Keeping the fire burning
Since it was founded back in November 2011, Wings Over Scotland has been solely financed by its readers. The site has never carried any advertising, we have no secret corporate backers, everything we do is funded by transparent voluntary donations and subscriptions, mostly of a few pounds a month.
We have the freedom to write what we believe, thanks to you, our readers. And since those earliest days, opponents have tried to end that freedom by blocking our funding.
Our crowdfunders were accused by Scottish MSM hacks of being a fraudulent lie.
Unionists and others have repeatedly (unsuccessfully) reported us to HMRC with false allegations of tax evasion. And since we started campaigning against gender ideology almost seven years ago, in January 2018, transactivists in particular have relentlessly tried to shut our fundraising platforms down, sometimes successfully.
The last time we did a crowdfunder to support Wings’ work, a little over two years ago, Ko-Fi shut the page down after a concerted barrage of complaints from transactivists, openly stating that “anti-trans material” was the reason.
That is of course unequivocally unlawful discrimination, as per Forstater vs CGD Europe, but Ko-Fi blackmailed us against taking legal action by saying they’d keep paying subs if we didn’t sue them, they just wouldn’t let any more be taken out.
Fighting in court would have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds we didn’t have, and taken years (Maya’s case took four years to fully play out), during which Wings wouldn’t have been able to continue, so we had little choice.
But it means that our income falls steadily as subscribers drop away for one reason or another over time, with no way to replace them. (It’s currently still at a sustainable level, don’t panic. We live a very modest lifestyle, other than vast cartooning fees, and there are no bailiffs kicking the doors in.)
Anyway, long story short, Twitter has finally – after six months of waiting – enabled subscriptions on our account. We’ve set them at the lowest level allowed by the system – $2 a month, which is about £1.55 in UK money.
If you can spare it, and you want to support our work on Scottish independence, women’s rights, LGB rights and child protection – or you just enjoy Bear Patrol pics and our incisive commentary on pizza toppings, football and Bullseye – please consider helping out with the price of a share bag of nice salt’n’vinegar crisps a month by clicking the cute little pink “Subscribe” button on our bio page.
(NB Your money will almost certainly actually be spent on a share bag of salt’n’vinegar crisps. Especially the Co-op’s hand-cooked Sea-salt-and-Chardonnay ones, because we’re pretty lah-de-dah now.)
If you can’t spare it or you don’t want to support any of that stuff (or if you already do), then don’t bother, obviously. Thanks for reading.
Well I don’t think you can eat that many crisps but I’ll make the attempt to send you a contribution. Can’t promise I will manage it – Peter A Bell’s system defeated me the other day and I had to WRITE a cheque and POST IT!!!
Subscribed. Been reading the blog for years, it’s only fair.
You probably don’t want to hear this, Stu (lol) but we are quite aligned politically as well these days, too! Good stuff, more power to your elbow.
Sea salt and Chardonnay? I cannot possibly agree to help fund such gastronomic murder. Well, not unless the Chardonnay identifies as the finest claret.
My meagre monthly contribution leaves my bank account every month. Is there any need to finally cave in and set up a Twitter account if that continues?
No, all current subs will continue, no need to change anything. And thanks 🙂
Sarah said:
“Well I don’t think you can eat that many crisps….”
—————
You don’t know the Rev, Sarah…!
That guy has heavy duty reinforced teeth, cupboards/fridges full of tasty goodies and is the picture boy of all dentists in Bath.
Crisps are just an Appetizer for him…. 🙂 🙂
I know and I worry about him!
@Rev, Do you have a preference?
Currently donate via kofi, but presumably they take a cut..
Quite happy to migrate to this method if you’d prefer?
No, if you’re already donating there’s no merit in going to the hassle of switching. And thanks 🙂
I am nearly antedeluvian.What other methods exist for donations, either single payment or recurring?
link to wingsoverscotland.com
If you press the “Donate” in the list of headings at the top of the page you can give one offs through PayPal without an account with a Visa card or similar.
Being an analogue guy in a digital world myself that’s what I do.
My income fluctuates wildly , Stu – I work outdoors and the weather , eg currently , often affects my ability to work ; so , I’ll just continue to donate when my finances permit
I will do a deal with you.
I already support you through the old system but you have me blocked from your Twitter account. Unblock me and I will set up a second donation.
I don’t know why you blocked me?