It never rains but it pours

[18minutemajor]

georgi with a yorki(e)! (via instagram story)

[liberaljane]

[deadshrike-deactivated20210930]

being queer and seeing historical queer love is like a punch to the gut in a good way every time

[deadshrike-deactivated20210930]

crying and sobbing crying and sobbing etc

[deadshrike-deactivated20210930]

some more vintage photographs that make me weep and wail, now including trans people!

[jennysparksandtheauthority]

Happy tears

[atlasblinked]

love is stored in the historical queer pictures

Two trans men in love: Sky, aged 64. Mike, aged 55.

Photos taken from Jess T Dugan’s series To Survive On This Shore.

[airedelalmena]

Wait a second, is this the same Mike and Sky from Catherine Opie’s photo of the young trans couple together in the 90s? Nice to see that they’re still together these days (?) and (hopefully) doing well.

[thegreathamedebate]

If the pic didn’t load on your phone, this is them 28 years ago :)

[anniestrongart]

Give Us Roses While We’re Still Here Transgender Day of Remembrance // Nov. 20th

This is just a poster I made the other day. I love all of my trans family, and I hope you take the day for remembrance & self care. 

[crykea]

[ID: A photo of a hand sewing words into a piece of fabric. One side of the fabric has the blue, white, and pink transgender flag with the other half of the fabric being decorated with floral print. The words on the floral side read, “Give us roses while we’re still here” At the bottom of the image “Transgender day of remembrance November 20th” is written” end description]

[millennial-review-deactivated20]

Kyle Rittenhouse is found not guilty on all counts.

[capitalism-and-analytics]

[djkaeru]

this is especially sad while the only pro-democracy newspaper (print media) in the city is forced to shut down this week…

'They won't stop': Xi Jinping wins big as Hong Kong's pro-democracy paper Apple Daily folds up

The paper that backed the popular 2019 Hong Kong protests is on the verge of shutting down as the administration, backed by Beijing, targets

Closure looms for Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily after raids

The pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily looked set to close for good by Saturday following police raids and the arrest of executiv

[dango-daikazoku]

[ruaken-deactivated]

共 匪

[zetabrarian]

Something to add to the long list of things I wish able bodied people wouldn't do:

Please don't wrap decorations on the railings of stairways.

It's a common practice for the winter holidays, and a museum I visited today had fake autumn leaves wrapped around the metal railings running down their very steep steps.

Here's the thing: I can't safely go down steps without relying heavily on the handrail. This is ESPECIALLY true when the weather is cold and icy. If there's clutter between my hand and the rail, I'm way more likely to slip and fall.

Please save your festive decor for the architecture that isn't vital to the mobility of others.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

From the Amazon to Glasgow: An Indigenous activist says, ‘We have no more time.’

[Image description: Txai Suruí.]

It was the kind of spotlight associated with a certain other young climate activist: A hall full of world leaders and a speaking slot preceding the secretary general of the United Nations.

The woman in the spotlight was not Greta Thunberg, but Txai Suruí, a 24-year-old Indigenous climate activist from Brazil, making her first appearance on the world stage. On the opening day of the global climate summit in Glasgow, she made an eloquent appeal drawing attention to the devastating deforestation of the Amazon.

“The Earth is speaking,” Ms. Suruí said. “She tells us that we have no more time.”

“The animals are disappearing,” she added. “The rivers are dying, and our plants don’t flower like they did before.”

Ms. Suruí told the heads of state in the audience that they were “closing your eyes to reality” and their timetables for reducing carbon emissions and scaling back the use of fossil fuels were inadequate.

“It’s not 2030 or 2050,” she said. “It’s now.”

Continue reading.

