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
[26 January 2025]
Follow me on Bluesky – @HLeeHurley.substack.com
This week, the cracks in the Cass Review widened further as experts eviscerated its methodology and motivations, but, predictably, much of the media stayed silent.
Meanwhile, the UK continues its grim march into institutionalised anti-trans discrimination, while global allies in Canada and Australia are holding the line.
From Westminster to Washington, here’s what you need to know:
UK & IRELAND NEWS
WESC Session on Puberty Blockers Evidence Base [Parliament TV][Claire’s Trans Talks]
Experts at the Women and Equalities Select Committee criticised the Cass Review and the UK’s puberty blocker ban, calling them ideologically driven and lacking medical justification.
Professor Simona Giordano, a prominent expert, criticised the Cass Review for asking irrelevant questions, excluding valid studies, and setting unrealistic trial standards. She highlighted that randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are unsuitable for puberty blockers in this context, citing ethical violations under the Helsinki Declaration if treatment is restricted to clinical trials alone. Giordano stated the decision to use puberty blockers is a matter of patient autonomy and should not be dictated by politics or law.
The session can be watched in full with the link above while Claire’s Trans Talks did a great job of live-posting the hearing.
For the most part, the anti-trans media ignored the hearing as it was so devastating to the case they try to make on a daily basis. The hearing took place on Wednesday and, to date, there has only been one piece about it and that didn’t come until Sunday.
Cass Review criticised by US experts for ‘violating medical standards’ [The National]
US law professors Daniel Aaron and Craig Konnoth have criticised the Cass Review on transgender youth care, alleging it “transgresses medical law, policy, and practice.” Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, they highlighted issues such as lack of peer verification, exclusion of non-English studies, and deviations from regulatory and scientific standards. The review, which has directed puberty blocker bans in the UK and US states, has also faced backlash from the British Medical Association, Yale academics, and LGBTQ+ advocates. Despite opposition, the anti-trans UK Government maintains the review’s findings are “robust” and continues implementing its recommendations.
Nurse allowed to call transgender doctor a man during tribunal [The Courier & Advertiser]
A tribunal judge has ruled that Sandie Peggie, a Kirkcaldy A&E nurse suing NHS Fife, can refer to transgender doctor Dr Beth Upton as a man during the proceedings. The decision, made by Judge Sandy Kemp, acknowledges the potential distress this may cause Dr Upton but farcically permits it on the grounds that requiring Ms Peggie to use terminology she views as “inaccurate” would make it difficult for her to provide evidence.
Judge Kemp emphasised that male pronouns should not be used gratuitously or offensively, urging all parties to minimise distress in what he described as a “complex and contentious case.” It isn’t really. Upton is being harassed simply because she is trans. He also asked Ms Peggie and her legal team to consider the hurt caused and suggested using Dr Upton’s professional title if an agreement on pronouns cannot be reached, demonstrating that he is incapable of seeing that this entire tribunal is designed exactly to hurt Upton.
The case arises from an incident on December 31, 2023, when Ms Peggie complained about sharing a changing room with Dr Upton, leading to her suspension after a ‘confrontation’ which has now resulted in a UK-wide media witch hunt. NHS Fife has called for “kindness and respect” toward both staff members as the tribunal proceeds in Edinburgh.
JK Rowling backs Trump’s attack on gender rights [Scottish Daily Mail]
JK Rowling has voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s executive order attacking transgender and gender rights. The order mandates the US recognise only two sexes—male and female—as immutable, and directs federal agencies to stop funding “gender ideology” initiatives.
Posting on X, Rowling blamed “parts of the Left,” stating their “embrace of gender identity ideology” has been “a calamity.” Her remarks, which are of course not anti-trans and don’t you dare suggest that they are, align with Trump’s broader crackdown, which includes changes to ID documents to reflect what they think is biological sex while discouraging the use of the term “gender” in favour of “sex,” which they define from conception, making us all either female or agender depending on which expert you speak to. Neither Trump nor Rowling are considered experts in this field, as evidenced by what they believe.
NHS England provides referral data on masculinising gender reassignment surgeries [FOI Request Response]
NHS England has responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request concerning referrals for masculinising gender reassignment surgeries from 2021 to 2023. The data details the number of referrals for masculinising genital and chest surgeries, broken down by Gender Identity Clinics (GICs), pilot schemes, and surgical providers. They are as low as you would expect.
