Sign in

Tanya Paperny

@tpaperny.bsky.social
94 followers 257 following 105 posts

Writer, editor, DC historian, translator, community builder, artist Queer, white, kid of refugees, Jewish Read my work: Washington City Paper, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy ++ more at tpaperny.com Much love!

PostsRepliesMedia
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
just ordered a safety handle for the shower, guess my age
020
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Jason Song Quinn (Comms Open) @hulkhoquinn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Think about Miss Piggy. She lost a best friend and now an ex-lover in matter of 24 hours.
Miss Piggy and Dolly Parton in fancy dresses posing together photo of Tim Curry surrounded by muppets, smiling for a photo. A quote from curry is added “it didn’t go very well. It didn’t survive the shoot. She felt I wasn’t being faithful to her” it’s him discussing his ill fated affair with miss piggy
117313108381
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
ME: I got a C+ in "Newspaper Production" & that was my second worst grade in high school ALSO ME: I'm a professional writer
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
a background check process for a teaching gig is requesting a copy of my HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT 🎓 i graduated over TWO DECADES AGO 😂
001
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
[family dollar] CASHIER: i'm sorry sir, but we don't actually sell generational wealth
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Caption contest! (CC @cmzparker5.bsky.social)
sinkhole on the 5000 block of 12th Street, N.E. in washington dc, after a water main break caused the roadway to collapse and a DC Water truck to become trapped.
200
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Being greeted by all three of these alerts on Saturday was WILD 😓 @capitalweather.com
Screenshot of capital weather gang app showing forecast for silver spring MD showing Tornado Watch, Flood Watch, and Air Quality Alert
010
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Looking for local events to mark the 250th anniversary without being a Nazi sympathizer? Check out this list I co-curated @wcp.bsky.social of visual art, performance, panel discussions, and more: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7882...
washingtoncitypaper.com
The Real Locals’ Calendar of Alternative Events for America’s 250th
There are plenty of local performances, exhibits, and art projects to celebrate the Semiquincentennial instead.
101
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
This past weekend in DC, the fascists fascist-ed, the climate climate-d, and the fireworks polluted. Here's a list of good stuff to check out in DC that's non-fascist, non-polluting, and pro-Black, pulled together by our very own Natalie Hopkinson: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7881...
washingtoncitypaper.com
A Guide to Black History, Rebellion, and Creativity in D.C.
For America's 250th, Natalie Hopkinson takes readers on a tour of 19 places that embody the legacy of how freedom actually came to the city.
100
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
The Onion @theonion.com · 08/07/2026
TJ Maxx Adds Meat theonion.com/tj-maxx-adds-meat
TJ Maxx Adds Meat
Shoppers Can Now Scour Bargain Bins For Marked-Down Beef, Pork, And More
411550149
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
This is precisely the type of important and overlooked history I was getting at with my recent piece washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7881...
washingtoncitypaper.com
The Real Locals’ Guide to America’s 250th
Big U.S. anniversaries have always been complicated. The Semiquincentennial is no different, but City Paper is here to help you navigate it.
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
ah yes, the dulcet tones of late stage gentrification construction
static.klipy.com
Bart Simpson Making Noise with Pan & Spoon
ALT: Bart Simpson Making Noise with Pan & Spoon
010
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Washington City Paper @wcp.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The Real Locals’ Guide to America’s 250th—stories about the people and places making up a fuller picture of this country’s anniversary. American University professor Natalie Hopkinson and City Paper columnist Tanya Paperny, along with some of Hopkinson’s former students, worked on this series.
washingtoncitypaper.com
The Real Locals’ Guide to America’s 250th
Big U.S. anniversaries have always been complicated. The Semiquincentennial is no different, but City Paper is here to help you navigate it.
075
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Happy birthday to my paternal grandmother, Калерия Николаевна Озерова, Kaleria Nikolaevna Ozerova, who would have been 108 years old today. Here's a bit about her literary acts of resistance:
100
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Why are Nirvana shirts trending among Gen-Z and Gen Alpha? I keep seeing them lately.
010
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
If you are organizing DC-area alternative programming for America's 250th, will you let me know? Think: people's histories, local activism, volunteer opportunities, indigenous and Black stories, anti-fascist events, etc.
000
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
A frequent scene at 1940s Club Madre: “Odessa would make her grand entrance into her club—mink from ear to ankle. ... [She] would lead an entourage—a trail of about six or seven beautiful ‘yella gals,’ mostly all for sale, followed by a train of lusty, well-heeled ‘E-lite’ gents.”
011
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
In the 1940s, notorious "underground queen" Odessa Madre ran a nightclub where she dealt in drugs, women, and drink. I got to write about the building, which is now home to D.C.’s only Black-owned LGBTQ+ club. Read today's piece in @wcp.bsky.social: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7833...
washingtoncitypaper.com
144
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
The two events I'm attending tomorrow tell you all you need to know about me: "Legacies of the Gulag: Russian Camps Past and Present" with @michaeldavidfox.bsky.social and @vkaramurza.bsky.social and then art making for the @janeese4dc.bsky.social campaign
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
I mean the earnest version of that is: I can’t believe we’re all expected to keep working knowing how heads of state and political and movement leaders have built boys’ networks around their predation.
010
