The Trans Agenda: The storm calms, but for how long?

The Trans Agenda: The storm calms, but for how long?

The Trans Agenda

11 May 2025

Welcome to the first edition of the Trans Agenda to be published on Patreon as I start the move away from Substack. After a couple of weeks off following the Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent fallout melted my brain, I am back with some changes.

Things have quietened down, somewhat, but I do not expect it to stay that way. New grifters are appearing every week in the papers as the GC cult step up their legal threats in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling they don’t even understand themselves. They do seem to have trouble understanding their own court rulings as standard, one might almost suggest it is willingly.

As I‘m catching up, there is likely some stuff I’ve missed, but going forward there will be some more changes. You can read about the changes to the clips below in the Paper section while I will also be doing a standalone politics piece weekly, time allowing and looking at some other bits and pieces.

As always, you can sign up for free but every penny helps me keep doing this in addition to my poorly-paid day job. Alternatively, you can also support via Paypal.

UK & IRELAND NEWS

Holyrood toilet ban branded 'exclusionary' [i]

• Trans people will be barred from using toilets at Holyrood that match their gender from Monday, following a decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The rule change, which restricts access to facilities based on "biological sex," (who's checking?) comes in the wake of the UK Supreme Court ruling that redefined the legal meanings of “woman” and “sex” under the Equality Act 2010 but does not tell them to do this.
  
  Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone confirmed the decision in an email to Parliament staff, stating that Holyrood would now provide separate male, female, gender-neutral and accessible toilets, and that the move is intended to ensure "clarity," "privacy," and "dignity" in line with legal obligations.
  
  It, of course, does none of these things.
  
  Vic Valentine, manager of the Scottish Trans and Equality Network, said the decision was “rushed, unworkable and exclusionary,” and warned it would segregate trans people from the centre of Scottish democracy. “We cannot understand why this decision has been described as one that will bring ‘confidence, privacy and dignity’ to everyone,” Valentine said. “It will not do so for trans people. It will exclude us and segregate us in the heart of Scotland’s democracy.”

Trans councillor quits Labour over rights stance

• Dylan Tippetts, a trans councillor in Plymouth, has quit Labour, accusing the party of abandoning trans rights. His resignation follows the Supreme Court ruling, something that has been eagerly embraced by the Labour leadership to remove trans rights in excess of the verdict. Tippetts will sit as an independent and not seek re-election.

Peer-review finds serious flaws in Cass report’s methods and conclusions [link]

• A peer-review of the Cass Review has found major flaws in the evidence used to support its recommendations. Using the ROBIS tool, researchers identified a high risk of bias in all seven of the report’s systematic reviews, citing vague eligibility criteria, poor study selection, protocol deviations, and failure to address these issues in the conclusions.
  
  The review also found serious problems in the Cass-commissioned primary studies, including methodological weaknesses and unsupported claims. The authors argue that the Cass report applied double standards to the evidence and misrepresented findings.

Liverpool Pride ends partnership with Barclays after anti-trans move [LCR Pride]

• The LCR Pride Foundation has ended its partnership with Barclays following the bank’s announcement that trans women would be banned from using female bathrooms in its buildings. The decision, confirmed unanimously at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 3 May, was a direct response to statements made by Barclays CEO CS Venkatakrishnan who has also misunderstood the UK Supreme Court’s ruling. The foundation condemned the move as dangerous and discriminatory, saying it violates the rights of trans, Non Binary, and gender nonconforming people.

NC21 smashed in the House of Commons

• An amendment to the Data Bill that would have forcibly outed trans people and forced us to carry identification that was contrary to our reality was defeated 363 to 97 in the House of Commons on Wednesday after Labour refused to support the Tory amendment. Slamming the amendment Nadia Whittome said, “Trans people and trans-led groups have been very concerned by new clause 21 tabled by the Opposition. They have rightly described it as an attack on trans people’s rights and their privacy. Can the Minister offer some reassurance that, as well as opposing this amendment today, the Government will not seek to introduce similar legislation via other means in the future?”
  
