Sam Orchard
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samorchard.bsky.social
Sam Orchard
@samorchard.bsky.social
720 followers 580 following 340 posts
Queer, Trans and Nerdy. Making comics, reading comics, researching comics. http://patreon.com/roostertails

He/They
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samorchard.bsky.social
Awkwardly, as soon as I quit making comics like this... things happened and I made another comic.

Blame the people who decided to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers.
Part 1: www.roostertailscomic.com/.../blockers...
Part 2: www.roostertailscomic.com/.../blockers...
Blockers Banned Part 1 - Rooster Tails
Oh. So. Ummm... I am officially winding this blog down. I did a little post about it and then there was an announcement about banning new prescriptions for puberty blockers. So - before this site's ho...
www.roostertailscomic.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:22 AM
samorchard.bsky.social
Inspired by @dylanhorrocks.bsky.social's 'Lonely Fun' zine - @taracomics.bsky.social has another RPG for you to enjoy taracomics.substack.com/p/the-myster...
The Mystery Note
A lyric game in comic form
taracomics.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
Oh noooooo.... www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/...
The Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction
Julien’s Auctions is proud to present The Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction. Over the course of its 70-year history, The Jim Henson Com...
www.juliensauctions.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
tailstrike.xyz
The studies they are choosing to ignore

France: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Australia: statements.qld.gov.au/statements/1... and www.saxinstitute.org.au/resource/evi...

USA: publications.aap.org/pediatrics/a...

From:
Puberty blockers banned: The reality of raising a trans child in 2025
A parent shares their experience and fears as public submissions are sought on the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming care.
thespinoff.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
jennifilm.nz
PATHA's statement has been published: patha.nz/news
The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) condemns today's decision from Minister of Health Simeon Brown introducing a ban on new prescriptions of GnRH analogues (puberty blockers) for transgender children and young people who are not currently on them. This ideologically driven ban will have a devastating impact on the lives and wellbeing of our transgender and gender diverse young people. We know that children, young people and their whanau will be highly distressed by this decision. We also acknowledge health professionals' frustration at the way their expertise has been ignored and disregarded. "The ban will lead to a deterioration in mental health, increased risk of suicidality and increased dysphoria in gender diverse children and young people, and will put them at a higher risk of experiencing marginalisation and discrimination," says Dr Elizabeth McElrea, GP specialist in gender affirming care and PATHA Vice-President. "The prescribing of puberty blockers is always undertaken with the utmost care and consideration. They have been prescribed safely for decades for transgender children and banning their use will lead to profound distress in this already vulnerable group." This decision is not supported by the Ministry of Health's November 2024 evidence brief on this care. This decision is not supported by the Ministry of Health's November 2024 evidence brief on this care. While the evidence brief identified some limitations in the academic quality of evidence regarding the risks and benefits of GRH analogues, limitations in evidence quality are common across a number of areas of medicine, especially within paediatric medicine, and do not justify a ban on access. "PATHA supports evidence-based medicine, which consists of three key components: academic evidence, clinical experience, and patient preferences and values," says Dr McElrea. "When the quality of available academic evidence is of lower quality, it's incredibly common for clinicians to lean on guidelines drawn from clinical experience." "Practising medicine, and paediatric medicine (not just within gender affirming healthcare), often necessitates providing care without a high-quality evidence base. The absence of high-quality clinical evidence does not mean providing this care is wrong." "Children benefit from innovative medical treatments that improve their survival and quality of life. Pediatric care would all but cease if physicians denied treatments for which the evidence base is imperfect." (McNamara et al., 2024, p. 15) 'An Evidence-Based Critique of "The Cass Review" on Gender-affirming Care for Adolescent The new restrictions will be in place until the conclusion of clinical trials in the United Kingdom, which are not due until at least 2031. "In no other area of care would life-saving medication be withheld from a vulnerable population for six years. This will have a traumatic impact on a generation of transgender children," says Avery Zavoda, PATHA Executive Committee member. PATHA is strongly against the decision. It is a shocking act of discrimination against transgender children and young people. "That New Zealand First announced this news three hours before the Minister of Health shows the way this care has been politicised, and how politics have been prioritised over the wellbeing of New Zealand children," said Zavoda. "Banning puberty blockers will not prevent children from being transgender, despite the disinformation New Zealand First are promoting," says Jennifer Shields, PATHA President. "It's obvious that this has been a political decision made to appease a coalition partner based on an imported culture war, rather than a medical recommendation reflecting the expertise of NZ clinicians and researchers who have been working in this field for over 25 years." Identify, a 2022 New Zealand research survey on the experiences Identify, a 2022 New Zealand research survey on the experiences of rainbow young people showed "the proportion of young people who wanted puberty blockers and were able to use them was nearly half the number of young people who wanted these medications but could not access them." These findings made it clear that the prescription context and existing regulations "did not result in the easy access to young people who wanted puberty blockers that some people have claimed existed. In fact, the results demonstrate a seriously constrained prescription context that urgently needs further attention to be more equitable." "We call on the Ministry of Health to publish their consultation report immediately, so that health professionals, trans people, and the wider public can see that this decision has been made by politicians rather than based on clinical experience," says Shields. "We also look forward to the Minister now immediately allowing the updated guidelines for gender affirming healthcare to be published." "We also call on Labour, the Green Party, and Te Paati Mãori to commit to reversing this harmful decision if they are elected into government next year. Our communities need the reassurance that this ban will not last." "PATHA is committed to ensuring all trans children and children experiencing gender dysphoria have access to the best quality care.
November 19, 2025 at 8:04 AM
samorchard.bsky.social
We have been so lucky to have Gwenne Bregeon, a comics researcher all the way from France, interning at the Cartoon and Comics Archive, and finding wonderful things - here's a blog post that covers some of her discoveries: natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/a...
natlib.govt.nz
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 AM
samorchard.bsky.social
Just letting you all know that I'll be shutting down Rooster Tails in the coming months. I want to do some different creative stuff, and I have been wrestling with this strip for a while. So. I'm retiring Rooster Tails.

You can read more here:
www.patreon.com/posts/142559...
Time to go. | Sam Orchard
Get more from Sam Orchard on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:10 AM
samorchard.bsky.social
If you wanna come say hello and see what we do at the National Library of New Zealand - feel free to come along to this: natlib.govt.nz/events/natio...

I'll be there with some cool cartoons and comics
natlib.govt.nz
October 10, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
chaneyz85.bsky.social
The National Library is 60 years old... come along to their open day to celebrate

If you book for a back-of-house tour you may even get me as your tour guide 😊

natlib.govt.nz/events/natio...
natlib.govt.nz
October 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
If you want to do a fun family friendly school holiday thing, then I'd highly recommend this: www.facebook.com/share/1BZi7z...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
domesticanimal.bsky.social
New Zealand prevaricates on whether to recognise Palestine as a state, or not.
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Palestine #Gaza
Cartoon. Image shows NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Gaza’s ruins, talking to a gaunt woman, huddled with her two children. He’s saying, “New Zealand is a very principled nation. We won’t be rushed”
September 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
Sorry! I've been unwell - so have some catching up to do with this list... incoming updates ahoy
samorchard.bsky.social Sam Orchard @samorchard.bsky.social · Aug 31
It's Mahuru Māori and I thought I'd share some cool things that are at the National Library (I'll do it as a thread and add a new one every(?) day:

Te Ātea (natlib.govt.nz/records/2110...) by Katarina Mataira.

I only came across this book a few years ago, even though it was released in 1975.
natlib.govt.nz
September 22, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
thesaplingnz.bsky.social
Mō te Rāpare nei, te rā tuawhā o Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, e whakanui ana mātou i tētahi rangatira nui whakaharahara: pānuihia tēnei Whakatauira nō Te Whaea o te Motu: Whina Cooper me Te Hīkoi Roa mō Te Manatika.
shorturl.at/YjzQ1
September 18, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
rnzrss.bsky.social
Wellington hīkoi draws thousands to mark half a century of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Wellington hīkoi draws thousands to mark half a century of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Students, teachers and whānau filled Wellington's waterfront with waiata and banners in support of te reo Māori.
www.rnz.co.nz
September 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
chaneyz85.bsky.social
I'm excited about an event that I have been helping organising - a panel discussion of Maurice Gee's contribution to children's literature. It'll be a mixture of readings and people speaking about his work

www.facebook.com/share/19o79R...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
jemyoshioka.bsky.social
It turns out when you publish a book people say nice things about your book. I’m going to collect a few of them here.
An image saying “praise for Folk Remedy” in a handwritten font. Below Maple looks excited while reading a book
September 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
negm25.bsky.social
Do you have a long-form graphic medicine project? Are you struggling with specific elements, or having difficulty viewing it holistically?