[bellanochesofficial]

“a light inside” - peruvian trans women photographed by danielle villasana

[truestoriesaboutme]

Now that Britney Spears is free, she’s inevitably going to do something weird and off-putting because she was in a long term traumatic situation with very little control of her life and getting your shit together is hard in the best of times and that does shit to a person and I’m genuinely afraid the public who has been rooting for her for so long is going to turn on her and even start questioning whether or not it’s good for her to be free of the conservatorship and people are gonna need to remember that the answer to that question is unequivocally yes

[fuckyeahtx]

Public Service Announcement!

BIG NEWS: The 2022 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period has officially begun! Between now and January 15, 2022, individuals and families can visit HealthCare.gov to enroll in affordable coverage for the new year. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated just how vital quality health care is – and how access to care can be the difference between life and death. So please, take advantage of this opportunity to get covered by visiting HealthCare.gov. Because no one should ever have to go without the care they need to thrive.

[untrustyou]

November 9, 1989 

The fall of the Berlin Wall

[thatswhywelovegermany]

November 9, the fateful day of the Germans

In several years on November 9, significant historical events happened in Germany, which shaped the future of the country. In detail, these are:

1848: Pro democracy revolutionist Robert Blum is executed in Vienna after being convicted for inflammatory speech. His death caused a radicalization of the pro-democracy movement, and he became a prominent identification figure for the early workers’ movement in Germany.

1918: Social Democrat politician Philipp Scheidemann proclaims the German Republic from a window of the Reichstag building in Berlin. A few hours later, Karl Liebknecht, leader of the communist movement, proclaims the Free Socialist Republic of Germany, meant to become a soviet state. During the following violent conflict, which took on civil war-like intensity in some places, the proponents of the pluralistic-democratic model prevail over the campaigners for a soviet republic.

1923: Adolf Hitler and former General Erich Ludendorff initiate the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich in a failed attempt to topple the yound republic. National Socialism makes international headlines for the first time. Hitler uses the following trial to promote himself as the leading figure of the German ethno-nationalist movement. Despite being convicted for five years in prison, he is released after 9 months for good conduct. He writes his infamous book “Mein Kampf” while in prison. November 9 becomes a memorial day during the Third Reich.

1938: The Night of Broken Glass marks the height of the November pogroms against the Jewish population in Germany. More then 1400 synagogues are destroyed, alongside with several thousand shops and homes owned by Jews. Jewish cemeteries are also devastated. About 30,000 Jews are sent to concentration camps where hundreds are killed and thousands die due to the circumstances of incarceration.

1967: During the inaugurational celebrations of the headmaster of the university of Hamburg, students show a poster saying “Unter den Talaren der Muff von 1000 Jahren” (”Under the gowns there is the must of 1000 years”), referring to the self-designation of Nazi Germany as the “1000 year-long empire”. The sentence became the symbol of the the 1968 student revolts in West Germany.

1969: The extreme-left terror organization Tupamaros West-Berlin plants a bomb in the Jewish Community Hall of West Berlin, which does not explode, but would have cause a huge bloodbath among the participants of a memorial service to commemorate November 9, 1938.

1974: Holger Meins, member of the extreme-left terror organization Red Army Fraction (RAF) dies after 58 days of hunger strike, causing a further radicalization of the group and the recruitment of a second generation of RAF terrorists.

1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall: The opening of the border between the two halves of Berlin and subsequently the two German states demonstrates the success of the peaceful revolution in East Germany, which ultimately leads to the reunification of Germany. The first border crossings were opened when huge crowds gathered at the eastern side after an ill-informed spokesman of the new East-German government erroneously told the public that the borders were open “now, with immediate effect”. Unable to reach any superior for receiving orders, the responsible commander of the checkpoint at Bornholmer Straße took the lone decision to open the barriers, feeling unable to disperse the crowd without violence and fearing a stampede in which innocent people would be crushed to death.

November 9 was considered as the national holiday of reunited Germany, but this idea was skipped due to the horrible events connected to national socialism. In the end, the day when the reunification came into effect, October 3, 1990, became the national holiday of Germany.

[politijohn]

ICYMI - Huge news!

[marlbororeds100s-deactivated202]

PrEP, the HIV prevention pill, must now be totally free under almost all insurance plans

The federal government announced that almost all health insurers must cover PrEP with no cost sharing — for the drug itself and for clinic v

^link to the article for further info & accessibility

[zevveli]

Just so ya'll know. They're gonna loophole this which is why we have to spread this information. I work at a pharmacy and I can tell you that a lot of these insurance companies only "Cover" them. Here's what has been happening: You go to your doctor to get PrEP, they write a prescription and send it to the Pharmacy. When you get there they tell you that insurance isn't covering it. You say that the law says that they have to. They say that it will, but not through THEM. The insurance company says that they'll only cover it through a "specialty pharmacy" (which on the one hand, fair enough, NIOSH standards for drugs state that if you are handling the pills then there are specific forms of PPE you need that we at retail do not have, but on the other hand that doesn't matter if we aren't opening the freaking bottles) which will then either mail it to you or ship it to the pharmacy to take it out of the box, scan it in, and bag it. Which is what we'd do normally anyways except with the added step of making you wait 2-3 business days to get it. And because technically they "cover it" it's not a law violation. But they're hoping that you'll not want to wait and just pay the $3000 out of pocket.

[me-myself-and-bi]

For any of my US friends out there 👍💡

[saxifraga-x-urbium]

[queeranarchism]

Important to note here that PreP can be prescribed after sex with an hiv-positive person, like a kind of morning after pill. It’s more effective if you are already on PreP before sex but taking it after still dramatically reduces the chance of transmission, provided you start taking it as fast as possible, which means definitely within 24-48 hours. So that’s waiting period? That’s going to force some people to either pay the full price or lose the window to prevent transmission after sex. That’s a big big deal.

[casanovachris]

I was able to get the PreP pill sent to my house for free. The only condition is that I go back to the local clinic I went to for a 20$ ((without insurance)) check up every like three months. It’s one of those free clinics that does it’s pricing by income and what’s going on. The clinic helped me and it only cost me like 50$ for two blood tests among a few other private tests. So if your local clinic has little advertisements for the pill, ask about it!

I live in Alabama, so shit isn’t easy to get here, but they literally ship it to my house. I don’t have to do anything.

[jhscdood]

Please note, if you’ve NOT been on PReP and you have an exposure to HIV, talk to a doctor immediately to get PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). 

PEP is designed specifically for these situations, but MUST be started within 48-72 hours of exposure.

(48-72 hours is how long it takes for the virus to reach your lymph nodes. It can be prevented from entering them by using PreP / PEP as directed.)

[spooniestrong]

Disability activist dies after United Airlines destroyed her custom wheelchair

"Mobility devices are an extension of our bodies. When they are damaged or destroyed, we become re-disabled," Engracia Figueroa said in July

This is unconscionable. 💙🥄

[void-ramen-bog]

TL;DR for y’all, she has a spinal injury that requires special support. After her chair was damaged beyond repair in the cargo hold, she was left stranded in the airport for five hours without proper support for her injury. She was given a loaner chair by the airlines, who refused to buy her a new chair, claiming hers was repairable. Over the next FOUR MONTHS without an adequate replacement, she developed exacerbation of her spinal injury requiring multiple hospitalizations, and skin ulcers from the chair she was given. The skin ulcers became gangrenous and spread to her pelvis and hip, which had to be surgically removed. Yes. part of her pelvis. had to be removed. However, the infection had already spread and become systemic, leading to her death on Oct 31st, less than four months after her chair was damaged.

also from the article: it is estimated that 29 mobility devices are destroyed or damaged EVERY DAY. and I’m going to assume those are only the ones that are REPORTED.

My mom has worked in the airline industry for three decades; I had no idea it was anywhere near this bad. Please be an advocate for your disabled friends and family, and support their concerns when they say no, actually. this isn’t okay.

[cuntess-carmilla]

The screenshot above says:

“Following the July incident, a United spokesperson said that the company apologized to Figueroa and was working to reach a resolution with the repair company. The Department of Transportation estimates that airlines damage or destroy 29 mobility devices a day.”

[magz]

Since the site (News Week) the article is hosted on has a limit to views without pay, here is some more of the pertinent information shown in it and the related links inside of it, for the sake of convenience. This is a featured tweet in the article, from the president and CEO of the American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD), Maria Town.

Image Description: Tweets by Maria Town, with a link to a different article from Domestic Employers organization, with the preview image being a photo of Engracia Figueroa - a smiling black woman with dark brown skin and coily black and grey hair. The tweets say the following, “ “Engracia Figueroa, a fierce advocate for people with disabilities, passed away on Sunday due to complications from injuries she sustained when United Airlines destroyed her custom wheelchair last July.” #FlyingWhileDisabled #Disability https://domesticemployers.org/hand-in-hand-grieves-the-loss-of-engracia-figueroa United broke Engracia’s wheelchair and refused to replace it. The loaner chair the airlines provided to Engracia did not support her properly. Her skin broke down, became infected, and she died. 2/3 How many hospitalizations and deaths have resulted from airlines inaction and indifference to this issue? Thank you@HiHemployers for your advocacy and for sharing this tribute. Rest In Peace and Power, Engracia. You deserved so much more. 3/3” End of Image Description

Image Description: Screenshots from the News Week article by Toria Branhart and the Domestic Employers Org article by Blithe Riley, about the passing of Engracia Figueroa. A photo of Engracia Figueroa, a black woman in a custom motorized wheelchair, and an accompanying member of the “Hand in Hand” activist group and home care worker organization, Christine Laing, a black woman wearing a mask. Engracia is shown speaking in the “Care Can’t Wait” rally in Washington D.C. from July 2021, at the podium. A quote. “"Mobility devices are an extension of our bodies. When they are damaged or destroyed, we become re-disabled. Until the airlines learn how to treat our devices with the care and respect they deserve, flying remains inaccessible,” the activist said in an interview after the incident.“ “All of us at Hand in Hand are heartbroken, shocked and enraged by Engracia’s needless death. This loss should never have happened. While we are reeling from the layers of injustice this tragedy makes visible, we are holding Engracia’s tenacity and resolve as our guidepost. Lives are at stake in the work that we do, and our current ableist and racist system continues to fail our communities time and time again. We cannot and will not stand by and let these systems of oppression prevail. We demand that United Airlines end the damage of wheelchairs and assistive devices on its flights and create an accessible process for people with disabilities to travel safely, with dignity. Sign and share our petition here.  Please note: this statement was updated 11/5 after Hand in Hand received more details from Engracia’s lawyer about the extent of her injuries.” End of Image Description

So in full: Engracia Figueroa was a black disabled working class woman, as well as a worker and disability activist. She died 4 months after her custom motorized wheelchair was destroyed by United Airlines directly after she came back from Washington D.C., where she attended an activist rally where she demanded better conditions for Home Care workers and disabled people.

The broken $30,000 custom motorized wheelchair was a fire hazard and basically unusable. The wheelchair was necessary for her survival, well-being, independence, and ability to work.

Forced to use it while broken in the 5 hours waiting at the airport, resulted in her hospitalization. “Hand in Hand”, “Caring Across Generations”, “Care Can’t Wait Coalition”, their petition, their media campaign, and (later on) Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office demanded United Airlines take further responsibility. The campaign further highlighted the pervasive issues with airlines destroying mobility aids and other necessary devices.

However, by the time United Airlines agreed to replace the $30,000 wheelchair, Engracia succumbed to her worsened condition due to using an inadequate loaner chair they had previously provided in the time they refused to take full responsibility.

“Hand in Hand” organization points towards the unjustness of systemic both ableism and racism having a hand in her untimely death, and encourage people to sign their petition against United Airline’s damaging of assistive devices.

In my personal view (especially as a black disabled person myself), the intersections of ableism, racism, and classism must be acknowledged when discussing this situation.

Again, the full link for the petition of “United Airlines: End the damage of wheelchairs and assistive devices”, made by Home Care Worker’s organization “Hand in Hand”, is here: https://secure.everyaction.com/tUhs-DW8J0qqU2jbZQMrrA2

[magz]

^^ My previous addition isn’t visible in the reblogs becuase it has links. But basically this was a result of ableism and racism, and I provided more information and a link to a petition that the home worker’s organization she was active in, made and encourage people to sign, to demand an end from United Airlines’ destroying people’s assistive devices.

[captain-lovelace-deactivated202]

Hey dunno if anyone who follows me has heard but UC Santa Barbara is planning to build a 4500 student dorm where 94% of the rooms won’t have windows and there are only two exits because a 97 year old billionaire thinks college students aren’t human beings

[captain-lovelace-deactivated202]

If you see this PLEASE sign this petition to get them to see how many people are against this idea. The building is a biohazard, a fire hazard, and basically a hell for anyone who lives in it but ESPECIALLY for disabled students and students with pre-existing mental health problems. I know signing a petition is just a drop of water in an ocean but even showing how many people hate this idea is better than nothing.

Sign the Petition

UCSB Should Reject The Proposed 'Munger Residence Hall'

[captain-lovelace-deactivated202]

Hey reblog this version please!

[kermits3rdnipple]

Even if u don’t live in the area op is referring to, y'all should reblog this. These students deserve way better

[unpretty]

if you want, you can view the presentation about the proposed dorm yourself! there you will find such details as:

study rooms right next to the first floor movie theater, but a safe distance from the dedicated storage room for exactly 570 surfboards

dining for eight right next to the two bathrooms that you will share with the seven other people in your ‘bedroom cluster’! hope you don’t have to pee while someone else is showering!

this is how these bedroom clusters would be laid out. two whole fire exits! decadent.

a closer look at the first floor reveals a trash lift in the back, for which no chute exists on the plans for any other floor

if you tire of sitting in your windowless cube, simply head to the top floor gaming room, located right between the reading room and counseling, exactly where you want to place someone playing league of legends on university wifi

also of note is the total lack of loading dock or freight elevator, suggesting that anyone trying to bring inventory to the top floor gastropub (there is a top floor gastropub) will have to bring it through the one main hall on the first floor, and into the regular elevators that students will be using to get to their rooms

the billionaire in question has also stated that his 200M donation is contingent on building this dorm to his exact specifications! no changing things to actually make any goddamn sense allowed.

this tweet points out that the number of beds vs the total square footage amount to 370 square feet per bed, which is enough to give every student their own studio apartment instead of windowless cubes and dedicated surfboard storage

the entire ventilation system, which must be massive on account of all the windowless rooms, is housed on the first floor so that everyone who walks by on ground level to gets to hear the sweet sound of a massive HVAC system running full bore 24/7

here are the meeting minutes from july 28th where some of these problems were pointed out. here is my favorite from the fire captain:

Captain Glenn Fidler ‐ SB County Fire

Confirm letter received. SB County Fire concerns Shocked that the project was glossed over in five minutes. The LRDP did not consider the staffing needs for a project of this size. In addition to the Ocean Road project. Make sure that’s included in the analysis.

Current Station is inadequate. Not enough housing for current staff nor enough staffing for the proposed housing. There is a personnel staffing issue.

Current transportation and parking needs not understood – all these students will park in IV and make Fire response more difficult.

Evacuation plan not described.

UCSB not looking at the regulations for evacuation.

the reason the dorm is laid out this way?

Munger, the 97-year-old vice chairman of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, donated $200 million to UCSB to fund the dorms, with the caveat that his designs are followed. He wanted the dorm rooms to be tiny and windowless to encourage residents to spend more time outside in the common areas, meeting other students.

because all these kids won’t come out of their room and get off their phones and talk to grandpa