Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
@rachael-p.bsky.social
Suffolk-based retired Cambridge physicist. Trans woman.
Catless mad catlady
I look forward to reasoned discussion, but will block people who insist there is only one way to be trans, or that my way is transphobic.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rachael_p
Catless mad catlady
I look forward to reasoned discussion, but will block people who insist there is only one way to be trans, or that my way is transphobic.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rachael_p
Pinned
I had an epiphany this morning (yes, I am late to the party, I know).
Those 'sex-based rights' we hear about? They are the supposed right of cis females to know what genitalia everyone else when they were born. 1/3
Those 'sex-based rights' we hear about? They are the supposed right of cis females to know what genitalia everyone else when they were born. 1/3
(Was my response to @racheltaylormp.bsky.social)
If the GCs really think trans women impinge on *their* Human Rights, shouldn't their legal challenges be based on the HRA (as it incorporates the ECHR)?
What Articles of the ECHR do trans women using the women's loos infringe?
No, didn't think so.
If the GCs really think trans women impinge on *their* Human Rights, shouldn't their legal challenges be based on the HRA (as it incorporates the ECHR)?
What Articles of the ECHR do trans women using the women's loos infringe?
No, didn't think so.
TY for the support. But I agree with others that framing this as a conflict of rights is wrong.
The Gender Criticals have never been clear about what rights they are "protecting" because there really aren't any, at least encapsulated in the ECHR and similar codes elsewhere.
They just find us icky
The Gender Criticals have never been clear about what rights they are "protecting" because there really aren't any, at least encapsulated in the ECHR and similar codes elsewhere.
They just find us icky
December 11, 2025 at 2:58 PM
(Was my response to @racheltaylormp.bsky.social)
If the GCs really think trans women impinge on *their* Human Rights, shouldn't their legal challenges be based on the HRA (as it incorporates the ECHR)?
What Articles of the ECHR do trans women using the women's loos infringe?
No, didn't think so.
If the GCs really think trans women impinge on *their* Human Rights, shouldn't their legal challenges be based on the HRA (as it incorporates the ECHR)?
What Articles of the ECHR do trans women using the women's loos infringe?
No, didn't think so.
Inspirational words. Equally applicable here in the UK, and a LGBT context
"[I'm running for congress because]
The challenges we face can't be solved by strongly-worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers [...] in a [place] that knows our society, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together."
"[I'm running for congress because]
The challenges we face can't be solved by strongly-worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers [...] in a [place] that knows our society, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together."
I’m running for Congress because we need leaders who will fight, not fold. I recognize this moment, and I’m ready to meet it. #FightDontFold #LanderForNYC #LanderForCongress
December 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Inspirational words. Equally applicable here in the UK, and a LGBT context
"[I'm running for congress because]
The challenges we face can't be solved by strongly-worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers [...] in a [place] that knows our society, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together."
"[I'm running for congress because]
The challenges we face can't be solved by strongly-worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers [...] in a [place] that knows our society, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together."
I was in Waitrose in my local well-to-do market town today. For a moment I really did wonder whether they had a customer minimum age limit -- somewhere around 70 would have been a fair guess.
About the only place I go that makes me feel positively youthful.
About the only place I go that makes me feel positively youthful.
December 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I was in Waitrose in my local well-to-do market town today. For a moment I really did wonder whether they had a customer minimum age limit -- somewhere around 70 would have been a fair guess.
About the only place I go that makes me feel positively youthful.
About the only place I go that makes me feel positively youthful.
"human rights... except for *those* people"
migrants, trans people, anti-genocide protestors... but who next?
migrants, trans people, anti-genocide protestors... but who next?
Happy #HumanRightsDay!
Starmer has chosen to mark it by... kicking off negotiations on how to water down our human rights 🤯
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The ECHR protects all of us, so we should all be worried about changes that amount to "human rights... except for those people"
Starmer has chosen to mark it by... kicking off negotiations on how to water down our human rights 🤯
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The ECHR protects all of us, so we should all be worried about changes that amount to "human rights... except for those people"
European nations to begin major talks on ECHR migration rule changes
The talks are the most significant sign yet that international human rights law could be reinterpreted.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
"human rights... except for *those* people"
migrants, trans people, anti-genocide protestors... but who next?
migrants, trans people, anti-genocide protestors... but who next?
