The Know Daily - Friday 23 June 2023

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Dear readers,

I’m so excited to be bringing you a very special Pride edition of The Know today, guest-edited by the incredible journalist, author and activist Sharan Dhaliwal.

Sharan is the founder of Burnt Roti, the UK’s leading South Asian culture magazine, the director of Middlesex Pride and the creator of Oh Queer Cupid, a queer speed dating and comedy night. She was on the BBC’s list of 100 global influential women in 2019 and her debut non-fiction book, Burning My Roti: Breaking Barriers as a Queer Indian Woman, was published last year.

Scroll down for an empowering message from Sharan about what it truly means to be an LGBTQ+ ally, plus her recs for things to watch, read and listen to this weekend. You’ll also find the usual roundup of the week’s biggest headlines, our weekly news quiz, the latest roles from our jobs board and more.

Have a great weekend,

Kate x
Editor-in-Chief

🏳️‍🌈 Being an ally is about more than just Pride

Although I have been told to feel good about the visibility queer people receive during Pride Month, I’ve stopped smiling through gritted teeth. Why? Because I know that come July, rainbows will be stripped from corporate logos - and people will continue to forget that we exist.

Just look at British politics. Our Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, is considering changing the legal definition of sex in the Equality Act, making it harder for trans people to access resources. And reports suggest that Rishi Sunak’s new guidance for schools could discriminate against and bring harm to trans and non-binary young people.

This is against the backdrop of a recent study by Just Like Us, a youth charity for LGBT+ people, which found that “LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to contemplate suicide, and Black LGBT+ young people are three times more likely”. Galop’s 2021 hate crime report revealed that “two-thirds (64%) of respondents had experienced anti-LGBT+ violence or abuse”.

All too often, people celebrate the visibility and support queer people have in one month - without being part of the struggle.

That’s why I’m challenging you to care for LGBT+ people outside of Pride month. I challenge you to take action, argue for us and stand between us and the establishment. I also urge you to support the work of organisations like Gendered Intelligence, which has been campaigning to change the PM’s proposals for schools and supports young trans people.

If the world continues to burn the way it is, marginalised identities will suffer the most. Queer people of colour, trans people of colour and Black trans folk need you all the time - not just in June.

POLITICS & GLOBAL AFFAIRS

🌊 The US Coast Guard announced on Thursday that the missing Titan submersible had likely imploded, ending a multinational five-day search. The craft went missing on Sunday during a dive to observe the Titanic wreck site.

📈 The Bank of England increased the base interest rate to 5% from 4.5% on Thursday, in a move aimed at tackling inflation. The base rate is now at the highest level since 2008.

🤝 The High Seas Treaty was approved by the UN on Monday, bringing it one step closer to becoming a reality. The first-of-its-kind agreement seeks to protect biodiversity in international waters.

CULTURE

👩‍🎓 The Dutch government proposed introducing curbs on English-language university courses in the Netherlands. The new education bill would require two-thirds of the content for a standard bachelor’s degree to be in Dutch.

🖼️ The National Portrait Gallery in London reopened to the public yesterday following a £40 million refurbishment which began in 2020. Take a peek at the revamp here.

🐋 Iceland’s government announced that it is suspending the country’s annual whale hunt until the end of August over animal welfare concerns. The move is likely to spell the end of the controversial practice.

WORK & INNOVATION

🧠 Short daytime naps may help keep the brain healthy as it ages by delaying brain shrinkage, a new study found.

💼 23% of UK workers expect to change jobs within the next year, according to a recent survey by the British firm PwC. Higher pay and job fulfilment were found to be key priorities.

🔌 Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the electric carmaker would be in India “as soon as humanly possible” following a meeting with PM Narendra Modi during his state visit to the US.

UPLIFTING STUFF

🇪🇪 Estonia’s parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage, making it the first Baltic state to do so.

🇧🇿 Belize was declared free of malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Central American country had achieved a “dramatic reduction” in cases.

☀️ Around 10,000 people gathered at Stonehenge on Wednesday to welcome the summer solstice and mark the longest day of the year. Check out these incredible images of the celebration.

📚 Read: Supporting Trans People of Colour by Sabah Choudrey. This book provides an accessible introduction to issues around people of colour (PoC) trans inclusion. It uses case studies, tips, checklists and anonymous survey results to set out best practices for any professionals working with trans people to create safer spaces, support and awareness.

🎥 Watch: Always Asifa - a BAFTA-nominated short film which follows Asifa, the disabled trans activist who is also Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen. Hear from Asifa as she undergoes gender affirmation surgery and reflects on how her life has - and hasn’t - changed during her transition.

🎧 Listen to: Two Twos Podcast, where two Black lesbians living in London speak their unapologetic truth, while creating a safe space for people like themselves and bridging the gap between LGBT+ and cis-gendered straight people. They represent and platform different kinds of Black and queer circles while creating content that everyone can relate to.

❣️ Donate to: Middlesex Pride, a free family-friendly community event centring and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community at Osterley Park on August 12. Middlesex itself is made up of different faith groups from Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Hindu communities, and is ethnically diverse, with Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani, Somali, African-Caribbean, Eastern European and other underrepresented groups.

💌 To hear more from Sharan, follow her on Instagram and check out our recent Stories to get to know her a bit better. Sharan’s debut non-fiction book, Burning My Roti: Breaking Barriers as a Queer Indian Woman, is available to buy.

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