Lee Mandelo
@leemandelo.bsky.social
phd in gender studies - writer of books (gay southern gothic Summer Sons + t4t appalachian historical The Woods All Black + anthology Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity)- he/him
Pinned
Lee Mandelo
@leemandelo.bsky.social
· Mar 22
I hear it’s Trans Rights Readathon week, yeah? Here’s a few options from me, including Summer Sons and The Woods All Black—plus the forthcoming Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity!
Also, for those so inclined: new leather boots 😘🥴
Also, for those so inclined: new leather boots 😘🥴
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Jesus fucking christ
November 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Jesus fucking christ
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Saying “reading books in public is performative” is a very quick and simple way to communicate to me that you are a stupid little pig I do not need to listen to and in that sense I appreciate it
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Saying “reading books in public is performative” is a very quick and simple way to communicate to me that you are a stupid little pig I do not need to listen to and in that sense I appreciate it
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
It is really fucked up that it even came this close, but at least one sigh of relief today.
The Supreme Court rejects petition from Kim Davis to reconsider its 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, effectively preserving Obergefell for a long time to come. Marriage equality is safe.
www.scotusblog.com/2025/11/supr...
www.scotusblog.com/2025/11/supr...
Supreme Court declines to hear case on constitutionality of same-sex marriage
The Supreme Court on Monday morning turned down a request from Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky, to reconsider its 2015 decision recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex […]
www.scotusblog.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
It is really fucked up that it even came this close, but at least one sigh of relief today.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
March 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Trump is 30 points underwater. Dems swept the special elections. People know the GOP is responsible for the shutdown. So the Dem Senators pulled out their big guns... and shot themselves in the foot.
November 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Trump is 30 points underwater. Dems swept the special elections. People know the GOP is responsible for the shutdown. So the Dem Senators pulled out their big guns... and shot themselves in the foot.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Before the ACA, I couldn't get insurance as a freelancer at all, bc I'm a type 1 diabetic, so "pre-existing conditions." It was absolute shit on my health, scavenging for insulin & test strips, constantly in life or death debates about being able to go to the doctor. I had no primary care.
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Before the ACA, I couldn't get insurance as a freelancer at all, bc I'm a type 1 diabetic, so "pre-existing conditions." It was absolute shit on my health, scavenging for insulin & test strips, constantly in life or death debates about being able to go to the doctor. I had no primary care.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
A final update from Quirk Books Union ✊💔 Devastated that, in the three months since we unionized, management never met the union at the bargaining table -- and now the remaining four union members have all been laid off.
November 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
A final update from Quirk Books Union ✊💔 Devastated that, in the three months since we unionized, management never met the union at the bargaining table -- and now the remaining four union members have all been laid off.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Senate Democrats are a form of Republican. They are surrounded by billionaires, they talk to billionaires every day to raise money and they get their advice from staffers and consultants who long ago cooked their brains on X.
November 9, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Senate Democrats are a form of Republican. They are surrounded by billionaires, they talk to billionaires every day to raise money and they get their advice from staffers and consultants who long ago cooked their brains on X.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
This is exactly what they’re proposing and the absence of a risk pool will cause the catastrophic collapse of the healthcare system and a large number of unnecessary deaths and untreated illness
Wait, are the GOP proposing a HSA to replace the ACA that you can use to purchase healthcare and not health insurance? That’s the dumbest possible solution what the hell.
November 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This is exactly what they’re proposing and the absence of a risk pool will cause the catastrophic collapse of the healthcare system and a large number of unnecessary deaths and untreated illness
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I’m no great fan of the ACA.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I’m no great fan of the ACA.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
“People are blaming republicans for food prices and flight cancellations and health insurance costs and are furious about gilded ballrooms and Gatsby parties and the president is falling asleep on tv and is the most deeply unpopular president in history, time to cave” is a hell of an argument
November 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
“People are blaming republicans for food prices and flight cancellations and health insurance costs and are furious about gilded ballrooms and Gatsby parties and the president is falling asleep on tv and is the most deeply unpopular president in history, time to cave” is a hell of an argument
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
at some point, Democrats need to have values and beliefs they are willing to fight for as actual legislatures in a power sharing system of government. If it is not literal Article 1 powers, then what will they actually fight for?
If 40 million people go hungry, it would be because the Trump administration ignored a court order, not because Democrats fought for Article I powers.
I think one thing we lose sight of is that it’s really easy to chant that we gotta touch the stove, and it’s a completely different thing to be the owner of the ongoing decision that 40 million people gotta go hungry. That’s a heavy thing and I’m not at all surprised that some Dems are worried.
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
at some point, Democrats need to have values and beliefs they are willing to fight for as actual legislatures in a power sharing system of government. If it is not literal Article 1 powers, then what will they actually fight for?
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
but also that the challenges we face are vastly underestimated, and that developing compassion and respect for trans people doesn’t often lead to that education and awareness.
it will probably be decades before people actually understand the history and the extent of exclusion and maltreatment.
it will probably be decades before people actually understand the history and the extent of exclusion and maltreatment.
