elisi's humble abode

What have Keir Starmer’s cabinet members said about LGBTQ+ issues?
(I'm not keen on Starmer, but there are allies in Parliament now???)

Starmer confirms Rwanda deportation plan 'dead'

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If you have any money to spare, masakochan has set up a Go Fund Me for Top Surgery.<3

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And finally, Kerk made me aware of a new Doctor Who reactor. This is not normally news, but he watched the new season FIRST, and has now gone back and started S1. It's fascinating, and he's absolutely delightful. :)

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ETA: How could I forget! kaffy_r posted fic: Bubble Tea
Summary: Summary: The Doctor wasn't sure how many plates the mysterious entity that brought them all together could handle, nor could she figure out why all the plates were in the air. What she did know was that she had to get all the plates - her friends and colleagues - safely out of the holding pen in which they found themselves.

(It's a big crossover fic, go have a look if you are curious.)

Via thissterlingcrew:

Petition.parliament.uk: Do not ban transgender people from receiving care in mainstream hospital wards

N.B. that trans people in the UK have been treated on the appropriate wards for their genders for at least 40 years. That's how far back they want to turn the clock.

UK links:

From Stonewall: Support trans youth: Respond to the government consultation

The consultation closes on 12 March - please follow the link above for guidance.

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Really useful link for getting in touch with your representatives (councillors, MP etc):

https://www.writetothem.com/

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US link - Petition:

Biden: Stop the Destruction of Gaza

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And unrelated to everything:

London Overground rail lines get names and colours to ease navigation

They're just very neat.

Via Mermaids:

NHS England is proposing that puberty blockers only be available to trans youth through a mandatory, long-term research study – and only to a small group of people.

They have put this idea out for consultation, meaning that the public (you!) can provide feedback.

This is a window in which change is possible, but only with public pressure.

You can take action to ensure trans children and young people can access the care they need, by responding to NHS England’s consultation. The consultation closes on Wednesday 1 November.

Direct link: https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/puberty-suppressing-hormones/

And here is a links from Mermaids with more info:

NHS England is trying to further limit trans youth’s healthcare: Here’s how you can take action

The problem with writing going well is that it is all I want to do, and I keep not doing other things I ought to be doing.

(It has been so long since writing was going well that I had literally forgotten this feeling. All I've had for like, years, is Why will this thing not behave?!?)

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Anyway, have a petition:

Protect trans kids

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Also I need to catch up on comments (see above, sorry for being slow), and I hope everyone has a good weekend in this crazy world we live in.

I was totally going to write a proper post, but this is all for now...

Scrap Voter ID

Stop the passing of the Online Safety Bill

(Further info: The UK’s Online Safety Bill undermines everyone’s safety)

We Demand Universal Free School Meals

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Good causes:

Avaaz (Avaaz is a global web movement to bring people-powered politics to decision-making everywhere.)

UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

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ETA: And an article via Kerk:

BEHIND EVERY J.K. ROWLING DEFENSE

RIP Paul O'Grady. The world is a bit more grey now.

Story that probably everyone has seen by now: Paul O’Grady’s historic Lily Savage arrest: Late star was handcuffed in homophobic police raid

ETA:



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Very interesting video:

The Queer Erasure of Asexuality (A Discussion)

Very good video, although it seemed mostly stuff I knew until they got to Aegosexuality which I had literally never heard of before. (In short: It's all in your head. I.e. you like a smutty fic but have zero interest in trying any of it yourself: your fantasies never involve yourself. I have a feeling there are probably a lot of us in fandom.)

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Petitions:

Hands off our NHS: Say NO to a tax on sickness!

Stop businesses getting away with human rights abuses

Tell the UK government to stop new oil and gas fields

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Youtube videos:

every doctor who story described by community (2005-2022)
This is incredible. (with many thanks to my dedicated lurker for sending it my way.)

RIVER SONG!?! | Doctor Who - Season 4 Episode 8 (REACTION) 4x08 "Silence in the Library"
This is one of the most delightful reactions I've ever seen. :)

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RL has been very busy (with good things!), I will try to write an update at some point.

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Oh and the wannabe dictator in one of the colonies has been indicted? People seem very excited about this.

Do not remove LGBT content from the Relationships Education curriculum

Reverse the decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

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And a few random links:

https://mcmansionhell.com/

^this is such a delightful thing. A bit like realestateagentphotos, but just with rich people houses. And goes to prove that you can't buy taste.

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Really nice article. Minor spoilers. I want to watch it again...

I’ll tell you ’bout the Fool on the Hill… Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion” pondered.

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Daily Dimash: Menıñ Qazaqstanym (Anthem of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

Dimash just posted this a few hours ago, and it must be said that Kazakhstan has one of the awesomest national anthems in the world. Obvs this one is Dimash singing, and he could make anything sound good, but it's just such a great melody. It's big and inspiring and tuneful.



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Of course I am biased towards the Faroese anthem, which is more meaningful to me (I like the Danish one, but it's a bit... twee?). There are not a lot of versions on youtube, but I rather like this one and the translation is mostly correct:



Týr have recorded a version, but it's instrumental only. However it showcases how good the tune is:



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Personal opinion: England should scrap God Save the Queen King - it's slow and dreary - and just bite the bullet and declare Jerusalem the official anthem. It's big and bombastic and properly great. (And weird, yes, but let's go with 'And did those feet-' and the satanic mills. Eccentric is good.)

Today, the UK Government put into motion plans to impose unprecedented restrictions on trans people's rights.

This is a spiteful attack on trans people who want to make their lives in Britain.

Act now. Call on the UK Gov to show trans people respect ⬇️https://t.co/kWlpCaiMXe

— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) January 9, 2023

If you follow the link there is an easy letter template that you can use to email your MP.

Statement/explanation here.

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In other news then Darcy has covid. Guess it's a sign of the times that my main reaction is that this is very inconvenient, and being annoyed that I had to work from home for the last two days. (I mean, it makes sense to stay away from people, but working from home is just inconvenient when everyone else is in the office...) Anyway, he's doing as well as can be expected, and better than previous occasions /I hope I have not jinxed it

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Two petitions for UK peeps:

Remove anti-protest measures from the Public Order Bill

Protect sex workers from harm: stop criminalising us for trying to make a living

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And a charity:

Buy Christmas Gifts for Refugees