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Valeria Rocca

@vrocca.bsky.social
109 followers 188 following 11 posts

Investigative journalist | @Vice @Bittercreek @BylineTimes @TBIJ @brazenFM @NovelPodcasts @BBC @WonderyMedia and more | BJA 2024 finalist

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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Gareth Davies @garethtbij.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The investigation, by @sasha98.bsky.social & @vrocca.bsky.social, revealed the connections between Bayswater and then Conservative MP Miriam Cates. They later reported that Health Secretary Wes Streeting had met with and expressed sympathy for the group
thebureauinvestigates.com
The parents group at the centre of a rollback of trans rights
A Conservative MP enlisted Bayswater Support Group in push back on trans education in schools
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 23/09/2025
Of course, this is not the first time @wearequeeraf.com has made government ministers aware of these allegations, as we did in this reporting by @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Sarah Clarke - Not your doll @damselindystopia.northsky.social · 22/07/2025
[CN: descriptions of emotional and psychological abuse] I think this behaviour would be pretty clearly recognised as abusive if it were directed at cis children and young adults. Do it to trans CYP and @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social will sit down to have a chat about policy with you.
While this may appear unrelated to him being trans, Noah says in his mother’s mind, the two are intimately connected. “She said that she didn't actually want me to get the grades that I wanted because it would mean going off to uni, and that she kind of hoped that I would fail so she'd have more time to desist me.”

Noah believes her fear has led his mother to attempt to sabotage his A levels, embroiling him in regular hours-long arguments that distract him from his studies.Charlotte’s mother has been more successful in creating barriers between them and their extended family, weaponising the idea that trans people are dangerous to children to prevent them seeing their niece.

“My mum told me that as long as I present as Charlotte I'm not allowed to see her, because it's not fair on the child to be caught in this situation,” they said. “I don't feel comfortable talking to that side of the family because I know how much my mum talks and what my mum says.”When he came out for the second time, his mum’s abuse intensified. “When people would identify me as male in public, things really took a turn,” said Liam. He recalls his mother “shouting at me, shouting at people in public, shouting at trans people in public”.Charlotte’s parents have become an overbearing presence in their life. “[My mum] wakes up at three or four in the morning to send me these long text messages about how terrible me being trans is,” they said.