  In response, Sir Chris Bryant said, “We are opposing the amendment and are not intending to introduce similar legislation.” Alarmingly, however, this supposed ally added, “We are already developing data standards on the monitoring of diversity information, including sex, via the Data Standards Authority. Following a review, the Office for Statistics Regulation published updated guidance on collecting and reporting data and statistics about sex and gender identity last year, and all Government Departments are now considering how best to address the recommendations of the Sullivan review, which we published.”
  
  Someone needs to tell Bryant he can support trans people or he can support Sullivan and the Supreme Court. You do not get to do both.

Sturgeon calls out EHRC interim update [BBC]

• Speaking to reporters in the Scottish Parliament, the former SNP leader said: "I would be very concerned if that interim guidance became the final guidance. I hope that's not the case because I think that potentially makes the lives of trans people almost unliveable. I think some of the early indications would raise concerns in my mind that we are at risk of making the lives of trans people almost unliveable and I don't think the majority of people in the country would want to see that.
  
  "It certainly doesn't make a single woman any safer to do that because the threat to women, as I think we all know, comes from predatory and abusive men.”
  
  Sturgeon also refused to bow to demands from GCs that she apologise for introducing gender recognition reforms which are now referred to as ‘controversial’ but received cross-party support before they were targeted by those working out of Tufton Street.

Fermanagh and Omagh council apologise to trans people

• It was recently reported in the media that Fermanagh and Omagh District council had unilaterally decided to ban trans people from the correct toilets but at their most recent meeting they corrected the record. “Firstly, there has been no decision taken by the Council,” they said at a meeting on Monday. “Our policies are as they always were. I know one news outlet indicated that officers had taken executive decisions on this matter. That is simply not the case. So, our policies remain as they were. We are reviewing our policies in the context of the Supreme Court judgement but crucially in the context of the Equality Commission guidance which we understand will be forthcoming in June and nothing will be done in advance of that.
  
  “Secondly, our Equality Statement sets out very clearly our priorities to be an open and fully inclusive council. And I suppose the most regret that I would have is that anyone, particularly those from communities that are already fully vulnerable. felt hurt by anything that the council would say. It would be directly contrary to our equality statement to implement procedures or policies that discriminated against anyone and certainly against transgender people.”

Naomi Long response indicates change to NI Legislation is coming

• In addition to the above, which states that new guidance is expected in Northern Ireland in June, where the Equality Act does not apply, Naomi Long replied to a constituent to say, “The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has indicated that it will be working at pace to review guidance that it issues to public bodies in light of the judgment and make any amendments as necessary. My officials will also consider carefully any potential implications that may flow from the judgment, including the Department’s responsibilities under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the applicable equality legislation in this jurisdiction.”

Petitions

• A petition calling for trans people to be allowed to self-identify their legal gender has passed the 100,000 threshold and will be debated in the House of Commons on 19 May. Like many, I signed it in anger. I regret that now.
  
  It is hard to see what good will come of it. A handful of MPs may offer kind or cautious words of support. Most will not. Many will use the debate to say things they would not get away with anywhere else thanks to Parliamentary privilege, knowing the press will amplify every hostile comment, recycle it the next day, and use it to drive more of the same.
  
  These so-called debates change nothing. They give legitimacy and airtime to views that aim to harm us. For all the supportive soundbites, the overall effect is demoralising and damaging. Petitioning for more of them feels less like strategy and more like self-harm.
  
  They offer the illusion of action, when in practice they achieve very little. There are better ways to spend that energy. Contact your MP directly, and often. Support fundraisers, volunteer with grassroots groups, and seek out people who understand how systems work and can help direct your efforts more effectively.

The TRANSparency Project

• Collecting information on the stand of MPs when it comes to trans rights. You can submit details using the link above.

Human Rights Watch calls out Supreme Court ruling

• Says “court ruling threatens trans people” and that the “judgment opens door for discrimination, segregation, and exclusion.”

Trans Liberation List

• Alzi Adi has helpfully compiled all open letters, protests and more into one helpful Linktr.ee

AROUND THE WORLD

US Supreme Court allows military ban to stand

• In what is the first clear sign that the US Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration’s anti-trans laws to stand and what that will entail for the future, they allowed the discriminatory ban on trans people serving in the military. It reasons that trans people's existence as inherently 'dishonest' and 'untrustworthy'.

