Your Weekly Wrap Up | 17 - 23 Mar 💦
From free period products in Aldi to Hungary’s Pride ban and the rise of toxic influencers — here’s what you need to know this week.
Self-care note: This newsletter talks about anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, accidental death, misogyny, drug addiction and sex work, among other things. If you find this distressing or triggering, remember to take it at your own pace. You may prefer to read small sections, wait until you feel ready to read it all, or choose not to read it at all.
Hi everyone,
International Transgender Day of Visibility is a week away — and while it’s a time to recognise the discrimination trans people face, it’s also a moment to centre joy, affirmation, and the moments that make trans people feel truly themselves.
This year, we’re putting together a special edition of our newsletter to celebrate trans joy — and we’d love your help. Whether it’s a big milestone or a quiet moment that made you, or someone you love, feel seen, free, or at home in their body, we want to hear about it.
You can use your name, a pseudonym, or remain anonymous — whatever feels right for you. We’ll be sharing a selection of stories on March 31 to mark TDOV with the love and light it deserves.
If you’re not trans but know someone who might want to share, please pass this on — we’d love to hear from them.
In the meantime, here’s your weekly wrap-up — from free period products in Aldi to growing concerns around online harms and misogyny. Let’s get into it.
Toxic influencers fuelling rise in youth violence, says expert 🧠
Scotland’s former violence reduction tzar, Karyn McCluskey, has warned that toxic online influencers like Andrew Tate, along with pandemic disruption and lack of emotional support, are contributing to a worrying rise in youth violence.
McCluskey, now CEO of Community Justice Scotland, said today’s young people are growing up in a “different reality” where online content can act like “pouring petrol on the flames” for those already vulnerable. She called for more focus on prevention and early intervention.
Source: Daily Record
Family of woman who died on hen weekend help create new support guide for bereaved families abroad 🇪🇸
The parents of Kirsty Maxwell, a 27-year-old who died after falling from a balcony during a hen weekend in Benidorm in 2017, have helped the Scottish Government create new guidance for families facing bereavement abroad.
Their input shaped the Bereavement Abroad Through Homicide or Culpable Homicide memorandum, which sets out what support is available from agencies like the Foreign Office and Police Scotland.
Kirsty’s dad said he hopes it will ease the burden for families navigating grief and justice overseas.
Source: Daily Record
One in 100 Scots are addicted to opioids, new figures show 💊
An estimated 43,400 people in Scotland — 1.23% of the population aged 15 to 64 — are living with opioid dependence, according to a new report by Public Health Scotland.
Rates are even higher in some areas, like Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The most affected age group is 35–49, with over 2% dependent. Men are more likely to be affected than women.
While the overall rate has remained stable since 2014, the number of drug-related deaths has risen. Experts believe this is linked to ageing and increased mortality risk among users.
Source: STV News
Aldi introduces free period products in stores 🩸
From this week, Aldi will begin offering free pads and tampons in in-store toilets across the UK — a supermarket first. Fixtures have already been installed in 70% of stores, with a full rollout expected by the end of May.
The move follows research showing 41% of people who menstruate struggle to afford period products. Aldi is also donating over a million products to Bloody Good Period, a charity tackling menstrual inequity.
Source: The Grocer
Ryanair taken to court over lack of gender-neutral title ✈️
A non-binary traveller is suing Ryanair for £4,200 after being unable to select a gender-neutral title while booking a flight from Berlin to Gran Canaria. The lawsuit, now heading to the Berlin state court, calls for the airline to update its system and include inclusive titles like ‘Mx’.
While airlines like United, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic have introduced gender-neutral booking options, Ryanair has yet to follow suit. The passenger hopes the case will prompt policy changes across the industry.
Source: EuroWeekly News
We’re taking on the Glasgow Kiltwalk this April to raise funds for Pillow Talk Scotland. If you’ve found value in what we do — whether it’s through our events, resources, or this newsletter — we’d be so grateful for your support.
