Helen Boyd (she/they)
@helenboydbooks.com
Pinned
Helen Boyd (she/they)
@helenboydbooks.com
· Jan 21
just so you all know, bluesky's kind of an entertaining news feed for me, so i don't follow folx back who aren't posting content i need. sorry to be that asshole, but this is NOT facebook and i don't want it to be.
that said, for you newbies: i do re post some awesome people
that said, for you newbies: i do re post some awesome people
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
Kao Kalia Yang at @literaryhub.bsky.social - "If they take me and leave the children." One of our great local writers at this moment of crisis.
Letter From Minnesota: “If They Take Me and Leave the Children…”
Today is Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. I got gas for the first time this year by myself. The gas station was mostly empty. I drove into the station, heart thudding in my chest. I did everything as f…
lithub.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Kao Kalia Yang at @literaryhub.bsky.social - "If they take me and leave the children." One of our great local writers at this moment of crisis.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
This is infuriating. If you know anything about this area, lots of African community centers are in that corridor.
ICE are alllll over Harlem right now, 116 & Frederick Douglass, checking IDs and targeting the area’s African community. Multiple people have been detained.
Community members are advising folks to carry citizenship documents - or stay away if they are at risk
Community members are advising folks to carry citizenship documents - or stay away if they are at risk
January 28, 2026 at 6:18 PM
This is infuriating. If you know anything about this area, lots of African community centers are in that corridor.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
Two Black electeds attacked in the same week.
Seek out and join up with groups in your community that are fighting fascism and racism and xenophobia and hatred. This will be one of our primary jobs for the rest of our lives.
Seek out and join up with groups in your community that are fighting fascism and racism and xenophobia and hatred. This will be one of our primary jobs for the rest of our lives.
Two Democratic members of Congress attacked in three days. Maxwell Frost was assaulted on Saturday, Ilan Omar tonight.
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Two Black electeds attacked in the same week.
Seek out and join up with groups in your community that are fighting fascism and racism and xenophobia and hatred. This will be one of our primary jobs for the rest of our lives.
Seek out and join up with groups in your community that are fighting fascism and racism and xenophobia and hatred. This will be one of our primary jobs for the rest of our lives.
My God am I tired of being angry and sad
January 28, 2026 at 1:50 AM
My God am I tired of being angry and sad
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
January 27, 2026 at 7:57 PM
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
nice piece about the early #trans internet and community making back in the day.
i'll always be proud of the communities we created with the Betty Boards, providing space for trans people to talk about family and relationships.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
thanks @assignedmedia.org !
i'll always be proud of the communities we created with the Betty Boards, providing space for trans people to talk about family and relationships.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
thanks @assignedmedia.org !
For ‘Love and Knowledge’: On the Frontlines of Trans Cyberspace — Assigned
The moderators of trans forums, many of them volunteers, have demonstrated remarkable resilience and resourcefulness over four decades and multiple digital eras.
www.assignedmedia.org
January 27, 2026 at 9:42 PM
nice piece about the early #trans internet and community making back in the day.
i'll always be proud of the communities we created with the Betty Boards, providing space for trans people to talk about family and relationships.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
thanks @assignedmedia.org !
i'll always be proud of the communities we created with the Betty Boards, providing space for trans people to talk about family and relationships.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
thanks @assignedmedia.org !
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
NEW: One of Pope Leo XIV’s top U.S. allies, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, is calling for the defunding of ICE.
Tobin says the “lawless organization” is a “machinery of death.”
This marks the first time a senior Church leader has called for ICE to be defunded. More are expected in the coming days.
Tobin says the “lawless organization” is a “machinery of death.”
This marks the first time a senior Church leader has called for ICE to be defunded. More are expected in the coming days.
Pope Leo’s Top U.S. Ally Says ‘No’ to Funding ICE
Cardinal Joseph Tobin calls ICE a “lawless organization” perpetuating a “machinery of death” and urges Congress to defund Trump’s deportation force.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:14 PM
NEW: One of Pope Leo XIV’s top U.S. allies, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, is calling for the defunding of ICE.
