Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · Jul 15

I’m so proud of all of my Equity, Care Law, and GSL students graduating today! I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you to celebrate, but I hope you all have a wonderful day!

This is your moment, be proud of what you have achieved!!

University of Leicester | Leicester Law School @leicesterlawschool.bsky.social · Jul 15

Congratulations to our Leicester Law School graduates! It was wonderful to see you today. #leicestergrad

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Arthur Webber 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @bernietranders.bsky.social · Jul 3

A Labour MP calling for trans women to be banned from parkrun, which, as the name suggests, is people non-competitively running around a park.

There are no winners in this event. There are no losers in this event - bar Jonathan Hinder MP, should he ever take part.

A screenshot of Jonathan Hinder MP’s tweet that says

“Men competing in women’s sport is totally unfair. Everyone knows that. It’s time for @parkrunUK and others to put this right.”

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · Jul 2

'Gender critical' arguments do not hold up to academic critique and rigour. They are also not compassionate or inclusive. True feminist academics reject anti-trans rhetoric as a facet of misogyny.

These beliefs shouldn't have a place at any HE institution.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jul 2

UK universities have failed to protect gender-critical academics, report finds

Report’s author raises ‘stark concerns about barriers to academic freedom’ UK universities have failed to protect gender-critical academics from bullying and career-threatening restrictions on their research, according to a report. The report, by Prof Alice Sullivan of University College London, recommends that students and staff “taking part in freedom-restricting harassment should face consequences commensurate with the seriousness of the offence”. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Katja Ziegler @profziegler.bsky.social · Apr 25

Interested in The Rule of Law, Multi-layered Human Rights Protection and Constitutional Resilience? Then this conference and CALL FOR PAPERS 👇(to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR (and the 35th anniversary of the Venice Commission) might be for you. www.linkedin.com/posts/centre...

Call for Papers | Centre for European Law and Internationalisation - CELI

Interested in The Rule of Law, Multi-layered Human Rights Protection and Constitutional Resilience? Then this conference and CALL FOR PAPERS 👇(to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR (and the 35th ...

www.linkedin.com

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Senthorun S. Raj @senthorun.bsky.social · May 13

My book is published! It’s a critical take on how emotions shape conflicts about LGBT rights and repair in equality law, gender recognition, bans on conversion practices, and sex education in schools. You can download it free via @edinburghup.bsky.social: edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-the-emo...

Author wearing a rainbow dyed t-shirt takes a photo of them showing off their book, The Emotions of LGBT Rights and Reforms: Repairing Law.

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Lee Hurley @hleehurley.com · May 13

I see there is another govt debate petition doing the rounds and I am asking you not to sign or share these things.

I explain my reasoning here but, in short, it just gives platform to people who hate us, and does nothing to help

www.patreon.com/posts/128665...

The Trans Agenda: The storm calms, but for how long? | The Trans Agenda

www.patreon.com

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Arthur Webber 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @bernietranders.bsky.social · May 12

Political parties banned from Manchester, London, Birmingham and Brighton Prides this year.

Statements in the images.

STANDING TOGETHER: A UNITED FRONT FOR TRANS RIGHTS
As the organisers of the UK's largest Pride events in Birmingham, Brighton, London and Manchester, we come together today in unequivocal solidarity with our trans community.
We are united not only in message, but in purpose.
At a time when trans rights in the UK are under growing attack, our resolve has never been stronger: we will not allow progress to be undone.
We will not stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied.
What is happening here in the UK is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing global trend-from the banning of Pride events in Hungary to anti-trans legislation in the United States-where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back.
The UK must not follow this path of regression. Instead, it must rise as a global leader in human rights and equality.
The recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court to exclude trans women from the definition of the term 'woman' underscores the urgent need for immediate action. In this moment, we choose to stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives.
That is why this year, we are collectively suspending political party participation in our Pride events.
Know that this is not a symbolic gesture. It is a direct call for accountability and a refusal to platform those who have not protected our rights. We demand real commitments and measurable progress. The Pride movement was born from protest, and we must continue to embody that spirit with intention and urgency.

