colin macfarlane
@Cmacf76
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Policy, comms, external affairs leader. Social justice and human rights campaigner. He/Him.
Edinburgh
Joined October 2011
I appear to have woken up in the year 2000. Two headlines 22 years apart. Same whipping up of a moral panic.
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Whoever is advising the PM that using trans people to stoke a culture war is a vote winner should stop and reflect. Voters hate it. In Australia the conservative Liberal Govt was swept from power last week in a crushing defeat after it spent weeks punching down on trans people.
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This should be a wake up call to us all. For years now, trans lives been the subject of toxic public debate in our media & our politics. Today’s figures show us that the continuing whipping up of a moral panic about trans people has consequences.
Transgender hate crimes up 87% in Scotland
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I used to work at the EHRC and I’m ashamed of what it has become. There will be many good people there who will be horrified by this. The fact that our human rights regulator is considering removing the existing rights of a minority group should terrify us all.
We have provided advice to the Minister for Women and Equalities on the definition of the protected characteristic of 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010. Find out more:
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There is no LGBT equality without trans equality. Have a lovely evening.
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71% of trans young people are bullied in school. 96% have self harmed because of that bullying. 48% have attempted suicide. Ill informed rubbish like this doesn’t help.
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Love these pics! Growing up I never dared to dream I'd see pictures like this. Thanks @Ruth_E_Davidson @kezdugdale.
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This picture says so many things. I’m 41. As a teenager growing up in Glasgow I’d have never dared to dream that a serving political leader would lead a Pride parade alongside young LGBT folk. This is what an ally looks like. The signal it sends is vital. #ComeOutForLGBT #pride
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Please don't post or RT pictures of those injured at #Westminster. Imagine family/friends finding out this way. Show some respect and class.
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Trans people are not a ‘question’ nor are they a problem that needs to be solved. They are our friends, our family and our colleagues. And all the evidence suggests that the majority of the public feel the same. #BeingTransIsNotAnIssue
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5 years ago Ireland passed its Gender Recognition Act. ‘’Five years on. There have been no showdowns in women’s changing rooms, no explosion in men who never intend to transition clamouring to be recognised as legally female. ’’.
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A rainbow has appeared over the Scottish Parliament. 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
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Some LGB people don’t support trans equality - that’s sadly true. But then some didn’t support equal marriage, civil partnerships, adoption rights either. The fact is the majority of LGBTQ+ people DO support trans rights and don’t feel ‘under attack’ or ‘redefined’ in any way.
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10 years ago a complete stranger attacked me walking home from friends. As he kicked my head in he screamed ‘poof’ & ‘faggot’. I thought I was going to die. I reported it to the police. He was never found & no conviction resulted. I know it was a hate crime. Believe victims.
It’s very important to understand that the increase reported here relates not to an increase in hate CRIME but an increase in ALLEGATIONS of hate crime. The two things are very different. Very different indeed. I hope @ScotNational will make this clear.
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You are not an ally to the LGBT community if you don’t support ALL of our community. Allyship is not a pick & mix of who is deserving of rights and who isn’t. None of us are equal until all of us are equal.
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On @bbclaurak Keir Starmer stated he had concerns re: GRR Bill and Equality Act. Important to note that a Scottish Labour amendment by @GlasgowPam was accepted at Stage 2 which makes clear ‘’For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act modifies the Equality Act 2010’’.
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Huge turnout for the Edinburgh vigil for Brianna Ghey. It was incredibly moving. Thank you to those who organised it. Rest in Power Brianna.
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I am heart sore for my trans siblings. This is an unprecedented move which shows the UK Govt sees trans people as a threat to be contained, not as citizens to be respected. Our statement on the UK Govt decision to block Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
We are saddened the PM has taken unprecedented steps to block implementation of the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill. These are not the actions of a government that can stand on the international stage as a defender of LGBTQ+ rights. Our statement
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The women in my family - ages ranging from 83 to 21 - have all signed this. They are all disgusted at how trans people are being weaponised and they are all trans inclusive. Anti-trans sentiment is a minority position. Please sign if you haven’t yet.
