The Trans Agenda: Cass rejected again as the papers attack LGBTQ+ inclusion
News you need, the perspective you won't find anywhere else. The trans community's guide to UK news, media and politics and our place in it.
The Trans Agenda
[8 December 2024]
From the start of 2025, the Trans Agenda will be going live early for subscribers. I’ll also be opening up the comments for subscribers at all levels, so make sure you sign up. It’s free but every paid subscription helps me pay for access to the papers.
Follow me on Bluesky - @HLeeHurley.substack.com
UK NEWS
Brianna Ghey killer’s sentencing appeal thrown out
One of Brianna Ghey's killers, Eddie Ratcliffe, had his bid to reduce his 20-year minimum sentence thrown out by Appeal Court judges. Ratcliffe, who was 15 when he stabbed 16-year-old Brianna 28 times in a Warrington park last February, argued for a reduced term citing his ‘immaturity’. The judges dismissed this, deeming the arguments 'based on a false premise'. Ratcliffe was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years, while his co-defendant Scarlett Jenkinson received a minimum term of 22 years. The murder was described as 'exceptionally brutal' with transphobic motives.
Council of Europe expert committee say puberty blocker trial might violate rights of the patient [Trans Safety Network]
The Council of Europe’s ADI-SOGIESC report warns that the NHS restricting puberty blockers to a proposed trial could violate patient rights under the Oviedo Convention, which ensures access to care outside research. This echoes a 2022 British Medical Association warning about ethical breaches.
The trial, starting in April 2025, may randomly assign young trans participants to receive blockers or no treatment. Critics rightly question whether true informed consent is possible when the trial is the only route to treatment. NHS England and Dr Michael Absoud, linked to the trial, have not provided requested details.
GPs halting transgender patients’ hormone treatment or refusing prescriptions, [The Bureau of Investigative Journalism in partnership with the Independent]
An investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, in partnership with The Independent, reveals a troubling rise in the withdrawal or refusal of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions for transgender patients by NHS GPs, a scandal that trans journalists have tried to highlight for some time. This has left many patients unable to access crucial gender-affirming care, with GPs citing reasons such as lack of expertise, insufficient funding, or confusion stemming from the Cass Review’s cautionary recommendations on hormone treatments for minors.
Key findings include:Impact on patients: Cases were reported where HRT was stopped without consultation, destabilising patients’ mental health and forcing some to seek costly private care or unregulated alternatives.
GPs’ reasons: Many GPs claim to feel unqualified to prescribe HRT, despite guidance from the General Medical Council stating this does not require specialist expertise. Funding shortfalls and the Cass Review’s influence on adult services have further complicated access.
Systemic rollback: NHS gender services report an increase in HRT refusals, with data showing rising refusal rates in areas like Manchester. The Cass Review, originally focused on children, has ‘inadvertently’ shaped adult care, with some practitioners fearing legal or professional repercussions for prescribing.
Broader challenges: While the Royal College of General Practitioners updated its stance to support transgender care, systemic issues such as overstretched resources and societal rhetoric have hindered progress.
AROUND THE WORLD
French guidelines endorse trans youth care, reject "wait-and-see" approach [Erin Reed]
The French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology has issued France’s first national guidelines for transgender youth care, endorsing gender-affirming treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy while rejecting the harmful “wait-and-see” approach. The guidelines emphasise that delaying care increases psychological distress and suicide risk.
Puberty blockers are recognised as essential for easing gender exploration and reducing future surgical needs, with no evidence of harm to brain development or academic outcomes. The guidelines counter claims from the UK’s Cass Review.
Massachusetts police seek charges after trans boy attacked
Police in Gloucester, Massachusetts, are seeking to charge three teenagers in connection with an August attack on a transgender boy named Jayden Tkaczyk. Jayden was assaulted by up to a dozen teens at an outdoor party, where he was also subjected to homophobic slurs and chased into the woods. Gloucester Police have filed for assault and battery charges against two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old, with a juvenile court hearing pending to determine if there is sufficient cause to proceed with the case.
Texas DPS inbox flooded after blocking sex designation changes on IDs [Dallas Morning News]
After Texas' Department of Public Safety (DPS) set up an email account for employees to report transgender Texans' requests to change their driver's license sex designation, the inbox was flooded with criticism, spam, and protest emails. The policy, introduced in August, instructed staff to report court orders allowing sex designation changes, which drew backlash after LGBTQ newspaper Dallas Voice publicised the details. Emails ranged from satirical messages, including movie scripts, to direct criticism of DPS and Texas lawmakers for violating transgender rights. DPS did not comment on the public reaction to the email account.
Parents defend Boston gender clinic after claims of rushed treatments [The Boston Globe]
Boston Children's Hospital’s gender clinic, GEMS, was criticised by a former director, Amy Tishelman, for allegedly rushing assessments for minors seeking medical transition. Despite this, most parents interviewed defended GEMS as a cautious and comprehensive provider, emphasising the rigorous multi-step process involved before medical treatment is offered. While two parents echoed concerns of rushed processes, most felt the clinic provided a thorough evaluation, often spanning years. Parents highlighted improvements in their children's mental health after treatment, countering allegations that they were pushed into transition. The controversy arises amid rising political attacks on gender-affirming care across the US.
