A Northern Ireland local authority has apologized to councillors after a document outlining access to leisure centres for transgender people was implemented without a vote. The policy sparked online abuse, with some councillors facing 'vile' accusations. The council is now investigating how the document was used without approval and has requested a full list of council policies to ensure future transparency.
Officials at a Northern Ireland local authority have apologised to councillors after a 'policy' document covering access to leisure centres for transgender people was not voted on.
“Transgender persons are welcome to use either appropriate single-sex toilets and changing facilities, or separate accessible toilets and changing facilities as determined by an individual’s needs and at the discretion of management. Councillors also asked for a “framework to ensure policy development is carried out in accordance with the council’s scheme of delegation to avoid any future repeat of what happened”.
“Why did it take social media interest to get these elected representatives to spring to action, and can they explain why this document has remained unchanged since at least 2022, if not before, without anyone raising concerns that a man who wants to identify as a woman can enter female-only facilities without challenge?”
“The admissions procedures largely focused on Health and Safety guidelines and rules, as well as terms and conditions of leisure centre membership and use, in order that users would have a positive experience while using the council leisure facilities. “It is certain that approval should have been sought, but was not, for which all officers involved apologise. As a result of further investigation into why this didn’t happen, it appears that there may have been a breakdown in internal communications between Leisure and Equality, with Leisure believing the policy was being taken through corporately.
DUP Alderman Robert Adair said at the Community and Wellbeing meeting that the abuse he received on social media on the subject of the council leisure document was the worst he had ever experienced.
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