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Men are out here being so bad, the least we can do is eat chocolate
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
FACT #1: a jar of nutella doesn't last more than 2 days in my house FACT #2: i live alone
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
The United States of America is a pyramid scheme that bankrupts and incarcerates people locally & bombs and annihilates people globally
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
STOP MAKING CRACKERS SO FANCY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A VEHICLE FOR DIP
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
As reported by Urban Turf, a forthcoming DC zoning decision could lead to more alley homes. I think this is a good thing. Here's one unusual DC alley home I wrote about recently: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7748...
washingtoncitypaper.com
On Places: Repurposing—and Queering—an H Street Corridor Carriage House
Once home to the ENIKAlley Coffeehouse—a refuge and an incubator for Black gay and lesbian artists and activists.
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
this place sucks (generic)
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
I've never meant this more earnestly than I do right now in 2026: HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 😭
010
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Seeking someone else who is watching the Henry Louis Gates, Jr. @pbs.org special "Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History" and wants to process it with me (ideally, you're either Black or Jewish or both)
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Listen, we're living through peak Patriarchy-and-Misogyny-Rule-the-World Times. Who is sending me gifts and money on Sunday, a.k.a. International Women's Day? My gender is many things, but woman is definitely one of them.
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
ah yes, the age-old "russian mogul commits suicide" line, except this time just add in an "associated with epstein files" bit
100
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
fuck these people (generic)
010
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Listen, I could care less about sportsball, but if you’re white and haven’t seen the Bad Bunny halftime show, just know I’m assuming you’re racist 🤷
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Some white people appear to have moved in across the street today and they’re already sitting on the front porch singing songs and playing acoustic guitar
110
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
my parents were born in one death cult (u.s.s.r. ☭) i was born in another (u.s.a. 🇺🇸) how about you?
000
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
The Onion @theonion.com · 11/02/2026
Freelancer Loves Being Able To Barely Scrape By Livelihood On Own Schedule theonion.com/freelancer-loves-being…
Freelancer Loves Being Able To Barely Scrape By Livelihood On Own Schedule
121124130
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A dresser inside a museum in New York City has been discovered as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad — the first of its kind discovered in Manhattan in over 100 years
409253257181
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
unless you're russian american, you can't understand the odd pride that comes from watching the winter olympics. it's the only positive representation of "my people" i ever see. here's me weeping and shrieking at Ilia Malinin on the ice.
100
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Caption contest #dcstorm @capitalweather.bsky.social
A parking spot dug out from the snow is reseved by a children’s toy car
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
PSA YOU HAVE TO PICK UP YOUR DOG'S POOP EVEN WHEN THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND THANKS
2163
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
do i have to pay rent even if i really really REALLY don't want to?
000
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 30/01/2026
❤️
362279149140
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
max nesterak @maxnesterak.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
7913709310806
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Melissa Stewart @lissajostewart.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
7816219
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Really? Zero reactions to this gem?
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
the two food groups are Nutella and Not Nutella
000
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Thank you @wcp.bsky.social for including my column in your roundup of 2025's best reporting (photo by @darrow-m.bsky.social): washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7719...
washingtoncitypaper.com
On Places: The Inhabitants of Sherwood Farmhouse Represent a Microcosm of D.C. History
Brookland’s Sherwood Farmhouse, built in 1885, has stood vacant since 2015, hidden from public view. It survives thanks to practical necessity, happy accidents, intentional preservation, and interraci...
020
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
The Family Dollar that closed and reopened as a Dollar Tree/Family Dollar combo has again closed and reopened as just a Family Dollar.
100
Reposted by Tanya Paperny
Washington City Paper @wcp.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
A former carriage house near H Street NE once served as a “space of resistance, of organizing, of expression” for Black queer artists and activists. In her latest On Places column, Tanya Paperny traces the building’s history from stable to garage to residence:
buff.ly
On Places: Repurposing—and Queering—an H Street Corridor Carriage House
Once home to the ENIKAlley Coffeehouse—a refuge and an incubator for Black gay and lesbian artists and activists.
083
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
yes my latest local history piece mentions both horse stables and gay artists, but sadly no gay horses — a topic available for any of you to dig into washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7748...
washingtoncitypaper.com
On Places: Repurposing—and Queering—an H Street Corridor Carriage House
Once home to the ENIKAlley Coffeehouse—a refuge and an incubator for Black gay and lesbian artists and activists.
020
Tanya Paperny @tpaperny.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
My latest research has made me realize how as a queer "millennial," I have yet to fully appreciate how the AIDS epidemic decimated and traumatized my queer "elders." But the organizing, art, and post-traumatic resilience also made my life as an out person possible.
030