Dr Pretorius
@wdcotter.bsky.social
Chemistry professor, lute-song singer, chorister, amateur glassblower, gay husband, cat daddy
An important reflection on this perilous moment in philanthropy and the struggle for human rights and dignity, from someone deep inside the work of liberation. That work is the result of sustained labor by skilled and dedicated people like Ian, and it is under threat.
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A work update... and a start to my weekly Substack posting.
As One Door Closes...
Three weeks ago, I was laid off from my job supporting global LGBTQI+ human rights.
ianlekus.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
An important reflection on this perilous moment in philanthropy and the struggle for human rights and dignity, from someone deep inside the work of liberation. That work is the result of sustained labor by skilled and dedicated people like Ian, and it is under threat.
Please subscribe
Please subscribe
August 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
University administrators who engage in this anti-scientific, anti-rational cruelty do so not because they are afraid, but because they are morally reprehensible people who feel liberated in the current moment to take off their masks.
Just read the Brown University agreement and this really jumped out.
"The University will not perform gender reassignment surgery or prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to any minor child for the purpose of aligning the child's appearance with an identity that differs from his or her sex."
"The University will not perform gender reassignment surgery or prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to any minor child for the purpose of aligning the child's appearance with an identity that differs from his or her sex."
July 31, 2025 at 12:07 AM
University administrators who engage in this anti-scientific, anti-rational cruelty do so not because they are afraid, but because they are morally reprehensible people who feel liberated in the current moment to take off their masks.
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
1/ I represent 5 anti-zionist students and faculty challenging the outrageous claim that the Palestine Solidarity Encampment was a "Jew exclusion zone". UCLA refused to defend. Today they agreed to pay millions instead. I can't overstate how dangerous this is. 🧵
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
UCLA to pay $6.45 million to settle suit by Jewish students over pro-Palestinian protests
UCLA agreed to settle a lawsuit by Jewish students who alleged the university aided a 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment, which the lawsuit alleged illegally discriminated against Jewish people.
www.latimes.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
1/ I represent 5 anti-zionist students and faculty challenging the outrageous claim that the Palestine Solidarity Encampment was a "Jew exclusion zone". UCLA refused to defend. Today they agreed to pay millions instead. I can't overstate how dangerous this is. 🧵
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
This thread gives me joy
oh, OK
one like = one pre-1960 horror film recommendation
one like = one pre-1960 horror film recommendation
July 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
This thread gives me joy
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
A Quebec fisherman who was fishing 15 kilometers north of the US border was essentially kidnapped by US Border Patrol, who capsized his boat and dragged him to an American prison cell.
In any normal time this'd be quite the international incident, y'know?
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
In any normal time this'd be quite the international incident, y'know?
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
July 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A Quebec fisherman who was fishing 15 kilometers north of the US border was essentially kidnapped by US Border Patrol, who capsized his boat and dragged him to an American prison cell.
In any normal time this'd be quite the international incident, y'know?
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
In any normal time this'd be quite the international incident, y'know?
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
NYT and WaPo collaborating with Steve Bannon? Wow, what a wholly unprecedented abandonment of their staunch journalistic principles.
archive.thinkprogress.org/steve-bannon...
archive.thinkprogress.org/steve-bannon...
July 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NYT and WaPo collaborating with Steve Bannon? Wow, what a wholly unprecedented abandonment of their staunch journalistic principles.
archive.thinkprogress.org/steve-bannon...
archive.thinkprogress.org/steve-bannon...
I’m not going to be ignored, Dan
Apparently it’s weird when you don’t want to spend your whole day arguing with randoms.
July 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I’m not going to be ignored, Dan
The evening light is right
July 6, 2025 at 10:36 PM
The evening light is right
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
A lot of you don't understand how itchy an anus can get when you're constantly pulling facts out of it.
Biriyanigate has broken their brains and made Charlie tell on himself (gross)
July 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A lot of you don't understand how itchy an anus can get when you're constantly pulling facts out of it.
When there’s no more room in hell, dead franchises will walk the earth
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
It looks like Indiana Jones might actually be headed for the reboot treatment. According to a recent report from DisInsider , Disney and Lucasfilm are considering a full relaunch of the iconic adventure...
buff.ly
July 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
When there’s no more room in hell, dead franchises will walk the earth
I feel seen
June 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I feel seen
Predators gotta stick together
Former President Bill Clinton is endorsing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, his former HUD secretary, as the Democratic establishment tries to attempt to ensure Zohran Mamdani does not win the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/n...
