Sam Rutherford (he/him)
@echomikeromeo.bsky.social
Lecturer in LGBTQ+ History/History of Sexuality, University of Glasgow.
I wrote this book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/teaching-gender-9780198937494
I wrote this book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/teaching-gender-9780198937494
Pinned
The summer has seen anti-trans campaigns across the UK and US, alongside a crisis in healthcare. But what use could trans history have in these time, beyond proving 'we have always been here'?
Sam Rutherford @echomikeromeo reflects on Imagining Trans Futures:
www.historyworkshop....
Sam Rutherford @echomikeromeo reflects on Imagining Trans Futures:
www.historyworkshop....
I wrote something quite personal about what use trans history In These Times:
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
This is something cis people can easily support their trans colleagues with. Obviously you can write to your MP. But you can also support your local trans mutual aid and direct action groups.
If your workplace introduces segregation policies, why not organise a collective piss-in? Be creative!
If your workplace introduces segregation policies, why not organise a collective piss-in? Be creative!
February 13, 2026 at 1:54 PM
This is something cis people can easily support their trans colleagues with. Obviously you can write to your MP. But you can also support your local trans mutual aid and direct action groups.
If your workplace introduces segregation policies, why not organise a collective piss-in? Be creative!
If your workplace introduces segregation policies, why not organise a collective piss-in? Be creative!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
So, at my place of work, there is not difference in toilet use between staff and students toilet use. But now trans students can use the correctly-gendered toilets, but not trans staff.
Ridiculous!
Ridiculous!
This is our news read out:
"Service providers may lawfully allow trans women to use women’s facilities without being forced to open them to cis men" and "the EHRC’s exclusionary draft Code of Practice does not accurately reflect the law and the Minister will have to send it back to be rewritten."
"Service providers may lawfully allow trans women to use women’s facilities without being forced to open them to cis men" and "the EHRC’s exclusionary draft Code of Practice does not accurately reflect the law and the Minister will have to send it back to be rewritten."
High Court rules on lawfulness of the EHRC’s interim guidance
High Court decides services may lawfully allow trans women to use women’s facilities – but the fight for trans rights continues
goodlawproject.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:10 PM
So, at my place of work, there is not difference in toilet use between staff and students toilet use. But now trans students can use the correctly-gendered toilets, but not trans staff.
Ridiculous!
Ridiculous!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
You need to be listening to @sexabolition.blog
Our government is actively choosing to spend money hounding minority groups rather than funding...literally anything else: medical care, housing, childcare, education, transport, public buildings, environmental initiatives, culture. ANYTHING.
Our government is actively choosing to spend money hounding minority groups rather than funding...literally anything else: medical care, housing, childcare, education, transport, public buildings, environmental initiatives, culture. ANYTHING.
It's unbelievably expensive for our governments to be choosing to do this much harm to society. It's a luxury we can not afford.
February 13, 2026 at 12:04 PM
You need to be listening to @sexabolition.blog
Our government is actively choosing to spend money hounding minority groups rather than funding...literally anything else: medical care, housing, childcare, education, transport, public buildings, environmental initiatives, culture. ANYTHING.
Our government is actively choosing to spend money hounding minority groups rather than funding...literally anything else: medical care, housing, childcare, education, transport, public buildings, environmental initiatives, culture. ANYTHING.
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
It's worth noting that this was also a pretext to open up new services designed and run by people who push an unproven pseudoscientific "Gender Exploratory Therapy" model that has been likened to conversion therapy by international experts.
In a functional country, this would be a scandal. A service suffering only from chronic underfunding was ripped apart because the media created a myth of 1000s of complaints of malpractice. The truth - as in my family’s experience - was very different.
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
NHS closed Tavistock over care complaints – there were only eight
An eye-opening FOI report has revealed that just eight people complained about the Tavistock gender clinic's care provision in 10 years.
www.thepinknews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:17 PM
It's worth noting that this was also a pretext to open up new services designed and run by people who push an unproven pseudoscientific "Gender Exploratory Therapy" model that has been likened to conversion therapy by international experts.
Hate that the “there are no jobs” talk (which I had three times today alone) has also now become the “there is no PhD funding” talk. Hate it!
