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Oby Ballinger

@obyballinger.com
310 followers 349 following 13 posts

Founder and lead organizer of @prismorganizing.org, pastor in the United Church of Christ. 🏳️‍🌈💪

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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 26/01/2026
Shine a Light! The night was filled with light, the fire of all our candles at countless corners—not hidden but public, not centralized but dispersed, like a prelude to Pentecost. The light shines in the night, and the night has not overcome it.
obyballinger.com
Shine a Light!
The night was filled with light, the fire of all our candles at countless corners—not hidden but public, not centralized but dispersed, like a prelude to Pentecost. The light shines in the night, and the night has not overcome it.
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Willy Lee (they/them) @advicepig.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Reminder, Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time provides paid time off if your child's school is closed for public emergency www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave
dli.mn.gov
Earned sick and safe time (ESST) | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Minnesota law requires employers to provide earned sick and safe time (ESST), a type of paid leave, to workers in the state. FAQs about earned sick and safe time Rulemaking:  Earned sick and safe time...
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 06/01/2026
Yesterday's sermon at Creekside United Church of Christ. "This is the elemental conviction of common life, congregations, and organizing: we are better together, and the Divine is manifest where people of good will can do more collectively than can be individually done."
obyballinger.com
Arise! Shine!
This is the elemental conviction of common life, congregations, and organizing: we are better together, and the Divine is manifest where people of good will can do more collectively than can be individually done.
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Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 17/12/2025
This is how we keep our communities safe: “Before long, Indivisible Chicago sent whistle kits in the mail to the New Orleans chapter, along with an explanation of how best to use them, and Indivisible NOLA set up a “know your rights” training that the Chicago chapter helped lead remotely via Zoom.”
theguardian.com
‘You don’t have to do it alone’: how US cities are helping each other resist ICE
From LA to Charlotte, organizers are learning from others’ strategies to protect residents amid federal crackdowns
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Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
They dragged a woman on the road and called the police because they were threatened by people throwing snowballs at them. ICE is composed of the biggest cowards on the planet
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OBoogie @oboogie.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
U.S. pals: Do. Not. Donate. To. Salvation. Army. There are better charities out there. Much better.
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Peggy Flanagan @peggyflanagan.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
My faith tells me to welcome the stranger.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 08/12/2025
Proud to stand with over a hundred faith leaders this week in Minneapolis, denouncing the president’s hate speech and affirming that every person—across race, place, and faith—is made in the image of God.
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Salena @salena.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Paid Leave in MN starts Jan 1! If you welcomed a baby in 2025 you can apply to take bonding leave in 2026! Check out www.paidleave.mn.gov This huge win is thanks to DFLers and only DFLers. No Republicans voted for it and they spent the last two years trying to destroy it before it even started. 🫶🏼
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 20/11/2025
This religious group is similar to the cult in which I grew up. It makes me furious that religious leaders didn’t do everything in their power to report perpetrators, allowing child sexual abuse to continue. Their higher concern for institutional preservation betrays the liberating faith of Christ.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels. The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
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Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Thanks to @mostmuscle.bsky.social www.opensecrets.org/orgs/america...
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Ana Marie Cox @anamariecox.com · 05/11/2025
We're all going to write pieces about what you can learn from tonight but it's actually pretty simple: The frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
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ISAIAH @isaiahmn.org · 04/11/2025
Election Day is here! Across race, faith, and place, we all deserve a voice in the decisions that shape our lives. 🗳️ Polls are open until 8PM — and remember, you can register and vote on the same day in Minnesota! 📍 Find your polling place at mnvotes.org .
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CZEdwards @czedwards.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
A reminder: demonstrations are great, they’re a fun party, they are a literal demonstration of the collective power of the people. They’re not the goal. They’re not the end. They’re not even much of a means They’re the gateway drug that gives a taste of the joy of collective action & leads to more
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Downright Upright Show @downright-upright.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
@am950radio.bsky.social @obyballinger.com
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Nat Gertler, only mildly scarier @nat.gertler.com · 30/06/2025
Today in my feed I’ve seen conservatives argue that poor people must be kept poor to incentivize them to contribute to society, and that rich people must be given more money to achieve the same goal. Funny, that.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 23/06/2025
Queer Leaven You may or may not be a queer person, or called to LGBTQ organizing. But the parable of the leaven invites you to embrace whatever your misfit characteristic is, and see it as an essential small way that the great world is transformed.
obyballinger.com
Queer Leaven
You may or may not be a queer person, or called to LGBTQ organizing. But the parable of the leaven invites you to embrace whatever your misfit characteristic is, and see it as an essential small way that the great world is transformed.
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David Sirota @davidsirota.com · 18/06/2025
It’s important to remember that the media/politics people who constantly tell you oligarchy isn’t the problem are all paid by oligarchs. In other words: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
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Hunter S Thompson's Tequila @hsthompsontequila.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
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HTman @htman.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
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taylr @taylordahlin.com · 03/06/2025
i saw so much leadership from the mayoral candidates on site. @omarfatehmn.com talking to an upset woman who saw agents take people away. @jazzformayor.bsky.social running around trying to deescalate. @dewayneforminneapolis.com checking on the person who was injured no mayor frey
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 02/06/2025
Open and Affirming: Past and Future Because of our commitment to neighbor-love, we will work for ever-expanding inclusive justice, creating a better community for everyone, regardless of race, place, faith, money, sexuality or gender identity. Together we will build a multiracial, multifaith arc…
obyballinger.com
Open and Affirming: Past and Future
Because of our commitment to neighbor-love, we will work for ever-expanding inclusive justice, creating a better community for everyone, regardless of race, place, faith, money, sexuality or gender identity. Together we will build a multiracial, multifaith arc of protection to care for and extend God’s sheltering, embracing covenant love.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 16/05/2025
So powerful to be at the Capitol this morning to stand with hundreds of other faith leaders decrying the immoral exclusion of undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare after folks JUST became eligible and started getting healthy. Fund our futures. Fund all our neighbors’ futures!
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 16/05/2025
Minnesota, we need you to show up today, Friday, May 16, at 10:45am at the State Capitol (outside the House chamber) to protect healthcare access for our immigrant neighbors. This fight isn’t over, but we can’t win without enormous people power. Please share. secure.everyaction.com/_MMFvfLVOUi0...
secure.everyaction.com
ACTION - Prayer for Immigrant Healthcare
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Rep. Leigh Finke @leighfinke.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I will never forget the sound of Minnesota Republican House caucus cheering at the news of undocumented Minnesotans losing access to healthcare. They would do the same if I lost my healthcare. They do not care about our lives. We are nothing to them. Those are the stakes for our communities.
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 15/05/2025
This is the righteous fury that is called for when Republicans sentence whole communities to die and dare to call it fiscal responsibility.
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𝙽𝚊𝚜𝚑 𝙸𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙸𝚝 @nashishereforit.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Happy Sunday! This is the way.
media.tenor.com
star wars day may the 4th be with you
ALT: star wars day may the 4th be with you
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Allan @allan1.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
As Nashville struggles to house its ever-growing population, a new report by think tank The Urban Institute has proposed a solution: zoning reforms. WPLN’s Cynthia Abrams explains the findings:
wpln.org
Most Nashville homes aren’t within walking distance of transit. A new report says zoning reform could add homes and change that.
As Nashville struggles to house its ever-growing population, a new report has proposed a solution: zoning reforms. The study, a product of Washington D.C.-ba
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Center for Prophetic Imagination @propheticimage.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Happy return-of-non-citizen-dispatched-by-an-opressive-government-without-a-fair-trial Day to all who celebrate!
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50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 @50501movement.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
TODAY WE MOBILIZED OVER 3 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION!!! This movement has entered the next chapter: the people will mobilize again, and again, until we make a difference. It only takes 3.5% of the population in a sustained resistance in order to make a difference. #50501movement
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 16/03/2025
Just once, when a politician claims budget deficits are “unsustainable” and calls for spending cuts, I wish the interviewer would ask: Why not raise revenue instead?
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 06/03/2025
Two years ago @obyballinger.com and I wrote a “Queer Lent” daily devotional to provide strength and sustenance to queer folk in hard times. Times are even tougher now, so I share this first post for Ash Wednesday and invite you to read your way through it this Lent. open.substack.com/pub/queerlen...
open.substack.com
Ash Wednesday
Wonder of all wonders, beloved being, you are made of star stuff!
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OutFront Minnesota @outfrontmn.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
A transgender sports ban, HF 12, is moving to the floor of the Minnesota House on Monday, March 3rd. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities are being targeted for exclusion at a federal and state level, it is important that we as Minnesotans stand up for our shared values of welcome and inclusion.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 26/02/2025
The testimony happened in a hearing room yesterday, but it was a classroom too! Grateful to Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tania for his research over the years—reflected in all the footnotes here—that shows conclusively the harm that threatens trans inmates when they are banned from appropriate housing.
