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samanthawrites.net
samantha riedel
@samanthawrites.net
1.3K followers 490 following 880 posts
very tired word girl @them.us | member, @transjournalists.org
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samanthawrites.net
samantha riedel @samanthawrites.net · Apr 10
hi freaks! I'm Samantha Riedel. I write about transgender politics, art, & culture, mostly for @them.us. after a decade I think I almost have the hang of it...!

my website: samanthawrites.net
irregular newsletter: samanthaistyping.beehiiv.com/subscribe
latest Them work: www.them.us/contributor/...
samantha riedel is typing...
The online home of journalist and essayist Samantha Riedel. If you're reading this, it's already too late.
samanthawrites.net
Reposted by samantha riedel
rebellecunt.bsky.social
One of the first neighborhoods and groups I saw targeted by agents during raids in Chicago were vice districts and sex workers on the blade and in massage parlors.

The overwhelming response to that was laughter, indifference, or relief
January 13, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
sifill.bsky.social
U.S. citizen detained by ICE:

“…they finally told me that they could offer undocumented family members of mine legal protection if I have any…or money, in exchange for giving them the names of protest organizers, or undocumented persons. I was shocked, and told them no.”
ziibiing.com ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 16h
just a reminder that we aren’t even seeing the worst of what is happening in Minneapolis from someone detailed at the Whipple Federal Building yesterday
Eyewitness account: Good morning, My name is Brandon Siguenza, and l am a US citizen from Minneapolis. Yesterday, while doing legal observation, ICE stopped their cars to harass my friend and me. They sprayed pepper spray into the vent of our vehicle. We held our hands in the air and told them we were not obstructing, that the car was in park and they were free to drive forward and away. There was no active immigration raid. They returned to their cars, and drove forward a bit, then decided to stop again. They surrounded us, smashed the windows of our car, opened the doors (they were unlocked), ripped my friend and I out of the car and arrested us on charges of obstruction. I was put in an unmarked SUV, separated from my friend. As I was put in the back seat an ICE agent tore the whistle off my neck and said "I'll be taking this, I might need it later." My phone was knocked out of my hand while being arrested. As we drove away I asked the driver and the passenger if they wouldn't mind buckling my seatbelt, as they were driving erratically. I was ignored. I asked them if I could have the handcuffs loosened, as I was losing circulation, and was told no. At one point the passenger realized his own driver's license was in the backseat next to mine, and tried to surreptitiously grab it without me seeing it. We were taken to the Whipple federal building, where I saw dozens of brown people being processed in an unheated garage. I was frisked, told of my charges, and saw buses and vans being prepped. I later learned that these were being filled with detainees and driven to the airport for deportation. As we were led in, I noticed that the building was very busy. I got the impression that one of the 2 agents bringing me around was being trained. At multiple points throughout my stay, government agents were unable to open doors, not sure where they were meant to be going, and overall confused and overwhelmed. They couldn't figure out how to use the building phones, or complai…
January 13, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
edidin.bsky.social
I encourage you to think of abolishing ICE not as an end in itself, but as a good start.
January 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
audrelawdamercy.bsky.social
y'all may remember that Justice Amy Coney Barrett claimed to have no knowledge about how the government treats trans people, & said trans people had been subject to "relatively little" discrimination

