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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 09/10/2026

Blasphemy laws can NEVER be justified. Sign our petition. Blasphemy laws are used to ban words or symbols that are ‘offensive’ to religion. They’re used to violently suppress and attack religious and non-religious minorities worldwide.

END BLASPHEMY LAWS

SAUDI ARABIA

*Saudi Arabia is one of 12 countries that maintains the death penalty for ‘blasphemy’ or apostasy.

SAVE ANOJAN

Sri Lankan Hindu sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for ‘blasphemy’ over a Facebook post

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and freedom of religion or belief, which includes the right to leave or criticise a religion.

No one should be criminalised or sentenced to death for ‘blasphemy’ or religious offence. Humanists UK campaigns to abolish blasphemy laws worldwide, including in Northern Ireland.

*The 12 other countries that retain the death penalty for ‘blasphemy’ or apostasy are Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Mauritania, Somalia, and Yemen.

Humanists UK

humanists.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Much of this resonates with my research on how leaving religion can transform the identities of ex-religious refugees: particularly the non-linear nature of their journeys, transformations in personal lives and relationships with family, and shifts in their sense of self. Link to my paper below ⬇️

journals.sagepub.com

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Catching up with the BBC doc 'Faithless', which follows people who have left a religion. It highlights the lived experiences of growing up in what they term ‘high-control’ religions, the risks of leaving, and the challenges of navigating life afterwards. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Illuminated - Faithless - BBC Sounds

Examining the line between religious devotion and unhealthy control.

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Faith to Faithless @faith2faithless.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“This U-turn in the strict Jehovah’s Witness ‘no blood’ policy is not just a ‘clarification’ but a life-saving move... “What a shame God did not ‘clarify’ it years ago when I was at the bedside of a lady who died for refusing red cell transfusion..." www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09...

telegraph.co.uk

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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A far right activist and convicted criminal livestreamed himself slashing a dingy with a rescue worker still on board. Will the government stand by and watch as criminals threaten the lives of people seeking safety? inews.co.uk/news/small-b...

inews.co.uk

Anti-migrant vigilante 'slashes' dinghy at sea with rescuer still aboard

Hampshire police 'conducting enquiries' into an incident in the Channel during a small boat rescue

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Lauren Starkey @laurenhstarkey.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Men will send me emails like this and then go rampaging on the streets of Dover and Portsmouth claiming they want to keep refugees out in order to “PROTECT OUR WOMEN!” Not a single one of the young male refugees I’ve worked with has ever spoken to me with such violent misogyny.

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Did Kent Police ignore Dover blockade 999 call? We can reveal the story that undermines the public statement of Kent Police. 🧵

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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 26/08/2026

“I was not happy with myself, quite alone and then the realisation of what was happening kicked in, maybe I was no longer Muslim?” – Karim, 28 years old @lucypotter.bsky.social examines the identity transformation of apostate refugees. #OpenAccess @journals.sagepub.com buff.ly/oO3YbNv

Lucy Elizabeth Potter
Conceptualising Identity Transformations of the Apostate Refugee through Un/Learning
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00380261261465979
The Sociological Review #OnlineFirst

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Ben Whitham @drbenwhitham.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I spoke to Lizzie Dearden for this i article on the racist targeting of HMOs. From Belfast to Thetford, people are being dragged from their homes by masked fascist thugs, their houses attacked and even burned down, and this is all being normalised as "protest". inews.co.uk/news/vigilan...

inews.co.uk

How far-right vigilantes are targeting asylum seekers as HMO attacks rise

Experts said the targeting of asylum seekers in houses 'represented a new escalation of anti-migrant harassment and violence'

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

So, so, grim. Impossible for anyone to cope with such a hostile response from so many rushing to condemn. metro.co.uk/2026/08/14/f...

metro.co.uk

Former Cambridge University academic Jason Arday found dead at home

He resigned last week amid plagiarism allegations.

