Nicolete Burbach
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nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Nicolete Burbach
@nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
580 followers 300 following 1.2K posts
Trans theologian and connoisseur of fine heavy music

Co-Editor of Trans Life and the Catholic Church Today (T&T Clark, 2024)

Find/access my stuff at https://linktr.ee/nicoleteburbach

Can't access my DMs. Opinions are my own
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nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Nicolete Burbach @nicoleteburbach.bsky.social · Dec 2
For anyone interested in liberation theology-adjacent trans theology, you can read all my academic writing here (including my chapters from my woefully overpriced book) independent.academia.edu/NicoleteBurb...
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
"There is a higher law than the law of government. That's the Brownie Law" - Snowkly Carmichowl

archive.ph/6f4b7
Screenshot of the title of the linked article: "Those who back banning trans girls from Girlguiding need to take another look at Brownie Law"
December 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Tfw the judge actually understands that proportionality is a test and not a magic word for legitimising your preferences
December 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
CN' torture, homophobic violence

As you can probably guess from the above, there's been a really horrifying update from this group and they'd really appreciate any further support you could offer

gofund.me/4b0a993c4
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
I have a lot of big feelings about the fact that a formative figure from my childhood is now trying to destroy my rights, but I didn't realise *how* big they were until I saw an ad for new Harry Potter audiobooks at the cinema. Shilling for people to fund JKR's activism *in front of me*. Outrageous.
December 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Anyone who has ever taught theology in a university will recognise how appropriate this response is. Every year, you will get at least one first year undergrad who, with complete sincerity, will hand in an essay like this. 1/
kissphoria.bsky.social gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 7d
idk not to mention how very nuanced and normal the actual response here was
Trans Professors comment Mel Curth (She/They) November 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point for you posting a reaction paper that does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive. While you are entitled to your own personal beliefs, there is an appropriate time or place to implement them in your reflections. I encourage all students to question or challenge the course material with other empirical findings or testable hypotheses, but using your own personal beliefs to argue against the findings of not only this article, but the findings of countless articles across psychology, biology, sociology, etc. is not best practice. You argue that abiding by normative gender roles is beneficial (it is perfectly fine to believe this. but to then say that evervone should act TPUSA OU Trans Professors comment the same, while also saying that people aren't pressured into gendered expectations is contradictory, especially since your arguments reflect a religious pressure to act in gender-stereotypical ways. You can say that strict gender norms don't create gender stereotypes, but that isn't true by definition of what a stereotype is. Please note that acknowledging gender stereotypes does not immediately denote a negative connotation, a nuance this article discusses. Additionally, to call an entire group of people "demonic" is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population. You are entitled to your own beliefs, but this isn't a vague narrative of "society pushes lies," but instead the result of countless years developing psychological and scientific evidence for these claims and directly interacting with the communities involved. You may personally disagree with this, but that TPUSA OU 2 Trans Professors comment doesn't change the fact that every major psychological, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric association in the United States acknowledges that, biologically and psychologically, sex and gender is neither binary nor fixed. I implore you apply some more perspective and empathy in your work. If you personally disagree with the findings, then by all means share your criticisms, but make sure to do so in a way that is appropriate and using the methodology of empirical psychology, as aligned with the learning goals in this class. If you have any additional questions or concerns about this or would like some additional educational resources, I would be happy to discuss this further and provide you with them. 3 TPUSA OU Additional professor Megan Waldron (She/Her/Hers) November 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM Samantha, I am the other instructor for this course, and I have also taken the time to read your paper. I concur with Mel on the grade you received. This paper should not be considered as a completion of the assignment. Everyone has different ways in which they see the world, but in an academic course such as this you are being asked to support your ideas with empirical evidence and higher-level reasoning. I find it concerning that you state at the beginning of your paper that you do not think bullying ("teasing") is a bad thing. In addition, your paper directly and harshly criticizes your peers and their opinions, which are just as valuable as yours. Disagreeing with others is fine, but there is a respectful way to go about it. That goes for discussion posts as well as reaction papers. Please employ more thoughtfulness in your future assignments TPUSA OU
December 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
timhenke.bsky.social
This is extremely bad and worrisome for obvious reasons, but it's worth pointing out that this was obviously the student's goal

She knowingly wrote a garbage essay for her trans prof's class and when she obviously got a terrible grade stirred up a media storm

