TUV party chairman Cusher Councillor Keith Ratcliffe said:
“Following the Supreme Court’s judgment on the legal definition of a woman, I raised concerns about the use of council facilities, particularly in relation to the upcoming Lurgan Pride event.
“Lurgan Pride have made no secret of their opposition to the Supreme Court’s ruling. In light of this, I have asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to seek assurances that those using Lurgan Park for the event in August will respect single-sex facilities, particularly council-owned toilets.
“It was later suggested to me that the council already permits individuals to use toilets and changing areas that align with their self-declared ‘gender identity’ rather than their biological sex. I therefore contacted the Chief Executive to seek clarity on the matter.
“I have since been informed that, while the council does not have a formal policy on access to single-sex spaces, it does operate under internal staff guidelines. These guidelines advise staff that transgender individuals are entitled to access facilities, including toilets, in line with their gender identity. This position is supported by the Local Government Staff Commission’s Trans Equality Guide to Councils (2024), which offers similar advice.
“The council has also confirmed that it has contacted the Equality Commission for guidance in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
“It is quite clear that the Supreme Court’s judgment applies in Northern Ireland. I therefore fail to understand the delay. I have written to the council making it clear that their current approach must be brought into compliance with the law as a matter of urgency.
“In addition, I have written to the Local Government Staff Commission, challenging how they became so captured by the trans lobby that they issued such misleading legal advice to councils. I have also asked whether this guidance has now been withdrawn in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
“Frankly, this entire episode exposes how the trans lobby has successfully infiltrated public bodies such as the Local Government Staff Commission, reshaping policy and practice according to an ideology that is increasingly out of step with both legal precedent and biological reality.
“Serious questions must now be asked about how professional organisations were so easily taken in by activists pushing an agenda with no basis in law or fact.”