Brooke
@definestrange.bsky.social
Delicate Georgia peach blossom transplanted to the midwest. Former indie bookseller, now publishing sales rep. Queer. She/they.
In the early 00's, Scarleteen was my resource for factual sex ed. I grew up in Georgia and the only sex ed we got in (public!) school was abstinence-only and full of misinformation. I can't even remember how I came across the site, but it was invaluable. Let's keep it going for the next generation!
$1,800 to go and the night is young! Come on, internet, we can do this. Scarleteen's sex ed and direct services are essential in an era of misinformation and they require real humans who bring years of experience and compassion to their work. Health educators should have access to health care.
Today is my birthday. I would like many things but from you specifically I want $2,500 for @scarleteen.com's annual fundraiser, which is supporting staff & volunteer healthcare this year. We need $2,500 to unlock a $10,000 match and this would really make my day! Donate to my campaign page here.
November 18, 2025 at 4:33 AM
In the early 00's, Scarleteen was my resource for factual sex ed. I grew up in Georgia and the only sex ed we got in (public!) school was abstinence-only and full of misinformation. I can't even remember how I came across the site, but it was invaluable. Let's keep it going for the next generation!
Reposted by Brooke
If SNAP serves ~1 in 8
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
If SNAP serves ~1 in 8
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Reposted by Brooke
I would like to mention again that menstrual products are covered by FSA funds. fsastore.com - so if you find yourself with money left on the table by the end of the year, consider using those funds and donate the products [pantries, homeless shelters etc...]
The FSA Store - Browse and Buy over 2,500+ Flexible Spending Account Eligible Items Online
The FSA Store carries over 2,500+ guaranteed FSA-eligible products, health essentials, and more.
fsastore.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I would like to mention again that menstrual products are covered by FSA funds. fsastore.com - so if you find yourself with money left on the table by the end of the year, consider using those funds and donate the products [pantries, homeless shelters etc...]
I love my neighborhood 💜
There are a tremendous number of ICE watchers out in Rogers Park this afternoon after some early morning abductions.
People are guarding churches and patrolling alleyways. Ran into Alderperson Hadden. First timers tell us they're primed and ready to use their whistles.
People are guarding churches and patrolling alleyways. Ran into Alderperson Hadden. First timers tell us they're primed and ready to use their whistles.
October 12, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I love my neighborhood 💜
Reposted by Brooke
Happy National Coming Out Day, folks.
October 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Happy National Coming Out Day, folks.
Reposted by Brooke
Chat is it a good sign that it took national reporters an entire month to finally pay attention to the third largest metro in the country being invaded
I'm really glad more people are realizing how brutal ICE has been in Chicago but it's really weird to see people talking about Rev Black getting attacked like it happened yesterday and not 3 weeks ago. Like, I'm glad people are catching up! But it's very weird.
October 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Chat is it a good sign that it took national reporters an entire month to finally pay attention to the third largest metro in the country being invaded
Reposted by Brooke
I guess I shouldn't be *surprised* but it is making my head spin that the feds have shot two people, with live rounds, killing one of them, in Chicagoland in recent weeks, and in both cases they were very clearly found to be lying about what happened, and essentially nothing is happening about it.
October 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I guess I shouldn't be *surprised* but it is making my head spin that the feds have shot two people, with live rounds, killing one of them, in Chicagoland in recent weeks, and in both cases they were very clearly found to be lying about what happened, and essentially nothing is happening about it.
Reposted by Brooke
here's my take: I think humans are really fucking good. inherently. I think we are amazingly kind and giving. and everything about the world we live in is an attempt to stop us from being that. I think our societies step in to stop us from being good. I think our culture punishes us. but we ARE good
October 5, 2025 at 2:16 AM
here's my take: I think humans are really fucking good. inherently. I think we are amazingly kind and giving. and everything about the world we live in is an attempt to stop us from being that. I think our societies step in to stop us from being good. I think our culture punishes us. but we ARE good
Reposted by Brooke
You are all so important.
Chicago is showing up in so many ways. Find your lane and invite people to join you. If your thing doesn't suit them, help them figure out what does. I love and believe in this city, and you should, too.
Chicago is showing up in so many ways. Find your lane and invite people to join you. If your thing doesn't suit them, help them figure out what does. I love and believe in this city, and you should, too.
September 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
You are all so important.
Chicago is showing up in so many ways. Find your lane and invite people to join you. If your thing doesn't suit them, help them figure out what does. I love and believe in this city, and you should, too.
Chicago is showing up in so many ways. Find your lane and invite people to join you. If your thing doesn't suit them, help them figure out what does. I love and believe in this city, and you should, too.
Reposted by Brooke
What might not occur to you upon reading this headline is that, in other words, ICE is targeting gay men of color
Every queer press org should be picking up this story
Every queer press org should be picking up this story
Cruising crackdown in Penn Station bathroom puts at least 20 men in ICE custody
State and city laws prohibit local police departments from turning people over to ICE. That restriction does not apply to the federally run Amtrak Police Department.
gothamist.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
What might not occur to you upon reading this headline is that, in other words, ICE is targeting gay men of color
Every queer press org should be picking up this story
Every queer press org should be picking up this story
Reposted by Brooke
right now, we have no clue how many people ice has kidnapped in chicagoland under "operation midway blitz."
masked feds are snatching people from their cars, from gas stations, from sidewalks. loved ones don't hear anything—sometimes for days.
this is what it means to "disappear" people.
masked feds are snatching people from their cars, from gas stations, from sidewalks. loved ones don't hear anything—sometimes for days.
this is what it means to "disappear" people.
