Penncat
@pennicat.bsky.social
Shy, disabled, queer, autistic.
Requires alt text to follow you.
Writer of contemporary m/m/m and lesbian historical novels.
Book related stuff found mostly at @penthewriter.bsky.social
Cornwall dweller.
May actually be the cat in the picture
Requires alt text to follow you.
Writer of contemporary m/m/m and lesbian historical novels.
Book related stuff found mostly at @penthewriter.bsky.social
Cornwall dweller.
May actually be the cat in the picture
Pinned
Penncat
@pennicat.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Chronic conditions
- #hEDS
- #ME/CFS
- #IBD
- #migraine
- #osteoporosis
- #fibromyalgia
- #rectallintussussection
- #depression
- #POTS
Chronic interests
- intersectional feminism
- writing
- football & sport
- Doctor Who
- environment issues
- cats & animals
- politics
#trans & #ActullyAutistic
- #hEDS
- #ME/CFS
- #IBD
- #migraine
- #osteoporosis
- #fibromyalgia
- #rectallintussussection
- #depression
- #POTS
Chronic interests
- intersectional feminism
- writing
- football & sport
- Doctor Who
- environment issues
- cats & animals
- politics
#trans & #ActullyAutistic
Reposted by Penncat
If you don’t understand how disability benefits can be a net economic positive…
You don’t understand basic economics.
Every £1 you cut from disability benefits, you cut nearly £2 from the economy.
And you harm a vulnerable person.
You don’t understand basic economics.
Every £1 you cut from disability benefits, you cut nearly £2 from the economy.
And you harm a vulnerable person.
November 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
If you don’t understand how disability benefits can be a net economic positive…
You don’t understand basic economics.
Every £1 you cut from disability benefits, you cut nearly £2 from the economy.
And you harm a vulnerable person.
You don’t understand basic economics.
Every £1 you cut from disability benefits, you cut nearly £2 from the economy.
And you harm a vulnerable person.
I’m a trans pacifist.
"Activist". Is that now a term for trans people going about their daily lives?
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I’m a trans pacifist.
Gah, I’d always liked the Byline Times, but I want to read articles written by real people, and not by an LLM murder machine using too much of the worlds’ resources. This was a disappointment:
“This article was compiled by ChatGPT, with research and editing by East Anglia Bylines.”
“This article was compiled by ChatGPT, with research and editing by East Anglia Bylines.”
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Gah, I’d always liked the Byline Times, but I want to read articles written by real people, and not by an LLM murder machine using too much of the worlds’ resources. This was a disappointment:
“This article was compiled by ChatGPT, with research and editing by East Anglia Bylines.”
“This article was compiled by ChatGPT, with research and editing by East Anglia Bylines.”
Reposted by Penncat
Reposted by Penncat
To put that these Motability cuts into perspective...
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
To put that these Motability cuts into perspective...
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
Reposted by Penncat
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
This. This is the answer you need.
(And gives them the medication they need if they need it.)
(And gives them the medication they need if they need it.)
Interviewer: “What do you say to trans kids who are starting their transition?”
Zohran Mamdani: "We're gonna make this a city that doesn't just protect trans kids, but also celebrates and cherishes them."
Zohran Mamdani: "We're gonna make this a city that doesn't just protect trans kids, but also celebrates and cherishes them."
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
This. This is the answer you need.
(And gives them the medication they need if they need it.)
(And gives them the medication they need if they need it.)
Can you say institutional capture?
That change is explicitly in breach of their style guide: www.bbc.co.uk/newsstylegui...
G
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Can you say institutional capture?
When you’re rich and powerful, no one can say that you haven’t got clothes on…
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:18 AM
When you’re rich and powerful, no one can say that you haven’t got clothes on…
Reposted by Penncat
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
How to make “justice” look suspiciously like “injustice but legal”…
I think it really would be helpful if there was a public explanation for this unusual decision, in this highly charged and important case. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Removal of judge in Palestine Action ban legal challenge ‘deeply concerning’
Unusual last-minute change means panel of three will now hear case rather than Mr Justice Chamberlain
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
How to make “justice” look suspiciously like “injustice but legal”…
Yup, this is definitely needed.
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Yup, this is definitely needed.
Reposted by Penncat
Today I learned that stalking a 17 year old girl, writing up a 400 page 'dossier' about her, falsely reporting her to the police and smashing her phone does not constitute 'harassment'.
One wonders what *would*.
One wonders what *would*.
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage to the phone of a trans activist but not guilty of harassment.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Today I learned that stalking a 17 year old girl, writing up a 400 page 'dossier' about her, falsely reporting her to the police and smashing her phone does not constitute 'harassment'.
One wonders what *would*.
One wonders what *would*.
Confirming what everyone who has ever done even the smallest bit of reading into this already knew…and what no one who has any power is going to take any notice of.
Which makes me furious.
Which makes me furious.
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Confirming what everyone who has ever done even the smallest bit of reading into this already knew…and what no one who has any power is going to take any notice of.