This was clearly the intended outcome
kissphoria.bsky.social gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 6d
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
November 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
I'm skeptical about whether a social order mediated by the Church as it exists today (& certainly not as envisioned by Pius) could be truly peaceable. But this reading of the institution of the feast of Christ the King as an act of disidentification w a violent worldly political order is interesting
ccstp.bsky.social Catholic Centre for Social Thought and Practice @ccstp.bsky.social · 10d
"As well as an allegiance beyond all others, Christ the King also offers us a horizon beyond the divisions and woes we have to reckon with in the world: a horizon of abundance, an invitation to trust in the Father."
Read more from Francis Stewart in a new blog for CCSTP.
ccstp.org.uk/articles/202...
What kind of King is Christ? - Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Practice
In the light of the Feast of the Christ the King, CAFOD Theological Advisor and CCSTP Steering Group member Francis Stewart, explores what kind of king we serve and how this can help us approach the r...
ccstp.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
rycar.bsky.social
Chud for the Chud god
November 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
lastpositivist.bsky.social
Screaming hate campaign by our media and various parts of our government starting to pay off in increasingly negative public attitudes to trans rights in the UK. This is, it should be clear, just as much a product of our centre left faction as our right. Absolutely disgraceful.
isaiahbishop.bsky.social Isaiah Bishop @isaiahbishop.bsky.social · 11d
the Ipsos Pride survey is genuinely an awesome product, but jesus the difference in the UK/US on trans issues is nuts
ipsos 2025 trans rights
November 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
okwonga.bsky.social
Bracing analysis of the rise of the far-right in Germany: "there are widespread right-wing extremist networks within the security services, the police, and the armed forces. Europe-wide networks of fascists are operating unhindered. Something is brewing. If we don't react now, it will be too late."
blaetter.bsky.social Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik @blaetter.bsky.social · 12d
»Wir haben vor der AfD gewarnt, als sie am Horizont auftauchte. Keine Reaktion. Im Gegenteil – ihre Vertreter:innen saßen in jeder Talkshow, bevor die AfD auch nur ein einziges Landtagsmandat hatte. Mit dem Erfolg, dass sie nun eine einflussreiche Partei ist.« www.blaetter.de/ausgabe/2024...
Rechtsextremismus: Wir haben Euch gewarnt
Ein brennendes Haus in Solingen. Eine vierköpfige Familie stirbt in den Flammen. Brandstiftung. Die Schlagzeilen sind nicht von 1993, sondern von jetzt. Schon wieder.
www.blaetter.de
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 AM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
In all fairness I only really enjoyed one of them
open.spotify.com/listeningsta...
My listening stats
Deeper listening insights on Spotify
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
ccstp.bsky.social
"Dilexi te suggests a greater openness on Leo’s part to a less consoling style of Catholicism: one that foregoes softened critique and reassuring affirmations in favour of more forceful statements."

Read more from @nicoleteburbach.bsky.social @londonjesuit.bsky.social.

ccstp.org.uk/articles/202...
Dilexi Te: An unconsoling exhortation - Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Practice
Dr Nicolete Burbach from the Heythrop Institute shares her reflections on Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te. Join the CCSTP webinar on Dilexi Te on 17 November.
ccstp.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Dw guys I changed it to "I know that there's a God above"
theradr.bsky.social Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg @theradr.bsky.social · 15d
hey guys i made a seasonal meme
Meme: Straight ahead: Pausing to consider the meaning of Cohen's lyrics Everyone, for some reason, takes the exit towards Singing "Hallelujah" again in religious contexts
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
fintanmallory.com
I can’t believe a student used ChatGPT to write their obligatory statement declaring God is Dead that I, a philosophy lecturer, have my students complete every year. What is the world coming to?
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Trying to explain reflexivity to my students
Doing intellectual inquiry in this vein is a bit like trying to build the perfect telescope. To begin with, you do not have a telescope. All you can see are a few planets, a bunch of stars, and it is hardly obvious what any of them are. But you are a curious mind, and seized by the beauty of these celestial objects. You wish to appreciate and know them in new depth and clarity—so you go away and build a telescope. Now, you can see the craters on the moon, the moons orbiting Mars! You revel in it, and your understanding grows. But wouldn’t it be great to see Mars like you can see the moon? And what about those other moons? Your telescope is not powerful enough to bring these objects into proper focus. So you go away and grind some more lenses, refine the focusing mechanism etc, and come back. Now you can see all those things clearly—but wait! What’s that? Jupiter has moons? And, orbiting the Sun at a vast distance—is that another planet? Magnificent! And so the process repeats itself, with each new iteration of the telescope revealing its own imperfections in just the right way to enkindle love and curiosity, driving you onwards to further refine your instruments. Eventually, you may come to learn that, while lenses may work for some objects, the sky is filled with others that will never be visible to the eye. So you change technology entirely, instead setting up receptors for radiation, and building computers that can turn that radiation into a visible model. Now your night sky looks very different. Where there were once shining balls of rock and glimmering stars, there are now dots and lines on a graph. Your activity has also changed: where you once ground lenses and stared up in wonder, you now calibrate dishes and interpret numbers. And so you start to ask: Has some kind of trade-off been made? Have you sacrificed the aesthetic to the intellectual parts of your study? Or has the intellectual required a revision of your aesthetics – are the dots and lines beautiful? Or has the intellectual suffered in losing the aesthetic, now being caught up in mathematical abstractions to the point of losing touch with the beautiful objects you first sought to understand? And finally, the ultimate question: is this activity greater or lesser than the one with which you started out? After thinking for a long time, you may a decision: perhaps you will turn off the dish in frustration, and return to the telescope. Perhaps you will try and work with both telescope and radio dish, treasuring the light reflected from the surface of near objects even as you gaze into the dark depths. Or perhaps you will decide that the graphs give you what you loved in the light, if in a form that requires more work to appreciate, putting away the telescope once and for all—or getting it out only for fun. And who is to say what choice would make you the more faithful student of astronomy?
November 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
The problem is that this law is intrinsically a matter of policing toilets and gender. That's what keeping trans women out of women's toilets *is*. There is no magic way to 'get this right' that avoids these things. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
The @ccstp.bsky.social is now on Bluesky! Follow for work in Catholic Social Thought that pushes back against Christian nationalism, defends human dignity against its abuses in the immigration system, and is genuinely concerned about economic injustice.
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Note for non-flu me: co-op ginger shots would unironically make a great tequila mixer
November 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
natacha.bsky.social
People fleeing climate change are as legitimate refugees as those fleeing war & persecution.

