Author | Lightnews

Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · 1d

King Charles to attend first official #LGBT event after veterans' campaign. A great step forward and long due recognition.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

King to attend first official LGBT event after veterans' campaign

A memorial is unveiled dedicated to gay military personnel and to those who served during the armed forces gay ban.

www.bbc.com

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · 2d

What annoys me about the number of spoiled votes was how much these people took their vote for granted. Many Irish people abroad want to engage in the country's future, even at a symbolic level, but are denied the opportunity. #IrishPolitics #Aras2025
#SpéirGhorm

www.rte.ie/news/primeti...

Who was behind the 'Spoil The Vote' campaign?

A network of businesspeople and online commentators campaigned for voters to spoil their ballots as a form of protest. Here's who they are — and how they became part of the movement

www.rte.ie

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

Peter Tatchell Foundation @petertatchellfdn.bsky.social · 3d

Iran performs more gender surgeries than any country on earth, but many aren’t by choice.

Gay people are forced into surgery to escape persecution⛓️

Now the regime wants to sell its “expertise” as medical tourism

https://www.advocate.com/news/iran-promotes-transgender-surgery

After forcing gender surgery for decades, Iran now touts its expertise to pursue medical tourism goal

Being gay is still punishable by death in Iran, but the theocratic nation hopes transgender people flock there for cheap procedures.

www.advocate.com

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · 5d

The latest side effect of the #COVID-19 vaccines..."could revolutionise the entire field of oncologic care”. I guess someone should break the news to RFK Jr. #MedSky

Euronews @euronews.com · 5d

Cancer patients who received the mRNA-based jab after starting immunotherapy lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine.

How COVID-19 vaccines could ‘turbo-charge’ cancer treatments

Cancer patients who received the mRNA-based jab after starting immunotherapy lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine.

l.euronews.com

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · 5d

The latest side effect of the #COVID-19 vaccines..."could revolutionise the entire field of oncologic care”. I guess someone should break the news to RFK Jr. #MedSky

Euronews @euronews.com · 5d

Cancer patients who received the mRNA-based jab after starting immunotherapy lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine.

How COVID-19 vaccines could ‘turbo-charge’ cancer treatments

Cancer patients who received the mRNA-based jab after starting immunotherapy lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine.

l.euronews.com

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 7d

Three cases of clade Ib mpox not related to travel have been reported in LA. This raises concerns for probable local transmission. Vaccines are available and work to reduce disease severity or prevent infection. If you are eligible to get vaccinated do so.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Three cases of severe mpox reported in California, health officials say

www.theguardian.com

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · 11d

First injection to stop #HIV approved #medsky #HIVsky #STIsky

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

First injection to stop HIV approved

The shot, given six times a year or every other month, is an alternative to taking daily pills to protect against ever catching the virus.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · 20d

At a time when LGBTIQ+ rights are under severe threat,
@amnesty.org welcomes @ec.europa.eu's new LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy and its renewed commitment to protect and promote LGBTIQ+ rights across Europe.
commission.europa.eu/strategy-and...

LGBTIQ equality strategy 2026 - 2030

EU actions combating discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people in EU countries.

commission.europa.eu

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Sep 26

I'm still wondering how these will go down in parts of Northern Ireland #BritCard

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Sep 26

Mandatory ID cards are a terrible, terrible idea
iandunt.substack.com/p/id-cards-a...

Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Sep 26

Mandatory ID cards are a terrible, terrible idea
iandunt.substack.com/p/id-cards-a...

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Sep 26

I'm not sure many Brits understand this. Whenever I'm interviewed by international companies or agencies now, I always mention my passport and what it means. The reaction is overwhelmingly positive. Prior to Brexit, this was never something I would have considered raising.

Michael @vivamjm.bsky.social · Sep 26

If you have an Irish Passport you really don't need a UK one.
Again as tweeted so many times, Brexit means (it's always shit for Brits) an Irish citizen is a greater asset, than a Brit working alongside, for a UK based company also needing service work done by employees in the EU/EFTA countries

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Sep 24

Cheap supplies of #HIV prevention jab for poorer countries hailed as 'genuine chance to end' global epidemic. #HIVsky #MedSky

Cheap supplies of HIV-prevention jab for poorer countries hailed as ‘genuine chance to end’ global epidemic

Lenacapavir described as ‘next best thing’ to an HIV vaccine will cost $40 a year for each patient in 120 countries from 2027, funders say

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

Dr Alex Wodak AM @alexwodak.bsky.social · Sep 13

Raewyne Connell, retired Australian sociology professor, revered internationally for her important contributions. Well worth reading
www.smh.com.au/national/rae...

Raewyn’s groundbreaking work changed how we think about men. Its origins were deeply personal

Raewyn Connell has a global reputation and is speaking at an event marking one of the PM’s intellectual influences.

www.smh.com.au

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Sep 11

Small gesture, but one that reflects the widespread support for #Palestine among the Irish. #Eurovision #Eurovision2026 #Ireland 🇮🇪

www.rte.ie/entertainmen...

