Guys, this is really important. Until now, Google collected your data, but did not attach your name to it. Now, they can, and will. This new thing they’re doing will allow them to collect your data across searches, your email, Youtube, Maps, Google+, and all their affiliates, and build a complete profile of YOU.

If that doesn’t bother you, maybe this will: they own and can sell all that data, including anything you create and send (artists and writers, take note).

There is a way you can opt out of this ridiculousness. It’s described in the link, but if you’re still not sure about it, please ask me and I’ll guide you through how to turn all this off.

PSA to stay diligent with your 2020 vote

Please remember to do your own research, for your own state, for your own county, on whether voting in person or receiving your mail in ballot and dropping off in person is best for YOU.  Some counties may be heavily affected by mail delays, others may experience little to no delays.

Understand how your county has handled voting machines and paper trails in the past, and whether dropping off a paper ballet is more advantageous, or vice versa.

Register yourself

Register others

Most states allow early in-person voting!

If you can safely vote in person, vote in person.

If you don’t want to vote in person, most states allow mail-in or absentee! You do not have to mail-out your ballot, you can drop it off in person!

Do not panic and cancel your mail in ballot if that is your preferred method!

Constantly check your registration and encourage others to do the same

Vote as early as possible in your State

If you receive your ballot in the mail and want to avoid USPS uncertainty then drop off your ballot at a ballot drop off box or your local county elections office.

If you must return your ballot in the mail, the USPS recommends sending at least 1 week before Nov 3rd, but you should return it as early as you are possible to account for compounding USPS delays.

If you do not receive a ballot in the mail or you later change your mind to vote in person, then most states allow you to still vote in person!

Follow this guide to ensure the integrity of your vote and others, whether in-person or mail-in!

Become a paid poll worker! The Trump Campaign is recruiting 50,000 poll “monitors” across 15 key states to challenge people they think shouldn’t vote. Keep them honest!

Plan your vote here with detailed information on your state regarding whether you can vote by mail, vote early in person, and more.

Axios has also put together a quick reference of voting methods and dates by state.

Another comprehensive list was put together regarding voting dates and deadlines, absentee rules, and answers to other frequent questions voters have, all in one place. Mobile friendly view here.

And of course, continue to hold your reps and senators and state AG and the USPS board of governors’ feet to the fire!

Stay informed

Jennifer Cohn is an attorney and election integrity advocate, covering important developments and information to make your vote count.

I work at a drug addiction counseling center. A ton of my clients have, at one time or another, sold their food stamps. This is basically exactly what the GOP is afraid of, right? Drug addicts selling their food stamps.

I have learned, now, to ask them WHY they sold their food stamps. Here is an incomplete list of the answers:

- I need tampons, and you can’t buy them with foodstamps

- See above RE: toilet paper

- I was living in a hotel with no kitchen then. I had to buy pre-prepared food

- The homeless shelter won’t let me keep food in my locker or room, so I have to buy pre-prepared food (Yes, really)

- I had to make rent

- My sister had to make rent

- My son had to make rent

- I needed co-pays to get my medication or I’ll die

- I needed co-pays to get my medication or I’ll loose control of my mental health

But the absolute most common form of food stamp fraud I see? Giving away food stamps to other family members who get no food stamps or insufficient food stamps to feed their families. I see that every month. People glassy eyed and hungry because they gave away their food to their adult kids, their grand kids, cousins, siblings etc.

Everyone go read The Garden of Forking Paths by @bibliocratic​ it is SO GOOD and gave me so many emotions I had to draw this! It’s exciting, terrifying, devastating, and achingly sweet ❤ They completed it for the Rusty Quill Big Bang so all 9 chapters are up!

You’ll have to read to find out which chapter this is from >:)

Here’s a closeup of the fridge pictures:

made a comic about some thoughts! small ways you can empower people, choosing who to empower, and why “don’t make your orientation your whole personality” misses the depth of the issue.

On a call with a friend recently I said the phrase, “Yeah I don’t really ever want to pass as straight again,” and I’ve spent a while since trying to explain to myself what I mean.

I remember two specific moments which defined this feeling in me.

Bat & I lived in Notredame, Indiana for a while,

(These colors are awful) (Touchdown Jesus)

Known for football, Christianity, Mike Pence, and racist wage gaps.

One day at a farmer’s market I saw two girls spot us [holding hands], and they let go. But then, after looking again, they relaxed. They walked by us and they felt safe. It is a moment I always remember as a concrete time I helped a stranger.

The other time… My brother asked me to come with him to a dinner with some of the other professors… (That sounds awful.) (I know.)

We ate at Bonefish, surrounded by white, straight boomers whose opinions determined our future.

(Oh no that’s my student’s partner. They actually-) You get that feeling, here it comes…

(THEY??) (Non-binary?) (It) (What does that even mean?) (Just pick one!) (What about grammar?)

You feel invisible. Bite your tongue.

We didn’t talk much about it, both upset. ‘Complicit’ through power imbalance.

I put it into words later.

They felt safe.

In a room of white passing, straight passing people, they felt similar enough to feel safe in dehumanization.

So now I fly my flags. I dress more confident. I dye my hair. I will be loud, and I will be obnoxious, and I will be angry.

So people who need protecting feel safe.

And people who do not, do not.