Kayden 🌙

Kayden 🌙

@wisdomcaster.bsky.social

“Shouldn’t have wished to live in more interesting times.”

259 followers338 following300 posts

Kayden 🌙 reposted

ESG Hound
@esghound.com

the nominally left wing party in the UK speed running anti LGBTQ legislation and implementation more effectively than anything Trump/MAGA has been able to pull off is a huge bummer, man

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. * * *

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Ray Newman
@raynewman.bsky.social

That time someone dumped a toy house on the cemetery wall and, when I crouched a bit, some ✨ Hollywood Magic ✨ occurred.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Productivity as an adult is just an endless process of applying new psychological tricks and operant conditioning to yourself until an acceptable number of tasks are completed.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

🦇 Katra Scariello, Spooky Apple Audio 🦇🏳️‍⚧️
@katrafiy.bsky.social

Hey everyone, I'm really in a bind. I was just told earlier today that my job will be terminating me on October 13th, exactly one day before my upcoming requested paid medical leave to recover from bottom surgery. I intend to fight this in court, but I could really use some help in the meantime.

gofund.meDonate to Support Katra Through Bottom Surgery Recovery, organized by Katra ArielloHi, my name is Katra, and I’ve just been notified that I’ll be let go of… Katra Ariello needs your support for Support Katra Through Bottom Surgery Recovery

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Chris Geidner
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

BREAKING: The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it reached an “agreement” with Mount Sinai Health System in which it will “cease providing” gender-affirming medical care to minors and dedicate $2 million to providing care to those “suffering harmful consequences” of such care.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Anat Shenker-Osorio
@anatosaurus.bsky.social

We need this to be front and center for everyone with any platform or power. This and the torture and trafficking of people from babies to seniors is what any "opposition" leader ought to be denouncing at every instance.

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Kayden 🌙 reposted

Jason Wright
@astrowright.bsky.social

Having bought two EVs and a hybrid, I think a big part of America’s sloth in adopt adopting EVs is car dealerships’ management being heavily Republican, and having a business model that relies on repairs that EV‘s don’t need.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Greg Pak
@gregpak.net

Did they ask if people approve of Republicans sending creeps to inspect your kids’ genitals before they can play soccer?

Sahil Kapur@sahilkapur.bsky.social

Pew Research Center poll on “transgender athletes competing on sports teams that don’t match their birth sex”: • 27% of American adults are somewhat/very/extremely comfortable with it • 73% are not comfortable with it Democrats are also NOT comfortable with it: 55-44% margin.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
@jayapal.house.gov

Imagine waking up tomorrow and not worrying how you will pay for healthcare, childcare, college, or taking leave from your job. This isn’t a fairy tale, it’s reality in other countries. And it’s what we deserve in the richest country in the world.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Michael Hobbes
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social

I have never seen a moral panic grip a country so quickly or thoroughly

Cwiar Cymru@cwiar.org

The Welsh Gender Service has now released a statement regarding the cancellation of all surgeries: 'We have been asked to immediately pause referrals from the WGS for gender affirming surgery and existing scheduled surgeries while further independent clinical review work is carried out.'

cavuhb.nhs.walesWelsh Gender Service update – 28 August 2026

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Kelly
@broadwaybabyto.bsky.social

I really feel like it should be bigger news that fibreglass is in IV saline bags in the US. This isn’t a situation where you might get a little sick. Fibreglass going directly into your veins will kill you. IV saline is used for almost every medical procedure. This is unconscionable:

fda.govBaxter Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for Two Lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection Due to Potential Presence of Particulate MatterFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – AUG. 25, 2026 – DEERFIELD, Ill., Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling two lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection due to the potential presence of parti...

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Anodyne
@anodynesix.bsky.social

"The goal of the [Starbucks] boycott is to achieve a first contract with 'a minimum $17/hr wage, enough hours to live on, better staffing in our stores, and basic workplace protection,' as well as an end to Starbucks's union busting. ... The boycott is being backed by the AFL-CIO and the [SEIU]."

