Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social
LGBTQI+ Policy Director at @americanprogress.bsky.social. Based in the DMV, Kansan at heart. My views are my own. Any pronouns. 🌈🏳️⚧️
Join me tomorrow for our conversation about the 2024 CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey! RSVP here: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...
July 27, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Join me tomorrow for our conversation about the 2024 CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey! RSVP here: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...
My colleague Sara at @americanprogress.bsky.social examined our CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey, revealing that LGBTQI+ households earn just 85 cents for every $1 of non-LGBTQI+ households. LGBTQI+ women households earn even less, at just 52 cents per $1.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
July 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
My colleague Sara at @americanprogress.bsky.social examined our CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey, revealing that LGBTQI+ households earn just 85 cents for every $1 of non-LGBTQI+ households. LGBTQI+ women households earn even less, at just 52 cents per $1.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed.
If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.
If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.
July 3, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed.
If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.
If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.
Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.
June 26, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.
Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.
June 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.
Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.
June 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.
Today's Something Censored - The Department of Housing and Urban Development compiled a resource on ensuring equal access to shelters/ housing programs for trans people. While it was removed from HUD's website, it is still a powerful tool for organizations committed to providing inclusive resources.
June 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Today's Something Censored - The Department of Housing and Urban Development compiled a resource on ensuring equal access to shelters/ housing programs for trans people. While it was removed from HUD's website, it is still a powerful tool for organizations committed to providing inclusive resources.
Today's Something Censored - The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) once provided a resource for organizations and community centers on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Youth as part of FYSB homeless youth programs. LGBTQIA2S+ young people are more likely to be homeless than their peers.
June 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Today's Something Censored - The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) once provided a resource for organizations and community centers on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Youth as part of FYSB homeless youth programs. LGBTQIA2S+ young people are more likely to be homeless than their peers.
Today's Something Censored - The VA used to have a comprehensive resource page for providing medical care to LGBTQI+ veterans. The page included resources everything from serving trans and non-binary vets - to details on suicide prevention services. All have been wiped from the VA site.
June 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Today's Something Censored - The VA used to have a comprehensive resource page for providing medical care to LGBTQI+ veterans. The page included resources everything from serving trans and non-binary vets - to details on suicide prevention services. All have been wiped from the VA site.
Today's Something Censored - The Office in charge of federal contracts for the Department of Labor used to have a "Know Your Rights" document outlining non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ workers. The fact sheet was provided in multiple languages. All have been wiped from the DOL website.
June 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Today's Something Censored - The Office in charge of federal contracts for the Department of Labor used to have a "Know Your Rights" document outlining non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ workers. The fact sheet was provided in multiple languages. All have been wiped from the DOL website.
Today’s Something Censored - The Biden administration published a thorough toolkit on advancing trans equity in partnership with multiple federal agencies. The toolkit provided resources and laid out inclusive policy goals.
June 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Today’s Something Censored - The Biden administration published a thorough toolkit on advancing trans equity in partnership with multiple federal agencies. The toolkit provided resources and laid out inclusive policy goals.
Good policy is informed by good data - but gathering data, particularly for the LGBTQI+ community is harder than it's ever been. @americanprogress.bsky.social is committed to collecting that data and using it to shape solutions to real-world problems.
June 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Good policy is informed by good data - but gathering data, particularly for the LGBTQI+ community is harder than it's ever been. @americanprogress.bsky.social is committed to collecting that data and using it to shape solutions to real-world problems.
Today's Something Censored - SAMSHA published a groundbreaking report on the harms of conversion therapy - also known as change efforts. The 100+ page report provided key, concrete evidence and tangible next steps to protect all young people.
June 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Today's Something Censored - SAMSHA published a groundbreaking report on the harms of conversion therapy - also known as change efforts. The 100+ page report provided key, concrete evidence and tangible next steps to protect all young people.
Today's Something Censored - The VA published dozens of articles about the lives and accomplishments of veterans - including LGBTQI+ veterans. This story highlighted a trans vet's work on preventing homelessness.
June 10, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Today's Something Censored - The VA published dozens of articles about the lives and accomplishments of veterans - including LGBTQI+ veterans. This story highlighted a trans vet's work on preventing homelessness.
Today's Something Censored - Ok, this one is wonky but stay with me - it's important. For years, LGBTQI+ advocates have been working to get the Census to ask questions on their surveys about LGBTQ identity. Doing so is deceptively difficult, but very possible - and this censored report details how.
