Simon Lock
@simonjlock.bsky.social
writer - researcher - nerd | professor of science, politics and culture at UCL | queer STS | social justice and science | co-dir. research centre for gender and sexual diversity | he/they | views my own | 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🍉
Reposted by Simon Lock
Thrilled to see this piece with Douglas Page & Sam Whitt) published in PRQ! We examine how LGBT+ activists can counter backlash by discrediting anti-LGBT+ messengers.
Huge thanks to the PRQ editors and reviewers for their thoughtful feedback.
🔗 Read it here:
🧵 (1/4)
Huge thanks to the PRQ editors and reviewers for their thoughtful feedback.
🔗 Read it here:
🧵 (1/4)
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
March 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Thrilled to see this piece with Douglas Page & Sam Whitt) published in PRQ! We examine how LGBT+ activists can counter backlash by discrediting anti-LGBT+ messengers.
Huge thanks to the PRQ editors and reviewers for their thoughtful feedback.
🔗 Read it here:
🧵 (1/4)
Huge thanks to the PRQ editors and reviewers for their thoughtful feedback.
🔗 Read it here:
🧵 (1/4)
Reposted by Simon Lock
“Outrage disseminated on social media in response to these ridiculous claims actually reduces the effectiveness of collective action. The result is a media environment that keeps us in a state of debilitating fear and anger, endlessly reacting to our oppressors instead of organizing against them.”
You Can’t Post Your Way Out of Fascism
Authoritarians and tech CEOs now share the same goal: to keep us locked in an eternal doomscroll instead of organizing against them, Janus Rose writes.
www.404media.co
February 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
“Outrage disseminated on social media in response to these ridiculous claims actually reduces the effectiveness of collective action. The result is a media environment that keeps us in a state of debilitating fear and anger, endlessly reacting to our oppressors instead of organizing against them.”
Reposted by Simon Lock
The AI Opportunities Action Plan (Matt Clifford report), trailed in today’s morning news is now out in full. I’ve read it, and here’s a few observations 1/10
Link to full report
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6784eb...
Link to full report
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6784eb...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 13, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The AI Opportunities Action Plan (Matt Clifford report), trailed in today’s morning news is now out in full. I’ve read it, and here’s a few observations 1/10
Link to full report
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6784eb...
Link to full report
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6784eb...
Reposted by Simon Lock
UK WRITERS: You need to fill in this consulation. Govt is very clearly looking to an opt-out model of rights licensing that puts all the burden on creators instead of profiteers. It's long and boring but this is important.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
This consultation seeks views on how the government can ensure the UK’s legal framework for AI and copyright supports the UK creative industries and AI sector together.
www.gov.uk
December 18, 2024 at 9:46 AM
UK WRITERS: You need to fill in this consulation. Govt is very clearly looking to an opt-out model of rights licensing that puts all the burden on creators instead of profiteers. It's long and boring but this is important.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Simon Lock
We are deeply concerned by the decision by @teamlabouruk.bsky.social @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social to ban puberty blockers.
It's hard to fathom how he can say he cares for the wellbeing, safety and dignity of trans people, based on this decision.
This is wrong, cruel and heartless.
It's hard to fathom how he can say he cares for the wellbeing, safety and dignity of trans people, based on this decision.
This is wrong, cruel and heartless.
Continuing the ban on puberty blockers is a worrying decision.
The same medication continues to be used safely by young people for other reasons. By relying on the reason for prescription, is this ban simply discrimination against our
#trans youth? 👇
The same medication continues to be used safely by young people for other reasons. By relying on the reason for prescription, is this ban simply discrimination against our
#trans youth? 👇
December 11, 2024 at 4:30 PM
We are deeply concerned by the decision by @teamlabouruk.bsky.social @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social to ban puberty blockers.
It's hard to fathom how he can say he cares for the wellbeing, safety and dignity of trans people, based on this decision.
This is wrong, cruel and heartless.
It's hard to fathom how he can say he cares for the wellbeing, safety and dignity of trans people, based on this decision.