To move forward, we need more than promises. We need every political party to stand unequivocally with every member of the LGBTQ+ community, and to centre the voices of trans people in policy, practice, and public life. Collectively, we call for:
• Full and enforceable protections under the Equality Act
• Timely and dignified access to NHS gender-affirming healthcare
• A reformed, accessible Gender Recognition Certificate process
• Sustainable funding for trans-led services and support organisations across the UK
This is the minimum. Anything less is not allyship, it is abandonment.
To those in power: when you demonstrate true solidarity and tangible commitment to trans rights, we will stand with you. Until then, we will continue to speak truth to power and fight for a future where every trans person can live safely, freely, and proudly.
As Pride events across the UK face mounting challenges, our resolve only grows stronger. We will not be silenced. We will not be divided. Together, we will build a national movement rooted in justice, unity, and unapologetic pride.
Now, more than ever, we need everyone to show up for trans lives and show up for Pride.
In solidarity,
Birmingham Pride
Brighton Pride Pride in London Manchester Pride

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 12

Universities didn't want to go down this road, we were forced to. And now we're being made the villain for doing what we were told.

The least Govt could do is make changes to help HE financially alongside these ridiculous and sudden shifts in direction.

🧵

James Ball @jamesrball.com · May 11

There is something bordering on abusive in the way ministers today are talking about public services – Jacqui Smith on universities, and Yvette Cooper on care homes.

They are blaming institutions for decisions forced on them by government, without admitting they or changing anything.

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 12

We had the Tories for almost 15 years. Despite us apparently having an election last year where the government swung to the left, it feels like more of the same

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · May 11

🇺🇸 “Rolling Stone reached out to all 53 GOP senators after the president said he didn't know whether he needs to honor the nation's founding document. None replied.”
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 12

Louder for the Labour MPs in the back.

Reform voters will never swing to Labour, but progressive former Labour voters *have* and *will* swing more to Lib Dems or Greens.

Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · May 12

Toughening migration rules doesn’t challenge Reform. It validates them.

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 9

New Blog Post - Why Is It Always Bathrooms?
This week, I wanted to look at why politicians are so obsessed with trans- people in bathrooms. The sad reality is that we've been here before, and society continues to legislate on queer toilet access
open.substack.com/pub/danielle...

Why Is It Always Bathrooms?

The obsession to regulate private spaces is obvious, because we've been here before.

open.substack.com

Reposted by Dr Danielle Watson

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · May 9

Worth reading again. My guess: although Kishwer Falkner is a simple hater her institution is under real pressure from Ministers who are waking up to what an awful cluster**** the Supreme Court and EHRC have delivered.

Keep the pressure on your MP. share.google/jqCQhBEEmNCZ...

MPs seek assurance that UK gender guidance will not ignore trans people

Exclusive: Cross-party committee writes to EHRC after concerns it has taken overly literal approach to supreme court ruling

share.google

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Senthorun S. Raj @senthorun.bsky.social · Apr 10

“Instead of being wrapped up in a toxic debate about less than 1% of the population like in the UK, and spending valuable energy, resources and time fighting each other for no real reason, we need to wake up and identify the real problem – which is male violence, perpetrated by cisgender men.”

✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️

Tackling violence against women means standing with trans people too

The fight against gender-based violence must be intersectional.

metro.co.uk

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 8

That is fantastic news, congratulations!

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 7

A comment to those in the back saying this was "bound to fail" for political reasons. That was never certain (look at the "common sense" rhetoric from Labour), and the current political climate suggested this was another stone to pave the way towards full trans- exclusion

Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · May 7

The horrific amendment to the Data Bill that would have decimated trans people's privacy was debated today... and was dropped. The government confirmed they have no intention of trying to pass something similar in the future. What a fucking relief. We keep some core rights

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Aoife O'Donoghue @aoifemod.bsky.social · May 7

A group of us law academics put together a letter on FWS v Scottish Ministers UK Supreme Court ruling & we are asking other *UK based law folk* (academic activist practitioner etc) to sign

More details 👇

#transrights #trans #transgender #lawsky #academicsky #UKlaw

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

A Law Letter on FWS v Scottish Ministers

A coalition of legal academics have drafted a letter setting out our support for trans rights and our concerns about the FWS v Scottish Ministers UKSC ruling. We are opening it up for signature to ev...

docs.google.com

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Victoria McCloud 🏳️‍⚧️🌈‍♾️ @humanrightsvicky.bsky.social · May 6

The UK tomorrow 7 May is going to debate introducing a register of trans people. The rest would be a repeat of history we ought never to forget.
Worth reading: simplyputpsych.co.uk/global-psych...

