iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 3h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Alito hinting at retirement. If Dems take the Senate my guess is he'll retire immediately and Reps will swear in his replacement before Dems can take office Jan 20. They did Coney-Barrett in just 27 days right before 2020 election. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

theguardian.com

Conservative US supreme court justice Samuel Alito hints at retirement in interview

Alito, 76, delivers comment in rare interview with CBS News scheduled to air on Monday

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 10h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social How surveillance pricing is draining your wallet as companies use AI, apps on your phone, and esp that "loyalty" program to get you to pay more for the same items based on your demographic info, past buying history, and probable need. gizmodo.com/if-you-use-m...

gizmodo.com

If You Use Money to Buy Things, You Should Read This Book

Lindsay Owens, author of the incredible new book Gouged, tells us why the Robin Hood theory of surveillance pricing is a myth.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 11h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Don't know how I missed this email but India surpassed China as the world's most populous nation -- 1.48 billion to 1.41 billion. Back in 2023[!] no less. My whole life when you talked about population it's always been China, China, China.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 12h

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct LGBTQnation Op-ed by activist/scholar Warren Blumenfeld notes how oppressed groups often strike out those closest and asks if pressure from the Right's war on trans is pushing us to attack one another and "eat our own" instead of focusing who's really at fault.

lgbtqnation.com

The LGBTQ+ rights movement can only move forward if we learn to stop eating our own - LGBTQ Nation

Our internalized oppression is not our fault, but it's on us to take steps to reduce or even eliminate it.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct LGBTQnation Update on that A4TE story-- among the employees fired with a one-sentence email were nearly HALF of all its union members. A coincidence, surely. www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/10/lead...

lgbtqnation.com

Leading US trans rights org cuts nearly half its union membership - LGBTQ Nation

Staff at Advocates for Trans Equality say management led with "cruelty and threats."

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct Reps dumping $200m into in attempt to save faltering Ken Paxton -- "a slow-moving car crash" and the man who single-handedly as Atty Gnl ignited the war on trans kids by reclassifying GAC as child abuse after legislature repeatedly refused to pass anti-GAC law.

politico.com

The price tag on the Ken Paxton rescue mission has Republicans panicking

Some Republicans want MAGA Inc. to take over spending in the final few weeks.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social For all of us waiting for that light in the turnnel, Strength in Numbers has Dems at 99% to win House [!!] and NYT Sienna has Dems ahead or tied in all five battleground states as Rep's pull advertising from Whatley in NCar as a lost cause. Can you spell B-L-U-E-W-A-V-E?

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct ErinReed The ACLU has sued a Minnesota school district which banned all non-approved stickers in order to get rid of the rainbow ones trans and gay kids were using. Are we _really_ this petty?? :-{

erininthemorning.com

ACLU Sues Minnesota School District That Banned All Stickers To Get Rid Of Rainbow Ones

“You created all of this disruption over a 2-by-3 inch sticker.”

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct New article in Catalyst documents how the idea of "sex hormones" continues to unravel as evidence of a natural binary Sex --as they are understood to do many things besides sexual development which is itself seen as a product of many other hormones.

scholar.google.com

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct In one of the tidal wave of Rep attack ads targeting OH Dem Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, a presumably trans woman accuses him of pushing surgery on minors "like her." The only problem? She had surgery as an adult, not a minor. And she's from Texas, not Ohio.

news5cleveland.com

Woman accusing Sherrod Brown of forcing transgender surgeries isn’t from Ohio, didn’t have procedure as minor

In an attack ad against U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, a woman accuses the Democrat of pushing transgender surgeries on minors "like her." She didn't have surgery until she was an adult.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed Elon Musk, whose estranged daughter is trans, calls for the death penalty for pediatric affirming care providers on X. GAC is currently supported by all 27 major US medical professional groups connected in any way with providing it.

erininthemorning.com

Elon Musk Calls For “Death Sentence” for GAC Providers

Musk’s posts are not just inflammatory rhetoric. They have real-life consequences.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social If you read nothing else this weekend, read this unbelievable account of the one lone head of security who stood against DOGE zealots trying to storm the Institute of Peace -- which was totally independent - with the FBI _and_the DC PD so they could shut it down. Insane.

wsj.com

Essay | Exclusive | Michael Lewis on the Lone Security Guard Who Resisted DOGE

In an exclusive excerpt from “Blockers,” the inside story of the high-stakes D.C. standoff where security chief Colin O’Brien fought off DOGE operatives.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep LGBTQnation Federal judge rules that a Christian-owned NH machine parts manufacturer can’t dismiss a trans employee’s discrimination lawsuit under a religious exemption claim. But dismissed her claim that refusal to cover her GAC was disability discrimination.

lgbtqnation.com

Federal judge refuses to accept Christian beliefs as excuse for company's anti-trans discrimination - LGBTQ Nation

Lillian Bernier's workplace health insurance plan covered gender-affirming care... until she actually came out as trans.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct LGBTQnation After a dogged effort by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and others, HHS has finally been forced to reinstate the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services hotline for suicide & crisis, after shutting it down a year ago. www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/10/unde...

lgbtqnation.com

Under pressure, Trump admin restores LGBTQ+ youth helpline. But will it help trans kids? - LGBTQ Nation

Out Sen. Tammy Baldwin led the effort to bring the dedicated "Press 3" service back.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep Advocate After months-long labor dispute over a huge deficit, A4TE lays off 12 workers with a one-sentence email--which also managed to misspell its acronym: "Dear Employee, Sept 30th, 2026 will be your last day of employment at A4TEEF.” Keep it classy guys :-{

advocate.com

Workers fought to save jobs at a national trans rights group. Then came a one-sentence layoff email

