A fan barred from Newcastle United fixtures for expressing gender-critical views online has overturned her ban, in a landmark belief-discrimination ruling.
Solicitor JR Levins announced the successful outcome, which means client Linzi Smith—the self-declared Scariest Lesbian In Newcastle—can return to her beloved St James’ Park, a year earlier than expected.
Smith was banned from attending matches after the club received activist complaints concerning comments she made on X, formerly Twitter. The club’s decision drew on social media vetting of Smith carried out on behalf of the English Premier League (!), but was opposed by the Free Speech Union.
With the three-year ban rescinded, Smith took to X and posted:
I am over the moon to FINALLY be able to say publicly that my ban with NUFC has officially been lifted.
I wish to thank everybody for their unwavering support both emotionally and financially to help me reach this point.
I am now 3 for 3 with court cases and find myself in a position to now move forward with my life after over 2 years of hell.
This fight has cost me my relationship, reputation, my home and my sanity at times, but it has ALL been worth it.
At the heart of the controversy is whether the lawful belief that there are only two sexes deserves protection from discrimination.
