Toilets

As spring (or dotage) approaches I realise increasingly that I seem to live in a world that I no longer understand. But every single time I have turned on the radio, tried to watch the news or opened a paper it is dominated by men obsessing about toilets, and who should go where. Or in some cases seemingly who is not allowed to ever go to the toilet again. The level of debate and response demeans us all – when what is needed is some compassionate, nuanced responses to issues of women’s safety, trans-rights and really just trying to make our world a better, more inclusive place. From what I understand the Supreme Court ruling clarified a point of law and in and of itself obviously isn’t transphobic. But as we know few things exist purely in and of itself – and the response from many to this ruling looks, sound and feels pretty transphobic.

So for what it’s worth I offer my solidarity to anyone feeling the pressure right now.

In other news – the world food programme reports that it has literally run out of food after 8 weeks of blockade around Gaza. 59 children already reported to have died through starvation and international law is explicitly being broken in full view of us all.

But – hey let’s talk about toilets.

Just finished Ask Sarkar’s great book ‘Minority Rule – Adventures in the Culture Wars’ which seems even more prescient now.

New government has another test of mettle – as public sector pay bodies are recommending (modest) pay increases for teachers that are above the government budgeted assumptions. I am sure we all remember last years settlements being ‘just the start’. With local and mayoral elections happening this week and the deafening sound of silence about progress and vision seems destined to open the door to the election of hundred’s of Reform councillors.

If we lived in normal times this wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing – Farridge & co would rather moan about the temperature of a bath than actually run one. But we don’t live in normal times – they’ll be grabbing the microphones and shouting even more loudly about toilet restrictions.

Workwise – we are now busily enmeshed in two Needs Assessments and a Service Review. Working with new colleagues and partners is always my favourite part of the job (no offence to long term collaborators obviously). We’ve got another week or so of stakeholder engagements before some crazy late nights o drafting, re-writing and trying to make sense of 3 things at once. I’m also doing some quieter work with a couple of clients on transition, strategy and business planning.

So wish us well friends – wish us well.

I’d rather be in Bogota at the International Harm Reduction conference – but will enjoy it vicariously through others posts.

And at least there’s the Great Escape Festival to look forward to in a couple of weeks – trying to construct a timetable of activities over 4 days, 35 venues and 450 bands. Eivor, The Molotovs, Hot Wax and Moonlandingz topping the list of people I’ve not seen before. Coach Party and English Teacher for a revisit.