y'all may not know that her skepticism had legal significance..
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/trans...
This Is the History of Anti-Trans Bigotry Amy Coney Barrett Doesn’t Want to Talk About
Barrett thinks transgender people have been subjected to “relatively little” discrimination. This amicus brief aims to set the record straight.
ballsandstrikes.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
leftistlawyer.com
Bringing back this thread for everyone differentiating between ICE and the cops.
leftistlawyer.com Sheryl Weikal, still saying Free Palestine @leftistlawyer.com · Nov 12
In 1999, a woman named Jessica Gonzales sought and obtained an order of protection against her physically abusive husband ("AH"), who had repeatedly threatened to kill her and their three children. The order included language specifically limiting when and where AH was allowed to see the children.
January 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
samanthawrites.net
hey if you're a writer trying to unfuck your creative situation this year, getting coaching from Jay helped me with that a lot and you should consider hiring him to help you too
edidin.bsky.social Jay Edidin @edidin.bsky.social · 21d
HEY, WRITERS! If you're looking at the new year as a time to revisit or revitalizes your practice, finish that lingering WIP, or learn a new skill, consider tackling those goals with the support of a coach. edidin.wordpress.com/coaching-for...
January 9, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
socialistdogmom.bsky.social
portland city council confirms that two portland residents have been shot by federal agents. at this time, the city council has been told that both victims are alive.
January 8, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
jtischauser.bsky.social
I-94 and Wilson, Chicago, IL
Someone spray painted Renee Good and abolish ICE on a wall by the highway. I-94 and Wilson.
January 8, 2026 at 10:51 PM
samanthawrites.net
did my best to break down what we know, and how Trump officials have lied so far, about Renee Good and her murder today:
January 8, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
them.us
Everything We Know About the ICE Killing of Renée Nicole Good
Everything We Know About the ICE Killing of Renée Nicole Good
Good was survived by her wife and children.
www.them.us
January 8, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
alexshephard.bsky.social
"Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” her mother said. “She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.” www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
‘She was an amazing human being:’ Mother identifies woman shot, killed by ICE agent
Renee Nicole Good, 37, lived in the Twin Cities with her partner.
www.startribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM
samanthawrites.net
thinking about how Obama said the Patriot Act violated civil rights as a senator, then renewed it as president bc actually nvm it *was* necessary for national security. Funny how that works out
zhugeex.com Daniel Ahmad @zhugeex.com · 5d
The common belief is that when Trump is voted out in 2028 the democrats will obviously dismantle the state that Trump created, and I think a lot of people aren’t preparing enough for a future where that doesn’t happen.

The pressure needs to be on everyone that backs Trump, not just the figurehead.
jonathancohn.bsky.social Jonathan Cohn @jonathancohn.bsky.social · Jun 10
These 75 Democrats joined Republicans to "express gratitude" to ICE agents and call for greater local and state collaboration with ICE.

jonathancohn.medium.com/a-tale-of-tw...
January 7, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
cartamonir.com
We're in the final month of this fundraiser and desperately need more donations! Please donate, please share! This is a terrifying and horrible situation that's unfortunately not uncommon. Trans people deserve families! People who do sex work or have done sex work in the past deserve families!
morecarta.bsky.social More Carta @morecarta.bsky.social · Oct 12
I am fundraising for an anonymous friend, who is a trans sex worker and POC. They are at risk of losing custody of their children. Please, please donate. This is a situation that is painful and scary beyond description.

PLEASE SHARE GRAPHICS WIDELY

🫂 www.gofundme.com/f/help-keep-... 🫂
URGENT NEED! HELP KEEP FAMILY TOGETHER, DONATE NOW! We are raising funds for a pillar of our community: a trans sex worker of color who is at risk of losing custody of their children. While their lawyers are confident they can win this discriminatory case, funds are needed by February 2026. We believe they should no longer have to face this on their own, which is why we are asking for your support. Goal: $50,000 https://www.gofundme.com/help-keep-family-together-urgent Venmo: carta-monir Cashapp: $cartamonir Send donations with a red heart emoji to ensure funds are redirected to this SWER We are raising funds for a beloved community member; a trans sex worker of color who is at risk of losing custody of their children. For their safety and privacy they must remain anonymous, but this is a pillar of our community, loved and verified by those of us running this fundraiser. Our friend is facing a trial in February regarding the custody of their young children. The case against them is based on the fact that their primary form of income is sex work. Notably, the judge of the initial custody arrangement ruled that their job was not reason enough to restrict their parenting time years ago. Because of this precedent, their lawyer feels very confident they will win their upcoming case. To defend their rights to parent their own children, our friend needs to raise $75,000 by February 2026. This staggering amount of money is required by the court to cover the costs associated with a two day trial (lawyers fees, expert witnesses, the court reporter, depositions, creation of trial binders, the list goes on). If they cannot secure these funds by the February deadline, they will be forced to settle, resulting in severely reduced interaction with their children. We obviously do not want this to happen. Our friend has provided for themself and their children for years, fighting their custody battle in private while continuing to be an incredible parent, friend, and educator. They can no longer face this by themselves, which is why we are asking for your support. In our current political climate, we know that our friend's situation is especially precarious. This is a crucial moment to show solidarity with a community member who needs it more than ever.
January 6, 2026 at 5:55 PM
samanthawrites.net
social media users and owners collectively doing a great job of convincing me to post even less this year
January 5, 2026 at 9:14 PM
samanthawrites.net
this year was a really hard one and I'm smack in the heart of my personal trauma season but hi, I'm still here and I'm glad you are too
December 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
thefrankiedlc.news
With so many new subscribers thanks to my Heated Rivalry content, I decided to extend the 20% off sale on paid subscriptions!
it's probably time for a re-introduction
and an extension of the 20% off sale!
www.thefrankiedlc.news
December 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
cartamonir.com
Please donate if you're able to. This is an unthinkable amount of money for an unthinkably fucked up situation. Anything helps, trans sex workers deserve to have families
morecarta.bsky.social More Carta @morecarta.bsky.social · Oct 12
I am fundraising for an anonymous friend, who is a trans sex worker and POC. They are at risk of losing custody of their children. Please, please donate. This is a situation that is painful and scary beyond description.

PLEASE SHARE GRAPHICS WIDELY

🫂 www.gofundme.com/f/help-keep-... 🫂
URGENT NEED! HELP KEEP FAMILY TOGETHER, DONATE NOW! We are raising funds for a pillar of our community: a trans sex worker of color who is at risk of losing custody of their children. While their lawyers are confident they can win this discriminatory case, funds are needed by February 2026. We believe they should no longer have to face this on their own, which is why we are asking for your support. Goal: $50,000 https://www.gofundme.com/help-keep-family-together-urgent Venmo: carta-monir Cashapp: $cartamonir Send donations with a red heart emoji to ensure funds are redirected to this SWER We are raising funds for a beloved community member; a trans sex worker of color who is at risk of losing custody of their children. For their safety and privacy they must remain anonymous, but this is a pillar of our community, loved and verified by those of us running this fundraiser. Our friend is facing a trial in February regarding the custody of their young children. The case against them is based on the fact that their primary form of income is sex work. Notably, the judge of the initial custody arrangement ruled that their job was not reason enough to restrict their parenting time years ago. Because of this precedent, their lawyer feels very confident they will win their upcoming case. To defend their rights to parent their own children, our friend needs to raise $75,000 by February 2026. This staggering amount of money is required by the court to cover the costs associated with a two day trial (lawyers fees, expert witnesses, the court reporter, depositions, creation of trial binders, the list goes on). If they cannot secure these funds by the February deadline, they will be forced to settle, resulting in severely reduced interaction with their children. We obviously do not want this to happen. Our friend has provided for themself and their children for years, fighting their custody battle in private while continuing to be an incredible parent, friend, and educator. They can no longer face this by themselves, which is why we are asking for your support. In our current political climate, we know that our friend's situation is especially precarious. This is a crucial moment to show solidarity with a community member who needs it more than ever.
December 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
thefrankiedlc.news
Haven't done one of these in a while! I've got a post-holiday haterade rant about the NHL's support for Heated Rivalry, which I hate. www.thefrankiedlc.news/p/sorry-but-...
sorry but I don't give a fuck that the NHL has embraced 'heated rivalry'
a post-holiday haterade rant
www.thefrankiedlc.news
December 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
rtgame.bsky.social
IT IS TIME.

Today is the only day you can legally share this. Happy Almost Christmas
December 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by samantha riedel
barssuk.bsky.social
The battlefield 🗡
July 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
oklasotagal.bsky.social
...Ms. Curth continues to deny that she engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student's work, and is considering all of her legal remedies, including appealing this decision by the University."
December 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
oklasotagal.bsky.social
Re: OU religious discrimination finding

Quote from Attorney Brittany M. Stewart, Esq.:

"My client, Mel Curth, received notification from the University of Oklahoma that an investigation determined that she engaged in arbitrary grading of a student's paper...
December 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
interruptcrim.bsky.social
If you're a provider of gender-affirming care, please check out The Good Health Project's Know Your Rights update/memo. Trans health care care is still lawful under federal law. static1.squarespace.com/static/686eb...
December 18, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Reposted by samantha riedel
ket.bsky.social
to be clear: no it wouldn't. that is not how this mechanism or federalism works. even under this rule hospitals would remain free to serve trans youth. discrimination in exchange for money is still discrimination. states that prohibit discrimination could and should but won't prosecute collaborators
H. Federalism Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an agency must meet when it issues a proposed rule (and subsequent final rule) that imposes substantial direct requirement costs on State and local governments, pre-empts State law, or otherwise has federalism implications. This proposed rule would pre-empt State laws that prohibit SRPs for children that include exceptions for reasons beyond those exceptions provided in this proposed rule, including for children who are already undergoing these procedures. It would also pre-empt State laws requiring hospitals to provide SRPs.
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM