The Trans Agenda: CPS update 'deception as to sex' guidance but Labour won't change Equality Act
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
[22 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 and look for stories.
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Just a quick note that this will be the last Trans Agenda of the year as I take next week off. I’ll eventually round up the clips for next week when I’m back so we don’t have any gaps in the data, but, for now, thank you everyone who has supported and shared The Trans Agenda this year.
Although it hasn’t even been going for a full year, it has grown much bigger than I expected.
Enjoy the holidays if you’re celebrating and enjoy the peace if you’re not.
Thanks again!
UK & IRELAND NEWS
Labour affirms protections for trans people in single-sex spaces
Labour's decision to uphold existing equality law on single-sex spaces, including protections for transgender people, has predictably sparked backlash from anti-trans groups. The Office for Equality and Opportunity found that most public bodies correctly interpret Equality Act guidance, allowing transgender people to access facilities that align with their gender identity. While it acknowledged some instances of misinterpretation, the department concluded that these were due to confusion, not a need to amend the legislation.
Obsessives, including senior Tory MP Claire Coutinho and Maya Forstater, accused Labour of betraying women, despite no evidence that the law endangers anyone.
Transgender woman wins transfer to female prison after court case
Michelle James, a 63-year-old transgender woman, successfully secured a transfer from Maghaberry Prison to Hydebank Wood in Northern Ireland after a High Court ruling. The court found that the Department of Justice lacked a clear policy for handling transgender prisoners, consenting to the transfer as a result.
James, a retired chef, was initially remanded on charges of threatening to kill her neighbour, stemming from an incident where she allegedly expressed frustration over ongoing bullying, including being referred to by her dead name. She denied directly threatening the complainant and stated she called the police "in desperation."
Following the court case, James was granted bail under strict conditions, including no contact with the alleged victim. Her solicitor highlighted the "policy vacuum" regarding transgender individuals in custody, urging immediate action to address the issue for fair treatment.
MOJ clarify rules for trans prisoners
In a letter to Mammies for Trans Rights, they wrote, “Thank you for your recent correspondence of 04 December seeking clarification about transgender people in prisons. I have outlined our current process with a focus on the areas you highlighted.
“All transgender individuals must have their rights respected and be managed in accordance with the law. Their gender identity must be acknowledged, and efforts should be made to ensure access to gender-appropriate services, facilities, and items.
“Allocation decisions should be based on all available evidence to balance risks and promote the safety of all individuals in custodial settings and approved premises, including an assessment of risks presented to and by transgender individuals.
“Upon entering custody, a local case board will be set up for a transgender individual, ensuring a confidential discussion on issues like allocation, searches, and clothing.
“Initial allocation should be made according to legal gender. There is a presumption against transgender women being allocated to the women’s estate if they have a history of violent and/or sexual offences or retain birth genitalia – but exemptions to this assumption can be granted where they are assessed as posing no risk to other prisoners by a multidisciplinary risk assessment panel, and where a Minister approves this exemption.
“All transgender prisoners, regardless of the estate they are located in, will be allocated a single cell, given separate access to showers, and cells will be locked at night.
“Staff are expected to treat all prisoners with dignity and respect, and any harassment or abuse would be addressed through disciplinary processes.
“For access to the full ‘The Care and Management of Prisoners Who Are Transgender’ policy framework, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-care-and-management-of-individuals-who-are-transgender.”
CPS revised guidance on deception and gender leaves important questions unanswered [CPS][Alex Sharpe]
Recent changes to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance on deception and gender have sparked concerns about how it affects transgender people, especially in cases involving consent.
Two key legal issues remain unresolved as highlighted by Alex Sharpe, a Professor at University of Warwick:What counts as deception? It's unclear whether deception must specifically involve someone’s "gender identity" or if it could also include their "gender history." This distinction matters, especially for transgender people.
Does non-disclosure count as deception? In the past, the CPS indicated that simply not disclosing one’s gender history wasn’t enough for prosecution. However, the new guidance suggests that non-disclosure could count as deception in certain cases, such as when someone knows or suspects this information is important to their partner. The exact circumstances under which this applies are still unclear.
I would highly recommend reading Sharpe’s thread, linked above, for a better understanding of the matter.
Ban on puberty blockers for trans youth in the UK condemned as harmful and discriminatory [ILGA]
Leading organisations have criticised the UK government's decision to ban private prescriptions of puberty blockers for trans youth, effectively making the treatment inaccessible. With no NHS trans-specific healthcare for minors and waiting lists exceeding six years, this ban is seen as deeply political, disregarding established medical expertise and international guidelines.
Puberty blockers, widely regarded as safe and reversible, allow trans youth to delay puberty while exploring their gender identity. Advocates, including ILGA-Europe and WPATH, highlight the proven mental health benefits of these treatments, which reduce depression and suicidality among trans youth. They argue the ban perpetuates misinformation and discriminatory policies targeting a vulnerable population.
The ban has sparked further concerns about the erosion of trans rights and increased risks of harm for trans youth, who face heightened mental health struggles without access to affirming care. Calls are growing for policymakers to reverse the decision and ensure trans youth receive evidence-based, compassionate healthcare free from political agendas.
Meanwhile, a 'source' close to Wes Streeting, that was probably Wes Streeting, told the Sunday Telegraph this weekend, "No amount of pressure will see him put politics before patient safety” despite that being exactly what he has done as Health Secretary.
Carmarthenshire Winter Pride cancelled after legal threats from GCs and the Free Speech Union [Carmarthenshire Winter Pride]
After threats from Toby Young’s Free Speech Union, Carmarthenshire Winter Pride was cancelled rather than give into them. The FSU argued that excluding a person with Gender Critical Beliefs would violate the Equality Act 2010, a threat that is obviously nonsense. Organisers were told they must provide assurances that no one would be excluded from this or future events based on legally protected beliefs, something they have no requirement to do.
