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London Trans Pride: Thousands March After ‘Actively Damaging Year’ For Rights

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Huge crowds marched together through the centre of the capital on Saturday as part of London Trans Pride.

According to model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, more than 20,000 people joined the march, which went from Wellington Arch by Hyde Park to Soho Square.

Protesters wrote powerful messages on signs to mark the occasion including “Take Down the Cis-Tem” and “Trans Lives are Sacred”.

The joyous event, which came one week after London Pride, celebrated trans rights after a particularly difficult year which has seen the government – and “gender critical feminists” – put the trans community in the spotlight.

This year, when the UK dropped to 14th in the most LGBTQ-friendly nations in Europe, the march aimed to “celebrate the memory of trans lives taken and uphold the next generation of trans revolutionaries”.

With idols from within the community speaking out about these pressing issues at the weekend event, here’s everything you need to know.

Government’s ‘abhorrent and deliberate attack’

Earlier this year, No.10 announced it was reneging on its commitment to ban trans conversion therapy – while still pushing to introduce the ban on the harmful practice for the rest of the LGBTQ+ community.

The U-turn was denounced as targeting an already marginalised group, especially as it was announced on Trans Day of Visibility.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) also called for the Scottish government to pause its reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, as well as pushing for Westminster to delay reforms to conversion therapy for trans and intersex people.

A spokesperson for London Trans+ Pride said: “The irony is not lost on us, this is an abhorrent and deliberate attack.”

They added: “The EHRC is actively damaging human rights for trans people.

“We deserve better: London Trans Pride is calling for the EHRC to be abolished. We march to demand the legal recognition of non-binary, intersex and gender nonconforming people.”

’Boris, bye!′

Trans actress Yasmin Finney, known for starring as Elle in Netflix’s Heartstopper and for her upcoming role in Doctor Who, also gave an emotional speech to a large crowd.

She said she felt “so connected to my community” adding: “If the government is trying to eradicate us, we’re all here and we’re just duplicating.”

Referencing the prime minister’s resignation last week, she said: “Like, hello? Boris, bye!”

She continued: “Boris, I hope you see Heartstopper, I hope you see Doctor Who, because I exist. And I know you know I exist. We all exist. And we’re not going anywhere!”

Her words are particularly powerful in a week when several of those MPs who are vying to become next Conservative leader have been foregrounding their views about gender and biological sex as part of their campaigning.

Trans author Charlie Craggs also gave Johnson a shout-out in her speech at Trans Pride, referencing her all-black outfit and saying they were there to celebrate” the end of the political life” of the prime minister.

“When it comes to thinking what I want to say about this man who has been consistently transphobic, homophobic, all the phobics, er it was really hard to summarise it in a few words, but I think I found two words to sum it up and those two words are: ha, ha.”

She continued: “I’m so tired of being fucking sad. Being happy is the biggest finger up to these people, they don’t want you to be happy – they don’t even want you to be alive.

“So being happy and alive is the biggest fuck you to these people. So go home after this Pride and be fucking happy – you deserve it.”

Mark Kerrison via Getty Images

Mark Kerrison via Getty Images

Mark Kerrison via Getty Images

‘Things ARE changing’

Munroe Bergdorf wrote about the march on her Instagram account, asking why there was so little reporting around such a major event.

She pointed out that “it speaks volumes” that this was not covered it in the mainstream media, claiming trans rights only come up when presented as part of a “culture war”.

But, she added: “Things ARE changing, but trans joy doesn’t sell papers. Transphobia sells. Fear sells. Hate sells. Resist.”

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Grant Shapps Vows To Create A ‘Tory Campaigning University’ If Made PM

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Grant Shapps has vowed to create a “Tory campaigning university” if he is made prime minister.

The transport secretary has written to Conservative MPs as part of his pitch to replace Boris Johnson.

In his letter, the senior cabinet minister set out his “campaigning promise” to MPs, including the establishment of a Tory “centre of excellence”.

He added: “A sort of Tory campaigning university, where we can all learn from each other and from the latest developments internationally.

“I will give all colleagues significantly improved access to polling, and to a database of statements, facts and achievements to help you win arguments.”

His campaign has so far centred on promises to help Tory MPs hold on to their seats at the next election.

Shapps has sought to differentiate himself from the other candidates by stressing his experience as a “successful campaigner and organiser”.

