Beth compiles a list of words which have been added to the dictionary over the past (almost) decade and discusses what this reflects about our society…
Fighting Transphobia Part 2
The following essay is the second part of a discussion on Transphobia by Hazel Sanderson…
A Decade in Tomes
The last ten years has offered up an eclectic range of new fiction that has challenged and changed how and what we read. Below, I’ve collected a handful of iconic or influential books of the last 10 years that show how new stories are being welcomed onto our shelves…
Fighting Transphobia
We’re going to look at some prominent transphobic myths and statements, why these statements are false or misleading and why a minority of people believe them anyway. By doing so we will examine how people get to be transphobic in this way and how to prevent these movements from growing and gaining support…
This Week in Trans Rights
An employment tribunal decided that “gender critical feminism” was not protected speech in a case this week in which Maya Forstater, tax consultant, claimed that she had been discriminated against by her employer when she lost her job for repeatedly expressing transphobic views online…
Ethical and Sustainable Christmas Shopping
Still stuck for those last minute Christmas presents? We’ve got you sorted. Buying from local and independent business not only means your money benefits those within your community, but their environmental impact is often markedly lower as they don’t have to be shipped half way across the world…
Celebration of Diversity pt. Three
Our Visual Artwork Editor, Rosalind Main writes about I Am More Than’s third annual event, ‘Celebration of Diversity’. I Am More Than is an empowering and beautifully feminist project founded by her and Morgan McTiernan, both of whom are fashion models and activists for body inclusivity…
Dungeons and Dragons and Inclusivity
There’s generally a common perception around table-top roleplaying games regarding who they are for. They’re for white, male nerds, right? That’s the kind of people who play Dungeons and Dragons. The reality may surprise you…
THE CLIMATE CRISIS: Comparing political manifestos
Concerned about the climate crisis? Want a government who takes it as seriously as you? Find out who you’re voting for on Thursday pledges to protect our planet in this short summary by our Environmental Editor @megcmcg …
Four Times the Tories Lied This Campaign
Yeah, so…we’re having a general election. For the third time. In four years. If anyone needs me, I’ll be out in the garden burning my framed copy of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011 and weeping for what could have been…
Study Season Lofi
Lena Avery recommends music streams which will get you through this study season: “In celebration of study season, let me take you down the Lo-fi radio rabbit hole. Grab some coffee (or tea) of your choice— it’s a long way down…”
Nasty Survivors: towards a politics of survivorship
On the 25th of November, the world observed the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This was both a day that called for reflection and the commemoration of the victims and survivors of such violence, but also served as a call to action. The ocean of posts regarding this day that popped up on my social media, as well as the myriad of news articles touching on this topic made me think about survival and politics. Or, more specifically, I asked myself how survivors such as myself can be understood from a political standpoint…
Heat for the Homeless, Edinburgh
Just over two years ago I was chatting to a man sat reading at the base of the Playfair steps. It was November and freezing cold. I asked him what the best thing he was ever given whilst being a rough sleeper was and he told me ‘a hot water bottle’. I always find it difficult knowing the right etiquette of what to give rough sleepers or anyone who is asking for help on the street…
Become the Monster (That Anti-Vaxxers Fear)
CW: Harassment, coming-out experiences.
The air is warm and musty, children are screaming from an over-indulgence in sugar, moms turn up with over-the-top baked goods for the PTA, and little Debbie is just about to cause an outbreak of measles. The reason? Debbie’s parents are some of many Americans who have decided that they are anti-vaxxers…
Accessibility and Art : Creativity has no Boundaries
It is important for me as a Body Positivity Activist and Artist to research artists who’s work goes beyond their physical body. For a creative person, the best way to articulate an experience is to have it documented in a way an audience can be influenced from. Be that music, poetry, art or performance. Creating Art on topical themes and personal experiences translates to people in ways that stick in minds and inspires people to do the same…
Contemplation of a Poisonous Thought
To begin, I have to be brutally honest and admit to something that I am not proud of. At all. A few moments ago I was walking into university listening to the news. I’ve gotten into quite a sweet routine recently, breaking up the walk with a trip to the local green grocers. Every morning I browse the selection of reduced fruit, normally grabbing a punnet of grapes and a persimmon, have a chat with the very smiley man who owns the shop and hop back on my merry way to the library…
Bella Neergaard on ‘Women of Colour in Copenhagen: A Celestial Bodies Photo series’
Moving to Copenhagen for my year abroad felt like I was detached from a lot of the activism I had participated in Edinburgh. In my second year, I was very comfortable in my activism space and moving away forced me to look outwards. I decided to do another instalment of Celestial Bodies…
Scottish Parliament to host transphobic activists and academics
MSPs have organised an event in order to launch a “Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights,” an unashamedly transphobic document. This declaration has been created by an international lobbyist group known as the Women’s Human Rights Campaign which believes that the rising tide of rights afforded to trans people is a threat to those of cis women…
Spotlight(s) on the Booker Prize 2019
It has been well documented, at this point, that the Booker Prize 2019 result took us all by surprise. Between them, Bernardine Evaristo (‘Girl, Woman, Other’) and Margaret Atwood (‘The Testaments’) took home equal halves of the money, but not necessarily equal halves of the spotlight…
Reflection on the Body: Metaphorically and Physically
A collaboration project with Rosalind Main and Daisy McConville on reflection and self-image both metaphorically and physically. They use mirrors and statues to create a space where they are part of a reflective exhibition…
The BBC Pay Gap is Back
Just over a year after Carrie Gracie announced she would be resigning as China Editor for the BBC due to the disparities in pay between her and her male equivalents, for which the BBC was forced to apologise, Samira Ahmed has brought a court case against the broadcaster complaining about the disparities in pay between her and her male equivalents…
We’ve all heard of Greta Thunberg, but how many indigenous activists and activists of colour can you name?
We’ve all heard of Greta Thunberg, but how many indigenous activists and activists of colour can you name? On the back of Black History Month, our Environmental Editor Meg McGrath highlights some…
Celebrating the work of women around the world – an interview with Doris Tulifau.
Brown Girl Woke was built in the space reclaimed by intersectional feminism and works from this space to empower young Pacific Island girls and boys through youth groups and university programs. I met with the founder of the organisation, Doris Tulifau earlier this year in Apia, Samoa to discuss the work she does…
BLACK ICONS IN QUEER HISTORY
Black people have always been a part of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The struggle for queer liberation has included black people throughout its history, and unfortunately at times their voices have been quieted in favour of white activists (anyone seen the movie about Stonewall?). Luckily, it’s not too late to give thanks to these people that have helped to pave the way for acceptance of queer people, and as such, here are six queer black icons that we should be appreciating more…
Resurrected, Restless, Refracted: Frightful Fiction by Black Authors for Your Halloween Reading List
As Halloween approaches and the sharp snap of Winter comes slinking in behind it, there is no better time for curling up in a duvet away from the chill. However, with these books to keep you company on shadowy nights, you’ll be hoping that blanket can protect you from more than just frost nipping at your toes…