Truthout@truthout.org

In a first, Starbucks Workers United and its 12,000 members are calling for a boycott of the coffee chain, after spending nearly 5 years pressuring the company to negotiate a first contract since the first location unionized in 2021.

truthout.orgIn First, Starbucks Workers United and Its 12,000 Members Call for Boycott“[I]t is no longer possible to be both a Starbucks customer and in support of workers,” the union said.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Michael Lobel
@mlobelart.bsky.social

Another London dispatch: If any of you know any Broadway producers or investors, I am begging you to convince them to transfer "My Neighbor Totoro" to NYC when it closes in London in January. It is one of most enchanting, moving, heartwarming shows I've seen & I want audiences here to experience it🙏

Kayden 🌙 reposted

James Hell Brooks
@kleinman.bsky.social

This was always going to be the next step. There are no trans players in the WNBA so instead they're going after cis women who are insufficiently feminine for them.

Heartland Signal@heartlandsignal.com

U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) claims the WNBA is "trying not to offend some of their players who ... [are] trying to live a male lifestyle": "They protect the lesbian structure that's inside the WNBA with a male quote-unquote female relationship that are two women."

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Danielle Ryan (Lestat Era)
@danirat.bsky.social

I think another lesson to take from the loss of both Dolly and Tim Curry is that neither of them took themselves seriously but they took the work dead serious that's the most important thing pour all of yourself into the craft but have fun and don't get an ego.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Elana Levin
@levin.bsky.social

Alt text: a cartoon of a dog who has taken off their dog collar and is now in a pink bandana and cowgirl hat with flowers looking at herself in a heart shaped hand mirror. The text reads “find out who you are and do it on purpose.- quote Dolly Parton”

Liz Climo@lizclimo.bsky.social

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Nitish Pahwa
@nitishpahwa.com

I think the universal grieving comes in no small part from the fact she represented the best of what America could be, and that she never stopped chasing that ideal, artistically and socially

Kayden 🌙 reposted

DiscussingFilm
@discussingfilm.net

‘NATIONAL TREASURE 3’ is happening, according to director Jon Turteltaub Nicolas Cage will return for the film. (Source: NTHuntPodcast)

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Ansley Erickson
@ansleyerickson.bsky.social

Breaking my heart this morning: “Fitting ankle monitors on noncitizens without a criminal history who remain in compliance with their immigration cases has little precedent.” True in the narrowest sense. False given how the history of slavery and peonage roars through each part of this story.

nytimes.comIn Ohio, Haitians Feel Shaken by Ankle Monitors and Increased ICE PresenceThe devices, which will make it easier for authorities to locate immigrants in Springfield if large-scale deportations begin, have intensified a sense of dread.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Chris Person
@papapishu.bsky.social

No matter how much Apple says this is only for Apple Intelligence, which it probably is given the spec, I am skeptical that they will be able to message past “they put cameras on AirPods”. People still think Instagram listens to your conversations.

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Kayden 🌙 reposted

Iona Fyfe
@ionafyfe.bsky.social

I need to shift 50 last tickets for my Edinburgh Fringe show to almost break even. I’m a Scottish folksinger, performing self-penned, trad ballads and translations in the Scots language. I’ve got a show on Fri 21 and Sun 23. Reposts would go a long way. Thx ❤️ 🎟️ Tickets → bit.ly/fringeif

Kayden 🌙 reposted

amy brown 👻
@amybrown.xyz

affirmations: - tomorrow I will be normal - I am doing a good job - nobody whose opinion I respect is mad at me - I am not “muppet-coded”

Kayden 🌙 reposted

Eric Columbus
@ericcolumbus.bsky.social

The term “transphobic” is so inadequate for bigotry like Hegseth’s. He doesn’t fear trans people like some fear spiders or heights. He hates them with a passion. It’s an evil choice, not a psychological malady.

CNN@cnn.com

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a transphobic slur while speaking at the Iowa State Fair Monday, where he appeared in support of Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who is running for a third term in Congress.

Kayden 🌙 reposted

gwen howerton
@kissphoria.bsky.social

why is it that our stories are always last, our feelings and perspectives are never saved for the big features, they're always follow-up stories that will get 1/10th of the attention that your exclusive with sophie cunningham will

Meghan L. Hall@itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

I have seen every comment/quote here, even the ones questioning my journalistic integrity. I hear you. I see you. I understand the frustration. Know that my work is not complete on this. I have more work coming that will cover how trans people and fans of the W are impacted. Stay tuned.