As a writer, feminist and literary events organiser in Scotland, I’m regularly sent links to information someone thinks might be of interest to me. This week it was a document commissioned by one of Scotland’s leading and most powerful publicly-funded literary organisations, Literature Alliance Scotland (LAS).
Nobody, of course, objects to transgender writers being included or supported, but the content of the guidance raises several extremely serious and concerning issues.
Normally in cases like these, there’s an instant and concerted attempt to rubbish the judgement, both from amateurs and activist lawyers like Robin Moira “Barry” White, Jolyon Maugham, and the anonymous “Pissed Off Lawyer” tweeting as @legaltweetz. They’ll issue spurious “analyses” dismissing the findings with jargon terms like “obiter”, and either question their correctness or attempt to minimise their significance.
For some reason that didn’t happen this time. The hyper-antagonist online trans army has very conspicuously failed to rush to the defence of ERCC CEO Mridul Wadhwa, perhaps because Judge Ian McFatridge’s conclusions were so relentlessly, brutally and comprehensively excoriating of Wadhwa’s appalling behaviour that no amount of spin or disingenuity could disguise it.
But then, on white charger and with papoose, enter a hero.
Mridul Wadhwa, a man with whom Wings readers have been familiar for some years, was found by the tribunal judge to have been “the invisible hand behind everything that had taken place” as Roz Adams, a conscientious, caring and highly professional woman with a long history in the sector, was systematically and methodically hounded out of her job for holding, privately and sensitively, the belief that biological sex is real.
We watched Question Time last night for the first time in about nine years, and this comment from SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn raised an eyebrow.
Because we couldn’t remember ANY times that Flynn had publicly expressed any problems with the Scottish Greens during their governing alliance.
Cynicus on Governing For Beginners: ““A country that has had kings called David, Alexander, Constantine and James” ========= A formidable four names. It has also…” Jan 14, 00:46
DaveL on Governing For Beginners: “Aww diddums, poor wee Hatey you’re upset. Just think of the long range missile the UK Government has decided to…” Jan 14, 00:26
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Governing For Beginners: “The motto of Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) is: “ÀRDAICHIDH FÌREANTACHD CINNEACH” That is the Gaelic version of…” Jan 13, 23:38
Kate L on Governing For Beginners: “This is absolutely excellent. Enjoyed every word.” Jan 13, 22:09
Dunx on Governing For Beginners: “It’s not right wing to expect citizens to contribute to the state. “From each according to their ability…” Karl Marx.” Jan 13, 21:51
Hatey McHateface on Governing For Beginners: ““Truly America is chosen, though for what” Blethers, Alf. Just ask any of the tens of millions of illegals the…” Jan 13, 21:30
Alf Baird on Governing For Beginners: ““Truly America is chosen, though for what is open to much rumination.” Being an artificial imperial construct that systematically obliterated…” Jan 13, 21:11
Hatey McHateface on Governing For Beginners: “I am pleased, Dave, very pleased. My mates may or may not be winning, but so far, they’re not losing…” Jan 13, 21:07
Hatey McHateface on Governing For Beginners: ““Religion in the western world has had it’s day” Oh dear, Chas. Oh deary deary me. We’re into the end…” Jan 13, 20:37
Hatey McHateface on Governing For Beginners: ““I’m sure that’s how Stevenson saw it, too” Naw, you’re nae. You’ve found a good way to keep warm though,…” Jan 13, 20:25
Hatey McHateface on Governing For Beginners: “1707 is around one hour before I usually start my denner. On a school day. Weekends are less predictable.” Jan 13, 20:17
Northcode on Governing For Beginners: ““Well, I did study history at a Scottish university. At the time Sarah is talking about, pre-1707…” Hard to believe,…” Jan 13, 19:31
factchecker on Governing For Beginners: “Well, I did study history at a Scottish university. At the time Sarah is talking about, pre-1707, “direct democracy” as…” Jan 13, 19:00
Aidan on Grandpa John’s Nightmare: “Breaking into a factory and attacking a policewomen with a hammer so severely that it broke her spine is an…” Jan 13, 18:33
Rev. Stuart Campbell on Grandpa John’s Nightmare: ““And who is reporting on the woman on hunger strike languishing in an English jail for peaceful legitimate protest. Now…” Jan 13, 18:17
Stuart on Governing For Beginners: “Dictator! Not even close to being a patch on “Junta” by West End Games, the best evening of double crossing,…” Jan 13, 18:15
Lorna Campbell on Governing For Beginners: “I agree, Sarah, direct democracy as happens in Switzerland, with local referendums on anything of note. None (one hopes) of…” Jan 13, 16:36
Nae Need! on Governing For Beginners: “Excellent article, Alf. “keeping an oppressive elite in place” aye, rather than keeping them in THEIR place.” Jan 13, 16:30
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Governing For Beginners: “FEY CASE O DR JEKYLL AN MR HYDE By Robert Louis Stevenson, translated into North-East Scots by Sheena Blackhall First…” Jan 13, 16:29
DaveL on Governing For Beginners: “…and you’re no comedian but I’m still laughing at you…’son’.” Jan 13, 16:11
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Governing For Beginners: “Hopefully this link to Referendum campaign footage is direct: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX1hNW_bzAI” Jan 13, 16:09
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Governing For Beginners: “THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson 1. STORY OF THE DOOR « Mr.…” Jan 13, 15:50
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Governing For Beginners: “More on NORMAND LESTER… Interspersed in this 2013 archive footage from our 2014 Referendum campaign is portentous feedback from two…” Jan 13, 15:26
DaveL on Governing For Beginners: “Unable? It could be she chooses for whatever reason not to engage. What research have you undertaken that makes you…” Jan 13, 15:01
Lorna Campbell on Governing For Beginners: “What a great piece of journalism, Rev. Absolutely spot on, too. The thing is, we think – or many do…” Jan 13, 14:21
Northcode on Governing For Beginners: “Caledonian Antisyzygy (from Greek, syzygy meaning alignment), or the “Scottish disjunction”, is a term coined by the Scottish literary critic…” Jan 13, 13:59
