k1956
LightNews LightNews
banner
k1956.bsky.social
k1956
@k1956.bsky.social
300 followers 490 following 160 posts
We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.

Revolutionary socialist, Jewish woman she/her, daughter/granddaughter of Holocaust survivors.
Never Again means never again for anyone #FreePalestine
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by k1956
jessothomson.co.uk
Me, in The Guardian today:

"This is a moment that requires bravery in standing up for what is right. Organisations that value trans people should know not just that the law is on their side – but so, also, are many people who will step up to defend them if they have the courage to take a stand."
The WI and Girlguiding have been pressured to exclude trans women – yet the law is clear as mud | Jess O’Thomson
Since the supreme court decision, organisations have faced lobbying and legal threats. But trans people are protected by discrimination law too, says Jess O’Thomson of the Good Law Project
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by k1956
goodlawproject.bsky.social
One of the first cases following the Supreme Court’s decision on the definition of sex under the Equality Act has found it didn’t decide which changing room a trans person should use.

Reflections on the Peggie case by a specialist discrimination law KC:
https://goodlaw.social/32xs
goodlaw.social
December 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by k1956
goodlawproject.org
An important point to come out of the Sandie Peggie case is that 'gender critical' employees can't take matters into their own hands and confront trans employees. If they do that it is likely to be harassment/ bullying/ a hate incident.
So far as her other comments are concerned, they were impermissible manifestations of her belief and were in our view what amounted to an incident of harassment by the claimant of the second respondent related to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, reasonably perceived by the second respondent to be so, and were a breach by the claimant of section 26 of the Act and of the Bullying and Harassment Policy. The second respondent was entitled to view the actions of the claimant in those particular regards as being such harassment, or as a “hate incident” within the policy, and the first respondent was entitled in principle to act on the complaint made, but the detail of how it did so depends on all the circumstances as more fully addressed below. The second respondent was also entitled to regard the claimant’s actions as a breach of the second respondent’s Article 8 rights, so far as the claimant’s expression of her beliefs was impermissible. 1034. We also considered that the claimant had acted deliberately to be able to challenge the second respondent whilst they were alone. What she did was to wait until other members of staff had left the changing room, and for the second respondent to leave the cubicle, before raising her own beliefs directly with the second respondent in the manner we have set out. 1035. Whilst the claimant had not been informed as promptly and in the detail we considered appropriate, and the first respondent did not consider whether to revoke permission at all, the claimant did not herself raise any formal grievance under the policy. She is an experienced member of staff who had access to union advice. She knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the first respondent having granted permission to the second respondent she required to have raised her concerns with the first respondent as the decision-maker rather than with the colleague to whom it had been granted, and in any event ought not to have done so in the manner that she did.
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by k1956
goodlawproject.org
Remember: the EHRC's Interim Guidance, and we understand the draft statutory guidance too, recommended a trans bathroom ban. Two tribunals have now disagreed.
goodlawproject.org Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 1d
This is the second decision - both first instance - since the appalling For (Some) Women Scotland decision to find that there is no trans bathroom ban. www.gov.uk/employment-t...
B M Kelly v Leonardo UK Ltd: 8001497/2024
Employment Tribunal decision.
www.gov.uk
December 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by k1956
goodlawproject.org
Decision in the Sandie Peggie case.

She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board and another (judgment and summary) - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Case number: 4104864/2024 Employment Tribunal, Scotland 8 December 2025 Before: Employment Judge A KempTribunal Member L BrownTribunal Member C Russell Between: Mrs Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board...
www.judiciary.uk
December 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
k1956.bsky.social
Today I want to say a huge solidarity message to Dr Beth Upton, described by a tribunal as credible. Big loss for the transphobes and they're not happy despite spinning it as a win for them (it's not) and the screenshot shows why.
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
December 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by k1956
togetheralliance.bsky.social
Unity is stronger than division.

That’s why we’ve formed Together Alliance with 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals — all pushing back against the far right.

