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Sam Walby

@nowthensam.bsky.social

Editor & Writer at @nowthenmag.bsky.social // Director at Opus // Musician, Cyclist & Gamer // He/him

91 Followers  |  81 Following  |  10 Posts  |  Joined: 20.11.2024  |  1.6317

Latest posts by nowthensam.bsky.social on Bluesky

Come down!

30.09.2025 08:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Weโ€™re looking for up to 10 local people to help tell the story of Manor Castle Ward and imagine what it could become.

Apply online here: bit.ly/4fc8q2k or head to www.greenestate.org.uk/communities/our-shared-story for more information ๐Ÿ™‚

@ypip.bsky.social

29.07.2025 11:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Great interview by @rtakver.bsky.social for @nowthenmag.bsky.social. Jocelyn is coming to @festofdebate.bsky.social later this month - a strong recommend.

01.05.2025 09:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A dark blue graphic with the Opus logo and the following text:

Opus team statement on the Supreme Court ruling

Last week, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 now excludes trans women on the basis of โ€˜biological sexโ€™.

The ruling relies upon the harmful idea that biological sex is both binary and immutable โ€“ something which is easily disproven and for which there is no scientific basis. This interpretation of biological sex not only excludes trans women from womanhood, but also entirely denies the existence of intersex people. In this case, the court chose only to hear from transphobic organisations, not from trans people themselves, and have reached a verdict which is blatantly unscientific and which will only sow further division.

The legal repercussions of the ruling are as yet unclear, but it has the potential to do enormous harm to trans people in the UK โ€“ not just because changes in how equality law is interpreted will further exclude and marginalise people, but also because of the toxicity and dehumanisation this decision has once again unleashed in the media and in mainstream culture. This ruling has emboldened so-called โ€˜gender-critical feministsโ€™ in the context of a media ecosystem which

A dark blue graphic with the Opus logo and the following text: Opus team statement on the Supreme Court ruling Last week, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 now excludes trans women on the basis of โ€˜biological sexโ€™. The ruling relies upon the harmful idea that biological sex is both binary and immutable โ€“ something which is easily disproven and for which there is no scientific basis. This interpretation of biological sex not only excludes trans women from womanhood, but also entirely denies the existence of intersex people. In this case, the court chose only to hear from transphobic organisations, not from trans people themselves, and have reached a verdict which is blatantly unscientific and which will only sow further division. The legal repercussions of the ruling are as yet unclear, but it has the potential to do enormous harm to trans people in the UK โ€“ not just because changes in how equality law is interpreted will further exclude and marginalise people, but also because of the toxicity and dehumanisation this decision has once again unleashed in the media and in mainstream culture. This ruling has emboldened so-called โ€˜gender-critical feministsโ€™ in the context of a media ecosystem which

routinely dehumanises trans people, and which could result in trans people being further denied access to life-saving services. 

Many of our politicians, figures in the mainstream media and media corporations themselves are responsible for normalising and legitimising the dehumanisation of trans people, which has led both to regressive policies, including reduced access to healthcare, and an enormous increase in the levels of harassment and violence trans people face on a daily basis.

We must also acknowledge that this continuing erosion of the legal protections of trans people is being funded by powerful organisations and people that seek to further a regressive agenda worldwide. The underlying purpose of these attacks is to remove trans people from public spaces entirely, due to the threat trans inclusion would pose to patriarchal systems that enforce binary gender roles and uphold the brutal capitalist system we live under.

We at Opus will always stand in solidarity with the trans community, including our trans colleagues and friends, for whom this ruling is both painful and scary, and has been followed by yet another wave of hatred and bad faith arguments. We will continue to use our platforms, such as Now Then magazine and the Festival of Debate, to amplify trans voices and fights for equal rights in Sheffield and beyond.

routinely dehumanises trans people, and which could result in trans people being further denied access to life-saving services. Many of our politicians, figures in the mainstream media and media corporations themselves are responsible for normalising and legitimising the dehumanisation of trans people, which has led both to regressive policies, including reduced access to healthcare, and an enormous increase in the levels of harassment and violence trans people face on a daily basis. We must also acknowledge that this continuing erosion of the legal protections of trans people is being funded by powerful organisations and people that seek to further a regressive agenda worldwide. The underlying purpose of these attacks is to remove trans people from public spaces entirely, due to the threat trans inclusion would pose to patriarchal systems that enforce binary gender roles and uphold the brutal capitalist system we live under. We at Opus will always stand in solidarity with the trans community, including our trans colleagues and friends, for whom this ruling is both painful and scary, and has been followed by yet another wave of hatred and bad faith arguments. We will continue to use our platforms, such as Now Then magazine and the Festival of Debate, to amplify trans voices and fights for equal rights in Sheffield and beyond.

