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Melissa Harker

@melissa.green
470 followers 166 following 442 posts

Green Party Cllr in Gateshead, and member of Green Party Council. @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk Co-Chair. 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈

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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 12/09/2026
Of course this meant that Kai could have not been elected, but there were other people on the ballot who were supported by GWD previously. I may have considered running if it wasn't for my inexperience with GPC, and for the fact that it's a thankless job that largely attracts extreme abuse.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 12/09/2026
One thing I think is useful with the discussion about Kai being Co-Chair is that like with everywhere else in the party, Co-Chairs of GPC are gender balanced. In the latest round of elections, we had three people run, of which were different genders from each other.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 12/09/2026
Before Kai was elected as Co-Chair, indeed.
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Richie Daiches Barlow @thedogwalker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Quite emotional… Been out delivering my very first Newsletter as a campaigner for Green Party in Whinfield. Meeting so many residents who were all incredibly lovely even when some were of other political leaning. Aged 9 trafficked nationwide by peadophiles. Now, a campaigner to make a difference.
Me holding a Whinfield Green Party newsletter with my picture on it.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 11/09/2026
Always great to be outside this time of the year. Cool enough not to be cooking, warm enough not to be freezing.
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LGBTIQA+ Greens @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk · 11/09/2026
Congratulations Zack. Let's make Holborn and St Pancras Green!
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 11/09/2026
It's very infuriating, and it's why we definitely need to be given the tools to dismantle and seriously question this framing!
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LGBTIQA+ Greens @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk · 10/09/2026
Late Motion to Conference to unfreeze gender-affirming surgeries in Wales: autumnconf2026.greenparty.org.uk/std/Unfreeze... We need 50 co-proposers, ideally by midnight.
autumnconf2026.greenparty.org.uk
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
(I should have mentioned that this was after Kai, who I believe was elected late 2024!)
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
I was elected earlier this year, around June, for the North East region.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
Agreed. I am so over cis people who just want us to have transphobes explain themselves like this is fourth grade debate class and the stakes are that you look a little red faced at the end of it.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
Specifically, there are 28 members of GPC that can vote. Only 20 can vote on suspensions. All GPC decisions I have seen require 9 votes to be sufficiently quorate.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
My understanding is that this is absolutely the case - the endorsement came when he stood against people that specific hate groups like GWD absolutely hated. I've seen seemingly good people get endorsements from GWD just because they're standing against someone they hate.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
I agree, and it's something in both instances, where I feel a bit of a easier-read version of such documents would be helpful. Of course, with these things you often also need to deal with parts where it's not so clear, like the use of "should" and "can" over "must" or "will".
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
I do feel like I am often wanting when it comes to information on websites. I get the teams are stretched, but I really like what we did in @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk with our ruling documents: lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk/about-us/doc...
lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk
Documentation - LGBTIQA+ Greens
LGBTIQA+ Greens documentation: constitution, code of conduct, management group terms of reference and election regulations. PDFs available.
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Ed Poole @edpoole1975.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I spoke to Kat Bristow and Melissa Harker from LGBTIQA+ Greens about conference motions A116: End political capture of the EHRC and create a truly Independent Equality & Human Rights Authority and A12: Oppose Gender-Based Blanket Bans in Sport. youtu.be/J_eySTo4LW4?...
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
Some information about the GPC is published at greenparty.org.uk/about/people.... I wonder whether, during my tenure on GPC, we could create a publicly available document explaining in more detail how we work!
greenparty.org.uk
The Green Party Council (GPC) - Green Party
Green Party Council (GPC) was formed at Autumn Conference 2025 to replace the Green Party Regional Council (GPRC). They work alongside the Executive (GPEx) and other national GPEW party committees. Th...
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
I've been responding to my friends, colleagues and the public when they have written in about generic questions regarding the GPC, and every time I reply I feel people know and understand more about the party than they did before.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/09/2026
One thing that the last few days have made clear is that there's a very real gap in publicly available information about how the Green Party Council (GPC) works within the @greenparty.org.uk, and that a clear explainer of its roles, powers and processes would ease a lot of confusion.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Ed Miliband’s statement on Israel is only a first step. We need to go further: a full ban on goods, services & investment. Labour is still shamefully refusing to recognise the Gaza genocide. We must have a full arms embargo, full sanctions & an end to military collaboration.
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LGBTIQA+ Greens @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk · 06/09/2026
There has been some uninformed speculation in the media about the Green Party’s disciplinary processes. Rightly, LGBTIQA+ Greens has no knowledge about any specific incidents and we would not comment on any individual case, but we are able to make the following things clear: 1/4
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Christyn Parkes @parkesland.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
She really takes the piss in this interview. Later on, when addressing Brown's racebaiting questions about migration, she says something about men being 98% of sexual assault but people shouldn't fear men because of it. That's the exact opposite of how that framing is used contra trans people.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 16/08/2026
I am hoping that this motion, like B1 at the Young Greens Conference (which called on the Young Greens to re-affirm their commitment to fight for trans youth), will pass with flying colours. Here's hoping.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 16/08/2026
Like Spring Conference, I have a motion - A12 - to Autumn Conference, calling for the end of blanket bans of trans people from sporting categories. One of the mechanisms in which we can end these bans are to make sporting bodies and their decision-making processes public and transparent.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 14/08/2026
Of course, my thoughts are with his friends and, importantly, his family. They did not deserve this. Jason did not deserve this.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 14/08/2026
Nine days ago, Jason said "speculation and public commentary" had taken a profound toll on him and loved ones. The same media class get to announce his death. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Remember that next time the same media class morally grandstands about "protecting children".
bbc.co.uk
Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead
Jason Arday was found "unresponsive" at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon, officials said.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 14/08/2026
It would appear sending an alert warning about wildfires about two months late'll do it for the Government...
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 14/08/2026
Two derailments in the same number of days. Grass suffering from drought so badly that you'd be mistaken it wasn't sand from a distance. The climate crisis is here. The important question is what those in power are going to be doing about it. I'll put my bets on "nothing".
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 09/08/2026
Richie had a brilliant speech yesterday right after mine at #darlingtonpride but of course people hear his story of abuse at the hands of the cis people in his life, and they deflect onto trans people. Solidarity with you Richie, you absolutely smashed it, and amazing response.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 05/08/2026
I do agree that the Comms team needs more trans voices. We need the Greens to be more vocal on the EHRC.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 28/07/2026
Playing Splatoon Raiders... damn this game is colourful.
The image shows a background that is bright orange with blue-grey accents which are squiggly lines. The character is an octoling from the franchise, and is wearing RCA cables to keep their hair containers. They're holding a mint green book and wearing bright red trousers. It's clear they are in the air while striking a pose.

This is a stage clear screen (this might not be too obvious for those not seeing this ALT text)
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LGBTIQA+ Greens @lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk · 26/07/2026
A short statement following the events in Berlin yesterday.
White on black text throughout.

Statement reads:

The thoughts of LGBTIQA+ Greens are with CSD Berlin - Berlin Pride following the attack last night in Tiergarten, Berlin.

Pride events should be safe for all attendees, and no one should be injured or harmed.

Our thoughts are with the victims, family and friends of those affected.

LGBTIQA+ Greens stand in solidarity with the German LGBTIQA+ community at this difficult time.

End of statement. White Green Party logo, and imprint:

Promoted by LGBTIQA+ Greens (Green Party) PO Box Green Party, London SE1P 6YL
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 25/07/2026
It was great to get to speak at Newcastle Pride after being invited to do so by Curious Arts, who are the organisers of the event. It seemed like it was potentially going to rain at one point, but there was no raining on our parade!
A banner for "Newcastle Pride" in front of a crowd. To the right of the shot is a stage with equipment, with flags on the two microphone stands.
There is a lot of people, cameras and rainbow banners.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 19/07/2026
The motion also says that wherever someone is on the gender spectrum, they are that gender - trans women are women, trans men are men, non-binary people are non-binary, but also agender people are agender, and implicitly invites other interpretations/labels.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 19/07/2026
I am so happy to see my motion at @younggreens.bsky.social Convention pass unanimously, with 95 votes for and 0 against, which calls on the Young Greens to stand firmly with trans youth, and to oppose attacks on them.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 18/07/2026
Uh huh... Uh huh... Interesting. Tell me more about how trans women are apparently a threat to women's safety.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 17/07/2026
I believe it's because the seat contested was one from an earlier election than 2026, but they used 2026 as the basis for the relative vote change.
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⚢ Wheypenwifestre 🔆 @nizzy.cc · 14/07/2026
A friend of mine is running in the Newcastle marathon to raise money for @notaphaseorg.bsky.social, please share and donate. Link below! tilt.fyi/buOkQdHJvT
tilt.fyi
Tiltify - Made for Fundraisers
We give you the tools to engage with your donors and raise more for your charity
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 13/07/2026
I am so pleased to have signed this, and I think anyone who wants to protect LGBT+ rights should do the same!
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 13/07/2026
Promoted by Pam Woolner on behalf ot the Green Party, c/o PO Box Green Party, London SE1P 6YL
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 10/07/2026
Reform beat Labour by 5 votes in High Fell in Gateshead. Properly close. It's far closer than it was in May. There was the added unknown of there being a Tory this time.
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Richie Daiches Barlow @thedogwalker.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Let me be very clear on this. Attitudes like this by Robinson will harm innocent people & put children in direct harm. I was trafficked by peadophiles for four entire years simply because of attitudes like this when I was a child & my community was targeted. www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...
gazettelive.co.uk
Richie's childhood torture by mum for being gay and abuse by paedophiles
Richie Barlow was handed into care by his homophobic mum, where he says he was sexually assaulted and trafficked to a paedophile ring
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 04/07/2026
Very excited to get to work representing the North East region on this important committee. Thanks for your hard work over the years @miketually.bsky.social, and good luck in Darlington!
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 01/07/2026
I attended a People's Emergency Briefing this evening. I was the only councillor in the room. It felt great to listen to people, and my contributions about how people can help councillors such as myself went down incredibly well.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 30/06/2026
On the final day of Pride Month, a local publication has published a story about me (and it's positive) and my win in Gateshead. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
chroniclelive.co.uk
Region's first openly trans councillor on the Green Party and 'wild' election
Melissa Harker was elected to represent the people of Bridges in Gateshead on May 7
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 30/06/2026
Who needs infrastructure when you can just spend more on the military? This is before you realise that some people consider modern day war tactics would be to undermine infrastructure.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 26/06/2026
YouTube, it's an indie animation project!
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 26/06/2026
I finally got around to watching The Amazing Digital Circus this week and what a rollercoaster of emotions. It's quite rare for an animated show to really get the tears going. Some of the characters and the themes are too damn relatable.
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Melissa Harker @melissa.green · 25/06/2026
Oh, and we're just blatantly going to write this in such a way that gender affirming care can be deemed to be "conversion practices" with the clause b(i). Got it.
A screenshot of the government's draft bill on "ending conversion practices" which reads:

(2) “Conversion practice” means (subject to subsection (3)) any conduct carried out by a person towards an individual with the intention of—

(a) causing the individual—
(i) to have or not to have,
(ii) to believe that they have or do not have,
a sexual orientation or a particular sexual orientation; or

(b) causing the individual—
(i) to have or not to have,
(ii) to believe that they have or do not have,
a transgender identity or a particular transgender identity.
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