The Time: Scottish Poetry Library takes a stand against "Orwellian" takeover of language

[Lamahaha]

I'm one of the signatories, along with Lionel Shriver and Glinner.
I guess it's my "coming out", though I doubt anyone will know me by my legal name!

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-scottish-poetry-library-made-brave-stand-lionel-shriver-and-father-ted-writer-say-f5kdl6kdr?fbclid=IwAR3G1aMIIuJa5Q_P8Aeg1iedrnB34gIVXZc2a2Ib3opJdqNM07PgeQl18K8

The novelists Lionel Shriver and Joan Smith, and the Father Ted writer Graham Linehan are among more than 150 signatories of a letter expressing “whole-hearted support” for the Scottish Poetry Library’s stand against the “Orwellian” takeover of language by gender activists.

The open letter, signed by writers, poets, and festival directors, praises the library as “the first significant UK institution” to make an “unequivocal stance defending free artistic expression”, after it issued a statement defending women poets from online bullying.

agh. Thread title should be The Times ^

Awesome! Does anyone have a share token link?

Share token:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/8abc4828-5d90-11ea-9891-dcb2edabd2b0?shareToken=f0eaf0da5703617889e3479815905498

And also:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1ae1ba74-5d8b-11ea-9891-dcb2edabd2b0?shareToken=aa0dfb7f4e38c0c9ad393d1026e59139

Great stuff. Where is the letter actually published (may be dim here but I can’t see that info)

Yes, I've been looking for the letter itself, and the signatories. I'll find out in a minute.

Here's a link, though I still haven't found the signatories.
You can still add your name to the letter. Come on MN, let's show them!

wildwomanwritingclub.wordpress.com/2020/03/01/why-we-wrote-an-open-letter-to-the-scottish-poetry-library/?fbclid=IwAR0a-_qhzDayJwtcwvDOg0yjJI97gcnisUcCt4koGQgO-NvGKOGywQYvG_U

OK, I found out that the list of signatories goes live at 9 am today. I'll post it then.

Another article on the same subject in the Times today:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/free-speech-group-scottish-pen-accused-of-hypocrisy-in-trans-row-5z5rmp5v8?fbclid=IwAR3ZfjpKKSZKjeUEl86FznWzDHUlQklbuypppLcBhDHPWtAIHTajRounIXw

Correction to my 8:53:40 post: The letter and the signatories goes live today at 9 am.

Link to the letter: wildwomanwritingclub.wordpress.com/2020/03/04/an-open-letter-to-the-scottish-poetry-society/

That's brilliant.Do you have to be in Scotland to sign?

No. You can add your name here wildwomanwritingclub.wordpress.com/contact/

Thanks pinchpoint

Oh, that's fab. Good on the Poetry Library!

Well done those poets [flowers}

I know one or two people among the signatories whom I didn't know were GC, and a few who are "out" as GC.
As ever, the comments are great. More and more sunlight!
The more the activists try to silence people, the more ordinary people who were indifferent to the whole thing, or just going along with being kind, say "hang on, that's not right". I'm noticing more and more men speaking up, which is good.

Asif Khan is pretty bloody amazing!

Asif Khan, director of the Scottish Poetry Library, accused Scottish PEN of “legitimising the lexicon of freedom of expression by obfuscating on process rather than defending the principle”.

“It is ironic that on International Women’s Day we find ourselves turning a blind eye to the censorship that is the ultimate endgame of no-platforming,” he added. “My thoughts are with all the women writers of the world who are prisoners of conscience. I’m afraid this might happen here too unless freedom of speech is championed.”

Mr Khan and his colleagues say they are seeking to protect a number of poets who had been “smeared” for asserting women’s right to safe spaces.

I'm sure you don't have to be a poet or Scottish to sign?
It would be good to get as many signatures as it can?

Signed.

I'm sure you don't have to be a poet or Scottish to sign?
It would be good to get as many signatures as it can?

No, everyone can sign. It's important to have some big names on there so as to get media attention, but it's the ordinary people who will really make a difference. Sign!