The rich countries are mostly responsible for climate change, so we have a responsibility to take climate refugees.

Their homes will never to be safe to return to.

theconversation.com/how-the-rich...
Many other climate migrants will be pushed to travel internationally. It's likely their motivation will be characterised by many as economic rather than due to climate change. But it's misleading to separate "economic" from "climate" migrants. When drought kills crops in Somalia or floods wash away farmland in Pakistan, the loss of income is inseparable from the climate shocks that caused it. Even before the worst impacts hit, climate change is already woven into the economic pressures that push people to move - shrinking harvests, emptying wells and ruining livelihoods. The most severe climate-driven displacement is still ahead, but it has already begun.
November 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
hannahmstrommen.bsky.social
New issue out in The Bible and Critical Theory journal. Special issue this time on The Bible after José Esteban Muñoz: bibleandcriticaltheory.com/volume-21-no...
VOLUME 21, NO 2 (2025)
bibleandcriticaltheory.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:50 AM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Labour enthusiastically leaping into the "synonymous with evil government" category of party
adambienkov.bsky.social Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 20d
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.

How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
There is something genuinely morally disordered about an attitude that sees fighting an arcane culture war as more important than just giving people material help. There is a clear hierarchy of goods here and this just isn't it
michaelhobbes.bsky.social Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 21d
Puking and crying at the thought of trans people in Ghana getting access to microcredit
November 15, 2025 at 6:14 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
The turning over the calendar to 1984 meme, but the woman is reading out the following passage: "In preparatory talks for Cop30, Argentina and Paraguay requested the inclusion of footnotes in an informal note on the state of the negotiations to clarify their understanding of gender as referring to the female and male sexes. The Vatican, which rarely intervenes in climate negotiations, called for a reference to “sex” rather than “gender” during discussions on the need for disaggregated data" The man is turning over the calendar to the year 1995, because this is almost exactly what happened at the UN conference on Women in that year. A bunch of secually conservative countries, facilitated by the Vatican, objected to the language of "gender" because it was seen as denaturalising sex roles (including heterosexuality etc). They also ended up forcing a clarification in the final document that the word was simply being used as a more polite synonym for "sex". It's all so fucking tiresome honestly
November 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Nicolete Burbach
jessdkant.bsky.social
Many people dismissed the announcement Catholic hospitals will ban gender-affirming care nationwide under the assumption that there will be other options. In reality, Catholic hospitals make up as much 46% of options in some states. This map is 2020, prior to Trump’s assault on safety net hospitals.
MAP 1| States with the most Catholic hospital beds Percentage of staffed acute care hospital beds that are in Catholic facilities ranging from 20-46%
November 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
nicoleteburbach.bsky.social
Sharing this again, because USCCB will never have an adequate response to Trump's nativism while they collaborate with other parts of his programme www.newwaysministry.org/2025/02/15/t...
November 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM