A fundraising campaign has been launched to help a group of campaigners, including Father Ted writer Graham Linehan, with their legal action against a Belfast pub they accuse of discrimination due to gender critical beliefs.
Solicitor Simon Chambers, who represents the 23 people in the group, told The Irish News they were refused service in Robinson’s Bar in Belfast in April 2023.
The group claims they were declined service due to their “legally protected beliefs in biological sex”.
Mr Chambers confirmed Mr Linehan, a Bafta-winning Irish writer, is among the group, which also includes feminist academic Dr Julia Long.
He said 23 civil bills have been issued against Wine Inns, which owns Robinson’s Bar in the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland.
He said the legal action was sparked after the group visited the bar, on Great Victoria Street, after they had taken part in a demonstration led by controversial campaigner Kellie-Ann Keen, also known as ‘Posie Parker’.
Mr Linehan, a vocal critic of the trans-rights movement, was among those who attended the rally and gathered at the bar afterwards along with other participants for refreshments.
The group claim they were refused service due to their “legally-protected beliefs about women’s rights.”
Mr Chambers confirmed they are crowdfunding to help cover the costs involved in the case, which is being being supported by the Free Speech Union.
The campaigners say they want to “send a message to all service providers across Northern Ireland that it is illegal to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their legally protected beliefs”.
“If it happened to us, it could happen to you next. Every single donation, no matter how small, is sincerely appreciated,” their fundraising page states.
“Any monies received that exceed our fundraising target will be donated to other court cases and tribunals in the UK that support gender-critical women fighting to uphold their legal rights.”
Robinson’s Bar has been contacted for comment.
