The Barbed Wire
@thebarbedwire.com
For all Texans who love Texas.
Pinned
The Barbed Wire
@thebarbedwire.com
· Oct 27
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...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“I got off stage, exhausted but happy. Then I saw Rob Reiner. He was approaching me with a big smile.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
A Moment With Rob Reiner That Meant Everything
One night at a comedy club, I was at a low point. Then a legend appeared.
thebarbedwire.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
“I got off stage, exhausted but happy. Then I saw Rob Reiner. He was approaching me with a big smile.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Abraham Quintanilla, who died this weekend, helped guide his daughter to stardom and sought to preserve her image after her death.
Our remembrance by Katy Vine: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/remembering-abraham-quintanilla/
Our remembrance by Katy Vine: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/remembering-abraham-quintanilla/
Abraham Quintanilla Was a Fierce Protector of His Daughter Selena’s Legacy
Quintanilla, who died this weekend, helped guide his daughter to stardom and sought to preserve her image after her death.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Abraham Quintanilla, who died this weekend, helped guide his daughter to stardom and sought to preserve her image after her death.
Our remembrance by Katy Vine: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/remembering-abraham-quintanilla/
Our remembrance by Katy Vine: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/remembering-abraham-quintanilla/
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
This is a really sweet story that I needed to read on a day like this
I met Rob Reiner in 2015 at a comedy show in Austin. I was at a low point and needed a boost. Then he appeared.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
A Moment With Rob Reiner That Meant Everything
One night at a comedy club, I was at a low point. Then a legend appeared.
thebarbedwire.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This is a really sweet story that I needed to read on a day like this
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
I met Rob Reiner in 2015 at a comedy show in Austin. I was at a low point and needed a boost. Then he appeared.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
A Moment With Rob Reiner That Meant Everything
One night at a comedy club, I was at a low point. Then a legend appeared.
thebarbedwire.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I met Rob Reiner in 2015 at a comedy show in Austin. I was at a low point and needed a boost. Then he appeared.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/15/r...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
There’s something really lovely about this part of adulthood — a window into the incredible care that goes into the magic you perceive in childhood. And I would like to know how other people experience this. Thank you!!! 💕♥️
Callout!! Last year I helped do Santa for my 3-year-old nephew and saw that the Magic of Christmas doesn’t go away. It’s even better: The whole time you felt that, it was a ton of people who love you working to bring you joy with no ego about taking credit for it.
When did you first see this?
When did you first see this?
December 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
There’s something really lovely about this part of adulthood — a window into the incredible care that goes into the magic you perceive in childhood. And I would like to know how other people experience this. Thank you!!! 💕♥️
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Callout!! Last year I helped do Santa for my 3-year-old nephew and saw that the Magic of Christmas doesn’t go away. It’s even better: The whole time you felt that, it was a ton of people who love you working to bring you joy with no ego about taking credit for it.
When did you first see this?
When did you first see this?
December 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Callout!! Last year I helped do Santa for my 3-year-old nephew and saw that the Magic of Christmas doesn’t go away. It’s even better: The whole time you felt that, it was a ton of people who love you working to bring you joy with no ego about taking credit for it.
When did you first see this?
When did you first see this?
“Compared to now, it feels almost cozy — a simpler time when the panic du jour was a Starbucks cup that didn’t feature enough Christian symbolism.”
For a brief, shimmering moment, the biggest culture-war emergency was whether saying “Merry Christmas” loudly enough could protect the republic. @briangaar.bsky.social reminisces about the Good Ole Days before the Overton Window moved into outer space.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/11/m...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/11/m...
Remember the ‘War on Christmas’? I Kinda Miss It.
The comparatively lower stakes of the War on Christmas.
thebarbedwire.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
“Compared to now, it feels almost cozy — a simpler time when the panic du jour was a Starbucks cup that didn’t feature enough Christian symbolism.”
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Check out my latest for @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org ! This was so much fun to cover and I got to team up with a rad enby photographer, too.
The Texas Supreme Court said in October that judges may decline to perform marriages based on their religious beliefs.
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Check out my latest for @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org ! This was so much fun to cover and I got to team up with a rad enby photographer, too.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
This is a great list, and it includes my personal favorite, @thebarbedwire.com , for anyone with Texas affiliations!
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is a great list, and it includes my personal favorite, @thebarbedwire.com , for anyone with Texas affiliations!
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“If a fascist is merely someone who opposes democracy, then let me be clear: I oppose democracy — and have always opposed democracy,” Jason Lee Van Dyke once wrote.
Now, he’s running for office.
Now, he’s running for office.
He’s an Unapologetic Fascist Who ‘Despises’ Democracy. He Still Wants You to Vote for Him.
He was once leader of the Proud Boys, has posted racist threats online, and sports a white nationalist tattoo.
thebarbedwire.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
“If a fascist is merely someone who opposes democracy, then let me be clear: I oppose democracy — and have always opposed democracy,” Jason Lee Van Dyke once wrote.
Now, he’s running for office.
Now, he’s running for office.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Read about some queer joy! Photos by the excellent Salgu Wissmath & written by @kitoconnell.com and our colleagues over at @thebarbedwire.com
A big queer Texas wedding party celebrates LGBTQ+ marriage while it's under threat
A new law allows judges to refuse to perform same-sex weddings. An Austin judge responded by doing eight weddings and two vow renewals at a flower-filled event.
19thnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Read about some queer joy! Photos by the excellent Salgu Wissmath & written by @kitoconnell.com and our colleagues over at @thebarbedwire.com
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Wrote a whole chapter on Van Dyke in my Proud Boys book — described him as the physical manifestation of a human hand grenade.
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
He’s an Unapologetic Fascist Who ‘Despises’ Democracy. He Still Wants You to Vote for Him.
He was once leader of the Proud Boys, has posted racist threats online, and sports a white nationalist tattoo.
thebarbedwire.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Wrote a whole chapter on Van Dyke in my Proud Boys book — described him as the physical manifestation of a human hand grenade.
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
The Big Queer Wedding Party at the Cathedral, East Austin’s church-turned-art gallery, was an act of joyous defiance to show that LGBTQ+ Texans are still here — and still loving each other.
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The Big Queer Wedding Party at the Cathedral, East Austin’s church-turned-art gallery, was an act of joyous defiance to show that LGBTQ+ Texans are still here — and still loving each other.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
The Texas Supreme Court said in October that judges may decline to perform marriages based on their religious beliefs.
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Texas Supreme Court said in October that judges may decline to perform marriages based on their religious beliefs.
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
In response, Denise Hernández, a queer Latina judge, threw a Big Gay Wedding Party. With the @19thnews.org, we sent a fabulous photographer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/10/b...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“This is not communities spontaneously rising up against protecting trans folks…the messaging piece, the legislative piece that has come since then… has been from the right wing think tanks that have poll-tested and created language and shared it with legislators.”
“They are trying to pump it out.”
“They are trying to pump it out.”
IRW — a Pulitzer-winning nonprofit newsroom at American — and @thebarbedwire.com traced the history of anti-trans legislation. Houston conservatives realized homophobia didn’t fly anymore, weaponized girls’ safety, and parroted segregationist language. It worked.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War
In fighting for bathroom bills in Houston, Texas conservatives provided a blueprint for the rest of the country.
thebarbedwire.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
“This is not communities spontaneously rising up against protecting trans folks…the messaging piece, the legislative piece that has come since then… has been from the right wing think tanks that have poll-tested and created language and shared it with legislators.”
“They are trying to pump it out.”
“They are trying to pump it out.”
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
The Handbasket's independent journalism holiday gift guide is LIVE!
If you want to support indie media *and* give someone a unique gift, consider a paid subscription from this [by no means exhaustive] list of awesome outlets doing the work and doing it right:
If you want to support indie media *and* give someone a unique gift, consider a paid subscription from this [by no means exhaustive] list of awesome outlets doing the work and doing it right:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The Handbasket's independent journalism holiday gift guide is LIVE!
If you want to support indie media *and* give someone a unique gift, consider a paid subscription from this [by no means exhaustive] list of awesome outlets doing the work and doing it right:
If you want to support indie media *and* give someone a unique gift, consider a paid subscription from this [by no means exhaustive] list of awesome outlets doing the work and doing it right:
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
December 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Independent media is great! @thebarbedwire.com is one of my favorites, even though I’m not from Texas. @oliviamesser.bsky.social and team are the best.
December 8, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Independent media is great! @thebarbedwire.com is one of my favorites, even though I’m not from Texas. @oliviamesser.bsky.social and team are the best.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
This is very good work.
IRW — a Pulitzer-winning nonprofit newsroom at American — and @thebarbedwire.com traced the history of anti-trans legislation. Houston conservatives realized homophobia didn’t fly anymore, weaponized girls’ safety, and parroted segregationist language. It worked.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War
In fighting for bathroom bills in Houston, Texas conservatives provided a blueprint for the rest of the country.
thebarbedwire.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This is very good work.
Honored to be on this list of independent media outlets doing the work this year without billionaire backers. Thanks @marisakabas.bsky.social and cheers to our indie colleagues who deserve your support!
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Honored to be on this list of independent media outlets doing the work this year without billionaire backers. Thanks @marisakabas.bsky.social and cheers to our indie colleagues who deserve your support!
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Glad to see this reporting.
IRW — a Pulitzer-winning nonprofit newsroom at American — and @thebarbedwire.com traced the history of anti-trans legislation. Houston conservatives realized homophobia didn’t fly anymore, weaponized girls’ safety, and parroted segregationist language. It worked.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War
In fighting for bathroom bills in Houston, Texas conservatives provided a blueprint for the rest of the country.
thebarbedwire.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Glad to see this reporting.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
This week a bathroom bill went into effect in Texas for the first time.
After 10 years and 19 attempts.
To regulate bathrooms for 1% of the population.
The obvious question is… why? Here are the answers we found, after years and so much reporting.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
After 10 years and 19 attempts.
To regulate bathrooms for 1% of the population.
The obvious question is… why? Here are the answers we found, after years and so much reporting.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War
In fighting for bathroom bills in Houston, Texas conservatives provided a blueprint for the rest of the country.
thebarbedwire.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
This week a bathroom bill went into effect in Texas for the first time.
After 10 years and 19 attempts.
To regulate bathrooms for 1% of the population.
The obvious question is… why? Here are the answers we found, after years and so much reporting.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
After 10 years and 19 attempts.
To regulate bathrooms for 1% of the population.
The obvious question is… why? Here are the answers we found, after years and so much reporting.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...