A D.C. Circuit ruling would have allowed the Trump admin’s anti-trans policy to go into effect, but a new district court injunction issued hours later blocked the policy yet again.
The Trump administration’s effort to end gender-affirming medical care for transgender people in federal prison is blocked again after a short lapse in protections on Wednesday.
About noon Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a 2-1 order that for two-and-a-half hours technically allowed the Trump administration to begin implementing the Federal Bureau of Prisons’s plan to “taper” — with a goal of ending — the provision of hormone therapy for transgender people in federal prison.
About 2:30 p.m., though, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted a request that had been pending from the plaintiffs challenging the BOP policy and issued a new preliminary injunction blocking the plan.
This was not the actions of a “rogue” judge or anything like that. The appeals court judges had even noted that the district court request was pending, but Judges Karen Henderson, a George W. Bush appointee, and Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, nonetheless issued the ruling on Wednesday — over the dissent of Judge Cornelia PIllard, an Obama appointee.
The D.C. Circuit move effectively forced Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, to act quickly if he wanted to keep the protections he had ordered in place.
He did so — continuing his role as the federal judge most clearly protecting the rights of trans people in prison.
There are several this time! The titles are links, as usual, but for space consideration, I’m leaving Clay’s awesome commentary on his pages, and posting only toons this time. Go see what he has to say, though-it’s always good!
The stories of rebellion by enslaved peoples has been largely erased or occluded from history, and when these stories are told, they usually center men. In Cuba, however, two women became legends because of the leadership roles they took in rebellion. Carlota and Fermina were decisive, brave, and brutal. Both women were kidnapped from the Yoruba Nation and given the last name ‘Lucumí’, a word which refers to Afro-Cubans of Yoruba descent.
The Triunvirato sugar plantation was a fucking hellscape. By the 1840s, one third of Cuba’s population consisted of enslaved persons, almost all of whom worked in the sugar trade in some capacity. The 1840s saw Cuba utilizing steam-powered mails and railroads and engaging in massive deforestation as the economy became reliant on sugar. The Triunvirato Plantation was one of many that subjected enslaved people to a starvation diet and horrific working and living conditions.
We know very little about Carlota and Fermina. We do know, however, that on November 6, 1843, Carlota and others launched the Triunvirato Rebellion, the last in a series of uprisings across Cuba. Carlota used talking drums to communicate with other plantations, bringing the neighboring Acaná plantation, where Fermina was enslaved, as well as several others into the plan.
Carlota Leading the People (after Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People by Lili Bernard, 2011
Fermina had recently escaped from Acaná and may have planned a June rebellion, but it didn’t happen. She was recaptured and shackled for months. Her tormentors released her from the shackles just a few days before the Triunvirato Rebellion, which she helped lead on the Acaná Plantation. In all, the enslaved people on five plantations rose up against their oppressors on or near November 6.
Here is a good overview of what we know about Carlota:
The series of rebellions that took place in 1843 (including uprisings in March and May, as well as a thwarted uprising in December) were collectively referred to as La Escalera. In response, slavers tortured and murdered so many people that 1844 became known as “The Year of the Lash”. Fermina was tortured and then killed by a firing squad. Carlota died at some point during the Trinuvirato Rebellion. Slavery in Cuba wasn’t abolished until 1886.
However, Carlota’s memory was preserved in oral legend. She became a famous symbol of resistance in Cuba. In 1975, when Cuba sent troops to support the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), they called the operation ‘Operation Carlota.’
Monument to Carlota’s Rebellion, located at Triumvirato, erected in 1991
Writing about history is a messy business. For one thing, many historical figures, especially women, and most especially women of color, have been so systematically erased that the stories we still have of them are murky. This is certainly true of Carlota and Fermina. We don’t even know their real names – only the names their slavers forced them to bear. We know for sure that they existed, and everything else is a matter of sifting various stories together and trying to figure out where they overlap.
In this column, there is also the matter of who to choose as ‘Kickass.’ Carlota and Fermina were both said to have done terrible, violent things.
CW/TW
Their story can be seen as one in which brutality begets brutality, and it can also be seen as a human being refusing to break or to become passive with despair in the face of massive crushing forces. Carlota and Fermina were clever, resourceful, determined leaders. I only wish I knew their real names.
I think I posted about the Big Gay Market last year here on Scottie’s. It’s really cool, and it was Sunday 6/14 this year. It always makes me reminisce about, among other things, when I first came upon Scottie’s blog.
It was named “Scottie’s Toybox” at the time, with the same tagline, “Come See What I Share.” It sounded like Big Gay Fun to me, so I clicked through from MPS one time, and sure enough, there was a little big gay fun, a few resources for queer and other marginalized groups, and some issues on which people could take action if they cared to, along with a little general news. It was another time, it now seems. Anyway, Scottie transitioned to Playtime not as long a while back, I think due to Word Press anomalies, or something. I may not recall that correctly; I was a reader/sometime commenter, and it was nice. The Big Gay Market always reminds me of that, and I smile! 🏳🌈
Because of some election results and the associated removal of rights from, well, about everyone, but everyone isn’t as unsafe as those who are marginalized; and the scope of the blog has changed as well.
But on Big Gay Market day, I like to post about it. I bet everyone has a bright spot like this by them, and I know Scottie and I would like to know about those, too! Below is a report about, then the home page of Wichita’s Big Gay Market. Relax and enjoy!
A news report/interview from our local CBS affiliate.
(I dislike this channel, for its owner is an evil corporation and they’ve dumbed things down significantly, but as far as Google knows, they’re the only channel who has covered the Big Gay Market this year. For the record, I saw a short report on our local NBC affiliate at 5 PM, too, but can’t find it online Sunday evening. You can watch/listen on the page; it’s a short interview with the founder.)
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The 5th Annual ICT Big Gay Market returns Sunday, June 14, bringing a full day of vendors, food and family-friendly activities to Central Riverside Park. Organizer and founder James Boyd says the event is designed to feel like a “huge farmers market” that is welcoming to all ages and packed with things to see, taste, and shop, with nearly 150 vendors expected this year.
Admission is free, but attendees can choose to purchase a Market button. You do not need a button to attend, but some vendors will offer special discounts to button holders. Button proceeds go toward a $2,000 Trades Scholarship through WSU; once that goal is reached, remaining funds will help support next year’s market.
Event details
What: 5th Annual ICT Big Gay Market
When: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14
Where: Central Riverside Park, 720 North Nims St., Wichita
Cost: Free to attend (optional Market button available)
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Central Riverside Park June 14th 9:am to 4:pm 720 North Nims st Wichita, KS 67203
Wether your looking for a day out and a meal, some shopping or chilling to local music this can be a fun time for everyone! Local creators from all around Wichita have come together to show support to our local LGBTQ community!
2026 has come so quickly it’s hard to believe we are celebrating our 5th season of ICT Big Gay Market!
Jeff & James put together a community scholarship that supports the futures of soon to be students at WSU TECH! Our goal is to help one person with a $2,000.00 boost to their passion. We all help out where we can, you can donate to this scholarship here:
Scottie's Playtime 