Author | Lightnews

Adam Summers 🏳️‍🌈 ÁCCENT MILLINERY @accentmillinery.bsky.social · 23h

Daylight horrors quicken in stillness ⛓️ BANSHEE is inspired by Irish folklore, and explores the scream as an expression of outrage, integrity, and humanity. The mask blends expressions of horror and restraint, while the crown of flowing, interwoven hair evokes Celtic knotwork. #millinery #halloween

A grey-haired woman stands in the darkness wearing a blue dress and a white Elizabethan standing ruff braced with ironwork. The ruff is connected to a collar by a body harness of chains. Broken chains hang from the iron manacles on her wrists. She is wearing a headdress of stone hair tendrils, which intertwine to create the impression of Celtic knotwork. The tendrils frame a pale blue mask covering outer half of her forehead and cheeks, and support a disconnected lower jaw in the same shade. The lip on the lower jaw is a dark brown, matching the colour of the woman's top lip. The effect makes the woman appear to be screaming, even when her face is in a neutral position.

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Zoe TunnHELL @zoewithasword.bsky.social · 1d

I'm so goddamn tired of saying this but: this is it.

All the worrying that trans folks have had since he took office? This is why. This is the first step on a short road that ends with the criminalization of trans existence in the US. It isn't doomsaying. It isn't panic. It's right in front of us.

NPR @npr.org · 1d

The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too. n.pr/4qFa1mY

Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally

The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.

n.pr

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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 1d

A new report from TransActual looks at the impact of the 2025 EHRC interim update on access to, and experiences within, gendered spaces in the UK.

Read the full report here: transactual.org.uk/gendered-spa...

#TransRights #EHRC #ScrapTheBathroomBan #EqualityAct

Image of a megaphone on a pink and purple background. Text reads: Gendered Spaces and the Impact of the EHRC Non-Statutory Interim Update on Trans, Intersex and Gender Non-Conforming Adults. Discrimination and harassment have increased for both trans and non trans people since the EHRC’s “Interim Update”.

Image of a megaphone on a pink and purple background. Text reads: Following challenge or harassment, respondents reported avoiding gendered spaces because of fear of violence or intimidation.

Image of a megaphone on a pink and purple background. Text reads: Trans people are being challenged, misgendered and harassed whether they use a facility that aligns with their sex assigned at birth, or not. Many gender non conforming women also report more challenges in gendered spaces.

Image of a megaphone on a pink and purple background, image of the front cover of the report. Text reads: A new report from
TransActual looks at the impact of the 2025 EHRC interim update on access to, and experiences within, gendered spaces in the UK.
TransActual.org.uk/gendered-spaces-report-25

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Adam Summers 🏳️‍🌈 ÁCCENT MILLINERY @accentmillinery.bsky.social · 2d

None are spared by silence ⛓️ BANSHEE is inspired by Irish folklore, and explores the scream as an expression of outrage, integrity, and humanity. The mask blends expressions of horror and restraint, while the crown of flowing, interwoven hair evokes Celtic knotwork. #millinery #halloween #headpiece

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Ashleeee 🌊🪭 @reactiveashley.bsky.social · 10d

1/🧵 I am viewing a never-before-seen file on “gender reassignment” or trans inclusion policy at the National Archives, Kew. The Supreme Court should start sweating. A bagful of receipts!

A close-up, angled shot of a pink paper file cover from the UK "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH," resting on a light wood-grain surface. The "SUBJECT" is handwritten in large blue capital letters: "GENDER RE-ASSIGNMENT".

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Philippa East (Author) @philippaeast.bsky.social · 10d

Wow, Bridget Phillipson is DEFINITELY floundering!
Let’s keep up the pressure….

www.instagram.com/reel/DQClCl1...

Screenshot from the Instagram post links above, which reads:

Trans woman grills Equalities Minister about trans rights!

Bridget Phillipson (who could be the next Deputy Leader of Labour) said in April that trans women shouldn’t use the women’s bathrooms. So I (a trans woman) asked her where she wants me to go to the bathroom.

Bridget Phillipson is arguably the woman of the moment in British politics. She’s Education Secretary, the Minister for Women and Equalities, and this weekend hopes to be elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

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Rose Schmits @roseschmits.bsky.social · 12d

Its the media being tested here and you failed btw

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 12d

BREAKING: Israel strikes southern Gaza in test of ceasefire.