The event team stated that allowing the individual to attend would conflict with the wishes of staff, volunteers, and performers who felt uncomfortable with their presence. Lacking the resources to engage in legal proceedings, CETMA, the organising body, chose to cancel the event to focus on community support efforts like food parcels and mental health initiatives.
The organisers expressed regret over the decision and thanked supporters and contributors for their understanding.
Toby Young, meanwhile, will be put in the House of Lords in the New Year’s Honours list.
Debrett's advises using preferred pronouns this Christmas [Telegraph]
Debrett’s, the renowned British etiquette authority, has recommended that Christmas hosts use their guests’ preferred pronouns to accommodate gender-diverse individuals. Liz Wyse, editor at Debrett’s, encouraged hosts to lead by example, advising against reprimanding elderly relatives for accidental slip-ups. The guidance, which was asked for by The Telegraph, aims to promote inclusivity during gatherings while avoiding unnecessary tension at the dinner table - the exact opposite of what The Telegraph wanted.
Enoch Burke freed with daily fine warning [Irish Independent]
Enoch Burke, the anti-trans teacher dismissed for refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns, has been freed from jail but faces a €1,400 daily fine if he violates an injunction barring him from Wilson’s Hospital School. The High Court criticised Burke for exploiting his imprisonment as martyrdom. Despite unpaid fines of €193,000, the court urged him to reconsider his stance. The school fears further disruptions when it reopens in January.
AROUND THE WORLD
Italy follows UK lead on puberty blockers [Il Foglio Quotidiano]
Italy has moved to restrict the use of puberty blockers for minors, adopting a framework akin to the English model. The National Bioethics Committee (CNB), wrongly citing insufficient scientific evidence on the long-term risks and efficacy of triptorelin, has mandated that its prescription be confined to controlled clinical trials overseen by the Ministry of Health. Exceptions outside trials will require exhaustive documentation, multidisciplinary review, and evidence that all alternative therapies, including psychological and psychiatric interventions (conversion therapy), have failed.
This decision signals a sharp shift from Italy’s prior system, where off-label use of triptorelin was authorised under the National Health Service. Patients currently undergoing treatment may continue, but all decisions must be rigorously justified and data submitted to a new national registry. The CNB highlighted fabricated ethical concerns with no basis in reality, repeating the lie that puberty blockers make it more likely a person will transition as if that is some sort of side-effect. They also claim that it is a ‘challenge’ to obtain meaningful informed consent from minors.
The recommendation passed overwhelmingly with some calling for near-total prohibition, others framing the decision as a call for stronger evidence rather than outright rejection. Implementation now falls to the Ministry of Health and the Italian Drug Agency (AIFA), marking a pivotal turn in Italy’s handling of gender dysphoria in minors representing the growing global attack on trans healthcare.
New Zealand - Public consultation on use of puberty blockers announced [Otago Daily News, The Conversation]
New Zealand's government is consulting on regulating puberty blockers, but GP Rona Carroll warns such decisions must remain clinical, not political. Backed by major medical bodies, puberty blockers are proven safe and prevent future distress in trans youth by pausing unwanted puberty. Carroll argues the move risks misinformation influencing outcomes and highlights the global harm caused by restricting gender-affirming care, which is linked to increased suicide attempts among trans youth. Inequitable access would hurt families and go against established best practices.
India - Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on women’s safety laws [Deccan Chronicle]
The Supreme Court agreed to examine a public interest litigation (PIL) advocating for the establishment of nationwide guidelines to safeguard women, children, and transgender people. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notices to relevant central ministries and government agencies, directing them to respond. The matter has been scheduled for hearing in January 2025.
Police document transgender workers in Phuket nightlife area [Bangkok Post]
Phuket police have begun profiling transgender people working along Bangla Road, a bustling nightlife area near Patong Beach, to ‘enhance public safety’. According to Pol Col Chalermchai Hernsawat, chief of Patong police, the initiative “aims to reduce tourist-related fights while encouraging locals to act as informants for crime prevention” reports the Bangkok Post. The registration process, which started earlier this week, is said to be part of broader efforts to prevent crime in an area known for its entertainment venues, restaurants, and hotels because, as everybody knows, only trans people do crime.
Ghana's Supreme Court dismisses challenges to anti-LGBT bill [BBC]
Ghana's Supreme Court rejected two challenges to a bill imposing up to three years in prison for identifying as LGBT and five years for supporting LGBT groups. Critics, including the UN, call it one of Africa's harshest anti-LGBT laws.
President Nana Akufo-Addo delayed signing the bill, but opposition leader John Mahama supports it. The court ruled it couldn't act until the president signs the bill into law, despite fears of increased violence and human rights violations.
Suspect charged in murder of Alabama transgender teenager Cameron Thompson [Chattanooga Times Free Press]
Cameron Thompson, an 18-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with authorities charging a minor suspect as an adult. Police believe the suspect and Thompson knew each other and are investigating potential motives linked to Thompson’s social media posts about the suspect. Thompson’s mother, Nikki Matthews-Cunningham, described the killing as a hate crime, highlighting Alabama’s lack of legal protections for transgender people under hate crime statutes. Thompson, who had dreams of attending college and moving to New York, is remembered as intelligent and vibrant. Advocates, including the Human Rights Campaign, have called for a thorough investigation and justice for her family.
Senate passes Pentagon policy bill amid transgender care controversy [The Boston Globe]
The US Senate passed the $895.2 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday in an 85-14 vote, despite backlash over an amendment barring federal funds from covering transgender medical care for children of military personnel. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s provision, criticised as discriminatory by some Democrats but supported by others, sparked rare opposition to the traditionally bipartisan defence bill. While some Senate Democrats, led by Tammy Baldwin, opposed the measure, others emphasised the bill’s importance in funding troop pay raises, military quality of life, and defences against China. The bill now heads to President Biden, who is expected to sign it.
