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Gavin Brown

@lestageog.bsky.social

CEO of LGBTQ+ health charity, former academic geographer. Still a theory slut who likes to think around.

1,962 Followers  |  649 Following  |  283 Posts  |  Joined: 14.08.2023  |  2.3632

Latest posts by lestageog.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Help us record stories about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling and other recent government announcements on the health and wellbeing of trans* people in Leicestershire.

Scan the QR code in the image to share your story.

We are particularly keen to hear from Leicester South constituents.

07.08.2025 18:42 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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It's the monthly Trade Power Hour this Thursday at 6pm. A gentle fitness class for queer bodies of all shapes and sizes. Places are limited, so book now. Suggested donation is Β£5 (pay more if you can, but no-one is turned away for lack of funds)

22.07.2025 19:55 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Today, I was at was at an event with a Cabinet minister. I was there for work, so I bit my tongue and was on best behaviour. Luckily, the event was in a primary school, and well-primed Year 6 kids are *very* good at catching politicians out with a sweet smile and then calling them on their bullshit

04.07.2025 20:31 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

We have joined many other HIV charities and services in voicing unambiguous opposition to the EHRC draft Code of Practice. There should be no barriers to affirming and inclusive sexual health services and HIV care

01.07.2025 20:38 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The PrEP Clinic service is mainly for LGBTQ+ people living in Leicester. If you live in Leicestershire or Rutland, contact the Trade office to discuss your eligibility.

If you are already on PrEP and need more medication, please book into our Friday afternoon CLINIC xtra service.

01.07.2025 16:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We have launched our PrEP CLINIC for new starters to PrEP.

PrEP CLINIC runs every first and third Thursday of the month between 4pm-6pm at the Trade office

This is also an opportunity to see if PrEP is right for you

Book here - bit.ly/TSHbooking

01.07.2025 16:00 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Rad Trans Leicester have something planned for next Wednesday lunchtime

26.06.2025 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

One of my former academic colleagues is setting up a group for trans* academics living and working in the East Midlands. We're happy to offer the group space to meet at Trade in Leicester. Please help spread the word.

24.06.2025 19:02 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In lieu of pet pics

08.06.2025 10:26 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Come and work with me and nurture trans* thriving in Leicestershire

21.05.2025 19:35 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Let's fill the space with queer joy, grief, and righteous anger they can't ignore

16.05.2025 21:18 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Having watched that, I am now more convinced than ever that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence need to pay a visit

16.05.2025 21:14 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It's also a but more complicated than this. The old garden was only accessible through the LASS building, but did contain a number of memorials to individual gay men. These have been removed and archived with the National AIDS Memorial project (I think). But the new memorial is open to the street

16.05.2025 21:01 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I would say, though, is it pinkwashing if you don't actually acknowledge that the majority of people who died of AIDS-related conditions in Leicester were gay and bi men?

16.05.2025 20:41 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The Memorial Garden ended up there because HTL shares a boundary with the building that used to house LASS. When LASS closed, they got full control of the previously shared patch of land on condition they created the Memorial Garden. But Peter is absolutely correct that this doesn't sit right

16.05.2025 20:39 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 3

Now for some good news...

16.05.2025 10:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Trade is starting a book group! Join us for the first meeting on Tuesday 20th May.

Out in Print is a casual, friendly space for members of the community to get together and talk about LGBTQ+ fiction. We’ve chosen books accessible via local libraries

Sign up for email updates at bit.ly/OutInPrint

30.04.2025 17:20 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This month's NeuroQueer hangout takes place on Tuesday 13th May, 6-8pm, at the Trade office in central Leicester.

This month's topic is 'Justice'. As neurodivergent people we often have a strong sense of right and wrong and get upset about perceived injustices. Let's talk about that.

08.05.2025 10:36 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Geographers! Please join 300 of us β€” at every career stage β€” who are urging the Royal Geographical Society to reaffirm its commitment to trans inclusion in the face of Supreme Court ruling, and to oppose the EHRC’s interim update. Sign by WED 30 April 1700 GMT docs.google.com/document/u/0...

29.04.2025 16:08 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 23    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

Autism and adhd and the rest are not modern phenomena. The overstimulation and constant barrage of information which causes them to become a disability is, to an extent, a modern phenom.
It’s a complex and multifaceted situation but what it is not, is new.

23.04.2025 14:31 β€” πŸ‘ 507    πŸ” 68    πŸ’¬ 12    πŸ“Œ 2

Not a day goes past where Dawn Foster wasn’t 100% correct about Wes Streeting

24.04.2025 18:22 β€” πŸ‘ 529    πŸ” 101    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 2
At centre of image, a clenched fist in pink, blue and white
Leicester demo for trans rights
Sunday 4 May, 12pm
Town Hall Square, LE1 5PD 
Peaceful protest against Supreme Court injustice 
Logos of Leicestershire LGBTQ Centre, Trade, Harmless, Queer Coffee Linkup, Pride in Coalville and Ashby Pride

At centre of image, a clenched fist in pink, blue and white Leicester demo for trans rights Sunday 4 May, 12pm Town Hall Square, LE1 5PD Peaceful protest against Supreme Court injustice Logos of Leicestershire LGBTQ Centre, Trade, Harmless, Queer Coffee Linkup, Pride in Coalville and Ashby Pride

24.04.2025 10:19 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Launching the Non-Stop Picket, 19 April 1986 The Non-Stop Picket of the South African Embassy started on 19 April 1986. The proposal for the Non-Stop Picket had been made at the City of London Anti-Apartheid Group’s Annual General Meeti…

39 years years ago, a protest started that profoundly shaped my life - the Non-Stop Picket of the South African embassy in London. I wasn't there on day 1, but when I did show up, I stayed because I found a community of fired up young queers

nonstopagainstapartheid.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/l...

19.04.2025 07:04 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

It's good to see that a lot of the (UK) sexual health/HIV voluntary sector has spoken out against yesterday's Supreme Court ruling. But that makes the silence of others all the louder

17.04.2025 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Trade fiercely disagree with the decision of the UK Supreme Court. It betrays a wilful and profound ignorance of trans life, in keeping with their refusal to hear trans voices.

This ruling will sow division and endanger countless vulnerable people. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

16.04.2025 14:02 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I feel like Selma James, Mariarosa Dallla Costa, and Silvia Federici had something to say about this nearly 60 years ago

13.04.2025 18:15 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Universities call in more consultants to stave off collapse caused by previous influx of consultants

13.04.2025 09:52 β€” πŸ‘ 69    πŸ” 18    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

This. I say this so much. I’m quite tired of saying this. Human connection is what learning is about.

13.04.2025 10:22 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Until I think of a more suitable prize, please accept the school badge (those maroon blazers did not flatter anyone)

12.04.2025 19:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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University of Derby staff face mass job cuts as management plans to axe half of senior academics University of Derby staff face mass job cuts as management plans to axe half of senior academics

University of Derby faces mass job cuts as management plans to make half of senior academics redundant. Please spread the word. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1398...

11.04.2025 07:20 β€” πŸ‘ 103    πŸ” 139    πŸ’¬ 32    πŸ“Œ 13

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