Joelle Maslak
@jmaslak.bsky.social
Just another neurodivergent techie. Expect to see me talk about computer networks, feminism, human rights, and autism--and how they are connected. Delcared un-American by the US government.
Trans travel guide update - US Georgia
US GA: Trans prisoner healthcare ban ruled unconstitutional.
travelwhiletrans.com
US GA: Trans prisoner healthcare ban ruled unconstitutional.
travelwhiletrans.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Trans travel guide update - US Georgia
US GA: Trans prisoner healthcare ban ruled unconstitutional.
travelwhiletrans.com
US GA: Trans prisoner healthcare ban ruled unconstitutional.
travelwhiletrans.com
So today the WSJ published an article about how awful ADHD meds are for kids, because they don't completely cure every mental health concern in the children, basically.
So sick of this. If you think "they have a point", go research the outcomes of people with untreated ADHD.
So sick of this. If you think "they have a point", go research the outcomes of people with untreated ADHD.
December 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
So today the WSJ published an article about how awful ADHD meds are for kids, because they don't completely cure every mental health concern in the children, basically.
So sick of this. If you think "they have a point", go research the outcomes of people with untreated ADHD.
So sick of this. If you think "they have a point", go research the outcomes of people with untreated ADHD.
Questions
A transgender poem, about the questions that lead to loss.
A transgender poem, about the questions that lead to loss.
Questions
A transgender poem, about the questions that lead to loss.
gender-thoughts.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Questions
A transgender poem, about the questions that lead to loss.
A transgender poem, about the questions that lead to loss.
I have concerns about sports.
...about showers.
...about bathrooms.
...about library books.
...about jails.
...about legal identification.
...about trans school teachers.
...about trans graduate students.
...about legal name changes.
Next step:
...about trans existence.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
...about showers.
...about bathrooms.
...about library books.
...about jails.
...about legal identification.
...about trans school teachers.
...about trans graduate students.
...about legal name changes.
Next step:
...about trans existence.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
www.npr.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I have concerns about sports.
...about showers.
...about bathrooms.
...about library books.
...about jails.
...about legal identification.
...about trans school teachers.
...about trans graduate students.
...about legal name changes.
Next step:
...about trans existence.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
...about showers.
...about bathrooms.
...about library books.
...about jails.
...about legal identification.
...about trans school teachers.
...about trans graduate students.
...about legal name changes.
Next step:
...about trans existence.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
This is what you do when you're asked to harm others. You resist. It is life giving.
when you actually know trans people, are in community with them.. shit's different, huh? much love for these leaders. this is how you lead.
December 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This is what you do when you're asked to harm others. You resist. It is life giving.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
At the recent ACIP meeting, members spread lies about vaccines and autistic people. Vaccines are important. They protect us from diseases, and they let autistic kids grow to become autistic adults. We do not need to be prevented; we need support and respect. autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan...
December 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
At the recent ACIP meeting, members spread lies about vaccines and autistic people. Vaccines are important. They protect us from diseases, and they let autistic kids grow to become autistic adults. We do not need to be prevented; we need support and respect. autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan...
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Also, we will drop a press release about this but not advertise the time or participating stores on our website. Autistic people *love* making phone calls to confirm the information in a 13-month-old press release is accurate!
The hour, agreed upon by all leading supermarkets, will conveniently be held between one and two in the morning, a time where autistic people are most likely to be able to get out and about.
Convenient! Shop autism hours to be held annually from 1am to 2am on Mars
Autistic people everywhere are celebrating the news that supermarkets will be holding one annual quiet shopping hour just for them - just a short rocket trip from Earth. The hour, agreed upon by all…
thedailytism.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Also, we will drop a press release about this but not advertise the time or participating stores on our website. Autistic people *love* making phone calls to confirm the information in a 13-month-old press release is accurate!
The way this was covered on the TV news was basically the same way you would cover something like "Because Jane knew what to when someone was choking, she saved a life. She says, 'a little knowledge goes a long way. Also, here's that knowledge."
I think that's significant.
I think that's significant.
Great Moments in Immigration Enforcement
"I asked them if they had a judicial warrant. They said they didn't need one. I said yes you do."
Employees then captured video of agents leaving and turning the wrong way on a one way street.
youtu.be/C9t9HE9vmX0?...
"I asked them if they had a judicial warrant. They said they didn't need one. I said yes you do."
Employees then captured video of agents leaving and turning the wrong way on a one way street.
youtu.be/C9t9HE9vmX0?...
South Minneapolis restaurant says ICE entered without warrant, staff push back
ICE's presence is keeping many on edge, including one Minneapolis restaurant, which says it had its first ICE encounter since opening more than a decade ago.
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 6:32 AM
The way this was covered on the TV news was basically the same way you would cover something like "Because Jane knew what to when someone was choking, she saved a life. She says, 'a little knowledge goes a long way. Also, here's that knowledge."
