Kay Simon
@kaysimon.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota studying families and youth
Reposted by Kay Simon
Xiang Zhou (Harvard Sociology) and I are recruiting two postdoctoral fellows through the An Wang Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard’s Fairbank Center. The theme for 2026–27 is the Social Foundations of State Power in China. Deadline: January 15, 2026. fairbank.fas.harvard.edu/affiliation-...
An Wang Postdoctoral Fellowship – Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies
fairbank.fas.harvard.edu
December 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Xiang Zhou (Harvard Sociology) and I are recruiting two postdoctoral fellows through the An Wang Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard’s Fairbank Center. The theme for 2026–27 is the Social Foundations of State Power in China. Deadline: January 15, 2026. fairbank.fas.harvard.edu/affiliation-...
Reposted by Kay Simon
Well! I wrote a book. I've been pretty quiet about it. I'm generally open to a fault: depression, breakups, body issues. But this book charts a part of my life very VERY few people know about.
I almost had a kid. And then I didn't have a kid.
electricliterature.com/exclusive-co...
I almost had a kid. And then I didn't have a kid.
electricliterature.com/exclusive-co...
December 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Well! I wrote a book. I've been pretty quiet about it. I'm generally open to a fault: depression, breakups, body issues. But this book charts a part of my life very VERY few people know about.
I almost had a kid. And then I didn't have a kid.
electricliterature.com/exclusive-co...
I almost had a kid. And then I didn't have a kid.
electricliterature.com/exclusive-co...
Reposted by Kay Simon
Readers of my newsletter know that I hinted there was another queer science book coming next year and I can now say which one I was talking about! @reluctantlyjoe.bsky.social has this beauty coming next May and now available for preorder! #BookSky 🌈🧪
Spawning Season
NBCC and Lambda Literary Award finalist Joseph Osmundson chronicles his journey toward and away from parenthood to ask how we create and nurture queer families.…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Readers of my newsletter know that I hinted there was another queer science book coming next year and I can now say which one I was talking about! @reluctantlyjoe.bsky.social has this beauty coming next May and now available for preorder! #BookSky 🌈🧪
Reposted by Kay Simon
📢New Publication Alert 📢
New paper out in Archives of Suicide Research 👇
We followed 670 sexual minority young adults (ages 18–26) over three years to ask: How does everyday discrimination shape suicidal ideation — and what role do our beliefs about people and society play?
New paper out in Archives of Suicide Research 👇
We followed 670 sexual minority young adults (ages 18–26) over three years to ask: How does everyday discrimination shape suicidal ideation — and what role do our beliefs about people and society play?
Exploring the Role of Social Worldviews in Linking Interpersonal Discrimination to Suicidal Ideation Among Sexual Minority Young Adults
Sexual minority young adults (SM-YAs) experience high rates of interpersonal discrimination, which increases their risk of suicidal ideation. However, little is known about the mechanisms that unde...
www.tandfonline.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
📢New Publication Alert 📢
New paper out in Archives of Suicide Research 👇
We followed 670 sexual minority young adults (ages 18–26) over three years to ask: How does everyday discrimination shape suicidal ideation — and what role do our beliefs about people and society play?
New paper out in Archives of Suicide Research 👇
We followed 670 sexual minority young adults (ages 18–26) over three years to ask: How does everyday discrimination shape suicidal ideation — and what role do our beliefs about people and society play?
Reposted by Kay Simon
Last winter Minneapolis rolled out our first ever sidewalk plowing pilot program. According to residents, it was a huge success!
“This program was a lifesaver for my wife and I this year. We appreciate the promptness of the employees and how great our sidewalks were cleared.”
“This program was a lifesaver for my wife and I this year. We appreciate the promptness of the employees and how great our sidewalks were cleared.”
December 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Last winter Minneapolis rolled out our first ever sidewalk plowing pilot program. According to residents, it was a huge success!
“This program was a lifesaver for my wife and I this year. We appreciate the promptness of the employees and how great our sidewalks were cleared.”
“This program was a lifesaver for my wife and I this year. We appreciate the promptness of the employees and how great our sidewalks were cleared.”
Reposted by Kay Simon
NEW: The official USCIS guidance on this pause is out. Until further notice from the USCIS Director, all immigration benefits (including citizenship) are indefinitely suspended for nationals of 19 countries, as are all affirmative asylum applications from nationals of any country.
![Page 3: Guidance
…
USCIS will conduct a thorough review on a case-by-case basis to assess benefit eligibility including whether:
1. The alien is listed in the Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS) as a Known or Suspected
Terrorist (KST) under Tier 1 or Tier 2 classifications or is included in Tier 3 or Tier 4 of the
TSDS with significant derogatory information related to the alien.
2. The alien is connected to prior, current, or planned involvement in, or association with, an activity, individual, or organization described in sections 212(a)(3)(A), (B), or (F), or 237(a)(4)(A) or (B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
3. The alien is linked to prior, current, or planned involvement in, or association with, an activity, individual, or organization that may pose a risk of serious harm or danger to the community, including criminal conduct described in INA 101(a)(43), 212(a)(1)(A)(iii), 212(a)(2), 237(a)(2), or 237(a)(4)(A)(ii).
4. The alien is unable to establish their identity as outlined in PP 10949."'
This process ensures that USCIS exercises its full authority to protect national security and public safety while adhering to the provisions of the INA and applicable laws. USCIS has considered that this direction may result in delay to the adjudication of some pending applications and has weighed that consequence against the urgent need for the agency to ensure that applicants are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. Ultimately, USCIS has determined that the burden of processing delays that will fall on some applicants is necessary and appropriate in this instance, when weighed against the agency's obligation to protect and preserve national security.
Within 90 days of issuance of this memorandum, USCIS will prioritize a list for review, interview, re-interview, and referral to ICE and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate, and, in consultation with the [two other offices] issue operational guidance.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreiflg3ofmvb5gya5mycqjtkvis6ltjx6n7j2bxd5basepl67uqtqay@jpeg)
December 3, 2025 at 12:46 AM
NEW: The official USCIS guidance on this pause is out. Until further notice from the USCIS Director, all immigration benefits (including citizenship) are indefinitely suspended for nationals of 19 countries, as are all affirmative asylum applications from nationals of any country.
Reposted by Kay Simon
The last supermoon of the year will shine soon in December skies.
How to watch the last supermoon of the year
The last supermoon of the year will soon shine in December skies. When a full moon is closer to Earth in its orbit, a so-called supermoon happens.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The last supermoon of the year will shine soon in December skies.
Reposted by Kay Simon
Bloomington Police partnered on “Operation Creep” with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and police from Eden Prairie, Roseville and Richfield, as well as MSP Airport Police. The man arrested is a civilian ICE employee.
Twin Cities ICE employee among 16 arrested in child sex trafficking sting
A Twin Cities-based employee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is among 16 men arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor following a sting operation by police in suburban Minneapolis.
www.mprnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Bloomington Police partnered on “Operation Creep” with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and police from Eden Prairie, Roseville and Richfield, as well as MSP Airport Police. The man arrested is a civilian ICE employee.
Reposted by Kay Simon
A great spotlight on a fabulous student (@willowbryn.bsky.social)! Willow is applying for grad school this cycle so keep an eye out for them!
We are so happy to share our second SRCD SOGIE Caucus Member Spotlight for November, Willow Bryn Rosser! Willow is a post-baccalaureate looking to continue their academic journey in graduate school. Scroll through to learn more about Willow and how to connect with them!
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A great spotlight on a fabulous student (@willowbryn.bsky.social)! Willow is applying for grad school this cycle so keep an eye out for them!
Reposted by Kay Simon
From CDC:
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 19 states..."
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that Influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 42 states..."
www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling....
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 19 states..."
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that Influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 42 states..."
www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling....
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
From CDC:
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 19 states..."
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that Influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 42 states..."
www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling....
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 19 states..."
"As of November 18, 2025, we estimate that Influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 42 states..."
www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling....
Reposted by Kay Simon
BREAKING: House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill once opposed by Trump to the Senate.
House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate
The House has voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
BREAKING: House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill once opposed by Trump to the Senate.
Reposted by Kay Simon
Update as of 10:55 AM:
Federal agents have left the Territorial/Hampden location. Mayor Carter and I are on site.
We have heard reports of several individuals that have been taken by the federal government. At least one person was arrested.
Federal agents have left the Territorial/Hampden location. Mayor Carter and I are on site.
We have heard reports of several individuals that have been taken by the federal government. At least one person was arrested.
November 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Update as of 10:55 AM:
Federal agents have left the Territorial/Hampden location. Mayor Carter and I are on site.
We have heard reports of several individuals that have been taken by the federal government. At least one person was arrested.
Federal agents have left the Territorial/Hampden location. Mayor Carter and I are on site.
We have heard reports of several individuals that have been taken by the federal government. At least one person was arrested.
Reposted by Kay Simon
I’m so saddened by the loss of Alice Wong, truly one of the good ones, to whom community-building came naturally. A great writer, activist, and person. bsky.app/profile/sesm...
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
I’m so saddened by the loss of Alice Wong, truly one of the good ones, to whom community-building came naturally. A great writer, activist, and person. bsky.app/profile/sesm...
Reposted by Kay Simon
bringing this statement over from Alice’s Twitter. it appears the below was Alice’s last post before passing. I am heartbroken
November 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
bringing this statement over from Alice’s Twitter. it appears the below was Alice’s last post before passing. I am heartbroken
Reposted by Kay Simon
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
Reposted by Kay Simon
Senate takes the first step toward ending the 40-day shutdown, advancing a funding bill after weeks of gridlock.
US senators advance bill to end record government shutdown
Senate takes the first step toward ending the 40-day shutdown, advancing a funding bill after weeks of gridlock.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Senate takes the first step toward ending the 40-day shutdown, advancing a funding bill after weeks of gridlock.
Reposted by Kay Simon
It’s grad school application season, and I wanted to give some public advice.
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
It’s grad school application season, and I wanted to give some public advice.
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
Reposted by Kay Simon
Japan's parliament elects ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister. Takaichi, the head of the struggling Liberal Democratic Party, replaces Shigeru Ishiba, who was forced into resignation after two disastrous election losses.
Japan's parliament elects Sanae Takaichi as nation's first female prime minister
Japanese parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister Tuesday.
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Japan's parliament elects ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister. Takaichi, the head of the struggling Liberal Democratic Party, replaces Shigeru Ishiba, who was forced into resignation after two disastrous election losses.
Reposted by Kay Simon
George Santos, serving a prison term on charges of fraud and identity theft, had been held in solitary confinement.
Trump commutes sentence of former Republican lawmaker George Santos
George Santos, serving a prison term on charges of fraud and identity theft, had been held in solitary confinement.
bit.ly
October 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
George Santos, serving a prison term on charges of fraud and identity theft, had been held in solitary confinement.
Reposted by Kay Simon
Nearly one in five (17%) same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising their own children, including 22% of married same-sex couples. Raising their own children is defined by the Census as a householder raising a biological or adopted child. Learn more at tinyurl.com/CensusSnap
October 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Nearly one in five (17%) same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising their own children, including 22% of married same-sex couples. Raising their own children is defined by the Census as a householder raising a biological or adopted child. Learn more at tinyurl.com/CensusSnap
Reposted by Kay Simon
The Social Action Lab + Annenberg Public Policy Center at UPenn are hiring postdocs! Work on decision-making, attitudes, persuasion, social cognition, and behavior change with an interdisciplinary team. PhD in psych required. Apply here: my.spsp.org/Career-Cente...
Job Search
my.spsp.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The Social Action Lab + Annenberg Public Policy Center at UPenn are hiring postdocs! Work on decision-making, attitudes, persuasion, social cognition, and behavior change with an interdisciplinary team. PhD in psych required. Apply here: my.spsp.org/Career-Cente...
Reposted by Kay Simon
🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Studies: When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader by Susan Stryker, edited by McKenzie Wark! @susanstryker.bsky.social @mckenziewark.bsky.social @dukepress.bsky.social 🎉🎉🎉
#Lammys2025 #LammyAwards
#Lammys2025 #LammyAwards
October 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Studies: When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader by Susan Stryker, edited by McKenzie Wark! @susanstryker.bsky.social @mckenziewark.bsky.social @dukepress.bsky.social 🎉🎉🎉
#Lammys2025 #LammyAwards
#Lammys2025 #LammyAwards
Reposted by Kay Simon
If you are into musicals about queer people in a shitty apartment trying to make it in a gentrifying city before they die, have I got a musical for you. But instead of five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes, I figured I could do it in fifteen.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/shi...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/shi...
The Last Fifteen Minutes
A marionette opera and short film about having dinner together before a giant kaiju steps on you.
www.kickstarter.com
August 21, 2025 at 6:13 PM
If you are into musicals about queer people in a shitty apartment trying to make it in a gentrifying city before they die, have I got a musical for you. But instead of five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes, I figured I could do it in fifteen.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/shi...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/shi...
Reposted by Kay Simon
The order directs the Minnesota Department of Health to work with other state agencies to identify, review and remove barriers to vaccine access to the “fullest extent permitted by law.”
Walz counters federal vaccine moves with state-level order to maintain broad access
Minnesota moves to maintain access to vaccines after federal guidance last week ordered limitations on who has access to the COVID-19 booster shot.
www.mprnews.org
September 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The order directs the Minnesota Department of Health to work with other state agencies to identify, review and remove barriers to vaccine access to the “fullest extent permitted by law.”
Reposted by Kay Simon
Decision effectively allows immigration agents to use racial profiling to detain people, greenlighting sweeping raids.
US Supreme Court allows Trump’s controversial immigration raids to continue
Decision effectively allows immigration agents to use racial profiling to detain people, greenlighting sweeping raids.
bit.ly
September 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Decision effectively allows immigration agents to use racial profiling to detain people, greenlighting sweeping raids.