iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

NEW: PEN America today reported nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools nationwide during the 2025-2026 school year—the largest number in a single year. New state censorship laws accounted for much of the increase, coupled with the use of AI to remove books en masse: pen.org/press-releas...

pen.org

Nearly 12,000 School Book Bans Nationwide in 2025-2026—Biggest Number in a Single Year

PEN America today reported nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools nationwide during the 2025-2026 school year—the largest number in a single year. New state censorship laws accounted for much of th...

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Arienne Childrey @ari4ohio.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today, I resigned as Vice Chair of the ODP Pride Caucus. The state party expects us to be a sales team, censoring our voices when we beg candidates not to trade on trans lives. I am still a Democrat, but I will not value party approval over true, defiant advocacy. Full text below. 👇

Part 1 of an open letter of resignation by Arienne Childrey, stepping down as Vice Chair and member of the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) Pride Caucus. She states that party leadership treats the caucus as a recruitment and sales team rather than a representative body. She cites an incident where the ODP censored and denied permission for the caucus to post a letter by two trans leaders addressing harmful comments made by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. The State Party Chair reportedly called the letter an "unwelcome distraction," which Childrey notes demonstrates how little party leadership values the voices and dignity of LGBTQ+ Democrats.

Since that decision, every Caucus plan, every potential post, and every path forward has been filtered through a lens of strict compliance and ODP approval. That may very well be the party's rule, but following those rules right now is a dereliction of our duty to the LGBTQ+ community.

For me, any rule that silences advocacy for the trans community during this time is an unjust rule, and I see no obligation to follow it. In alignment with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his Letter from Birmingham Jail:

“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

We are living in incredibly dangerous times for the trans community. We are in an era where the GOP has so thoroughly weaponized trans lives that even some formerly self-professing allies within our own party have fallen prey to the rhetoric. Looking at the national trend towards Democratic anti-trans triangulation, as well as our own internal conversations, it is clear to me that this shift is much more than a simple coincidence.

We have to speak up—loudly, strongly, and unapologetically—or I fear what our 2028 choices may look like. The ODP would like everyone to believe they are a "big tent" party. However, their successful efforts to silence even the Pride Caucus—even in cases where we are simply begging our candidates not to trade on our lives for perceived electoral advantage—has proven otherwise. The tent hasn't gotten any bigger; it has simply shifted, leaving many trans individuals, progressives, and allies out in the rain.

I will continue to advocate, organize, and fight for our community with everything I have. But I can no longer compromise my own moral principles by remaining part of a caucus that appears more interested in party approval than in true, defiant advocacy.

Sincerely,
Arienne Childrey

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 05/10/2026

Arienne Childrey resigns as Vice Chair of the Ohio Democratic Pride Caucus. The state party has censored all attempts to criticize Amy Acton and Marcy Kaptur for their anti-trans votes and/or statements.

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 21h

Areas won by Abigail Spanberger last year still dominate the Virginia early vote, overwhelmingly, at this point... bluevirginia.us/2026/10/afte...

https://election.lab.ufl.edu/early-vote/2026-early-voting/2026-general-election-early-vote-virginia/

"2026 General Election Early Vote – Virginia
Total early votes

387,209

In-person early votes

245,720

Mail ballots returned

141,489

Mail ballots requested

436,105

Last updated: 10/6/2026 · Source: https://www.vpap.org/elections/early-voting/

Total Voted
In-Person Early
Mail Ballots
Total Voted by Geography
Click a column header to sort.

Locality
Congress
State House
State Senate
Fairfax County 47,901
Henrico County 18,995
Virginia Beach City 18,933
Chesterfield County 17,365
Prince William County 17,042
Loudoun County 15,445
Chesapeake City 9,522
James City County 9,463
Arlington County 8,381
Alexandria City 8,137
Albemarle County 7,797
Hanover County 7,384

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 17h

#Booksky #Censorship #Libraries #Texas Again, this is THE opportunity to make your voices heard in Texas! FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO READ!!! They'll keep banning your voices and experiences, all the while eroding and semblance of growth within education and literacy!

