News you need, the perspective you won’t find anywhere else. The trans community’s guide to UK news, media and politics and our place in it.
The Trans Agenda
[2 March 2025]
Follow me on Bluesky – @HLeeHurley.substack.com
UK & IRELAND NEWS
Scottish Labour chiefs lose conference vote on biology-based single-sex spaces [Labour List]
Scottish Labour’s leadership suffered a defeat at the party’s annual conference as delegates voted down a motion advocating for single-sex spaces based on biology. The motion, backed by the party’s ruling Scottish Executive Committee (SEC), also referenced the Cass Review and called for gender-questioning children to be supported in line with its terrible recommendations.
EHRC sends letter to Scottish government regarding single-sex spaces [Guardian]
The anti-trans Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has sent a letter to the Scottish government regarding single-sex spaces, raising ‘concerns’ about the ongoing NHS Fife tribunal involving nurse Sandie Peggie.
The letter reportedly also questions new NHS Scotland guidance, which is expected to continue allowing trans staff to use their preferred facilities, a practice that has been in line with the Equality Act 2010 for the past 15 years. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville stated that ministers are reviewing the EHRC’s letter but reiterated that single-sex exemptions allow for trans inclusion unless exclusion is justified.
See PAPER REVIEW (Wednesday) for the Guardian’s article on this.
American loses UK appeal for legal non-binary recognition [BBC]
Ryan Castellucci, a non-binary American citizen, has lost a UK Court of Appeal case seeking formal recognition of their gender. Having obtained legal recognition as non-binary in California in 2021, Castellucci sought the same status in the UK but was told that UK law does not recognise non-binary ‘identities’ under the Gender Recognition Act (GRA).
Lord Justice Singh, dismissing the appeal as “potentially controversial”, stated that gender in UK law remains legally defined as male or female and that the issue is “better suited to resolution in Parliament than the courts”.
Castellucci’s legal team is considering further appeals, arguing that the UK already recognises foreign-acquired genders and should extend this to non-binary people.
Omagh Pride becomes latest to ban Executive Parties in solidarity with trans people [source]
Omagh Pride has become the latest Northern Ireland Pride to ban politicians from the Executive parties who passed the puberty blocker ban. They join Foyle Pride, Causeway Pride, and Mid & East Antrim Pride.
Belfast Pride still haven’t made a decision, choosing, instead, to open the decision to the masses. You can read more about that here:
Northern Ireland trans prison numbers
AROUND THE WORLD
USA: Study finds trans youth experience better emotional health with hormone therapy [Scientific American]
A new study has found that trans youth experience significant emotional health improvements after starting hormone therapy. Researchers tracked 315 trans people aged 12 to 20 over two years and observed gains in psychological well-being, self-efficacy, and social satisfaction.
Medical experts emphasise that gender-affirming care is safe and necessary, with major organisations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association supporting its use. The study adds to a growing body of research showing that hormone therapy helps trans youth lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Poland:
MEDIA
Carole Cadwalladr dropped by Tortoise ahead of Observer takeover [Press Gazette]
Carole Cadwalladr has been told that her contract will not be renewed. It will end on 20 April which will be the last edition of the Observer under The Guardian’s control before Tortoise take over.
Press Gazette also report that ‘around one third of Observer staff’ will take redundancy. While it hasn’t been confirmed, I have heard Sonia Sodha is likely to be one of them.
MPs raise concerns over RedBird IMI’s potential ITV bid [Times]
MPs have expressed alarm over RedBird IMI’s possible attempt to acquire ITV Studios, given its unresolved involvement with The Telegraph. The Abu Dhabi-backed firm, which was blocked from owning The Telegraph due to concerns over foreign state control, is now seeking to merge ITV Studios with All3Media, a TV company it acquired for £1.2 billion last year.
ITV tends to fall on the pro-trans side of the fence.
Diversity and inclusion a priority for less than half UK news publishers in 2025, survey [Press Gazette]
Diversity and inclusion remain a lower priority for UK digital publishers in 2025, with only 48% identifying it as a key focus. This marks a significant gap compared to the industry’s primary concerns of audience growth and revenue expansion. Recruitment and retention, which were a top priority in 2024, have now dropped to joint fourth place, reflecting a shift away from workforce development. However, 61% of publishers have no plans to reduce team sizes, suggesting that while hiring may not be a primary focus, existing employees are being retained.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Trump’s cash freeze blamed as Stonewall plans to slash staff [Times]
Stonewall is facing significant job cuts, with up to half of its staff at risk following President Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid, according to the Times. Employees were informed in a company-wide Teams call by CEO Simon Blake, who stated that only roles with dedicated funding would be protected.
The restructuring aims to secure the long-term future of the LGBTQ+ charity and maintain its ability to campaign and influence legislation in the UK and abroad. Sources have linked the job cuts to the loss of funding from the Global Equality Fund (GEF), a US State Department-managed initiative that has been Stonewall’s largest donor in recent years, contributing £233,583 in 2023-24.
GCHQ ditches Stonewall as Trump cuts diversity funds [Telegraph]
![GCHQ ditches Stonewall as Trump cuts diversity funds The Sunday Telegraph2 Mar 2025By Matthew Field GCHQ, the British spy agency, has cut ties with Stonewall as Donald Trump’s crusade against diversity triggers a funding crisis at the LGBT charity. The agency, which is responsible for the UK’s signals intelligence, is no longer a member of the group’s corporate diversity programme, it is understood, despite once being a vocal champion of the scheme. A reference to the agency’s status as a “Stonewall Diversity Champion” on its careers website was removed after GCHQ was contacted by The Telegraph this week. The decision has emerged as Stonewall faces a funding crisis triggered by Mr Trump, who has declared his intent to “destroy the deep state”. Elon Musk has gutted US overseas aid spending as part of his government efficiency drive. Stonewall’s largest funder in recent years has been the US State Department. As well as wholesale cuts to foreign aid, Mr Trump has also launched a crusade against what he has termed “radical and wasteful government DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] programmes”. US security agencies including the FBI and CIA have been forced to close down their diversity functions as a result. Stonewall has said the US government is pursuing an “agenda that will spread hate and fear”. GCHQ’s decision to sever ties with the charity comes against a backdrop of strain on the relations between the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, made up of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. GCHQ declined to comment on its Stonewall membership. MI5 and MI6 did not respond to requests for comment. A Stonewall spokesman said: “There has always been a natural ebb and flow as organisations consider their priorities each year. We continue to support organisations wherever possible.” Article Name:GCHQ ditches Stonewall as Trump cuts diversity funds Publication:The Sunday Telegraph Author:By Matthew Field Start Page:7 End Page:7](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/19b41d1e-5e81-4e82-b5ed-d867f9bff833_718x711.png)
Channel 5 splits with owner in diversity row [Telegraph]
THE WEEK AHEAD
Full parliament business can be viewed here.
Tuesday 4 March
Baroness Jenkin of Kennington to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for publishing revised guidance on relationship, sex and health education in schools., House of Lords, 2.30pm+
Report: NHS Scotland waiting times
Donald Trump address to US Congress
US Supreme Court hears arguments in Mexican government’s lawsuit against US gun manufacturers
Ron DeSantis delivers state of the state address to open Florida legislative session
Wednesday 5 March
Prime Minister’s Questions, House of Commons, 12pm
Baroness Gale to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 to require information to be published on the diversity of political candidates, House of Lords, 3pm+
Thursday 6 March
General Debate on International Women’s Day, House of Lords, 9.30am+
Debate, International Women’s Day and the promotion of women’s participation and leadership in science and technology in the UK and internationally, House of Lords, 11am+
Lord Black of Brentwood to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to address ‘strategic lawsuits against public participation’ (SLAPPs), House of Lords, 11am+
Friday 7 March
South Carolina carries out first firing squad execution since 2010
Saturday 8 March
International Women’s Day (International Men’s Day is 19 November)
Western Australia state elections
Special Olympics World Winter Games opens
Sunday 9 March
Canada’s ruling Liberal Party holds leadership election to choose successor to Justin Trudeau
SHORTS
“Ministers have delayed plans to regulate artificial intelligence as the UK government seeks to align itself with Donald Trump’s administration on the technology, the Guardian has learned.”
The Times report that The Strangers’ Bar in the House of Commons reopened on Monday with a 50-person capacity limit following an alleged drink spiking incident. On January 7, a woman, reportedly a researcher, informed staff that her drink had been tampered with. No arrests have been made.
THE PAPERS
February stats
There were 79 different bylines on articles about trans people in the month of February. Between them, they wrote 99 articles, only nine of which you could reasonably argue were ‘neutral’, even though they aren’t really. That’s an average of 3.5 a day.
Between them, Daniel Sanderson, Hayley Dixon and Sanchez Manning wrote 11 articles.
There was not one single day in February without an article about trans people.
List of all bylines in February: Aidan Radnedge, Alan Cochrane, Alison Boshoff, Andrea Williams, anon (x4), Ben Marlow, Benedict Smith, Cameron Charles, Camilla Tominey, Catherine Shoard (x2), Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, comment (x2), Craig Simpson (x2), Dan Barker, Daniel Martin, Daniel Sanderson (x4), David Chazan, David Churchill, David Leask (x2), David Sanderson, Dzifa Benson*, Eleanor Harding, Eleanor Hayward, Eleni Courea, Ellie McDonald, Francine Wolfisz, George Chesterton, Georgia Lambert, Geraldine Scott, Gordon Rayner, Hadley Freeman, Hayley Dixon (x4), Jan Moir (x2), Janice Turner, Jawad Iqbal, Jonathan Ames (x2), Joseph Gedeon, Judith Woods, Kamal Sultan, Kathleen Stock, Katie Hind, Kumail Jaffer, Laura Donnelly (x3), letters, Libby Brooks, Liz Hull, Louise Irvine, Lucy Burton, Lucy Elkins, Marina Dunbar, Mark Ludlow, Mark Macaskill, Matt Lawton, Michael Deacon (x2), Michael Searles (x2), Mike Keegan, our foreign staff, Patrick Sawyer (x3), Peter Chappell, Rowan Pelling, Sam Jones (x2), Sam Merrriman (x2), Sanchez Manning (x3), Sarah Vine (x2), Sarah Ward (x2), Sean Ingle, Shaun Wooller, Sonia Sodha, Stella Kingett, Suzanne Moore, Taryn Pedler, Tim Sigworth (x2), Tom Ball, Tom McArdle, Tom Morgan, Will Bolton.