The messages also repeatedly deadname Charlotte. “The hardest thing is when [I say] please use this name for me, and I’m being very firm about it, she tells me she's going to ring the Samaritans because she's so depressed,” they said.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Jamie Wareham @jamiewareham.co.uk · 25/07/2025
Excellent reporting by @sasha98.bsky.social and ‪‪‪@vrocca.bsky.social here for @transsafety.network It has a number of first-hand accounts that detail the vile behaviour of parents in the Bayswater group 👇 transsafety.network/posts/my-par...
transsafety.network
“My parents very clearly do not love me”: Children of Bayswater Speak Out
We speak to several children of Bayswater Support Group members. Their experiences highlight the harm groups like Bayswater do to young trans people, and the gateway they provide to broader far-right ...
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Valeria Rocca @vrocca.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
I had the opportunity with @sasha98.bsky.social and @transsafety.network to speak to young trans people whose parents joined the Bayswater Support Group. Their stories show the negative impact that the kind of advice promoted by the group had on their lives transsafety.network/posts/my-par...
transsafety.network
“My parents very clearly do not love me”: Children of Bayswater Speak Out
We speak to several children of Bayswater Support Group members. Their experiences highlight the harm groups like Bayswater do to young trans people, and the gateway they provide to broader far-right ...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Lucy Brisbane Mckay @lucybrisbane.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Devastating details of the everyday harms of anti-trans parent 'support' group Bayswater, both on LGBTQ+ children and young people themselves and the parents who become embroiled. Important continued work from @vrocca.bsky.social & @sasha98.bsky.social for @transsafety.network
transsafety.network
“My parents very clearly do not love me”: Children of Bayswater Speak Out
We speak to several children of Bayswater Support Group members. Their experiences highlight the harm groups like Bayswater do to young trans people, and the gateway they provide to broader far-right ...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Trans Safety Network @transsafety.network · 22/07/2025
The young people who @vrocca.bsky.social and @sasha98.bsky.social spoke to, detailed how their parents tactics became increasingly controlling and abusive the more time that they spent on Bayswater forums.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Trans Safety Network @transsafety.network · 22/07/2025
transsafety.network/posts/my-par... @sasha98.bsky.social and Valeria Rocca spoke to several children of Bayswater members who highlighted the harm the group do to young trans people and the gateway into broader far-right politics that they provide. Content warning: discusses conversion abuse
transsafety.network
“My parents very clearly do not love me”: Children of Bayswater Speak Out
We speak to several children of Bayswater Support Group members. Their experiences highlight the harm groups like Bayswater do to young trans people, and the gateway they provide to broader far-right ...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
sasha baker @sasha98.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
As the political influence of pro-conversion therapy parents continues unabated, @vrocca.bsky.social and I spoke to some of the children and young adults who have been victimised by Bayswater members. CW: child abuse.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Jamie Wareham @jamiewareham.co.uk · 04/02/2025
🆕 Following the exclusive @wearequeeraf.com scoop by @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social - a cross party selection of LGBTQIA+ political groups have called for the health secretary's resignation 👇 www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 03/02/2025
🆕 Health Secretary Wes Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for members of a parents’ group that promotes conversion therapy and has been found to engage in child abuse against trans children, QueerAF can reveal. www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Lucy Brisbane Mckay @lucybrisbane.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
So @tbij.bsky.social with @sasha98.bsky.social & @vrocca.bsky.social exposed Bayswater support group promoting conversion therapy & abusing behaviour. THEN Wes Streeting thought it was a good idea to meet with them & get their advice on the puberty blocker ban. www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
🚨Exclusive: QueerAF has uncovered video of Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents, and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families. Earlier this year the group were exposed as one that abuses trans children 👇 www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
sasha baker @sasha98.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
The ministerial meetings records released on Thursday (after we filed copy) show Streeting met with Bayswater again in government, less than a month after we revealed the extent of their abuse and links to Tory politicians.
Government records showing that Wes Streeting met with Bayswater Support Group, as well as Genspect, CAN-SG, Integrated Psychology Clinic, LGB Alliance and Transgender trend on 31/07/24 'to discuss gender policy issues'.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
With the tireless work of queer journalists, our small but mighty non-profit LGBTQIA+ publisher is holding the highest offices in the UK to account 💪 We need your help to keep that work up 🏳️‍🌈 If you value stories like this, please support our Crowdfunder 👇 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/queeraf2025/
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QueerAF's LGBT+ History Month crowdfunder
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QueerAF, the UK’s beloved queer newsletter and largest advocate of queer creatives, needs your help to stay strong and fighting for you

