Women's Rights Activists Denied Service at University Bar Over Beliefs
A group of women's rights activists found themselves denied service and ultimately expelled from a student union bar after being booked for a private event. The incident, which took place at Glasgow University Union (GUU), has sparked controversy and raised questions about freedom of expression and discrimination.
Let Women Speak (LWS), a group advocating for gender-critical perspectives, had arranged to hold a social gathering in a private room following their rally on Sunday. The group was seen outside the university with banners bearing slogans such as "Terf Island" and "We are all Sandie Peggie," referencing a nurse who was suspended for objecting to a transgender doctor using women's changing rooms.
Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker and a prominent campaign leader, shared her account of the events. According to her, the male manager of the bar claimed the group’s beliefs and opinions could be considered harassment toward staff, making them feel unsafe. She stated that the manager asked the group to remove some of their handmade banners, including one that read "I'm not a vet, but I know what a dog is."
When Keen asked for clarification, the manager refused to provide specific reasons, stating, “It's just one of those things where we are not going to get into specifics.” This lack of transparency led to further frustration among the activists.
The group eventually agreed to take down a few banners, including those containing swear words, but refused to remove the rest. When Keen asked the manager what he would do next, he said he would close the bar. Despite this, the manager continued to insist on closing the venue, even after the group removed additional banners.
Some members of LWS attempted to order drinks at the bar downstairs but were again denied service. The manager then returned and demanded the group leave, claiming they had been aggressive and harassing staff. Keen strongly disputed these claims, stating that she had no evidence of any such behavior.
She emphasized that the manager did not point out any specific individuals and believed his accusations were fabricated to justify their expulsion. When asked about a refund for the £150 deposit, the manager only promised to "try" to reimburse it.
Keen reported the alleged discrimination to the police, and one officer suggested that the GUU might have refused the booking if they had known it was a women's rights event. Keen challenged this claim, noting that the event was not a protest or rally and did not involve speeches.
This incident, while not new for Keen, was particularly distressing for newer members of the group. She highlighted the emotional impact on the young woman who had booked the venue, who felt "weird" and "very distressed" upon realizing her rights were being ignored.
Keen plans to take legal action against Glasgow University Union, accusing them of both direct and indirect discrimination. She is currently drafting a letter for a subject access request and comparing the union's code of conduct with the actual events that transpired.
She also suspects that a counter-protest group may have filed a complaint, citing an Instagram post that tagged the union. Keen criticized the actions of such groups, questioning where such restrictions would end if similar logic were applied to other causes.
The situation has drawn attention to broader issues surrounding free speech, institutional policies, and the treatment of activists in public spaces. As the debate continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those advocating for women's rights in today's climate.