#Together we show where this country really stands.
Join us: togetheralliance.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by k1956
bfawuym.bsky.social
March TOGETHER against the far right:
National demonstration
28 March 2026
Central London
Sign-up here: togetheralliance.org.uk
#TOGETHER

December 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by k1956
goodlawproject.org
I thought I could not be shocked by what prominent transphobes feel able to say about me. Turns out I was wrong.

Here is Richard Dunstan, a prominent commentator closely associated with the Sex Matters charity, speculating that I enjoyed being sexually assaulted as a child.
December 1, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by k1956
stephaniejane.bsky.social
Sex Matters and Falkner having major strop at Phillipson’s refusal to rubber stamp their joint ‘guidance’.
What’s laughable is SM’s 7,893 signatures. I’ve just checked the Not In Our Name website and they’re already up to 65,208!

If you haven’t signed their letter, it’s here👇

notinourname.org.uk
This is part of our The law is clear - so get on with it! campaign | 25th November 2025 Why won't the minister withdraw the code of practice? Services, public functions and associations Statutory Code of Practice This code creates legal risk and should be withdrawn seXmatters Sex Matters has been calling for the government to deal with misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the Equality Act since 2020. Much of the problem goes back to bad guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2011. In 2021, 7,893 people joined us in signing a letter to the Committee on Standards in Public Life calling for a public inquiry into the adoption of "Stonewall Law" by public institutions. On 3rd June 2021 the story got into the news. Stonewall defended its approach, saying that it was: "confident in our advice on the Equality Act which is based on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Equality Act Code of Practice." Now, finally, following the Supreme Court judgment in the For Women Scotland case, the EHRC has admitted that its code of practice for service providers is wrong in law, and has urged the Minister for Women and Equalities to revoke it before it does any more damage. We wrote to Baroness Falkner, chair of the EHRC, to ask why its outdated and legally wrong code had not been withdrawn, following her 16th October letter to the minister. Baroness Falkner replied to us saying that the minister has refused to act: "I can confirm that we received a response from the Minister for Women and Equalities on 11 November. This states that it is not her intention to revoke the 2011 Code before the new Code of Practice is published. The reason given is that the 2011 Code addresses a broad range of issues for service providers, beyond those relating to sex and gender reassignment. Therefore, a gap would leave service providers, individuals and the courts without statutory guidance across all protected characteristics for an unknown period of time." Equality and Human Rights Commission Maya Forstater Sex Matters By email only From: Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman Our ref: 20251119Forstater Wednesday 19 November 2025 Dear Maya Forstater, Thank you for your email of 17° November, requesting that the EHRC withdraws the 2011 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. We share your concerns about the current Code being out of date, which is why we wrote to the Minister for Women for and Equalities on 15 October. In our letter we asked for the revocation of the 2011 version of the code, as it is now unreliable in various respects. I can confirm that we received a response from the Minister for Women and Equalities on 11 November. This states that it is not her intention to revoke the 2011 Code before the new Code of Practice is published. The reason given is that the 2011 Code addresses a broad range of issues for service providers, beyond those relating to sex and gender reassignment. Therefore, a gap would leave service providers, individuals and the courts without statutory guidance across all protected characteristics for an unknown period of time. The Minister also stated that she wants to ensure a smooth transition from one Code to the next and that removing the 2011 Code now would cause more confusion, instability and lack of clarity for service providers and individuals. Thank you for raising your concerns with us. I hope this response clarifies our position on this issue. Yours sincerely. Kishwer Fallen Baroness Kishwer Falkner Chairwoman Equality and Human Rights Commission Arndale House, The Ardale Centre Manchester, M4 ЗАC equalityhumanrights.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by k1956
erininthemorning.com
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.

It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.

It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.

Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by k1956
evanurquhart.bsky.social
This is very good. Clear, calm, factual, and devastating for proponents of bans on puberty blockers for trans youth.

theconversation.com/puberty-bloc...
Puberty blockers: why politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent
The government’s ban on puberty blockers undermines clinical expertise and targets trans youth with a policy that lacks evidence, consistency and fairness.
theconversation.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by k1956
vaginamuseum.bsky.social
Today is #TransDayOfRemembrance. Trans people and their human rights are under attack around the globe. The Vagina Museum stands defiant against these attacks. We are a proudly trans inclusive space, even as discourse grows ever more toxic.
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by k1956
bfawu.bsky.social
The BFAWU Executive Council has responded to the Home Secretary's announcement yesterday evening, you can read the full response on our website here - https://www.bfawu.org/bfawu-executive-council-responds-to-the-home-secretarys-statement/
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by k1956
sexabolition.blog
www.ticketsource.co.uk/arcadia-roll...

Great news: Manchester's 3 roller derby teams are getting together to have a massive fundraiser event for Trans rights. Please get your tickets at this link and come support trans inclusive sport
Skaters unite for trans rights. 6th December 2025 We're raising money for Good Law Project and Trans mutual aid in support of Trans Rights . All three Manchester Roller Derby leagues are coming together to host this important event, and we'd love for you to be a part of it! There will be three exciting games, merch stalls, and plenty of activities to help raise funds for these incredible charities. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to skate, spectate, or simply soak up the atmosphere. Bring your friends, spread the word, and join us for a day full of energy, community, and solidarity. It's going to be amazing and we can't wait to see you there!
November 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by k1956
paulmurphy.pbp.ie
The #GlobalSumudFlotilla was attacked by Israel in international waters. Multiple boats reported attacks by drones.

Contact the Irish government. Demand they send an observer to the flotilla.

While the flotilla continues, Israel continues to bomb Gaza around the clock.
We must #BreakTheSiege
September 24, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by k1956
mehdirhasan.bsky.social
Today it was confirmed that the president told the world's most infamous pedophile and child sex trafficker: "We have certain things in common."

For any other president, it would be the biggest scandal of their lives, possibly career-ending.

For Trump, it's just Monday.
esqueer.net Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · Sep 8
The Wall Street Journal just published the photo of the birthday letter from Trump to Epstein.

www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
A stylized letter in the shape of a woman’s torso with dialogue printed inside. The text is a back-and-forth exchange labeled “Voice Over,” “Donald,” and “Jeffrey,” discussing life, enigmas, and friendship. At the bottom, it ends with “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Signed “Donald J. Trump” with his signature. A caption below reads: “A photo of the letter, which has been turned over to Congress by the Epstein estate.”
September 8, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Reposted by k1956
philippaeast.bsky.social
The Equalities Minister is due to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment of the EHRC's updated Code of Practice, in line with PSED.
To help her with this critical analysis, @transactualuk.bsky.social sent her these impact reports:
transactual.org.uk/impacts-of-t...