Tobin says the “lawless organization” is a “machinery of death.”
This marks the first time a senior Church leader has called for ICE to be defunded. More are expected in the coming days.
Tobin says the “lawless organization” is a “machinery of death.”
This marks the first time a senior Church leader has called for ICE to be defunded. More are expected in the coming days.
Salvatore's book on Eugene Debs, among others, was assigned to me by Jewel and Bernard Bellush, who told me to keep my copies safe as eventually someone would want to make them illegal.
i still have mine. highly recommend.
RIP to yet another of the citizen-scholar-journalists who raised me.
i still have mine. highly recommend.
RIP to yet another of the citizen-scholar-journalists who raised me.
Nick Salvatore, biographer of Eugene Debs, died at age 82 in November. Robert Bussel and @josephamccartin.bsky.social remember his work and legacy.
dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
Nick Salvatore: Citizen and Historian - Dissent Magazine
The author of Eugene V. Debs: Citizen and Socialist and other biographies, Nick Salvatore leaves behind a rich legacy that both challenges and inspires us at this historical moment.
dissentmagazine.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Salvatore's book on Eugene Debs, among others, was assigned to me by Jewel and Bernard Bellush, who told me to keep my copies safe as eventually someone would want to make them illegal.
i still have mine. highly recommend.
RIP to yet another of the citizen-scholar-journalists who raised me.
i still have mine. highly recommend.
RIP to yet another of the citizen-scholar-journalists who raised me.
really good thoughtful thread about the impossibility of Pretti.
I know respectability politics are bullshit, I know perfect victim narratives are toxic and harmful, but it really is so striking to me that they’re not only murdering white people, THESE are the white people they’re murdering
On film, in the midst of trying to help people
On film, in the midst of trying to help people
The execution of Alex Pretti is playing so badly because you can look at his actions and life story - his last act was helping, boy scout, athlete, health care worker to veterans - and compare those to the men who killed him and know which you would want to be your son, brother, father, uncle.
January 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM
really good thoughtful thread about the impossibility of Pretti.
Appleton, WI today. It's 8 degrees and this was only called yesterday.
January 25, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Appleton, WI today. It's 8 degrees and this was only called yesterday.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
Reminder: DHS legislation that funds ICE at current levels without policy restrictions is in the Senate and needs 60 votes to pass. Deadline is next Friday.
January 24, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Reminder: DHS legislation that funds ICE at current levels without policy restrictions is in the Senate and needs 60 votes to pass. Deadline is next Friday.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
It’s -9 degrees in Minneapolis right now.
This is now Ground Zero of the resistance. Inspirational.
(📸 Max Nesterak)
This is now Ground Zero of the resistance. Inspirational.
(📸 Max Nesterak)
January 23, 2026 at 9:01 PM
It’s -9 degrees in Minneapolis right now.
This is now Ground Zero of the resistance. Inspirational.
(📸 Max Nesterak)
This is now Ground Zero of the resistance. Inspirational.
(📸 Max Nesterak)
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
In honor of the strike in Minnesota and hopefully nationwide, let's learn about the impact of general strikes and why we need more of them now, shall we?
Here's a little history of notable general strikes: 1/x 🧵
Why is May 1 Workers' Day?
On 1 May 1886, nationwide general strike for 8-hour day, w/hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the US. In Chicago, protests against police escalated into the Haymarket riot, w/hanging of 8 organizers.
Why is May 1 Workers' Day?
On 1 May 1886, nationwide general strike for 8-hour day, w/hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the US. In Chicago, protests against police escalated into the Haymarket riot, w/hanging of 8 organizers.
January 23, 2026 at 7:55 PM
In honor of the strike in Minnesota and hopefully nationwide, let's learn about the impact of general strikes and why we need more of them now, shall we?
when the RealFeel is -40, like - why bother telling me that? telling me it's actually -11 is just fine.
