THERE have been growing calls for a hotel to make an apology for "enabling transphobia" after hosting a controversial event.

Amid previous cancellations and controversy the event organised to invite debate about the de medicalisation of gender was held at the Jurys Inn hotel on Brighton seafront but was branded "transphobic" by LGBTQ activists.

Changes to gender recognition would allow people to self identify their own gender without the need for a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Many who attended the WPUK meeting do not see transwomen as women and consider the proposed changes as an encroachment on "women only spaces" like changing rooms and all-female candidate shortlists.

About 100 protesters lined both entrances to the building chanting "trans women are real women" and wrote "transphobes not welcome here" on the floor in chalk.

Sussex Police told The Argus that there were two recorded incidents, one of assault and one hate crime.

A spokeswoman for the hotel said: "We were unaware of the nature of the event booked on Monday, July 16 at Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront.

"The hotel management does not adopt, share or promote the views of the individuals or groups to which we provide accommodation and services."

Organisers from the WPUK event claim the hotel were told on July 13.

Una-Jane Winfield travelled down from Hammersmith to attend the controversial event.

She said: "I snuck in through the front door with hotel guests with trolleys.

"Why did the police put up with this demonstration for four hours.

"We were harassed."

The event was originally to be hosted at the Friends Meeting House but was cancelled under mounting pressure.

It was then decided the event would go ahead at the Jurys Inn Hotel on Brighton seafront, but the plan to keep the new location a secret from activists failed and more than 100 protesters packed around both entrances to the building.

The Brighton and Hove LGBT Worker's Forum have demanded the Brighton seafront hotel make an apology for hosting the event.

A spokeswoman from Sussex Police said: "We recognise and respect the Trans community, and want them to be safe and feel safe, as all communities should.

However we have a duty to protect freedom of expression, including the right to express ideas "that offend, shock or disturb", as long as those expressing them stay within the law."