Melissa

Melissa

@melhadf.shite.name

Apparently complicated, skater, parent, gamer, occasional twitch streamer.

447 followers673 following1.8K posts

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

The longest wait time for a Gender clinic has fallen from 224 years to 155 years, with a mean of 61 years and a median of 19 years. This is why trans people DIY. Because the NHS system exists as punishment if you don't.

What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️@whatthetrans.com

Want to see the data yourself? Clinic Level ➡️ datastudio.google.com/s/h84DGtaKCXw National ➡️ datastudio.google.com/s/r7RF2GocFAA But if you want the FULL Story, you'll have to check out Clare's interview, breaking down stats, behind the scenes, and what this data means for us

datastudio.google.comAdult Gender Services Monitor 2026 (Clinic)Data Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable.
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

The clinic I went to (Notts) is now at 8 years. In 2019 it was also 8 years. I went in 2012 and it took 3ish months for my first appointment from GP referral. 6 month slater I'd had 3/4 appointments. It looks like I squeaked through just before they decided to screw trans people over.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

I just pulled up my records... I was wrong, it actually took 2 months and 7 days for my first gender clinic appointment from GP referral.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

My PC has been running too well for months. Time to ̶u̶n̶n̶e̶c̶e̶s̶s̶a̶r̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶y̶s̶t̶e̶m̶ ̶f̶i̶l̶e̶s̶ ... I mean go through the steps to enable secure boot on Linux.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Aborted the process halfway as I'm not running the bootloader I thought I was, so now I need to read a new guide. At least reverting is as simple as turning it back off in the bios and rebooting.

Melissa reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Melissa reposted

Al Jazeera Investigates
@ajiunit.com

"They can start cutting people's faces up. They can stab someone. They can shoot someone." EXCLUSIVE: Our hidden cameras capture the leader of Turning Point UK organising a fake rally for a foreign government and helping arrange a murder-for-hire with loyalist paramilitaries.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Someone has offered my broke ass money for my families .co.uk website. I was tempted as it's just a family thing so changing the url isn't a big deal. Oh they're an "AI" company... time to put up a "fuck AI" image and send Arkell v pressdram as response.

Melissa reposted

Disability News Service
@johnpring.bsky.social

The Department for Work and Pensions is secretly introducing changes to how it checks the quality of disability assessments, risking claimant safety and increasing the chance of dodgy reports slipping through the net, DNS has learned. #DWP #PIP www.disabilitynewsservice.com/leaked-dwp-c...

disabilitynewsservice.comLeaked DWP ‘corner-cutting’ plans reveal changes to checks on assessments that will cause ‘even more risk’The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is secretly introducing changes to how it checks the quality of disability assessments, risking claimant safety and increasing the chance of dodgy reports…
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

My parents literally kicked me out at 19 for finally snapping back at them after years of dealing with them. They made me homeless instantly. I went NC and am still LC. They've forgotten about it as though it was a minor thing and are shocked that I haven't.

Michael Hobbes@michaelhobbes.bsky.social

This is a quietly metastasizing moral panic

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

My kids are around that age now, and they have told me about times I made them feel deeply upset as they've grown up. I don't remember them, but I sure as fuck made sure my kids know that I'm deeply sorry for my actions at the time and not remembering it.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

I fucked up at those points they have held onto and they needed my unreserved apology and acknowledgement of my fuck ups, because I should've done better by them. These people complaining about NC/LC are treating their grown kids like property instead of adults,

Melissa reposted

Prof Bill McGuire
@profbillmcguire.bsky.social

56 individuals in the UK have as much wealth as the poorest 27 million (Oxfam) Yet this man is advocating cutting benefits to fund work support for young people Utterly monstrous www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.comCut benefits to fund work support for young people, says Neet review author Alan MilburnExclusive: Former health secretary says upfront investment in support is needed ‘if we are going to end the Neet crisis’
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

We know you were cleared for surgery and we're looking forward to it, but your nan said no so now we're stopping surgery for everyone - NHS Wales Absolutely fucking ridiculous that NHS Wales stopped everyones care for some transphobic fucks that should've been told to jog on.

Cwiar Cymru@cwiar.org

NEW: FOI requests reveal NHS Wales used unverified 'family concerns' to stop trans surgeries

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Increased corridor care for trans people... so NHS treatment refusal for trans people.

Keyne@keyne-unable.bsky.social

So many people buried their heads in the sand this week saying that NHS segregation of trans people was "for their safety". But even internal NHS assessments say it will cause direct harm. Sex is not binary and trans people need respectful care based on actual physiology, not anti-trans slogans.

theguardian.comNew NHS England policy for trans people could have ‘a number of adverse impacts’, report findsExclusive: rules on same-sex wards could lead to delays in care, discrimination and animosity between groups, finds internal assessment
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Not saying that there's animosity between every writer and the "Society of Authors", but this double ratio (quote reposts vs reposts, likes vs comments) shows the strength of feeling. This is the "best" response so far to SoA shitting on anyone in the UK that writes in any capacity.

