Helen Belcher
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
Former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, current Lib Dem councillor, head of TransActual, Leveson witness, former company founder, looking for a quieter life.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Not for nothing, this is one reason why we say "pregnant patient" instead of "woman." It's not just for non-binary inclusion.
In addition to the fact that it's very much the power imbalance and legal responsibility to protect them that makes them children, it's also disturbing that so many people are willingly like "listen, 15 year olds are hot, and that's a fact." They are children. They look like children.
November 14, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Not for nothing, this is one reason why we say "pregnant patient" instead of "woman." It's not just for non-binary inclusion.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
LMAO, so a cis man could claim he’s treated less favourably by being denied access to women’s toilets but a trans woman can’t claim to be treated less favourably by being denied access to any toilet.
Have I got that right? Joke of an argument.
Have I got that right? Joke of an argument.
November 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
LMAO, so a cis man could claim he’s treated less favourably by being denied access to women’s toilets but a trans woman can’t claim to be treated less favourably by being denied access to any toilet.
Have I got that right? Joke of an argument.
Have I got that right? Joke of an argument.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Even in conversations about saving the planet from catastrophic destruction, regressive anti-trans voices are trying to derail things by demanding climate agencies collect data about 'biological sex' rather than gender 📊🌍
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Row over definition of ‘gender’ hangs over Cop30 plans to support women
Advocates say conservative states’ push to define gender as ‘biological sex’ would backslide on decade-old language within the UN
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Even in conversations about saving the planet from catastrophic destruction, regressive anti-trans voices are trying to derail things by demanding climate agencies collect data about 'biological sex' rather than gender 📊🌍
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"With AI peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas"
"What?"
"Shut up"
(I thought this was going to be about Christmas ads but it turned out to be sooo much better.)
"What?"
"Shut up"
(I thought this was going to be about Christmas ads but it turned out to be sooo much better.)
![[Scene is a kitchen - a middle aged woman called JANET is boiling peas at the stove. A younger more colourfully dressed woman named LIZ approached her.]
JANET:
Ugh...
LIZ:
What's up?
JANET:
I am so bored of cooking peas!
LIZ:
Have you tried...
AI peas?
JANET:
AI peas?
LIZ:
They're peas with AI!
[Liz holds up to us a packet of peas labelled: Pea-i AI - Peas with AI].
LIZ:
Al-powered peas harness the potential of your peas
JANET:
What
LIZ [Now a voiceover as we cut to a whizzy technology diagram of peas all connected by meaningless dotted lines]
Why not take your peas to the next level with Al Peas' new Al tools to power your peas?
[Show a techno diagram of a pea with a label reading 'AI' pointing to a random zone in it]
LIZ:
Each pea has Al in a way we haven't quite worked out yet but it's fine
[Show Janet and Liz now in a Matrix-style world of peas]
LIZ:
With Al peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas!
JANET:
What
LIZ:
Shut up
LIZ:
Our game-changing Pea-Al gives you the freedom to unlock the potential of the power of the future of your peas workflow
From opening the bag of peas
to boiling the peas
to eating the peas
To spending millions on adding Al to the peas and then having to work out what that even means.
JANET:
Is it really necessary to-
LIZ [Grabbing Janet by the collar]:
THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI, JANET
[Cut to an advert ending screen, with the bag of peas and the slogan:
AI PEAS: Just 'Peas' for god's sake buy the AI peas.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayqa37f7kik7l7s7fbtfp2sir5ckb662ry2lylinyjrfa2rkvvka@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM
"With AI peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas"
"What?"
"Shut up"
(I thought this was going to be about Christmas ads but it turned out to be sooo much better.)
"What?"
"Shut up"
(I thought this was going to be about Christmas ads but it turned out to be sooo much better.)
Just as well Ed didn't win in 2015. Can you imagine the level of chaos that would have ensued?
Verdict of one Labour grandee I just bumped into: “Ed Miliband is the person most likely to be the most next Prime Minister”.
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Just as well Ed didn't win in 2015. Can you imagine the level of chaos that would have ensued?
Well this is a thread and a half. Some of the revelations are extraordinary. The EHRC explanations are explosive and politically loaded.
GANRHI should definitely take note.
I know this is a prosecution laying out its case, but even so...
GANRHI should definitely take note.
I know this is a prosecution laying out its case, but even so...
1/🧵 Today at 10:30am, High Court in London, Court 1, before Mr Justice Swift, R (Good Law Project, on the application of) v Equality and Human Rights Commission, a rolled-up hearing for judicial review of EHRC’s “interim update” (Day 1 of 2)
No live reporting, sorry.
No live reporting, sorry.
