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Casey Parks

@caseyparks.bsky.social
11K followers 245 following 574 posts

Author of “Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery.” Washington Post reporter. I cover the PNW + all things gay and trans.

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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
On here is fine or my email address is casey.parks@washpost.com
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Essentially just their feelings on what watching executions did to them and why they would not watch a livestream of one
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I'm looking for people who have witnessed death who will not be watching the live-streamed execution. If you've seen anyone write eloquently about this online, please send to me!
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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This young woman, just 21, has already been driven out of the state. Another guy in this story has young kids who only know him as Dad and can no longer take his son to the men’s room. Sensitive reporting (as always) by @caseyparks.bsky.social
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Would love to meet some!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I'm not new on Bsky, just had a rare opening in my reporting schedule and figured I'd see what people are interested in.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
We have reporters all over the country, for what it's worth -- multiple in California, one in Montana, a few in the South.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I'm not a new reporter. I have worked at the Post for many years!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Hi! I have written about this!
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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A new lawsuit filed today in D.C. addresses the "purge" of a trans woman from the military under the Trump administration whose lawsuit claims that she is "the highest-ranking Marine Corps officer subject to this purge" and alleges that her retirement pay was inappropriately reduced.
4. LtCol Trainor is the highest-ranking Marine Corps officer subject to this purge.
5. Having transitioned, LtCol Trainor is not allowed by the Hegseth Policy to remain
in the Marine Corps. It is impossible for a transitioned transgender Marine to meet any exception
to the Hegseth Policy. She can either "choose" to leave voluntarily or "choose" to be thrown out.
Either way, she'll be out. Unlike more junior transgender Marines, LtCol Trainor has the option of any Marine with at least 20 years creditable service, transgender or not, to put in for regular retirement. So, although she strongly preferred to stay in the Marine Corps, LtCol Trainor sought regular retirement as the least damaging path forward. Her application was approved with an
effective retirement date of June 1, 2027 at which point she would retire at the rank and retirement
pay of a Lieutenant Colonel.
6. However, on May 29, 2026, seven months after the retirement approval, and
without any explanation or valid supporting authority, the Deputy Commandant for Manpower
and Reserve Affairs (hereinafter the "M&RA Action") precipitously advanced LtCol Trainor's retirement date to November 1, 2026. Five days later, she was relieved of her duties and placed on administrative absence. The M&RA Action reduced LtCol Trainor's retirement pay - for the
rest of her life - to that of a Major. The M&RA's Action also portended that, because she is
transgender, LtCol Trainor could be labeled as a risk to national security in her DD-214 - a
document that a separated or retired Veteran carries around the rest of their life. Such a stigma isdevastating for anyone seeking employment in law enforcement, government contracting or any
other job that implicates trust or security. So, although LtCol Trainor tried to retire with dignity and respect, the opposite occurred. She was effectively busted down in rank and slated for an exit from the Marine Corps that is normally seen only in misconduct cases.
7. LtCol Trainor brings this action seeking a declaratory judgment that the Hegseth Policy as applied to Plaintiff is unconstitutional because it violates Plaintiffs' right to Due Process under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, both because it denies Plaintiff the equal protection of the law and because it deprives Plaintiff of her property and liberty without due
process of law. Plaintiff seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against Defendants'
enforcement of the Hegseth Policy against LtCol Trainor. LtCol Trainor also seeks a declaration that the March 29, 2026 M&RA Action violates the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA"), 5,
U.S.C. § 551 et seq., because it is arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law. Plaintiff seeks an order from the Court setting aside the March 29, 2026 M&RA Action and preliminarily enjoining it or staying it pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 705 during the pendency of this case as well as issuing a permanent injunction that sets aside and enjoins the March 29, 2026 M&RA Action at the
conclusion of this case.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
You know, I haven't seen much about this either. Lemme look into it!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
What do you spend all your time thinking about? Which inequities do you wish had more attention? Is there wrongdoing that needs exposing? A beautiful story that needs told? Send me anything!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Hi! I'm a Washington Post reporter who covers the PNW and LGBTQ issues. I'm looking for some good stories to launch on this fall -- ideally deeply personal profiles that illuminate larger issues. If you have ideas, please get in touch!
