Laurel Powell
@laurelpowell.net
Bible college dropout. Always fighting for trans people to get a fair shake. Director of Communications @hrc.org. 🏳️⚧️ Political opinions are mine but probably should be yours too
Reposted by Laurel Powell
BREAKING: Love is (still) love.
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
BREAKING: Love is (still) love.
I said months ago that folks should not panic over the Davis petition, incl a really great piece with @judedoyle.bsky.social. That every Court expert I talked to said it was unlikely to succeed at all, much less undercut Obergefell.
There are things that we should panic about. This was never one.
There are things that we should panic about. This was never one.
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I said months ago that folks should not panic over the Davis petition, incl a really great piece with @judedoyle.bsky.social. That every Court expert I talked to said it was unlikely to succeed at all, much less undercut Obergefell.
There are things that we should panic about. This was never one.
There are things that we should panic about. This was never one.
Reposted by Laurel Powell
#BREAKING: Over no public dissents, #SCOTUS denies Kim Davis's petition asking the justices to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges (which recognized federal constitutional protections for same-sex marriage):
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
www.supremecourt.gov
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
#BREAKING: Over no public dissents, #SCOTUS denies Kim Davis's petition asking the justices to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges (which recognized federal constitutional protections for same-sex marriage):
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
I get the anger at elderly electeds staying long past their time (and share the feelings often) but I don't get aiming it at Pelosi - she was a hugely consequential Speaker, retired from leadership on her own terms, stayed long enough to make sure the new team was stable. is that not what we want?
November 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I get the anger at elderly electeds staying long past their time (and share the feelings often) but I don't get aiming it at Pelosi - she was a hugely consequential Speaker, retired from leadership on her own terms, stayed long enough to make sure the new team was stable. is that not what we want?
For over a decade, the State Department had policies in place - policies that worked without a hitch - to offer trans and non-binary people dignity at the border, in the airport, and when otherwise traveling. There was no reason other than malice to reverse them. Again, the Court gives Trump cover.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to enforce its anti-trans and anti-nonbinary passport policy during litigation.
The unsigned, four-paragraph order effectively reverses two lower-court decisions. The Democratic appointees dissent.
More to come: www.lawdork.com
The unsigned, four-paragraph order effectively reverses two lower-court decisions. The Democratic appointees dissent.
More to come: www.lawdork.com
![SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 25A319
DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, ET AL. v. ASHTON ORR, ET AL.
ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
[November 6, 2025]
This case concerns an Executive Branch policy requiring
all new passports to display an individual’s biological sex at
birth. The United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts preliminarily enjoined the Government
from enforcing the policy, and the First Circuit declined to
stay the injunction pending appeal. The Government then
filed this stay application. Applying our familiar stay fac-
tors at this preliminary stage, we grant the application.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreievxyvqikl7wmrg5jkqhsrta5l5xfq272x7caunvxka7vtuzp7hoa@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
For over a decade, the State Department had policies in place - policies that worked without a hitch - to offer trans and non-binary people dignity at the border, in the airport, and when otherwise traveling. There was no reason other than malice to reverse them. Again, the Court gives Trump cover.
Thank you, Madam Speaker
“A Tireless Champion for LGBTQ+ Equality”: HRC Thanks Speaker Emerita…
“There will never be another Nancy Pelosi -– she is one of one”
www.hrc.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Thank you, Madam Speaker
If you get our A.M. Read newsletter - you should, btw - you'll be seeing one of my favorite stories of the night, the election of Pennsylvania's first out trans mayor, Erica Deuso
Downingtown elects Erica Deuso, Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor
The longtime Democratic advocate who works in management at a pharmaceutical company earned 64% of the vote in the Chester County borough.
www.inquirer.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
If you get our A.M. Read newsletter - you should, btw - you'll be seeing one of my favorite stories of the night, the election of Pennsylvania's first out trans mayor, Erica Deuso
just completely fucking cooked
Mike Johnson: "What happened last night is blue states and blue cities voted blue. We all saw that coming. And no one should read too much into last night's election results."
November 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
just completely fucking cooked
Reposted by Laurel Powell
I am taking particular pleasure in the complete collapse of trans-as-unbeatable-wedge-issue narrative this morning. It might be an 80-20 issue in voters minds, but it has to be on voters minds to matter. The results in VA demonstrate that it is very much not on voters minds.
November 5, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I am taking particular pleasure in the complete collapse of trans-as-unbeatable-wedge-issue narrative this morning. It might be an 80-20 issue in voters minds, but it has to be on voters minds to matter. The results in VA demonstrate that it is very much not on voters minds.
trans people stay winning
Erica Deuso is the first openly transgender person to be elected mayor in Pennsylvania.
