Eldritch Mlems

Even as the number of youths who identify as LGBTQ rises, so has the number of state-level bills seeking to curtail their rights, a new analysis finds.

The number of bills aimed at rolling back or prohibiting in-school protections and health care access has tripled from 77 in 2020 to some 300 a year in 2023, 2024 and 2025, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

The drumbeat of legislation, report the researchers, has taken a steep toll on the mental health of the students in the crosshairs — regardless of where they live. When the dramatic escalation in legislation started in 2023, 90% of LGBTQ people ages 13 to 24 said politics had a negative impact on their well-being — up from 71% in 2022.

Policies enabling in-school support are particularly important to LGBTQ youth. Slightly more than half say they are accepted by peers or teachers at school, compared with 40% who are supported at home. The presence of even one supportive educator in a child’s life has long been shown to reduce rates of suicidality, anxiety and depression.

The number of young people impacted has risen sharply in recent years, though estimates vary depending on how data is tabulated. According to a recent Gallup survey, almost 2 million — or 9.5% — of teens ages 13 to 17 now identify as something other than straight or cisgender. That’s nearly twice as many as in 2020.

In Rotterdam there is a long stretch of flags of nations with anti-gay policy. Each flag pole has a sign indicating the criminal penalties they level against homosexuals. I think it was called “Rainbow project” or something… not sure, vague memory. It’s shocking how many flags there are.

I think last I heard there were ~7 or so countries where the penalty is potentially death.

It’s a great project to increase awareness. And it can be improved. Actions to consider:

• There are so many flags that probably not many bypassers read all the signs. I suggest something extra on the flag poles of the countries that use the death penalty for homosexuality, to make them stand out a bit more. Maybe add a ☠ -- skull and crosspones sign or flag.

• Facebook’s algorithms determine who is gay -- regardless of whether an FB pawn is open about it or not. In some cases, FB knows before the FB pawn even knows. Facebook’s data is threat in all the countries represented. This needs to be publicised as well, to shame Facebook and increase awareness. I mean, there are lives on the line so I don’t really get why there has not been widespread condemnation of Facebook over this.

The FB problem should be mentioned but perhaps not in a way that’s louder than the sign with the legal penalty. A good approach might be to print some labels with fine print saying:

“… and Facebook tracks who is homosexual.”

which could be applied to the bottom of every sign.

Most people walking past the signs don’t have any connection to those countries so awareness is all the display does. Add the Facebook sickers, then some people will realise they are not helpless. They can boycott Facebook.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.it/post/22897801

Last night my cat was hunting a fly that flew inside my lamp. Eventually it flew out and my cat cought it.

It'll put something on your chest, but it probably isn't hair.

(This is a joke: don't actually eat estradiol gel)

Since the start of puberty I shut myself in my room, mostly only to come out for school/work and for visiting my father every second weekend because my parents are divorced.

A bit over two years ago I realized I was trans, but I could still live like that, being in my room most of the time. After starting HRT I began to feel lonely and feeling the need for friends, which I didn't feel before.

Now, at around three months after starting HRT I feel like I die if I continue to not have any social contacts and already harmed myself because of the loneliness. At least everyone who knows me is supportive and I managed to talk to my mother that we do more together like walking, but it didn't really help with the loneliness.

I have no idea how to make friends. I don't talk much, partly because I hate my voice, but also because it is difficult for me to find words and things to talk about and I can't say anything when I am in a group of more than a few people.

I don't really expect helpful advice here but anything would be appreciated. I mostly just wanted to write that all down.

Lil dude lost an eye to infection but it isn't letting that stop him from being an absolute menace

I just really want to point out how fucking well done the placement is of everything here. The last thing your eye naturally falls on is the punchline despite and I just think that's fucking fantastic. Probably the muscle relaxers kicking in.