Dear Angela I’m saddened to read in the Wirral Globe that the NHS GP Patient Survey found 26% of respondents in Cheshire and Merseyside have tried unsuccessfully in the last two years to book an appointment with an NHS dentist. I know that you get a lot of correspondence on this issue and are fully aware ofContinue reading “NHS dentistry: template letter”
Author Archives: Linda
Puberty blockers: template letter
Please feel free to borrow and adapt this if you have a Labour MP. Dear Angela I’m very concerned that the Health Secretary is introducing a permanent ban on puberty blockers. Its stated purpose is to safeguard young trans people, but young trans people and their allies are deeply alarmed and completely opposed to theContinue reading “Puberty blockers: template letter”
Sex and gender in the census
I was surprised when this issue was raised in the training today. The census doesn’t rank highly on my radar, or on that of any organisations that I’m involved in. Should it though ? Fair Play for Women certainly seem to think so. Not only did they take part in the census consultations, they evenContinue reading “Sex and gender in the census”
When your child comes out as trans
“Setting limits is a primary responsibility of parents. Teens are too young to be making major decisions on their own. It is age appropriate for teens to experiment and take risks. It is our job as parents to take measures where we can to ensure that these risks and experiments don’t carry long-term consequences.” –Continue reading “When your child comes out as trans”
A programme for trans inclusion
This was drafted with the Labour Party in mind. It would however be an equally good starting point for any UK political party. I see this as a baseline programme. Nothing in here is new or radical. These are points for which there’s already overwhelming support with the LGBT community, and which people of goodContinue reading “A programme for trans inclusion”
How Florida became a rogue state
June 10th 2023: a small number of white supremacists protesting outside Disney World Orlando, in solidarity with Governor DeSantis Towards the end of 2022, I published this piece about DeSantis and his attacks on trans healthcare in Florida. It seems like a very long time ago now, so much has happened since then. Today Florida’sContinue reading “How Florida became a rogue state”
Dispatch from a community under siege
It’s not like it’s been a week when I’ve been scouring the news. I’ve been going out, meeting friends, going to a gig, just everyday stuff. But the war on the trans community is there all the time, you can’t escape it. Every day there’s more attacks, more developments – and they still have theContinue reading “Dispatch from a community under siege”
Can Section 35 be defeated in the courts ?
Nicola Sturgeon left no room for doubt last week where the battle over Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill was headed – “this is something the Scottish Government will have to judicially review… I can say categorically, the Scottish Government will vigorously defend this legislation.” So how might this play out ? The UK GovernmentContinue reading “Can Section 35 be defeated in the courts ?”
Gender Recognition Reform: a Factsheet
Why you should read this The debate on gender recognition reform has been muddied by a torrent of myths and misinformation. Unfortunately the national media, instead of questioning spurious claims, has repeated and amplified all of these myths, while seldom seeking comment from LGBT organisations or from trans people themselves. You’re going to be hearingContinue reading “Gender Recognition Reform: a Factsheet”
Wallasey Free Press
Issue 1: 28th November 2022 A new voice for Wallasey Winter’s arriving later than ever it seems, but slowly, inexorably, the days are getting colder. So many people making desperate decisions. Can I afford to turn the heating on? How long can I keep wrapping myself in coats and blankets? For many families, Christmas won’tContinue reading “Wallasey Free Press”
Optimism of the Will 