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Kestryl

@itsskess.bsky.social
2.8K followers 1.9K following 2 posts

Public Media nerd. Lesbian plant mom. Star Wars, miniature painting, mtg, gunpla. Currently running Lancer. she/her.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Kestryl
Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 16h
Following reporting from Erin In The Morning, the Equality Caucus has come out with a more forceful response against Democrat Marcy Kaptur's anti-trans ads. "This is a red line for us." The large Democratic caucus will not support her reelection. Subscribe to support our journalism.
erininthemorning.com
Equality Caucus: Marcy Kaptur’s Anti-Trans Ads "Deeply Offensive," Will Not Support Her Campaign
"The Equality Caucus is not going to stand by passively and allow anyone to scapegoat the trans community. It is a red line for us."
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 14h
We may cover this tomorrow, but I just wanted to signal boost this. After months of pushing the administration to make good on its promises for trans youth, NYC appears to be taking steps to do so. I do believe the city can be doing much more, but this is a wonderful start from Mayor Mamdani.
gothamist.com
NYC moves to spend nearly $9M of gender-affirming care fund for minors
The funding is part of a $15 million investment announced in June as major hospitals retreated from providing such care.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 19h
Looks like the Democratic candidate for US Senate in South Carolina, Annie Andrews, is pro-sports bans and pro-surgery bans for youth, which include top surgery and which have even been interpreted to include blocker and hormone implants. She's the latest anti-trans dem.
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Talia "ATTACK DOGS is out now!" Bhatt ⚢ @taliabhatt.itch.io · 19h
We genuinely need to declare war on the "professionals" gatekeeping trans healthcare.
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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 20h
🚨BREAKING: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the past year investigated hundreds of nonprofits across the U.S. that help people register to vote, according to new records analyzed by Democracy Docket. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
ICE  probed hundreds of voter registration groups across the U.S.
The agency also contemplated deploying undercover agents to "initiate prosecutions" against the groups and "dismantle" them.
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Reposted by Kestryl
𝔫𝔬𝔯𝔞 𝔫𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔰𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔯 🏳️‍⚧️ @neurosismancer.gay · 21h
YOOOO LETS FUCKIN GOOOOOOOOO
gothamist.com
NYC moves to spend nearly $9M of gender-affirming care fund for minors
The funding is part of a $15 million investment announced in June as major hospitals retreated from providing such care.
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Khashoggi's Ghost @urocklive1.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
IDK about you guys, but I use Wikipedia multiple times a day, every day, and I value them highly. Even if you're tight, it's worth it to give at least the minimum. =================== I support Wikipedia, where information is still human-created, fact-checked, and 100% free. donate.wikimedia.org
donate.wikimedia.org
Make your donation now - Wikimedia Foundation
Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that hosts Wikipedia and other crucial free knowledge projects. Each year, the generosity of the 2% of readers who donate allows us to expand the reac...
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Lilah Sturges @lilahsturges.com · 06/10/2026
You know transitioning is hard and it can be lonely and it can suck sometimes and the fucking transphobes do their best to ruin everything and it hurts, it sometimes really fucking hurts and the only thing I would change about it is I wish I’d done it sooner
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 06/10/2026
