What's everyone's favourite flowers that aren't like. The normal ones. Like everyone's a fan of roses and sunflowers what's a more niche one. One you don't get in gift sets. Mine's sweet peas
Peonies and bittersweet. Lilac and sweet William. Double bloom marigold. White edged magenta tulips. Violets violets violets violets. Forgetmenots! Yellow oxalis and white clover. MAGNOLIA!!!!!!! Snowdrops while the world is still covered in those awful grey ridges of leftover winter road rind.
Transphobia is about to be signed into law in the UK. We can fight this.
I am begging the UK trans community and its allies to attend the Mass Lobby at Parliament on June 25th, 11am-4pm, organised by Trans Solidarity Alliance.
Last year we broke the record for an LGBT+ mass lobby of Parliament. Will you help us break it again? Join us on 25th June 2026 to demand be
The new EHRC Code of Practice pushes trans people out of toilets, hospital wards, and community spaces. It normalises gender policing based on appearance and stereotypes. It becomes statutory guidance in the UK by the end of June.
Trans people are now legally their assigned gender at birth and must join gendered spaces accordingly, but if they are perceived as their lived gender, they can also be ejected from those spaces. The guidance says: either break the law, or don’t pass too well.
A mass lobby is where you invite your MP to discuss your concerns with you in-person. Ask your MP to:
Demand full parliamentary scrutiny, debate, and use their free vote on the EHRC Code of Practice.
Support any motions rejecting the EHRC guidance. As of June 4th, Labour MP Nadia Whittome has submitted a prayer motion - Early Day Motion 240.
Write to Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities about our concerns
Your MP does not have to be an ally, they do not have to respond to your email for you to show up and greencard them (details below the cut.) What matters is that as many people as possible show up.
I cannot stress this enough: Showing up in person matters. It is much more effective than petitions, emails, and letters.
It is a horrible, stressful time, and I am so sorry if you're trans and live in the UK. But I was at last year's mass lobby and the line for greencarding alone stretched around the back gates. It was a record breaking mass lobby and made us impossible to ignore. Let's do even better this time. Details under the cut:
Worried about what to say?
Bring your personal worries about transphobia being signed into law, and trans friends being excluded from public spaces. You are a living person who deserves dignity. Remind your MP of that. You will also get guidance and brochures from Trans Solidarity Alliance that outlines our demands. This is mine from last year.
Money issues?
Trans Solidarity Alliance provides a travel bursary that you can sign up for via the link.
Got a refusal or no response from your MP?
Come anyway! You can request a same-day appointment with your MP through a process called greencarding. They will come and see you if they’re already in Parliament. Even if they don’t, they’re made acutely aware of your cause because you showed up in person. This is my greencard from last year.
Here is the EHRC Code of Practice in full. It's a tough read, but some highlights are:
Organisations can’t provide trans-inclusive, single-sex services, or they risk being sued for discrimination.
e.g. domestic violence support for women including trans women, men’s rugby group including trans men (12.68).
Trans people will have nowhere safe to pee.
If you’re a trans man, businesses can't allow you to pee in the men's, and you can also be ejected from women’s bathrooms if you’re perceived as a man. Vice versa for trans women. EHRC suggests a ‘third space’ bathroom, which is discriminatory and unworkable for most businesses. (13.130-133)
Sports organisations must exclude trans people from single-sex competitions (13.73).
A women’s only sports competition must exclude trans women because of their biological advantage or face potential lawsuits (13.74), but a trans man who has undergone testosterone treatment can also be excluded based on fairness rules (13.81).
Trans women are stripped of the legal definition of ‘lesbian’, and therefore no longer have legal protections if they’re discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation. (2.50, 2.92).
Here is the Good Law Project's better explanation of the EHRC Code.
I have also made a PDF printout of QR codes for the government petition, email your MP tool, and mass lobby link to pass around your communities. DM me and I'll send it to you.
i love media that confidently spoils itself right from the start!!! i love when stories hold your hand, perhaps even look you in the eye, and gently say ‘this character is going to die. this relationship is doomed.’ but assure you that this is a tale worth hearing because it’s not about the what it’s about the how. yayyyy hehehe 💙
Bet the game store owner “is a guy” (roll with me on the binary for a sec, folks, bc this is about the confines of the two-party system) bc no afab-and-socialized-as-a-girl-from-birth is AT ALL shocked to hear that a girl DMing would be storytelling vast and wrenching plots with intrigue and scheming, murder and mayhem.
It was this very hellsite where I read an anecdote from [an early education researcher? A substitute teacher? Something in that vein I think] about how girls’ inner lives are deep, rich, and dark in part because they’re not allowed to exist and thrive openly and be taken as seriously by others as much as little boys, so they have to create whole worlds inside themselves instead.
my problem is if i enjoy something enough i will be nitpicking. i Will have things to say about where and how it failed. out of nothing but love straight from my heart. unfortunately this often makes me indistinguishable from a hater who has never experienced joy or kindness. such is the amateur critic's burden.
all of my favourite things are like beautiful racehorses that trip over their own feet a hundred times. but they get back up again. and goddamn, you should see them run.
i don't know how to say this without being all 'kids these days' BUT kids do seem more sheltered nowadays regarding reading. all the kids' chapter books are called something like 'sir poops-a-lot and the massive fart' and people are absolutely vehement that a teenager can't read wicked because of its (nonexistent) smut and on threads right now people are seriously having a debate about whether 12 year olds can read ya books. when i was in year seven reading flowers in the attic was a rite of passage and now people are afraid of preteens knowing about the existence of sex.
I don't feel like it's 'kids these days' so much as I know a lot of folks who grew up as late GenX early Millenial hellions who have tweens-to-college grads right now and they have sheltered the fuck out of them on purpose without realizing that pre-adulthood starts earlier than you think, and uncomfortable situations cause growth.
They remember what they went through and how they were at tween-to-college grads and they don't want that for their babies because it sounds hard.
I was reading about snakes coming out of vaginas at age 8 because of Clive Barker, and snuck my father's Playboys to read the articles and jokes AND look at airbrushed naked perfectly globular boobs and well-landscaped strips of downy pubes AND ate poisonous plants AND made OTHER kids eat poisonous plants AND fell out of trees AND rode bikes without helmets AND jumped off roofs AND hood-surfed on cars AND played our own bridge to Terabithia with rope swings over ravines AND AND AND a thousand thousand other things, MANY of which are low risk, some of which are HIGH risk and we look at kids now and think that 13 yo are infants but we certainly weren't.
And some of the things we protect kids from DO merit needing protection. (Namely the ones that will cause brain damage, disease, and unwanted children.) But not all of 'em. DEFINITELY not all of 'em.
Let your kids learn things and experience things, because they're gonna without you at some point, and you should pave the way for them to know you trust them, and they can trust you and ask you questions.
Nah fr though, I read A Song of Ice and Fire books 1 through 4 as a child (like 9 to 12yo) and I turned out only mildly traumatised.
Jokes aside, It's also notable that this sheltering also further prevents kids from an active interest in reading - if you're not allowed past 3rd grade material at age 14 it's only natural that you wouldn't be interested in reading.
In general this all-encompassing fear that a child might learn about what sex is as a young teenager is utterly irrational. They'll figure it out. Even without internet access they figured it out. It's especially ridiculous to me, because I distinctly remember not knowing a lot of porn terminology in middle school (despite reading some very explicit books, they didn't use that type of language) until a classmate straight up talked about it. They'll find out either way.
Its weird, because I do remember hearing about near worldwide efforts to get sex ed into middle schools so kids would at least know what it is they aren't meant to do yet, but somehow we ended up regressing instead. My guess is a quick and decisive, large scale lobbying campaign, lining up with the recent campaigns trying to force kink off of game's platforms like steam and itch.
And now we can shift the conversation into what I believe it was dancing around the whole time:
KINK PSA:
Kink (of ANY kind, whether or not you engage with, like, or approve of it) exists and will continue to exist, so long as pleasure exists. When people talk about kink negatively, ie that it only involves things they personally find disgusting and unacceptable (that scope is gonna differ WILDLY based on who you're talking to), they're not discussing anything in good faith and engaging with them is a waste of time. Point them at resources if you want, but otherwise, abort.
IF someone seems like they might be willing to learn, let them know that because spectrums exist, removing the 'bad' end of the spectrum doesn't mean that 'only the good remains'. It means that the end closest to what you cut off will now be deemed (by the people who think they get to judge and label all this for everyone, for some reason) 'bad'. That's what happens with spectrums, folks. One thing on one end, and what is generally considered its opposite (or a greater/lesser: better/worse degree of the same thing) on the other.
So if you remove all the 'bad' kink, the 'good' kink becomes bad, and then just sex becomes bad, and touching is bad, and then impure thoughts are bad, and then any differing thoughts are bad, and on and on and on.
It's all about control. You can't appease people who want control. You can only submit or resist. There's no in-between.
Hey maybe you can tell them that that's a fetish, and they'll stop?
Not enough to be dealing with a leg that's still feels like it's more burn than skin and everything, my power's been cut off because once again Seattle City Light keeps fucking with account notifications and bills. And I need to get 900 in today to get it switched back on.
Yeah, it sucks. If you can help and donate? Please do. https://paypal.me/tormentedartifacts
If you'd like to help and get something in return, there's also http://tormentedartifacts.com
But yeah, even just sharing this around helps. I can't do anything with no power, so I kinda desperately need to fix this.
i don't know how to say this without being all 'kids these days' BUT kids do seem more sheltered nowadays regarding reading. all the kids' chapter books are called something like 'sir poops-a-lot and the massive fart' and people are absolutely vehement that a teenager can't read wicked because of its (nonexistent) smut and on threads right now people are seriously having a debate about whether 12 year olds can read ya books. when i was in year seven reading flowers in the attic was a rite of passage and now people are afraid of preteens knowing about the existence of sex.
I don't feel like it's 'kids these days' so much as I know a lot of folks who grew up as late GenX early Millenial hellions who have tweens-to-college grads right now and they have sheltered the fuck out of them on purpose without realizing that pre-adulthood starts earlier than you think, and uncomfortable situations cause growth.
They remember what they went through and how they were at tween-to-college grads and they don't want that for their babies because it sounds hard.
I was reading about snakes coming out of vaginas at age 8 because of Clive Barker, and snuck my father's Playboys to read the articles and jokes AND look at airbrushed naked perfectly globular boobs and well-landscaped strips of downy pubes AND ate poisonous plants AND made OTHER kids eat poisonous plants AND fell out of trees AND rode bikes without helmets AND jumped off roofs AND hood-surfed on cars AND played our own bridge to Terabithia with rope swings over ravines AND AND AND a thousand thousand other things, MANY of which are low risk, some of which are HIGH risk and we look at kids now and think that 13 yo are infants but we certainly weren't.
And some of the things we protect kids from DO merit needing protection. (Namely the ones that will cause brain damage, disease, and unwanted children.) But not all of 'em. DEFINITELY not all of 'em.
Let your kids learn things and experience things, because they're gonna without you at some point, and you should pave the way for them to know you trust them, and they can trust you and ask you questions.
For those who have missed it, a tourist in Hawaii decided it would be fun to chuck a rock (a BIG rock) at a monk seal. He missed, but he was captured on video, and when told it was illegal to interfere with them, said "I'm rich, I can pay the fine."
Is the best part that he got doxxed? No.
Is the best part that he got tracked down by a local and beaten? No.
Arrested on state at federal charges, looking at up to 5 years and 50K? Nope.
The best part is the local city council's reaction.
And the best part of that is the look on the attorney's face.
According to the CDC, in 10 percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch the child do it, having no idea it is happening. Drowning does not look like drowning—Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene magazine, described the Instinctive Drowning Response like this:
“Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled before speech occurs.
Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.”
This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble—they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the Instinctive Drowning Response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long—but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.
Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water:
Head low in the water, mouth at water level
Head tilted back with mouth open
Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
Eyes closed
Hair over forehead or eyes
Not using legs—vertical
Hyperventilating or gasping
Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
Trying to roll over on the back
Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks OK—don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them, “Are you all right?” If they can answer at all—they probably are. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents—children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.
Can I just say thank you to OP for putting such a detailed description on this?
I’ve been a lifeguard for 6 years now and of all the saves I’ve done, maybe two or three had people drowning in the stereotypical thrashing style. And even those, like the save I made last weekend, it was exactly like OP describes where the person’s head is going in and out of the water but it isn’t long enough to get any air. Mostly you recognize drowning by the look on someone’s face. If someone looks wide eyed and terrified or confused, chances are they’re drowning. That look of “oh shit” is pretty easily recognizable. And even if you can’t tell for sure: GO AFTER THEM ANYWAY. I’ve done “saves” where a kid was pretending to drown and I mistook it for real drowning, but that’s preferable to a kid ACTUALLY drowning.
Also please remember that even strong swimmers can drown if they have a medical emergency, get cramps, or get too tired. If your friend knows how to swim but they’re acting funny get them to land. And even if someone can respond when you ask them if they need help, if they say they do need help? GO HELP THEM.
However . If the victim is a stranger, I can’t recommend trying to get them. Lifeguards literally train to escape “attacks,” because people who are drowning can freak the fuck out and grab you and make YOU drown as well. If you do go in after someone, take hold of them from the back and talk to them the whole time. IF YOU ARE GRABBED: duck down into the water as low as you can get. The person is panicking and won’t want to go under water and should release you. Shove up at their hands and push them away from you as you duck under. Don’t die trying to save someone else.
Please guys, read and memorize this post. Not all places have lifeguards. Being able to recognize drowning is such an important skill to have and you can save someone’s life.
In a water park once, I was suddenly grabbed by a child and he dragged me under the water without warning. I was going to get angry with him when I resurfaced because I thought he was being an ass, until I looked at him go back in and out hyperventilating the entire time. I grabbed him under his arms and began trying to drag him out while screaming for the lifeguard.
When the lifeguard got us both out, a woman came running down and accused me of harming him and said he had been completely fine in the water. That there was no reason to drag him out of there. The lifeguard had to explain to her that her son had been drowning, to which her response was to say that she didn’t hear him call for help.
…..not even six hours later i got an offer of a well paying full time long-term job with free room and board in queens in nyc, allowing me independence and a way to escape an abusive situation and an unhealthy environment
likes charge reblogs cast, folks, this is the good luck post
the last time I reblogged this post right before I got a great job, in a permanent work-from-home position, with benefits, retirement, and a salary literally 3x what I was making before, doing something I really like.
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