*A normal and neutral review of a play featuring a trans character that was smuggled past Telegraph editors in the Arts section so don’t add the writer to any ‘bad’ lists.
This week, there were ‘only’ 17 articles, down from 22 last week, 30 the week before that and 32 the week before that.
The Telegraph had eight, the Mail four, Times three and Guardian two.
The Telegraph are currently on their longest unbroken run since I started monitoring these papers in April 2024. The last day they had no articles about trans people was 3 February.
Quoted, mentioned or featured this week: Sandie Peggie (x2), Darlington Nurses (x2), Wes Streeting (x2), Maya Forsater, EHRC, Kristie Higgs, Christian Legal Centre, JK Rowling, CAN-SG, Bayswater, Dr David Bell, Cass, Helen Joyce, Sex Matters, Fiona McAnena, Stephanie Davies-Arai, Transgender Trend.
Whose bylines were on all these articles? Hayley Dixon, Liz Hull, Daniel Martin, Dzifa Benson, Libby Brooks, Joseph Gedeon, Will Bolton, Sanchez Manning, Andrea Williams, Tim Sigworth (x2), Michael Searles, Eleanor Hayward, Kieran Kelly, anon, Bill Bowkett, Shaun Wooller, Kathryn Knight.
Spotted or know something you think I should include in the Trans Agenda?
THE PAPERS Monday 24 February- Sunday 2 March
Monday Total: 2
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [1]
Telegraph [1]
Tuesday Total: 1
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Wednesday Total: 3
The Guardian [2]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Thursday Total: 3
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [1]
Telegraph [1]
![Trans woman is found hanged ahead of trial over rape of girl, 13 The Daily Telegraph27 Feb 2025 Maddison Wilson, 37, was found hanged ahead of a Crown Court appearance over abuse charges dating back to 2011 AN ALLEGED child-rapist who was born male but identified as a woman has died before a scheduled court appearance. Maddison Wilson was charged earlier this month with raping a young girl “with your penis” and other sex offences dating from 2011. The 37 year-old appeared in a magistrates’ court two weeks ago and was set to enter pleas at Southampton Crown Court yesterday but the case was discontinued when it emerged Wilson died two days after the first hearing. Wilson was found hanged at just after midnight on Feb 14, the Hampshire coroner’s office said. Preliminary inquest records state Wilson died on the seafront next to a castle in Southsea, Hampshire. Other details remain unclear. An inquest was opened and recorded that police had spoken to Wilson’s brother at his home. It stated: “[The] brother explained Maddison has been having a really difficult time and she has suffered with mental health challenges for a number of years.” The police log said an officer tried CPR but at 12.44am, Wilson was declared dead. At Southampton Crown Court, Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, said: “The defendant is now deceased. I have seen an interim death certificate. “In the circumstances the matter must be discontinued.” Judge Nicholas Rowland referred to the late defendant as “Mr Wilson”, saying: “I haven’t had any sight of correspondence concerning Mr Wilson.” At the inquest opening, Wilson’s full name was given as “Maddison Ebony Aurora Wilson”. A full inquest will take place on a date yet to be set. Wilson appeared at Southampton magistrates’ court on Feb 12 accused of raping a girl aged under 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The offences allegedly took place in Hull, East Yorks, in 2011. Wilson also faced one count of sexual assault of a boy aged under 13 and one of causing or inciting a boy aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity. These offences allegedly happened in Southampton between 2017 and 2020. The alleged rapist attended court proceedings wearing a pink headband and black clothing and spoke only to confirm a preference for the pronouns “she/her”. The official court charge sheet identified Wilson as female. The rape charge stated that Wilson allegedly assaulted a girl “with your penis”. Article Name:Trans woman is found hanged ahead of trial over rape of girl, 13 Publication:The Daily Telegraph Start Page:10 End Page:10](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f7655d1a-c8f3-4976-80b7-8b1e470a046c_756x521.png)
Friday Total: 3
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [2]
Saturday Total: 2
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Sunday Total: 2
The Observer [0]
The Sunday Times [0]
Mail on Sunday [4]
Sunday Telegraph [2]
TRANSWRITES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Judge Tinnion should be ashamed of allowing tribunal to become a circus of harassment, by Gemma Stone
Calls for boycott as Oxford Literary Festival continually promotes bigotry, by Gemma Stone
My doctor emailed me back, by Abigail Thorn
The Rainbow Laces campaign isn’t enough, by Arthur Webber
How Erika Hilton – a Black travesti trans woman – is changing Brasil, by Lis Welch
When was the T added to LGBT? A quick history, by Sarah Clarke
Trans people are the greatest assault on women in JK Rowling’s life time, apparently, by Gemma Stone
NHS & puberty blockers: Former GIDS patients reflect on long wait times, invasive assessments, by Sasha Baker.
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