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 […]
Health
My Covid-19 Story Part 2 – Back to School
Since the last time I wrote about my Covid-19 experience for Ungagged my life here in Xiamen (on the south coast of China) has regained a degree of normality. Initially many people were saying things like “normal isn’t really very normal any more”, and the expectation was that the strictly enforced new rules were here […]
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 […]
Fear and Loathing in Tring
We were somewhere around Watford on the edge of up North when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like, “I need a shit… the bowels are at last engaging… maybe you should drive…” And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of lorry tractors […]
The Blame Train
“It’s time to stop the Tutting and the eye-rolling at our neighbours. Let’s be vigilant about where we lay our blame” There’s a muckle great steam train thundering down the track and it’s aflame with blame for all the health, environmental and economic ills, caused by the Pandemic, Lockdown and Lockdown breaches. Simmering under that, […]
Poetry – The Scum Parade
Ah whose got the short straw today lads? Which one of the scum parade have we got today? The one who ran a pyramid scheme? The one who made laws that would kick out her own dad? Another day, another lie. It’s like another 747 falling out the sky. The scum parade get up and […]
A Plague on All Your Houses
Dominic Cumming’s epic confessional puts a new spin on the term “A plague on all your houses.” Well, quite a few of them anyway. Not to mention a few fuel station pumps, public toilets and benches. Correct. He did not mention them. Oh my eyes! The sight of blustering, near sobbing, begging “Svengali” Cummings was […]
Coronavirus has killed the last chance for a Sanders Presidency
On April 9th, following months of wrangling and political machinations, the campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S President ended when Senator Bernie Sanders made the surprising decision to drop out of the race. The decision came after the Supreme Court refused to suspend physical voting in the Wisconsin primary elections due to the Covid-19 […]
Every Street Needs a Trevor
Let me start by quoting E.M. Forster. Ooh, tomorrow – some fool will start the Machine again, tomorrow.” “Never,” said Kuno, “never. Humanity has learned its lesson.” A Doctor friend of mine has been on his social media, pouring scorn on taxi drivers delivering alcohol to alcoholics. I meet Doctor Anon on my daily shuffle […]