If you become a member of Assigned Media you get a Thursday members-only essay written by me every single week. This week I'm writing about... um... well... kinda trying to figure that out still. Any suggestions?

Assigned Media@assignedmedia.org · 8h ago

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DOD’s actions here are an appalling disgrace.

Rachel Maddow@maddow.bsky.social · 2d ago

Gift link -- no paywall. Stunning reporting here. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...

The look everyone’s talking about can now be yours: show your support for trans youth now ➡️ hrc.im/transkidsbelong 🩵🩷🤍

The Massachusetts 6th District deserves representation that represents us. The Democratic Establishment is ashamed of progressive districts like ours. That’s why it got behind a centrist from the richest seat in the district. In Congress, I will be as progressive as we are.

Beth for Democracy | Bethany Andres-Beck for Congress

Bethany Andres-Beck is a Democratic Socialist running for Congress running to represent Massachusetts' 6th District.

bethfordemocracy.com

Here’s the link to Amnesty’s contact form for anyone who wants to criticize this capitulation: www.amnesty.org.uk/contact-us/

We'd love to hear from you

If you would like to get in touch please fill our the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

amnesty.org.uk

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 5d ago

1. Amnesty International has withstood threats from death squads and dictators. But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances. It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats. Subscribe to support our journalism.

The GCs won on this and they're still miserable. Complaining that the apology didn't go far enough and that Amnesty sent a separate email to their supporters apologizing to them. No matter what you do, you will never appease them. They're a miserable group of bigots.

Alejandra Caraballo@esqueer.net · 5d ago

Amnesty International has now issued a public groveling apology to JK Rowling's organization and has pulled her another report documenting the anti rights platform of gender critical organizations. www.amnesty.org.uk/latest/an-ap...

This is really bleak.

I don't have any better ideas for how to get through to Amy Acton's campaign...

@lyolyon.bsky.social · 6d ago

For those who want to voice their concerns, you can contact the Ohio Democrat Party at: Email: info@ohiodems.org Phone: 614-233-1138

What a fucking catastrophe Once again; if you do not learn how to talk about this stuff, if you do not learn its effect and understand your base, you will not get elected. We are not asking you to become a trans Harvey Milk over it. We're asking for some basic fucking competence and this ain't it.

Arienne Childrey@ari4ohio.bsky.social · last wk.

"And to be clear, this is all about people, because trans youth are not 'issues,' they are people. Trans adults are not 'issues,' we are people. "

So many of the claims about trans athletes by the anti trans side are simply made up. This woman got caught lying about two trans athletes and was forced to pay out because of it. www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/07/an-a...

An anti-trans activist lied about a trans athlete injuring cis women. Now she has to pay the price. - LGBTQ Nation

Kirralie Smith admitted in court she didn't have any evidence to back up her claim about a trans woman injuring two cis women.

lgbtqnation.com

"And to be clear, this is all about people, because trans youth are not 'issues,' they are people. Trans adults are not 'issues,' we are people. "

If you live in Arizona or Nebraska, please reach out to your local LGBTQ and human rights groups and tell them to form an official PAC opposing these measures! Even if you think these measures are unlikely to be defeated in red states, these measures still shouldn’t go officially unopposed!

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · last wk.

1. Anti-trans ballot initiatives are spreading across the United States. In 2026, it appears that five states: Colorado, Washington, Arizona, Nebraska, and Missouri will send such referendums to voters. Allied organizations are trying to fight back. Subscribe to support our journalism.

1. Anti-trans ballot initiatives are spreading across the United States. In 2026, it appears that five states: Colorado, Washington, Arizona, Nebraska, and Missouri will send such referendums to voters. Allied organizations are trying to fight back. Subscribe to support our journalism.

Anti-Trans Ballot Initiatives Spread In Five States, As Some Opposition To Them Grows

The fight pits billionaire money against transgender people and allied organizations in five states.

erininthemorning.com

I have always said that I am a moderate on trans participation in sports, meaning that inclusion should be balanced with fairness. As science suggests trans women can be included in women's sports fairly, I therefore favor inclusion, like any sensible moderate would.

One of the reasons I don't shut up about trans inclusion in sports is just that sports are a part of life and anyone who wants to do it for fun should be able to, regardless of gender, income or even skill! Let kids have fun! Banning trans girls doesn't solve anything!

Evan Urquhart@evanurquhart.bsky.social · 2w ago

I have always said that I am a moderate on trans participation in sports, meaning that inclusion should be balanced with fairness. As science suggests trans women can be included in women's sports fairly, I therefore favor inclusion, like any sensible moderate would.

There is absolutely no reason for any trans person to give Democrats cover to abandon full trans equality on any issue, in any region, in any race, to even the tiniest iota.

Here’s the contact info for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio for anyone interested: Email: info@ppao.org Phone: 1-800-430-4907

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 2w ago

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio says in a statement to EITM that it is maintaining its endorsement of Amy Acton despite her calling trans girls boys and saying sports bans are a matter of health and safety. Notably, the same bill Acton defended also bans trans youth care.

