iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Fred

Wizard's Tower Press @wtpress.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Can a gay lizard alien find love? Or a trans woman astronaut? Wiz Duos Book 4 has some very intimate first contact stories by Stephen Cox and Ellen Mellor. On pre-order: wizardstowerpress.co...

The cover for Wiz Duo 4; art by Roz Clarke.

The image for Marooned Off Ceres shows the head of an astronaut in her helmet gazing up at a turtle.

The image for Top Tips for Loving a Lizard shows a Godzilla-like creature cuddling an ape.

079

Reposted by Fred

Open Table Network @opentablelgbt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

TODAY we are meeting to plan the #LGBT+ #Christian retreat weekend at St Beuno's North Wales Friday 30 October - Sunday 1 November. READ MORE & BOOK HERE: bit.ly/StBeunosLGBTQ26 #FaithfullyLGBT

001

Reposted by Fred

Hafren @ulyverse.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

IME, generally, people DO think it's okay to just harass a trans woman they have spotted sitting on a bench. Ask me how I know

1319

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

(It's me; I am the husband)

091

Reposted by Fred

David Matthewman @djm4.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In what feels like something between an unremarkable change that's been coming for a while, and a major milestone in my life journey, I have started attending my local Quaker meeting.

1141

Reposted by Fred

Woodbrooke @woodbrooke.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

We are looking for someone to support our Head of Community and Engagement with this varied and exciting role. You will contribute to a wide range of activities and projects, as well as taking on deputy management responsibilities. Apply now: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/vacancies/

We are recruiting a...
Deputy Head of Community and Engagement
Closing Date: Sunday 13 September
Apply Now: woodbrooke.org.uk/vacancies

014

Reposted by Fred

Dr Jamie Gallagher @jamiebgall.co.uk · 24/06/2026

The first year I’ve really struggled to get women on board. One final plea. I’ll gladly give up my own speaking slot because I’d really love more women and people from racially minoritised communities.

16079

Reposted by Fred

Caroline Dodds Pennock @carolinepennock.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I get the impression that some people aren't clear what this means. This is the UK state deciding to intervene directly in the healthcare of individual children, depriving them of medicine that their doctors have prescribed for their personal health & wellbeing, in defiance of global best practice.

1824861281

Reposted by Fred

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Sir David Attenborough… on your 100th birthday, we thank you. For a lifetime dedicated to the natural world, and for sharing its story with such grace and wonder. Generations have fallen in love with nature because of you. Happy birthday, Sir. 🎉

This photograph captures Sir David Attenborough seated outdoors on the rugged terrain of Skomer Island. Behind him, the ocean and coastal cliffs form a scenic backdrop under a clear sky. Sir David, dressed in a khaki jacket and light trousers, looks towards the camera with a gentle expression, exuding a sense of warmth, calm, and wisdom. Around him, puffins can be seen flying and perched on the rocky ground, illuminated in rays of golden sunlight as the sun sets behind the cliffs.

162304612

Reposted by Fred

Wizard's Tower Press @wtpress.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Love novellas? How about two in one book? In Wiz Duo 2, Juliet Kemp sends a reluctant knight on a quest, while E M Faulds gives her heroine a superpower that totally sucks. wizardstowerpress.co...

Cover of Wiz Duo Book 2. Art by Roz Clarke.

The images are of a shield superimposed on a flying dragon, and a girl with a hole through her belly.

01413

Reposted by Fred

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 06/03/2026

Yesterday evening, for the second time in a year, the Met Police raided Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrested a number of young nonviolent activists. STATEMENT: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Westminster Meeting House raided by Metropolitan Police again. Statement: “For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers' religious life.

Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent.

That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government. The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It's a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.” – Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship
Quakers in Britain, 5 March 2026

29547354

Reposted by Fred

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 23/02/2026

This year’s LGBT+ History Month theme is scientists and innovators, so we’re highlighting disabled, fossil-hunting, school-starting ‘cottage lady’ Anna Gurney (1795-1857). 🏫🍄 🔎 queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...

queernorfolk.com

Anna Gurney: Norfolk’s Queer, Disabled, Geologist

Guest writer Beau Brannick discusses North Norfolk ‘cottage lady’ Anna Gurney, whose life-long romantic relationship her partner Sarah has echoes all over Victorian Cromer.

11610

Reposted by Fred

St. Simeon the Holy Fool @simeonthefool.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

The wonderful thing about Tyggers Is Tyggers are burning bright Their tops are made out of rubber In the forest of the night What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, Immortal hand or eye Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers, Their fearful symmetry!

