It strikes me that, even if you are anti GRA, you would surely still have enough empathy to take a minute of your day to say ‘it’s horrible people have died because of anti-trans hate and violence’ Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). A day which people within and outwith the trans and LGBTQ+ community, […]
Author: Val Waldron
Failure to Plan = Planning to Fail by David McClemont
I want them to look so far outside the box for threats that it generates furious letters to the Daily Mail when they find out the government is spending money on a plan for a Zombie Apocalypse. Let me take you back to the summer of 1999, Eiffel65 were number 1 in the charts, The […]
Hubble Bubble…..
“If you can imagine a debate raging in a bubble, well there are a few of those fragile things floating around back and forth over the border. List parties, George Galloway, English Nationalism, raving mad back-benchers with a penchant for Covid scepticism, the Withdrawal Act and other hideously cataclysmic Brexit related futures to name but […]
This Is Not Over
There’s another layer above the real and fantasised darkness, and it’s a good one. It involves people working away at the grass roots with and for their community. BBC Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams lives in a world where it’s fine to introduce her “Rule of 6” call-in with the comment “I know dozens of people […]
BINARY IS BLIND by Mairi Jack
BINARY IS BLIND White is pure, black is not Lessons from the west, taught subtly From colours binary, but why White should be the good guy, who knows. Sure winters’ frosty sky brings snow Then carpets of Spring snowdrops grow. Virgin white bride’s veil flows Though most of her guests know – she’s not! […]
The World Through A Window
There’s a wistfulness in the air. We’re no longer marvelling at clear skies above China and translucent blue canals in Venice. We’re watching from behind the sofa as death rates continue to rise around the globe, and fluctuations occur, leading to second, or even third wave and Lockdown periods, such as in Hong Kong and […]
Queer Spaces: Opportunities & Threats by Luke Campbell
We may have been in various phases of lockdown across Europe over recent months, yet queer politics remains an ever present issue for we L.Q.B.T.Q.+ folk, but seemingly also for those who police and legislate our lives. Advancing the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland to protect and safeguard the lives of trans folk has been […]
Will ‘Max The Yes’ Independence Voting Work? by Mike Moss
Will using our list vote for one of the new independence parties increase the number of independence supporting MSPs in the next Holyrood election? Spoiler alert, no. If your only concern in voting on the list is to vote for an independence supporting party, then in general we should use our list vote in the […]
You’re Muted
Warning We are approaching 2020 As you leave the craft, collect hand sanitizer, a mask, And a full-face visor for your one task Which you must accept To prevent contamination Now fear not, for you will also find some peace. A short respite from the warring, starving nations Who must now repel disease. And […]
Just Another Cog In The Wheel by Hilary Long
“It is poverty that robs children of life chances be they health, education, unsafe communities, food insecurity and poor housing.” Schools have now been closed for the vast majority of children since 20th March. They won’t be re opening until August at the earliest. Coronavirus has dominated the headlines from a health point of view […]