Ireland won't contest Eurovision if Israel takes part

RTÉ has announced that it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead".

www.rte.ie

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Sep 6

"McGregor’s presidential ambitions might seem like a celebrity vanity project, but they represent something more dangerous: the Americanization of Irish politics through far-right influencer networks."

forlouth.medium.com/the-pretende...

The Pretender: How Britain’s Conor McGregor Courts MAGA to Bypass Irish Democracy

When a convicted rapist with British sensibilities thinks he can buy his way to the Áras, it’s time to remind him, and his online…

forlouth.medium.com

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · Aug 23

Its position on the edge of the Atlantic makes it vulnerable, and the storms are getting stronger.

Why Ireland’s mild temperatures won’t protect it from the climate crisis

Its position on the edge of the Atlantic makes it vulnerable, and the storms are getting stronger.

tcnv.link

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v e l o c i t y @velocity69.bsky.social · Aug 21

In ancient Greece, sex workers wore unique sandals that left a “follow me” imprint in the dirt as a way to promote their services.

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Aug 22

Greece: Disturbing statements from migration minister
Thanos Plevris indicating that NGOs challenging govt migration policy before courts will be subject to audit.

The seemingly punitive measures would amount to an assault on freedom of association & have a chilling effect on civil society 🧵

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Reposted by Brian Kavanagh PhD

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 22

Asylum seekers are being targeted – and so are those who help them. It’s a disturbing new reality | Enver Solomon

Far-right influencers are menacing charities and individuals to further isolate the people we work with. Ensuring safety is now part of the job, says Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council

www.theguardian.com

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Aug 18

#HIV #HIVIreland #HIVstigma

Irish Examiner @irishexaminer.bsky.social · Aug 18

HIV carries 'a big societal stigma' in Ireland despite progress in treatment

Survey results showed that 70% of people do not know that a person with HIV cannot pass it to sexual partners when they are on effective treatment

dlvr.it

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Aug 18

In other words:

If a TERF can't win, nobody can win.

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · Aug 18

The Polari Prize has been "Paused"

Statement (18.08.2025) Polari is part of the LGBTQ+ writing and reading community and for fifteen years, trans, gender non- conforming and non-binary people have been part of that community - at our events, on our judging panels, on our long and short lists and among our prize winners. This commitment to inclusion remains unchanged. Polari is not and has never been a trans exclusionary organisation. These are not our values and we condemn all forms of transphobia.

What was supposed to be a celebration of exceptional LGBTQ+ literature has been overshadowed by hurt and anger, which has been painful and distressing for all concerned and we apologize to everyone who has been affected.
Many discussions have been undertaken over the last two weeks -with authors, judges, stakeholders, and funders - about the impacts and ramifications of the longlisting of John Boyne's novel and how we can learn from this experience and move forwards. We have decided as a result to pause the prize this year while we increase representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels for all the awards and undertake a governance and management review to include our aimns and values and work to better support everyone within our LGBTQ+ Polari community. We have already secured strong representation for next year, which we will build on.

We will also explore discussions about the tensions between the claims of freedom of expression and the need to create inclusive and supportive spaces in a world hostile to our trans community members and our community at large. We extend our heartfelt apologies to everyone affected this year, for the disappointment and despair this has caused.
We acknowledge the ongoing support of the Polari community. everyone we have consulted, and our hugely supportive partners. We are a tiny operation that has run on goodwill and small pots of funding and sponsorship for 15 years and will endeavour to find a way forwards in good faith.

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Mx Xs @jamtart.bsky.social · Aug 12

This is the LGB Alliance petition that Polari prize founder, Paul Burston, signed calling on Stonewall to adopt their 'reasonable concerns'. 55 Tufton Street, how lovely.

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Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · Aug 10

UPDATE: 10 of the 24 longlisted authors have now withdrawn from the Polari Prize.

First Book:
Jason Okundaye, Sacha Coward, Sanah Ahsan, Amy Twigg, Mae Diansangu, Ciara Maguire

Main award:
Olumide Popoola, Robert Hamberger, Andrew McMillan, Rhian Elizabeth

Judging panel:
Nicola Dinan, Bob Hughes

The Polari prize first book Longlist with crosses over books by
Jason Okundaye, Sacha Coward, Sanah Ahsan, Amy Twigg, Mae Diansangu, Ciara Maguire to show they've withdrawn

The polar prize award Longlist with crosses over books by
Olumide Popoola, Robert Hamberger, Andrew McMillan, Rhian Elizabeth to show they've withdrawn

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Brian Kavanagh PhD @msmsurvey.bsky.social · Aug 10

In order to understand the issues of importance to Irish communities overseas, the government want to hear from as many members of the diaspora as possible so our new strategy meets their needs and can also adapt to evolving circumstances.

www.ireland.ie/en/irish-dia...

Global Irish Survey: Consultation for Irish Diaspora Strategy | Ireland.ie

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is pleased to announce that it is undertaking an extensive consultation process to inform the Government’s new Diaspora Strategy.

www.ireland.ie