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Kit Heyam (they/he)

@krheyam.bsky.social
1.2K followers 631 following 57 posts

Queer trans writer, historian, heritage practitioner, trainer, parent. Author of BEFORE WE WERE TRANS, a Lambda nominee and History Today book of the year. kitheyam.com

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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Featuring my favourite (and most overlooked outside of niche queer literary studies) horny gay poet 😁
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Essential reading for anyone trying to understand German queer politics right now.
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Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This is hands down the best opinion piece you will read on the Arday case. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The takedown of Jason Arday has overjoyed the right, and must be a wake-up call for the left | Jason Okundaye
The Cambridge academic has rightly now resigned. But that won’t end the targeting of senior black figures or the lazy way institutions promote faux equality, says Guardian columnist Jason Okundaye
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Dr Anna Hájková @ankahajkova.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
If you are in Leeds on 6 October, @krheyam.bsky.social and @helencfinch.bsky.social will be discussing with me People Without History Are Dust thebookishtype.co.uk/products/que...
thebookishtype.co.uk
Queer History Club: People Without History Are Dust - Queer Desire and
People Without History Are Dust: Queer Desire and the Holocaust Where are the stories of great queer love in the Shoah? There are almost none. Anna Hájková explains why the history of same-sex desire ...
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
I wrote about @rebeccajanemorgan.bsky.social's essential new book, and the importance of strategic pluralism, dealing with defeat, and talking to our elders, for @redpeppermag.bsky.social: www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
redpepper.org.uk
Deviants and trailblazers - review - Red Pepper
Rebecca Jane Morgan’s account of trans peoples' fight for recognition is a valuable resource for activists, writes historian Kit Heyam
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
This is such a good read!!!
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
1/3 If you've read about the University of Sussex penalising Kathleen Stock for speaking out about biological sex, and being fined for it, this was disinformation. Now that the High Court has decided please read this corrective: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
politicshome.com
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
A total pleasure to celebrate this excellent book with Justin and Matt! ☺️
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Justin Bengry @justinbengry.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Join me in Leeds for A Queer Scrapbook: Book Launch, Conversation and Scrapbooking Workshop with Matt Cook hosted by @krheyam.bsky.social . See you soon! Date: Wed 22nd April 2026 Time: 7-9pm Venue: @thebookishtype.bsky.social 77a Great George Street, LS1 3BR thebookishtype.co.uk/products/a-q...
thebookishtype.co.uk
A Queer Scrapbook: Book Launch, Conversation and Scrapbooking Workshop
As part of Queer History Club we are very excited to bring you a book talk, conversation and scrapbooking workshop with the editors of A Queer Scrapbook! New book A Queer Scrapbook: Britain and Irelan...
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
This is brilliant, but also I am especially delighted to have my first @michaelhobbes.bsky.social mispronunciation to complain about...WHY-GAN?! As in Orwell's The Road to Why-Gan Pier? I know I'm supposed to hate Wigan as a Boltonian but it doesn't deserve this 😆
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Happy new year to all of you *and* to this gorgeous set of forthcoming books! I am beyond excited to finally share A Cultural History of Gender (and especially the volume I've edited, The Early Modern World) with you all.