Well worth reading the whole article. If you live in London (I don't) it might even affect the way you eat out.
I wanted dinner recommendations so I scraped 13,000+ London restaurants and accidentally discovered Google Maps is running a shadow economy. Anyway here's a dashboard and a political economy thesis: open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...
How Google Maps quietly allocates survival across London’s restaurants - and how I built a dashboard to see through it
I wanted a dinner recommendation and got a research agenda instead. Using 13000+ restaurants, I rebuild its ratings with machine learning and map how algorithmic visibility actually distributes power.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Well worth reading the whole article. If you live in London (I don't) it might even affect the way you eat out.
If you can turn a diatribe against trans people into a diatribe against transphobes, simply by exchanging the two words, then either there is no difference between the two groups, or (much more likely) there is no *argument*.
Joyce's interview was a pure expression of hatred.
Joyce's interview was a pure expression of hatred.
I've made half a dozen small changes and elisions to a famous Helen Joyce quote. I think my editing has improved it 😊
December 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
If you can turn a diatribe against trans people into a diatribe against transphobes, simply by exchanging the two words, then either there is no difference between the two groups, or (much more likely) there is no *argument*.
Joyce's interview was a pure expression of hatred.
Joyce's interview was a pure expression of hatred.
I've made half a dozen small changes and elisions to a famous Helen Joyce quote. I think my editing has improved it 😊
December 8, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I've made half a dozen small changes and elisions to a famous Helen Joyce quote. I think my editing has improved it 😊
Took me a moment.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Took me a moment.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
I do appreciate humour amongst all the depression here.
Inclusive of genocidaires, exclusive of trans folk....
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
Why Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands are boycotting next year's Eurovision
A number of countries had called for Israel to be excluded from the song contest over the war in Gaza
inews.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Inclusive of genocidaires, exclusive of trans folk....
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
"The national broadcaster for the UK, the BBC, said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”"
In the darkness, some light...
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Those backing trans girls ban should read Brownie Law
edition.independent.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In the darkness, some light...
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Nice to see this support from the mother of a cis Brownie in today's Independent.
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
We're watching the wholesale burning of every scrap of dignity afforded to trans people in the UK, their rights, their medical services, their employment, their place within society, their bodily functions.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
December 3, 2025 at 11:54 AM
We're watching the wholesale burning of every scrap of dignity afforded to trans people in the UK, their rights, their medical services, their employment, their place within society, their bodily functions.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
It is a disgrace, and a disgusting stain on the government and media of this country.
"She might very well pass for 45 in the dark with the light behind her".
OK, I quite liked this one.
OK, I quite liked this one.
November 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
"She might very well pass for 45 in the dark with the light behind her".
OK, I quite liked this one.
OK, I quite liked this one.
Seems to me there are clear grounds for complaint if the editors are *not* following a respectful style guide.
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
BBC denies telling staff to describe trans women as 'biological males'
The BBC has denied giving any specific instruction or directive to editorial staff on using the phrase "biological males" to discuss trans women in their stories.
www.thepinknews.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Seems to me there are clear grounds for complaint if the editors are *not* following a respectful style guide.
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
There are grounds anyway, but to respond to such a complaint, they have to either deny the style guide OR agree that the editing is out of line.
But needs a campaign. Thoughts, anyone?
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
BBC denies telling staff to describe trans women as 'biological males'
The BBC has denied giving any specific instruction or directive to editorial staff on using the phrase "biological males" to discuss trans women in their stories.
www.thepinknews.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
So, are the BBC lying, or is there agreement between editors and journalists to ignore their style guide?
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
Trans Mission - Wednesday 11th March
Mighty Hoopla and Olly Alexander team up for a Trans Mission: an all-star solidarity concert for the trans community at OVO Arena Wembley
www.transmissionlive.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
16 June 2016
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
16 June 2016
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
I'm not sure I agree exactly, or at least in those terms. I want to try out an argument I made in a letter to the @lrb.co.uk (16 June 2016). Discussion welcome -- that was already some time ago.
