Aris Merquoni
@aristgd.bsky.social
Politely promoting the practice of pornography. Professional shipper do not attempt at home. She/her. Trans rights.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
'Swan Brothers' by @tkingfisher.com just hit my dash again, so from the year 2014 I bring you the link. ursulav.livejournal.com/1598605.html
Swan Brothers
It happened one summer that a curse fell on my family. The details arent important. We could be here all night with who married whom and who cursed what. There was a curse, thats all you need to know....
ursulav.livejournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
'Swan Brothers' by @tkingfisher.com just hit my dash again, so from the year 2014 I bring you the link. ursulav.livejournal.com/1598605.html
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Anybody who is like “Piracy is activism!”—trust me, supporting your local library is about 1000% more effective activism, and it’s still free for you and authors still get paid!
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Anybody who is like “Piracy is activism!”—trust me, supporting your local library is about 1000% more effective activism, and it’s still free for you and authors still get paid!
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
TAPS SCREEN
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
These guys are great! I donate every year and may I suggest that some of the crafts they sell on behalf of the elders make great Christmas presents?
Time once again to rep my favorite place for giving: anelder.org - they supply food, firewood and supplies for traditional crafting to Navajo Elders. If you have the cash, please give these folks a hand.
November 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
These guys are great! I donate every year and may I suggest that some of the crafts they sell on behalf of the elders make great Christmas presents?
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
a lot of falsehoods are getting repeated about b) by people who rightly believe a), and it doesn't help credibility.
a) The social harms of AI are vastly under-appreciated and go far beyond displacement of labor
b) The environmental harms of AI, though not trivial, are nevertheless small potatoes compared to many other industries like farming (and AI demand may even help accelerate electrical grid upgrades)
b) The environmental harms of AI, though not trivial, are nevertheless small potatoes compared to many other industries like farming (and AI demand may even help accelerate electrical grid upgrades)
weird header for an article about the very real dangers of modern industrial agriculture
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
a lot of falsehoods are getting repeated about b) by people who rightly believe a), and it doesn't help credibility.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Reclaiming Two-Spirit roles across Native nations.
Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities & shaping community life. ictnews.org/news/indigen...
Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities & shaping community life. ictnews.org/news/indigen...
INDIGENOUS IDENTITY: Reclaiming Two-Spirit roles across Native nations - ICT
Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities and shaping community life. Today their voices are guiding a resurgence that honors tradition while confro...
ictnews.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Reclaiming Two-Spirit roles across Native nations.
Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities & shaping community life. ictnews.org/news/indigen...
Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities & shaping community life. ictnews.org/news/indigen...
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
The real problem with pretendians is the way discussions around them are driven by mainstream colonial narratives about Indigeneity. Non-indigenous folks believe themselves experts on Indigenous identity and end up muddying the waters even more.
Seeing this discussed by non-Indigenous folks is...
Seeing this discussed by non-Indigenous folks is...
November 25, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The real problem with pretendians is the way discussions around them are driven by mainstream colonial narratives about Indigeneity. Non-indigenous folks believe themselves experts on Indigenous identity and end up muddying the waters even more.
Seeing this discussed by non-Indigenous folks is...
Seeing this discussed by non-Indigenous folks is...
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
"Worryingly, this area of common cause now appears to be growing. We at GAATW have noticed that many organisations from both camps have recently expanded their use of anti-trafficking frameworks to also advocate for the abolition of surrogacy and promote transphobic ideas."
GAATW warns that some groups are now using anti-trafficking rhetoric to push bans on surrogacy and spread transphobic agendas.
(For example: The NGO who made the recent Epstein PSA is anti-surrogacy). www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
(For example: The NGO who made the recent Epstein PSA is anti-surrogacy). www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
A bizarre new alliance is coming after sexual freedoms
Radical feminists and religious groups teamed up against sex work. Now they’re going after broader reproductive freedoms
www.opendemocracy.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 PM
"Worryingly, this area of common cause now appears to be growing. We at GAATW have noticed that many organisations from both camps have recently expanded their use of anti-trafficking frameworks to also advocate for the abolition of surrogacy and promote transphobic ideas."
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
We don't think you're imagining it
bsky.app/profile/acva...
bsky.app/profile/acva...
MasterCard is marketing its new MasterCard Threat Intelligence platform to issuers & acquirers. A source familiar w/ MasterCard’s internal operations told me MTI is flagging anime, VTubing, adult content, tabletop, video games as potentially “high fraud risk”
fintechmagazine.com/news/how-is-...
fintechmagazine.com/news/how-is-...
How is Mastercard Preventing Payment Fraud at Scale?
Announcing Threat Intelligence at Money 20/20 US, Mastercard showcases its latest technology in preventing fraud, combining insights from Recorded Future
fintechmagazine.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:59 AM
We don't think you're imagining it
bsky.app/profile/acva...
bsky.app/profile/acva...
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Sure! Mastercard, Visa, Stripe + Paypal are further restricting what kinds of perfectly legal adult content you can buy through their processor (they cracked down on itchio and steam over the summer, not to mention Patreon a few years ago). We're tired of them acting like dictators instead of tools.
I don’t happen to have a Mastercard, but can you remind me why I’d be upset with them if I did?
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sure! Mastercard, Visa, Stripe + Paypal are further restricting what kinds of perfectly legal adult content you can buy through their processor (they cracked down on itchio and steam over the summer, not to mention Patreon a few years ago). We're tired of them acting like dictators instead of tools.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Keep calling!
Spoke to my source familiar with internal workings at Mastercard. The holiday call campaign re payment processor censorship is working, there is a lot of pressure being felt from your calls. This is resulting in increased response times at a core moment for Mastercard due to the holiday season
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Keep calling!
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Gorgeous colorizations of trans history images,
and a lot of incredible stories, including many lesser-known to many (A Zapatista colonel, a "transvestite pass" issued in 1928, the Scottish nobleman who the courts ruled should inherit his baronetcy in the 60s... for example...)
and a lot of incredible stories, including many lesser-known to many (A Zapatista colonel, a "transvestite pass" issued in 1928, the Scottish nobleman who the courts ruled should inherit his baronetcy in the 60s... for example...)
Coloring the Past - Eli Erlick
Using recent breakthroughs in photo editing techniques, Eli colorizes, restores, and digitizes photos from queer and trans history. The following images are originally from 1897-1973.
elierlick.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Gorgeous colorizations of trans history images,
and a lot of incredible stories, including many lesser-known to many (A Zapatista colonel, a "transvestite pass" issued in 1928, the Scottish nobleman who the courts ruled should inherit his baronetcy in the 60s... for example...)
and a lot of incredible stories, including many lesser-known to many (A Zapatista colonel, a "transvestite pass" issued in 1928, the Scottish nobleman who the courts ruled should inherit his baronetcy in the 60s... for example...)
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
It continues to bother me how much Leopold II, one of the most evil men of all time and a ghoul on par with Hitler, is so completely ignored
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 AM
It continues to bother me how much Leopold II, one of the most evil men of all time and a ghoul on par with Hitler, is so completely ignored
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Just watched NOW YOU SEE ME which I found structurally infuriating on pretty much every level. Did not work at all, left me wanting to take an angry red pen to the script and write SEE ME AFTER CLASS.
November 24, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Just watched NOW YOU SEE ME which I found structurally infuriating on pretty much every level. Did not work at all, left me wanting to take an angry red pen to the script and write SEE ME AFTER CLASS.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
A new city program aims to bring vendors, and more Portlanders, to parks via a same-day permit system. The program allows vendors, like a mobile sauna or coffee cart, to set up at a number of parks in Portland.
New city program aims to bring vendors, and more Portlanders, to parks
The same-day permit system allows vendors, like a mobile sauna or coffee cart, to set up at a number of parks in Portland
www.streetroots.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:28 AM
A new city program aims to bring vendors, and more Portlanders, to parks via a same-day permit system. The program allows vendors, like a mobile sauna or coffee cart, to set up at a number of parks in Portland.
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Just heard that after 27 years on Louisiana’s death row, Chris “Jimmie” Duncan is finally getting out. Not exactly sure when, but I’m told he’ll be home for Thanksgiving.
This is wonderful news.
Here’s my 2009 piece on the forensic fraud that got him convicted:
This is wonderful news.
Here’s my 2009 piece on the forensic fraud that got him convicted:
Forensics Fraud?
Experts say this video shows a doctor manufacturing evidence. So why is a man still on death row?
reason.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Just heard that after 27 years on Louisiana’s death row, Chris “Jimmie” Duncan is finally getting out. Not exactly sure when, but I’m told he’ll be home for Thanksgiving.
This is wonderful news.
Here’s my 2009 piece on the forensic fraud that got him convicted:
This is wonderful news.
Here’s my 2009 piece on the forensic fraud that got him convicted:
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Mobility scooter edition
panel 2:
'Yes I put it in there myself. Only proves I can clean your fucking clock if you stand still long enough.'
panel 4:
'No I do not and I don't have insurance when I break your leg with it'
panel 2:
'Yes I put it in there myself. Only proves I can clean your fucking clock if you stand still long enough.'
panel 4:
'No I do not and I don't have insurance when I break your leg with it'
November 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Mobility scooter edition
panel 2:
'Yes I put it in there myself. Only proves I can clean your fucking clock if you stand still long enough.'
panel 4:
'No I do not and I don't have insurance when I break your leg with it'
panel 2:
'Yes I put it in there myself. Only proves I can clean your fucking clock if you stand still long enough.'
panel 4:
'No I do not and I don't have insurance when I break your leg with it'
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
Stupid Things You Hear In A Wheelchair
By me and @postcardsbybecky.bsky.social
Read more cartoons! --> #PoliCartoon
Support our cartoons! --> patreon.com/barry
By me and @postcardsbybecky.bsky.social
Read more cartoons! --> #PoliCartoon
Support our cartoons! --> patreon.com/barry
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Stupid Things You Hear In A Wheelchair
By me and @postcardsbybecky.bsky.social
Read more cartoons! --> #PoliCartoon
Support our cartoons! --> patreon.com/barry
By me and @postcardsbybecky.bsky.social
Read more cartoons! --> #PoliCartoon
Support our cartoons! --> patreon.com/barry
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
7-odd years of researching homeschooling, I have a special needs child who may require homeschooling, and these are facts:
1) homeschooling does not on its own harm children's learning or growth.
2) homeschooling has a massive accountability problem in almost every state
3) homeschooled kids are --
1) homeschooling does not on its own harm children's learning or growth.
2) homeschooling has a massive accountability problem in almost every state
3) homeschooled kids are --
November 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
7-odd years of researching homeschooling, I have a special needs child who may require homeschooling, and these are facts:
1) homeschooling does not on its own harm children's learning or growth.
2) homeschooling has a massive accountability problem in almost every state
3) homeschooled kids are --
1) homeschooling does not on its own harm children's learning or growth.
2) homeschooling has a massive accountability problem in almost every state
3) homeschooled kids are --
Reposted by Aris Merquoni
I closed social media for like three hours and the Pope threw a rave, MTG resigned, and Trump endorsed Mamdani before Chuck Schumer did? Now accepting bribes to close social media for all of next week
November 22, 2025 at 2:54 AM
I closed social media for like three hours and the Pope threw a rave, MTG resigned, and Trump endorsed Mamdani before Chuck Schumer did? Now accepting bribes to close social media for all of next week