September 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
right now, we have no clue how many people ice has kidnapped in chicagoland under "operation midway blitz."
masked feds are snatching people from their cars, from gas stations, from sidewalks. loved ones don't hear anything—sometimes for days.
this is what it means to "disappear" people.
masked feds are snatching people from their cars, from gas stations, from sidewalks. loved ones don't hear anything—sometimes for days.
this is what it means to "disappear" people.
Reposted by Brooke
Reporters on the ground in Chicago are screaming to be heard over the false narrative that Pritzker defeated Trump there. PLEASE listen to them.
Legacy media and cable news reduced Trump's aggression against Chicago to a question of whether troops would be sent immediately. When he said he was taking his fascist military spectacle elsewhere, those media players declared the situation over—while waves of federal agents attack our neighbors.
September 15, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Reporters on the ground in Chicago are screaming to be heard over the false narrative that Pritzker defeated Trump there. PLEASE listen to them.
I don't know if it's my favorite but it's definitely up there.
September 12, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I don't know if it's my favorite but it's definitely up there.
Reposted by Brooke
Reporters from across newsrooms in Chicago are collaborating to collect visual evidence of federal agents detaining people & using force in Chicago.
Send videos to tinyurl.com/chicagojourn..., or get in touch via email chicagojournalists@protonmail.com.
Send videos to tinyurl.com/chicagojourn..., or get in touch via email chicagojournalists@protonmail.com.
September 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Reporters from across newsrooms in Chicago are collaborating to collect visual evidence of federal agents detaining people & using force in Chicago.
Send videos to tinyurl.com/chicagojourn..., or get in touch via email chicagojournalists@protonmail.com.
Send videos to tinyurl.com/chicagojourn..., or get in touch via email chicagojournalists@protonmail.com.
Reposted by Brooke
As a resident of Chicago, I am BEGGING people to verify things before posting them.
It's going to be particularly important in this moment ❤️
It's going to be particularly important in this moment ❤️
This video (though terrible) is not BREAKING - it's from months ago - and this person is spreading misinformation at a very dangerous time for kicks and clicks. Block them.
September 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
As a resident of Chicago, I am BEGGING people to verify things before posting them.
It's going to be particularly important in this moment ❤️
It's going to be particularly important in this moment ❤️
Reposted by Brooke
“I asked ChatGPT.”
Well I went to the doctor. I went to the mountains. I looked to the children. I drank from the fountains.
Well I went to the doctor. I went to the mountains. I looked to the children. I drank from the fountains.
September 4, 2025 at 11:55 PM
“I asked ChatGPT.”
Well I went to the doctor. I went to the mountains. I looked to the children. I drank from the fountains.
Well I went to the doctor. I went to the mountains. I looked to the children. I drank from the fountains.
The best of the best, curated by the best! Pre-order today!
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September 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The best of the best, curated by the best! Pre-order today!
Reposted by Brooke
Why this matters: the biggest immediate threat to our communities right now remains the alphabet boys, who have *already* told us their plan to unleash Border Patrol. And while JB can conceivably put up a fight against the TX Guard coming, no local elected can stop the feds.
Please understand this.
Please understand this.
Deleted a RT of a reporter’s summary of JB’s comments about the Texas National Guard. This is what was actually said.
September 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Why this matters: the biggest immediate threat to our communities right now remains the alphabet boys, who have *already* told us their plan to unleash Border Patrol. And while JB can conceivably put up a fight against the TX Guard coming, no local elected can stop the feds.
Please understand this.
Please understand this.
Reposted by Brooke
and a happy james dobson is dead day and congratulations to all who need it for outliving that fucker
I'm gonna do a little dance the day James Dobson finally bites it
August 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
and a happy james dobson is dead day and congratulations to all who need it for outliving that fucker
Reposted by Brooke
Since I live in Chicago, my local station only lost a small portion of their budget and there are many donors who will make it up. However, my hometown station, the one I grew up on, has lost 32% of their budget. Rural areas need our help.
This site helps people find radio stations hit by the public media funding cuts--in addition to your home outlets, people might consider donating to rural stations as they will be hit much harder than urban public radio
adoptastation.org
adoptastation.org
Adopt A Station - Rescue Public Media
Help preserve independent journalism and community programming across America by adopting a public media station. Congress has voted to rescind public media's funding.
adoptastation.org
August 4, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Since I live in Chicago, my local station only lost a small portion of their budget and there are many donors who will make it up. However, my hometown station, the one I grew up on, has lost 32% of their budget. Rural areas need our help.
If you see this, post a pic from your device without context
July 20, 2025 at 2:21 AM
If you see this, post a pic from your device without context
Reposted by Brooke
Writers! Note that AI translation (under the guise of "global access") is being seen/used as the weak point to get AI into publishing (possible bc Eng lang publishing is weak on translation). Stand with translators & for more human translation, fairly paid!
The founders of independent publisher Bloodhound Books have launched a new AI fiction translation service, Globescribe.ai 👇 #BookSky
Bloodhound Books founders launch AI fiction translation company
ebx.sh
July 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Writers! Note that AI translation (under the guise of "global access") is being seen/used as the weak point to get AI into publishing (possible bc Eng lang publishing is weak on translation). Stand with translators & for more human translation, fairly paid!