Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Sending love, warmth and strength for the big move. Always admire you and your work. 000
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Gina Gwenffrewi @ginagwenffrewi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026An academic and family leave the UK so their trans daughter can have a decent quality of life. I have watched the indifference of former media allies on Novara Media and Owen Jones at the oppression we face. We are disappearing. No one cares. Please read Cal Horton's blog. It's heartbreaking. 081
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)May “Bunny” Peterson 🦄 @goddessblade.bsky.social · 13/09/2026“I respect your right to dress and present like a woman, but you have to admit you’re still basically male, right?” So much panic and anger arises when we say “no.” 545076
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Anne Fausto-Sterling @birdlady.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Sex: think of it as multiple sliding scales, or overlapping bell curves, or as a mosaic. But it is not binary.! theconversation.com/biological-s...theconversation.comBiological sex is neither binary nor a spectrum – a biologist explains how it’s multidimensionalEach person is a mosaic of sex-related and postpubertal biological traits that vary in their degree of femaleness and maleness. 03916
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Tarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Being queer means being the target of violence. Every queer person knows this. It's deeply engraved in who we are. We live with it every day of our lives. Not because of terrorism but because it is structurally enshrined in our "free" societies. Violence against queer people is not an exception ... 1674194
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)jessamyn @librarian.bsky.social · 31/07/2026I work at a public library. People who want to use AI seem to have no trouble doing so. People who don't want to use AI have a harder time. I crowdsourced and then finalized this document "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI" and then gave it a short URL: notoai.org Please pass along if it's useful 193126177999
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Steve Tombs @stevetombs.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Drawing on over 40 years of state violence in the UK, this @inquest-org.bsky.social documentary is an invaluable campaigning and educational tool. Please repost! @britishcriminology.bsky.social @europeangroup.bsky.social @timnewburn.bsky.social @waylon18.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr-v...youtube.comThe UK Is Not InnocentYouTube video by INQUEST Charitable Trust 187
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Sarah Clarke - Not your doll @damselindystopia.northsky.social · 09/07/2026It's interesting how the indispensable leftist organisers we simply must forgive and give infinite chances to are always abusers and never the people they have abused so badly that they never want to enter an organising space again. 212837
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · 06/07/2026ICYMI - Our Manager wrote for the Scotland on Sunday about the recent decision in the Court of Session about the Scottish Prison Service's policy for trans prisoners. (Content note: this article discusses violence, distress and suicide) www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...scotsman.comWhy it's wrong for every trans prisoner to serve their sentence according to their sex at birthTrans women in male prisons tend to be held in isolation for their own safety but this can have devastating effects on their mental health 1127
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Mallory Moore @sexabolition.blog · 03/07/2026Cool article and supporting blog post from @notrightruth.bsky.social @tiojeda.bsky.social and others describing and defining recognisable patterns in misuse of evidence in Sex and Gender policy.ruthpearce.netNew article: Misuse of Evidence in Sex and Gender PolicyThe UK is currently sweltering through the hottest June on record. The Met Office has issued a “red warning” for much of England and Wales, highlighting an active danger to life. Trains… 04322
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Fran Amery @franamery.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Lots to say about this quote from Phillipson but I think a key element is how cis people are understood as 'biological' and therefore as having material needs (services, spaces) where as trans people are an 'identity' and therefore only have cultural/recognitional needs ('not being pilloried'). 29860240
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Stirling Criminology @stirunicriminology.bsky.social · 19/06/2026📝 CfP: Dr @philcrockettthomas.bsky.social, Dr Martin Cathcart Fröden, and Prof Alistair Fraser are Editors of this Special Section Crime, Media, Culture: Special Section Call for Papers: Rewriting Crime Stories: Criminology and Creative Writing #CrimSky #Criminology www.linkedin.com/pulse/crime-...linkedin.comCrime, Media, Culture: Special Section Call for Papers: Rewriting Crime Stories: Criminology and Creative WritingEditors: Phil Crockett Thomas, Martin Cathcart Fröden, Alistair Fraser How might creative writing reflect and generate different kinds of knowledge and affect about crime, harm, and justice? Themes of... 032
