Lee Mandelo
@leemandelo.bsky.social
phd in gender studies - writer of books (gay southern gothic Summer Sons + t4t appalachian historical The Woods All Black + anthology Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity)- he/him
Pinned
Lee Mandelo
@leemandelo.bsky.social
· Mar 22
I hear it’s Trans Rights Readathon week, yeah? Here’s a few options from me, including Summer Sons and The Woods All Black—plus the forthcoming Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity!
Also, for those so inclined: new leather boots 😘🥴
Also, for those so inclined: new leather boots 😘🥴
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
The satisfaction I feel time any time I convince another friend to finally watch ‘3 Will Be Free’ (2019, dir. Jojo Tichakorn Phukhaotong)… exquisite
Seriously though: it’s got one of the only bisexual throuple relationships I’ve ever seen onscreen, and it’s available streaming on YT now
Seriously though: it’s got one of the only bisexual throuple relationships I’ve ever seen onscreen, and it’s available streaming on YT now
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The satisfaction I feel time any time I convince another friend to finally watch ‘3 Will Be Free’ (2019, dir. Jojo Tichakorn Phukhaotong)… exquisite
Seriously though: it’s got one of the only bisexual throuple relationships I’ve ever seen onscreen, and it’s available streaming on YT now
Seriously though: it’s got one of the only bisexual throuple relationships I’ve ever seen onscreen, and it’s available streaming on YT now
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
🌵 🤠 Saddle up! Issue 10.2 is on its way! Check out for our first round of poetry sneak peeks!
💝Special thanks to our amazing poetry editors for bringing these gems to Issue 10.2: Summer Farah (Guest Editor), Rob Macaisa Colgate, Luiza Flynn-Goodlett, Gabrielle Grace Hogan, and Charlie Neer.
💝Special thanks to our amazing poetry editors for bringing these gems to Issue 10.2: Summer Farah (Guest Editor), Rob Macaisa Colgate, Luiza Flynn-Goodlett, Gabrielle Grace Hogan, and Charlie Neer.
November 20, 2025 at 12:47 AM
🌵 🤠 Saddle up! Issue 10.2 is on its way! Check out for our first round of poetry sneak peeks!
💝Special thanks to our amazing poetry editors for bringing these gems to Issue 10.2: Summer Farah (Guest Editor), Rob Macaisa Colgate, Luiza Flynn-Goodlett, Gabrielle Grace Hogan, and Charlie Neer.
💝Special thanks to our amazing poetry editors for bringing these gems to Issue 10.2: Summer Farah (Guest Editor), Rob Macaisa Colgate, Luiza Flynn-Goodlett, Gabrielle Grace Hogan, and Charlie Neer.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
What's always remarkable to me when I'm in a home with a Ring camera is how annoying it is to the people who live there. People hate them but never even consider getting rid of them once they have them.
Probably the worst of them all is the Ring doorbell.
It’s sold as safety, but it’s much more about fear and paranoia in a box that turns you against your community. The more of them in the world, the worse our neighborhoods get. Don’t help the spiral continue.
disconnect.blog/a-tech-criti...
It’s sold as safety, but it’s much more about fear and paranoia in a box that turns you against your community. The more of them in the world, the worse our neighborhoods get. Don’t help the spiral continue.
disconnect.blog/a-tech-criti...
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 PM
What's always remarkable to me when I'm in a home with a Ring camera is how annoying it is to the people who live there. People hate them but never even consider getting rid of them once they have them.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
This is called “chain refoulment” and it’s illegal under both U.S. and international law. And the State Department and ICE know very well what Ghana is doing and simply don’t care.
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This is called “chain refoulment” and it’s illegal under both U.S. and international law. And the State Department and ICE know very well what Ghana is doing and simply don’t care.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
November 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
The thing about the Linehan case is that either the Judge is sympathetic to 'gender critical' ideology or British law thinks it's perfectly acceptable for a 57 year old man to stalk, doxx and physically attack a 17 year old girl.
Both explanations are horrifying.
Both explanations are horrifying.
November 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The thing about the Linehan case is that either the Judge is sympathetic to 'gender critical' ideology or British law thinks it's perfectly acceptable for a 57 year old man to stalk, doxx and physically attack a 17 year old girl.
Both explanations are horrifying.
Both explanations are horrifying.
One more signed & personalized ARC of Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity is left available through the Brew & Forge Bookfair, to support a good cause! And there are still tons of other folks’ great books available too
www.brewandforge.com/bookfair/fic...
www.brewandforge.com/bookfair/fic...
