Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte

TTRPG designer, kiwi, she/her. All works have no genAI. You can find my games on: DMs open for reviewers, podcast invites, etc.

112 Folgt1.511 Follower1.682 Posts

Bluesky

gamer

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir kellywhyte.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· 28d

Unless I'm missing it, she never says a brand? She just says NZ is known for beef and she has some as a gift. Non specific is okay. This is the current cabinet manual's advice on promotion, given these can change between parliament Ardern's may have differed slightly but I doubt it.

Endorsement of products, services, or organisations
2.106 No Minister should endorse in any media any product or service. Ministers may, however,
appear in party political advertisements, or in non-political advertisements or
announcements in the public interest (promoting, for example, water safety), where no fee
would be expected or accepted.
2.107 When accepting an invitation to speak or appear at an event, a Minister should inform the
organisation that it may not publicise the event, or use any photos taken of the Minister at
the event, in any way that could be perceived as an endorsement of the organisation, its
products, or its services.
2.108 In speeches, statements, or videos (including social media posts), it is appropriate for a
Minister to make positive statements about the objectives and achievements of an
organisation or business. It is not appropriate for a Minister to explicitly promote the
organisation, or its products or services.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· 29d

Want to read my work, support me, and not spend a cent? Put in a request for one of these titles at your local library! I'm never happier than when my works go to our libraries, being part of something that benefits so many people.

Cover of lineages of the long white cloud omnibus edition. Features an anthropomorphised puriri moth holding aloft a holy symbol on a green background

Cover of 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay', featuring the title and the text 'a play by Kelly Whyte'. On the right, a male torso has a noose around his neck that turns into shibari-like bondage.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

This is less fun, it's the bit where the mask slips. A lot of these are just made up (has anyone ever thought gender affirming care lets you 'grow a vagina'??), but it's very clear they just want to go for an 'ick' factor. Clearly they're just neutral scientists, no agenda here.

In casual conversations and in online discussion forums, we have found that it is not
rare for even reasonably well-educated people to think that medical interventions will
allow a male to "grow a vagina," or that breasts can be "put back on" if desired after
they have been removed after a double mastectomy, or that medical interventions will
soon make it possible for a male to get pregnant, or that maintaining sexual function is a
likely outcome of genital surgery.
Therefore, it is important to state that anyone who thinks these medical interventions
actually bring about a literal change from male to female or the reverse is badly
misinformed. Briefly, cross-sex interventions only provide some cosmetic changes in
secondary sexual characteristics (body hair, voice, fat distribution, and the like). The
primary sexual characteristics (the reproductive organs) are all developed in the
embryo, and it is impossible to reverse or re-run that developmental process post-birth.
All that cross-sex hormonal interventions can do to primary reproductive organs is
atrophy and/or injure them. Genital surgeries (vaginoplasty and phalloplasty) are highly
traumatic interventions into originally healthy delicate and sensitive systems.
Complications are common and the fatality rate is non-trivial. While in general we do not
recommend that readers look up these procedures, anyone who is doing policy or
media commentary on these issues has a responsibility to have a clear and realistic
understanding of what they entail and what the risks are.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

This one I'm including just for fun. Buddy, no-one thinks this. I've not seen a rainbow activist claim this ever... I don't think I've even seen a TERF claim it. Keep on tilting at those windmills.

False claim #5: Brain scans have demonstrated "female brains in male bodies" or
"male brains in female bodies"
A common claim of online activists is that brain scans have "proven" that there is such a
thing as "female brains in male bodies" and the reverse. Unfortunately, neuroimaging is
like some other topics popular with the public (health, pop psychology, "gene for [some
trait]", etc.) where small exploratory studies, with tiny dataset sizes and only suggestive
results, can get picked up by the media and given outsized influence.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

The funny thing is, they can't even keep to this definition themselves. In order to rail against the term 'assigned sex at birth' they dip into using a genetic definition of sex (a wrong one, you should be aware the SRY gene that matters). Seeing many gametes on that cfDNA test?

