“…if we are going to be bullied by a branch of the federal government to comply with what seems to be new puritanical or overly draconian rulings, we are going to be in a lot of trouble.” (CSULB Lecturer) The fight for higher education has come to the CSU. Disappointed but not surprised!

I have argued, informally among friends for months, that the current Trump administration has been one of the worst for older Americans in a long time. Add this to the pile of dangerous policy decisions (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid changes, lapsed OAA reauthorization, etc.) harming older adults.

Calling all horror fans! I'm pleased to share that my review of the essay collection "Fear of Aging: Old Age in Horror Fiction and Film" (edited by João Paulo Guimarães, 2025) has been published in The Gerontologist. #FilmSky #BookSky #GeroSky

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore $500 million in federal grant funding that it froze at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The irony (as outlined in the article) is that RFK Jr and McMahon are arguing for a particular approach to treating mental health in children - but what they’re seeking to actually eliminate isn’t treatment at all, it’s *screening.* The article outlines the obvious reasons why this is a bad idea.

“Words are not violence, nor are they powerless…if you would look away from the words of Charlie Kirk, from what else would you look away?” -Ta-Nehisi Coates (in an excellent piece summarizing the bigotry and impact of Kirk, and how this moment in time ties to the Reconstruction era)

“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞 👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT

Capitulating to the demands of the Trump administration would be counter to the mission and integrity of not just UCLA, but the UC system and higher education in general. The full details of this proposal need to be made public so that we can all see the extent of its potential damage.

#FilmSky lost a great one today. A true Hollywood legend.

1. Trump threatened every hospital that provides gender affirming care to transgender youth. Many complied and shut down their programs. Boston Children's Hospital didn't. They fought back and kept providing care. And now, they just beat Trump in court. Subscribe to support our journalism.

I wrote about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, its aftermath, and the sort of people we are when we engage the world through our screens. Read @liberalcurrents.com www.liberalcurrents.com/yes-its-the-...

He didn't bridge disagreements. What he did with "Prove Me Wrong" was the debate equivalent of creating a wrestling persona--watch me take on, and take down, all comers! Nothing he did suggests that he was honestly open to persuasion by others or to tempering his numerous ugly, bigoted stances. >

Fun fact: involuntary euthanasia is euthanasia performed without the consent of the person. It is, put more simply, murder, and also is: grotesque, abhorrent, unethical, and f*cking illegal (regardless of the population under discussion, including especially vulnerable groups).

I’ve been hesitant to publicly discuss this week’s news, given my more nuanced reaction (and we live in a political climate that seems repulsed by nuance). But this piece seems to sum up my thoughts perfectly - I do not condone violence, but I also will not mourn a legacy built on hate.

My response to most theatrically-released 2025 films has been tepid (e.g., it seems I’m one of very few who felt the hit “Sinners” was lacking), with few exceptions. One of those exceptions was Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s masterful “Cloud.” And last night I saw another: James Sweeney’s “Twinless.” #FilmSky

August 31st v. September 1st:

“The A.I. companies selected to oversee the program would have a strong financial incentive to deny claims. Medicare plans to pay them a share of the savings generated from rejections.” This change to traditional Medicare is HIGHLY likely to lead to denied or delayed care for older adults in need.

As Trump's numbers fall, the ageist rhetoric is predictably ramping up. A reminder: #aging didn't turn Trump into a bully and tyrant. He was *always* a bully and tyrant.

I’m *officially* on sabbatical starting today, which means I’m released from my teaching duties for a semester! So I started it off making a research to-do list (with all things things I either want or need to use this time for) and…I don’t think this sabbatical will be all that relaxing. Oops 😵‍💫

For an administration that is allegedly pro-American, it sure does seem to be doing everything in its power to dismantle the country’s most vital and successful institutions. This will have far reaching negative health impacts. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised SCOTUS went along with it…again…

Bans on gender-affirming care heighten transgender people’s exposure to injection-based illnesses, including hepatitis C and HIV. Without access to medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy, many transgender ppl seek hormones elsewhere jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Two weeks ago today, I married the love of my life. My heart swells and fills my chest whenever I think back on that perfect day. I am beyond words to describe the joy I feel in calling this man my husband. I’m sure life will settle back down soon - but until then, I’m enjoying the bliss!

