Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
@knownforms.bsky.social
She/her, they/them. Writer, Researcher. Work in Strange Horizons, Tin House, Electric Lit, and more. I used to do research for Roxane Gay.
Pinned
The Price: A Queer Daughter of a Queer Mother - Electric Literature
I am doomed to die an ugly death or at least to be separated from my partner, probably violently. So is my queer mother and my partner and my cousin and many of my friends. We are all doomed, it seems...
electricliterature.com
I wrote this and it's still true but also, I've since gone no contact because she's toxic and have been writing a response ever since electricliterature.com/the-price-a-...
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
This will be amazing! A free workshop by @djolder.bsky.social !
It will be this Sunday Feb 15th.
This class, led by Daniel Jose Older, explores how crisis shapes narrative structure, worldbuilding, plot, and character development.
Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
It will be this Sunday Feb 15th.
This class, led by Daniel Jose Older, explores how crisis shapes narrative structure, worldbuilding, plot, and character development.
Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: February 2026 Workshop - Crisis Creates Us: Narrative Fundamentals. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
As we move into our commitment for a more intimate Story Sunbirds, we’re kicking things off with a workshop led by author Daniel José Older. Please join us for a riveting discussion about how the chao...
us06web.zoom.us
February 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This will be amazing! A free workshop by @djolder.bsky.social !
It will be this Sunday Feb 15th.
This class, led by Daniel Jose Older, explores how crisis shapes narrative structure, worldbuilding, plot, and character development.
Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
It will be this Sunday Feb 15th.
This class, led by Daniel Jose Older, explores how crisis shapes narrative structure, worldbuilding, plot, and character development.
Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
Read a book or play Doom, I don't give a shit what feelings you think a spreadsheet has
February 12, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Read a book or play Doom, I don't give a shit what feelings you think a spreadsheet has
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
gotta say, the florida bar refusing to investigate Bondi because they won't investigate people appointed under the Constitution while they are in office looks worse and worse every day.
State Supreme Court rejects attempt to force Florida Bar to investigate Bondi • Florida Phoenix
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday refused to force the Florida Bar to investigate U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi for alleged state ethics violations, denying a months-long request made by dozens of...
floridaphoenix.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:50 AM
gotta say, the florida bar refusing to investigate Bondi because they won't investigate people appointed under the Constitution while they are in office looks worse and worse every day.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
I TOLD YOU I LOVE THE LIBRARY!
Surprise! I'm the 2026 Brampton Writer in Residence. Reception on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
I'll be running workshops and reading partial MSs during the residency. ALL FREE. BRAMPTON PPL TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
www.bramptonlibrary.ca/programs-and...
Surprise! I'm the 2026 Brampton Writer in Residence. Reception on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
I'll be running workshops and reading partial MSs during the residency. ALL FREE. BRAMPTON PPL TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
www.bramptonlibrary.ca/programs-and...
February 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM
I TOLD YOU I LOVE THE LIBRARY!
Surprise! I'm the 2026 Brampton Writer in Residence. Reception on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
I'll be running workshops and reading partial MSs during the residency. ALL FREE. BRAMPTON PPL TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
www.bramptonlibrary.ca/programs-and...
Surprise! I'm the 2026 Brampton Writer in Residence. Reception on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
I'll be running workshops and reading partial MSs during the residency. ALL FREE. BRAMPTON PPL TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
www.bramptonlibrary.ca/programs-and...
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
The GOP’s “SAVE” Act also requires broad voter purge programs using reportedly unreliable citizenship info from databases “updated” by DOGE (among other sources). My guess is that these purges wld result in many faulty purges of people w/ Hispanic last names, disproportionately impacting Democrats.
😳 Musk’s “DOGE” overhauled the The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (“SAVE”) program,” which Trump & MAGA want states to use to PURGE supposed noncitizens from the VOTER ROLLS under the GOP’s proposed “SAVE Act”.
Experts warn that “SAVE” isn’t accurate enough for this. WTH?!!! 1/
.
Experts warn that “SAVE” isn’t accurate enough for this. WTH?!!! 1/
.
February 12, 2026 at 2:46 AM
The GOP’s “SAVE” Act also requires broad voter purge programs using reportedly unreliable citizenship info from databases “updated” by DOGE (among other sources). My guess is that these purges wld result in many faulty purges of people w/ Hispanic last names, disproportionately impacting Democrats.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
Way-hey! After concerted local pushback, New Jersey company decides not to contract with ICE:
"The contract with ICE will not move forward, a Holman spokesperson told Patch.
"I have been informed that we declined that particular body of work," the spokesperson said...
patch.com/new-jersey/c...
"The contract with ICE will not move forward, a Holman spokesperson told Patch.
"I have been informed that we declined that particular body of work," the spokesperson said...
patch.com/new-jersey/c...
February 12, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Way-hey! After concerted local pushback, New Jersey company decides not to contract with ICE:
"The contract with ICE will not move forward, a Holman spokesperson told Patch.
"I have been informed that we declined that particular body of work," the spokesperson said...
patch.com/new-jersey/c...
"The contract with ICE will not move forward, a Holman spokesperson told Patch.
"I have been informed that we declined that particular body of work," the spokesperson said...
patch.com/new-jersey/c...
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
@bklynlibrary.bsky.social has a free Freedom to Read Teen Advocacy Toolkit, all available online. (This isn’t new, just sending it around!)
May make this one of our summer break projects this year!
booksunbanned.com/toolkit
May make this one of our summer break projects this year!
booksunbanned.com/toolkit
Books Unbanned - Toolkit
booksunbanned.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:39 AM
@bklynlibrary.bsky.social has a free Freedom to Read Teen Advocacy Toolkit, all available online. (This isn’t new, just sending it around!)
May make this one of our summer break projects this year!
booksunbanned.com/toolkit
May make this one of our summer break projects this year!
booksunbanned.com/toolkit
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
It’s Sylvia’s death day, for all who observe.
February 12, 2026 at 2:16 AM
It’s Sylvia’s death day, for all who observe.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
I have voted legally all my adult life I have had to show ID twice. It's bullshit. Now ID is not even good enough.
8. Also polling places closed. BMVs closed. They started making stupid laws like "no bringing anyone food or water in voting lines."
Essentially recreating the same kind of grandfather clauses, literacy tests, & poll taxes they instituted after 1894.
I DID NOT show ID my 1st few vote experiences
Essentially recreating the same kind of grandfather clauses, literacy tests, & poll taxes they instituted after 1894.
I DID NOT show ID my 1st few vote experiences
February 12, 2026 at 1:44 AM
I have voted legally all my adult life I have had to show ID twice. It's bullshit. Now ID is not even good enough.
FREE DC!!
I heard about a killing of a Black man in DC by US marshals on a call from someone in the neighborhood then saw it confirmed by the organization @harrietsdreams.bsky.social & here. A Black man in DC was killed by the state today. Make the same noise for him as for anyone else when we have his name.
1 person shot and killed by U.S. marshal in Northeast DC
A U.S. marshal shot and killed a person Wednesday afternoon in Northeast D.C. This shooting happened on Hay Street right in front of the Cesar Chavez Middle Public Charter School and not far from the ...
www.nbcwashington.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:36 AM
FREE DC!!
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
10th read of 2026:
Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan
A solid short story collection with the narration of young women pulling it together.
“Is That You?” & “Fruiting Bodies” were my favorites. Relatable around mothers' demands & creepy cishet men on lesbian relationships.
4/5 stars #Booksky
Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan
A solid short story collection with the narration of young women pulling it together.
“Is That You?” & “Fruiting Bodies” were my favorites. Relatable around mothers' demands & creepy cishet men on lesbian relationships.
4/5 stars #Booksky
January 27, 2026 at 10:27 PM
10th read of 2026:
Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan
A solid short story collection with the narration of young women pulling it together.
“Is That You?” & “Fruiting Bodies” were my favorites. Relatable around mothers' demands & creepy cishet men on lesbian relationships.
4/5 stars #Booksky
Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan
A solid short story collection with the narration of young women pulling it together.
“Is That You?” & “Fruiting Bodies” were my favorites. Relatable around mothers' demands & creepy cishet men on lesbian relationships.
4/5 stars #Booksky
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
I heard about a killing of a Black man in DC by US marshals on a call from someone in the neighborhood then saw it confirmed by the organization @harrietsdreams.bsky.social & here. A Black man in DC was killed by the state today. Make the same noise for him as for anyone else when we have his name.
1 person shot and killed by U.S. marshal in Northeast DC
A U.S. marshal shot and killed a person Wednesday afternoon in Northeast D.C. This shooting happened on Hay Street right in front of the Cesar Chavez Middle Public Charter School and not far from the ...
www.nbcwashington.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:28 AM
I heard about a killing of a Black man in DC by US marshals on a call from someone in the neighborhood then saw it confirmed by the organization @harrietsdreams.bsky.social & here. A Black man in DC was killed by the state today. Make the same noise for him as for anyone else when we have his name.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
"The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General encourages the public to use this portal to report incidents involving harmful conduct by, or negative interactions with, federal personnel conducting immigration enforcement in New Jersey."
www.njoag.gov/portal/
www.njoag.gov/portal/
Federal Misconduct Reporting Portal - New Jersey Office of Attorney General
State of New Jersey | Department of Law & Public Safety
www.njoag.gov
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 AM
"The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General encourages the public to use this portal to report incidents involving harmful conduct by, or negative interactions with, federal personnel conducting immigration enforcement in New Jersey."
www.njoag.gov/portal/
www.njoag.gov/portal/
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
This is a pogrom
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 AM
This is a pogrom
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 AM
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
Once again, if anyone knows of any remote full-time, part-time, or freelance jobs, I would be extremely grateful.
I have nearly two decades of writing and editing experience, focused SEO experience, and a decade of teaching experience.
I have nearly two decades of writing and editing experience, focused SEO experience, and a decade of teaching experience.
February 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Once again, if anyone knows of any remote full-time, part-time, or freelance jobs, I would be extremely grateful.
I have nearly two decades of writing and editing experience, focused SEO experience, and a decade of teaching experience.
I have nearly two decades of writing and editing experience, focused SEO experience, and a decade of teaching experience.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
📸: Leila Navidi ⬇️
All time photo.
February 12, 2026 at 2:11 AM
📸: Leila Navidi ⬇️
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
For those who do not gram:
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 PM
For those who do not gram:
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
🚨EMERGENCY POD🚨
Ummm we did NOT expect that! Annie, Ella & André sat down to discuss/crash out/process the Spirit trading Croix Bethune.
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/0m1r...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso
Ummm we did NOT expect that! Annie, Ella & André sat down to discuss/crash out/process the Spirit trading Croix Bethune.
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/0m1r...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso
February 12, 2026 at 1:57 AM
🚨EMERGENCY POD🚨
Ummm we did NOT expect that! Annie, Ella & André sat down to discuss/crash out/process the Spirit trading Croix Bethune.
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/0m1r...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso
Ummm we did NOT expect that! Annie, Ella & André sat down to discuss/crash out/process the Spirit trading Croix Bethune.
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/0m1r...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
😎
Adding that lately when I'm hungry for new voices, I read:
@havehashad.com
@okaydonkeymag.com
@oneart.bsky.social
@psalteryandlyre.bsky.social
@rattlepoetry.bsky.social
@havehashad.com
@okaydonkeymag.com
@oneart.bsky.social
@psalteryandlyre.bsky.social
@rattlepoetry.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 2:06 AM
😎
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
The hospitals aren’t safe in Iran. The regime is now targeting the medical workers (witnesses) to their mortal atrocities—
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Even the Hospitals Aren’t Safe in Iran
As the regime imposes a forced forgetting of the massacres in January, it has begun targeting not only wounded protesters but medical workers, who have borne witness to some of the worst atrocities.
www.newyorker.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:42 PM
The hospitals aren’t safe in Iran. The regime is now targeting the medical workers (witnesses) to their mortal atrocities—
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
renewed my library card and checked out a book
the book is fantastic and if you're doing any kind of movement work, i highly recommend it
thank you, @mskellymhayes.bsky.social
the book is fantastic and if you're doing any kind of movement work, i highly recommend it
thank you, @mskellymhayes.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 6:56 PM
renewed my library card and checked out a book
the book is fantastic and if you're doing any kind of movement work, i highly recommend it
thank you, @mskellymhayes.bsky.social
the book is fantastic and if you're doing any kind of movement work, i highly recommend it
thank you, @mskellymhayes.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
Organizers, get your contacts, emails, and everything else off of Google products TODAY. Yes it is inconvenient, but the convenience is how they get you in the first place.
Instead use Cryptpad, Proton, or anything else private and encrypted.
Instead use Cryptpad, Proton, or anything else private and encrypted.
More reports of Gmail turning over email content to ICE are coming out now.
techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
Google sent personal and financial information of student journalist to ICE | TechCrunch
The tech giant handed over the personal information of a journalist and student who attended a pro-Palestinian protest in 2024. This is the latest example of ICE using its controversial subpoena power...
techcrunch.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Organizers, get your contacts, emails, and everything else off of Google products TODAY. Yes it is inconvenient, but the convenience is how they get you in the first place.
Instead use Cryptpad, Proton, or anything else private and encrypted.
Instead use Cryptpad, Proton, or anything else private and encrypted.
Reposted by Mel🏳️🌈 she/they universal healthcare now
This is twenty minutes from where I grew up 🙃 🥴
Residents of Hagerstown, MD continue to resist the detention center.
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
Maryland Reopens Review of Hagerstown Detention Center After Residents Flag Road Project
State officials say they weren't told about a road relocation project that may be linked to the facility, potentially triggering broader federal review.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:57 AM
This is twenty minutes from where I grew up 🙃 🥴