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Marjorie, might you connect the UK Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by her biological sex with neptune moving into Aries (straight talking clarification, after Pisces fog)
Tr Mars opposition tr Pluto is taking its toll today.
Apart from the Pope dying, the Queens of Denmark and of Norway have been admitted to hospital today.
All these locations are on approximately the same longitude.
It would be interesting to see a chart for today at the longitude of Rome to see how this is playing out there.
Hi Marjorie,
I’m wondering when Trump is going to fall out with and blame Peter Navarro (and possibly Jared Kushner!) for the tariff disaster.
Rachel Maddow (and Vanity Fair) broke the unbelievable backstory (well, nothing is unbelievable in our current mad, mad, mad, mad, mad, topsy-turvy Alice-in-Wonderland world) on MSNBC and re-upped the gist on her Instagram reels. Easy Google.
Back in the run-up to the 2016 election, Trump asked Jared to find him an economic advisor who’d make him look tough, especially on China.
So brilliant Jared went on AMAZON.com — yes really — and found Navarro’s book titled “Death by China.” He cold-called Navarro without reading the book.
But it gets better.
Navarro had always been pro-tariff.
But the “expert” he cited in all his books was “Ron Vara,” – a made-up, fictional person whose name was an anagram of his own.
Shades of “John Barron,” anyone?
When will we figure out how to stop psychopaths from running the world?
Davos founder, Klaus Schwab, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the World Economic Forum, has resigned. 30th March, 1938 – the recent Aries eclipse was conjunct his Sun, 9 Aries, and Saturn 8 Aries. Tr Saturn and Venus in Pisces trines his natal Pluto, 27 Cancer (square Venus in Aries). Curiously, on 30th May, 1691, both the roles of Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury were vacant (as today). Pluto was 26 Cancer square Venus, 27 Aries. Saturn in Scorpio was trine Pluto.
As Pluto settles into Aquarius, the old world order certainly appears to be shifting. It’s only a superstition, but perhaps a third ‘end-of-an-era’ event is about to make a third example soon?
The pope has passed. The Vatican press release states his time of death was 07:35am local time. Saturn squaring his Sun within one degree.
JB Is Saturn sq Sun an indicator of death or that particular degree?
There are no hard and fast indicators of death according to studies in western astrology. Indian astrologers are much happier to predict it but it is not considered professional to do so in the west given the uncertainties about accuracy. Tr Saturn will square the Sun every seven years so while it may be a contributing factor would not be enough on its own.
The old rule of thumb used to be tr Pluto square the 8th house ruler but that does not always work either.
Was thinking more the culmination of recent health challenges (he had a 6th house Sun) less than an actual physical death. Part of the equation, not the sum.
Non habemus papa
Hi Marjorie, the Australian Election on Saturday, 3rd May. Would value your astrological input please?
Something strange I noticed recently. If you look at the Solar Returns for the UK chart and the US chart for 2016 both have Chiron conjunct the IC (a core wounding). Very interesting to note this and I can’t help but feel it’s significant.
Hi Marjorie,
Could you look at the synastry between both the UK and the US and the UK and the EU over the next few years. IIRC in a previous post you suggested that 2027 could see a rebuild or reset of the UK and EU economic relationship.
Thanks
Marjorie what is the astrology in respect of the surge of religion within gen z circles especially and more widely with the advent of apps like Hallow.Most of my son’s kids are now regular church attendees and going on camino and retreats!
Church, retreats, camino …had no idea!
Great prompt:)
A more long term thought for Marjorie to consider for a post.
The US’s 250th birthday is coming up on 4th July 2026. Would it be worth casting the chart for that occasion to see what the next 250 years would look like?
Also, is there any sense in casting the chart for the exact Pluto Return that the US has had a couple of years ago? Would that tell us anything about the trajectory of the US’s future?
What’s interesting is that although the Pluto return of the US may have passed, we’re currently undergoing a Pluto return of the US CONSTITUTION.
Signed September 17, 1787 at the constitutional convention in Philadelphia.
Officially ratified May 9, 1788 with the signature of the ninth state, New Hampshire.