White House abandons rule on transgender athletes ahead of Trump’s return [Kent County Daily Times]
The Biden administration has withdrawn a proposed regulation aimed at protecting transgender student-athletes under Title IX, citing ongoing litigation and extensive public feedback. The rule, which sought to prevent outright bans on transgender athletes while allowing restrictions for specific reasons like fairness and injury risks, faced criticism from both sides of the ‘debate’.
Conservatives have pledged to pursue bans on transgender athletes, with Trump campaigning on promises to "keep men out of women’s sports." Legal challenges against Biden’s broader Title IX protections, which remain stalled in 26 states, underscore the hostile landscape surrounding transgender rights in education and sports.
The move is being framed as a ‘strategic retreat’, ensuring that any future policy changes by the incoming administration must begin anew, delaying their implementation.
SPORT
Van Leuven: ‘Terrible’ to be trans in sport
Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the first transgender player to compete in the World Darts Championship, says it is “terrible” to be trans in sport. Van Leuven, who lost in the first round to Kevin Doets, highlighted ongoing challenges for trans athletes, particularly hate from some competitors. “The PDC have been really supportive,” the 28-year-old said. “It is great to see what they are doing. If you look at other sports, it’s easy to ban trans people. Or if you have gone through puberty in the UK you can’t play anything. It’s terrible.
“One of the most important things is to be just you and do whatever you want. It’s terrible, why can’t people just be themselves?”
MEDIA
Non-activist Stephen Fry attacks Stonewall's 'nonsensical' trans stance
Stephen Fry, who has never been known for campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights, has publicly criticised Stonewall's pro-trans policies, calling them "nonsensical" during an appearance on the Triggernometry podcast. Fry attacked its policy of defending trans rights, particularly its stance on transition for trans youth and claims about lesbian dating preferences as his slide down the rabbit hole continues to pick up pace.
Fry’s comments come the same week he was photographed at an event with GC Richard Dawkins, GC Douglas Murray and accused sexual abuser, Lawrence M. Krauss.
Disney/Pixar remove trans character [Guardian Australia]
Disney has removed dialogue referencing a transgender character’s identity in Pixar’s upcoming animated series Win or Lose, sparking criticism from advocates and the actor involved. Chanel Stewart, an 18-year-old trans actor who voices the character, expressed being "very disheartened" by Disney’s decision to change the character into a cisgender girl, calling it a missed opportunity for representation.
The series, which debuts on Disney+ in February, initially intended to feature a transgender teenager as part of its story about a mixed-gender softball team. Disney explained the change, stating they wanted to allow parents to discuss certain topics with their children "on their own terms and timeline." Stewart, who auditioned for the role in 2020, said she was excited to bring an authentic portrayal of a transgender teenager to screens, aiming to empower other trans youth.
The move has drawn criticism, with Stewart’s mother, Keisha, noting that erasing such representation is "another setback for the LGBTQ community."
Has Metro gone to the dark side?
Metro has been a supportive publication when it comes to trans people. They have paid many to write for them and, from what I’ve seen, refused to engage in the so-called culture wars. That’s why I found myself surprised to see them publishing an article headlined “Judy Murray wants ‘bigger and stronger’ transgender athletes out of women’s sports” last week. Worse, still, she was platformed uncritically and unchallenged. This was content you expect from the Mail or the Telegraph, not Metro.
Thankfully, this piece sits in contrast to all the others on their ‘transgender’ page. Written by Liam Grace, who joined the outlet in 2022, it also stands out amidst his other content (all football) which doesn’t seem to care much about any social issues. Given that, I’m willing to accept this has slipped through due to ignorance, but I will now be monitoring them more closely moving forward.
The National (Scotland) support trans people
![Wrong people listened to on puberty blockers ban The National (Scotland)17 Dec 2024Steph Paton Trans people are spoken about but not to by the mainstream press IN indefinitely extending the ban on puberty blockers for trans young people, Labour have enacted the first piece of anti-LGBT legislation to come from Westminster in 36 years. And like the ban on teaching of LGBTQ+ identities enacted in 1988, it is grounded in little more than a moral panic that harms young people. Health Secretary Wes Streeting claims that the decision to extend the Conservative Party’s ban on something which is a reversible and safe means to give young people the time and space to decide what is right for them was taken after receiving expert advice. But the Government’s own consultation process tells another story. If, as the Government’s proponents are so quick to say, we must take the heat out of the so-called transgender debate, the route to doing so must surely be through expert opinion and by listening to the experiences of young trans people themselves. Yet skipping through the list of names invited to respond to the Government’s targeted consultation on the indefinite ban, a number of chosen invitees are objectively the last people who should be near such a consultation – anti-trans organisations, conversion therapy advocates and groups with ties to far-right American evangelism. The list of groups and organisations invited to take part included charity the LGB Alliance, which was labelled by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) as a hate group in 2022. GPAHE – which was formed by two former members of the respected US Southern Poverty Law Center – highlighted the LGB Alliance among other groups such as the Official Proud Boys Ireland and the Iona Institute as setting out to “demean, harass, and inspire violence against people based on their identity traits”. The Government also invited the Bayswater Support Group to respond – a favourite go-to of the far right that pushes conversion therapy and advocates abuse toward trans youth “for their own good”. Posts from parents in the group have detailed how they faced being reported by a school counsellor because “my [child] is fearful living in our home, we have refused to buy certain [boys’] clothes and we restrained [them]”. Another Bayswater committee member admitted that her trans child was now living in accommodation for LGBTQ+ abuse survivors, describing it as “a church for the gender faithful”. Yet despite soliciting opinions from hate groups and organisations with no practical experience in delivering health services for the transgender community, you may be surprised to learn that the final result of the consultation still opposed the introduction of a permanent ban on puberty blockers to the tune of 59% against, and just 27% in support. So who exactly is Streeting listening to on this issue? Even the much-flaunted Cass Review – itself currently being ripped to shreds the world over by medical experts – never recommended anything as foul as the path that Streeting ultimately chose to take. As on any issue around trans people in Britain, our perspective is almost entirely missing in the mainstream press; always spoken about, but never so much to. Streeting might frame this intervention in the language of hard truths and doing it for the good of the kids (much like the parents of the Bayswater Support Group do) but speak with those affected by the ban, and they will tell you exactly where Streeting can put his faux sympathies. TRANS Kids Deserve Better (TKDB), a group of trans youths, released a statement following the indefinite ban announcement, and while occupying the space outside Streeting’s constituency office. They said: “We know that there’s no truth that this decision was made on the basis of our safety. If he was concerned about our safety, or actually took the time