iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep SedDef Pete Hegseth, now completely untethered from the prestige and dignity of his office, calls for “no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals,” in the new all male white fascist US military he apparently envisions. [gift]

nytimes.com

In Speech, Hegseth Targets Diversity, Transgender People, Reporters and Iran

In his “State of the Force” address, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth focused on the culture war and accused reporters of “treason” over Iran war coverage.

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Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 18h

Supporting your vulnerable constituents is a demonstration of strength and principle. In 2026, that’s what ppl want

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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 17h

I believe the MA and NY shield laws explicitly protect both abortion care AND gender-affirming care. (CA possibly also - not sure if it's one law or two in that case.)

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Aluminium Bat @aluminiumbat.bsky.social · 20h

Interestingly, in this article the Third Way rep is even saying that transphobia is a losing position to take, though she is still insisting that it WAS a good thing before but magically in two years things have changed so much that it's a bad idea now.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

Democrats seem headed for big wins, but one avenue for self-sabotage would be adopting R's framing on trans rights. @billiejsweeney.bsky.social spoke with insiders incl Lanae Erikson of Third Way and Rep. Sarah McBride for this substanial piece of new reporting. assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...

assignedmedia.org

Democrats Lose by Punching Down on Trans Issues, Strategists Say - Assigned Media

Insiders, including at centrist think tank Third Way, are cautioning Democratic candidates against echoing Republican talking points on trans rights.

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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 20h

I am writing this weeks newsletter on the feeling that Jonathan McKinsey, an SF trans man murdered by his in-laws in broad daylight, is being treated as a suspect, not a victim in the wake of his own death. Subscribe to support trans journalism. assignedmedia.org/support/

assignedmedia.org

Support Our Journalism - Assigned Media

Support OurJournalism Our journalism is only possible through the support of our members! As a supporting member, you’ll receive a special edition of our newsletter, featuring bonus essays and insight...

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Susan Rinkunas @susanrinkunas.com · 21h

NEW / HUGE: Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama sued nearly three dozen abortion pill providers + a pharmacy and The states asked the Supreme Court to be able to sue New York, Massachusetts, and California to challenge their telehealth shield laws @autonomynews.co storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Dear Mr. Cayce:
I write to notify the panel of two legal developments material to the
panel’s resolution of this case.
First, today Louisiana—joined by Arkansas and Alabama—filed a
lawsuit in the Western District of Louisiana against nearly three dozen
individuals and entities responsible for remotely dispensing FDA-
approved mifepristone in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama. See
Louisiana v. Nouhavandi, No. 2:26-cv-03836 (W.D. La.) (attached). As
the complaint in that case illustrates, none of those individuals and
entities could carry out their current operations without the 2023
REMS’s removal of the in-person dispensing requirement.
Second, also today Louisiana—joined by Arkansas and Alabama—
filed a motion for leave to file a bill of complaint (attached), Louisiana v.
New York, in the United States Supreme Court against New York,
Massachusetts, and California. The bill of complaint challenges the
telehealth shield laws of those states on various legal grounds.
Both complaints explain how Louisiana’s success in Louisiana v.
FDA will eliminate the flood of FDA-approved mifepristone into the
State. Louisiana’s success in Louisiana v. Nouhavandi will eliminate the
2
ability of nearly three dozen of the most prominent actors to illegally send
any abortion drugs into the State. And Louisiana’s success in Louisiana
v. New York will strip all shield-law state residents—regardless of any
back-up drugs they may try to use—of the claimed authority to violate
Louisiana’s laws with impunity.
espectfully,
/s/J. Benjamin Aguiñaga
J. Benjamin Aguiñaga
Solicitor General
Counsel for Louisiana

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Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 22h

“Things like banning transgender kids from playing sports in schools or from being able to access medical necessary healthcare – those things didn’t even exist in 2020,” Logan Casey, MAP’s director of policy research, told me.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 21h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep SCOTUS, which has given Trump everything he wants including of course on gutting trans rights is at its lowest approval ever: 61% vs just 34% who approve, with a 54% majority saying they have little trust or confidence it the court.

axios.com

Americans' thumbs-down verdict on SCOTUS

The high court's disapproval is tied for the record high.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 22h

The picture for LGBTQ+ Americans has changed in recent years, and for trans folks the change has been the most extreme. That's the upshot of a new report, out today from the Movement Advancement Project. More from @billiejsweeney.bsky.social here: assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...

assignedmedia.org

Wave of Anti-Queer Extremism Is Charted in New Report - Assigned Media

Movement Advancement Project illustrates its speed and “near laser” focus on trans people.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 22h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social [Reed cont] Among Dems opposition to GAC bans runs 16% ahead of support for them, 50% to 34% Inds oppose bans by 10%, by 46% to 36%. And among Reps-- the main supporters -- they only run 8% ahead by 50% to 42% oppose. Not exactly a major slam dunk anymore.

