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Khalil Dennis

@khaoticaa.bsky.social
166 followers 92 following 24 posts

Chicago Freelance Journalist & Writer • they/she • Read my work w/ City Bureau, South Side Weekly, & the Sick Times • Advocate for trans rights, free speech, and disability justice ✨ linktr.ee/khaotickhalil ✨

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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The fact that Islamophobia is welcomed, championed, and cheered at this Republican Convention. People are chanting to hurt and shoot Muslim American candidates. It will barely be mentioned this weekend. I assume journalists will ask Democrats to condemn Hasan Piker instead, right?
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
So you’re a Zionist journalist. Okay.
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Call for sources and interviews discussing HRT access and effects on Trans Long Hauler Communities (ie. People living with/experiencing symptoms of Long Covid). Please reach out to me at khalildennis37@gmail.com or comment below for further inquiry.
Black text against a red to yellow gradient reading “Call for Interviews:
Trans Long Haulers & Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT).” This is in partnership with the Sick Times and the Trans Journalist Association.Black/red text against white background reading:
“We are looking to interview trans Long Haulers who are currently on HRT or have paused HRT due to resulting symptom burden and inflammatory immune response.

Preferance is for BIPOC sources, but anyone is welcome to be interviewed.

This story will assess impacts to HRT access as growing COVID-19 related disability disproportionately impacts trans communities—featuring narrative throughlines to the AIDS epidemic.”We would like to conduct filmed, in-person, and masked interviews in the Chicago area for any trans Long Hauler that fits the previous slide's criteria.

Otherwise, anyone in the US can be interviewed either on-record, meaning name will be cited in piece, or on background, meaning zero quotes or voice will be used in-story.

If you are interested in either an in-person or virtual interview, please contact Khalil Dennis at khalildennis37@gmail.com or leave a comment expressing interest!Thank you for your support, and please share with people whose stories may be best included and amplified.
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Honored to be part of this cohort! As we see the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic render large portions of LGBTQ+ society invisible, how does post-viral illness-related disability affect hormone replacement therapy (hrt), especially amidst growing, anti-trans legislation & narrowing access to treatment?
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I looked into if Medicaid-funded providers who oversee disabled people living independently are ready for worsening climate events. The support they need from the federal government isn’t there, and it’s worsened under Trump. My latest for @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Home care wasn't ready for the climate crisis—even before Trump's Medicaid and FEMA cuts
As extreme weather mounts, disaster relief for millions of people is being systemically gutted.
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Bryce Covert @brycecovert.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Oudone Lothirath missed four out of five chemotherapy appointments while in ICE detention and received no medical care there. Now he will likely die in a matter of days. www.startribune.com/how-ice-deta...
startribune.com
Detained by ICE, he missed multiple cancer treatments. Now he’s in hospice.
Some immigrants with chronic health problems were swept up by ICE in Minnesota, leading to missed medications and, for one man, missed chemotherapy sessions.
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
MaskTogetherAmerica @togetherwemask.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
“I wear a mask because countless studies have detailed the damaging cumulative effects of COVID.”—Peace is holding their “Long COVID Story Short”, a zine they and mom Dimitrea created as an autobiographical example of the urgency of care and attention needed for Long Haulers.🧵
Peace @Peace.Waters wearing a red KF94, with matching headwrap and top, holding a Zine called “Long COVlD Story Short” Peace and their mom Dimitrea @comix.dimitrea created together. Link to Chuffed for Peace: https://chuffed.org/project/121275-peace-urgent-medical-leave-and-recovery
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MaskTogetherAmerica @togetherwemask.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
The Layered Approach recognizes that certain strategies might not be accessible or feasible for everyone. More tools provide more options and protection. —Check out the 14 strategies in our #LongCOVID Defense Guide on #MaskTogetherAmerica’s website: masktogetheramerica.org/layered-char...
Long COVID Defense Guidance
The Swiss Cheese Layered Approach recognizes that certain strategies might not be accessible or feasible for everyone. More tools provide more options and protection. 
 
