Women's rights talk cancelled by British Columbia community centre for 'promoting discrimination, contempt, or hatred' against trans people

Women's rights activist Meghan Murphy was slated to hold an event at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, British Columbia on Wednesday. But after pressure from far-left trans activists, the venue cancelled the event, claiming the purpose of the talk was in "promoting discrimination, contempt, or hatred" against people who identify as transgender.

Murphy, whose event in Ladysmith on Sunday sold out, slammed the CCC over its decision, accusing administrators of discriminating against her and those who stand up for the rights of women in Canada. Murphy is an outspoken Canadian woman who stands up for the rights of women and girls to have sex-segregated spaces. She also speaks against the inclusion of males who claim to be women among natural born women. Her account was banned from Twitter in 2018 after she identified a trans-identified male who demanded that female aestheticians wax his testicles as "him."

In an email to a member of Murphy's team, the CCC's administrative and facility booking coordinator Maaike McCooey explained why the event was cancelled.

"As a public facility we are required to follow policy under the BC Human Rights Code," she said. "Given the likelihood that the purpose of this event is to promote, or would have the effect of promoting discrimination, contempt or hatred for any group or person on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor, it is determined this rental must be cancelled."
 

"In addition," she continued, "the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is committed to providing a positive work environment that embraces diversity and treats everyone with dignity and respect. The policy states the CVRD, and those subject to this policy, have a shared obligation for creating a respectful, safe, and supportive work environment. The goal is to foster a work environment that embraces diversity and where everyone is treated with courtesy, dignity, and fairness."

Murphy called the accusation that the purpose of her talk was to promote discrimination "provably untrue," and "baseless," suggesting that if anyone was guilty of that, it was the CCC itself, for silencing women who "wish to speak about and advocate for their rights and safety, to discuss the ways in which gender identity ideology and legislation marginalizes women and girls."

"The cancellation of our event is rooted in lies and is in my opinion a form of libel," she added. "The censorship of women's free speech at a public community centre paid for by residents of this community is unacceptable and we plan to fight back."

In the lead up to the CCC's decision, some activists urged others in the community to contact the venue and ask them to cancel the event, citing false claims about Murphy.

"These people literally invent reality from moment to moment to suit their delusions," she said.

The CCC has been reached for comment.