Trump Cass Report

• The Trump Administration has released their version of the Cass Report, which cites the discredited UK report almost 150 times. Like the UK version, those involved in producing it have been kept secret. Erin Reed has more on the pseudoscience contained within and, like Cass, the report also pushed conversion therapy.

MEDIA

Kath Viner could be on her way out at the Guardian

• · There is apparently growing pressure within the Guardian for a union vote of no confidence in editor Kath Viner, who has overseen the slide of the paper into an anti-trans mouthpiece since she was appointed to the role in 2015. If you have noticed more pro-trans content squeezing its way back into the UK and online versions, that might have something to do with Viner’s reported increasing ‘invisibility on the shop floor’ according to the equally anti-trans Private Eye. The Eye also report she has taken to wearing large headphones whenever she leaves her own office. There is talk of handing her a more global editor-in-chief role out of New York which would allow her to avoid having to interact with her own journalists even less.

IPSO seeking people for its investigation panels

• They write they are, “seeking people with a diverse range of skills and experiences, including candidates with recent senior experience in digital or print news industries, to join its Standards Investigations Panel.” You can find out how to apply here.

Times and Mail owners pay women less

• Two of the most vocal campaigners for ‘women’s rights pay their female staff less than their male. Shocking, I know. According to the 2024 Gender Pay Gap, NewsUK, who publish the Times pay men 15.8% more than women, while at DMG Media, who own the Mail the gap is 14.3%.

Trump administration signals crackdown on media leaks

• Popular Information is reporting that the Trump administration is taking a hardline stance against media outlets that publish leaked information. According to a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Justice Department "will not tolerate unauthorized disclosures that undermine President Trump’s policies." The publication notes a significant policy shift, with Bondi stating the department may now pursue journalists through “subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants”. She also stated she would personally decide on any actions involving the questioning or arrest of reporters.

Paramount pauses Daily Show civic campaign over political concerns

• Semafor’s Max Tani reports that Paramount have delayed a Daily Show-branded initiative encouraging viewers to run for office, amid lawsuits from the Trump administration and a pending merger. The program is expected to relaunch with a new, ‘nonpartisan’ partner later this month. Tensions are said to be growing between journalists at CBS News and Paramount management.

Murdoch pushes Harry Cole forward in the US

• Harry Cole, currently the political editor of The S*n, has been appointed ‘editor-at-large’ for the paper and will now be based in the United States, according to Semafor. As part of his expanded role, he will front a new online evening politics show, write a monthly column for the New York Post, and appear regularly on Fox News. Cole has been an influential figure in Westminster journalism, having previously served as deputy political editor of the Mail on Sunday and Westminster correspondent for The S*n. He also reportedly dated Carrie Johnson, the now-wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Goodbye Skype

• Skype, launched in 2003, officially closed down on 5 May.

SPORT

Pool declares men better than women

• Trans women will no longer be eligible to compete in the Ultimate Pool Group’s women’s category following the recent Supreme Court ruling which had nothing to do with the sport. The decision comes just two weeks after Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith, both trans women, reached the final of the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2, an historic moment should be seen as a success for the inclusion of trans athletes in professional sport. Their participation was met by the usual tantrums, resulting in the ban to shut them and their legal threats up.
  
  Football and cricket in England have also banned trans women with reports filtering through that some mixed kids teams are starting to remove cis girls, as well.

Martina praises Trump, cries about being called a Nazi

• Despite relentless media attacks as a lesbian athlete in the 1980s, Martina Navratilova continues to do to trans people what was done to her, this time backing Donald Trump’s sweeping bans on trans women in sport. In a Telegraph podcast, she praised the UK Supreme Court ruling defining “woman” as “biological,” called for sex verification tests in tennis, and accused Democrats of failing women. She also complained about being called a ‘Nazi’.

LA Olympics to feature mixed gender events

• The Los Angeles Olympics 2028 will feature mixed gymnastics, athletics, table tennis, rowing, archery and golf.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• After Reform’s massive haul in the English local elections, it took just three days for one of their councillors to be suspended from the party. Huffington Post has the story. Another has since quit because he doesn't have the time to do the work required of a councillor.

• Deputy Green leader, Zach Polanski, has launched a surprise bid to become leader of the party, which would oust Carla Denyer and the anti-trans Adrian Ramsay as co-leaders. Polanski wants to see the Greens become an ”eco-populism” movement. The Guardian had the Exclusive.