“If you choose me to be your next prime minister, I will not be the sort to just sit behind my desk,” he wrote.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Leon Neal via Getty Images

His promise includes the creation of a “campaign strike force” that would see polling, media and other experts travelling from seat to seat to devise localised campaigns.

Shapps said MPs would have the “very best resources” with more central funding for local campaigning and access to the latest techniques and technology.

He also vowed to create a larger political operation in No.10 and promised to brief MPs ahead of major announcements.

Shapps added: “As prime minister I will visit every single seat held by a Conservative MP. We have all experienced how much a ministerial visit can galvanise our local associations and volunteers, as well as local media. I will get out of Whitehall to come and campaign for you.”

Shapps is one of at least 11 MPs who have thrown their hat in the ring to replace Johnson.

The Johnson loyalist set up his stall by vowing to end “tactical government by an often-distracted centre”.

The grammar school educated MP for Welwyn Hatfield suggested his own leadership would bring a return to a more traditionally Conservative approach to state, pledging to curb taxes.

The 53-year-old, who has three children, said tackling the cost-of-living crisis and strengthening the economy to become the biggest in Europe are top of his agenda.

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Penny Mordaunt Announces That She Is Entering Tory Leadership Race

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Penny Mordaunt has become the latest candidate to enter the Tory leadership race.

The former defence secretary’s announcement brings the number vying to replace Boris Johnson to ten.

Launching her campaign with a video on Twitter, the Portsmouth North MP, who is also a member of the Royal Navy Rwserve, said: “Our leadership has to change. It needs to become a little less about the leader and a lot more about the ship.

“I’m Penny Mordaunt and I’m ready to serve as the next leader of the Conservative Party.”

However, there was controversy as a clip from the video appeared to show Oscar Pistorious, who is currently in a South African prison for murdering his girlfriend.

Mordaunt, who is currently a trade minister, received the endorsement of George Freeman, who resigned as science minister last week in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership.

Tom Tugendhat, who was the first candidate to announce he was running following Boris Johnson’s resignation, said today that he offered a “new start” for the party.

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Lauren Goodger Announces Tragic Death Of Her Newborn Daughter Lorena

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Reality star Lauren Goodger has announced the tragic death of her newborn baby girl Lorena.

On Sunday morning, the former The Only Way Is Essex cast member shared the devastating news that her daughter had died two days earlier.

“Lorena… R.I.P 08.07.22,” Lauren wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of herself holding the newborn’s hand. “She was the most beautiful healthy baby I’ve ever seen just like her sister [Larose, Lauren’s daughter who turns one this month].

“Words can’t describe as a mother losing your baby that I carried for all these months perfectly and gave birth to for my angel to be taken from me.

“There was no pregnancy or labour complications, and she was fine and healthy but I am not going into detail right now just know that there was nothing wrong with her or myself. She was perfect.

“I can’t understand it, she is so so beautiful, Larose’s twin, so similar… I am broken.”

Asking for privacy from the media, Lauren added: “I just need this time with my baby girl Larose, she is my rock that’s getting me through this or I wouldn’t survive.

“I will never ever get over this but I will learn how to live everyday with Lorena in my heart. She will be with me always and I will be with her again one day… my [angel] Lorena I love you so much.”

Lauren initially rose to fame as part of the original cast of The Only Way Is Essex, and subsequently made appearances on Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebs Go Dating.

She is already a mum to Larose, born in July 2021, whose father is Charles Drury, a builder, amateur footballer and model.

Last week, Lauren paid tribute following the death of her ex-fiancé Jake McLean , who died after being involved in a car accident in Turkey.

Help and support:

  • Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby.
  • Tommy’s fund research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and provide pregnancy health information to parents.
  • Saying Goodbye offers support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
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Grant Shapps Unveils Plan To Slash Taxes And Hike Defence Spending

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Grant Shapps has pledged to cut income tax straight away if he becomes the next prime minister.

The transport secretary said he would introduce an “emergency budget” within days of taking office to to reduce the basic rate by a penny in the pound.

He also vowed to scrap the planned rise in corporation tax as he sought to underline his tax-cutting credentials.

In addition, Shapps said a government led by him would spend three per cent of GDP on defence – up from around two per cent at present.

He said he would pay for all of those multi-billion pound pledges by cutting public spending – but failed to identify where the axe would fall.

Former chancellor – and the early favourite to be the next Tory leader – Rishi Sunak announced at the budget in April that he wanted to cut income tax by 1p before the next election, which is due in 2024.

