Liverpool's Royal Court theatre displayed a pro-transgender message on the side of its building during the city's pride celebrations on Saturday, July 25. The message read: "Trans rightS are human rights." The display prompted dozens of anti-transgender comments on social media.
Thousands gathered across the city centre with speeches, marches and festivities taking over key areas including Clayton Square, Parker Street and the Pride Quarter. In response to the theatre's message, nearly 250 Facebook comments were posted debating trans identities and ideologies, including remarks such as "freaks", "attention seekers" and "subhuman". The comment section has since been turned off on Facebook.
Theatre's Response
The Royal Court issued a statement calling for communities to stand together, saying the venue is a safe space for all. The statement said: "At Liverpool's Royal Court we're proud our building is for everyone. Everyone is welcome. It's the same on our social media."
"We believe that our venue and the wider arts should be a safe place for all, where everyone is welcome, respected and free to be themselves. The work we do, alongside everyone in the arts, can be fun, informative and enjoyable it can provide an opportunity where we can see ourselves, see different people, different experiences and we can also see what we've got in common."
Call for Unity
The statement continued: "We talk a lot about putting Liverpool lives on stage, and it's important. We know as a city how tough it is when you're pushed to the side, when your voice isn't heard and when you feel like you're treated as not being important."
It concluded: "That's why, when we look to our city we see solidarity, standing up for those who need our help and working together. Venues like ours put that sense of hope into stories so that we can explore it and share it. It's never been more important to show why working together is better than working to divide."
