Heidi Stevens
@heidikstevens.bsky.social
Writer
Optimist
Chicago stan
Optimist
Chicago stan
Pinned
Heidi Stevens: ‘We’re going to throw our humanity out?’ Immigration crackdown taking us down a cruel path
It’s hard to believe that this blitz has anything to do with public safety or ensuring that people come to the U.S. the so-called right way.
www.chicagotribune.com
How is any of this making America safer?
Crueler? Certainly. Merciless? Absolutely. Heartless? We’re heading there.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/01/h...
Crueler? Certainly. Merciless? Absolutely. Heartless? We’re heading there.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/01/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Coming in July! “Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity, and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI”
A troubling fear nags at me: that human connection—the one thing children need most—is at risk of becoming a rarity. My book, I hope, provides families a line of defense 💚
A troubling fear nags at me: that human connection—the one thing children need most—is at risk of becoming a rarity. My book, I hope, provides families a line of defense 💚
February 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Coming in July! “Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity, and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI”
A troubling fear nags at me: that human connection—the one thing children need most—is at risk of becoming a rarity. My book, I hope, provides families a line of defense 💚
A troubling fear nags at me: that human connection—the one thing children need most—is at risk of becoming a rarity. My book, I hope, provides families a line of defense 💚
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
As a pediatric physician, as an early childhood researcher, and as a child development expert, I am compelled to state, in no uncertain terms: the current approach to immigration reform is deeply detrimental to children, in both the present and long-term.
🧵
🧵
January 25, 2026 at 8:09 PM
As a pediatric physician, as an early childhood researcher, and as a child development expert, I am compelled to state, in no uncertain terms: the current approach to immigration reform is deeply detrimental to children, in both the present and long-term.
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
They are never, ever going to win in Minnesota.
January 23, 2026 at 8:56 PM
They are never, ever going to win in Minnesota.
Where are the folks who thought masks and remote learning were government overreach? Who thought vaccine mandates were fascism? Who thought capacity restrictions were tyranny?
I'm having a hard time reconciling all that with what's happening now.
My column
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/h...
I'm having a hard time reconciling all that with what's happening now.
My column
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/h...
Heidi Stevens: As federal agents target citizens, where are the folks who cried ‘tyranny’ over pandemic restrictions?
I’m wondering how federal immigration agents’ actions sit with those who saw vaccine mandates as government overreach, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Where are the folks who thought masks and remote learning were government overreach? Who thought vaccine mandates were fascism? Who thought capacity restrictions were tyranny?
I'm having a hard time reconciling all that with what's happening now.
My column
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/h...
I'm having a hard time reconciling all that with what's happening now.
My column
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
i think standing too close to ICE is what has been getting people killed
January 9, 2026 at 6:58 AM
i think standing too close to ICE is what has been getting people killed
The new vaccine schedule—arrived upon with no scientific input—represents the unraveling of a pretty key component of the American Dream: the part where you give your children a better life than the one you had.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/h...
Heidi Stevens: Stripping science from vaccine schedule chips away the dream of a better future for our children
I fear that skepticism and scorn have been elevated to the upper echelons of power, where fateful decisions are being made, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
The new vaccine schedule—arrived upon with no scientific input—represents the unraveling of a pretty key component of the American Dream: the part where you give your children a better life than the one you had.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
An inspiring, life-affirming column from @heidikstevens.bsky.social to start the New Year, reminding us to find the joy wherever we can & take care of one another ✨️ #NewYear2026 #newyear
From the Leo High School choir's joyful energy, to the Chicago Marathon’s collective humanity.
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
Heidi Stevens: At the end of an imperfect year, a list that reminds us what tomorrow is for
There’s still more growing, healing, loving and protecting to do, so here are the things I’m carrying into 2026, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:06 PM
An inspiring, life-affirming column from @heidikstevens.bsky.social to start the New Year, reminding us to find the joy wherever we can & take care of one another ✨️ #NewYear2026 #newyear
From the Leo High School choir's joyful energy, to the Chicago Marathon’s collective humanity.
