Latest news with #transissues
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The British Medical Association has just shown its contempt for science
The British Medical Association hasn't gone out of its way to court public affection lately – the 11 strikes the BMA has held since 2022 resulted in about 1.5 million cancelled appointments, though they also resulted in an astonishing increase in its members' pay. And it's a safe bet that patients won't be edified to learn that they're now 'energised' at the prospect of yet another strike. But if the doctors' union is disastrously out of touch on strikes, it turns out that it's even more remote from public opinion on the contentious trans issue. The Cass Review recommended an almost complete ban on puberty blockers for children. Well, the man who led the BMA's opposition to the Report, Tom Dolphin, has now been made chairman of the BMA's council, its governing body. The appointment followed what looks like a coup by the 69 member board which ousted the previous incumbent, Professor Philip Banfield. Dr Dolphin tabled an emergency motion last July that led to the union rejecting the Cass report. It announced it would be publishing its own review instead. But alas, nothing has so far appeared. Let's remember that Hilary Cass, the author of the report, found that 'there is no good evidence' that puberty blockers for young people are safe to use and that 'it is unusual for us to give a potentially life-changing treatment to young people and not know what happens to them in adulthood'. And it seems that in fact many doctors agreed. When the BMA council bypassed debate to reject the Cass review after it ran out of time to discuss the motion at the annual meeting, there were four attempts by members to have an open debate on the review. More than 1,500 doctors, the majority of them BMA members, signed a 'Not in Our Name' open letter to the BMA council, criticising the 'very undemocratic' decision to reject Lady Cass's findings. But rather than respond to members' concerns, the BMA council has now elected Tom Dolphin to lead the organisation. It's not out to please, is it? Dr Dolphin's view on this issue can be judged by his position three years ago, when he posted photos of himself getting ready for a Trans Pride march, saying: 'About to set off to let London know that trans rights are human rights!' Mind you, he didn't focus on this when he accepted his new position, observing that the last three years 'has been a period of huge change for the BMA which has seen doctors realise the power that they have as trade union members to change their working lives … for the better. The fight to restore doctors' pay and pensions continues.' More militancy then. You have to ask: are doctors really best led by a man who takes such a radical approach to giving life-altering drugs to children confused about their gender? I'd say it's proof that the BMA isn't an organisation that patients or the Government can take seriously.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
JK Rowling hits back after TV's Lorraine claims trans row 'comes down to toilets'
JK Rowling has hit out at Lorraine Kelly after the Scots television host appeared to dismiss concerns about biological men accessing female-only spaces. Just days after the Harry Potter writer took a swipe at Boy George, the 1980s singer appeared on Lorraine during which the Glasgow-born television host turned to trans issues. Bringing up JK Rowling and Boy George's spat about trans issues the presenter, who claimed the singer 'stood up' for those without a voice, put her hands on her head as she declared it 'always came down to toilets' and 'I don't quite know why'. But Ms Rowling, who has long campaigned for women's rights, took aim at the Scots host, and said: ''Why does it boil down to toilets, tee hee hee?' 'It doesn't, Lorraine. It boils down to intact male rapists in female prisons, men using supposedly female-only rape crisis centres, the decimation of women's sports and the authoritarian attacks on freedom of speech and belief.' Ms Kelly said it had been 'very tough' for people in the 'trans community', and told Boy George he had been 'good' when he has spoken out. The host, 65, referenced his row with Ms Rowling, to which he described her as a 'muggle', and she asked: 'Do you think that we will ever get to a case, where I would love to be, where it really, really doesn't matter, and we just let people get on with their lives?' Boy George, wearing a large pink hat with bright pink stars, told her: 'Most people it doesn't matter, it matters only whether you're a nice person or a horrible person. 