Author | Lightnews

Empress of Emerald

@empressofemerald.bsky.social

4.2K followers 4.6K following 390 posts

Science Educator(M.Ed.), Single Lesbian, LGBTQ Rights Advocate 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 and BLM , Mom, and D&D Dungeon Mistress

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Empress of Emerald @empressofemerald.bsky.social · Jan 20

Rage against the dying of the light, do not compile in advance, fight them for every inch, our country and futures, our very lives belong to us, the fascist don’t get to take them! #resist #democracy #skytok

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 18h

Each week, we elevate journalists covering LGBTQ+ stories that didn't make it into our coverage.

This week's LavLedge includes 3K marching for trans rights in Taipei, resistance to Houston Pride crosswalk removals, and a podcast on trans people fleeing the US.

Subscribe to support our journalism.

The Lavender Ledger: Your Strategic LGBTQ+ Reader By Erin In The Morning

Our service for the week to cover the news we did not carry but do not want you to miss.

www.erininthemorning.com

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 1d

Love to see Chappell Roan using her power for good.

www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/24/c...

Chappell Roan sets up fund for trans youth, raises almost half a million dollars

Lesbian pop princess Chappell Roan has founded an organisation to fundraise for transgender youth and the wider LGBTQ+ community.

www.thepinknews.com

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 1d

Wait his last name is literally Blaha? It's like he was born for this moment.

Illinois Army captain says Dems are ‘rolling over’ on LGBTQ+ rights. He’s running for Congress to change that
Dylan BlahaCourtesy Pictured
Dylan Blaha is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community running for Congress to protect everybody's rights.

“What’s happening right now to trans people — to the LGBTQ+ community — is not okay. Somebody needs to stand up," Dylan Blaha told The Advocate.
Christopher Wiggins
UpdatedOctober 24 2025 10:37 AM EST

In the Illinois 13th Congressional District, 32-year-old Army captain and biochemist Dylan Blaha is mounting a progressive primary challenge against Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who has represented the district since 2023. At the core of his campaign is a clear commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and a critique of what he sees as his own party’s growing reluctance to defend the community.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 1d

I think it's crazy that some on the left see the right beginning to muse about ending the filibuster and thinking it's a good thing.

They would consolidate power in such a way that makes Dems coming back unfeasible.

Voter ID, mail in restrictions, end of same-day registration, voter roll purges.

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 2d

24 Oct 2025 -- Study finds that after 6 mos on HRT, 5k blood proteins of trans women closely aligns with those of cisgender women. Thank goodness; I was worried about that. Also signs estrogen therapy strengthens immune system & improves heart health. Go 'mones! @rikiwilchins.bsky.social

Fascinating study highlights how hormones affirm trans women at a molecular level

A fascinating new study has highlighted how hormone replacement therapy biologically affirms trans women and can even improve heart health.

www.thepinknews.com

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 2d

1. A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Medicine shows that feminizing hormone therapy shifts trans women's blood protein to resemble cis women after only 6 months.

HRT really is effective and changes the human body heaivly.

The latest from S. Baum.

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Study Finds Trans Women's Blood Proteins Resemble Cis Women's After 6 Months on HR

“Feminizing GAHT [gender-affirming hormone treatment] skews the plasma proteome toward a cis-female profile,” the study concluded.

www.erininthemorning.com

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Empress of Emerald @empressofemerald.bsky.social · 2d

#resist #altlesbian #altgirlles #altgirllesbian #redheadsdoitbetter #lesbian #lesbiansky

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Empress of Emerald @empressofemerald.bsky.social · 2d

#resist #altlesbian #altgirlles #altgirllesbian #redheadsdoitbetter #lesbian #lesbiansky

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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 2d

The White House East Wing has been completely demolished. The demolition is basically at the main White House walls.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 2d

For what it’s worth, the agreement - while very bad - is much less targeted towards trans students than I have seen in other college agreements. There is no definition of sex, no explicit bans (but one sort of implicit convoluted one), and even leaves an out for “relevant court decisions.”

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3d

Breaking News: The University of Virginia struck an agreement with the White House to remove the threat of a federal investigation, part of a Trump pressure campaign. It's the first public university to do so. nyti.ms/3Wgo2JR

A brick and white building at the University of Virginia. A headline reads: "Amid Trump's Campus Crackdown, UVA Is the First Public University to Cut a Deal." Photo credit: Kirsten Luce for The New York Times.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 3d

I'm receiving word from readers that Fenway Health has now cancelled a planned event teaching about transgender health for continuing education.

Fenway has fallen too far and they are letting fear steer the wheel.

And they can't face the community.

Course Postponed: Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health: A Core Course for the Whole Care Team

Good Afternoon,

We are writing to notify you that the continuing education course “Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health: A Core Course for the Whole Care Team,” which is offered and developed by the Fenway Institute and accredited by Harvard Medical School, has been postponed and will not be held Oct. 24-26 as planned. The course will be rescheduled for later this academic year, and we will be in touch as soon as the new date is set. In the meantime, we will be refunding your course fees. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 3d

1. Protests at Fenway have erupted this week, and further ones are planned.

The protests are in response to the capitulation of the institution to the Trump administration.

They have ended trans youth care.

The latest from writer S. Baum.

Subscribe to support our journalism.

After Fenway Cuts Trans Care, Protests Erupt—Again and Again and Again

“This failure of courage does not have to be permanent.”

www.erininthemorning.com

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 4d

Donald Trump’s administration doesn’t respect the Constitution.

But they’re learning that Illinois does not and will not bow under their tyranny.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 4d

Turns out, Japan's first female PM is an anti-gay Margaret Thatcher lover who Donald Trump praises and who wants to return the country to traditional gender roles.

www.them.us/story/sanae-...

Japan’s First Female Prime Minster: Gays Are “Fine” But No Same-Sex Marriage

“There should be no prejudice against sexual orientation or gender identity,” Sanae Takaichi once said.

www.them.us

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 4d

1. Two more colleges announce they will reject Trump's bribe to institute trans sports and bathroom bans.

Arizona and USC have rejected Trump's "compact," which features crackdowns on immigrants, trans people, and DEI.

They join MIT, Dartmouth, and Virginia.

Subscribe to support our journalism.

Two More Colleges—Arizona and USC—Reject Trump Trans Bathroom Ban Compact

The universities are the latest in a series of institutions that are refusing to comply with Trump's threats to target tarns people.

www.erininthemorning.com

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Persistence 🇺🇸✊🏼Ω @persist-and-resist.bsky.social · 4d

I think you & other Democratic leaders should call all Americans to a general strike in Washington DC. I think you & other others with enormous resources & contacts could source food, lodging, & any other needs for those of us willing to show up and not leave until we get our government back.

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Christina @just-wandering.bsky.social · 5d

I saw this leaf caught up as I was walking, and loved the striking red color against the tangle of branches.

#fallcolors #photography #photographersofbluesky #BCcanada #canada #nature #naturphotography

A bright red and yellow leaf caught in a tangle of branches.

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 5d

CHICAGO: “They took my son. He’s only 16. I just want my baby back.”

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Empress of Emerald @empressofemerald.bsky.social · 5d

#altgirl #altgirls #altgirlles #lesbian #resist #halloween

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Empress of Emerald @empressofemerald.bsky.social · 5d

#altgirl #altgirls #altgirlles #lesbian #resist #halloween

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 5d

1. A federal judge has just ruled in favor of 16 states and schools that refuse to comply with Trumps trans ban demand.

The administration is threatening to pull tens of millions in federal sex ed funding.

Now, they will be blocked.

Subscribe to support my journalism.

Federal Judge Rules In Favor Of Public Schools In 16 States That Refused To Comply With Trump's Trans Ban

The judge will block the Trump administration's attempt to restrict funding for sex education from schools that teach it in an inclusive way.

www.erininthemorning.com

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Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 6d

18 Oct 2025 -- Pop star/singer Sabrina Carpenter will now use her arena tour to funnel proceeds through the Sabrina Carpenter Fund to benefit the Transgender Law Center. Good on ya' SC! @rikiwilchins.bsky.social

Sabrina Carpenter Expands Tour Fund to Support Trans Rights

Sabrina Carpenter expands her tour’s charity fund to support the Transgender Law Center, using her platform to promote trans rights and real-world allyship.

www.transvitae.com

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 6d

1. Yesterday, millions showed up to the No Kings Rally.

Perhaps no one Rally was as full of subtext as Boston's, however.

Senator Markey showed up wearing a trans pride flag. His challenger, anti-trans Dem Rep. Seth Moulton showed up to boos and jeers.

Subscribe to support our journalism.