January 23, 2026 at 7:25 PM
when the RealFeel is -40, like - why bother telling me that? telling me it's actually -11 is just fine.
Minnesota nice means prosecute ICE. very good stuff.
Police have arrived. Arrests seem imminent. The crowd chants “let them pray” and “Minnesota nice means prosecute ICE”
January 23, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Minnesota nice means prosecute ICE. very good stuff.
we leave our garage open all the time and have a lovely family of these goobers living there. they have a fantastic waddle.
January 23, 2026 at 4:59 PM
we leave our garage open all the time and have a lovely family of these goobers living there. they have a fantastic waddle.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
From a follower in Minneapolis:
"Today is our big day here. Currently -20 and -45 windchill. Frost bite can occur in 10 minutes and it is a decent walk from Portland Ave to the Target Center. So those who cannot risk attending and to the rest of the country we are asking for your help."
"Today is our big day here. Currently -20 and -45 windchill. Frost bite can occur in 10 minutes and it is a decent walk from Portland Ave to the Target Center. So those who cannot risk attending and to the rest of the country we are asking for your help."
ICE Out for Good
On January 23, people across the country are taking action in solidarity with Minnesota to demand ICE out of our communities. Join the day of action.
iceoutforgood.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
From a follower in Minneapolis:
"Today is our big day here. Currently -20 and -45 windchill. Frost bite can occur in 10 minutes and it is a decent walk from Portland Ave to the Target Center. So those who cannot risk attending and to the rest of the country we are asking for your help."
"Today is our big day here. Currently -20 and -45 windchill. Frost bite can occur in 10 minutes and it is a decent walk from Portland Ave to the Target Center. So those who cannot risk attending and to the rest of the country we are asking for your help."
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
Not exaggerating when I say that the collective action in Minnesota will be studied for generations if not centuries to come
January 23, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Not exaggerating when I say that the collective action in Minnesota will be studied for generations if not centuries to come
every single one of these GOP dudes gives me flashbacks to graded discussions in HS, and i still regret not punching those assholes who scored points with no intent to get to the truth.
ugh, sickening.
ugh, sickening.
January 22, 2026 at 5:07 PM
every single one of these GOP dudes gives me flashbacks to graded discussions in HS, and i still regret not punching those assholes who scored points with no intent to get to the truth.
ugh, sickening.
ugh, sickening.
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
What is it with fascists and always making that same old mistake of fighting winter people in a winter place during winter
January 22, 2026 at 3:24 PM
What is it with fascists and always making that same old mistake of fighting winter people in a winter place during winter
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
Jack Smith: "President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the very laws that he took an oath to uphold. Grand juries in two separate districts reached this conclusion based on his actions, as alleged in the indictments they returned."
January 22, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Jack Smith: "President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the very laws that he took an oath to uphold. Grand juries in two separate districts reached this conclusion based on his actions, as alleged in the indictments they returned."
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
When things are falling apart ...
Who surrenders? who was the first to fold?
The billionaires, the institutions, the powerful
Who was the first to organize? the marginalized, the queer, the sex workers, the single moms, the old punks, the three sisters
Who surrenders? who was the first to fold?
The billionaires, the institutions, the powerful
Who was the first to organize? the marginalized, the queer, the sex workers, the single moms, the old punks, the three sisters
January 21, 2026 at 7:03 PM
When things are falling apart ...
Who surrenders? who was the first to fold?
The billionaires, the institutions, the powerful
Who was the first to organize? the marginalized, the queer, the sex workers, the single moms, the old punks, the three sisters
Who surrenders? who was the first to fold?
The billionaires, the institutions, the powerful
Who was the first to organize? the marginalized, the queer, the sex workers, the single moms, the old punks, the three sisters
Reposted by Helen Boyd (she/they)
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...