Adam Rhodes
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social
Deeply unserious person writing about serious things | award-winning investigative journalist writing about queer people & the legal system | nonbinary menace & belligerently queer | Chicago is home | DMs are off the record. More at adamrhodeswrites.com
Pinned
Adam Rhodes
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social
· Jan 22
‘People Will Die’ from Trump’s Trans Prisoner Crackdown, Experts Warn
Trump's executive order eliminating transgender rights in prison will hurt or kill trans prisoners, experts warn.
theappeal.org
Even before Monday, LGBTQ+ advocates and prison watchdogs were keeping a close eye on how Trump could target trans prisoners. Then the executive orders came. My latest for @theappeal.org theappeal.org/trump-execut...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Speaking of ways people are penalized for interactions with the criminal-legal system (and a note that trans people are at higher risk of that, especially QTBIPOC).
In Illinois, Trans People With Criminal Records Still Face Hurdles to Changing Their Names - Bolts
Illinois earlier this year removed obstacles that some trans residents face when changing their name, with legislators lifting more of the restrictions faced by people with criminal convictions. The ...
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Speaking of ways people are penalized for interactions with the criminal-legal system (and a note that trans people are at higher risk of that, especially QTBIPOC).
thank you so much for sharing my piece!! Means a lot!
November 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
thank you so much for sharing my piece!! Means a lot!
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Cleveland Heights elects its first out LGBTQ+ mayor. And - come January - he may be the only one in Ohio.
After a scandal-prone year for the previous mayor, Jim Petras aims to restore trust in city leadership.
thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/11/24/c...
After a scandal-prone year for the previous mayor, Jim Petras aims to restore trust in city leadership.
thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/11/24/c...
Cleveland Heights elects its first out LGBTQ+ mayor. And he may be the only one in Ohio.
After a scandal-prone year for the previous mayor, Jim Petras aims to restore trust in city leadership.
thebuckeyeflame.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Cleveland Heights elects its first out LGBTQ+ mayor. And - come January - he may be the only one in Ohio.
After a scandal-prone year for the previous mayor, Jim Petras aims to restore trust in city leadership.
thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/11/24/c...
After a scandal-prone year for the previous mayor, Jim Petras aims to restore trust in city leadership.
thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/11/24/c...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
BREAKING: Trump is again separating kids from families
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.
Under a zero tolerance policy, the first Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. New data suggests separations are happening all over the count...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
BREAKING: Trump is again separating kids from families
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
This is a great piece and it's by a journalism school classmate so have to share. missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-w...
S.F. has zero electric-wheelchair charging stations. Users are frustrated.
Electric wheelchair users are used to keeping a mental map of where to charge their chairs. The city hasn't done enough to help, they say.
missionlocal.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This is a great piece and it's by a journalism school classmate so have to share. missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-w...
Gonna be on WCPT-820 in a few hours to talk about this article! thegailyshow.org
My last freelance piece of the year published yesterday in @boltsmag.org, taking a look at how Illinois' name change law still disproportionately impacts trans people with criminal histories. boltsmag.org/illinois-nam...
In Illinois, Trans People With Criminal Records Still Face Hurdles to Changing Their Names - Bolts
Illinois earlier this year removed obstacles that some trans residents face when changing their name, with legislators lifting more of the restrictions faced by people with criminal convictions. The ...
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Gonna be on WCPT-820 in a few hours to talk about this article! thegailyshow.org
It's Friday and I just (finally) published my new website! new domain, new look, new everything! adamrhodeswrites.com
Adam Rhodes - Journalist, Educator
adamrhodeswrites.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
It's Friday and I just (finally) published my new website! new domain, new look, new everything! adamrhodeswrites.com
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
This #TransgenderAwarenessWeek, we're launching the Trans News Initiative - a nearly yearlong project dedicated to tracking and analyzing news coverage of trans communities across the United States.
transnewsinitiative.org
transnewsinitiative.org
Trans News Initiative
A database and analysis of news coverage affecting trans communities.
transnewsinitiative.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This #TransgenderAwarenessWeek, we're launching the Trans News Initiative - a nearly yearlong project dedicated to tracking and analyzing news coverage of trans communities across the United States.
transnewsinitiative.org
transnewsinitiative.org
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
@sorayanadiamcdonald.com and I aren't rich, but we're working on it...
if there was a rich person with the will, you could build the most incredible news organization that has ever existed just from the wreckage of this year alone.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
@sorayanadiamcdonald.com and I aren't rich, but we're working on it...
My last freelance piece of the year published yesterday in @boltsmag.org, taking a look at how Illinois' name change law still disproportionately impacts trans people with criminal histories. boltsmag.org/illinois-nam...
In Illinois, Trans People With Criminal Records Still Face Hurdles to Changing Their Names - Bolts
Illinois earlier this year removed obstacles that some trans residents face when changing their name, with legislators lifting more of the restrictions faced by people with criminal convictions. The ...
boltsmag.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
My last freelance piece of the year published yesterday in @boltsmag.org, taking a look at how Illinois' name change law still disproportionately impacts trans people with criminal histories. boltsmag.org/illinois-nam...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
“The Trump administration’s cuts are happening alongside breakthroughs in HIV prevention science, including an injectable medication that could completely transform HIV prevention efforts around the globe."
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social for @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2025/11/13/h...
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social for @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2025/11/13/h...
Trump has threatened decades of progress in global fight against HIV/AIDS
From defunding federal programs to slashing global aid, few have done as much damage to public health as Trump has
prismreports.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM
“The Trump administration’s cuts are happening alongside breakthroughs in HIV prevention science, including an injectable medication that could completely transform HIV prevention efforts around the globe."
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social for @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2025/11/13/h...
@byadamrhodes.bsky.social for @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2025/11/13/h...
Very grateful for my sources at @avac.org, @prep4allnow.bsky.social, and Physicians for Human Rights for helping me understand just how far reaching this crisis goes. And all while a game-changing drug comes to market.
In under a year, the Trump administration has threatened decades of progress in global fight against HIV/AIDS, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports. From defunding federal programs to slashing global aid, few have done as much damage to public health as Trump has.
Trump has threatened decades of progress in global fight against HIV/AIDS
From defunding federal programs to slashing global aid, few have done as much damage to public health as Trump has
prismreports.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Very grateful for my sources at @avac.org, @prep4allnow.bsky.social, and Physicians for Human Rights for helping me understand just how far reaching this crisis goes. And all while a game-changing drug comes to market.
Roughly a year ago, Rainbow Youth Project received 3,000 calls a month from across the country to its crisis hotline. Under the Trump administration, that number has tripled to 10,000. And they're sadly not alone. My latest for @prismreports.org prismreports.org/2025/11/04/l...
Queer-serving organizations are pushed to the brink under Trump
The Rainbow Youth Project, the Trevor Project, and other groups providing mental health services to LGBTQIA+ youth report a massive rise in need
prismreports.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Roughly a year ago, Rainbow Youth Project received 3,000 calls a month from across the country to its crisis hotline. Under the Trump administration, that number has tripled to 10,000. And they're sadly not alone. My latest for @prismreports.org prismreports.org/2025/11/04/l...
Love to see this article in @thebuckeyeflame.com about the ways growing anti-LGBTQ+ hostility is impacting longstanding events in our community — and reporting that doesn't shy away from the important role kink, leather and fetish organizations play. (this doesn't just impact queer people!)
Columbus or Bust: Amidst feelings of betrayal and hope, Cleveland’s Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) leaves its namesake city
CLAW announced that the 2026 event was moving after they were unable to book a contract with any Cleveland-area hotels or venues.
thebuckeyeflame.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Love to see this article in @thebuckeyeflame.com about the ways growing anti-LGBTQ+ hostility is impacting longstanding events in our community — and reporting that doesn't shy away from the important role kink, leather and fetish organizations play. (this doesn't just impact queer people!)
NBC was one of the best legacy outlets covering LGBTQ+ issues. Their coverage for YEARS has been award-winning, landmark work. Shame, shame, shame. It's just disgusting.
Shame on NBC for this indefensible decision. When these communities need rigorous journalism now more than ever, NBC is abandoning them. Horrific to do this at the same time ICE continues to escalate its racist attacks and after months/years of historic rollbacks in civil rights for queer people.
NBC News has reportedly eliminated its NBC BLK, NBC Asian America, NBC Latino and NBC OUT teams
October 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
NBC was one of the best legacy outlets covering LGBTQ+ issues. Their coverage for YEARS has been award-winning, landmark work. Shame, shame, shame. It's just disgusting.
Shame on NBC for this indefensible decision. When these communities need rigorous journalism now more than ever, NBC is abandoning them. Horrific to do this at the same time ICE continues to escalate its racist attacks and after months/years of historic rollbacks in civil rights for queer people.
NBC News has reportedly eliminated its NBC BLK, NBC Asian America, NBC Latino and NBC OUT teams
NBC News’ 150 Layoffs Gut Black, Latino, Asian American and LGBTQ+ Diversity Teams
The cuts affected teams across the NBC News operation and came as the network no longer needed to support two different news operations. MSNBC has begun growing its own newsroom, hiring swaths of tale...
www.thewrap.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Shame on NBC for this indefensible decision. When these communities need rigorous journalism now more than ever, NBC is abandoning them. Horrific to do this at the same time ICE continues to escalate its racist attacks and after months/years of historic rollbacks in civil rights for queer people.
i am her she is me
I don't get how people can dislike opossums. They're afraid of everybody, they look like a stuffed animal version of themselves, and they have zero grace. Perfect creatures.
October 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
i am her she is me
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
The Trump administration says it wants to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation.
Well, they're not doing that, experts and advocates say. They're actually making it harder to protect kids from mutilation.
New reporting from @jazzmyth.bsky.social and myself
Well, they're not doing that, experts and advocates say. They're actually making it harder to protect kids from mutilation.
New reporting from @jazzmyth.bsky.social and myself
Anti-trans policies aren't preventing genital mutilation — they're disrupting efforts to stop it
The bipartisan movement against female genital mutilation and cutting is being co-opted by anti-trans activists, hindering urgent laws from being passed.
19thnews.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The Trump administration says it wants to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation.
Well, they're not doing that, experts and advocates say. They're actually making it harder to protect kids from mutilation.
New reporting from @jazzmyth.bsky.social and myself
Well, they're not doing that, experts and advocates say. They're actually making it harder to protect kids from mutilation.
New reporting from @jazzmyth.bsky.social and myself
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Bravo, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social, for this excellent piece in @xtramagazine.com about why queer community still needs places for public sex. (Because, well, it’s not just about sex. It’s about so much more).
The queer community still needs places for public sex | Xtra Magazine
Sex party promoters, kink community leaders and educators refuse to shy away from the more explicit aspects of the queer experience
xtramagazine.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Bravo, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social, for this excellent piece in @xtramagazine.com about why queer community still needs places for public sex. (Because, well, it’s not just about sex. It’s about so much more).
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
It’s not even 10 a.m., and so much has unfolded in Chicago:
– Illinois sues Trump over the National Guard deployment
– Mayor Brandon Johnson bans city property use for immigration enforcement
– Journalists and protesters sue the feds over Broadview violence
– Illinois sues Trump over the National Guard deployment
– Mayor Brandon Johnson bans city property use for immigration enforcement
– Journalists and protesters sue the feds over Broadview violence
October 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It’s not even 10 a.m., and so much has unfolded in Chicago:
– Illinois sues Trump over the National Guard deployment
– Mayor Brandon Johnson bans city property use for immigration enforcement
– Journalists and protesters sue the feds over Broadview violence
– Illinois sues Trump over the National Guard deployment
– Mayor Brandon Johnson bans city property use for immigration enforcement
– Journalists and protesters sue the feds over Broadview violence
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Not to be a pedant but Bari Weiss was a junior editor who occasionally wrote opinion pieces in the opinion section, not a columnist.
October 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Not to be a pedant but Bari Weiss was a junior editor who occasionally wrote opinion pieces in the opinion section, not a columnist.
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
BREAKING: Illinois has filed suit to block Trump's deployment of the military to Chicago.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
BREAKING: Illinois has filed suit to block Trump's deployment of the military to Chicago.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Adam Rhodes
Our 11-part Taking Space series spotlighting LGBTQ2S+ gathering spaces is live! Read about the activist history of queer bookstores, the new wave of women's sports bars and the power of queer archives from writers @byadamrhodes.bsky.social, @evecable.bsky.social, @ainopihlak.bsky.social and more.
Taking Space | Xtra Magazine
Taking Space explores how LGBTQ2S+ gathering spaces shape queer and trans lives, how we use them and why they matter.
xtramagazine.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Our 11-part Taking Space series spotlighting LGBTQ2S+ gathering spaces is live! Read about the activist history of queer bookstores, the new wave of women's sports bars and the power of queer archives from writers @byadamrhodes.bsky.social, @evecable.bsky.social, @ainopihlak.bsky.social and more.