Notices by Mx. Kit O'Connell — Hire me! (oconnell@federate.social)

Immigration lawyers offer advice on what to do if #ICE comes to the restaurant where you work:
https://www.eater.com/24364171/ice-immigration-raids-restaurants-know-your-rights-what-to-do

According to the Transgender Education Network of Texas, there have been 140 bills attacking the rights of #trans and #LGBTQ+ people introduced in this #Texas legislative session.

Imagine if these lawmakers felt the same pressure to constructively and creatively address... literally any real issue. https://billtracker.transtexas.org

#TXlege #politics #USpol #transphobia #trans #LGBTQIA+ #news

I went on the VisuNews #podcast, hosted by photojournalist Zach D Roberts, to discuss my recent essay on why we need to be more strategic and targeted in our protesting during the #Trump era. https://kitoconnell.com/protesting-empty-buildings-kit-oconnell-visunews-podcast/

#activism #protest #50501 #politics #USpol #news #HumanRights #LGBTQIA+ #Texas #Austin #DonaldTrump #history #journalism

Since I published this, I've seen three or four, maybe close to a half dozen protests in #Austin, all scheduled for the same place: the #Texas Capitol. None of them seem to be directly addressing what's happening inside our legislature. It's frustrating but not surprising. I hope we get more creative. https://kitoconnell.com/protests-rallies-donald-trump-strategic-action/

#protest #activism #politics #USpol #Trump

I'll once again drop in @prisonculture's Google Doc of actions which are neither protesting nor voting. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OSWxykA1WHOi0vTPLAJDaCeVhR3uSfh7PhlCj4t4yT0/edit?tab=t.0

Passports with 'X' sex markers will be valid until they expire or are renewed, State Department says https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/passports-x-sex-marker-guidance-valid-expire-state-department-rcna191539

#transphobia #nonbinary #LGBTQIA+ #politics #USpol #news

“Complacency towards hate speech is not simply 'taking the high road,' but rather another step toward normalizing bigotry and dehumanization — one that’s not only upsetting, but dangerously naïve.”

It’s Pathetic That Dems Can’t Stop Nancy Mace From Saying the T-Slur in Congress https://www.them.us/story/nancy-mace-anti-trans-slurs-congress-democratic-party-response-op-ed

#transphobia #LGBTQIA #fascism #trans #Democrats #Republicans #politics #USpol #news

New York Times editorial board: It's normal to debate whether trans people deserve human rights, but we draw the line at actual genocide!

“Things aren’t changing, period,” Club President Sarah Dickerson said. “Whatever this executive order says does not matter. We’re not going to follow those rules…literally make me. Middle finger to the haters.”

Women’s rugby team Round Rock Rage responds to Trump order against transgender athletes | KXAN Austin
https://www.kxan.com/lgbtq/womens-rugby-round-rock-rage-trump-order-trans-athletes/

#trans #LGBTQIA #sports #Texas #politics #USpol #Trump #news

I didn't have egg heists on my 2025 bingo card but it's obvious in retrospect.

100K eggs stolen from East Coast supplier - oregonlive.com
https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2025/02/100k-eggs-stolen-from-east-coast-supplier.html

#news #food

“We owe it to trans youth and communities to push back with all our might, to refuse to deny care, to challenge administrators who try to shut it down, to support providers under attack, and to contribute to mutual aid efforts that will ensure continuity of care.”

We Aren’t Powerless in the Face of Trump’s Outrageous, Anti-Trans Edicts | Truthout
https://truthout.org/articles/we-arent-powerless-in-the-face-of-trumps-outrageous-anti-trans-edicts/

#LGBTQIA #politics #USpol #news #activism #health

"Despite possessing Certificates of Indian Blood (CIBs) and state-issued IDs, several individuals have been detained or questioned by ICE agents who do not recognize these documents as valid proof of citizenship."

Reports of Navajo people being detained in immigration sweeps sparks concern from tribal leaders
https://azmirror.com/2025/01/24/reports-of-navajo-people-being-detained-in-immigration-sweeps-sparks-concern-from-tribal-leaders/

#immigration #politics #Indigenous #news #Trump

I think it's incredibly important to call things what they are right now. No bullshit, no weasel words.

Got a press release from some Republican weirdos claiming there is a secret Democratic effort to block Trump from taking office. I only wish the Democrats had even half as much energy to oppose DJT's agenda as the Q-pilled folks imagine that they do.

My favorite coverage I created from last year's #SXSW conference: I got a tip about a planned disruption of a mayors' panel featuring Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, on behalf of #StopCopCity. For Deceleration ... https://deceleration.news/viva-viva-tortugita-atlanta-mayor-chased-out-of-sxsw-conference/

I've continued to assist Texas Observer with their social media since the layoff. I've kept them active on Mastodon and it's thanks to my foresight that they were an early adopter of Bluesky and currently have 50,000 followers there. I've also continued to contribute throughout 2024. https://www.texasobserver.org/young-greg-abbott-musical/

#journalism #SocialMedia #politics #USpol #culture #Texas #GregAbbott #news

In a followup to my 2023 @TexasObserver feature article on Austin drag performers, I covered a short film about local #drag culture which played at this year’s #SXSW Festival.
https://www.texasobserver.org/queen-vs-texas-drag-swxw/

#culture #Texas #Austin #film #documentary

Here's a megathread of my personal, from various publications.

Despite getting laid off, 2024 was a year where I'm very proud of the work I did and all that I've accomplished.

Of course, probably the highlight of my year was not something I wrote, but rather something written about me.

I'm so very grateful to Columbia Journalism Review for publishing Lucy Schiller's profile of my work, accompanied by Montinique Monroe's phenomenal photos. https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/kit-oconnell-austin-movement-journalism.php "

#journalism #nonbinary #LGBTQIA+ #Austin #Texas #news

For Austin Free Press: While a lot of local media reported on the bomb threat which temporarily shut down a popular drag show, most of them didn’t talk to the actual artists and organizers behind the show. Most coverage also did not connect the incident to other threats that same weekend. https://austinfreepress.org/queens-gambit-performers-vow-to-return-after-bomb-threat-shutters-drag-queen-show/

#LGBTQIA+ #transphobia #homophobia #poice #Austin #Texas #news