As one community member put it:
“I was pleasantly surprised that there is a variety of opinions, a gentle probing of ideas, humour yet a sense of seriousness, patience and generosity all around. There are not many opportunities for people to gather to explore these topics in an informal and respectful way. I really hope that this important work continues as it is an affirming and useful way to bouy one's mental health in the community.”Iris and Carys have their fundraising pages live — if you’re able to chip in, share, or just cheer us on, it means a lot.
15 arrested over LGBTQ-targeted hate campaign in Austria 🏳️🌈
Austrian police have arrested 15 people — aged 14 to 26 — in connection with a wave of coordinated attacks against LGBTQ people. The group allegedly used fake dating profiles to lure victims to remote locations, where they were ambushed, assaulted, and filmed. The videos were then shared in online groups with false claims that the victims were pedophiles.
Authorities say weapons and Nazi memorabilia were found during raids on 23 properties across seven provinces. Police believe there are more victims than currently reported.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Moms support teacher on OnlyFans 💸
A kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school in Treviso, Italy, has been suspended after a parent recognised her on Onlyfans.
Around 30 mothers have spoken out against the decision, saying she is a good teacher and that the children love her.
The Department of Education then stated that the use of social networks by teachers will be regulated.
Source: Sky TG24
Hungary bans Pride events, sparking mass protests 🇭🇺
Thousands of people took to the streets in Budapest to protest the law banning Pride.
Chanting anti-government slogans and blocking traffic, protesters expressed their dissent and fear of what this ban could mean for LGBTQIA+ people.
The law passed last Tuesday bans Pride events and authorises police to use facial recognition cameras to identify people attending them.
Source: NBCNews
Canada cuts gender equality minister amid global backlash 🇨🇦
In his first decision as Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney eliminated about a third of all cabinet positions, including the Minister of Women and Gender Equality.
Carney explained this move was necessary to secure the Canadian economy, especially under the threat of Trump’s trade war.
Feminist organisations criticised this decision arguing that it undermines the importance of gender equality and the progress made over the years.
Source: Human Rights Watch
A blood test for ovarian cancer may miss some Black and Native American patients 💉
New research has found that current blood test thresholds used to detect ovarian cancer may underdiagnose Black and Native American patients.
The test, called CA-125, measures a tumour marker in the blood and is used as a screening tool for those with a suspicious lump or at risk for ovarian cancer.
In a retrospective cohort study, researchers found that Black and Native American patients were 23% less likely to have an elevated CA-125 level. They say it is essential to develop more inclusive CA-125 thresholds.
Source: APNews
Australia to cut costs of key women’s health meds 🇦🇺
Thanks to a $50 billion investment in women’s health, some treatments will be added to the list of government-subsidised drugs in Australia and thus become cheaper for those who need them.
These include a contraceptive pill, a treatment for endometriosis and an IVF drug, with thousands of Australian people expected to benefit from this measure.
Charities and experts welcomed this move, but also stressed the need for more funding for education and research in women’s health.
Source: SBS News
That’s all for this week’s wrap-up, but there’s plenty happening beyond the headlines. From workshops to book clubs, here’s what’s coming up across Scotland.
Get in before we sell out! Learn how to speak up
Join us in Glasgow for an empowering and interactive workshop designed to help women enhance their advocacy skills! Hosted by Pillow Talk Scotland in collaboration with She Advocates Society, this session is all about equipping you with the tools to stand up for yourself and others — no matter the topic at hand.
Other spicy (and cuddly) events happening soon🌶️
Rage Inn’. Writing Anger. 24 March, Glasgow.
Sex Positive Reading Group (18+). 25 March, Glasgow.
Pride Peers - LGBTQ+ Professional Networking Event. 26 March, Glasgow.
Pink Pilled: Lois Shearing on Women and the Far Right. 27 March, Edinburgh.
Sapphic Pottery Painting. 27 March, Glasgow.
Trans Pride March. 29 March, Kirkcaldy.