Two elections coming up: Canadian general election on 28th April and the Australian general election on 3rd May.
It’s a toss-up in both elections, so I’d be interested in what the astrology has to say.
Any idea of how the Trump/Harvard scuffle will turn out? Only university that has stood up.
Thanks
The international student ban aspect is interesting. First hand experience from uk universities and the 37 pct reduction in students from China to the uk last year. Being blamed on visa rules and cost but i was told clearly that China does not like the way the students are becoming while abroad. Clever univ like Nottingham were early in opening China campuses and will benefit where others miss out.An interesting side note, there is a bigger picture and western unis are no longer the elite for foreign students,
Anything on El Salvador and Bukele?
Hi Marjorie
Wondered if you could say a little about Saturn Neptune move to Aries now and will be for some time hitting the triple Capricorn generation please?
Much thanks
While not on the topic of how Saturn-Neptune will hit specific generations, Marjorie had posted an article on Saturn-Neptune on 24th August 2024.
You’ll find it if you search for “Saturn Neptune” in the top right search box.
Thanks
Will take a look
Bridget Phillipson , education secretary might be interesting to look at with court proceedings proceeding currently ?
Marjorie, the Swedish abstract painter, Hilma af Klint who went unrecognised for decades as is often the fate of female artists, was born 26 October 1862, Karlberg Palace, Solna, Sweden and her work is to be shown at MOMA this May to September and in June at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.
She was an innovator, the first painter to use abstraction in her work. Her canvases are huge and she uses flat, delicate colour and geometry, pre dating painters like Kandinsky and Malevich. She was part of a group called ‘The Five’, all women painters who were interested in Spiritism and Theosophy. Her work is informed by her complex spiritual concepts. She never married, preferring close relationships with women and in her will she wished for her work to remain secret for 20 years after her death. The 2020s have seen a series of exhibitions and the revival of her importance as an artistic pioneer.
Just an add on, but wanted to say that she was called a ‘crazy witch’ for her interest in mysticism and her belief that her works were made by the guidance of a divine or mystical power which apparently disgusted some individuals in the male-dominated art world. Interestingly her Black Moon Lilith is conjunct Algol. There also is a film made about her called, “Beyond the Visible”.
It’s very nearly the birthday of Georgiana Houghton, 20 April 1814. Her extraordinary almost psychedelic abstract work was also inspired by her spiritualist beliefs and practices – a kind of ‘automatic’ painting. She predates Hilma af Klint, having had an exhibition in Bond Street, London, in 1871. I saw a mesmerising exhibition of her work at Somerset House about ten years ago.
Be interesting to see if she’s in focus again soon – Uranus 1 Sagittarius sextile Saturn 0 Aquarius with Jupiter 0 Virgo, amongst other things.
Thank you for that info, Jane. There’s a podcast by Aaron Mahnke all about the Spiritualist movement and how it appealed to women, women of colour and those on the margins of society. I’ll look GH up.
Wow – amazing work! I had never heard of her before.
So pleased you’ve seen her work, VF. It is quite amazing. She’s also a Venus/Pluto person – Venus 18 Pisces, Pluto 21 Pisces square Neptune in Sagittarius. Seems quite spiritual? Mars in Gemini on the edge of that. I love that she looks like such a ‘proper’ Victorian lady in her photograph, and yet had such a wild and wonderful imagination and talent.
I suspect the Spiritualist movement gave some of the women involved (many working class) with it some agency and power – for good or ill. Obviously there were some highly creative frauds around, and some dubious connections between very attractive mediums and older, male members of the Establishment.
Marjorie, please consider looking at Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, who ruled Wednesday that there is probable cause to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his order to immediately pause any deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. His DOB is February 20, 1963, according to Wikipedia. He ordered the government to provide the name of the person or people who chose not to halt the deportations despite his order, and he said he would refer them for prosecution. Any insight into the outcome of this standoff? Thank you.
Plus the Governor of California challenging Trump’s tariff policy in the courts.
Quite the momentous UK Supreme Court Judgement today.
And here I am to say the same thing.
WhoooHoooo! 7 LONG years, so many lost careers friends family and all the wreckage and harm.
I predicted along with Marjorie, that Neptune in Aires would be the turn, and when the 2nd ingress happens in Autumn it’ll solidify.
Best bit, it was done legally by women and without the totalitarian tactics of Trump.
The judgement comes through with the beautiful clarity of Moon in Sag trine both Mercury and Neptune at 0degrees Aires,sextile Pluto in Aquarius, and Mars at that crucial last degree of Cancer. And boy have women fought to protect their rights and their very descriptors.
Today is a monumental day – one for the history books.
Meanwhile here in Canada, immigration applications from trans people looking to leave the States have soared since Trump took office. I have very complicated feelings about this.
In what way complicated? Genuinely intrigued.
@Ava, please don’t be alarmed.
I have five friends with trans kids of varying ages, mostly transitioned to male. I have several adult acquaintances or colleague who transitioned to both genders.
All are leading normal, quiet lives, not particularly activist, just trying to live their own best lives, wanting to contribute their skills and talent to society. Of the adults I know one is a well-regarded landscape architect, another an engineer, another a music teacher, another works at a winery.
For those who transitioned earlier in their lives, late teens and 20s, you wouldn’t know they’re trans unless they or someone told you, yet these otherwise ordinary, normal people are under great threat from the Trump administration.
Please don’t judge them out-of-hand just for being trans. They’re good, upstanding citizens.
thank-you, Nicole,
I also have people in my life who have transitioned. And, yes, they are simply living the life they want to live.. and, yes, quietly!
My former brother-in-law waited 30 years before he had the courage to transition to female. I always knew he wanted that change but had zero support… very isolated. In fact, he was diagnosed as manic depressive and medicated for years!!!
He is so incredibly happy now post surgeries.
Just writing this and thinking of who he is now fills my heart with joy.
Hi all, sorry, just reading all your responses now. Thank you for your feedback.
The best way I can explain my concern is to relay an interview I listened to last week between Stephen Marche, a Canadian social commentator and The Boston Globe. The BG was trying understand the level of anger and betrayal that Canadians feel amidst Trump’s rhetoric. Marche shared that between: 1) Trump’s tariffs, 2) Trump’s plans at Canadian annexation particularly on our Northern/Arctic border, and 3) Trump’s threats to embed “kill-switches” and/or deny parts to countries that purchased their F-35’s so that American’s could control and/or sabotage other countries militarization efforts because “allies aren’t always allies anymore” -(Trump)…all left Canadians feeling highly charged. As a result, Marche further shared that discussions are now being had at the highest levels of government around concepts like Canada obtaining nuclear weapons for the first time ever, remilitarization, conscription, and of course, the severe economic punishment coming our way. Finally, Marche said that in the 10yrs under Trudeau and the multicultural, identity-politics, post-nationalistic Canada he promoted (and that Canadians tried to absorb), that those dynamics are rapidly now taking a backseat to the national unity needed to fight Trump on all fronts.
At the end of last summer, a Canadian trans person won a lawsuit against Ontario’s publicly-funded healthcare provider, OHIP so that they could have experimental surgery in the States on the taxpayer’s dime that isn’t available in Canada. The person in question was born male but self-identifies as female and wanted to keep her penis while also having vaginal-construction surgery. The cost to Canadians was around $700K. Otherwise, surgery for trans people is covered here in Canada but is still prohibitively expensive.
So here’s where my complicated feelings come into play. Where does the cause of trans people fit into this new world that we’re facing as Canadians? How do we continue to afford such expensive surgeries in the face of recession and economic war? Will trans people and Canada’s large demographics of refugees be willing/emotionally capable of fighting for our military? The list goes on but you all get the point. If I offended anyone with my comment, apologies in advance, I tried to be thoughtful with my response.
(Finally, Marjorie, apologies for the long non-astrology diatribe. No offence taken if you chose not to publish 🙂
No apologies necessary.
There is a quote that I am trying to source from Hobbes or John Stuart Mill which ran along the lines of:
In a fair and decent society the rights of one person should not interfere with the rights of others.
