TUV back women on 'one of the most important issues' facing them - Women's Rights Network
A leading member of a group set up to protect single-sex spaces for women has welcomed Timothy Gaston’s support for her group – saying that his party has supported women on “one of the most important issues”.
The Women’s Rights Network NI attended the TUV conference on Saturday – and a local representative of the pressure group said the unionist party was the only party to invite them.
Marianne Buchanan Stewart dismissed criticism of the party’s sole MLA from some campaigners because he doesn’t agree with them on other issues. But she said that on the issue of men who identify as women accessing female-only services and spaces, the party had supported women.
During his speech, Mr Gaston praised the group for their work. He said: “I want to pay tribute to the work that the Northern Ireland Women's Rights Network is doing in giving women across this country a voice and calling out this dangerous trans ideology for what it is.
“I trust the days of this radical ideology and the lobby groups being given an open door to set Stormont policies as coming to an end. TUV are watching”, he told the party faithful in Cookstown.
Speaking to the News Letter after the speech, Mrs Buchanan Stewart said that she was “quite pleased” with the conference, and Mr Gaston especially.
“He gave us quite a good mention. He clearly does support the rights of women to have single sex spaces and sports and prisons.
“I hear a lot about ‘Timothy doesn't have the right to talk for women or support women’ – because he doesn't support some other aspect of womanhood.
“But this is one of the most important aspects of womanhood – having single sex spaces and the right to define ourselves by our biological sex”.
At the recent Alliance Party conference, Women’s Rights Network (WRN) had protested outside over its transgender policies.
On whether she expected WRN would be invited by Naomi Long’s party in future, she said “Not in this lifetime, I would imagine.
“Maybe if a new leader came on board and there was a bit of a sweep. But no, I wouldn't expect it at the minute”.