Enoch Burke given two weeks to address €190k fines [Irish Daily Mirror]
Enoch Burke has been granted two weeks to make submissions on how €190,000 in contempt of court fines will be paid.
The fines stem from Burke’s defiance of court injunctions to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath, which dismissed him after he vocally refused to use a student’s preferred pronouns. The student wasn’t even in his class. Despite his dismissal and three separate stints in Mountjoy Prison, Burke has continued to return to the school premises daily.
Burke, who was absent from court, sent a letter claiming his constitutional rights to freedom of conscience and religion have been denied. He described attempts to recover the fines as “illegal, unprecedented and disturbing.”
Judge Nolan has directed Burke to file written submissions within two weeks, with further court rulings to follow.
Criticism of Data Bill amendments raises privacy and discrimination concerns [Ashleeee]
Amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, drafted by Ralph Palmer and James Arbuthnot, and endorsed by anti-trans activist group Sex Matters, face backlash for enabling potential discrimination against trans people.
Clause 45 mandates public authorities to disclose individuals’ gender histories to digital verification services, which could be exploited by hate groups to run “biological sex verification services.”
Advocates are calling on MPs to reject the amendments and add safeguards, stressing the significant risks posed to the privacy and dignity of trans people. See the full thread linked above for a better understanding.
AROUND THE WORLD
USA: Trump order mandates transgender women be housed in men’s prisons [The New York Times]
President Trump has signed an executive order mandating that transgender women in federal prisons be housed in men’s facilities and halting all federally funded gender-transition medical care. The order, which also applies to immigration detainees, reverses previous guidelines allowing transgender prisoners to be housed according to their gender identity. There are approximately 1,500 transgender women in federal prisons, representing 15 percent of the female prison population, a stat that demonstrates how unfairly trans women are targeted by the justice system. The order cites concerns over the rights and safety of female inmates while also directing changes to the Prison Rape Elimination Act regulations to put trans women at even greater risk of assault.
USA: US drops case against Texas doctor accused of accessing patient data [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]
Federal prosecutors have dropped the case against Dr. Eithan Haim, a 34-year-old Texas surgeon accused of illegally obtaining patient information and sharing it with a conservative activist. Haim, who pleaded innocent to the charges in June, had been accused of accessing health records with the intent to harm Texas Children’s Hospital, which stopped providing gender-affirming care for minors in 2022. At the time, such care was still legal in Texas. A state ban on transgender care for minors took effect in September 2023. Texas Children’s Hospital stated they “defer to and respect” the Justice Department’s decision.
USA: House GOP prioritises legislation on transgender athletes over economic issues [USA TODAY]
In one of its first acts, the GOP-led House passed the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” focusing on barring transgender girls and women from sports. Critics, including Democratic representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Lori Trahan, argue the legislation diverts attention from pressing economic issues like housing costs and inflation, which voters identified as their top priorities in the 2024 election.
The bill’s vague wording has sparked concerns over enforcement and its potential to harm all women and girls in sports, because harm to trans kids on its own is not enough to anger people. According to NCAA President Charlie Baker, fewer than 10 transgender athletes participate in NCAA sports (out of more than 19,000 teams, not athletes, teams), underscoring the ridiculously limited scope of the issue. Despite this, House Republicans, like many of their UK counterparts in Labour and the Conservatives, have made this legislation a priority, drawing criticism for neglecting larger issues affecting Americans’ financial well-being. Good to know that if the economy was doing better, this might be more acceptable to some.
Trump ‘mercy’ plea made by Bishop falls on fascist ears [The Advertiser]
On his first full day back in office, President Donald Trump faced tepid criticism during a service at Washington National Cathedral. Episcopal Bishop Marianne Budde delivered a pointed sermon, urging Mr. Trump to show “mercy” to illegal immigrants and transgender children, who, she said, are “fearing for their lives” following the administration’s rollbacks on transgender rights and stricter immigration policies. Referencing Mr. Trump’s past claim of divine intervention in surviving an assassination attempt, Bishop Budde said, “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
Trump later dismissed the service as “uninspiring” and labelled Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” in a social media post. He accused her of politicising her church and demanded a public apology, criticising her statements and questioning her abilities as a religious leader.
