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Scuffles erupt as anti-trans protests and counter-protests emerge in Lincoln’s High Street
Both protesting groups have said they rejected the violent behaviour as a man was removed from the protest by members of security present. At this time Lincolnshire police say he is not under arrest.
Scuffles occurred after the protest had begun. Both protesting groups have denounced the violent behaviour.
Ms. Taylor goes by “@TaylorAdvocate” on Twitter, where she organised a protest locally against High Street retailer Primark at midday.
She is protesting against the store’s “policy on and promotion of trans kids” and so-called “glitter families”.
Ms Taylor first took her stance one year ago, when her daughter told her she was transgender. Shortly after this is when Ms. Taylor says she “peaked”.
“It’s when someone wakes up to an ideology,” she said, “from my point of view, it’s when someone opens their eyes to the situation.”
Ms. Taylor (left) and a group of protestors arrived outside of the Primark on Lincoln’s High Street.
“I fight not only for my daughter but for other children to be protected until they’re adults but also, as a women’s rights campaigner, I fight for women to be safe in their sports, in prisons, and away from biological males,” she addedd.
Since then, Ms. Taylor says she has received five death threats in one day, and said that members of the counter-protest had exposed her full name online.
Cllr Natasha Chapman represents Abbey Ward for the City of Lincoln Council and is one of the organisers of the counter-protest groups.
Cllr Natasha Chapman said the “hateful climate whipped up by transphobic campaigners” will cost lives.
Cllr Chapman said: “Obviously sending death threats is wrong, and nobody should do it. I would say that if death threats are something that upset people, they should talk to any LGBT person- particularly if they’re a woman or a trans-woman who has any public platform- about death threats.
The hateful climate that has been whipped up by transphobic campaigners is disgusting and dangerous, and it will cost lives doing it.”
“The point of today isn’t to meet that anger and hatred with the same but to show up, support the LGBT community, and actually have a really good time supporting each other.
Ours is a celebration of love and support, and those “found families” that the other group is campaigning against.”
Chaplains Nina Chapman (centre), Melissa Wheeler (right), and Rev John Philip Carter (left) were there in support of the counter-protests.
A number of local businesses, such as The Scene, Coffee Aroma and Café Shanti released statements inviting people who are feeling “overwhelmed” by the protests inside to cool down.
The counter-protests have also been supported by Lincoln Pride and the University of Lincoln’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy.
Both the organisers of the protest and the counter-protest said that the presence of Lincolnshire Police at the event made them feel safer.
Attending the counter-protest, Ruby Boy is a Lincoln-based drag queen, whose social media presence garnered attention for the counter-protest.
Ruby Boy (middle) is a well-known, Lincoln-based drag act who marched with counter-protestors.
“I posted something on my story saying what was happening, a load of people started liking it, a load of shares started happening and before I knew it there was a time and date arranged.”
“We did not want this to be a protest, we are wanting this to be a celebration, we are not wanting this to be angry,” they said.
“We want to establish our place and tell them that we are not leaving until they do, and that’s exactly what’s happening. We don’t know what time they plan on leaving but we are going to be here until that happens.”
