April Gardner

@slignot

Proudly intolerant of intolerance. Formless terror in service of the Old Ones here to doom mankind. Queer ace she/her

593 Following415 Followers2,157 Posts

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April Gardner@slignot· 18d

As it should be. At least, my supervisors approve.

Two dogs lay back to back on a couch with their heads resting on a throw pillow. The dog on the right, Tasslehoff Noseprint, is a Chihuahua/daschund mix with chocolate brown and white fur. On the right is our old lady pibble, Koromaru. She has silvery brown and white coloration, and is shown partially under a blanket.

April Gardner@slignot· 18d

I've been working on moving our giant chip drop order for the last week and half and it's so hard when every day is in the high 90s, and it never really cools off. So I've been getting up early most mornings and working for a couple hours mulching the long corner lot park strip. Just came back in.

Original pile of wood chips dumped towards the left side of my driveway in front of a two car garage. The pile is a long, lumpy trail of chips that vary in color, some mixed with green, while other sections are darker brown. The pile is long, and covers the sidewalk.

There are trees behind the chip pile.

April Gardner@slignot· 21d

Without saying your age (💀💀💀) what is your favorite movie released the year you turned 18? 🎬 #filmsky #moviesky

Film poster for Gosford Park.

It shows a male servant in formal dress with white gloves from the back, with a pen pinning a wire scroll of the movie title, tagline, and cast information.

April Gardner@slignot· Jul 12

Just finished another embroidery project for my office. This one is on black like the previous one but it's a botanical rather than insect print. (Doing another bee pattern after this one, kind of alternating insect and mushroom patterns.)

A round embroidery frame with black fabric backing decorated with a variety of types and colors of mushrooms with some odd plants mixed behind.

April Gardner@slignot· Jul 11

Delighted with the ace earrings and rose quartz my spouse @thrack.bsky.social found from @peculiarityshop.bsky.social. Now I have to figure out the right pride of place for the Becky sticker.

Opened package of lovely circular earrings inlaid with charoite, mother of pearl, and opal; and a rose quartz solitaire ring next to the iconic Becky sticker.

Peculiarity Shop's much better lit picture of the circular inlay earnings next to a quarter ring for scale.

April Gardner@slignot· Jul 6

I repaired a big tear in a pair of spouse's shorts and decorated the reinforcement over the main repair with bi pride embroidery.

Close up of the buttoned cargo pocket with satin stitched bands of pink, purple, and blue at the corner next to the pocket.

April Gardner@slignot· Jun 27

So I have these fancy AC heads in the ceiling* that are doing nothing until we can get an electrician to come out and fix work under warranty. *The cooler lid is a temporary cover for the removed old duct since I'm not in a position to patch the drywall and paint for a little bit.

Looking up at the ceiling of a former midcentury clerestory bump up. There is a huge ceiling cassette for a heat pump system and a styrofoam insulated cooler taped in the old vent hole, which is surrounded by blown dirt/discoloration.

April Gardner@slignot· Jun 19

Ever since I learned an early version of the statue held broken chains rather than a book I've marveled at how thoroughly white supremacist interests covered up the core inspiration for Statue of Liberty: the end of slavery. Happy Juneteenth.

Side by side comparison photos of an earlier conception of the Statue of Liberty. Small details are different, but most importantly the left hand to Liberty's side holds broken chains instead of holding a book.

April Gardner@slignot· Jun 2

QRP with your pride flags!

Asexual pride flag. Has four horizontal stripes from the top: black, grey, white, purple

Biromantic flag. It's designed as a variation on the bisexual flag, with three through line horizonal stripes, from the top: pink, purple, blue. But there is an overlaid heart shown as more intense, darker shades at each stripe.

April Gardner@slignot· May 27

The babies always make me melt. My spouse picked out a dog for my parents' current dog this week and she is darling. The puppy is almost 11 weeks old and their other dog is so happy to have a companion.

A blonde puppy with cotton candy fluff fur is sleeping on her side after playing very hard with her new friend.

Two dogs with an older man sitting on a deck. A skinny yellow with a very long tail and legs stands on the man between the ottoman and chair. Next to the ottoman is the fluffy blonde puppy, yawning.

April Gardner@slignot· May 20

I thought that too!

A brown and white mixed breed little dog lays on a cushion set on a desk. He has stubby little legs.

A brown and white chihuahua/dachshund mixed breed dog stands on the back seat of a car.

Two dogs cuddled together under a blanket on a couch. The dog on the left is a silvery brown and white pibble, and the little mixed breed dog is above her on the right.

Tas, the little chiweenie wears a jean jacket and gives serious side eye from atop the back of a couch.

April Gardner@slignot· May 19

I have a similar view at the moment. (Tas, short for Tasslehoff)

A brown and white little dog (chihuahua/dachshund mix) falling asleep on a light brown throw pillow.

April Gardner@slignot· May 10

Only got a handful of things planted I needed to get done, but I was able to set up the back patio with shade cover, furniture, pots (and importantly chicken proofing) before heading out to meet my parents for Mother's Day. Remarkable how much of a difference a shade cover makes even in May.