November 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
but also that the challenges we face are vastly underestimated, and that developing compassion and respect for trans people doesn’t often lead to that education and awareness.
it will probably be decades before people actually understand the history and the extent of exclusion and maltreatment.
it will probably be decades before people actually understand the history and the extent of exclusion and maltreatment.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I also think we underestimate how many trans kids are harassed vs accepted based on how well the adults/parents involved get along. Especially in smaller insular communities. Sometimes folks will challenge their beliefs for Brenda’s kid, but 'Tony’s kid is a weirdo, that whole family is LIKE THAT.'
tbh i think that the majority of americans are consciously neutral and unconcerned, but subconsciously negative and repulsed.
i also think that having trans people in their lives shifts this dramatically toward the positive very quickly, and the biggest problem is that we’re abstract to most.
i also think that having trans people in their lives shifts this dramatically toward the positive very quickly, and the biggest problem is that we’re abstract to most.
this is also my read on the electorate
for instance I think it's likely that, as much as it is bullshit transphobia cooked up by bigots, the majority of people in this country don't want trans kids to play sports
but are they going to condition their vote on it? no, they don't care that much
for instance I think it's likely that, as much as it is bullshit transphobia cooked up by bigots, the majority of people in this country don't want trans kids to play sports
but are they going to condition their vote on it? no, they don't care that much
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I also think we underestimate how many trans kids are harassed vs accepted based on how well the adults/parents involved get along. Especially in smaller insular communities. Sometimes folks will challenge their beliefs for Brenda’s kid, but 'Tony’s kid is a weirdo, that whole family is LIKE THAT.'
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I think a number of press outlets badly want there to be a groundswell of anti-trans feeling, because the ownership/senior editorial of those papers have absolutely cooked their own brains on transphobia. It seems to be largely an elite psychosis!
the harris campaign said the “they/them” ad didn’t sway the election.
one of the trump campaign’s top strategists this week said trans rights isn’t in the top five issues for swing voters.
when will the press stop talking about us like we’re a liability and start looking itself in the mirror
one of the trump campaign’s top strategists this week said trans rights isn’t in the top five issues for swing voters.
when will the press stop talking about us like we’re a liability and start looking itself in the mirror
November 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I think a number of press outlets badly want there to be a groundswell of anti-trans feeling, because the ownership/senior editorial of those papers have absolutely cooked their own brains on transphobia. It seems to be largely an elite psychosis!
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
If you liked that @lithub.com.web.brid.gy essay on not talking to the NYT about Mamdani, read this @nplusonemag.com piece by the same author on working class higher ed and its enemies.
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
Memos of Blood and Fire | Peter Coviello
So if you ask me about the signature strength of the department where I work, I will tell you. It is world-caliber field-defining research, wedded to a fantastically dynamic practice of instruction, a...
www.nplusonemag.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If you liked that @lithub.com.web.brid.gy essay on not talking to the NYT about Mamdani, read this @nplusonemag.com piece by the same author on working class higher ed and its enemies.
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I hope everyone who still thinks a deal can be done with Rs in Congress wakes up one of these days. Look at this. Do you think Trump is gonna allow ANY tax money to go to anything other than what he personally deems acceptable? Doesn't matter what Mike or anyone says. Trump knows it's HIS money
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I hope everyone who still thinks a deal can be done with Rs in Congress wakes up one of these days. Look at this. Do you think Trump is gonna allow ANY tax money to go to anything other than what he personally deems acceptable? Doesn't matter what Mike or anyone says. Trump knows it's HIS money
Definitely ‘Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity’ from @erewhonbooks.bsky.social! Editing this project was such a powerful joy, especially right now, and I’m honored by all the amazing writers & translators who contributed and entrusted me with their stories.
bookshop.org/p/books/ampl...
bookshop.org/p/books/ampl...
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Definitely ‘Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity’ from @erewhonbooks.bsky.social! Editing this project was such a powerful joy, especially right now, and I’m honored by all the amazing writers & translators who contributed and entrusted me with their stories.
bookshop.org/p/books/ampl...
bookshop.org/p/books/ampl...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
They’re wearing masks so they can’t be prosecuted later. As long as they think they can’t be prosecuted, their crimes will intensify. They will torture, starve and kill, as they have already, on greater and greater scale.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
I’ve come to believe that we need to gather considerable forces and a campaign to demand the removal of face masks by ICE, Border Patrol, FBI and police.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
Video on social media shows an immigration agent pulling a gun in Little Village and holding it to the side — which is not an appropriate or safe way to hold a gun. (Among other issues.)
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
They’re wearing masks so they can’t be prosecuted later. As long as they think they can’t be prosecuted, their crimes will intensify. They will torture, starve and kill, as they have already, on greater and greater scale.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Absolutely, positively. And for the Caribbean boat strikes, too.
November 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Absolutely, positively. And for the Caribbean boat strikes, too.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Sometimes protagonists aren't able to fix the world. Sometimes they're not even able to see the problems with it. Sometimes they're just trying to survive. Sometimes they're even part of the problem.
The writer isn't the society and the writer isn't the protagonist.
The writer isn't the society and the writer isn't the protagonist.
November 9, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Sometimes protagonists aren't able to fix the world. Sometimes they're not even able to see the problems with it. Sometimes they're just trying to survive. Sometimes they're even part of the problem.
The writer isn't the society and the writer isn't the protagonist.
The writer isn't the society and the writer isn't the protagonist.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I feel like there is this recurring thing in internet responses to fiction where anything non-utopian in the worldbuilding is treated as a flaw in the writing rather than the society.
It goes all the way back to “why don’t the characters liberate the droids” which is just as effectively answered with “well why WOULD the characters liberate the droids?”
Not all storytelling is like…utopian humanist worldbuilding.
Not all storytelling is like…utopian humanist worldbuilding.
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 AM
I feel like there is this recurring thing in internet responses to fiction where anything non-utopian in the worldbuilding is treated as a flaw in the writing rather than the society.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Lots of hard, shitty lessons being learned from this presidency. And one of the many I hope you're learning is, white supremacy is incompatible with reality, and cannot exist without historical revisionism.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Lots of hard, shitty lessons being learned from this presidency. And one of the many I hope you're learning is, white supremacy is incompatible with reality, and cannot exist without historical revisionism.