The overwhelming majority of scientists across the globe consider mRNA technology to be one of the most significant research/care developments in years. This is going to be disastrous for our pandemic readiness.

When a Trump administration official said, "We want to put them in trauma," he was referring to federal officials. But sources tell me also applies to trans kids & their families. Rush Medical Center halts gender-affirming care for new patients under 18 www.wbez.org/health-medic...

Finally caught "The Shrouds" (Cronenberg, 2024) last night on ‪@criterionchannl.bsky.social‬ - the direction feels more philosophical and academic in its exploration of several themes (e.g., grief, distrust of technology, attractiveness of conspiracy). It may be too much for some, but I was into it.

Thirty-nine today! Last birthday as a single guy (with our wedding right around the corner!). Kicking the day off with a leisurely, sunny run through Brentwood/Santa Monica. Not sure what else the day holds, but thankful regardless.

Excited to share my first published film essay, on "The Last Showgirl" (Gia Coppola, 2024)! In it, I argue that the film succinctly illustrates how aging women navigate the complexities of work and retirement, self-worth, and fighting for stability and relevance. #AcademicSky #FilmSky #Gerontology

New publication alert! Using data collected from the 2020 CALSPEAKS survey, we examine predictors of eHealth literacy among California residents. Of note is that personality characteristics (specifically, conscientiousness and neuroticism) were among the most significant and consistent predictors.

Another major California care provider halts trans care (note the misleading headline here, as Stanford is halting surgeries for anyone below 19 - so this includes legal adults). “Disappointing” is putting it mildly. Trans care is healthcare, period.

Justice Sotomayor's dissent in Skrmetti (which she's now reading from the bench) is deeply pained, accusing her colleagues of abandoning "transgender children and their families to political whims" and badly damaging "bedrock" principles of equal protection. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...

*SCREAMS INTO THE VOID* Abhorrent. This is, obviously, going to open the door for other states to pass similar bans (and start pushing the line to ban trans care for adults, too). Trans folks, including trans kids, deserve better. But the fight for trans rights isn’t over, not by a long shot.

Given the known disparities in suicidal ideation (i.e., LGBTQIA+ people, particularly trans folks, have a much higher risk of reporting suicidal ideation), this move will figuratively and literally lead to more deaths. It’s unconscionable and gross.

Reminder: Juneteenth is a *federal holiday.* But sure, let’s scale it back because commemorating the end of slavery in the US might be too woke. Because DEI. 🙄 (this is sarcasm, in case that wasn’t obvious) Seriously, what are we even doing anymore!?

BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity. This is a major win for public health.

Homelessness is rising among older adults. Are healthcare systems meeting that challenge? Using data on 119k older patients in CA, we find the answer is 'no': even when clinicians identify them as housing insecure, only 7% get a social work referral. #episky 🧵1/

LA Children’s Hospital succumbs to pressure and halts transgender care. There’s no way to fully describe or comprehend the harm this will bring to trans patients in the area (let alone the signal this sends across the country to healthcare providers in fear of continuing their care). Ugh.

We’re near the 10 year anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision granting marriage equality to same-sex couples - and it apparently still peeves a lot of conservative lawmakers (despite the fact that marriage equality is, shocker, good for the economy!). The fight for equality is not over.

After taking a somewhat longer-than-expected hiatus from social media (motivated by divisive and mentally draining rhetoric on other platforms), I think it's about time to re-emerge. To re-introduce myself - hi! I'm Ron, and I'm a gerontologist interested in elder and LGBTQIA+ equity and advocacy.