February 11, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Hate that the “there are no jobs” talk (which I had three times today alone) has also now become the “there is no PhD funding” talk. Hate it!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
I urge you to fill in this consultation if you can - with this very helpful support from Amnesty International - although AND because ! it is heart-breaking that this country has sunk so low that Amnesty suggest in a number of cases to provide no answer as the terms of the question are so evil
The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...
Guidance for responding to 'A Fairer Pathway to Settlement' consultation
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
www.amnesty.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I urge you to fill in this consultation if you can - with this very helpful support from Amnesty International - although AND because ! it is heart-breaking that this country has sunk so low that Amnesty suggest in a number of cases to provide no answer as the terms of the question are so evil
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
‘Our opponent is tricked out with military gear, staying in Hilton hotels and renting Enterprise cars, with technological support from Palantir and Amazon Web Services.’
NEW: Amna A. Akbar writes from South Minneapolis
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
NEW: Amna A. Akbar writes from South Minneapolis
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
Amna A. Akbar | In South Minneapolis
I live in one of the south Minneapolis neighbourhoods that ICE and CBP have been pummelling for the last few weeks. This...
www.lrb.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 5:58 PM
‘Our opponent is tricked out with military gear, staying in Hilton hotels and renting Enterprise cars, with technological support from Palantir and Amazon Web Services.’
NEW: Amna A. Akbar writes from South Minneapolis
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
NEW: Amna A. Akbar writes from South Minneapolis
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
LGBTQ+ organisations stressed that “there is nothing age inappropriate about being LGBTQ+” and warn that moving books to senior sections or making them harder to access is “deeply concerning”
https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM
LGBTQ+ organisations stressed that “there is nothing age inappropriate about being LGBTQ+” and warn that moving books to senior sections or making them harder to access is “deeply concerning”
https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
Also: art is a point of contact & connection with others, and building community is how we get organized.
idk i think in a time when it feels like nothing matters & all is futile it might actually be time to double down and write your stories & make your paintings & sing your songs & do your art. create the things that make us human and share them.
February 10, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Also: art is a point of contact & connection with others, and building community is how we get organized.
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
Renee Good's partner addresses Minneapolis immigration crackdown one month after killing
Becca Good has seldom spoken out since Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
nbcnews.to
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Dr Sam Rutherford (@echomikeromeo.bsky.social) and learn more about the last 150 years of trans history in Scotland. More info and tickets (free): edin.ac/4tecKoD
#Lgbtq #Lgbtqhistorymont #Transhistory #Scottishistory #History #Edinburgh #WorldDayOfSocialJustice
#Lgbtq #Lgbtqhistorymont #Transhistory #Scottishistory #History #Edinburgh #WorldDayOfSocialJustice
February 6, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Dr Sam Rutherford (@echomikeromeo.bsky.social) and learn more about the last 150 years of trans history in Scotland. More info and tickets (free): edin.ac/4tecKoD
#Lgbtq #Lgbtqhistorymont #Transhistory #Scottishistory #History #Edinburgh #WorldDayOfSocialJustice
#Lgbtq #Lgbtqhistorymont #Transhistory #Scottishistory #History #Edinburgh #WorldDayOfSocialJustice
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
I am giving the Edinburgh Uni LGBTQ+ History Month lecture on the evening of 27 February, with the title 'Scottish Trans Pasts, Useable and Otherwise'. Details and link to register are here: hca.ed.ac.uk/updates-even... Do come along if you're in Edinburgh!
LGBTQ+ History Month: 'Scottish trans pasts, useable and otherwise?' | School of History, Classics & Archaeology | History Classics and Archaeology
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Dr Sam Rutherford and learn more about the last 150 years of trans history in Scotland.
hca.ed.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM
I am giving the Edinburgh Uni LGBTQ+ History Month lecture on the evening of 27 February, with the title 'Scottish Trans Pasts, Useable and Otherwise'. Details and link to register are here: hca.ed.ac.uk/updates-even... Do come along if you're in Edinburgh!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Why do so many proponents of traditional marriage and patriarchy advise us to look back to the 'good old days'?
Hannah Skoda on nostalgia and entangled forms of abuse.
Hannah Skoda on nostalgia and entangled forms of abuse.
Nostalgic Patriarchies
Hannah Skoda shows that there is a historically persistent connection between abuse of animals and abuse of intimate partners, and through the ages abusers have often expressed nostalgia for the 'good old days' of severe patriarchy.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Why do so many proponents of traditional marriage and patriarchy advise us to look back to the 'good old days'?
