I love JK Rowling poster removed by Network Rail for being 'political' after 'transphobic' complaint

[stumbledin]

A poster outside Edinburgh Waverley Station which reads "I love JK Rowling" has been removed by Network Rail for being too "political."

The poster was erected outside the train station by Kellie-Jay Keen, who describes herself as a campaigner against gender recognition laws.

Kellie said that the billboard was a celebration of JK Rowling standing up for women - who Kellie believes are 'victims' of a "culture war".

In a tweet, one local complained to Network Rail saying "You're literally making Edinburgh look an unwelcoming and transphobic city.

"Congratulations. The city has a high population of students and a majority of them are trans allies. Seems unlike our public transport."

Blah Blah

www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/love-jk-rowling-poster-removed-18686005

Maybe women should contact Network Rail and say their actions make it look like women are not safe or welcome in Edinburgh. Why are they giving in to sexist bullying?

I've written to network rail explaining that I'm grateful for them making their policy of "We do not allow advertising that is likely to support or promote one viewpoint over another.”

Of course, I will assist them from now on by reporting any posters or adverts that support or promote one viewpoint over another ('visit here!'- a viewpoint, it might be shit. 'read this book!' viewpoint...) And shall expect their prompt removal.

We can expect the prompt removal of anything, really.

We can expect the prompt removal of anything, really.

Exactly.
Honestly, some of these presumably adult people in responsible professional jobs just need to have a fucking word with themselves and say no to these pathetic vexatious complainers. It’s exactly like the tantrum at the end of the playdate.

@calllaaalllaaammma

If this poster was promoting trans causes and had rainbows and mermaids etc. would they have taken it down? No they wouldn't. So Network Rail is pretending to be impartial but they have made a political decision to favour one side of the debate.

Network Rail pay to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

They are literally paying one side's political lobby group, while removing posters the other side has funded on the grounds that it's important for them to remain neutral.

They seem as unfamiliar with the dictionary definition of "neutral" as they are with 'woman'. Perhaps they need to educate themselves?

All this fiasco does is line Posie’s pockets. She’s the one getting the attention and will probably run merchandise with the design

Quite right too. Women's rights campaign groups are short of funds unlike some other charities

It's genius really - you get publicity when it goes up, publicity when it comes down, plus the opposition look petty. I've never known anyone get more bang for their buck.

“All this [fiasco] does is line Posie’s pockets. She’s the one getting the attention and will probably run merchandise with the design”

Good. She thoroughly deserves it. Can’t fault her here at all. She has a real eye for great publicity stunts.

@hardgallife

All this fiasco does is line Posie’s pockets. She’s the one getting the attention and will probably run merchandise with the design

Absolutely! I’ll be buying some of her merch 😀 - she’s an absolute legend!!

@dragoncheeselady

If anyone would like to email the chief exec of network rail to object to the removal of the poster email address is [email protected]

Thank you, I have emailed him now

I already have a response from Network Rail complaints form Image
You recently requested personal assistance from our on-line Support Centre. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
We are continuing to work on your issue. If you require any further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact our 24 hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit our website at www.networkrail.co.uk

Subject
I heart JKR poster Waverley Station Removal

Response By E-mail (John) (30/07/2020 10.29 PM)
Dear Martin

Thank you for contacting Network Rail.

This advert is no longer being displayed at Edinburgh Waverley. The poster in question is against our code of acceptance for advertising in our stations owing to its political nature. We do not allow advertising that is likely to support or promote one viewpoint over another.

Yours sincerely,
Community Relations Team
Network Rail
Auto-Response By (Administrator) (30/07/2020 09.23 PM)
Thanks! Your incident report has been submitted.

Your incident report number is 200730-000419

If you would like to report another incident or issues then please click here.

We will keep you updated by email regarding the progress of your issue.

You can update your issue at any time by accessing your support area.

Customer By CSS Web (Martin Gordon) (30/07/2020 09.23 PM)
I understand that the poster has been removed for being 'political'. In which case will Network Rail remove the Pride Rainbows bedecking the station as they are also 'political' and espousing a belief system which not everyone buys into.

Network Rail are entirely with their rights to remove the poster if it breaks your stated rules but they must be upheld across the board.
Question Reference # 200730-000419
Date Created: 30/07/2020 09.23 PM
Date Last Updated: 30/07/2020 10.29 PM
Status: Assigned

Network rail probably thinks discrimination against women on the basis of sex is perfectly legal since their published policy replaces sex with gender in the list of EA 2010 protected characteristics.

I see you have ferreted out the email of cheif executive... I'll email tomorrow

Independent

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-poster-edinburgh-station-posie-parker-transgender-a9645481.html

Scotsman

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/jk-rowling-billboard-edinburgh-waverley-station-support-author-removed-2928241

I sent one today, but didn't use the Community relations team. Sent it to some bloke at the top of the organisation. Must have been the chief exec.

I started by saying that I thought he might be getting quite a few emails about the removal of the poster and that I wanted a very full response to all of my questions, which I then listed

There are 35 mentions of words beginning with sex in Network Rail's Everyone matters download, however they refer to sexuality not in terms of the protected characteristic if sex. They use sex when defining cisgender. They use sex when describing homesexuality and defining trans. Gender is used throughout. In the glossary under Protected characteristics the nine are correctly listed. I would like to know if they are using gender how they actually monitor sex discrimination? See it here www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/diversity-and-inclusion/everyone-strategy/

Something else to complain about.

What a shame that it was today because tomorrow is JKR's birthday.

If we were living in better times I would suggest an impromptu birthday picnic where the poster was and lots of leaflets from forwomen.scot, fair play for women etc..

On the face of it the poster was not "political" ie could have just been Pottermania. But the trans community is so caught up in the narrative of them as the arch victims made it political. Or rathr they have to follow the main focus which is hatred and bullying of women.

Interesting FOI request to Network Rail.

The impact of Network Rail being a Stonewall Diversity Champion on people who do not identify as being transgender

Given that a huge amount of tourism and shops and cafes rely on a connection with JKR via her either sitting in them once or selling HP merchandise Edinburgh cannot afford to actively hate her especially with the festival off this year.
Money sense if not common sense will make a difference I hope.

Ugh. I'm a bit drunk. And have sent a VERY long email to Andrew Haines. I'll report back if I hear anything.

[quote ScrimpshawTheSecond]Independent

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-poster-edinburgh-station-posie-parker-transgender-a9645481.html

Scotsman

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/jk-rowling-billboard-edinburgh-waverley-station-support-author-removed-2928241[/quote]
The Independent article is predictably shit. The sooner they go under the better.

I can't access the comments on the Scotsman article. Do you have to be signed in?

I could read it, but not the comments, but it kept disappearing and reloading. Very neutral tome, letting poise Parker's word explain why it's considered political ( standing up for women and girls )

Yes, I think you need to register to read comments, Sunset. I predict they will be overwhelmingly supportive.

@OldCrone

Interesting FOI request to Network Rail.

The impact of Network Rail being a Stonewall Diversity Champion on people who do not identify as being transgender

I really like this. Friday's looking good

@hardgallife

All this fiasco does is line Posie’s pockets. She’s the one getting the attention and will probably run merchandise with the design

Already happening! www.standingforwomen.com/heroic-women

So they can support an organisation that opposes someone's else's position, and only consider one political? Even though one is a lobbying organisation and the other just a writer?