Celena Morrison, Philly's first trans head of LGBTQ affairs, leaves position [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
Celena Morrison, the first openly transgender leader of Philadelphia's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, is no longer in her role. The city has not provided a reason for her departure, citing privacy regarding personnel matters, and is currently searching for her replacement. Morrison, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ rights, was appointed in 2020 and made headlines in March following a controversial roadside arrest involving her and her husband, Darius Mclean. The incident, which led to the firing of the state trooper involved, garnered significant attention because a trans person was involved.
Nancy Mace uses slur after trans activists’ Capitol protest [Erin Reed]
Transgender activists, including Chelsea Manning, protested a bathroom ban targeting trans people in the US Capitol. The sit-in, led by the Gender Liberation Movement, caught lawmakers off guard. Protesters faced arrest threats but were released without charge. Congresswoman Nancy Mace responded by publicly using the T slur in a video mocking the protesters.
33 transgender clinics open in Telangana, India
Telangana, India, is opening 33 Maitri Clinics for transgender healthcare, offering services like hormone therapy and pre-surgical care. This follows the success of a pilot clinic at Osmania General Hospital. The state government is also planning to induct transgender people into police roles, promoting further inclusion.
Two transgender candidates contest Nepal by-elections for the first time
Two transgender candidates are contesting local by-elections in Nepal, aiming to improve political representation for sexual and gender minorities. Despite Nepal's progressive LGBTQ laws, no openly LGBTQ person has held public office since 2008. Honey Maharjan, one of the candidates, hopes to inspire more queer community members to participate in future elections.
Trans asylum seeker stranded as Canada revokes refugee status mid-journey [Toronto Star]
Syrian transgender asylum seeker Arwa Almsrawi is in "critical crisis" after Canada revoked her refugee status while she was en route to Toronto. Almsrawi, who fled Syria in 2011, is now stranded in Southeast Asia and fears deportation back to Syria, where she could face torture or death. The United Nations Committee Against Torture has urged Canada to prevent her deportation, but Almsrawi is currently left without legal status and facing harassment and violence. Her lawyer accused Canada of breaking its promise and putting her life at severe risk. Almsrawi is challenging the revocation in federal court.
MLA demands apology from Premier for targeting transgender children in Canada
NDP MLA Jared Clarke has called for an apology from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe after Moe announced plans to ban transgender students from using school change rooms, allegedly targeting Clarke's two transgender daughters. Clarke criticised Moe for stoking fear and outrage, especially after a photo of his family circulated online. He argued that Moe's comments endangered transgender children and called for greater respect and dignity for all. Moe’s office denied identifying the children, and said the ban is no longer a legislative priority.
Sir Lady Java, pioneering transgender performer, dies at 82 [LA Times via The Day]
Sir Lady Java, a trailblazing transgender performer and activist who fought against discriminatory laws and police harassment in Los Angeles' 1960s nightclub scene, died on November 16 at age 82 after suffering a stroke. Java, known for her work as a drag queen, comedian, and performer, challenged the city's cross-dressing laws in a landmark 1967 lawsuit supported by the ACLU, though she ultimately lost. The discriminatory ordinance was repealed two years later. Actor Hailie Sahar, who will portray Java in an upcoming biopic, described her as a pivotal figure who began an LGBTQ+ movement before such a community existed.
Trans woman shares trauma of being denied entry to Hong Kong [South China Morning Post]
Margaux, a 29-year-old transgender woman from the Philippines, was denied entry to Hong Kong with her cousin and detained in a male-only area for 12 hours before being sent back to Manila. Despite spending HK$13,200 on pre-booked hotels and activities, they were questioned by immigration officers and ultimately denied entry without a clear reason, with officials stating only that they “did not fulfil the immigration requirements.” Margaux could not provide medical proof of her transition as she had not undergone surgery, and her documents still bore her male name. Zephyrus Tsang of trans support group Quarks described the treatment as "disappointing" and advised trans travellers to carry medical documentation as proof of identity.
Alex Consani makes history as first trans woman to win Model of the Year [EuroNews]
American model Alex Consani has become the first transgender woman to win the Model of the Year award at the British Fashion Council's Fashion Awards. Consani, who previously made history as the youngest signed transgender model and the first trans Victoria’s Secret Angel, received the award at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In her acceptance speech, Consani thanked Black trans women like Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming, and Aaron Rose Phillips for paving the way, and urged parents to support their trans children. The 21-year-old has gained significant influence both on the catwalk and via her TikTok account, where she offers an honest look at life as a model. Despite predictable backlash online, Consani's win marks a significant milestone for the fashion industry, pushing boundaries for greater inclusion and visibility.
SPORT
Trans golfer Hailey Davidson barred as major women's tours change policies
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), in coordination with the US Golf Association (USGA), has introduced a new policy banning transgender women who went through male puberty from competing in women's professional golf competitions. This move comes after Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer, came close to qualifying for the US Women's Open in June, having also secured status on the Epson Tour, the feeder league to the LPGA. Davidson, the first trans golfer to win a women’s tournament, has expressed disappointment, citing silence and lack of support from others in the industry as contributing to the exclusion. The LPGA had previously removed its female-born requirement in 2010, but this new decision, supported by a working group of ‘experts’ and some players, reverses that progress. The policy claims to take a "science-based and inclusive approach" while aiming to maintain "competitive integrity" within women's golf but it is, of course, ignoring any and all science while undertaking an exclusionary approach. Also, note how Davidson didn’t even qualify, despite trans people supposedly being unbeatable.