Hannah Skoda on nostalgia and entangled forms of abuse.
Hannah Skoda on nostalgia and entangled forms of abuse.
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
ICE observers in the Twin Cities suburbs say they fear being injured or killed, but are dedicated to being on the right side of history. They say working together has brought them community and connection. And they're seeing shifts in attitudes among their neighbors. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:49 PM
ICE observers in the Twin Cities suburbs say they fear being injured or killed, but are dedicated to being on the right side of history. They say working together has brought them community and connection. And they're seeing shifts in attitudes among their neighbors. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 PM
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
In 1982, inspired by the work of MO the National Lesbian and Gay survey began, it sought to capture what everyday life was like for queer people living in the UK. For our latest open call we're continuing the work of NLGS and asking what does it mean to be queer every day?
#lgbtqhistory
#lgbtqhistory
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
It was ever thus, per @briannanofil.bsky.social whose book describes the history of a system that is vast, flexible, and local
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
February 3, 2026 at 1:07 PM
It was ever thus, per @briannanofil.bsky.social whose book describes the history of a system that is vast, flexible, and local
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
February 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
Happy abseiling lesbians day to all who celebrate!!!
#OtD 2 Feb 1988 4 lesbians abseiled into the UK House of Lords in protest at the homophobic section 28. In 2017, 4 other lesbians climbed onto the Houses of Parliament in order to put up a blue plaque commemorating the 1988 action stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9181...
February 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Happy abseiling lesbians day to all who celebrate!!!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
In the month of St Brigid and St Valentine - not to mention LGBT History Month - here's my favourite queer love story from @unibirmingham.bsky.social www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/th...
The life, love and legacy of Rose Sidgwick and Margery Fry - University of Birmingham
An ornamental birdbath, tucked away by the Business School, bears witness to an enduring love between two of the University’s early feminist pioneers.
www.birmingham.ac.uk
February 2, 2026 at 2:38 PM
In the month of St Brigid and St Valentine - not to mention LGBT History Month - here's my favourite queer love story from @unibirmingham.bsky.social www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/th...
I can think of no more pleasing lunch content than sexy gay diaries!
I'm excited to present some findings from my placement at the Norfolk Record Office. You can join remotely, so consider hearing about some sexy gay diaries over lunch!
🏳️🌈 Gay Life during the Norwich Blitz by Piers Haslam. Join us for our next lunchtime talk marking LGBT+ history month, either in person or online.
📅 Wednesday 11 February 2026
⏲️ 13:00-14:00
🎫 Free, booking essential norfolkrecordofficeblog.org/events-novem...
#norwichintheblitz #lgbthistorymonth
📅 Wednesday 11 February 2026
⏲️ 13:00-14:00
🎫 Free, booking essential norfolkrecordofficeblog.org/events-novem...
#norwichintheblitz #lgbthistorymonth
February 2, 2026 at 12:12 PM
I can think of no more pleasing lunch content than sexy gay diaries!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
The latest issue of History Workshop Journal is out now, and it marks two exciting milestones: 50 years and 100 issues of innovative radical history.
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
February 2, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The latest issue of History Workshop Journal is out now, and it marks two exciting milestones: 50 years and 100 issues of innovative radical history.
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Just to offer the counterpoint here, as I think it is very very important we do so: this is absolutely anticipatory obedience 101.
Much as university leaders might see it as their responsibility to “plan” for this possibility, in effect REF are getting to set the agenda without winning any election
Much as university leaders might see it as their responsibility to “plan” for this possibility, in effect REF are getting to set the agenda without winning any election
Before anyone gets too angry about this, several things. (1) Universities in the UK, unlike the US, are pretty much under the financial and admin control of central govt. If RefUK moves to wipe them out, as they will, then some will choose life. (1/3) www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Universities try to woo Reform as party gains ground
Serious lobbying efforts under way, with right-wing party expected to be more sympathetic to elite universities than rest of the sector
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Just to offer the counterpoint here, as I think it is very very important we do so: this is absolutely anticipatory obedience 101.
Much as university leaders might see it as their responsibility to “plan” for this possibility, in effect REF are getting to set the agenda without winning any election
Much as university leaders might see it as their responsibility to “plan” for this possibility, in effect REF are getting to set the agenda without winning any election