Kit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽)
@kitoconnell.com
🏳️🌈⭐👏Newsletter Writer & Contributor @The Barbed Wire, formerly Digital Editor @Texas Observer, bylines in Teen Vogue, etc. Austin, Texas. They/Them.
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Home: https://kitoconnell.com/
Get Big & Bright: https://thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Do you get Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏, the newsletter I write for @thebarbedwire.com about LGBTQ+ life in Texas?
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
January 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Do you get Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏, the newsletter I write for @thebarbedwire.com about LGBTQ+ life in Texas?
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
The latest issue went out today, with a special New Year's message and lots of links.
If you missed out, DM and I'll send it to you, but first you gotta subscribe: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Y'all were (not) waiting on the edge of your seats so here's my music top list from Tidal.
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
December 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Y'all were (not) waiting on the edge of your seats so here's my music top list from Tidal.
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
Top 10:
1. Chappell
2. Kesha
3. Marina
4. SOPHIE
5. Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
6. Princess Nokia
7. Orville Peck
8. A Giant Dog
9. Fka Twigs
10. Charli XCX
On Sunday I'll be covering The Big Queer Wedding Party for @thebarbedwire.com ... you should come on out if you're going to be in Austin and looking for a dose of ✨queer joy✨. 🏳️🌈
It's free, but you can RSVP here: bigqueerwedding.com
It's free, but you can RSVP here: bigqueerwedding.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
On Sunday I'll be covering The Big Queer Wedding Party for @thebarbedwire.com ... you should come on out if you're going to be in Austin and looking for a dose of ✨queer joy✨. 🏳️🌈
It's free, but you can RSVP here: bigqueerwedding.com
It's free, but you can RSVP here: bigqueerwedding.com
In addition to regular contributions to @thebarbedwire.com, I'll be writing the Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 newsletter twice a month. It's free to subscribe and I promise to make it fun, informative, and even uplifting ... thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 PM
In addition to regular contributions to @thebarbedwire.com, I'll be writing the Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 newsletter twice a month. It's free to subscribe and I promise to make it fun, informative, and even uplifting ... thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Substitute Fauci and Reagan with RFK and Trump, or any other ghoul working for them ...
I'm grateful to live where prep is widely and cheaply accessible, but I mourn the lives lost due to the budget cuts to HIV treatment and fear for the attacks to come.
We need to Act Up again.
I'm grateful to live where prep is widely and cheaply accessible, but I mourn the lives lost due to the budget cuts to HIV treatment and fear for the attacks to come.
We need to Act Up again.
December 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Substitute Fauci and Reagan with RFK and Trump, or any other ghoul working for them ...
I'm grateful to live where prep is widely and cheaply accessible, but I mourn the lives lost due to the budget cuts to HIV treatment and fear for the attacks to come.
We need to Act Up again.
I'm grateful to live where prep is widely and cheaply accessible, but I mourn the lives lost due to the budget cuts to HIV treatment and fear for the attacks to come.
We need to Act Up again.
On World AIDS day, I'm grateful to all the elders, living and dead, who showed us how to loudly, proudly, mournfully, even joyfully Act Up! for our rights and for our lives, in the face of a state determined to let us suffer and die.
Let's unleash our power, for each other and our communities.
Let's unleash our power, for each other and our communities.
December 1, 2025 at 8:42 PM
On World AIDS day, I'm grateful to all the elders, living and dead, who showed us how to loudly, proudly, mournfully, even joyfully Act Up! for our rights and for our lives, in the face of a state determined to let us suffer and die.
Let's unleash our power, for each other and our communities.
Let's unleash our power, for each other and our communities.
Autumn leggies
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Autumn leggies
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The third issue of Big & Bright ⭐👏🌈 newsletter, from @thebarbedwire.com ... and the first issue authored by me ... went out this morning to subscribers! I'm proud of how this issue turned out!
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
DM me your email if you'd like a copy, or go subscribe to get the next one: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
p.s. There's still time to subscribe (FREE!) and get the third Big and Bright newsletter ... which will be the first issue authored by yours truly!
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
p.s. There's still time to subscribe (FREE!) and get the third Big and Bright newsletter ... which will be the first issue authored by yours truly!
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
From here out, I'll be sharing updates on the latest in #LGBTQ+ life every 2 weeks: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
It's official! I'm now the Newsletter Writer and Contributor to Big & Bright from @thebarbedwire.com. I'll be creating a twice-monthly newsletter and regular stories about the highs & lows of LGBTQ+ Texas life, with an emphasis on queer joy.
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
🏳️🌈⭐👏 Subscribe for free: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe/
Photojournalist @harmonli.bsky.social captured this "cute" photo of me, while we were on assignment for @texasobserver.org at Barking Springs. I wrote about a trans "takeover" day that took place after a brutal attack. Look for the story and photos in the Postcard feature in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue.
November 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Photojournalist @harmonli.bsky.social captured this "cute" photo of me, while we were on assignment for @texasobserver.org at Barking Springs. I wrote about a trans "takeover" day that took place after a brutal attack. Look for the story and photos in the Postcard feature in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue.
Gorgeous lime-icing birthday cake for the Festival Beach Food Forest, covered in botanical goodness grown right in this park.
November 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Gorgeous lime-icing birthday cake for the Festival Beach Food Forest, covered in botanical goodness grown right in this park.
Celebrating the 10 year birthday of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin with Blowcomotion marching band.
November 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Celebrating the 10 year birthday of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin with Blowcomotion marching band.
I'll be tabling at the Lone Star Zine Fest, for the Festival Beach Food Forest, on Saturday from 1 - 4. Come say hi!
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I'll be tabling at the Lone Star Zine Fest, for the Festival Beach Food Forest, on Saturday from 1 - 4. Come say hi!
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
This event is free and runs 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday. lonestarzinefest.org
Austin is having a normal sort of day
August 1, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Austin is having a normal sort of day
Dozens gathered yesterday in Austin for a banner drop opposing the genocide in #Palestine. This is a regular gathering but the group said it was their largest turnout ever.
July 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Dozens gathered yesterday in Austin for a banner drop opposing the genocide in #Palestine. This is a regular gathering but the group said it was their largest turnout ever.
Sadie Hernandez of Transgender Education Network of Texas praising the resiliency of trans Texans fighting for their rights. Says the bathroom bill encourages vigilante justice. "Trans people exist, trans people are cool, kinda cooler than others I'm sorry, and Texas leadership needs to get a grip."
July 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Sadie Hernandez of Transgender Education Network of Texas praising the resiliency of trans Texans fighting for their rights. Says the bathroom bill encourages vigilante justice. "Trans people exist, trans people are cool, kinda cooler than others I'm sorry, and Texas leadership needs to get a grip."
Sen. Molly Cook, a nurse and openly bisexual, says it's appalling that Republicans are using survivors stories to attack Trans rights and make people less safe. Emphasizes there is no evidence that these bills create safety.
July 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Sen. Molly Cook, a nurse and openly bisexual, says it's appalling that Republicans are using survivors stories to attack Trans rights and make people less safe. Emphasizes there is no evidence that these bills create safety.
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez of the House LGBT Caucus is speaking about the bathroom bill. Says that even as a cis women, she has had people police her bathroom usage and threaten her safety, even in the Texas Capitol.
July 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez of the House LGBT Caucus is speaking about the bathroom bill. Says that even as a cis women, she has had people police her bathroom usage and threaten her safety, even in the Texas Capitol.
"Let us pee in peace," says Wendy Davis to cheers. She is linking abortion access and trans rights and calling for bodily autonomy for all. "Our trans sisters deserve to be safe in the restroom."
July 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Let us pee in peace," says Wendy Davis to cheers. She is linking abortion access and trans rights and calling for bodily autonomy for all. "Our trans sisters deserve to be safe in the restroom."
A press conference for trans rights is starting at the Texas Capitol. The Republican party is claiming a bathroom bill is necessary to "protect women's privacy" so women are gathering to show their opposition to the bill.
July 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A press conference for trans rights is starting at the Texas Capitol. The Republican party is claiming a bathroom bill is necessary to "protect women's privacy" so women are gathering to show their opposition to the bill.
How did they know about the bees?
July 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
How did they know about the bees?
Rebel Cheese sells luxury vegan food products to Austin while workers say they are being paid as low as $7.25 hr.
June 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Rebel Cheese sells luxury vegan food products to Austin while workers say they are being paid as low as $7.25 hr.
The workers have a drummer now. Ain't no power like the power of the people, y'all.
Cars honking as they go by.
Cars honking as they go by.
June 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The workers have a drummer now. Ain't no power like the power of the people, y'all.
Cars honking as they go by.
Cars honking as they go by.