Resources for the Apocalypse (and February Newsletter)

Feb 118 min read

Dear Reader,

I’m sitting here finishing my newsletter and watching the end of Democracy in American. I am in a surprisingly good mood! In part because we are getting a lovely mountain storm here in the northern Sierra Nevada and partly because there is a lot to be hopeful about. I’ve been asked by a number of readers to include tips, things to read, ways to rebel in this newsletter and so I have. Going through those resources is what is giving me hope.

This is a long letter, folks! I’ve added in headings to make it easier to find the stuff you care about.

Acts of Rebellion

The current administration is horrible. Absolute shit show of humanity and policy. They have done all sorts of damaging and destructive acts in their first two weeks. I don’t want to take away the impact these horrid things have done to people across the world. But there are also people and groups rebelling and pushing back against these actions.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of Executive Orders only apply to government agencies, and only to those often after other rule making processes have occurred. This means that there are people and companies pushing back and letting them know what the current administration is doing is not okay.

When it comes to the stupidity of declaring “two sexes “from a guy who couldn’t pass freshman biology, school boards across the country have said that no, we will not change the way we serve students of all genders. In California, and a few other states, state officials issued statements that driver’s licenses with an ‘X’ (gender not declared, nonbinary) markers will remain valid and you can renew them. California and a few other states also introduced legislation to prevent medical professionals and insurance companies from sharing medical information with states and federal government agencies when it comes to providing reproductive care and gender affirmative care.

There were several actions taken to demoralize and dimmish career civil service. For those not familiar with the inner workings of state and federal agencies, career civil service can look like protections for lazy and inefficient individuals. Yes, there are inefficiencies in government. I struggled with those when I ran a state agency. The allowable error rate on data entry in CA is abysmal. Yes, there are out-of-date systems and computers. . However, the orders and buy-outs to “fix” these problems is akin to realizing someone needs their gall bladder removed and then handing a pair of pruning sheers to a raccoon and pointing at someone’s belly. Musk and Trump are what happen when we allow white male mediocrity to triumph.

Employee labor organizations have sued the Administration to prevent a lot of these changes. Many folks are refusing to take the buy-out (and seriously, unless you were planning on retiring in the next month anyway, the damn thing doesn’t make economic sense).

When it comes to the roll-back of DEI, the order ONLY covered government agencies. HOWEVER, corporations jumped on this bandwagon to roll back their DEI work. While the list of places who were quick to shed their programs is gravely disappointing, it also made it clear who is on our side. Other groups doubled down on DEI and stood up the pressures of boards and public. We now know where to spend our dollars. As the list is in flux, I’m not linking to any given list, but keep an eye out in the media links below for updated information.

Then there are small acts that collectively fucked up the government. The DOGE started a tip line for employees to report when people in their agency were still supporting DEI efforts. It was spammed with. The National Immigrant Justice Center put out a clear and short version of what your rights are when you encounter ICE agents that quickly spread on the internet and in real life. It includes tips on how to protect those in your life who might not be documented and is really useful. Canada issued tariffs on American goods, but only those from red states. Trump’s response was that Trudeau (CA Prime Minister) “misunderstood” the US tariffs (read: You weren’t supposed to return the action! Waaaa!)

Locally, there has been a lot more engagement in the LGBTQ+ groups here. Dyke Night in January had more than 40 people and over2/3rds were new. I launched the LGBTQ+ story share hour and we had 25folks show up and 7 shared stories. Grass Valley has launched a weekly SafeSpace for LGBTQ+ youth between 14-19. And we continue to grow. All of this makes me really happy!

Feeling Overwhelmed or Distraught?

I know not everyone can find light in the things I’ve posted above. Additionally, some readers are in very tenuous situations. I’ve had more than a dozen conversations in the past two weeks about whether it is better toflee the country now or later.

Feeling overwhelmed and unable to make a move is what this type

of action and media blitz is designed to do. It is a very intentional move by the administration to reduce pushback and deplete resistance. You don’t have to fall for it.

I do all of the following and will vouch for these practices. I also have the studies behind them, but lived experience tells me, they are effective.

1. Limit what policy areas you follow. Seriously. Close your tabs. Stop reading about all the bad stuff. Choose two, maybe three if you have a ton of emotional bandwidth and stick to staying on top of those things. If something outside of your sphere happens that is really going to impact you, people will let you know.

2. Stop getting news from social media. Itis just a clusterfuck of AI, bots, and rumors. Treat every post on social media with extreme suspicion. I’ve listed some reliable news sources and rumor busting sites in the “Resources for the Apocalypse” section below. Stick to those for information.

3. Can’t get off social media? There are settings on every phone and in most social media apps where you can program a time limit. Set those limits to 15 minutes a day for social media sites. Protect your mental health.

