Some LGBAC members & allies wanted to go to Winter Pride in #Carmarthen, but @ConXtions cancelled it last minute, afeard of some ‘hateful’ woman. What’s that about? Buckle up for a thread. #ShameonPride 1/n
In 2023 a pal asked difficult questions of the event & was ‘asked to leave’ cos she knows sex is real, immutable & important. She’s also part of the LGBTQIA community, endorsed by no less than Davina-Louise, Director of @StonewallCymru. #ShameonPride 2/n
The organisers claim they want to support *all* members of the ‘LGBTQIA+ community’. Not those with wrongthink apparently. #ShameonPride 3/n
She was keen this year as @NiaGriffithMP, @Adamprice & @JoyceWatsonmsas were speaking. All represent her in Cardiff or Westminster. #ShameonPride 4/n
It’s the first time, afawk, Dame Nia has spoken on LGB topics since she joined government, so v interesting. Price argued for puberty blockers for young people just this week in #Senedd. Their views matter. #ShameonPride 5/n
Other LGBAC members wanted to be there too. Pride can be fun! They were keen to promote the new #helpline from @AllianceLGB, a useful resource for young people in our communities at #ShameonPride 6/n thelgbhelpline.org
After 2023, our ally wrote to @ConXtions for reassurances she would be allowed to stay. They made no such commitment, despite running a ‘public, open, inclusive’ event. She contacted @SpeechUnion for advice. #ShameonPride 7/n
FSU looked at her video and screenshots. Silencing lawful speech, they said, & wrote to @ConXtions seeking the same reassurance. That a ‘woman of a certain age’ could peacefully & safely attend a public event. #ShameonPride 8/n
Instead @ConXtions abruptly cancelled the whole thing & put out a shameful statement pretending having gender critical views would make other people ‘uncomfortable’ at their ‘inclusive’ & public event. Our pal @Gaynotqueer1 has it at #ShameonPride 9/n
They cited the speakers’ discomfort. Does that mean those elected politicians are *afraid* of one woman w/ her #protectedbeliefs? We want to know what those politicians & funders think. Are they frit? #ShameonPride 10/n
So what about it @NiaGriffithMP, @Adamprice & @JoyceWatsonmsas? Were you party to this decision? Will you meet your constituent to hear that #sexisreal & we should not give unevidenced drugs to youngsters? Are you afeard? #ShameonPride 11/n
The event is organised through @CETMAWales. @Conxtions also credit @TNLComFundWales. Are you happy about this exclusion of an older woman who knows sex matters? Will you get your money back after cancellation? #ShameonPride 12/n
According to press coverage, @WelshGovernment Cohesion Fund is also in the mix. Do Ministers & @CarmsCouncil think such exclusion promotes #cohesion? Should a group unable to run an event w/out fear get £££? #ShameonPride 13/n
We know what our members think. It’s a disgrace that lesbians, gay men, bisexuals & allies are barred from a public Pride event. We are those LGBTQIA+ communities too but you wouldn’t know it this weekend. We’re fed up with the bullies. #ShameonPride 14/n
If @ConXtions staff/volunteers cannot cope with views they don’t like, they’re in the wrong role. Democracy, public service, community support all mean a genuine welcome, even to people you don’t like. #ShameonPride 15/n
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Thinking on about this morning evidence to the #SeneddReformCommittee from @JackMerched & @WomensRightsNet sisters, several points come to mind. Bear with as we point out more of the 🩸 obvious: 1/
This is the FIRST time gender-critical voices have been heard by #Senedd members in public. This is not for lack of trying. Both @MerchedCymru & us were formed in 2020, & have been trying to talk to politicians ever since. 2/
We have worked with many sisters & brothers in #Wales, across the UK & beyond to highlight the real questions & challenges presented by extreme gender ideology & selfID. Despite our efforts, @WelshLabour & @Plaid_Cymru, governing parties, have ignored & insulted us. 3/
About #pledges, elected legislators and listening to diverse opinions: we are concerned that our representatives at #Westminster & in the #Senedd don’t adopt positions which eradicate the reality of same-sex attraction & the protected characteristic of #sexualorientation 1/14
Some MPs, for instance, have endorsed the Labour ‘LGBT+’ Pledge. We give the benefit of the doubt; maybe they haven’t thought it through. We hope the #Senedd, looking at a forthcoming Action Plan allegedly about us, makes sure it considers our views in putting it together. 2/14
We want training for #RSE teachers, including the importance of watchful waiting, rigorous #safeguarding & refusal of #transingawaythegay. NSPCC guidance is clear about #secrets 3/14