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Helen 🏳️⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 21/06/2026“The Lemkin Institute would like to remind everyone…The “danger” caused by the existence of the trans community is a common refrain of the genocidal gender critical movement and is in no way based in fact… and therefore does not require a state response that causes harm to trans and intersex people”lemkininstitute.comStatement on the Anti-Trans and Anti-Intersex EHRC Code of Practice in the United KingdomJune 20, 2026 The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security condemns the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) updated Code of Practice for services, public functions, and a... 113236
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · 19/06/2026The Court of Session has ruled today that the Scottish Prison Service’s policy of conducting a risk assessment for each trans prisoner and then deciding whether to place them on the men’s or women’s prison estate, is unlawful. Read our initial thoughts here: www.scottishtrans.org/statement-on... 14923
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Survivors say no to the EHRC…someoneiknew.carrd.co#SomeoneIKnew EHRC Survivor CampaignLanding page for survivor EHRC campaign 09435
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 05/06/2026I get this a lot too for *some reason* 110
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Sophie Molly @sophiemolly.co.uk · 29/05/2026Good article 🏳️⚧️ Please share 🏳️⚧️ novaramedia.com/2026/05/29/t...novaramedia.comTrans Segregation Is Becoming Law. What Can We Do About It? | Juliet Jacques‘Single-sex spaces’ must now exclude trans men and women, according to new guidance from the EHRC. We aren’t taking seriously just how dangerous this will be, write Juliet Jacques. 013164
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 24/05/2026I feel you. We got a bit overstimulated and left during the strap contest. Feel free to DM me if you're up for a cuppa or snack on Friday. 010
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 24/05/2026You looked amazing and i wondered if you were open to a chat but then you left. Next time ❤️ 110
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Ella Baron @ellabaron.bsky.social · 22/05/2026Satuday's @theguardian.com cartoon #transrights #EHRC #LGBTQ 881704443
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 21/05/2026We've read the new Code of Practice. Here's what you need to know.goodlaw.socialThe Code of Practice: what you need to know | Good Law ProjectThe updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations has been laid before Parliament. Here’s what that means. 4304142
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 20/05/2026Today @drjogrady.bsky.social wrote to the University of Reading. Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist. That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act. 417265
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Super interesting to think how different things could be... 030
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy @crimsocsp-uol.bsky.social · 06/05/2026New research on queer criminology Explores how challenging assumptions about gender & sexuality can reshape justice systems and address inequality. By Prof Avi Boukli & Dr Calogero Giametta 🔗 doi.org/10.1332/3033... 022
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 04/05/2026I wrote this a couple of months ago for OU Pride. I've been reluctant to share it too much because it was a vulnerable piece for me to write. But I just read it and I'm pretty proud of it. You can even show it a bit of love if you like 😍 thehootstudents.com/trans-safety... 021
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Helen Bowes-Catton (she/her) @hbowescatton.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Our new report with @disabledstudentsuk.bsky.social is out! Drawing on the lived experiences of disabled doctoral students, it sets out a clear roadmap for improving the experiences of disabled PGRs across the UK HE sector 1/6 research.open.ac.uk/news/report-...research.open.ac.ukThe Open UniversityA new collaborative report from The Open University and Disabled Students UK sets out a clear roadmap for improving the experiences of disabled doctoral students across the UK’s higher education secto... 1149
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 11/04/2026Recent court decisions are making it increasingly difficult for trans and nonbinary people to go to work with dignity and privacy. Complete our Workers Survey to help us push the government to update the law and make trans inclusion possible again! tinyurl.com/TransActualW... 13518
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Reactionary Politics Research Network @reacpolrn.bsky.social · 27/03/2026📜 RPRN statement 📜 HEPI’s Preparing for Populism is a profoundly unhelpful document that mistakes capitulation for strategy Research, critical inquiry, expertise, and the transmission of knowledge are not incidental irritants reactionary projects, they are its targets reacpol.net/populism-hepi/reacpol.netRPRN statement on HEPI’s Preparing for Populism debate paper - Reactionary Politics Research NetworkRPRN statement on HEPI’s Preparing for Populism debate paper 085
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Abra / Jessica Conwell, Carmella Creeper's Gender Doula🏳️⚧️ 🇲🇽🌼 @pairofclaws.bsky.social · 30/03/2026I work with a lot of newly out trans people, and this is by far the most common thing I have to talk them through. The saddest part is that how many of them report that the community itself has been the source of their fears. You cannot overestimate how much harm and hurt community gatekeeping does. 319156
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Visibility without protection produces gendered harms 050
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)TACC @tacc.org.uk · 25/03/2026Please if anyone can, show your support of the Dyke Project for all the work they do: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-th...crowdfunder.co.ukSupport the Dyke Project!Help us cover costs for our meetings, actions and campaigns! 117193