to listen to us, he would be making decisions that would allow us to move through the world in the ways we want to be seen and as we are.” Even Labour’s LGBT affiliate group explicitly blocked the sole trans committee member from having input into the organisation’s response to the ban, which ultimately was an exercise in handwringing and little else. Those with lived experience of being trans, those who have accessed and benefitted from puberty blockers, are sidelined in service to rhetoric that undermines the Young trans people have no faith in the health system – or the Labour Party autonomy of young people and the concept of Gillick competence itself. This ban is openly discriminatory. It targets only transgender youth, and not young cisgender people who can still readily be prescribed these “dangerous” and “untested” drugs. And the tiny handful of genderquestioning young people already prescribed puberty blockers will be able to continue accessing them. All of which raises the question of just how dangerous the Government believes these drugs to actually be while they continue to use them elsewhere. The reality is that young people looking to access healthcare as a trans person were already effectively banned from doing so, not by anything as crass as Streeting’s politically motivated ban but by the simple fact that NHS waiting times for access to trans healthcare are so astronomical – they effectively lock people out already. Quite the contrast to the bizarre belief that people are being “rushed” through transition or are pressured into doing so. In a sense, Streeting is just institutionalising a ban that was effectively already in place. Young trans people have no faith in the healthcare system for that reason and more. Nor do they have any faith in the Labour Party to listen to them, or treat them with the dignity they deserve. Speak to a young trans person, and they’ll tell you that themselves. Article Name:Wrong people listened to on puberty blockers ban Publication:The National (Scotland) Author:Steph Paton Start Page:19 End Page:19](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yNqk!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfbd3bf2-6646-40ef-9c80-c78b2d60e88d_582x716.png "Wrong people listened to on puberty blockers ban The National (Scotland)17 Dec 2024Steph Paton Trans people are spoken about but not to by the mainstream press IN indefinitely extending the ban on puberty blockers for trans young people, Labour have enacted the first piece of anti-LGBT legislation to come from Westminster in 36 years. And like the ban on teaching of LGBTQ+ identities enacted in 1988, it is grounded in little more than a moral panic that harms young people. Health Secretary Wes Streeting claims that the decision to extend the Conservative Party’s ban on something which is a reversible and safe means to give young people the time and space to decide what is right for them was taken after receiving expert advice. But the Government’s own consultation process tells another story. If, as the Government’s proponents are so quick to say, we must take the heat out of the so-called transgender debate, the route to doing so must surely be through expert opinion and by listening to the experiences of young trans people themselves. Yet skipping through the list of names invited to respond to the Government’s targeted consultation on the indefinite ban, a number of chosen invitees are objectively the last people who should be near such a consultation – anti-trans organisations, conversion therapy advocates and groups with ties to far-right American evangelism. The list of groups and organisations invited to take part included charity the LGB Alliance, which was labelled by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) as a hate group in 2022. GPAHE – which was formed by two former members of the respected US Southern Poverty Law Center – highlighted the LGB Alliance among other groups such as the Official Proud Boys Ireland and the Iona Institute as setting out to “demean, harass, and inspire violence against people based on their identity traits”. The Government also invited the Bayswater Support Group to respond – a favourite go-to of the far right that pushes conversion therapy and advocates abuse toward trans youth “for their own good”. Posts from parents in the group have detailed how they faced being reported by a school counsellor because “my [child] is fearful living in our home, we have refused to buy certain [boys’] clothes and we restrained [them]”. Another Bayswater committee member admitted that her trans child was now living in accommodation for LGBTQ+ abuse survivors, describing it as “a church for the gender faithful”. Yet despite soliciting opinions from hate groups and organisations with no practical experience in delivering health services for the transgender community, you may be surprised to learn that the final result of the consultation still opposed the introduction of a permanent ban on puberty blockers to the tune of 59% against, and just 27% in support. So who exactly is Streeting listening to on this issue? Even the much-flaunted Cass Review – itself currently being ripped to shreds the world over by medical experts – never recommended anything as foul as the path that Streeting ultimately chose to take. As on any issue around trans people in Britain, our perspective is almost entirely missing in the mainstream press; always spoken about, but never so much to. Streeting might frame this intervention in the language of hard truths and doing it for the good of the kids (much like the parents of the Bayswater Support Group do) but speak with those affected by the ban, and they will tell you exactly where Streeting can put his faux sympathies. TRANS Kids Deserve Better (TKDB), a group of trans youths, released a statement following the indefinite ban announcement, and while occupying the space outside Streeting’s constituency office. They said: “We know that there’s no truth that this decision was made on the basis of our safety. If he was concerned about our safety, or actually took the time to listen to us, he would be making decisions that would allow us to move through the world in the ways we want to be seen and as we are.” Even Labour’s LGBT affiliate group explicitly blocked the sole trans committee member from having input into the organisation’s response to the ban, which ultimately was an exercise in handwringing and little else. Those with lived experience of being trans, those who have accessed and benefitted from puberty blockers, are sidelined in service to rhetoric that undermines the Young trans people have no faith in the health system – or the Labour Party autonomy of young people and the concept of Gillick competence itself. This ban is openly discriminatory. It targets only transgender youth, and not young cisgender people who can still readily be prescribed these “dangerous” and “untested” drugs. And the tiny handful of genderquestioning young people already prescribed puberty blockers will be able to continue accessing them. All of which raises the question of just how dangerous the Government believes these drugs to actually be while they continue to use them elsewhere. The reality is that young people looking to access healthcare as a trans person were already effectively banned from doing so, not by anything as crass as Streeting’s politically motivated ban but by the simple fact that NHS waiting times for access to trans healthcare are so astronomical – they effectively lock people out already. Quite the contrast to the bizarre belief that people are being “rushed” through transition or are pressured into doing so. In a sense, Streeting is just institutionalising a ban that was effectively already in place. Young trans people have no faith in the healthcare system for that reason and more. Nor do they have any faith in the Labour Party to listen to them, or treat them with the dignity they deserve. Speak to a young trans person, and they’ll tell you that themselves. Article Name:Wrong people listened to on puberty blockers ban Publication:The National (Scotland) Author:Steph Paton Start Page:19 End Page:19")
Guardian Australia defends trans people
This article was in the Guardian’s Australian edition on Wednesday. There was nothing similar in the UK edition.
While this one was in the Guardian Australia on Thursday but nowhere to be seen in the UK edition
Lucy Rock has been appointed as the first female editor of the Observer in more than a century as part of an announcement that confirmed the sale of the title to Tortoise Media [Guardian]
Squid Game 2 to feature trans character
According to the Korea Times, “Hyun-ju (Park Sunghoon) is a former special forces soldier and a transgender woman. She joins the games because she needs money for her gender-affirming surgery. She is strong, decisive and a natural leader who breaks down stereotypes and inspires others.” Although the character will be played by a cis man, it seems that the director did try to find a trans woman to play her. “When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalised and more neglected, which is heartbreaking … It was near impossible to find someone who we could cast authentically,” Hwang Dong-hyuk said. It is not clear if he was asked why he didn’t opt to cast a cis woman, instead.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
LGBT Jubilee event removed from Vatican calendar without explanation [La Regione]
The LGBT Jubilee, initially scheduled for September 6, 2025, as part of the official Holy Year calendar, has been removed from the list of events on the Vatican's website. The event was to be organised by The Tent of Jonathan, an Italian organisation focused on LGBT+ pastoral care. Currently, the link to the calendar shared by the association leads to a blank page. While two other events remain listed for that date, the LGBT-focused Jubilee is absent.
"We haven’t been informed, and no one has provided an explanation," said Innocenzo Pontillo, president of The Tent of Jonathan. Pontillo, who had been coordinating the Jubilee for LGBT+ Catholics, expressed confusion and disappointment over the Vatican's decision to exclude the event from its official calendar.
SHORTS
Yvette Cooper, the UK’s Home Secretary, attended a far-right youth event in Italy alongside Italian interior minister, Matteo Piandetosi, to discuss anti-refugee measures.
Anti-trans former MP, Thangam Debbonaire, who was trounced at the General Election by the pro-trans Green leader, Carla Denyer, will be put in the House of Lords by Labour in the New Year’s Honours list.
Sue Gray will also be put in the House of Lords. According to Kemi Badenoch, Gray previously tried to get her to drop her opposition to self-ID in Scotland.
Moira Deeming has been awarded $300,000 in damages after being called a Nazi sympathiser following an appearance at a KJK rally in Australia, which neo-Nazis attended [The Chronicle, Monday]
Police chiefs have called for an overhaul of the recording of non-crime hate incidents, warning that it has become an “impediment” to officers doing their job. More than 13,200 hate incidents were recorded in the 12 months to June, according to figures from 45 of Britain’s 48 police forces [Times, Monday]
New Zealand scraps all research funding for the social sciences and humanities because it’s not like we're living in an era of unethical psycho techbros who could have done with a few humanities courses. [Science]
Graham Linehan: I’m leaving Britain [The Spectator]
WHAT’S ON IN PARLIAMENT
Parliament is in recess. It will return 6 January 2025.
MUST READ
Imagining a world in which trans kids are free to be themselves, by Vic Parsons [Vogue]
Vic Parsons examines the UK government's permanent puberty blocker ban, exposing its discriminatory impact on trans youth. Despite political rhetoric framing the decision as protective, the ban restricts life-enhancing care for trans kids while allowing the same treatments for others. It also highlights that trans children need societal acceptance, equitable healthcare, and freedom from oppressive norms, not political scapegoating.
THE PAPERS
As the year comes to a close, this week started off slowly. On Tuesday, The Telegraph even published a small piece with Noa-Lyn van Leuven in which they did not include a single GC counter.
Alas, it was not to last.
By the end of the week, we’d had 25 articles (the same as last week) with the Telegraph publishing 14 of them on their own. The Guardian/Observer had one (a straight report on van Leuven at the darts), while the Mail and the Times had five each.
So far this month, The Telegraph has accounted for 57% of all articles published about trans people. As the year has drawn on, it has picked up a larger share of the anti-trans content and this is the first time, since I’ve been tracking it all, that they have broken the 50% mark.
While the month - and the year - are not quite finished, the Mail are showing the largest drop. In May, when I started, they published 30 articles, accounting for just over 25%. At this point in December, that has dropped to 11 and under 15%.
The Times’ output has remained somewhat steady throughout the year in terms of percentage, from 28% in May to 22% in December, it never went above 31% (July) nor below 20 (September).
It’s a similar picture with the Guardian, although in November they only accounted for 2%, some distance from their year high 13% in August, or the 7% they sit at for December with just over a week left of the month.
Quoted or mentioned this week:
Court-adjudicated non-expert, Helen Joyce from Sex Matters, on how IPSO need to rewrite their guidelines because they ruled the Spectator shouldn’t have called a trans woman a ‘man’.
