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.
NEWS
Police Scotland restricts trans access to single-sex spaces in its own facilities [The Times]
-
Police Scotland has introduced new internal guidance barring trans women from female-only areas and trans men from male-only ones within its own workplaces, following the Supreme Court’s nonsensical ruling that “man” and “woman” in the Equality Act refer to biological sex. Mixed-sex and single-occupancy facilities remain open to all. Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton admitted the discrimination may be “difficult and upsetting” for some staff, urging “patience and kindness” while ordering said discrimination against trans people to go ahead, anyway.
“Free speech” group threatens University of Leicester over trans-inclusive guidance [Arts Professional]
-
Freedom in the Arts (FITA), co-founded by anti-trans campaigners Denise Fahmy and Rosie Kay, has issued a legal threat to the University of Leicester demanding it remove its Trans-Inclusive Culture guidance for museums, galleries, archives and heritage organisations. FITA incorrectly claims the 2023 publication “misstates the law” and could lead to legal risks for organisations following the Supreme Court’s ruling. The University, whose Research Centre for Museums and Galleries produced the guidance, said it is considering the letter and will not comment further at this stage.
Research finds trans and non-binary people face persistent GP barriers [Healthwatch Redbridge]
-
A Healthwatch study has found trans and non-binary people encounter systemic obstacles at nearly every stage of primary care, leaving many without confidence in their GP. Of almost 1,400 respondents, over half felt only slightly confident or not at all confident about accessing their GP, citing administrative hurdles, poor assumptions and a lack of understanding. While some reported respectful and compassionate treatment, many described inconsistent inclusion and training.
Resolution reaffirms support for trans members after Supreme Court ruling [Resolution]
-
Family justice body Resolution has responded to the Supreme Court’s judgment, stressing its continued support for trans members. They wrote, “Resolution recognises that this may be a difficult time for the transgender community. We affirm our support for our trans members, who are a valued part of the Resolution community. We are committed to ensuring that they and all of our members, feel safe and included at Resolution.”
Church condemns Burke family over confrontation on transgender school guidance [Belfast Telegraph]
-
Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney has denounced the actions of Josiah and Martina Burke as “reprehensible” after they confronted DUP councillor Mervyn Storey in the church car park over his role in approving trans-inclusive school guidance, but not for reasons you might think. The 17-minute exchange, filmed and posted online by suspended teacher Enoch Burke, prompted the church to say elderly members had to be evacuated. While also reiterating their own disgusting position on trans rights, the church accused the Burkes of harassment and slander, urging them to repent, something they could do with doing themselves. Once again, this is was just cis bigots fighting amongst themselves. No trans people were involved but it still made the pages of a newspaper.
MEDIA
Polari Prize backlash continues
-
By far the biggest story of the weekend was the continued withdrawal of Polari Prize nominees and judges due to the inclusion of the anti-trans author, John Boyne. Assigned Media have an excellent report on the whole thing if you want more specifics.
Boyne, who recently praised JK Rowling’s anti-trans views, has been defended by the prize’s organisers, while the likes of Rosie Duffield and Julie Bindel have tried to claim the problem is that he is a gay man, which makes no sense as it is a queer prize. Graham Linehan has called the authors who have politely withdrawn, ‘the Stasi’.
Michelle Gomez responds to criticism over Harry Potter audiobook role [The National]
-
Scottish actor Michelle Gomez has issued a statement after backlash from fans over her decision to help JK Rowling fund more anti-trans lawsuits by voicing Professor McGonagall in a new Audible Harry Potter series. Gomez said she understood why her involvement was “painful” for many, before laughably saying she supports trans people. She also linked to a donation page for American LGBT+ healthcare provider Callen-Lorde, as if that somehow makes things OK or does anything to help trans people in the UK. She is still continuing in the role.
AROUND THE WORLD
CANADA: Alberta government challenges injunction on trans youth healthcare restrictions [Edmonton Journal]
-
The Alberta government has appealed a court injunction blocking its planned ban on puberty blockers, hormone therapy for under-16s, and all surgeries for trans minors. Justice Allison Kuntz granted the pause in June, citing serious Charter concerns and potential harm to trans youth. The appeal argues she erred in halting the rules. LGBTQ+ group, Egale Canada, the Skipping Stone Foundation and affected kids brought the original challenge, warning of dangerous political interference in medical care. Premier Danielle Smith continues to lie that the legislation ‘protects children’ while the Alberta Medical Association has condemned it as unethical and a violation of patient autonomy.
GERMANY: Neo-Nazis assault journalists after Pride coverage in Berlin [taz]
-
Two young journalists were beaten by neo-Nazis at Berlin’s Ostkreuz station after photographing a far-right counter-demonstration to Pride in Bautzen. The attackers had travelled from Saxony on a regional train where Pride participants reported threats from up to 40 violent, drunk extremists. Some wore masks, made white supremacist gestures, and were linked to groups such as “Deutsche Jugend Voran”. The journalists, aged 22 and 25, said the assault was targeted. Police took personal details from 12 suspects but only one was fingerprinted.
INDIA: BRAOU offers free degree courses for trans people [The Hindu]
-
Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University in Hyderabad will provide free degree courses to all trans people in Telangana from this academic year, Vice Chancellor Ghanta Chakrapani has announced. The initiative, part of the university’s Equal Opportunity Plan, aims to make higher education more inclusive. Applicants will pay a registration fee but all tuition fees will be waived. The university will also supply course materials and the necessary tools to access learning resources at no cost, removing financial barriers for trans students.
USA: Trans prisoners sue Georgia over forced detransition [Center for Constitutional Rights]
-
Nearly 300 trans prisoners in Georgia have launched a class action lawsuit against state corrections officials, accusing them of cruel and unusual punishment for cutting off their health care. The move follows Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of SB 185, banning the use of state resources for treating gender dysphoria. Despite assurances of a gradual reduction, inmates were abruptly denied hormones, grooming products, and medical support, effectively forcing detransition. Chinyere Ezie of the Center for Constitutional Rights said the policy “has and will cost people’s lives” and aims to “eradicate trans people from public life.”
US: Air Force reneges on early retirement promise to trans personnel [ABC News]
-
The US Air Force has revoked early retirement approvals for trans service members who had served 15–18 years, despite assurances they would qualify. The policy, introduced after Donald Trump’s military ban on trans people, initially allowed retirements at 18 years and exemptions for those with less. Several dozen were approved before the Air Force declared the approvals “premature” and disallowed all exceptions. The reversal forces personnel into voluntary separation with far smaller payouts, stripping them of hundreds of thousands of pounds in retirement income and benefits.
USA: Massachusetts expands protections for reproductive and trans healthcare [The Boston Globe]
-
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed an expanded shield law strengthening protections for patients and providers of reproductive and trans healthcare. The law closes gaps in the state’s 2022 legislation by limiting the release of sensitive data, allowing anonymity on prescription labels, and ensuring abortion care is provided in emergencies. It also prevents Massachusetts courts from acting against parents who support their children in accessing trans care.
USA: NYC opens first city-funded homeless shelter for trans and gender nonconforming people [Washington Post]
-
New York City has opened Ace’s Place, the nation’s first publicly funded homeless shelter dedicated to trans and gender nonconforming people. Located in Queens and run by Bronx LGBTQ+ centre Destination Tomorrow, the 150-bed facility will be funded to the tune of nearly $66 million over five years. Services include culinary classes, an on-site psychiatrist, job placement and housing support.
SPORT
Judge dismisses lawsuit over competing against trans athlete [Philadelphia Inquirer]
-
A US federal judge has thrown out a case brought by Pennsylvania student Aislin Magalengo, who claimed her rights were violated by competing against a trans runner. Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled Magalengo failed to show “purposeful” discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause, noting her treatment was the same as her opponent’s. Appeals are apparently planned.