I think that's significant.
I think that's significant.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Every effort that builds solidarity matters. Thrilled to see Colorado's work to develop a mutual aid defense compact get coverage in @chalkbeat.org www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202... 💪🥰
With our powers combined: Colorado university faculty seek collective response to Trump
Several Colorado university faculty councils say school leaders should adopt a so-called mutual academic defense compact to counter the Trump administration’s push to reshape higher education. The com...
www.chalkbeat.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Every effort that builds solidarity matters. Thrilled to see Colorado's work to develop a mutual aid defense compact get coverage in @chalkbeat.org www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202... 💪🥰
Since the discourse is about "legitimate" autism again...
This was written in 2006 by #ActuallyAutistic folk, in response to a call at the time to gatekeep the diagnosis of autism. Self-diagnosis has long been recognized as valid amongst autistic self-advocates.
web.archive.org/web/20060925...
This was written in 2006 by #ActuallyAutistic folk, in response to a call at the time to gatekeep the diagnosis of autism. Self-diagnosis has long been recognized as valid amongst autistic self-advocates.
web.archive.org/web/20060925...
Autism Information Library: autistics.org Editorial: Who Can Call Themselves Autistic?
web.archive.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Since the discourse is about "legitimate" autism again...
This was written in 2006 by #ActuallyAutistic folk, in response to a call at the time to gatekeep the diagnosis of autism. Self-diagnosis has long been recognized as valid amongst autistic self-advocates.
web.archive.org/web/20060925...
This was written in 2006 by #ActuallyAutistic folk, in response to a call at the time to gatekeep the diagnosis of autism. Self-diagnosis has long been recognized as valid amongst autistic self-advocates.
web.archive.org/web/20060925...
Reminder: It's possible to dramatically reduce your risk of COVID and other airborne bugs by wearing a good mask. Even if you don't wear it quite 100% of the time. I've been masking when indoors and not eating since 2020. I've never had COVID. 1/
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Reminder: It's possible to dramatically reduce your risk of COVID and other airborne bugs by wearing a good mask. Even if you don't wear it quite 100% of the time. I've been masking when indoors and not eating since 2020. I've never had COVID. 1/
I'm sick of the entire genre of "news" articles along the lines of:
"I voted for Trump. Now he's harming me and my family. But, hell, I'd vote for him again, I just wish he wouldn't eat my face."
I know some Americans make dumbshit decisions and put party over self-interest. No shit.
"I voted for Trump. Now he's harming me and my family. But, hell, I'd vote for him again, I just wish he wouldn't eat my face."
I know some Americans make dumbshit decisions and put party over self-interest. No shit.
December 5, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I'm sick of the entire genre of "news" articles along the lines of:
"I voted for Trump. Now he's harming me and my family. But, hell, I'd vote for him again, I just wish he wouldn't eat my face."
I know some Americans make dumbshit decisions and put party over self-interest. No shit.
"I voted for Trump. Now he's harming me and my family. But, hell, I'd vote for him again, I just wish he wouldn't eat my face."
I know some Americans make dumbshit decisions and put party over self-interest. No shit.
You're shitting me. The party that is all "Men and women are God ordained as completely distinct species with different strengths and weaknesses" thinks that women are a subspecies?! How shocking! /s
A member of the House Republican caucus said this.
Oh. So things are BAD bad.
Oh. So things are BAD bad.
December 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
You're shitting me. The party that is all "Men and women are God ordained as completely distinct species with different strengths and weaknesses" thinks that women are a subspecies?! How shocking! /s
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Having to identify oneself as disabled to access accommodations is, on its own, a huge barrier to getting many disabled people the accommodations they need.
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Having to identify oneself as disabled to access accommodations is, on its own, a huge barrier to getting many disabled people the accommodations they need.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Ashley James, celebrity star of Good Morning has resigned from Girl Guides in response to their exclusion of trans girls.
December 4, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Ashley James, celebrity star of Good Morning has resigned from Girl Guides in response to their exclusion of trans girls.
One of my least favorite art genres is "autism awareness" art. So much of this is just incredibly ugly.
December 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
One of my least favorite art genres is "autism awareness" art. So much of this is just incredibly ugly.
Be careful hero worshiping Renée Richards. Namely, her current, shitty, opinion on trans people in sports is:
"I believe that having gone through male puberty disqualifies transgender women from the female category in sports."
www.si.com/tennis/renee...
"I believe that having gone through male puberty disqualifies transgender women from the female category in sports."
www.si.com/tennis/renee...
Renée Richards Shares Her Position on Gender Policy in Tennis
The groundbreaking tennis player offered her thoughts on transgender participation in the sport to the WTA in April 2024.
www.si.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Be careful hero worshiping Renée Richards. Namely, her current, shitty, opinion on trans people in sports is:
"I believe that having gone through male puberty disqualifies transgender women from the female category in sports."
www.si.com/tennis/renee...
"I believe that having gone through male puberty disqualifies transgender women from the female category in sports."
www.si.com/tennis/renee...
Reminder about these "OMG, people are faking disability!" stories.
They really are "I don't think ADHD is real" stories because that, along with pain and long COVID, are not readily apparent to ableists.
ADHD is real. So is chronic pain. So is long COVID.
They really are "I don't think ADHD is real" stories because that, along with pain and long COVID, are not readily apparent to ableists.
ADHD is real. So is chronic pain. So is long COVID.
December 4, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reminder about these "OMG, people are faking disability!" stories.
They really are "I don't think ADHD is real" stories because that, along with pain and long COVID, are not readily apparent to ableists.
ADHD is real. So is chronic pain. So is long COVID.
They really are "I don't think ADHD is real" stories because that, along with pain and long COVID, are not readily apparent to ableists.
ADHD is real. So is chronic pain. So is long COVID.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Pete Hegseth risked our servicemembers’ lives by sharing classified information on unsecured systems.
He needs to resign or be fired.
He needs to resign or be fired.
December 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Pete Hegseth risked our servicemembers’ lives by sharing classified information on unsecured systems.
He needs to resign or be fired.
He needs to resign or be fired.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
Not trying to dunk too hard on you but coming from the perspective of disabled guy on benefits: I don't know a single person faking their disability to get monthly checks but I DO know a few objectively disabled folks that cannot get on benefits because of gatekeeping.
Balancing "no person with a disability should be denied accommodations" with "it's important to discourage non-disabled people from pretending to be disabled to take advantage of these accommodations" is really difficult and I don't have a great answer for what anyone should do about it.
December 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Not trying to dunk too hard on you but coming from the perspective of disabled guy on benefits: I don't know a single person faking their disability to get monthly checks but I DO know a few objectively disabled folks that cannot get on benefits because of gatekeeping.
Since we're talking shopping for healthcare, usually price isn't my main concern. Instead, it's:
1) Transphobic?
2) Do what I need?
3) In-network?
4) See new patients?
5) Appointment before 2035?
6) If I'm lucky, I might then filter for distance, like within 100 miles.
1) Transphobic?
2) Do what I need?
3) In-network?
4) See new patients?
5) Appointment before 2035?
6) If I'm lucky, I might then filter for distance, like within 100 miles.
December 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Since we're talking shopping for healthcare, usually price isn't my main concern. Instead, it's:
1) Transphobic?
2) Do what I need?
3) In-network?
4) See new patients?
5) Appointment before 2035?
6) If I'm lucky, I might then filter for distance, like within 100 miles.
1) Transphobic?
2) Do what I need?
3) In-network?
4) See new patients?
5) Appointment before 2035?
6) If I'm lucky, I might then filter for distance, like within 100 miles.
Anti-trans politics in the Dems is basically the thing that Democrats use to show they aren't "radical" and are willing to go against their party.
It's vice signalling.
It's vice signalling.
December 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Anti-trans politics in the Dems is basically the thing that Democrats use to show they aren't "radical" and are willing to go against their party.
It's vice signalling.
It's vice signalling.
The Women's Institute in UK's bullshit along the lines of "trans women were gracious when we told them" isn't the message of respect for trans women they seem to think it is, when they fail to account for what happens to trans women who express anger. We're not allowed anger.
December 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The Women's Institute in UK's bullshit along the lines of "trans women were gracious when we told them" isn't the message of respect for trans women they seem to think it is, when they fail to account for what happens to trans women who express anger. We're not allowed anger.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
The truth is that there are many good people in good institutions regretfully making the choice to sacrifice trans people because they fear for their own survival and their institution's survival...
...and it is incumbent on us to show them that their choice is not without consequence.
...and it is incumbent on us to show them that their choice is not without consequence.
December 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The truth is that there are many good people in good institutions regretfully making the choice to sacrifice trans people because they fear for their own survival and their institution's survival...
...and it is incumbent on us to show them that their choice is not without consequence.
...and it is incumbent on us to show them that their choice is not without consequence.
Every trans person who is on a knife edge. On one side is employment for another day. On the other is whether a random transphobe posts "Ick, gross, trans person" with your picture and employer name, and it goes viral. You will get fired, from pretty much any company, if that happens to you.
When writing this piece, I kept thinking back to this Instagram post I saw from a trans woman the other day. This is what I'm talking about. Watch this:
December 3, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Every trans person who is on a knife edge. On one side is employment for another day. On the other is whether a random transphobe posts "Ick, gross, trans person" with your picture and employer name, and it goes viral. You will get fired, from pretty much any company, if that happens to you.