Stephanie Davies-Arai of Transgender Trend on Anne Health
Sex Matters’ Helen Joyce and Maya Forstater on the Equality Act
LGB Alliance’s Kate Barker on Gender-fluid Visibility Week
Helen Joyce (again) calling ‘special identities’ “endless tripe”
How many trans people were quoted or got a byline? 1 (Noa-Lynn van Leuven)
Spotted or know something you think I should include in the Trans Agenda?
THE PAPERS Monday 16 December - Sunday 22 December
Monday Total: 0
Tuesday Total: 2
The Guardian [0]
The Times [0]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [2]
![Judge me only on my darts, says first transgender player The Daily Telegraph17 Dec 2024By Ben Rumsby Ready for big stage: Noa-lynn van Leuven was among the crowd watching at Alexandra Palace yesterday The PDC World Championship’s first transgender player says she does not want the milestone to define her tournament debut. Noa-lynn van Leuven claimed one of two women’s spots at Alexandra Palace in October after transitioning three years ago. That was five months after former BDO Women’s Championship finalist Deta Hedman pulled out of a match against the 28-year-old claiming being forced to play someone born male would have an adverse effect on her mental health. Van Leuven, who will face Kevin Doets in the World Championship first round today, said: “It’s going to be a big achievement for me and for my kind of people. But I guess I just want to be Noa. I just want to play darts and not always [have] to talk about the fact I’m also transgender. “I’m a darts player and I’m terribly good at it. But I guess it’s a big thing and I’m also the first Dutchwoman to play on the Alexandra Palace stage. If I look back, like a year, I wouldn’t even think about going to Ally Pally. Maybe to watch as a fan, but not to play. And I’m on that stage. “It’s a big achievement for me. I worked my a-- off for it the whole year. And I think, the last half-year, I actually thought, ‘OK, I might actually reach Ally Pally if I continue this form’.” Van Leuven claiming a femaledesignated spot at darts’ flagship event has been a point of contention within a sport in which disciplinary action has been threatened against those who refuse to play trans opponents. In October, Van Leuven told Dutch website nu.nl: “There are a lot of conservative, toxic b-----s on the women’s tour. They see me as a threat.” Van Leuven travelled to London yesterday morning after working a double shift over the weekend as a junior sous chef. Although she is planning on entering the PDC Qualifying School next month to earn a tour card, she does not envisage ever leaving the kitchen. “I don’t mind working in the kitchen, and I think it’s one of my hobbies,” she said. “I’ve got two major hobbies. One of them is darts, and one of them is cooking. So I made both of them my job. “So, I’m not sure if I will ever go full-time on the darts. For now, I enjoy my time in the kitchen.” Article Name:Judge me only on my darts, says first transgender player Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Ben Rumsby Start Page:11 End Page:11](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HuIV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F241ba0b7-eb57-41fd-8618-6dc7fbf162ac_1367x410.png "Judge me only on my darts, says first transgender player The Daily Telegraph17 Dec 2024By Ben Rumsby Ready for big stage: Noa-lynn van Leuven was among the crowd watching at Alexandra Palace yesterday The PDC World Championship’s first transgender player says she does not want the milestone to define her tournament debut. Noa-lynn van Leuven claimed one of two women’s spots at Alexandra Palace in October after transitioning three years ago. That was five months after former BDO Women’s Championship finalist Deta Hedman pulled out of a match against the 28-year-old claiming being forced to play someone born male would have an adverse effect on her mental health. Van Leuven, who will face Kevin Doets in the World Championship first round today, said: “It’s going to be a big achievement for me and for my kind of people. But I guess I just want to be Noa. I just want to play darts and not always [have] to talk about the fact I’m also transgender. “I’m a darts player and I’m terribly good at it. But I guess it’s a big thing and I’m also the first Dutchwoman to play on the Alexandra Palace stage. If I look back, like a year, I wouldn’t even think about going to Ally Pally. Maybe to watch as a fan, but not to play. And I’m on that stage. “It’s a big achievement for me. I worked my a-- off for it the whole year. And I think, the last half-year, I actually thought, ‘OK, I might actually reach Ally Pally if I continue this form’.” Van Leuven claiming a femaledesignated spot at darts’ flagship event has been a point of contention within a sport in which disciplinary action has been threatened against those who refuse to play trans opponents. In October, Van Leuven told Dutch website nu.nl: “There are a lot of conservative, toxic b-----s on the women’s tour. They see me as a threat.” Van Leuven travelled to London yesterday morning after working a double shift over the weekend as a junior sous chef. Although she is planning on entering the PDC Qualifying School next month to earn a tour card, she does not envisage ever leaving the kitchen. “I don’t mind working in the kitchen, and I think it’s one of my hobbies,” she said. “I’ve got two major hobbies. One of them is darts, and one of them is cooking. So I made both of them my job. “So, I’m not sure if I will ever go full-time on the darts. For now, I enjoy my time in the kitchen.” Article Name:Judge me only on my darts, says first transgender player Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Ben Rumsby Start Page:11 End Page:11")
Wednesday Total: 4
The Guardian [1]
The Times [1]
