Sonia Sodha article

[Brainstorm23]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/09/no-law-says-charity-cant-hold-views-you-disagree-with-transgender-mermaids-lgb-alliance?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

You beat me to it. Another cracking piece. Until leaders stand up, we will have to rely on long, slow painful and expensive court cases. This is not healthy or fair.

Sensible and clear, as ever. Guardian/Observer can have my clicks when thy print articles like this.

Thank you Sonia, every voice of reason counts.

'in a democratic society, it would be dangerous for the state to dictate that charitable activity must be limited to people with a sanctioned worldview.' Indeed.

Annoying that these articles never seem to allow comments.

Incidentally, I always wondered if the Observer and Guardian ever share offices or facilities? And how the conversations over the water cooler must go after brilliant pieces like this?

Brava Sonia!!!!

If I recall correctly the trans extremism supporting journalists at the Guardian tend to hound out those (especially women) who dare to voice any views that don't comply with the trans agenda?

And yes, that's an excellent piece.

Sorry, what I meant is - do they actually occupy the same building? As in, would they pass eachother in the hallways or anything, or socialise together?

Sorry - I was being cynical! I presume they share the same building? It must be intimidating to be there as a GC woman. Good for Sonia for carrying on.

it's another corker

The courts should be the arbiter of last resort. Employers and public services bodies shouldn’t need judges to force them to respect people’s democratic right to express a legitimate and mainstream opinion. But the fact that just last month the NHS Confederation published guidance encouraging hospitals to unlawfully discriminate against women requesting single-sex care shows just how deep the ideological capture and cowardice runs. There will be the need for more exhausting and expensive legal action yet.

argh

I know, she's a warrior - imagine having to pass LOJ in the corridor ((shudder)).

Thank you for link.

Articles such as these are very important because the Observer is one of the most widely read papers/websites among Labour MPs/officials/candidates/members.

As for passing OJ in the corridor, I'm not sure - perhaps both of them, and many other columnists, work from home the majority of the time? I do not have any specific knowledge of this, so could be wrong, but it would not surprise me if even before the pandemic many columnists had worked from home.
Of course, that isn't to deny that it takes some bravery on Sodha's part, not just because of those occasions when she is in the office (and although opinions might not be solidly TRA, there is certainly an outspoken TRA faction) but also because of the online abuse etc that people risk when they speak out on these issues.

I've noticed the Observer is more leftwing than the Graun too. Perhaps it follows that if you want to - deep breath - ' improve the material conditions of the working class , comrade ' then you will have less time for lanyards , pronouns and other shiny baubles.

I doubt Sonia Sodha pays much heed to LOJ. She doesn't seem the type who is going to worry about people disagreeing with her.

Yes, they do. They're on the same floor and share the same kitchen.

Fantastic read. Well done Sonia Sodha. 👏

That is refreshingly well written and evidenced, a great read. Shocking that the Guardian also can publish such dross as the article by Johanna Mellis a few of days ago.

I imagine Ms Sodha is now Public Enemy Number One among some of her colleagues.

I always enjoy reading her articles, because she's clear and factual; she really does have a good depth of knowledge and understanding of the subject.

I, too, think she has steel in her spine to be willing to go against the flow at Guardian Towers. Is she salaried? If she's writing on an ad hoc basis, like Suzanne Moore, then she's braver than I thought.

If she's salaried, they will know by now, after Maya's case, that they won't find it easy to force her out.

Hadley Freeman lasted a fair while after she was accused of witchcraft! Sonia Sodha may need similar fortitude, even if she's actually on the Observer side of the business.