masakhane.bsky.social

Page 6 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "How Can You Become A Better Ally?". There is a box with a red border filled with text that says, "Educate yourself on issues like how events are still inaccessible to people with disabilities, and how they're affected by current attacks on our rights. Respect people’s privacy. If someone tells you they have a disability, it’s not your place to ask questions or “prove” their disability. Many disabilities aren’t visible. Disability Pride Month is about celebrating disabled people and reflecting on how ableism shapes the world we live in. True justice means making sure no one is left behind including people with disabilities." Below the text, there is a Black person who is wearing pink overalls and a green shirt, waving their hand with an arm prosthetic. Next to them, there is a Black person who is sitting down and painting, and they don't have a left leg.

How can you become a better ally?

Page 4 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "What is Ableism?". There is a box with a blue border filled with text that says, "Ableism is a system that treats people with disabilities as “less than” non-disabled people. It’s built into our government, healthcare systems, and daily life. Sometimes it’s obvious like refusing to hire someone because they have a disability. Other times, it’s more subtle like making a concert “mask optional” which shuts out immunocompromised people." Below the text, there is an orange picture of hands cradling a heart that contains the disability sign.

Page 5 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "How does ableism affect us?". There is a box with a blue border filled with text that says, "Many of our current policies are ableist. People with disabilities are discouraged from getting married because doing so could lead to losing federal benefits to medical care. Other examples include higher medical costs, paid less than minimum wage, and risk of losing government medical benefits if they’re employed." Below the text, there is an image of a disabled person in a wheelchair reading a book to the child in their lap, and there are pink and blue leaves behind them. There is another image of a Deaf brown person signing "I love you".

What is ableism and how does it affect us?

Page 2 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "What is Disability Pride Month?". There is a box with a green border filled with text that says, "Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the experiences of people with disabilities, uplift their voices, and think about the ways ableism still shows up in our government, healthcare system, and in everyday life. This month is about pushing back against the idea that disability is something negative. It challenges harmful assumptions and reminds everyone that they deserve full respect, rights, and inclusion." Below the text, there is a brown person who is blind with a walking stick and their service dog. Next to them is a brown person in a wheelchair excitedly waving their hands.

Page 3 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "What is Disability Pride Month?". There is a box with an orange border filled with text that says, "Disability Pride Month started in 1990--the same year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA is a civil rights law that requires public spaces and employers to provide basic accommodations for people with disabilities, like installing wheelchair ramps and allowing service animals in spaces. It also protects people with disabilities from discrimination at work. This was the result of years of organizing by activists with disabilities who pushed for change and demanded that lawmakers recognize disability rights." Below the text, there is a person in a wheelchair with other people who are marching for disability rights.

What is Disability Pride Month?

Page 1 has a black background with a rainbow border. The title is "July is Disability Pride Month!". There are multicolored rectangles below the text with pictures of people with disabilities-- one with a person in a wheelchair, another brown person in a headscarf signing with American Sign Language, another brown person in a wheelchair playing basketball, and a Black person who is running with a leg prosthetic. The Masakhane logo is at the bottom of the page.

Happy Disability Pride Month from Masakhane Center! It’s a time to celebrate and uplift the experiences and voices of people with disabilities! ❤️

Cassie Ventura Didn’t Consent to Alleged Abuse By Sean "Diddy" Combs — She Adapted

The Struggle is Permanent: Keep Fighting Or some notes on carrying on...

Some words from me for us all on this Monday amidst the ongoing fascist takeover attempt... open.substack.com/pub/prisoncu...

Three years post-Roe, midwives are targets of criminalization The arrest of a Texas midwife for allegedly providing abortion care highlights the sidelining of midwifery’s sacred work

"Like midwifery, abortion is ancient and sacred. If we really want to fight against abortion stigma and criminalization, we must honor the abundant history of midwives who provide abortions."
prismreports.org/2025/06/23/m...

Page 2 is a light pink background with a large rainbow in the middle. At the top right corner there is the Masakhane logo. At the top of the page, there is text that says, "It's Time To...". There are three different colored boxes with different titles. The dark orange box says "Protest! Pride is not only a celebration, but a protest. Mobilize with local MOGAI organizations and your communities to fight for the rights of queer, trans, and gender expansive folks." The blue box says, "Celebrate! Celebrating Pride is always important. Queer and trans joy is what makes the community thrive. Enjoy Pride!" The pink box says "Love! Whether it be loving your partner(s), friends, or yourself, love is at the core of Pride. Take the time and pleasure in loving who you love!" At the bottom of the page, there is an image of hands that are protesting for Pride Month.

Pride Month means it’s our time to protest, celebrate, and love! ❤️

Page 1 is a light pink background with a large rainbow in the middle. On top of the rainbow is text that says "Happy Pride Month!" with text below on the red part of the rainbow that says "From Masakhane Center". At the bottom, there is a group of people from different backgrounds celebrating Pride by wearing Pride merchandise and waving the Pride flag.

Happy Pride Month from Masakhane!! To all our fellow queer, trans and gender expansive folks, we see you!!

Masakhane Fall 2025 internship Sex Ed Facilitator Hybrid (Newark and online) $250 stipend Starts Sept 23rd Deadline to Apply is August 15th! More details @ masakhanecenter.org/our-internships Image of a dark-skinned Black femme person pressing "apply" on a large tablet screen on the bottom left.

Interns who complete the program receive a $250 stipend. Disabled folks, trans folks, and gender expansive people are strongly encouraged to apply!

Masakhane Center is seeking folks to join our facilitation team this fall! Sex Ed Facilitator interns collaborate in the facilitation of sexuality workshops for young people in the Newark community. Interns also collaborate on projects, creating zines or short sex ed videos.

Are you living in or around Newark, NJ? Looking for an internship opportunity in the sex ed field? Check out Masakhane's Sex Ed Facilitator Internship this fall!

New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka arrested at ICE facility The Democrat, who is also running for governor, was involved in a scrum with three members of Congress seeking a tour of Delaney Hall.

@replamonica.bsky.social: “If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they treat people on the street every day.”

That's right: If they would rather ARREST THE MAYOR OF NEWARK than allow him to see the conditions of those detained, what does that tell us?

SHAME.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey mayor is arrested at ICE detention center where he was protesting its opening, acting US attorney says.

🚨 ACTION ALERT: COME OUT TO FRELINGHUYSEN AVE

Mayor @rasjbaraka.bsky.social stood up for immigrant New Jerseyans. Then he was arrested. Now, we have to fight back even harder to #FreeThemAll, from our Mayor to every single person detained in our State.

Stand up, FIGHT BACK!
#ICEoutofNJ 💥

“We Are Not Living. We Are Enduring.” Gaza Mother on Struggle for Food, Safety Ahead of the Mother’s Day holiday in the Untied States, we speak to Duha Latif, a mother of two children in Gaza, about life for mothers living under Israeli occupation and assault. Democracy Now! last...

"We Are Not Living. We Are Enduring." Gaza Mother on Struggle for Food, Safety Under Israeli Blockade

Morning, afternoon, and night,
We aren’t giving up the fight!

📍DELANEY HALL
🕥1:30 PM
#ShutItDown
#FreeThemAll
#ICEoutofNJ

Masakhane Opportunities! First bullet - Curriculum Development Internship: Sex ed training, curriculum + program development; 100% remote; Summer 2025; $250 stipend Second bullet - Sex Ed Facilitator Internship: Sex ed training, workshop training + project collaborations; Remote training + in-person workshops; Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2025; $250 stipend Third bullet - Volunteer: Social media coordination + event planning; Remote (+ in-person option); Summer 2025 Disabled, trans, and gender expansive folks are strongly encouraged to apply in any position!

Want to join Masakhane? Check out these internship and volunteer opportunities!

More info @ masakhanecenter.org/our-internships & masakhanecenter.org/volunteer

Disabled, trans, and gender expansive folks are strongly encouraged to apply!

Oh Joy Sex Toy A Sex Education and Toy Review Comic

And take a look at Oh Joy Sex Toy (www.ohjoysextoy.com) for more info on using, cleaning and storing various toys.

Toy Buyer's Guide | SheVibe.com Have questions about how we get our measurements? Need to know about sex toy storage? Need help choosing a dildo or vibrator? SheVibe's Toy Buyer's Guide has those answers and then some!

Meaning it depends on how your body is built and what sensations you are looking to have. To help you make a decision on which toys are best for you, check out SheVibe's Toy Buyer's Guide (shevibe.com/pages/toy-in...).

Teal blue wood-panel background. At the top it says Anonymous Question. Below is a large question mark in a circle. Underneath the question mark is a box with the Masakhane logo and the following: Q: What’s the best sex toy for clitoris stimulation and anal? A: Unfortunately, there’s no “right” answer here. It all depends on what kinds of sensations you enjoy and how your body parts react to the stimulation. More info in the caption. On the bottom left is a drawing of a suction toy often used for clitoral stimulation. On the bottom right is a drawing of a butt plug with a flared base.

We received an anonymous question asking what the best sex toy is for clitoris stimulation and anal. As we mention in the post, there's no such thing as best when it comes to sex toys. Sex toys, like anything else having to do with sex or bodies, is highly individualized.

Fat Liberation Fat liberation, rooted in queer rebellion, is a radical and political movement distinct from body positivity. It centers fatness and challenges the systemic mistreatment of fat people, from discrimination in healthcare to exclusion in fashion. Unlike body positivity, which often focuses on self-love, fat liberation actively works to dismantle the structures that deny fat people full participation in society. Bottom left is a dark-skinned Black person in a wheelchair reading a book. Next to them is a fat brown-skinned Black trans person smiling and looking peaceful, surrounded by flowers in their short pink hair and behind them. To the right of them is a dark-skinned fat Black femme looking fierce while wearing a green dress, coat and earrings. They are bald and have on dark makeup.

More Than Body Positivity Many people think body acceptance is just about personal confidence or self-love, but body justice goes deeper. It’s about challenging the social standards. For example: A fat person being told to “just love yourself” doesn’t fix the fact that they might be denied healthcare, jobs, or clothing options. Fat Liberation is the fight to change those systemic inequalities. On the bottom left is a drawing of two femme Black folks. Both thicc and wearing underwear. In the middle is a megaphone that looks like it's shouting the message from the text. On the bottom right is a dark-skinned fat Black femme sitting crisscross on the floor, wearing a white t-shirt, pink leggings and white sneakers.

Title: Body Justice and Fat Liberation Masakhane logo This Black History Month, we discussed Black bodies and how anti-fatness is rooted in racism. We’re embracing joy, self-love, and the fight for justice. Every body is powerful, worthy, and deserving of respect. Image of 9 Black people of varying gender expressions ages, shades and styles.

Title: Body Justice and Fat Liberation Masakhane logo This Black History Month, we discussed Black bodies and how anti-fatness is rooted in racism. We’re embracing joy, self-love, and the fight for justice. Every body is powerful, worthy, and deserving of respect. Image of 9 Black people of varying gender expressions ages, shades and styles.

Anti-Fatness in Today’s Society Medical Discrimination Against Fat Bodies Anti-fatness and racism continue to be embedded within our social institutions, especially in healthcare. “The medical industry, the health care industry, and the diet industry all exist to maintain a culture intended to ‘discipline’ those whose bodies refuse to—and, for many, simply cannot—conform to the standards of health.” - Da'Shaun L. Harrison, Belly of the Beast Bottom right is an image of a brown-skinned Black fat femme in a beige tank top and beige underwear. Bottom middle is an image of a dark-skinned Black fat femme wearing an orange and white striped shirt under an orange jacket. They have long pink hair with an orange bow in it. They are holding a sign that reads: Low body weight does not always mean good health.

Medical Discrimination Anti-Fatness in Medical Settings Misattributing symptoms and complaints to weight. Ignoring and shaming fat individuals (especially those who are Black). Lack of accommodation for fat patients including: MRI scanners and exam tables that support fat bodies Appropriate fitting blood pressure cuffs and gowns. On the bottom middle is a brown-skinned Black chubby femme-presenting person looking worried and standing next to a white medical provider who is looking at them angrily.

Philly schools will continue to allow transgender athletes to participate in sports that match their gender identity The move breaks with PIAA, which passed a policy that sides with an executive order from President Trump.

"The Philadelphia School District has indicated it will ignore a rule directing schools to ban transgender athletes from participating in sports that match their gender identities."

www.inquirer.com/education/pi...

Masakhane logo at the top right. The title is written in a bold, blue font and says "Pregnancies & Births". The following text reads "Pollution and exposure to harmful toxins/carcinogens can result in: - Increased risk of preterm births - Immunodeficiency in pregnant people and babies - Increased risk of organ dysfunction for pregnant people and babies - Increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirths" At the bottom center of the page, there is a cartoon image of Black pregnant person. On the bottom right, there is a red arrow pointing to the right and a text-box that says "next".

Masakhane logo at the top right. Underneath the logo, there is a drawing of period products (Tampon, menstrual cup, and a pad). The title "Menstrual Wellness" is written in a bold, blue font. The following bullet points read: - Disposable pads, tampons and cups are too often made of environmentally-harmful materials that lay in landfills or release harmful chemicals when incinerated. - As the human-made climate crisis causes more extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, managing periods becomes even more challenging. Reusable products can help reduce environmental harms. Reusable pads and cups should be made more accessible. On the bottom right, there is a red arrow pointing to the right and a text-box that says "next".

Masakhane logo at the top right of the page. Underneath the logo, there is a cartoon image of the Earth and 4 hands (of different skin colors) making a fist. In blue font, the title reads "What can we do to promote healthier environments?" The following bullet-points say - Become familiar with local/state environmental laws and how they affect your community. - Speak with local leaders and discuss changes that can be implemented. - Volunteer and participate in cleanup efforts. - Advocate for equitable access to healthy environments for marginalized communities.

These communities are paying the consequences of these government actions with their health. We need justice now!

On the top right, the Masakhane logo is shown. On the top left, there is a hand reaching out towards the title text. The title, written in blue text and centered in the middle of the page, says "How Environmental Justice Impacts Sexuality. And what you can do about it." At the bottom left, there is a red circle with text in the middle of it that says "swipe".

Masakhane logo at the top right. In the top-middle of the page, there is a cartoon image that depicts factories polluting the air. Underneath the image, there is blue text that reads "Even though we've made progress, there are still barriers preventing people from living in healthy environments. This includes polluted waters and toxic waste factories that are common within Black, Brown and low-income communities." On the bottom right, there is a red arrow pointing to the right and a text-box that says "next".

Masakhane logo on the top right. On the top left of the page, there is a cartoon image of plastic products (bottles and bags) floating in green, polluted water. The text (written in blue font) on the center of the page reads "Environmental justice is essential to human sexuality. Exposure to hazardous products in our environment can significantly affect our sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Some areas that intersect with environmental justice are sex toys, pregnancies and births, and menstrual wellness." On the bottom right, there is a red arrow pointing to the right and a text-box that says "next".

Masakhane logo on the top right. Underneath the logo, there is a cartoon image of a butt plug. The title, centered in the middle of the page and written in bold, blue font, says "Sex Toys". Following that, the bullet points read: Many sex toys are made from plastics, silicone, and other synthetic materials that contribute to environmental pollution. - Low-quality sex toys contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact users’ health. - Many eco-friendly sex toys are expensive, limiting access for marginalized communities. - Affordability while maintaining sustainability is key to bridging this gap. - We can promote sustainability, ensuring that pleasure doesn’t come at the expense of the planet or marginalized communities. On the bottom right, there is a red arrow pointing to the right and a text-box that says "next".

Environmental justice promotes health environments and communities for all people regardless of their race, gender, social class, etc. Many marginalized communities are severely affected by pollution and other hazardous factors as a result of racist and classist legislation.

Page 1: There is a pink circle with the title "Gender Affirming Care: a basic human right" written on top. Underneath, it says "Let's talk about it" and a blue arrow pointing right is shown. Masakhane logo on top

At the top, the Masakhane logo is shown. Underneath the logo, there is a title at that says "Gender Affirming Care is:" Following that, there are 3 boxes with text written in them. Box 1: Liberating. It gives people the opportunity to live authentically and express who they truly are. (The word "liberating" is italicized and highlighted in blue). Box 2: Life-saving. It leads to gender euphoria and decreases the risks of developing mental health disorders and suicidal ideation. (The word "life-saving" is italicized and highlighted in blue). Box 3: Safe and effective. Medical procedures and medications have minimal risks when supervised by professionals. (The words "safe and effective" are italicized and highlighted in blue). At the bottom left, there is a box that says "swipe" and a blue arrow is pointing towards the right.

At the very top, the Masakhane logo is shown. Underneath, there is a title that says "Join the fight for gender affirming care" Following that, there are 3 boxes with text written in them. Box 1: Research. Familiarize yourself with gender affirming healthcare laws and local/state organizations. (The word "research" is italicized and highlighted in blue). Box 2: Advocate. Participate in discussions regarding trans rights and protest with other organizations. (The word "advocate" is italicized and highlighted in blue). Box 3: Donate. Support clinics and organizations that provide gender affirming healthcare. (The word "donate" is italicized and highlighted in blue). At the bottom left, there is a box that says "swipe" and a blue arrow is pointing towards the right.

Masakhane logo at the very top. Centered in the middle of the page, there is blue text that reads "Gender Affirming care IS healthcare". Underneath there are logos that represent the save, like, and share actions on Instagram.

Gender Affirming Care IS healthcare!

Strength In Stillness
Mental Wellness for Black and Brown Men
Yoga, breath work, self-regulation mindfulness, complimentary food, giveaways!
Saturday, February 22
10:30 am - 2 pm
Vince Lombardi Center of Hope
201 Bloomfield Avenue Newark, NJ
Register now, space limited!
gardenequality.org/events

Communities Healing Together team invites you to find strength in stillness at their mental wellness event in Newark on February 22. This event will feature yoga workshops on mindfulness and self-regulation as well as complimentary food and giveaways! Register here: gardenstateequality.org/events

Masakhane logo on top. Multi-colored background. Join Our Team Curriculum Development Internship Summer 2025 $250 stipend Sex Ed Facilitator Internship September 2025 to May 2026 $500 stipend Disabled, trans, and gender expansive folks strongly encouraged to apply! More info @ masakhanecenter.org/our-internships

New Masakhane Internships! Summer 2025 Curriculum Internship that comes with a $250 stipend and an 8-month Sex Ed Facilitator Internship that comes with a $500 stipend.

Disabled folks, trans folks, and gender expansive people are strongly encouraged to apply!

masakhanecenter.org/our-internships