![Sherrock misses out on Littler clash while trans player also loses Darts Elgan Alderman Van Leuven Next image › Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the first transgender darts player to compete at the PDC World Championship, lost 3-1 to Kevin Doets in the first round at Alexandra Palace before Fallon Sherrock was unable to book a bumper clash with Luke Littler. Sherrock, 30, the first woman to win a match at this event in 2020, lost 3-2 against Ryan Meikle, who will face the 17-year-old superstar on Saturday night in the second round. Littler will be the overwhelming favourite to beat the 28- year-old barber from Ipswich, especially if the world No 62 replicates his three-dart average of 83.53 from this opening victory. Three ton-plus checkouts were flashes of his ability. In the afternoon session Van Leuven won the first set but Doets commanded the rest of the match after both struggled with their doubles in a comical third leg of the second set, which Doets finally took in 33 darts. In the final set Van Leuven threw six perfect darts but was unable to complete a nine-darter, and Doets quickly finished the contest with a final average of 88.13, compared with 87.02 for Van Leuven, who outscored him by six 180s to three. The 28-year-old chef from the Netherlands received a warm reception from the crowd. “I didn’t expect the crowd to be really terrible,” Van Leuven said. “I hope they were with me [in giving support]. I guess they were with me. They just want to see good darts.” Van Leuven made her debut in the Women’s Series two years ago after passing eligibility tests, having started to transition as a teenager. PDC regulations stipulate that a transgender player may participate in women’s events if their testosterone is below a certain level for 12 months and if they are listed as female on their passport. “We took legal advice and we took some ideas from policy that other sports bodies have put in place,” Matthew Porter, the PDC chief executive, said last month. “We came up with a policy that we believe to be fair. We respect the fact that not everybody agrees with that and we accept that it’s not a unanimously accepted position.” Darts contrasts with other sports that have kept transgender athletes out of women’s competitions. “It’s terrible for trans people at the moment to play any sport,” Van Leuven said. “The eyes would be on me because it’s a hot topic. If we look at trans people in sports in general, they’re the victim. Why can’t we just play anything we want? I don’t get it. “The PDC have been really supportive towards me, towards anyone. They stand behind their own rules. That’s how it is right now.” Van Leuven and Sherrock made it to Alexandra Palace via the PDC Women’s Series. However, Beau Greaves, who earned her place by winning the Women’s World Matchplay, opted to prioritise the WDF Women’s World Championship, as women are not allowed to compete in both events. Sherrock knocked out Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic en route to the third round in 2020, earning herself the nickname Queen of the Palace. She has not won a match here since that sequence and has failed in every attempt to secure a PDC tour card through Q-School.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!maTr!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f6eaf96-d077-4920-b8f6-fbed7cd3cdde_271x585.png "Sherrock misses out on Littler clash while trans player also loses Darts Elgan Alderman Van Leuven Next image › Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the first transgender darts player to compete at the PDC World Championship, lost 3-1 to Kevin Doets in the first round at Alexandra Palace before Fallon Sherrock was unable to book a bumper clash with Luke Littler. Sherrock, 30, the first woman to win a match at this event in 2020, lost 3-2 against Ryan Meikle, who will face the 17-year-old superstar on Saturday night in the second round. Littler will be the overwhelming favourite to beat the 28- year-old barber from Ipswich, especially if the world No 62 replicates his three-dart average of 83.53 from this opening victory. Three ton-plus checkouts were flashes of his ability. In the afternoon session Van Leuven won the first set but Doets commanded the rest of the match after both struggled with their doubles in a comical third leg of the second set, which Doets finally took in 33 darts. In the final set Van Leuven threw six perfect darts but was unable to complete a nine-darter, and Doets quickly finished the contest with a final average of 88.13, compared with 87.02 for Van Leuven, who outscored him by six 180s to three. The 28-year-old chef from the Netherlands received a warm reception from the crowd. “I didn’t expect the crowd to be really terrible,” Van Leuven said. “I hope they were with me [in giving support]. I guess they were with me. They just want to see good darts.” Van Leuven made her debut in the Women’s Series two years ago after passing eligibility tests, having started to transition as a teenager. PDC regulations stipulate that a transgender player may participate in women’s events if their testosterone is below a certain level for 12 months and if they are listed as female on their passport. “We took legal advice and we took some ideas from policy that other sports bodies have put in place,” Matthew Porter, the PDC chief executive, said last month. “We came up with a policy that we believe to be fair. We respect the fact that not everybody agrees with that and we accept that it’s not a unanimously accepted position.” Darts contrasts with other sports that have kept transgender athletes out of women’s competitions. “It’s terrible for trans people at the moment to play any sport,” Van Leuven said. “The eyes would be on me because it’s a hot topic. If we look at trans people in sports in general, they’re the victim. Why can’t we just play anything we want? I don’t get it. “The PDC have been really supportive towards me, towards anyone. They stand behind their own rules. That’s how it is right now.” Van Leuven and Sherrock made it to Alexandra Palace via the PDC Women’s Series. However, Beau Greaves, who earned her place by winning the Women’s World Matchplay, opted to prioritise the WDF Women’s World Championship, as women are not allowed to compete in both events. Sherrock knocked out Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic en route to the third round in 2020, earning herself the nickname Queen of the Palace. She has not won a match here since that sequence and has failed in every attempt to secure a PDC tour card through Q-School.")