Which makes me furious.
Which makes me furious.
Reposted by Penncat
Nigel Farage didn't racially abuse anyone in a hurtful way and Graham Linehan doesn't harass trans people.
The UK today.
The UK today.
November 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Nigel Farage didn't racially abuse anyone in a hurtful way and Graham Linehan doesn't harass trans people.
The UK today.
The UK today.
These are fine words, but can we have our parsnips buttered also please?
In other words, put your money where your mouth is.
In other words, put your money where your mouth is.
November 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
These are fine words, but can we have our parsnips buttered also please?
In other words, put your money where your mouth is.
In other words, put your money where your mouth is.
Awesome. I hope Hungary’s president implodes with rage.
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Awesome. I hope Hungary’s president implodes with rage.
Reposted by Penncat
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 AM
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
Reposted by Penncat
@zackpolanski.bsky.social : "When are we going to see tough choices for multimillionaires and billionaires? It's time to tax the rich" #bbclaurak
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 AM
This thread is about Anna’s Archives. Which has a *lot* of work I’d get money from if people had the decency to buy or order from a library rather than steal it.
It’s like going to a small crafter’s store & stealing their goods rather than buying them. If you wouldn’t do that, why is this different?
It’s like going to a small crafter’s store & stealing their goods rather than buying them. If you wouldn’t do that, why is this different?
I'd never heard of this site until tonight. Both my books are on there. Did you know my publisher offers one of three lowest royalty rates in the entire industry? And that I didn't get an advance? Literally all I make is from royalties. Royalties I don't earn when you pirate my book.
I posted a buy link here to "A Magical Inheritance" a few days ago, and 24 of you immediately went to Anna's Archives and fucking stole it from me.
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 AM
This thread is about Anna’s Archives. Which has a *lot* of work I’d get money from if people had the decency to buy or order from a library rather than steal it.
It’s like going to a small crafter’s store & stealing their goods rather than buying them. If you wouldn’t do that, why is this different?
It’s like going to a small crafter’s store & stealing their goods rather than buying them. If you wouldn’t do that, why is this different?
Reposted by Penncat
the darvo government
'im abusing immigrants; criticise me you are racist' - mahmood
'im killing trans ppl; criticise me you are homophobic' - streeting
'im murdering disabled ppl; criticise me you are mansplaining' - reeves
'im segregating trans ppl; criticise me you are misogynist' - phillipson
'im abusing immigrants; criticise me you are racist' - mahmood
'im killing trans ppl; criticise me you are homophobic' - streeting
'im murdering disabled ppl; criticise me you are mansplaining' - reeves
'im segregating trans ppl; criticise me you are misogynist' - phillipson
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 AM
the darvo government
'im abusing immigrants; criticise me you are racist' - mahmood
'im killing trans ppl; criticise me you are homophobic' - streeting
'im murdering disabled ppl; criticise me you are mansplaining' - reeves
'im segregating trans ppl; criticise me you are misogynist' - phillipson
'im abusing immigrants; criticise me you are racist' - mahmood
'im killing trans ppl; criticise me you are homophobic' - streeting
'im murdering disabled ppl; criticise me you are mansplaining' - reeves
'im segregating trans ppl; criticise me you are misogynist' - phillipson
Reposted by Penncat
Wow! So many amazing creative treats are available to bid for as part of the 'Creatives 4 Sudan' auction. And the money raised will be used to help people escaping the terrible situation in El-Fasher. See app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Thanks to @raafaye.bsky.social for the design.
Thanks to @raafaye.bsky.social for the design.
November 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Wow! So many amazing creative treats are available to bid for as part of the 'Creatives 4 Sudan' auction. And the money raised will be used to help people escaping the terrible situation in El-Fasher. See app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Thanks to @raafaye.bsky.social for the design.
Thanks to @raafaye.bsky.social for the design.
This must have been quite fun research to do, admit it.
When pregnant woman boarded a subway car, 38% of the time someone offered her a seat. If someone dressed as Batman was also in the car it rose to 68%.
phys.org/news/2025-11...
phys.org/news/2025-11...
The Batman effect: The mere sight of the 'superhero' can make us more altruistic
If "Batman" appears on the scene, we immediately become more altruistic: in fact, research conducted by psychologists from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, shows that the sudden appear...
phys.org
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This must have been quite fun research to do, admit it.
Reposted by Penncat
GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository
www.animal-photo-references.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
I don’t know about autistic *specifically*, but it occurs to me for the first time that one of the things I used to like about girls’ school stories (albeit subconsciously) was the theme which often came up of a girl who felt like she didn’t fit in anywhere finding somewhere that she did fit in.
November 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I don’t know about autistic *specifically*, but it occurs to me for the first time that one of the things I used to like about girls’ school stories (albeit subconsciously) was the theme which often came up of a girl who felt like she didn’t fit in anywhere finding somewhere that she did fit in.