Which has what seemed to me a major problem with the trans activists is they felt their wishes/rights should take precedence over everyone else – in sport, in women’s prisons, domestic violence and abuse/rape survivor groups and with children.
And in the cases you mentioned using up public health funding in times when money is tight.
There are no easy answers but the heat the debate arouses does make me wonder about the motives of those arguing they should be given exactly what they want, even when it causes risk or alarm to others.
Tks Marjorie, I appreciate that you create a forum for respectful dialogue amidst these sensitive discussions. And I definitely agree with your point regarding how Trans rights seem to “take precedence over everyone else – in sport, in women’s prisons, domestic violence and abuse/rape survivor groups and with children” – well said.
I will add one last point to my reply. Here in Canada, permanent residents (not just Canadian citizens) are entitled to free healthcare including trans surgery. Are us actual citizens expected to pay for the surgeries of these American immigration applicants who otherwise wouldn’t have free access to such surgery in the States, only for them to potentially return to America if/when Trump is voted out and/or America comes to its senses? If so, sorry, but no, no, no, NO!!!!!
Most of the trans people I come across are as Nicole mentions above just trying to live their lives and feel at peace in themselves. Obviously there are more outspoken elements who make more noise than the rest but this is something that happens with every group in society.
How might the synastry of the #metoo movement compare, I wonder?
Their tagline was -believe all woman- and have been nowhere to be seen regarding this particular group of woman speaking up.
i am pretty sure the decision will be put to appeal at the echr and that this is not the end of the matter by any stretch.If you recall the echr imposed the gender recognition bill.
Hmm not sure ECHR and the UK are guaranteed to be together for ever – given some of the recent idiotic rulings about preventing foreign criminals being expelled for ludicrous reasons.
The ECtHR didn’t impose the Gender Recognition Act, it advised the UK that the public attitude towards transsexuals had changed and it was therefore more in conformity with the ECHR to provide more support for transsexuals.
At the end of the day, it is up to the UK Parliament to provide for the judgment and it could have refused.
Keep in mind that countries like Russia (till recently) and Turkey are also signatories to the ECHR and aren’t known for their stellar human rights records and for obeying ECtHR judgments. The only country in Europe which has never been a party to the ECHR has been Belarus.
As an aside, there is an EctHR Press Unit factsheet on Gender Identity Issues on their website. And it is interesting that the first third or half that document is made mostly of cases by people against the UK. So it does appear that transsexual people in the UK are way active in escalating cases to the ECtHR.
Mars in the final degree of Cancer for when the judgment was made is v interesting. Can it be appealed by the trans lobby? They won’t go without a fight.
No they won’t. Pushback is strong in the shape of ignoring the law already. Then what do you do? a million lawsuits. Trust me their pockets are WAAAAY deeper.
Whom does one appeal to after the (UK) Supreme Court?
Keep in mind that ECtHR judgments are advisory only (see the Hirst vs the UK judgment on giving prisoners the right to vote, which was rejected by the UK Parliament), unlike CJEU judgments which were automatically law in all EU member-states.
I stand corrected but in fact the outcome is even more problematic. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) did not impose the Gender Recognition Act in the UK. Instead, the ECHR ruling in Christine Goodwin v. UK (2002) prompted the UK government to introduce the Gender Recognition Act in 2004. The ECHR ruling highlighted that denying legal recognition of a person’s gender reassignment could violate their human rights under Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 12 (right to marry and found a family) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
@UM. In the UK the Supreme Court decision is final. There are no further appeals processes (expect possibly a Royal Pardon depending on the type of case being tried). Until 1966, The Law Lords (the forerunner to the Supreme Court) could not even revisit a previous decision. Since 1966, there are a limited and complex set of circumstances which can allow revisiting of a previous top court decision. Usually, after a Supreme Court decision in the UK a change of the law would be required to allow an alternative course of action. This differs slightly from the US Supreme Court, where the Justices can theoretically revisit a previous decision more easily under a broader set of circumstance before a change of law becomes the only option.
“The vote means nothing to women. We should be armed.”
― Edna O’Brien
But we are armed, with persistence grit and wit.
Especially Scottish women.