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This is what you call a classic piece of desperate deflection. A short thread. Last week anti-trans activists were told by a High Court judge that their assertions that Stonewall was deliberately misinterpreting the Equality Act were false and they, not us, in fact were wrong.
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.@RuthDavidsonMSP tells Reporting Scotland just now she has made clear to PM there can be no rolling back of LGBT rights. We agree.
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Enough is enough. These smears are categorically untrue. For anyone, let alone a parliamentary candidate, to have made them is irresponsible and dangerous. I would urge those peddling this rubbish to pause, take a moment and think again. It has to stop.
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There is no ‘trans war’. Trans people have not ‘hijacked’ policy. What is happening right now in Scotland is a concerted campaign to sow division & ultimately to roll back the existing legal rights that a minority group - trans people - currently have. That should worry us all.
How trans wars have hijacked policy and so much more. My column in today's @SunScotNational.
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The Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill is the most scrutinised piece of legislation in the Scottish Parliament’s history. It took 6 years to get to the final vote - which was passed by an overwhelming majority of MSPs from ALL parties.
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These will start appearing on advertising spaces across Scotland over the next week. Great leadership from @scotgov @policescotland @ScotGovFairer #onescotland #ComeOutForLGBT #ComeOutForTransEquality
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You’ve got equal marriage now what more do you want?. To not have the shit kicked out of us when we’re going about our lives.
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Thank you First Minister @NicolaSturgeon for your video of support for our @stonewalluk @StonewallScot #ProuderTogether event this evening and for your continuing commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
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Trans people are not an ideology. They are not a problem that needs to be solved. They are human beings. They are our friends, family and colleagues and they deserve to live their lives with dignity, respect and free from discrimination.
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I loved Paul O’ Grady and I loved Lily Savage. He was in the trenches fighting for our community during the HIV & AIDS epidemic. Lily Savage was a genius & subversive creation that managed to reach mainstream audiences - the impact of which was transformative. RIP & thank you.
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🚨MSPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act. 86 for 39 against. The Bill has passed! .#ComeOutForTransEquality 🏳️⚧️🏴.
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I worked at the EHRC for 4 years. I’m heartbroken at how much it has lost its way & for the many good people who work there who I know will no longer feel safe. There is now something very rotten at the core of the Commission. It is not fit for purpose.
Exclusive: Senior leaders at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have worked to erase trans rights via the courts and held private meetings with anti-trans groups, leaked emails and documents obtained by VICE World News reveal.
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I have to say I never thought I’d see the day I’d be a sobbing mess watching a dancing show. I adore Rose. I adore John and Johannes. I adore what they represent and the fact it’s happening on prime time TV. #Strictly #StrictlyFinal.
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Good morning to LGBTQ+ people and allies who, in what ever way they can, work day in and day out to fight for the freedom, equity and potential of ALL LGBTQ+ people. It’s a new week. Let’s get to it. ❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️.
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Stonewall’s interpretation of the law was resoundingly reaffirmed to be correct by a High Court judge three weeks ago. But let’s not let the truth or actual facts get in the way of things.
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Slightly perturbed to see some fawning over Ann Widdecombe on #CBB #CelebrityBigBrother. Just a reminder she opposed every major piece of legislation to advance #LGBT equality when she was an MP and a Government Minister.
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What’s embarrassing is this constant bullying of Alexandra Burke. Give it a rest.
Embarrassing footage emerges of Strictly's Alexandra Burke claiming she brought the expression 'Elephant in the room' to the UK
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Letter from the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to Secretary of State for Scotland in response to the UK Government blocking Scotland’s GRR Bill. It is 🔥.
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A 🧵 on this new polling. After years of misinformation about GRA reform and trans people this poll is reassuring. It shows majority support in Scotland for improving gender recognition for trans people. Support is higher among women.
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Proud to have joined my amazing colleagues Vic @ScottishTrans & Mhairi @LGBTYS to make our case with facts, truth & evidence for reform of the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland. Trans people are not an ideology, nor a threat. They are our friends, family, colleagues. 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️.