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EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

IF YOU LIVE IN TEXAS AND WANT TO STOP BOOK BANS!! TAKE ACTION! Make your voice heard. Interim Hearing. October 7, 2026. Texas Capitol. Austin, TX. E1.028. Meeting starts at 8AM. buff.ly/3dLesWM

buff.ly

Share your SB 12 & SB 13 story with the Senate Education Committee.

Make your voice heard. Interim Hearing. October 7, 2026. Texas Capitol. Austin, TX. E1.028. Meeting starts at 8AM.

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Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

TOMMOROW: Join Banned Books Week Honorary Chair Tony Weaver, Jr. for a conversation about advocacy and censorship led by youth honorary chiars Azeemah Sadiq and Marshall Romero! 6pm ET ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe

Spotlight on Tony Weaver (Weirdo with Jes & Cin Wibowo). With Youth Honorary Chairs Marshall Romero and Azeemah Sadiq. October 6, 2026. 6pm ET. Register: bit.ly/tony-weaver. Banned Books Week. BannedBooksWeek.org

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Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 18h

Tomorrow has become TODAY! Join us at 6pm ET for a conversation with Banned Books Week Honorary Chair Tony Weaver, Jr.! ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 18h

NEWS: New York City just recorded the fewest shootings, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history through the first nine months of the year. Major crime is down 6.6% citywide, the largest year-to-date drop in 17 years, with declines in all five boroughs. 1/

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

"Virginia, marriage equality is on the ballot. I’m voting YES on Question #2 and you should too—on or before November 3rd." - @jameswalkinshaw.bsky.social (D-VA11) bluevirginia.us/2026/10/vide...

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 05/10/2026

This November, Colorado voters will decide on anti-trans ballot measures. Now, Colorado's leading medical societies have formally condemned the surgery ban for transgender youth and announced their position against them. Subscribe to support our journalism.

erininthemorning.com

"Vote NO": Colorado's Top Medical Groups Formally Oppose Anti-Trans Ballot Prop. 135

There is not a single major medical group in the country that endorses blanket government restrictions on gender-affirming care like the one outlined in Prop. 135.

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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

TX and FL have a few things in common: bad legislation, threatening state leadership, and volunteer, public school parent-led organizations combing through public records to try to document as much as we can so voters know the truth. Vote for the freedom to read and learn in November.

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Ellen Hokanson @ellenhokanson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You like reading horror? I got horror for you

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TX FReadom Fighters @freadomfighters.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Texas now leads the nation due to overreactions to and compliance with new state laws. ⬇️

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#Booksky #Censorship #LetBooksBe Truly devastating to see when it's all in front of you! These incessant bans arn't going to stop unless we ALL ACT FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO READ!!! 1. Vote for those who won't stand for this censorship 2. Support the authors, communities, and libraries impacted

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Texas recorded the largest number of book bans during the 2025-2026 school year (over 8,100), surpassing Florida (over 3,200), due to the impact of a censorial Texas law, SB13, which bans broad categories of books in schools. Florida had been No. 1 for three consecutive years. #BannedBooks

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

🧵 Nearly 12,000 (11,982) books were banned in public schools during the 2025-2026 school year, according to PEN America’s newly updated Index of School Book Bans. #BannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Last year, Alexandria went OVERWHELMINGLY (83%-17%; 52k-10k) for Abigail Spanberger; can we match or top that this year for Sen. Mark Warner over his loony-tunes/extremist opponent (as well as for Don Beyer, of course)? bluevirginia.us/2026/10/afte...

Screenshot of Alexandria GOP FB post about theri "Art on the Avenue" booth for Bert Mizusawa and their other far-right candidates...

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Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

"Book bans are against liberty. And as a proud mom for literacy I am here to support marginalized voices and making sure kids have the right to read." We are delighted to have Bess Kalb join us as an honorary chair for #BannedBooksWeek! #LetBooksBe ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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ACLU @aclu.org · 04/10/2026

📚 Happy Banned Books Week! 📚 We’re fighting across the nation to defend everyone’s freedom to read. We want to know: What’s your favorite banned book?

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Democracy Forward @democracyforward.org · 04/10/2026

The freedom to read is essential. This Banned Books Weeks, find a book that helps fight autocracy and reimagine democracy via our bookstore: store.democracyforward.org/bookstore

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Unite Against Book Bans @uabookbans.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Banned Books Week starts today! This year’s theme is: #LetBooksBe What do you think books should be? Share your answer in the comments: ✨ Let Books Be Free 🎉 Let Books Be Fun 🌎 Let Books Be Diverse 💡 Let Books Be Thought-Provoking ❤️ Let Books Be Themselves

Drawn image of a woman reading, surrounded by books, birds, flowers, clouds, vines, stars. Text reades: Protect the Freedom to Read - Let Books Be - Banned Books Week, Oct. 4-10, 2026. American Library Association. ala.org/bbooks

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 30/09/2026

Beshear really has been a light in the darkness on trans issues. He's not perfect, but he's been remarkably consistent on telling other Dems that they need to continue standing up for us. It makes me wonder if he has a trans person in his life.

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#Booksky #Censorship #Libraries #Texas This is THE opportunity to make your voices heard in Texas! Banning books is Banning voices, experiences, and sustainability within education and literacy! FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO READ!!!

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Frank Strong @frankstrong.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Christin's wrong about almost everything, but right about this: This committee hearing matters & real Texas parents need to let lawmakers know the effects of SB12 & SB13. @txfreedomread.bsky.social will be there with a TON of data about the damage these laws have done. Bring your stories!

Tweet from book burner Texas Republican official Christin Bentley that reads:

“The Texas Senate Committee on Education will convene on Wednesday, October 7, at 8:00 a.m. to address several interim charges, including monitoring the implementation of legislation passed last session. The hearing specifically includes SB 571, SB 12, and SB 13, all of which contain important protections for Texas children and parental rights.

I expect there will be significant testimony regarding SB 13, which strengthened Texas' mandatory school library standards, established local school library advisory councils, and expanded parental oversight of school library materials.

SB 13 was an important step forward in our efforts to stop the sexualization of children and keep inappropriate materials out of school libraries. But passing legislation is only part of the work. Implementation and enforcement matter.”

Second part of a tweet from book burning GOP official that reads:

“We have already seen inconsistencies in implementation across the state, including districts that appear unwilling to fully comply with the law.

If you have been involved in auditing school libraries, filing local book challenges, serving on a library advisory council, or documenting problems with your district's implementation of SB 13, I strongly encourage you to participate in this hearing and share what you have seen.

You can testify in person or provide written testimony to members of the Senate Education Committee. Public testimony at the hearing will be limited to two minutes per person, and those submitting written testimony at the hearing are instructed to bring 10 copies with their name on each copy.

This is an important opportunity for legislators to hear directly from parents and community members about what is actually happening in Texas school libraries and where implementation of SB 13 may need to be strengthened.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
8:00 a.m.
Texas Capitol, E1.028
Senate Committee on Education”

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Frank Strong @frankstrong.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Texans, we NEED your help. Before the 2025 legislative session, a mob of book banners swarmed the Texas Senate Education committee, telling them HB900 wasn't resulting in enough books being banned, so we needed a new law. That laid the groundwork for SB13. They're going to try it again next week.

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Leila Green Little @ifightforbooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Indeed, we need your help! If you’re a Texas librarian who has a bone to pick with the state lege over SB13, let @txfreedomread.bsky.social or me or @freadomfighters.bsky.social know so we can get that message to the legislators! Anonymity is fine.

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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"The Central Arkansas Library System board has voted to fund the legal defense of its employees if they are charged under a state law concerning obscene materials in libraries." katv.com/news/local/c...

katv.com

CALS to fund defense if librarians charged under obscene material censorship law

The Central Arkansas Library System board has voted to fund the legal defense of its employees if they are charged under a state law concerning obscene material

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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 30/09/2026

Paxton is objectively correct. The line on this chart represents the day of Trump’s midterm convention. It was clearly an inflection point that backfired badly on Republicans.

Silver Bulletin chart titled “Are Democrats or Republicans winning the race for Congress?” showing the polling average for the 2026 generic congressional ballot from early 2025 through September 2026. The line begins with a Republican advantage in early 2025, crosses into Democratic territory around spring 2025, and generally rises through 2026, ending at a Democratic advantage of 8.9%. A vertical annotation near the far right marks the Republican Midterm Convention in September 2026. After this line, the Democratic advantage surges.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 30/09/2026

When Third Way says that Dems should hold off their anti-trans strategies, you know things are changing. The organization tends to be more centrist, and they are noticing the same thing the far-right is... the Republican anti-trans campaign cycle is NOT working this year.

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#Booksky #Libraries Well this is...interesting to say the least!

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 29/09/2026

In response to a slew of anti-trans Democrats pushing hate during the 2026 midterms, Governor Andy Beshear provided principled criticism to the idea that red-state Dems need to adopt anti-trans views to win: "We Don’t Throw Anybody Under The Bus," he said. Subscribe to support our journalism.

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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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 29/09/2026

Riley Gaines, famous for turning her 5th place tie with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas into a far-right career agianst transgender people, has officially had her lawsuit against the NCAA thrown out by a judge today. The judge found no evidence for her claims. Subscribe to support our journalism.

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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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Just in case you needed more motivation to vote, here's another example of the Trump regime being sadistic, lawless, insane, extreme and just plain EVIL. bluevirginia.us/2026/09/mond... h/t @kylemcdaniel.bsky.social

"Today, the Trump administration took away federal protections for LGBTQ+ students, pregnant and parenting students, and they did it without asking parents, teachers, or students what they thought. Add in the funding delays, the cuts to special education staff, and the threats against school districts across the country, and it's clear that public schools are under attack. I won't back down, and I won’t bend the knee. Ever. Every child belongs and deserves to feel safe. " - Fairfax School Board member Kyle McDaniel

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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Utah added SEVEN more books to its state-mandated book ban list. Six of those titles are by women. 44 are now banned. This comes the week after a judge permitted a lawsuit brought against their book banning law to proceed. It's the busiest banning year for the state. bookriot.com/utah-bans-44...

bookriot.com

Utah Bans 7 More Books From All Public Schools; 44 Titles Now Banned Statewide

Last week, a judge approved a lawsuit against Utah's state-sanctioned book bans. This week, the state banned seven more books.

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#Booksky #Censorship This...THIS IS THE THREAT PEOPLE! Taking a net through school libraries could and IS the start of something genuinely awful! Wherever you are, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO READ!

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

PEN America and @flfreedomread.bsky.social are warning that a new Department of Education directive could turn Florida’s already troubling book censorship into a “dragnet” expanding book removals from school libraries and classrooms. pen.org/press-releas...

pen.org

New Florida State Education Directive Threatens to Expand Book Removals in Schools

(MIAMI) — PEN America and the Florida Freedom to Read Project expressed alarm today over a new Department of Education directive that could turn the state’s already troubling book censorship into a “d...

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Cam Nelson @cameron-pwcdems.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Again! Cruelty for the sake of cruelty! Do not forget this when you go vote this year, and do not forget this when demanding action and protections from future leaders!

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Eric Lee @ericleeacts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Elections have consequences. Goddammit.

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U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen @pettersen.house.gov · 28/09/2026

Every student in Colorado & across the country deserves to feel safe, supported & protected at school, no matter what. The Dept of Eds decision to roll back Title IX protections for LGBTQ students is a devastating step backward. I'll keep fighting to ensure EVERY student is protected under the law.

washingtonpost.com

Education Department officially scraps Biden-era Title IX rules

The new regulations mark a return to rules from the first Trump administration.

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Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal @jayapal.house.gov · 28/09/2026

Every day, this administration continues to target LGBTQIA+ kids. It’s incredibly harmful and does the exact opposite of what our shared goal should be: protecting kids. The LGBTQIA+ community and all our students deserve better.

thehill.com

Education Department formally rescinds Title IX protections for LGBTQ students

The Education Department announced Monday it has formally rescinded the Biden-era Title IX interpretation that gave sex-based discrimination protections to students on the basis of sexual orientati…

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Headquarters @headquartersnews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Trump administration has formally rescinded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students nationwide.

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