Thread by @ErinInTheMorn

1. Brutal anti-trans politics in England may have met their match in an unlikely opponent... ferrets?

Members of Parliament, including some conservatives, filibustered a gender affirming care ban that would have applied to private clinics in the country pushed by Liz Truss.

2. The bill, known as a Private Member's Bill, was proposed by former PM Liz Truss. It would have barred gender affirming care for trans youth, defined sex to exclude trans people, and more.

It failed to advance Friday.

erininthemorning.com/p/private-gend…

3. The bill comes after a recent NHS England decision to halt prescribing puberty blockers. Though it was a big decision, the waitlist was already thousands long with only 100 prescribed last year, changing the practical reality very little for many.

4. Many reported that three avenues were still open for trans youth: clinical research, traveling out of the country, or private clinics.

This bill aimed to shut down private clinics from providing care.

5. Another provision sought to ban social transition in schools, even if a parent approves. It states that "public authorities" would be banned from "treating a child in a manner inconsistent with that child's sex."

It does not define how boys and girls should be treated.

6. Instead of hearing the bill, however, members of parliament spoke at length about ferrets. See this exchange between Labour MPs Champion and Eagle:

7. Even some conservatives seemed in on it. Watch MP Spencer speak at length about all of the pet names entered into the record.

8. The bill has been moved to March 22nd, but it has been placed at the bottom of the priority pile, meaning it is not likely to be heard.

For those fighting for trans people in the UK, the ferret has become "an overnight symbol of trans resistance"

9. Lastly, I am a transgender journalist covering this issue every day. If you find what I report on useful, please subscribe to support my work at and be the first to get my articles.erininthemorning.com/subscribe