The disquiet over the LGBT Census erasure, the injustice of it, is that in action, meaning and consequence, it very literally makes LGBT people invisible again: this time on a stark white form that should include us. The message of still not being counted on a Census form sends a wider and more profound message around erasure at a time when LGBT rights themselves are under attack. LGBT people see newly minted, anti-LGBT legislators taking their positions in government, and are frightened with good reason. And now, on a basic population form, the one box just for them got blanked out. That means not only won’t LGBT people be counted, but all that could be gleaned about LGBT people, and who they are and what might best be done in terms of funding and assisting those who may need it most, will not be counted. That means less understanding at a time when more is urgently needed.

This Is Why The Erasing of LGBT Americans On The 2020 Census Matters | Tim Teeman for the Daily Beast
(via gaywrites)

This is important but my mother had another disquieting thought. The Census uses addresses. She was genuinely happy that it was not being included, because she was worried that this administration might more easily track us or round us up. I want the information and I want us to stop being invisible but I literally got chills when she said that.

Welcome, new followers (and hello to all of you who have been around a while)!
I am always amazed and delighted when I get to post one of these. I used to post one at every 10 new followers or so, but I have gotten out of that habit somehow. I was surprised when I ever had followers at all and now there are 430 of you!

Bless you all! I’m glad you like what you see. Thank you so much and welcome to this blog. Feel free to ask me anything. Seriously, anything!

This blog is a hodge podge of things I love and issues I’m passionate about. There might be an interesting science article, some great fan art, and then some silly story from my personal life.  I post fan art and story recommendations as well as personal opinions and things that are important to me.  The majority of the fandom stuff I post is johnlock, though assorted other things appear as they strike my fancy (almost any incarnation of Sherlock Holmes, thorki, frost iron, Dr. Who, Supernatural, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Harley Quinn, Kushielverse, etc.). I regularly post my own writing (beltainefaerie on AO3) and, much more rarely, drawing.

Lately three has been a whole lot of American politics, because Trump is terrifying. The election is over, but I don’t expect my posting to be. I am still posting lots about how to be involved, how to fight oppression, etc. If you need a break from all that, I try to tag everything like that American Politics.

I also do post about my poly life, BDSM, sexuality and gender in general, and occasionally even my struggles with anxiety/depression. I’m always happy to answer questions about any of that. In fact, questions, comments, venting, and general chatting are always, welcome and invited. Also, I’m only selectively out as poly and kinky in my real life, so you won’t see pictures of me or my family on this blog. 

More on tagging: Be aware that while I try to tag things nsfw when they are, I occasionally miss one. I reblog a variety of explicit images, including actual porn, just in case you missed the warning in my description.  I’ve known people who need their abuser’s favorite animal tagged or a certain character that reminds them of something awful in their lives. I won’t ever judge what or why you need something tagged, so if there is anything specific you need tagged, please let me know and I’ll do my best! As a general rule, I try to tag things with whatever they are, so a picture of kittens romping in the snow would likely be tagged kittens, snow, cats, but if you need black kittens or yellow cars or something specific, let me know.

Thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy! Feel free to say hi.

Trump Administration Omits LGBTQ People From 2020 Census Citing No “Federal Need” For Data

sassafraslowrey:

The Trump administration has nixed plans to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2020 Census, a request made by congressional Democrats and LGBTQ advocates last year in an attempt to construct a better picture of the country’s increasingly complex family and sexual dynamics and to better craft laws tailored to improve the situations […]

Trump Administration Omits LGBTQ People From 2020 Census Citing No “Federal Need” For Data