Transgender equality campaigners have welcomed the decision to pull a controversial film which was due to be screened by a Nottingham feminist group.
The screening which was to be held at Sherwood Methodist Church on Sunday, November 27 was pulled within 10 minutes by the venue who had claimed to be deceived by feminist organisation, Nottingham Women for Change, about the film’s nature.
Nottingham Against Transphobia who protested outside of the venue had welcomed the church’s decision to pull the film.
Anna Preston, Co-leader of Nottingham Against Transphobia said: “I was overjoyed at the church’s decision to pull the film.
“The Methodist church has been very vocally pro-trans and as soon as they found out about the nature of the film, they raced to get it shut down.
“They were tricked by Nottingham Women for Change into showing the film without knowing its controversy, so I am really pleased with the way they tackled everything.”
Tickets for the screening of the film Adult Human Female had already been removed from Eventbrite after learning of the film’s content/nature, and details of the venue had not been made available until the morning of the event.
Sherwood Methodist Church released a press statement following the event reading:
“We accepted a booking from a group to hire a space at the church to show a film and hold a presentation regarding women’s rights and domestic violence.
“As an inclusive church, once we became aware of the nature of the film and its impact upon members of the trans community, we deemed it would not be appropriate for the showing to go ahead.”
Jennifer Kaye, Co-leader of Nottingham Against Transphobia said: “I’m really disappointed that Nottingham Women for Change attempted to get this film shown and lied to the church, it’s not only very transphobic but also very anti-science, ignoring the consensus of a lot of scientists.”
She continued: “Seeing the amount of people both cis and trans coming out to support the community against transphobia is really heart-warming.
“All these people found out just this morning about where the event would be taking place, and they all managed to put the effort in and make it.”
Roughly 80 people turned up in support of Nottingham Against Transphobia.
The original event venue, Savoy Cinema, had already refused to screen the film after guidelines highlighting the film’s nature were released.
Nottingham Women for Change were reached for a comment, however, they were not able to give a statement.
Lead Image: Adam Eaton