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Christyn Parkes @parkesland.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Pleased to be interviewed for this much needed piece on the rising transphobia in higher education. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trans-s... (Archive link: archive.is/oYqXS)
timeshighereducation.com
Trans scholars being ‘pushed out of academia’, researchers warn
Universities ‘afraid to be trans inclusive’ after Supreme Court ruling and OfS Sussex fine, leaving staff fearing ‘hostile environment’
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Dr Sarah Wingrove @sazwingrove.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
I am terrible at promoting my own stuff, but I was recently on a very cool podcast with absolute delights @krheyam.bsky.social and Ann of @vulgarhistory.bsky.social talking all things Anne Lister! It really does get rather vulgar...
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Migrants' Rights Network @migrantsrights.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Where are we at with trans+ migrants rights? 🏳️‍⚧️ In our latest Substack blog, we reflect on what the Supreme Court ruling means for trans+ migrants, unpack interim changes to how trans+ people in #detention are treated, and how the Government is erasing gender non-conforming people🗞️ buff.ly/eLRKMrA
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Hello Bluesky, just to let you know I have a mailing list now! If you (like me) are trying to be on social media less, and would like to get infrequent emails with my book/event news, you can sign up at kitheyam.com/contact
kitheyam.com
Contact
Contact Kit Heyam via webform.
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Bloomsbury Academic @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
⚧️ Edited by @krheyam.bsky.social and Jon Ward, "New and Decolonial Approaches to Gender Nonconformity" features a diverse collective of researchers sharing their experiences of approaching gender nonconformity from a decolonial perspective. Read now 👉 bit.ly/4qqROJB #OpenAccess #GenderStudies
"New and Decolonial Approaches to Gender Nonconformity"
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Snigdha @snig.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
It begins with chipping off Art 3 (freedom from torture) and Art 8 (right to privacy and family life) for foreign criminals to assist deportation, then it will be extended to all asylum seekers, after that - who knows? It's the thin end of the wedge. Human rights should always belong to all humans.
theguardian.com
Starmer to rethink human rights law to tackle ‘Farage boats’
Prime minister blames Brexit for surge in numbers of small boat crossings but defends UK’s membership of ECHR
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 23/09/2025
The summer has seen anti-trans campaigns across the UK and US, alongside a crisis in healthcare. But what use could trans history have in these time, beyond proving 'we have always been here'? Sam Rutherford @echomikeromeo reflects on Imagining Trans Futures: www.historyworkshop....
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Cal Horton (they/them) @fiercemum.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
UK medical establishment consulting with 8 anti-trans groups on medical policy on puberty blockers: Bayswater Support Group, Clinical Advisory Network on Sex & Gender, Genspect, LGB Alliance, Sex Matters, The Integrated Psychology Clinic, Thoughtful Therapists, Transgender Trend
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
The speed with which Labour came to the, at least implied, defence of Linehan, despite a track record of abuse and threats from him, exemplifies just how embedded the dehumanisation of trans and non-binary individuals has become as government policy. They really don't care who gets hurt.
Streeting says Government could look at legislation after Linehan arrest

The Government wants to keep people safe by 'policing streets, not just policing tweets', Health Secretary Wes Streeting said.

Helen Corbett

Wednesday 03 September 2025 08:59 BSTGraham Linehan

If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls.

8:02 AM

Apr 20, 2025
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Trans Safety Network @transsafety.network · 03/09/2025
We encourage our supporters to write to the BBC to complain about the use of a slur against trans women in this article www.bbc.com/news/article... This is directly written in text and is not a quotation.
bbc.com
Free speech laws need to be reviewed after Linehan arrest, says Streeting
The health secretary says ministers wanted police to focus on street crime rather than posts on social media.
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Honoured to speak to Jake Hall for their fantastic piece here, about something that leaves me frightened and furious.
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Fellow freelancers, a boring tax question: do you use any accounting software, and would you recommend it? I currently, & happily, use an Excel spreadsheet - but I see this whole ~making tax digital!~ thing looming, so am reluctantly in the market for recommendations of more complicated things 🙏
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
It's✨publication day✨! You can order a copy, or get the open access ebook, at www.bloomsbury.com/uk/new-and-d.... And I've got 5 spare hardback copies to give away to anyone who runs a book-sharing scheme or would struggle to access the ebook - hmu if that's you 🏳️‍⚧️📚
bloomsbury.com
New and Decolonial Approaches to Gender Nonconformity
This open access book features a diverse collective of arts and humanities researchers, educators and creative practitioners, sharing their thoughts and experie…
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Emily Hamilton @emilymcminn-ms.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Note also how France 24 refers to ‘trans people and their supporters’. In contrast to ‘trans activists’ when uk media reports. The uk has chewed on the shitty tablet of culture wars for far too long now
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
It's HERE!!! I'm ridiculously excited to finally be holding NEW AND DECOLONIAL APPROACHES TO GENDER NONCONFORMITY: FORGING A HOME FOR OURSELVES in my hands. You can preorder, or find where to get the OPEN ACCESS ebook, at www.bloomsbury.com/uk/new-and-d...
bloomsbury.com
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What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️ @whatthetrans.com · 25/06/2025
We will be at parliament today reporting on the mass lobbying day. And we will try to keep you updated on the events as they unfold.
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Ann Foster @vulgarhistory.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Today’s bonus Pride episode is about ancient Rome’s short-lived trans Emperor, horny teenage Elagabalus. I’m joined by @krheyam.bsky.social to discuss this teenage wild child’s short, weird reign. episodes.fm/aHR0cHM6Ly9m...
Trans history Elagabalus as painted by Lawrence Alma-Tadema
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Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
"Could I be a single-issue ideologue with no medical expertise? No, it is the doctors who are wrong"
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Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · 16/06/2025
They are literally attempting to re-write history. "You may have had rights in the past, but now we are changing it so you never did"
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Dr Eleanor Janega @goingmedieval.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Barbican Renewal has a consultation which closes tonight which gives more toilets accessible to women and more toilets for everyone as a whole, including building in protections for trans visitors if the EHRC start to police toilets. Could you respond positively? www.barbican.org.uk/barbican-ren...
barbican.org.uk
Barbican Renewal Consultation: May 2025 | Barbican
Have your say on updated proposals for the Foyers, Lakeside and Conservatory
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Rose Schmits @roseschmits.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Also big fan of them using a rainbow gradient cause they know using an actual pride flag would upset their target audience of bigots lmao
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Ruth Pearce @notrightruth.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
As an alumnus of the University of Warwick, I have written to ask for more information on their new trans segregation policy, which was uploaded and then removed from their website. Thanks to @whatthetrans.com and @katymontgomerie.com for raising awareness of this.
To whom it may concern,

I am writing today to ask for a comment on the university’s updated trans code of practice, which I downloaded a copy of before its removal from the University of Warwick website today. 

I note that the document stated that “trans people may not use single sex spaces identified as being for the gender that is not their sex assigned at birth”. This strikes me as a surprising change, as I, along with hundreds of other trans women and non-binary people, used the women’s toilets across the University of Warwick campus without any trouble between 2005 and 2017, during my studies and employment at the university. I did the same while visiting the campus as an invited guest lecturer in 2018 and 2019, and in more recent years while visiting the campus with my partner’s parents, who live in Kenilworth.  

My questions for you are therefore as follows:

