Sisterhood In Solitary

Marks & Spencer have once again shown how shallow their so called "inclusivity" really is. They'll slap a rainbow heart on their branding every June, launch a Pride collection and post about "standing with the LGBTQIA+ community" This is what rainbow capitalism looks like. A woman that looks trans working retail does not equal a threat. Being trans is not a crime. JK Rowling calling for boycotts isn't brave it's dangerous. M&S publicly saying sorry to the customer instead of protecting their worker is cowardly and disgusting. It's 2025. Trans people deserve safety, not to be scapegoated by billionaires and abandoned by their employers.

Reminder: That the woman didn't even work in the bra fitting section she simply worked in the shop and offered polite help. That was enough to trigger a meltdown, and now she's the target of hate and press coverage. M&S caved. Rowling incited a boycott. And yet we are told trans people are the threat? She was tall. That's it. That was enough for someone to complain. Enough for M&S to apologise not to the staff member but to the customer.

No confirmed gender identity. No inappropriate behaviour. No reason this should have ever made headlines except for misogyny and transphobia. This is what happens when society polices what a "real woman" is supposed to look like. If she was trans she deserves safety and respect. If she was cis she was punished for being tall. Either way she was targeted for how she looked, not what she did. This is why we must link the fight against transphobia to feminist liberation. Because when women are punished for not being soft enough, small enough, feminine enough we all suffer.

We will not be silent. Stop policing appearance. Start defending each other. Stand with trans women. Stand with all women. We stand with trans workers. We reject this transphobic hysteria. We see through the corporate rainbow heart.

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M&S You can't sell pride while apologising for your trans staff existing

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(3/3) We encourage everyone who can safely do so to mobilise; bring your support and show that fascism isn't welcome in our streets!

(2/3) The riots last summer, fueled by misinformation and lies, were nothing more than an excuse for bigots and fascists to threaten and scapegoat these vulnerable individuals. Anti-fascist groups throughout Leeds are organising to show them that their hatred isn't welcome here.

White text on a black background "EMERGENCY DEMO. MOBILISE AGAINST THE FAR RIGHT. DEFEND REFUGEES" Black text on a white background "BRITANNIA HOTEL SEACROFT LS14 5QF 5:30 PM FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST"

(1/3) For the past two weeks anti-fascist protestors have defended the Britannia hotel, where asylum seekers are housed, against far-right thugs who seek to intimidate and hurt people for no other reason than being different to them.

The riots last summer, fueled by misinformation and lies, were nothing more than an excuse for bigots and fascists to threaten and scapegoat these vulnerable individuals. Anti-fascist groups throughout Leeds are organising to show them that their hatred isn't welcome here.

A Note on the Name "Sisterhood" We've seen some feedback recently and want to be crystal clear: Sisterhood in Solidarity is not just for women. We are not a gender exclusive space. We are not here to gatekeep.

The name “Sisterhood” doesn’t define who can be involved it represents the spirit of community, care, and collective power. It’s a feeling. A chosen family. A space to show up for each other, fight side by side, and hold space across struggles.

We are a fully intersectional, inclusive group. That means: trans, non binary, genderqueer, intersex, agender, and cis people are ALL welcome. If you’re fighting for justice, healing, and liberation you belong here. This is about building a centrepoint of care and solidarity. And yes that includes YOU.

The Online Safety Act: The UK’s FOSTA-SESTA What this means

The Online Safety Act just came into force and sex workers are terrified. This isn’t safety. This is censorship. This is the UK’s version of FOSTA-SESTA and we need to talk about what that means. In 2018, the US passed FOSTA-SESTA claiming to “protect children” and “combat trafficking.” What it actually did was: Ban sex worker adverts online Shut down sites sex workers used to screen clients Push people into dangerous, street-based work Lead to a spike in violence, rape, and murder of sex workers And now the UK is following suit.

Under the Online Safety Act: Websites that host sex work ads could be fined, banned, or blocked Even peer-support and safety advice could be flagged as “illegal content" Platforms like Vivastreet, Adultwork and others may remove your ads or close entirely Sex workers lose autonomy, income, and safety while trafficking continues unchecked

This law won’t protect children. It will punish and endanger the people already fighting to survive. We deserve solidarity, not shame. If you care about safety listen to sex workers. If you care about consent defend our right to work safely. If you care about justice join us in demanding full decriminalisation, not digital erasure. Speak up. Share this. Stand in solidarity.

