A Labour-run London council faces legal action over road crossings painted in the colours of the transgender Pride flag. The Telegraph has the story.
Camden council installed the painted blue, pink and white crossings nearly four years ago in Bloomsbury in a bid to “help celebrate transgender awareness” and to act “as a reminder of the rich LGBT+ history in Camden.”
But Blessing Olubanjo, a Camden resident, is now threatening to bring a legal challenge to have the four crossings at Tavistock Place and Marchmont Street removed or redesigned because, she claims, it “constitutes unlawful political messaging”.
The 57 year-old claims the installations, which cost £10,464 in taxpayers’ money, constitute a violation of political neutrality laws under the Local Government Act 1986, as well as an infringement of freedom of belief and expression under the Human Rights Act 1998.
The NHS administrator, who is an Evangelical Christian, told the Telegraph: “I brought this case because I believe in fairness, freedom of belief, and the proper role of public institutions.
“As a Christian and a taxpayer, I should not be made to feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces.
“This crossing sends a message that only one viewpoint is welcome, and that’s not right in a truly democratic society.” …
Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, who is supporting Ms Olubanjo, added: “Not only is this crossing a matter of public safety and Christian freedom, it’s about the misuse of public resources for political campaigning.
“The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties.
“This is not the role of local government.”
Worth reading in full.
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.