We are back in hero territory today and good to have a woman hero…well, and also Indiana Jones, of course!! The scene in the clip is set in a bar in Nepal run by Marion Ravenwood ( played by Karen Allen), daughter of an old mentor of Jones ( Harrison Ford). She has a priceless medallion which turns out to be central to the search for the Ark of the Covenant ( the Nazis are also searching for the Ark - this is one convoluted plot). Gestapo agent, Major Arnold Toht (Ronald Lacey) arrives at the bar with his henchmen to seize the medallion. Jones comes to the rescue of Marion and, during a fight, the bar is set alight and Marion and Jones flee with the medallion.
Feminist Legal Clinic
Three pieces today care of wonderful FLC.
The first one concerns the fightback by brave female pool players.
The second involves a leading medical defence organisation in Australia apparently having second thoughts about providing backing for doctors and clinicians involved in so called ‘gender affirming care’ for children.
The third one concerns wonderful Moira Deeming MP finally lodging her defamation claim against Australian Liberal Party leader, John Pesutto. Go, Moira!
Trans U-turn sees female pool players threaten to sue governing body for sex discrimination after transgender players are once again allowed to compete in competitions ( 04 December)
Thirty professional female pool players are threatening to sue their governing body for sex discrimination after it allowed transgender players to compete in women’s competitions.
They say this is unfair because trans competitors who were born male but identify as female have a physical advantage in games, including greater upper body strength, the ability to play games at a faster pace and reach further for difficult shots.
Peter Daly, of Doyle Clayton solicitors who represents the players, said: ‘The advantages all males have because of their sex… limit women’s ability to qualify and succeed in those competitions. The admission of males into women’s sport is therefore discriminatory.’
It comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed dozens of pro female pool players – including world No 5 Alexandra Cunha – were refusing to play against trans opponents in competitions.
They acted after the international governing body – the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF), and its main sponsor the Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) – reversed its own decision to let only players born female compete in women’s events.
Flying blind in gender medicine – by Bernard Lane (05 December)
There is confusion over whether Australia’s largest medical defence organisation, Avant, will underwrite the gender clinicians’ campaign to expand and fast-track irreversible cross-sex hormone drugs for 16- and 17-year olds who identify as transgender or non-binary.
This uncertainty raises the prospect of personal liability for doctors confronted with future lawsuits brought by regretful detransitioners.
In Australia, the medical defence fund MDA National moved first to take account of the exposure signalled by detransitioner litigation.
In July this year, the fund ceased to shield doctors in private practice against claims arising from starting a minor on cross-sex hormones, which carry risks including cardiovascular disease, sterilisation and sexual dysfunction. The legality of a GP alone initiating hormones for a minor is in doubt.
In response to inquiries from GCN [ Gender Clinic News] last Friday, Avant’s general manager of corporate affairs, Paul Perry, said the insurer’s position had not changed and its indemnity policy “extends to the provision of healthcare for patients identifying as transgender or gender incongruent,” subject to (unexplained) policy terms and conditions.
Mr Perry did not answer the question whether Avant would cover claims arising from GP members initiating opposite-sex hormones for 16- or 17-year-old patients without the backing of a multi-disciplinary team.
In last week’s online discussion about this issue, one practitioner said she had been told in writing by Avant that she would only be covered if she were working with a multi-disciplinary team involving, for example, a paediatric endocrinologist, fertility specialist and sign-off from two psychiatrists. Even then, Avant reportedly advised it would need to consider any claim before it decided whether it would indemnify the GP.
Other doctors said they were simply told they were covered for under-18 gender medicine patients as long as both parents approved; this is in any case a requirement under family law.
GCN understands that Avant is the indemnity fund defending psychiatrist Dr Patrick Toohey in the negligence claim brought by detransitioner Jay Langadinos. This case in its early stages.
Source: Flying blind in gender medicine – by Bernard Lane
Victorian MP Moira Deeming lodges defamation suit against Liberal leader John Pesutto ( 05 December)
Moira Deeming
In short: Ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming has followed through on her threat to sue her former leader, John Pesutto.
Ms Deeming alleges in Federal Court documents she was defamed after she attended an anti-trans rights rally which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis.
What’s next? Mr Pesutto, who has consistently denied calling Ms Deeming a Nazi sympathiser, has indicated he will “vigorously defend” himself and the party.
Source: Victorian MP Moira Deeming lodges defamation suit against Liberal leader John Pesutto – ABC News
Same Sex Initimate Care
An excellent report from The Countess in Ireland.
NO WOMAN SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND
December 3, 2023
Despite the current popularity of terms like equality and inclusivity, one particular group continues to face unique and often overlooked challenges in healthcare settings, where resources are often inaccessible and same-sex care is not always a given. Gladys of The Countess Healthcare Working Group sheds light on the obstacles that women with disabilities encounter when seeking medical care, highlighting the urgent need for a more inclusive and accommodating healthcare system that can preserve the dignity of disabled women.
I am a woman, a mother and grandmother and a wife. I’m also a woman with acquired spinal damage.
In Ireland, there are over 500,000 people with disabilities, at least half of whom are women. That’s a lot of us, yet we rarely get a mention. Considering the obstacles we face day after day, one would think we would be a priority. I try to live a dignified life against all the odds, but intimate care is one area which strips me of that dignity.
Not so long ago, I had the misfortune to become extremely ill. I was admitted to intensive care and put into an induced coma. I was slowly brought back, and initially put into a mixed ward – I thought I was dreaming. Later on, I was placed in a room where I was kept under constant observation. Late one night, I found myself needing intimate care. I rang for the nurse, a male, who called the health care assistant, another male. I was shocked. I asked for a female assistant, but the nurse argued with me, saying that I had no choice and that if I refused I could be waiting hours for a female to attend to my intimate needs. However, luckily for me, having previously worked in healthcare, I knew my rights and I insisted.
When did this become a thing? How many disabled women find themselves in this position? How many are afraid to voice their rights? How many disabled women housed in mixed wards feel too frightened and vulnerable to demand that their dignity be respected? This is yet another battle disabled women have to fight, and it’s exhausting. As a disabled woman, can I at least please maintain my dignity?
Some 51.6% of women in Ireland have a disability. In our society, healthcare for women with disabilities is seriously deficient. it is difficult for a woman in a wheelchair to have a mammogram and basically cannot have a smear test, because of the lack of accessible equipment. Disabled women who suffer domestic violence or abuse also receive scant support, because there are few accessible services and little understanding of the lives of disabled women. We need to educate service providers.
In Ireland, disabled women in Ireland are among the most marginalized, yet we rarely hear their stories. Why? Are we less of women because of our disabilities? Are disabled women completely invisible? As a disabled woman, I hope to highlight and bring about the changes needed for women with disabilities to have the same access as those without. No woman should be left behind…
Rainbow Laces
Rainbow Laces is another grift from those master grifters, Stonewall. The report below indicates the problems and confusion arising from the use of the ridiculous acronym LGBTQ etc I am sorry to hear of the difficulties faced by Scott Brown’s gay friend but this has nothing to do with all of the alphabet soup beyond the LGB bit. This forced teaming needs to end. Would Mr Christie and Mr Brown support Rainbow Laces if they understood that Stonewall were mainly, if not entirely, grifting for the T and the Q and not the LGB?
Sky Sports ( Players have 'perfect platform' to amplify Rainbow Laces message - Christie 03 December) reports:
Players speaking up in support of campaigns like Rainbow Laces is still incredibly impactful, believes Bournemouth's Ryan Christie.
The Scotland international has been reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of the LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport initiative, which is currently receiving its annual activation from the Premier League and its 20 clubs.
Christie's professional career also began back in 2013, and for the majority of seasons since then, his club captain was Scott Brown who would become one of the best-known supporters of Rainbow Laces in the men's game.
Then Celtic skipper Brown appeared on the front cover of Scotland's Daily Record in August 2019 with rainbow face paint on his cheek. In an interview with the newspaper, he said he wanted to be known as a strong ally to any players who were gay or bisexual.
Later that same year, Brown explained how his best friend's struggle with his sexuality had inspired him to be more vocal in campaigning for LGBTQ+ inclusion, telling Gay Times that for his friend, coming out "was the hardest thing to do in his life."
Talking to Sky Sports about his captain's advocacy, Christie said: "Browny did a big press release up in Scotland supporting the cause and it was amazing from him.”
The full article is here:
Summary of the Year
There is an excellent summary of the year from Sex Matters.
Will you support Sex Matters in 2024? ( 29 November)
It has been a tumultuous year. Gender-critical campaigners in the UK have achieved major wins alongside setbacks and frustrations:
In January the UK government stepped in to stop the Gender Recognition Reform Bill becoming law, which would have brought in gender self-ID in Scotland.
In February a new prisons policy for England and Wales came into force, meaning trans-identified prisoners with male genitalia would no longer be held in mainstream women’s prisons.
In March, with a little bit of help from JK Rowling, our petition to Make the Equality Act clear reached 100,000 signatures and was raised in the International Women’s Day debate in Parliament.
In April, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, wrote to Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities, saying that the government should consider clarifying the definition of sex in the Equality Act as meaning actual, biological sex.
In May, British Cycling announced that it would exclude trans-identified males from women’s competitions. This is just one of several sports governing bodies that are updating their policies.
In June, 23 MPs spoke at a Westminster Hall debate on amending the Equality Act, raising issues concerning schools, sports, health, policing, prisons and data.
In July, Mermaids lost its case to have LGB Alliance removed from the register of charities.
In August, things quietened down a little, but we kept up pressure for the Department for Education to issue strong, clear guidance for schools on pupils with gender issues.
In September, the Home Secretary launched a review of police politicisation, which will cover the adoption of gender ideology by police forces.
In October, Stonewall lobbied hard for the government to bring forward a bill to “ban conversion therapy”. We argued against this, and launched a new proposal to ban “modern conversion therapy”. In the end, the government defied Stonewall and dropped the legislation from the King’s Speech.
In November came the For Women Scotland judgment, the census mess and the revelation that the NHS has adopted a computer system that leads it to record babies’ gender identity and not their sex.
And finally, in December we expect the publication of the long-awaited guidance on trans issues for schools in England.
Sex Matters is just one small organisation working with many others on these issues. Our focus is on how sex matters in law and policy. We work to clarify the law, to help people to understand and use the law, and to build effective campaigns. We articulate arguments; track policy developments and case law; listen to people’s experiences; talk to experts, officials and other campaigners; publish research and analysis; brief politicians and officials; get coverage in the media; and publish guidance and advice to help people understand and use the law.
Next year we need to ramp up these efforts. The clock is ticking down to the next general election. We want the government to amend the Equality Act, publish good schools guidance and complete and act on its review of sex and gender data. And we need to get ready to work with the next government, and to challenge it.
It seems like much longer ago but it was only in February this year that I decided to do a bit more in my efforts to join with the general gender critical campaign. On 14 February I set up a substack and started experimenting with it. On 16 February I did my first update. Since then, in my small way, I have covered all the above issues (and, of course, many more). I have reported ‘live’ (well, very soon afterwards 😊) from 3 Let Women Speak events. I have provided, as best as I can, analysis on several legal cases, bills and policies. And tried to soften some of the horrors with lots of film clips and animal videos 😂Thanks again for your support, dear readers…and onwards!! 😎
Tickle v Giggle
This is a very important case but it does have the most ridiculous name. As many readers will know, Giggle is the women’s only app set up by Australian, Sall Grover and Mr Tickle is the trans identifying male who is taking her to court for not letting him join the app (!?). This is an extremely important case since it is a constitutional challenge to the inclusion of ‘gender’ in Australia’s sex discrimination act.
There is an excellent interview with Sall on Triggernometry.
The crowd funder is here:
https://gigglecrowdfund.com/
The Portland Rally
My latest report on the terrible events at the Women’s Declaration International Rally was here:
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/the-long-goodbye-marlowes-cat
In case you miss it, Glinner has done a great interview with Lierre Keith and Irene Lawrence, two of the brave women who were there:
Scottish Women’s Prisons
Thanks to a wonderful reader for this FFS report.
Paul Gibride in The Mail Online ( Violent trans criminals CAN be locked up in female jails 05 December) reports:
Transgender criminals with a history of violence against women and girls could still be allowed to serve their sentences in female jails under ‘unacceptable’ new guidelines.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) policy will apply to transgender inmates who are considered not to pose ‘an unacceptable risk of harm’.
But the guidelines have sparked concerns that they create a loophole which presents a danger to women.
The full article is here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12824783/Violent-trans-criminals-locked-female-jails.html
Women’s Cycling
Thanks to the same wonderful reader for this report on more horror stories from the world of cycling.
Sophie Mann in The Mail Online ( Outrage as transgender women take gold AND silver medals at Illinois cycling championships: 'This makes me sick to my stomach!' 05 December) reports:
A pair of transgender women won first and second place in a female race at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships over the weekend, sparking fury among advocates for women's athletics.
The championships were held on December 3 and comprised of a dozen different competitions divided into men, women, and junior athlete categories.
But two biological men placed atop the podium for the Women's Singlespeed category.
And here are some appropriate comments from later in the article plus a wonderful offer from Riley Gaines:
Megyn Kelly simply called the incident 'infuriating,' while tennis legend Martina Navratilova wrote: 'More mediocre male bodies taking podium places from female athletes. And it stinks!!!!'
Piers Morgan was also horrified: 'It’s so outrageous. Why aren’t more women standing up against this assault on their rights?' he wrote on X.
An account called the Lesbian Republican wrote: 'Cycling has been my refuge since I was a little girl. This makes me sick to my stomach and full of rage.'
Former NCAA swimmer and current advocate for the continued existence of women's sports Riley Gaines offered to compensate female cyclists who boycott USA Cycling competitions.
'Any woman who concedes and doesn't compete, I will personally pay them the prize money they're missing out on. Stop participating in the farce,' she wrote.
The full article is here:
Endpiece
Make sure you vote for your local Fetish Candidate at next year’s General Election.
In Brighton Pavilion, for Labour, you have our favourite transvestite ( or maybe not), Eddie ‘ I’m happy to take a high paying male role in a film’ Izzard.
In Bromsgrove, for the Greens, in a dress and a bad wig you have former Conservative candidate Matthew Viner who now calls himself Monica Poulton. I’m sure his ex-wife is delighted since Poulton is her maiden name!!
https://twitter.com/Sorelle_Arduino/status/1731903815320781014
The next update will be on either Thursday or Friday.
I get a bit angry when I read about disabled women being mistreated, spent my life seeing how society treats disabled people. My mum has polio and I was pushing her about in a wheelchair before I was tall enough to see over it. I've accidentally clipped the ankles of a few inconsiderate people in my time.
Lots of interesting stuff to digest here Dusty, thank you.
A long read, Dusty but well worth it. So much has happened this year it’s hard to keep up. Thanks for all your hard work this year; I’ve enjoyed all the films & Articles you’ve written. 👏👏👏