Taiwan's Olympic boxing champion withdraws from event after gender eligibility questioned [Kuwait Times]
Taiwanese Olympic boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting has withdrawn from the World Boxing Cup Finals in Britain after organisers questioned her gender eligibility. Lin, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, had been cleared by the IOC but faced a smear campaign from World Boxing during the summer, leapt on by famous English GCs along with some MPs and a large section of the media. Taiwan's Sports Administration stated Lin met all eligibility requirements but withdrew to prevent further harm after the organiser refused her offer to undergo a “comprehensive” medical examination. These are the same people behind the harassment of both Lin and Imane Khelif during the Olympics in the summer and who have yet to provide any evidence to back up their claims.
Trans Platform condemns PSOE for exclusion of trans women from sports [La Región]
The Federación de Colectivos Trans (Trans Platform) expressed "disgust and indignation" at the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) for approving an amendment at its Federal Congress that excludes trans women from women's sports and removes the Q+ from LGBTQIA+. The platform accused the PSOE of spreading disinformation and stigmatising trans lives to undermine the Trans Law. Mar Cambrollé, president of Plataforma Trans, linked hate speech from both the far-right and anti-trans women within PSOE to an increase in murders of trans people, as noted by Transgender Europe's latest report.
Letter: Fears over trans youth in sports are misplaced and harmful
Carol Rose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, argues in her letter to the Boston Globe that fears regarding trans youth in competitive sports are baseless and harmful. She notes that while only a tiny fraction of transgender people compete in sports, trans youth face significant challenges, including high rates of bullying and suicide ideation, as well as violence. Rose calls for support of trans youth, highlighting the importance of their right to safety and self-expression, and compares current fears over trans rights to past fears about voting rights, women’s rights, and same-sex marriage — all of which history has proven to be unfounded.
MEDIA
Scottish Daily Mail
On Wednesday, the Daily Mail in England, which is the paper I monitor daily, did not print any articles about trans people. Its Scottish sister, however, managed to fit in two. I’m trying to expand my coverage as and when time/finances allow, so will hopefully have more from papers from around the world going forward.
BBC honours trans scientist Brigitte Baptiste as one of its women of 2024
The BBC has named Brigitte Baptiste, a transgender Colombian scientist, among its list of 100 inspiring women of 2024. Baptiste, a biologist known for using a "queer lens" to explore biodiversity, challenges traditional ideas of "naturalness" in nature. She draws parallels between biodiversity and gender identity, promoting a broader and more inclusive understanding of ecosystems. This angered the Telegraph so much that they all but erased the other 99 women on the list to rant about Baptiste and the BBC. See Paper Review for more, in particular, Michael’ Deacon’s alternative list in his Saturday column.
Language shift spreads
For a while now, most of the papers I monitor have been shifting away from writing ‘trans woman’ towards ‘trans-identified male’ but this week, the Times [Paper Review, Tuesday] used, quite possibly the worst phrase yet. They described the NHS nurse at the centre of an harassment campaign by colleagues, the media and politicians for the ‘crime’ of being trans as “a sexually active male who identifies as a woman called Rose.”
WHAT’S ON IN PARLIAMENT
Select business. Full House business can be viewed here.
Tuesday, 10 December
House of Commons, 11.30am+, Adjournment, International Human Rights Day. More here.
Wednesday, 11 December
House of Commons, 12pm, Prime Minister’s Questions.
Thursday, 12 December
House of Commons, 9.30am+, General debate on Lord Etherton’s independent review into the treatment of LGBT veterans. More here.
House of Commons, 9.30am+, Backbench Business, Performance of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Esther McVey. More here.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
HIV infections in India dropped by 44.23% between 2010 and 2022, exceeding the global reduction rate of 39%, according to central government data released on World AIDS Day. [Hindustan Times]
'Woke' dress policy rollback improves troop morale
The Canadian military's partial rollback of its 2022 dress code changes, which allowed for gender-neutral uniforms, long hair, and other non-traditional styles, has reportedly improved troop morale. The original policy, introduced by Gen. Wayne Eyre, faced criticism from veterans and soldiers who labelled it as overly "woke." The decision to partially reverse these changes was made in July, with Gen. Jennie Carignan informed in October that troops had responded positively to the backtrack. According to a briefing from military chaplains, the adjustment has alleviated concerns and boosted morale at the tactical level. Sure.
Walmart scales back diversity, equity, and inclusion policies amid conservative pressure
Walmart, the world's largest retailer, is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies after facing backlash from conservative activists. The changes include ending a $100 million racial equity centre established after George Floyd's killing, withdrawing from a prominent LGBTQ+ rights index, and no longer prioritising race or gender in supplier contracts. The decision follows similar moves by other companies, influenced by conservative harassment and the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling against affirmative action. Walmart also plans ‘stricter monitoring’ of products for minors and reassessment of support for Pride events.
Hong Kong's top court upholds housing and inheritance rights for same-sex couples
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal has upheld previous rulings granting public housing and inheritance rights to same-sex couples married overseas, citing equality provisions in the city's constitution. The unanimous decision rejected the government's arguments against granting these rights, stating that social welfare must be allocated without discrimination. The ruling represents another recent legal victory for the LGBTQ+ community, despite the court's refusal last year to legalise same-sex marriage. The court emphasised the need for the government to create alternative legal frameworks for same-sex couples to meet "basic social requirements."
Malaysian court orders return of seized LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches [Philippine Daily Inquirer]
A Malaysian court has ordered the government to return rainbow-coloured watches and accessories made by Swatch that were seized in 2023 for promoting LGBTQ rights. Homosexuality remains illegal in Malaysia, and the seizure reflected growing intolerance towards the LGBTQ community in the country. The confiscation involved 172 rainbow-themed items celebrating LGBTQ rights.