'Trans people are human beings. they are not a threat.'. @StonewallScot Director says discourse around proposed reforms to Gender Recognition Act reminiscent of negative treatment of gay men in the past. @Cmacf76 says nothing in #GRA reform threatens current equality laws
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If LGBT+ people had waited for majority public approval we might still be waiting for the decriminalisation of our relationships, the abolition of Section 28, the right to form a family, equal marriage rights. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always the popular thing.
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It isn’t a minority though is it. Major race equality orgs, disability orgs, the leading human rights orgs such as Liberty & Amnesty and now every major UK LGBTQ+ org have all lost confidence in the EHRC. The Commission’s failings are a threat to us all.
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Alba have smeared LGBTQ+ orgs and tried to whip up a moral panic about trans people. Voters have given their verdict - electoral oblivion. Meanwhile parties with progressive LGBTQ+ policies are making gains across Scotland. Those trying to stoke culture wars should reflect.
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The fact we’ve had to make this statement at all is beyond belief. Margaret Lynch’s accusations made against us on Saturday are baseless, offensive and dangerous. She should retract and apologise. A statement from me and our CEO @Nancy_M_K .
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This is horrific. Hate crimes against LGBT people are on the rise. For many of us, being free to be ourselves requires constant risk assessments to ensure we are safe on our streets. If you have any info please contact @policescotland .
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Spoiler. No we haven’t. Also, very disturbing to see For Women Scotland platforming a man who last week in his Times column was advocating against equal rights for the Gypsy Traveller community.
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This is really tough. If you need to speak to someone, here are some organisations that will be there to listen. They won’t mind you calling. Samaritans: 116 123 (free and can be used from any phone). Breathing space: 0800 83 85 87. SAMH 0344 800 0550 (9-6 Mon-Friday).
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Most of us were in bed at 00:54 but FWS were tweeting at the Scottish Govt about Stonewall. Their obsession about the fact we are trans inclusive is not normal. Neither is their hounding of orgs that work with us to create safe and inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ people.
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Yet again facts don’t seem to matter. We don’t ‘lobby’ school children we train teachers & educational professionals on how to create inclusive learning environments for ALL young folk.
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Black Lives Matter protest Edinburgh #BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterUK #BlackLivesMatterEdinburgh #BLMEdinburgh
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One of the constant accusations thrown at trans inclusive organisations like Stonewall by anti-trans activists is that we misinterpret the law on single-sex spaces. This ruling tells anti-trans activists that they are wrong & their accusations are false.
BREAKING: Judge has refused permission for a judicial review of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's guidance on the Equality Act 2010, gender reassignment and single-sex spaces. It was brought by LGB Alliance co-founder Ann Sinnot who crowdfunded £100k in legal fees.
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There is no LGBT equality without trans equality. It’s as simple as that.
Our work for trans equality is at the heart of our mission for acceptance without exception - and that won’t change. Want to learn more? Our Truth About Trans Q&A can help #ComeOutForTransEquality.
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A Scottish Government Minister has been fired from their job this evening yet the editor of Holyrood magazine has decided that a trans woman of colour - who isn’t an elected politician - leaving one party and joining another is more news worthy. 🤷🏻♂️.
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It is not just 20 major LGBTQ+ orgs saying the EHRC is not fit for purpose. When 2 former EHRC Legal Directors say things like this you know there is a very serious problem. Make your voice heard. Take action here:
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30+ countries around the world have moved to a demedicalised process of legal gender recognition. None of the issues that opponents to GRA reform in Scotland have raised have materialised in those countries. Why would Scotland be different? Why would it be such an outlier?.
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Fantastic news. MSPs vote overwhelmingly in favour for reform of the GRA at Stage One with 88 voting in favour and 33 against. The bill now moves to Stage 2 and we look forward to working with all MSPs as the Bill continues its legislative process. #ComeOutForTransEquality 🏳️⚧️.
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Here’s the posters we use in a primary school setting which empowers teachers to speak about and celebrate different families. I challenge anyone to point out anything in this which is not ‘age appropriate’.
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Mike Freer, the UK Govt Minister for Equalities, has resigned stating that the UK Govt has created a hostile atmosphere for LGBTQ+ people .
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A founder of the LGB Alliance wasted 100k of other people’s money trying to stop trans people accessing single-sex services in line with who they are. Just think of the positive ways 100k could have been spent on helping marginalised communities.