Fiction — Store — Brew & Forge
www.brewandforge.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
One more signed & personalized ARC of Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity is left available through the Brew & Forge Bookfair, to support a good cause! And there are still tons of other folks’ great books available too
www.brewandforge.com/bookfair/fic...
www.brewandforge.com/bookfair/fic...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
there are some people who post because it's their job, some people who post like it's their job, and some people who post in spite of their job. you really want to avoid that second one
April 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
there are some people who post because it's their job, some people who post like it's their job, and some people who post in spite of their job. you really want to avoid that second one
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I promise, your favorite authors and indie presses hate capitalism too, guys, but turns out: we still need to eat and we still live in a society where we need to earn money to pay for goods and services!
ya know, I've really been struggling with motivation. it's hard to feel like I'm constantly swimming upstream, and I'm exhausted. but I'd managed to get myself enough to get through the editing I desperately need to do...
...and then I saw this piracy bullshit.
...and then I saw this piracy bullshit.
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I promise, your favorite authors and indie presses hate capitalism too, guys, but turns out: we still need to eat and we still live in a society where we need to earn money to pay for goods and services!
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
PAY authors. Don’t pirate. Use the library or AO3 or any number of other choices that do not pick the pockets of writers.
I promise, your favorite authors and indie presses hate capitalism too, guys, but turns out: we still need to eat and we still live in a society where we need to earn money to pay for goods and services!
ya know, I've really been struggling with motivation. it's hard to feel like I'm constantly swimming upstream, and I'm exhausted. but I'd managed to get myself enough to get through the editing I desperately need to do...
...and then I saw this piracy bullshit.
...and then I saw this piracy bullshit.
November 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
PAY authors. Don’t pirate. Use the library or AO3 or any number of other choices that do not pick the pockets of writers.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Marjorie Taylor Greene's resigning in time to get a pension is a lesson to everyone.
Most Americans don't get *any* pension anymore, but Congress gave itself a pension after only five years of work.
Our "representatives" aren't working for us, they are [barely] working for themselves.
Most Americans don't get *any* pension anymore, but Congress gave itself a pension after only five years of work.
Our "representatives" aren't working for us, they are [barely] working for themselves.
November 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene's resigning in time to get a pension is a lesson to everyone.
Most Americans don't get *any* pension anymore, but Congress gave itself a pension after only five years of work.
Our "representatives" aren't working for us, they are [barely] working for themselves.
Most Americans don't get *any* pension anymore, but Congress gave itself a pension after only five years of work.
Our "representatives" aren't working for us, they are [barely] working for themselves.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
when people are like "x media is good but the dialogue is overwrought" i'm like dude my favorite show is Hannibal where in the first episode one guy asks another guy "what do you see me as" and he responds "i think you are the mongoose i want under the house when the snakes slither by"
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
when people are like "x media is good but the dialogue is overwrought" i'm like dude my favorite show is Hannibal where in the first episode one guy asks another guy "what do you see me as" and he responds "i think you are the mongoose i want under the house when the snakes slither by"
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Carta is a genius and you should support her
If you want to get me a very useful present, this tech I need is on sale and will help me make more ambitious looking films!
throne.com/carta/item/e...
throne.com/carta/item/e...
Portta VD22P VHS to Digital Converter - Wishlist | Throne
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throne.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Carta is a genius and you should support her
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I hate this. transparent example of how these self-serving comemierdas make a point of appropriating the language around every effort towards strong pluralistic humane societies, not only using it to attack those efforts but diluting it in hopes that it can't be used for its original purpose.
"Countries with state subsidies for abortion, transgender-friendly policies for children, hate speech laws and affirmative action policies will now be considered to be violating human rights under rules imposed at the [US] State Department..."
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
Abortion And DEI Policies Now Considered Violations Of Human Rights, U.S. Says
The Trump administration has overhauled how the State Department conducts its annual Human Rights Report.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I hate this. transparent example of how these self-serving comemierdas make a point of appropriating the language around every effort towards strong pluralistic humane societies, not only using it to attack those efforts but diluting it in hopes that it can't be used for its original purpose.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
When Arab officials privately - and increasingly publicly - state that Israel and not Iran is the source of instability in the region, this is why:
During a year-long "truce" between Israel and Lebanon, Israel violated it 10,000 times!
During a year-long "truce" between Israel and Lebanon, Israel violated it 10,000 times!