Visual: The virus emoji represents SARS-CoV-2.
A slice of Swiss Cheese represents a preventative measure
A mouse represents a misinformation spreader
There are 14 strategies in our Long COVID Defense Guide, depicted by 14 slices of Swiss Cheese, invaded by mice and viruses:
1.  Check Wastewater Viral Activity Levels in Your Community
2. Wear High-Quality Masks
3. Go Virtual
4. Increase Ventilation + Filtration — Move Events Outdoors with Precautions
5. Isolate + Test When Exposed
6. Isolate + Test When Symptoms Present 
7. Stay Up to Date with Vaccines
8. If Infected — Seek Early Treatment and Care
9. Rest, Pause Exercise, Pace Yourself
10. Test Negative Twice 48 hours Apart Before Leaving Isolation
11. Self-Diagnosis for Long COVID
12. Seek Diagnosis and Care From Long COVID Clinics
13. Find Community Support
14. Take Precautions to Prevent Reinfection
Read on our website: https://bit.ly/MTA_LCDefenseGuide
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
MaskTogetherAmerica @togetherwemask.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
“It's crucial in the same way condoms and STI screenings are crucial to sexual health. Mitigation is mitigation, and if we purport to value consent and testing, then it only makes sense that unwanted exposure to viral illness be respected and modeled.”—Kae @khaoticaa.bsky.social journalist 🧵
As a host, Khalil (Kae) Dennis, a Black trans stem, was speaking at an anti-war disability justice panel. In the picture, they are holding a mic to their N95 V-Flex respirator while dressed in a tan kuffiyeh scarf draped across their shoulders. They have two twists in the front of their head accompanied by a poof in the back. A tanned, cheetah print top with an earth toned necklace can slightly be seen underneath their kuffiyeh.
 
Additional notes from Kae: 
“I am a journalist, creative, and student of abolition. One of my special interests is the anime/manga One Piece, which I use as my autistic lens to see the world. When I am not writing or making art, you can find me watching LONG video essays, cooking BOMB cuisine for loved ones, and making my community LAUGH (as laughter is medicine).”— Kae told MaskTogetherAmerica. 
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Genocide scholars: The US is in the early stages of genocide on trans people Trans people: WE KNOW 🙄🙄🙄
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Recent piece published w/ @thesicktimes.org arguing that “Long COVID advocacy is inadequate without sex workers, who have a long legacy of catalyzing consent education and facilitating disease prevention,” using the experiences of Black trans disabled Sex Workers. thesicktimes.org/2026/01/06/l...
thesicktimes.org
Long COVID advocacy is incomplete without sex workers - The Sick Times
To Olive and other Black queer community members, many Long COVID advocates pay lip service to the disease’s disproportionate effects on Black, Brown, and trans communities while excluding those voice...
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
demi 🪄 @deminlawrence.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
we’re better than this, friends. please
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Mikaela Grace ❤️‍🔥 🏡in RVA @mikaelagracexo.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Floored that someone on a call just literally said “is COVID still a thing?” And then I had to listen to two people tell me why they “can’t wear a mask” and believe personal choice is more important than protection. I truly do feel like I live in an alternate reality than most people. It sucks.
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Recent piece published w/ @thesicktimes.org arguing that “Long COVID advocacy is inadequate without sex workers, who have a long legacy of catalyzing consent education and facilitating disease prevention,” using the experiences of Black trans disabled Sex Workers. thesicktimes.org/2026/01/06/l...
thesicktimes.org
Long COVID advocacy is incomplete without sex workers - The Sick Times
To Olive and other Black queer community members, many Long COVID advocates pay lip service to the disease’s disproportionate effects on Black, Brown, and trans communities while excluding those voice...
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
New from me at @motherjones.com: Senate Republicans blocked the Democratic plan to extend ACA tax credits while trying to pass (and failing too) health saving accounts plans, which @mirandayaver.bsky.social told me, are not useful for poor and middle-class folks. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Senate Republicans blocked yet another chance to save Obamacare subsidies
ACA health care "is not a luxury item. It is basic survival for a lot of people."
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
The level of suppression that KOSA will implement (and the precedent it will set for future laws) presents a dark future for your internet privacy and free speech online. This is NOT the kind of regulation on the internet you want, trust me!
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Taylor Lorenz @taylorlorenz.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
KOSA is back along with 17 other dangerous censorship and surveillance laws that congress is trying to ram through. CALL UR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND TELL THEM —no KOSA —do not repeal Section 230 —no online digital ID laws —no age verification laws CALL NOW!!!! We are about to lose the internet
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Lex McMenamin (they/them) @lexmcmenamin.com · 15/11/2025
bringing this statement over from Alice’s Twitter. it appears the below was Alice’s last post before passing. I am heartbroken
This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing.
Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin.
We need more stories about us and our culture.
You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.
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Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
One night recently, I got a Signal message Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo? I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group: Male vets w/ breast cancer….
Excerpt of a Department of Veterans Affairs Memorandum dated June 15, 2025. It's addressed to the Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, and the subject is "Amend Presumption for Male Breast Cancer."
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Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Here's the story. www.propublica.org/article/vete...
propublica.org
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive orde...
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
New Article for @southsideweekly.bsky.social southsideweekly.com/advocates-wa...
southsideweekly.com
Advocates Want Funds for Vacant CPD Positions Reallocated
Nearly $200 million budgeted for unfilled CPD roles should go instead to peacekeepers and mental health programs, activists say.
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Hello, My name is Kae, & I am a journalist attempting to cover Covid-19/Long Covid/Disability Stories here in Chicago. Here is one of my first articles, an interview with Long Covid Researcher Jess Maciuch, a Northwestern University Researcher living w/ ME/CFS. www.citybureau.org/newswire/202...
citybureau.org
The Consequences of Ignoring Long Covid — City Bureau
Northwestern University researcher Jess Maciuch says Long Covid, chronic illness and disability have been overlooked during election season, which puts more vulnerable people at risk.
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
New Article for @southsideweekly.bsky.social southsideweekly.com/advocates-wa...
southsideweekly.com
Advocates Want Funds for Vacant CPD Positions Reallocated
Nearly $200 million budgeted for unfilled CPD roles should go instead to peacekeepers and mental health programs, activists say.
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Reposted by Khalil Dennis
Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Check out my article published w/ @citybureau.bsky.social covering the absence of Covid-19 & Long Covid coverage during the 2024 Election Cycle. “This sense of urgency is critical ‘as we dive deeper into COVID-denialism, fascism [and] eugenics,’ Reaux said.” www.citybureau.org/newswire/lon...
citybureau.org
Chicago Needs Stronger Long Covid Protections, Organizers and Advocates Say — City Bureau
Covid-19 mitigation was largely a non-issue during election season, but Chicago organizers and disability advocates are urging residents to demand that public officials reinstate citywide Covid mandat...
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Very important
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lay @laymagdalene.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
STALLED‼️JUNE B!LLS! + R3NT DUE IN THREE DAYS (3)! ONLY $185 LEFT🚨 1315/1500! 10 MATCHES OF $20 = DONE! 19 MATCHES OF $10 = DONE QT WITH PAY LINKS AND LIKE memo: ♥️ v: laaylaa-3000 (MY ONLY ACCOUNT) c: bbylay1 p: layskywalker
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Sean Mullen, Ph.D. @drseanmullen.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Tired of being gaslit about your Covid precautions in healthcare facilities or #LongCovid? This 1-page letter has key studies on brain, heart & immune damage—perfect for printing & handing to your doctor. Download: uofi.app.box.com/s/9llu70jkrf... #PatientAdvocacy #ChronicIllness #MedicalGaslighting
uofi.box.com
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Sean Mullen, Ph.D. @drseanmullen.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
👇👇👇
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Soraya Nadia McDonald @soraya.press · 17/04/2025
"In an earlier post, she wrote: "As for the inevitable death, if I die, I want a loud death, I don't want me in a breaking news story, nor in a number with a group, I want a death that is heard by the world, a trace that lasts forever, and immortal images that neither time nor place can bury."
euronews.com
Photographer Fatima Hassona killed ahead of Cannes documentary debut
The Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassona, killed along with ten family members in an Israeli air strike on her home in northern Gaza, is the star of a documentary due to be screened at the Cannes film festival next month.
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Nick Tsergas @nicktsergas.ca · 07/04/2025
What if COVID doesn't just make sick, but makes us easier to infect? Experts say the virus is chipping away at our immune systems. But some aren’t convinced. I spoke with doctors, scientists, and parents caught in a relentless cycle of illness, and here's what I found:
canadianaffairs.news
Is COVID quietly sabotaging our immune systems?
Experts are increasingly coalescing around the view that COVID has weakened our immune systems, leaving us vulnerable to other infections
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Tom Wambsgans’ Second Wife, PhD @drwambsgans.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Did you know that you can sign up for a Haymarket book club and they will send you a new book each month? My next one is Reconsidering Reparations. I can’t wait!
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Billy Hanlon @bhanlon15.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The Sick Times: 'False hope: In Sub-Saharan Africa, wars damage Long COVID research and surveillance' The first ever community-funded Long COVID surveillance in Mozambique and Congo started in 2023 thanks to trailblazing researchers. thesicktimes.org/2025/02/25/f...
thesicktimes.org
False hope: In Sub-Saharan Africa, wars damage Long COVID research and surveillance - The Sick Times
In summer 2023, clinical nurse Rino Da Costa was well into recruiting participants for a study to monitor Long COVID cases in Naquitengue, a village in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique. It was a prom...
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Check out my article published w/ @citybureau.bsky.social covering the absence of Covid-19 & Long Covid coverage during the 2024 Election Cycle. “This sense of urgency is critical ‘as we dive deeper into COVID-denialism, fascism [and] eugenics,’ Reaux said.” www.citybureau.org/newswire/lon...
citybureau.org
Chicago Needs Stronger Long Covid Protections, Organizers and Advocates Say — City Bureau
Covid-19 mitigation was largely a non-issue during election season, but Chicago organizers and disability advocates are urging residents to demand that public officials reinstate citywide Covid mandat...
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Sean Mullen, Ph.D. @drseanmullen.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Covid is not a cold or the flu. Never was or will be. Though it might just cause you to die from another infection, like flu or RSV. But let’s be clear. Covid kills far more people. Always did and will continue to… until we install precautions that protect us from all airborne pathogens.
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Kayli Jamieson @wanderingkayli.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Extremely well done. Should be mandatory reading. “Long COVID is an everyone problem because everyone has blood vessels, a gut microbiome, ACE-2 receptors, T cells, and a blood-brain barrier…it is devastating, and it is happening to people every day. And it can happen to you, after any infection.”
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Flu hospitalization rates are higher so far this season than at the same point during each of the past FIFTEEN YEARS, at least Chart shows Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) cumulative hospitalization data; red line is current (2024-2025) season gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluvie...
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Khalil Dennis @khaoticaa.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Hello, My name is Kae, & I am a journalist attempting to cover Covid-19/Long Covid/Disability Stories here in Chicago. Here is one of my first articles, an interview with Long Covid Researcher Jess Maciuch, a Northwestern University Researcher living w/ ME/CFS. www.citybureau.org/newswire/202...
citybureau.org
The Consequences of Ignoring Long Covid — City Bureau
Northwestern University researcher Jess Maciuch says Long Covid, chronic illness and disability have been overlooked during election season, which puts more vulnerable people at risk.
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