Readers who have not become parents recently may not be aware that medical science
and technology has long since left behind activist phraseology. The observation of sex
is now utterly routine well before birth. Of course, sex observation via ultrasound
technology has been available and quite reliable for decades. However, it required
waiting until the fetus was sufficiently developed. More recently, companies and medical
labs have made available sex detection of the embryo via a blood test of the mother.
By around week 10 of development, cfDNA (cell-free DNA) from the embryo circulates
in the mother's bloodstream in sufficient quantities to enable detection of the
Y-chromosome by DNA sequencing37. The same test also identifies chromosomal
variation other than sex, for example trisomy of chromosome 21 (formerly known as
Down Syndrome) and a variety of rare conditions. Such tests are available in New
Zealand for NZD $690.38 A paper analysing 2022 data finds that at least 2.80 million
such prenatal cfDNA tests were done around the world.39 Multiplication implies a current
market approaching $2 billion. The same paper finds that 2.18 million cfDNA tests were
done in the USA, which is 60% of the total number of USA births in 2022.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

Their argument is essentially gametes define sex. Okay, let's roll with that. They're bad at arguing this. Because you'll notice that they left out of their 'gotcha' the possibility of people who don't produce gametes at all.

It is important to rebut one countermove that is almost always made by activists at this
juncture. They will often note that various humans do not have gametes: prepubertal
boys, postmenopausal women, and numerous people who have lost this ability through
operations to treat cancer or other causes.35 This rather obvious point is then deployed
as a "gotcha" against the gamete-based definition.
However, activists are too quick to claim victory here. The "gotcha" makes use of rules
no one would apply in any other situation in biology. Eyes are defined as organs with
the function of seeing, but no one says that eyes that have gone blind are no longer
eyes. A heart is defined as the organ that pumps blood, but hearts that are defective, or
even dead, are still hearts. The function employed in a biological definition is the
evolutionarily selected function that produced and maintains the structure over
geological timespans. Loss of function in individual organisms due to age or injury is
easily accommodated, and is no more surprising than organismal death.
There is, of course, such a thing as removing an organ – in rare cases, an entire eye
might be removed because of cancer, for instance. But, unfortunately for sex-denialism,
sexes in mammals36 are whole-body adaptations which, in mammals, are identifiable
from conception through reproductive age to death. Removing part of the reproductive
anatomy in a mammal no more changes its sex than surgical alterations could change
its species.

35 For some reason, it is never mentioned during these arguments that girls are born with all the eggs they
will ever have; these develop by about week 20 of embryonic development and are gradually depleted
throughout the lifetime until menopause. We speculate that some are perturbed by the observation that
human biological hardware seems determined to attempt to reproduce, rather than conform to whatever
ideas are currently favoured by the software in the brain.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

It's also very clear they haven't read the bill they're submitting on. The Marcroft bill was less than a hundred words, you think they made much provision for complex cases in that space? Classy to get 'safeguarding' in there, not a dogwhistle at all. Just concerned scientists here, yes sir.

This distinction matters for policymakers. A law can recognize and make provision for rare,
medically complex cases without pretending that those cases undermine the sex categories
relevant to the overwhelming majority of people. Good policy should not be built by taking
exceedingly rare edge cases and using them to rewrite language, data collection, medicine,
sport, safeguarding, prisons, or women’s rights for everyone.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jul 9

Reading over their submission on the Marcroft bill. It's sometimes very funny. Like this one, where they clearly never actually attended a physics class where you learnt by making calculations in frictionless voids. Mmm.

For evolutionary biologists, sex is a core concept, and one of the most studied. The
relevant terminology is well worked-out. Studying evolutionary biology without sex would
be like studying physics while ignoring gravity.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Jun 30

I've put a few titles at 60% off for the itch summer sale. For as low as $2, you can get adventures and supplements for #dnd, PF2E, Monster of the Week and Strange Squad. itch.io/s/192191/sum... #ttrpg #kiwirpg

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· May 27

ICYMI 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay' is now available in print, ebook and large print on lulu: www.lulu.com/search?contr... If you're a fan of gallows humour, awkward tension, and dramatic queers, we've got you covered with this play. #theatersky #booksky #shakespeare

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· May 19

No-one wanted this. From the public submissions, the majority wanted the government to have little to no say in how these bodies operate, even with a biased question framing the responses. They should have listened.

