Zoe O'Connell: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
TrueAnonyman (talk | contribs) m Undid revision 864492621 by 151.231.194.34 (talk) (Zoe is a woman and uses she/her pronouns) |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==Political activism== |
==Political activism== |
||
O'Connell has been a prominent campaigner on transgender rights for a number of years, and has been regularly quoted in national publications on these issues. |
O'Connell has been a prominent campaigner on transgender rights for a number of years, and has been regularly quoted in national publications on these issues. Her contributions include writing for publications including ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Huffington Post|HuffPost]]'' about trans issues and experiences,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/12/trans-teens-killed-gender-reassignment-surgery-salman-rushdie|title=Trans teens are being killed while we debate nonexistent problems|last=O'Connell|first=Zoe|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="huff_CRBC">{{Cite web|title = CRB Checks and Trans Folk|last=O'Connell|first=Zoe|work = HuffPost UK|date = 15 July 2011|url = https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/zoe-oconnell/crb-checks-and-trans-folk_b_890356.html}}</ref> including calling for a greater focus on the safety and mental health of young transgender individuals. She has also criticised the [[Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013]] for not going far enough to include transgender rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/02/13/lib-dems-select-trans-candidate-zoe-oconnell/|title=Lib Dems select trans candidate Zoe O'Connell|website=[[Pink News]]|date=13 February 2015}}</ref> She is a member of the executive of [[LGBT+ Liberal Democrats]]<ref name="lgbt_Exec">{{Cite web| title = Executive| work = LGBT+ Liberal Democrats| url = https://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/page/executive}}</ref> and has co-authored Liberal Democrat policy papers on both equality and on security.<ref>{{cite book|title=Expanding Oppourtunity, Unlocking Potential: Equalities Policy Paper|url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/1811/attachments/original/1460395717/120_-_Expanding_Opportunities.pdf|publisher=Liberal Democrats|date=2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Safe and Free: Liberty & Security in the UK Policy Paper|url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/1811/attachments/original/1515517266/123_-_Safe_and_Free.pdf|publisher=Liberal Democrats|date=2016|isbn=978-1-910763-27-8}}</ref> |
||
Outside LGBT rights, |
Outside LGBT rights, she has also campaigned on online privacy issues, such as opposing the [[Draft Communications Data Bill|Snoopers' Charter]],<ref name=LIBDEMS /> on other equalities issues including presentation of titles on driving licenses,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/womens-blog/2017/may/02/driving-miss-crazy-britains-sexist-driving-licences|title=Driving Miss Crazy: Britain's sexist driving licences|date=2 May 2017|last=Starley-Grainger|first=Jill|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> and on local issues such as urban speed limits and road safety.<ref>{{cite news|title=Councillor buys speed gun to monitor Cambridge guided busway|date=29 June 2017|website=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-cambridgeshire-40449154/councillor-buys-speed-gun-to-monitor-cambridge-guided-busway}}</ref> |
||
She was the Liberal Democrat candidate for [[Maldon_(UK_Parliament_constituency)|Maldon]] in both 2015,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/election2015/12870513.General_Election_2015___Meet_the_Maldon_candidates/|title=General Election 2015: Meet the Maldon candidates|work=Maldon and Burnham Standard|date=3 April 2015}}</ref> and 2017<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/15332643.Would_be_candidates_grilled_by_public_at_election_husting/|work=Maldon and Burnham Standard|date=7 June 2017|title=Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, Green and activist candidates for Maldon grilled by public at election husting in United Reformed Church, Market Hill}}</ref> finishing in fifth and third place respectively, making her one of a small number of openly transgender individuals to have run for a parliamentary seat in the UK (one of four in 2015, and one of nine in 2017.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Burns |editor-first=Christine |date=January 2018 |title=Trans Britain: Our Long Journey from the Shadows |url=https://unbound.com/books/trans-britain/ |publisher=Unbound |isbn=1783524715 }}</ref>) Currently, she is an elected member of [[Cambridge City Council]], representing Trumpington ward since 2015, and is deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group.<ref name=COUNCIL /> |
She was the Liberal Democrat candidate for [[Maldon_(UK_Parliament_constituency)|Maldon]] in both 2015,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/election2015/12870513.General_Election_2015___Meet_the_Maldon_candidates/|title=General Election 2015: Meet the Maldon candidates|work=Maldon and Burnham Standard|date=3 April 2015}}</ref> and 2017<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/15332643.Would_be_candidates_grilled_by_public_at_election_husting/|work=Maldon and Burnham Standard|date=7 June 2017|title=Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, Green and activist candidates for Maldon grilled by public at election husting in United Reformed Church, Market Hill}}</ref> finishing in fifth and third place respectively, making her one of a small number of openly transgender individuals to have run for a parliamentary seat in the UK (one of four in 2015, and one of nine in 2017.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Burns |editor-first=Christine |date=January 2018 |title=Trans Britain: Our Long Journey from the Shadows |url=https://unbound.com/books/trans-britain/ |publisher=Unbound |isbn=1783524715 }}</ref>) Currently, she is an elected member of [[Cambridge City Council]], representing Trumpington ward since 2015, and is deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group.<ref name=COUNCIL /> |