£665 of £5000 target
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
Real trans kids demanding autonomy take a sledgehammer to this carefully constructed image. No wonder Streeting refuses to listen to them. www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
When he professes his empathy for trans youth, he frames it around his having wrestled with his own sexuality. In doing so, Streeting reveals that he conceives of trans youth as abject, in need of sympathetic authority figures to guide them towards the right decisions.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
14/ Our take: @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social Not giving agency to, or legitimising the opinions of, the children whose rights are at stake suits Streeting’s agenda.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
Bayswater’s access to power relies on rendering their children as political pawns. Its status as a parents’ group lends it authority, even though most members would never admit to their children that they are part of the group.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
Streeting has met with trans children, but only alongside their parents or adult campaigners. Their presence helps Streeting to maintain the belief that trans kids lack the agency and maturity to make consequential decisions.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
13/ Analysis First, it emphasises the reluctance of UK institutions to recognise trans and young people as victims of a climate of hate that has pervaded British society. But it is also telling that Streeting refuses to meet with one of the only groups of trans kids organising on their own.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
12/ Analysis by @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social Bayswater being invited to participate in the puberty blocker ban consultation so shortly after the extent of their abuse towards trans children was exposed in the press reveals two things:
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
11/ Community Reaction: A spokesperson for Trans Kids Deserve Better, told QueerAF they were “absolutely appalled” by Streeting's actions. They were not invited to participate in consultation despite being one of the only organised groups made up of people directly impacted by the ban.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
10/ A DHSC spokesperson: Declined to respond to any of our questions about Streeting or the department's relationship with Bayswater Support Group, but insisted the government's approach to trans healthcare was "putting young people's safety first".
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
9/ Wes Streeting banned Puberty Blockers Eight explicitly anti-transgender groups were featured in the consultation, and despite 59% of groups opposing making the order permanent - Streeting sided with the 27% who supported it. www.wearequeeraf.com/puberty-bloc...
wearequeeraf.com
Puberty Blocker ban consultation featured eight explicitly anti-trans groups
Analysis of the targeted consultation about the ban shows anti-trans groups were heavily featured.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
8/ The group took part in the Puberty Blocker consultation Just a month after the TBIJ investigation, Bayswater was invited to take part in a consultation on an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for trans kids by the Department for Health and Social Care. www.wearequeeraf.com/puberty-bloc...
wearequeeraf.com
Puberty Blocker ban consultation featured eight explicitly anti-trans groups
Analysis of the targeted consultation about the ban shows anti-trans groups were heavily featured.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
7/ Examples of the abuse Bayswater Parents do They spoke about sending their children to non-affirming therapists, cutting them off from supportive friends and teachers, removing their internet access and destroying their gender-affirming medications, clothing and pride flags.
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sasha baker @sasha98.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
I Wrote about Wes Streeting's relationship with Bayswater Support Group, a conversion therapy advocacy group, for @wearequeeraf.com with @vrocca.bsky.social www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Valeria Rocca @vrocca.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
🚨I wrote a piece about Wes Streeting meeting with Bayswater Support Group, a parents group lobbying to pass legislation harming trans people, and promoting anti-trans conversion practices - for @wearequeeraf.com and with @sasha98.bsky.social www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
Jamie Wareham @jamiewareham.co.uk · 01/02/2025
Critical scoop by @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social here for @wearequeeraf.com And the reaction I've seen so far is clear: Outrage that a group that advocates so openly for abuse towards children, has such influence over the health secretary 👇
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
Parents in the group were also engaged in anti-trans conversion practices on their children, as detailed in their private online forum. One parent was observed recognising their actions as "abuse" and proudly proclaiming what they did. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2024...
thebureauinvestigates.com
‘One day they may thank us for that “abuse”’: Inside the Bayswater…
On Discord, parents discussed destroying their children’s belongings and blocking access to Childline to ‘stop’ them being trans
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
6/ Who are Bayswater? In July 2024, @tbij.bsky.social revealed that Bayswater parents, which presents itself as a support group for the parents of trans and nonbinary children, engaged in extensive lobbying. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2024...
thebureauinvestigates.com
The parents group at the centre of a rollback of trans rights
A Conservative MP enlisted Bayswater Support Group in push back on trans education in schools
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
6/ 🏳️‍🌈 Before we go on. This story was first published in our newsletter dedicated to helping you understand LGBTQIA+ news and support queer creatives to change the media. Join 6300+ readers who skip the doom scrolling every Saturday here: www.wearequeeraf.com/subscribe
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
Despite committing the party to an “inclusive” conversion therapy ban in the interview, he added that “having met with Bayswater Parents, I think that's been a – I'd go so far as to say – traumatic experience for some of those families, and that's really stuck with me.”
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
5/ What exactly did Streeting say? In response to a question about ensuring relatives are not held accountable for their actions by Labour’s proposed ban on conversion therapy, the health secretary states that families often felt “cut out of the conversation” about their children’s healthcare.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
4/ When did Streeting say this? Streeting made the comments when he was interviewed by a representative of the ‘What is a Woman’ campaign. Championed by former olympic swimmer Sharon Davies, it was created to ask MPs about their stances on sex and gender in the lead up to the election.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
3/ Why did meeting the group matter? The following month, the Bayswater Parents group was the subject of an exposé revealing that they encouraged abuse towards trans children and advocated for conversion therapy.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
2/ What have we uncovered? In a newly-surfaced interview clip from June 2024, Streeting said he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children had been through.
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
1/ Topline Health Secretary Wes Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for a parents’ group that promotes conversion therapy and engages in child abuse against trans children, QueerAF can reveal. Story by @sasha98.bsky.social and @vrocca.bsky.social www.wearequeeraf.com/revealed-str...
wearequeeraf.com
Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater
QueerAF has uncovered video footage of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he’d met with Bayswater parents and expressed his sympathy for the “traumatic experiences” families with trans children...
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Reposted by Valeria Rocca
QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 01/02/2025
🚨 Revealed: Wes Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater Earlier this year, an investigation exposed how the parents in the group conduct abuse towards their children. This is what we've uncovered 🧵👇
Screenshot of QueerAF news article with headline: Revealed: Streeting met with and expressed sympathy for pro-conversion therapy parents group Bayswater and screenshot of Wes Streeting speaking on the video footage QueerAF has obtained
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