iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Let me tell y’all about Camp Ground - a multi-faith retreat for people doing justice work. This work is exhausting - we need time to rest and recharge. I attended last year and found that and more. If you serve community and are flagging - please apply! Apps close Sunday. campgroundretreat.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Join me tomorrow for our conversation about the 2024 CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey! RSVP here: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

My colleague Sara at @americanprogress.bsky.social examined our CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey, revealing that LGBTQI+ households earn just 85 cents for every $1 of non-LGBTQI+ households. LGBTQI+ women households earn even less, at just 52 cents per $1. www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed. If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Housing and Urban Development compiled a resource on ensuring equal access to shelters/ housing programs for trans people. While it was removed from HUD's website, it is still a powerful tool for organizations committed to providing inclusive resources.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) once provided a resource for organizations and community centers on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Youth as part of FYSB homeless youth programs. LGBTQIA2S+ young people are more likely to be homeless than their peers.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The VA used to have a comprehensive resource page for providing medical care to LGBTQI+ veterans. The page included resources everything from serving trans and non-binary vets - to details on suicide prevention services. All have been wiped from the VA site.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The Office in charge of federal contracts for the Department of Labor used to have a "Know Your Rights" document outlining non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ workers. The fact sheet was provided in multiple languages. All have been wiped from the DOL website.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Today’s Something Censored - The Biden administration published a thorough toolkit on advancing trans equity in partnership with multiple federal agencies. The toolkit provided resources and laid out inclusive policy goals.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Good policy is informed by good data - but gathering data, particularly for the LGBTQI+ community is harder than it's ever been. @americanprogress.bsky.social is committed to collecting that data and using it to shape solutions to real-world problems.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - SAMSHA published a groundbreaking report on the harms of conversion therapy - also known as change efforts. The 100+ page report provided key, concrete evidence and tangible next steps to protect all young people.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - The VA published dozens of articles about the lives and accomplishments of veterans - including LGBTQI+ veterans. This story highlighted a trans vet's work on preventing homelessness.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - Ok, this one is wonky but stay with me - it's important. For years, LGBTQI+ advocates have been working to get the Census to ask questions on their surveys about LGBTQ identity. Doing so is deceptively difficult, but very possible - and this censored report details how.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - A fact sheet on the pro-LGBTQI+ policies championed and passed by the Biden administration. The fact sheet featured policies like non-discrimination protections, better data collection, and more.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Today's Something Censored - A detailed policy on ensuring equity and non-discrimination for trans HHS employees. The policy writes that "the obligation to honor the diversity of the HHS workforce" is fundamental to its mission.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - Guidance from the EEOC on protecting LGBTQI+ workers from discrimination. The guidance specifies that LGBTQI+ people are protected by laws banning discrimination based on sex - like Title VII. The web page provides clear examples and ways to report discrimination.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - A comprehensive resource for elementary and secondary schools on how to ensure their students are protected from discrimination and harassment. The guide provides guidance, resources, and model policies on topics from COVID-19 to preventing sexual violence.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - When SCOTUS determined sex discrim protections included LGBTQI+ people, many agencies, like the USDA, updated their policies. This memo provided guidance and answers potential questions for state program directors on protecting LGBTQI+ folks in food programs like SNAP.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - The VA initiated a comprehensive review of their policies to ensure inclusivity of trans veterans. The announcement acted as a recommitment to serve all who served - including trans folks.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I started Something Censored as a project to shed light on just a few of the hundreds of documents and resources the Trump administration has wiped from government websites. The good news is we were prepared, archiving crucial LGBTQI+ resources.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - In 2015, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that ensured same-sex couples were included under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This web page announcing the rule was one of the first to be removed when Trump took office.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - Some web pages censored by the Trump admin were whole resource lists. This resource bank was from the LGBTQI+ Working group at the DOJ - providing crucial resources for topics from HIV to harassment laws.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - A release from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on their rule codifying protections from discrimination for LGBTQI+ people by lenders. It said that the "industry is on notice that the Bureau will not tolerate illegal discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community."