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Runnymede Trust @runnymedetrust.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

From widespread racist violence, to attacks on places of worship and burning down homes and businesses of people of colour, our new PM is inheriting a country which is ripping at the seams. Our Head of Policy tells the @bigissue.com why Andy Burnham needs to introduce national antiracism strategy ✍️

bigissue.com

Why Britain needs an anti-racism strategy right now

An anti-racism strategy is needed in the UK to address rising racist violence and online hate speech, says Runnymede Trust's Stephen Walcott.

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Listen to me discussing my research on non-religious asylum claims, the challenges faced by people persecuted for leaving religion, and what this reveals about asylum decision-making in the UK ⬇️ 📅 TONIGHT 7pm-8pm 🎟️ Register here: humanists.uk/wp-json/civi... @humanists.uk

humanists.uk

In conversation with Lucy Potter

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Joanna Malone @joannamalone.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

NEW PAPER: 'Institutionalising Non-religion? Locating Non/Religion in a Welsh Primary School', with @annastrhan.bsky.social, @drpeterjhemming.bsky.social & Sarah Neal, in Sociological Research Online, funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Department of Sociology, University of York @uoy-sociology.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Take a look at what our academic staff and researchers published in May & June!👇

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

🚨 New publication 🚨 My latest publication is out now in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. It addresses a significant gap in research by examining how the UK refugee status determination process responds to claims based on non-religion and apostasy. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/I8BKA...

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 16/06/2026

It has been ten years since Jo Cox MP was murdered by a far-right extremist while serving her constituents in Batley and Spen. Today, we pause to remember Jo and her belief that “we have more in common than that which divides us”.

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Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The scenes in Belfast last night were disgraceful. Families were targeted because of their skin colour or country of origin, leaving people frightened, homeless and fearing for their safety. The actions of one individual must never be used to stigmatise an entire community, nationality or faith.

An image of a road with a car on fire. Copy that reads: This is the third summer in a row that Northern Ireland has experienced organised racist violence - with each outbreak more serious than the last.

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University of York Events @uoyevents.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

It's #RefugeeWeek next week. Find some free events on our website, including an online cook-along! ow.ly/WcXl50Z9TmU

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Free Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The High Court has found the Home Office acted unlawfully in scrapping accommodation protections for survivors of torture and trafficking — no consultation with specialists, no proper equality assessment, no investigation into consequences. A significant ruling covered in our latest piece by…

freemovement.org.uk

Home Office unlawfully removed asylum accommodation protections for torture and trafficking survivors - Free Movement

The High Court has ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully when it removed long-standing accommodation protections for survivors of torture, trafficking

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

📢 EVENT I’m super excited to organise this event for Refugee Week on ‘Courage, Community and Conversation’. If you’re in or around York, do pop in and hear about the amazing work going on for refugees and wider society. 📆 Monday, 15th June ⏰ Fair (10-2); Panel (3-4:30) 📍York

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

In my talk, I explored the challenge of ‘proving a negative’, with a live ‘Life in the UK Test’ in the hot seat - which opened up some great discussions about using trivia-style questions in asylum interviews #pint26

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

I’ve been wanting to do a Pint of Science for years after going to a local one! Ticked it off earlier this week and was so much fun. It’s not everyday people in the pub want to hear about your research 🤣 #pint26

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

For Refugee Week 2026, the University of York Migration Network is hosting a day of Courage, Community & Conversation 🌍 Featuring: 🤝 Community stalls and conversations 🗣️ A panel on courage, sanctuary & solidarity Please share with your networks! #RefugeeWeek #RefugeeWeek2026 #courage

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Pint of Science World @pintsworld.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

#pint26 is in a week! This year we will be in +640 cities Check out this interactive map which lists them all 🗺️📍 bit.ly/pint26world And get all the infos here pintofscience.com Get ready to join the science party! 🦕 🫀👩‍🔬📚🧫🧪🌎🕷️🧬🪨🦴🤖🌴🌺🧠🔭👓⚖️🐳☄️🎼🌆

bit.ly

2026 Pint of Science - pintsworld #pint26 - Google My Maps

All the countries and cities taking part in Pint of Science 2026 (#pint26) 18-20 May 2026 See pintofscience.com for more information.