Our collective statement following the Supreme Court ruling last week.

23.04.2025 13:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A graphic with the words "Come and work with us at Opus" over a bright yellow background

A graphic with the words "Come and work with us at Opus" over a bright yellow background

In our three recent job ads, we failed to list our Equal Opportunities form and we didn't specify that we'll offer an interview to any disabled person who meets the criteria.

We've extended the deadline for all three, as we're seeking the strongest and most diverse field possible ๐Ÿงต

#SheffieldJobs

10.04.2025 15:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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At Now Then, we want to to tell stories that play an active role in shaping real & lasting change.

We'll never put our articles behind a paywall, but we can only do this with your support. Donate today & help us tell stories of resistance & hope. โœŠ

โžก๏ธ www.nowthenmagazine.com/support-us

17.02.2025 16:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 12    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

Join us!

17.12.2024 14:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A new curiosity: The Sheffield Beatles Project play The White Album at The Octagon The Sheffield Beatles Project perform The White Album in full, with a 30-piece band and orchestra putting a modern twist on a classic, creative and experimental piece of musical history.

"Singers pick up guitars, and musicians swap places onstage so regularly we never know what someone will play next"

Back in the UoS SU: Tanita Hingerty watches on in awe as The #Sheffield Beatles Project perform The White Album in full โฌ‡๏ธ

@sheffielduni.bsky.social #TheBeatles

12.12.2024 09:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Janice Burns & Jon Doran - "A lot of it is midwinter traditions that focus on getting through the dark times and making it to spring" After watching their rapturously received set of winter warmers, we caught up with the pair in the intimate surroundings of Cafe #9 to find out why folk music is all about community.

"I very quickly got into folk music and became a bit obsessed with it. You make lots of friends โ€“ itโ€™s a very sociable form of music"

Hamish spoke to Janice Burns and Jon Doran in the intimate surroundings of Cafe #9 to find out why folk is all about community โฌ‡๏ธ

03.12.2024 12:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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BloomElle is building belonging for African and Caribbean women in Sheffield Founder Yejide Adewakun writes about nurturing connections and networks of mutual support for new arrivals and long-time residents in the city.

Lovely @nowthenmag.bsky.social piece from Yejide about community venture BloomElle: "We want to create a world where belonging isnโ€™t a privilege, but a right."

28.11.2024 12:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

If you've got a finance brain, you care about the big issues of the day and you're based in/near Sheffield - you should join us at @weareopus.bsky.social ๐Ÿ‘‡

25.11.2024 13:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

I didn't realise it literally smells of oil in the streets of Baku, Azerbaijan.

Once again, a fabulous long-read from @rtakver.bsky.social for @nowthenmag.bsky.social about the COP summit and Sheffield delegates. So many perspectives about climate, what we can do, and our region's place in it all.

21.11.2024 12:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Good ideas

21.11.2024 08:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Well this is nice(r) isn't it?

21.11.2024 08:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

And/or the Yorkshire one

20.11.2024 21:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Hey Robyn. Hope you're good. Great if you could add me and @sammgreg.bsky.social to this list!

20.11.2024 21:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Sheffield โ€“ Pattern Club

Open call for our free Sheffield Pattern Club winter school!
Open to all people interested in patterns in/around Sheffield, including artists, designers, musicians, crafters, makers and other creative people.
Deadline: 9pm, Mon 25th Nov, 2024
Full details on our website: patternclub.org/sheffield/

20.11.2024 11:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Nearly a thousand University of Sheffield staff say they have โ€œno confidenceโ€ in vice-chancellor over cuts, following union vote Staff have expressed concerns about management decisions made by Koen Lamberts and his team, as well as heavy handed responses to anti-apartheid protestors.

93.3% of @sheffielduni.bsky.social staff who took part in a recent vote expressed 'no confidence' in the vice-chancellor.

@sheffielducu.bsky.social say the vote reflects "widespread frustration with damaging leadership decisions and financial mismanagement"

@sammgreg.bsky.social reports โฌ‡๏ธ

19.11.2024 09:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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