William Blake’s illustration for “The Tyger” has what appears to be a dippy grin for some reason.

181099430

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Post a perfect album* from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains.

1992 The Love Album by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine

020

Reposted by Fred

Amal El-Mohtar @amalelmohtar.com · 25/12/2025

If you’re in the UK & are so inclined, from Dec 25 to Jan 5 you can get the Kindle edition of THE RIVER HAS ROOTS for 99p as part of their 12 Days of Kindle event! This means in the UK you can also get that price matched at other etailers, like Kobo! Merry Christmas! www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

kobo.com

The River Has Roots ebook by Amal El-Mohtar - Rakuten Kobo

Read "The River Has Roots The Sweeping, Magical Solo Debut by the Best-Selling Co-Author of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR" by Amal El-Mohtar available from Rakuten Kobo. Follow the river Liss to t...

719098

Reposted by Fred

Jessie Gender @jessiegender.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

You know, some days I sit and think about how absolutely wild it is that we've built a society where we don't provide a place for people to even sleep at night without having to pay for it, and that we've somehow made it seem like that's normal.

292477609

Reposted by Fred

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

When this guidance is published (given legal standing), as it almost certainly will be, as a trans man I will not be allowed to use non-unisex public toilets. Which is almost every public toilet. Just want that to sink in, there. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Equality boss expects people to 'follow rules' over single-sex spaces

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said

30817308

Reposted by Fred

Stephen Cox - "funny, raunchy, romantic, satisfyingly twisted" @stephencoxauthor.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

I'm just a poster, skeeting into the void, saying that maybe you'd like my 'devilish dance through Victorian fakery" #spooky #sapphic murderfest. #books #booksky #LGBT #London

Text:
"A devilish dance through Victorian fakery - a story that's mysterious, driven, and above all, great fun to read."

The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox
A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating.
A rich dark blue background, and a touch of mist. The text appears in gold in a gold rectangular frame, the font is old fashioned implying C19th century. The frame has three rondels or cameos each containing a picture. Top right is a golden bee brooch with the body and one wing streaked with red blood. Middle left is foxgloves, spires of small bell flowers in pink, white and purple. Bottom right is a dark brown medicine bottle, with a pale label. The word LAUDANUM is just visible.
There are pink highlights on some of the letters.
Taken together it is bold, mysterious, and Victorian.

062

Reposted by Fred

Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.

This is the saddest day of my professional life.
Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage.
I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys.
I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show,
A show that I named and helped develop over all those years.
Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry.
These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter

In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices.
Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'.
•
I chose the latter.
It broke my heart.
I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make.
I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer.
I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence.
One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career.

I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more.
I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost".
James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice.
Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences.
I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness.
Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire.
I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal.
I am so sorry to let you down.
I hope that you can understand my reasoning.
I have to accept that I am not what the current
BBC expects of their freelance presenters.

Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not
"just a job"
I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world.
From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too.
The strawberry is dead.
Long live the strawberry. B

1011106762820

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

This is an excellent book.

011

Reposted by Fred

Laura Marie Brown @laurambrown.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

Local authorities in England and Wales warn finances at ‘breaking point’

More councils expected to fall into bankruptcy in near future as they face nervous wait over government funding

1186

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

This is great so far (I've only listened to the first episode)

010

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

..and lots and lots of Marriott Edgar and AA Milne

000

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

"Tell me lies about Vietnam" by Adrian Mitchell

010

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

"I want to be a country singer..." by Tim Gibbard, which has stayed in my head more or less complete for 25 years after hearing one or two performances.

000

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

The whole of "Stop All the Clocks"

030

Reposted by Fred

Naomi Alderman @naomialderman.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing. they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors. their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen. their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.

82449650

Reposted by Fred

Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 05/11/2025

I lost the framed original of this while I was going through St Pancras on Sunday Nov 2nd around 3pm. Would love if it had been found by anyone?

A picture of a red moon with a tower and the steps leading to it, in black and white
The caption says "The keep and keeper"

8202217

Reposted by Fred

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 03/11/2025

Could you help us promote peace and nonviolent conflict resolution throughout British schools? We are looking for an experienced educator to support and develop our peer mediation work. The deadline is Thursday 20 November. To read the full job advert and apply, visit our website:

quaker.org.uk

Quakers in Britain: Job opportunities

Find a range of jobs with Quakers in Britain. With a 1:4 ratio between our highest and our lowest paid staff, we are a Living Wage employer.

