Fred
@fredsl.bsky.social
he/him
Queer, Quaker, trans, bi, polyamorous optimist. Swimming & cycling & birdwatching & sewing & folk fiddle & SFF &...
Queer, Quaker, trans, bi, polyamorous optimist. Swimming & cycling & birdwatching & sewing & folk fiddle & SFF &...
Post a perfect album* from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains.
December 28, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Post a perfect album* from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains.
Reposted by Fred
If you’re in the UK & are so inclined, from Dec 25 to Jan 5 you can get the Kindle edition of THE RIVER HAS ROOTS for 99p as part of their 12 Days of Kindle event! This means in the UK you can also get that price matched at other etailers, like Kobo! Merry Christmas!
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
The River Has Roots ebook by Amal El-Mohtar - Rakuten Kobo
Read "The River Has Roots The Sweeping, Magical Solo Debut by the Best-Selling Co-Author of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR" by Amal El-Mohtar available from Rakuten Kobo. Follow the river Liss to t...
www.kobo.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
If you’re in the UK & are so inclined, from Dec 25 to Jan 5 you can get the Kindle edition of THE RIVER HAS ROOTS for 99p as part of their 12 Days of Kindle event! This means in the UK you can also get that price matched at other etailers, like Kobo! Merry Christmas!
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
Reposted by Fred
You know, some days I sit and think about how absolutely wild it is that we've built a society where we don't provide a place for people to even sleep at night without having to pay for it, and that we've somehow made it seem like that's normal.
December 17, 2025 at 2:28 AM
You know, some days I sit and think about how absolutely wild it is that we've built a society where we don't provide a place for people to even sleep at night without having to pay for it, and that we've somehow made it seem like that's normal.
Reposted by Fred
When this guidance is published (given legal standing), as it almost certainly will be, as a trans man I will not be allowed to use non-unisex public toilets. Which is almost every public toilet.
Just want that to sink in, there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Just want that to sink in, there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Equality boss expects people to 'follow rules' over single-sex spaces
Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said
www.bbc.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
When this guidance is published (given legal standing), as it almost certainly will be, as a trans man I will not be allowed to use non-unisex public toilets. Which is almost every public toilet.
Just want that to sink in, there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Just want that to sink in, there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Fred
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is an excellent book.
Keep forgetting to say that my novel is *ideal* for cold weather, full of candle-spots of warmth swallowed up by the chill gloom. Victorian London and West Country folklore tied into a seasonal bundle.
Also has an artist heroine, unrequited/inadvisable love, and a chap who's back from the dead.
Also has an artist heroine, unrequited/inadvisable love, and a chap who's back from the dead.
December 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This is an excellent book.
Reposted by Fred
When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Local authorities in England and Wales warn finances at ‘breaking point’
More councils expected to fall into bankruptcy in near future as they face nervous wait over government funding
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:54 AM
When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This is great so far (I've only listened to the first episode)
I'm just going to mention again that I made this long-form detective story podcast and you can listen to it in various places. The response has been really gratifying so far. Second episode on Sunday.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Murder of a Famous Bastard
Comedy Podcast · Series · An episodic murder mystery story written by and starring Mark Watson with many guest stars.
Struggling private detective Hugh Flounder is surprised to be invited to the 60th...
podcasts.apple.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
This is great so far (I've only listened to the first episode)
..and lots and lots of Marriott Edgar and AA Milne
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
..and lots and lots of Marriott Edgar and AA Milne
"Tell me lies about Vietnam" by Adrian Mitchell
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"Tell me lies about Vietnam" by Adrian Mitchell
"I want to be a country singer..." by Tim Gibbard, which has stayed in my head more or less complete for 25 years after hearing one or two performances.
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"I want to be a country singer..." by Tim Gibbard, which has stayed in my head more or less complete for 25 years after hearing one or two performances.
The whole of "Stop All the Clocks"
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The whole of "Stop All the Clocks"
Reposted by Fred
my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
December 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
Reposted by Fred
I lost the framed original of this while I was going through St Pancras on Sunday Nov 2nd around 3pm. Would love if it had been found by anyone?
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I lost the framed original of this while I was going through St Pancras on Sunday Nov 2nd around 3pm. Would love if it had been found by anyone?
Reposted by Fred
Could you help us promote peace and nonviolent conflict resolution throughout British schools?
We are looking for an experienced educator to support and develop our peer mediation work.
The deadline is Thursday 20 November. To read the full job advert and apply, visit our website:
We are looking for an experienced educator to support and develop our peer mediation work.
The deadline is Thursday 20 November. To read the full job advert and apply, visit our website:
Quakers in Britain: Job opportunities
Find a range of jobs with Quakers in Britain. With a 1:4 ratio between our highest and our lowest paid staff, we are a Living Wage employer.
www.quaker.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Could you help us promote peace and nonviolent conflict resolution throughout British schools?
We are looking for an experienced educator to support and develop our peer mediation work.
The deadline is Thursday 20 November. To read the full job advert and apply, visit our website:
We are looking for an experienced educator to support and develop our peer mediation work.