'Nobody chooses to be trans or gay, no one chooses to have blue eyes, it just happens.' The pair laughed as he waved down the camera barrel to Ms Rowling and told the writer to 'get over it'. Ms Kelly, whose show ITV bosses have cut back to 30 minutes from January next year amid a huge change to the daytime schedule, said: 'Having friends who are trans and who are going through a really tough time it's just like, let's be fair about stuff, let's talk, and we can all have our points of view, but at the end of the day we're all just people blundering through and trying to get on with our lives.' Boy George then told her: 'But also no one goes into the loo to hang out, it's a horrible place. Smelly, stinky, horrible place. Nobody goes in there to hang out.' Ms Kelly said: 'It always comes down to toilets doesn't it? It always comes down to toilets, and I don't quite know why.' During the interview Ms Kelly said that Boy George, who shot to fame as lead singer in pop band Culture Club, was someone who had 'always stood up for people who sometimes don't have a voice for themselves'. And Ms Rowling, 59, reignited her feud with the singer, and wrote on social media: 'My favourite part is how a man who went to prison for tying up a fellow human being and whipping them with a chain is 'someone who always speaks up for those without a voice'.' The 64-year-old was jailed in 2009 for inflicting 'wholly gratuitous violence' in a cocaine-fuelled attack and handed a 15-month sentence. Passing sentence Judge David Radford said the singer's offence was 'so serious that only an immediate sentence of imprisonment can be justified'. Earlier this month Boy George branded her a 'rich bored bully', to which the Edinburgh-based writer quipped back: 'I've never been given 15 months.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'Like being savaged by a dead sheep': JK Rowling brutally mocks Lib Dem MP who claims she's 'desperate for attention and relevance' with her trans stance
JK Rowling today hit back at a Liberal Democrat MP who claimed she's revealed a desperation for 'attention and relevance' by being outspoken on trans issues. The Harry Potter author mocked Ben Maguire, his party's shadow attorney general, over his comments in the House of Commons last night. Speaking in a debate to mark Pride Month, Mr Maguire singled out Rowling for criticism as he attacked those who had 'poisoned the public discourse'. 'As well as politicians, public figures desperate for attention and relevance such as JK Rowling have poisoned the public discourse with attacks on our trans community,' he told MPs. 'All under the false dichotomy that it is not possible to be a true feminist and protect women's rights without attacking and abusing the trans community. 'A phoney culture war which has left trans people fearful just to be themselves.' The MP for North Cornwall, added: 'The tone of this debate has been so un-British. It is much more like the US, where everything is dealt with in extreme absolutes.' But, after Mr Maguire's criticisms of JK Rowling were shared on social media, the author swiped it was 'like being savaged by a dead sheep'. 'In the immortal words of Dennis Healey [sic], it was like being savaged by a dead sheep,' Rowling posted on X/Twitter in reference to the former Labour chancellor. Rowling has seen more than 600 million copies of her Harry Potter books sold worldwide. In recent years, she has become known for regularly intervening on trans rights issues - which has included frequent clashes with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In April, after a Supreme Court ruling that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, Rowling posted a picture of herself holding a drink and puffing a cigar. She added the caption: 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Rowling's outspokenness on trans issues has sparked tensions with those stars who appeared in the Harry Potter film series. But, following the remarks by Mr Maguire, she was defended by Dr Zoe Hollowood, chair of Liberal Voice for Women - a group of Lib Dem members campaigning for women's sex-based rights. She said: 'To accuse J K Rowling of entering this debate to seek attention or relevance is ludicrous. 'Anyone who has followed this issue knows JK Rowling thought very carefully before entering this debate, knowing full well the vitriol and threats being levelled at women and their families for speaking out. 'But ultimately, she felt she could not stay silent whilst other women lost jobs for their view that sex is real and matters. 'She has received many rape and death threats for her willingness to speak out, for using her platform to raise the concerns of women/ 'And the fact she has refused to back down, cannot be cancelled, seems to have enraged certain people in particular.' She added: 'Voters will be left confused on where the Lib Dems stand on this issue with Ed Davey taking a moderate stance and other Lib Dem MPs using extreme trans talking points.'
Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Times
‘We were never friends.' JK Rowling rebuffs Stephen Fry in trans row
JK Rowling has issued a withering rebuff to Sir Stephen Fry after he claimed she had become 'radicalised' over trans issues and described her as being a 'lost cause'. The broadcaster and author previously dined regularly with Rowling and narrated the audiobook versions of her seven Harry Potter novels. However, last week he claimed the Edinburgh-based writer's views had become 'inflammatory and contemptuous'. Jolyon Maugham, the barrister and author, took to social media to echo Fry's views. 'Really creditable this, from Stephen Fry. I've spoken to so many of JKR's once friends who now despair at her privately but won't do so publicly, which is very much the British way and why nothing ever changes for the better,' he wrote. 'So well done Stephen'. Rowling, however, appeared to suggest that Fry was mistaken in his belief that they were once close. 'It is a great mistake to assume that everyone who claims to have been a friend of mine was ever considered a friend by me,' she wrote, responding to Maugham on X. Rowling has become one of the most outspoken campaigners for women-only spaces, becoming a target for criticism from transgender rights activists. Supreme Court judges ruled in April that under equality law the definition of a woman is based on biological sex and biological men cannot become women regardless of whether they hold a gender recognition certificate. The ruling was the culmination of a long-running legal battle and has significant implications for how sex-based rights apply across Scotland, England and Wales. The court sided with campaign group For Women Scotland, which brought a case against the Scottish government challenging its guidance on gender representation. Rowling had donated £70,000 to the group to help fund their challenge. Fry, speaking on The Show People podcast, suggested her views had become extreme. 'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong, difficult views,' he said. 'She seemed to wake up, or kick, a hornets' nest of transphobia, which has been entirely destructive. I disagree profoundly with her on this subject.' Fry, who is gay, said he was angry that Rowling had failed to disavow 'some of the more revolting and truly horrible' things people say. 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people. She has been radicalised, I fear,' he said, suggesting she had been hardened by the vitriol thrown at her. 'I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it altered the way she talks and engages with the world.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
JK Rowling hails BBC newsreader Martine Croxall after she overrules autocue's 'pregnant people' line to say 'women'
JK Rowling has hailed BBC newsreader Martine Croxall after she overruled an autocue line which said 'pregnant people' to say 'women' instead. The Harry Potter author, 59, who has been vocal on the subject of trans people and what she calls 'sex-based rights' for several years, has praised the journalist, 56, for it on social media. The clip from a recent BBC News episode saw Ms Croxall introduce new research on the number of heat-related deaths expected amid Britain's current heatwave. But as the autocue prompted her to warn 'pregnant people' to take care in the heat, she first read the term out before overriding it, with a smirk and eyebrow raise. She said: 'Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people - women! - and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.' Ms Rowling reposted the clip on X, captioning it: 'I have a new favourite BBC presenter.' Ms Croxall herself soon responded to a commenter who had praised her move as 'brilliant', adding: 'I hope you don't get hauled before the BBC News beak.' The broadcaster simply replied: 'Braced x.' The original clip was first reposted to X by campaign group SEEN In Journalism, which says it 'seeks to restore accuracy and impartiality to media coverage of sex and gender'. They captioned their post, 'Good to see accuracy on BBC News', followed by an emoji of a pregnant woman. Therapist and gender-critical campaigner James Esses has also weighed in online to praise Ms Croxall: 'The BBC is so utterly enthralled to gender ideology that it took a brave newsreader to correct the teleprompter instruction to say "pregnant people" by instead saying "women" afterwards. 'Let's hope she isn't cancelled for her rebellion!' Former BBC journalist Sean McGinty - whose LinkedIn says he co-founded the broadcaster's new music show BBC Introducing, in a more than 20-year career with the broadcaster before leaving in 2024 - backed the newsreader too. He said: 'She's fab, also brave and strong enough to do so from within.' Ms Croxall is one of the main presenters of BBC News, having started work for the broadcaster more than 30 years ago, in 1991, and for its news programme in 2001. Other commenters agreed with Ms Rowling's admiration for Ms Croxall too, with one saying: 'What is her name? I only want her as a BBC presenter.' Ms Croxall herself soon responded to a commenter who had praised her move as 'brilliant', adding: 'I hope you don't get hauled before the BBC News beak.' The broadcaster simply replied: 'Braced x' Therapist and gender-critical campaigner James Esses has also weighed in online to praise Ms Croxall Former BBC journalist Sean McGinty - whose LinkedIn says he co-founded the broadcaster's new music show BBC Introducing, in a more than 20-year career with the broadcaster before leaving in 2024 - backed the newsreader too Other commenters agreed with Ms Rowling's admiration for Ms Croxall too Another said of the veteran broadcaster: 'The worst thing is that your post probably just resulted in her never being on the BBC again once her bosses see it.' Ms Croxall made headlines in April for challenging a pro-transgender activist who said April's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex within the 2010 Equality Act might need some 'clarification'. In a live interview with the presenter just after the ruling, campaigner and ex-Labour MSP candidate Heather Herbert - who has now joined the Greens - said: 'I feel like I'm under attack.' She clashed with Ms Croxall throughout the segment, as the host questioned how it was an 'attack', adding she felt it was just a 'clarification of what the word "woman" means'. Ms Croxall said the case made clear 'sex is binary and immutable' when the activist said local authorities which have not protected single-sex spaces on the basis of biological sex may need to reconsider in light of the ruling. When Ms Herbert asked for 'clarification', the presenter replied: 'The ruling is that "woman" means biological sex.' It comes after Ms Rowling's views on sex and gender have received renewed attention in recent months, following the Supreme Court ruling in April. Judges ruled the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. This means transgender women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if deemed 'proportionate'. It marked the culmination of a long-running legal battle between the Scottish government and women's group For Women Scotland. It was over the definition of a 'woman' in Scottish legislation mandating 50 percent female representation on public boards. The case centred on whether somebody with a GRC recognising their gender as female should be treated as a woman under the 2010 Equality Act. The outcome will have implications in England, Scotland and Wales. Ms Rowling reacted to the ruling on X: 'It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. '@ForWomenScot, I'm so proud to know you.' She later added: 'Trans people have lost zero rights today, although I don't doubt some (not all) will be furious that the Supreme Court upheld women's sex-based rights.' And after sharing another post on X, suggesting she and her husband were clinking glasses of champagne in celebration, she followed up it with a selfie from on board her $150 million superyacht puffing a cigar in celebration. The writer, who reportedly helped fund the women's group which brought the case, captioned the post: 'I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.' Meanwhile, opponents have said they fear the ruling could put trans and non-binary people at renewed risk of attacks and discrimination. Judge Lord Hodge recognised 'the strength of feeling on both sides' and cautioned against seeing the judgement as 'a triumph for one side over another'. He stressed the law still gives trans people protection against discrimination. The judge said: 'The Equality Act gives transgender people protection not only against discrimination through the protected characteristics of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment, in substance in their acquired gender.' He added: 'On the one hand women, who make up one half of the population, have campaigned for over 150 years to have equality with men and to combat discrimination based on their sex. That work still continues. 'On the other hand, a vulnerable and often harassed minority, the trans community, struggle against discrimination and prejudice as they seek to live their lives with dignity.' Human rights organisation Amnesty International has since also emphasised: 'The court has been clear that trans people are protected under the Equality Act against discrimination and harassment. 'The ruling does not change the protection trans people are afforded under the protected characteristic of 'gender reassignment', as well as other provisions under the Equality Act... 'The Supreme Court itself made clear that the vilification of a marginalised minority group is absolutely wrong.' 'All public authorities in the UK need to unequivocally enforce protections for trans people against discrimination and harassment.'
