A controversial group dubbed anti-trans by many has come out swinging over what they call the cancellation of public forums at two North-West venues.
However, one venue operator denied the group’s claim for cancellation, while the other said its booking had been approved for a private event only.
Women Speak Tasmania (WST) took to social media on Monday to declare two of its forums, “Women’s Rights in the Modern World”, had been cancelled by Hive Tasmania and Devonport Library. The Facebook post said Hive at Ulverstone cancelled the event because they had received threats “in relation to our event and had to prioritise the safety of their staff and customers.” But Hive’s director of community services, Chris Clark, said the Central Coast Council was concerned the venue WST inquired about was not suitable for a public forum due to its size.
“Women Speak Tasmania inquired about the availability of Studio 1 at Hive. However, before providing any booking information or confirmation, they began promoting a public forum at the venue,” Mr Clark said.
He said the staff were also concerned that WST may not be able to manage the event without causing disruption to staff, community groups, and visitors.
“On this basis, Women Speak Tasmania was advised that they could not host the forum at Studio 1 but could seek to use another council venue more suitable for hosting a public forum,” he said.
Mr Clark said it appeared WST chose not to do this and decided to cancel the event.
He said the council offers a range of facilities that are used by community groups and individuals with diverse political, social, and religious views.
“[The] council encourages all prospective hirers to be transparent about the purpose of their booking and to wait for confirmation before promoting any events,” he said.
In relation to the forum at Devonport Library, WST claimed the reason for the cancellation was that its event was “not in line” with the Department for Education, Children and Young People’s (DECYP) inclusion policies.
A DECYP spokesperson said Libraries Tasmania had approved the booking for private use. “However, when the event was publicly advertised, Libraries Tasmania undertook an assessment and found a public forum would be inconsistent with DECYP policies,” the spokesperson said.
In its policy statement, Libraries Tasmania outlined its aim as being for all users to see themselves, their interests, and lifestyles reflected “in our programs, services, spaces and collections.” “It is not enough for us to make people feel welcome and included, our goal is for people to feel seen; to feel a sense of belonging and connection,” it said.
When asked if WST was an anti-trans group, spokesperson Dr Elizabeth Caballero neither denied nor confirmed.
“Anyone who suggest[s] we are an anti-trans group wishes to discredit us, because they don’t support women’s based sex rights,” Dr Caballero, who is a retired GP, said.
Dr Caballero said the forum would focus on the “impact of gender law reforms on fairness and safety for girls and women in sports, facilities and opportunities” as well as the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act and the Federal Sex Discrimination Act and “how these laws define what a woman is”. She said all members of the community were welcomed and that WST had received three offers in regard to hosting its future forums.
“Women Speak Tasmania have had an outpouring of support of community support in the North-West following the cancellation of two venues which WST booked to hold a public forum to discuss legislation that affects women and girls. When trans rights activists threaten venues, this is a thugs veto and indicative of a lack of acceptance of the need for diversity of opinion in a pluralist society. A thugs veto is anything but inclusive or kind.
Source: The Advocate