SHORTS
The BBC, who initially rejected calls to pull episodes of Masterchef featuring Greg Wallace, who has been accused by multiple women of inappropriate remarks and behaviour over 19 years, eventually relented. Kathleen Stock will no doubt be sad. After hearing episodes could be cut, Stock tweeted “For Godsake don’t pull it, this is ridiculous…I’ve come this far, I want to know who won.” Feminism, eh?
THIS WEEK
Monday December 9
UN Commissioner for Human Rights end of year press conference
Tuesday December 10
Benjamin Netanyahu testimony due to begin in criminal prosecution for corruption
Pre-trial hearing in Prince Harry case against The Sun
Wednesday December 11
Nobel Prizes ceremony
Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women
Thursday December 12
NHS key services performance data
Friday December 13
Deadline for report from US investigative task force on Trump assassination attempt
Defence arguments due to conclude in Gisele Pelicot mass rape trial
Saturday December 14
Further protests expected as Georgian lawmakers elect new president.
THE PAPERS
This week, there were a total of 23 articles in the papers I monitor, a slight dip on last week’s 25, with some of the pieces even coming across as neutral.
There was hardly anything about trans people on Wednesday, the lightest day of the week. This was because they were too busy crying about LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
The Times and Telegraph had three pages of opinion on Marc Guehi getting in trouble with the FA for writing 'Jesus loves you' on his rainbow armband as part of the Rainbow Laces annual campaign, while the Mail called him 'defiant'.
What Oliver Brown refers to as ‘gesture politics’, as he appeared to take some time off from attacking women, has been a part of football for 11 years. Looking closer at his article, however, he attacks multiple women, both trans and cis. He also complains about BLM, thinks Christians are more persecuted than Muslims and then finishes by dismissing International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This theme continued throughout the rest of the week, culminating in newly-out heterosexual GC, Alyson Rudd declaring she would never support Rainbow Laces because of trans people before lecturing the queer community on how best to rid the world of homophobia. The arrogance of these people really is unlimited.
Three articles this week were what you would consider neutral, covering as they did the appeal of Brianna Ghey’s killer. The Telegraph did not cover that at all, while the others all did.
Quoted or mentioned this week:
Maya Forstater on trains
Graham Linehan’s blog
Toby Young’s Free Speech Union
Non-expert Helen Joyce crying over LGBTQ+ support groups
LGB Alliance, Transgender Trend, Genspect and Thoughtful Therapists on puberty blockers
How many times was JK Rowling featured or mentioned? Remarkably, just once
How many GCs had a byline? None. All articles relied on in-house anti-trans activists.
How many trans people were quoted or got a byline? lol
Spotted or know something you think I should include in the Trans Agenda?
THE PAPERS Monday 2 December - Sunday 8 December
Monday Total: 2
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [2]
Tuesday Total: 4
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
![Badenoch backs nurses in trans row Eleanor Hayward - Health Editor Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has backed a group of nurses who are demanding that the NHS bans trans-identified men from women’s lavatories and changing rooms. Eight women who work at Darlington Memorial Hospital are suing their employer for failing to prevent the “intimidating” behaviour of a transgender colleague. They say they were forced to change into their work clothes in front of a sexually active male who identifies as a woman called Rose. The nurses have formed the Darlington Nursing Union, which has drawn up proposed NHS guidance that would ban transgender people from female single-sex spaces. Yesterday, two of the nurses met Claire Coutinho, the shadow equalities minister, who said they had Badenoch’s support and promised to push Wes Streeting, the health secretary, for a response to the proposals. Bethany Hutchison, one of the nurses, said: “Our guidance exposes how our trust’s policy on these issues is unlawful. ‘Gender identity’ is not a protected characteristic and we should simply not be forced to get undressed in front of a man.” The nurses have filed a claim against Co Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, alleging failure to protect staff from sexual harassment. Badenoch backs nurses in trans row Eleanor Hayward - Health Editor Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has backed a group of nurses who are demanding that the NHS bans trans-identified men from women’s lavatories and changing rooms. Eight women who work at Darlington Memorial Hospital are suing their employer for failing to prevent the “intimidating” behaviour of a transgender colleague. They say they were forced to change into their work clothes in front of a sexually active male who identifies as a woman called Rose. The nurses have formed the Darlington Nursing Union, which has drawn up proposed NHS guidance that would ban transgender people from female single-sex spaces. Yesterday, two of the nurses met Claire Coutinho, the shadow equalities minister, who said they had Badenoch’s support and promised to push Wes Streeting, the health secretary, for a response to the proposals. Bethany Hutchison, one of the nurses, said: “Our guidance exposes how our trust’s policy on these issues is unlawful. ‘Gender identity’ is not a protected characteristic and we should simply not be forced to get undressed in front of a man.” The nurses have filed a claim against Co Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, alleging failure to protect staff from sexual harassment.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb2105bc9-e837-416f-a198-56a62c98e2d9_260x744.png)
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [3]