According to a new shadow docket filing with SCOTUS, the Alliance Defending Freedom is arguing that parents of cis kids have a "parental right" to forcibly out trans kids and prevent them from playing. It also seeks further Title IX restrictions in blue states. Subscribe to support our journalism.
erininthemorning.com
ADF Files SCOTUS Shadow-Docket Request Claiming "Parental Right" To Stop Trans Kids From Playing Against Cis Ones
The filing uses Title IX and “parental rights” to target trans children who may compete against their cis ones.
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mady castigan✨ 🏳️‍⚧️ @mady.cat · 06/10/2026
every "pride" Democrat org: "For party leadership, the caucus is simply a recruitment and sales team. The job, in their eyes, is not to represent the LGBTQ+ community to the party, but to sell Democratic candidates to the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of the harm those candidates may cause."
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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This morning, the D&D team and Magic's Studio X informed our leadership of our intent to unionize. We love the games we make and the work we do, and unionizing is how we protect that work. unitedwizardsofthecoast.com/news/dnd-stu...
unitedwizardsofthecoast.com
Dungeons & Dragons and Studio X Join United Wizards of the Coast - CWA
Today, October 6, 2026, the designers, artists, writers, producers, and workers behind Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Duel Masters, D&D Beyond, and countless other games are uniting in soli...
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Danielle Froom 🏳️‍🌈 @danifroom.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"Democrats aren't abandoning trans people! Maybe just one or two..." Here's every Democrat who's either voted to strip human rights away from trans people and/or has campaigned on anti-trans propaganda in the last year.
Amy Acton
Jamie Ager
Colin Allred
Angela Alsobrooks
Tammy Baldwin
Beau Bayh
Xavier Becerra
Richard Blumenthal
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Sherrod Brown
Chris Coons
Catherine Cortez Masto
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Dick Durbin
John Fetterman
Cleo Fields
Shomari Figures
Aaron Ford
Ruben Gallego
Sarah Trone Garriott
Blake Gendebien
Lauren Gillen
Kirsten Gillibrand
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Maggie Hassan
Martin Heinrich
John Hickenlooper
Mazie Hirono
Jeffrey Hulum III
Ben Ray Lujan
Tim Kaine
Marcy Kaptur
Mark Kelly
Angus King
Amy Klobuchar
Susie Lee
John Mannion
Seth Moulton 
Gavin Newsom 
Jon Ossoff
Mary Peltolta
Gary Peters
Bobby Pulido
Jack Reed
Jacky Rosen
Rob Sand
Kim Schrier
Chuck Schumer 
Terri Sewell
Jeanne Shaheen
Elissa Slotkin
Tom Suozzi
James Talarico 
Josh Turek
Eugene Vindman
Mark Warner
Raphael Warnock
Sheldon Whitehouse
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 05/10/2026
We've reached the open use of anti trans slurs phase by Trump. Dems haven't done shit to call out Pete Hegseth and Nancy Mace doing it so now it's become normalized.
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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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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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tuck woodstock @tuck.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The 12th(!) Gender Reveal grant cycle is now open for applications! As always, these funds are for organizing / community projects led by trans people of color. We are particularly interested in funding existing projects that materially support trans folks, queer people of color, immigrants, etc.
Are you a trans person of color doing rad art or community organizing work? we want to give you $1000! applications for the gender reveal podcast's 2026 grant program are open now through October 31. apply and learn more at genderpodcast.com/grant.We are specifically looking for projects that materially support trans folks, queer people of color, and/or other marginalized communities, as well as projects that foster exploration and celebration of gender diversity and trans lives. 

