Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
@phoenixmakesthings.bsky.social
#HamOnt queer. Human geographer. Non-fiction writer. Anti-hierarchical community organizing. Optimist.
Pinned
The weird thing about coming out as trans just before a pandemic and also not actively using social media is that six years later, I'm still regularly coming out to people I haven't seen since The Before Times. So hi! My name used to be Ashleigh and now it's Phoenix.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Sometimes when people ask me why I’m wearing a mask I say I’m traveling or have some important thing soon and can’t afford to get sick and miss it and that’s pretty much always true but I think it would be nice if it were more normalized to just say “I don’t want to get sick” and leave it at that
November 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Sometimes when people ask me why I’m wearing a mask I say I’m traveling or have some important thing soon and can’t afford to get sick and miss it and that’s pretty much always true but I think it would be nice if it were more normalized to just say “I don’t want to get sick” and leave it at that
And suddenly, all at once, winter has arrived.
November 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
And suddenly, all at once, winter has arrived.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Snow!
2 to 10 cm of snow is possible for Hamilton this Sunday.
"Installation of winter tires should be considered prior to Sunday." #HamOnt #yhmwx
weather.gc.ca/en/location/...
2 to 10 cm of snow is possible for Hamilton this Sunday.
"Installation of winter tires should be considered prior to Sunday." #HamOnt #yhmwx
weather.gc.ca/en/location/...
November 7, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Snow!
2 to 10 cm of snow is possible for Hamilton this Sunday.
"Installation of winter tires should be considered prior to Sunday." #HamOnt #yhmwx
weather.gc.ca/en/location/...
2 to 10 cm of snow is possible for Hamilton this Sunday.
"Installation of winter tires should be considered prior to Sunday." #HamOnt #yhmwx
weather.gc.ca/en/location/...
Found a car half in a #HamOnt bike lane on my way to deliver a stack of "Please Don't Park In The Bike Lane" postcards so I left one with them.
May 7, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Found a car half in a #HamOnt bike lane on my way to deliver a stack of "Please Don't Park In The Bike Lane" postcards so I left one with them.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Miles O’Brien & Rom are the true leaders of the revolutionary vanguard
May 2, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Miles O’Brien & Rom are the true leaders of the revolutionary vanguard
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
what a waste and what a loss, to have someone beloved and trusted in the community lose to someone who dropped in out of nowhere and won on fear and cynicism and some backwards strategy
April 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
what a waste and what a loss, to have someone beloved and trusted in the community lose to someone who dropped in out of nowhere and won on fear and cynicism and some backwards strategy
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Also true in Canada.
It just occurred to me how wild it is that the default basic identification document in the US is linked to driving a car. I drive, therefore I am. @thewaroncars.bsky.social
April 27, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Also true in Canada.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Spotted this waterfowl at Bayfront Park #HamOnt this morning and I'm so curious what it is! I tried to identify it with Merlin but didn't succeed. Can you help, @birdsonghamilton.bsky.social?
April 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Spotted this waterfowl at Bayfront Park #HamOnt this morning and I'm so curious what it is! I tried to identify it with Merlin but didn't succeed. Can you help, @birdsonghamilton.bsky.social?
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
These are *everywhere* in Montreal. I don’t have numbers but I wouldn’t be surprised if hundreds of intersections have had curb extensions installed.
@streetfilms.bsky.social loves pointing them out: youtu.be/lcFrsxfjB1M?...
@streetfilms.bsky.social loves pointing them out: youtu.be/lcFrsxfjB1M?...
April 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
These are *everywhere* in Montreal. I don’t have numbers but I wouldn’t be surprised if hundreds of intersections have had curb extensions installed.
@streetfilms.bsky.social loves pointing them out: youtu.be/lcFrsxfjB1M?...
@streetfilms.bsky.social loves pointing them out: youtu.be/lcFrsxfjB1M?...
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Poilievre's new platform won't change his old ways.
Trying to distance himself from his dismal record on workers' rights doesn't mean a thing when his Policy Declaration still reads like a boss's wishlist- not a plan for workers.
