You Don’t Know Jack

09/04/2025

Past gun violence prevention attempts to keep guns out of the hands of abusers or people with persistent mental illness have been met with cries about violating the 2nd Amendment.

Now, conservatives are trying to make the case that the 2nd Amendment doesn’t apply to transgender Americans. A recent case where the 23 year old shooter was said to have been transgender is being used as the catalyst for this latest attempt to erode trans rights.

But when we look at the history and scope of mass shootings, it’s clear this is another unjustified targeting of trans people. From January 2013-August 28, 2025 there have been 5,729 mass shootings. Among the shooters, only 5 were transgender. That means that the number of transgender mass shooters is SO low that it isn’t even statistically significant.

The reality is that 95% of mass shooters are cisgender males. And nearly 55% are white. But try to see what happens if it’s suggested that cisgender white men should have restrictions on their access to guns.

The real concerning pattern that relates to trans people is that people are increasingly getting on the bandwagon of restricting trans rights even when that contradicts overlapping right wing talking points.

Americans are encouraged to see those who serve in the military as heroes and to honor their service. But recent bans have ousted long honorably serving military personnel due to their transgender identities.

Conservatives have pushed “Parent’s Rights” in schools and healthcare. But not if the parents happen to be raising trans students. And not if the parents are working with their child’s physician to ensure life saving access to gender affirming care. Those parents, it seems, don’t have the same rights.

I watched conservative and neoliberal parents argue as regards a school rezoning that it wouldn’t be equitable if their (largely white, upper class) kids got zoned to a new school that didn’t have established sports teams and theater programs. That it would be irreparably damaging to their future college applications. But no concerns about equity for the tiny percentage of trans kids who want to access sports as part of their extracurricular activities.

And now, it’s America’s cherished 2nd Amendment that they are claiming shouldn’t apply to trans people.

So the pattern is that the personhood and legal rights of trans people and parents of trans people are being eroded. And just like we’ve said before, if they succeed at doing it to us, it won’t stop there. Maybe this time, people should pay more attention.

Image Description: CNN headline over a photo of handguns in a display case reads: Trump DOJ is looking at ways to ban transgender Americans from owning guns, sources say.

08/28/2025

For anyone who has struggled with why trans folx are asking you not to uplift Gavin Newsom as a future Democratic nominee for President, please take the time to read and reflect.

I get it, memes feel good when an excess of things these days feel pretty gross.

I get it, you want someone to do something. But you can enjoy the memes and also not make them the pretext for uplifting a man as President.

I get it, it feels like someone is finally fighting for you, even if it’s just memes.

AND…ask yourself who is fighting for trans folx?

How do you think it feels to have people you considered safe uplift someone who has evidenced they won’t protect you?

Imagine, seeing, every day, the kinds of headlines I’m posting in the comments and having that compounded with the fact that people are more interested in memes than saving the lives of trans folx.

https://www.advocate.com/voices/opinion-gavin-newsom-transgender-politics?fbclid=IwZnRzaAMcd6JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvhhFNud1X4XB0eh2AgLg2sD4iFIJsJ0Q_z6OVl7Htw-nyZLzFT1WuFWVAnA_aem_zWxfZXGN49N0XOmX5ct16Q -gdprr nt g r

Opinion: We have seen this song and dance before, writes Erin Reed.

08/12/2025

Looking for something fantastic to do this Wednesday evening?

There is a Q***r Social at The Pinhook from 6-8PM. The event is welcome to all ages, with mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks available.

There will be Arts & Crafts + Zine making from 6-8, a Drag set at 8PM, and a dance set from 8:30-10PM!

Admission is free and all donations go to support youth programming.

🏳️‍⚧️❤️🏳️‍🌈

***rSocial

08/12/2025

Community Resource Shoutout:

Free HIV/STI testing at the LGBTQ Center of Durham, 1007 Broad Street from 4-6PM Wed Aug. 13th & Thur Aug 28th. This service is provided by Durham County, they can also discuss and get folks started on PrEP.

08/11/2025

Hey friends!

