JK Rowling offers support to Women’s Rights Network after Féile cancellation

By Rebecca Black (Press Association)

JK Rowling has offered support to Women’s Rights Network in Northern Ireland after an event it had been due to stage was cancelled.

The group were scheduled to run an event called Respects, Rights and Reality at Féile an Phobail this summer.

It describes itself as a network of women who promote the human rights of women and girls.

However organisers of the west Belfast festival cancelled the event earlier this week.

In a statement Féile said it “was unaware from the initial submission that this event would promote campaigns against rights for the transgender community”.

It added that it “takes pride in standing up for those who are marginalised and attacked”.

Responding, the Women’s Rights Network Northern Ireland (WRN NI) said it is “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the decision to cancel its event.

In a statement on social media platform X, the group said its event was to be a discussion on women’s sex-based rights, which was “was made clear to Féile when our application was submitted”.

They said the event had been targeted with an “organised online campaign”, which had included “misogynistic, abusive and in our view, threatening rhetoric directed at women associated with it”.

“No organisation that values free speech should allow intimidation to determine which voices are heard,” they said.

“Through this event women have sought to discuss their own rights. Féile has chosen not to silence the voices of the very group that makes up half the population.

“Women advocating for their sex-based rights are not campaigning against the rights of others. We reject any attempt to misrepresent either our organisation or the purpose of this event.

“We remain committed to ensuring this important discussion takes place.”

Ms Rowling responded to the statement offering support.

She said her foundation “will help with legal costs”.

JK Rowling is to fund a legal challenge against Féile an Phobail’s decision to cancel an event by a group which claims that people cannot be transgender.