Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
@nicomaramckay.com
Historian in Tkaronto (Toronto). Likes bats, monsters, sincereposting, alt text, and DEIA. Genderqueer. Trans. Autistic. 40s. 👬 🧛 nicomaramckay.com
There will be typos.
Ephemeral Record of queer and trans histories: patreon.com/ephemeralrecord
There will be typos.
Ephemeral Record of queer and trans histories: patreon.com/ephemeralrecord
Pinned
tl;dr: Bluesky began with genuine promise: a new social media platform where users could feel safer, but inconsistent moderation quickly eroded trust.
When systemically marginalized users pushed back, Bluesky’s leadership minimized concerns and began to target them for bans.
When systemically marginalized users pushed back, Bluesky’s leadership minimized concerns and began to target them for bans.
Bluesky’s CEO meltdown: How leadership continues to fail its most marginalized users
tl;dr: Bluesky began with genuine promise: a new social media platform where systemically marginalized users could feel safer, but…
plutopsyche.medium.com
Unban Link.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
hi poets, I'm taking poetry submissions over at Strange Horizons this month
strangehorizons.com/submit/poetry-submission-guidelines
strangehorizons.com/submit/poetry-submission-guidelines
January 9, 2026 at 9:56 PM
hi poets, I'm taking poetry submissions over at Strange Horizons this month
strangehorizons.com/submit/poetry-submission-guidelines
strangehorizons.com/submit/poetry-submission-guidelines
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
If you are in Saskatoon / Saskatchewan, follow @surjyxe.bsky.social. I'm on the coordinating team, and we publicize action opportunities on the ground in the community.
#yxe #saskatoon #treatysix #saskatchewan
#yxe #saskatoon #treatysix #saskatchewan
Unsolicited advice for anyone on Bluesky who wants to fight fascism in 2026 - don't stress about following big national accounts.
Instead, follow LOCAL groups and people who are doing actual work on the ground. Join them and do stuff right in your community. THAT'S where the real action is. ❤️💪
Instead, follow LOCAL groups and people who are doing actual work on the ground. Join them and do stuff right in your community. THAT'S where the real action is. ❤️💪
January 9, 2026 at 10:08 PM
If you are in Saskatoon / Saskatchewan, follow @surjyxe.bsky.social. I'm on the coordinating team, and we publicize action opportunities on the ground in the community.
#yxe #saskatoon #treatysix #saskatchewan
#yxe #saskatoon #treatysix #saskatchewan
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
We all should be doing gay boy things instead
January 9, 2026 at 7:21 PM
We all should be doing gay boy things instead
A study funded by Mount Royal University is looking for Alberta-based participants for the TransAthletics study, which examines the impacts of anti-trans ideology on sport in the province.
Honoraria available.
(no affiliation)
Honoraria available.
(no affiliation)
January 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
A study funded by Mount Royal University is looking for Alberta-based participants for the TransAthletics study, which examines the impacts of anti-trans ideology on sport in the province.
Honoraria available.
(no affiliation)
Honoraria available.
(no affiliation)
My proposal for a journal article on community consultations and participatory engagement was accepted for a special issue on trans topics. 🎉
It feels good to be working on something academic again.
It feels good to be working on something academic again.
January 9, 2026 at 4:32 PM
My proposal for a journal article on community consultations and participatory engagement was accepted for a special issue on trans topics. 🎉
It feels good to be working on something academic again.
It feels good to be working on something academic again.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Y'all still won't let "sanewashing" go? Y'all still comparing the most powerful man in the world to some of its most vulnerable, the mentally ill? Fuck y'all.
January 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Y'all still won't let "sanewashing" go? Y'all still comparing the most powerful man in the world to some of its most vulnerable, the mentally ill? Fuck y'all.
The ArQuives is hosting a queer trivia event at Church Street Garage in Toronto on Thursday, 22 January.
No cover, no registration required.
Teams are encouraged, but not required. You can even go solo.
More info:
No cover, no registration required.
Teams are encouraged, but not required. You can even go solo.
More info:
Queer Trivia Night - The Year in Queer – The ArQuives
Join us for our next queer trivia night at Glad Day Bookshop! First question at 7pm. Come early to ensure you get a seat!
arquives.ca
January 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
The ArQuives is hosting a queer trivia event at Church Street Garage in Toronto on Thursday, 22 January.
No cover, no registration required.
Teams are encouraged, but not required. You can even go solo.
More info:
No cover, no registration required.
Teams are encouraged, but not required. You can even go solo.
More info:
A Windows update made clicking weird??
Tabs and windows now close randomly and there are no new updates to install that will fix it.🙃
Tabs and windows now close randomly and there are no new updates to install that will fix it.🙃
January 8, 2026 at 5:49 PM
A Windows update made clicking weird??
Tabs and windows now close randomly and there are no new updates to install that will fix it.🙃
Tabs and windows now close randomly and there are no new updates to install that will fix it.🙃
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Would you like to see my cat.
January 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Would you like to see my cat.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Timeline cleanse
Would you like to see my cat.
Would you like to see my cat.
January 8, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Timeline cleanse
Would you like to see my cat.