The deadline is Thursday 20 November. To read the full job advert and apply, visit our website:
Reposted by Fred
We’re hearing that EHRC’s updated Code is now with the Minister for Equalities.
Now, more than ever, it’s critical to write to your MP to get them to pressure her for a debate & vote in Parliament, not for this Code to become statutory automatically.
Please do write; template letter linked below 🙏
Now, more than ever, it’s critical to write to your MP to get them to pressure her for a debate & vote in Parliament, not for this Code to become statutory automatically.
Please do write; template letter linked below 🙏
Success! We delivered our joint letter demanding full scrutiny, meaningful debate & a free vote for MPs on the new Code of Practice.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/09/02/e...
Many MPs we’ve spoken to are now ready to help.
❗️BUT they’ve advised that they need you—as constituents—to keep writing in❗️
1/2
www.thepinknews.com/2025/09/02/e...
Many MPs we’ve spoken to are now ready to help.
❗️BUT they’ve advised that they need you—as constituents—to keep writing in❗️
1/2
September 5, 2025 at 6:44 AM
We’re hearing that EHRC’s updated Code is now with the Minister for Equalities.
Now, more than ever, it’s critical to write to your MP to get them to pressure her for a debate & vote in Parliament, not for this Code to become statutory automatically.
Please do write; template letter linked below 🙏
Now, more than ever, it’s critical to write to your MP to get them to pressure her for a debate & vote in Parliament, not for this Code to become statutory automatically.
Please do write; template letter linked below 🙏
Reposted by Fred
For ways to find patterns, The Foldline is an indie pattern aggregator shop, good for browsing: thefoldline.com And for reviews / project logs, Patternreview.com is old-school and Threadloop.app is modern / indie stuff - useful to see what pattern users liked.
The Fold Line | Online Sewing Pattern Shop
Shop the largest collection of independent sewing patterns in the world. Find the perfect dressmaking pattern for your next making adventure.
thefoldline.com
September 1, 2025 at 9:26 PM
For ways to find patterns, The Foldline is an indie pattern aggregator shop, good for browsing: thefoldline.com And for reviews / project logs, Patternreview.com is old-school and Threadloop.app is modern / indie stuff - useful to see what pattern users liked.
Reposted by Fred
So, straightway, the brave little feller,
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with the horse's head handle
And shoved it in the raven's ear.
You could see that the raven didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a caw,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with him
And quothed, 'Do that nevermore!"
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with the horse's head handle
And shoved it in the raven's ear.
You could see that the raven didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a caw,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with him
And quothed, 'Do that nevermore!"
April 16, 2024 at 2:53 PM
So, straightway, the brave little feller,
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with the horse's head handle
And shoved it in the raven's ear.
You could see that the raven didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a caw,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with him
And quothed, 'Do that nevermore!"
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with the horse's head handle
And shoved it in the raven's ear.
You could see that the raven didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a caw,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with him
And quothed, 'Do that nevermore!"
Reposted by Fred
Reposted by Fred
In honour of realising it's thirty years since I came out as bisexual, I used my 'Ugly Zines' class to make this advice to my 14 year old self 1/2
August 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
In honour of realising it's thirty years since I came out as bisexual, I used my 'Ugly Zines' class to make this advice to my 14 year old self 1/2
Reposted by Fred
It's the year 2025 and I'm so tired of having to say:
- immigration is good
- racism is bad
- bodily autonomy is good
- policing bodies is bad
- consent is good
- overriding or ignoring consent is bad
Why are so many people determined to ignore these demonstrable facts?
- immigration is good
- racism is bad
- bodily autonomy is good
- policing bodies is bad
- consent is good
- overriding or ignoring consent is bad
Why are so many people determined to ignore these demonstrable facts?
August 28, 2025 at 9:49 AM
It's the year 2025 and I'm so tired of having to say:
- immigration is good
- racism is bad
- bodily autonomy is good
- policing bodies is bad
- consent is good
- overriding or ignoring consent is bad
Why are so many people determined to ignore these demonstrable facts?
- immigration is good
- racism is bad
- bodily autonomy is good
- policing bodies is bad
- consent is good
- overriding or ignoring consent is bad
Why are so many people determined to ignore these demonstrable facts?
Reposted by Fred
This letter is specifically about toilet provisions at Friends House which is
a. Directly opposite Euston Station
b. Has a cafe
c. Would be delighted to provide you with a coffee and gender-affirming facilities, regardless of your religious beliefs.
a. Directly opposite Euston Station
b. Has a cafe
c. Would be delighted to provide you with a coffee and gender-affirming facilities, regardless of your religious beliefs.
August 28, 2025 at 8:16 PM
This letter is specifically about toilet provisions at Friends House which is
a. Directly opposite Euston Station
b. Has a cafe
c. Would be delighted to provide you with a coffee and gender-affirming facilities, regardless of your religious beliefs.
a. Directly opposite Euston Station
b. Has a cafe
c. Would be delighted to provide you with a coffee and gender-affirming facilities, regardless of your religious beliefs.
Reposted by Fred
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion
On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.
www.quaker.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Fred
We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment
One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. As our book of tea...
www.quaker.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...