Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
@kitoconnell.com
🏳️🌈⭐👏Newsletter Writer & Contributor @The Barbed Wire, formerly Digital Editor @Texas Observer, bylines in Teen Vogue, etc. Austin, Texas. They/Them.
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Pinned
‘Love is the Only Motherf****** Way’: Big Queer Wedding Party Celebrates LGBTQ+ Joy and Resilience in Texas
the flower-filled Austin event honored the queer community’s commitment to “hold each other up” in dark times.
thebarbedwire.com
“Love is an act of resistance, and our community is so brave and resilient.”
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
For @thebarbedwire.com and the @19thnews.org: Welcome to the Big Queer Wedding Party, a joyous and defiant glitter-soaked party where ten couples from around Texas (& Oklahoma!) got married or renewed their vows.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
As I was saying: "The two parties are unconsciously regarded as akin to a husband and wife in a traditional marriage in which it's the job of the wife to placate and soothe the husband and help him realize his goals or be held responsible for his outbursts and outrages."
The She Made Him Do It Theory of Everything
The rhetoric and logic of the abuse of power operates similarly at all scales, which is why I've found feminism such useful equipment for understanding authoritarians in public and political life. Bec...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM
As I was saying: "The two parties are unconsciously regarded as akin to a husband and wife in a traditional marriage in which it's the job of the wife to placate and soothe the husband and help him realize his goals or be held responsible for his outbursts and outrages."
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
"She made him do it" strikes again. He's not concerned the murder will anger us; he's insisting that saying it was murder and the officer a murderer will anger them and then our fault if they lash out. "She made him do it" is the burdening of Democrats and the left for right-wing/Republican acts.
Homan: "We gotta stop the hateful rhetoric. Saying this officer is a murderer is dangerous. It's just ridiculous. It's gonna infuriate people more which means there's gonna be more incidents like this."
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM
"She made him do it" strikes again. He's not concerned the murder will anger us; he's insisting that saying it was murder and the officer a murderer will anger them and then our fault if they lash out. "She made him do it" is the burdening of Democrats and the left for right-wing/Republican acts.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
the one weird trick to counter the massive propaganda apparatus arrayed against Zohran: just keep doing good shit every day
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin on Saturday announced an initiative to install more public bathrooms across the city.
January 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
the one weird trick to counter the massive propaganda apparatus arrayed against Zohran: just keep doing good shit every day
Multiple arrests in Austin last night as protesters demand an end to ICE.
Police detain protesters as tensions rise at Austin's 'End ICE Terror' protest
A group of Austinites gathered Downtown for a protest known as "End ICE Terror" Sunday evening.The protest began at around 6:30 p.m. near 300 E 8th St., and wa
cbsaustin.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Multiple arrests in Austin last night as protesters demand an end to ICE.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
POLICE JUST KETTLED AND ASSAULTED THE SMALL CROWD OF PROTESTERS. Sorry for shaky cam just staying safe
January 11, 2026 at 2:15 AM
POLICE JUST KETTLED AND ASSAULTED THE SMALL CROWD OF PROTESTERS. Sorry for shaky cam just staying safe
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Chanting “Trump is a pedo.” Police are giving warnings to protesters to exit the roadway at 8th Street
January 11, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Chanting “Trump is a pedo.” Police are giving warnings to protesters to exit the roadway at 8th Street
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
About 30-40 folks in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building (which houses an ICE processing center) in Austin on a third night of protest in solidarity with Minneapolis and Portland. State troopers and APD have formed a police line in front of the building. 🧵
#ICEOutForGood
#ICEOutForGood
January 11, 2026 at 12:43 AM
About 30-40 folks in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building (which houses an ICE processing center) in Austin on a third night of protest in solidarity with Minneapolis and Portland. State troopers and APD have formed a police line in front of the building. 🧵
#ICEOutForGood
#ICEOutForGood
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
We evacuated our kids out of Minneapolis this weekend and my spouse reports that as she drove them out of town she saw "multiple freeway exits where people are being pulled over." It feels like the Twin Cities is being subjugated by a hostile occupying force.
January 10, 2026 at 1:47 AM
We evacuated our kids out of Minneapolis this weekend and my spouse reports that as she drove them out of town she saw "multiple freeway exits where people are being pulled over." It feels like the Twin Cities is being subjugated by a hostile occupying force.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
my teacher friend asked, if people have more to give, to help meet the goal on this rent relief fund they have set up for families unable to live home due to their status.
if we did $2k in 20 minutes we can do $24k by the end of the day, right?
please amplify!
if we did $2k in 20 minutes we can do $24k by the end of the day, right?
please amplify!
January 9, 2026 at 10:11 PM
my teacher friend asked, if people have more to give, to help meet the goal on this rent relief fund they have set up for families unable to live home due to their status.
if we did $2k in 20 minutes we can do $24k by the end of the day, right?
please amplify!
if we did $2k in 20 minutes we can do $24k by the end of the day, right?
please amplify!
