Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 17d

Today, Scottish Government published their analysis of responses to the consultation they held last year on a draft bill to end conversion practices. Please note that the analysis and responses contain upsetting content - we would advise caution to anyone reading the analysis or individual responses

Graphic with a pink to blue gradient background. It says "The Scottish Government has published the analysis for their consultation on Ending Conversion Practices." The Scottish Trans and Equality Network logos are in the bottom right.

1 8 17

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 16d

We've just released an accessible, web-based version of our report 'Still Complicated', which explores Bi+ experiences of accessing services and support, and how this can be improved. You can read it here: www.equality-network.org/assets/still...

8 9

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 15d

October is Black History Month #BHM25 - CRER have organised an incredible programme of events over this month - see them here: www.blackhistorymonthscotland.org/whats-on

Our first post for the month explores the history and activism around the black and brown stripes on pride flags.

Graphic with a green background. At the top it says "Black History Month" and the Scottish Trans and Equality network logos. Below it says "What is the history of the black and brown stripes on pride flags? Swipe to learn more:" next to an arrow. At the bottom of the graphic is a progress pride flag.

Graphic with a green background. At the top is a picture of the progress pride flag and the philly pride flag stacked on top of eachother. It says "The black and brown stripes on pride flags represent people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community. They also serve to highlight and centre problems of racism and discrimination within LGBTQ+ communities, which are often not acknowledged or challenged, and push for queer spaces to be more inclusive."

The progress pride flag is at the top. It says "The progress pride flag was then designed in 2018!" "The progress pride flag adds the colours of the trans flag to represent trans and nonbinary people, as well as the black and brown stripes in an arrow on the side of the flag." "Designer Daniel Quasar said about the flag:
"The arrow points to the right to show forward movement […] and illustrates that progress [towards inclusivity] still needs to be made""

5 11

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 15d

Our Community Market Joy for All is this Saturday! We're so excited to see you there🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Our artist highlight for today is Chronicrafts! Their main goal is to put a bit more joy and positivity into the world, they'll be bringing a wide range of crafted trinkets!

Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All" "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market & Community Space! 11/10/25 - Norton Park Conference Centre". On the left are three pictures. The first picture is of different pride flag keyrings made of hama beads. The next picture is of a hat and glove set knitted in the lesbian flag colours. The bottom picture is of pronoun badges with drawings of frogs on them. On the right it says "Artist Highlight: Chronicrafts" "Roan is an Edinburgh based queer, disabled and chronically ill crafter whos main goal is to put a bit more joy and positivity into the world. To that end they’ll be bringing a range of handmade pride themed keychains, some cosy and colourful hand knitted hats and gloves and an assortment of crochet creatures along with a variety of other trinkets."

Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All". Below it says "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market! Join us for stalls from local artists and community organisations, crafting activities and making change! Sat 11th October 11am-4pm Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh EH7 5QY". On the left is a drawing of three pumpkins, one is short and pink, one is tall, curved and white and the other is tall and blue with a carved smiling face.

4 4

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Sep 1

Please read the full statement on Scottish Trans' website and use the template to write to your MP, to ensure that the proposed EHRC Code of Practice is subject to a full democratic process. 🏳️‍⚧️ www.scottishtrans.org/scottish-tra...

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Sep 1

Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice. Read the full statement on our website:

www.scottishtrans.org/scottish-tra...

What can you do? Write to your MP! Together, we have created a template letter that you can use to express your personal concerns and asking them to push for proper scrutiny of the Code.
It is incredibly important that MPs hear from their constituents that are directly affected, so they can advocate on your behalf. Please personalise your letter as much as you can - it helps to ensure that your concerns are heard and felt.
Link to the template on our website!

1 8 15

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

The Herald @heraldscotland.bsky.social · Aug 24

Leading Scottish equality chief: ‘I wouldn't fight for trans rights if it hurt women’ 👉 www.heraldscotland.com/news...