This is wrong, cruel and heartless.
Reposted by Simon Lock
With the UK Parliament reportedly considering a longer-term ban on puberty blockers, here is the evidence against the ban I provided to the UK Government and Commission on Human Medicines.
I have no doubt that Parliament will ignore that evidence today. But this is a long fight we intend to win.
I have no doubt that Parliament will ignore that evidence today. But this is a long fight we intend to win.
Puberty blocker consultation: my response
In early September I recieved an email from the Department for Health and Social Care, inviting me to participate in a closed consultation on the Labour government’s proposed extension of the…
ruthpearce.net
December 11, 2024 at 11:10 AM
With the UK Parliament reportedly considering a longer-term ban on puberty blockers, here is the evidence against the ban I provided to the UK Government and Commission on Human Medicines.
I have no doubt that Parliament will ignore that evidence today. But this is a long fight we intend to win.
I have no doubt that Parliament will ignore that evidence today. But this is a long fight we intend to win.
Reposted by Simon Lock
As in Tennessee, this ban does not apply to cis children, because the drugs themselves are not a safety hazard. The only thing at risk is a society’s discomfort with allowing young people to make their own decisions about their own bodies.
Puberty blockers to be banned indefinitely for under-18s across UK
Puberty blockers to be banned indefinitely for under-18s across UK
Health secretary says emergency measures banning sale and supply will be made indefinite after expert advice
Puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria will be banned indefinitely across the UK, except for use in clinical trials, the government…
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2024 at 2:49 PM
As in Tennessee, this ban does not apply to cis children, because the drugs themselves are not a safety hazard. The only thing at risk is a society’s discomfort with allowing young people to make their own decisions about their own bodies.
Reposted by Simon Lock
Caroline Litman is the mother of Alice Litman, a young trans woman who died to suicide at 20. An official inquest found NHS delays in offering medical transition contributed to Alice's suicide.
Today, she has found an audit of trans suicides used to exonerate the NHS did not include her daughter.
Today, she has found an audit of trans suicides used to exonerate the NHS did not include her daughter.
BREAKING
On the day the UK government announces a permanent puberty blocker ban I learn:
ALICE’S DATA WAS NOT INCLUDED in data sent to Appleby to assess for his rushed DHSC report, that dismissed whistleblower claims of increased suicides in trans youth since Bell.
The report is a proven sham.
On the day the UK government announces a permanent puberty blocker ban I learn:
ALICE’S DATA WAS NOT INCLUDED in data sent to Appleby to assess for his rushed DHSC report, that dismissed whistleblower claims of increased suicides in trans youth since Bell.
The report is a proven sham.
December 11, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Caroline Litman is the mother of Alice Litman, a young trans woman who died to suicide at 20. An official inquest found NHS delays in offering medical transition contributed to Alice's suicide.
Today, she has found an audit of trans suicides used to exonerate the NHS did not include her daughter.
Today, she has found an audit of trans suicides used to exonerate the NHS did not include her daughter.
Reposted by Simon Lock
Tucked into the Cass Report, deep in the appendices, you'll find that they reviewed thousands of patient records and found no one who'd been harmed by puberty blockers and fewer than 10 detransitions.
It’s even worse knowing that Wes actually met trans kids, listened to them cry about how awful it would be to go through the wrong puberty, how this is a lifesaving treatment, and is fucking doing this anyway
It’s even more heartless than shutting them out of conversations
It’s even more heartless than shutting them out of conversations
BREAKING: I have seen confirmation that the indefinite puberty blocker ban for trans kids that was passed by the NI Executive yesterday will be UK-wide. It will come into effect on January 1 2025 when the temporary ban expires.
It is being laid before Parliament today.
It is being laid before Parliament today.
December 11, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Tucked into the Cass Report, deep in the appendices, you'll find that they reviewed thousands of patient records and found no one who'd been harmed by puberty blockers and fewer than 10 detransitions.