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey from @americanprogress.bsky.social revealed many forms of discrimination and barriers to equity for LGBTQI+ folks. Perhaps among the most concerning? Abortion bans are making it harder for LGBTQI+ people find medical providers for ANY form of care.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - A fact sheet on LGBTQI+ youth homelessness. Prior to the Trump administration, HUD provided key programming, support, and guidance through their LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Program. This fact sheet was published in 2015.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Today's Something Censored is particularly relevant as some in Congress try to take away public insurance coverage of trans medical care - its a resource for trans folks getting health insurance through the marketplace, providing key factors to look for and guidance on how to get more support.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Look at this speaker lineup for our event on LGBTQ data and policy tomorrow! So excited to be joined by @repmarktakano.bsky.social, Dr. Kellan Baker from @whitmanwalker.bsky.social and Jaymes Black from @trevorproject.bsky.social There’s still time to RSVP! www.americanprogress.org/events/state...

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Today's Something Censored is about TDOV and so of course wiped quickly from the USAID website - A press release from USAID celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility in 2021, writing "global security and stability are strongest when the most marginalized in society are guaranteed equal protection."

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Today's Something Censored is a particularly important report that is no longer accessible on the HHS website - A comprehensive and groundbreaking report on intersex health. It provided clear definitions, outlined barriers to care for intersex folks, and gave action steps to increase health equity.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - A document with helpful training scenarios and guidance on how to work with LGBTQI+ clients in shelters, providing examples and concrete guidance on supporting all clients.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Today's Something Censored: Agencies under Biden were directed to develop equity action plans. Ed published a thorough report on their plan to collect and monitor data on sexual orientation and gender identity equity. The data plan was going to be used to direct resources and support schools.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Today's Something Censored - This one is nefarious because you can't see the changes that were made. This webpage censored by the Trump admin was an inclusive medical form for providers. The form is still viewable, but they removed questions about sexual orientation, pronouns, and more.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Today's Something Censored; VHA Directive 1341(4) - a memo outlining inclusive policy changes for trans and intersex veterans. The 28 page directive provides actionable steps veteran health providers can and should take to provide best practice care.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Today's Something Censored - A 20 page report from the Obama administration's Dept of Labor on LGBTQI+ equity at work. It outlined progress made towards equality for LGBTQI+ families, trans employees, and more. It shared relevant court cases and quotes from key leaders like President Obama.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

First up in Something Censored - A press release from the Department of Education on LGBTQI+-inclusive Title IX regulations. The release details the importance of Title IX, and how the department was committed to protecting students from harassment and discrimination - including LGBTQI+ students.

A webpage titled "U.S. Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations, Providing Vital Protections Against Sex Discrimination" in shades of dark green with two bodies of small text explaining the policy.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Data highlight - almost half of trans adults earn less than 30k a year. Lower incomes equals higher housing instability and shakier health care access. Read more here: www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

Stacked bar graph comparing income levels by demographic - including LGBTQI+ people, trans folks, and intersex folks. Darker blue colors represent higher income and lighter blue represent lower income.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

According to our 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey at @americanprogress.bsky.social, nearly half of trans folks experienced discrimination in public spaces in the last year. Public spaces include places like restaurants and parks.

Series of column charts showing levels of discrimination experienced by LGBTQI+ people, transgender people, LGBTQI+ disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people of color. 7 charts shown, displaying percent of each demographic that experienced discrimination in various locations, like housing or school.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Let's talk about how the Save Act would make voting harder for trans folks:

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Trump made some wild claims about gender-affirming care last night - let's fact check.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

So let’s talk about Trump’s attempts to regulate gender.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Current web page, which only asks about name, relationship status, and preferred language. Interestingly, the header to the toolkit still uses the language supporting the importance of ensuring an "inclusive and affirming" patient experience.

Screenshot of current Inclusive Language for Intake Forms toolkit, which provides questions for patient intake forms on how to ask for name, relationship status, and preferred language.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Former web page, which includes questions about pronouns, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Screenshot of first portion of Inclusive Language for Intake Forms toolkit from December 2024, which provides questions for patient intake forms on how to ask for name, relationship status, preferred language, pronouns, gender, and sexual orientation.

Screenshot of second portion of Inclusive Language for Intake Forms toolkit from December 2024, which provides questions for patient intake forms on how to ask for name, relationship status, preferred language, pronouns, gender, and sexual orientation.

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