What can Scotland learn from Canada about conflicts over trans rights?

Protests in Canada about an event featuring Meghan Murphy are part of the same global debate about identity as last month’s discussions about whether Scots should be required to declare their biological sex.

We have much to learn from ‘old and irrelevant’ women

I didn’t intend to spend my evening eavesdropping on one of Canada’s most prominent transgender rights activists. But shortly after I took my seat I became aware of a running commentary from immediately behind me.

Shamless British Army adverts harness the power of negative thinking

I nearly choked on my vegan sausage roll when I saw the latest set of British Army recruitment posters, which shout insults at disaffected young people in a bid to attract their attention.

Young people are giving the rest of us much-needed hope

If the Year of Young People has had the desired effect, those young people who grabbed the microphone (or megaphone) in 2018 won’t be content to turn down the volume again just because we’ve changed our calendars.

Generic gifts from Santa let children know they are poor

I can’t help but wonder if a collection of generic gifts, chosen purely on the basis of a child’s age and sex, might bring less cheer than a modest cash donation which could be used by a parent or carer to buy an item or two specially requested from Santa.

Why the goat hunter of Islay has done us all a favour

The Larysa Switlyk (Latin name: troglodytes cowardice) selects its prey on the basis of beauty, because there’s no more beautiful animal than a dead one. After each kill, it manipulates the corpse, or “trophy”, into a lifelike pose to take photographs before fleeing the scene.

A Star is Born and Hollywood’s coercive ‘romance’

Jackson can do what he likes, because he’s famous. He’s an entitled, powerful man and he always gets what he wants. Nowhere is this expressed in a more sinister fashion than when he sends his driver to sit outside Ally’s home until she agrees to get on a plane to come and watch him in concert.

It’s vital the police view all lives as worth preserving

Force was applied to Sheku Bayoh when he was restrained by at least four police officers. When his body was examined he was found to have dozens of injuries, including numerous cuts to his face and a broken rib.

There’s nothing ‘peaceful’ about protests outside hospitals

We would not stand for right-to-die campaigners issuing calls for legislative change from outside geriatric wards or funeral homes. So why on earth should we tolerate this?

I’m happy to be thrown out of men-only spaces

I’m curious about what goes on behind the doors that are closed to me because I’m a woman, but I understand the importance of single-sex spaces.