Helen Heckety, Taylor Swift’s UK tour, Football and domestic abuse
Labour is setting out plans to simplify the process for someone to legally change their gender, if the party wins the election. The requirement for them to provide documentary proof that they've lived as their preferred gender would be scrapped. A two-year 'cooling off period' would be introduced instead. Geri Scott senior political correspondent has been reporting on the story for The Times and joins Nuala McGovern.
This weekend marked the final dates of Taylor Swift’s her Eras tour in the UK - until she returns again in August. The show has been described as a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘seven shades of incredible.’ Journalists Polly Vernon and Anna Willis were lucky enough to attend, they join Nuala to go over their highlights.
Novelist Helen Heckety joins Nuala to talk about her debut work, Alter Ego. It’s about a young woman who decides to leave her old life behind and move to a new place where no one knows she is disabled. Helen, who has a physical disability that can sometimes be invisible, was compelled to write about a disabled character she had never seen represented in literature.
Have you been enjoying the Euros? While many fans are cheering on their teams there are some who dread these major sporting tournaments. Research by Lancaster University found that cases of abuse increased by 38% when England lost a match and by 26% when they won or drew. The National Police Chiefs' Council has sent out recommendations to police forces in England and Wales to help safeguard victims and target perpetrators of domestic abuse. The BBC’s Home Affairs Correspondent, Daniel Sandford, has been out with Sussex Police, who have been reaching out to known potential victims, and even providing them with equipment to keep them safe.
Today marks the start of World Female Ranger Week, an initiative set up by adventurer and conservationist, Holly Budge. It is estimated that only 11% of rangers across the world are female. These women do an important but dangerous job, protecting wildlife from poachers. Holly is also the founder of How Many Elephants, an anti-poaching conservation charity. She joins Nuala to talk on how her adventures led to becoming an advocate for female rangers and animal conservation.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Maryam Maruf Studio Manager: Donald McDonald
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