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Looking forward to my Pint of Science 🧬 presentation in York on Wednesday! Believe it or not? Proving what you don’t believe. 🤔 #pint26 @uoy-sociology.bsky.social @uoyevents.bsky.social

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Adam Ramsay @adamramsay.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

New research shows that more people abandoned Labour because they were too tough on immigration - and because of their support for Israel - than because they were too soft on immigration.

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 13/05/2026

Today’s King’s Speech confirmed what we feared: another Immigration and Asylum Bill that will make life harder for people seeking protection in the UK. For over a decade, we've seen new legislation every year, which has failed to fix a broken system. Here’s why this approach makes things worse 🧵

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

They’re awful, including the filming of hotels housing people seeking asylum 🙄 vile

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Open Research at York @uoyopenres.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Take a look at these @pintofscience.uk events taking place at venues around York next week (18-20 May) #pint26 🍻 ☕ 🧠

pintofscience.co.uk

Pint of Science York

Scientists in York share their discoveries with you.

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

OMFG I had to go and check that this ACTUALLY happened. Since when does the BBC ever do chyrons with a political party's branding, rather than their own? Not to mention this is during a pre-election campaign purdah. (h/t @iainsol.bsky.social)

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I've gone international! 🌏 Listen to me yap on @humanists.bsky.social podcast about how the British asylum system is currently failing people seeking asylum due to leaving their religion ❗ www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK8i...

youtube.com

How the UK Asylum System Is Failing the Non-Religious with Dr. Lucy Potter

YouTube video by Humanise Live

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Reposted by Lucy Potter

Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

This week's BBC coverage about fraudulent 'immigration advisers' has sparked concern across the sector. Our full statement can be found on our website, but we've broken it down for you. 🧵

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Amongst a wide range of academic publications, symposiums, and networks dedicated to the topic. Include a latest book published in 2026 on the 'limits' and 'harms' of LGBTQ+ asylum models: blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...

sogica.org

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

My own research on apostasy (non-religious) asylum claims finds similar problems e.g., burden of evidence placed on claimants, issues with subjective measures of 'credibility', and expecting identities to be professed in ways British citizens would. eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/23...

eprints.whiterose.ac.uk

Freedom of Religion or Belief for All: Recognising and Protecting the Non Religious in the Asylum System - White Rose Research Online

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

In 2024 came the SEREDA report on the experience of LGBTQI+ in mainstream accommodation, found that such accommodation is generally unsafe for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. www.birmingham.ac.uk/documents/co...

birmingham.ac.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

In 2023, the Women and Equalities Commitee held an inquiry into 'Equality and the UK asylum process': finding that LGBT claims face unnecessary risks under the Home Office’s management of the asylum process, and facing an increased risk with asylum reform. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cm...

publications.parliament.uk

Equality and the UK asylum process - Women and Equalities Committee

Report by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, with recommendations to government

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

In 2018, Rainbow Migration released their 'Still Falling Short' report www.rainbowmigration.org.uk/wp-content/u...

rainbowmigration.org.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

In 2014 the Home Office commissioned the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to investigate the management of sexuality-based asylum claims assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80dd...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

The 2013 UKLGIG 'Missing the Mark' report built on this, evidencing that applicants were regularly disbelieved if they had been in opposite-sex relationships, with officials failing to understand the fluidity and complexity of sexual identity. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80dd...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

In 2010, UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group’s (UKLGIG) ‘Failing the Grade’ report found that credibility was routinely denied on arbitrary grounds, such as late disclosure or lack of same-sex relationships in the UK. www.rainbowmigration.org.uk/wp-content/u...

rainbowmigration.org.uk

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

What's not in the news: Over a decade of research has consistently revealed significant flaws in Home Office decision-making for LGBTQI+/sexuality-based asylum claims, raising real concerns about the UK meeting its obligations under the Refugee Convention. Below are some examples:

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

People are trying to build a life in the UK, often without safe or legal routes to asylum, and that shapes the decisions they make. When people feel they have no viable routes, they will do whatever they can to stay safe.

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