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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 1d

Conversion therapy is discredited junk science that endangers kids. SCOTUS might greenlight it anyway. @hvnorrisphd.bsky.social breaks down the case for @USAToday.com: t.co/C5rJw77uef

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2025/10/08/supreme-court-gay-conversion-therapy-trans-rights/86549177007/?taid=68e6362387789a0001ca7946&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twit...

t.co

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Reposted by Cal Smith

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse @whitehouse.senate.gov · 21d

Citizens United opened the floodgates of slimy dark money into our politics. It’s time we slam them shut.

Glad to have CAP in the fight :-)

Tom Moore @thmoore.bsky.social · 24d

Fifteen years after Citizens United opened the floodgates of corporate and dark political money, the Center for American Progress has figured out how to slam them back shut.

CAP published its groundbreaking how-to report today: "The Corporate Power Reset That Makes Citizens United Irrelevant."

The Corporate Power Reset That Makes Citizens United Irrelevant

By using their authority to define what corporations are—and what powers they hold—states can end the era of corporate and dark money in U.S. politics.

www.americanprogress.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · 20d

Trans people, like everyone else, deserve safety and dignity. Popularity - or unpopularity - of that statement has no bearing on its truth.

That's kind of the whole point of civil rights.

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Reposted by Cal Smith

Center for American Progress @americanprogress.bsky.social · Jul 28

Congratulations to CAP's @calebllsmith.bsky.social for being listed as one of @outinnationalsecurity.org and @newamerica.org's Out Leaders 2025 honoree. #OutLeadership2025 www.outinnationalsecurity.org/honor-roll/2...

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Reposted by Cal Smith

Center for American Progress @americanprogress.bsky.social · Jul 25

As the Trump administration continues to censor LGBTQI+ data and slash critical research funding, it's more important than ever to understand the needs of LGBTQI+ communities. Don't miss this important conversation with CAP thought leaders on Monday, July 28: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

Event graphic with the event title, "In Conversation: The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey," with the description, "LGBTQI+ surveys and studies are essential for understanding the needs of our communities. Join the Center for American Progress and our authors to discuss data insights on topics such as the communities' wage gaps, caregiving, experiences of disabled LGBTQI+ people, barriers in health care, and more." Below are headshots for Colin Seeberger, Casey Doherty, Haley Norris, Sara Estep, and Molly Weston Williamson.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 27

Join me tomorrow for our conversation about the 2024 CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey! RSVP here: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

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Reposted by Cal Smith

Orion Rummler @oriion.bsky.social · Jul 24

Sara Habein, a mother of two in Montana, recently learned that she has cysts in her brain. Every six months, her doctors check that the cysts aren’t growing.

If she didn’t have Medicaid, she's not sure what she would do. Now, Trump’s “one big, beautiful” law threatens her coverage.

Over a million queer women rely on Medicaid. What happens if they lose it?

Lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be low-income, more likely to be parents and more likely to rely on Medicaid. They could fall through the cracks of Trump’s new tax law.

19thnews.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 24

Virtual LGBTQ event alert!

11am on Monday, I'll be joined by several CAP colleagues to discuss new findings from our 2024 LGBTQI+ Survey. Topics include the disabled LGBTQI+ community, the LGBTQI+ wage gap, caregiving, and more.

RSVP and find out more here! www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

In Conversation: The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey

Join CAP for a panel and discussion about new insights into LGBTQI+ experiences.

www.americanprogress.org

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Reposted by Cal Smith

Center for American Progress @americanprogress.bsky.social · Jul 9

Today at 11 am ET: Don't miss our virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025. www.americanprogress.org/events/presi...

We'll be joined by @audrelawdamercy.bsky.social, @leahlitman.bsky.social, @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social, and @anthonymkreis.bsky.social.

Presidential Appeasement and the Supreme Court: The State of the Court in 2025

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025.

www.americanprogress.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 7

My colleague Sara at @americanprogress.bsky.social examined our CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey, revealing that LGBTQI+ households earn just 85 cents for every $1 of non-LGBTQI+ households. LGBTQI+ women households earn even less, at just 52 cents per $1.

www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 3

We’re not working or networking or skill building at this retreat - we’re resting and recharging so we can come back to the work.

Camp Ground is Labor Day Weekend in CA - message me if you have questions!

Hint: if your first thought is “how can I volunteer/help”, this camp is probably for you!

Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 3

Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed.

If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jul 3

The camp is in California, over Labor Day weekend.

We’re not networking, we’re not skill building, we’re taking time to recharge and heal, together and in the outdoors.

Hint: if your first thought is, “how can I volunteer/help”, this camp is also probably for you! 🩵

Reposted by Cal Smith

Tom Moore @thmoore.bsky.social · Jul 2

MUST-READ: My CAP colleague Alice Lillydahl has a terrific new column out today on why appeasement of Trump's illegal demands may be far more dangerous to organizations than compliance is.

The Dangers of Obeying: 4 Risks for Organizations Bowing to the Trump Administration

The Trump administration is demanding unprecedented power and punishing those who refuse to comply, but civil society acting peacefully with collective courage can build a stronger democracy.

www.americanprogress.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 30

Right-wing senators are trying to defund coverage of trans medical care. A new report out today from my colleague @hvnorrisphd.bsky.social reveals: 28% of insured trans folks are covered through Medicaid and 6% through ACA plans.

Coverage MUST be protected.
www.americanprogress.org/article/lgbt...

LGBTQI+ People Are Underinsured and Experience Health Insurance Discrimination in Key Areas

New Center for American Progress survey findings demonstrate how LGBTQI+ people are at greater risk of losing access to health care under the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

www.americanprogress.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 26

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 26

An archived copy of the handbook can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20241206...

web.archive.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 26

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 25

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 25

An archived copy of the article can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20240815...

The Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons are Integral to U.S. Foreign Policy - United States Department of State

On June 27, 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted the Convening on U.S. Foreign Policy: National Security, Inclusive Development, and the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. Special Envoy to Adv...

web.archive.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 25

Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 24

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 24

An archived copy of the policies and guidance can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20250117...

TSA Cares - Gender Diversity | Transportation Security Administration

web.archive.org

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 24

Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.

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Cal Smith @calebllsmith.bsky.social · Jun 19

Also, on Skrmetti. Folks are going to analyze, write about the harms of the ruling. While we do, it is SO important to remember:

The people who sued for care, went before SCOTUS and argued for equal rights were right to do so. Their strategy was solid, their aim was correct.

Hope is never wrong.

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