||
Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
||
O'Connell is |
O'Connell is herself transgender, and has attracted significant media attention for her [[polyamorous]] family life.<ref name="huff_This">{{Cite web| title = This Marriage Survived The Husband Becoming A Woman| author = | work = HuffPost UK| date = 27 December 2015| url = https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/27/sarah-brown-transgender-couple-councillor-polygamous_n_8881136.html}}</ref>. She lives with [[Sarah Brown (politician)|Sarah Brown]] (herself a Liberal Democrat activist and former Cambridge city councillor), Sylvia (Sarah's wife), and a number of snakes.<ref name="theg_'Why">{{Cite web| title = 'Why three in a bed isn't a crowd' - the polyamorous trio| last = Barkham | first = Patrick| work = [[The Guardian]]| date = 20 April 2013| url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/apr/20/greatest-sexual-taboo-polyamorous-transgender}}</ref> |
||
She has three children by her first marriage, works in managing IT systems, and is a former member of the Territorial Army; she is also a keen rock climber and sailor.{{cn|date=October 2018}} |
She has three children by her first marriage, works in managing IT systems, and is a former member of the Territorial Army; she is also a keen rock climber and sailor.{{cn|date=October 2018}} |
Revision as of 18:05, 17 October 2018
Zoe O'Connell | |
---|---|
Cambridge City Councillor, Trumpington Ward | |
Assumed office 7 May 2015[1] | |
Personal details | |
Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Domestic partner | Sarah Brown |
Alma mater | Brunel University |
Occupation | Politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch/service | British Army |
Unit | Royal Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps |
Zoe O'Connell is a British Liberal Democrat politician,[2] most notable for being a prominent campaigner for transgender rights.
Political activism
O'Connell has been a prominent campaigner on transgender rights for a number of years, and has been regularly quoted in national publications on these issues. Her contributions include writing for publications including The Guardian and HuffPost about trans issues and experiences,[3][4] including calling for a greater focus on the safety and mental health of young transgender individuals. She has also criticised the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 for not going far enough to include transgender rights.[5] She is a member of the executive of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats[6] and has co-authored Liberal Democrat policy papers on both equality and on security.[7][8]
Outside LGBT rights, she has also campaigned on online privacy issues, such as opposing the Snoopers' Charter,[2] on other equalities issues including presentation of titles on driving licenses,[9] and on local issues such as urban speed limits and road safety.[10]
She was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Maldon in both 2015,[11] and 2017[12] finishing in fifth and third place respectively, making her one of a small number of openly transgender individuals to have run for a parliamentary seat in the UK (one of four in 2015, and one of nine in 2017.[13]) Currently, she is an elected member of Cambridge City Council, representing Trumpington ward since 2015, and is deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group.[1]
O'Connell is also a vice-chair of the Liberal Democrats' Federal Conference Committee,[14] which among other functions selects which policy motions can be debated (and thus potentially become party policy) at the party's federal conferences.
Personal life
O'Connell is herself transgender, and has attracted significant media attention for her polyamorous family life.[15]. She lives with Sarah Brown (herself a Liberal Democrat activist and former Cambridge city councillor), Sylvia (Sarah's wife), and a number of snakes.[16]
She has three children by her first marriage, works in managing IT systems, and is a former member of the Territorial Army; she is also a keen rock climber and sailor.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Councillor Zoe O'Connell". Cambridge City Council.
- ^ a b "Zoe O'Connell". Liberal Democrats.
- ^ O'Connell, Zoe (12 October 2017). "Trans teens are being killed while we debate nonexistent problems". The Guardian.
- ^ O'Connell, Zoe (15 July 2011). "CRB Checks and Trans Folk". HuffPost UK.
- ^ "Lib Dems select trans candidate Zoe O'Connell". Pink News. 13 February 2015.
- ^ "Executive". LGBT+ Liberal Democrats.
- ^ Expanding Oppourtunity, Unlocking Potential: Equalities Policy Paper (PDF). Liberal Democrats. 2014.
- ^ Safe and Free: Liberty & Security in the UK Policy Paper (PDF). Liberal Democrats. 2016. ISBN 978-1-910763-27-8.
- ^ Starley-Grainger, Jill (2 May 2017). "Driving Miss Crazy: Britain's sexist driving licences". The Guardian.
- ^ "Councillor buys speed gun to monitor Cambridge guided busway". BBC News. 29 June 2017.
- ^ "General Election 2015: Meet the Maldon candidates". Maldon and Burnham Standard. 3 April 2015.
- ^ "Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, Green and activist candidates for Maldon grilled by public at election husting in United Reformed Church, Market Hill". Maldon and Burnham Standard. 7 June 2017.
- ^ Burns, Christine, ed. (January 2018). Trans Britain: Our Long Journey from the Shadows. Unbound. ISBN 1783524715.
- ^ "Federal Conference Committee". Liberal Democrats.
- ^ "This Marriage Survived The Husband Becoming A Woman". HuffPost UK. 27 December 2015.
- ^ Barkham, Patrick (20 April 2013). "'Why three in a bed isn't a crowd' - the polyamorous trio". The Guardian.