yo ho ho and im out of control

I've had the idea of this piece in my head for a while now, it's based on the impression I had of the game while reading the question arcs specifically, most specifically in episodes 1 to 3. I got the impression that Beatrice was guiding Battler around the story, trying to lead him somewhere he couldn't figure out. It reminded me of a guided rehearsal of a play or of a dance, hence the blue tape on the floor marking the most basic step of the waltz -- the aptly named box step. It might be a personal symbol for me, but I remember doing play rehearsals with blue tape on the floor way back in elementary school 😭.

Lambdadelta and Bernkastel are outside of the frame as observers because at the time, they struck me as a chorus of some kind, being in-universe characters who commented on the events of the unfolding "play". Their expressions partially resemble comedy/ tragedy masks, but that was more secondary for me, I was just trying to capture Bernkastel's bitterness in contrast to Lambdadelta's more relaxed attitude.

The rococo style border is because, well, I love rococo for one, but also because the imagery in rococo style furniture/ frames is inspired by ocean waves/ shells, hence the name.

Worried about what to say? Bring your personal worries about transphobia being signed into law, and trans friends being excluded from public spaces. You are a living person who deserves dignity. Remind your MP of that. On the day, you'll get guidance and brochures from Trans Solidarity Alliance that outlines our demands. This is mine from last year.

Here is an online briefing for lobbyists (10 mins read for essential info, 20 mins for details) Money issues? Trans Solidarity Alliance provides a travel bursary that you can sign up for via the link.

Got a refusal or no response from your MP?  Come anyway! You can request a same-day appointment with your MP through a process called greencarding. They will come and see you if they’re already in Parliament. Even if they don’t, they’re made acutely aware of your cause because you showed up in person. This is my greencard from last year.

Here is the EHRC Code of Practice in full. It's a tough read, but some highlights are:

Organisations can’t provide trans-inclusive, single-sex services, or they risk being sued for discrimination. e.g. domestic violence support for women including trans women, men’s rugby group including trans men (12.68).

Trans people will have nowhere safe to pee. If you’re a trans man, businesses can't allow you to pee in the men's, and you can also be ejected from women’s bathrooms if you’re perceived as a man. Vice versa for trans women. EHRC suggests a ‘third space’ bathroom, which is discriminatory and unworkable for most businesses. (13.130-133)

Sports organisations must exclude trans people from single-sex competitions (13.73).  A women’s only sports competition must exclude trans women because of their biological advantage or face potential lawsuits (13.74), but a trans man who has undergone testosterone treatment can also be excluded based on fairness rules (13.81).

Trans women are stripped of the legal definition of ‘lesbian’, and therefore no longer have legal protections if they’re discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation. (2.50, 2.92).

Here is the Good Law Project's better explanation of the EHRC Code.

Sign up for the mass lobby and email your MP here, or click the main link above.

If you are not in the UK but want to support the case, please donate to The Good Law Project.