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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 31/08/2026
Late last week, the HHS released a report claiming to show a link between "transgender ideology" and political violence. Among other bizarre features of this unpublished, non-peer reviewed paper it included a grand total of 13 transgender people. assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
assignedmedia.org
HHS Touts Online Survey of 13 Trans People as Evidence Trans Acceptance May Cause Violence - Assigned Media
Digging into the latest propaganda from our nation’s health experts.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Chloe Shapiro planned to spend her entire life in the military. When the Trump administration kicked her out for being trans, the only solace she had is the military promised to pay her $90,000 in severance. Instead, the gov never paid and she wound up homeless: wapo.st/3Sl9JFz
wapo.st
A trans veteran became homeless after the military didn’t pay her severance
Chloe Shapiro is one of a dozen former service members identified by The Washington Post who have waited months for full payments.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Oh my goodness! Thank you for this kind note!
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Frankie de la Cretaz @thefrankiedlc.news · 26/08/2026
In all the talk of trans women & basketball, I wanted to share this profile I wrote of the Basketdolls, an all-transfemme pickup basketball league in Brooklyn. I would love to see the Liberty shout them out or donate to them in some way. This story was selected for The Year’s Best Sportswriting 2025
self.com
Let’s Hear It for the Dolls: A Day Shooting Hoops With Brooklyn’s Trans Basketball League
“You can play hard and have fun without the fear that you’re going to have to deal with pushback from someone.”
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Looking for people whose lives where changed (for better or for worse) by Charlie Kirk's death a year ago. Send me some tips?
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 11/08/2026
Trans men used the bathroom they were required to use in Kansas under their new incredibly severe statewide bathroom ban. As a result, the police were called on them. They call themselves the Kansas Compliance Crew. Subscribe to support our journalism.
erininthemorning.com
Police Called on Trans Men Using Women's Restroom As Required By Kansas Law
“As a trans man, I have the immense privilege of blending in. But these laws force me to choose between safety and obeying the law.”
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Sean Fitzsimons @seanfitzsimons.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
The perfect weekend read by @caseyparks.bsky.social "The mall rink where they fell in love and skated for nearly 60 years is closing" www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...
washingtonpost.com
The mall rink where they fell in love and skated for nearly 60 years is closing
Jerry and Tally Leonard have thrilled shoppers and open-skate crowds for decades at the Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon. Now, they’re not sure how they will fill the void.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Wow, did not know about this case at all. Thank you for the updates and the excellent/clear explanations.
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Gabriel Malor @gabrielmalor.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
UPDATE: 7th Cir. has vacated the below decision, blocked the district court's injunction, and ordered that the case be heard initially en banc, meaning they're taking it away from the merits panel. A bad sign for AAP, which is trying to stop Florida from accusing them of RICO for trans advocacy.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Oh cool! I use @multcolib.bsky.social to read local papers from across the country! I subscribe to a bunch, but it's hard/expensive to subscribe to every single one! I wish there were like a bundle you could get for a bunch of regional papers.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Also, if you ever can't read one of my articles, you can usually put the url in the wayback machine and it will show it to you! Or just DM me for a gift link any time :)
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Here is a gift link! wapo.st/3SGc4dY
wapo.st
Trans people are fleeing red states for Seattle. The city can’t keep up.
Since the 2024 election, a nonprofit has helped 1,500 trans people settle in Seattle — more than 20 times the 70 people it aided before the election.
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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Since this WaPo story is paywalled, you might also enjoy as a substitute reading my reporting on the same situation in May. assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
assignedmedia.org
Seattle Organizers Rally for State of Emergency as Trans People Flee Oppression - Assigned Media
Mutual aid networks are stressed and breaking, with no sign the influx of internal refugees is slowing.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Yeah I think one of the issues is people were suggesting that Seattle is overwhelmed with trans residents when trans people still make up a small percentage of the city's population. It's the tiny orgs that help them who are overwhelmed.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Oh shoot, I missed this! Thanks for re-sharing!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
A huge wave of trans people have fled red states for Seattle at a time when the nonprofits who help them are seeing big declines in grants and donations. The Seattle LGBTQ commission asked the mayor to declare a state of emergency. My story (gift link!): wapo.st/3SGc4dY
wapo.st
Trans people are fleeing red states for Seattle. The city can’t keep up.
