As we move into September, Pride celebrations are still in full swing. Last weekend, Manchester Pride brought thousands of people together, and this weekend, the events continue in Reading, Truro, and Leicester - where I attended my first Pride back in 2001! For me, Pride is about celebrating how far we've come, but it’s also a reminder of how far we still have to go, staying true to its roots as a protest for LGBTQIA+ rights.

This week, alongside the celebrations, we saw protests in Dublin and Belfast after the ban on puberty blockers was extended to Northern Ireland. Green Party leader Mal O’Hara expressed his disappointment over the decision. Joining the protests were Mammies for Trans Rights, a group of mothers and parents who campaign in support of trans youth. Members of the group wrote on X: “This will be a distressing time for many affected. Our trans loved ones need our vocal, visible allyship now more than ever.”

It feels like history is repeating itself, much like the fight for gay rights in the '70s and '80s. But people aren’t staying silent - they’re standing up, determined not to let progress slip away quietly.

- Oli, Director of Marketing

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

⚠️ Report found 100 Meta posts containing anti-trans slur

🏳️🌈 Half of LGBTQIA+ workers have been bullied or harassed at work

📈 Suicide rates at highest level since 1999

💺 Paralympic gold medallist forced to crawl off train at Kings Cross

⏰ A four-day compressed working week could be on the horizon

LETS GET INTO IT 👇

Reflecting on the far-right riots now...

Their actions were condemned but have their motivations been interrogated enough?

Is more policing the answer? The response to the riots has come mostly in the form of increased police presence, resources, and harsher and quicker prison sentences. But will this actually protect our vulnerable communities? The Guardian's Nesrine Malik argues that this overlooks the root issue which led to the riots - a manifestation of years of racism, xenophobia, and islamophobia that has been validated by our media and governments.

Previous conservative governments have already massively expanded police powers when it comes to protestors. And while this was justified by a far-right threat, the new powers have actually been used against BLM and climate protestors, impinging on the right to peaceful demonstrations. The focus on more policing feels like a distraction from the real issues.

"What [Keir Starmer] should say is that people have been fed lies. That we have laid at the door of immigrants the consequences of an entire economic model that has defunded the state and privileged big businesses and private capital."

What is two-tier policing? This is a term recently thrown around by the far-right who claim that protestors like them - white and right-wing - are treated more harshly due to their race and political views. One glance at the figures show this is not based in fact. It has clearly been established that people of colour deal with disproportionate police intervention - 46% of all stop and searches in the year ending March 2023 were conducted on Black people.

The question remains, is more policing the answer to protecting minority communities? One look at history gives us our answer.

Disabled children lack access to exercise 🤽

As the Paralympics kick off in Paris, concerns rise over the lack of exercise opportunities for 320,000 disabled children in the UK.

What's happening? With the Paralympic Games underway, there's growing concern that disabled children in the UK aren’t getting the exercise they need. Nearly one in three disabled children are classified as “inactive,” meaning they get less than 30 minutes of exercise a day. Adam Blaze, CEO of Activity Alliance, points out that “deep-rooted inequalities” in sports access need to be addressed for these children to truly benefit from the inspiration of the Paralympics.

What’s at stake? The gap in inclusive physical education is holding disabled children back from the vital benefits of being active. Blaze emphasises that without real efforts to remove these barriers, the excitement of the Paralympics won’t lead to lasting change. Many disabled children want to be more active but face obstacles like inaccessible facilities and a lack of trained staff. As the Games continue, it’s crucial to ensure that all children, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to participate in sports and enjoy its many benefits.

Workers now seeking employers that offer sabbaticals

What's a sabbatical? In a shift towards better work-life balance, workers are increasingly looking for employers that offer sabbaticals. This is a period of paid leave sometimes offered to long term members of staff. Recent data shows that over half of managers report their organisations now provide this option, particularly in the public and charity sectors.

Why are they so popular? Sabbaticals are catching on because they benefit both employees and employers. For workers, taking an extended break offers a much-needed chance to recharge and come back to work with fresh ideas and renewed motivation. For companies, offering sabbaticals helps keep employees happy and more likely to stay long-term. In today’s competitive job market, showing that you care about your employees’ wellbeing and growth can set a company apart, especially when trying to attract younger talent.

Research shows that younger managers, in particular, see sabbaticals as a ‘must-have’, and it’s a trend that’s catching on in different industries. More and more companies are offering three- to six-month breaks after a few years on the job, giving employees the opportunity to learn new skills, or pursue something meaningful outside of their usual work. This shift shows that people are starting to value experiences and personal growth over just their salary.

THIS WEEK WE'RE LOVING 🥰

🙌 Abba demands Trump stop using their music at rallies

🛌 Australia gets new right to disconnect

👯♀️ Notting Hill Carnival in pictures