My Gran was awarded the MBE for “services to education” by Thatcher. She was a wonderful educator but I still wish she’d turned it down.

Refusing the award would have been much more newsworthy. I too grew up in the 1980s as a queer kid in a small Yorkshire town and it wasn’t much fun. We need to live life on our own terms………screw empire and transphobia, stand up for your principles.

People may be inclined to be too or bottom, but that doesn’t mean anyone is entitled to that side of them if it’s not what they want. We still have choice, and power dynamics require negotiation and mutual respect.

I’m 50 and I have no issue with getting older, or with looking my age. Sure I have stretch marks, wrinkles and scars. I have lived and this shows. I’m not 21 so why should I want to look 21? Getting older is way better than the alternative.