Ben XCX

Hey Fedi. I stopped linking to the Guardian a while back when I was reliably informed they would regularly run anti-trans pieces. Checked and it turned out to be true. However I've just had this message and would like to open a poll...

To my transfam and beyond - what are our thoughts on the Guardian now?

Poll to follow

Jun 26 at 7:57amWeb
Show threadBen XCXJun 26
See above
Guardian cool - go for it
11.3%
Guardian still anti trans
50%
They still chose to platform her, fuck them
11.3%
I don't have an opinion
27.4%
Poll ended at .
Show threadNickJun 26

@TheBreadmonkey Sadly this is not the case. They still have Susanna Rustin for example, see link to her latest.

https://www.dumptheguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/05/generational-divide-views-sex-gender-britain

Why is there such a generational divide in views on sex and gender in Britain? | Susanna Rustin

I believe the key lies in our respective life stages, says social affairs journalist Susanna Rustin

Show threadAndrewJun 26

@TheBreadmonkey

I don't personally like The Guardian, for a variety of reasons, but I still link to it as it's the least worst of the major UK newspapers.

Show threadCharlotte WalkerJun 26
@Shivviness @TheBreadmonkey I link to stories but I also often share that I find the publication problematic because of its transphobia. I have messaged them directly to complain about their biased stance. And they can beg me for money as much as they like, I will never subscribe nor buy the hard copy
Show threadAndrewJun 26

@purplepadma @TheBreadmonkey

Generally , my stance is that at this stage in the game "we", as in anyone with an understanding that we're in environmental and societal collapse, cannot be overly picky as to where we source our information from, provided of course that the information itself is sound and relatively unbiased.
The Guardian is ultimately a "curate's egg", and it's possible to glean some value from it provided one is discriminating.
Also, I think The Guardian is at its core a neoliberal entity who will happily fall in line with the new fash order once Farage takes the reigns. There will of course be a spot of performative protest to assure the libs that it's still a kosher publication.
I do not trust The Guardian.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curate%27s_egg

Curate's egg - Wikipedia

Show threadAndrocatJun 26

@Shivviness

It's amusing that the original intent has been restored.

The egg is bad. It's just been given faint praise for the sake of politeness.

@purplepadma @TheBreadmonkey

Show threadPete Alex Harris🦡🕸️🌲/∞🪐∫Jun 26

@Shivviness @purplepadma @TheBreadmonkey

The question is, do they need us more than we need them? If they need us (people who will not tolerate bigotry and bootlicking) then they should shape up or lose our eyeballs and links.

If we supposedly need them to the extent that we have to put up with them, and they rely on that to push bigotry and bootlicking, then in fact we do not actually need a codependent relationship with media that shows unreliable solidarity at best, and they can fuck off.

Show threadAndrewJun 26

@petealexharris @purplepadma @TheBreadmonkey

I think that's a fair position to hold, one I respect, and who knows I may in time come to boycott all mainstream media like you do, including The Guardian.

Show threadPete Alex Harris🦡🕸️🌲/∞🪐∫Jun 26
@Shivviness @purplepadma @TheBreadmonkey
I don't boycott them, but I still consider them untrustworthy.
Show threadEllie‽Jun 26
@TheBreadmonkey they had a brief moment when they seemed to be decent but have gone shit again.
Show threadIrenes (many)Jun 26
@TheBreadmonkey we haven't looked recently, so we can't say this of our own knowledge, but in general we don't personally believe that the decisions of newspaper editorial boards are just the personal opinions of any single person on the board. we believe everyone involved knows what they're doing and intends it. we see no reason to expect turnover to result in that kind of big change of direction.
Show threadblueorangeblueJun 26
@TheBreadmonkey for what it's worth football weekly is consistently trans positive
Show threadscmbradleyJun 26
@TheBreadmonkey I don't really have any views on this, but I do want to mention that throughout their clear anti-trans editorial direction, they had one of the presumably very few trans sports writers working for them. Nicky Baldini covers Italian football (among other things) for their sports section. If this change of editorial direction is a real thing, it must be such a relief for her.
Show threadKay ElúvianJun 26
@TheBreadmonkey US guardian is a different animal with much better policies but yeah the UK wing is a hotbed of anti-trans handwringing and bigotry with a special venom for people like Owen Jones who are critical of the Israeli government.
Show threadPortabelloBelle 🇪🇺 🏳️‍⚧️Jun 26

@TheBreadmonkey

I don't know much about The Guardian.

Since I won't pay to not accept cookies etc.

As a trans person, it seems I'm winning on two levels here

Show threadEstarriol, lucozade dragonJun 26
@TheBreadmonkey I stop linking/reading as they won't let me unless I allow cookies etc, or subscribe.
Show threadRavensrod 🫖 🍰Jun 26
@Thebratdragon @TheBreadmonkey
Same here
Show threadCaptain of the SS El FaroJun 26
@TheBreadmonkey I'll wait for the front page apology and the removal of all anti-trans content previously published, preferably replaced with new articles detailing exactly what was wrong with the removed material, anything less and they'll remain dead to me
Show threadGemma HentschJun 26

@TheBreadmonkey They were transphobic before The Daily Mail went mask off transphobic...and thats saying something

The only reason why they don't look as bad today is that every other media organisation has gone mask off transphobic...

Show threadVashtiJun 27
@TheBreadmonkey golwg360 is consistently progressive and pro-trans, but you will need a bit of Google Translate and to really like Welsh news.