An exciting update: Today is move-in day for Mohagany!

There was a bit of a delay as the initial unit they were planning on had some issues that needed immediate attention. However, sometimes when something seems like a barrier, it’s just the universe shifting in the direction you need to go.

Now we’re trying to make sure this apartment becomes home for Mohagany. The safe landing place she deserves. Thus, we are continuing to raise funds and putting a wishlist out that supports setting up Mohagany’s place with the items she needs.

We want Mohagany to be able to focus on healing and personal growth. She’s excited about taking online courses in nonprofit leadership and building a life where she can help trans justice-involved siblings find safety through Mohagany’s Mission.

If you aren’t in a place to donate or purchase an item from the wishlist, please consider helping with the simple act of liking and sharing this post with your network. Much gratitude! 🏳️‍⚧️❤️🏳️‍🌈

Mohagany’s Fresh Start Wishlist:
https://tinyurl.com/y55py4d3

Mohagany’s Fundraising Links:
GFM: https://tinyurl.com/2s47afha
CA: tsmohagany
Ven: MohaganyRegina

08/01/2025

The amplified ableism of this country continues to sweep the nation.

It’s always been there, but when the national position around the pandemic became “it will only impact the vulnerable” we leveled up (or rather down).

Since then we have demonstrated an ever growing callousness to human suffering. Kicking millions off healthcare while spending hundreds of millions to build a gold-plated dining room.

And now they’re training your children to do what so many of us were conditioned to do upon entering the workforce. Just push through it.

Concerned about vulnerable classmates? Oh well! Concerned about making your illness worse by not prioritizing your health. Oh well! Prepare yourself for the workforce where you will be asked to give everything, no matter the price…

Y’all if you haven’t already, you best start setting boundaries that you’re willing to go hard for. Create your own work collectives in your field (where possible) where the folx who partake prioritize a different way of being.

Because, I say this with confidence, the systems of America aren’t looking to uplift your quality of life. But you can.

07/30/2025

Yesterday, a select number of Democrats chose to align with Republicans to override the Governor’s veto of bills that were anti-immigrant, anti-trans, and anti-public safety.

And many are speaking on the verbal “justification” offered by Rep. Cunningham for her vote. Her speech is, in my opinion, an example of how end-stage capitalism impacts the ways in which people are in relationship with one another, all the way up to the policy level.

Capitalism has folx forgetting how to be relational.

When people start applying the transactional nature of consumerism to relationships, they become disconnected from the intimacy of human connection.

People tally who owes them what or assess what they can gain from someone. They start guarding their “piece of the pie.” They can be surrounded by people and still feel alone.

Because there is a lack of depth in this kind of connection, people operating in this transactional structure will discard what they no longer see as beneficial to them, even when that something is people.

Community and being truly relational doesn’t work like that. We don’t keep a tab to cash in later when we help one another. We don’t seek connection because we think we have something to gain.

The truth is, when we’re transactional we can appear to have everything and actually have nothing that matters. And when we’re relational we can appear to have nothing and actually have everything we need.

Take a step back and examine what mode you’re operating in.



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3SW0qLc94c&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL3L-1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsLkmV5gXX4fVy0yBoI4x2is8tQp5ws6KYw-2JmSVUEBT4_Ssivnk3vLfSWW_aem_EqQHsE-ghAkLUkiyOy81RQ

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H318

07/29/2025

If you can, please consider assisting this beautiful human. Like, share, donate. Let’s make sure Mohagany is properly housed on August 1st!

Mohagany is a Black, trans, justice-involved woman who when incarcerated in a men’s facility, prioritized supporting other trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary folx.

Upon reentry, Mohagany again prioritized others by founding the nonprofit, Mohagany’s Mission for continued support of trans, gnc, and nonbinary justice-involved folx.

While Mohagany puts so much of her energy into helping others, right now she needs our assistance. In a climate where trans folx are under attack and being unhoused is being criminalized, Mohagany needs to raise funds to secure housing for herself.

This opportunity comes after more than a decade of being unhoused.

If you’ve been looking for a real, material way to show up for trans folx, this is it. No one should have to be in survival mode all the time. Few people know that as well as Mohagany.

I know that when she gets over this hurdle, Mohagany is going to help so many people. AND everyone deserves the security of their basic needs being met.

CA: tsmohagany
Venmo: MohaganyRegina
GoFundMe: link in comments

Image Description: Mohagany, a Black, trans, justice-involved woman smiles joyfully through orange flowers, her hand partially obscuring her face.

07/28/2025

I met Mohagany during Pride month this year and was immediately struck by her positive energy and drive to support community. After learning more about her own story, I’m even more impressed.

As a Black, trans, justice-involved woman incarcerated in a men’s facility, Mohagany started her mission to support other trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary folx in the system.

Because of her success in starting this incredible nonprofit, it’s easy for people to forget that Mohagany is still navigating reentry herself.

After more than a decade of being unhoused and within a climate where there is a specific focus on criminalizing homelessness, Mohagany has the opportunity to build a foundation of secure housing. This will, in turn, allow her to put energy towards supporting the reentry of other justice-involved trans, gnc, and nonbinary community members.

If you’ve been looking for a real, material way to show up for trans folx, this is it. No one should have to be in survival mode all the time. Few people know that as well as Mohagany.

Please donate if you can and/or amplify this message so as many people as possible get eyes on it.

I’m looking forward to seeing Mohagany thrive and collaborating with her in the future.

CA: tsmohagany
Venmo: MohaganyRegina
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mohaganys-reentry-housing-fund?attribution_id=sl:cca63ba9-9159-44f4-9413-3cfc98b4f927&lang=en_US&ts=1753465907&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

07/28/2025

Empathy shouldn’t age out.

If you need it to be a child suffering in order to care, you need to examine what hardened you to viewing adults with humanity.

Why can we get behind collective action for kids, but demand rugged individualism for adults?

Whose narrative does that serve?

Do you think, like most things, it comes back to capitalism?

We need to deconstruct and find the root of these narratives in order to build something better.

07/27/2025

Are you a boy or a girl?

I often think that part of what gets in people’s craw about queerness is just the simple fact that it isn’t clear cut. A lot of people crave predictability, want simple answers, because, let’s face it, just about everything is incredibly complex.

For example, non-binary has probably as many definitions as there are people who claim it as their personal identity. For some, it’s a both/and, for others, a neither/nor, somewhere on a sliding scale, or something entirely outside the two binary genders.

A similar dynamic shows up as relates to disability. People want it to be easy to see and define. But many disabilities are invisible; in fact, people can be experiencing distress right in front of you and you wouldn’t be able to tell unless they stated it explicitly. Sometimes, disability ebbs and flows from day to day or even hour to hour. For some reason, the human imagination has a hard time processing that in the morning someone can be mobile and in the afternoon they are unable to navigate the world unassisted.

And then there’s the concept of deservedness. Who deserves accommodations, assistance, the chance to tap out of some requirement of the capitalist rat race? This qualifier gets tacked on to every need that seeks fulfillment. Largely, because if we’re busy scrutinizing whether others are deserving, we aren’t focused on holding accountable those who are preventing all of us from having the existence we deserve.

The truth is, few things in the world are simple. But, I can say with confidence, we ALL deserve to have our basic needs met. And leaning into ambiguity just might be part of the formula that gets us there.

07/07/2025

Accommodating someone’s disability without them asking can actually be disabling.

If you don’t actually know what we can do for ourselves then please don’t assume.

I see this so often with neurodivergent individuals. Parents, partners, peers, and even supervisors see us struggle with something. They feel uncomfortable witnessing that struggle.

Without asking, they decide to protect us by doing the task for us or simplifying asks. Their actions remove from our experience the struggle necessary to develop the skills, routine, or approach needed to succeed.

They are no longer uncomfortable, but our world has become smaller, more limited.

Yes, there may be limits to what we can do. However, unless someone has volunteered what they need assistance with, have a documented accommodation, or you have asked and they have named a need, please don’t assume how people should be “accommodated”.

Let us learn our limits.