A Reform leader has been branded 'pathetic' after announcing plans to cease support for Pride celebrations this year with a transphobic social media rant. George Woodward, the leader of St Helens Borough Council, attacked the LGBTQ+ community in a Facebook post while declaring he had 'instructed officers to cease engagement' with the major monthlong celebration. He stated the council would not 'be supporting or promoting Pride' while airing personal grievances with 'transgender ideology'.
Condemnation from Residents and Councillors
The councillor was broadly taken to task following the announcement and branded 'pathetic' by both local residents and a fellow St Helens representative. Woodward, elected to the council in May, said in his statement that the council would cease engagement 'with all aspects of the event'. He argued: 'We don't consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.'
Woodward then launched into a rant, claiming Pride has 'become affiliated with harmful transgender ideology' and making long-debunked claims about gender transition. He added: 'As a council, we have a duty of care towards young children in the borough. Being affiliated with a movement that often results in lifelong medical harm in young impressionable children is not the direction in which I want St Helens Council to travel.'
Evidence Refutes Claims of Harm
Claims that transitioning between genders causes 'lifelong medical harm' have been long refuted by evidence. Studies have found that gender-affirming medical interventions lead to lower odds of depression in the long term. Among the positive outcomes reported by multiple long-term studies are improved quality of life, greater relationship satisfaction, reductions in depression and anxiety, and increased self-esteem and confidence. While some people do regret transitioning, the rate is between 0.3 percent to 3.8 percent, usually due to lack of social support post-transition. Celebrations like Pride have long helped the LGBTQ+ community build on these positive gains and recognise hard-won rights.
Social Media Backlash
Woodward was roundly criticised in the comments of his post. One social media user responded: 'Pathetic small man. Embarrassing.' Another added: 'I thought this was St Helens not Putin’s Russia!' A third said: 'Tell me you know nothing about pride without telling me you know nothing about pride.' Woodward was also taken to task by fellow St Helens councillor James Dunn, who directly questioned the claims in his post.
Mr Dunn said: 'For many of our LGBT residents, families, young people and allies, Pride is about visibility, safety, history, acceptance and community. It is not a 'celebration of sexuality', and I worry about the impact of anyone’s language that frames LGBT inclusion, or trans people, as a threat. People can absolutely debate council funding, officer resources and what role the local authority should play in events with costs attached, particularly when you ran on a promise to cut costs. But individuals, charities, community groups and the private sector do not need permission from the council to support Pride. They already did support it on Saturday, and it looks like we both missed a great day. I won’t next year. I also think it is important that residents know this view is not shared by everyone in the council chamber, our LGBT residents are part of St Helens. Trans residents are part of St Helens. Young people working out who they are are part of St Helens and they should know they have allies too.'