![Spain plans to ban trans women from female sport Socialist government accused of transphobia as it also makes move to remove ‘Q’ from LGBTQ+ The Daily Telegraph3 Dec 2024By James Badcock in Madrid THE ruling Socialist party of Spain intends to ban transgender women from competing in female sports and to remove the Q+ from the LGBTQ+ acronym. The Socialists, led by Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, included plans to limit participation in female sports to “people with a female biological sex” in a policy document decided on at the party’s congress at the weekend. The decision also to remove Q+ from a plan to protect sexual and gender minorities from the impact of social inequality sparked fury from LGBTQ+ activists and politicians from Left-wing partners of Mr Sánchez’s minority government. However, it drew support from some feminist campaign groups. The amendments to the draft policy framework were introduced by a feminist faction within the Socialist party that has fought against an ultra-liberal approach to transgender rights under Mr Sánchez’s administration. The passing of a transgender rights reform in 2023, allowing anyone to change their official sex simply by stating their wish to switch, caused a bitter rift within Spain’s ruling Left-wing forces. Carmen Calvo, the Socialist former deputy prime minister, said at the time the reform would “destroy the powerful battery of equality legislation in our country”. Activists espousing what they call traditional feminism have flagged up abuses of the law, including newly registered transgender women attempting to avoid convictions for violence committed against female partners. According to Spain’s transgender law, children as young as 12 can change the sex included on their state documents, although up to the age of 16 either parental or judicial support is required. For some feminists in the party, the reform threatened to damage the equality gains made by women. A spokesman for Ana Redondo, the Spanish equality minister, said the decisions were “a party matter” and therefore not binding. But the government has been accused of “transphobia” by gender and sexual diversity campaigners. Sumar, the junior party in Spain’s coalition, said that “no one should be left behind” when it comes to protecting rights, accusing the Socialist party of adopting “far-right ideas”. Irene Montero, the former equality minister from the hard-left Podemos party, piloted the transgender reform into law. “This is transphobia. Transgender women are women, whether they have a penis or a vagina,” said Ms Montero, who is now a MEP for Podemos. She noted that Human Rights Watch has said that sex tests carried out by some federations or sports organisations are “degrading practices” based on “arbitrary definitions of femininity and racial stereotypes”. She warned that “transphobia in sport generates transphobic violence” in other areas of life. The feminist campaign group Contra el Borrado de Mujeres (Against the Era- sure of Women) celebrated the Socialist congress’s resolution but said it was important to follow through with legislative action. “The Sports Act and the 14 regional laws that allow the participation of men who identify themselves as women in women’s sports competitions must now be amended,” the group said. Ms Redondo, a socialist who replaced Ms Montero after the 2023 general election, has attempted to bridge the rift between feminists over the transgender issue. Article Name:Spain plans to ban trans women from female sport Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By James Badcock in Madrid Start Page:15 End Page:15 Spain plans to ban trans women from female sport Socialist government accused of transphobia as it also makes move to remove ‘Q’ from LGBTQ+ The Daily Telegraph3 Dec 2024By James Badcock in Madrid THE ruling Socialist party of Spain intends to ban transgender women from competing in female sports and to remove the Q+ from the LGBTQ+ acronym. The Socialists, led by Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, included plans to limit participation in female sports to “people with a female biological sex” in a policy document decided on at the party’s congress at the weekend. The decision also to remove Q+ from a plan to protect sexual and gender minorities from the impact of social inequality sparked fury from LGBTQ+ activists and politicians from Left-wing partners of Mr Sánchez’s minority government. However, it drew support from some feminist campaign groups. The amendments to the draft policy framework were introduced by a feminist faction within the Socialist party that has fought against an ultra-liberal approach to transgender rights under Mr Sánchez’s administration. The passing of a transgender rights reform in 2023, allowing anyone to change their official sex simply by stating their wish to switch, caused a bitter rift within Spain’s ruling Left-wing forces. Carmen Calvo, the Socialist former deputy prime minister, said at the time the reform would “destroy the powerful battery of equality legislation in our country”. Activists espousing what they call traditional feminism have flagged up abuses of the law, including newly registered transgender women attempting to avoid convictions for violence committed against female partners. According to Spain’s transgender law, children as young as 12 can change the sex included on their state documents, although up to the age of 16 either parental or judicial support is required. For some feminists in the party, the reform threatened to damage the equality gains made by women. A spokesman for Ana Redondo, the Spanish equality minister, said the decisions were “a party matter” and therefore not binding. But the government has been accused of “transphobia” by gender and sexual diversity campaigners. Sumar, the junior party in Spain’s coalition, said that “no one should be left behind” when it comes to protecting rights, accusing the Socialist party of adopting “far-right ideas”. Irene Montero, the former equality minister from the hard-left Podemos party, piloted the transgender reform into law. “This is transphobia. Transgender women are women, whether they have a penis or a vagina,” said Ms Montero, who is now a MEP for Podemos. She noted that Human Rights Watch has said that sex tests carried out by some federations or sports organisations are “degrading practices” based on “arbitrary definitions of femininity and racial stereotypes”. She warned that “transphobia in sport generates transphobic violence” in other areas of life. The feminist campaign group Contra el Borrado de Mujeres (Against the Era- sure of Women) celebrated the Socialist congress’s resolution but said it was important to follow through with legislative action. “The Sports Act and the 14 regional laws that allow the participation of men who identify themselves as women in women’s sports competitions must now be amended,” the group said. Ms Redondo, a socialist who replaced Ms Montero after the 2023 general election, has attempted to bridge the rift between feminists over the transgender issue. Article Name:Spain plans to ban trans women from female sport Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By James Badcock in Madrid Start Page:15 End Page:15](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe9d05585-7aec-4ce0-87e8-b2159a88f40d_245x564.png)
Wednesday Total: 1
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Thursday Total: 5
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [4]
Friday Total: 5
The Guardian [1]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [1]
Telegraph [2]
Saturday Total: 2
The Guardian [1]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [1]
Sunday Total: 4
The Observer [0]
Sunday Times [1]
