News / protest
Trans rights activists protest against Kellie-Jay Keen outside hustings
Trans rights activists gathered outside Bristol Beacon on Monday evening to protest Kellie-Jay Keen speaking at Bristol24/7’s Bristol Central hustings.
Keen, who is the leader of the Party of Women, was invited to join the event alongside the other five candidates running to be MP of the new constituency.
During the event which started at 7pm, up to 50 protesters stood outside the venue on Trenchard Street with colourful signs while others handed out leaflets and spoke to passersby as music played from a speaker.
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Bristol24/7 approached several of the protesters, many of who were wearing masks, for comment but they all declined.
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Writing on X, Bristol Anarchist Federation encouraged people to “stand up for trans rights” outside the concert hall, calling Keen, who also goes by Posie Parker, a “transphobe”.
Speaking during the debate about what she would do to tackle racism and inequality in Bristol, Keen said: “The issues that my policy focuses on is the Gender Recognition Act and being able to be honest in public debate.
“I don’t know if you noticed, my fans that were gathered outside, but they did try and stop me speaking wherever I go.”
At an event on College Green in 2022, dozens of counter-protesters disrupted what they called “a transphobic rally” by Keen’s group, then called Standing For Women.
A Let Women Speak rally that was due to take place on College Green on Tuesday afternoon has been cancelled.
Dozens of protesters hid their faces with masks at the demonstration outside Bristol Beacon – photo: Rob Browne
Electoral Commission guidelines say that as this was a public hustings, it needed to be open to all registered candidates in the constituency for the forthcoming general election. The Electoral Commission provide clear guidance on this, and it is advised that a non-selective hustings – like this one – must include an invitation to all candidates. Neither Bristol24/7 nor Bristol Beacon wish to platform or promote any one particular view.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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