Should government give general directions or issue directions
about regulation and how it is managed?
Around 60% of submitters expressed concerns about regulators being subject to
government direction, mostly due to the risk of political interference and the
importance of regulatory independence; just under 40% supported the idea.
Some respondents were concerned that increased government involvement in health
regulation could lead to political interference, reduced patient safety or poorly
informed decisions. Many felt the government lacks expertise in this area and should
not direct on operational matters. Some believed the current system works well and
doesn’t need major change, or that it just needs to be streamlined or better funded.
A few criticised this consultation question as appearing biased or unclear. Several said
the focus should be on improving workforce pay and retention, not governance.
Others suggested that the government should be able to raise concerns but not
override regulators. Some submitters supported limited government involvement, such
as the government being able to raise concerns or issues, especially when the public is
affected, but said that the government should not be able to direct or override
independent regulators.
Some submitters indicated that there could be benefits in government involvement,
such as better workforce planning and accountability.
Should the government appoint members to regulatory boards?
Around 65% of respondents did not support the idea of the government being able to
appoint members to regulatory boards. Around 35% supported the idea of the
government being able to appoint members to regulatory boards.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· May 19

What is the minister's power currently? To call a meeting basically. Good. Let's keep these bodies independent.

Section 126 of the HPCAA stating: 126 Conciliation conference

(1)

If it appears from a response provided, under section 125, by an authority that there is a significant difference of opinion between the Minister and the authority on any matter, the Minister may, by written notice to the authority, convene a conciliation conference.

(2)

Before the Minister gives an authority a written notice under subsection (1), the Minister must consult with the authority about the proposed notice.

(3)

A notice under subsection (1) must—
(a)

appoint a time and place for the conference; and
(b)

invite the chairperson of the authority to participate in the conference; and
(c)

invite the chairperson to nominate 2 other members of the authority to participate in the conference.

(4)

The conference is attended—
(a)

by a person (the conciliator) appointed by the Attorney-General to preside over the conference; and
(b)

by either—
(i)

the Minister with up to 2 assistants; or
(ii)

up to 3 representatives of the Minister; and
(c)

by the chairperson of the authority and the members nominated under subsection (3)(c).

(5)

The aim of the conference is to—
(a)

clarify the nature of the difference in respect of which the conference has been convened; and
(b)

resolve that difference.

(6)

As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the conference, the conciliator must report to the Minister and to all the members of the authority on the matters that the parties to the conference resolved and on the matters that are still in dispute.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· May 12

'You don't create 18+ stuff, what do you care?' I create queer and horror work, either of which could end up on the wrong side of the line if KS is having a bad day. Not sure either the regular or the alt cover version of my last project would be allowed now.

Regular and alt cover of 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay'.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· May 5

Now that all the Kickstarter backers have their digital copies, I'm proud to announce that 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay' is available to the public! Pick up the accessible epub ebook on Lulu today! Physical copies will also be coming soon! www.lulu.com/shop/kelly-w... #booksky #stageplay

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Apr 3

Maybe you're looking for something more horror based; we've got adventure for Motw, Fate, 5e, Strange Squad, as well as a horror-inspired class, the Accursed. Each of these are between $2.50-$4, why not give them a go? itch.io/s/183692/eas... (repost as added to the quoted post, whoops)

Cover of flock to me featuring a creature with a skull like face, holding a shephard's crook that glows with magical power

Cover of lost & forgotten, showing a rose, its stem threaded through a gold wedding band. A lamprey like maw threatens to engulf it from the background

Cover of the accursed, showing a glowing red figure breaking its chains

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Apr 3

Or maybe your budget's a little stretched these days. We've got you covered too, with a few freebies. A couple of solo games & a dnd 5e supplement are all yours, help yourself! #ttrpg kellymakesgames.itch.io/na-te-puhipi kellymakesgames.itch.io/where-to-get... kellymakesgames.itch.io/bin-voyage

Cover of bin voyage, featuring a wheelie bin going merrily into the sunset

Cover of where to get a bit, a 5e guide to vampire lairs. Shows a gothic manor against a foggy night, with bats escaping into the night

Cover of Na te puhipi/Your dear friend busby, showing the treaty of Waitangi

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Apr 3

Maybe you're looking for something more horror based; we've got adventure for Monster of the Week, Fate, 5e, Strange Squad, as well as horror-inspired class, the Accursed. Each of these are between $2.50-$4, why not give them a go? itch.io/s/183692/eas...