Would you like to see my cat.
The Biyuti Project: Queer and Trans Filipinx Youth in Catholic Education is an arts-based research project that explores the experiences of former students through art production and storytelling.
Reception RSVP: textilemuseum.ca/event/the-bi...
#QueerHistory #QueerArt
(no affiliation)
Reception RSVP: textilemuseum.ca/event/the-bi...
#QueerHistory #QueerArt
(no affiliation)
January 8, 2026 at 4:14 PM
The Biyuti Project: Queer and Trans Filipinx Youth in Catholic Education is an arts-based research project that explores the experiences of former students through art production and storytelling.
Reception RSVP: textilemuseum.ca/event/the-bi...
#QueerHistory #QueerArt
(no affiliation)
Reception RSVP: textilemuseum.ca/event/the-bi...
#QueerHistory #QueerArt
(no affiliation)
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Good morning. I'd like to invite anyone who is interested to make a small gesture of kindness today. It's up to you to decide what that can be. The key is for you to act on the idea. With so much out of our control, we can choose how to be with each other today and every day.
January 8, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Good morning. I'd like to invite anyone who is interested to make a small gesture of kindness today. It's up to you to decide what that can be. The key is for you to act on the idea. With so much out of our control, we can choose how to be with each other today and every day.
In September, Health Canada released its "Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals," but as of right now, there is no IAQ policy at any level of government that ensures indoor air is clean and safe to breathe.
Clean Indoor Air Toronto has put together a petition and draft motion:
Clean Indoor Air Toronto has put together a petition and draft motion:
Toronto Board of Health Advocacy-CIATO
We have over 600 signatures, help us get to our next goal of 700! Join Clean Indoor Air Toronto in sending a clear message to the City of Toronto that you want a city that’s healthier, more…
docs.google.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
In September, Health Canada released its "Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals," but as of right now, there is no IAQ policy at any level of government that ensures indoor air is clean and safe to breathe.
Clean Indoor Air Toronto has put together a petition and draft motion:
Clean Indoor Air Toronto has put together a petition and draft motion:
Sapphics Raise the Bar is putting on a free screening of The Watermelon Woman at @arquives.ca in Toronto on Sunday, 18 January.
Please note that this is a masked event. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
Register for your free ticket: arquives.ca/event/sapphi...
#QueerFilm
Please note that this is a masked event. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
Register for your free ticket: arquives.ca/event/sapphi...
#QueerFilm
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Sapphics Raise the Bar is putting on a free screening of The Watermelon Woman at @arquives.ca in Toronto on Sunday, 18 January.
Please note that this is a masked event. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
Register for your free ticket: arquives.ca/event/sapphi...
#QueerFilm
Please note that this is a masked event. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
Register for your free ticket: arquives.ca/event/sapphi...
#QueerFilm
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Would you like to see my cat.
January 8, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Would you like to see my cat.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
I'm organising a trans history workshop session as part of the @mbsbirmingham.bsky.social conference in July. Details below. Do get in touch by end of next week if you have any questions or would like to register your interest, and pass on to anyone you know who might be keen to participate.
January 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
I'm organising a trans history workshop session as part of the @mbsbirmingham.bsky.social conference in July. Details below. Do get in touch by end of next week if you have any questions or would like to register your interest, and pass on to anyone you know who might be keen to participate.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
As a consequence of never holding anyone accountable, Canada has absolutely no political leadership
January 7, 2026 at 5:13 PM
As a consequence of never holding anyone accountable, Canada has absolutely no political leadership
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
my cat in return
January 8, 2026 at 7:43 AM
my cat in return
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
My 20 year old snowshoe is here for you!
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 AM
My 20 year old snowshoe is here for you!
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
Submitting my cat to the jury
January 8, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Submitting my cat to the jury
Would you like to see my cat.
January 8, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Would you like to see my cat.
Reposted by Nico Mara-McKay 🦇 (they/iel)
it can’t be independently verified (by the NYT) because they have been explicitly denied permission to use the video by the person who took it for being an untrustworthy news org and for publishing anti-trans disinformation
the nyt says that no version of events in minneapolis can be "verified independently." but that's not true! there are multiple videos proving that the ICE version of events is a total lie. maybe the nyt can, y'know, watch one of them? www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 7, 2026 at 7:50 PM
it can’t be independently verified (by the NYT) because they have been explicitly denied permission to use the video by the person who took it for being an untrustworthy news org and for publishing anti-trans disinformation
I used to regularly read upwards of 100 books a year, but it took me a depressingly long time to read anything for pleasure after grad school.
There are so many great book that I've missed out on during those years. I have so much catching up to do.
Link: www.goodreads.com/user/year_in...
There are so many great book that I've missed out on during those years. I have so much catching up to do.
Link: www.goodreads.com/user/year_in...
January 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I used to regularly read upwards of 100 books a year, but it took me a depressingly long time to read anything for pleasure after grad school.
There are so many great book that I've missed out on during those years. I have so much catching up to do.
Link: www.goodreads.com/user/year_in...
There are so many great book that I've missed out on during those years. I have so much catching up to do.
Link: www.goodreads.com/user/year_in...