6 7 42

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Neil Mackay @neilmackay.bsky.social · Aug 24

‘I’m a lesbian and feminist. I’ve been harmed by men. So I wouldn’t fight for trans people if it hurt women’s rights. Yet I’m called a groomer and a misogynist’

Rebecca Don Kennedy, head of the Equality Network, on how dark it’s got for trans people in Britain www.heraldscotland.com/news/2541309...

It’s so f*****g tedious and soul-destroying as it’s so unjust'

Rebecca Don Kennedy runs the Equality Network. She talks candidly to our Writer at Large about the attacks, abuse and hate she’s suffered…

www.heraldscotland.com

20 240 670

Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy @rebeccadonkennedy.bsky.social · Aug 6

Help us with our crucial campaigns work and grab your outrageously joyful stickers here!

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Aug 6

You may have seen a piece in @thetimes.com which said that our gorgeous new Queer Joy sticker packs were "propaganda" to push an ideology. They aren't - they're stickers!

Get your outrageous joyful stickers (which were made for EVERYONE) & other bits, here! www.equality-network.org/make-your-vo...

Graphic designed to look like a letter. It is surrounded by stickers of little colourful blob people. It says "Dear The Times,

You didn’t ask us directly but yes, we love stickers, everyone loves stickers. You and those you quoted say they’re juvenile, we say they’re fun!

No, they’re not propaganda. No, they don’t have an ideology, don’t be silly.

Yes, we celebrate Queer Joy, daily if we can - as we all should in our community!

Yes, we sell these to fundraise for our crucial campaigns work.

No, we don’t use our government funding to make stickers.

When we make and sell things like this it helps us raise more unrestricted funds, the only funds we use in our campaigning.

No, YOU can’t have any. But everyone else can!

Signed,

Equality Network

PS. These stickers celebrate joy, happiness, and the community. Get your outrageous joyful stickers, and other bits, here!"

2 3 16

Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy @rebeccadonkennedy.bsky.social · Aug 3

archive.is/2025.08.03-0... Archive version

archive.is

1 5 55

Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy @rebeccadonkennedy.bsky.social · Aug 3

I have this in the Herald today (archive version in comments)

‘When context is missing, minds are easily swayed, and humanity often forgotten.’

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...

Beth Upton has not had her say. Sandie Peggie has had countless coverage

At no point did we hear from Beth Upton in the media, at no point was her story told, at no point have we heard about the effect this has had on…

www.heraldscotland.com

23 140 390

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 28

Delighted to see our sticker sheet arriving to brighten up people's days - if you have pictures of yours we'd love to see them 💗🏳️‍🌈

Get your own sticker pack here & support EN's vital campaigns work (which is funded entirely through donations!) equalitynetwork.bigcartel.com

2 8

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 22

In the latest edition of Somewhere For Us our CEO has an article calling for the whole community to come together in the face of the threat to our rights.

It is a fabulous edition packed with both joy & calls to action - we're really proud to be a part of it! www.somewhereforus.org/product-page...

Graphic with a pink background. It has three pictures stacked on top of eachother. The top picture says "Features: 6. What happens now? A message from the Equality Network. The next picture is of an article headline titled "What happens now?". The third picture is of the front cover of the magazine, it has a drawing of a black person with curly hair and pink sunglasses that say "We exist", the person is surrounded by rainbows and doodles of hearts and queer solidarity symbols.

1 7 10

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Paul Daly @pauldaly.bsky.social · Jul 22

“I think many of us have been rudely awakened. And for some, it’s about damn time.”

Quite the reflection on the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the EA by @rebeccadonkennedy.bsky.social / @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social & @scottishtrans.bsky.social in this months Somewhere For Us.

Image of an article in a magazine, with the equality network and Scottish Trans logos

4 9

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 15

Today we're launching our new report, ‘Still Complicated’, the follow-up to our 2015 ‘Complicated?’ report, exploring bi+ people's experiences of services and recommendations for how they could be supported better 🩷💜💙

Find out more & read it here: www.equality-network.org/still-compli...

