The following article by Eilidh Cameron-Sykes was first posted by bella caledonia. It shows how Kate Forbes holds deeply reactionary views extending way beyond transphobia to homophobia. She covers this up by articulating concerns for other issues which concern people living in the Highland and Islands, although more often in words than meaningful action. HOMOFORBES,…
Benjamin Zephaniah’s break-up of UK and the republican dimension
Benjamin Zephaniah’s unexpected death on the 7th December at the early age 65 has been a shock to the countless thousands, maybe millions, who have come to love his work. His autobiography, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, is a very powerful book. It draws on a range of life experiences that few others…
EL&SD Coverage – Looking at the world through non-campist lenses
Many on the Left still view the world through lenses dating from when the US was the all-dominant global power. Countering this was the USSR, which assisted many national liberation struggles (although some could abandoned if it better fitted USSR state needs). The USSR was viewed to be superior to the USA because of its…
How big business took over the Labour Party
The following. article by Adam Ramsay was first posted by openDemocracy. It shows how corporate lobbyists have successfully pushed Keir Starmer’s party to ditch its progressive policies HOW BIG BUSINESS TOOK OVER THR LABOUR PARTY Over the summer, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party for the first time articulated a clear vision for government: everything will continue to be…
Greater than the Sum of Our Parts – Feminism, Inter/Nationalism and Palestine
Mary McGregor reviews Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts: Feminism, Inter/Nationalism, and Palestine by Nada Elia. This has also been posted by bella caledonia. GREATER THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS, FEMINISM, INTER/NATIONALISM AND PALESTINE True liberation only comes when oppressed groups rise together in solidarity and recognize the interconnectivity of our struggles. At…
Charity loophole lets US donors give far-right groups $272m in secret
The following article by Lydia Namubiru was first posted by openDemocracy. It highlights the role of US corporations secretly channeling money to far right groups opposed to LBGT+ and women’ rights , especially abortion. CHARITY LOOPHOLE ALLOWS US DONORS GIVE FAR RIGHT GROUPS $272M IN SECRET A loophole in US charity law is letting…
Arundhati Roy on things that can and cannot be said: The dismantling of the world as we know it
We are reposting the Stuart Hall memorial lecture, first posted on thewire, given by Arundhati Roy last September. She is author of Azadi – Fascism, Fiction and Freedom in the Time of the Virus, outlining the ongoing fascistisation of India under Modi. In Arundhati’s lecture, she locates this process in a global context. Solidarity, speaking…
Homophobia in Uganda is a horrifying demonstration of colonialism and evangelism at work
The following article written by Alex/Rose Cocker was first posted by The Canary. It outlines the shared role of colonialism, and in particular Protestant evangelicals, in promoting homophobia in Africa, particular the ex-British colonies. Several of these evangelical organisations are currently involved in the transphobic offensive in the USA, UK and Scotland and in picketting…
‘Love is love’: LGBT lives and the fight to become Scotland’s First Minister
The following article, written by Kevin Guyan, was first posted by bella caledonia. It examines the different ways SNP leader contenders Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have promoted anti-trans politics. ‘LOVE IS LOVE’: LGBT LIVES AND THE FIGHT TO BECOME SCOTLAND’S FIRST MINISTER ‘Love is Love’, tweeted Ash Regan on the morning of 21 February,…
International Womens Day 2 – Zan Zendigi Azadi and Art Monsters
As our second contribution to International Women’s Day, we are posting Zan, Zendigi, Azad (Women, Life and Liberty), written by Pauline Bradley, and a review of the film Tar, by Meaghan Delahunt, which was first posted by bella caledonia. 1. ZAN ZENDIGI, AZAD (WOMEN, LIFE AND LIBERTY) Zan, Zendigi, Azad by Pauline Bradley …