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Apr 3

Let's run through a few of the items in this sale, starting with Lineages of the Long White Cloud. Want to play as a kiwi or a wētā in your #dnd game? Now you can, along with 16 other lineages based on Aotearoa's native wildlife! Just $7.50 this weekend: kellymakesgames.itch.io/lineages-of-...

Cover of lineages of the long white cloud, featuring and anthro pūriri moth in midflight, holding up a sun shaped holy symbol on a green background.

Kiwi lineage page from LotLWC, featuring a kiwi alchemist examining a beaker.

Wētā lineages from LotLWC, showing three different types of wētā.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 23

The first proofs have arrived! There's nothing like when a digital project finally becomes something you can hold!! There's still time to back use if you want to get copies of your own: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot... #booksky

Large print and regular versions of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead, sitting on a table.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 22

About 48 hours left on the 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay' Kickstarter; be the first to get ebook and print copies of a brand new play! You can read the first few pages below, if you like what you see, give us a pledge or a share! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

Act 1
A prison cell in England, middle ages. In the centre of the back wall, a wooden plank is hung as a bed. On the left is a door. A scuffle and shouting can be heard from outside the door.
Rosencrantz: From offstage, getting closer. ‘—your hands off me!’
Guildenstern: Also from offstage. ‘I demand to speak with your liege at—’ Cut off, sound of a blow.
The door opens, enter Rosencrantz, hurled by an unseen person into the middle of the cell. He catches his balance, runs back toward the door. Halfway, he tries to stop. He braces just as

Guildenstern is thrown into him. Before either of them can catch their balance the door shuts.
The lock clanks. Rosencrantz tries the door, kicking it at discovering it’s locked. Footsteps are heard, receding. Guildenstern, holding his side, sits on the bed and lets out a pained breath.
Rosencrantz paces, in a rage but also in thought. Moments pass, during which Guilden-stern draws himself up in his seat, wincing. Guildenstern examines himself. After a minute of this, suddenly:
Rosencrantz: On what charge! Louder, at the door. On what charge!
Guildenstern: Pause. Disturbing the peace? Pause. It must have to do with the letter. Everyone was unwaveringly polite ‘til we presented that letter to the king.
Rosencrantz: That means nothing, the English are always polite! Although… this country has been strange of late. Inhospitable.
Guildenstern: England’s the same as it ever was. ’Tis the English who have changed. Rosencrantz scoffs. Poor hosts, that’s what they are

now. I’ve heard that is the worst thing you can be in England.
Rosencrantz: I’d say the worst thing you can be in England is ‘imprisoned’.
Guildenstern returns to inspecting his side. He gives himself a firm poke then sucks air through his teeth.
Rosencrantz: Do you want me to examine that?
Guildenstern: Why Doctor Rosencrantz, I had no idea you were so learned. No, thank you. Pause. I do believe it is broken.
Rosencrantz: Which one?
Guildenstern: Pokes himself up and down his side. All of them, I think.
Rosencrantz: All of them?
Silence as Guildenstern pokes himself up and down the side again, more deliberately.
Guildenstern: All of them, aye.

Cover, text reads 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay' at the top and 'a play by Kelly Whyte' at the bottom. To the right there's a torso of a man in a loose flowing shirt, he's tied in thick rope that resembles bondage but also forms a noose around the neck.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 16

Here's what bugs me; these risks exist for all socmed users. Predators, scammers, harassment, all affect adults too. If we can mitigate these harms for adults, through legislation and enforcement, it will be safer for kids too. Let's continue to debate. Let's come up with some better ideas.

Right now, children of any age can access systems designed to maximise engagement, that is, systems that combine addictive design features, harmful content, algorithmic amplification, cyberbullying, and exposure to predators. Not surprisingly, almost four in 10 New Zealand children say they wish social media had never been invented.

At the very least, we should introduce some friction into the system, and continuing to debate endlessly while harm accumulates is not a responsible option.

Age restrictions are one of the few tools available to governments to disrupt this cycle of harm, at least until the companies that build these platforms can demonstrate that their products are genuinely safe for developing brains.

So far, that burden of proof remains unmet.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 16

"...they’re not able to eliminate the underlying design structures that drive engagement." - Wait, why not? This is a bold assertion that lacks evidence Why can't we legislate against the design structures? Why can't we remove the incentives to do this (e.g. banning data collection on <18 yr olds)?

