Management at Christchurch’s central library have been accused of shutting down “free speech.”

Speak up for Women NZ had booked a room at Tūranga to discuss sex self-identification clauses within the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Bill.

The bill would make it easier for transgender, non-binary and intersex people to change their gender on their birth certificate.

The venue was booked in early May. Three weeks later Speak up for Women NZ received an email from library management saying it was refusing the booking, as “the subject matter of this event may be in conflict with Christchurch City Libraries’ Customer Code of Conduct, particularly our commitment to providing “a safe and welcoming environment.”

Speak Up For Women spokeswoman Georgina Blackmore said “Christchurch City Libraries sent a clear message that their customers can’t talk about legislation or politics here. The people of Christchurch deserve their right to freedom of assembly and speech to be recognised and respected in the libraries that belong to them”

Ms Blackmore said “interfering with democracy and thwarting the rights of the people of Christchurch is the real offence happening here.”

“The beliefs of a small handful of people are now held in higher regard than the Bill of Rights. The people of Christchurch should be deeply concerned.”

National Party Leader Judith Collins agreed saying “council buildings are there for everyone in the community to use, they shouldn’t be picking and choosing who can hold events based on what the discussion is.”

“Freedom of speech in a democracy means having to tolerate the expression of diverse views. It works in both ways, people are entitled to voice their views and others are entitled to criticise those views, but they should be able to speak nonetheless.”

“Sometimes legislation will polarise New Zealanders, as we have recently seen with the End of Life Choice and Legalising Marijuana referendums. But that does not mean we should shut down the debate.”

Speak Up For Women will announce a new venue in the coming days.