Daily Mail [2]
Telegraph [0]
Thursday Total: 6
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [2]
Telegraph [3]
![Trans laird sues NHS for refusing third sex change Lady Samantha Kane taking legal action after undergoing ‘botched’ operation in Serbia The Daily Telegraph19 Dec 2024By Daniel Sanderson SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT A TRANSGENDER laird is suing the NHS after it refused to carry out a third sex change surgery. Samantha Kane, who was born male and now styles herself as Lady Carbisdale after buying a £5 million Scottish castle, is thought to be the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Ms Kane, who was born male, had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before having it reversed and taking on the identity of Charles Kane in 2004. She claims doctors at University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust then refused a request for a third surgery to revert to a woman in 2017, leading Ms Kane to have a private procedure in Serbia in 2018, which was allegedly “botched”. Ms Kane, a trained engineer, barrister and business tycoon, alleges that the NHS then refused treatment again after the Serbian procedure allegedly resulted in “infected” surgical devices being left inside her body, which she said caused agony lasting three years. UCLH medics finally agreed to help in 2021, Ms Kane said. In the legal claim, the 64-year-old said the refusal to provide treatment relating to the third gender reassignment amounted to negligence, discrimination and a breach of human rights. Representing herself at a short pretrial hearing last week, Ms Kane told High Court judge Deputy Master Ruth Fine that she was suing UCLH partly because of the “negligence of causing me to seek surgery in Serbia rather than here”. Criticising the NHS trust as in effect being responsible for the “botched Serbian op”, she told the judge: “The negligence of them not treating me has caused the botched surgery. It was negligent of the defendant not to treat me in 2017. “The defendants are the only people who are qualified to provide this treatment in the UK. “They treat everybody else, then discriminated against me.” The second part of the claim relates to an allegation that UCLH medics refused to help correct the “botched “operation, telling Ms Kane to return to Serbia to get help there instead. She added: “They left me in pain for three years before offering me treatment. They subjected me to unnecessary pain for three years.” Ms Kane had complained of “chronic left groin and genital area pain”, the court heard. “They were the people qualified to treat me and they refused. This was discrimination against me because I had made a [previous] complaint,” she claimed, telling the judge that it was “foreseeable” that she would go to Serbia after being refused an NHS operation. The court heard that Ms Kane is claiming £162,000, according to the schedule of loss, but told the judge that the case was not so much about the money, “but more about achieving justice”. Sam Burrett, for the NHS trust, told the judge that they would fight the claim. ‘They were the people qualified to treat me and they refused. This is discrimination against me’ A full trial is set to take place at a later date. In 2000, Ms Kane, then Sam Hashimi, spearheaded a Saudi Arabian attempt to buy Sheffield United Football Club. She dubbed herself Lady Carbisdale in 2022 after buying Carbisdale Castle, a 19-bedroom clifftop Scottish castle near Ardgay in Sutherland. In 2024, the property was valued at £5 million. Earlier this year, Ms Kane announced plans to sell the castle, claiming that the rural community was “not ready” to accept someone who had changed their gender. She said in September: “I really have been quite hurt by comments on my gender identity, so now I think it just needs someone, for a better word, ‘normal’ to take over.” “It is such a special place but I did suffer some prejudice and I think probably the Highlands is not ready for a transgender owner of the castle. “It needs someone else to protect its future.” Article Name:Trans laird sues NHS for refusing third sex change Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Daniel Sanderson SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT Start Page:8 End Page:8](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xQ7e!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd65258ba-0229-477d-b36c-540a33fe4b6c_623x649.png "Trans laird sues NHS for refusing third sex change Lady Samantha Kane taking legal action after undergoing ‘botched’ operation in Serbia The Daily Telegraph19 Dec 2024By Daniel Sanderson SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT A TRANSGENDER laird is suing the NHS after it refused to carry out a third sex change surgery. Samantha Kane, who was born male and now styles herself as Lady Carbisdale after buying a £5 million Scottish castle, is thought to be the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Ms Kane, who was born male, had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before having it reversed and taking on the identity of Charles Kane in 2004. She claims doctors at University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust then refused a request for a third surgery to revert to a woman in 2017, leading Ms Kane to have a private procedure in Serbia in 2018, which was allegedly “botched”. Ms Kane, a trained engineer, barrister and business tycoon, alleges that the NHS then refused treatment again after the Serbian procedure allegedly resulted in “infected” surgical devices being left inside her body, which she said caused agony lasting three years. UCLH medics finally agreed to help in 2021, Ms Kane said. In the legal claim, the 64-year-old said the refusal to provide treatment relating to the third gender reassignment amounted to negligence, discrimination and a breach of human rights. Representing herself at a short pretrial hearing last week, Ms Kane told High Court judge Deputy Master Ruth Fine that she was suing UCLH partly because of the “negligence of causing me to seek surgery in Serbia rather than here”. Criticising the NHS trust as in effect being responsible for the “botched Serbian op”, she told the judge: “The negligence of them not treating me has caused the botched surgery. It was negligent of the defendant not to treat me in 2017. “The defendants are the only people who are qualified to provide this treatment in the UK. “They treat everybody else, then discriminated against me.” The second part of the claim relates to an allegation that UCLH medics refused to help correct the “botched “operation, telling Ms Kane to return to Serbia to get help there instead. She added: “They left me in pain for three years before offering me treatment. They subjected me to unnecessary pain for three years.” Ms Kane had complained of “chronic left groin and genital area pain”, the court heard. “They were the people qualified to treat me and they refused. This was discrimination against me because I had made a [previous] complaint,” she claimed, telling the judge that it was “foreseeable” that she would go to Serbia after being refused an NHS operation. The court heard that Ms Kane is claiming £162,000, according to the schedule of loss, but told the judge that the case was not so much about the money, “but more about achieving justice”. Sam Burrett, for the NHS trust, told the judge that they would fight the claim. ‘They were the people qualified to treat me and they refused. This is discrimination against me’ A full trial is set to take place at a later date. In 2000, Ms Kane, then Sam Hashimi, spearheaded a Saudi Arabian attempt to buy Sheffield United Football Club. She dubbed herself Lady Carbisdale in 2022 after buying Carbisdale Castle, a 19-bedroom clifftop Scottish castle near Ardgay in Sutherland. In 2024, the property was valued at £5 million. Earlier this year, Ms Kane announced plans to sell the castle, claiming that the rural community was “not ready” to accept someone who had changed their gender. She said in September: “I really have been quite hurt by comments on my gender identity, so now I think it just needs someone, for a better word, ‘normal’ to take over.” “It is such a special place but I did suffer some prejudice and I think probably the Highlands is not ready for a transgender owner of the castle. “It needs someone else to protect its future.” Article Name:Trans laird sues NHS for refusing third sex change Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Daniel Sanderson SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT Start Page:8 End Page:8")
Friday Total: 4
The Guardian [0]
The Times [2]
Daily Mail [0]
Telegraph [2]
Saturday Total: 6
The Guardian [0]
The Times [1]
Daily Mail [1]
Telegraph [4]
Sunday Total: 3
The Observer [0]
Sunday Times [0]
Mail on Sunday [0]
Sunday Telegraph [3]
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