More: ofl.ca/the-conserva...
#cdnpoli #Elxn45
Trying to distance himself from his dismal record on workers' rights doesn't mean a thing when his Policy Declaration still reads like a boss's wishlist- not a plan for workers.
More: ofl.ca/the-conserva...
#cdnpoli #Elxn45
April 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Poilievre's new platform won't change his old ways.
Trying to distance himself from his dismal record on workers' rights doesn't mean a thing when his Policy Declaration still reads like a boss's wishlist- not a plan for workers.
More: ofl.ca/the-conserva...
#cdnpoli #Elxn45
Trying to distance himself from his dismal record on workers' rights doesn't mean a thing when his Policy Declaration still reads like a boss's wishlist- not a plan for workers.
More: ofl.ca/the-conserva...
#cdnpoli #Elxn45
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
CANADIANS! Advance voting is this weekend!!! Go vote to keep the fascists out!
And remember, voting is like getting on a bus: it may not take you EXACTLY where you want to go, but it's better to be on a bus that will bring you close to your destination than one taking you far away from it
And remember, voting is like getting on a bus: it may not take you EXACTLY where you want to go, but it's better to be on a bus that will bring you close to your destination than one taking you far away from it
April 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
CANADIANS! Advance voting is this weekend!!! Go vote to keep the fascists out!
And remember, voting is like getting on a bus: it may not take you EXACTLY where you want to go, but it's better to be on a bus that will bring you close to your destination than one taking you far away from it
And remember, voting is like getting on a bus: it may not take you EXACTLY where you want to go, but it's better to be on a bus that will bring you close to your destination than one taking you far away from it
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
I don't understand how some folks are unable to see that the illegal disappearing of people is a class issue. The wealthy and well-connected get due process. The rest of us don't. This is part of the oligarchy, not a distraction from it.
April 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I don't understand how some folks are unable to see that the illegal disappearing of people is a class issue. The wealthy and well-connected get due process. The rest of us don't. This is part of the oligarchy, not a distraction from it.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
I don't want people telling me I'm valid, I want civil rights lol
April 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I don't want people telling me I'm valid, I want civil rights lol
I'm so proud of my kid for volunteering with me on her first election campaign yesterday. We managed to do some phone banking and canvassing and had a great time encouraging folks in Hamilton Centre to support @matthewgreen.bsky.social.
April 16, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I'm so proud of my kid for volunteering with me on her first election campaign yesterday. We managed to do some phone banking and canvassing and had a great time encouraging folks in Hamilton Centre to support @matthewgreen.bsky.social.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Some stats from 100 days in on congestion pricing:
- Complaints about car-honking are down 70%
- The Holland Tunnel has 65% fewer delays at rush hour; time to get thru it is down 48%
- 6 million fewer cars
- Half as many traffic-related injuries
- 1.5 million more visitors to BIDs year over year
- Complaints about car-honking are down 70%
- The Holland Tunnel has 65% fewer delays at rush hour; time to get thru it is down 48%
- 6 million fewer cars
- Half as many traffic-related injuries
- 1.5 million more visitors to BIDs year over year
How Well Is Congestion Pricing Doing? Very.
One hundred days in, honking is down; bus speeds are up.
www.curbed.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Some stats from 100 days in on congestion pricing:
- Complaints about car-honking are down 70%
- The Holland Tunnel has 65% fewer delays at rush hour; time to get thru it is down 48%
- 6 million fewer cars
- Half as many traffic-related injuries
- 1.5 million more visitors to BIDs year over year
- Complaints about car-honking are down 70%
- The Holland Tunnel has 65% fewer delays at rush hour; time to get thru it is down 48%
- 6 million fewer cars
- Half as many traffic-related injuries
- 1.5 million more visitors to BIDs year over year
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Hey, just a quiet reminder: it’s not true that people get more conservative as they age. *Populations* get more conservative as they age because poor and marginalized people die sooner.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Seniors Are More Conservative Because the Poor Die Off
Sometimes older voters aren’t just naturally more conservative. It’s just that wealthier and whiter people tend to live longer and healthier lives.
nymag.com
April 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Hey, just a quiet reminder: it’s not true that people get more conservative as they age. *Populations* get more conservative as they age because poor and marginalized people die sooner.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
I was wearing a mask most of yesterday because I suffer real bad with hayfever, and you know what is an absolute godsend for not getting pollen all up in your face? A simple N95 mask. Anti-masking attitudes have robbed people of so many uses for masks, yet they are so helpful people don't realize.
