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
This post is going around again! So, let me take this chance to say… we are having the best time! It’s looking like we will be able to accept <1% of total subs, so please don’t be discouraged by a quick response (we hope that’s better than a long wait!) and please do send more in the future! 🌈 🪐 🗡️
OTHERSIDE has been open for 20 minutes and we’re already reading submissions! Thank you to everyone who decided to ring in the new year by sending us your work—we can’t wait to read it all!
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Submission Guidelines - OTHERSIDE
Submission guidelines for fiction and poetry submissions to OTHERSIDE, including opening dates and how to submit.
othersidespec.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
This post is going around again! So, let me take this chance to say… we are having the best time! It’s looking like we will be able to accept <1% of total subs, so please don’t be discouraged by a quick response (we hope that’s better than a long wait!) and please do send more in the future! 🌈 🪐 🗡️
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
"Neocolonialism is you wanting to explain my own history to me. Neocolonialism is you expecting me to be the subject of your utopias." spot-on takedown of campism
This piece, from the great @elevidalbe.bsky.social in 2024, is still and particularly relevant right now: stop telling Venezuelans how to think or feel in this moment globalvoices.org/2024/08/09/d...
January 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
"Neocolonialism is you wanting to explain my own history to me. Neocolonialism is you expecting me to be the subject of your utopias." spot-on takedown of campism
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Polymarket really has become the ultimate place to engage in insider trading on privileged information.
I'm not sure we're prepared for what happens when any outcome -- including violent ones -- can be wagered on.
I'm not sure we're prepared for what happens when any outcome -- including violent ones -- can be wagered on.
"A newly created account appeared to invest $30,000 Friday in Maduro's exit. After Maduro went into custody Saturday morning, that same investor netted $436,759."
www.axios.com/2026/01/03/m...
www.axios.com/2026/01/03/m...
Someone made $400K by predicting Maduro's capture. Here's what happened
The winnings come as the rules governing prediction markets are still evolving.
www.axios.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Polymarket really has become the ultimate place to engage in insider trading on privileged information.
I'm not sure we're prepared for what happens when any outcome -- including violent ones -- can be wagered on.
I'm not sure we're prepared for what happens when any outcome -- including violent ones -- can be wagered on.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
guy i was volunteering with trying to convince me that genai "isn't that bad actually" with a "have you seen a*lexander a*vila's video on the subject?" me like "yeah and i clowned on him then for it, too"
January 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
guy i was volunteering with trying to convince me that genai "isn't that bad actually" with a "have you seen a*lexander a*vila's video on the subject?" me like "yeah and i clowned on him then for it, too"
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
✨ 2025 Eligibility ✨
December 31, 2025 at 9:29 PM
✨ 2025 Eligibility ✨
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Black queer surfers. Black queer bank-robbers. Black queer sea monsters. Black queer sorcerers. Black queer rootworkers. Black queer sailors. Black queer saints. Black queer sinners.
It’s Black!
It’s queer!
It’s Here!
Now available!
www.neonhemlock.com/books/call-a...
It’s Black!
It’s queer!
It’s Here!
Now available!
www.neonhemlock.com/books/call-a...
Call and Response by Christopher Caldwell (pre-order) — neon hemlock
A collection of short stories. Publication date: October 14th, 2025. An 8” x 5” paperback. 188 pages. This is a pre-order—any other books ordered with it will ship when the pre-order is ready to ship....
www.neonhemlock.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Black queer surfers. Black queer bank-robbers. Black queer sea monsters. Black queer sorcerers. Black queer rootworkers. Black queer sailors. Black queer saints. Black queer sinners.
It’s Black!
It’s queer!
It’s Here!
Now available!
www.neonhemlock.com/books/call-a...
It’s Black!
It’s queer!
It’s Here!
Now available!
www.neonhemlock.com/books/call-a...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I say this often but it bears repeating: if you make your money from creating art then you NEED to find an art or craft where you just do it for fun and don't try to be perfect or make any money from it, and when anyone tells you to monetise it you say 'No', because otherwise your soul will die.
Have needle. Have thread. Have scraps of paper. Have free will. Have made a notebook.
January 2, 2026 at 9:10 PM
I say this often but it bears repeating: if you make your money from creating art then you NEED to find an art or craft where you just do it for fun and don't try to be perfect or make any money from it, and when anyone tells you to monetise it you say 'No', because otherwise your soul will die.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Whenever I correctly point out that there is no opposition party in US politics, the usual suspects swarm to screech about Dems having no power. If these folks are correct (they are not), then they should BUILD POWER. They aren't doing that.
January 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Whenever I correctly point out that there is no opposition party in US politics, the usual suspects swarm to screech about Dems having no power. If these folks are correct (they are not), then they should BUILD POWER. They aren't doing that.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I’m at Times Square, where an emergency “No War On Venezuela” protest just took to the street. Easily a thousand people here in real-feel 20°F weather.
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM
I’m at Times Square, where an emergency “No War On Venezuela” protest just took to the street. Easily a thousand people here in real-feel 20°F weather.
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Countries impacted by slavery have their own reasoning and logic in regards to governance and freedom and if you continue to dismiss that history when dealing with them, you are going to end up looking stupid. America of all nations should understand that, but we have fascist idiots in power.
January 3, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Countries impacted by slavery have their own reasoning and logic in regards to governance and freedom and if you continue to dismiss that history when dealing with them, you are going to end up looking stupid. America of all nations should understand that, but we have fascist idiots in power.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
"WE WILL NEVER AGAIN BE SLAVES."
