Kay Whitlock
@kwhitlock.bsky.social
Writer. Activist. Co-author "Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States"; "Considering Hate: Violence, Goodness, and Justice in American Culture"; and "Carceral Con: The Deceptive Terrain of Criminal Justice Reform."
Pinned
Kay Whitlock
@kwhitlock.bsky.social
· Feb 11
This Is How You Win the Culture Wars | Kay Whitlock | INQUEST
Faced with violence and authoritarianism, survival demands prioritizing relationship building over reactivity and solidarity over silence.
inquest.org
My latest for @inquest.bsky.social ...and yes, we can ultimately win, if we are willing to work in transformative ways. It will require the best we have in ourselves, but along the way, we may become quietly courageous in ways that will surprise and energize us. inquest.org/this-is-how-...
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
It is great that someone leaked these videos. BUT you have to KNOW NOTHING about how prisons work to be surprised that guards regularly violently punish incarcerated people who complain, file claims, talk to the press, etc. And by "work" I mean that violence is essential to how prisons function.
The videos appear to bolster lawsuits claiming guards used force against California prisoners after they filed sexual harassment claims.
Leaked videos show California prison guards pepper-sprayed incarcerated women who alleged sexual misconduct
The videos appear to bolster lawsuits claiming guards used force against California prisoners after they filed sexual harassment claims.
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 5:39 PM
It is great that someone leaked these videos. BUT you have to KNOW NOTHING about how prisons work to be surprised that guards regularly violently punish incarcerated people who complain, file claims, talk to the press, etc. And by "work" I mean that violence is essential to how prisons function.
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
About activism, June Jordan said, “You do something, rather than nothing… You do whatever you can. You reach beyond yourself in your imagination, and in your wish for understanding, and for change. You admit the limitations of individual perspectives. You trust somebody else. You do not turn away.”
February 2, 2026 at 12:25 AM
About activism, June Jordan said, “You do something, rather than nothing… You do whatever you can. You reach beyond yourself in your imagination, and in your wish for understanding, and for change. You admit the limitations of individual perspectives. You trust somebody else. You do not turn away.”
Do not over-rely on the Democratic Party to "save us" from the fascist violence and predations of MAGA and the current administration. Scot Nakagawa's new Anti-Authoritarian Playbook post explains why. antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com/p/the-roosev...
The Roosevelt Administration Is A Warning
Nonpartisanship Is Critical To Winning
antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Do not over-rely on the Democratic Party to "save us" from the fascist violence and predations of MAGA and the current administration. Scot Nakagawa's new Anti-Authoritarian Playbook post explains why. antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com/p/the-roosev...
Yep. But no worries about much larger fraud in Texas and Florida. And no worries about $75 billion in new supplemental funding for ICE.
February 2, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Yep. But no worries about much larger fraud in Texas and Florida. And no worries about $75 billion in new supplemental funding for ICE.
Because, even as he destroys the Kennedy Center and takes aim at other artists and performers – a standard move in an authoritarian/fascist playbook – he wants to create fascist art. And Ratner, with his "Rush Hour" success, has the skills to start producing/directing those kinds of films.
February 2, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Because, even as he destroys the Kennedy Center and takes aim at other artists and performers – a standard move in an authoritarian/fascist playbook – he wants to create fascist art. And Ratner, with his "Rush Hour" success, has the skills to start producing/directing those kinds of films.
Ben Folds, formerly the Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, on how the current government is using an authoritarian playbook to control the arts and take a wrecking ball to freedom of expression. (He resigned in Feb. 2025 in protest.)
Folds on the Kennedy Center 3 weeks ago: I was sick to my stomach when I quit because I knew they were going to run it into the ground. No one that they were appointing had any experience in arts administration, but that was never the point. The point was to take that, run over it, and move on.
February 2, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Ben Folds, formerly the Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, on how the current government is using an authoritarian playbook to control the arts and take a wrecking ball to freedom of expression. (He resigned in Feb. 2025 in protest.)
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
AI is literally a consent manufacturing machine.
February 2, 2026 at 4:13 PM
AI is literally a consent manufacturing machine.
Read the entire thread.
The British Museum posted Al slop and quietly deleted it. Here's what it was and why it matters.
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
February 2, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Read the entire thread.
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
Today I saw ICE gas little white kids in the streets of Portland with chemical weapons. Imagine what they're doing to brown and black kids in the detention camps
February 1, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Today I saw ICE gas little white kids in the streets of Portland with chemical weapons. Imagine what they're doing to brown and black kids in the detention camps
Yes, a real labor of love.
January 31, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Yes, a real labor of love.
A wonderful film about Catherine Coulson, directed by Richard Green of “Mulholland Drive,” is streaming here: iknowcatherine.com
I Know Catherine, The Log Lady
"Catherine wanted to die in Twin Peaks, to take everybody with her on that journey. Everybody."
iknowcatherine.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:13 PM
A wonderful film about Catherine Coulson, directed by Richard Green of “Mulholland Drive,” is streaming here: iknowcatherine.com
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
If you see this, don't participate. It's a rigged study by Lisa Littman and unethical researcher J. Michael Bailey meant to undermine access to care. Spread the word.
