J. Marshall Freeman

J. Marshall Freeman

@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

Novelist, poet, musician, queer aesthete, Toronto biker, older and only marginally wiser. jmarshallfreeman.com My new short story collection, "To Wrap Yourself in Light," is now available on Amazon.

498 followers242 following3.7K posts

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

Charlie Angus
@charlieangus104.bsky.social

The American owned Sun is promoting a vigilante as the face for Canada's most multicultural and open city. This is same American owned paper that said crack-smoking Rob Ford should be elected mayor. Toronto - you're better than this. Let's get out the vote for Olivia Chow.

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

Aster Vérité
@aster-verite.bsky.social

Pretty disqualifying #TOpoli

The Grind@thegrindto.bsky.social

Our list of Brad Bradford's endorsements has been updated to include National Post founder Conrad Black and a former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

thegrindmag.caA Non-comprehensive List of Brad Bradford’s EndorsementsA billionaire, conservative media moguls and public figures with a history of sharing Islamophobic statements are lining up behind Toronto mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford…
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

The BBC edits out pride pins on a “University Challenge.” Remember, remember, remember: anti-trans is a testing ground for a total attack on queer rights. If the public accepts the lie that trans identity is a “danger,” then all queer rights are the next target. Here it comes. Support trans rights.

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

I believe Toronto is in early stages of seeing that kind of increase in cycling. See the stats on increased use of Bike Share. Now is the time to hold our nerve, keep pushing forward for healthier, more environmentally-friendly, and socially empathetic transport in Toronto. Vote Olivia Chow Monday.

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett@modacitylife.com

Since 2016, London’s cycling network has grown fivefold, from 90 to 450 kilometres. The results? 1.5 million daily cycle journeys—a 43% increase since 2019—twice as many bikes as cars on City of London streets during the day, and motor traffic in steady decline—having fallen 25% in the same period.

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

Maria J Pérez Cuervo
@mjpcuervo.com

Parents, please check your kids’ candy this Halloween. I’ve just found an ancient metal whistle with the inscription “QUIS EST ISTE QUI VENIT" inside a Snickers bar. I blew it and heard a note of infinite distance, and now I’m haunted by a figure in pale, fluttering draperies. Be safe.

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

What is an effective mayor when that position is one without effective power, when the provincial and federal government hold all the levers? Chow, and Canada’s other mayors, are always advocates, rarely decision-makers. thelocal.to/olivia-chow-...

thelocal.toHas Olivia Chow Been an Effective Mayor? | The LocalI followed Olivia Chow over a summer of announcements and events to try to understand how she's fared as a leader. I came back with a more fundamental question about what it means to be mayor of Toron...

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

The Breach
@breachmedia.ca

Doug Ford’s war on bike lanes isn’t about traffic—it’s part of a global right-wing backlash to vilify urban residents and defend fossil fuel interests. @desmondcole.bsky.social reports from the frontlines of the showdown in Toronto. breachmedia.ca/doug-ford-bi...

breachmedia.caToronto’s battle over bike lanes is one front in a global right-wing backlash ⋆ The BreachDoug Ford’s war on bike lanes isn’t about traffic—it’s part of a global right-wing playbook to vilify urban residents and defend fossil fuel interests
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

While actual 21st Century cities increase their bicycle and transit infrastructures, recognizing that cars are antithetical to safe and healthy city life, our politicians are determined to shove Toronto back into some 1960s hell hole. 

Glendon Mellow@flyingtrilobite.com

Every pedestrian, cyclist, and driver death along here belongs to Doug Ford, Prabmeet Sarkaria, and their government. Even though they legislated away the right to sue in advance. #Bikesky #BikeTO #Toronto

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

This is all hideous revenge stuff by Ford. He’s an tantruming child, and the anger that will be fomented, the lives that will be lost, the diminishing of the city are all irrelevant to him. We didn’t make him Mayor, and he WILL. MAKE. US. PAY!

Cycle Toronto@cycletoronto.bsky.social

"Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto city council is a colossal waste of $48 million. The province’s own experts know it will not ease traffic congestion, it will put people’s lives at risk, and there is no network of side streets that could replace these lanes."

cbc.caOntario will officially begin removing Toronto bike lanes on Tuesday | CBC NewsOntario will begin removing bike lanes from a stretch on Bloor Street W. in Etobicoke on Tuesday, the Ministry of Transportation says.
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

This Sunday! Poetry Open Mic at Buddies returns with so many great artists. Please join our audience, and if you have work to share, do it! We're a warm and receptive room. Be there by 3:30 or even a bit earlier if you want to secure an open mic spot. #torontopoets #poetry #torontoarts

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

Robert Zaichkowski
@rzaichkowski.bsky.social

Advance polls for Toronto's election open TODAY to Sunday, October 11 from 10 AM to 7 PM! If you can't vote early, then make sure you get out and vote on Monday, October 26 from 10 AM to 8 PM. #TOpoli www.toronto.ca/city-governm...

toronto.caElectionsEligible voters can use MyVote to confirm, add or update their information on the voters’ list, find when and where to vote, download or print a digital voter information card and more. Use MyVote Get...
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

As long as I don’t think about the climate change implications, I can say that it’s nice to sit on the back porch and do my work without even a sweater on October 1 while a hermit thrush, taking a break from its migration south, wanders around foraging.

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

I was just listening to the cerebrocast.bsky.social episode with kierongillen.bsky.social from 2022 about Mister Sinister, and every time they say “colonialist,” I heard “CLONEialist,” which frankly made just as much sense.

cerebrocast.bsky.socialCEREBRO (@cerebrocast.bsky.social)CEREBRO is a podcast about Marvel's Merry Mutants, the Uncanny X-Men, hosted by Connor Goldsmith. Each episode highlights one character. www.cerebrocast.com patreon.com/cerebrocast
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

Talk about common sense.

Lanrick Bennett@lanrickbennett.bsky.social

RE: Bike lanes save lives and promote health. Removing bike lanes will lead to injury and death. #signed by 600 healthcare workers and counting via #doctorsforsafecycling h/t @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social @ffsafestreets.bsky.social @cycletoronto.bsky.social @safestreetsto.bsky.social #BikeTO

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

Jean Yoon
@jeanyoon.bsky.social

Carney isn’t a Liberal Prime Minister; he’s a Conservative asset manager merrily auctioning off our public infrastructure, resources, our environment, our labour & safety regulations, our future and our children’s future. But he sure talks nice. He’s Stephen Harper without the ICKY reptilian vibe.

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

Bizarre! I just watched the Netflix doc about the Ed Sullivan Show. Clearly this project started as a doc about Sullivan’s contribution to the civil rights movement and giving a national stage to black performers during segregation times. 1/2

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

But then some network hack decided it should just be a generic Sullivan doc. They added the Elvis and Beatles appearances. The rest was Sullivan vs the racists, key events in civil rights, and exclusively interviews with black performers. What cowards tried to hide that? Utterly Bizarre. 2/2

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

This along with a shift in funding from infant and child mortality research to erectile dysfunction and sperm count research. The 21st Century is sure gonna be a great time for American science!

David Ho@davidho.bsky.social

NSF has reduced the research budget for all atmospheric, ocean, and earth sciences by ~80%. 80%! A lot of us will not be conducting new research or training new students for the foreseeable future.

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

ℳatt
@matttomic.bsky.social

Worth noting, as Macklemore was banned by NFL owners in what will be dubbed "fighting antisemitism", that Kanye, who - sold merch with swastikas - said on Alex Jones that he idolizes Hitler - tweeted he was "going Defcon 3 on Jewish people" is currently on a multi-city tour of NFL stadiums

Prem Thakker ツ@premthakker.bsky.social

New: Macklemore says Robert Kraft — who owns Gillette Stadium, where Macklemore & Ed Sheeran were to perform later this month — called Sheeran. Kraft rallied other owners together behind an ultimatum for Sheeran: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you won't be allowed in our venues.

J. Marshall Freeman reposted

jenny tightpants
@jtp.bsky.social

welcome to 2020s tech. we got - pervert glasses - wiretap - wiretap - wiretap - wiretap - the button that does nothing - we outta ram - we outta hard drives - we outta graphics cards - ten trillion vibe coded apps that nobody uses - wiretap

Andrew Couts@couts.bsky.social

NEW: The new Apple Watches double as AI-powered listening bugs for generating convo "recaps" or transcripts of any previous 15 seconds. But fear not, Apple says, this data isn't sent to Apple/gets encrypted, speakers aren't ID'd, and there's a chime for the 15-second thing. @lhn.bsky.social reports:

wired.comApple Doesn’t Want You to Worry About the New Apple Watch’s Listening FeaturesThe new Apple Watch includes several “intelligent” listening features that have privacy and security baked in. But the protections can’t change the facts of what the tools do.
J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

For years, our dog walks took us past a house with a Madonna in a stone garden shrine, lit by spotlights and behind bars. The house was sold, and one night, we found her out in the garbage. We took her home. I love her chipped paint and asymmetrical face. #photography #icon #Mary

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

This feels very important. It’s a kind of digital eugenics, promising to predict which segments of the population will veer into crime in the future. It reminds me of the third season of “Westworld.”

Matthew Guariglia@mguariglia.bsky.social

I say it every day but I’ll say it again here for the record: in a surveillance state, with so much money being thrown into punitive and coercive governance, companies who collect data whether it be social media or smart home appliances will always be easily able to pivot to surveillance for profit.

J. Marshall Freeman
@jmarshallfreeman.bsky.social

Labour Day factoid from someone in his 60s: When I was entering the job market, the prevailing wisdom was that 25% of your earnings should go to your housing. In many cases today, people are spending 40% to keep a roof over their heads. Housing shouldn't be a market-driven commodity.