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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
PA

Heavy police presence divides transgender debate rallies in Belfast city centre

Protesters on both sides of the transgender debate have staged rival demonstrations in Belfast, with dozens of police officers dividing the rallies.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Donegall Quay area of the city centre on Sunday afternoon for the two events.

Controversial women's rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker, addressed the Let Women Speak demonstration beside the city's "Big Fish" landmark.

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Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, also a vocal critic of aspects of the trans rights movement, was among those who attended that event.

Nearby, several LGBTQ+ groups assembled for a counter rally.

More than 50 police officers formed a line between the demonstrations, as music was played and participants on both sides chanted and waved flags and placards.

John O'Doherty, director of LGBTQ+ support group the Rainbow Project, took part in the trans rights demonstration.

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Police were in attendance at a number of events across Belfast City Centre on Sunday, 16th April.

"They passed off peacefully with no arrests."

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