The Online Safety Act just came into force and sex workers are terrified.
This isn’t protection. This is censorship, criminalisation, and digital erasure.
We deserve safety, not silence.
Speak up. Share this. Stand in solidarity.

THE TRUTH ABOUT VAWK & SEX WORKERS What the government won't tell you about the VAWG (Violance Against Women & Girls) strategy While the VAWG strategy clamins to protect women, it's putting sex workers in more dangers, not less. Here's what's really happening: Sex workers aren't being consulted Policies are built on stigma, not safety The push to criminilise clients (aka Nordic Model) forces workers underground Crackdowns mean workers are pushed into darker streets, more isolated areas and more dangerous situations

Instead of protection, sex workers face: Increased violence Fewer safety checks Less trust in police Greater barriers to support Criminalising sex work doesn't end violence. It just makes it harder to report, to stay safe, and to survive. If the government truly cared about women’s safety, they’d: Include sex workers in policy making Fund peer led support and reporting systems Implement the NPCC’s guidance on respectful, harm reducing policing Decriminalise sex work FULLY and protect our right to work safely

It's time to say it loud: You can't fight gender-based violence by punishing survivors. You can't claim to care about women while ignoring sex workers. Sisterhood stands for all women housed or unhoused, disabled, trans, working class, migrant, and sex working.

Sisterhood in solidarity will be there! We're proud to be taking part in the Leeds Activist Picnic this Sunday,3rd August at Kirkstall Abbey. Starts at 12pm part of Disability Pride Month. We know it's a bit last minute, but if any of you can come down and join us, it would be amazing! Let's come together with out disabled activist siblings + intersectional allies for a beautiful day of: Sharing food Music People's assembly workshops on future campaigns + how we support each other If you're free, come be part of it! Let's show up with love, solidarity, and sisterhood DM us if you're coming or want to travel with someone!

Sisterhood In Solidarity will not be going to Leeds Pride but we wholeheartedly support Alternative Pride We recognise that mainstream Leeds Pride can bring people together and is important for invisibility. Yet as corporations flood our streets with rainbow logos they where are they when the LGBTQIA+ is under attack? Leeds Pride has become a playground for big brands, not a protest for liberation. Many of the companies marching this weekend profit from systems that oppress us: Funding fossil fuels Supporting the genocide in Gaza Backing policing and surveillance that harms queer people, sex workers, and migrants Pride started as a riot led by Black and Brown trans women, sex workers, and working class queers. It wasn’t sponsored by banks it was a fight for survival. Alternative Pride brings it back to the streets. Back to the people. No corporate floats. No rainbow-washing. Just radical joy, protest, and solidarity with ALL members of the LGBTQIA+ family especially the most marginalised. No permission is needed to be proud. No brands are needed to be valid. And no ones free until everyone is free Pride should not be lost to unethical corporations that’s why it’s so important to support your local alternative pride, let’s build up safe places to celebrate without comprising our ethics ✊🏽 Trans liberation. ✊🏽 Sex worker rights. ✊🏽 Free Palestine #AlternativePride #NoPrideInGenocide #SisterhoodInSolidarity #PrideIsAProtest #DecolonisePride

🔐 What the chat is for:
• Sharing safety tips and updates
• Warning others about dangerous clients/people
• Accessing resources, harm reduction & mutual aid
• Getting help if you feel unsafe or need support
• Having a non-judgmental space to be heard

QR code to join the SW solidarity chat. Scanning the code will not grant immediate access; all entrants will be verified first

We’ve created a private WhatsApp group chat for sex workers in Leeds and surrounding areas. This is a safer space to connect, support one another, and share information that could save lives.
This is a peer led, pro decriminalisation space open to all identities and experiences in the sex industry.

It’s International Non-Binary Day, a time to uplift and celebrate agender, bigender, genderfluid, demi, and all gender identities beyond the binary. As intersectional feminists, our fight must include the rights and liberation of all marginalised genders, not just women. Non-binary individuals are often erased or sidelined by mainstream society, so it’s essential to create space for their voices, stories, and leadership. Today and every day, we stand in solidarity with non-binary people. Celebrate your non-binary friends and family with love, compassion, and community.

7 of sisterhood of solidarity sitting on a bench by the river in the sun with lots of snacks!

Saturday was our first meet-up where we talked about our plans moving forward, our sex-worker support group and activist support group launching next month but more than that we laughed, we connected, we opened up, and we felt held. Community, safety and solidarity. You are always welcome here ❤️‍🔥