But speaking on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Shapps said: “If I become prime minister we’ll have an emergency budget, we’ll introduce that immediately.”

He said he also wants to “freeze” Sunak’s proposed increase in corporation tax, adding: “That is a tax which will not go up.”

Shapps said: “I believe in a lower tax, lower regulation, cut the red tape economy, where… the government essentially actually lowers the barriers for individuals and businesses to achieve the best possible things they can in their own lives.

“And I think the role of the government is to help with that. But sometimes that means reducing taxes, it means being able to reduce red tape, make it easier to deal with government, get on with your life, start a business, bring up a family, bring up children.”

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Paul Rudd Proves Once Again He’s A Real-Life Superhero With Sweet Gesture For 12-Year-Old Fan

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As if we needed one more reason to love Paul Rudd…

The Ant-Man star has once again revealed himself to be a real-life superhero after stepping in to do a good deed for a 12-year-old fan who was being bullied at school.

Earlier in the year, a mother in Paul’s hometown of Westminster, Colorado shared a Facebook post revealing that her son’s middle school classmates had refused to sign his yearbook.

After catching wind that Ant-Man was the boy’s favourite superhero, he stepped in to cheer him up.

Not only did he treat him to a FaceTime call, he also sent him a handwritten note and a signed helmet belonging to his Marvel alter-ego.

Paul Rudd on the set of Ant-Man And The Wasp
Paul Rudd on the set of Ant-Man And The Wasp

Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Following their call, Paul wrote: “Dear Brody, it was great talking to you the other day.

“It’s important to remember that even when life is tough that things get better. There are so many people that love you and think you’re the coolest kid there is – me being one of them! I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’re going to accomplish.”

The Clueless star signed off the message: “Your pal, Paul.”

He also wrote on his Ant-Man helmet: “To my good friend Brody for when he takes on the world!”

Needless to say, when the story began doing the rounds on Twitter, people were full of praise for the already-popular star…

Paul began playing Scott Lang, the secret identity of superhero Ant-Man, in 2015, and has since reprised the role on a number of occasions, most recently in the epic Avengers: Endgame.

He’ll next be donning his superhero garb in Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania, which is slated for release next year.

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Kim Kardashian Reveals Met Gala Diet Led To ‘Really Painful’ Psoriasis Flare-Up

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Kim Kardashian has revealed that her dramatic change in diet in order to lose weight for this year’s Met Gala came with “really painful” side effects.

Back in May, the reality star and aspiring barrister received a wave of backlash when she revealed she’d lost 16 pounds in the space of three weeks in order to fit in one of Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic dresses on the Met Ball’s red carpet.

In a new interview with Allure magazine, Kim disclosed that part of the regime included ditching her usual plant-based diet and eating meat, which she said caused her to have a psoriasis flare-up.

“Psoriasis broke out over my body and I got psoriatic arthritis so I couldn’t really move my hands,” she told the magazine.

“It was really painful, and I had to go to a rheumatologist who put me on a steroid. I was freaking out.”

She added that she’s now “cut out the meat again”, claiming this has led her condition to “calm down”.

Last month, Kim responded to criticism about her weight loss comments, saying: “To me it was like, ‘OK, Christian Bale can do it for a movie role and that is acceptable.’ Even Renée Zellweger gained weight for a role. It’s all the same to me.

“I wasn’t saying, ‘Hey everyone, why don’t you go lose this weight in a short period of time?’”

Elaborating on this in her new Allure interview, Kim added: “If I was starving and doing it really unhealthy, I would say that, of course, that’s not a good message.

“But I had a nutritionist, I had a trainer. I have never drunk more water in my life. I don’t see the criticism for other people when they lost weight for roles — they are [considered] geniuses for their craft.

“There are so many things out there that are so not accurate and not true. I think I’ve always just been the underdog.”

Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Pete Davidson pose for photographers on the Met Ball red carpet
Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Pete Davidson pose for photographers on the Met Ball red carpet

Gilbert Carrasquillo via Getty Images

Kim’s decision to wear an old dress of Marilyn’s to the Met Gala proved seriously divisive.

Although she switched into a replica gown immediately after the red carpet, she has since been forced to hit back at claims that she damaged the dress by wearing it to the Met Ball.

The dress in question was worn by the Hollywood legend in 1962, when she sang Happy Birthday to US president John F Kennedy.

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Read Kim’s interview in full in the August issue of Allure magazine.

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