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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 12h

Our Judicial Review of the EHRC: we've published our formal written case - together with that of the EHRC and Bridget Phillipson - and they are very much worth a read. goodlaw.social/7gs4

An update in our judicial review of the EHRC’s interim guidance | Good Law Project

We’re publishing key documents in our legal challenge against the interim guidance issued by the EHRC in the wake of the For Women Scotland decision.

goodlaw.social

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Trans+ Solidarity Alliance @transsolidarity.bsky.social · 15h

The EHRC code must be scrapped.

Our Head of Policy, Jess O'Thomson, says that in light of this significant intervention, the Code of Practice cannot be laid as drafted. The Minister must reject it.

Exclusion of trans people from services for their lived gender must be the exception, not the rule.

"This significant intervention from the Commissioner makes clear that the EHRC's new Code of Practice cannot be laid as drafted. The minister must reject it and insist the EHRC try again - making clear how to include trans people, not just exclude.

Exclusion of trans people from services for their lived gender, the letter makes clear, must be the exception - not the rule."

Jess O'Thomson

Head of Policy

Trans+ Solidarity Alliance

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 17h

Quite a bodying, here, for the UK, from the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe.

🏮 He points out the Supreme Court ignored human rights (which breaches its legal obligations)
🏮 He says, in effect agreeing with Lucy Powell, Parliament should be involved...

rm.coe.int/letter-to-pa...

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · 16h

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has written to the UK highlighting concerns around threats to freedom of assembly because of increasing restrictions on protest, and the threat to the human rights of trans people resulting from the UK Supreme Court judgment in April.

Commissioner for Human Rights @commissionerhr.coe.int · 18h

Read my two letters to the #UK:
1. Protests: I call for a review of the legal framework and the reconsideration of provisions in the Crime & Policing Bill that could restrict freedom of assembly.
2. Trans people: I warn against exclusion&zero-sum approaches
👇#HumanRights
www.coe.int/en/web/commi...

United Kingdom: Commissioner addresses human rights issues in policing of protests and the situation of trans people - Commissioner for Human Rights - www.coe.int

Strasbourg 14/10/2025

www.coe.int

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 11d

The Open Day runs from 10.30-15.30 UK time, and will cover our different research degree programmes, funding etc. Come along and meet academics and current students. To register, email [email protected]

Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 11d

Research areas are quite broadly defined - my work on bisexuality identity and politics sits under 'Health and Wellbeing' for example! wels.open.ac.uk/research/pro...

The Open University

Work in this theme ranges from research into experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood to the experiences of men who pay for sex. Key themes include the relationship between the body, ...

wels.open.ac.uk

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 11d

Research within WELS is grouped into eight thematic research areas:

• Children and families

• Education and learning

• Global development

• Health and wellbeing

• Languages and literacies

• Social care

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 11d

Thinking of doing a PhD at @openuniversity.bsky.social? The Faculty of Wellbeing Education and Language Studies is having a virtual open day on 16th October. Details ⬇️🧵

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 12d

This is important.

The Government is introducing a new "Section 28 2.0" for trans kids and is listening to anti-trans groups, including representative of a group whose members actively support and encourage torturing children (through conversion therapy) to try and make them cis.

QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 12d

An FOI seen by QueerAF shows the anti-trans organisation included in a consultation that led to RSE guidance that will introduce what has been widely described as a 'Section 28 2.0'

https://www.wearequeeraf.com/section-28-2-0-rse-consultation-featured-four-explicitly-anti-trans-groups-foi-reveals

'Section 28 2.0' RSE consultation featured four explicitly anti-trans groups, FOI reveals

An FOI seen by QueerAF shows the anti-trans organisation included in a consultation that led to RSE guidance that will introduce what has been widely described as a 'Section 28 2.0'

www.wearequeeraf.com

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

POWES BPS @powes.bsky.social · 11d

October is #BlackHistoryMonth 🖤💜 We asked our Committee to share books that inspire them to keep learning about Black history & reflecting on how we can amplify Black voices, challenge inequities & dismantle barriers. Here are their recommendations- Let us know what’s on your reading list ⬇️

Black History month book recs-
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
In The Ditch by Buchi Emecheta
Half Of A Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Long Song by Andrea Levy

Black History Month book recs
Hidden histories: Black in Psychology by Parise Carmichael-Murphy and Dr Adam Danquah
Mental Health and Otherness: Intersections between Gender, Race, Class and Age by Ilana Mountian
The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House by Audre Lorde.

Black History Month book recs
Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality Into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors by Jasmine A Mena and Kathryn Quina
Towards an Aesthetics of the Epistemologies of the South: Manifesto in Twenty-Two Theses by Boaventura de Sousa Santos
Gender Violence and the Prison Industrial Complex by Incite! Women, Gender Non-Conforming, and Trans People of Color Against Violence.

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 11d

This is spot on from @zackpolanski.bsky.social, who is himself Jewish and comes from Manchester.