Israel strikes Gaza in first major test of ceasefire

Israel said it struck Hamas militants in Gaza on Sunday after they shot at Israeli soldiers who were inside the area that is still under Israeli control, according to the conditions of the Oct. 10 ceasefire.

bit.ly

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Dr Robert Bohan @robertbohan.bsky.social · 16d

This is a very important legal case, whereby the enforcement of equal human rights for trans ppl, ruled by the European Court of Human Rights, is actually carried out by the British govt. Having not done so, as legally required, brings the British state into disrepute, & undermines human rights.

Victoria McCloud 🏳️‍⚧️🌈‍♾️ @humanrightsvicky.bsky.social · 16d

ANNOUNCEMENT
This evening, 14/10/25 the Trans Advocacy and Complaints Collective and the Trans Exile Network have taken the next step in the struggle to restore the human rights, dignity & safety of UK trans people.

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Victoria McCloud 🏳️‍⚧️🌈‍♾️ @humanrightsvicky.bsky.social · 16d

ANNOUNCEMENT
This evening, 14/10/25 the Trans Advocacy and Complaints Collective and the Trans Exile Network have taken the next step in the struggle to restore the human rights, dignity & safety of UK trans people.

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D A V I E M O o O o O o 👻🎃 @daviemoo.bsky.social · 16d

This is such a clever move and I really hope it’s the shakeup for trans rights the uk needs.

Victoria McCloud 🏳️‍⚧️🌈‍♾️ @humanrightsvicky.bsky.social · 16d

ANNOUNCEMENT
This evening, 14/10/25 the Trans Advocacy and Complaints Collective and the Trans Exile Network have taken the next step in the struggle to restore the human rights, dignity & safety of UK trans people.

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Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 22d

It cannot be made clearer.

If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.

JK Rowling pledges to keep up fight against SNP trans policies

Author vows to bankroll campaigners after Scottish government fails to pay group's legal fees in Supreme Court equality case

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Lupita Nihongo @otsumamiboy.bsky.social · 25d

I don’t want to talk about this because I don’t want to be a target

But on just a human decency level the person tirelessly deleting Gazans just permabanned the guy who uses his thousands strong platform to boost the fundraisers of literally anyone who needs money or mutual aid every single Friday

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Philippa East (Author) @philippaeast.bsky.social · Sep 30

Dear Daisy Eastlake,

Many thanks for your article in the Times yesterday titled "Trans people frightened to leave homes, says MP".

You have very helpfully highlighted the devastating impacts the recent Supreme Court ruling and proposed EHRC Code of Practice is having on the UK trans community. If you have not already seen these, you might find further helpful information in these two reports published by TransActual: https://transactual.org.uk/impacts-of-the-supreme-court-ruling-on-trans-people/

You may also be interested in this analysis by the Equality Network of the serious human rights issues raised by the ruling: https://www.equality-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Erosion-of-Trans-Rights-in-the-UK-a-human-rights-analysis.pdf

You may be aware that the Supreme Court case was driven in large part by anti-trans group Sex Matters, who were interveners in the case. Their aim was (purportedly) to achieve "clarity" regarding single-sex services and related issues under the UK Equality Act.

As the trans+ community have known for a long time, this was never their true agenda. Rather, Sex Matters is pushing for the elimination of trans people from public life, through "bathroom bans", removal of legal rights and denial of healthcare.

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Stéphanie says… 🏴‍☠️☕️🍰 @stephaniejane.bsky.social · Sep 30

Now 54,380 signatures of women who stand with trans women.

Let’s keep this going!

Please sign, if you haven’t already done so.
Please share, if you have.

Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · Sep 19

✨ We’ve Moved! ✨

Thank you to the 42,890 people who have signed, shared and supported our letter so far: Not In Our Name: Women in support of the trans+ community.

🌐 NotInOurName.org.uk

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Philippa East (Author) @philippaeast.bsky.social · Sep 30

When I get mad, I write 🤬😅

Dear DSIT,

Thank you for your correspondence in July (attached below) confirming that the Sullivan review was commissioned in full knowledge of Professor Alice Sullivan's declared affiliation with organisation Sex Matters.

I understand that DSIT is continuing to consult and work with Sex Matters on additional projects regarding data recording and collection, for example the Government's plans for a digital ID card.

As you may be aware, the trans+ community have serious concerns about the recommedations of the Sullivan review and campaigns by Sex Matters to have "birth sex" (rather than lived gender) recorded as default in many areas, including on any digital ID cards. In particular, the trans+ community have serious concerns about the risks this poses of trans people being constantly "outed" when having to present official records or documents in day-to-day life.

However, we believe this is precisely the reason why Sex Matters are pushing for "birth sex" to be mandated on official documents, regardless of the violations of privacy rights and fundamental denial of trans identities this entails.

As evidence of this, I wish to draw your attention to statements made by the CEO of Sex Matters, Maya Forstater, in response to yesterday's announcement that updated Scottish schools guidance will madate that school toilets are segregated by "biological sex" and that trans pupils are banned from gender-aligned facilities:

'Calling the guidance “muddled and ideological” Ms Forstater expressed concerns that the document asks teachers “to make decisions which are far outside of the competency of teachers”. The policy states clearly that the government accepts the Supreme Court judgement in the For Women Scotland case.

She added: “But it somehow still suggests that a pupil might be able to go through their school career pretending to be the opposite sex without ever being ‘outed’ – that is, recognised as the sex they actually are. The guidance offers the bizarre suggestion that this pretence might be maintained by the child using facilities outside normal breaktimes. This is neither practical nor in the child’s best interests, since it will only worsen the child’s dissociation from the unchangeable physical reality of their sex.”'
Ref: https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/new-scottish-government-guidance-on-school-toilets-is-muddled-and-still-unlawful-5338819
The entire aim of Sex Matters' current campaigns appears to be ensuring that trans people are constantly "outed" in daily life and forced to accept treatment which fundamentaly invalidates their core, lived identities. These sentiments are echoed in a recent article by Sex Matters' Director of Advocacy Helen Joyce, who states:
'I still hope that clear, unsentimental guidance about the nuts and bolts – children must remain recorded as their (actual) sex on school registers, no one in any position of authority may pretend any child has changed sex, no child (or adult) may ever use a space intended for the opposite sex – takes us an awfully long way. ... But post-FWS there’s an extra, killer argument: every single child in the UK today is going to grow up into a world where no trans-identifying person will ever have any right to be considered as the opposite sex in any situation covered by the Equality Act – that is, in employment or service provision.'
In light of these distrubing and extremist positions, I would be grateful if you could advise me
a) whether and how you plan to collabrate and consult with Sex Matters in the future
b) whether you will engage sincerely and in depth with trans-led organisations whose lives stand to be so devastated by such policies.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincereley,

Dear Women and Equalities Unit,

I am aware that you are currently reviewing the new Code of Practice sent to you by the EHRC, following updates to reflect April's Supreme Court ruling on "sex" in the Equality Act.

As you will be aware, the Supreme Court case was heavily influenced by campaign group Sex Matters, who were third-party interveners in the case.

As you will know, the trans+ community have serious concerns about the aims and agenda of Sex Matters, and how the Supreme Court ruling may be weaponised against the trans+ community. In particular, we are extremely aware of the close ties the EHRC have had with Sex Matters over recent years.

Sex Matters are keen for all single-sex services and associations in the UK to be segregated by "biological sex", with trans inclusion according to lived gender mandatorily prohibited.

Sex Matters are also keen to see "birth sex" (rather than lived gender) recorded as default for data collection in many areas, including on the new digital ID cards the Government is currently proposing.

The trans+ community have serious concerns about the risks these policies will pose of trans people being constantly "outed" when using public services and whenever they are required to present official records
or documents in day-to-day life.

However, we believe this is precisely the reason why Sex Matters are pushing for "sex" to be defined as "biological sex" in as many areas of life as possible, regardless of the potential violations of privacy rights and fundamental denial of trans identities this entails.

As evidence of this, I wish to draw your attention to statements made by the CEO of Sex Matters, Maya Forstater, in response to yesterday's announcement that updated Scottish schools guidance will mandate that school toilets are segregated by "biological sex" and that trans pupils are banned from gender-aligned facilities:

'Calling the guidance “muddled and ideological” Ms Forstater expressed concerns that the document asks teachers “to make decisions which are far outside of the competency of teachers”.

She added: “But it somehow still suggests that a pupil might be able to go through their school career pretending to be the opposite sex without ever being ‘outed’ – that is, recognised as the sex they actually are. The guidance offers the bizarre suggestion that this pretence might be maintained by the child using facilities outside normal breaktimes. This is neither practical nor in the child’s best interests, since it will only worsen the child’s dissociation from the unchangeable physical reality of their sex.”'

