AN event is being planned to highlight work which organisers think still needs to be done for LGBTQ equality in Cumbria.

The group, from Pride in North Cumbria and Free Radicals United, said they want to create 'a united Cumbria-wide queer community', and through this they want to celebrate the LGBTQ community in Cumbria as well.

They say the event, organised to mark the end of LGBTQ History Month, will have protest elements, including placard making, but also positive elements like live music, and a planned book reading.

This follows on from a protest against Mark Jenkinson MP for his allegedly transphobic behaviour, which was held in Workington on Saturday, January 15, and which Free Radicals United supported.

A spokesperson from the group said of that protest, and the new one on February 26 in Carlisle: "Mark Jenkinson has been leading a hostile social media campaign that against trans people and aligns himself with organisations such as the LGB Alliance."

The LGB Alliance is a controversial group which was founded in response to Stonewall's policies on transgender issues.

They continued: "He spent a disproportionate amount of his time as an MP attacking one group of people which is worrying when you consider how dangerous this can be, you only need to look to history to see how propaganda against a minority can lead to serious harm and loss of life.

"Combine this with Jo Ellis-Williams, a councillor and schoolteacher and her anti-trans tweets, and continuous harassment of LGBTQ people by religious fanatics in Carlisle, and we see a picture emerge of deep-set institutionalised prejudice."

Bev Jackson, co-founder and director of the LGB Alliance, supported Mark.

She added: "Telling young kids they may have been 'born in the wrong body' is banned by the Department of Education as dangerous.

"This notion is particularly confusing for teenagers who may think they are gay."

Mark Jenkinson, who prefers to be called gender-critical, said: "Sex is something we cannot change, that is the scientific view, and there is no need to educate myself on any view.

"All I've ever said or done is point out the difference between gender and sex."

Jo Ellis-Williams, a Carlisle City Councillor and teacher who has also been criticised, said: "Transgender people have all the same rights as everyone, and I fully support their right to live a life free from bigotry and fear.

"However, sex is binary and immutable; gender generally refers to social roles (which vary across cultures and time) and should not be conflated with sex.

"Gender self-identification refers to an inner feeling that has no material, observable reality; gender expression relates to dress, behaviour etc., and non-conformity to stereotypical gender expression has long been championed by women working for women’s rights."

"My tweets support the protection of women-only spaces.

"These spaces must be protected for reasons of safety, dignity, and privacy.

"Women’s single sex sports must be protected for reasons of fairness and safety.

"Women must retain the right to discuss these issues without being called anti-trans or accused of hate."