A Week in the War on Women: Monday 8th May - Sunday 14th May GOOD NEWS SUPPLEMENT

IMAGE CREDIT: @heartofechos

Yet another jam-packed edition full of good news from the gender beat. Enjoy!

Worthy of Respect

Rianne Vogels, who is described as ‘Norway’s Maya Forstater’, has won her legal case for unfair dismissal after she was sacked for her gender critical views.

In 2022 Rianne Vogels was fired from her job as head of strategy and finance at non-profit organization, Papillon. She had discussed the harms caused by gender identity ideology on social media resulting in accusations of bigotry and transphobia.

Vogels took legal action against her employer and in what has been described as a ‘landmark victory’, she has won her case and been awarded NOK 60,00 (approximately £4,500) in compensation for unfair dismissal plus her legal costs.

IMAGE CREDIT: @MForstater

According to the judgement, “Most statements that Vogels has made, directly or indirectly, in the debate about gender identity, must be considered factual… The court does not find that the statements made by Vogels on Twitter are transphobic”.

On Yer Bike

Michael Engleman, the race director of the Tour of the Gila, has spoken out about the inclusion of trans-identified males in women’s cycling competitions.

Engleman has criticised the International Cycling Union (UCI) over its policy and its failure to take decisive action.

According to The Telegraph, “It marks the most dramatic intervention yet by a cycling executive in the transgender debate, raising the alarm that both female athletes and sponsors are walking away.”

Sex Matters In Westminster

The UK Parliament has decided to debate the petition set up by Sex Matters. MPs will discuss the possibility of amending the Equality Act 2010 to clarify the definition of ‘sex’. It’s happening at Westminster on 12th June.

It is crucial that MPs understand the strength of feeling on this issue so, if you’re in the UK, please do get in touch with your MP and ask them to take part in the debate. Sex Matters have provided a contact form and the text of an email you can use to make getting in touch quick and easy.

Cherry Takes A Stand

Award for the swiftest climbdown of the week has to go to The Stand comedy club in Edinburgh. Joanna Cherry KC instigated legal action against The Stand after it cancelled her Edinburgh fringe appearance there.

Her lawyers wrote to the venue, pointing out that it had no legal basis for its actions and offering it an opportunity to apologise and reinstate the event.

Joanna Cherry said, “I hope my actions in defending myself will give courage to everyone particularly women who wish to express views on legitimate issues of public interest. That is the very job of a politician & one of the reasons I entered politics.”

Quicker than you could say ‘reverse ferret’, The Stand stood down. It offered Joanna Cherry an unreserved apology, admitted its decision amounted to ‘unlawful discrimination’ and reinstated her appearance, no doubt to the great chagrin of the blue-haired pronoun wankers now sulking in the box office.

100K Have Peaked

Since her return to Twitter after being banned for several years, Kellie-Jay Keen, aka @ThePosieParker, has amassed over 100,000 followers, meaning the message is getting out there and reaching thousands of people.

The hashtag #100KHavePeaked gave women on Twitter - such as Becca Robbodactyl 377, Stoat and Shropshire Wendy - an opportunity to share their stories.

Leaving Them Kids Alone In Missouri

Legislators in Missouri have approved new laws which will protect children from so-called ‘gender affirming’ medicalisation.

The House passed the bill banning the provision of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery to treat gender-related issues in minors.

Furthermore, the House also approved another bill which will ban trans-identified males from competing on female sports teams in schools and colleges.

Governor Mike Parson is expected to sign both bills into law imminently.

Barnes Storming

Hannah Barnes’ book, Time to Think, about the failure of the Tavistock, has been shortlisted for the 2023 Orwell Prize for Political Writing.

Huge congratulations and best of luck, Hannah!

And Finally…