Blog posts by Helen G: 2010
Stop the Blame campaign
by Helen G // 17 December 2010, 15:00
The Welsh Assembly Government has started a Stop Blame campaign to bust myths around rape and sexual assault. In a Press Release issued today (17 December) Paula Hardy, Chief Executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, said: "A woman is never responsible...
12th International Transgender Day Of Remembrance, 20th November 2010
by Helen G // 20 November 2010, 07:46
Every two days, somewhere in the world, a trans person is murdered. Another year has passed and in the last 12 months my community has lost almost 180 people - that we know of - to acts of transphobic violence....
Weekly Round-Up And Open Thread, 15 November 2010
by Helen G // 15 November 2010, 19:30
TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains hyperlinks to external websites and blogs, some of which have comment threads and other material which some people may find triggering. The links here are posted in good faith but, as we have no control...
UFFC march to Downing Street this weekend
by Helen G // 28 October 2010, 15:56
Via Harpymarx comes word of the United Families and Friends Campaign march to Downing Street this weekend: United Campaign Against Police Violence is supporting the United Families and Friends Campaign march to Downing Street this weekend for justice for those...
London: Cis woman charged with murder after Kings Cross Tube station death
by Helen G // 28 October 2010, 15:50
On Tuesday evening this week (26 October), an incident on a platform of the Piccadilly line underground at Kings Cross station in London resulted in the death of a gender variant person. The newspapers have been speculating about the victim's...
Details for the London International Transgender Day of Remembrance service 2010
by Helen G // 28 October 2010, 15:44
Via Facebook, here are the details of this year's London International Transgender Day of Remembrance service: Date: Saturday, 20 November 2010 Time: 15:00 - 18:00 Location: Room LT1, the Cruciform Building, 5 University Street, London, WC1E 6JS [Streetmap] Performers, musicians,...
Join our Campaign to report Violence Against Women and Girls in the Media in November
by Helen G // 26 October 2010, 14:24
This is a guest post by Sian Norris. Did you know that 25th November is the UN International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women? To mark the date, we’re asking the media to dedicate ONE day for every week of...
Stonewall unravelling
by Helen G // 20 October 2010, 09:53
Further to my recent post Unravelling Stonewall, I'm obliged to my good friend and co-blogger Holly for sending me this link to AllMedia Scotland, which states that Stonewall has dropped its controversial nomination of Bill Leckie for their Journalist Of...
Weekly Round-Up And Open Thread, 19 October 2010
by Helen G // 19 October 2010, 08:49
Better late than punctual, here’s this week’s open thread for discussion and our regular round-up of some of the articles and blogs we’ve noticed but not had time to post about over the last week or so. If you have...
Unravelling Stonewall
by Helen G // 14 October 2010, 20:16
Stonewall UK, "the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity", has recently - and not for the first time - found itself the centre of perhaps unwanted attention following a number of controversial statements by its executive chief, Ben Summerskill. The tale...
It’s Time to Speak Out About ‘The A Word’ - Will You Join Us?
by Helen G // 14 October 2010, 12:11
This is a guest post by Education For Choice, who were guest bloggers here at The F-Word in April 2010. Here at Education For Choice we are wondering how to shore ourselves up against massive and imminent public sector spending...
How Fair is Britain?
by Helen G // 11 October 2010, 10:22
Every three years the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is required to report to Parliament on the progress that it thinks society is making in relation to equality, human rights and the rather vague-sounding 'good relations'. How Fair is...
National Coming Out Day
by Helen G // 10 October 2010, 20:05
National Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters (often referred to as...
10 September: World Suicide Prevention Day
by Helen G // 10 September 2010, 07:30
"Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention across the World" The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that on average, almost 3000 people die by suicide daily, representing a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds....
Weekly Round-Up And Open Thread, 6 September 2010
by Helen G // 6 September 2010, 15:18
Here's this week's open thread for discussion and our regular round-up of some of the articles and blogs we've noticed but not had time to post about. If you have a link or comment that doesn't fit anywhere else, feel...
Out of sight, out of mind? - Transgender People’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse
by Helen G // 3 September 2010, 14:28
The LGBT Domestic Abuse Project and the Scottish Transgender Alliance have now published their research document surveying the levels and forms of domestic abuse to which transgender people are subjected, and it makes for grim reading. The 36-page document, called...
Forced divorce and sterilisation: a reality for many transgender persons
by Helen G // 31 August 2010, 11:25
A couple of months ago I reported on the Irish Government's decision to drop its challenge to a High Court declaration that Irish law on transgender rights is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. The challenge had...
New research into domestic abuse against trans people
by Helen G // 27 August 2010, 14:53
There is now a substantial body of evidence recording the spiralling rate of violence against trans people the world over and, as more research becomes available, the clearer the extent of that violence becomes. But while the media routinely publishes...
26 August: SAWCC Book launch at The Women's Library
by Helen G // 25 August 2010, 09:22
Tomorrow, Thursday 26 August 2010, at 7pm in The Women's Library in Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT, the South Asian Women's Creative Collective (SAWCC) presents a book launch at which the journalist Zaiba Malik will be reading excerpts from...
Bent Bars Project: New venue needed for Letter Writing nights
by Helen G // 12 August 2010, 08:18
Via the Bent Bars Project: We are still looking for a new space to hold Bent Bars Letter Writing Nights. The location we used last month was fantastic, but unfortunately it's just out of our budget to keep on a...
Destiny Lauren murder trial and anti trans prejudice
by Helen G // 11 August 2010, 20:48
The trial of the cis man Leon Fyle ended this week with his conviction for the murder of Destiny Lauren last November. Media coverage has been predictably and disappointingly sparse (I've collated the majority of it in a series of...
Some are more equal than others
by Helen G // 2 August 2010, 15:35
Zöe has a must-read post called simply Equality? over at her blog, in which she takes a look at the changes the Equality Act 2010 (direct link to PDF) will bring and concludes that: It means that there is one...
Government confirms Equality Act to be implemented as planned
by Helen G // 3 July 2010, 16:19
Via the UK Press Association: Minister backs gender equality law The Government is to go ahead with Labour legislation which could require employers to disclose whether they pay women as much as men, it has been announced. Home Secretary Theresa...
Identity Documents Bill reaches Committee stage
by Helen G // 30 June 2010, 10:01
Having completed its First and Second Readings, the Identity Documents Bill 2010-11 has now reached the Committee stage of its progress through the House of Commons, according to the Parliament UK website. The committee's consideration of the Bill is scheduled...
UK Government "committed" to GLb(t) anti discrimination and prejudice plan
by Helen G // 16 June 2010, 20:44
According to this Press Release, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Theresa May today set out "an ambitious cross-government programme of work" with the admirable intention of tackling anti GLb(t) prejudice, including these aims: a commitment to remove historical convictions...
Dictionary corner: gayjacking
by Helen G // 6 June 2010, 16:40
Gayjacking: A portmanteau word combining gay and hijacking, it refers to the process by which TS/TG people's self-identification is invisibilised and our lived experiences appropriated and repositioned to fit cis people's agenda, and exempt themselves from acknowledging their own privileges...
Andrea Waddell: murder trial verdict (4 June 2010)
by Helen G // 4 June 2010, 16:57
Breaking now; more to follow later: Neil McMillan has been found guilty of murdering Andrea Waddell and jailed for at least 22 years. Via BBC News, Press Association and others: A man has been found guilty of murdering a woman...
Introducing our new guest blogger!
by Helen G // 1 June 2010, 19:06
I'm posting this by way of an introduction to Anji Capes, one of our two guest bloggers who'll be posting here during June. Anji is a 24-year-old woman, mother and radical feminist living in Portsmouth with her young son, her...
Malawi: Breaking news - Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga pardoned
by Helen G // 29 May 2010, 15:18
Further to my recent post about the sentencing of a couple to 14 years hard labour merely for getting engaged, BBC News (and others) are reporting that Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have been pardoned and granted immediate release: A...
UK: ID cards abolition update
by Helen G // 27 May 2010, 12:20
By way of a follow-up to an earlier post I wrote on the Identity & Passport Service's post-election announcement about cancelling Identity Cards and the National Identity Register, this post at BBC News online reports the following: The Home Office...
Bring back The Pansy Project's Facebook page
by Helen G // 22 May 2010, 19:08
Manchester-based artist Paul Harfleet started The Pansy Project when he began to revisit various city streets to plant pansies at the sites of homophobic abuse. A string of homophobic abuse on a warm summer’s day was the catalyst for this...
Malawi: Couple sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour for getting engaged
by Helen G // 20 May 2010, 20:06
Today, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, whom the media calls "Malawi's first openly gay couple" even though Tiwonge identifies as a woman and her partner as her husband, were given a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison with hard...
EU leaders mark the International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia
by Helen G // 17 May 2010, 08:58
Today, Monday 17th May 2010, the 6th International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia marks the exact 20th anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of illnesses on the 17th May 1990. Leaders from the...
17 May is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
by Helen G // 9 May 2010, 21:35
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is celebrated around the world on 17 May each year. The day of protest began in 2004, and has been held every year since. This year, IDAHO events will be held in...
What's wrong with this picture?
by Helen G // 4 May 2010, 20:23
Just when you thought that cis people's crass fixation on trans people's genitalia could go no further, along comes this article in Argentina's Momento24 English, demonstrating conclusively that their prurience really knows no bounds: Barbie changes sex Andrea Cano and...
Message in a bottle
by Helen G // 16 April 2010, 14:01
There's an interesting article on the CNN International site about a recently-completed project "that asked transgender, transsexual and questioning people to create a message they wanted others to know". Overall, iReporters wanted the world to hear their voices, their stories,...
Storm in a Teacup update
by Helen G // 12 April 2010, 12:09
Further to Jess' post last month about the launch of Storm in a Teacup, the London-based collective set up with the aim of promoting women in the arts, we've received this update via their Facebook group page: Following the huge...
Equality Bill passed as Parliament draws to close
by Helen G // 8 April 2010, 10:04
Via People Management: The equality bill has been passed before the dissolution of Parliament and will come into effect from October. The bill, originally put forward by deputy Labour leader and equalities minister Harriet Harman, combines existing anti-discrimination legislation into...
It's full of stars...
by Helen G // 5 April 2010, 14:12
Nice to see a technical field where women are in the spotlight - and over 30. Today, 5 April, the Space Shuttle Discovery successfully blasted off into orbit and in the process set a record for the most women in...
Council of Europe adopts recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity
by Helen G // 31 March 2010, 20:25
Via the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers (link here): Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on...
A 'conscience clause' to legitimise discrimination
by Helen G // 25 March 2010, 15:55
Further to Laura's earlier post about how the General Pharmaceutical Council's so-called 'conscience clause' will allow dispensing pharmacists to "refuse to prescribe items that might clash with their personal religious beliefs", I'd like to add my own concerns about the...
Scotland’s new hate crime law
by Helen G // 23 March 2010, 10:15
From a press release by the Equality Network about Scotland’s new hate crime law, which will come into effect tomorrow, 24 March 2010: [...] The new law is called the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act. It will mean that...
UK survey: 1 In 7 women students have been subjected to sexual assault or violence
by Helen G // 21 March 2010, 07:03
A recent UK survey of 2000 women by the National Union of Students is summarised in a report titled Hidden Marks (direct link to PDF). 1 in 7 women students (14%) has been the victim of serious sexual assault...
Talk/discussion: LGBTI Rights in Uganda, March 21 in Manchester
by Helen G // 12 March 2010, 09:45
A Matter of Life and Death: LGBTI Rights in Uganda Talk/discussion 2-4pm Sunday 21st March, LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney Street, Manchester (Behind 8th Day Co-op off Oxford Rd) David Kato, LGBTI activist from Uganda and member of Sexual Minorities Uganda...
Christie Elan-Cane: Fighting for legal and social recognition outside the societal gender system
by Helen G // 11 March 2010, 08:42
I last posted here about Christie Elan-Cane's continuing fight for legal and social recognition outside the societal gender system in the UK in September 2008 and am interested to see the latest update on per LJ. Per has obtained the...
EWL photo competition
by Helen G // 10 March 2010, 19:11
The European Women's Lobby (EWL) - the largest umbrella organisation of women's associations in the EU - has announced the details of its 2010 Photography Competition and Exhibition. The subject is My world: Visions of 21st Century Feminism and the...
Turkey: IWD for those on the margins of society
by Helen G // 8 March 2010, 09:50
The Istanbul-based Hürriyet Daily News carries a short piece containing interviews with three women who live, as the newspaper puts it, on the margins of society. Interviewed are Ecem Dalga (a lesbian woman who works for Lambdaİstanbul), Nevin Öztop (a...
South Africa: the continuing rise of 'corrective' rape
by Helen G // 5 March 2010, 12:32
Although the term 'corrective' rape is a comparative neologism, the concept - whereby men rape lesbian women, purportedly as a means of "curing" the woman of her sexual orientation (Wikipedia) - isn't. And while the practice isn't exclusive to South...
Bristol Reclaim The Night march
by Helen G // 24 February 2010, 13:39
A guest post by Sian Norris of the Bristol Feminist Network: Friday 26th February is the second year that Bristol Feminist Network will be heading up a Reclaim the Night march. It’s a chance for women and men in Bristol...
From the IAAF to the IOC: another (not so) fine mess
by Helen G // 16 February 2010, 16:27
After last year's furore about the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) appalling treatment of Caster Semenya and the ensuing "agreement" (as reported in the New York Times), the casual observer might have thought that the matter of so-called "gender...
"Dear Sisters of the Earth"
by Helen G // 16 February 2010, 10:55
"Dear Sisters of the Earth", a history walk celebrating Manchester’s "rebellious and revolutionary women" is scheduled for a week on Sunday, 28th February 2010. The walk will explore the stories of women at Peterloo, the forgotten feminists of the 1830s,...
24th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 17-31 March 2010
by Helen G // 12 February 2010, 20:10
If you're in London between 17-31 March and find yourself with time to spare, the 24th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival may be worth checking out. The festival opens with the world premiere of the new British drama,...
Time to pledge for Ada Lovelace Day 2010
by Helen G // 11 February 2010, 09:43
Ada Lovelace Day, the international day of blogging to draw attention to women excelling in technology and science is scheduled for 24th March and the new Ada Lovelace Day Pledge is up and running! Last year, over 1200 people wrote...
Fat Studies and Health seminar at Durham University, 14-15 January
by Helen G // 4 January 2010, 15:16
The first ESRC-funded Fat Studies and Health At Every Size seminar takes place next week at Durham Uni. It's free and there are bursaries available for people on low incomes. ESRC Seminar Series: Fat Studies and Health At Every Size...
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