Short thread...
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
![[Scene is JESUS sat behind a boss’s desk in his office on a cloud in HEAVEN]
1
JESUS [speaking into intercom]
Hi can you send in Saint Nicholas please
2
SANTA [entering in full Santa garb]:
Hi boss
JESUS:
Hi Nick
3
JESUS:
Listen - about this ‘my birthday’ thing...
SANTA:
Ohh not this again boss
4
JESUS:
Nick, it’s out of hand. *You’ve* got out of hand.
5
JESUS:
I mean when I hired you, you was all humble, hiding under windows, lobbing in dowries…
And now you’re like…
6
JESUS [gesturing disdainfully at Santa’s clothing]:
I mean - what’s this.
7
SANTA:
This is my get up! I’ve had this since the Coca Cola deal in the 30s
JESUS:
*That’s what I mean.*
8
JESUS:
You’ve just gone too -
SANTA:
Oh no, oh no -
9
SANTA:
Sorry boss but waaay back in the Reformation, right, Martin Luther said: “why don’t we have Jesus delivering the presents?”. And when he prayed to ask you, do you remember what you said? Eh?
10
SANTA:
You said: “I ain’t going back there”
11
SANTA:
If you wanna take over -
JESUS:
Oh yeah! Kids coming downstairs to find me resurrected in their living room going "I got you an Xbox"...
12
SANTA:
You’re just feeling threatened cos I’m doing a bloody good -
JESUS:
*WATCH IT NICK*.
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayhglimve4fbwilzyfjedpa56xwmjq4oriqqs62atkospprs6x5y@jpeg)
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
Since both the Times and the BBC claim to have seen the full document, could we now win an FoI for it?
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
"Misogynistic" leaked guidance would ban people from toilets based on appearance
Leaked EHRC code of practice is "misogynist’s charter" that will enforce gender stereotypes in public life with "a license to discriminate"
www.wearequeeraf.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Since both the Times and the BBC claim to have seen the full document, could we now win an FoI for it?
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
The EHRC clearly can't now claim publication would be damaging.
@goodlawproject.bsky.social , @reactiveashley.bsky.social , @ameresolicitor.bsky.social , @seenpoliceuk.bsky.social
But it's designed to hurt us, so complaining about *that* only tells the people pushing these policies that they are succeeding.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
Ngl, it doesn't feel awesome that so much discourse about policies designed specifically to hurt trans people is about the negative effects it might have on some cis people.
Not cos it's not bad that it will have broader incidental effects but because it should be enough that it will hurt us.
Not cos it's not bad that it will have broader incidental effects but because it should be enough that it will hurt us.
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
But it's designed to hurt us, so complaining about *that* only tells the people pushing these policies that they are succeeding.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
I see where you are coming from, but (IMO) we've tried looking for sympathy, and there isn't enough of it.
Reposted by Rachael Padman (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
In response to the laughable fiction presented in the letter sent by Sex Matters to BBC Board members, we have sent a rebuttal letter to clarify the real facts, rather than their Orwellian tale.
November 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
In response to the laughable fiction presented in the letter sent by Sex Matters to BBC Board members, we have sent a rebuttal letter to clarify the real facts, rather than their Orwellian tale.
The Indy today. As at 16:30, no responses from SM or any of the usual suspects.
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Indy today. As at 16:30, no responses from SM or any of the usual suspects.
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The Govt put up the Childrens' Minister Josh McAlister. At first sight, the govt is preparing the ground for at least a partial retreat.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
It seems to me that the media reporting this story are desperate to give the impression that this will *not* affect cis people. So they write these absurdities, in the hope the average reader won't bother to unpack them.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
Note bene: it is *only* transgender women they will be able to question to find out if they are trans. So if they know we are trans they can question us, and if not, not.
Does anyone else see a problem here?
Does anyone else see a problem here?
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It seems to me that the media reporting this story are desperate to give the impression that this will *not* affect cis people. So they write these absurdities, in the hope the average reader won't bother to unpack them.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
It will all go belly-up soon, IMHO.
Sometimes you can't help thinking a post is related to the preceding one ....
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Sometimes you can't help thinking a post is related to the preceding one ....