Woman backed by JK Rowling 'not opposed to trans rights' - tribunal

Sara Morrison has brought a case against Belfast Film Festival where she worked as an inclusion and audience development coordinator

A woman who claims she was unlawfully discriminated against for her beliefs by her former employer has told a tribunal she was not opposed to transgender rights.

Sara Morrison has brought a case against Belfast Film Festival (BFF) where she worked as an inclusion and audience development coordinator.

In her claim, she says she was forced out of her job after she joined a rally for Let Women Speak in 2023. The BFF launched an investigation into her attendance and she left work citing stress.

During a speech she made at the rally, Ms Morrison outlined concerns around protecting women's safety and privacy.

The BFF has denied her claim of discrimination.

It is Ms Morrison's view that a person cannot change their biological sex.

Ms Morrison, who has received funding for her case from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, says she attended the event in a private capacity and that her beliefs had no bearing on her ability to do her job.

The rally in Belfast city centre was also addressed by Kellie-Jay Keen - a campaigner for women's rights.

A counter event by local LGBTQ+ groups and activists opposed to her views was held at the same time nearby.

Ms Morrison submits that following her attendance at the rally, she was subjected to online abuse and harassment, which she reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

She was subsequently informed by her employer that it would be carrying out an investigation on the back of complaints made by the LGBTQ+ community.

The BFF also confirmed it was investigating the matter in a social media post, in reply to an LGBT organisation, adding: "We want to reassure you that the Belfast Film Festival passionately supports your values. We will celebrate and defend them."

In her claim, Ms Morrison says she viewed the BFF as aligning itself to those who had harassed her, which was detrimental to her receiving fair and impartial treatment.

During a short hearing on the first day of her employment tribunal in Belfast, a barrister for the BFF put it to Ms Morrison that her speech at the Let Women Speak rally had the potential to cause reputational damage to her former employer.

She said she accepted that, but made clear that her comments were not about "trans people".

"What I want has nothing to do with trans people," Ms Morrison told the tribunal.

"I want single sex places for women."

She said she believes that a person cannot change sex and that that position was "not anti-trans rights".

In her speech, she was critical of organisations within the women sector, who she believes had failed to protect women.

The tribunal continues.