November 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Well this is a thread and a half. Some of the revelations are extraordinary. The EHRC explanations are explosive and politically loaded.
GANRHI should definitely take note.
I know this is a prosecution laying out its case, but even so...
GANRHI should definitely take note.
I know this is a prosecution laying out its case, but even so...
Reposted by Helen Belcher
All you need to know.
Sonia Sodha, Emily Maitlis, Helen Joyce and Hannah Barnes have all had their say in the media in the last 24 hours.
Sonia Sodha, Emily Maitlis, Helen Joyce and Hannah Barnes have all had their say in the media in the last 24 hours.
How many trans people have the BBC had on this week discussing the BBC's pro-trans bias?
Zero.
Zero.
November 11, 2025 at 9:18 AM
All you need to know.
Sonia Sodha, Emily Maitlis, Helen Joyce and Hannah Barnes have all had their say in the media in the last 24 hours.
Sonia Sodha, Emily Maitlis, Helen Joyce and Hannah Barnes have all had their say in the media in the last 24 hours.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
A group of powerful national journalists choosing to single out the healthcare of a vulnerable minority for a campaign of intense laser-like scrutiny would, in an humane society, be described as an insane radicalised pogrom.
But on Normal Island, that's a Wednesday.
But on Normal Island, that's a Wednesday.
Emily Maitlis admitting she worked at the bbc to try and get healthcare for trans people shut down
November 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
A group of powerful national journalists choosing to single out the healthcare of a vulnerable minority for a campaign of intense laser-like scrutiny would, in an humane society, be described as an insane radicalised pogrom.
But on Normal Island, that's a Wednesday.
But on Normal Island, that's a Wednesday.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
A big win for people more outraged by a silly edit at the BBC than by a man impeached by Congress for literally inciting an insurrection being back in the White House. Pathetic.
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A big win for people more outraged by a silly edit at the BBC than by a man impeached by Congress for literally inciting an insurrection being back in the White House. Pathetic.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
The recent policy change which makes it impossible for young trans people to delay puberty, at great cost to their mental health, has a special caveat to allow cross-sex hormones to be used on intersex children even contrary to their wishes, at great cost to their mental health.
November 8, 2025 at 12:17 PM
The recent policy change which makes it impossible for young trans people to delay puberty, at great cost to their mental health, has a special caveat to allow cross-sex hormones to be used on intersex children even contrary to their wishes, at great cost to their mental health.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
The BBC’s in a mess, but it’s not the mess you think www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The BBC’s in a mess, but it’s not the mess you think www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
Yes. Next question.
The Leveson Inquiry was meant to usher in a new era of press regulation, but have we gone from one ineffective regulator to another? | Cliff Mitchell
After the Leveson Inquiry, is the press now beyond control?
The Leveson Inquiry was meant to usher in a new era of press regulation, but have we gone from one ineffective regulator to another?
centralbylines.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Yes. Next question.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
This is a great thread
About nine years ago I lived for a year in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, doing some work as a speechwriter and writing a book about the river Rhine (obviously)
November 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This is a great thread
Reposted by Helen Belcher
From 2019 onwards, you say. How mysterious.
The number of people aged between 16 and 34 who are out of work due to long-term sickness increased by 76% between 2019 and 2024
UK ‘sliding into avoidable crisis’, major review into workplace sickness warns
The number of people aged between 16 and 34 who are out of work due to long-term sickness increased by 76% between 2019 and 2024
www.independent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 AM
From 2019 onwards, you say. How mysterious.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Huge Democratic party win across the board, but a lot of European newspapers are just reporting on Mamdami
November 5, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Huge Democratic party win across the board, but a lot of European newspapers are just reporting on Mamdami
Reposted by Helen Belcher
My son is on blockers legally from before the ban and we did everything they told us to do and now we are being threatened with social services if we don't allow them to "safely withdraw" medication. They admit that the impact will be "stark" for our kids but they are going to do it anyway.
"Laura fears all will be lost if ICB Sussex forces her child off the medication.
If ICB Sussex get their own way in a matter of weeks and they force detransition, Olive may well take her life."
northwestbylines.co.uk/news/health/...
If ICB Sussex get their own way in a matter of weeks and they force detransition, Olive may well take her life."
northwestbylines.co.uk/news/health/...
NHS threatens GP practice over trans care
A GP practice in Brighton and Hove is currently under investigation for legally providing gender affirming care to trans teens
northwestbylines.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
My son is on blockers legally from before the ban and we did everything they told us to do and now we are being threatened with social services if we don't allow them to "safely withdraw" medication. They admit that the impact will be "stark" for our kids but they are going to do it anyway.
