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/
Pinned
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
Some days I wish you needed to pass a test before you can own a dog.
December 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Some days I wish you needed to pass a test before you can own a dog.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
as one of the few visually impaired people on here I would literally accept the argument that this place is unusable for people with full need of screen readers (because it is) but people never say that. They all say we’re inconvenient and annoying for existing and shouldn’t be considered
December 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
as one of the few visually impaired people on here I would literally accept the argument that this place is unusable for people with full need of screen readers (because it is) but people never say that. They all say we’re inconvenient and annoying for existing and shouldn’t be considered
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Just want to point out that this man was leading the whole Turning Point USA crowd in prayer last week.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Russell Brand charged with further counts of rape and sexual assault
The alleged offences took place in 2009, the Crown Protection Service said
www.independent.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Just want to point out that this man was leading the whole Turning Point USA crowd in prayer last week.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
"[T]rans healthcare has been marooned on its own island."
"[C]overage of a war on US science, attacks on expertise, and ideology coming before evidence has left out attacks on transgender healthcare."
#USA #Media #Healthcare
"[C]overage of a war on US science, attacks on expertise, and ideology coming before evidence has left out attacks on transgender healthcare."
#USA #Media #Healthcare
The Neglected Front in RFK Jr.'s War on Science
As trans healthcare is decimated no one is standing up for the integrity of the scientific process for these patients.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"[T]rans healthcare has been marooned on its own island."
"[C]overage of a war on US science, attacks on expertise, and ideology coming before evidence has left out attacks on transgender healthcare."
#USA #Media #Healthcare
"[C]overage of a war on US science, attacks on expertise, and ideology coming before evidence has left out attacks on transgender healthcare."
#USA #Media #Healthcare
They told me it fell off the back of a truck.
‘Acquired gender’ like I bought it off the shelf
December 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
They told me it fell off the back of a truck.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
New gender dropped, just in time for Christmas.
December 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
New gender dropped, just in time for Christmas.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Any journalist who has not at least once committed reckless disregard of leadership is not to be trusted.
It’s interesting that the administration wants you to know that Bari Weiss is in league with them.
December 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Any journalist who has not at least once committed reckless disregard of leadership is not to be trusted.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Two days before the show was to air, Weiss suggested revamping it, including adding interviews of Stephen Miller, whose personal contact information she has (of course). Also objected to calling migrants migrants.
December 22, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Two days before the show was to air, Weiss suggested revamping it, including adding interviews of Stephen Miller, whose personal contact information she has (of course). Also objected to calling migrants migrants.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
The CBS reporter who led the story calls pulling it a "political" decision.
"The decision was made after Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, requested numerous changes to the segment."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
"The decision was made after Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, requested numerous changes to the segment."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
December 22, 2025 at 3:10 AM
The CBS reporter who led the story calls pulling it a "political" decision.
"The decision was made after Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, requested numerous changes to the segment."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
"The decision was made after Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, requested numerous changes to the segment."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
So Bari Weiss’s first real editorial intervention at CBS is to repress coverage of American concentration camps.
December 22, 2025 at 3:05 AM
So Bari Weiss’s first real editorial intervention at CBS is to repress coverage of American concentration camps.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Here are the 28 Dem Senators who voted to advance the first federal ban on trans athletes & a federal definition of sex that would make trans & intersex people non-existent: Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Chris Coons (DE), ->
By a vote of 76-23, S 1071 passes the motion to proceed to the motion to concur. Won't know who voted for this until the roll call is uploaded, but safe to say it passed with the support of at least 24 members of the Democratic caucus. (Rand Paul probably voted nay and Steve Daines has been absent).
December 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Here are the 28 Dem Senators who voted to advance the first federal ban on trans athletes & a federal definition of sex that would make trans & intersex people non-existent: Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Chris Coons (DE), ->
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
People GOTTA stop complaining about being critical and pushing on Democrats. Right now Republicans are trying to consolidate power for a fucking dictatorship. Democrats inability to say so as a bloc is inexcusable--and they can't, because they're more afraid of their corporate masters than us,
December 16, 2025 at 1:02 AM
People GOTTA stop complaining about being critical and pushing on Democrats. Right now Republicans are trying to consolidate power for a fucking dictatorship. Democrats inability to say so as a bloc is inexcusable--and they can't, because they're more afraid of their corporate masters than us,
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
There were Democrats voting for this shit, please stop complaining when we complain about Democrats and want them held accountable. This is getting ridiculous, the fucking collaborators.
