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
[12 January 2025]
Follow me on Bluesky – @HLeeHurley.substack.com
UK & IRELAND NEWS
Exclusive – GC crowdfunder offers refunds after misleading about case
Sarah Morrison, a Gender Critical activist, has offered refunds to donors of her legal crowdfunder after admitting that the campaign misrepresented key details about her case. Morrison is suing the Belfast Film Festival (BFF), alleging constructive dismissal after resigning from her position as Inclusion/Audience Development Co-ordinator. She claims her resignation was prompted by the organisation’s failure to uphold her grievances, which stemmed from backlash over her participation in the 2023 anti-trans Let Women Speak rally in Belfast.
Morrison’s crowdfunding page claims she was suspended from her role for “holding gender-critical beliefs.” The introductory text still reads, “I am a single mother and have been suspended from my workplace for holding gender-critical beliefs.” This claim, repeated throughout the page, remained uncorrected for six months, during which over £30,000 was raised toward a £40,000 target even though, as noted on the page, Morrison’s solicitor initially advised that only £15,000 was necessary to cover costs. Notably, JK Rowling contributed to the fund.
Morrison was not suspended—she resigned. Her solicitor, Simon Chambers of Russell & Co., issued a correction acknowledging the ‘inaccuracy’, stating, “That is not quite accurate. Sara faced calls for her suspension and removal from involvement in future activities by her employer.”The correction does not explain how Morrison and her legal team conflated public criticism with actual suspension. This error has drawn criticism for its perceived dishonesty, raising further questions about Morrison’s credibility.
The rally, which featured controversial speaker Posie Parker, has sparked multiple legal disputes, primarily from Gender Critical activists alleging discrimination. Notably, Graham Linehan, an attendee at the event, is also represented by Chambers in his case against Wine Inns Ltd after being removed from a Belfast bar, along with others, following complaints.
On the same day as the rally, Twitter permanently banned Linehan for allegedly “joking” about killing protesters.
Chambers serves on the Free Speech Union Northern Ireland Advisory Council, an organisation known for their advocacy for controversial figures, with the FSU recently hosting it’s first event in Belfast. One of the speakers was conversion therapy advocate, Stella O’Malley
Judge outs trans woman ahead of tribunal brought by alleged harasser [Daily Record]
A tribunal judge has ruled that the case of anti-trans nurse Sandie Peggie against NHS Fife and doctor Beth Upton will be heard publicly, forcing the outing of Dr Upton despite her only “offence” being her existence as a trans woman. Peggie, suspended for alleged bullying after complaining about Upton using a female changing room at Victoria Hospital, claims harassment and is suing both the health board and Upton. NHS Fife denies the allegations, while Judge Antoine Tinnion rejected privacy requests and safety concerns.
House of Lords debate on NHS single-sex spaces [Hansard]
A recent House of Lords debate on NHS single-sex spaces, prompted by the anti-trans Baroness Fox of Buckley, focused on the alleged need for guidance regarding single-sex provisions for NHS staff and patients, raising further questions about the treatment of transgender people in such contexts.
Fox framed the discussion around claims of female NHS staff being “denied safety, privacy, and respect” by sharing changing spaces with transgender colleagues. She specifically cited the example of the Christian Concern-supported nurses in Darlington who objected to sharing facilities with a trans woman but did not mention they were provided with another facility in which to change. Fox also said that Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who recently banned puberty blockers for trans youth, was “horrified by the case of the Darlington nurses being forced to share their changing facilities with a male colleague who identifies as female”. She called for “urgent guidance” to address what she described as “ideology” interfering with workplace dignity.
Responding on behalf of the government, Baroness Merron stressed the importance of “dignity and sensitivity” in managing such situations. She highlighted that the existing Equality Act provides a clear legal framework for balancing the rights of all individuals. While acknowledging the need for further guidance to assist NHS trusts, Merron emphasised the importance of inclusivity and respect for all patients and staff, urging solutions tailored to specific circumstances rather than rigid enforcement of single-sex policies.
The debate saw a strong defence of trans rights from Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green and Lord Cashman. Baroness Hunt spoke from personal experience, recounting how her gender non-conforming appearance often leads to misidentification. She warned of unintended consequences for those who may not conform to traditional gender norms if policies are enforced too rigidly. Lord Cashman argued that trans men and women pose “no threat” and called for decisions regarding single-sex spaces to remain case-by-case, evidence-based, and proportionate under the Equality Act.
Meanwhile, Baroness Burt of Solihull questioned the prioritisation of this issue given the NHS’s broader systemic challenges, such as long waiting lists and collapsing infrastructure. Her comments underscored concerns that debates around trans inclusion, which are always started by those who wish to exclude trans people, often overshadow more pressing issues within public services.