![Young footballers need education to end homophobia – not rainbow gimmicks and Beckham in a sarong Alyson Rudd Beckham, with his wife Victoria, famously wore a sarong in 1998 Next image › It has generated much angst, anger and confusion but Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign is, above all else, hypocritical and has done little to diversify elite-level football. There is not one single openly gay player in the Premier League, its individual clubs conduct business with Saudi Arabia where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and Newcastle United, whose captain, Bruno Guimarães, wore the rainbow armband last week, have, as their majority owner, the Saudi Public Investment Fund. I doubt a dash of pink, blue and green prompted ripples of selfdoubt in Riyadh. The campaign is, in any case, so broad as to be meaningless. In demeaning fashion it lumps together the disparate groups that comprise the LGBTQ+ label. I would refuse to wear the laces if asked by my local tennis club to do so because I oppose Stonewall’s aggressive lobbying for the trans community which ignores the rights of women and what it means to be a woman, and threatens women’s sport. The upshot has been downright nastiness towards women who speak up. I am doubtful those who laced up last week reflected on women’s safe spaces but then, I doubt there was much reflection at all. Laces would have been handed out at all levels of the game and greeted with shrugs or varying degrees of perplexity. Rainbow Laces is a gesture that can make devout religious players such as the Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy uncomfortable enough to refuse to wear the rainbow armband but clearly does not have the heft to allow gay players to feel able to date and marry whom they want to. Is it not patronising to wear the armband or the laces knowing no one in your dressing room is openly gay and that gay fans of your club can be taunted or mocked? Matt Lucas, the actor and comedian who is an Arsenal supporter, last week posted that so far this season he has twice been abused while attending matches for being an openly gay football supporter with someone telling him “our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans”. There is also something dispiriting in the fact that any young gay sportsman looking for a role model is likely to alight upon David Beckham, who embraced his status as a gay icon while prepared to accept a role as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal. Football needs an elite-level gay player to give youngsters hope, not a straight man who once wore a sarong. Those who have responsibility for diversity and inclusion at football clubs have not necessarily found the principle of wearing special laces all that useful. They can see first-hand that it changes nothing and is not supported by adequate information. It feels like a gimmick, an exercise in self-congratulation. The Premier League should drop the tokenism and do something meaningful. But this of course requires an understanding of why dressing rooms are devoid of openly gay players. The main obstacles are fan reaction and player education, and the fact some players will give up even trying to make it through the system believing they will not fit in. Boys in academies should be taught about inclusion and what the club would do if anyone wanted to be open about their sexuality. It is not enough to tell a player he will receive support, that player needs to understand the process which in turn requires clubs to have thought through all the repercussions. “ A quick address about the importance of tolerance sounds nice but doesn’t offer practical help How will they deal with socially conservative or religious staff who are made uncomfortable by working alongside a gay player? Are they prepared to have tough conversations? This will be much easier if all players have been through an education system that stresses the need for tolerance, dispels myths and helps to puncture bigotry. Honesty is needed here. A quick address about the importance of tolerance sounds nice but doesn’t offer practical help. Players have to feel they can ask questions and not be shut down. There may be a Muslim player who worries that his parents will force him to leave if there are gay players in his team but equally is scared to discuss this for fear of being viewed as intolerant. So, discuss it. What will sharing the dressing room be like? What might the opposition supporters sing? Clubs need to be honest about what the impact will be and think it through. How would they handle internal and external hostility? It is too late for those gay players who might be married with kids and who do not want to disrupt their family, but young players who were traditionally encouraged to settle down in their early twenties should see a path to being in a relationship of their choice, not forced to be typecast. Rather than sticking a rainbow on the corner flag, clubs should be determining a clear pathway to assist a player hoping to be open about his sexuality. Some clubs believe they already have the environment for this to be possible. Speak to football staff and they are actively keen to nurture a player through the process. They know the character of their dressing room and that all that matters to the players is that their team-mates work hard for each other. There is little interest in what each other’s home life is like in any case. There is optimism, too, that just as a team will walk off the field of play in response to racism in the crowd, it would also do the same for a player suffering because of homophobic abuse. The greatest obstacle is arguably fan reaction, but this is where clubs can make practical inroads. Some clubs already ban supporters who engage in homophobic chanting or yell out abuse individually and if this was more widely advertised then it would not take too long for the abuse to peter out. In the meantime, clubs can acknowledge the possibility of unacceptable chanting and work out ways to help a gay player deal with it. And the insults will not just fly from the away end, which is why constant dialogue with the fan base is imperative. England’s women won the Euros with a squad of gay and straight players. Mixing it up does not impede performance. It might even improve it. After all, the weight of conforming to the present Premier League stereotype must be debilitating. All the rainbows in the world will not dilute the attention that the first openly gay Premier League player receives but if clubs are ready for the big moment then, rather than be a negative and dispiriting experience, it could transform the football landscape. Young footballers need education to end homophobia – not rainbow gimmicks and Beckham in a sarong Alyson Rudd Beckham, with his wife Victoria, famously wore a sarong in 1998 Next image › It has generated much angst, anger and confusion but Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign is, above all else, hypocritical and has done little to diversify elite-level football. There is not one single openly gay player in the Premier League, its individual clubs conduct business with Saudi Arabia where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and