erininthemorning.com

New Poll From The 19th News Shows Public Turning Against Republican Anti-Trans Healthcare Bans

The poll even shows faltering Republican support for such bans.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 22h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed As Reps ramp up their anti-trans ad wave, new polling from 19th News/YouGov shows public turning AGAINST trans youth affirming care bans: 45% oppose lawmakers, 38% for, and 17% unsure. www.erininthemorning.com/p/new-poll-f...

erininthemorning.com

New Poll From The 19th News Shows Public Turning Against Republican Anti-Trans Healthcare Bans

The poll even shows faltering Republican support for such bans.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 30/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep Advocate Trans male NYT games engineer was fatally shot by his in-laws during bitter custody battle with his estranged wife. His in-laws have been taken into custody. The NYT coverage buried the fact that he was trans down in the body of their article.

advocate.com

A transgender father pleaded for more time with his children. Days before a custody hearing, he was killed

New York Times games engineer Jonathan McKinsey and his estranged wife alleged mutual abuse. Now, his in-laws face charges for his murder.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 30/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep Advocate After vetoing a state asylum law, CA Gov Gavin Newsom signs bills protecting trans medical privacy from out-of-state subpoenas and support for discharged trans service members. htps://www.advocate.com/politics/states/california-gavin-newsom-injectable-prep

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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 29/09/2026

I’ve always said Third Way was basically uh sensible

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💀 Beignet Blanc 💀 @puckingladylike.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Lol I wonder how much of this is from people like me replying to the absolutely insane amount of fundraising texts with "stop throwing trans kids under the bus and I'll think about donating again"

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busty pixie demon @0xafaebabe.gay · 29/09/2026

you do not gotta hand it to third way. wtf is trans advocates have “gotten more pragmatic” plus there’s a whole quote where the implication was it was fine to dog on trans rights when that meant kids care and sports. fuck off (3rd way, not assigned)

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[Christopher M. Federico] @chrispps.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is a meaningful signal from one set of competing elites in the Democratic coalition. That said, I think it’s less a matter of the ‘dynamic changing’ and more a matter that there was always far less electoral advantage to be gained from airlocking trans ppl than elites have come to believe.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed Ky Gov. Andy Beshear, who vetoed a sports ban in in a state Trump carried by 30% and is likely presidential nominee, tells CNN's Jake Tapper he has one message for Dems: "We don't throw anybody under the bus." www.erininthemorning.com/p/ky-gov-bes...

erininthemorning.com

KY Gov. Beshear Has Message For Anti-Trans Dems: “We Don’t Throw Anybody Under The Bus.”

The governor provides a counterpoint to those who believe red state Democrats need to capitulate on transgender rights.

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Micah @rincewind.run · 29/09/2026

third way figured out dems should stop attacking trans people? third way?!

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Pride Ott 🦦 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @hikoukihikouki9.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

tbh the thing is that this issue really isn't salient despite most Republican efforts so Dems really aught to just be like "IDK man seems like something schools/sport leagues/doctors/whatever should handle it's not really something I'm super worried about"

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CoachN @coachn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

THIS. Please read and share; as I think the fact that even more centrist Democrats are now realizing that the Carville Corporate D “triangulation”—trying to mute GOP power by ceding them issues & entire communities—is not just morally wrong, but a *political* loser as well, is a vital story.

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Thaddeus is a girl's name 🏳️‍⚧️ @thaddeus.zone · 29/09/2026

on the one hand, i'll believe it when i see it but regardless, it's wild to hear this from a senior vp at fucking *third way*

“I think protecting trans people, trans kids in particular,” Erickson added, “has become an important part of the agenda for the entire progressive movement.”

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Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Proud that this report was published by independent media at @accountabilityji.bsky.social and @assignedmedia.org Support independent journalism

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Ari Drennen @aridrennen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Trump’s Education Department says 2,000 gold medals were “stolen” from women and girls. The number came from HeCheated, an anti-trans website that counts nearly every first place it can find, from middle school meets to events with one entrant. www.thenewtranssexual.com/p/the-rights...

thenewtranssexual.com

The Right’s “Stolen Medals” Number Comes From a Site That Counts Middle School Meets and One-Person Races

Trump’s Education Department repeated the claim that over 2,000 gold medals were “stolen.” The group that built the number never said which of the site’s results it counted.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

If you click on the little figure of a human in white on a blue circle background in the bottom right corner you can adjust the site to meet your needs <3

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

If you click on the little guy in the bottom right corner you can adjust the site to meet your needs <3

A figure of a human with arms outstretched in white on a blue circle

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Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The right's attacks on trans people have always been the tip of the spear, an entry point into wider abuses that threaten American democracy. Government agents have killed and kidnapped people on US streets. Tens of thousands are held in inhumane detention camps, deprived of due process.