098

Reposted by Fred

Philippa East (Author) @philippaeast.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

We’re hearing that EHRC’s updated Code is now with the Minister for Equalities. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to write to your MP to get them to pressure her for a debate & vote in Parliament, not for this Code to become statutory automatically. Please do write; template letter linked below 🙏

11207129

Reposted by Fred

Kathryn @shermarama.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

For ways to find patterns, The Foldline is an indie pattern aggregator shop, good for browsing: thefoldline.com And for reviews / project logs, Patternreview.com is old-school and Threadloop.app is modern / indie stuff - useful to see what pattern users liked.

thefoldline.com

The Fold Line | Online Sewing Pattern Shop

Shop the largest collection of independent sewing patterns in the world. Find the perfect dressmaking pattern for your next making adventure.

174

Reposted by Fred

Jonny Morris @jonnymorris.bsky.social · 16/04/2024

So, straightway, the brave little feller, Not showing a morsel of fear, Took his stick with the horse's head handle And shoved it in the raven's ear. You could see that the raven didn't like it, For giving a kind of a caw, He pulled Albert inside the cage with him And quothed, 'Do that nevermore!"

094

Reposted by Fred

Jessamy Barker (they/she/he) @jessamybarker.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

In honour of realising it's thirty years since I came out as bisexual, I used my 'Ugly Zines' class to make this advice to my 14 year old self 1/2

2173

Reposted by Fred

🦇🤘 Miscreant Jennie 🔶️🏳️‍🌈 @rigg.lgbt · 28/08/2025

It's the year 2025 and I'm so tired of having to say: - immigration is good - racism is bad - bodily autonomy is good - policing bodies is bad - consent is good - overriding or ignoring consent is bad Why are so many people determined to ignore these demonstrable facts?

322666

Reposted by Fred

Sally Nicholls @sallynicholls.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

This letter is specifically about toilet provisions at Friends House which is a. Directly opposite Euston Station b. Has a cafe c. Would be delighted to provide you with a coffee and gender-affirming facilities, regardless of your religious beliefs.

1114

Reposted by Fred

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 28/08/2025

On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates. Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious. www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

quaker.org.uk

Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion

On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.

13836

Reposted by Fred

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 27/08/2025

We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace. www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

quaker.org.uk

Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment

One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. As our book of tea...

010948

Reposted by Fred

Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 15/08/2025

Oh hey who wants a retelling of Sherlock Holmes where Holmes is an abrasive female scholar and Watson is a traumatized sentient spaceship who ekes out a living by making space tea? Nebula Award Winning book right here, and on sale!

27414158

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

I am very much looking forward to reading this, by the author of the excellent Our Child of the Stars and its sequel.

001

Reposted by Fred

David Matthewman @djm4.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

But so many of the things I do with my husband - eating out, cinema, theatre, watching Leyton Orient, cycling and walking in the Peak District, birdwatching, driving for more than a couple of hours - depend on there being legally-usable toilet facilities for both of us.

1194

Reposted by Fred

David Matthewman @djm4.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Question for my fellow cis friends: if this comes in, are you going to feel OK using spaces and facilities that trans people are banned from? Because I'm not.

126225

Reposted by Fred

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Oh you wanna check my driving licence? It says 'male' on it. You wanna check my passport? It says 'male' on it. You wanna check my birth certificate? It says 'male' on it. You wanna summon a gender prophet to read my soul? Sucks to be you, because that also says 'male' on it.

151747

Reposted by Fred

Helen Macdonald @hjm.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Once "future fair for all" and now "we revel in punishing our most vulnerable minorities" Fuck them

24210

Reposted by Fred

Stuart Masters @stuartkmasters.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

People desperately need to be listened to. We have life-changing experiences, and we don’t know how to metabolize them. We also desperately need to hear each other, because the doubts and fears that make us feel alone are often actually shared. Emily Provance – Swarthmore Lecture 2025

The image includes the quotation shared in the main post along with a picture of Emily Provance (a younger white woman with dark hair, smiling).

053

Fred @fredsl.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Ten writers by whom I've read more than five books: Arthur Ransome C.S. Lewis Terry Pratchett Lindsey Davis Robin Hobb John Steinbeck Paula Danziger Ellis Peters Patrick O'Brien L.M. Montgomery

020

Reposted by Fred

John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

[OLIVER CROMWELL] How does a nepo baby son of a lord and a Yorkshireman dropped in the middle of a civil war that's not civil, crown fighting town, brother fighting brother Grow up to be a hero and a scholar [THOMAS FAIRFAX] Sir Thomas Fairfax My name is Sir Thomas Fairfax... (Sorry not sorry)

18013