Assigned Media
@assignedmedia.org
An independent news website about trans issues, by trans journalists. assignedmedia.org
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Support our work: https://www.assignedmedia.org/support
A southern California judge has ruled that the feelings of parents matters more than the safety and wellbeing of trans kids. @alyssaur.bsky.social brings you the story in this week's TWIBS.
TWIBS: Judge Benitez Says Trans Kids Have No Rights — Assigned
A federal judge ruled on Monday that teachers and other school employees should be required to report any changes in a child’s gender identity to their parents, a ruling which may violate state laws a...
www.assignedmedia.org
December 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
A southern California judge has ruled that the feelings of parents matters more than the safety and wellbeing of trans kids. @alyssaur.bsky.social brings you the story in this week's TWIBS.
Reposted by Assigned Media
“Went viral” is an old stock phrase in journalism that really does not capture the dynamic of how X dot Com has been tuned to give people like the one specific legislator here the power to intentionally cause this kind of outcome
Texas A&M University will not reinstate a lecturer who was fired after a video of her teaching about gender identity in a children’s literature class went viral, despite a faculty appeals panel unanimously concluding that her dismissal was not justified.
Texas A&M won’t reinstate fired lecturer despite findings
A vice chancellor upheld the firing of Melissa McCoul, seen in a viral video being confronted by a student on her gender identity teachings, saying the termination was done with “good cause.”
www.texastribune.org
December 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“Went viral” is an old stock phrase in journalism that really does not capture the dynamic of how X dot Com has been tuned to give people like the one specific legislator here the power to intentionally cause this kind of outcome
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This essay by @sandyernestallen.bsky.social is excellent and mirrors so much of my own experience re: estrangement and my queer and trans identities.
Also I'll say I found it to be careful with how it discusses trauma. I felt comforted and relieved reading it, rather than overwhelmed or triggered
Also I'll say I found it to be careful with how it discusses trauma. I felt comforted and relieved reading it, rather than overwhelmed or triggered
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This essay by @sandyernestallen.bsky.social is excellent and mirrors so much of my own experience re: estrangement and my queer and trans identities.
Also I'll say I found it to be careful with how it discusses trauma. I felt comforted and relieved reading it, rather than overwhelmed or triggered
Also I'll say I found it to be careful with how it discusses trauma. I felt comforted and relieved reading it, rather than overwhelmed or triggered
Reposted by Assigned Media
icymi, I have a new essay out today ...
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 8:34 PM
icymi, I have a new essay out today ...
Reposted by Assigned Media
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Assigned Media
Whatever they may have provided you in the past, if they're hurting you now and refusing to stop, they don't deserve you. You aren't obligated to let them into your life forever just because they took care of you before, which, might I add, is the bare minimum, not praiseworthy.
December 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Whatever they may have provided you in the past, if they're hurting you now and refusing to stop, they don't deserve you. You aren't obligated to let them into your life forever just because they took care of you before, which, might I add, is the bare minimum, not praiseworthy.
Reposted by Assigned Media
Great essay from @sandyernestallen.bsky.social, expressing a sentiment that I'm very familiar with.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Whether or not it's difficult or painful, you are well within your rights to cut off your family permanently. Nobody in this world is owed access to you.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Whether or not it's difficult or painful, you are well within your rights to cut off your family permanently. Nobody in this world is owed access to you.
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Great essay from @sandyernestallen.bsky.social, expressing a sentiment that I'm very familiar with.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Whether or not it's difficult or painful, you are well within your rights to cut off your family permanently. Nobody in this world is owed access to you.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Whether or not it's difficult or painful, you are well within your rights to cut off your family permanently. Nobody in this world is owed access to you.
Reposted by Assigned Media
"In my mind’s eye, my being out as trans now is like a chair holding shut a door of my prior estrangement."
This is such an apt distillation of my own experience, even as a cis queer person. It's a blessing that also feels like a shared scar: Grief for our pain, gratitude for your perfect words.
This is such an apt distillation of my own experience, even as a cis queer person. It's a blessing that also feels like a shared scar: Grief for our pain, gratitude for your perfect words.
December 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"In my mind’s eye, my being out as trans now is like a chair holding shut a door of my prior estrangement."
This is such an apt distillation of my own experience, even as a cis queer person. It's a blessing that also feels like a shared scar: Grief for our pain, gratitude for your perfect words.
