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LAST UPDATE
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\n 2 hrs ago\n <\/p>\n
THE WOMEN\u2019S RIGHTS Network Northern Ireland has launched legal proceedings against a west Belfast festival after the cancellation of an event it was due to hold.<\/p>\n
F\u00e9ile an Phobail is Ireland\u2019s largest community arts festival and expects to welcome over 120,000 visitors to more than 500 events this summer. It runs this year from 25 July to 9 August.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, F\u00e9ile an Phobail cancelled an event that was due to be staged by Women\u2019s Rights Network Northern Ireland (WRN NI) as part of the festival. The cancellation has led to some criticism, including from Harry Potter author JK Rowling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WRN NI group has said its \u201cone priority\u201d is \u201cadvocating for single-sex spaces for women and girls\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a statement earlier this week, F\u00e9ile an Phobail said it \u201cwas unaware from the initial submission that this event would promote campaigns against rights for the transgender community\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nStatement from F\u00e9ile an Phobail pic.twitter.com\/mBvUqWGoDm<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 F\u00e9ile an Phobail (@FeileBelfast) July 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It added that it \u201ctakes pride in standing up for those who are marginalised and attacked\u201d and that it \u201cfully supports the rights of the transgender community to be treated with equality and respect\u201d.<\/p>\n
In response, WRN NI said it was \u201cshocked and deeply disappointed\u201d by the decision.<\/p>\n
The group said its event was to be a discussion on women\u2019s sex-based rights, which was \u201cwas made clear to F\u00e9ile when our application was submitted\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo organisation that values free speech should allow intimidation to determine which voices are heard,\u201d WRN NI said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen advocating for their sex-based rights are not campaigning against the rights of others. We reject any attempt to misrepresent either our organisation or the purpose of this event.\u201d<\/p>\n
F\u00e9ile an Phobail today offered to meet with WRN NI in Belfast city centre over the issue.<\/p>\n
In a statement this evening, the festival said there were \u201cno resolutions to the issues\u201d after the meeting.<\/p>\n
It added that it was \u201cextremely disappointed that legal representatives for the WRN NI filed legal papers with the court before our meeting with the WRN NI had concluded\u201d.<\/p>\n
F\u00e9ile an Phobail said its representatives at the meeting were \u201cunaware of this development during the course of the meeting\u201d and that its \u201cdecision to withdraw this event stands\u201d.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, WRN NI said the meeting \u201cdid not result in a satisfactory resolution\u201d.<\/p>\n
A WRN NI spokesperson said the group \u201cwrote to F\u00e9ile yesterday to inform them that we would commence legal proceedings if our event was not reinstated\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now left with no choice but to proceed,\u201d said WRN NI.<\/p>\n
It added that legal proceedings can be \u201cwithdrawn at any time should F\u00e9ile decide to reinstate the event\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, JK Rowling replied to a WRN NI post on X to say that she would \u201chelp with legal costs\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/t.co\/FeKGIOHRNM<\/a> will help with legal costs.<\/p>\n