Budde has stood firm, stating, “I am not going to apologise for asking for mercy for others.” While facing death wishes from Trump supporters, she highlighted that the truly vulnerable are those facing deportation and young people afraid to live authentically.
USA: Boebert tries to kick ‘guy’ out of women’s bathroom at Capitol [Irish Independent]
Lauren Boebert, the anti-woke idiot of a congresswoman, apologised after mistakenly trying to have “a guy” removed from a women’s restroom in the US Capitol. Believing she had seen Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, Boebert later realised it was a case of mistaken identity and she had targeted a random woman in her zest to be transphobic.
Witnesses, including Billy House of Bloomberg, reported Boebert “bursting out” of the restroom to complain to security. Boebert acknowledged her error, stating, “I apologised, learned a lesson, and it won’t happen again.” It absolutely will.
McBride confirmed she was not involved in the incident and affirmed her commitment to appease the Trumpists by complying with Speaker Mike Johnson’s ban on transgender people using single-sex bathrooms at the Capitol.
Canada: Canada urged to exempt transgender asylum seekers from US agreement [Times Colonist]
Refugee advocacy groups are calling on Canada to amend the Safe Third Country Agreement to allow transgender people in the US to seek asylum in Canada. The request follows President Trump’s executive order mandating the US recognise only two sexes, male and female, wrongly based on what they call sex at conception. Advocates, including Gauri Sreenivasan of the Canadian Council for Refugees, argue the policy endangers transgender asylum seekers, who may face unsafe conditions in US detention facilities. Despite all this, and everything else, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller maintains that the US remains a safe country under the agreement.
Australia: Victorian lesbian group cannot exclude transgender and bisexual women, tribunal rules [The Guardian Australia]
The Lesbian Action Group (LAG) has been denied the right to exclude transgender and bisexual women from its public events after the administrative review tribunal upheld a prior ruling by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The tribunal found such exclusions would constitute unlawful discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA).
LAG argued that exemptions should apply, comparing their case to the Peel Hotel in Melbourne, which lawfully excludes heterosexual patrons. However, tribunal member Stewart Fenwick rejected the argument, stating that endorsing acts of discrimination was not the intention of the SDA’s exemptions.
The ruling was welcomed by Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown, who stated, “Transphobia has no place in our society.” LAG representatives, including Nicole Mowbray, expressed disappointment and are considering an appeal because they have access to more money than sense.
SPORT
Roller derby league loses bid to block transgender athlete ban [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
A New York roller derby league, the Long Island Roller Rebels, failed in its attempt to temporarily block Nassau County from enforcing a ban on transgender female athletes. Judge Bruce Cozzens of the Nassau County Supreme Court denied the league’s request on Tuesday, allowing the ban to remain in effect while the lawsuit proceeds. Neither the league, nor the cis female participants want this ban.
Infantino cosies up to Trump
Head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has spent the past week as close to Donald Trump as he can possibly get, even opting to dress like him at one point. This has raised the Telegraph’s hopes that football’s world governing body will move to ban trans women from playing football with other women. They are probably right to be optimistic.
To date, the footballing world has issued a largely unified ‘fuck you’ to anti-trans activists who have found success in numerous other sports when it comes to getting trans women banned. As someone who spends my days writing about football, I’m confident that this view will hold across the sport. However, Infantino has shown repeatedly that he doesn’t actually care what fans, players or even other governing bodies want. He will follow the cash.
MEDIA
Mirror allow columnist to be a bigot
I don’t usually come across the (Irish) Mirror, so this is disappointing. Agreeing with an adjudicated rapist because he hates trans women with a side-order of racism.
Karla Sofía Gascón becomes first openly transgender actress nominated for an Oscar [The Washington Post]
Karla Sofía Gascón has made history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for an Oscar, recognised for her role in Emilia Pérez. The film, which earned 13 nominations including best picture, features Gascón as Manitas Del Monte, a cartel boss who transitions into a woman.
Gascón has already won accolades such as Cannes’ best actress award, shared with Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. While Emilia Pérez has drawn criticism from groups like GLAAD for its portrayal of trans experiences, Gascón remains proud of her work, stating, “I’ve made history in cinema… My message to the world is much bigger.”
Sundance Festival spotlights transgender rights
The Sundance Film Festival 2025 includes several films addressing transgender rights, including “Heightened Scrutiny,” a documentary on civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio.
