At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
Kit O'Connell
Kit O'Connell is a genderqueer movement journalist, and former digital editor at the Texas Observer, who has lived in Texas since 1998. Their citizen journalism during Occupy Wall Street led to Kit becoming an editor at the formative political blog Firedoglake, where they broke the story of Occupy Austin’s infiltration by six undercover Austin police officers who entrapped activists into felony charges. Later, Kit spent four years writing about the hemp and cannabis industry as an editor at Ministry of Hemp and correspondent for Hemp magazine, where they influenced federal policy into giving Western hemp farmers access to water rights and allowing some people with drug convictions to re-enter the industry. Their journalism has also appeared in Teen Vogue, Truthout, and the Austin Chronicle, among others.
Articles by Kit O'Connell
How the Bathroom Bill Weaponizes Transphobia Against Public Institutions
A legal expert called the new anti-trans Texas bathroom law “the most plainly unlawful, undemocratic legislation I’ve seen in recent history.”
‘Shaky’ Audio Series Is a Messy, Real Look at Disabled Life
Texas writer and director Katherine Craft's Audible comedy depicts a musician's tumultuous return to Plano as she adjusts to new limitations.
Reefer Madness Returns to Texas with Dan Patrick’s THC Ban
If the governor signs SB 3 into law, thousands of jobs and billions in revenue could soon disappear.
Counting Hate: At Least 61 Anti-LGBTQ+ Incidents in Texas Last Year
The LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, which tracks incidents, warned that threats against the queer community are likely to worsen under the Trump administration.
‘Fuck You Greg Abbott’—the Musical
A satirical show about the Texas governor in his youth offers a giant Ann Richards puppet, dancing Matthew McConaughey heads, and a moment of catharsis.
Transphobic Dress Code Prompted Turmoil in Agriculture Department, Emails Show
The Texas agency’s policy may be ripe for a lawsuit.
Clearing the Air
Long COVID sufferers advocate for a healthier world.
‘The Queen vs. Texas’ Revisits the Battle over Lone Star Drag
Raemonn James, better known as Hermajestie the Hung, teamed up with a filmmaker to tell a moving story of activism and queer culture.
Insects All Around Us
Exploring the foliage for crawling, flying critters in one of Austin’s most beautiful nature preserves.