyond who are prepared to stand up to those with transphobic views. I am going to stand up and represent the trans community.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Drag Race' stars melt down over UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling on legal definition of woman
The UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling limiting the definition of a woman to biological sex stirred outrage among the stars of BBC's "RuPaul's Drag Race UK," who pledged to "fight back" against the decision they say will "marginalize" the transgender community. "The fight back starts today," season one runner-up Divina De Campo wrote in an X post last Wednesday, adding, "We will not go back into the shadows to make you comfortable. F--- all the way off." LGBTQ+ news outlet PinkNews reported on season two finalist Tayce's rage expressed through Instagram with posts calling the UK Supreme Court a "POS [piece of s---]" while voicing solidarity with affected "trans brothers and sisters." Uk Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling On Legal Definition Of Woman "Nothing or no-one can erase YOU," one post read in part. The UK court of five judges gave the unanimous ruling last Wednesday, meaning, under the UK Equality Act, biological males identifying as women can be excluded from spaces reserved solely for women – including changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming areas and medical or counseling services. Read On The Fox News App The ruling means that even a transgender person with a certificate that recognizes them as female can lawfully be excluded from such specific single-sex spaces. However, Justice Patrick Hodge said the court's ruling "does not remove protection from trans people," who are "protected from discrimination on the ground of gender reassignment." Federal Judge Rules Against Parents Seeking To Protest Transgender Athletes With Wristband Trans activists like "Drag Race: UK vs. the World" winner Tia Kofi also reacted to the court's decision, PinkNews reported, with multiple stories directly addressing the camera. "We, now more than ever, must be allies to the trans community. It cannot just be trans people who are expected to raise their voices to fight for their own existence," Kofi declared in one posting. While the decision was met with resistance from transgender activists, women's rights activists like "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling celebrated the outcome. Transgender Activist Claims 'Science Is On Our Side' While Pushing Democrats To Fight Back On The Issue "Everyone knows what sex is and you can't change it," said For Women Scotland co-director Susan Smith, whose organization brought the case. "It's common sense, basic common sense and the fact that we have been down a rabbit hole where people have tried to deny science and to deny reality and hopefully this will now see us back to, back to reality." Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this article source: 'Drag Race' stars melt down over UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling on legal definition of woman