Reposted by Simon Lock
Day 6! 🎁🎁🎁 @simonjlock.bsky.social is reading Systems Ultra by @gsvoss.bsky.social which "brings a multidisciplinary eye to the importance of large-scale technological systems from industrial ports to air traffic control to car crash testing, unpicking and challenging how power flows through them".
December 6, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Day 6! 🎁🎁🎁 @simonjlock.bsky.social is reading Systems Ultra by @gsvoss.bsky.social which "brings a multidisciplinary eye to the importance of large-scale technological systems from industrial ports to air traffic control to car crash testing, unpicking and challenging how power flows through them".
Reposted by Simon Lock
Queer & Trans Studies Cultural Studies Starter Pack. This one was a bit tricky and there’s lots of room left in here still. LMK who I’m missing —was looking to build a list of queer & trans cultural studies (and adjacent) folks mostly, as I haven’t seen on of thede on here yet.
go.bsky.app/6tcCTzg
go.bsky.app/6tcCTzg
December 1, 2024 at 12:03 AM
Queer & Trans Studies Cultural Studies Starter Pack. This one was a bit tricky and there’s lots of room left in here still. LMK who I’m missing —was looking to build a list of queer & trans cultural studies (and adjacent) folks mostly, as I haven’t seen on of thede on here yet.
go.bsky.app/6tcCTzg
go.bsky.app/6tcCTzg
Reposted by Simon Lock
I can only assume that the Times wanted to keep these definitions
November 28, 2024 at 9:38 AM
I can only assume that the Times wanted to keep these definitions
Reposted by Simon Lock
“How’d the world die? A pack of no-talent tech grifters created a digital artbarf machine to spew endless artbarf and each time the machine threw up it drank more water, destroyed more resources. Nobody wanted it but they did it anyway! Eat your roach paste.”
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
New publisher Spines aims to 'disrupt' industry by using AI to publish 8,000 books in 2025 alone
A new publisher has claimed it aims to “disrupt” the books industry by publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone using artificial intelligence.
www.thebookseller.com
November 25, 2024 at 12:16 PM
“How’d the world die? A pack of no-talent tech grifters created a digital artbarf machine to spew endless artbarf and each time the machine threw up it drank more water, destroyed more resources. Nobody wanted it but they did it anyway! Eat your roach paste.”
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
Reposted by Simon Lock
This obsession is unhealthy. Our horizons are fine. Also social media, for most, is not a job. It is not school. It is socializing. And it’s fine to say “I don’t want to hang out with Nazis, homophobes, transphobes etc in my free time.”
Opinion - The problem with Bluesky: It won’t broaden our horizons: In the wake of Donald Trump’s election win, the social-media platform has enjoyed a surge of new users looking for an alternative to Elon Musk’s X. But will it be useful, if it just creates an echo chamber for the left?
The problem with Bluesky: It won’t broaden our horizons
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election win, the social-media platform has enjoyed a surge of new users looking for an alternative to Elon Musk’s X. But will it be useful, if it just creates an echo chamber for the left?
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:12 PM
This obsession is unhealthy. Our horizons are fine. Also social media, for most, is not a job. It is not school. It is socializing. And it’s fine to say “I don’t want to hang out with Nazis, homophobes, transphobes etc in my free time.”
Reposted by Simon Lock
I have created a Starter Pack for British Trans Activism
Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
November 22, 2024 at 10:47 AM
I have created a Starter Pack for British Trans Activism
Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
Reposted by Simon Lock
There can be no left resistance to the reactionary onslaught without an uncompromising radical intersectional commitment
You can't fight fascism if you're not fighting racism, transphobia, ableism, classism etc
There can be no pick and choose and no opposing one to the other
You can't fight fascism if you're not fighting racism, transphobia, ableism, classism etc
There can be no pick and choose and no opposing one to the other
November 21, 2024 at 9:00 AM
There can be no left resistance to the reactionary onslaught without an uncompromising radical intersectional commitment
You can't fight fascism if you're not fighting racism, transphobia, ableism, classism etc
There can be no pick and choose and no opposing one to the other
You can't fight fascism if you're not fighting racism, transphobia, ableism, classism etc
There can be no pick and choose and no opposing one to the other
Reposted by Simon Lock
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. We have witnessed another year of violence, harassment, and policing of trans people. As we mourn, we must continue to challenge politics that ritually subjects trans folk to debates about their existence and degrades trans lives as an “ideology” or “agenda.”