Lib Dems forced to pay £14k for not having a spine [Telegraph]
The Liberal Democrats have been ordered to pay £14,000 in damages to Natalie Bird, a former parliamentary candidate for Wakefield, over claims of discrimination. Bird, 45, was suspended in 2018 for wearing a T-shirt stating, “Woman: Adult, Human, Female,” shoving her gender-critical views down the throats of others. The party later admitted the suspension constituted discrimination, without putting up any sort of fight or defence. A spokesperson noted the incident occurred under a complaints system that has since been reformed.
Gender-critical ex-SNP MP Joanna Cherry joins LGB Alliance board of trustees [Pink News]
Joanna Cherry, former Scottish National Party (SNP) MP known for her gender-critical views and nothing else, has joined the board of trustees for the LGB Alliance, the Tufton Street-based organisation that is only known for its stance on transgender people. Cherry, who previously called for an investigation into “the impact of extreme trans rights activism on women’s rights,” expressed her commitment to addressing made-up challenges such as the “erosion of lesbian spaces” and the medicalisation of LGB youth. She also talked about young breasts, which almost feels like an LGBA contractual requirement at this point.
Enoch Burke returns outside Co Westmeath school [RTE]
Anti-trans activist, Enoch Burke, returned to Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath as students resumed classes after Christmas. Previously jailed for contempt of court after defying an order to stay away from the school, Burke was released last month. The High Court has warned him that breaching the order again will result in a daily fine of €1,400.
Recommended reading: The Hungary games: Orbán-backed think tank fuels Scotland’s culture wars [The National]
A controversial think tank, MCC Brussels, funded by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government, is amplifying right-wing populist narratives in Scotland. Claiming to champion free speech and counter “woke extremism,” the think tank is influencing debates on issues like LGBT+ rights, education, and climate policies, raising concerns about its impact on Scottish discourse.
Through links to Scottish academics like Ashley Frawley, Carlton Brick, and Stuart Waiton, MCC Brussels has supported opposition to trans-inclusive education, hate crime legislation, and net-zero policies. While MCC denies direct ties to the Hungarian government, its agenda mirrors Orbán’s culture war strategies targeting minorities and progressive policies.
AROUND THE WORLD
Australia: Puberty blockers a ‘safe, effective and reversible’ form of gender-affirming care, finds review triggered by Westmead Hospital investigation [abc]
A review commissioned by the NSW government into gender-affirming care has reaffirmed that puberty blockers are “safe, effective, and reversible”. The Sax Institute‘s report follows a Four Corners investigation into Westmead Hospital’s gender clinic, which has faced operational challenges amid staff resignations.
While the review highlighted the benefits of puberty blockers and hormone treatments, including improved body image and reduced depression, it noted concerns about bone density loss and called for more robust, long-term research.
USA: Eight Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies fired over coverup of attack on trans man [Advocate]
Eight Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies have been dismissed for their involvement in concealing a brutal attack by fellow deputy Joseph Benza III on a transgender man, Emmett Brock, in February 2023. Benza, who pleaded guilty in December 2024 to a federal felony for depriving Brock of his rights, admitted to pursuing and assaulting Brock in retaliation for an insulting gesture.
Benza followed Brock for nearly two miles before cornering him in a parking lot and launching an unprovoked attack, slamming Brock to the ground, punching him repeatedly, and pressing his head into the pavement. Brock, 23, sustained a concussion and multiple injuries and lost his job as a schoolteacher due to the attack.
Benza initially filed a falsified report claiming he acted in self-defence, but surveillance footage contradicted his version of events, leading to the dismissal of charges against Brock and an investigation into Benza’s conduct. The investigation revealed a group text in which Benza and other deputies discussed deleting evidence and fabricating explanations for their actions to federal investigators.
USA: Federal court rules against transgender inmates’ rights in Florida [Erin Reed]
A federal judge in Florida upheld a policy restricting gender-affirming care for transgender inmates, forcing many to detransition. The September 2024 policy, introduced by the Florida Department of Corrections, limits hormone therapy to rare cases and promotes psychotherapy and psychotropic medications as alternatives. Inmates are also denied gender-appropriate clothing and grooming standards, subjected to invasive exams, and penalised for non-compliance.
USA: Pittsburgh couple sentenced for protest that injured officer [Ridgway Record]
Brian DiPippa was sentenced to five years in prison, and his wife, Krystal Martinez-DiPippa, to three years’ probation for injuring a police officer with a homemade smoke bomb during a 2023 protest at the University of Pittsburgh. The couple was demonstrating against a panel featuring anti-transgender speakers. The officer suffered burns, hearing loss, and back injuries requiring surgery. The plea agreement includes nearly £40,000 in restitution and community service.
