Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
@kitoconnell.com
🏳️🌈⭐👏Newsletter Writer & Contributor @The Barbed Wire, formerly Digital Editor @Texas Observer, bylines in Teen Vogue, etc. Austin, Texas. They/Them.
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Pinned
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
If you're going to celebrate today, or even if you're not, here's something you can do to help too ...
Every year around this time, I ask folks to consider doing something in support of Native people. This year, please join me in supporting the Native Organizers Alliance as they build grassroots power, defend Native voting rights, and equip our people for collective struggle through skill-building.
Donate - Native Organizers Alliance
Supporting organizing and advocacy initiatives for Indigenous justice.
nativeorganizing.org
November 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
If you're going to celebrate today, or even if you're not, here's something you can do to help too ...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Every year around this time, I ask folks to consider doing something in support of Native people. This year, please join me in supporting the Native Organizers Alliance as they build grassroots power, defend Native voting rights, and equip our people for collective struggle through skill-building.
Donate - Native Organizers Alliance
Supporting organizing and advocacy initiatives for Indigenous justice.
nativeorganizing.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Every year around this time, I ask folks to consider doing something in support of Native people. This year, please join me in supporting the Native Organizers Alliance as they build grassroots power, defend Native voting rights, and equip our people for collective struggle through skill-building.
"Transitioning didn’t begin when I decided to start estrogen, but decades ago, when I realized — one revelation at a time — that I was becoming an adult free to make my own choices about my identity and its expression."
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM
"Transitioning didn’t begin when I decided to start estrogen, but decades ago, when I realized — one revelation at a time — that I was becoming an adult free to make my own choices about my identity and its expression."
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Honestly, this is one of my favorite pieces I've ever written, so go check it out if you missed it.
Featured story: On a stone slab by the cold waters of Austin’s Barton Springs, transgender Texans celebrate existence. Against the best efforts of the state, they’re still here, laughing and swimming in the heat of a late-August afternoon.
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Honestly, this is one of my favorite pieces I've ever written, so go check it out if you missed it.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
From @gabrielarana.bsky.social in 2021: This Thanksgiving, tell your racist aunt she is a racist. Call your sexist uncle a misogynist. Inform your transphobic cousin that kids don’t deserve to suffer because of his fragile masculinity.
This Thanksgiving, Call Your Racist Uncle a “Racist”
Avoiding political conflict at the dinner table is overrated.
www.texasobserver.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
From @gabrielarana.bsky.social in 2021: This Thanksgiving, tell your racist aunt she is a racist. Call your sexist uncle a misogynist. Inform your transphobic cousin that kids don’t deserve to suffer because of his fragile masculinity.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
shoutout to all my fellow queers for whom family of origin sucks around holidays (and those of us who are still working on finding that found family). everything is pretty bad right now but being queer is still fucking amazing and you are amazing and not alone and i love you and am grateful for you
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 AM
shoutout to all my fellow queers for whom family of origin sucks around holidays (and those of us who are still working on finding that found family). everything is pretty bad right now but being queer is still fucking amazing and you are amazing and not alone and i love you and am grateful for you
Happy MST3k Turkey Day to all who observe:
2025 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Marathon: Double Troubled Features Edition
YouTube video by MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Happy MST3k Turkey Day to all who observe:
#ICYMI, my introduction to myself and to my upcoming contributions to @thebarbedwire.com's Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏...
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
#ICYMI, my introduction to myself and to my upcoming contributions to @thebarbedwire.com's Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏...
Honestly, this is one of my favorite pieces I've ever written, so go check it out if you missed it.
Featured story: On a stone slab by the cold waters of Austin’s Barton Springs, transgender Texans celebrate existence. Against the best efforts of the state, they’re still here, laughing and swimming in the heat of a late-August afternoon.
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Honestly, this is one of my favorite pieces I've ever written, so go check it out if you missed it.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. She reported him missing, but Houston police turned him over to ICE.
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. She reported him missing, but Houston police turned him over to ICE.
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
When we launched, it took weeks to even get @thebarbedwire.com indexed on Google search. Apple News verified us in April. Google News verified us last month.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
When we launched, it took weeks to even get @thebarbedwire.com indexed on Google search. Apple News verified us in April. Google News verified us last month.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
I'm watching videos about Pride events in various German towns and every pup in Leipzig is looking at this twink like he's a squirrel that just fell into a doggy daycare
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 AM
I'm watching videos about Pride events in various German towns and every pup in Leipzig is looking at this twink like he's a squirrel that just fell into a doggy daycare
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
I love @kitoconnell.com so much.
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I love @kitoconnell.com so much.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
A wonderful new addition to the Texas reporting landscape. Congrats, @kitoconnell.com we look forward to reading!
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:12 AM
A wonderful new addition to the Texas reporting landscape. Congrats, @kitoconnell.com we look forward to reading!
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Featured story: Weeks after a transphobic attack, dozens of trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming folks gathered on the “free side” of Austin’s Barton Springs to swim, celebrate, and fearlessly take up space.
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Featured story: Weeks after a transphobic attack, dozens of trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming folks gathered on the “free side” of Austin’s Barton Springs to swim, celebrate, and fearlessly take up space.
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Between Thursday and next Monday, join us in hitting pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=bluesky
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Between Thursday and next Monday, join us in hitting pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=bluesky
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Time to stop buying from the corporations which support Trump's regime.
Join us, @indivisible.org and No Kings Alliance in supporting the We Ain't Buying It campaign!
Join us, @indivisible.org and No Kings Alliance in supporting the We Ain't Buying It campaign!
Between Thursday and next Monday, join us in hitting pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=bluesky
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Time to stop buying from the corporations which support Trump's regime.
Join us, @indivisible.org and No Kings Alliance in supporting the We Ain't Buying It campaign!
Join us, @indivisible.org and No Kings Alliance in supporting the We Ain't Buying It campaign!
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Texas is one of the queerest states in America — 1.8 million of us, more than double the number of queer New Yorkers.
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...
October 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Texas is one of the queerest states in America — 1.8 million of us, more than double the number of queer New Yorkers.
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...