Reform council leader cancels Pride celebrations in St Helen’s with trans rant
Reform Councillor George Woodward (Image: George Woodward via Facebook)
A Pride festival in St Helens has been cancelled by the Merseyside town’s Reform UK council as one of its councillors posted a bizarre rant about trans people.
George Woodward, the council’s leader, shared a statement around the Pride cancellation via his Facebook page on 9 June.
“St Helens Borough Council won’t be supporting or promoting Pride. I have instructed officers to cease engagement with all aspects of the event,” he wrote.
“We don’t consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.”
He went on to say that he was “deeply concerned” about Pride’s affiliation with “harmful transgender ideology.”
“As a council, we have a duty of care towards young children in the borough,” Woodward wrote. “Being affiliated with a movement that often results in lifelong medical harm in young impressionable children is not the direction in which I want St Helens Council to travel.
Individuals, the private sector, and charities are welcome to continue to support the event as they deem appropriate.”
Post Reaction
Woodward’s post was met with much disdain and prompted people to share opposing views on the matter in the comments.
“Pride isn’t just a ‘celebration of sexuality’,” wrote one Facebook user. “It is about honouring the history of oppression, and the fight for equality that LGBTQ+ people have endured for generations. And obviously are still enduring today.”
“Pride is not about demanding special treatment. It is about ensuring that nobody is treated as less than equal,” said another.
“I find it strange that some people can recognise the importance of Remembrance Day but not Pride,” wrote a third, before listing similarities between the two events, such as fighting for freedom and dignity.
“When you say that transgender ideology is endangering children, I think it’s worth considering the alternative,” the commenter continued. “Forcing someone to live as a gender they are not can have profound effects on their mental health, self-esteem, and wellbeing. Simply acknowledging that transgender people exist and deserve respect is not indoctrination, it’s compassion.”
Fellow Councillors Disagree
One of Woodward’s fellow St Helens councillors, James Dunn of the Rainhill Independents, also comments on the post. “I appreciate you setting out your position clearly, George, but I don’t recognise Pride in the way it has been described here,” he began.
“For many of our LGBT residents, families, young people and allies, Pride is about visibility, safety, history, acceptance and community. It is not a “celebration of sexuality”, and I worry about the impact of anyone’s language that frames LGBT inclusion, or trans people, as a threat.”
He went on to say that people “can absolutely debate council funding”, but “individuals, charities, community groups and the private sector do not need permission from the council to support Pride.”
It is also worth noting that St Helens Borough Council did not directly fund St Helens Pride. However, an alternative LGBTQ+ Pride celebration organised by the community went ahead on 6 June.
“I also think it is important that residents know this view is not shared by everyone in the council chamber, our LGBT residents are part of St Helens,” Dunn continued. “Trans residents are part of St Helens. Young people working out who they are are part of St Helens and they should know they have allies too.”
