By Devin Valentine. For those who don’t know, I’m a transgender man. My life and the lives of everyone in the trans community and under the broad umbrella of gender diversity is politicised every day. I don’t get the comfort of saying “I don’t do politics”. This has been...
Opinion Pieces
Reader’s letter: When looks become the law: why the Supreme Court ruling harms every woman
By Paul Bickmore. Imagine waking up on a normal Tuesday, stepping out for a coffee, and realising there’s nowhere you can safely use the loo. Not the women’s room, because on paper you “don’t pass,” and not the men’s room, because you’ll be accused of intrusion. This isn’t a...
Reader’s letter: has any thought gone into Supreme Court decision?
By Ben Cooke. The UK Supreme Court’s decision today is legally incomprehensible and morally deeply questionable. More than that, it’s just very stupid: like all anti-trans ideology, barely any thought seems to have gone into it. By insisting that sex-based rights are assigned solely to biological sex, we’re left...
Reader’s letter: Enough is enough – we reject planned welfare cuts
By Crips Against Cuts. On Saturday 5th April, activists and their disabled allies in Portsmouth will be rallying outside the Guildhall to say ‘enough is enough’ and reject the government’s planned welfare cuts, as well as the proposed changes to assessment for disabled people to access work exemption benefits,...
Opinion: Is Saving Grassroots Venues Enough? Why Ed Sheeran’s campaign for music education is so important
By Christopher Taylor. On 23rd March 2025, Ed Sheeran shared a letter in this Facebook post calling for the Labour Government to ‘repair decades of dismantling music’ through an increase of support for young musicians. His five-point proposal focuses on increasing music provision in schools through increased funding,...
Opinion: ‘public transport cuts will leave residents cut off from everyday life’
By Susan Dorsett, leaf for Knightwood/Valley Park Campaigners. Written in response to Hampshire County Council rejecting petition and letters hand delivered by disabled bus pass holders in March 2025. This is another devastating, frustrating blow to our disabled residents, not just within Knightwood/Valley Park, but throughout our beautiful, glorious...
Opinion: My mixed feelings around Trans Day of Visibility
By Mabel Wellman. Every year, 31st March is Trans Day Of Visibility. This is a day to celebrate the incredible people in our community and the achievements we have made to society. Whether that be in fighting for the rights of all people in the LGBT community, such...
Reader’s letter: Ever since I came out as trans, it’s been more dangerous to be transgender
By Devin Valentine. Every year since I came out as a transgender man in 2011, it’s become more and more dangerous to be transgender – not less. Let that sink in… And I’m not talking about for me, I’m fine – day to day nobody on the street would...
Reader’s letter: We condemn misleading and inflammatory coverage of local school’s Easter plans
By Adnan Chaudry, Southampton Stand Up To Racism. Southampton Stand Up To Racism strongly condemns the misleading and inflammatory coverage by sections of the media regarding Norwood Primary School’s decision on its Easter celebrations. We are also deeply concerned by the involvement of MPs who do not represent the...
Reader’s letter: why we held an emergency vigil for Gaza
By Southampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign. On Friday 21st March concerned people from many different backgrounds held an Emergency Vigil in Southampton outside the Civic Centre. This was to protest against Israel breaking the terms of the ceasefire and refusing to move to Stage 2 of the agreed ceasefire deal. Instead...