Owen Blacker
@owenblacker.bsky.social
🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏴🇵🇸♿⧖ he/him, cis.
Queer political geek; proud social justice warrior+trans ally. Queering Wikipedia (and chair of @wmlgbt.org), Open Rights Group, ex-mySociety. Dysgwr. My opinions, not my employer’s.
t.me/owenblacker
owen.blacker.me.uk
Queer political geek; proud social justice warrior+trans ally. Queering Wikipedia (and chair of @wmlgbt.org), Open Rights Group, ex-mySociety. Dysgwr. My opinions, not my employer’s.
t.me/owenblacker
owen.blacker.me.uk
Reposted by Owen Blacker
I feel like a crazy person. *Tariffs are a tax on Americans*
World markets face fresh jolt as Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Greenland reut.rs/4pJFG4G
World markets face fresh jolt as Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Greenland
Global markets face a fresh bout of volatility this week after President Donald Trump vowed to slap tariffs on eight European nations until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland.
reut.rs
January 18, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I feel like a crazy person. *Tariffs are a tax on Americans*
Reposted by Owen Blacker
“Autocrats destroy the free press in at least two ways: by cracking down, as Trump has done through lawsuits and regulatory pressure, and by reapportioning access to information. … The media, like civil society, is much diminished compared with what it was a year ago.”
January 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
“Autocrats destroy the free press in at least two ways: by cracking down, as Trump has done through lawsuits and regulatory pressure, and by reapportioning access to information. … The media, like civil society, is much diminished compared with what it was a year ago.”
Reposted by Owen Blacker
The judgement itself says the gender critical women should have been offered an alternative space; not that trans women should be excluded!
January 18, 2026 at 9:58 AM
The judgement itself says the gender critical women should have been offered an alternative space; not that trans women should be excluded!
Reposted by Owen Blacker
“A key message being put out in relation to the outcome of this case is that it should be a lesson to organisations to ‘listen to women’. However, it is crucial to note that not all women feel trans people should be excluded from gendered spaces.“ - @nionwomen.bsky.social with 77,000 signatures 👏🏻
Female nurses win employment case over NHS changing-room use by trans colleague
Judge finds Durham trust violated nurses’ dignity and created intimidating environment by allowing use of single-sex space
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:53 AM
“A key message being put out in relation to the outcome of this case is that it should be a lesson to organisations to ‘listen to women’. However, it is crucial to note that not all women feel trans people should be excluded from gendered spaces.“ - @nionwomen.bsky.social with 77,000 signatures 👏🏻
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Christian Concern backed the nurses publicly. I assume they paod their legal fees.
Wes Streeting also backed them publicly. And privately with meetings.
Wes Streeting also backed them publicly. And privately with meetings.
Spotted via a post on FB that JK Rowling is sharing tweets by well known homophobic and transphobic group Christian Concern, celebrating a bunch of TERF nurses and deliberately misgendering trans women. Another day, of her being rancid. Tell me again how she’s defending gay people?
January 18, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Christian Concern backed the nurses publicly. I assume they paod their legal fees.
Wes Streeting also backed them publicly. And privately with meetings.
Wes Streeting also backed them publicly. And privately with meetings.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Such an excellent electoral system we have where the Lib Dems and Greens get the same vote share but a different number of seats
General Election Nowcast - 18/01/26:
RFM: 337 (+332), 29.1% (24 Maj.)
LAB: 86 (-325), 18.7%
LDM: 77 (+5), 12.8%
CON: 50 (-71), 19.4%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
GRN: 22 (+18), 12.9%
PLC: 8 (+4), 1.3%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.2%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
RFM: 337 (+332), 29.1% (24 Maj.)
LAB: 86 (-325), 18.7%
LDM: 77 (+5), 12.8%
CON: 50 (-71), 19.4%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
GRN: 22 (+18), 12.9%
PLC: 8 (+4), 1.3%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.2%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
January 18, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Such an excellent electoral system we have where the Lib Dems and Greens get the same vote share but a different number of seats
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Here's what Shakespeare actually wrote in around 1596 about the loss of a son - in King John.