The longtime Democratic advocate defeated Republican Rich Bryant Tuesday to serve as the next mayor of Downingtown.
🔴 Live election updates: www.inquirer.com/politics/ele...
The longtime Democratic advocate defeated Republican Rich Bryant Tuesday to serve as the next mayor of Downingtown.
🔴 Live election updates: www.inquirer.com/politics/ele...
November 5, 2025 at 1:54 PM
trans people stay winning
I hate to post Work on here but for the reporters who follow me, we've got folks of all different stripes and areas of expertise available to break down last night's repudiation of anti-trans messaging
DMs open or text me
DMs open or text me
November 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I hate to post Work on here but for the reporters who follow me, we've got folks of all different stripes and areas of expertise available to break down last night's repudiation of anti-trans messaging
DMs open or text me
DMs open or text me
Reposted by Laurel Powell
One major takeaway: Winsome Earle-Sears tried relentlessly to attack Abigail Spanberger with the same transphobic messaging Trump used against Kamala Harris.... and people just didn't care. It shows anti-trans messaging isn't an inflection point.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Five big takeaways from Democrats’ blue tsunami election that should worry Trump
Record voter turnout, a revolt against Trump and DOGE in Virginia, affordability remains a throughline and all should worry Trump, Mike Johnson and the Republicans, Eric Garcia writes. Plus, one tough...
www.independent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
One major takeaway: Winsome Earle-Sears tried relentlessly to attack Abigail Spanberger with the same transphobic messaging Trump used against Kamala Harris.... and people just didn't care. It shows anti-trans messaging isn't an inflection point.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Laurel Powell
The Pritzker Khanate and the Spanberger Coastal Empire will join forces
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The Pritzker Khanate and the Spanberger Coastal Empire will join forces
just feels so fucking good, haven't felt this good since 2018 and probably before
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
just feels so fucking good, haven't felt this good since 2018 and probably before
This is Day 1 in a movement to build a new, lasting pro-equality Congressional majority.
California, you showed up and showed OUT!
With the passage of Prop 50, we’re adding fuel to the fight against Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda by paving the way to a pro-equality majority in Congress.
With the passage of Prop 50, we’re adding fuel to the fight against Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda by paving the way to a pro-equality majority in Congress.
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM
This is Day 1 in a movement to build a new, lasting pro-equality Congressional majority.
Reposted by Laurel Powell
Pro-equality is pro-America.
Pro-Equality Campaigns Dominate Election Night
HRC-Endorsed Candidates Win in Virginia, New Jersey
www.hrc.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Pro-equality is pro-America.
Thinking of all my trans siblings tonight who have had to endure months and months of hand-wringing over our lives being, supposedly, a dealbreaker for voters.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Thinking of all my trans siblings tonight who have had to endure months and months of hand-wringing over our lives being, supposedly, a dealbreaker for voters.
Reposted by Laurel Powell
Here’s my “lessons for Democrats” from tonight - we are capable of doing everything everywhere all at once. If you think the future of our Party is going to be built on one type of candidate or one message or one campaign that you are not prepared to do the work in this moment.
November 5, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Here’s my “lessons for Democrats” from tonight - we are capable of doing everything everywhere all at once. If you think the future of our Party is going to be built on one type of candidate or one message or one campaign that you are not prepared to do the work in this moment.
The story of the night is pretty clear: Attacking trans people isn’t your pathway to office. Being pro-equality still wins elections.
November 5, 2025 at 1:37 AM
The story of the night is pretty clear: Attacking trans people isn’t your pathway to office. Being pro-equality still wins elections.
Reposted by Laurel Powell
score one for "the pundits are projecting their own preoccupations onto the electorate"
Earle-Sears ran what felt like 12 billion ads about how much she hated trans kids and I didn’t hear a single pundit say she should stick to real issues that affect real people.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor’s race.
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
score one for "the pundits are projecting their own preoccupations onto the electorate"
Reposted by Laurel Powell
New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New awareness campaign
Zohran Mamdani and his team have run the most effective digital campaign that I have ever seen, and it’s not close. If you work in this field, you have got to be paying attention to it.
November 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Zohran Mamdani and his team have run the most effective digital campaign that I have ever seen, and it’s not close. If you work in this field, you have got to be paying attention to it.
Reposted by Laurel Powell
here's a video i did briefly explaining the new texas supreme court rule (not ruling) on objections to gay weddings. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
October 29, 2025 at 10:51 PM
here's a video i did briefly explaining the new texas supreme court rule (not ruling) on objections to gay weddings. www.chron.com/culture/reli...