The Barbed Wire
@thebarbedwire.com
For all Texans who love Texas.
Pinned
The Barbed Wire
@thebarbedwire.com
· Oct 27
Texas is one of the queerest states in America — 1.8 million of us, more than double the number of queer New Yorkers.
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...
Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas!
Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this!! It was such a pleasure to read about what gifts moved you all and why.
It is time once again to host festive dinner parties and snuggle up on your green Joybird couch. As we head into the holidays, our team — and our online friends — reveal the gifts they loved receiving, from refrigerators to lava lamps. Mostly? We like feeling seen.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
The Most Thoughtful, Unusual Gifts We Received This Year
I asked folks at The Barbed Wire and online what they absolutely loved receiving in 2024 and 2025 — and why.
thebarbedwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this!! It was such a pleasure to read about what gifts moved you all and why.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“The gift wasn’t just the prayer itself. It was the feeling of being understood by my mom, years ago, and by my wife now. It was a moment that brought both of them together for me in the best possible way.”
It is time once again to host festive dinner parties and snuggle up on your green Joybird couch. As we head into the holidays, our team — and our online friends — reveal the gifts they loved receiving, from refrigerators to lava lamps. Mostly? We like feeling seen.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
The Most Thoughtful, Unusual Gifts We Received This Year
I asked folks at The Barbed Wire and online what they absolutely loved receiving in 2024 and 2025 — and why.
thebarbedwire.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“The gift wasn’t just the prayer itself. It was the feeling of being understood by my mom, years ago, and by my wife now. It was a moment that brought both of them together for me in the best possible way.”
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
A lovely read from @oliviamesser.bsky.social
It is time once again to host festive dinner parties and snuggle up on your green Joybird couch. As we head into the holidays, our team — and our online friends — reveal the gifts they loved receiving, from refrigerators to lava lamps. Mostly? We like feeling seen.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
The Most Thoughtful, Unusual Gifts We Received This Year
I asked folks at The Barbed Wire and online what they absolutely loved receiving in 2024 and 2025 — and why.
thebarbedwire.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
A lovely read from @oliviamesser.bsky.social
It is time once again to host festive dinner parties and snuggle up on your green Joybird couch. As we head into the holidays, our team — and our online friends — reveal the gifts they loved receiving, from refrigerators to lava lamps. Mostly? We like feeling seen.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
The Most Thoughtful, Unusual Gifts We Received This Year
I asked folks at The Barbed Wire and online what they absolutely loved receiving in 2024 and 2025 — and why.
thebarbedwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
It is time once again to host festive dinner parties and snuggle up on your green Joybird couch. As we head into the holidays, our team — and our online friends — reveal the gifts they loved receiving, from refrigerators to lava lamps. Mostly? We like feeling seen.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/26/t...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
When we launched, it took weeks to even get @thebarbedwire.com indexed on Google search. Apple News verified us in April. Google News verified us last month.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
When we launched, it took weeks to even get @thebarbedwire.com indexed on Google search. Apple News verified us in April. Google News verified us last month.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Today, a story that we’ve spent weeks reporting and editing —because it felt really important — is on Apple News’ top stories.
It’s No. 4.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too.
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected.
This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
This article by @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com tells the story of Emmanuel Gonzalez, a 15-year-old with an intellectual disability who was in ICE custody for 48 days. Follow both publications on Flipboard.
flipboard.com/@19thnews
flipboard.com/@thebarbedwire
flipboard.com/@19thnews
flipboard.com/@thebarbedwire
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
This article by @19thnews.org and @thebarbedwire.com tells the story of Emmanuel Gonzalez, a 15-year-old with an intellectual disability who was in ICE custody for 48 days. Follow both publications on Flipboard.
flipboard.com/@19thnews
flipboard.com/@thebarbedwire
flipboard.com/@19thnews
flipboard.com/@thebarbedwire
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Emmanuel’s story enraged many Houston residents as community members grappled with the cruelty of keeping a disabled child locked away from his mother.
This article was published in partnership with @thebarbedwire.com:
This article was published in partnership with @thebarbedwire.com:
A disabled child’s mom reported him missing. He was in federal custody for 48 days.
When Emmanuel Gonzalez walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October, Houston Police called ICE instead of reuniting them.
19thnews.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Emmanuel’s story enraged many Houston residents as community members grappled with the cruelty of keeping a disabled child locked away from his mother.
This article was published in partnership with @thebarbedwire.com:
This article was published in partnership with @thebarbedwire.com:
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Emmanuel walked away from his mom’s fruit stand to find a bathroom. She looked for him all over Houston, and after several hours, she filed a missing person’s report with Houston PD. Houston firefighters found him within 24 hours. But police turned him over to ICE, who held him captive for 48 days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Emmanuel walked away from his mom’s fruit stand to find a bathroom. She looked for him all over Houston, and after several hours, she filed a missing person’s report with Houston PD. Houston firefighters found him within 24 hours. But police turned him over to ICE, who held him captive for 48 days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. She reported him missing, but Houston police turned him over to ICE.
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. She reported him missing, but Houston police turned him over to ICE.
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
“In front of the entire world, they tried to make others believe I was a bad mother.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
The fauna at this clothing-optional camp (in certain areas) sport Pikachu tails, pup masks, and Winnie the Pooh ears. Sometimes nothing at all. On this particular weekend, one man blows out birthday cake candles, in his birthday suit, as friends cheer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/20/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/20/t...
Come Inside Texas’ Gayest Campground
The first rainbow pride flag used green to signify nature. Now, LGBTQ+ communities are rediscovering the peace of camping and hiking.
thebarbedwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
The fauna at this clothing-optional camp (in certain areas) sport Pikachu tails, pup masks, and Winnie the Pooh ears. Sometimes nothing at all. On this particular weekend, one man blows out birthday cake candles, in his birthday suit, as friends cheer.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/20/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/20/t...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
If you fill this out for me, I will choose a gif or emoji that suits your vibes. I will bribe you!!!! To tell me about a gift you enjoyed receiving.