We accept applications from anywhere in the world. Collectives/groups are welcome to apply.

Grant recipients are chosen by a paid panel of trans judges of color. Winners will be announced by December 31, 2026. 

AI-written applications will be deleted.
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Gwen C. Katz @gwenckatz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Things Gavin Newsom has vetoed this week: -A ban on secretly recording people with smart glasses -A ban on ICE agents working for the state government -A ban on websites selling your data -A bill giving native tribes more say over water rights -A bill protecting transgender healthcare providers
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Everyone involved in this process — including the Palantir employees — have to be investigated and probably go to jail.
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Pookleblinky @pookleblinky.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Epstein emails show he literally advised *all* these freaks, over decades, up til his death, on how to use transphobia as a wedge to make their expected victims more vulnerable Dems could have just not accepted Epstein's framing of trans rights as an essential part of being viewed as electable
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chelsea bridge 🩸 @secretaboutbox.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
if you think you won't be strong enough to take the step and be trans in the world i have some great news for you: you will be stronger on the other side of transition you have no idea how strong you're going to be
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 02/10/2026
This Wednesday, Elon Musk called for the death sentence for transgender youth care providers. It was in reply to a post calling for full criminalization of all gender-affirming surgery. Musk is becoming even more radicalized in targeting trans people. Subscribe to support our journalism.
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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Stellbound: Stellraiser II @antlervel.vet · 30/09/2026
Here’s the bigger ask I mentioned: I owe $6k in back rent. I’ve been selling my limited belongings to reduce the number but it is slow going and I can’t hope to cover it all, especially not in the short time I have. I have enough to cover October rent and little more. More details below.
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Katelyn Burns @katelynburns.com · 30/09/2026
Let's help Stella. She's good people.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 30/09/2026
Don Davis becomes the latest Dem to release an anti-trans ad, praising North Carolina's sports ban. "There's real concerns about fairness and safety, that's why I believe states should decide what's right to protect women and girls. And North Carolina has decided" With a "trans sports ban" banner.
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victoria scott @victoriascott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Don’t love that the secretary of war announced the creation of a department of autonomous warfare in the same speech he referred to my people as a slur that I’ve not heard since 2012 on broadcast television but you know. whatever. who gives a shit man
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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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🎃 Imani Gandy Corn 🎃 @angryblacklady.blacksky.app · 28/09/2026
fucking really
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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VoteHub @votehub.com · 28/09/2026
NEWS — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear criticizes fellow Democrats who say transgender athletes should be barred from women’s sports. “That is not the party that we are. We start as a party of compassion and empathy.”
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River Blackearth @riverblackearth.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Name and shame these monsters.
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Andi Zeisler @andizeisler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A woman was drugged, raped, and sexually trafficked to members of a fraternity. Two of the men involved were expelled. Five were given the opportunity to mitigate suspension by *writing an essay.* The dozens of other men who knew this was happening and said nothing? You already know the answer.
cornellsun.com
EDITORIAL | Cornell Won’t, We Will
The Editorial Board demands that Cornell stops protecting the alleged Chi Phi rapists through the University's opaque sexual assault policies.
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Stellbound: Stellraiser II @antlervel.vet · 25/09/2026
Hey friends. Don’t forget to get this year’s flu shot and your COVID booster. CVS has them available now, at least in NY. Just scheduled mine
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 24/09/2026
In the latest development among anti-trans wings of the Democratic Party, the Ohio Democratic Party is now deleting criticism from caucus members of Kaptur's anti-trans ad calling transgender people an "ideology." It appears any dissent over the ad is practically banned on caucus social media.
erininthemorning.com
The Ohio Democratic Party Is Silencing Its Pride Caucus Over Criticism Of Kaptur's "Transgender Ideology" Ad
The Ohio Democratic Party suppressed dissent from within its own Pride Caucus, activists said.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 24/09/2026
This is what happens when you get loud and demand Dems not drop trans people. We CAN get orgs to realize this. But we can’t stop with Kaptur. She’s the worst but not the only one. There is NO acceptable anti-trans vote or statement or ad from a Democrat. None. GET LOUDER!
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Cheryl Lynn Eaton @cheryllynneaton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This was such an easy layup. I don't get it. "I do not want to infringe upon the civil rights of any American--and of course that includes Americans who are trans."
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 24/09/2026
New Meta ad buy by Mary Peltola says that she "doesn't want kids getting gender surgeries or men in girls' bathrooms." This comes the same day a NYT report stated that she regularly used the word "faggot" around staff.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 24/09/2026
The Congressional Equality Caucus has released the following statement in response to our story indicating they will not back candidates who "scapegoat transgender people." Kaptur does not appear as of this morning on their endorsed list. Several who took the same vote as her still do, sadly.
“Equality PAC is proud to support LGBTQ candidates and allies to build Pro-Equality Majorities capable of passing critical legislation like the Equality Act. We will always work with Members of Congress and candidates to educate them on issues affecting the LGBTQ community and deepen their understanding of the challenges our community faces.