Shabana Mahmoud is being deeply dishonest, disingenuous and dangerous by conflating protests against genocide with this antisemitic attack. It is not antisemitic to protest against the horror in Gaza.

Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 11d

@zackpolanski.bsky.social is asked about the Home Secretarys comments that yesterdays protests about Israels actions were dishonourable (she also said they were unBritish).

Zack is spot on.

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 12d

This Saturday after painstaking research and FOIs by @clairestranstalks.bsky.social with @whatthetrans.com, we'll publish 'The Gender Clinic Files' in our newsletter:

A new investigative series exposing deep structural issues with UK Transgender healthcare

Sign up 👉 www.wearequeeraf.com/subscribe/

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Lee Hurley @hleehurley.com · 12d

The UK 'just protecting children'

"Teachers say trans pupils 'limiting food and drink' to avoid school toilets"

news.stv.tv/politics/tea...

Teachers say trans pupils 'limiting food and drink' to avoid school toilets

The new guidance said students will be asked to use toilet facilities which correspond to their biological sex.

news.stv.tv

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 12d

Appalling news on Yom Kippur. Thinking of everyone affected and all Jewish communities.

The London Economic @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social · 12d

www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/suspect...

Suspect shot as police respond to stabbings at Manchester synagogue

A suspect has been shot after four people were injured in a stabbing at a Manchester synagogue.

www.thelondoneconomic.com

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 13d

I'm hearing that FCO phonelines have been closed. Please email [email protected] *now* with your concerns for the flotilla, mentioning the 13 British nationals on board.

Live: Gaza aid flotilla says military has boarded vessels | Reuters share.google/0yOnmXRAYT2a...

Live: Gaza aid flotilla says military has boarded vessels

Israeli's foreign ministry says the Israeli navy asked the flotilla to change course. The mission is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian enclave to deliver food and medicine.

share.google

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 13d

Live: Gaza aid flotilla says military has boarded vessels | Reuters share.google/0yOnmXRAYT2a...

Live: Gaza aid flotilla says military has boarded vessels

Israeli's foreign ministry says the Israeli navy asked the flotilla to change course. The mission is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian enclave to deliver food and medicine.

share.google

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Zeteo @zeteo.com · 13d

BREAKING: Israel Begins Intercepting 44-Ship Global Sumud Flotilla: zeteo.com/p/global-sum...

BREAKING: Israel Begins Intercepting 44-Ship Global Sumud Flotilla

The massive flotilla, which Italian and Spanish ships shadowed until it approached Gaza, is the fourth one attacked in the last year.

zeteo.com

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Sam Rutherford (he/him) @echomikeromeo.bsky.social · 13d

We're starting a new 'ArtsLab' (research network) in trans studies at Glasgow! It's very exciting and I hope that in time we can become a real centre for research in this field. Find out more - including details of our upcoming launch event - on our website: www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/art...

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Cassetteboy @cassetteboy.bsky.social · 14d

New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.

This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Richard Hull @richardhull54.bsky.social · 13d

If you have swum in the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds please respond to this consultation on changing their current #trans-inclusive policy.

hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

Future access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

Inviting feedback from pond users, the local community, and stakeholders on how the Kenwood Ladies’, and Highgate Men’s ponds should operate in the future.

hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Trans+ Solidarity Alliance @transsolidarity.bsky.social · 13d

Lucy Powell has warned that Labour should not wave through a devastating trans bathroom ban 👇

Ripping up trans rights would be a disaster for Labour, for business, for women, and for the wider LGBT+ community.

It's wrong. Labour needs to stop aping Trump and Farage, and protect our human rights.

Lucy Powell calls for MPs to vote on single sex space guidance

The Labour deputy leadership candidate calls for a debate and vote on guidance which is expected to say that trans people should be excluded from single sex spaces.

news.sky.com

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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

EmiB71 @emiliab.bsky.social · 14d

#UK #TransRights An FOI has just confirmed what all of us have feared: for the Youth gender services, since July 2024, not a single patient has been referred to commence HRT. And 22 have been moved from youth to adult services , also without treatment. This is scandalous.

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 18d

This!

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Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 18d

This!

This petition was at over half a million when I signed it last night, and growing by about a thousand a minute.

SJ Groenewegen @sjgroenewegen.co.uk · 18d

In principle, I’m not actually automatically opposed to ID cards. However, from how the present UK government is going about this and related matters, it’s a straightforward nope, not on your life.

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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Reposted by Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her)

Ruth Pearce @notrightruth.bsky.social · 19d

New essay: REJECT TRANS DOOM-POSTING.

It's about grief, loss, institutional failures, and the horror of the current moment.

It's also a love letter to trans community, and the things we do with and for one another.

Reject Trans Doom-Posting

This week I took the long train down to the south of England for my friend Robyn’s funeral. She died very suddenly three weeks ago, aged just 32. Robyn gave so much love to the world, and was so lo…

ruthpearce.net

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