Today is National Coming Out Day, and this one will be my 6th one personally. Coming out as who you are is not easy. With so much hate and divisiveness being put front and center nowadays, it can be tough.

This may ruffle some feathers, but I believe parts of conservatism belong in the fight for equal rights. Just not the Republican Party's version. I decided to talk about it. tothatzoey.substack.com/p/queer-righ...

Queer Rights and Conservatism

Or why they sometimes belong together.

tothatzoey.substack.com

Today is September 11th. 25 years ago, today our nation drastically changed. I went ahead and wrote about it. tothatzoey.substack.com/p/rememberin...

Remembering September 11th, 25 Years Later

25 years ago, our nation was forever changed.

tothatzoey.substack.com

Sometimes work calls, and it's just cutting down a tree that landed on a roof of a house. #workingwomen

Your music is what we use to calm our pets and ourselves. The love that you have given to countless children through so many programs like the Imagination Library won't ever be forgotten. And the care, grace, and support that you have given to LGBTQ+ children and adults can never be matched.

Disappointed in the results of tonights vote, but I guess that's how government works. When the citizens tell you that there is an issue and that something needs changed, you just ignore them and say 'just trust us'.

I am running on a common sense platform, and the one big ghoul that we are fighting is the prevalence of data centers. We need them banned and kicked to the curb. And that's what I plan on doing when elected to the council.

242 days until election day. 202 days until early voting starts. 108 days until petitions are turned in. 18 days until petition gathering begins. But 0 days until you can start supporting this campaign! Donate today, so we can hit the ground running on day 1! secure.actblue.com/donate/carte...

Are you ready for a city council that works for you? Then let's make that happen. Let's make our government work for us. Vote Zoey Carter for Pekin City Council this upcoming April.

Tonight's the night!

Any help to get a doll through transition would be appreciated 🏳️‍⚧️💜 Lnk pinned

Prior to his inauguration in 2019, Illinois had a Republican governor, a faltering economy, a decreasing population, and two years without a budget.

So I learned something super cool today. The inspiration for Dorothy (yes, THAT Dorothy) is actually buried right here in Central Illinois! Her name was Dorothy Gage and there is currently a wooden statue of her and Toto that is to be replaced with a Bronze statue! How cool.

Hey Central Illinois! Join us at the Jukebox Comedy Club on Saturday, July 25th for a night that you don't want to miss! Comedians Lauren Duncan out of Atlanta, GA, Talia Clay and Gwen Rose out of Chicago will be gracing the Peoria area for a one night only pride fundraiser for Pekin Pride Festival!

Link pinned in profile 💜

"I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." - James Baldwin

As a child born in the 90’s, I was born into a strong economy, a democratic president, and a $1.85 Big Mac from Mickey D’s. As I was coming of age in the 2000’s, I witnessed the rise of the smartphone, the electric car, and an attack on NYC that would bring the nation together like never before.

And I will join the growing pressure. No one is above the law, ever. Representative Benton, do whats right for your community. Resign. abc7chicago.com/post/illinoi...

Pressure grows for Illinois lawmaker Harry Benton to resign after ethics investigation

Pressure is mounting on an Illinois state representative to resign following an ethics investigation that found conduct described as unbecoming of an elected official, prompting calls from the…

abc7chicago.com

I truly do not see another governor fighting as hard as our own J.B. for Trans rights, especially Black Trans women. And for the rights of all Illinoisans. When we fight, we win. And we are f*cking fighting. www.threads.com/@jbpritzker/...

JB Pritzker (@jbpritzker) on Threads

I know there are trans people right now, wondering if anyone is going to stand up for their simple right to exist. Well, I am.

threads.com

To all of the trans folks, whether you live in Chicago, Pekin, or Bishop Hill, just know that you are loved, protected, and welcomed. Illinois was on the frontline of the first civil rights movement, and we will be leading this one. And I will be standing in front.

On this day fifty-seven years ago, a group of friends gathered in a little bar in NYC, unaware that they would become the catalyst for a movement. A movement of equality and love. Happy Stonewall Day. (Photo from 2025 Chicago Pride Parade)

I don't want to be part of a party that requires blind obedience. A party that wants the easy way forward. I don't want a party that refuses nominations because "Those people are too backwards to vote for us"

I'm tired of this grandpa.

We all have our safe spaces. In my first substack, I tell you a little bit about mine, and how it guides my life today. 💜 tothatzoey.substack.com/p/the-forest

The Forest

The day started out like any typical sunny Midwestern summer day; a brilliant, nearly cloudless blue sky stretching overhead, accompanied by that familiar, heavy warmth.

tothatzoey.substack.com

Hey y'all! As an LGBTQ+ advocate and community organizer, I do a lot! But one thing that I have not done very well is take care of my own health. So, a few months ago, I decided that it was time to finally change that.

Donate to Help Zoey Cover Transition Medical Costs, organized by Zoey Carter

Hey y'all! I'm Zoey Carter, an LGBTQ+ advocate, activist, and community organizer… Zoey Carter needs your support for Help Zoey Cover Transition Medical Costs

gofund.me

So, uh. I have autism. Clinically diagnosed. Weird that I’ve never held a job, wrote anything, or dated anyone. I swore I have.

FactPost@factpostnews.bsky.social · 4mo ago

RFK Jr: Kids with autism will never hold a job. They'll never play baseball. They'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date.

This is one of the worst forecasts that we have had in a LONG time. And we are smack dab in the middle. Been buttoning down the hatches all day long, but all we can do is be prepared and have our plan ready.

Ryan Hall, Y’all@rhyall.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Central Illinois faces a rare Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk this Wednesday, with threats extending into Indiana. Prepare for potential EF3+ tornadoes, 80 mph winds, and massive hail. Storms will move fast, so charge your phones and know your safe space immediately.

Central Illinois! Make your preparations now. This is looking like it could be possibly more intense than last week. An EF3 is no joke. www.wcbu.org/local-news/2...

More severe storms expected in Central Illinois Wednesday

The National Weather Service is preparing for the possibility to two rounds of severe storms on Wednesday, less than one week after nine confirmed tornadoes tore through the region.

wcbu.org

My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by the storms last night, especially in Streator. Let's leave space for our emergency personnel and for our neighbors and help when we are asked.

Did you know? The Society for Human Rights, the first LGBTQ rights group in the US, was founded in 1924 by a Henry Gerber in Chicago He created it specifically with inspiration of Magnus Hirschfield and his work.