The S*n admits to historic unlawful activities under Rebekah Brooks [Press Gazette]
The S*n has admitted to using illegal means to invade privacy, including actions during Rebekah Brooks’ tenure as editor. This long-overdue admission came as Prince Harry and Tom Watson settled their privacy claims with substantial damages.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Pride and joy in Thailand as same-sex couples able to marry at last [Guardian]
Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, with over 1,800 couples registering their unions nationwide. A mass wedding was held in Bangkok at Siam Paragon shopping centre, while hundreds more tied the knot at district offices, including Bang Rak, the “district of love.”
![Pride and joy in Thailand as same-sex couples able to marry at last The Guardian24 Jan 2025Rebecca Ratcliffe Bangkok Rainbow flags flew above Thailand’s parliament yesterday and more than 1,800 same-sex couples wed, after the country became the first in southeast Asia to recognise equal marriage. In Bangkok a mass wedding was held at the Siam Paragon shopping centre. Dozens more couples booked to register their union at the district offices of Bang Rak, a popular location in the capital because its name translates to “district of love”. Smaller events took place nationwide. Rungtiwa Thongkanopast, 59, was among more than 200 couples who lined up to tie the knot at the event in Bangkok. She said: “I am very happy, and very proud to [experience] what I have waited for so long.” Thirteen years ago, Rungtiwa and her partner, Phonlavee, 45, went to their local district office to register to marry. They knew that as a same-sex couple they would be rejected, but they wanted to highlight the injustice. Over the past 20 years, other couples made similar public protests as part of the campaign for change. Campaigners had hoped to reach 1,448 wedding registrations yesterday – a reference to the number of the Thai civil code that was changed to allow same-sex marriage. By 6pm, 1,832 marriages had been registered, including 654 in Bangkok. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the prime minister, wrote on social media: “Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand.” Her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who attended the mass wedding in Bangkok, congratulated couples, and criticised Donald Trump, who on Monday decreed that there were only two genders in the US. “I think we are more open-minded than that,” he said. Thailand has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and a reputation for being one of Asia’s most welcoming countries, but it has been a long journey to reach equal marriage. The change will open the doors to a variety of rights relating to finances, adoption and medical care. For Tawach Chaweewong, 32, who yesterday married his partner of almost eight years, Thanakorn Srikornthai, 36, at Hua Hin, a resort south of Bangkok, it means acceptance. “I think this will help the younger generation to be more confident, to come out, to express themselves,” he said. While activists say there is more progress to be made, yesterday was a time for celebration. “We are proud to be LGBTQ+ Thai,” said Ruchaya Nillakan, 45, who took part in a parade in the capital along with her wife, Nuttimon Sanyamast, 46, and other newlyweds. “I’m so proud, stunned. I didn’t realise this day would come and I would get this opportunity to be with someone I want to be with”. Article Name:Pride and joy in Thailand as same-sex couples able to marry at last Publication:The Guardian Author:Rebecca Ratcliffe Bangkok Start Page:23 End Page:23](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/32e92a45-2f19-45d3-8e3f-ee44a89f71be_1186x738.png)
Bishop who confronted Trump honoured Matthew Shepard at National Cathedral [The Advocate]
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, DC, who called out Donald Trump during a prayer service, has a long history of LGBTQ+ advocacy. In 2018, Budde, alongside out Bishop V. Gene Robinson, presided over a ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral honouring Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old University of Wyoming student whose 1998 murder became a symbol of hate crimes. Shepard’s ashes were interred at the cathedral in a private service following the public commemoration.
Shepard’s family chose the cathedral as a place of safety and reflection, fearing desecration elsewhere due to protests by groups like the Westboro Baptist Church. Budde called Shepard’s death “a wound on our nation,” adding that the cathedral honours his memory to educate visitors and advocate for justice and the inclusion of all people.
New Meta rules present serious threat to LGBTQI community, warns MEP Maria Walsh [Sligo Weekender]
MEP Maria Walsh has called on the European Commission to investigate Meta’s new content moderation policy, which she argues could harm the LGBTQI community and potentially violate the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The policy allows users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to claim mental illness or “abnormality” based on a person’s gender or sexuality.
Walsh submitted a formal question to the Commission, seeking clarity on whether the changes contravene the DSA, which requires platforms to assess risks to fundamental rights and well-being. She emphasised the potential penalties Meta could face, including fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover and additional daily penalties for non-compliance.
