Joelle Maslak

the supreme court probably wants to overturn my marriage

but sure, i can get you those slides today

they won’t let me renew my passport anymore

but sure, i can review your ai slop code

sixth circuit says misgendering trannies is cool

but sure, i can be on call during thanksgiving

The same assholes who think food thrown at *them* is assault.

We are thrilled with the renewed attention that The Carpentries has received for deciding to withdraw a $1.5 million proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF), thanks to a recent similar decision made by the @python.org (PSF) and the generous shout-out they gave us when they announced it. 🙏

I tried to kill myself in the 3rd grade because of bullying. Fortunately I didn't know how. I can only imagine if I had socially transitioned and people misgendered me when I was in K12 school.

But if someone in that situation reads this, I care. You deserve better. Please stay alive.

I don't think it's even right to say the voting public doesn't care. I think the truth is a lot of voters may generally find trans identity moderately confusing but also *none of their business*.

on the other hand, they find an obsession with harming trans people - say it with me - deeply weird.

Trans Folk are not Your Fucking Shock Troops: What can Cis People do?

I see pictures of a protest. It can be about just about anyone's rights, maybe nothing that directly addresses trans rights, and in the street and dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people. But what draws my attention isn't…

Someone today tried to explain to me why MLK Jr. is similar to Charlie Kirk and I just fucking can't.

Cruel, anti-trans policies are intended to make us too afraid to be ourselves in public. Fuck that. I will not build my own prison cell. I will not hide for a bigot's comfort. I will not comply in advance. I will be loud, proud, and visible for those who cannot be.

Also: It is *still* worth it.

"So today, I'm marching for that part of me that was once afraid to march and for all the people who can't march - the people who living lives like I did. Today, I march to remember that I'm not just a me but I'm also a we. And we march with pride."
-- Nomi, Sense8

Dear Florida Legislature… You did what your majority party is known for: you took a complicated problem and simplified it to fit your ideology. As a post-op trans woman, I don’t usually question my gender, and it hasn’t com…

They are counting on us going into hiding. I will not do this. If the government wants people to know what my sex organs were as an infant, I'll tell them.

This still applies.
gender-thoughts.com/2023/05/21/d...

If it's important that the government makes sure people know what our sexual organs looked like as an infant, I think they should just get it over with us and make us wear giant penis hats when we go out in public. You know, not unequal treatment, just making sure people know the historical fact. /s

Fuck the SCOTUS.

I should add it's not just trans or autistic folks. Others face this too, and I should have said "among the 1st to be laid off".

Every time political layoffs happen (think Conde Nast and Teen Vogue), trans folks are the 1st to be laid off.

Yes, it's transphobia.
But it's also ableism.

Trans people are more likely to be autistic. And autistic people care deeply about things, so we speak up. That's unpopular with management.

Flyer with text reading, “Calling Autistic Adults! “Want to help shape research on loneliness for autistic young adults? “We invite autistic adults (ages 18-35) to join our Community Council on a 5-year research study on how big life changes affect loneliness for autistic young adults. “Community Council members will partner with researchers to make sure that all parts of the research reflect the experiences, priorities, and needs of the autistic community. “We hope this research will lead to a better understanding of loneliness and help create better supports. “• Community partners meet regularly and are paid for their time. “• No prior research experience is needed. “• Your lived experience and perspective are what matter most, and all voices are valued. “For more info or to apply, email kc3673@drexel.edu”

Want to help with autism research? The Social Experiences of Loneliness of Autistic Adults (SELA) Project at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute is forming a Community Council of autistic adults (ages 18–35) to help guide a 5-year study on loneliness and social connection. Info in flyer and alt-text.

"Liberal feminism" doesn't mean what bigots think it does.

Really.

Pride Study The PRIDE Study is a long-term study to learn about the identities, health conditions, and healthcare experiences of LGBTQ people across the country. You can participate via your computer, tablet, or ...

I'm in a meeting about The PRIDE Study and I love, as an autistic, that progress towards favorite goals is visually presented as a train moving along tracks, towards the destination. :)

Also, if you are LGBTQIA+ and in the USA (including territories), you know about pridestudy.org, right?

You know what ruins the workspace for half the population? Being passed over for promotion. Being sexually harassed. Being talked over by colleagues. Being paid less. Being called a bitch if you assert yourself. Etc.

Maybe write about that, NYT, instead of "liberal feminism."

An example of the double bind women are in: you either participate in conventional femininity (which costs a lot of money) or you're ugly according to the patriarchy. If you participate in conventional femininity, you're wasting time on frivolous stuff. according to the patriarchy.

Sen. Danica Roem, D-Prince William — Virginia’s first and only trans elected official — doubts her Republican colleagues will make as much of a fuss over her community nor introduce many anti-trans bills in the 2026 legislative session. “They have 13 fewer House of Delegates members who could possibly do such a thing,” she said.

*sips tea*
virginiamercury.com/2025/11/05/d...

Every new post tonight is like Dems have flipped the Mehaden town sewer authority, long dominated by conservatives, by a +38 margin

Colorado Republicans' strategy to rebuild through school board races collapsed on Election Day with sweeping wins for candidates endorsed by teachers unions. The CEA estimates it won 80% of its races. Jennifer Meckles reports:

Know what would be popular with the flying public? Cancel all private jet flights.

A private jet takes just as much air traffic control resources as a A380 does, for much less public benefit.

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Ah yes, preparing a slide for a work presentation...

Downingtown elects Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor Democrat Erica Deuso defeated Republican Richard Bryant in the borough of Downingtown’s mayoral election.

Hey this is cool! whyy.org/articles/ele...

dude mentioned trans people for literally one line and I just about burst into tears. the bar is so low folks

This is a nice story about how libraries change lives.

"in this moment of political darkness, new york will be the light

"whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community one of the many black women that donald trump who has fired from her job... your struggle is ours too"

a photo from dashcon with a small ball pit in a large convention ballroom

live view from cuomo hq

This is a very big deal. This is an incredibly segregated state with massive disparities in infrastructure across racism and economic lines and this is one step closer to ending that