January 30, 2026 at 5:28 PM
If you see this, don't participate. It's a rigged study by Lisa Littman and unethical researcher J. Michael Bailey meant to undermine access to care. Spread the word.
Here's the Heritage Foundation's "Daily Signal" announcement (it's now 47 groups, not 32). They'll be focusing on the queer criminalizing trope that frames LGBTQ people as immoral and a danger to children. So much for Epstein, right? www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/28/e...
EXCLUSIVE: Conservatives Mobilize to Overturn Obergefell
Thirty-two conservative groups are organizing to overturn Obergefell and reverse gay marriage in order to center kids in marriage law.
www.dailysignal.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Here's the Heritage Foundation's "Daily Signal" announcement (it's now 47 groups, not 32). They'll be focusing on the queer criminalizing trope that frames LGBTQ people as immoral and a danger to children. So much for Epstein, right? www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/28/e...
Following a Heritage Foundation playbook for overturning Obergefell, the Coalition calls itself "Greater Than," with a tagline of "Children are greater than equal, and it's time we fought for their rights." Sickeningly ironic. 2/ www.peoplefor.org/its-official...
It’s Official: Right Wing Groups Launch Campaign to Overturn Marriage Equality
A new anti-marriage-equality coalition relies on an old tactic of smearing LGBTQ people as threats to children.
www.peoplefor.org
January 30, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Following a Heritage Foundation playbook for overturning Obergefell, the Coalition calls itself "Greater Than," with a tagline of "Children are greater than equal, and it's time we fought for their rights." Sickeningly ironic. 2/ www.peoplefor.org/its-official...
Evangelical leaders and many others who attempt to claim the moral high ground are tooling up the new 47-member right-wing coalition to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, framing same-sex parents as devoted to their sexual fantasies and desires over caring for their children's well-being. 1/
This Epstein drop is HUGE and utterly disgusting. I don’t see how this man is allowed to remain in office. Where are the evangelical leaders, the soccer moms, the folks stocking up on eggs, the farmers, the small business owners.
Decide. Who are you?
Decide. Who are you?
January 30, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Evangelical leaders and many others who attempt to claim the moral high ground are tooling up the new 47-member right-wing coalition to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, framing same-sex parents as devoted to their sexual fantasies and desires over caring for their children's well-being. 1/
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
Actually, this is an ad for Rocket Mortgage. See comments for link to class action lawsuit against Rocket alleging unscrupulous practices. Sigh. Very sad. So no, I'm not cheering on this Lady Gaga song, even though I think highly of the late Mr. Rogers.
Lady Gaga’s new recording of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” centers on kindness, community, and the idea of showing up for each other where we live.
🎵 It presents neighborliness as a source of hope, belonging, and connection in a divided time.
🎵 It presents neighborliness as a source of hope, belonging, and connection in a divided time.
Lady Gaga - “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (SuperBowl ad)
YouTube video by The King Gaga
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Actually, this is an ad for Rocket Mortgage. See comments for link to class action lawsuit against Rocket alleging unscrupulous practices. Sigh. Very sad. So no, I'm not cheering on this Lady Gaga song, even though I think highly of the late Mr. Rogers.
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
This is another reason why you shouldn’t hitch your wagon to the police murder cover up guy years before an election.
BREAKING: A federal judge ordered former Mayor Emanuel to testify about allegations that a “code of silence” among CPD officers led to a botched 2018 raid of a Back of the Yards apartment that violated the civil rights of a family with 4 children — ages 4, 8, 11 and 13. @wttw.bsky.social
Rahm Ordered to Testify About CPD’s ‘Code of Silence’ During Trial Over Botched Raid
A trial, set to start Monday, will decide whether CPD officers traumatized two women and four children in August when a CPD SWAT team broke down the door of their apartment, pointed assault rifles dir...
news.wttw.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:33 PM
This is another reason why you shouldn’t hitch your wagon to the police murder cover up guy years before an election.
Reposted by Kay Whitlock
Most media & social media consumed in the U.S. are Right Wing. Sinclair alone covers 40% of households.
RW media keep repeating pretty lies about T/GOP & ugly lies about Dem/minorities til the lies wear a groove into ppl's brains.
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
RW media keep repeating pretty lies about T/GOP & ugly lies about Dem/minorities til the lies wear a groove into ppl's brains.
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
The Vast Reach of Right Wing Disinformation
In one of my previous essays, I explained how very much in denial most Americans are about the extent to which our nation is immersed in…
upine.medium.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Most media & social media consumed in the U.S. are Right Wing. Sinclair alone covers 40% of households.
RW media keep repeating pretty lies about T/GOP & ugly lies about Dem/minorities til the lies wear a groove into ppl's brains.
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
RW media keep repeating pretty lies about T/GOP & ugly lies about Dem/minorities til the lies wear a groove into ppl's brains.
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
The CBS network cancelled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969 for featuring songs/performers who protested the war and otherwise rattled the status quo. Article on same here from Open Culture.https://www.openculture.com/2025/09/when-cbs-canceled-the-smothers-brothers-comedy-show.html
January 29, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The CBS network cancelled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969 for featuring songs/performers who protested the war and otherwise rattled the status quo. Article on same here from Open Culture.https://www.openculture.com/2025/09/when-cbs-canceled-the-smothers-brothers-comedy-show.html