In the play, the young Prince Arthur isn't dead yet, but his mother knows she will never see him again.
For me, this is far more moving and pertinent than anything in Hamnet.
In the play, the young Prince Arthur isn't dead yet, but his mother knows she will never see him again.
For me, this is far more moving and pertinent than anything in Hamnet.
January 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Here's what Shakespeare actually wrote in around 1596 about the loss of a son - in King John.
In the play, the young Prince Arthur isn't dead yet, but his mother knows she will never see him again.
For me, this is far more moving and pertinent than anything in Hamnet.
In the play, the young Prince Arthur isn't dead yet, but his mother knows she will never see him again.
For me, this is far more moving and pertinent than anything in Hamnet.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
There is only one side 'consumed' by 'gender ideology' and it is not the side that supports trans people.
It needs saying clearly, by the SNP’s opponents as well as by its supporters, that this is conspiratorial nonsense.
Whatever your views on trans and gender issues, the SNP did not go “all-in” on them. They have not been the government’s main legislative focus. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Whatever your views on trans and gender issues, the SNP did not go “all-in” on them. They have not been the government’s main legislative focus. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
January 18, 2026 at 11:08 AM
There is only one side 'consumed' by 'gender ideology' and it is not the side that supports trans people.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Academics - we should be very worried about and acting to avoid this language becoming adopted by funders, universities, our institutions.
The ferocity with which the vile phrase “a biological male who identifies as a woman” is being embedded across multiple media in Britain is horrifying. It shows how quickly support for eliminationist attacks against trans and gender diverse people is being solidified
January 18, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Academics - we should be very worried about and acting to avoid this language becoming adopted by funders, universities, our institutions.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
All the abuse by cis men in the world and somehow people have become obsessed with dehumanising the trans community instead - sickening
January 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM
All the abuse by cis men in the world and somehow people have become obsessed with dehumanising the trans community instead - sickening
Reposted by Owen Blacker
The ferocity with which the vile phrase “a biological male who identifies as a woman” is being embedded across multiple media in Britain is horrifying. It shows how quickly support for eliminationist attacks against trans and gender diverse people is being solidified
January 18, 2026 at 9:52 AM
The ferocity with which the vile phrase “a biological male who identifies as a woman” is being embedded across multiple media in Britain is horrifying. It shows how quickly support for eliminationist attacks against trans and gender diverse people is being solidified
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Nice to see BBC journalists being unbiased in the national press again.
When are people going to be held accountable for the nonsense slop and puff they emit.
January 18, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Nice to see BBC journalists being unbiased in the national press again.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
PETITION: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
petition.parliament.uk
January 18, 2026 at 8:40 AM
PETITION: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Reposted by Owen Blacker
They still haven’t learned that appeasing bullies doesn’t stop you getting punched.
What will the UK do if Trump imposes more sanctions on us?
Nandy: "This is the nature of diplomacy, that we have to have good relationships with countries all over the world in order to have those serious conversations about future decisions other countries may or may not make"
Nandy: "This is the nature of diplomacy, that we have to have good relationships with countries all over the world in order to have those serious conversations about future decisions other countries may or may not make"
January 18, 2026 at 9:34 AM
They still haven’t learned that appeasing bullies doesn’t stop you getting punched.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
And who was quite explicitly found to have done absolutely nothing wrong.
"Trans zealots" - it was one trans woman who'd worked without issue for 4 years until this lot came along
January 18, 2026 at 9:28 AM
And who was quite explicitly found to have done absolutely nothing wrong.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
When we said NATO wasn't working we were derided.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
January 18, 2026 at 7:36 AM
When we said NATO wasn't working we were derided.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
So funny how cleaning ads decided to become less sexist by featuring men... who are always studs in vests or topless, so the ads about cleaning are basically still targeted at women.
January 18, 2026 at 9:08 AM
So funny how cleaning ads decided to become less sexist by featuring men... who are always studs in vests or topless, so the ads about cleaning are basically still targeted at women.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
This is exactly right. The white kids and adults I know who know the true history of the United States and Colonialism don't feel bad or guilty; they feel angry, in community with their peers of other races, and empowered to push for change. Enlightened white people are dangerous to the hegemony.
This is my song. “Those are the real stakes — not white children feeling guilty, but white children armed with truth, history and a righteous desire to work with others to change the world.”
January 18, 2026 at 5:16 AM
This is exactly right. The white kids and adults I know who know the true history of the United States and Colonialism don't feel bad or guilty; they feel angry, in community with their peers of other races, and empowered to push for change. Enlightened white people are dangerous to the hegemony.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Saw a lot of headlines saying "wikipedia is embracing ai" being tossed around tabloids, and I'm pretty sure they were maliciously written to make you feel a certain way about Wikipedia. What's actually happening is that wikipedia is demanding payment for data scraping and the corpos don't like that.
Sure. AI companies have ALWAYS been training their models on Wikipedia content, which under the free and open access model is available to anyone — including AI companies. Agreements like these require AI companies to limit and offset the strain they place on Wikimedia infrastructure.
Hoping that @molly.wiki can help explain.
January 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Saw a lot of headlines saying "wikipedia is embracing ai" being tossed around tabloids, and I'm pretty sure they were maliciously written to make you feel a certain way about Wikipedia. What's actually happening is that wikipedia is demanding payment for data scraping and the corpos don't like that.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Reposted by Owen Blacker
what it comes down to is this: if human rights are something you have to deserve, then anyone - including you! - can be deemed undeserving.
and once you believe that, the only thing separating you from a fascist is a little bit of haggling over the price.
and once you believe that, the only thing separating you from a fascist is a little bit of haggling over the price.
January 18, 2026 at 4:38 AM
what it comes down to is this: if human rights are something you have to deserve, then anyone - including you! - can be deemed undeserving.
and once you believe that, the only thing separating you from a fascist is a little bit of haggling over the price.
and once you believe that, the only thing separating you from a fascist is a little bit of haggling over the price.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
if you think it's fine to misgender someone you dislike, for example, you are saying that you don't truly think trans people should be recognised as their true gender, but instead that recognition is a privilege to be bestowed upon the deserving
January 18, 2026 at 4:31 AM
if you think it's fine to misgender someone you dislike, for example, you are saying that you don't truly think trans people should be recognised as their true gender, but instead that recognition is a privilege to be bestowed upon the deserving
Reposted by Owen Blacker
It is also consistent with his direct tweets about how he thinks cis women are sheep.
January 18, 2026 at 4:19 AM
It is also consistent with his direct tweets about how he thinks cis women are sheep.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Graham Linehan retweeted a post calling for women in the United States to be stripped of the right to vote.
That wording reflects exactly what happened. It does not infer motive. It does not speculate. It simply states the action and the content of what was shared.
That wording reflects exactly what happened. It does not infer motive. It does not speculate. It simply states the action and the content of what was shared.
January 18, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Graham Linehan retweeted a post calling for women in the United States to be stripped of the right to vote.
That wording reflects exactly what happened. It does not infer motive. It does not speculate. It simply states the action and the content of what was shared.
That wording reflects exactly what happened. It does not infer motive. It does not speculate. It simply states the action and the content of what was shared.
Reposted by Owen Blacker
Donald Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Board of Peace they will have to ***pay $1 billion*** to be permanent members
Bloomberg has obtained draft charter. It appears to suggest ***Trump himself would control the money***, sources say
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg has obtained draft charter. It appears to suggest ***Trump himself would control the money***, sources say
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Wants Nations to Pay $1 Billion to Stay on His Peace Board
The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least $1 billion.
www.bloomberg.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Donald Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Board of Peace they will have to ***pay $1 billion*** to be permanent members
Bloomberg has obtained draft charter. It appears to suggest ***Trump himself would control the money***, sources say
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg has obtained draft charter. It appears to suggest ***Trump himself would control the money***, sources say
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...