120 Comments

This is so lovely.

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Thought you meant Helen Joyce. Was surprised to learn that you had never met your Helen...the "Mess We're In" Helen...in person. What a wonderful pic! What joy!

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Graham .. if it’s possible to do civilian knighthoods .. in my mind you are Sir Graham :) the fact that you are here, fighting for what is fair, ultimately loving, whilst rightly calling out bullshit and decent and retaining your humility and humour .. I say to my husband .. you are basically a bit of a saint imho

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Yup, I admire and support you HUGELY, Graham 😀

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Yeah indeed, what a guy… !

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That's so lovely!

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Hi Helen. Just want to say thank you. You and the gang cheer us up when there's no-one we can talk to about this stuff. I left a comment on Glinner's other thread, where he mentions the Ray Blanchard interview.

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Oh that's lovely. She's so small - don't squish her!!

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I think Graham is quite big, not that Helen is small *resists small/faraway comment* but in any case, yes lovely!!

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Yes, I was a wee bit worried too ... :)

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Absolutely overjoyed that LGB Alliance were praised by the Government for all the hard work they’re doing and for their achievements. ✊🏻 My journalist friend met you today. I’m jealous 😉 lovely to see you and Helen together. Thanks GL, for everything you do for Women and common decency.

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I really wanted to be there, but I went to FiLiA instead. 7 hour train journey Fri, ditto Monday, three nights hotel accommodation, I spent £450 on that alone , plus ticket to FiLiA, plus food for the weekend.

No way I could go to LGBA conference two days later, particularly as I would have had to stay a night either side?

Perhaps some co ordination between the various charities /groups to spread out the conferences would be a good idea?

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Maybe we need to co-ordinate more - offer rooms for protests/confs, car shares etc?

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Yes, a good idea, I'm sure I am not the only person to have faced this dilemma!

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Great ideas. Slight, but not insurmountable issue is local councils or services supporting or refusing to allow publicity or branding and marketing. And preventing those who may benefit from attending. I know a few do sponsor a place (like sending a book to an MP) and maybe there could be more of that?

I recently travelled to a short course and was one of a few who had travelled a fair way and there were discounts to encourage local people to attend as day attendees. Worth it but I spent a grand.

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Good idea. I’m going to Belfast Nov 7th for Lyra McKee film - anyone got a settee for the night?! Can reciprocate occasionally - good access to Manchester

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That’s dedication ❤️

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Thank you, FiLiA was well worth it, an amazing weekend.

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Beautiful picture! Two absolute stars and forever shining inspirations. It was a wonderful day with amazing panels and speakers, cheered with standing ovations and constant bursts of applause. I've never clapped so much or looked at a stage with eyes that couldn't help but be moist :-) And a conference full of incredible people! I was so pleased I met some in person after listening to them or reading their words here and on Twitter. Great regret I couldn't get to met you Graham but I had to leave to pick up my daughter from school. But she's one of the reasons I try to be an ally and also to support your fine work. It was a privilege today to support the LGB Alliance, women and girls - and I'm inspired to do more.

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Wonderful!

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Excellent! Get a lesbian or bisexual woman on your show with you two. ;)

I'm super-bi. #JustSaying LMAO. Seriously. Something needs to change after the last one x Love the ahua/energy here.

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Morning Rex from Nottingham, England. You made my day, with that F*** Off video. 🥰 absolutely brilliant 👏

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You should definitely be a regular! You are my new favourite person, I wish I had an ounce of your don’t give a fuck energy in real life.

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It's easy when you got nothin' to lose, as such. I'm on the bottom, see, no job to take away, complex PTSD/MH issues, coming up against these wankstains is a #WalkinthePark after some of my life ;)

Courage calls to courage. I hope we can all share the strength to get this shit erased x

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Rex you too have incredible energy, you people all make me more hopeful for the future.

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Rex, my God you have a great funny turn of phrase. Love from me and husband in the UK.

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Rex I somehow can't believe you are real but you are and it's wonderful!! :-)

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Awww, it doesn't get much more real than an angry native with reckons! ;) xx

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Omg the anticipation for when they meet Arty!!

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OMG THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I’ve seen! I’m crying!

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I felt the same…and you are not alone! A hug to you.

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That’s very very moving to see …

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OMG you both look utterly adorable! You both ARE utterly adorable! And brave and moral and examples to us all.

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Wish I could have been there. Right now it feels like one step forward, five steps back. I guess people - 'They' - are getting worried because the pushback and hatred seems to be dialling up massively, day after day. Not sure if I can bear it. My poor nerves ...

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I'm in twitter jail today for hate speech athough they haven't specified exactly what yet. I'm pretty careful so guessing it's because I said Rachel Levine isn't female. No way am I withdrawing that comment! I think we're going to be facing a big backlash - the whole thing is starting to crumble but it's a dangerous moment.

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Yes, it's like leaving the abusive husband. The last few hours or days are the most dangerous times.

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Agree - that it is the perfect analogy for the coming weeks and months. Let's just hope we're not talking years!

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And for a while after :-(

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I had no idea you’d never met Helen either. Didn’t think yesterday could have got any better but it just did. Really touching 😍.

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