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A lot of misinformation has been stated about what the Bill is all about. Here’s the truth. 👇🏻👇🏻🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️.#comeoutfortransequality
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Scotland has made remarkable progress on LGBTQ+ equality. From abolition of Section 28, marriage equality, LGBT inclusive eduction and the passing of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. Now is not the time for regression, but to push forward on inclusive values and policies.
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In Scotland we’ve just had elections to the Scottish Parliament where candidates and parties that had pushed an anti-trans and anti-LGBT+ agendas and that tried to pit communities against each other were resoundingly shown the door.
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The real impact of having a visible LGBTQ+ ally as the leader of a country cannot be underestimated. As @NicolaSturgeon announces her decision to resign as the first woman and longest serving First Minister of Scotland, we say thanks to her for her commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
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Every piece of legislation to improve the rights of LGBTQ+ people has been called ‘controversial’ or an ‘ideology’. Has seen calls to pause/delay/face endless debate. It’s the same old playbook every time. Opponents don’t want LGBTQ+ people to thrive and to live with dignity.
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They say history repeats itself. This current media led moral panic about trans people is using exactly the same playbook that was used against LGB people in the 80s&90s. It was shameful then and it is shameful now. Solidarity with our trans siblings today and every day.
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Using your status & power to continue to punch down on a minority is cruelty. Every day many of us see the real pain, anguish and fear this discourse causes our trans friends, colleagues and siblings. Nothing about this is enjoyable. At all.
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It’s Friday! Today I celebrate 3 things. I’ve made it to 45. It’s my 10th anniversary as Director @StonewallScot @stonewalluk and Kylie’s Fever album is 20! Going to celebrate by spending the day with my favourite people - my mum and my aunties. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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The Times caught lying to stir up a moral panic about trans people not once but twice. The narrative that trans people are a threat or dangerous is built on untruths and misinformation. Good to see this formal clarification but sadly the damage will already be done.
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But of course the Sunday Times has run this piece about Forstater today in an attempt to further propagate a culture war that no one wants or actually is bothered in. The majority of people support trans inclusion.
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This is a bit rich from Philips who has consistently opposed every step to LGBTQ+ inclusion in this country over the past 30+ years. Also if Stonewall was ‘’all powerful’’ we would have ended all LGBTQ+ discrimination, found me a husband and made Kylie President of the World.
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Proud to work at Stonewall. Proud of all the individuals and orgs we work with to make positive change for LGBTQ+ people happen. If you too imagine a world where all LGBTQ+people are free to be themselves then here’s how you can support us. ❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️.
Looks like we're trending today Twitter 👀. You might've seen a podcast about our work today. We make 👏 no 👏 apology 👏 for working towards a better world for LGBTQ+ people. In fact, we’d love to tell you more about our work in the thread below:.
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Pride is protest. Pride is resistance. Pride is defiance. Pride is unity. To those who seek to harm us, to threaten us, to divide us and to break us - you will not succeed. #TakePride #Pride 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
Picture speaks thousand words. Incredible show of defiance from #LGBTQ community in #Oslo hours after two ppl killed in gay bar in what is suspected of being terror attack
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This Scotsman poll shows what most of us know to be true. People in Scotland (40 %), particularly women (44%), are supportive about trans people’s rights - in spite of what a vocal yet clearly out of touch with public opinion minority want you to believe.
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Hard won rights are tenuously held. Complacency is not an option. If you are watching what’s developing in America with horror but think it will never happen in the UK, think again. Wake up. Speak out. Get ready.
Abortion. Contraception. Same-sex marriage. All are under dire threat. The global anti-gender movement is a very real risk to the hard-fought rights of women and LGBTQ+ people. We need to stand together to fight these attacks on our lives. #RoeVsWade
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Good on Kay for challenging on this. A reminder that as Leader of the Opposition Abbott stood next to his supporters who called the then PM Julia Gillard a ‘witch’ and a ‘man’s b***h’. He vigorously campaigned against marriage equality and for equality for LGBT Australians.
“Tony Abbott is a homophobe and a misogynist”. Health Sec @MattHancock: “He’s also an expert on trade”. #KayBurley . JM
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Some personal news. After 12.5 years at Stonewall I’m going to be leaving in the summer. It has been the honour of my life to lead Stonewall Scotland, and then our work across Cymru and Northern Ireland….
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Waging a culture war against trans people and the Gender Recognition Reform Bill is not a vote winner. Scottish Conservatives reduced to 16 seats in latest polling. Parties who supported the reform are either holding steady or in case of Greens and Scottish Labour gaining seats.
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What wasn’t surprising was the fact that as far as I can tell no major news outlets reported on this REALLY important ruling. A huge part of the anti-trans movement has to been say Stonewall is lying about the EA .A judge ruled it was anti-trans activists who were in fact lying.
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I’ve just finished #ItsASin. My heart aches for the stars that burned so bright but were gone too soon. But my heart is also full of gratitude & respect for those who fought every day for love, for kindness, for dignity and for truth in the cruelest of times for our community.
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Happy Edinburgh Pride! What an amazing atmosphere. We march for freedom, equity, potential and to make sure ALL LGBTQ+ people are free to be. #TakePride #EdinburghPride #Pride ❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
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It’s Pride month. A gay man who is a vocal ally for trans equality and a supporter of LGBTQ+ equality has to leave his home for his own personal safety. Solidarity with you David.
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8 years ago today MSPs voted 105 to 18 to say I Do to equal marriage in Scotland. What an amazing day that was. Proud to have played a part in making it happen & eternal thanks to so many who campaigned for nearly a decade. #LGBTHM22 #EqualMarriage
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This a really powerful piece by Vic from @ScottishTrans. This is what reform of the Gender Recognition Act is really about and why it matters. Have a read.
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Happy Valentine’s Day to me from me. Shout out to all my fellow singles who have been doing single in the middle of a global pandemic, living on our own in constant lockdown. We’re all amazing! Love to you all. ❤️❤️.#ValentinesDay
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Good morning. All LGBTQ+ people deserve to feel safe, welcome and respected at their place of work.
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We’ve had 2 major public consultations with over 34k respondents and endless coverage about GRA reform over the past 5 years. Enough. Time now for a Bill to be introduced & for the process of parliamentary scrutiny to take place.
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The comparison of trans healthcare to child sex abuse & therefore co-opting the far right conspiracy language of ‘groomers’ is not only disgusting it is down right dangerous. If you think what is happening in the US won’t happen here you are mistaken. Speak out. Take a stand.
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Here we are again. Think of the children! Protect them from the sinister predatory gays! .The truth is LGBT orgs don’t talk about sex but do want schools to teach that LGBT people exist, that LGBT families are real and valid. We want ALL young people to be safe and to flourish.
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Good on Konta. I don’t recall seeing any of the men being asked this sort of stuff or talked down to like this.
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The harm done to a generation of young people by Section 28 and then the vicious battle to repeal it against Souter’s vile Keep The Clause campaign is a shadow that still looms large for many of us. He must never be allowed to play a part in our politics ever again.
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Solidarity with David. I can’t begin to imagine how painful this must be for him to have his late mother weaponised in this way simply because he is a trans ally. To those who continue to amplify this stuff please stop and think because it is really not normal behaviour.
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“Excluding trans people from this ban not only devalues the misery and suffering already suffered by countless victims, but also devalues trans people as less worthy of protection.” This is strong from @aliciakearns .
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No, this isn’t a parody, it’s a tweet by the LGB Alliance,now deleted, which betrays their ignorance of our movement and the struggles and battles we’ve endured to win our rights over the decades.
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If, when I was growing up, I had seen this on prime time TV the world wouldn’t have felt such a scary place for such a long time. I feel so emotional knowing that up & down the country young LGBTQ+ people will be watching & will see themselves. This really matters. #Strictly
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@RuthDavidsonMSP Ruth's voice and those of all the new Scottish MP's will vital in ensuring LGBT rights are protected and extended.
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Yes. That’s the point.
The Government’s proposed ban on conversion therapy would criminalise Christian parents who want to stop their children seeking transgender treatment, a leading QC and Church of England minister have warned
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