Bristol City Council is facing a legal challenge after banning two women’s rights activists for rejecting its trans-inclusive policies.
The case follows protests by its Green Party members, who displayed placards reading “Protect the Dolls (meaning protect transwomen)” and “Transwomen are Women” during public meetings.
The case could set a major legal precedent for local government policy and has significant implications for the broader debate surrounding free speech and gender ideology.
One of the complaints surrounds the council’s use of “trans inclusive language” such as “people who chest feed,” “people who use paternity services,” and “people with ovaries”.
Activists Dr Phoebe Beedell, a retired academic, and Ms Wendy Stephenson are arguing the council is unlawfully restricting their right to free speech and their ability to participate in the democratic process.
This case comes in the wake of a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court earlier this year, which confirmed that under the Equality Act, “sex” refers to biological sex, not gender identity.
The activists argue the council’s trans-inclusive language undermines the rights of women and girls, particularly in healthcare, education, and legal spaces.
“People with ovaries are women. People who give birth are women. Why is the council so intent on erasing women?” Ms Stephenson said.
The activists argue the council’s trans-inclusive language undermines the rights of women and girls
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GETTYThe dispute escalated in September 2025, when 18 Green Party councillors walked out of a full council meeting after Ms Stephenson raised concerns about the council’s policies in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
The issue was the council’s allowance for trans women – biological men – to access women’s spaces.
“I was simply raising a concern that the council’s policy is at odds with the law,” Ms Stephenson said.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling is clear – sex is biological. Yet the council continues to push its trans-activist agenda.”
Both Dr Beedell and Ms Stephenson are members of Women of Wessex, an advocacy group calling for the protection of sex-based rights in the UK.
They believe the council’s stance on gender rights is both unlawful and harmful to women’s rights.
“What we’re seeing is a wholesale disregard for the biological sex of women in favour of gender identity ideology,” said Ms Stephenson.
The legal letter from Conrathe Gardner LLP, representing the activists, accuses Bristol City Council of violating their freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
It also highlights the council’s failure to investigate complaints against Green Party councillors who disrupted meetings and displayed placards.
The legal letter is calling on the council to revoke the bans and reinstate Ms Stephenson on the committee.
If the council refuses to comply, the legal team will launch a judicial review of their conduct.
Dr Beedell expressed her shock at the “Protect the Dolls” placard, calling it “deeply offensive”.
“These slogans have no place in the council chamber. The council seems intent on promoting an ideological agenda that has no regard for the biological reality of sex,” she added.
The activists argue their gender-critical beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which guarantees protection from discrimination based on philosophical beliefs.
They claim the council is discriminating against them, having barred them from attending council meetings for six months without proper notice or the opportunity to defend their views.
Ms Stephenson’s role on a council committee was also terminated.
“This ban is a clear violation of our rights to engage in the democratic process,” said Ms Stephenson.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that gender-critical beliefs are protected, yet here we are, silenced and excluded from having our voices heard.”
The legal letter accuses the council of “censorship” and “discrimination,” pointing to how Green Party councillors were allowed to disrupt meetings, display controversial placards, and walk out in protest, yet no action was taken against them.
“There is a clear double standard at play,” said James Gardner of Conrathe Gardner LLP.
“Our clients have been punished for expressing their beliefs, while councillors with opposing views were allowed to disrupt meetings with no repercussions.”
Last month, a spokesperson for the Green group, which includes several trans councillors, said: “While we agree that members of the public have every right to make statements to their elected representatives, we also believe that councillors have every right to feel safe in their place of work.
“Expressing a point of view does not mean ignoring the impact words have on people. Local politicians everywhere cannot be expected to stay in a room if they feel under attack for their very existence or for the existence of their colleagues.
“The Green Party stands firmly in support of trans people and will continue to fight for all those most marginalised in our community.”
A Bristol City Council spokesman said: “Anyone holding a position of authority in our city is rightly expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour. On two occasions during recent meetings of Full Council, the behaviour of the former Chair and Panel Member of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) towards councillors fell below these standards. The latter of these incidents saw two councillors confronted in a way that both found intimidating.
“In falling below these standards of behaviour, it has been decided that the position of the former Chair and Panel member of the IRP has become untenable, and the monitoring officer has taken the decision to remove them from this position with immediate effect.”