• Carla Denyer has said she does not intend to run again to become co-leader, instead opting to focus on her role as an MP. The Guardian also had this exclusive.

• Labour is under scrutiny after football regulator nominee David Kogan admitted donating to Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy’s leadership campaigns. Nandy is currently Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport.

• Downing Street faces a sexism row after former transport secretary Louise Haigh accused Labour insiders of misogynistic briefings against Bridget Phillipson and Lisa Nandy.

• When you think how quickly they move when it's trans people and then..."People infected as a result of the contaminated blood scandal and their relatives say they have been re-traumatised by delays to and flaws in the compensation scheme." [Guardian]

WHAT’S ON

Full Parliament business can be viewed here

Monday 12 May

• Stormont motion: Call to recognise International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
  o Amendment 1 – Calls to recognise the recent Supreme Court ruling in future policy development

  o Amendment 2 – Calls on the Executive to reverse the puberty blocker ban

• Opening statements in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sex trafficking trial.

Tuesday 13 May

• High Court begins four-day hearing on challenge to UK arms sales to Israel

• Verdict due in Gérard Depardieu’s sexual assault trial

Wednesday 14 May

• 12pm, House of Commons, Prime Minister’s Questions

• 2pm, Women’s and Equalities Committee, Health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures - Oral evidence

Thursday 15 May

• Report: Forbes highest-earning athletes – how many will be women?

Friday 16 May

• Jeffrey Donaldson in court on sexual offences charges

• Welsh Conservative Party Conference

• Gatwick Airport staff strike action begins

Saturday 17 May

• International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

• Trans Rights protest, Belfast, 12.30pm, Writer’s Square

• Trans Rights protest, Cheltenham

• Trans Rights protest, Sheffield, 2.30pm, Winter Garden

• Trans Rights protest, Southend, 11am, Pier Hill

• Trans Rights protest, Ipswich, 1pm, Ipswich Town Hall

• All protests can be viewed here

Sunday 18 May

• Romanian presidential election run-off – Far-right George Simion of Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), won the first round with a frightening 41%.

THE PAPERS

As you’ll notice, there are no clips this week. I’ve decided to publish those in a standalone post on the 5th of the month to allow time to collect them without needing to do it daily.

After two weeks off following the Supreme Court ruling, during which the papers lost their minds more than usual, I’m still catching up. Things have calmed somewhat.

The Observer, now under the Tortoise banner following a change of ownership at the end of April, is already on its third edition. Aside from their debut issue, which included a piece they no doubt believed to be ‘balanced,’ the paper has not returned to the topic. With leading anti-trans voice Sonia Sodha no longer on staff, perhaps it will stay that way.

The Guardian also appears to be undergoing a shift in tone since the split. It may not last, but at present, the paper’s output has moved from loud dog whistles to straight reporting, which is a significant change. Libby Brooks is doing most of the work and she does not provide space for TERFs to push their distorted view of reality. This week, The Guardian ran four articles on trans issues, none of which were negative. Headlines included:

• “Sturgeon warns court ruling risks making trans lives ‘impossibly difficult’”

• “MPs seek EHRC assurances over ruling on gender”

• “Pentagon to remove up to 1,000 trans troops from US military under new ban”

• “Transgender councillor quits Labour over ‘denial of basic rights’”

Long may it continue, although the damage has already been done.

The Mail published just five articles attacking trans people this week, some of which were especially vicious. The worst, a double-page spread in the Mail on Sunday, was a hit piece by a nurse from Darlington who used her experience of childhood abuse to misgender a trans nurse without consequence. The article speculated about the trans woman’s genitals, her relationship with her wife, and their plans to have a child. It was cruel, dehumanising and grotesque, and it reduced serious abuse suffered by the cis nurse to a tool for attacking someone else. If she were not crying about a trans person, the Mail would not care about her trauma. In fact, if given the chance, they would likely print a column defending her father.

The Times printed three articles, all of which were relatively mild.

It was, unsurprisingly, The Telegraph that led the week with nine articles, although they took two days off midweek. Even so, that is fewer than the 11 articles they published the day after the Supreme Court ruling.

In total, there were 21 articles about trans people this week. Seventeen of them were attacks.