Walsh also urged the Commission to act swiftly, warning that delays would weaken the effectiveness of the DSA against regressive policies by major tech platforms.
WHAT’S ON IN PARLIAMENT
Select business. Full business can be viewed here.
Monday, 27 January
2.30pm+, House of Lords, oral questions, “Role children’s rights will play in plans to improve children’s wellbeing and opportunities.” More here.
Wednesday, 29 January
12pm, House of Commons, Prime Minister’s Questions
Thursday, 30 January
9.30am+, House of Commons, Backbench Business, General debate on proportional representation for General Elections. More here.
1.30pm, Westminster Hall debate, Medicinal cannabis. More here.
THIS WEEK
Monday, 27 January
80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz
Tuesday, 28 January
Omagh bombing inquiry hearings begin
Doomsday Clock press conference
Wednesday, 29 January
Mass Court of Appeal hearing for Just Stop Oil campaigners
Confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy to become US health secretary
Hearing in Harvey Weinstein’s case ahead of retrial
Chinese New Year: Year of the Snake
Thursday, 30 January
Presidential candidate presentations at International Olympic Committee (anti-trans Seb Coe is running)
92 years since Adolf Hitler came to power after which the world swore ‘never again’ yet…
Friday, 31 January
5th anniversary of Brexit
UK border declarations for EU imports come into effect
Hearing in legal challenge to Missouri abortion ban
Saturday, 1 February
Black History Month begins
Alcohol duty increase takes effect
Sunday, 2 February
Groundhog Day
THE PAPERS
Despite Donald Trump’s return, it was a relatively quiet week in terms of articles targeting trans people specifically. There was, of course, an uptick in mentions of trans people, but if I was to monitor those as well I’d never get anything else done.
In total, there were 13 articles, just down on last week’s 15. A rare thing happened, however, and we actually got to hear some actual trans voices in one of them (more below).
The Telegraph, as it tends to do, led the way with five, only taking Thursday and Saturday off. The Times was next with four, while both the Mail and the Guardian had two.
It has now been 25 weeks since Sonia Sodha’s last column attacking trans people in the Observer.
Quoted or mentioned this week:
Maya Forstater complaining about the hearing on puberty blockers.
How many GCs got a byline? 1, Janice Turner (as usual)
How many trans people were quoted or got a byline? Would you believe it, the Guardian published an article featuring actual trans people from the US.
Spotted or know something you think I should include in the Trans Agenda?
THE PAPERS Monday 20 January – Sunday 26 January
Monday Total: 1
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Tuesday Total: 1
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Wednesday Total: 1
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
![NHS tries to ban nurse calling trans doctor a man Lawyer says ‘gratuitous misgendering’ had contributed to ‘climate of hostility’ ahead of tribunal The Daily Telegraph22 Jan 2025By Daniel Sanderson Scottish correspondent THE NHS is attempting to ban a nurse from referring to a transgender doctor as a man as part of a legal battle. A lawyer acting for NHS Fife said an order should be imposed to prevent Sandie Peggie from using male pronouns or terminology to refer to Beth Upton, a biologically male doctor who identifies as female, in employment tribunal hearings that begin next month. Jane Russell, who is also acting for Dr Upton, claimed “gratuitous misgendering” from Ms Peggie and her lawyers had already caused “pain” and “harm” to her client. She accused her opponents of “contributing to a climate of hostility and hatred towards trans people”. She urged employment judge Sandy Kemp to impose an order that would require Ms Peggie and her legal team to refer to Dr Upton in “neutral” terms in future hearings, despite the court hearing that the nurse’s belief that the medic is a man was “central” to her case. The case centres around three occasions in 2023, in which Ms Peggie encountered Dr Upton in the female changing rooms at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. The nurse objected to this because of her belief that Dr Upton is male and therefore should not have been in female facilities. There was a confrontation between the pair on the third occasion, on Christmas Eve 2023, in which Dr Upton said “[I have] as much right to be there” as Ms Peggie, yesterday’s hearing was told. The row led to Ms Peggie being suspended from work and investigated for bullying. Ms Russell claimed that allowing Ms Peggie, her lawyers and witnesses to continue to “misgender” Dr Upton would amount to “state-sanctioned harassment”. Ms Russell said it was “simply a matter of courtesy” to use a person’s preferred pronouns and claimed it was “troubling” to see the “repeated and deliberate misgendering” of Dr Upton in the case. “I find that very concerning, and it caused the second respondent [Dr Upton], much pain and much distress after the last hearing,” she said. “I’m afraid the way the