Trans Activist Group Bash Back Claims Responsibility For Brighton Centre Vandalism

A Night of Disruption at Brighton Centre

Last night, on October 9, the Brighton Centre on Kings Road became the target of a vandalism act involving purple paint and shattered windows. This comes as the venue was set to host over 2,400 attendees for the FiLiA conference today, October 10.

FiLiA, known for its advocacy against patriarchy, gathers feminists from across Europe for what it terms as "Europe's biggest grassroots feminist conference." The event, however, sparked controversy, leading to a wave of resistance from certain activist groups.

Protests and Vandalism

In the lead-up to the conference, posters from the Trans Liberation Front (TLF) Brighton appeared across the city. The group, championing trans and LGBTQ+ rights in Sussex, criticized FiLiA for allegedly backing policies they see as anti-trans, anti-sex work, and opposed to adult content online. They also accused the charity of being pro-police and tough on crime.

In response to these tensions, Bash Back, a trans activist group, posted a video claiming responsibility for the center's vandalism. "Like the suffragettes and radical queers before us, the only path toward liberation is through action," the group declared.

FiLiA's Stance and Legal Context

“FiLiA is a charity that campaigns for a world free from patriarchy where all women and girls are liberated," stated Lisa-Marie Taylor, FiLiA's CEO. "In line with the Equality Act (2010) we support the provision of single sex services and dispute that this equates to transphobia."

FiLiA's position is rooted in the recent Supreme Court ruling in July, which clarified that terms such as “sex”, “man”, and “woman” within the Equality Act refer to biological sex. This ruling has rekindled debates between transgender advocates and gender-critical feminists.

As the conference continues, Sussex Police are investigating the vandalism and urging anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, the city of Brighton, renowned for its diversity and inclusion, finds itself at the center of this heated discourse on equality and rights.