-	What was the rationale behind the updated code of practice?
-	Were trans staff and students consulted for the updated code of conduct?
-	Why was the updated code of practice removed from the university website?
-	Through mandating discrimination through the segregation of single-sex spaces, the updated code of conduct appears to conflict with the University of Warwick dignity principles, especially principles one (“We treat everyone with respect”) and principle two (“We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, or harassment”). Do you have any comments on this apparent discrepancy?
-	If I am to visit the campus as an invited speaker or member of the public, am I now expected to use segregated facilities? 
-	What response can be expected from the University of Warwick if women such as myself refuse to comply with the institution’s pro-segregation policy?
-	What response can be expected from the University of Warwick if a cis woman is harassed in a toilet or changing room by somebody who wrongly believes she is trans?
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Just wanted to shout out NOTCHES, the history of sexuality blog I help to edit, which is feeling a little lonely on Bluesky at the moment! If you'd like to have more history of sexuality (including looooots of queer stuff) pop up on your feed, why not give us a follow? @notchesblog.bsky.social
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Sophie Molly @sophiemolly.co.uk · 08/05/2025
Letter by Aberdeen Trans Action to @robertgordonuni.bsky.social. It questions why they have changed their policy to reflect the non inclusive usage of the term "biological sex" for their toilets. Please share. We must out places that are excluding trans people.
Aberdeen Trans Action's letter to Robert Gordon University.
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Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · 07/05/2025
fml there's another one. This one you can actually affect. Please write to your local branch (see the Reddit post) This is important ♥️
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Christyn Parkes @parkesland.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Historians for Trans Rights open letter makes it into @pinknews.bsky.social! I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the essential contributions of @benmechen.bsky.social @krheyam.bsky.social @carolinepennock.bsky.social and @echomikeromeo.bsky.social in drafting it www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/02/h...
thepinknews.com
Warning from historians over government's treatment of trans people
Over 350 historians and academics have urged the government to turn back on its growing attacks on trans rights in the UK.
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Christyn Parkes @parkesland.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
OPEN LETTER: HISTORIANS FOR TRANS RIGHTS Are you a historian in the UK or working on UK history fed up at seeing the history of LGBTQIA+ discrimination repeat itself? Sign this open letter to MPs demanding they stand up for trans rights now! Letter: tinyurl.com/879vuver Sign: tinyurl.com/4p7wktrn
tinyurl.com
Historians for Trans Rights - Open Letter to MPs
In light of the recent and incessant attacks on the trans community in the UK by the UK government and legal system, a group of UK-based historians have drafted the letter linked below. Our aim is to ...
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The BMA @bma.org.uk · 29/04/2025
Attendees at the #RDconf last Saturday voted on an emergency motion to show their opposition to the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Read the motion below 👇 BMA-wide policy is set at the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) in June 2025.
Emergency motion on the Supreme Court ruling defining the term 'woman' from RDC conference 2025
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David Allsopp @doublehelix.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
"Another morning, another absolutely bananas conversation about trans people, without any trans people involved... I want to see the discussion recentred so that priority is given to things that matter – the life-and-death business of a health service – not lost in some vindictive land of riddles"
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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Statement on the EHRC ‘guidance’. The EHRC ‘guidance’ put out at 10pm last night is a bigoted attempt to segregate trans people in public spaces. It is almost certainly unlawful. transactual.org.uk/blog/2025/04...
Statement on the EHRC guidance. The EHRC ‘guidance’ put out at 10pm last night is a bigoted attempt to segregate trans people in public spaces. It is almost certainly unlawful. Full statement on our website.
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Swolesome is tired 🍉🏳️‍⚧️ @swolesome.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
The ignorance of cis lawmakers knows no bounds. As a trans man who's been on T for six years, my body is very much biologically male, to the point that assessing my medical tests as female would be dangerous to my health.
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Dr. Sandra Duffy Golden @sandraduffy.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
'Perceived to be' seems to rely on 'passing' to the cis observer in question, though. (para 251)
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Talia "ATTACK DOGS is out now!" Bhatt ⚢ @taliabhatt.itch.io · 16/04/2025
I am mashing my temples in sheer frustration because a ruling that is obsessed with legalizing discrimination against trans women on the basis of our "birth sex" also explicitly carves in recognition of the sociality of sexing, almost surely to make "perceived sex" something to be challenged.
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
I'm on holiday, but I need to put my trainer hat on for a moment and say this: If you're an organisation trying to work out what today's ruling on the Equality Act means for you, what you need to change, etc. - please hang fire, think it through.
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Dr Kate Womersley @katewomersley.com · 09/04/2025
"Sex alone cannot explain the differences: gender plays a major role in understanding why people smoke or drink alcohol, or what stops a person from visiting their doctor or dropping out of treatment." A clear intervention from @femupheave.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social tinyurl.com/3jhchus2
fairplanet.org
The term ‘gender’ must not be removed from the health lexicon. It will cost lives. | FairPlanet
Gender plays a major role in understanding why people smoke or drink alcohol, or what stops a person from visiting their doctor.
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Kit Heyam (they/he) @krheyam.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
A real privilege to talk with @herberthistory.bsky.social about trans history, colonialism, and how we navigate a political climate that's determined to deny all history of gender nonconformity. Thanks for having me Jason - hope folks enjoy the conversation as much as I did 🏳️‍⚧️
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