Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
@rachael-p.bsky.social
Suffolk-based retired Cambridge physicist. Trans woman.
Catless mad catlady
I look forward to reasoned discussion, but will block people who insist there is only one way to be trans, or that my way is transphobic.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rachael_p
Catless mad catlady
I look forward to reasoned discussion, but will block people who insist there is only one way to be trans, or that my way is transphobic.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rachael_p
Pinned
I had an epiphany this morning (yes, I am late to the party, I know).
Those 'sex-based rights' we hear about? They are the supposed right of cis females to know what genitalia everyone else when they were born. 1/3
Those 'sex-based rights' we hear about? They are the supposed right of cis females to know what genitalia everyone else when they were born. 1/3
Took me a moment.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Took me a moment.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
Inclusive of genocidaires, exclusive of trans folk....
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
Why Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands are boycotting next year's Eurovision
A number of countries had called for Israel to be excluded from the song contest over the war in Gaza
inews.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Inclusive of genocidaires, exclusive of trans folk....
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
In the darkness, some light...
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Those backing trans girls ban should read Brownie Law
edition.independent.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In the darkness, some light...
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
We're watching the wholesale burning of every scrap of dignity afforded to trans people in the UK, their rights, their medical services, their employment, their place within society, their bodily functions.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
December 3, 2025 at 11:54 AM
We're watching the wholesale burning of every scrap of dignity afforded to trans people in the UK, their rights, their medical services, their employment, their place within society, their bodily functions.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
"She might very well pass for 45 in the dark with the light behind her".
OK, I quite liked this one.
OK, I quite liked this one.
November 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
"She might very well pass for 45 in the dark with the light behind her".
OK, I quite liked this one.
OK, I quite liked this one.
Seems to me there are clear grounds for complaint if the editors are *not* following a respectful style guide.
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
BBC denies telling staff to describe trans women as 'biological males'
The BBC has denied giving any specific instruction or directive to editorial staff on using the phrase "biological males" to discuss trans women in their stories.
www.thepinknews.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Seems to me there are clear grounds for complaint if the editors are *not* following a respectful style guide.
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
BBC denies telling staff to describe trans women as 'biological males'
The BBC has denied giving any specific instruction or directive to editorial staff on using the phrase "biological males" to discuss trans women in their stories.
www.thepinknews.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
Trans Mission - Wednesday 11th March
Mighty Hoopla and Olly Alexander team up for a Trans Mission: an all-star solidarity concert for the trans community at OVO Arena Wembley
www.transmissionlive.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
16 June 2016
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
16 June 2016
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
![[Scene is JESUS sat behind a boss’s desk in his office on a cloud in HEAVEN]
1
JESUS [speaking into intercom]
Hi can you send in Saint Nicholas please
2
SANTA [entering in full Santa garb]:
Hi boss
JESUS:
Hi Nick
3
JESUS:
Listen - about this ‘my birthday’ thing...
SANTA:
Ohh not this again boss
4
JESUS:
Nick, it’s out of hand. *You’ve* got out of hand.
5
JESUS:
I mean when I hired you, you was all humble, hiding under windows, lobbing in dowries…
And now you’re like…
6
JESUS [gesturing disdainfully at Santa’s clothing]:
I mean - what’s this.
7
SANTA:
This is my get up! I’ve had this since the Coca Cola deal in the 30s
JESUS:
*That’s what I mean.*
8
JESUS:
You’ve just gone too -
SANTA:
Oh no, oh no -
9
SANTA:
Sorry boss but waaay back in the Reformation, right, Martin Luther said: “why don’t we have Jesus delivering the presents?”. And when he prayed to ask you, do you remember what you said? Eh?
10
SANTA:
You said: “I ain’t going back there”
11
SANTA:
If you wanna take over -
JESUS:
Oh yeah! Kids coming downstairs to find me resurrected in their living room going "I got you an Xbox"...
12
SANTA:
You’re just feeling threatened cos I’m doing a bloody good -
JESUS:
*WATCH IT NICK*.
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayhglimve4fbwilzyfjedpa56xwmjq4oriqqs62atkospprs6x5y@jpeg)
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
Since both the Times and the BBC claim to have seen the full document, could we now win an FoI for it?
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
"Misogynistic" leaked guidance would ban people from toilets based on appearance
Leaked EHRC code of practice is "misogynist’s charter" that will enforce gender stereotypes in public life with "a license to discriminate"
www.wearequeeraf.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Since both the Times and the BBC claim to have seen the full document, could we now win an FoI for it?
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
But it's designed to hurt us, so complaining about *that* only tells the people pushing these policies that they are succeeding.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
Ngl, it doesn't feel awesome that so much discourse about policies designed specifically to hurt trans people is about the negative effects it might have on some cis people.