It will never cease to amaze me that wearing a mask was a deal breaker for many people.
It’s a powerful public health tool. It’s one of the most effective ways to avoid mass disablement. It keeps you & your community healthy. It shows you prioritize self care, disability justice & bodily autonomy.
It’s a powerful public health tool. It’s one of the most effective ways to avoid mass disablement. It keeps you & your community healthy. It shows you prioritize self care, disability justice & bodily autonomy.
April 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I was wearing a mask most of yesterday because I suffer real bad with hayfever, and you know what is an absolute godsend for not getting pollen all up in your face? A simple N95 mask. Anti-masking attitudes have robbed people of so many uses for masks, yet they are so helpful people don't realize.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Are the polls very wrong about people’s current voting intentions? Probably not.
Could something happen before election day to change people’s minds? That one’s much more plausible.
Could something happen before election day to change people’s minds? That one’s much more plausible.
agree that libs are the favorite, inshallah, but it is still looking like a winnable race for the conservatives in Canada, I fear some of you are setting yourself up for a potentially extremely traumatizing election night if you talk yourself into thinking it’s a sure thing.
April 11, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Are the polls very wrong about people’s current voting intentions? Probably not.
Could something happen before election day to change people’s minds? That one’s much more plausible.
Could something happen before election day to change people’s minds? That one’s much more plausible.
I really deeply love walking around and talking with people. We survive because we care for each other.
April 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I really deeply love walking around and talking with people. We survive because we care for each other.
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
"The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil"
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs
The U.S. government has submitted a two-page memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio as its main evidence in its deportation case against Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil.
apnews.com
April 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
"The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil"
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
I love this book and I want everyone to read it. Community Witch literally pulled me out of a depression pit. 🌈📚
11 community copies unclaimed. Folks I've messaged directly all seem to think "other people" have it worse and thus "need it more"?
If you're exhausted, trans, and like romance, I am BEGGING you to accept some cis guilt as your due and just download a copy.
You deserve trans joy
📚💙 #romancelandia
If you're exhausted, trans, and like romance, I am BEGGING you to accept some cis guilt as your due and just download a copy.
You deserve trans joy
📚💙 #romancelandia
#TDOV is coming up, and it fucking sucks to be trans rn
So. Are you cis and want to support trans people? Give me $9 and I'll add a community copy to the pool: ko-fi.com/akreider
Trans, exhausted, and in need of escapist trans joy? Claim a community copy: wundergeek.itch.io/community-witch
📚💙
So. Are you cis and want to support trans people? Give me $9 and I'll add a community copy to the pool: ko-fi.com/akreider
Trans, exhausted, and in need of escapist trans joy? Claim a community copy: wundergeek.itch.io/community-witch
📚💙
April 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I love this book and I want everyone to read it. Community Witch literally pulled me out of a depression pit. 🌈📚
Reposted by Phoenix Friesen (they/them)
Why do we turn away when our brother is bleeding? Why do we build a wall and call it freedom? If we're free why can I not look in my brother's eye? - Hadestown
Art you see, can be the voice of the people. Don't keep your head low. 💕
Art you see, can be the voice of the people. Don't keep your head low. 💕
April 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Why do we turn away when our brother is bleeding? Why do we build a wall and call it freedom? If we're free why can I not look in my brother's eye? - Hadestown
Art you see, can be the voice of the people. Don't keep your head low. 💕
Art you see, can be the voice of the people. Don't keep your head low. 💕