She can't say she didn't know.
Photo of the two reports, wire bound and printed in bold colour (pink and blue). The first is titled Trans Segragationin Practice and the second is titled A Community Living in Fear. Dear Bridget Phillipson, We write to you as Minister for Women and Equalities responsible for approving the new EHRC Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations, before you lay it in Parliament. As part of this approval process, you have stated that you will carry out an Equality Impact Assessment, in line with your Public Sector Equality Duty. To help you in this critical evaluation, we enclose here copies of our two reports: “A Community Living in Fear” and “Trans Segregation in Practice.” Together, these document the impact of the Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC’s guidance on members of the UK public, particularly (but not only) in relation to the protected characteristics of disability, gender reassignment, sex, and sexual orientation. The findings are a stark and heart-breaking read. Our first report, “A Community Living in Fear”, documents the reactions of LGBTQ+ people immediately following the Supreme Court ruling, and reveals the profound impact on this community. Many reported planning to flee the UK to safer countries; expressed fears of losing jobs and being driven out of public spaces by a constant stream of humiliation; and described panic attacks, anger, hopelessness, and a sense of reaching a breaking point after years of growing hatred and anti-trans persecution. Notably, these fears were not confined to the trans population, but were expressed by many gender-non-conforming people, too. Sadly, these fears are not without foundation. Barely a week after the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC published an “interim update” that led many UK workplaces, businesses and organisations to adopt extreme policies of exclusion and segregation for trans and non-binary people. This not only affects those with a GRC, but the hundreds of thousands of UK trans people who, until now, have lawfully accessed services according to self-identified gender due to the gender reassignment protected characteristic. Our sister report, “Trans Segregation in Practice” presents testimonials of how these exclusionary policies are already playing out in practice. The narratives show trans people facing a “lose-lose” situation, with backlash whether they follow the EHRC guidance or not. The reported experiences of trans – and non-trans – people include: harassment and threats of violence; bullying in public and in the workplace; forced outing and invasive questioning; exclusion and segregation from places and services they were previously accepted and welcomed in; and being forced to chose between maintaining dignity and mental health, and pursuing public life and professional livelihoods. For years, the trans+ community have been accused of hyperbole and hysteria when raising the alarm about threats to their rights and livelihoods. The SC judges themselves went to great lengths to inform the trans+ community that they would suffer no detriment or loss of protections from their seismic ruling. It’s easy to say such things when you have no real understanding of trans people’s lives. But by now you must know that it is no longer only trans people sounding the alarm. Concerns have been publicly raised by ILGA-Europe ; multiple UN Independent Experts ; the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights ; the Scottish Government ; the Scottish Human Rights Commission ; Human Rights Watch ; and the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention , to name but a few. Now that the EHRC have submitted their Code of Practice to you for approval, you and your department will be responsible for evaluating its impact on the entire UK community. The reports enclosed here constitute the best available evidence of the real-life effects of the EHRC’s interpretation of the Supreme Court judgement. As your department now conducts legal analysis of the human rights impact, and assessment as part of the Public Sector Equalities Duty, I trust that they will be read and considered by you and your team.
September 8, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by k1956
soozuk.bsky.social
When I was announced as the lead in a Doctor Who spinoff in 2023 Graham Linehan tweeted about me for TWO DAYS, tagging the BBC and others to say that I am pro-child abuse and they shouldn't work with me.
newspaper article about glinner. Headline is "I was treated like a terrorist for my tweets, says Linehan"
September 3, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Reposted by k1956
aidancomerford.bsky.social
Graham Linehan has argued for years that "trans activists" are the establishment that he is fighting against, yet, when he incites violence against trans people, the whole UK establishment - the prime minister, health secretary, Met police chief and the entire Uk Press - mobilise to defend him.
September 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by k1956
rosieisaholt.bsky.social
Graham Linehan once took issue with a sketch I did and tweeted about me referring to me not by name but only as to who my boyfriend was and called me an NPC ( non player character.) It was misogynistic and his “standing up for women” schtick is baloney.
September 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by k1956
nionwomen.bsky.social
Women from all walks of life are joining together to say: Not in Our Name. We are a diverse group — women of faith and none, women of colour, disabled women, queer women, working-class and professional women standing up in support of the trans+ community.

✍️ Sign our letter at change.org/nion_women
“My trans friends have brought nothing but joy, kindness and light to my life. Hearing so many of their journeys of pain, fear, loss and exclusion to get to where they are now, their authentic selves, and seeing how happy, fulfilled and full of hope they now are brings me much joy and respect for them.” #WhyWeSigned Image of a Black woman in pink workout gear.
August 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by k1956
ajlanes.bsky.social
This, from the Quakers, is a pretty good example of how to resist pressure from bigot lobbying groups. Effectively “we legally can allow trans people to use the loo, we morally should, and we tried it and nothing bad happened”
www.quaker.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by k1956
zoejardiniere.bsky.social
I don't know about you but I've had about enough of mainstream media & politicians legitimising racist anti-asylum protests that terrorise refugees & communities.

I had to push back hard, TWICE on BBC yesterday about supposed "legitimate concerns" www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtkA...
ENOUGH of the BBC legitimising anti-asylum protests!
YouTube video by Zoe Gardner
www.youtube.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by k1956
jwsal.bsky.social
As usual lots more anti fascists in Islington to oppose a far right demonstration.
August 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM