LNER cries ‘transphobia’ at question on ‘Pride train’ cost

A rail company has branded a passenger “transphobic”, after admitting that it had spent £58k painting a ‘Pride train’ in LGBT rainbow colours.

Carol Fossick sent a Freedom of Information request to LNER about the train, how future designs would be selected, and LNER’s ‘diversity initiatives’. But the Government-owned company refused to disclose any information apart from the overall cost, claiming it was a “vexatious” request based on a “binary view of sex”.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ruled in favour of Fossick, but she is still reported to be waiting for a full response.

‘Thought police’

LNER claimed that Fossick’s social media posts upholding the reality of biological sex “demonstrated views that indicate a bias against transgender individuals”, and continuing to deal with her request could lead to “harmful discourse and cause distress to our transgender employees”.

But the ICO emphasised that judgements about Fossick’s social media content should not have been used to ‘impugn her character’, and that it was “reasonable” to make a request based on the belief that LNER should not have painted a train with the colours of the LGBT flag.

Maya Forstater, Executive Director of Sex Matters, criticised the company for “thought-policing passengers for blaspheming against the rainbow”.

She said: “It’s appalling to see one of the UK’s largest transport companies losing touch with reality to the extent that it sees a focus on ‘binary sex divisions’ and criticism of its expensively clad Pride train as ‘vexatious’ and appropriate grounds for refusal.”

‘Pride Pillar’

Earlier this year, Network Rail came under fire for installing a “Pride Pillar” of multicoloured LGBT flags at London Bridge station.

The railway company claimed that the display, which included the ‘polyamory’ flag, ‘pansexual’ flag, and ‘non-binary’ flag, would “help prevent confusion and misunderstanding about identity” and demonstrate an “inclusive environment”.

Shane Andrews, Chair of Network Rail’s LGBT employee network, dismissed criticism, posting on X: “No time for TERFs. They’re not even worth my energy replying/arguing/debating”. He later deleted his account.