June 4, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Today's Something Censored - Ok, this one is wonky but stay with me - it's important. For years, LGBTQI+ advocates have been working to get the Census to ask questions on their surveys about LGBTQ identity. Doing so is deceptively difficult, but very possible - and this censored report details how.
Today's Something Censored - A fact sheet on the pro-LGBTQI+ policies championed and passed by the Biden administration. The fact sheet featured policies like non-discrimination protections, better data collection, and more.
June 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Today's Something Censored - A fact sheet on the pro-LGBTQI+ policies championed and passed by the Biden administration. The fact sheet featured policies like non-discrimination protections, better data collection, and more.
Today's Something Censored - A detailed policy on ensuring equity and non-discrimination for trans HHS employees. The policy writes that "the obligation to honor the diversity of the HHS workforce" is fundamental to its mission.
June 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Today's Something Censored - A detailed policy on ensuring equity and non-discrimination for trans HHS employees. The policy writes that "the obligation to honor the diversity of the HHS workforce" is fundamental to its mission.
Today's Something Censored - Guidance from the EEOC on protecting LGBTQI+ workers from discrimination. The guidance specifies that LGBTQI+ people are protected by laws banning discrimination based on sex - like Title VII. The web page provides clear examples and ways to report discrimination.
May 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Today's Something Censored - Guidance from the EEOC on protecting LGBTQI+ workers from discrimination. The guidance specifies that LGBTQI+ people are protected by laws banning discrimination based on sex - like Title VII. The web page provides clear examples and ways to report discrimination.
Today's Something Censored - A comprehensive resource for elementary and secondary schools on how to ensure their students are protected from discrimination and harassment. The guide provides guidance, resources, and model policies on topics from COVID-19 to preventing sexual violence.
May 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Today's Something Censored - A comprehensive resource for elementary and secondary schools on how to ensure their students are protected from discrimination and harassment. The guide provides guidance, resources, and model policies on topics from COVID-19 to preventing sexual violence.
Today's Something Censored - When SCOTUS determined sex discrim protections included LGBTQI+ people, many agencies, like the USDA, updated their policies. This memo provided guidance and answers potential questions for state program directors on protecting LGBTQI+ folks in food programs like SNAP.
May 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Today's Something Censored - When SCOTUS determined sex discrim protections included LGBTQI+ people, many agencies, like the USDA, updated their policies. This memo provided guidance and answers potential questions for state program directors on protecting LGBTQI+ folks in food programs like SNAP.
Today's Something Censored - The VA initiated a comprehensive review of their policies to ensure inclusivity of trans veterans. The announcement acted as a recommitment to serve all who served - including trans folks.
May 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Today's Something Censored - The VA initiated a comprehensive review of their policies to ensure inclusivity of trans veterans. The announcement acted as a recommitment to serve all who served - including trans folks.
I started Something Censored as a project to shed light on just a few of the hundreds of documents and resources the Trump administration has wiped from government websites. The good news is we were prepared, archiving crucial LGBTQI+ resources.
May 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I started Something Censored as a project to shed light on just a few of the hundreds of documents and resources the Trump administration has wiped from government websites. The good news is we were prepared, archiving crucial LGBTQI+ resources.
Today's Something Censored - In 2015, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that ensured same-sex couples were included under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This web page announcing the rule was one of the first to be removed when Trump took office.
May 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Today's Something Censored - In 2015, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that ensured same-sex couples were included under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This web page announcing the rule was one of the first to be removed when Trump took office.
Today's Something Censored - Some web pages censored by the Trump admin were whole resource lists. This resource bank was from the LGBTQI+ Working group at the DOJ - providing crucial resources for topics from HIV to harassment laws.
May 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Today's Something Censored - Some web pages censored by the Trump admin were whole resource lists. This resource bank was from the LGBTQI+ Working group at the DOJ - providing crucial resources for topics from HIV to harassment laws.
Today's Something Censored - A release from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on their rule codifying protections from discrimination for LGBTQI+ people by lenders. It said that the "industry is on notice that the Bureau will not tolerate illegal discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community."
May 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Today's Something Censored - A release from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on their rule codifying protections from discrimination for LGBTQI+ people by lenders. It said that the "industry is on notice that the Bureau will not tolerate illegal discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community."