Before I took to f/t journalism I had to tell the trustees at the charity where I worked at as a funding bid writer that they might be targeted b/c of my views. When I tried for work elsewhere I would find, despite being amply qualified, I would rarely be shortlisted. 1/5

The frustrating thing was never quite knowing why I hadn't been shortlisted. One small local charity were enthusiastic on the phone, when I turned up for interview the centre manager gave me a look that went through me like an icy laxative. I gave a text book interview 2/5

& yet only found out I had been unsuccessful when I saw the post re-advertised on social media. When I emailed to complain about this I was told 'I didn't have enough bid writing experience' (I had been successfully writing bids & winning awards for charities for 4 years). 3/5

Obvs, I will never know if my google-busting name & writing on controversial issues counted against me. Now, I have enough outlets to write for journalism to be a f/t job it doesn't matter. But there are many others who like me, aren't public or high profile figures. 4/5

We deserve freedom to express our opinions without being penalised at work. Not sharing someone's view that they are non-binary or the opposite sex is not hateful. The opinion that #sexmatters is valid. #istandwithmayaforstater 5/5