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)sasha baker @sasha98.bsky.social · 18/03/2026They really sat down and said: how can we make trans people even less comfortable reporting crimes to the police? 319856
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Hell yeah! So happy that you and your work have been recognised and celebrated for the badass you are 🥰 000
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 15/03/2026So, research funding for “research” about trans people BY CIS PEOPLE is likely between £13-£15 million. Trans researchers were excluded from ALL of these. Research funding for trans academics is WAY below this, if available at all. This is an equal opportunities issue as well as an ethical one. 1733499
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Dr. Sandra Duffy Golden @sandraduffy.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Thrilled this is out in the world - and thanks to @ulyverse.bsky.social for being the best coauthor! F@L is always a pleasure to write for and the editors of this special section were fantastic. 1115
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · 16/02/2026On Friday, the High Court published its judgment on a case between the Good Law Project and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We've put up a page explaining the background to the case, some key parts of the judgment, and what might happen next: www.scottishtrans.org/good-law-pro... 2157
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Dr Charlotte Galpin @drcharlottegalpin.bsky.social · 10/02/2026Calling transfeminist researchers! See our call for abstracts below - deadline 1-15th March (with full papers in August) 11916
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026Non-binary and survivor-led researchers from the University of Hertfordshire are looking for an expert by experience to join our participatory action research project looking at the strengths of LGBTQIA+ survivors of conversion practices. #TransResearch #ResearchSurvey #LGBTQResearch 13124
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 04/02/2026I’m sharing Aliya’s entire opening statement. We owe it to her, and those who no longer have a voice, to watch. youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI?...youtu.beWATCH: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICEYouTube video by PBS NewsHour 686194658799
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)TACC @tacc.org.uk · 01/02/2026There is only a few days left to respond to this consultation please if you have the time, follow this guide to send your response. If you don't have the time please at least share this post so others can respond. 12216
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)ILGA-Europe @ilgaeurope.bsky.social · 26/01/2026This Thursday, Europe could move a big step towards ending conversion practices. Our report shows trans, intersex and marginalised LGBTI people face the highest risk of abuse, with 60 to 70 percent forced to take meds. Action is urgent. ilga-europe.orgIntersections 2.0: Key Findings on Conversion Practices in Europe | ILGA-EuropeFor the first time, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) included questions on conversion practices in its 2023 LGBTIQ III Survey. The survey gathered responses from more than 100,00... 15422
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Helen 🏳️⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 22/01/2026I research the harm that can come to teenagers on social media. I don’t support a ban – @emilysetty.bsky.social “A ban treats social media as the problem, rather than asking deeper questions about why certain behaviours – harassment, shaming, misogyny, exploitation – occur in the first place.” 👇🏻inforrm.orgI research the harm that can come to teenagers on social media. I don’t support a ban – Emily SettyThe UK government has launched a consultation on introducing an Australian-style ban on social media for under-16s. The proposal is framed as a bold response to rising concerns about young people’s… 39527
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Trans ppl constitute “a group obsessed with its own victimhood.” I came across this phrase recently when I examined the language of contempt regularly deployed by bigoted publications and how it became mainstream. Let’s take factual stock of this assertion🧵 320164
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Was looking forward to binge watching Heated Rivalry today but omg it's so good that I need to slow down and process all of the feelings about how good it is and what it is bringing up... 020
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Ariadne Griffin @ariadnereviews.bsky.social · 07/01/2026CAMP! #TheTraitors #Traitors 6908
Leigh Downes (they/them) @leighdownes.bsky.social · 01/01/2026Hi hello If you're here because I followed you it's because something you said and/or your profile looked cool. No obligation to follow back. You can find out more about me and my work here profiles.open.ac.uk/leigh-downesprofiles.open.ac.ukOUPPS (Open University People Profile System) 000
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)Shit my GIC says @shitmygicsays.bsky.social · 28/12/2025Cop approved gender cops 0355
Reposted by Leigh Downes (they/them)TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 23/12/2025This time of year can be difficult. If you're struggling, seek support. Mindline Trans 0300 330 5468 (Fridays 8pm-midnight) TRUK Listens 0800 009 6640 (8am-midnight daily) truklistens.org Switchboard 0800 0119 100 (10am-10pm daily) switchboard.lgbt Samaritans 116123 (24hrs daily) 14338