The banks, in effect, robbing lots of customers because of their views on issues keeps bringing to my mind famous bank heist movies ( I recently referred to Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid). Here is an old classic Ealing comedy from 1951 starring Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway, namely The Lavender Hill Mob.
Anyway, whatever you think of Nigel Farage, he has done a great service to many people by bringing this outrageous situation of cancelling accounts to everyone’s attention.
Puberty Blockers
I reported yesterday on the NHS England consultation:
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/the-rose-of-tralee
Firstly, it has to be said that, compared to countries like Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, this is a great advance. I would recommend readers to, if you have not already done so, listen to Dennis Kavanagh and Clive Simpson in the latest episode of the Queens’ Speech and to the video done by Isla Mac on the subject.
Clive is very optimistic. He points out that NHS England have said that there are only seven studies that are worth considering on the subject and that none of those studies provides sufficient evidence on the effects of puberty blockers. NHS England say they will not have regard to the guidance from the World Professional Association on Transgender Health (WPATH) and this is a very important step forward, of course. From now on puberty blockers will not be routinely given except in any research. Clive points out that no such research project has yet been set up and it would have to get through the NHS Ethics Committee. Therefore, it is possible that there will be no research project in the future. In terms of children who are already on puberty blockers, the advice is that they should go to their consultant endocrinologist and seek further advice on what to do. He does point out that the endocrinologist will need to have regard to this advice from NHS England. In terms of putting children on puberty blockers from now on, this will only be possible if it is approved by a committee that will be set up. Both Clive and Dennis point out that the Equalities Impact Assessments really fail to address the point that 80+ percent of children who are referred to the service will be same-sex attracted and only deal in passing with the fact that a disproportionate number of autistic children and looked after children are involved.
Dennis remains concerned that any future research would amount to experimenting with children.
Isla is much more concerned about matters. She points out that the language they use is very ideological e.g. the use of the phrase “assigned at birth.” She says that the fact that there is no sufficient evidence with regard to the use of puberty blockers should, in itself, be the end of the matter. She repeats the concerns about the failure to say what should be done when a disproportionate number of the children involved are same-sex attracted and/or autistic and/or previously looked after children. Indeed, Isla does not really accept that there is such a thing as gender dysphoria (which links in with a theme that EDI Jester often talks about) but rather that these are simply distressed children (and see further below). She also does not believe that there is such a thing as “gender identity”. Clearly she is concerned that the fact that children who are already on puberty blockers might continue with those puberty blockers and the fact that there may be research done is something that, she feels, should not be allowed.
This is, of course, just a consultation from NHS England. NHS Scotland and NHS Wales remain in favour of so-called gender affirming care. However, Dennis and Clive do point out that, insofar as there may be future legal actions against the NHS in Scotland or Wales, this suggested approach from NHS England will, no doubt, be called in evidence, and may, in the meantime, have an influence on the thinking in Scotland and Wales.
Dennis, Clive and Isla all emphasise the importance of as many people as possible taking part in the consultation, which has a deadline of 01 November. Those, like me, who are not healthcare professionals or otherwise health experts, may wish to wait and look at responses submitted by expert organisations, such as Sex Matters, Transgender Trend, Genspect, the LGB Alliance, Standing for Women, the Gay Men’s Network, the Women’s Rights Network, the Lesbian Project and so on. Therefore, I would encourage everyone to have a look through the documentation, to have a listen to Dennis, Clive and Isla and to look out for formal responses from gender critical and women’s rights campaigners and then put in your own response. If necessary, you could simply indicate that you support a response from a particular organisation but it is always best if you can (even though you may take parts from different responses) to put your response in in your own words.
This is a very important moment. Please do let me know if you have any queries.
On this subject, there is an excellent discussion between Jay Fantom and Dr Miriam Grossman. Dr Grossman says that ‘gender dysphoria’ is a symptom like, for example, a fever. You can’t treat a fever without knowing precisely what is causing the fever. The same applies to gender dysphoria.
Dr Grossman has just written a book called Lost In Trans Nation - good title!! Oh no, another book for my long list!!
Richard Bilkszto
EDI Jester did one of his premiere live sessions tonight and brought us the incredibly sad story of experienced Canadian teacher, Richard Bilkszto. During an online ‘diversity equity and inclusion’ session where it was said, effectively, that Canada was more racist than the United States, Mr Bilkszto, a gay man, made a simple point about funding in Canada as opposed to the US. He was, thereafter, smeared as a ‘white supremacist’ ( based on no evidence whatsoever and, in any event, totally untrue), was driven out of his job and, ultimately, he took his own life. Normally in Barry’s live premieres there is lively banter going on in the chat but it was as if everyone was frozen by the horror of the story. If you haven’t listened to it, I recommend it and there are recordings from the actual exchanges in the ‘training’ sessions in what Barry always calls the ‘doobries’.
Free Speech Nation
Andrew Doyle tonight discussed:
Libraries hiding gender critical books.
Elon Musk saying he will fund people who have to bring claims when their employers take action because of what they say on Twitter ( which, if true, would be major, of course!!). Toby Young of the Free Speech Union talks of ‘offence archaeologists’ - people who look through someone’s Twitter comments to find something they can use against them.
British Rowing - I have recently reported on this ( get on Dusty’s substack to be ahead of the news!! 😎) - wonderful Fiona McAnena of Fair Play for Women says: “ It’s bodies that play sport, not identities.”
And also mention that Sinn Fein have embraced gender ideology and support the use of puberty blockers!! FFS!!
And finally…
Elephant, the ancient dog…
I’m afraid I lean much more towards the Isla view of things, than the more optimistic Simpson view, but I’ll take your advice and read around the subject before replying to the consultation.
Thanks as ever for your hard work and excellent analysis. Can’t believe you do this every day.