The Members and allies we support come from communities across the country, and we recognize that serving in Congress, particularly in a Republican-controlled Congress, can require Members to take difficult votes.

We recognize that no Member will agree with us on every vote, and that is part of the legislative process. We must not lose the art of persuasion, and it is imperative that we continue to welcome “imperfect allies” to facilitate meaningful and lasting change for the LGBTQ community.

But there is a clear line: we will not accept candidates or Members using Republican rhetoric that actively harms members of our community—particularly transgender Americans, who have been the target of sustained attacks from the Trump Administration. Campaigns can be won without scapegoating transgender people. Equality PAC will not support any candidate who chooses to campaign by targeting or demonizing members of the transgender community.

Americans deserve candidates who are focused on the issues that matter most to working families: lowering costs, protecting access to health care, and holding the Trump Administration accountable for its corrupt actions.

Our goal is to build a Congress that fights for the rights of every member of the LGBTQ community and delivers results on the issues that matter most to families across America.

Regarding our support for Frontline Members of Congress: the graphic featured in our newsletter was created by the DCCC and was intended to highlight the full slate of Frontline Democrats heading into the midterms. Its inclusion does not indicate that Equality PAC is supporting every candidate featured in…
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 24/09/2026
Equality PAC, the campaigning arm of the Congressional Equality Caucus, announced its endorsement of Marcy Kaptur and other anti-trans Dems days after political ads targeting trans people. Even the LGBTQ+ congressional caucus is throwing trans people aside. Subscribe to support our journalism.
erininthemorning.com
Equality PAC, Political Arm Of Congressional LGBTQ Caucus, Endorses Marcy Kaptur Days After Her Anti-Trans Ad
“Do we need to endorse people in order to support them? Do we need to support them in order to have power in Congress?”
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 24/09/2026
Contact info for the Equality Caucus chair, Mark Takano. Melt the phone lines. DC (202) 225-2305 Local office (951) 222-0203
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cait (and adonis) @cait.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
they are going to come for your contraception, it is literally only a matter of time. I just replaced my IUD and if you think any of the long-term methods of contraception would be a good fit for you and/or your partner, now is the time to do it
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Daniel Suitor @danielsuitor.com · 24/09/2026
I don't have time to write more, but ICE is working to remove people to third countries in violation of D.V.D. v. DHS. I've been up since 5:20 A.M. working with two other attorneys to prevent our client from being shipped out. If you rep someone at risk of third country removal, check on them NOW
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Erin Lockwood @erinkaylockwood.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This is human trafficking on a massive scale.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 23/09/2026
Now do Amy Acton. I want to also say, Equality Ohio and other progressive dem orgs weakness on holding Amy Acton’s feet to the fire is what lead to Marcy Kaptur feeling emboldened to proceed with her own anti-trans ad.
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Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We can’t allow this man to get within striking distance of a viable presidential candidacy.
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Irma Squirma 👻 🐛 @eckslibris.northsky.social · 23/09/2026
@jamestalarico.bsky.social My response to your fundraising text is, suppprt trans people. Unequivocally.
Text message from 737-259-0938, it says:

Talarico HQ : Is there ANYTHING we can say to convince you to contribute to our campaign before our FEC deadline ends in 7 days?

I responded "You can say you unequivocally support trans people"
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sarah zedig 🐐 @hmsnofun.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
if "electable" means "we have to let some people die" then yeah sorry i don't want an electable candidate, and i'm starting to suspect there's something deeply sick about the very idea of "electability" since it only ever seems to come up when an inconvenient minority group is on the chopping block.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 23/09/2026
Political winds do not only flow from voters to politicians, they go in reverse as well. Democrats running ads like these signal to the general public and their voter base that this issue now has support by both parties, and that hating trans people is publicly acceptable. They do harm to us.
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