The anti trans crowd was outraged by this study because it included clinicians who actually practice gender affirming care. Yet another systematic review that follows Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Utah, and Louisiana that finds this care is safe and effective with rare regret.

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 2w ago

1. In an incredible new landmark review, the Health Council of the Netherlands has declared that gender-affirming care for trans youth works, reducing wait times is "morally urgent," and regret is rare. It is the latest of many Euro countries to advance care. Subscribe to support our journalism.

1. In an incredible new landmark review, the Health Council of the Netherlands has declared that gender-affirming care for trans youth works, reducing wait times is "morally urgent," and regret is rare. It is the latest of many Euro countries to advance care. Subscribe to support our journalism.

Landmark Official Dutch Review Recommends Trans Youth Care, Call For Expanding Treatment

The review finds that wait times must be shortened, that few people detransition, and that trans youth care has enormous benefits.

erininthemorning.com

Trump's DOJ has accused gender-affirming care providers of colluding with drug manufacturers to violate federal law. In March, I warned this argument could easily be used against abortion providers. Today, Josh Hawley did exactly this in a letter urging DOJ to investigate abortion info site Plan C.

DOJ Takes Aim At Off-Label Prescriptions in Gender-Affirming Care Fight

The Trump Administration’s arguments in a recent hearing over a subpoena for trans patients’ medical records could also spell danger for abortion access.

autonomynews.co

Here’s the content info for the Ohio Democratic Party if anyone wants to voice their concerns: Email: info@ohiodems.org Phone: 614-233-1138

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 2w ago

The Vice Chair of the Ohio Pride Caucus has also posted a statement, where at the very end, she clearly calls out the Ohio Democratic Party and says "I'm posting this strictly in my capacity as a trans advocate" and telling ODP to "save yourself a phone call, because I will not be taking this down"

Here’s the content info for the Ohio Democratic Party if anyone wants to voice their concerns: Email: info@ohiodems.org Phone: 614-233-1138

Alejandra Caraballo@esqueer.net · 2w ago

The Ohio Democratic party is censoring its own members from criticizing Amy Acton. This even includes the Pride Caucus chair who has to criticize her from their personal capacity. They've threatened to kick caucuses out that formally criticize Acton over her transphobic positions.

You can contact the Ohio Democrat Party at: Email: info@ohiodems.org Phone: 614-233-1138

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 2w ago

1. In major news, the Ohio Dem Party has banned the Progressive Caucus from criticizing candidate for Gov. Amy Acton's transphobia. It has now applied more pressure to quiet criticism of anti-trans politics than it has on its own nominee to stop embracing them. Subscribe to support our journalism.

BREAKING: Judge Failla denies DOJ’s stay request in the NYC/NYU Langone case, using strong language stating that DOJ is seeking “a complete subversion of the Court’s decision to grant the preliminary injunction in the first place. … This the Court will not do.”

Chris Geidner@chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 3w ago

NOTE: No changes, but just want to note that in addition to filing notices of appeal in the NYC/NYU Langone and Packard (Stanford) cases over DOJ's grand jury subpoenas relating to gender-affirming care for trans minors, DOJ has filed motions at the district courts to stay the injunctions.

It's amazing that Trump have a speech dedicated to pushing his election fraud lies, still get in weird comments about trans people, and pundits will be like, "Are DEMOCRATS too focused on trans issues?" No, dummies. There's only one side that's obsessed with trans people, and it's certainly not Dems

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 3w ago

Trump on the state of the country two years ago: "We had transgender for everybody"

The funny thing is, this gambit never works. Republican politicians and orgs are trans eliminationsit - there is no amount of capitulation that works. She will get the same ads run against her, and all she will have done by taking this position is to alienate a meaningful percentage of her base.

Erin Reed@erininthemorning.com · 3w ago

1. The Democratic Party of Ohio has erupted in an intra-party firestorm as Democratic candidate for governor, Amy Acton, endorsed the sports ban and vowed to enforce it in the wake up the Title IX SCOTUS decision. It threatens to sink a close race for governor. Subscribe to support our journalism.

🚨BAD BILL ALERT🚨 Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are marking up a bill that would restrict parents’ rights to make the best medical decisions for their trans kids & bankrupt numerous healthcare providers, clinics, & hospitals. Here's what you need to know:

When I criticize Dems in the United States who waffle on transgender issues, its because I don't want them turning into Labour UK, who pretty much has fully espoused transphobia and is enacting extreme harm on trans people in that country far worse than the conservatives had done.

Amnesty International put out a major report documenting the influence of UK based anti trans gender critical organizations and their funding. Within hours, GC groups threatened defamation lawsuits and Amnesty was forced to pull it down. Proving the point they're anti rights. Anyways, here it is.

This is seriously going to get the Streissand effect.

Alejandra Caraballo@esqueer.net · 3w ago

Don't fall for this. Rowling wants trans people to self censor and to stop sharing the report. If this report really was as defamatory as she claims, she wouldn't be cheering on its spread. What she really wants is a costly settlement from AI UK, humiliating apology, and permanent silence.