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Prism Organizing Network @prismorganizing.org · 25/02/2025
Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis has researched prison violence against trans people and emphasizes that HF 435 “diminishes the moral standing of our state and is an ethical violation that serves no purpose”. Check the linktree in our bio to tell your MN representative to oppose this bill. #mnleg
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Prism Organizing Network @prismorganizing.org · 25/02/2025
Tristan can’t attend today’s hearing, but made this recording of his written testimony. Follow the link in our bio to contact your legislators with your own message opposing HF 435, which would prevent the state from housing trans inmates in facilities that match their gender identity. #mnleg
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Prism Organizing Network @prismorganizing.org · 22/02/2025
Base-Building with Prism Community organizing is a lifelong craft. Current Prism efforts focus on base-building by connecting with LGBTQ residents and our allies in Minnesota, engaging in outreach, education, and advocacy.
prismorganizing.org
Base-Building with Prism
Community organizing is a lifelong craft. Current Prism efforts focus on base-building by connecting with LGBTQ residents and our allies in Minnesota, engaging in outreach, education, and advocacy.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 19/02/2025
Testimony on Trans Ban in Youth Sports Rather than addressing harms against trans youth, this legislation adds to the bullying that many such youth face on a daily basis, doubling down on the lie that there is something wrong with those who practice integrity by living according to their God-given…
obyballinger.com
Testimony on Trans Ban in Youth Sports
Rather than addressing harms against trans youth, this legislation adds to the bullying that many such youth face on a daily basis, doubling down on the lie that there is something wrong with those who practice integrity by living according to their God-given gender identity.
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 19/02/2025
Hell yes: "Rather than addressing harms against them, this legislation adds to the bullying that trans youth face daily, doubling down on the false message that there is something wrong with youth who practice integrity by living according to their God-given gender identity." @obyballinger.com
The Rev. Oby Ballinger testifying before the MN House Education Policy Committee.
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Javen Swanson 🏳️‍🌈 @javenswanson.com · 18/02/2025
Had a great visit with Rep. Samakab Hussein to talk about what’s at stake for our communities. While the federal government pushes tax breaks for the wealthy, we need strong state investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, and more. No more giveaways to corporations! #FundOurFuture #mnleg
Lobby visit with Rep. Samakab Hussein
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Stacey Burns @wentrogue.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
“We’re not going anywhere. What’s more: we’re expanding.” Nearly a dozen of Minnesota’s foremost experts on gender-affirming care collaborated on this beautiful op-ed in today’s Strib. No paywall.
startribune.com
Those of us who work in gender medicine are not going anywhere
What’s more, we’re expanding.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 12/02/2025
I’ll be there with @isaiahmn.org @wemakemn.bsky.social @indivistwincities.bsky.social. Together we can make sure that Minnesota treats taxpayers fairly, including asking for more from those who have more, and who are disproportionately benefitting from the status quo. 💪
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Gillian Branstetter @gbbranstetter.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
In a new lawsuit filed against Trump by state AGs, a family with a trans kid shares she died by suicide last month citing fears Trump would deny her access to gender-affirming care. "Her parents have expressed fear...that what happened to their daughter does not happen to other children."
The serious concerns over how the Order will detrimentally impact transgender
youth cannot be overstated. One Washingtonian, as her parents describe her, was a bright and
gentle soul who loved playing musical instruments, trying new things, and playing Magic the
Gathering. She was excited to learn Japanese and the impact of gender-affirming care was
immediately clear to her family. Her parents described that “her joy was clear with every new
milestone in her transition. She was so happy to get to the next step, to get closer to presenting
in a way that was true to herself.” But the day before the presidential election, she shared,
“[t]omorrow I get to find out if I’m illegal.” After the election, she asked her parents if they
could move to Canada because she was fearful of new restrictions on transgender youth and
worried about losing access to gender-affirming care. In January 2025, she took her life. After
the Order issued, her parents expressed that the outlook for transgender futures looks scary and
shared fears of what ending gender-affirming care would have meant for their daughter’s access
to therapy, puberty-delaying medication, hormones, and hope of surgery. Her parents have
expressed fear for the many lives who depend on gender-affirming care and that what happened
to their daughter does not happen to any other children.
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Prism Organizing Network @prismorganizing.org · 04/02/2025
Check out today's first newsletter, describing why "Prism", announcing upcoming events, and inviting you to join other Prism folks at @outfrontmn.bsky.social's LGBTQ Lobby Day next Friday!
mailchi.mp
Welcome to Prism, organizing for LGBTQ equality!
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 02/02/2025
Known, Called, Commissioned No matter what legislative and executive chicanery comes your way, the God who knew and loved you before you were even born is not going anywhere. And the job description to Jeremiah is also what God’s people are commissioned for now, a gritty and comprehensive…
obyballinger.com
Known, Called, Commissioned
No matter what legislative and executive chicanery comes your way, the God who knew and loved you before you were even born is not going anywhere. And the job description to Jeremiah is also what God’s people are commissioned for now, a gritty and comprehensive overturning of the powerful evil that is white Christian nationalism.
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Oby Ballinger @obyballinger.com · 28/01/2025
Made some new friends at the MN Capitol today! Showed up in a coalition to encourage a governing agreement that reflects the equal powers that MN voters elected to the MN House. Part of what’s at stake is the LGBTQ freedoms that we’ve won in this state over recent years. We’re not going back! #mnleg
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 25/01/2025
I’m telling everyone: Do not open the door or say a word unless you’re expecting someone and know exactly who it is. Know your rights. Pass these around…
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