Tenacious trans journalist from MD. Dirty optimist. I write about tech, media and power. Indie reporting at The Backbone: https://the-backbone.beehiiv.com/ Bylines: Assigned Media, The Objective, Mothership, Project Salt Box, etc. Signal: @marsbars.81https://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlvpq2nmhs22People love to talk about how Bluesky is an online bubble of trans leftists*, and I’m like, yes, that’s why it’s good. When marginalized people are constantly exposed to bigotry and violence IRL, online spaces provide a rare sanctuary. We’re well aware this isn’t real life. That’s the appeal! [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 May 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvpq2nmhs22https://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlvjxysiek22i’m starting to think drake has a humiliation kink and we’re all just foolishly going along with it15 May 2026 14:25 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvjxysiek22https://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mltenxehv22yIf minorities are forced to live in a constant state of anxiety and fear, they’re not “overreacting.” They’re just reacting. [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 May 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltenxehv22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlt4tm2ju22eSomething about Sandy's newsletter always leaves me feeling a little softer, a little more hopeful. It's like a continuation of 2010s blog culture, a fusion of personal reflection and relevant current events. Today's has some good recs for indie news outlets, including 1 or 2 that were new to me. [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 May 2026 15:25 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt4tm2ju22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlqubgictc2wNews unions don’t just protect reporters, they protect you too. ProPublica’s guild is fighting for protections against being replaced by AI. If I can choose between quality, human reporting and AI slop, I know what I’m picking. PS: Wrote about a similar situation for @objectivejournos.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 May 2026 17:46 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqubgictc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlqqa6ceq22iSOURCE CALL: I’m looking to talk to a doctor who treats trans patients and can speak to the reality of how much fat actually impacts surgical outcomes for gender-affirming surgeries. It’s for an @assignedmedia.org article about the unique experiences of fat trans folks.13 May 2026 16:34 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqqa6ceq22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/madisyn-writes.bsky.social/post/3mlos7emf422iReporters stop giving Donald Trump the benefit of the doubt challenge! Level: IMPOSSIBLE IK we’re trained to be balanced, but that should mean looking at situational context and naming likely options, not boosting the microscopic offchance that the Lying Liar Who Lies might be spitting facts lol [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 May 2026 22:04 +0000at://did:plc:udmczg7xo7s67l7ke6zaodt3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlos7emf422i