Matilda Bliss
@matildabliss.bsky.social
Trans femme anarchist. Criminalized for the act of journalism. Suing. More at @avlblade.bsky.social where I cover city hall, grab photos, design graphics, and write a little here and there.
Bicycle rider, cat lover, and Star Wars and geology nerd
Bicycle rider, cat lover, and Star Wars and geology nerd
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
The myth is circulating again that it was more radical otg activists and assimilationist gays ("boots and suits") teaming up that was responsible for queer communities' gains late '60s on.
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
November 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The myth is circulating again that it was more radical otg activists and assimilationist gays ("boots and suits") teaming up that was responsible for queer communities' gains late '60s on.
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
happy transgender day of remembrance
thank you for sticking around in the hardest of times. if you haven't, you are missed dearly
please live 💜
thank you for sticking around in the hardest of times. if you haven't, you are missed dearly
please live 💜
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
happy transgender day of remembrance
thank you for sticking around in the hardest of times. if you haven't, you are missed dearly
please live 💜
thank you for sticking around in the hardest of times. if you haven't, you are missed dearly
please live 💜
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
As the saying goes one does not, under any circumstances, have to hand it to them.
The fight against fascism, for trans survival and liberation, will not be harmed by giving the Quislings and Chamberlains of today their due. Quite the opposite.
November 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
As the saying goes one does not, under any circumstances, have to hand it to them.
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social . We're onto filling the two spots now available on the planning and zoning commission.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
Helene plan passes unanimoulsly.
Handing things over to @matildabliss.bsky.social to cover the next part of the council meeting. #avlgov #avlnews
Support @avlblade.bsky.social and subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Handing things over to @matildabliss.bsky.social to cover the next part of the council meeting. #avlgov #avlnews
Support @avlblade.bsky.social and subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social . We're onto filling the two spots now available on the planning and zoning commission.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Damn, even council members saying there's not actually been much public input about the recovery plan. It's bad when even they're admitting it.
Also due to their actions. Decades of giving the public a middle finger and doing whatever the chamber wants ain't a recipe for public interest. #avlgov
Also due to their actions. Decades of giving the public a middle finger and doing whatever the chamber wants ain't a recipe for public interest. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Damn, even council members saying there's not actually been much public input about the recovery plan. It's bad when even they're admitting it.
Also due to their actions. Decades of giving the public a middle finger and doing whatever the chamber wants ain't a recipe for public interest. #avlgov
Also due to their actions. Decades of giving the public a middle finger and doing whatever the chamber wants ain't a recipe for public interest. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Council's back. They're talking Helene recovery plan, and are adamant that they will not shift any of the river district away from the flood zone, which will cause yet more devastation next time there's a serious flood but it's what commercial property barons want, so here we are. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Council's back. They're talking Helene recovery plan, and are adamant that they will not shift any of the river district away from the flood zone, which will cause yet more devastation next time there's a serious flood but it's what commercial property barons want, so here we are. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Public hearing over.
Council member Sage Turner: Agree with commenter who said we shouldn't let Helene scare us away from doing things.
This is nonsense. Overwhelmingly approach since Helene has been "build everything back the same and pretend another storm will never come." #avlgov
Council member Sage Turner: Agree with commenter who said we shouldn't let Helene scare us away from doing things.
This is nonsense. Overwhelmingly approach since Helene has been "build everything back the same and pretend another storm will never come." #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Public hearing over.
Council member Sage Turner: Agree with commenter who said we shouldn't let Helene scare us away from doing things.
This is nonsense. Overwhelmingly approach since Helene has been "build everything back the same and pretend another storm will never come." #avlgov
Council member Sage Turner: Agree with commenter who said we shouldn't let Helene scare us away from doing things.
This is nonsense. Overwhelmingly approach since Helene has been "build everything back the same and pretend another storm will never come." #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Of the ways out of the crises we face, here and elsewhere, "unleash the magic powers of the unregulated market" or "elaborate property rules made up by landed gentry" ain't any of them.
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Of the ways out of the crises we face, here and elsewhere, "unleash the magic powers of the unregulated market" or "elaborate property rules made up by landed gentry" ain't any of them.
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
People being shut out of housing is a major problem, but the expensive units YIMBY groups generally get most enthused about aren't going to go to locals outside the gentty, and it's telling their reps are well-off property owners, not working class locals.
Once more. #avlgov
Once more. #avlgov
Both YIMBY and NIMBY gentry try to co-opt real problems.
Zoning codes *are* drawn by property owners to preserve their power at the expense of renters and marginalized groups. New (almost always luxury) development *does* play a key role in driving out locals and gentrifying neighborhoods. #avlgov
Zoning codes *are* drawn by property owners to preserve their power at the expense of renters and marginalized groups. New (almost always luxury) development *does* play a key role in driving out locals and gentrifying neighborhoods. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:17 AM
People being shut out of housing is a major problem, but the expensive units YIMBY groups generally get most enthused about aren't going to go to locals outside the gentty, and it's telling their reps are well-off property owners, not working class locals.
Once more. #avlgov
Once more. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
NIMBY gentry are also awful, of course, and we'll give them
Current speaker, part of YIMBY group, claiming opponents "say they're ok with housing" but are against any specific plan.
I mean, yeah, the dangers of paving a flood plain, on a wetland, are...actual reasons to be concerned. #avlgov
Current speaker, part of YIMBY group, claiming opponents "say they're ok with housing" but are against any specific plan.
I mean, yeah, the dangers of paving a flood plain, on a wetland, are...actual reasons to be concerned. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
NIMBY gentry are also awful, of course, and we'll give them
Current speaker, part of YIMBY group, claiming opponents "say they're ok with housing" but are against any specific plan.
I mean, yeah, the dangers of paving a flood plain, on a wetland, are...actual reasons to be concerned. #avlgov
Current speaker, part of YIMBY group, claiming opponents "say they're ok with housing" but are against any specific plan.
I mean, yeah, the dangers of paving a flood plain, on a wetland, are...actual reasons to be concerned. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
It gives the game away that YIMBY gentry (especially here) generally oppose affordable housing requirements, airbnb bans and any measure that ensures working class has access to newer units
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
It gives the game away that YIMBY gentry (especially here) generally oppose affordable housing requirements, airbnb bans and any measure that ensures working class has access to newer units
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
These Asheville for All folks are particularly set on magical thinking around housing. They're telling Haw Creek residents to just deal w/ flooding, tree reduction, & the destruction of a wetland to promote an ideology where airbnbs & 2nd, 3rd, & 4th vacation homes just magically don't exist #avlgov
Asheville for All member supporting development, claiming it will help bring down housing costs. Assumption here that new housing units will automatically go to residents, when they've historically been devoured by airbnbs or gentry's second (third, fourth, fifth...) vacation homes #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
These Asheville for All folks are particularly set on magical thinking around housing. They're telling Haw Creek residents to just deal w/ flooding, tree reduction, & the destruction of a wetland to promote an ideology where airbnbs & 2nd, 3rd, & 4th vacation homes just magically don't exist #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Barber Melton: "I've watched that creek flood my whole life." Warns about city hall not taking flooding dangers seriously, even after Helene #avlgov
Handing things off to @davidforbes.bsky.social to cover the next part of tonight's meeting.
Thanks for supporting the @avlblade.bsky.social . Covering city hall is one of the main things we do. Support us by subscribing below.
Or make a one time donation paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Thanks for supporting the @avlblade.bsky.social . Covering city hall is one of the main things we do. Support us by subscribing below.
Or make a one time donation paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Barber Melton: "I've watched that creek flood my whole life." Warns about city hall not taking flooding dangers seriously, even after Helene #avlgov
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social , onto changes to the forest demolishing New Haw Creek Rd project approved two summers ago. #avlgov
Over to @matildabliss.bsky.social who's going to cover the next portion of this particularly bleak Asheville city council meeting. #avlgov
To support @avlblade.bsky.social, including this live coverage, subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Or donate: paypal.me/AshevilleBlade
To support @avlblade.bsky.social, including this live coverage, subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Or donate: paypal.me/AshevilleBlade
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social , onto changes to the forest demolishing New Haw Creek Rd project approved two summers ago. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Manheimer reading a tepid statement about ICE/CBP that's mostly focused on telling potential protesters to be calm. No actions to protect locals mentioned. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Manheimer reading a tepid statement about ICE/CBP that's mostly focused on telling potential protesters to be calm. No actions to protect locals mentioned. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Council member Kim Roney, who proposed — with array of community groups — the resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, immediately folds, thanking other council members for considering it but not pressing for it to be on agenda or voted on anytime soon. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
This is usually how it goes. More conservative council members use excuses of process or needing more time to kill any actual measure against status quo, then Roney folds like wet cardboard rather than fight.
Put not your faith in politicians, y'all. #avlgov
Put not your faith in politicians, y'all. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 10:24 PM
This is usually how it goes. More conservative council members use excuses of process or needing more time to kill any actual measure against status quo, then Roney folds like wet cardboard rather than fight.
Put not your faith in politicians, y'all. #avlgov
Put not your faith in politicians, y'all. #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Campbell leaves a city poorer, more desperate and even more corrupt than when she took power. This is the kind of person who declared "perfect! Yippee!" about homeless camps getting demoloshed.
Mayor Esther Manheimer calls this "an outstanding career." #avlgov
Mayor Esther Manheimer calls this "an outstanding career." #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Campbell leaves a city poorer, more desperate and even more corrupt than when she took power. This is the kind of person who declared "perfect! Yippee!" about homeless camps getting demoloshed.
Mayor Esther Manheimer calls this "an outstanding career." #avlgov
Mayor Esther Manheimer calls this "an outstanding career." #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Meeting's started with a proclamation honoring outgoing city manager Debra Campbell, whose tenure included teargassing most of downtown, brutalizing the homeless, badly underpaying firefighters, gutting transit and raking in massive annual raises for herself and other city higher-ups... #avlgov
Asheville city council meeting at 5. Resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, backed by array of community groups, isn't on the agenda.
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
City Council Agenda - The City of Asheville
To access documents from previous city council meetings, go to our Meeting Materials page. Please note: Agenda items are current at time of posting. Items may be changed, updated or added after initia...
www.ashevillenc.gov
November 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Meeting's started with a proclamation honoring outgoing city manager Debra Campbell, whose tenure included teargassing most of downtown, brutalizing the homeless, badly underpaying firefighters, gutting transit and raking in massive annual raises for herself and other city higher-ups... #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
On to removal of planning and zoning board member Jared Wheatley, an open racist and Islamophobe who's supported genocidal remarks about Arabs and Palestinians. ashevilleblade.com?p=4994
He's being removed for clashing with staff, though, so major gentry fight moment #avlgov
He's being removed for clashing with staff, though, so major gentry fight moment #avlgov
Hate and cowardice in city hall |
ashevilleblade.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 PM
On to removal of planning and zoning board member Jared Wheatley, an open racist and Islamophobe who's supported genocidal remarks about Arabs and Palestinians. ashevilleblade.com?p=4994
He's being removed for clashing with staff, though, so major gentry fight moment #avlgov
He's being removed for clashing with staff, though, so major gentry fight moment #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
Asheville city council meeting at 5. Resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, backed by array of community groups, isn't on the agenda.
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
City Council Agenda - The City of Asheville
To access documents from previous city council meetings, go to our Meeting Materials page. Please note: Agenda items are current at time of posting. Items may be changed, updated or added after initia...
www.ashevillenc.gov
November 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Asheville city council meeting at 5. Resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, backed by array of community groups, isn't on the agenda.
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
So expect justifiably angry public reaction. @davidforbes.bsky.social and @matildabliss.bsky.social will cover live #avlnews #avlgov
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
While solid public health data's been difficult to come by the last few weeks, it's now clear that covid risks in the Asheville area have declined to SUBSTANTIAL, down from High.
We may be out of this wave entirely in a week or two, but we're not there yet. Risks remain very real. #avlnews
We may be out of this wave entirely in a week or two, but we're not there yet. Risks remain very real. #avlnews
November 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
While solid public health data's been difficult to come by the last few weeks, it's now clear that covid risks in the Asheville area have declined to SUBSTANTIAL, down from High.
We may be out of this wave entirely in a week or two, but we're not there yet. Risks remain very real. #avlnews
We may be out of this wave entirely in a week or two, but we're not there yet. Risks remain very real. #avlnews
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
You’re only out of the fight when you don’t get back up.
November 9, 2025 at 5:22 AM
You’re only out of the fight when you don’t get back up.
Reposted by Matilda Bliss
The cheapest plan available to me (a Georgian) is over $1,000 a month. Healthcare is no longer an option for me. I will ration the medication I take for as long as I can and then I will wait to die.
So every freelancer you know is going to lose their insurance or be bankrupted by premiums because Schumer is an invertebrate
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The cheapest plan available to me (a Georgian) is over $1,000 a month. Healthcare is no longer an option for me. I will ration the medication I take for as long as I can and then I will wait to die.
2000 Chevy Silverado and camper top for sale for $700! To purchase the truck without the camper top, $500. Camper top without the truck, $300.
This babe is at present inoperable. Coming in at over 290,000 miles, it will need a new transmission. This could be a project vehicle.
This babe is at present inoperable. Coming in at over 290,000 miles, it will need a new transmission. This could be a project vehicle.
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
2000 Chevy Silverado and camper top for sale for $700! To purchase the truck without the camper top, $500. Camper top without the truck, $300.
This babe is at present inoperable. Coming in at over 290,000 miles, it will need a new transmission. This could be a project vehicle.
This babe is at present inoperable. Coming in at over 290,000 miles, it will need a new transmission. This could be a project vehicle.