Overview
- At the November 4 full council meeting, Green councillors displayed Pride flags and pro‑trans placards from their benches and some left the chamber during gender‑critical statements from the public gallery.
- Council leader Tony Dyer said members do not have to listen to remarks they find offensive and may respond, including by walking out, while affirming the public’s right to speak.
- A submitted question asking whether 'predatory men' could enter female‑only spaces was ruled offensive by the lord mayor and excluded from the public forum after legal advice.
- The council said small signs are permitted unless defamatory or offensive and stressed the topic of single‑sex spaces was allowed, noting other questions on the issue were taken.
- The clash follows a 2022 motion affirming trans‑inclusive positions and comes as campaigners cite an April Supreme Court ruling on biological sex, with attendees saying the councillors’ placards felt intimidating.