Not cos it's not bad that it will have broader incidental effects but because it should be enough that it will hurt us.
Not cos it's not bad that it will have broader incidental effects but because it should be enough that it will hurt us.
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
But it's designed to hurt us, so complaining about *that* only tells the people pushing these policies that they are succeeding.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
In response to the laughable fiction presented in the letter sent by Sex Matters to BBC Board members, we have sent a rebuttal letter to clarify the real facts, rather than their Orwellian tale.
November 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
In response to the laughable fiction presented in the letter sent by Sex Matters to BBC Board members, we have sent a rebuttal letter to clarify the real facts, rather than their Orwellian tale.
The Indy today. As at 16:30, no responses from SM or any of the usual suspects.
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Indy today. As at 16:30, no responses from SM or any of the usual suspects.
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
It seems to me that the media reporting this story are desperate to give the impression that this will *not* affect cis people. So they write these absurdities, in the hope the average reader won't bother to unpack them.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
Note bene: it is *only* transgender women they will be able to question to find out if they are trans. So if they know we are trans they can question us, and if not, not.
Does anyone else see a problem here?
Does anyone else see a problem here?
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It seems to me that the media reporting this story are desperate to give the impression that this will *not* affect cis people. So they write these absurdities, in the hope the average reader won't bother to unpack them.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
Sometimes you can't help thinking a post is related to the preceding one ....
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Sometimes you can't help thinking a post is related to the preceding one ....
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
Odd that this is the most recent PM to be brave enough to say the obvious. He lost to Tony Blair 28 years ago!
I didn't dislike him, but he was a Tory and Thatcher's heir. He had to go. My infatuation with Tony Blair lasted about 2 years. I liked Brown, and pitied May. But basically downhill since
I didn't dislike him, but he was a Tory and Thatcher's heir. He had to go. My infatuation with Tony Blair lasted about 2 years. I liked Brown, and pitied May. But basically downhill since
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Odd that this is the most recent PM to be brave enough to say the obvious. He lost to Tony Blair 28 years ago!
I didn't dislike him, but he was a Tory and Thatcher's heir. He had to go. My infatuation with Tony Blair lasted about 2 years. I liked Brown, and pitied May. But basically downhill since
I didn't dislike him, but he was a Tory and Thatcher's heir. He had to go. My infatuation with Tony Blair lasted about 2 years. I liked Brown, and pitied May. But basically downhill since
I know I'm in a minority, and that this is confirmation bias etc, but I really *hate* summer time, AND the switching, and this seems so right...
“Sleep and circadian experts generally advocate for permanent Standard Time… Change between Standard Time and DST is not simply loss/gain of sleep, but rather misalignment between circadian and social clocks…”
November 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I know I'm in a minority, and that this is confirmation bias etc, but I really *hate* summer time, AND the switching, and this seems so right...
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
Always remember that a parliamentary majority can (purport to) render a country "safe" by an Act. The Conservatives sought to do that with Rwanda, regardless of the facts.
Another chilling aspect... The Tories simply passed a law declaring Rwanda "safe".
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Always remember that a parliamentary majority can (purport to) render a country "safe" by an Act. The Conservatives sought to do that with Rwanda, regardless of the facts.
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
The golden age of diversity and democracy in Oz.
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The golden age of diversity and democracy in Oz.
This is Marxism 101 as I understand it.
And is *obviously* true.
And is *obviously* true.
Equally, the UK is absolutely fucked because we're a small country that can no longer rely on pillaging the resources of others.
It's the most fundamental truth of our economic woes and it never, ever gets discussed.
It's the most fundamental truth of our economic woes and it never, ever gets discussed.
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
This is Marxism 101 as I understand it.
And is *obviously* true.
And is *obviously* true.
School is a waste of time.
90% of children find 95% of what they are taught completely irrelevant.
We put everyone through it (a) to keep them off the streets (b) to give their parents some time off and (c) in case a few find something they like.
It costs a fortune and breeds cyncism.
90% of children find 95% of what they are taught completely irrelevant.
We put everyone through it (a) to keep them off the streets (b) to give their parents some time off and (c) in case a few find something they like.
It costs a fortune and breeds cyncism.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 10:44 AM
School is a waste of time.
90% of children find 95% of what they are taught completely irrelevant.
We put everyone through it (a) to keep them off the streets (b) to give their parents some time off and (c) in case a few find something they like.
It costs a fortune and breeds cyncism.
90% of children find 95% of what they are taught completely irrelevant.
We put everyone through it (a) to keep them off the streets (b) to give their parents some time off and (c) in case a few find something they like.
It costs a fortune and breeds cyncism.