USA: Study reveals minimal use of gender-affirming medications among US youth [Arkansas Democrat]
A JAMA Pediatrics study has found that fewer than 0.1% of US adolescents with commercial insurance received gender-affirming medications, such as puberty blockers or hormones, between 2018 and 2022. The findings highlight careful medical oversight, with no hormones prescribed to children under 12.
Researchers analysed data from over 5 million youths aged 8 to 17, identifying 926 recipients of puberty blockers and 1,927 who received hormones. These treatments remain rare despite ongoing legislative efforts to restrict access. At least 26 states have implemented bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, many of which face legal challenges. A Supreme Court decision on Tennessee’s ban is expected later this year.
Canada: Cole Harbour man convicted of brutal sexual assault [The Chronicle Herald]
Pawel Marczak, 36, has been convicted of sexually assaulting a transgender woman in December 2021, following a trial in Halifax provincial court. Judge Christine Driscoll found Marczak guilty of assault and sexual assault by choking, rejecting his claims of consensual activity. Marczak’s sentencing is scheduled for February 12, after undergoing a forensic sexual behaviour assessment.
SPORT
Valentina Petrillo: a life in motion, sprinting toward the World Championships [Corriere di Bologna]
Valentina Petrillo, the visually impaired sprinter and first transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympic Games, shares her life story in “Più veloce del tempo”, co-written with Claudio Arrigoni and Ilaria Leccardi. The book explores her childhood passion for athletics, her struggles with Stargardt disease, and her transition, culminating in her groundbreaking participation in the Paris Paralympics.
Beyond personal reflections, the book serves as a guide, offering insights into disability, transgender experiences, and respectful communication. Petrillo credits Bologna, her adopted city, for its inclusivity and support throughout her journey.
Looking ahead, Petrillo aims to compete in the Paralympic World Championships in Colombia this November and hopes to adapt her book into a theatrical production. Reflecting on 2024, she calls it “the best year of my life,” combining athletic and personal milestones.
MEDIA
Meta enables anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech as backlash mounts [Wired][404 Media]
Meta‘s overhaul of its “Hateful Conduct” and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies has drawn sharp condemnation after the company explicitly allowed users to label LGBTQ+ people as “mentally ill.” The policy changes, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg under the pretext of promoting “free expression,” have been widely criticised for targeting marginalised groups while maintaining strict protections for dominant demographics such as Christians and white people.
The timing of the changes has not gone unnoticed. Zuckerberg, who previously faced warnings from Donald Trump about potential imprisonment for insufficient support during the 2020 election, is now taking steps to align Meta with far-right rhetoric. Following a $1m donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, these new policies are seen as an overt gesture of political allegiance. When asked if Zuckerberg might be responding to his earlier threats, Trump remarked, “Probably. Yeah, probably.”
Internally, Meta has descended into chaos. LGBTQ+ employees have described the company’s environment as hostile and unsafe, with one staff member characterising the atmosphere as “total chaos.” Internal conversations obtained from Meta’s Workplace platform [see 404 link above] reveal widespread dissent, with employees condemning the changes as ideologically driven and deliberately harmful. Many LGBTQ+ employees feel betrayed, unsupported, and some have openly considered resigning in protest.
Critics have lambasted Meta for explicitly removing protections for marginalised communities while pandering to far-right rhetoric. Employees have pointed out that the changes were implemented without consultation from affected groups or content moderation experts, breaking from Meta’s approach of seeking external input on controversial decisions. Some internal comments accused the leadership of pursuing an ideological agenda, with one employee stating, “It’s clear the policy team is not open to feedback and is sacrificing our communities for their goals.”
Zuckerberg dismissed the backlash, claiming most users would welcome the changes despite mounting evidence of harm. He accused those of leaving his platforms of “virtue signalling” despite the policy change being described as a “green light” for hate speech and a betrayal of Meta’s stated mission to create inclusive online communities.
Adding to the outrage, Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of The Guardian and a current member of Meta’s oversight board, has refused to step down despite the company’s policy shift permitting explicitly harmful rhetoric, including claims that Jewish people are “greedy” and LGBTQ+ people are “freaks.” Rusbridger’s continued involvement is seen as tacit approval of the changes.
Meta’s decisions mark a dark turn, abandoning any pretence of protecting vulnerable groups. The changes are not about free expression but about aligning with far-right ideologies, fostering an environment where bigotry is emboldened while marginalised voices are further silenced. The company now faces escalating internal dissent and external condemnation for what many describe as a deliberate betrayal of its own employees and users.
Will Zuckerberg care? All signs seems to point to ‘no’.