Marjorie, might you connect the UK Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by her biological sex with neptune moving into Aries (straight talking clarification, after Pisces fog)
Tr Mars opposition tr Pluto is taking its toll today.
Apart from the Pope dying, the Queens of Denmark and of Norway have been admitted to hospital today.
All these locations are on approximately the same longitude.
It would be interesting to see a chart for today at the longitude of Rome to see how this is playing out there.
Hi Marjorie,
I’m wondering when Trump is going to fall out with and blame Peter Navarro (and possibly Jared Kushner!) for the tariff disaster.
Rachel Maddow (and Vanity Fair) broke the unbelievable backstory (well, nothing is unbelievable in our current mad, mad, mad, mad, mad, topsy-turvy Alice-in-Wonderland world) on MSNBC and re-upped the gist on her Instagram reels. Easy Google.
Back in the run-up to the 2016 election, Trump asked Jared to find him an economic advisor who’d make him look tough, especially on China.
So brilliant Jared went on AMAZON.com — yes really — and found Navarro’s book titled “Death by China.” He cold-called Navarro without reading the book.
But it gets better.
Navarro had always been pro-tariff.
But the “expert” he cited in all his books was “Ron Vara,” – a made-up, fictional person whose name was an anagram of his own.
Shades of “John Barron,” anyone?
When will we figure out how to stop psychopaths from running the world?
Davos founder, Klaus Schwab, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the World Economic Forum, has resigned. 30th March, 1938 – the recent Aries eclipse was conjunct his Sun, 9 Aries, and Saturn 8 Aries. Tr Saturn and Venus in Pisces trines his natal Pluto, 27 Cancer (square Venus in Aries). Curiously, on 30th May, 1691, both the roles of Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury were vacant (as today). Pluto was 26 Cancer square Venus, 27 Aries. Saturn in Scorpio was trine Pluto.
As Pluto settles into Aquarius, the old world order certainly appears to be shifting. It’s only a superstition, but perhaps a third ‘end-of-an-era’ event is about to make a third example soon?
The pope has passed. The Vatican press release states his time of death was 07:35am local time. Saturn squaring his Sun within one degree.
JB Is Saturn sq Sun an indicator of death or that particular degree?
There are no hard and fast indicators of death according to studies in western astrology. Indian astrologers are much happier to predict it but it is not considered professional to do so in the west given the uncertainties about accuracy. Tr Saturn will square the Sun every seven years so while it may be a contributing factor would not be enough on its own.
The old rule of thumb used to be tr Pluto square the 8th house ruler but that does not always work either.
Was thinking more the culmination of recent health challenges (he had a 6th house Sun) less than an actual physical death. Part of the equation, not the sum.
Non habemus papa
Hi Marjorie, the Australian Election on Saturday, 3rd May. Would value your astrological input please?
Something strange I noticed recently. If you look at the Solar Returns for the UK chart and the US chart for 2016 both have Chiron conjunct the IC (a core wounding). Very interesting to note this and I can’t help but feel it’s significant.
Hi Marjorie,
Could you look at the synastry between both the UK and the US and the UK and the EU over the next few years. IIRC in a previous post you suggested that 2027 could see a rebuild or reset of the UK and EU economic relationship.
Thanks
Marjorie what is the astrology in respect of the surge of religion within gen z circles especially and more widely with the advent of apps like Hallow.Most of my son’s kids are now regular church attendees and going on camino and retreats!
Church, retreats, camino …had no idea!
Great prompt:)
A more long term thought for Marjorie to consider for a post.
The US’s 250th birthday is coming up on 4th July 2026. Would it be worth casting the chart for that occasion to see what the next 250 years would look like?
Also, is there any sense in casting the chart for the exact Pluto Return that the US has had a couple of years ago? Would that tell us anything about the trajectory of the US’s future?
What’s interesting is that although the Pluto return of the US may have passed, we’re currently undergoing a Pluto return of the US CONSTITUTION.
Signed September 17, 1787 at the constitutional convention in Philadelphia.
Officially ratified May 9, 1788 with the signature of the ninth state, New Hampshire.
