Get Ducked, Greg Abbott

June 6, 2023

Autocorrect, transphobia, and more! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

June 6, 2023

Howdy, Meteor readers,

I’m going to start this newsletter the same way I’ve been starting every conversation I’ve had since Sunday: Have you seen the new Spider-Man?

Okay, hear me out before you scroll down to the adult conversation! This is not your average comic book superhero film. It is a moving, thoughtful, visual experience and an absolute feat in physical and racial diversity. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but the Spiderverse literally has a Spider-person for everyone. I can honestly say that I haven’t left a theater on such a high since I saw Black Panther.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way: In today’s newsletter, we’ve got more bans than we know what to do with—and, finally, some happy news from our AI overlords. (No, it’s not that they’ve thought twice about killing us).

Spidey-sense tingling,

Shannon Melero

WHAT’S GOING ON

When transphobia backfires: I regret to inform all of you that Greg Abbott has Greg Abbott-ed once again: On June 2nd, the Texas governor signed into law a bill that bans gender-affirming care for trans kids, making Texas the 18th (and largest) state to do so. On its heels quickly followed a similar ban in Louisiana, once presumed dead but resurrected by Republican shenanigans. And it won’t be the last: seven other states are considering bans just like it.

However, some recent court cases suggest that these bills’ rhetoric may work against them in the long run. US District Court Judge Robert Hinkle issued a preliminary injunction today against Florida’s brand-new ban, likely precluding its enforcement. Hinkle’s ruling directly cited “bigotry” (yes, he used the actual word! In a court document!) as part of the decision. He claimed the ban had “no rational basis” and referenced the moment when Rep. Webster Barnaby (R) called trans people “mutants” and “demons.”

That kind of language actually pops up frequently in right-wing legislation: A recent ACLU lawsuit challenging Idaho’s gender care ban references several examples of bigotry from Idaho lawmakers, including likening trans people to “Frankenstein.” Journalist Erin Reed, who records many of these statements, tweeted that getting Republicans to “say the quiet part out loud” can be an effective tool for dismantling these bans in court.

So keep telling us what you think lawmakers—it may be your undoing. As civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo pointed out, “Twitter talking points don’t hold up in court.”

AND:

In related, promising news: Tennessee’s proposed drag ban—which would have eliminated all public drag shows held in locations where children might be able to see them—has been deemed unconstitutional. On Friday a federal judge ruled that the ban was vague and a violation of performers’ First Amendment rights.
If you’re reading this, you’ve lived long enough to witness the dawn of the most important technological advancement since the discovery of the wheel. Apple is releasing an “AI-powered upgrade” to its autocorrecting software that will no longer change fucking to ducking. Never thought we’d see the duckin’ day!

For the first time in history, the United Nations’ weather agency is being led by a woman. Celeste Saulo, an Argentine meteorologist, has ascended the ranks of weather nerds across the globe and can now officially call herself the HMIC (head meteorologist in charge). Just don’t ask her if there’s a 30% chance it’s already raining.
This fascinating report from The 19th outlines exactly how reproductive justice and climate change are intricately intertwined—and how the EPA has the power to improve both.
It looks like we’re going to be watching a whole lot of nothing this fall television season. As writers head into the 7th week of the Writers Guild of America strike, actors may be the next in the picket line. SAG-AFTRA voted to start striking by the end of June if their union can’t come to a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Learn how to support striking writers here.
Someone submitted a request for a Utah school district to ban the Bible and it actually worked, which is understandable when you consider that mid-way through the book, they (spoiler ahead) brutally murder the main character. The school district says it doesn’t know whether the submission was sent in as a genuine concern or as a bit of satire, but the Bible has been removed from elementary and middle school bookshelves. Next book up for review? The Book of Mormon. I shit you not.

THE METEOR IRL

Planning to be in New York soon? We’d love to see you at our next live event Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Trans Liberation on June 15th. Tickets are on sale now! Just click the image below to secure your seats.