UK universities withdraw from Elon Musk’s X over misinformation concerns [Reuters]
British universities are retreating from Elon Musk‘s X, formerly Twitter, citing its role in spreading misinformation linked to last year’s race riots. A Reuters survey found many institutions, including London Business School, University of Cambridge colleges, and Oxford’s Merton College, have reduced activity or quit the platform entirely. Concerns over toxic content, declining engagement, and violence-promoting material are driving the exodus. This follows a similar withdrawal by UK police forces, highlighting broader institutional distrust of X. Finally.
Trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón delivers inspiring message at Golden Globes [USA Today]
Karla Sofía Gascón, star of Emilia Pérez, delivered a poignant acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, where the film won four awards, including Best Comedy or Musical. Gascón tearfully declared, “The light always wins over darkness,” urging audiences to “raise your voice for freedom” and asserting, “I am who I am, not who you want.”
Gascón, 52, reflected on her journey, sharing her fears of professional rejection after coming out and the toll it took on her mental health.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
England: Museum withdraws from LGBTQ+ trail after pressure from Restore Trust [BBC]
True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has withdrawn from the Queer Stories of Lynn heritage trail, citing “bad publicity” and stakeholder complaints. The museum’s decision followed criticism in the press from Neil Record, formerly of the Tufton Street-based Restore Trust, who called public funding of the project “highly inappropriate.”
The trail, created by young people using augmented reality to highlight the town’s LGBTQ+ history, is funded by the Arts Council and Historic England. While curator Lindsey Bavin described the situation as “unfortunate,” she emphasised the museum’s adherence to their own ‘code of ethics’. Arts collective Collusion, leading the trail, stated they had received strong local support and hoped to work with True’s Yard on future projects.
England: Couple feel forced to move due to abusive notes [BBC]
Alex Houlden and Rachel Roustoby, a couple from Huntington, York, are leaving their home due to persistent homophobic abuse. Over three months, they endured escalating harassment, including hateful notes, vandalism, and street attacks. On Christmas Day, slurs were scrawled on their door, and dog waste was left on the handle. Yorkshire Housing increased security, while North Yorkshire Police arrested a woman in her 50s, later released without further action. Police are treating the incidents as hate crimes, conducting inquiries, and attempting to ensure the victims’ safety. The couple, now terrified, feel they have no choice but to relocate immediately.
USA: Pentagon settlement offers justice for LGBTQ+ veterans discharged under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ [The Guardian]
The Pentagon has reached a settlement with over 30,000 LGBTQ+ veterans discharged under the discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) policy, allowing them to remove mentions of their sexuality from discharge paperwork. This historic move simplifies the previously arduous legal process for veterans to correct their records.
The settlement includes streamlined procedures for those seeking to upgrade discharge statuses, with about 5,000 veterans eligible for a group review process.
The agreement awaits judicial approval but marks a critical step in acknowledging the honourable service of LGBTQ+ individuals in the military that is about to be thrown out the window by the incoming Trump administration.
Religion: Celibate gay men allowed to train as Roman Catholic priests
The Italian bishops conference has announced that celibate gay men may now train as priests, prioritising a commitment to celibacy over sexual orientation. The guidelines mark a shift from Pope Francis‘s earlier stance, which opposed admitting gay men to seminaries due to concerns about leading double lives. However, sexually active gay (and straight) men remain barred from holy orders, at least on paper.
USA: Idaho legislature begins session with anti-same-sex marriage resolution [Boise State Public Radio]
The Idaho Legislature’s first initiative of 2025 calls for overturning the US Supreme Court‘s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalised same-sex marriage nationwide. Sponsored by Rep. Heather Scott (R-Blanchard), the resolution argues that marriage laws should be regulated by states, not the federal government, labelling Obergefell an “illegitimate overreach” and a threat to states’ rights.
Despite lacking legal weight, the resolution passed its initial introduction unanimously in the House State Affairs Committee, with Democratic representatives Todd Achilles and Brooke Green supporting its introduction to ‘ensure debate’. Yes. You read that correctly.
The measure will now require a full committee hearing before advancing to the House floor. If passed, it will urge the Supreme Court to revisit the landmark ruling.
Austria: FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl tasked with forming Austrian government [Die Welt]
After months of failed coalition talks, Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked far-right FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to form a government. Despite emerging as the strongest party in September’s election, the FPÖ’s controversial platform—including pro-Russian ties, anti-EU rhetoric, and far-right policies—has raised concerns domestically and internationally.
The FPÖ’s nationalist agenda includes contentious proposals, such as lowering the age of criminal responsibility, restricting LGBTQ+ education, and overhauling Austria’s public broadcaster. The party’s connections to Russia, including a formal agreement with Vladimir Putin’s party and ties to fugitive Jan Marsalek, have led Western intelligence services to limit cooperation with Austria’s agencies.