Advocates for Trans Equality says a $2.4 million deficit forced painful cuts. Its union says management rejected alternatives that could have saved jobs.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed Georgia high school block young trans women's attempt to run for homecoming queen, saying she must run for king bec. only cisg women can run for queen under Trump's new Title IX rules which have nothing at all to do with homecoming celebrations.

erininthemorning.com

Georgia School Blocks Trans Homecoming Queen, Citing Title IX

A Georgia school district is saying Trump’s Title IX crackdowns means only cisgender women can run for Homecoming Queen.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

@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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

There's NO life style about being trans nor is it a choice of any kind, IMHO.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

@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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

@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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

@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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 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

advocate.com

Gavin Newsom moves to shield California transgender patient records from federal scrutiny

The governor signed six LGBTQ+ bills addressing medical privacy, HIV prevention, support for discharged service members, and protections for young people.

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Reposted by Riki Wilchins

Kate @eatskiteach.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I finished Bad Ink: How The New York Times Sold Out Transgender Teens by @rikiwilchins.bsky.social YESTERDAY only to wake up today to further evidence of the NYT's ongoing lack of respect for the trans community or regard for the onslaught of abuse their targeted disinformation has created.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thanks for the shout-out Kate -- you now join the book's DOZENS of readers world-wide "-O And yes, the NYT just can't seem to get it right on respecting trans people. It will be looked back on as a moral failing similar to how they mistreated "homosexuals" under Sulzberger's father.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed Riley Gaines' lawsuit against NCAA under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act because she had to compete against a trans women struck down by fed judge who found "no evidence" that the NCAA ever received any federal funds.

erininthemorning.com

Riley Gaines' Title IX Lawsuit Against The NCAA Struck Down After Judge Finds "No Evidence" Of Funding Claims

Gaines’ attorneys argued her civil rights were violated because she competed against a transgender athlete.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Yes, I know it cheeses everyone off when I post non-trans news... just how my mind work. Many apologies...

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Wondering like many of us if AI is a cosmic market bubble that will drag the whole economy down down when it bursts like the DOT COM bubble did? An interesting analysis of what to look for if that's about to happen. [gift link]

wsj.com

How to Know When the AI Boom Is About to Go Bust

History shows that market manias end when the capital spigot turns off.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 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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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Well, it's likely 99% white evangelicals who are bat-shit about this issue and white replacement "theory" and still 100% behind Trump.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social "62% say Trump promised $5k to win votes; only 13% think he intends to send it; 71% say it was inappropriate including 53% of Republicans. Only about a quarter believe the checks would actually go out even if Republicans did win." substack.com/inbox/post/2...

substack.com

Only 13% of voters buy Trump’s promise to send $5k checks if GOP wins midterms

This is why a midterm convention is a dumb idea, part one. Plus how Democrats should deal with low trust in government in 2027-28. Your weekly political data roundup for September 27, 2026.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Unfortunately, the "Dems Fighting Back" part of that CNN story looked much more like "Dems Backpedaling on Sports/Surgery" than any actual fight. I think their point was that Dems simply avoided it when Kamala ran.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social With Reps in battleground states running on trans issues, CNN poll finds once again that it runs dead last in voters' concerns after elections, crime, tariffs, etc. Good for them for finally positing a question other pollsters still ignore. [Live screen grab]

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"There is a straight line from Koch Brothers money, allied with segregationists and religious fundamentalists, that runs through the Federalist Society and the Roberts Supreme Court, through the MAGA-fied Republican Party, through the crypto-industry and the tech-broligarchy, that leads to Trump."

substack.com

It’s “Underwear on the Outside” Time

Trump’s continuing downward spiral into sundowning

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"Russia’s enormous size once helped it defend against the invading armies of Hitler and Napoleon. Now it is a vulnerability, spreading its available air defenses thin across a landmass that is difficult to defend in its entirety."

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep Advocate After TX Dept of Criminal Justice's trans policy disappeared from its online policies, advocates feared it would suspend all care. DOCJ now says that trans prisoners already on them can keep their hormones but minors will be weaned off.

advocate.com

Texas says transgender prisoners can keep their hormones — unless they’re under 18

Doctors have warned that forced withdrawal can carry psychological and physical risks, even when medication is tapered.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

advocate.com

Texas says transgender prisoners can keep their hormones — unless they’re under 18

Doctors have warned that forced withdrawal can carry psychological and physical risks, even when medication is tapered.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Sep ErinReed TX Dem Senate candidate James Talarico walks back his apparent support for keeping trans girls out of sports saying he opposes TX statewide ban and believes it should be "decided on an athlete by athlete, sport by sport basis."

erininthemorning.com

Texas Dem. Senate Candidate Talarico Clarifies He Still Opposes Statewide Ban On Trans Athletes

The Democratic candidate has not, however, walked back his support for a trans surgery ban for youth.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Republicans including Trump's own PAC are investing hundreds of millions in advertising in close races like Texas trying to convince voters that Dems are communists while he swans around DC doing diplo-tainment with the biggest communist leader in the world.

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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social Kinda shocked that with all the understandable anger around Dems throwing trans ppl under the bus, few folks here or on Assigned Media seem to have written Equality PAC to complain abt endorsement of "gender ideology" Marcy Kaptur of OH. Thanks to those of you who did .

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