This is such an apt distillation of my own experience, even as a cis queer person. It's a blessing that also feels like a shared scar: Grief for our pain, gratitude for your perfect words.
Reposted by Assigned Media
I'm super pleased to have a short new essay live on
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I'm super pleased to have a short new essay live on
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The holidays are hard when you're estranged from your family, but it gets easier, and you are not alone.
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
From @sandyernestallen.bsky.social some counter programming for trans people who may be struggling today.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Assigned Media
Government small enough to fit in your underwear drawer…
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
FDA Threatens Companies Selling Binders — Assigned
The FDA sent twelve businesses threatening letters on Tuesday, demanding that they register their chest binders as medical devices with the FDA.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Government small enough to fit in your underwear drawer…
Reposted by Assigned Media
These people are deeply weird and obsessed with controlling other people's bodies.
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
FDA Threatens Companies Selling Binders — Assigned
The FDA sent twelve businesses threatening letters on Tuesday, demanding that they register their chest binders as medical devices with the FDA.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
These people are deeply weird and obsessed with controlling other people's bodies.
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
FDA Threatens Companies Selling Binders — Assigned
The FDA sent twelve businesses threatening letters on Tuesday, demanding that they register their chest binders as medical devices with the FDA.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Assigned Media
December 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by Assigned Media
"For my third Christmas behind bars, I proposed a new tradition to my friends: a holiday feast. Our sources of income varied from legitimate jobs to various side hustles, and together we pooled what we could from the canteen and kitchen."
Why That Christmas Feast in Prison Mattered So Much
A DIY feast transformed a time of isolation into a moment of community.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"For my third Christmas behind bars, I proposed a new tradition to my friends: a holiday feast. Our sources of income varied from legitimate jobs to various side hustles, and together we pooled what we could from the canteen and kitchen."
Reposted by Assigned Media
the united negro college fund is unconstitutional... but not the ku klux klan?
not the proud boys?
not ice?
fuck all the way off with that old bullshit.
not the proud boys?
not ice?
fuck all the way off with that old bullshit.
December 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
the united negro college fund is unconstitutional... but not the ku klux klan?
not the proud boys?
not ice?
fuck all the way off with that old bullshit.
not the proud boys?
not ice?
fuck all the way off with that old bullshit.
Reposted by Assigned Media
Merry Christmas! I got you Discourse: jude-doyle.ghost.io/rea/
Reading Rainbow
On problematic feminists and what queer people are allowed to read.
jude-doyle.ghost.io
December 24, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Merry Christmas! I got you Discourse: jude-doyle.ghost.io/rea/
Reposted by Assigned Media
"history summons us all to become advocates for freedom and democracy — whether it’s running for the local school board, speaking up at public meetings, volunteering for candidates and causes we believe in, helping our neighbors under fire... Every moment matters now."
An authoritarian movement, led by the president and reaching into Republican-led state governments and the judiciary is chipping away at American democracy.
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Authoritarian Surge Animates Attacks on Trans Americans — Assigned
The right-wing campaign to create an autocratic state is also endangering long-held freedoms for all Americans, pushing U.S. democracy to the precipice. Trans people, its earliest targets, are among t...
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"history summons us all to become advocates for freedom and democracy — whether it’s running for the local school board, speaking up at public meetings, volunteering for candidates and causes we believe in, helping our neighbors under fire... Every moment matters now."
Reposted by Assigned Media
The judge also ordered that teachers have a right to misgender trans youth even when the parents know of and are supportive of their trans child. Just in case you thought this was actually about parental rights.
24 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Judge overturns CA school policy on outing trans kids, rules parents have right to know & teachers a right to tell them but no mention of child's rights. Case likely bound for Supremes. Weirdly CA law allows abortion w/o parental notification.
Federal judge rules California teachers are allowed to ‘out’ transgender students to parents
The ruling applies to all public schools in California and is a victory for two teachers who claimed that district policies violated their constitutional free speech and religious rights.
edsource.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The judge also ordered that teachers have a right to misgender trans youth even when the parents know of and are supportive of their trans child. Just in case you thought this was actually about parental rights.
23 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Coalition of 19 states file suit against Dept of Health & Human Services and Secy Robert F. Kennedy Jr over new policy that threatens to withhold Medicare/Medicaid payments from any hospital that provides pediatric affirming care to trans kids.