Since the 2024 election, a nonprofit has helped 1,500 trans people settle in Seattle — more than 20 times the 70 people it aided before the election.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Lol I thought you meant all those white suits for a second
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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I just broke out crying in my apartment while updating my tracker because I stopped to read this piece by @caseyparks.bsky.social on drag king Elsie Saldaña. This was so beautifully and sensitively told, if you missed it last week read it now. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...
washingtonpost.com
She’s the world’s oldest drag king, and still hoping for her big break
Elsie Saldaña was born too early to have the life she longed for, but desire didn’t disappear with age.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
It was my idea! I disagree that it was empty of meaning -- connection and talking across divides is always meaningful.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
What exactly do you mean by "misbegotten mess?" The headline? The AI summary? My article. I can only explain to you how my article made it into the paper.
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Eileen Clancy 🧿 @clancyny.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Biruté Galdikas, authority on orangutans, has died. She was one of ‘Leakey’s Angels. Along with Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, Dr. Galdikas, 79, made ground-breaking discoveries about one of humankind’s closest primate relatives. By Casey Parks Gift link! @caseyparks.bsky.social
washingtonpost.com
Biruté Galdikas, authority on orangutans, has died. She was one of ‘Leakey’s Angels.’
Along with Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, Biruté Galdikas, 79, made ground-breaking discoveries about one of humankind’s closest primate relatives.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Expanding my Washington Post reporting job a little to include more coverage of young people generally -- up to around age 26. Send me any story ideas you have! I especially love deep profiles that explain a broader issue. I'm less into trend stories, more into news-related things. Hit me up!
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
My colleague @byelliesilverman.bsky.social has a great story out about Jan. 6. I don't want to give too much away, but you should definitely read this gift link: wapo.st/4jqPmQa
wapo.st
He was attacked on Jan. 6. Can he make sense of it for the kids he teaches?
Nathan Tate was a D.C. police officer defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Now he’s trying to find the lesson in it.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
ok
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Sexuality and gender are not the same. Roy did not express any romantic desire, so why should I call him a lesbian?
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Roy never expressed any lesbian feelings in his journals. He considered himself a man.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
So here she is, a silly and sometimes grumpy, resilient, Lady Gaga-adoring, nature-loving, earnest and sarcastic, smart-beyond-belief, desperate-for-affection teenager who wants to become a fire fighter. She is a girl who won a race and took on the ire of some of this country’s most powerful people.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Whatever your opinion is on trans girls in sports, I hope you'll spend some time with this story her life. I’m not a scientist, so I can’t settle the advantage question for certain, but I do believe that when adults boo a child, they should know more about the child they are booing.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
A year and a half ago or so, I read that an entire stadium in Tacoma had booed a trans runner. I wanted to know more. She was 16, and she had stood on a podium in one of the country’s most liberal states and listened to 10,000 people boo her. What I learned surprised me: wapo.st/49lnBUK
wapo.st
For young transgender runner, racing wasn’t the hardest thing
Verónica García overcame poverty to become a high school track champion — twice. It made her famous for all the wrong reasons.
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Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
"The win had changed her life, but not in the ways she had hoped." A devastating, deeply moving story by my dear friend @caseyparks.bsky.social about how poverty, politics, and cruelty shaped a trans teenage runner's world.
washingtonpost.com
For young transgender runner, racing wasn’t the hardest thing
Verónica García overcame poverty to become a high school track champion — twice. It made her famous for all the wrong reasons.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
I think you just said the exact same thing I did -- it's a tough surgery.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
If I'm wrong, please do let me know. But phallo is super rare, as far as I know. If Rep. Greene can point me to a teenager who has had that surgery, I would like to know.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Rep. Greene is also showing the forearm and thigh skin removals necessary for a phalloplasty, and she is suggesting teenagers are having this surgery. I have never heard of a single teen getting phallo. I honestly don't even know any adults IRL who have had one, as its a tough, imperfect surgery.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
3,233 in 2020. That same year, there were 256 top surgeries on teenagers.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
This bill would punish healthcare providers and parents with up to 10 years in prison if they offer or consent to puberty blockers, hormones or surgeries.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Rep. Greene and others frame this as about castration and genital mutilation, but much of their testimony today is not about the safety of the treatments but about their disapproval or disbelief that trans people exist at all. Nancy Mace just called the idea of being trans a demonic mind virus.
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Casey Parks @caseyparks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
There are 43 million teenagers in the U.S. So fewer than 300 is ... the tiniest fraction imaginable.
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