4. Physically connect with others you resonate with. It’s science. Humans need to be in the same physical locations as others they feel safe with to help regulate their brains and bodies. Make time to get together with folks you trust and regulate yourself.

5. Touch grass. It is important to get outside. It could be a park, a walk around the block, a hike, or gardening, but get outside. Every day is best, but aim for most days, at least for a few minutes. It is literally grounding to be outside on dirt.

6. Practice mindfulness. This could be meditation (silent, walking, guided all work). Create a gratitude journal or jar. Take 15 minutes to breathe deeply. These things help reset our brains and bodies and create a sense of calm.

7. Resist. Find the ways you can push back against the system to empower yourself. This might be existing loudly in your own skin in public. It could be attending organizing groups; protesting; donating LGBTQ+ books to your library, or any other action which makes you feel some level of power over the bullshit going on out there.

Auntie Vice Updates

The book on mental health and BDSM is chugging along. I went back to a bunch of notes from classes I’ve taught on the subject and realized people had questions about what a diagnosis means, how to talk about a diagnosis, etc. I added a chapter on this. Feeling pretty good about that. I’m aiming to finish sometime in March and get a full draft to my editor. Fingers crossed I am on time to get it out to the public in early 2026.

I’ve started recording stuff for Fat Chicks on Top and will drop new episodes in late March. Had to put that on pause for a minute because of health and writing obligations. Getting back into it feels good. Stay tuned!

I keep adding stuff to the blog and substack. If you need more Auntie between newsletters, you can subscribe to either. Additionally, I list events, tickets, and community events on the blog.

Healthwise, I am still struggling with some pancreas stuff. That organ is a little bitch. I’ll know more next week as to what is going on with me. Fingers crossed it is an easy fix!

Resources

I’ve included a ton of resources in this newsletter. Many have been requested by readers. Need something? Want info on something? Hit me up and I’ll get you the links!

Stay Kinky,

Auntie Vice

Upcoming Events

Dyke Night

Feb. 26th & March 26th

6:00 - 8:00 PM

The Cauldron @ Loot & Lore

107 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, CA

FREE, All ages, genders, & sexual orientations welcome

Friday Nights OUT

Every Friday Night LGBTQ+ teens have a safe space in downtown Grass Valley. Friday Nights OUT is a push to get queer adults to go out in downtown so youth can see us! Support local businesses and have a great time!

Gays & Goats

Feb. 9, 12-3

Come join community and play with cute baby goats! Hosted by a local queer couple on their farm. Families encouraged! All welcome.

Text 530-264-0560 for private address.

Upcoming Class

Canna-Service, April 20, 4:15 - 6:20 PM PST ONLINE

Want to learn how to safely use cannabis with your kink? Interested in sexy joint rolling and smoking skills? Join me for the canna service class online (with a recording available afterward to ticket holders).

Get your tickets here.

Upcoming Class

Consensual Non-consent, March 11, 7-9 PM PST ONLINE

Consensual non-consent is one of the most common fantasies for adults. Want to learn the in’s and out’s of negotation, establishing on-going consent, safety concerns, and what to do if things go wrong? Join me for this FREE online class offered by Sacraemnto Education Exchange. Sign up for thier group on Fetlife for the Zoom link.

Reading for the Revolution

Great reads this month!

If you live in Nevada County and have a library card to any branch, you can use the ZIP Books form. If the title is not in the library and has been published between 2004 and 2024 you can request the book. They will buy it, send it to your home, and then you return it to get it into the collection.

Angela Davis. (1983). Women, Race, and Class.

Ijeoma Oluo. (2024). Be a Revolution.

Julia Serano. (2013). Excluded.

Roxane Gay. (2014). Bad Feminist.

bell hooks. (2014). Feminism is for Everybody.

Sabrina Strings. (2019). Fearing the Black Body.

Howard Zinn. (2015). A People’s History of the United States.

Jounral Prompts & Kinky Inspiration!

1. How will I re-ground myself during this political upheaval?

2. When I am scared or distraught, where do I feel it in my body? How do I calm my body?

3. What makes me feel powerful?

4. What are the underlying principles I want to remain true to during this upheaval?

5. Who can I trust?

1. Slow, purposeful breathing can connect partners. Try beginning a scene by holding one another and slowly breathing together for 2-4 minutes before play.

2. It’s conference season announcement time! Conferences around the world are in the process of announcing their educator line up. Find one you want to attend this year!

3. Bring some silliness into your play! Get weird. Add props. Find something to make each other laugh and connect through joy.

4. Curious about adding formal cannabis service to your play? Sign up for my 4.20 class beginning at 4:20 PST online.