The Society of Authors@societyofauthors.bsky.social

Our position on generative AI remains unchanged. But an increasing number of organisations within the publishing industry are using the technology. In her blog post our CEO sets out why we want to see the adoption of cross-industry standards. buff.ly/DCPZPY2

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

I'll block youtube, prime video and whatever else they think they can use to claim their pound of flesh. The BBC is always abusive to minorities and we should not be forced to fund that abuse. Fuck the BBC, I'd rather go offline than give them a penny.

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Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

For a person with such a hatred for Valve/Steam/Gaben it is deeply funny to me that Tim Sweeney is going to use Valves Proton for their Epic Linux effort. Almost like Valve take their profits and use part of it to improve the FOSS ecosystem for everyone.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

UK org that represents writers has decided to shill for "AI". I'm sure this will end well for them. Lucky that writers famously love it when companies steal their work and then try and sell it back to them.... Oh.... Oh dear.

This post is unavailable.
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

The organisation that edited out a Protect the Dolls T-shirt is going to do a "documentary" about old mouldy... I bet they try and ignore her nasty terfy ways and don't mention her massive funds being used for lawfare, or her racism. deadline.com/2026/10/j-k-...

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

The TV licence funds this hatred the BBC has for trans people. They treat any positive message about us as too toxic to allow, and completely ban us unless it supports their forever negative portrayals and stereotypes. Don't pay, cut live TV and cancel and save £180py.

Mike (They/Them) 🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿@mxmike.co.uk

Bethany wore a “Protect The Dolls” t-shirt during rehearsals. The BBC posted it on their socials then quietly deleted and reposted it without showing her from the front. On TV last night they actually blurred the message #Strictly

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Do you depend on anything from the US, then they can cut you off as easily as they just did to the ICC again. This is what the US is cutting them off from... www.theguardian.com/law/2026/feb...

theguardian.comCredit cards cancelled, Google accounts closed: ICC judges on life under Trump sanctionsKimberly Prost and Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza vow US reprisals will not affect work of international criminal court
Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social

🚨 Just in: The US has sanctioned the ICC. "We ​will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate," Marco Rubio said in a statement.

reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: US imposes sanctions on ICC hours after former judge wins Nobel Peace PrizeThe Trump administration has long been hostile to the court and has previously imposed sanctions on its prosecutors and judges.
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Game: Here's how to do X Me: Awesome Game: But you can't do X until a specific moment. Me: It's the fucking sprint button. Game: No press, only watch interactive story *30 minutes later* Game: Okay now it works for a moment. I thought RDR2 was supposed to be open world.

Melissa reposted

Chuck Tingle
@chucktingle.bsky.social

if you have ever peered with curiosity at my work then for BANNED BOOK WEEK it is the perfect time to try some tingleverse horror or erotica. i am in strange position where my books have not been banned, but the texas library association banned me AS A PERSON so i guess the catalog is fair game

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Not one PoC amongst EG or RPS staff... EG is just a sea of white staff. www.eurogamer.net/authors RPS also doesn't have any female staff on their authors page www.rockpapershotgun.com/authors There are freelancers on both, but that is a gender&race pay disparity compared to being employed.

Keza MacDonald@mackeza.bsky.social

Apropos of nothing, here's the callout I wrote for Eurogamer about the glaring lack of female voices in the games media. I wrote this in *2018*. Things did seem to get better for a while but now we're backsliding again and the reasons for it haven't changed. www.eurogamer.net/why-the-game...

eurogamer.netWhy the games media has a diversity problem - this website especiallyEurogamer has far too low a proportion of articles by female writers. Keza MacDonald, the Guardian's games editor, explains why this happens and what can be don
Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

"People are getting dumber on our product and I love it" - Nvidia Are you dumb enough for "AI"?

Matt Ford@mford.bsky.social

Ezra Klein asked Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about AI making kids worse at math and reading. Huang’s reply: “Does it matter?” Then he said he doesn’t know his own address or phone number. “We’re going to lose some fine intellectual dexterity.” www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/o...

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

Benefit cuts just after losing on Assisted suicide.

flyingrodent@flyingrodent.bsky.social

There’s going to be a lot of this stuff now, so the words you need to keep in mind are “permission structure”.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

I have no IOT devices, and my PC is on Linux. And yet the only device I have that I don't fully control (my phone) served an ad for the mould wizard in the system update notes. I don't want ads in my system update, and that goes double for terf shit.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

I've never seen such a diverse set of ads for a show, OSes, system update notes, smart devices that serves ads. I'd like to think that JKR has poisoned it to such a degree that WB is panicking and throwing ads out like spaghetti on walls.

Melissa reposted

Jenny Boo?
@jennywho.bsky.social

This is the same weak bullshit that props up bigots and shoots down disenfranchised groups. Fuck this framing. The scales are weighted and this guy is trying to “be fair to everyone.” Fuck that. We’re beyond that.

Aaron Rodericks@aaron.bsky.team

Let's address a couple of questions here: 1) is this user toxic? 2) are they making a threat sending trans people to camps? 3) how do you address harassment? 4) how does toxicity currently work? How will it work? Apologies, this should be a blog.

Melissa
@melhadf.shite.name

The cats are mad at me and really, really want to go outside. Bella keeps staring at me from odd places, while Renfield is determined that if he stares hard enough at the front door it will open on it's own.