... and the number of crimes committed by trans women in gendered spaces is? Suspect it's extremely close to 0. It's going to be far, far fewer than the number of trans women subjected to crimes in those spaces.
Claire Coutinho writing in the Times today that "Every day of delay over the guidance puts women at risk"
November 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
... and the number of crimes committed by trans women in gendered spaces is? Suspect it's extremely close to 0. It's going to be far, far fewer than the number of trans women subjected to crimes in those spaces.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Brief reminder:
If you've not got round to voting in the lib dem internal elections yet @pluslibdems.bsky.social have a handy list of queer supportive folks (including me) for you to consider
If you've not got round to voting in the lib dem internal elections yet @pluslibdems.bsky.social have a handy list of queer supportive folks (including me) for you to consider
Are you a 🔶 @libdems.org.uk member? If so, you get a vote in the party's internal elections, but it's a long ballot. Our recommendations on how to vote are here - some excellent candidates standing. 👇
Candidates for 2025 Internal Elections
LGBT+ Lib Dems and allies standing in the triennial internal party elections
lgbt.libdems.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Brief reminder:
If you've not got round to voting in the lib dem internal elections yet @pluslibdems.bsky.social have a handy list of queer supportive folks (including me) for you to consider
If you've not got round to voting in the lib dem internal elections yet @pluslibdems.bsky.social have a handy list of queer supportive folks (including me) for you to consider
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Saw a news report yesterday about children as young as 9 being given weight loss jabs on the NHS, and I think it shows just how utterly bullshit the “lack of research into long term impacts” excuse for banning puberty blockers for trans kids really was. It’s purely ideological.
November 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Saw a news report yesterday about children as young as 9 being given weight loss jabs on the NHS, and I think it shows just how utterly bullshit the “lack of research into long term impacts” excuse for banning puberty blockers for trans kids really was. It’s purely ideological.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
All that's wrong with the EHRC "guidance" in one paragraph
“There was no consultation with stakeholders – or even their own staff. It included legal inaccuracies and has since been withdrawn. And while it was big on how to exclude, it had nothing to say on how to include trans people in public life”
“There was no consultation with stakeholders – or even their own staff. It included legal inaccuracies and has since been withdrawn. And while it was big on how to exclude, it had nothing to say on how to include trans people in public life”
New report details the harm caused by EHRC interim guidance
New report details the harm caused by EHRC interim guidance
TransActual will be taking copies of their findings to meet with MPs
diva-magazine.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:52 AM
All that's wrong with the EHRC "guidance" in one paragraph
“There was no consultation with stakeholders – or even their own staff. It included legal inaccuracies and has since been withdrawn. And while it was big on how to exclude, it had nothing to say on how to include trans people in public life”
“There was no consultation with stakeholders – or even their own staff. It included legal inaccuracies and has since been withdrawn. And while it was big on how to exclude, it had nothing to say on how to include trans people in public life”
Reposted by Helen Belcher
UK parties resignation styles:
Labour: Mindnumbing technical error £150k in their favour
Tories: Went to sex party, used drug they opposed legalising
Lib Dems: Bad thoughts
Greens: Accidental use of bus lane
Reform: I won't resign and will never stop exploding squirrels with homemade dynamite.
Labour: Mindnumbing technical error £150k in their favour
Tories: Went to sex party, used drug they opposed legalising
Lib Dems: Bad thoughts
Greens: Accidental use of bus lane
Reform: I won't resign and will never stop exploding squirrels with homemade dynamite.
September 5, 2025 at 12:42 PM
UK parties resignation styles:
Labour: Mindnumbing technical error £150k in their favour
Tories: Went to sex party, used drug they opposed legalising
Lib Dems: Bad thoughts
Greens: Accidental use of bus lane
Reform: I won't resign and will never stop exploding squirrels with homemade dynamite.
Labour: Mindnumbing technical error £150k in their favour
Tories: Went to sex party, used drug they opposed legalising
Lib Dems: Bad thoughts
Greens: Accidental use of bus lane
Reform: I won't resign and will never stop exploding squirrels with homemade dynamite.
Badenoch showing signs of "i just did stuff as a joke. She, however, is a hardened criminal." Clear her past is likely to come up whenever she calls for punishment of someone else.
She’s right. She *deliberately* hacked into Harriet Harman’s website, whereas Rachel Reeves is accused of obtaining a license late by accident. I assume that’s what she means, given Badenoch is widely known for her thoughtfulness and her self-awareness.
Badenoch says hacking into Harriet Harman's website 17 years ago 'not the same' as Reeves breaking law
October 30, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Badenoch showing signs of "i just did stuff as a joke. She, however, is a hardened criminal." Clear her past is likely to come up whenever she calls for punishment of someone else.