19 states and D.C. sue HHS over effort to ban transgender care for minors
The declaration issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries unsafe and ineffective for children and adolescents ex...
www.cbsnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
23 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Coalition of 19 states file suit against Dept of Health & Human Services and Secy Robert F. Kennedy Jr over new policy that threatens to withhold Medicare/Medicaid payments from any hospital that provides pediatric affirming care to trans kids.
Reposted by Assigned Media
The Texas AG is compiling lists and pix of trans ppl. The Trump admin defies the law to attack trans kids. Trump’s AG designates trans ppl enemies of the state. The Supreme Court dispenses w lower courts to impose his bigoted passport decree
Are we headed toward a police state - or have we arrived?
Are we headed toward a police state - or have we arrived?
An authoritarian movement, led by the president and reaching into Republican-led state governments and the judiciary is chipping away at American democracy.
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Authoritarian Surge Animates Attacks on Trans Americans — Assigned
The right-wing campaign to create an autocratic state is also endangering long-held freedoms for all Americans, pushing U.S. democracy to the precipice. Trans people, its earliest targets, are among t...
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Texas AG is compiling lists and pix of trans ppl. The Trump admin defies the law to attack trans kids. Trump’s AG designates trans ppl enemies of the state. The Supreme Court dispenses w lower courts to impose his bigoted passport decree
Are we headed toward a police state - or have we arrived?
Are we headed toward a police state - or have we arrived?
24 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- For 2 months the FL state Atty Genl has tried to cancel “anti-Christian” Pensacola stop on Ru Paul's Drag Queen Christmas tour Pensacola officials have resolutely refused and 1600 seat theater is sold out. ("We are family/I got all my sisters..")
A Florida official wants to cancel a sold-out Christmas drag show. The queens are performing anyway
A Drag Queen Christmas, featuring artists from RuPaul’s Drag Race, will stop in Pensacola despite the state attorney general’s efforts to stop it
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:15 AM
24 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- For 2 months the FL state Atty Genl has tried to cancel “anti-Christian” Pensacola stop on Ru Paul's Drag Queen Christmas tour Pensacola officials have resolutely refused and 1600 seat theater is sold out. ("We are family/I got all my sisters..")
24 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Judge overturns CA school policy on outing trans kids, rules parents have right to know & teachers a right to tell them but no mention of child's rights. Case likely bound for Supremes. Weirdly CA law allows abortion w/o parental notification.
Federal judge rules California teachers are allowed to ‘out’ transgender students to parents
The ruling applies to all public schools in California and is a victory for two teachers who claimed that district policies violated their constitutional free speech and religious rights.
edsource.org
December 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
24 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Judge overturns CA school policy on outing trans kids, rules parents have right to know & teachers a right to tell them but no mention of child's rights. Case likely bound for Supremes. Weirdly CA law allows abortion w/o parental notification.
Reposted by Assigned Media
An authoritarian movement, led by the president and reaching into Republican-led state governments and the judiciary is chipping away at American democracy.
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Authoritarian Surge Animates Attacks on Trans Americans — Assigned
The right-wing campaign to create an autocratic state is also endangering long-held freedoms for all Americans, pushing U.S. democracy to the precipice. Trans people, its earliest targets, are among t...
www.assignedmedia.org
December 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
An authoritarian movement, led by the president and reaching into Republican-led state governments and the judiciary is chipping away at American democracy.
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Trans people are among the first, most often targeted - but it won't end there. Read the full analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social
Reposted by Assigned Media
If you missed this, reporter Veronica Esposite took us inside a fight at the APA over whether the conversion therapy lite group Therapy First should be allowed to offer continuing ed classes to therapists.
It's an important, original story only on Assigned Media.
It's an important, original story only on Assigned Media.
Therapists push back as the anti-trans group Therapy First has slipped its way into providing continuing education to medical professionals. @veraeikon.bsky.social provides original reporting for this story exclusively on Assigned Media.
Therapists Push Back on Anti-Trans Continuing Education — Assigned
Assigned Media investigates as the anti-trans organization Therapy First has begun offering continuing education to medical professionals.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
If you missed this, reporter Veronica Esposite took us inside a fight at the APA over whether the conversion therapy lite group Therapy First should be allowed to offer continuing ed classes to therapists.
It's an important, original story only on Assigned Media.
It's an important, original story only on Assigned Media.