Since the #Olympics are on, let's repost a classic thread here: a brief history of the practice of "sex verification" in sport. Content warning: This thread will mention anti-intersex discrimination, FGM practices and body shaming.

Sir Guenter Treitel came to the UK on the Kindertransport. He became the foremost authority on English contract law. Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.

I wrote for @theleaduk.bsky.social about Labours five big tests this year: the economy, public services, the rising far-right, Britains place in the world and Starmer’s own authority. open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...

She was known as La Señora. Born Beatriz de Luna, she later lived as Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi. A 16th-century banker, philanthropist, and protector of Jews. Her name rarely shows up, so I think it's important to talk about her now. 1/10

‘Of course he abused pupils’: ex-Dulwich teacher speaks out about Farage racism claims

The Embassy staff of Germany, France and the United Kingdom sing Schedryk in the Kyiv underground. Wonderful!

Christmas can be a tough time for many. If you or someone you care about needs mental health support, help is available: NHS 111: 111.nhs.uk/triage/check... Samaritans: samaritans.org/how-we-can-h... Mind Charity: mind.org.uk/information-... Shout: giveusashout.org

Thanks to our Rainbow Map, we have clear data showing which countries are advancing equality and which are falling behind. Activists use it to hold leaders to account. Your donations help produce this benchmark and turn data into real rights 👉 https://qrco.de/ilgaeurope2025

The Menorah has returned to Trafalgar Square for Chanukah. Jewish Londoners and people of all backgrounds came together to reflect and celebrate Chanukah’s timeless message of hope, resilience and the triumph of light over darkness.

As Jewish families across London came together for the third night of Chanukah, the Menorah was lit on Trafalgar Square - a symbol of hope and resilience in the heart of our city. Faced with darkness, I urge all Londoners to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

An important read medium.com/@missfredawa...

Another one from me: The Trump administration has omitted data about trans people from prison sexual violence reports. prismreports.org/2025/12/11/d...

Merry Christmas All To all my many friends in social-media-land, Merry Christmas! I know this will be the last day of work for some taking an extended break. In lieu of the Christmas card you all deserve but I can’t possibly provide, do have a copy of my Christmas Puzzle which you may care …

White men, imagine you go for a job. The interview panel is three black women. The board of directors is all black women and has been, without exception, forever. You notice that all supervisors are black women and the only white man you see is cleaning. The company insists they appoint on merit /1

Just want others in the trans community to know that stuff like this is only possible because of the extreme hard work of really good allies most of whom you will never see or hear from. But they are willing to fight for us at immense personal cost, when others back down. This is my cheers to them.

If you are:

Today on #WorldAIDSDay, we stand in solidarity. The 2025 UNAIDS theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response” reminds us that progress is possible, but only if governments act.

It remains my recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in the law or the criminal justice system to spend a couple of days sat in your local magistrates court and watch what goes on. I would be surprised if it didn't affect your views.

The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford

Despite my long lasting love of the BBC, BBC News bosses statement on 'how they were too easy on the evil transies but no more' made me cancel my BBC DD and increase my DD in favour of @goodlawproject.bsky.social. Another small birthday gift for the worthy work of @jessothomson.co.uk and company

Good to see these voices getting a platform. One of the most disgusting things in recent years has been the dismissive cruelty towards intersex people (especially athletes) from the "gender-criticals"

SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten. "I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA

Lady with necklace, "If we're so concerned about the welfare of women why aren't we investigating the increase in femicide, the increase in domestic violence, increase in assault and sexual harassment" "And why misogyny is still not a hate crime" #BBCQT

A reminder that the UK’s ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces was only lifted after a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights. 🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article... via www.bbcnews.com #ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms #Article8 #PrivateLife #MeddlingForeignCourt #CreditWhereItsDue

"We The People One" by Synthia Saint James, contemporary US visual artist, author, keynote speaker, and educator #WomensArt

I made a handy flow chart for confused men…

I spent yesterday with my 96yo father who lives in a care home not far from Katie Lam’s constituency. His carers are overwhelmingly from South Asia or Africa who have I hope IRL. They look after him brilliantly. 1/

Governments love to promise they’ll listen, but real listening means staying in the room when the truth is uncomfortable Good intentions are not enough if the govt doesn't understand the decades of hurt that shape this inquiry Me for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/grooming-g...

I've just rediscovered this - Toto's Africa sung by a large choir. Wonderful. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9-...

A&E Doc @andrewmeyerson.uk has an important message to deliver about our Crowdfunding campaign. If you can support us, please consider doing so. Our funds are very low and every penny goes towards helping our frontline workers. Thank you 💙 Link: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-suppo...

Well now, on initial gas safety certificates and s.21 notices, we have a county court appeal judgment by HHJ Clarke (an excellent judge), which directly contradicts that of HHJ Bloom (an excellent judge) in Byrne v Delgado. gatehouselaw.co.uk/wp-content/u...

British.

Join the discussion, 'Is the Rise in Mass Litigation distorting our Legal System and the UK Economy?' 📆 Tuesday, 18 November, 6pm 👐 Open to all 🥂 Networking reception to follow 🎟️ Tickets: nrtm.pl/3KUMb65 @thebarcouncil.bsky.social

‘Doublethink*’ alive and well in the U.K. Government. Given the U.K. Government’s statement to the United Nations on 10 October 2025: www.gov.uk/government/s...

The Bars, Faculty and Law Societies in the UK have come together and accused politicians of "irresponsible and dangerous" language that is putting lawyers at risk. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Today we celebrate Mass Ndow-Njie, who has worked tirelessly to reshape the future of our profession. He founded Bridging the Bar, a leading force in opening doors for aspiring barristers from under-represented communities. Find out more about Bridging the Bar⤵️ https://bridgingthebar.org/

Very empowering in these trixcky times to be in Oslo @nobelpeacecenter.bsky.social for today’s announcement. Such clear vital messages about what the world most needs right now. As the peace dove was released a child said “No child started a war. But children suffer the most.” So true.

BREAKING NEWS The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize to Maria Corina Machado for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. #NobelPrize

The judicial oath: I [name], do swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign King Charles the Third in the office of [judicial role], and will do right to all manner of people after the law and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. /1

And more in SE5

Seen in South East London.

Jimmy Kimmel's Monologue now has 14.3 MILLION VIEWS on YouTube. It would be a shame for you to share it www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1tj...

An overseas A&E doctor who has trained and worked in the UK for a decade has said she is 'appalled' by Nigel Farage’s plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain if Reform is elected www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

I'll just leave this here m.youtube.com/watch?v=ptfm...