A Week in the War on Women: Monday 10th October - Sunday 16th October GOOD NEWS SUPPLEMENT
An absolutely jam-packed edition of good news from the gender beat this week. Enjoy! (Sorry, it’s so late, everyone! My fault!—Graham)
Draco Was The Good Guy All Along
Harry Potter star, Tom Felton, has praised JK Rowling in an interview with The Times.
“No one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life. I’m constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person… she has always been lovely. So I’m very grateful for that.”
They See Her Rowling
And speaking of JK Rowling, The Telegraph published an article pointing out that every day brings further vindication of her ‘brave trans stance’.
“As the curtain is being lifted on an intolerant and extreme gender ideology, each day seems to bring increasing vindication for JK Rowling. And an awful lot of people owe her an apology.” (That goes double for Graham, of course.)
Miriam On Mermaids
Miriam Cates MP raised the Mermaids issue at Prime Minister’s Questions and suggested the charity should face a police investigation.
“For years, despite whistle-blowers raising alarm, Mermaids has had unfettered access to vulnerable children. Does my right honourable friend agree that it has taken far too long for these concerns to be taken seriously and does she also agree that it is high time for a police investigation into the activity of Mermaids and its staff?”
The following day Miriam Cates appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour to explain why her question was so necessary.
“This is an enormous safeguarding scandal that we have missed for years. I’m pleased it’s coming to light but we need to go the full way and investigate it.”
The Scales Continue To Fall
While we’re on the subject of Mermaids, there were a number of stories in the press this week demonstrating that people are catching on.
Parents whose children have used Mermaids have made complaints to the Charity Commission.
The Department for Education has removed all reference to Mermaids from its list of resources for schools and those working with children and young people.
There was a very illuminating article in The Times on how ‘Mermaids’ fishy links’ are causing a ‘stink’ for the Scottish government’s self ID bill.
This article also mentions that BBC Children in Need have suspended their funding of Mermaids while the organisation is under investigation.
The Telegraph reported that NHS staff are being instructed not to promote
“Health bosses have told front line staff not to publicise the work of the transgender rights charity Mermaids in information material for patients, following a series of controversies involving the group.”
And while we’re on the subject of the NHS, new draft guidelines for the care of gender-distressed children and teenagers will increase oversight and safeguarding.
Lisa Still A Heroine
Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Lisa Townsend, has often been lambasted by gender zealots for her stalwart defence of women’s sex-based rights and services. This week she has helped to secure just under £1million in government funding to help fight violence against women and girls in the county.
“Perpetrators of domestic abuse inflict devastating harm in our communities, and we must do everything we can to end the cycle before it can begin. That is why it’s brilliant news that we’ve been able to secure this funding, which will join the dots between schools and services.”
Kudos To The Countess
Excellent news from Ireland regarding the wording of its maternity legislation.
The word ‘woman’ has been reinstated in The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022, thanks in no small part to the @TheCountessIE @SenatorKeogan @WomensSpaceIre and @ireland_womens.
The Not So Good At Law Project
The Stonewall and Good Law Project driven attempt to strip the EHRC of its United Nations top-tier ranking has failed.
Stonewall and Jolyon Maugham’s Good Law Project led a bid to get The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Britain’s equality watchdog, downgraded from its UN A-status. They alleged that the EHRC’s defence of women’s sex-based spaces etc means it does not protect trans rights. Their attempt was rejected.
One Whitehall source told The Telegraph, “The groups who need the EHRC the most are keen to drive it down because one of them isn’t leading it. But they have failed.”
Broadcast News
Rachel Rooney’s delightful children’s book, The Worrying Worries, is going to be on the telly!
The book will be read on a new My5 channel as part of a show called Milkshake. Tune in on Tuesday 25th October at 9.15am.
Sedaris breaks for the fence!
Let’s end with a laugh; the brilliant and hilarious David Sedaris on identity culture and the word ‘queer’.
“From here on out, I’m as straight as they come. But with a boyfriend.”
Love David Sedaris’ video!!
Great to start the day with a smile and a bit of hope. Thanks JL love these posts so much.