December 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
There were Democrats voting for this shit, please stop complaining when we complain about Democrats and want them held accountable. This is getting ridiculous, the fucking collaborators.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
The tragic deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner will stir up a lot of ugly talk about people living with addiction, about whether people in recovery can be trusted, and about whether people whose drug use has caused harm should be supported.
This tragedy should not be projected over wider issues.
This tragedy should not be projected over wider issues.
December 15, 2025 at 7:57 AM
The tragic deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner will stir up a lot of ugly talk about people living with addiction, about whether people in recovery can be trusted, and about whether people whose drug use has caused harm should be supported.
This tragedy should not be projected over wider issues.
This tragedy should not be projected over wider issues.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
NEW: One of the most significant accomplishments of the Trump Admin: Decimating the US's humanitarian aid.
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
NEW: One of the most significant accomplishments of the Trump Admin: Decimating the US's humanitarian aid.
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Ouch
Good morning!
Why yes, I am the freelancer.
Did I complete my security awareness training module?
No, I ignored that email since I’m not a full-time employee.
Oh, I see.
Contractors are now required to complete those as well now.
Why yes, I am the freelancer.
Did I complete my security awareness training module?
No, I ignored that email since I’m not a full-time employee.
Oh, I see.
Contractors are now required to complete those as well now.
I Am a Freelancer (In the Lack-of-Gigs Economy)
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, I’m interested in your one-week project, which you’ve described as a “sprint”—a fun euphemism for seven days of sheer...
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ouch
Y'all were (not) waiting on the edge of your seats so here's my music top list from Tidal.
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
December 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Y'all were (not) waiting on the edge of your seats so here's my music top list from Tidal.
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
They were working on an mRNA application for glioblastoma when Elon/RFK laid wreck to everything.
[My father died of glioblastoma.]
[My father died of glioblastoma.]
This hit me like a gut punch, because I lost a good friend to glioblastoma. I wish Jason Collins a speedy & full recovery, knowing that Stage 4 Glioblastoma has always been terminal.
Hoping for a cure.
Fuck cancer!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Hoping for a cure.
Fuck cancer!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Former NBA player Jason Collins announces he has Stage 4 brain cancer
Collins started experiencing symptoms while trying to pack for a US Open trip.
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
They were working on an mRNA application for glioblastoma when Elon/RFK laid wreck to everything.
[My father died of glioblastoma.]
[My father died of glioblastoma.]
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"We need to show up for each other and protect each other and send each other love, because we all belong, and I want all of us here, and I will not be quiet about that.”
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
My latest, for @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com...
Do you ever think about the fact that YouTube is a horrid platform (from a technical and policy perspective) for watching 4 hour long deep dives into anything, and yet.
December 11, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Do you ever think about the fact that YouTube is a horrid platform (from a technical and policy perspective) for watching 4 hour long deep dives into anything, and yet.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
“Where in the United States does Antifa exist” proved to be a real stumper to the guy who just said Antifa is the biggest terrorism threat in the United States.
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM
“Where in the United States does Antifa exist” proved to be a real stumper to the guy who just said Antifa is the biggest terrorism threat in the United States.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
I know some of you read and some listen, but I highly recommend listening to this one. One of my guests is a musician whose guitar got a hole blown in it while her group sustained our spirits in the streets. She's facing federal charges. Listen to the music we heard out there & feel why it matters.
How We’ve Resisted ICE: Street Lessons From Chicago
“I cannot imagine doing anything else in this moment,” says community defense organizer Gabe Gonzalez.
truthout.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I know some of you read and some listen, but I highly recommend listening to this one. One of my guests is a musician whose guitar got a hole blown in it while her group sustained our spirits in the streets. She's facing federal charges. Listen to the music we heard out there & feel why it matters.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Our last episode of the year is a conversation about what resisting ICE has looked like in Chicago, what we've learned, what it's cost, and where we go from here. I'm so grateful to Gabe Gonzalez, Rey Wences, and Jocelyn Walsh for this convo. This one is special to me. Audio + transcript:
How We’ve Resisted ICE: Street Lessons From Chicago
“I cannot imagine doing anything else in this moment,” says community defense organizer Gabe Gonzalez.
truthout.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Our last episode of the year is a conversation about what resisting ICE has looked like in Chicago, what we've learned, what it's cost, and where we go from here. I'm so grateful to Gabe Gonzalez, Rey Wences, and Jocelyn Walsh for this convo. This one is special to me. Audio + transcript: