DeSantis screwed up...and other stories

We're NOT Doomed: June 9, 2026

I get it. It’s so much easier to talk about what Dems are doing wrong. There’s a higher likelihood that they will change their actions if called out than Republicans, and if they don’t, then we can elect someone else.

But when so much is on the line, especially in terms of ICE, focusing on Dems messing up means that Republicans get to keep intentionally being terrible.

It means the focus is on Mikie Sherrill rather than the people Delaney Hall. It means less people are paying attention as Republicans work to pass their reconciliation package “Secure America Act.” Which would give ICE and CBP a completely blank check, with no guard rails, for $70b, and would fund the agencies till Trump is out of office.

When we focus on those in Delaney Hall, people get released.

People like High School student Ariadna who was released on June 2 because Rep LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and others were visiting her constantly, learning her story and sharing it with us.

When we focus on Republicans and how they caused this situation there’s a chance we stop ICE from getting that funding.

Last week the Senate had Vote-A-Rama, which is an admittedly strange name for a marathon session where Senators hammer out a bill by adding as many amendments as they want before taking the final vote.

It lasted 18 hours. The Senators didn’t send the bill back to the House till 5am. Democrats introduced amendment after amendment to stop the Republicans funding ICE. They weren’t successful there, not shocking, but they were able to stop the SAVE Act from being included, again.

The bill is now back in committee in the House, and it’s on us to make sure the entire House knows how much of a poison pill this is. Some moderate Republicans need to be Reminded that in a year when Dems overperform, the only chance they have to keep their seat is if they don’t do this.

That means talking about the conditions in Delaney and other detention centers around the country. That means telling the stories of detainees to put names to statistics. That means focusing on the fact that just talking about ICE has become a fight for freedom of speech. That means talking about how oversight is being shut down and detainees are dying.

Republicans in the Senate passed this bill. Republicans in the House are deciding whether to agree to it. Republicans think destroying lives is the most important thing they can do and that gas and grocery prices couldn’t matter less.

They know this is unpopular, but they are hoping to get away with it anyway. And the more focus we put on Democrats not doing exactly the right thing, the more they will. That’s what they’re banking on. They’re even using the protests outside Delaney Hall to prove that ICE needs this unregulated additional funding.

Republicans, the framing is Republicans.

UPDATE: Between the writing of this post and right now, the bill passed the House (0 Dems voted in favor, btw). So now it’s about making sure we get Dem majorities in the House and Senate in November, so they can subpoena and investigate ICE and the trifecta in 2028 so that this will be the last funding ICE ever receives and we are able to prosecute them!

Now, you probably need some motivation for this fight, well, good news, cause I have three queer wins that, I hope, will do just that!

Orlando, Florida

Fri, April 24 - Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney, Monique Worrell was suspended back in 2023 because Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t like that she wouldn’t bow down to him.

In November 2024, she ran again, and won. And because of that she was the State Attorney in office when Florida removed the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse memorial and those who created a chalk crosswalk in its place were arrested.

This had never happened before, as she said in a press conference announcing the charges, or lack thereof, so it took quite a long time to come to a conclusion.

And after all the time and scrutiny in the world, she determined they would not be prosecuted.

I highly recommend watching the entire press conference (only 10 mins on 2x) and hear that her office put into proving the state wrong.

I think a lot of people, especially in Red states, question why voting matters if it’s near impossible to get a Dem at the top of the ticket. But this is why. People like Attorney Worrell have more power than you think, and it’s only because of her that these charges were dropped.

And, yeah, seeing people like her doing good work aboslutely makes me feel less Doomed!

Kansas

Fri, May 15 - District Court Judge, Carl Folsom ruled that the ban on gender affirming care does likely violate the state constitution and issued a temporary injunction.

Back in May 2025, ACLU and ACLU Kansas filed a lawsuit against the new law banning gender affirming care on behalf of two minors and their mothers.

The bill restricted state funds for gender affirming care and banned healthcare providers from providing it.

Folsom agreed that the bill will cause irreparable harm to these girls and issued a temporary injunction, saying:

They cannot wait until they turn 18 years old to resume their care without experiencing worsening gender dysphoria, negative physical side effects, and negative mental health consequences, including a more limited ability to participate in their education and social lives.

There’s still a long way to go, but this is an encouraging ruling that certainly makes me feel more hope.

Colorado

Mon, June 1 - We love malicious compliance. And when SCOTUS specified exactly why they reversed Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, the legislature went right back to work and created a new ban that fit perfectly within their parameters.

The new law removes the two year statute of limitations to sue a conversation therapy provider for malpractice. It also says that the state will not fund conversation therapy practices, that do try to open.

Given the issues SCOTUS gave for why they ruled against the original law, this should be able to survive scrutiny.

Rep Alex Valdez, one of the four prime sponors of this bill said:

This law is for all of the LGBTQ Coloradans who were told something about them that was wrong because of who they were or who they loved. With the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, we are committed to offering survivors of this harmful practice the protections they deserve.

It’s not enough, but given the boundaries SCOTUS gave, it’s probably the best we can do for now. I’m so glad Colorado Dems didn’t give up and made sure to pass this quickly. That definitely gives me hope.

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And those are today’s stories. Remember, Pride Month is a month of protest, so let’s make sure to celebrate all those fighting for us every day!

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Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!