claimant and her representatives are conducting this case is a form of activism, that in my submission, is contributing to a climate of hostility and hatred towards trans people, which is actively harmful and has actively harmed the second respondent. It shouldn’t be allowed. “It is simply not acceptable for a party to litigation and a witness to face harassment in the course of a tribunal hearing.” Ms Russell cited non-binding guidelines which state that courts should not be “a forum for abuse” and that as a “basic principle” language to refer to ‘It is not acceptable for a party to litigation to face harassment in the course of a tribunal hearing’ LGBT people should be in line with their own wishes. She told Mr Kemp: “Certainly, I would feel very uncomfortable being a party to state sanctioned harassment, and I urge you not to go down that path.” Ms Peggie’s lawyers said they were not seeking to “police” their opponents’ language by forcing them to use male pronouns, but urged the court to refer to Dr Upton in gender-neutral terms, as “Dr Upton” or “the second respondent”. They branded the attempt to restrict their own language as “wholly unreasonable”. An attempt by the health board and Dr Upton to hold proceedings behind closed doors, and to prevent the medic from being named in any written judgement, has already been thrown out. Mr Kemp said he would issue a ruling on the issue of language in the coming days. The full 10-day tribunal is due to begin on Feb 3. Article Name:NHS tries to ban nurse calling trans doctor a man Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Daniel Sanderson Scottish correspondent Start Page:12 End Page:12](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5702e74e-14c7-40f0-bfca-5afa8c057ca1_256x612.png)
Thursday Total: 2
The Guardian [1]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [0]
Telegraph [0]
Friday Total: 3
The Guardian [1]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Saturday Total: 2
The Guardian [0]
The Times [2]
Daily Mail [1]
![EXCLUSIVE Now NHS gives free mobiles to mums-to-be and ‘birthing people’ Daily Mail25 Jan 2025By Shaun Wooller Health Editor PREGNANT women ‘struggling’ to afford a mobile phone contract will be given them for free under a new NHS scheme. The initiative is being led by a team of ‘equity, diversity and inclusion’ (EDI) midwives and aimed at tackling ‘digital exclusion’. But critics last night questioned how a woman could afford to raise a child if they cannot afford a phone bill. Those who qualify are given a mobile phone and SIM card that offers access to data, texts and calls for an ‘approximate 12-month period’. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said the package is offered to pregnant women and ‘birthing people’ who ‘have difficulty in engaging with maternity services online or via phone call due to woke roles and focus on providing financial constraints’. frontline care.’ A disgruntled source at the Conservative MP Sir John Trust told the Mail: ‘Name Hayes, chairman of the Common me one adult of childbearing age that does not have a Sense Group of MPs, smartphone. And also, if you described the NHS’s use of can’t afford a phone, why the phrase ‘birthing people’ would you have a child?’ John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers are sick of coughing up for EDI roles in the NHS. ‘A midwife’s job is to provide care to a woman throughout her pregnancy, not provide free SIM cards or use woke language. ‘The NHS needs to stop giving birth to more pointless ‘More pointless woke roles’ as a ‘bizarre distortion of language’. He added: ‘You can get pay-as-you-go phone deals that do not need to be expensive, so these women’s pregnancies may be an accident if they are having a baby but can’t afford a phone bill.’ Milica Redfearn, director of midwifery at the Trust, described it as an ‘amazing initiative’ aimed at ‘bridging the digital divide’. She added: ‘EDI midwives are leading this effort, working together to create a more inclusive environment for all.’ Maternity staff expect to support about ten women each year with mobiles and around 50 with SIM cards. The Trust’s maternity services are partners with the National Databank and National Device Bank, which are similar to a food bank for mobile data and refurbished phones. The SIM cards have been donated by O2, Vodafone, and Three. Shanice Akinyombo, an EDI midwife at the Trust, said: ‘This new initiative empowers women and birthing people by giving them access to their own digital records that they [were] unable to access.’ It comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed midwives are being taught about ‘decolonisation’ as part of their training to deliver babies. The Royal College of Midwives wants trainee midwives to learn about ‘white privilege’ and the ‘effects of colonisation and decolonisation’ as part of their three-year course. Article Name:EXCLUSIVE Now NHS gives free mobiles to mums-to-be and ‘birthing people’ Publication:Daily Mail Author:By Shaun Wooller Health Editor Start Page:31 End Page:31](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/23e6df40-9ea7-4309-8f6d-8922b4253acc_801x663.png)