Bill Clinton Endorses Andrew Cuomo for New York City Mayor
www.nytimes.com
June 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Predators gotta stick together
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
The Minnesota assassin appears to be a hate-filled right winger. So can we stop walking on eggshells about MAGA's legitimization of political violence?
Yes, Republicans have also been the target of inexcusable violence, but this isn't a "both sides" issue.
1/ A🧵on the danger.
Yes, Republicans have also been the target of inexcusable violence, but this isn't a "both sides" issue.
1/ A🧵on the danger.
June 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The Minnesota assassin appears to be a hate-filled right winger. So can we stop walking on eggshells about MAGA's legitimization of political violence?
Yes, Republicans have also been the target of inexcusable violence, but this isn't a "both sides" issue.
1/ A🧵on the danger.
Yes, Republicans have also been the target of inexcusable violence, but this isn't a "both sides" issue.
1/ A🧵on the danger.
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
Last night, we celebrated pride, visibility, courage & global solidarity with our host, Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason; Spain's trailblazing Senator, Carla Antonelli; and many dozens of LGBTQI+ advocates and allies from all around the world! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🌍 🇮🇪 🇪🇸
June 6, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Last night, we celebrated pride, visibility, courage & global solidarity with our host, Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason; Spain's trailblazing Senator, Carla Antonelli; and many dozens of LGBTQI+ advocates and allies from all around the world! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🌍 🇮🇪 🇪🇸
What they can do is not be passive stenographers for homophobic cops
I get the frustration but I'm sorry, no, media outlets cannot just run headlines that say Jonathan Joss was murdered in a hate crime.
June 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
What they can do is not be passive stenographers for homophobic cops
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
I think I’ve recognized that I don’t like Matt Yglesias because it makes me anxious when I can’t tell whether someone is mocking themselves or not
June 5, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I think I’ve recognized that I don’t like Matt Yglesias because it makes me anxious when I can’t tell whether someone is mocking themselves or not
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
There's still basically no evidence for Musk "stepping away" from politics besides his own claims, yet the Times keeps repeating the lie to help him - sometime contradicting their own reporters. Don't print lies in the newspaper.
Today:
A fluff piece on Musk in NYT.
It includes glamour photos, with the shirt and motto Musk chose, from the Bezos WaPo (via Getty).
The Musk PR-run press rehab tour continues!
A fluff piece on Musk in NYT.
It includes glamour photos, with the shirt and motto Musk chose, from the Bezos WaPo (via Getty).
The Musk PR-run press rehab tour continues!
June 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
There's still basically no evidence for Musk "stepping away" from politics besides his own claims, yet the Times keeps repeating the lie to help him - sometime contradicting their own reporters. Don't print lies in the newspaper.
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
25% tariff on a whiskey drink
37% tariff on a Vodka drink
85% tariff on a Lager drink
110% tariff on a cider drink
132% tariff on songs that remind you of the good times
138% tariff on songs that remind you of the better times
37% tariff on a Vodka drink
85% tariff on a Lager drink
110% tariff on a cider drink
132% tariff on songs that remind you of the good times
138% tariff on songs that remind you of the better times
May 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
25% tariff on a whiskey drink
37% tariff on a Vodka drink
85% tariff on a Lager drink
110% tariff on a cider drink
132% tariff on songs that remind you of the good times
138% tariff on songs that remind you of the better times
37% tariff on a Vodka drink
85% tariff on a Lager drink
110% tariff on a cider drink
132% tariff on songs that remind you of the good times
138% tariff on songs that remind you of the better times
Reposted by Dr Pretorius
No. It is not the job of ordinary citizens to show perfect message discipline.
It is the responsibility of actors with agenda-setting power — like, say, national newspapers — not to treat random-ass people exaggerating as a threat equivalent to the madman president.
It is the responsibility of actors with agenda-setting power — like, say, national newspapers — not to treat random-ass people exaggerating as a threat equivalent to the madman president.
May 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
No. It is not the job of ordinary citizens to show perfect message discipline.
It is the responsibility of actors with agenda-setting power — like, say, national newspapers — not to treat random-ass people exaggerating as a threat equivalent to the madman president.
It is the responsibility of actors with agenda-setting power — like, say, national newspapers — not to treat random-ass people exaggerating as a threat equivalent to the madman president.
Murderers
April 22, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Murderers