1 7 12

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 16

A huge congratulations to Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) for ten years of their campaign, which made Scotland the first country in the world to commit to embedding LGBT+ Inclusive Education throughout the curriculum 🏳️‍🌈🥳

Graphic with a purple background. On the left side there is a stack of three photos, the top one is a sign that says "Welcome 10 years of tie" with a rainbow tie. Below this is a picture of a hall ceiling with purple lights and a projector screen with the 10 years of tie image. Below is a picture of two men smiling leaning against a wall. On the right it says "Congratulations to TIE for 10 years of campaigning!". Below is a picture of a smiling woman with short blonde hair with her hand around a smiling man in front of a crowd of people.

1 5 10

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 18

We recently published our report 'The Erosion of Trans Rights in the UK'. The report is a human rights analysis of the various rights that are at risk following the UK Supreme Court judgment and proposed EHRC Code of Practice.

You can read the report here: www.equality-network.org/wp-content/u...

Graphic with a pink to blue gradient background. It says "New Report:
The Erosion of Trans Rights in the UK
A Human Rights analysis following the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland LTD V The Scottish Ministers". Below is the Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos

3 37 80

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our incredibly cute new Queer Joy sticker sheet, designed by our comms officer Chris (@plantbotart on instagram) is available in our shop! equalitynetwork.bigcartel.com 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🌟

The pack includes a gorgeous glossy a5 sheet of stickers, a 38mm badge & a ✨mystery✨ 25mm badge!

Graphic with a green paper textured background. In the top left it says "Grab an A5 Pride Sticker Sheet and 38mm badge, and mystery 25mm badge (designed by @plantbotart!) to support Equality Network's work!" There is an arrow pointing to the right, to a pink circle which has a drawing of a green smiling blob-person holding a heart with the inclusive pride flag colours. There is also an arrow pointing to the bottom, there is a picture of the a5 sticker sheet, it has 5 stickers; the green blob-person holding the inclusive pride flag; an orange blob-person in a wheelchair coloured like the lesbian flag; a purple blob-person holding a trans flag; a blue triange person holding a placard that says "queer joy"; and a family of blob people holding hands under a rainbow.

5 9

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 11

Today we wrote to the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity alongside 16 other LGBTI+ equality & human rights organisations to raise concerns about the human rights of trans people right now in the UK since the Supreme Court judgment & the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practice.

A purple and pink graphic stating, LGBTI+ equality and human rights organisations wrote to the UN to highlight the risks to trans people's human rights following the UKSC judgment and EHRC's Code of Practice

An image of the first page of the letter

An image of the second page of the letter

An image of the signatories to the letter

1 43 120

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jul 8

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to the United Kingdom from 30 June to 4 July 2025, and a report was released today, including his thoughts on the state of trans rights in the UK at the moment.

Read more here: www.coe.int/en/web/commi...

7 180 370

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Jul 1

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have now closed their consultation on their draft Code of Practice. You can read our response in full here: www.scottishtrans.org/wp-content/u...

Screenshot with text which reads "Scottish Trans and Equality Network response to the EHRC's consultation on their Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations" below the Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos

1 8 13

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Jun 25

EHRC’s code of practice consultation closes NEXT MONDAY (June 30th).

Our full response guide: www.scottishtrans.org/supreme-cour...

Whether you respond or not, please email your MP & the Minister for Equalities to support trans inclusion using our form: www.scottishtrans.org/emailfortran...

1 7 13

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Jun 23

There's one week to go to complete the Equality and Human Rights Commission consultation - closing Monday 30th, just before midnight.

If you want to fill in, try & set aside 10-30 mins to do so this week, and email your MP!

For more info: www.scottishtrans.org/emailfortran...

Graphic with a purple background. In the top right in a green text box with black writing it says "'Email the minister for equalities and your MP" "scottishtrans.org/emailfortransinclusion". On the left there are illustrations of placards which say "Inclusion not Exclusion" and "No segregation! Trans Liberation!" as well as a placard with a trans symbol. In the bottom right are the Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos.

16 17

Reposted by Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Jun 23

There's one week to go to complete the Equality and Human Rights Commission consultation - closing Monday 30th, just before midnight.

If you want to fill in, try & set aside 10-30 mins to do so this week, and email your MP!

For more info: www.scottishtrans.org/emailfortran...

3 7