Belfast City Council has stipulated that groups seeking space in the planned LGBTQ+ hub at 2 Royal Avenue must be compatible and complementary with each other.

SDLP Belfast councillor Seamas de Faoite defended the council's requirement during a BBC Talkback discussion. Jeff Dudgeon, former UUP councillor, challenged the policy. Dudgeon stated he campaigned for equal rights and equal opportunity but not for privilege.

Nora Calder, a lesbian opponent of aggressive trans activism, joined the debate and outlined risks to free speech. The exchange highlighted tensions over the hub's access criteria in the newly acquired community resource.

Dudgeon led efforts to legalise homosexuality in Northern Ireland over fifty years ago.