Follow the link below for full eligibility requirements and to apply. Deadline is 9/19.

bit.ly/cartooningclinic25

#NEGM25
September 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
I think maybe I didn't mention this here - but National Library has undergone a big structural change and now I'm curator with a portfolio covering Cartoons, Comics, Illustrated books and Children's Literature. So - if I'm talking more in these realms (beyond cartoons and comics) that's why.
September 2, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
literaturegeek.bsky.social
Same! Linked to Zine Librarian Code of Ethics in our @sharpnews.bsky.social "Queer Book History" zine—w/ @fobettarh.bsky.social's foundational work on vocational awe+library workers too—as important to doing queer book history work well with or as library+archive workers, zine authors+collectors.
Screenshot of a section from the "Queer Book History" zine that says "Not specific to book history, but critical reading for...", then: "Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves" by Fobazi Ettarh. In the Library with the Lead Pipe (January 10, 2018), inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2018/vocational-awe. ...a healthy relationship with the library and archive-and library and archive workers, whether you are one or are a visiting researcher." And also: "Zine Librarians Code of Ethics. zinelibraries.info/code-of-ethics ...wisdom on how to work ethically & carefully with zines & zine authors (as librarians; also applicable to other collectors, researchers, teachers)."
August 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
samorchard.bsky.social
It's Mahuru Māori and I thought I'd share some cool things that are at the National Library (I'll do it as a thread and add a new one every(?) day:

Te Ātea (natlib.govt.nz/records/2110...) by Katarina Mataira.

I only came across this book a few years ago, even though it was released in 1975.
natlib.govt.nz
August 31, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
domesticanimal.bsky.social
Popular Myths Amongst Government Ministers.
Teachers and nurses pay vs Crown board members pay.
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #NZHealth #NZEducation
Cartoon. Title: “Popular Myths Amongst Govt Ministers” Image shows MP Judith Collins on a step-ladder, brushing down the suit of a man. He’s labelled as, “This is a Crown Board Member. You have to pay them a lot to attract the good ones” behind her is a group of unhappy looking people. They’re labelled as “These are nurses and teachers. You can pay them in Brownie Points” And Judith Collin’s says, “Well, that’s what I heard”
August 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
Also - friendly reminder that the Ōtautahi Zinefest is on this weekend!
August 30-31st 11am-4pm
Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna O Waiwhetu
Accessibility hour 11am-12pm
312 Montreal St Central City
Ōtautahi Zinefest poster - Poster includes text details of the Ōtautahi Zinefest: "August 30-31st 11am-4pm Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna O Waiwhetu Accessibility hour 11am-12pm 312 Montreal St Central City" The Poster has a central image of an open book with a colourful illustration of things bursting upwards from the pages of the book. The colourful burst include a rabbit, fish, eyeballs with wings, a frog in a top hat and bow-tie, a unicorn, a woman in a green dress listening to an ipod, an electric musical keyboard, a teapot and tea cup, a moon, a snake, flowers and a duck. There are two logos atthe bottom of the poster for the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu and for Word Christchurch Festival 27-31 August 2025.
August 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
plaidcushion.bsky.social
the chch library system is one of our biggest supporters and resources and i love them so much!
August 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Sam Orchard
adzebill.bsky.social
I’m running a zine-making workshop for students in a fortnight, and the Tūranga zine collection has been amazingly useful for inspiration.
August 27, 2025 at 11:25 PM
samorchard.bsky.social
Libraries! Love! Zines!
christchurchlib.bsky.social Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi @christchurchlib.bsky.social · Aug 27
In addition to zine-making events, we also have a reference collection of locally-produced zines at Tūranga, AND you can donate your zine to our collection! my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/about-zines/ ^MT
August 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM