Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
@kitoconnell.com
🏳️🌈⭐👏Newsletter Writer & Contributor @The Barbed Wire, formerly Digital Editor @Texas Observer, bylines in Teen Vogue, etc. Austin, Texas. They/Them.
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
p.s. There's still time to subscribe (FREE!) and get the third Big and Bright newsletter ... which will be the first issue authored by yours truly!
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
p.s. There's still time to subscribe (FREE!) and get the third Big and Bright newsletter ... which will be the first issue authored by yours truly!
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Photojournalist @harmonli.bsky.social captured this "cute" photo of me, while we were on assignment for @texasobserver.org at Barking Springs. I wrote about a trans "takeover" day that took place after a brutal attack. Look for the story and photos in the Postcard feature in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue.
November 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Photojournalist @harmonli.bsky.social captured this "cute" photo of me, while we were on assignment for @texasobserver.org at Barking Springs. I wrote about a trans "takeover" day that took place after a brutal attack. Look for the story and photos in the Postcard feature in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue.
Gorgeous lime-icing birthday cake for the Festival Beach Food Forest, covered in botanical goodness grown right in this park.
November 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Gorgeous lime-icing birthday cake for the Festival Beach Food Forest, covered in botanical goodness grown right in this park.
Celebrating the 10 year birthday of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin with Blowcomotion marching band.
November 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Celebrating the 10 year birthday of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin with Blowcomotion marching band.
I'll be tabling at the Lone Star Zine Fest, for the Festival Beach Food Forest, on Saturday from 1 - 4. Come say hi!
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I'll be tabling at the Lone Star Zine Fest, for the Festival Beach Food Forest, on Saturday from 1 - 4. Come say hi!
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
Austin is having a normal sort of day
August 1, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Austin is having a normal sort of day
Dozens gathered yesterday in Austin for a banner drop opposing the genocide in #Palestine. This is a regular gathering but the group said it was their largest turnout ever.
July 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Dozens gathered yesterday in Austin for a banner drop opposing the genocide in #Palestine. This is a regular gathering but the group said it was their largest turnout ever.
Sadie Hernandez of Transgender Education Network of Texas praising the resiliency of trans Texans fighting for their rights. Says the bathroom bill encourages vigilante justice. "Trans people exist, trans people are cool, kinda cooler than others I'm sorry, and Texas leadership needs to get a grip."
July 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Sadie Hernandez of Transgender Education Network of Texas praising the resiliency of trans Texans fighting for their rights. Says the bathroom bill encourages vigilante justice. "Trans people exist, trans people are cool, kinda cooler than others I'm sorry, and Texas leadership needs to get a grip."
Sen. Molly Cook, a nurse and openly bisexual, says it's appalling that Republicans are using survivors stories to attack Trans rights and make people less safe. Emphasizes there is no evidence that these bills create safety.
July 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Sen. Molly Cook, a nurse and openly bisexual, says it's appalling that Republicans are using survivors stories to attack Trans rights and make people less safe. Emphasizes there is no evidence that these bills create safety.
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez of the House LGBT Caucus is speaking about the bathroom bill. Says that even as a cis women, she has had people police her bathroom usage and threaten her safety, even in the Texas Capitol.
July 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez of the House LGBT Caucus is speaking about the bathroom bill. Says that even as a cis women, she has had people police her bathroom usage and threaten her safety, even in the Texas Capitol.
"Let us pee in peace," says Wendy Davis to cheers. She is linking abortion access and trans rights and calling for bodily autonomy for all. "Our trans sisters deserve to be safe in the restroom."
July 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Let us pee in peace," says Wendy Davis to cheers. She is linking abortion access and trans rights and calling for bodily autonomy for all. "Our trans sisters deserve to be safe in the restroom."
A press conference for trans rights is starting at the Texas Capitol. The Republican party is claiming a bathroom bill is necessary to "protect women's privacy" so women are gathering to show their opposition to the bill.
July 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A press conference for trans rights is starting at the Texas Capitol. The Republican party is claiming a bathroom bill is necessary to "protect women's privacy" so women are gathering to show their opposition to the bill.
How did they know about the bees?
July 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
How did they know about the bees?
Rebel Cheese sells luxury vegan food products to Austin while workers say they are being paid as low as $7.25 hr.
June 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Rebel Cheese sells luxury vegan food products to Austin while workers say they are being paid as low as $7.25 hr.
The workers have a drummer now. Ain't no power like the power of the people, y'all.
Cars honking as they go by.
Cars honking as they go by.
June 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The workers have a drummer now. Ain't no power like the power of the people, y'all.
Cars honking as they go by.
Cars honking as they go by.
Five workers were laid off shortly after Rebel Cheese workers in Austin unionized and asked for a $2 raise. They are now striking to demand reinstatement of all workers.
June 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Five workers were laid off shortly after Rebel Cheese workers in Austin unionized and asked for a $2 raise. They are now striking to demand reinstatement of all workers.
Honk for Workers Rights! Workers at Austin's vegan deli Rebel Cheese are on strike after multiple workers were fired for union organizing and demanding a small raise.
June 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Honk for Workers Rights! Workers at Austin's vegan deli Rebel Cheese are on strike after multiple workers were fired for union organizing and demanding a small raise.
Honk for Workers Rights! Workers at Austin's vegan deli Rebel Cheese are on strike after multiple workers were fired for union organizing and demanding a small raise.
June 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Honk for Workers Rights! Workers at Austin's vegan deli Rebel Cheese are on strike after multiple workers were fired for union organizing and demanding a small raise.
KD Drackert of Clear The Air ATX on why the Left and Democrats need to step up and support public health, masking and and Long Covid sufferers: www.patreon.com/posts/lefts-...
June 28, 2025 at 7:49 PM
KD Drackert of Clear The Air ATX on why the Left and Democrats need to step up and support public health, masking and and Long Covid sufferers: www.patreon.com/posts/lefts-...
Well, that's a first: my cat just hung up the phone during the middle of an interview I was conducting.
Pictured, Ygritte with the paw she used to commit the crime in question:
Pictured, Ygritte with the paw she used to commit the crime in question:
June 20, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Well, that's a first: my cat just hung up the phone during the middle of an interview I was conducting.
Pictured, Ygritte with the paw she used to commit the crime in question:
Pictured, Ygritte with the paw she used to commit the crime in question:
About 40 people are outside a Tesla showroom in South Austin to protest Elon Musk. #TeslaTakedown
April 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
About 40 people are outside a Tesla showroom in South Austin to protest Elon Musk. #TeslaTakedown
Happy Perfect Date, everyone!
April 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Happy Perfect Date, everyone!
Four potentially devastating anti-trans bills are expected to pass the Texas Senate today including a bathroom ban. TENT and other LGBTQIA groups hope to halt their movement in the House.
April 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Four potentially devastating anti-trans bills are expected to pass the Texas Senate today including a bathroom ban. TENT and other LGBTQIA groups hope to halt their movement in the House.