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Kudos to these experts urging the WHO to change their guidelines from surgical masks to respirators to prevent airborne viruses like Covid & the flu 👏🏼
But it really shouldn't take public pressure to align guidance with well-established aerosol science
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
But it really shouldn't take public pressure to align guidance with well-established aerosol science
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Face masks ‘inadequate’ and should be swapped for respirators, WHO is advised
Experts are urging guideline changes on what health professionals should wear to protect against flu-like illnesses including Covid
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Kudos to these experts urging the WHO to change their guidelines from surgical masks to respirators to prevent airborne viruses like Covid & the flu 👏🏼
But it really shouldn't take public pressure to align guidance with well-established aerosol science
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
But it really shouldn't take public pressure to align guidance with well-established aerosol science
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
Inside ICE’s Tool to Monitor Phones in Entire Neighborhoods
404 Media has obtained material that explains how Tangles and Webloc, two surveillance systems ICE recently purchased, work. Webloc can track phones without a warrant and follow their owners home or t...
www.404media.co
January 8, 2026 at 2:03 PM
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Anti-ICE march in lower Manhattan is moving north, destination unknown.
Looks to be about a thousand people.
This march does not have a permit, and used amplified sound at the rally with no issues. A notable shift from the Adams admin that directed NYPD to nitpick.
Looks to be about a thousand people.
This march does not have a permit, and used amplified sound at the rally with no issues. A notable shift from the Adams admin that directed NYPD to nitpick.
January 9, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Anti-ICE march in lower Manhattan is moving north, destination unknown.
Looks to be about a thousand people.
This march does not have a permit, and used amplified sound at the rally with no issues. A notable shift from the Adams admin that directed NYPD to nitpick.
Looks to be about a thousand people.
This march does not have a permit, and used amplified sound at the rally with no issues. A notable shift from the Adams admin that directed NYPD to nitpick.
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
About 100+ folks have gathered to mourn Renee Nicole Good outside an unmarked ICE facility north of Austin in Pflugerville that agents have been using as a temporary holding facility.
#AustintoMinneapolis #AbolishICE
#AustintoMinneapolis #AbolishICE
January 9, 2026 at 12:31 AM
About 100+ folks have gathered to mourn Renee Nicole Good outside an unmarked ICE facility north of Austin in Pflugerville that agents have been using as a temporary holding facility.
#AustintoMinneapolis #AbolishICE
#AustintoMinneapolis #AbolishICE
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
This stuff is terrifying to me not because white ladies are unsafe now (though I know that's what's scary to a certain subset of white folks), but because it speaks to just how thoroughly they have decided that this is war and their opponents are all terrorists deserving of violence and death.
January 8, 2026 at 11:54 PM
This stuff is terrifying to me not because white ladies are unsafe now (though I know that's what's scary to a certain subset of white folks), but because it speaks to just how thoroughly they have decided that this is war and their opponents are all terrorists deserving of violence and death.
Important update from my friend @candicebernd.bsky.social !
New: I spoke to Rice University Latin American Studies Professor Luis Duno-Gottberg and @sdonziger.bsky.social about the history of U.S. oil adventurism in Venezuela and the role Chevron is set to play in Trump's blood-for-oil imperial venture. www.texasobserver.org/houston-oil-...
Why Houston Oil Majors Are Hesitant to Go All In on Venezuela
Though petro-giants have long sought lost assets in the South American country, they have reasons, for now at least, not to leap at Trump’s invitation to join his war on the climate and the internatio...
www.texasobserver.org
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Important update from my friend @candicebernd.bsky.social !
Do you get Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏, the newsletter I write for @thebarbedwire.com about LGBTQ+ life in Texas?
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
January 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Do you get Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏, the newsletter I write for @thebarbedwire.com about LGBTQ+ life in Texas?
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Still looking here, thanks! Please pass along to queer students you know at Texas public universities who may have info.
Did you know it's been 2 years since SB17, Texas' anti-DEI campus law went into effect?
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
January 6, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Still looking here, thanks! Please pass along to queer students you know at Texas public universities who may have info.
Well it looks like I'm living that blue check life, again. This will go to my head 💅
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Well it looks like I'm living that blue check life, again. This will go to my head 💅
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
January 5, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacists websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
Hacktivist deletes white supremacist websites live on stage during hacker conference | TechCrunch
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacists websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
techcrunch.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:58 PM
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacists websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
Did you know it's been 2 years since SB17, Texas' anti-DEI campus law went into effect?
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
January 5, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Did you know it's been 2 years since SB17, Texas' anti-DEI campus law went into effect?
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
I'm working on a survey of LGBTQ+ orgs affected by this law, for @thebarbedwire.com. If you were part of, or know of a campus org that shut down or was forced to change goals due to SB17, please get in touch.
Happy New Year, y'all! 🥰
January 5, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Happy New Year, y'all! 🥰
Reposted by Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
Here's the link to the story
Organizer arrested in Grand Rapids following protest in response to U.S. attack in Venezuela
An officer can be heard telling the woman she's being arrested for "obstructing a roadway" and "failure to obey a lawful command from a police officer."
www.wzzm13.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Here's the link to the story
Typical of cops to pick off people they perceive to be in leadership roles at a protest. Atypical for them to do it on camera.
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Typical of cops to pick off people they perceive to be in leadership roles at a protest. Atypical for them to do it on camera.