Two elections coming up: Canadian general election on 28th April and the Australian general election on 3rd May.
It’s a toss-up in both elections, so I’d be interested in what the astrology has to say.
Any idea of how the Trump/Harvard scuffle will turn out? Only university that has stood up.
Thanks
The international student ban aspect is interesting. First hand experience from uk universities and the 37 pct reduction in students from China to the uk last year. Being blamed on visa rules and cost but i was told clearly that China does not like the way the students are becoming while abroad. Clever univ like Nottingham were early in opening China campuses and will benefit where others miss out.An interesting side note, there is a bigger picture and western unis are no longer the elite for foreign students,
Anything on El Salvador and Bukele?
Hi Marjorie
Wondered if you could say a little about Saturn Neptune move to Aries now and will be for some time hitting the triple Capricorn generation please?
Much thanks
While not on the topic of how Saturn-Neptune will hit specific generations, Marjorie had posted an article on Saturn-Neptune on 24th August 2024.
You’ll find it if you search for “Saturn Neptune” in the top right search box.
Thanks
Will take a look
Bridget Phillipson , education secretary might be interesting to look at with court proceedings proceeding currently ?
Marjorie, the Swedish abstract painter, Hilma af Klint who went unrecognised for decades as is often the fate of female artists, was born 26 October 1862, Karlberg Palace, Solna, Sweden and her work is to be shown at MOMA this May to September and in June at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.
She was an innovator, the first painter to use abstraction in her work. Her canvases are huge and she uses flat, delicate colour and geometry, pre dating painters like Kandinsky and Malevich. She was part of a group called ‘The Five’, all women painters who were interested in Spiritism and Theosophy. Her work is informed by her complex spiritual concepts. She never married, preferring close relationships with women and in her will she wished for her work to remain secret for 20 years after her death. The 2020s have seen a series of exhibitions and the revival of her importance as an artistic pioneer.
Just an add on, but wanted to say that she was called a ‘crazy witch’ for her interest in mysticism and her belief that her works were made by the guidance of a divine or mystical power which apparently disgusted some individuals in the male-dominated art world. Interestingly her Black Moon Lilith is conjunct Algol. There also is a film made about her called, “Beyond the Visible”.
It’s very nearly the birthday of Georgiana Houghton, 20 April 1814. Her extraordinary almost psychedelic abstract work was also inspired by her spiritualist beliefs and practices – a kind of ‘automatic’ painting. She predates Hilma af Klint, having had an exhibition in Bond Street, London, in 1871. I saw a mesmerising exhibition of her work at Somerset House about ten years ago.
Be interesting to see if she’s in focus again soon – Uranus 1 Sagittarius sextile Saturn 0 Aquarius with Jupiter 0 Virgo, amongst other things.
Thank you for that info, Jane. There’s a podcast by Aaron Mahnke all about the Spiritualist movement and how it appealed to women, women of colour and those on the margins of society. I’ll look GH up.
Wow – amazing work! I had never heard of her before.
So pleased you’ve seen her work, VF. It is quite amazing. She’s also a Venus/Pluto person – Venus 18 Pisces, Pluto 21 Pisces square Neptune in Sagittarius. Seems quite spiritual? Mars in Gemini on the edge of that. I love that she looks like such a ‘proper’ Victorian lady in her photograph, and yet had such a wild and wonderful imagination and talent.
I suspect the Spiritualist movement gave some of the women involved (many working class) with it some agency and power – for good or ill. Obviously there were some highly creative frauds around, and some dubious connections between very attractive mediums and older, male members of the Establishment.
Marjorie, please consider looking at Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, who ruled Wednesday that there is probable cause to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his order to immediately pause any deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. His DOB is February 20, 1963, according to Wikipedia. He ordered the government to provide the name of the person or people who chose not to halt the deportations despite his order, and he said he would refer them for prosecution. Any insight into the outcome of this standoff? Thank you.
Plus the Governor of California challenging Trump’s tariff policy in the courts.
Quite the momentous UK Supreme Court Judgement today.
And here I am to say the same thing.
WhoooHoooo! 7 LONG years, so many lost careers friends family and all the wreckage and harm.
I predicted along with Marjorie, that Neptune in Aires would be the turn, and when the 2nd ingress happens in Autumn it’ll solidify.
Best bit, it was done legally by women and without the totalitarian tactics of Trump.
The judgement comes through with the beautiful clarity of Moon in Sag trine both Mercury and Neptune at 0degrees Aires,sextile Pluto in Aquarius, and Mars at that crucial last degree of Cancer. And boy have women fought to protect their rights and their very descriptors.
Today is a monumental day – one for the history books.
Meanwhile here in Canada, immigration applications from trans people looking to leave the States have soared since Trump took office. I have very complicated feelings about this.
In what way complicated? Genuinely intrigued.
@Ava, please don’t be alarmed.
I have five friends with trans kids of varying ages, mostly transitioned to male. I have several adult acquaintances or colleague who transitioned to both genders.
All are leading normal, quiet lives, not particularly activist, just trying to live their own best lives, wanting to contribute their skills and talent to society. Of the adults I know one is a well-regarded landscape architect, another an engineer, another a music teacher, another works at a winery.
For those who transitioned earlier in their lives, late teens and 20s, you wouldn’t know they’re trans unless they or someone told you, yet these otherwise ordinary, normal people are under great threat from the Trump administration.
Please don’t judge them out-of-hand just for being trans. They’re good, upstanding citizens.
thank-you, Nicole,
I also have people in my life who have transitioned. And, yes, they are simply living the life they want to live.. and, yes, quietly!
My former brother-in-law waited 30 years before he had the courage to transition to female. I always knew he wanted that change but had zero support… very isolated. In fact, he was diagnosed as manic depressive and medicated for years!!!
He is so incredibly happy now post surgeries.
Just writing this and thinking of who he is now fills my heart with joy.
Hi all, sorry, just reading all your responses now. Thank you for your feedback.
The best way I can explain my concern is to relay an interview I listened to last week between Stephen Marche, a Canadian social commentator and The Boston Globe. The BG was trying understand the level of anger and betrayal that Canadians feel amidst Trump’s rhetoric. Marche shared that between: 1) Trump’s tariffs, 2) Trump’s plans at Canadian annexation particularly on our Northern/Arctic border, and 3) Trump’s threats to embed “kill-switches” and/or deny parts to countries that purchased their F-35’s so that American’s could control and/or sabotage other countries militarization efforts because “allies aren’t always allies anymore” -(Trump)…all left Canadians feeling highly charged. As a result, Marche further shared that discussions are now being had at the highest levels of government around concepts like Canada obtaining nuclear weapons for the first time ever, remilitarization, conscription, and of course, the severe economic punishment coming our way. Finally, Marche said that in the 10yrs under Trudeau and the multicultural, identity-politics, post-nationalistic Canada he promoted (and that Canadians tried to absorb), that those dynamics are rapidly now taking a backseat to the national unity needed to fight Trump on all fronts.
At the end of last summer, a Canadian trans person won a lawsuit against Ontario’s publicly-funded healthcare provider, OHIP so that they could have experimental surgery in the States on the taxpayer’s dime that isn’t available in Canada. The person in question was born male but self-identifies as female and wanted to keep her penis while also having vaginal-construction surgery. The cost to Canadians was around $700K. Otherwise, surgery for trans people is covered here in Canada but is still prohibitively expensive.
So here’s where my complicated feelings come into play. Where does the cause of trans people fit into this new world that we’re facing as Canadians? How do we continue to afford such expensive surgeries in the face of recession and economic war? Will trans people and Canada’s large demographics of refugees be willing/emotionally capable of fighting for our military? The list goes on but you all get the point. If I offended anyone with my comment, apologies in advance, I tried to be thoughtful with my response.
(Finally, Marjorie, apologies for the long non-astrology diatribe. No offence taken if you chose not to publish 🙂
No apologies necessary.
There is a quote that I am trying to source from Hobbes or John Stuart Mill which ran along the lines of:
In a fair and decent society the rights of one person should not interfere with the rights of others.