November 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. We have witnessed another year of violence, harassment, and policing of trans people. As we mourn, we must continue to challenge politics that ritually subjects trans folk to debates about their existence and degrades trans lives as an “ideology” or “agenda.”
Reposted by Simon Lock
Normalize Professors:
⁃ Having tattoos
⁃ Having body piercings
⁃ Having colored hair
⁃ Wearing casual clothing
- Wearing (excessive) jewelry
⁃ Speaking non-academic English
⁃ Having tattoos
⁃ Having body piercings
⁃ Having colored hair
⁃ Wearing casual clothing
- Wearing (excessive) jewelry
⁃ Speaking non-academic English
November 19, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Normalize Professors:
⁃ Having tattoos
⁃ Having body piercings
⁃ Having colored hair
⁃ Wearing casual clothing
- Wearing (excessive) jewelry
⁃ Speaking non-academic English
⁃ Having tattoos
⁃ Having body piercings
⁃ Having colored hair
⁃ Wearing casual clothing
- Wearing (excessive) jewelry
⁃ Speaking non-academic English
Omg. Paging @damianbarr.bsky.social
It's Christmaaaaas! BBC4 are repeating THE BOX OF DELIGHTS from Saturday 7th December at 7.10pm, with a new introduction from director Renny Rye at 7pm!
November 19, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Omg. Paging @damianbarr.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Lock
since all the "gender critical"/TERFs are migrating here, thought I'd share this primer explaining their history, dissecting their beliefs, & debunking their talking points. no-paywall links, pls share!
Substack: juliaserano.substack.com/p/a-gender-c...
Medium: juliaserano.medium.com/a-gender-cri...
Substack: juliaserano.substack.com/p/a-gender-c...
Medium: juliaserano.medium.com/a-gender-cri...
A “Gender Critical” and “TERF” Primer
for readers trying to make sense of “feminists versus transgender activists” debates
juliaserano.substack.com
November 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM
since all the "gender critical"/TERFs are migrating here, thought I'd share this primer explaining their history, dissecting their beliefs, & debunking their talking points. no-paywall links, pls share!
Substack: juliaserano.substack.com/p/a-gender-c...
Medium: juliaserano.medium.com/a-gender-cri...
Substack: juliaserano.substack.com/p/a-gender-c...
Medium: juliaserano.medium.com/a-gender-cri...
Reposted by Simon Lock
I briefly put principles and values aside to make a saltier, crankier case for leaving X: Elon Musk is uniquely insufferable holapapi.substack.com/p/x-out
X Out
A salty, cranky case for letting Twitter die
holapapi.substack.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:38 PM
I briefly put principles and values aside to make a saltier, crankier case for leaving X: Elon Musk is uniquely insufferable holapapi.substack.com/p/x-out
Reposted by Simon Lock
Whenever I posted this in the bad place I got a load of spam and fake people applying, hopefully I'm in the right echo chamber 🤞🏿
Want to help improve future sexual health services in the UK?
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
November 18, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Whenever I posted this in the bad place I got a load of spam and fake people applying, hopefully I'm in the right echo chamber 🤞🏿
Reposted by Simon Lock
Want to help improve future sexual health services in the UK?
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
November 18, 2024 at 3:43 PM
Want to help improve future sexual health services in the UK?
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
Take part in one of our upcoming focus groups.
If you take part in a focus group, you will get a £50 e-voucher as a huge thank you!
To take part go to thelovetank.info/shresearch
My new dating profile just dropped…
November 18, 2024 at 12:17 PM
My new dating profile just dropped…
Reposted by Simon Lock
This is a great starter pack go.bsky.app/9oFYM1Z
November 16, 2024 at 4:47 PM
This is a great starter pack go.bsky.app/9oFYM1Z