Newcastle United, whose captain, Bruno Guimarães, wore the rainbow armband last week, have, as their majority owner, the Saudi Public Investment Fund. I doubt a dash of pink, blue and green prompted ripples of selfdoubt in Riyadh. The campaign is, in any case, so broad as to be meaningless. In demeaning fashion it lumps together the disparate groups that comprise the LGBTQ+ label. I would refuse to wear the laces if asked by my local tennis club to do so because I oppose Stonewall’s aggressive lobbying for the trans community which ignores the rights of women and what it means to be a woman, and threatens women’s sport. The upshot has been downright nastiness towards women who speak up. I am doubtful those who laced up last week reflected on women’s safe spaces but then, I doubt there was much reflection at all. Laces would have been handed out at all levels of the game and greeted with shrugs or varying degrees of perplexity. Rainbow Laces is a gesture that can make devout religious players such as the Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy uncomfortable enough to refuse to wear the rainbow armband but clearly does not have the heft to allow gay players to feel able to date and marry whom they want to. Is it not patronising to wear the armband or the laces knowing no one in your dressing room is openly gay and that gay fans of your club can be taunted or mocked? Matt Lucas, the actor and comedian who is an Arsenal supporter, last week posted that so far this season he has twice been abused while attending matches for being an openly gay football supporter with someone telling him “our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans”. There is also something dispiriting in the fact that any young gay sportsman looking for a role model is likely to alight upon David Beckham, who embraced his status as a gay icon while prepared to accept a role as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal. Football needs an elite-level gay player to give youngsters hope, not a straight man who once wore a sarong. Those who have responsibility for diversity and inclusion at football clubs have not necessarily found the principle of wearing special laces all that useful. They can see first-hand that it changes nothing and is not supported by adequate information. It feels like a gimmick, an exercise in self-congratulation. The Premier League should drop the tokenism and do something meaningful. But this of course requires an understanding of why dressing rooms are devoid of openly gay players. The main obstacles are fan reaction and player education, and the fact some players will give up even trying to make it through the system believing they will not fit in. Boys in academies should be taught about inclusion and what the club would do if anyone wanted to be open about their sexuality. It is not enough to tell a player he will receive support, that player needs to understand the process which in turn requires clubs to have thought through all the repercussions. “ A quick address about the importance of tolerance sounds nice but doesn’t offer practical help How will they deal with socially conservative or religious staff who are made uncomfortable by working alongside a gay player? Are they prepared to have tough conversations? This will be much easier if all players have been through an education system that stresses the need for tolerance, dispels myths and helps to puncture bigotry. Honesty is needed here. A quick address about the importance of tolerance sounds nice but doesn’t offer practical help. Players have to feel they can ask questions and not be shut down. There may be a Muslim player who worries that his parents will force him to leave if there are gay players in his team but equally is scared to discuss this for fear of being viewed as intolerant. So, discuss it. What will sharing the dressing room be like? What might the opposition supporters sing? Clubs need to be honest about what the impact will be and think it through. How would they handle internal and external hostility? It is too late for those gay players who might be married with kids and who do not want to disrupt their family, but young players who were traditionally encouraged to settle down in their early twenties should see a path to being in a relationship of their choice, not forced to be typecast. Rather than sticking a rainbow on the corner flag, clubs should be determining a clear pathway to assist a player hoping to be open about his sexuality. Some clubs believe they already have the environment for this to be possible. Speak to football staff and they are actively keen to nurture a player through the process. They know the character of their dressing room and that all that matters to the players is that their team-mates work hard for each other. There is little interest in what each other’s home life is like in any case. There is optimism, too, that just as a team will walk off the field of play in response to racism in the crowd, it would also do the same for a player suffering because of homophobic abuse. The greatest obstacle is arguably fan reaction, but this is where clubs can make practical inroads. Some clubs already ban supporters who engage in homophobic chanting or yell out abuse individually and if this was more widely advertised then it would not take too long for the abuse to peter out. In the meantime, clubs can acknowledge the possibility of unacceptable chanting and work out ways to help a gay player deal with it. And the insults will not just fly from the away end, which is why constant dialogue with the fan base is imperative. England’s women won the Euros with a squad of gay and straight players. Mixing it up does not impede performance. It might even improve it. After all, the weight of conforming to the present Premier League stereotype must be debilitating. All the rainbows in the world will not dilute the attention that the first openly gay Premier League player receives but if clubs are ready for the big moment then, rather than be a negative and dispiriting experience, it could transform the football landscape.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F74cda84b-09bb-4f27-9aef-97ee4b0445c7_398x806.png)
Mail on Sunday [0]
Sunday Telegraph [3]
![Newcastle fan planning to sue FA over Rainbow Laces campaign By Patrick Sawer and Hayley Dixon The Football Association is facing legal action over its Rainbow Laces campaign after claims the annual show of support for the LGBTQ+ community breaches its own ban on political messaging. Newcastle United fan Linzi Smith is planning to sue the FA, claiming the wearing of rainbow armbands and laces on the pitch is an endorsement of the contested notion of gender ideology. This is the belief that a person can have a gender that is different to their biological sex. In a letter of action to the FA setting out the basis of her claim, Smith’s lawyers, SinclairsLaw, state: “The Football Association has acted unlawfully by encouraging, authorising, or directing players in the Premier League to wear equipment including boot laces and armbands in rainbow colours during the ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign. “Such equipment is prohibited under the [FA] rules as constituting or conveying a political message, statement or image, including because it demonstrates support for a contested political viewpoint, namely the idea that gender identity should be accepted and its policy on sex-based rights.” Smith, an advocate for lesbian, bisexual and gay men’s rights, has now launched a fundraising drive to bring her case against English football’s governing body over its campaign. The move comes after a row during this year’s Rainbow Laces week, during which Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, was warned by the FA he risked a ban after writing the words “Jesus loves you” on his captain’s rainbow armband in a match against Ipswich Town. The FA’s handling of the incident was criticised by MPs after it reminded Guehi of its rules, but did not contact Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy over his refusal to wear the armband because of his Islamic faith. At the same time Manchester United scrapped plans for players to wear a rainbow-themed jacket after Morocco’s Noureddine Noussair Mazraoui refused to do so. Smith’s letter argues that the FA’s position regarding Guehi and his faith has been “irrational”. While the Rainbow Laces campaign was launched in 2013 as a joint initiative with the controversial LGBTQ+ charity and lobby group Stonewall and the Premier League. Smith, 34, was previously banned from attending Newcastle matches after expressing gender-critical views on social media. She was accused of being transphobic by a complainant who told the football club trans people would not feel safe sitting near her. Northumbria Police interviewed Smith under caution after the club’s dossier was handed to them. They informed her she had not committed an offence, but the club revoked her membership and banned her from games until 2026. FA sources said wearing the Rainbow Laces armband and supporting the campaign was voluntary and a personal choice for teams and players. Newcastle fan planning to sue FA over Rainbow Laces campaign By Patrick Sawer and Hayley Dixon The Football Association is facing legal action over its Rainbow Laces campaign after claims the annual show of support for the LGBTQ+ community breaches its own ban on political messaging. Newcastle United fan Linzi Smith is planning to sue the FA, claiming the wearing of rainbow armbands and laces on the pitch is an endorsement of the contested notion of gender ideology. This is the belief that a person can have a gender that is different to their biological sex. In a letter of action to the FA setting out the basis of her claim, Smith’s lawyers, SinclairsLaw, state: “The Football Association has acted unlawfully by encouraging, authorising, or directing players in the Premier League to wear equipment including boot laces and armbands in rainbow colours during the ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign. “Such equipment is prohibited under the [FA] rules as constituting or conveying a political message, statement or image, including because it demonstrates support for a contested political viewpoint, namely the idea that gender identity should be accepted and its policy on sex-based rights.” Smith, an advocate for lesbian, bisexual and gay men’s rights, has now launched a fundraising drive to bring her case against English football’s governing body over its campaign. The move comes after a row during this year’s Rainbow Laces week, during which Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, was warned by the FA he risked a ban after writing the words “Jesus loves you” on his captain’s rainbow armband in a match against Ipswich Town. The FA’s handling of the incident was criticised by MPs after it reminded Guehi of its rules, but did not contact Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy over his refusal to wear the armband because of his Islamic faith. At the same time Manchester United scrapped plans for players to wear a rainbow-themed jacket after Morocco’s Noureddine Noussair Mazraoui refused to do so. Smith’s letter argues that the FA’s position regarding Guehi and his faith has been “irrational”. While the Rainbow Laces campaign was launched in 2013 as a joint initiative with the controversial LGBTQ+ charity and lobby group Stonewall and the Premier League. Smith, 34, was previously banned from attending Newcastle matches after expressing gender-critical views on social media. She was accused of being transphobic by a complainant who told the football club trans people would not feel safe sitting near her. Northumbria Police interviewed Smith under caution after the club’s dossier was handed to them. They informed her she had not committed an offence, but the club revoked her membership and banned her from games until 2026. FA sources said wearing the Rainbow Laces armband and supporting the campaign was voluntary and a personal choice for teams and players.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa1190225-74c5-46bf-a110-0a38caa52006_1441x508.png)
From the start of 2025, the Trans Agenda will be going live early for subscribers. I’ll also be opening up the comments for subscribers at all levels, so make sure you sign up. It’s free but every paid subscription helps me pay for access to the papers.
TRANSWRITES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
JK Rowling’s latest anti-trans rant is 292 words long but you can debunk it with 2, by Gemma Stone
Mridul Wadhwa quits Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre after sustained anti-trans campaign against her, by Gemma Stone
“Transitions The Unheard Stories” review; A useful resource hampered by an inconcise introduction, by Laura Kate Dale
Enraged industry professionals slam The Bookseller for promoting anti-trans social media accounts, by Gemma Stone
When was the T added to LGBT? A quick history, by Sarah Clarke
Trans people are the greatest assault on women in JK Rowling’s life time, apparently, by Gemma Stone
The 32 things The Cass Review recommends and why they are concerning, by Gemma Stone.
NHS & puberty blockers: Former GIDS patients reflect on long wait times, invasive assessments, by Sasha Baker.
The Cass Review: A government-sanctioned attack on trans lives, by Lee Hurley.
SUPPORT THE TRANS AGENDA
Tired of the same old news narratives? Get 'The Trans Agenda' delivered right to your inbox – news with the trans community at the forefront. Subscribe now!
The Trans Agenda also needs your help. Your donation powers my reporting efforts, amplifying trans voices and keeps you in the know. Support independent trans journalism. Help keep in-depth reporting in 'The Trans Agenda' available and accessible by donating today!
CALL FOR STORIES
Seen something newsworthy related to the trans community in the UK? Send me a tip! I’m always looking for leads and underreported stories.