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
Heidi Stevens: At the end of an imperfect year, a list that reminds us what tomorrow is for
There’s still more growing, healing, loving and protecting to do, so here are the things I’m carrying into 2026, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
From the Leo High School choir's joyful energy, to the Chicago Marathon’s collective humanity.
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
From every act of resistance, to every holiday card writer.
From every sunrise, to every sunset.
25 things I'm carrying with me into 2026.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Thanks to Heidi spotlighting Pinta Pride Campaign from the beginning, I continue to send out holiday cards every year to people I don't know and will likely never meet.
We can also send them year-round. Birthdays, Halloween, Pride, whatever.
A creative and impactful way to be an #LGBTQ #ally.
We can also send them year-round. Birthdays, Halloween, Pride, whatever.
A creative and impactful way to be an #LGBTQ #ally.
It's easy to feel like you don't recognize this country right now. But a campaign to write holiday cards to LGBTQ+ folks shunned by their families is sending tens of thousands of notes to strangers.
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
Heidi Stevens: In these fraught times, a growing holiday card campaign perhaps means a little bit more
The Pinta Pride Project raises awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community despite the cruelty and chaos of our political climate.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's easy to feel like you don't recognize this country right now. But a campaign to write holiday cards to LGBTQ+ folks shunned by their families is sending tens of thousands of notes to strangers.
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
Heidi Stevens: In these fraught times, a growing holiday card campaign perhaps means a little bit more
The Pinta Pride Project raises awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community despite the cruelty and chaos of our political climate.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It's easy to feel like you don't recognize this country right now. But a campaign to write holiday cards to LGBTQ+ folks shunned by their families is sending tens of thousands of notes to strangers.
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
That's also who we are.
My column ❤️
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
“One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or characters.” open.substack.com/pub/populari...
Tennessee public libraries close for Trump-inspired book purge
One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or...
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
“One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or characters.” open.substack.com/pub/populari...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Thought-provoking column by the always brilliant @heidikstevens.bsky.social, who makes the connection between “Quiet, piggy” and why women who’ve been abused don’t come forward.
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Thought-provoking column by the always brilliant @heidikstevens.bsky.social, who makes the connection between “Quiet, piggy” and why women who’ve been abused don’t come forward.
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Great piece on Trump's 'Quiet, piggy' moment. This phrase could be the new shorthand way to explain how abusers silence their victims. Keep quiet or be punished cruelly.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Great piece on Trump's 'Quiet, piggy' moment. This phrase could be the new shorthand way to explain how abusers silence their victims. Keep quiet or be punished cruelly.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Worth a read
The president of the United States, when asked about his documented friendship with a convicted sex offender, replied, “Quiet, piggy.”
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Worth a read
The president of the United States, when asked about his documented friendship with a convicted sex offender, replied, “Quiet, piggy.”
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The president of the United States, when asked about his documented friendship with a convicted sex offender, replied, “Quiet, piggy.”
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
This, by @heidikstevens.bsky.social, is a gut punch
“We’re waiting to see what we stand for. Stand for meaning what defines us, and stand for meaning what we’ll allow. What we cherish, what we’re willing to concede.
Who we’ll protect from abuse of power, and whose abuse of power we’ll protect.”
“We’re waiting to see what we stand for. Stand for meaning what defines us, and stand for meaning what we’ll allow. What we cherish, what we’re willing to concede.
Who we’ll protect from abuse of power, and whose abuse of power we’ll protect.”
Heidi Stevens: It’s morning in America, and we have no idea if the day will bring help and hope — or more cruelty
Our country and our city are at a precipice, and we may soon see what we stand for, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 AM
This, by @heidikstevens.bsky.social, is a gut punch
“We’re waiting to see what we stand for. Stand for meaning what defines us, and stand for meaning what we’ll allow. What we cherish, what we’re willing to concede.
Who we’ll protect from abuse of power, and whose abuse of power we’ll protect.”
“We’re waiting to see what we stand for. Stand for meaning what defines us, and stand for meaning what we’ll allow. What we cherish, what we’re willing to concede.
Who we’ll protect from abuse of power, and whose abuse of power we’ll protect.”