Amendment NC21: What It Is, Its Real-World Effects on Trans People, and How to Stop It — Simply Put Psych

Learn what UK Amendment NC21 means, how it threatens trans rights, and why it must be stopped. A guide on its real-world impact, legal risks, and how to take action before the 7 May 2025 vote.

simplyputpsych.co.uk

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 3

Giving the SC the benefit of the doubt for the FWS decision (which they absolutely do not deserve btw), this amendment completely disregards the protections for trans- people clearly outlined in the judgment. Abhorrent, shameful, evil.

Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · May 3

There's a bill passing through parliament at the moment called the Data Bill

An added amendment would completely remove trans people's right to privacy, and could even revert legal documents

We have to apply a lot of pressure on this one too MPs. More info here:

www.reddit.com/r/LabourUK/c...

From the LabourUK community on Reddit: Shadow Technology Minister Adds amendment to Data Bill to revert all gender markers and out all trans people

Explore this post and more from the LabourUK community

www.reddit.com

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · May 2

New Blog Post - The Court's Concepts of Clarity
In the wake of the FWS decision, I have seen an alarming number of politicians and pundits claim that this case brings 'clarity'. From my perspective, there is nothing clear about this decision.
open.substack.com/pub/danielle...

The Court's Concepts of Clarity

The fallacy of neutrality in the push for trans- rights

open.substack.com

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · Apr 30

Labour apparently deciding it is only acceptable to criticise court judgements when you do it to demonise marginalised groups rather than defend them.

Unacceptable' to question Supreme Court gender ruling, says minister

UK

30 Apr 2025, 18:21

UK Parliament

The justice secretary was speaking to a committee of MPs and peers

Judge who granted Palestinian family right to live in UK made wrong call, says Keir Starmer

Family fleeing Gaza were allowed to join brother in UK after applying through scheme meant for Ukrainian refugees

Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

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Thu 13 Feb 2025 12.21 GMT

A judge who granted a Palestinian family the right to live in the UK after they applied through a scheme originally meant for Ukrainian refugees made the wrong decision, Keir Starmer has said.

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Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · Apr 30

An exceptional analysis of some of the 🤯 errors in the Supreme Court Judgment.

Something has gone very wrong indeed.

(Published by kind permission of @translegalproject.bsky.social). goodlaw.social/nid3

For Women Scotland: a legal critique | Good Law Project

April’s Supreme Court decision is being treated as the final word. But the judgment has introduced considerable uncertainty to the law, and some parts appear to set back the rights of trans people by ...

goodlaw.social

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · Apr 26

The current Labour plan (and EHRC interim guidance) puts us in breach of our obligations under Article 8. This entire ordeal is what the Goodwin decision and the passing of the GRA was meant to resolve.

There’s a legal challenge in the works. More info here, please share and pass on.

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · Apr 25

Labour's new policy - of humiliating trans people by requiring them constantly to self-identify - we believe puts the UK (again) in breach of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and will seek a declaration of incompatability. goodlaw.social/0r6l

Help us challenge the Supreme Court’s judgment on trans rights | Good Law Project

goodlaw.social

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Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · Apr 26

Glad to hear the coffees have not been forgotten 😂 though whether you want to chat with someone who enjoys teaching tracing and dishonest assistance is completely up to you! 👀

Dr Danielle Watson @danielledoeslaw.bsky.social · Apr 26

2nd q first - maybe I’m just lucky with the GSL cohort each year, but we cover a variety of feminisms and lots of queer, so they tend to find something they like. Also, because the module is optional, they should (in theory) want to learn the stuff! 😅

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