Boy, you ****ed with the wrong one.
Boy, you ****ed with the wrong one.
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
"WE WILL NEVER AGAIN BE SLAVES."
Boy, you ****ed with the wrong one.
Boy, you ****ed with the wrong one.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
You let the devil in, he brought his pirate friends, they brought a hunger for blood and flesh and bone and skin
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
You let the devil in, he brought his pirate friends, they brought a hunger for blood and flesh and bone and skin
Thanks to having to swap to the tier of marketplace insurance I could afford, apparently I can’t see any of the specialists who’ve been managing my body problems for the last seven years anymore
Functional system we’ve got here
Functional system we’ve got here
January 3, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Thanks to having to swap to the tier of marketplace insurance I could afford, apparently I can’t see any of the specialists who’ve been managing my body problems for the last seven years anymore
Functional system we’ve got here
Functional system we’ve got here
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
CNN commentator just now: "You have to congratulate the administration on keeping this quiet".
The news media is a huge contributor to the rise of unlawful tyranny.
The news media is a huge contributor to the rise of unlawful tyranny.
January 3, 2026 at 3:52 PM
CNN commentator just now: "You have to congratulate the administration on keeping this quiet".
The news media is a huge contributor to the rise of unlawful tyranny.
The news media is a huge contributor to the rise of unlawful tyranny.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
A lot of people forget how in 2004 the Bush regime kidnapped the democratically elected President of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and dumped him in Africa.
Is there any modern precedent for abducting a head of state?
Plenty of examples of coups, assassinations and domestic trials, including show trials, but this is like a Crusader Kings plot.
Plenty of examples of coups, assassinations and domestic trials, including show trials, but this is like a Crusader Kings plot.
January 3, 2026 at 2:36 PM
A lot of people forget how in 2004 the Bush regime kidnapped the democratically elected President of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and dumped him in Africa.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
You should be embarrassed to be a member of congress and issuing anything other than impeachment resolutions. You're in the model UN. They should give you legos and a propeller hat
January 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
You should be embarrassed to be a member of congress and issuing anything other than impeachment resolutions. You're in the model UN. They should give you legos and a propeller hat
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
impeach him. try to do it once a month, if necessary. build the case over and over to not just the American people but to the world that this isn’t the way things should be here, that this isn’t the way we should use our power abroad.
January 3, 2026 at 7:36 AM
impeach him. try to do it once a month, if necessary. build the case over and over to not just the American people but to the world that this isn’t the way things should be here, that this isn’t the way we should use our power abroad.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
....now I'm worried that some of yall are using this sentiment to fuel the smug, comfortable cynicism that gives you permission not to care. call your reps and demand impeachment. cmon now don't piss me off
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
....now I'm worried that some of yall are using this sentiment to fuel the smug, comfortable cynicism that gives you permission not to care. call your reps and demand impeachment. cmon now don't piss me off
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
okay i am sorry to be that bitch but the one word you can't use to describe this is "unprecedented."
January 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
okay i am sorry to be that bitch but the one word you can't use to describe this is "unprecedented."
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
January 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
January 3, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Next stop on the War Tour:
Trump to Fox: “Claudia Sheinbaum is a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico.
“She’s not running Mexico — the cartels are running Mexico.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
Trump to Fox: “Claudia Sheinbaum is a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico.
“She’s not running Mexico — the cartels are running Mexico.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
January 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Next stop on the War Tour:
Trump to Fox: “Claudia Sheinbaum is a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico.
“She’s not running Mexico — the cartels are running Mexico.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
Trump to Fox: “Claudia Sheinbaum is a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico.
“She’s not running Mexico — the cartels are running Mexico.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
grim posthumous scenario i had not previously considered: you post a picture of the missile headed straight for you, and are memorialized by a bunch of random assholes complaining about alt text
![A Bluesky user based in Venezuela posted 'I live near a military air base and five earth-shaking explosions were just heart.'
User @thenordic.bsky.social (a random asshole) replied 'was it too hard for you to to [sic] add a link?' along with a link to an AP piece. Quick, don't look, what do you think the odds are that this user responded gracefully to being told that OP was on the ground and reporting firsthand?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ycbmujtxprrwbkiw3x5qsyz4/bafkreieh2ddespqvcqdhpfy4g2higsw4lfiguzpaxs3rdessztcokmww6i@jpeg)
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 AM
grim posthumous scenario i had not previously considered: you post a picture of the missile headed straight for you, and are memorialized by a bunch of random assholes complaining about alt text
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
“in the same way that some gay men…believe that they can’t be misogynists because they’re gay, many straight women don’t realize that they can be homophobic even if they claim to love gay men...neither party is exempt from examining their own relationship to gender, sexuality and fetishization”
The female fans who led the charge in making the gay hockey romance a hit are also the ones policing its subjects.
Do women love "Heated Rivalry" too much?
The female fans who led the charge in making the gay hockey romance a hit are also the ones policing its subjects.
www.salon.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:47 PM
“in the same way that some gay men…believe that they can’t be misogynists because they’re gay, many straight women don’t realize that they can be homophobic even if they claim to love gay men...neither party is exempt from examining their own relationship to gender, sexuality and fetishization”
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Lest anyone for a single moment thinks this latest coup is a somehow a dramatic breach of long-term US foreign policy.
January 3, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Lest anyone for a single moment thinks this latest coup is a somehow a dramatic breach of long-term US foreign policy.