Statement by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston
“There are many events held within Parliament Buildings that promote causes I do not support. I have never argued that such events should be banned simply because I disagree with them. Stormont is the seat of our devolved government and should remain a place where a range of views are heard and discussed.
“But there is a difference between debate and imposition. It is wholly inappropriate for any group to enter Stormont and impose its own code of conduct on the building —especially when that code compels speech and undermines the legal rights of others.
“That is precisely what the Rainbow Project intends to do with its upcoming event, “Nothing About Us Without Us – Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power,” scheduled for 12th May.
“According to the promotional material for this event, those who register are deemed to have accepted the Rainbow Project’s own ‘Events Code of Conduct’.
“This code:
• demands attendees “respect” pronouns, even when they contradict biological reality;
• asserts that “everyone is entitled to use whichever facility they feel best aligns with their gender identity” when it comes to toilets; and
• declares that this code will be enforced by Rainbow Project personnel.
“This raises serious issues. Who gave an external organisation the right to dictate speech within Stormont? Who authorised them to override trained ushers with their own staff? And what gives them the authority to redefine access to female spaces in a public building funded by the taxpayer?
“I have tabled a series of questions to the Assembly Commission, which is responsible for managing Parliament Buildings. I do not believe any external group has the right to bypass the authority of the Assembly or its policies.
“Stormont should be a place where ideas are debated freely; not where individuals are compelled to use ideologically approved language. It should be a place of safety and dignity for all, including women and girls who expect their privacy and boundaries to be respected.
“Assembly ushers already ensure events run smoothly and safely. They are familiar with and trained to uphold the Assembly’s protocols. Their authority must not be undermined by staff from outside activist organisations.
“Most concerning of all, the Rainbow Project is attempting to enforce its own toilet policy inside Stormont. That cannot be allowed.
“The UK Supreme Court has made it clear: spaces reserved for one sex must be respected as such. The Rainbow Project does not have the legal right to flout that judgment; least of all within the very building where our laws are made. Stormont must lead by example in upholding the law and protecting everyone’s rights, especially those of women.
“I have today submitted questions to the Assembly Commission and I call on all three sponsors of this event—Eoin Tennyson, Caral Ni Chuilin, and Clare Sugden — to clarify whether they support the imposition of the Rainbow Project’s code. Do they believe that women’s rights should be overridden inside Stormont? Do they agree that compelled speech and unrestricted access to female facilities should be enforced at a public event in Parliament Buildings?
“The public deserves answers.”
Note to editors
The questions tabled by Mr Gaston are as follows:
To ask the Assembly Commission, further to the Rainbow Project’s Nothing About Us Without Us – Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power event scheduled to be held in Parliament Buildings on 12 May 2025, whether the organiser’s Event Code of Conduct, which advises that if the event venue contains gendered facilities, such as toilets and/or changing facilities, everyone is entitled to use whichever facility they feel best aligns with their gender identity and/or expression, is consistent with (i) the Assembly Commission’s policies; and (ii) the law following the Supreme Court ruling on 16 April 2025.
To ask the Assembly Commission, further to the Rainbow Project’s Nothing About Us Without Us – Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power event, scheduled to be held in Parliament Buildings on 12 May 2025, whether the organiser’s Event Code of Conduct: Respectful Communication section is consistent with the ethos and values of the Assembly Commission including freedom of speech.
To ask the Assembly Commission, further to the Rainbow Project’s Nothing About Us Without Us – Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power event, scheduled to be held in Parliament Buildings on 12 May 2025, whether the Assembly Commission’s Visitor Experience Team has discussed with the Rainbow Project how enforcement of the Rainbow Project’s Events Code of Conduct will be managed.
To ask the Assembly Commission to detail (i) the duties of Assembly Usher Services staff during the Rainbow Project Nothing About Us Without Us – Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power event in Parliament Buildings on 12 May 2025; and (ii) whether this will differ from their duties in relation to other events.