Which has what seemed to me a major problem with the trans activists is they felt their wishes/rights should take precedence over everyone else – in sport, in women’s prisons, domestic violence and abuse/rape survivor groups and with children.
And in the cases you mentioned using up public health funding in times when money is tight.
There are no easy answers but the heat the debate arouses does make me wonder about the motives of those arguing they should be given exactly what they want, even when it causes risk or alarm to others.
Tks Marjorie, I appreciate that you create a forum for respectful dialogue amidst these sensitive discussions. And I definitely agree with your point regarding how Trans rights seem to “take precedence over everyone else – in sport, in women’s prisons, domestic violence and abuse/rape survivor groups and with children” – well said.
I will add one last point to my reply. Here in Canada, permanent residents (not just Canadian citizens) are entitled to free healthcare including trans surgery. Are us actual citizens expected to pay for the surgeries of these American immigration applicants who otherwise wouldn’t have free access to such surgery in the States, only for them to potentially return to America if/when Trump is voted out and/or America comes to its senses? If so, sorry, but no, no, no, NO!!!!!
Most of the trans people I come across are as Nicole mentions above just trying to live their lives and feel at peace in themselves. Obviously there are more outspoken elements who make more noise than the rest but this is something that happens with every group in society.
How might the synastry of the #metoo movement compare, I wonder?
Their tagline was -believe all woman- and have been nowhere to be seen regarding this particular group of woman speaking up.
i am pretty sure the decision will be put to appeal at the echr and that this is not the end of the matter by any stretch.If you recall the echr imposed the gender recognition bill.
Hmm not sure ECHR and the UK are guaranteed to be together for ever – given some of the recent idiotic rulings about preventing foreign criminals being expelled for ludicrous reasons.
The ECtHR didn’t impose the Gender Recognition Act, it advised the UK that the public attitude towards transsexuals had changed and it was therefore more in conformity with the ECHR to provide more support for transsexuals.
At the end of the day, it is up to the UK Parliament to provide for the judgment and it could have refused.
Keep in mind that countries like Russia (till recently) and Turkey are also signatories to the ECHR and aren’t known for their stellar human rights records and for obeying ECtHR judgments. The only country in Europe which has never been a party to the ECHR has been Belarus.
As an aside, there is an EctHR Press Unit factsheet on Gender Identity Issues on their website. And it is interesting that the first third or half that document is made mostly of cases by people against the UK. So it does appear that transsexual people in the UK are way active in escalating cases to the ECtHR.
Mars in the final degree of Cancer for when the judgment was made is v interesting. Can it be appealed by the trans lobby? They won’t go without a fight.
No they won’t. Pushback is strong in the shape of ignoring the law already. Then what do you do? a million lawsuits. Trust me their pockets are WAAAAY deeper.
Whom does one appeal to after the (UK) Supreme Court?
Keep in mind that ECtHR judgments are advisory only (see the Hirst vs the UK judgment on giving prisoners the right to vote, which was rejected by the UK Parliament), unlike CJEU judgments which were automatically law in all EU member-states.
I stand corrected but in fact the outcome is even more problematic. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) did not impose the Gender Recognition Act in the UK. Instead, the ECHR ruling in Christine Goodwin v. UK (2002) prompted the UK government to introduce the Gender Recognition Act in 2004. The ECHR ruling highlighted that denying legal recognition of a person’s gender reassignment could violate their human rights under Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 12 (right to marry and found a family) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
@UM. In the UK the Supreme Court decision is final. There are no further appeals processes (expect possibly a Royal Pardon depending on the type of case being tried). Until 1966, The Law Lords (the forerunner to the Supreme Court) could not even revisit a previous decision. Since 1966, there are a limited and complex set of circumstances which can allow revisiting of a previous top court decision. Usually, after a Supreme Court decision in the UK a change of the law would be required to allow an alternative course of action. This differs slightly from the US Supreme Court, where the Justices can theoretically revisit a previous decision more easily under a broader set of circumstance before a change of law becomes the only option.
“The vote means nothing to women. We should be armed.”
― Edna O’Brien
But we are armed, with persistence grit and wit.
Especially Scottish women.
yeah that’s what iranian women have in spades…