Skip to content

Council chief apologises after gender ruling statement

Elaine Mitchell
BBC News NI south west reporter
Getty Images An icon of a woman is displayed on a red brick building beside a green door with a metal handle.Getty Images
Fermanagh and Omagh Council chief says she regrets any hurt caused after a council statement

The chief executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has apologised for the "hurt" caused by a statement it issued following a ruling by the UK Supreme Court on the definition of gender.

Last month, judges unanimously ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. The ruling applies in Great Britain, but not in Northern Ireland.

In response to a media inquiry, the council said it would be "developing new guidance for the use of changing rooms at leisure facilities and toilets".

Alison McCullagh said that the council's policies would not change without approval, and she "regretted" any hurt caused.

"The most regret that I would have is that anyone, particularly those communities that are already vulnerable, felt hurt by anything that the council would say," she told the meeting on Tuesday evening.

"It would be directly contrary to our equality statement to implement procedures or policies that discriminated against anyone and certainly against transgender people."

The council's diversity ambassador, Noeleen Hayes, said the council's equality and diversity policies are "completely inclusive".

"I want to express my deep regret for any hurt and fear that may have been caused to the LGBTQIA+ community and their families, especially the transgender, non-binary, and the intersex community," she added.

Protest held outside meeting

A small group of people gathered outside the council meeting in Enniskillen to protest the council's stance on the matter.

Daniel Waldron from Omagh Pride said the move had left some people shaken.

"We were very concerned about what it would mean for the small trans community living locally," he said.

"We have to acknowledge that Omagh Pride and Fermanagh Pride have had good support from the council in the past.

"We have engaged with council representatives since and of course they were apologetic and sympathetic for the hurt and concern which this caused."

Daniel Waldron has long, shoulder length brown hair and is looking at the camera while smiling. He is wearing a pair of black circular glasses and has a beard. He is wearing a white t-shirt with a light green jumper on top. He is standing in front of the town hall with the protestors, but they are blurred.
Daniel Waldron says the statement had upset LGBTQ+ people in the area

Northern Ireland's Equality Commission said it plans to publish formal guidance on the Supreme Court ruling next month.

Ms McCullagh said that the council would wait for this guidance.

"We are reviewing our policies in the context of the Supreme Court judgment, but crucially in the context of the Equality Commission, guidance, which we understand will be forthcoming in June, and nothing will be done in advance of that," she added.