Telegraph [0]
Sunday Total: 2
The Observer [0]
The Sunday Times [0]
Mail on Sunday [1]
Sunday Telegraph [1]
![HMRC staff get day off a week in gender drive Farage and Rees-Mogg hit out over move, only days after tax office criticised for poor customer service The Sunday Telegraph26 Jan 2025By Noah Eastwood and Sanchez Manning CIVIL servants at the tax office are being given the equivalent of one day a week off to promote “gender ideology”, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal. An internal job advert, seen by this newspaper, states HM Revenue & Customs is seeking a new deputy chair of its LGBT+ staff network. The job specification states that the successful candidate will be permitted to dedicate 20 per cent of their working week to supporting the network’s activities. “Your current role is not as important as your experience and drive to promote fairness,” HMRC workers are told. It adds: “You won’t have to do this on top of your normal job. We’ll give you 20 per cent of your time to dedicate to network activities.” The working arrangements, in which staff keep full pay, are understood to apply to three workers at HMRC who lead the department’s so-called Prism LGBT+ Network, and are signed off by the tax authority’s executive committee. It comes after the tax office has faced fierce criticism over poor customer service levels. Last week, a damning report by the Public Accounts Committee, which oversees government spending, claimed HMRC was “damaging trust in the tax system” through failings such as cutting customers off with no explanation after they had been waiting on the line for as long as 70 minutes. The committee said HMRC had blamed such shortfalls on not being “adequately resourced” to meet telephone demands from taxpayers. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said taxpayer-funded diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives should be stopped. “This all has to end. A Reform government will end DEI lunacy,” he said. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, said: “Civil servants are not meant to involve themselves in politics and this is just another type of campaigning which ought not to be funded by taxpayers.” “We ought to learn from [Donald] Trump and stop all this costly nonsense,” he added. HMRC defended allowing staff to take time off their main roles to promote LGBT+ issues and said it was legally compelled to consider the needs of people with characteristics protected in equality legislation. In the job advert, the Prism network is described as being committed to supporting all members of the LGBT+ community and says this specifically includes colleagues who are gay, lesbian, trans, non-binary and ‘This is just another type of campaigning which ought not to be funded by taxpayers’ “allies”. It further states that successful candidates selected for the position will be expected to execute tasks such as promoting HMRC as an inclusive employer and submitting reports to the equality, diversity and inclusion team. An HMRC insider claimed that members of the LGBT advocacy group often led presentations for staff during work hours, with many focusing on the issue of trans rights. The whistle-blower, who asked not to be named for fear of professional repercussions, described one session held last year that lasted more than 45 minutes on being transgender and sharing pronouns. The insider said the presenter explained what it meant to be transgender, non-binary, intersex and cisgender [meaning someone who identifies as a gender that is the same as their birth sex]. Staff were encouraged to share their preferred pronouns to demonstrate their “allyship” to trans colleagues, while being introduced to the concept of gender neutral pronouns such as “zie/zen”, they said. The insider said: “This network is basically just internal trans activists.” “They are supposed to be about supporting all gay staff, but really it seems that the bulk of their work is about promoting gender ideology ... While I’m trying to do my actual job, they’re just faffing around making up training that is all just based on their personal views. “They are basically getting paid by the taxpayer to do peer-to-peer political activism.” Helen Joyce, the director of the campaign group Sex Matters, said: “HMRC should be focused on service delivery rather than selecting an employee who will dedicate 20 per cent of their work week to promoting transgender rights to other HMRC employees during working hours.” An HMRC spokesman said: “We must legally meet our obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, and like other large organisations, we have staff diversity networks. “By getting equality, diversity and inclusion right, we retain and recruit people with the skills we need and deliver effectively for our customers." Article Name:HMRC staff get day off a week in gender drive Publication:The Sunday Telegraph Author:By Noah Eastwood and Sanchez Manning Start Page:8 End Page:8](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/10dc8984-d718-4a4d-874e-4c8998cfab40_1536x478.jpeg)
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