An artist who said she thought it was harmful for kids to try and change sex has allegedly been told she must give 24 hours' notice before attending her own exhibition.
Victoria Culf, 43, had been putting together her exhibit at Watford Museum when a Watford Borough Council worker struck up a conversation about trans issues over a cup of tea - but her comments landed her in hot water with the police.
Culf says she had told the council employee that she thought transitioning was harmful to minors - an opinion, she says, was formed through her own experience with children and young people.
She also mentioned she thought the NHS' controversial Gender Identity Development Service at London's Tavistock Centre should be closed.
Victoria Culf said she "was afraid that the police were going to turn up on my doorstep at any moment and arrest me in front of my children"
Google/Instagram
But, following the conversation, Culf says the council called her to inform her she had been accused of "harassment" - and would not be able to enter her own exhibition unless she gave 24 hours' notice.
Culf was also told to prepare a statement as she was the subject of a police investigation into a "hate crime" - though Hertfordshire Constabulary later judged the comments were neither criminal nor a "non-crime hate incident" after assessing a complaint against the artist.
She said: "I was afraid that the police were going to turn up on my doorstep at any moment and arrest me in front of my children.
"It was just complete madness to me - the conversation I had was calm and considered.
MORE WOKE MADNESS:
Culf said a Watford Borough Council worker posted about the conversation online before the authority got in touch
Watford Borough Council/LinkedIn
"During my work and life experience I have experienced children and young people regretting all sorts of decisions and continually changing their minds as they grow and develop.
"We are now living in a culture where just expressing opposition to transgender ideology, even politely, can lead to you being reported to the police."
Culf says the worker to whom she had spoken had posted about the chat on social media before she was contacted by the council; she also alleges her artwork was damaged at a later date, and that she had been excluded from participating in a privately-run community art project.
Despite its insistence that it had not reported the 43-year-old to authorities, Watford Borough Council is now on the receiving end of legal action by Culf, with the support of the Christian Legal Centre.
Her action against the council alleges she was subject to discrimination and harassment, and accuses it of breach of contract, conspiracy, defamation, intimidation, malicious falsehood and misfeasance in public office.
Culf claims that Watford Borough Council did not share correspondence, messages and documents which would have shed light on their decision-making process to take action against her when she filed a formal subject access request - but the council insists it fully complied.
The artist is seeking a written apology, a removal of access restrictions to Watford Museum, a retraction of allegations against her, damages, and a formal pledge that nothing like this will happen again.
She said: "I am aware that me speaking out could be 'commercial suicide', but I am not prepared to be silent on these issues and I don’t want this to happen to anyone else."
Christian Legal Centre chief exec Andrea Williams said the "fear that professionals feel over speaking truth" on issues like these "must end".
Watford borough council did not comment, as legal proceedings are underway, though no date has been set for a hearing.
Readers can watch Victoria Culf speak live on GB News later tonight.
