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)
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
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Vital case of University of Sussex vs Office for Students is in the High Court this week. The results will matter for all of us given the OfS's overreach and directions of travel.
The Office for Students’ (OfS) investigation into freedom of speech : In focus : News : University of Sussex
www.sussex.ac.uk
February 1, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Vital case of University of Sussex vs Office for Students is in the High Court this week. The results will matter for all of us given the OfS's overreach and directions of travel.
The actual Julia Gordon is fundraising for the preservation of Scottish trans history!!!
A small but deeply meaningful local project - digitising issues of 90s Scottish trans magazine The Tartan Skirt so all of us can access them.
It's a really modest fundraising target with a significant outcome, please share or contribute if you can!
It's a really modest fundraising target with a significant outcome, please share or contribute if you can!
Donate to Help The Tartan Skirt Go Digital, organized by Julia Gordon
Hi, I'm Julia Gordon and for several years in the 90s I was involved in working for wide… Julia Gordon needs your support for Help The Tartan Skirt Go Digital
www.gofundme.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The actual Julia Gordon is fundraising for the preservation of Scottish trans history!!!
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
‘Backing down isn’t an option’: Minnesota ICE shootings mobilize Americans to join ICE observer groups
The killings of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti have inspired people across the US to document federal agents’ activities in their communities
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:18 PM
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
NEW: The @wired.com Security desk put together a comprehensive guide to filming ICE—with tips for reducing risk at the forefront. No paywall, but please consider subscribing to help find these kinds of resources. And stay safe out there. www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
How to Film ICE
Filming federal agents in public is legal, but avoiding a dangerous—even deadly—confrontation isn’t guaranteed. Here’s how to record ICE and CBP agents as safely as possible and have an impact.
www.wired.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:55 AM
NEW: The @wired.com Security desk put together a comprehensive guide to filming ICE—with tips for reducing risk at the forefront. No paywall, but please consider subscribing to help find these kinds of resources. And stay safe out there. www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
🫡
Any meaningful trans history week should be a threat to labour in how it condemns them not a fucking opportunity for pinkwashing
January 30, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🫡
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
Here are some ways to help Minnesota with all the essential but less visible needs.
But also, go get involved with your own community. Make new friends. Get those networks going. Learn what orgs in your city are already doing good work that needs support. Don't wait.
www.standwithminnesota.com
But also, go get involved with your own community. Make new friends. Get those networks going. Learn what orgs in your city are already doing good work that needs support. Don't wait.
www.standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Here are some ways to help Minnesota with all the essential but less visible needs.
But also, go get involved with your own community. Make new friends. Get those networks going. Learn what orgs in your city are already doing good work that needs support. Don't wait.
www.standwithminnesota.com
But also, go get involved with your own community. Make new friends. Get those networks going. Learn what orgs in your city are already doing good work that needs support. Don't wait.
www.standwithminnesota.com
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
It's very weird that Brianna's mum thinks her daughter was led astray by social media, but has nothing to say about the possible effects of social media on her daughter's murderers
okay I'm sorry but I fundamentally do not see how this is anything other than victim-blaming Brianna??
Brianna met her killers, one of whom was a friend, in broad daylight. How is that some kind of online-influenced risk-taking?? They could have been meeting up to go to the cinema
Brianna met her killers, one of whom was a friend, in broad daylight. How is that some kind of online-influenced risk-taking?? They could have been meeting up to go to the cinema
January 29, 2026 at 11:18 AM
It's very weird that Brianna's mum thinks her daughter was led astray by social media, but has nothing to say about the possible effects of social media on her daughter's murderers
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
I wrote about my time in Minneapolis last week, about what is involved in creating bottom-up, decentralized networks of care.
margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/our-neighb...
margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/our-neighb...
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I wrote about my time in Minneapolis last week, about what is involved in creating bottom-up, decentralized networks of care.
margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/our-neighb...
margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/our-neighb...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
David French argued Renee Good's murder is an example of the US having two sytems of law: orderly for friends & belligerent for foes. @victorerikray.bsky.social corrects him: US law has always promised fascism for non-whites & those who stand with them.
groupthreat.com/p/americas-d...
groupthreat.com/p/americas-d...
America's "dual state" is a racial state
ICE's terrors draw on an American traditions of racial violence
groupthreat.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:12 PM
David French argued Renee Good's murder is an example of the US having two sytems of law: orderly for friends & belligerent for foes. @victorerikray.bsky.social corrects him: US law has always promised fascism for non-whites & those who stand with them.
groupthreat.com/p/americas-d...
groupthreat.com/p/americas-d...
Interesting addition to the UK trans studies landscape! www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Queer and Trans Healthcare and Creativity studentships | Faculty of Humanities | The University of Manchester
Explore Queer and Trans Healthcare and Creativity studentships at The University of Manchester, supporting inclusive postgraduate research funding options.
www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk
January 27, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Interesting addition to the UK trans studies landscape! www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Reposted by Sam Rutherford (he/him)
"We had one hotel publicly refuse to house ICE, which became a big national news story when DHS went after them. That’s a hotel we were targeting, and it was mostly because of our pressure. We had two more hotels temporarily shut down to avoid housing ICE..."
www.laborpolitics.com/p/how-minnea...
www.laborpolitics.com/p/how-minnea...
How to Block ICE In Your City
Minneapolis organizer Aru Shiney-Ajay on effective tactics to disrupt ICE—and the need to target corporate collaborators
www.laborpolitics.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:49 PM
"We had one hotel publicly refuse to house ICE, which became a big national news story when DHS went after them. That’s a hotel we were targeting, and it was mostly because of our pressure. We had two more hotels temporarily shut down to avoid housing ICE..."
www.laborpolitics.com/p/how-minnea...
www.laborpolitics.com/p/how-minnea...