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
If you fill this out for me, I will choose a gif or emoji that suits your vibes. I will bribe you!!!! To tell me about a gift you enjoyed receiving.
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
A Dallas mom went viral after recording her daughter’s “awful,” neglectful experience while in labor at a hospital. The TikTok has reached more than 54m views and is sparking outrage over the treatment that black pregnant people face in the healthcare system.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
This Viral Video of a Texas Mom in Labor Is a ‘Textbook Example’ of the Horrors Black Pregnant People Face in Hospitals
Many viewers have responded with the same sentiment: Her experience is not an outlier. In Texas, the Black maternal mortality rate is nearly three times higher than white women, according to state dat...
thebarbedwire.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
A Dallas mom went viral after recording her daughter’s “awful,” neglectful experience while in labor at a hospital. The TikTok has reached more than 54m views and is sparking outrage over the treatment that black pregnant people face in the healthcare system.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
Still a few days to apply to work on our team 💕
Are you a social media manager who is passionate about the culture and lives of Texans?
Our incredible social media manager was recruited for an exciting, glossy new opportunity, which means ...we’re hiring!
Come work with us at @thebarbedwire.com 💕
www.journalismjobs.com/job-listing/...
Our incredible social media manager was recruited for an exciting, glossy new opportunity, which means ...we’re hiring!
Come work with us at @thebarbedwire.com 💕
www.journalismjobs.com/job-listing/...
JournalismJobs.com - Job Listing - Social Media Manager
JournalismJobs.com has journalism and media job listings with digital media, newspapers, tv stations, radio stations, magazines, nonprofits, and academia.
www.journalismjobs.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Still a few days to apply to work on our team 💕
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
Applications are still open for this one :)
Are you a social media manager who is passionate about the culture and lives of Texans?
Our incredible social media manager was recruited for an exciting, glossy new opportunity, which means ...we’re hiring!
Come work with us at @thebarbedwire.com 💕
www.journalismjobs.com/job-listing/...
Our incredible social media manager was recruited for an exciting, glossy new opportunity, which means ...we’re hiring!
Come work with us at @thebarbedwire.com 💕
www.journalismjobs.com/job-listing/...
JournalismJobs.com - Job Listing - Social Media Manager
JournalismJobs.com has journalism and media job listings with digital media, newspapers, tv stations, radio stations, magazines, nonprofits, and academia.
www.journalismjobs.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Applications are still open for this one :)
Did someone buy you a gift in the last year that you still use, enjoy, or think about? Tell us about it, please ♥️
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Did someone buy you a gift in the last year that you still use, enjoy, or think about? Tell us about it, please ♥️
A Dallas mom went viral after recording her daughter’s “awful,” neglectful experience while in labor at a hospital. The TikTok has reached more than 54m views and is sparking outrage over the treatment that black pregnant people face in the healthcare system.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
This Viral Video of a Texas Mom in Labor Is a ‘Textbook Example’ of the Horrors Black Pregnant People Face in Hospitals
Many viewers have responded with the same sentiment: Her experience is not an outlier. In Texas, the Black maternal mortality rate is nearly three times higher than white women, according to state dat...
thebarbedwire.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
A Dallas mom went viral after recording her daughter’s “awful,” neglectful experience while in labor at a hospital. The TikTok has reached more than 54m views and is sparking outrage over the treatment that black pregnant people face in the healthcare system.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/18/v...
Reposted by The Barbed Wire
He has definitely seen a toddler do this and is imitating
This is Fendi. He is seen here demonstrating the internationally acknowledged sign language for politely requesting uppies. 13/10 would pick him up immediately (TT: isthat_jojo)
November 17, 2025 at 11:44 PM
He has definitely seen a toddler do this and is imitating
This week, the House prepares to vote on the Epstein Files. Texans like Republican U.S. Rep Keith Self and Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred have made their positions clear, where Dan Crenshaw has come under fire for not addressing the issue.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/j...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/j...
For the Record, Both John Cornyn and Ted Cruz Voted Against Releasing the Epstein Files
As the senate primary race heats up in Texas, let us note the senators and senate hopefuls who voted against releasing the Epstein files.
thebarbedwire.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This week, the House prepares to vote on the Epstein Files. Texans like Republican U.S. Rep Keith Self and Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred have made their positions clear, where Dan Crenshaw has come under fire for not addressing the issue.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/j...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/j...
200 Texas National Guard troops are returning home from Chicago, where they were sent to “safeguard” federal officers carrying out deportations. They’ve spent $4 million over five weeks to maintain a presence in the city where they were never allowed to deploy.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/t...
Texas National Guard Spent About $4 Million to Never Activate in Chicago. Now They’re Going Home for the Holidays.
The 200 Texas National Guard troopers were sent to “safeguard” federal officers carrying out deportation efforts.
thebarbedwire.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
200 Texas National Guard troops are returning home from Chicago, where they were sent to “safeguard” federal officers carrying out deportations. They’ve spent $4 million over five weeks to maintain a presence in the city where they were never allowed to deploy.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/t...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/17/t...
The good news? THC is still legal in Texas, despite myriad failed attempts by the legislature to eradicate the state’s $8 billion hemp industry.
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...
Just When the Texas Hemp Industry Breathed a Sigh of Relief, It Faces Another Extinction-Level Event
The $8 billion Texas hemp industry is once again in peril.
thebarbedwire.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The good news? THC is still legal in Texas, despite myriad failed attempts by the legislature to eradicate the state’s $8 billion hemp industry.
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...