November 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
When Arab officials privately - and increasingly publicly - state that Israel and not Iran is the source of instability in the region, this is why:
During a year-long "truce" between Israel and Lebanon, Israel violated it 10,000 times!
During a year-long "truce" between Israel and Lebanon, Israel violated it 10,000 times!
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
no but this time I mean it: oh my God
He said "Amen" straight into the drop
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 22, 2025 at 1:49 AM
no but this time I mean it: oh my God
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
cannot express how much my weekend has been improved by watching, for the first time!, BOUND (1996)
November 22, 2025 at 6:10 PM
cannot express how much my weekend has been improved by watching, for the first time!, BOUND (1996)
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
"Countries with state subsidies for abortion, transgender-friendly policies for children, hate speech laws and affirmative action policies will now be considered to be violating human rights under rules imposed at the [US] State Department..."
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
Abortion And DEI Policies Now Considered Violations Of Human Rights, U.S. Says
The Trump administration has overhauled how the State Department conducts its annual Human Rights Report.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"Countries with state subsidies for abortion, transgender-friendly policies for children, hate speech laws and affirmative action policies will now be considered to be violating human rights under rules imposed at the [US] State Department..."
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
It would also give *Ryan Lizza*—who could, in theory, have leaked this info at any point over the last 12-16 months—a role in both RFK’s appointment and the untold preventable deaths. But Lizza either isn’t self aware enough to realize that or is too busy selling Substack subscriptions to care
well, I read it, and the salient, non-gross part is Lizza alleging, midsentence and without elaboration, that Nuzzi ran numerous “catch-and-kill operations” on RFK’s behalf, which would give her a role in both his appointment and the untold preventable deaths he has abetted in office. Cool.
November 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
It would also give *Ryan Lizza*—who could, in theory, have leaked this info at any point over the last 12-16 months—a role in both RFK’s appointment and the untold preventable deaths. But Lizza either isn’t self aware enough to realize that or is too busy selling Substack subscriptions to care
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
What RFK Jr. doesn’t want you to know is that in 2019, his anti-vax nonsense caused a measles outbreak in Samoa that infected 5700 and killed 83 people, most of them children.
RFK Jr. wants you to know that he’s personally responsible for the anti-vax misinformation on the CDC's website
RFK Jr. wants you to know he’s personally responsible for anti-vax misinformation on CDC website
He told the New York Times there’s no proof that vaccines don’t cause autism, which is a lie.
www.motherjones.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
What RFK Jr. doesn’t want you to know is that in 2019, his anti-vax nonsense caused a measles outbreak in Samoa that infected 5700 and killed 83 people, most of them children.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
Reminder: A lot of great books published this year during absolutely bonkers news & world event times. That squashes people talking about them. Keep buying books please, keep borrowing them from libraries, and for the love of all that's good, talk about them. Post about them. 📚
November 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reminder: A lot of great books published this year during absolutely bonkers news & world event times. That squashes people talking about them. Keep buying books please, keep borrowing them from libraries, and for the love of all that's good, talk about them. Post about them. 📚
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
It’s amazing what a country can achieve when its accountability mechanisms function without fear or political interference.
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. n.pr/48l5ldE
Brazil's Bolsonaro arrested for allegedly plotting escape ahead of prison term
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.
n.pr
November 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It’s amazing what a country can achieve when its accountability mechanisms function without fear or political interference.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I was kinda nervous about giving this speech TBH. I don't usually get nervous about public speaking but going to a fancy Washington DC event and talking about fascism and why AI sucks felt like a lot honestly. I was so relieved people seemed to like it.
So I was invited to accept an award for "imagination in service to society." This forced me to think a bit about what "imagination," "service" and "society" mean to me.
Here's the speech I delivered last night:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Here's the speech I delivered last night:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
"The Enemy of Imagination": Here's the Speech I Gave Last Night
I had such an incredible day yesterday, y’all. First I was at the Trans Day of Literature at George Mason University, talking with incredible authors...
buttondown.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I was kinda nervous about giving this speech TBH. I don't usually get nervous about public speaking but going to a fancy Washington DC event and talking about fascism and why AI sucks felt like a lot honestly. I was so relieved people seemed to like it.
Reposted by Lee Mandelo
I had no idea this was going on and it's so upsetting. The public sphere is being dismantled before our eyes.
It's not just laws about books that are breaking libraries. Several states have passed property tax reforms–or are in the process of passing them–that are dismantling, destroying, and defunding these public institutions of democracy.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I had no idea this was going on and it's so upsetting. The public sphere is being dismantled before our eyes.