Research increasingly shows that even when harmful content is removed, the format itself can cause harm. Studies have suggested a link between short-form video platforms, for example, and reduced attention, impaired inhibitory control and cognitive disruption in both adults and children.

Governments may be able to regulate algorithms or platform features to some extent, but they’re not able to eliminate the underlying design structures that drive engagement.

Age restrictions are not a complete solution, nor should they be presented as one. Protecting young people online will require a multi-layered approach that includes better regulation, stronger platform accountability, improved parental support and ongoing research.

But age limits will create a barrier. They signal clear social expectations. And they buy time while governments work to address the deeper structural problems embedded in these platforms.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 16

Sure Google and Meta can. But can Bluesky? Can it be done with a fresh account? And can it be done accurately? No-one cares if you serve a 14yr old ads for a 16yr old. But if it's the difference between being allowed speech or access to services, that's a whole different ballgame.

As to the claim that platforms cannot verify age without harvesting government IDs, current trials in the US reveal that companies like Meta and Google already use sophisticated data profiling to accurately ‘re-age’ young users. They promote themselves as being good at identifying a user’s true age so they can target them with ads. Which seems to contradict their claim that this capability is impossible when asked to use it to protect children.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 16

This is technically true *for now*. In 6 months we'll have reporting on this exact issue from Australia and we can see if fringe platform migration is a real risk or not. So why are we rushing this? In 6-12 months we'll have good data from our closest neighbour. We don't have to have an opinion yet

The Green Party raised a different concern, suggesting that age limits would drive kids to dangerous, fringe platforms. This is not backed by empirical study. What the research does show is that when youth are restricted from mainstream social media, they simply move their group chats to gaming platforms and messaging apps where their friends are. Further, the argument ignores that children see horrific material, including extreme violence, on social media, not because they seek it out but because it is recommended to them algorithmically.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 16

If you want to ban social media, that has free speech implications. Recalling a yogurt doesn't, it's pretty clear why these are different. This is a low bar for whether or not you're serious. Regulating how social media works to mitigate harm is fine by me, argue for that instead.

Just weeks ago in the United States, parents painted the names of 108 children on the pavement outside Snapchat’s headquarters. These were children allegedly lost to harms linked to the platform. The harms included bullying, sexual exploitation and buying drugs that were laced with fentanyl.

If a physical consumer product was linked to the death of 108 children, it would be recalled immediately until it could be proven safe. Social media should not be treated differently because the product is digital.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 13

@dylanhorrocks.bsky.social gave a beautiful review of 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Gay', it means so much from an author I admire a lot. We're getting closer and closer to release day, if you want to be among the first to read it for yourself, back us here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

"Razor-sharp dialogue and strong characterisation makes this an irresistible take on Shakespeare's unforgettable duo. Witty, sly, sad, and very moving." Dylan Horrocks - Hicksville, Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen. To the left is a picture of Dylan.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 10

Covering this as a 'he-said, she-said' political issue is dire. Brown's spin gets more air than the actual report. Read @marcdaalder.bsky.social's actual factual summary of the report instead: newsroom.co.nz/2026/03/10/l... The politics of it can come later, let the actual science lead.

RNZ headline : National blasts Ardern government as Covid response inquiry released

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Mar 2

Here's a teaser for our book. You can see the full trailer, including excerpts performed by local actors, on our kickstarter page! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot... Enjoy and if you like it, give us a pledge! #playsky #shakespeare #theatre

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Feb 28

I'm proud that we've become a #ProjectWeLove on Kickstarter! This is the first time I've had one and I feel touched. Thank you everyone who's helped make this happen, especially @pentragon-zei.bsky.social for the art! To check out the campaign for yourself: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

Header reading Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are gay in a art nouveau font. Below that the tagline reads: An awkward and absurd play about identity, honesty and intimacy when there’s nothing left to lose.
On the right is a torso in a loose shirt, a noose around his neck. Partway down the noose turns into shibari. A 'project we love' sticker from kickstarter is in the bottom right.

Kelly Whyte@kellywhyte· Feb 27

It's a play rather than a romance novel, but I reckon it's worthy of an arrow cover nonetheless. Follow our titular heroes last hours as they try and figure our what the heck is going on and what, if anything they can do about it. www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot... #booksky #lgbtreads