@leighdownes
Northern, non-binary, cat companion, queer feminist, jigsaw enthusiast, peaks walker, bookworm & Juno Books volunteer. Senior lecturer in Criminology at The Open University. Researching gender, sexuality, violence & social justice. Views my own.
Thrilled this is out in the world - and thanks to @ulyverse.bsky.social for being the best coauthor! F@L is always a pleasure to write for and the editors of this special section were fantastic.
A purple graphic that says "What happened on Friday? GLP v EHRC Judgment What was said? And what happens next? Read more on our website" in white text. The Scottish Trans and Equality Network logos are at the bottom.
On Friday, the High Court published its judgment on a case between the Good Law Project and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
We've put up a page explaining the background to the case, some key parts of the judgment, and what might happen next: www.scottishtrans.org/good-law-pro...
Calling transfeminist researchers! See our call for abstracts below - deadline 1-15th March (with full papers in August)
We are currently searching for one expert by experience: either with lived experience of, or of experience of working with conversion practice survivors. This opportunity can be paid or on a volunteer basis. Due to the potentially distressing nature of the topic, please consider this before applying and reach out with any questions. Role specification: - Co-facilitating two workshops for creative outlets with participants. - Attending at least 4 meetings across an 18 month period. - Within these meetings you will play a part in shaping the research, and materials with our largely LGBTQ+ research team. Location : - Predominantly online - 1/2 workshops will be in person, with travel reimbursed and a venue decided based on participant convenience. - 2nd workshop will be online. This research study aims to centre the voices of conversion practice and change effort survivors, this research is queer, trans-led, survivor-led and trauma-informed.
Non-binary and survivor-led researchers from the University of Hertfordshire are looking for an expert by experience to join our participatory action research project looking at the strengths of LGBTQIA+ survivors of conversion practices.
#TransResearch #ResearchSurvey #LGBTQResearch
I’m sharing Aliya’s entire opening statement. We owe it to her, and those who no longer have a voice, to watch. youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI?...
There is only a few days left to respond to this consultation please if you have the time, follow this guide to send your response. If you don't have the time please at least share this post so others can respond.
This Thursday, Europe could move a big step towards ending conversion practices.
Our report shows trans, intersex and marginalised LGBTI people face the highest risk of abuse, with 60 to 70 percent forced to take meds.
Action is urgent.
I research the harm that can come to teenagers on social media. I don’t support a ban – @emilysetty.bsky.social
“A ban treats social media as the problem, rather than asking deeper questions about why certain behaviours – harassment, shaming, misogyny, exploitation – occur in the first place.”
👇🏻
Trans ppl constitute “a group obsessed with its own victimhood.” I came across this phrase recently when I examined the language of contempt regularly deployed by bigoted publications and how it became mainstream.
Let’s take factual stock of this assertion🧵
Was looking forward to binge watching Heated Rivalry today but omg it's so good that I need to slow down and process all of the feelings about how good it is and what it is bringing up...
CAMP! #TheTraitors #Traitors
Hi hello
If you're here because I followed you it's because something you said and/or your profile looked cool.
No obligation to follow back.
You can find out more about me and my work here profiles.open.ac.uk/leigh-downes
Screenshot from the Sheffield GIC website. Top police award for our gender identity clinic
Cop approved gender cops
Image shows a hand with a heart in it. Text reads: If you're struggling, seek support. Mindline Trans 0300 330 5468 (Fridays 8pm-midnight) TRUK Listens 0800 009 6640 (8am-midnight daily) http://truklistens.org Switchboard 0800 0119 100 (10am-10pm daily) http://switchboard.lgbt Samaritans 116123 (24hrs daily)
This time of year can be difficult. If you're struggling, seek support.
Mindline Trans 0300 330 5468 (Fridays 8pm-midnight)
TRUK Listens 0800 009 6640 (8am-midnight daily) truklistens.org
Switchboard 0800 0119 100 (10am-10pm daily) switchboard.lgbt
Samaritans 116123 (24hrs daily)
👀
Graphic with a blue to purple gradient background. It says "A short summary of the Sandie Peggie V. Fife Health Board and Dr Beth Upton employment tribunal judgment" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are at the bottom.
We've written & published a short summary statement regarding the Sandie Peggie V NHS Fife Health Board employment tribunal case & the judgment given yesterday. Much of the media coverage has missed key information, the most important aspect being that all claims against Dr Beth Upton were dismissed
It is always difficult to wade through the reporting and this summary helps to get clear at these early stages of processing the judgement.
What harm can having the wrong information on your documents actually do? @veraeikon.bsky.social takes a look a 2022 study that investigated just that in this month's Journal Club.
Funded collaborative PhD opportunity on contested memory with me in @oupolitics.bsky.social and Arthur Dudney at Arcadia:
granduniondtp.web.ox.ac.uk/contested-hi...
Deadline 7th Jan, please share!
This is a long read, but SO worthwhile (and it gets better and better).
Lots of great insight.
TLDR: the deliberately adversarial relationship between trans people and healthcare providers is enormously harmful, for everyone.
THE TRANS AGENDA IS TO KEEP MY F*CKING FRIENDS ALIVE sol rios At 2pm and 2am. Sleep, I remember you. Please, wait for me. I send out 7 reminders to eat a day. Like little paper lifeboats. It's nothing. And it keeps me afloat. I forget to eat too. I need company for my shot. 3ml of Estradiol over facetime. I tell my friend I'm being a baby about it, she says woman up. Daylight savings swallows up the hour in question. I was going to sit in the bathtub until you responded. And I need you to keep you alive for me. Just until Thursday. Just through to 6 am. I can send you 14 dollars for soup. I can lend you my ears. You'll need both hands to hold a heart. Your razor clinking against the counter. In a dream I almost slip into, I reach through the phone and hide the blade in my open palm, before you notice. Text me, I say. In the morning. I love you. I need you alive. We can figure out the rest tomorrow. With or without sleep. With or without the light of the morning.
poem that my dear friend @arcanumb.bsky.social wrote & published this week ❤️🔥🏳️⚧️
See also how harm to property (a phone) was recognised above harm to the person.
Wonder why trans people don't trust judges? Classic example of testimonial injustice here. Lived experience of the harmful impacts of harassment is denied because the complainant is trans. Our distress is routinely minimised, disregarded and dismissed.
"True feminists see that our struggle for liberation from patriarchal violence is inextricably tied to trans liberation. We would all benefit from a safer world. Hatred does not deserve a platform; the joy of Newnham’s trans+ community does."
Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act. The absolute tumbleweed from the media & gov shows just how much they want to bury how much disabled people fought and still fight for our rights.
Trans and cis people united in a heartwarming display of kindness
outside the Scottish (Holyrood) Parliament on 1 November
| Sophie Molly
Today is Intersex Day of Solidarity and Remembrance.
It's an opportunity to highlight the continued struggles faced by intersex people globally, from unnecessary medical intervention or stigma.
We all deserve to be treated with dignity, and live a life free from discrimination.
Image of a person buried under a pile of marking, grant deadlines and meeting requests. Logos of University of Liverpool and Independent Social Research Foundation. Text reads: Creating more inclusive workplaces for academics with energy limiting conditions. Webinar and guidance for academics with ELC, line managers & HR professionals, EDI & union representatives, funders, publishers & conference organisers. Monday 24th November 2-3pm.
Join us 24th Nov 2-3pm for a webinar on creating inclusive workplaces for academics with Energy Limiting Conditions. Register: AcademicsWithELC.eventbrite.co.uk For academics with ELC, line managers, HR, funders, publishers, union & EDI reps & conference organisers @isrfoundation.bsky.social
The thing about terminological arguments is that terminology doesn't actually matter but solidarity and respect for other trans people do. And a lot of people use the former to signal the absence of the latter.