SHORTS
As of January 1, 2025, same-sex couples can legally marry in Liechtenstein
A City lawyer was ordered to pay more than £300,000 in fines and costs for writing threatening letters to a blogger who accused Nadhim Zahawi, the former Conservative chancellor, of lying about his taxes.
The UK’s first legal drug consumption room will open its doors in Glasgow next week after a 10-year battle to realise the pioneering facility.
WHAT’S ON IN PARLIAMENT
Select business. Full business can be viewed here.
Monday, 13 January
Westminster Hall, 4.30pm, debate, e-petition 661407 relating to children’s social media accounts. More here.
Tuesday, 14 January
House of Lords, 2.30pm, oral questions, Provisions of health services in prisons. More here.
Wednesday, 15 January
Prime Minister’s Question Time, 12pm
House of Lords, 3pm, oral questions, Electoral Commission powers to prevent political parties, and associated promotional activities, from receiving funding from outside of the UK. More here.
Thursday, 16 January
House of Commons, 10.10am+, Backbench business, Esther McVey, Performance of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. More here.
Friday, 17 January
House of Lords, 10am, legislation, Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill – second reading. More here.
THIS WEEK
Monday, 13 January
Anniversary: Four years since Donald Trump second impeachment
Tuesday, 14 January
Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment trial scheduled to begin
Wednesday, 15 January
Court of Session hears challenge to Winter Fuel Payment reductions
Thursday, 16 January
Report: Human Rights Watch World Report
Matt Hancock appears at Covid inquiry
Possible no-confidence vote in new French government
Sentencing for man guilty of threatening to murder Labour MP
Public memorial for Jean-Marie Le Pen
Snap parliamentary elections in Vanuatu
Trial begins over Rudy Giuliani damages owed to Georgia election workers
Saturday, 18 January
National March for Palestine scheduled with disputed route in front of BBC HQ
DC protest planned ahead of Donald Trump inauguration
VIDEO
Katy Montgomerie made a welcome return to live streaming this week and she came up with plenty of ideas for how everyone can help in the fight back, no matter their skill or confidence level. Check it out and make sure you’ve subscribed:
THE PAPERS
It was a suspiciously quiet week from the papers.
The Guardian/Observer did not print anything about trans people and are on a run of 25 days without a single attack. Sonia Sodha’s one column has not appeared since August.
In total, there were just six articles this week with three in the Telegraph, two in the Mail and one quite horrific piece in The Times.
As you know, I started tracking the numbers in April 2024 and, since then, the busiest week saw 51 printed while the quietest was four back in August.
On average, the papers have printed 21 a week, so six is certainly a massive drop.
Six is also the second lowest tally I’ve recorded and it comes on the back of 12 last week and the week before.
There have ‘only’ been 12 articles in total so far in 2025, putting us on track for 31 for the month. If that holds, it would be the quietest month by far.
The lowest monthly total I have recorded at present is 66 (September 2024). The highest, for those interested, is 119 from May closely followed by 118 in August.
Special mention
From week to week, the level of vitriol aimed at trans people in the pages of the most esteemed UK publications varies but, in general, since the election, it has died down. Instead, they focus less on comment and more on ‘news’. Even if that wasn’t the case, the article from Sarah Ditum in The Times on Thursday would have stood out.
You can see it for yourself in the first clip with, as usual, full article text available in the alt text.
Quoted or mentioned this week:
Toby Young of the Free Speech Union
Su Wong of SEEN Sport.
JK Rowling
How many GCs got a byline? 1, Sarah Ditum
How many trans people were quoted or got a byline? LOL
Spotted or know something you think I should include in the Trans Agenda?
THE PAPERS Monday 5 January – Sunday 11 January
Monday Total: 0
Tuesday Total: 0
Wednesday Total: 0
Thursday Total: 4
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [1]
![How JK Rowling’s doctor husband (once a dead ringer for Harry Potter) has become her rock in the face of an avalanche of death threats from militant trans activists Daily Mail9 Jan 2025By Beth Hale not Loving: The rare photo posted by JK Rowling to mark the recent 23rd anniversary of her marriage to Neil Murray THE social media post JK Rowling penned to mark the occasion of her 23rd wedding anniversary was short, understated and heartfelt. It consisted of a photograph of the author, smiling in the embrace of her husband, Neil Murray, underneath the brief caption ‘Married 23 years today’ alongside a single heart emoji. The photograph, shared with her 14.3 million followers on X on Boxing Day, is a happy, sunlit snapshot. Informal, relaxed. There is one feature about the image that is, however, noteworthy. While the Harry Potter creator’s sunglasses are perched on top of her head, her husband’s are down, covering his eyes, leaving his broad smile the only evidence of his expression. While she is instantly recognisable as one of the most famous and possibly richest women in the world, he is the little known but no less crucial behind-the-scenes partner. Rowling gave a tiny glimpse of just how valuable that support has been in an exchange following that anniversary post. There’d been the usual slew of comments, not all of them kind: the 59-year-old mother of three has been well accustomed to brickbats and insults hurled her way, not least because of her staunch views on gender identity. ‘I hope he leaves you for a trans woman,’ came one, to which she dryly commented: ‘I just read this to Neil and he said something that made me laugh so hard I nearly coughed up a kidney.’ Clearly, a rollicking sense of humour is something this couple share, for when one follower urged her to reveal what her husband had said, Rowling quipped: ‘I’m not about to get my husband cancelled. One in the family’s enough!’ So what do we know of the man behind the scribe who by her own admission has received ‘enough death threats to paper her house’ and had her private address published online? Neil Murray was 29, working as a senior house officer in anaesthetics at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian, when he met the already phenomenally successful Rowling in 2000. Her first book, Harry Potter And The Philospher’s Stone, had been published three years earlier, propelling her to stardom. A former head boy at his school in the Scottish town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Neil had chosen not to follow his father and grandfather by becoming a vet, but rather won a place at Glasgow University to study medicine, graduating in 1994. It was Rowling’s sister Di, two years her junior, who brought the two together. When Rowling fled her tumultuous first marriage in 1994, she found sanctuary with her sister, who was recently married and living in Edinburgh with her husband Roger Moore, who owned a cafe in which Rowling would sometimes write. Her arrival in Scotland from Portugal, a newly single mother to baby daughter Jessica, has been well documented. She’d just walked away from a turbulent first (‘short and catastrophic’: her words) marriage to budding journalist Jorge Arantes, and arrived at her sister’s door – hands full with a burgeoning manuscript and a daughter in a pram. Less well documented is the role Di would have in making the introduction that would lead to romance. Quite how their paths interconnected is unknown, but Di worked as a nurse before re-training as a solicitor in 2002. ‘He [Neil] was just out of a marriage himself,’ Rowling said in a 2012 interview with the New Yorker magazine. ‘I just thought that would be complicated. I wasn’t up for that.’ MURRAY, six years Rowling’s junior, had been married to fellow doctor Fiona Duncan. The two met at university and married in 1996, but by early 1999 they’d drifted apart with their divorce finalised in July 2001, by which time both were in new relationships. The spark between Murray and Rowling ignited after they found themselves sitting next to each other at a charity event in Edinburgh. Whether or not this was before or after the publication of Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series, and the one that received world record advance orders of 5.3 million copies in July 2000, is unknown. Rowling was a household name and had spawned Potter fans of all ages around the world – but she was delighted to discover that Murray was one of them. As she would later say: ‘The night we met he told me he had read the first ten pages of Philosopher’s Stone on a late-night shift at the hospital and he thought it was quite good. And I thought that was fantastic. He hadn’t read the books. He didn’t really have a very clear idea of who I was. It meant that we could get to know each other in quite a normal way.’ Rowling has also been clear that at the time their paths crossed, she hadn’t expected to meet anyone, least of all someone who, with his foppish fringe and glasses was a dead ringer – as it was noted when the relationship became public in December 2000 – for Harry Potter. As she told the Times in 2003: ‘I thought the baggage was too much. It’s not that I didn’t meet anyone, it’s that I didn’t meet anyone I wanted to have a relationship with, much less marry. Of course, you do meet people, but it tends to be those who are very keen to approach you and maybe not those you would really want to meet.’ PLUS her first marriage had left her vulnerable, and she needed time to heal. Speaking to US chat-show doyenne Oprah Winfrey in 2010, Rowling said: ‘I can’t say I walked straight out of that marriage and that experience saying, you know, I feel enlightened in any way – I felt quite shellshocked. I had a very, very tiny baby. And then I went straight into poverty and depression. ‘But I did a lot of thinking after that – after that marriage ended. Primarily about me. Why things had been as they had been. And it was seven years before I met the right man. But I think it needed to be seven years. I was really ready.’ Certainly, the attraction with Neil Murray was swift and strong. In 2001 the couple travelled to Mauritius together, where it was rumoured they might even marry. Tall, calm, discreet, Murray was there at the side of his multi-millionaire girlfriend, then 36, at the world premiere of the film Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone in November 2001, the same month it emerged that she had bought a 19th-century mansion in Perthshire. The following month Rowling’s agent released a statement announcing the pair had married, on Boxing Day, in a private ceremony in their picturesque new hideaway; a small ceremony attended only by immediate family. The couple would go on to have two children, David in 2003, and Mackenzie in 2005, younger siblings to Rowling’s daughter Jessica, now 31. But in testament to the protective instincts of their parents, all three have remained firmly out of the spotlight as, to a degree, has their father. By the time of their marriage, Murray had decided to retrain as a GP and Rowling was immersed in the final stages of her fifth book, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. Rowling memorably spoke to Jeremy Paxman, in her only interview before the Order Of The Phoenix’s release, about the death of a key character: ‘I walked into the kitchen crying and Neil said to me, “What on earth is wrong?” and I said, “Well, I’ve just killed the person.” Neil doesn’t know who the person is. And he said, “Well, don’t do it then.” ‘I thought, he’s a doctor, you know... and I said, “Well, it just doesn’t work like that. You are writing children’s books, you need to be a ruthless killer.” ’ Murray’s professional interests, of course, are more concerned with the preservation and protection of life. In 2011 he was working as a GP in Ormiston, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, where practice documents noted his interests: ‘Pain management (including acupuncture), dermatology (skin problems), homeopathy and drug misuse management.’ At Christmas that year his wife joined him at the turning on of the village Christmas lights. But she didn’t flick the switch, that task fell to her husband. The medical register indicates that Murray, who is a director of several companies (equestrian, forestry, investments and property) voluntarily relinquished his medical licence (as doctors often do during a career break) for a short time in 2019 but regained it in March 2020, only giving it up again in March last year. Was his return a response to the Covid pandemic? Rowling spoke of the pride and anxiety that came with having three close family members who were key workers. During lockdown she also shared a revealing insight into the marital bond on Ken Bruce’s Tracks Of My Years on his Radio 2 show in 2020. She cited Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine as a love song that had touched her life. The reason? Her husband: ‘It’s such a beautiful, simple sentiment, but I have an additional reason for choosing it, which is that it took lockdown for my husband to say to me . . . “This always makes me think of you when you’re down in London” and that was a very moving marital moment, so now it has an extra layer of meaning for me.’ Her husband’s medical knowledge has come in handy when writing her Cormoran Strike detective series, under the pen name Robert Galbraith, which has been adapted for the BBC. ‘My process is normally that I will research what I need for the plot,’ she said last year. ‘But then I’ll check. Is this correct? Have I got the wrong end of the stick on this drug, on what this injury would do or what artery this knife would sever? I’m proud to say he’s mostly said this is OK.’ FOR Murray, the closest he has come to talking publicly about his life with her was in 2007. That year, he visited Moldova to see the work of Lumos, the charity she founded to help some of the world’s most disadvantaged children. His blog about his visit began. ‘I am married to JK Rowling (Jo).’ The same year, he gave a single, short but illuminating insight while being filmed by a crew following Rowling for A Year In The Life documentary. Husband and wife were travelling on a private jet when he was asked: ‘What is JK Rowling like to live with?’ He replies: ‘Jo detaches. When she’s very stressed, she’ll detach herself and only trust one person, and that’s herself. So everyone else gets blocked out and she becomes more and more stressed and less and less able to accept any help.’ In 2022, Rowling did not join a vigil outside the Scottish parliament at Holyrood as politicians debated changes to proposed gender reform laws. She couldn’t make it for ‘family reasons’, but Murray went in her place. ‘As I couldn’t be there, Neil volunteered to take my place – I didn’t even ask him,’ she wrote. Following her romantic gesture marking their 23rd anniversary, she was characteristically lighthearted about him. ‘He married up,’ wrote one in the comments. ‘Trust me, as everyone who’s met him knows, I’m the lucky one,’ Rowling shot back. ‘Do you think you’ll keep him?’ asked another. ‘I’ve lost the receipt, so I’ll have to,’ she parried. But perhaps most endearing was her response to the follower asking for the secret to such happy longevity. ‘As Iris Murdoch said, never get married until you can’t believe your luck,’ she replied. IT’S more than 20 years since they met as child stars of the Jack Black hit movie School Of Rock. But something must have clicked way back then because they stayed in touch, began dating in 2016 and have now tied the knot. Caitlin Hale, 33, and Angelo Massagli, 32, who played classmates Marta and Frankie in the 2003 movie, married at a lavish ceremony in New Jersey. Other actors from the movie joined them at the celebration at the Park Chateau Estate & Gardens. Ms Hale, now a healthcare professional, stunned in a strapless satin gown. Massagli has also left showbusiness and is a lawyer. He has told of the moment he first set eyes on his co-star at an audition for the movie – which starred Jack Black as a rowdy music teacher at a prep school. ‘The little blonde girl next to me, she gets called in, and she starts singing show tunes and just blows the roof off the place,’ he said. Article Name:How JK Rowling’s doctor husband (once a dead ringer for Harry Potter) has become her rock in the face of an avalanche of death threats from militant trans activists Publication:Daily Mail Author:By Beth Hale not Start Page:21 End Page:21](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/58f8bc7b-eeba-4899-9423-d8e629111c93_1131x728.png)
Telegraph [2]
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Sunday Telegraph [1]
![Civil Service ends ‘climate of fear’ trans policy The Sunday Telegraph12 Jan 2025By Ethan Croft CIVIL servants will no longer be labelled “transphobic” for expressing gender-critical beliefs under new guidelines, The Telegraph understands. Two Whitehall departments have pledged to revise their gender policies following the settlement of an employment tribunal case with Eleanor Frances, a former civil servant. Ms Frances said she had “no choice but to resign” after facing workplace backlash for her gender-critical views and raised the alarm about a “politicised climate of fear” in Whitehall. She claimed that an internal “Gender Identity and Intersex” policy was adopted, without proper consultation, following a workplace assessment by Stonewall, a gay rights organisation. She said the policy’s use of politicised language and concepts – for example, defining “transphobia” as including the “denial/refusal to accept” someone’s gender identity – meant that civil servants were effectively compelled to recognise male people as women. She brought a case in the Employment Tribunal against the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) last year for victimisation, protected disclosure detriment, unfair constructive dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of philosophical belief. The case has now been settled without liability. The departments agreed to pay Ms Frances £116,749, plus associated taxes. As part of the settlement, the permanent secretaries of the two departments agreed a statement in which they promised to review “gender assignment” policies. The Telegraph understands that the result of these reviews will be circulated to all government departments, which will then make decisions on whether to implement them. ‘While I am disappointed that it took legal action to achieve this, I’m extremely happy with the outcome’ In their statement settling the case Susannah Storey and Sarah Munby, the permanent secretaries of DCMS and DSIT, said: “We are committed to fostering a tolerant and respectful working culture. “As such, our departments are working together to introduce a revised gender reassignment policy, informed by a new central model policy which we anticipate will be available by the end of the year. “In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the revised policy will balance the rights of staff with different protected characteristics, including but not limited to gender reassignment, religion and belief, and sex.” The statement added: “A well-functioning civil service is one that allows its civil servants to safely hold, voice, discuss or challenge any lawful perspective, without fear or favour.” Ms Frances said: “While I am disappointed that it took legal action to achieve this result, I am extremely happy with the outcome. Whilst investigations into my concerns were ongoing, I was stripped of my team and responsibilities by individuals who are named in my complaint. I was given unsubstantiated and derogatory feedback including in relation to my approach to EDI [Equity, Diversity and Inclusion].” Toby Young of the Free Speech Union, who supported Ms Frances’ case, said: “The fact that the civil service has agreed to rip up its trans policy and start again shows just how poorly written it was in the first place.” Rosie Duffield, the Canterbury MP who was Labour’s most high profile gender-critical figure before she resigned from the party in September, said: “This is a significant victory and incredibly important to all those who have also faced discrimination and silencing at work due to their perfectly mainstream and personal beliefs. “Many in the civil service and beyond have felt gagged for even questioning policies or practices that are announced across organisations following their expensive membership of outfits such as Stonewall. I hope organisations are beginning to wake up to their responsibilities to allow all employees the right to hold personal beliefs.” As a civil servant at the two departments, Ms Frances raised concerns about the adoption of politicised language around gender identity and warned that a “self-idenfitication” policy in government buildings effectively gave men access to female single-sex facilities. She also raised concerns about the role of Stonewall in the drafting of departmental gender identity policies. Ms Frances took her complaints to Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, on behalf of 42 civil servants in 16 different departments. Responsibility for HR policies in Whitehall is delegated to individual departments. A Government spokesman said: “We do not comment on private correspondence.” Article Name:Civil Service ends ‘climate of fear’ trans policy Publication:The Sunday Telegraph Author:By Ethan Croft Start Page:1 End Page:1](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bf06a669-01d1-4c1c-a7cc-047e97975859_1011x430.png)
TRANSWRITES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
My doctor emailed me back, by Abigail Thorn
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Trans youth protest against puberty blocker ban extension, by Gemma Stone
How Bluesky reacted to United Healthcare, Nick Fuentes and Jesse Singal is a bit worrying, by Gemma Stone
The Rainbow Laces campaign isn’t enough, by Arthur Webber
How Erika Hilton – a Black travesti trans woman – is changing Brasil, by Lis Welch
“Transitions The Unheard Stories” review; A useful resource hampered by an inconcise introduction, by Laura Kate Dale
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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