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Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Terry Schilling, a main architect of Republicans’ transphobic campaign messaging, has talked about the "magic" in spreading hate-driven propaganda. "How do win, how do we replicate this on other issues?” he asked on a right-wing podcast. What might those issues be?

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Emma Arcadia @emarcadia.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is legitimately a fascinating read. Third Way seems to be adopting the McBride strategy kind of in full here, there's at least rhetorically a pretty radical break from their previous anti-trans vice signaling

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alternate ending @jamiroqueer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

my compliments to whomever grabbed Third Way by the head and turned it so they were actually looking out the window

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The Massachusetts Spy @themassspy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I believe it was AJ Liebling who said that when all the ice cream stands sell only strawberry, the customer chooses the one who provides the largest scoop.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

If you click on this little guy in the bottom right corner you can adjust the font!

A stylized figure of a human with arms outstretched in white on a blue circle background

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

Correction: Our post above misspelled Lanae Erickson's name (ck rather than k in Erickson). It's spelled correctly in the piece itself. Apologies for the error!

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Indiscreet Function @homotopic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Interesting comments from Third Way here

“On this issue, the dynamic has really shifted,” she said. Republicans and the right have grown far more extreme, while advocates for trans people have moved to a “more pragmatic place.”

“The MAGA folks took from the 2024 election that this was a great issue for them, that it was one that united their base and made Democrats uncomfortable,” Erickson said. “And that was all true at that moment, but now they’re going way beyond any concerns the public had.”

She added: “Going after healthcare for adults, kicking people out of the military, taking people’s driver’s licenses away, they can’t pick up their kids at school – these are well beyond the pale for most American voters. We’ve got an HHS secretary right now who believes the only appropriate healthcare for transgender people is conversion therapy. That’s crazy.”

“I think protecting trans people, trans kids in particular,” Erickson added, “has become an important part of the agenda for the entire progressive movement.”

Addressing trans issues directly while refocusing attention to Republicans’ policy failures – including a war with no clear goal, economic distress and rampant corruption – is the tactic widely promoted among strategists advising the Democrats. Translating that into effective responses at the ground level in the heat of a campaign has not always gone well.

“I’ve implored folks to practice talking about it,” Erickson said of the candidates. “You know, practice saying ‘I trust parents in my district to make decisions for their kids more than politicians.’ Practice saying, ‘sure, we need rules but politicians aren’t the right ones to make it.’”

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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Definitely click through on this story for the quotes from the Third Way spokesperson, who AGREED Democratic candidates should NOT adopt Republican language on trans issues. I was floored - even tried to get Billie to put it in the headline. This is not just analysis, these quotes are news.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

If you value excellent reporting on trans issues by the best trans reporters in the business, put your money where your mouth is and become a member of Assigned Media today! assignedmedia.org/support/

assignedmedia.org

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 29/09/2026

assignedmedia.org

Democrats Lose by Punching Down on Trans Issues, Strategists Say - Assigned Media

Insiders, including at centrist think tank Third Way, are cautioning Democratic candidates against echoing Republican talking points on trans rights.

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fernuzz @fernuzz.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I'd say dems should listen to the guy who won a statewide election in kentucky, twice, but maybe that's too woke

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Jillian Whitton 🏳️‍⚧️, rising @jillianw.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“I’ve never wavered on these issues, and politically, I’ve been successful,” Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said in an interview with The Advocate, going on to say that allies aren’t “willing to hurt a community to score political points.” Some centrists get it.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 28/09/2026

Check it out: Not one but TWO Democratic governors recently spoke out against the party abandoning trans rights. Plus Cheryl Reeve continues to be a stand out ally at the WNBA and a lawsuit confronts the impact of Trump's discriminatory policies in HIV/AIDS care. assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...

assignedmedia.org

Democratic Governors, WNBA Coach Defend Trans People in Sport - Assigned Media

Leading Off: Reagan appointed judge defends trans Americans, WNBA coach Cheryl Reeve defends trans athletes, and Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Andy Beshear both spoke out in favor of Democrats contin...

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 27/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Talarico would do well to recall that "VA Rep nominee Winsome Earle-Sears blanketed airwaves with ads that characterized Dem Abigail Spanberger as 'being for they/them.' Spanberger called for 'getting politics out of our schools and trusting parents” and won by 15%'"

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