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Trump’s “mental faculties are crumbling like blue cheese, and major media need to write prominent stories about this alarming problem – not just stick a sentence into the 14th paragraph of a news story.”
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
Media must cover — not cover up — Trump’s unfitness
The president benefits from the failure to focus on his broken brain
www.stopthepresses.news
October 27, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Trump’s “mental faculties are crumbling like blue cheese, and major media need to write prominent stories about this alarming problem – not just stick a sentence into the 14th paragraph of a news story.”
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
“I want to see a world — not just for my son, but for everybody who is neurodivergent or has a disability — that accepts them and allows them to be who they are,” he continued. “That doesn’t see them as other. That doesn’t take away their human value. There’s good for everybody in that.” Same.♥️
7.5 million US children have disabilities. When you chip away at special ed, you chip away at the promise of our country. You chip away at education as the great equalizer. You chip away at our potential, our productivity and our moral character.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
Heidi Stevens: Gutting special education services is a betrayal of conservative ideals and our collective values
When you chip away at any child’s ability to access education, you chip away at the full promise of our country, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“I want to see a world — not just for my son, but for everybody who is neurodivergent or has a disability — that accepts them and allows them to be who they are,” he continued. “That doesn’t see them as other. That doesn’t take away their human value. There’s good for everybody in that.” Same.♥️
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
Grotesquely transparent racist.
Trump on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: "Low IQ. Very low IQ. And we don't need low IQ people."
October 24, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Grotesquely transparent racist.
What's left if we continue this path of wreckage—to historic landmarks, to national parks, to museums, to libraries? To institutions that belong to all people, that welcome all people, that see worth and promise and humanity in all people?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/24/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/24/h...
Heidi Stevens: What we lose when our leaders choose to tear down what connects and nourishes us
And what will our country look like if we continue this path of wreckage — to national parks, to museums, to libraries, asks Heidi Stevens
www.chicagotribune.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
What's left if we continue this path of wreckage—to historic landmarks, to national parks, to museums, to libraries? To institutions that belong to all people, that welcome all people, that see worth and promise and humanity in all people?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/24/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/24/h...
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
I want more people to care that SNAP benefits are being cut off on November 1. 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. This is callous and vile.
October 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I want more people to care that SNAP benefits are being cut off on November 1. 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. This is callous and vile.
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
My son is one of millions of kids who benefit from an individualized education program (IEP), and who stand to lose with continued cuts at Department of Education. I shared my family’s story with columnist @heidikstevens.bsky.social. Check out her latest column and make your voice heard! #IDEA #IEP
7.5 million US children have disabilities. When you chip away at special ed, you chip away at the promise of our country. You chip away at education as the great equalizer. You chip away at our potential, our productivity and our moral character.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
Heidi Stevens: Gutting special education services is a betrayal of conservative ideals and our collective values
When you chip away at any child’s ability to access education, you chip away at the full promise of our country, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:14 AM
My son is one of millions of kids who benefit from an individualized education program (IEP), and who stand to lose with continued cuts at Department of Education. I shared my family’s story with columnist @heidikstevens.bsky.social. Check out her latest column and make your voice heard! #IDEA #IEP
Reposted by Heidi Stevens
It was never about saving children.
7.5 million US children have disabilities. When you chip away at special ed, you chip away at the promise of our country. You chip away at education as the great equalizer. You chip away at our potential, our productivity and our moral character.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
Heidi Stevens: Gutting special education services is a betrayal of conservative ideals and our collective values
When you chip away at any child’s ability to access education, you chip away at the full promise of our country, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
It was never about saving children.
7.5 million US children have disabilities. When you chip away at special ed, you chip away at the promise of our country. You chip away at education as the great equalizer. You chip away at our potential, our productivity and our moral character.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
Heidi Stevens: Gutting special education services is a betrayal of conservative ideals and our collective values
When you chip away at any child’s ability to access education, you chip away at the full promise of our country, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
7.5 million US children have disabilities. When you chip away at special ed, you chip away at the promise of our country. You chip away at education as the great equalizer. You chip away at our potential, our productivity and our moral character.
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/h...