The entire aim of Sex Matters' current campaigns appears to be ensuring
that trans people are constantly "outed" in daily life and forced to
accept treatment which fundamentally invalidates their core, lived
identities. These sentiments are echoed in a recent article by Sex Matters' Director of Advocacy Helen Joyce, who states:

'I still hope that clear, unsentimental guidance about the nuts and bolts –
children must remain recorded as their (actual) sex on school registers, no one in any position of authority may pretend any child has changed sex, no child (or adult) may ever use a space intended for the opposite sex – takes us an awfully long way. ... But post-FWS there’s an extra, killer argument: every single child in the UK today is going to grow up into a world where no trans-identifying person will ever have any right to be considered as the opposite sex in any situation covered by the Equality Act – that is, in employment or service provision.'

In light of these disturbing and extremist positions, I would be grateful if you could advise me

a) whether and how you plan to collaborate and consult with Sex Matters in the future
b) whether you will engage sincerely and in depth with trans-led
organisations whose lives stand to be so devastated by such policies.

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · Sep 29

Deplorable. Forcing people who want to live and work in the UK to undertake compulsory unpaid labour.

This is a dark path Labour is taking down. But there IS an alternative.

Join me in building a welcoming country.

join.greenparty.org.uk

Mahmood will say people seeking indefinite leave to remain will have to demonstrate they have integrated and contributed to society.

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Rose Schmits @roseschmits.bsky.social · Sep 29

It really is just relentless the constant dehumanisation in this country. Prove you deserve to be here. Prove you deserve to be cared for. Prove your gender. Prove you deserve to have human rights. Prove you deserve to stay after a whole decade. It just chisels away at your humanity

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · Sep 29

Just fuck off with this. How about start the conversation by highlighting how much immigrants contribute to the UK - not least by propping up the NHS and social care system!

Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.

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Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · Sep 26

One of the unexpected things I've learned from my advocacy for trans people is how malignant parts of the State can be, how it can misuse data for positively evil purposes. It's taught me people can't be safe with a digital ID card and so I've signed this. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards

We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

petition.parliament.uk

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David Paisley @davidpaisley.bsky.social · Sep 27

So as part of my day job I regularly have to check people's right to be in the UK, via a UK passport, or an eVisa/share code.

These are legal requirements.

Anyone saying we need online ID so we can verify who has a right to be in the UK is lying to you. We already do that. They are lying.

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Wendy Chamberlain MP @wendychambld.bsky.social · Sep 12

I’ve signed this letter calling for full parliamentary scrutiny of the EHRC’s guidance.

Trans people deserve clarity, dignity, and safe access to services - not uncertainty and exclusion. Parliament must ensure that any guidance reflects lived experience and protects everyone’s rights.

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Sian Berry MP @sianberry.bsky.social · Sep 27

I have come to the conclusion the EHRC guidance on single sex spaces should not even come to Parliament. It is misleading and has caused distress for my trans constituents.

I urge @bphillipsonMP to reject it on grounds of practicality and human rights.

sianberry.org.uk/publications/l…

An image of Sian's letter to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

You can read the full text of her letter at:

https://www.sianberry.org.uk/publications/letter-regarding-statutory-guidance-from-the-equality-human-rights-commission/

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CN Lester 🏳️‍⚧️ @cnlester.bsky.social · Sep 17

Truly exceptional article from @polphilpod.bsky.social on the political meanings and impacts of Labour's transphobia and how it strengthens fascism worldwide: www.liberalcurrents.com/britains-bat... Even if you're not a capital-L Liberal, this is very much worth your time

Britain’s Bathroom Ban

The UK has gone from a bathroom ban being unthinkable to a Labour government implementing an extraordinarily authoritarian one—without a vote.

www.liberalcurrents.com

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Smazak 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 she/her @smazak.bsky.social · Sep 3

That's funny, this article features multiple people from the same political background commenting on the arrest but I can't see anywhere that the article actually tells us what Linehan said. The article even talks about the importance of context 😄

Police should focus on ‘streets not tweets’, says Wes Streeting after Graham Linehan arrest

Health secretary criticises Tory policing record after Father Ted co-creator arrested over posts on transgender issues

www.theguardian.com

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Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · Sep 1

Keir Starmer has appointed as his new Comms Director Tim Allan who was a board member of the hate group Sex Matters. It's no longer even pretending to adhere to its Manifesto promise to "remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance."

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Sarah has a suggestion @goatsarah.org · Aug 29

I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset.
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)

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