A concrete patio covered in a redwood pergola, shaded by a light colored cover. Hanging pots that look like terra cotta hang below a stand of lights. Assorted patio furniture is laid out with some pots placed around the edges.

April Gardner@slignot· May 6

One way Utahns are fighting back against the massive data center is boycotting the business owned by one of its rich backers: J&J Nursery. It havs a big plant selection, but we have options like Progressive Plants & Glover Nursery for harder to find plants too. 🌱 www.sltrib.com/news/politic...

Instagram flyer, reading:

BOYCOTT J&J NURSERY
Sen. Jerry Stevenson sits on the MIDA Board, the entity developing the 9-gigawatt hyperscale facility on the shores of the Great Salt Lake, despite widespread public outcry.
He also owns J&J Nursery in Layton, UT.

HERE'S WHERE TO SHOP INSTEAD:
Cache, Davis & Weber County
Cache Valley Native Plants
Lambert Growers
Plant & Grow

Salt Lake & Utah County
42nd Street Greenhouse
Growing Empire Plants
Native Utah Plants

April Gardner@slignot· May 2

Ugh, the worst! We get a decent number of deep taproot weeds but they're single plants and pretty manageable with the weeder I can no longer do without. (Seriously minutes to clear a bunch.) But with rhizome connections it makes everything so much worse. Long term weed removal is so frustrating.

A demo image of a Fiskars branded stand up weeding tool. On the left it shows a view from the bottom of the four pronged metal claws and pry lever foot. To the right a man stands in grass demonstrating the height. A circular highlight labels the tool having an ergonomic handle.

April Gardner@slignot· Apr 15

So I picked up a reference bra for my reduction goals ahead of my surgical consult tomorrow. Upsettingly, these bras have the same band size, just vastly different cups. Wanted to be about to bring a visual explanation of what I'm hoping for.

Two bras hang from a shower rod. The white bra on the left has very large cups, while the tan one on the right is much smaller.

April Gardner@slignot· Mar 25

Have a major case of canine paralysis this morning. Called the dogs on the bed to cuddle before I went to the train. Now with the old lady on me I can't move.

A white and brown pitbull has her head resting on the photographer's belly. Point of view shot. The dog is fully bundled under a throw blanket.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 27

Post a pic you took, no context, to bring some zen to the feed.

The white trunks of a stand of quaking aspen trees stand out against the golden autumn leaves behind.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 27

I'm really hoping my pibble Koro ate at least half of what was in the bottle, since she's around 60 pounds, while Tas is only 13-14 pounds. She's snuffling around where the bottle parts were, which is usually a sign she's checking for more of something to eat. We'll keep a close eye on both.

A left hand holding a highly chewed prescription bottle of Estradiol. The bottom of the label is mostly gone and the cap is cracked open. The bottle is empty.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 26

I forgot to take a picture of our newest rescue in house dapper trans pride, but Koro is an old hand at protests. Here she is at a rally in support of trans youth, waiting to meet new friends.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 26

While some of the most egregious provisions were walked back (eg barring trans people from working in education, medicine, or other similar licensed positions that interact with kids for over five minutes; banning birth certificate changes) it's awful. Good news is it's not yet law. Oppose it NOW.

Header Text: What Remains (Roughly) the Same Between Versions

Paragraph text:
Removes gender based protections for: lodging, government housing facilities, incarceration, immigration.

Policies not considering gender: Sexual harassment claims, If one dies while Incarcerated; death certificate information, human services paperwork/proper insurance representation, public benefits, Forensic DNA analysis, k-12 academic evaluation, same- schools, school sports, k-12 demographic information, public records, civil service nominations/appointments, bathrooms/ privacy spaces

Header Text: What Happens Next?

Paragraph text:
Now that HB183 has received a substitute version, it's scheduled to continue through the legislative process. There is less than two weeks left in the legislative session, but it's entirely possible that it could still become law. This is thanks to a loop hole during the last week of the legislative session where they suspend the rules. In this case, it would only need to be favorably recommended through committee, and would not need to go through a 2nd committee. Which is why it's extra important to testify on the record this upcoming committee meeting. Meeting agenda on next slide, check my story for any updates.

Utah House Judiciary Committee Agenda for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Meeting is scheduled for 4:00 pm, and will be held in the Senate Building, room 110, at the Utah Capitol.

After housekeeping, the bills to be considered are:
SB0233S01, Judicial Performance Evaluation Amendments (R. Brammer)
SB0092S01, Prosecution Amendments (C. Wilson)
SB0124S01, Child Welfare Amendments (L. Escamilla)
SB0012, Alternative Dispute Resolution Sunset Amendments (T. Weiler)
HB0183S01, Sex Designation Amendments (T. Lee)

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 26

Kansas' attack on trans people is horrifying, but sadly it's not alone in trying to drive people out of public life though force of law. Utah's revised HB183 represents a notable attempt to define trans people out of existence in code. @rainbowwatchdogutah had a great breakdown on Instagram.

Header Text: HB 183 S1 Sex Designation Amendments

Paragraph text: HB183 is THE bad bill for trans people during the 2026 General Session. In its introduced version it stripped all protections on the basis of gender and gender identity, replacing it with sex. It altered policies so they would no longer consider gender in their guidelines, and included provisions preventing GNC people from working in Human Services positions that work with children. It would also have stopped gender marker changes on birth certificates.

This bill has been stuck in House Rules since the start of the session, and has now adopted a substitute version.

Bottom lists Instagram username, @rainbowwatchdogutah

Header Text: What was Removed in This Version

Paragraph text:
Removed section on GNC people having prolonged contact with children in Human Services.
Removed subsections preventing changing the gender marker on one's birth certificate.
Removed subsections that removed employment protections.
Removes subsections that removed obscene license plate restrictions. Removes subsections on search* and seizure, and police misconduct*. Removes subsections on parents accessing student information.
Removes subsections that removed housing protections.
Removes subsections that removed small remaining bathroom protection for k-12 students.
Removes subsections that removed hate crime protections.

*Keeps sex based designations for cavity searches.
*Line 362 keeps an instance of "gender" to "sex" on adopting policies against discrimination. (0ther sections that prevent misconduct on the basis of gender are not affected in this sub)

Header Text: What Was Edited

Paragraph Text:
-line 2325 switches gender transition, to attempted sex change. (language use edit)

-Adds section 63G-34-101 Which mandates that state agencies must use the term sex, and cannot use the term gender (was in previous version, but not as its own section)

-Keeps the subsection on granting favor to transphobic parent custody cases, but rephrases it slightly (still functions as original intended)

-Human services programs will be trained on Utah's legal definition of sex, and will no longer be required to create policies and procedures on sex and gender based abuse. They will also not be required to have any training on communication about different gender and sexual orientations

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 20

We got a fucking win on this. It's a lovely winter evening and for once I get to leave to leave one of these hearings feeling hopeful.

An oval reflecting pool fountain is lit for the sides in the middle of a snowy courtyard. Behind it is the lit neo-classical rotunda of the Utah Capitol. The sky is a kind of periwinkle shade of evening cloud cover at sunset.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 17

I forgot to take a picture of the embroidery project I finished a couple weeks ago. This one I did for me, so here it is hung up in. I had a lot of fun with this insect and botanical pattern, and love how the thread pops off the black background.

A round embroidered bee on black fabric, surrounded by plants, knots, and yellow honey droplets. The bee is a depicted in a variety of yellow, brown, and tan shades. The wings, legs, antennae, and upper segment are done in smooth (mostly satin) stitches, but the body of the bee is a dense carpet of alternating yellow and brown turkey stitches.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 11

Trans Utahns need us to show up as the Senate advances 2 trans healthcare attacks that already passed the House - HB193 & HB258. 193 attacks insurance of trans public employees, and 258 requires private insurance to cover vague detransition if it includes trans care. le.utah.gov/committee/co...

A flyer in trans pride gradients that reads:

Defend Trans Healthcare in Utah
Hearing for HB193 & HB258

Senate Business & Labor Committee
Feb 12, 8:00 am
120 Senate Building

Public Employee Insurance - HB193

Private Insurance Poison Pill Burden - HB258

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 11

So if people in Utah can show up to the hearing either in person or online Thursday morning, please help show the Utah Legislature we're not going anywhere. Utah Government Operations committee Feb 12, 8:00 am House Building rm 30 le.utah.gov/committee/co...

Colorful flyer for DRAG THE CAPITOL

Originally posted through Instagram, it is a cheerful riot of pink, purple, teal, and yellow leaf patterns around the neo-classical capitol building. It reads:

An unconfirmed hearing for HB114!
Thurs Feb 12th @ 7:30 am

Everyone invited

DRAG THE CAPITOL

Check these accounts on Wednesday for confirmation that the hearing is happening!

@notta_genda @utahmarch @meat_files @veronikadavil @theonlysequoia

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 6

With added alt text, the statement the Utah House Democrats released about HB174, HB193, HB258 as they were passed today. The anti-trans healthcare bans are on to the Senate now.

Screenshot of statement titled, Utah House Democrats Respond to Bills Targeting Transgender Utahns

It reads:
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah House Democratic Caucus issued the following statement in response to H.B. 174 and H.B. 193 passing out of the Utah House of Representatives:

"The bills that passed the House today represent a troubling pattern of government overreach that targets transgender Utahns and interferes with personal medical decisions. Instead of ensuring people can access evidence-based healthcare, these bills create fear and instability for patients and their families.

H.B. 174 unnecessarily singles out a small group of Utahns and puts their health and safety at risk by forcing children to detransition, disregarding medical consensus and the well-being of patients. H.B. 193 would harm constituents in every district across the state by banning anyone on public insurance from receiving gender-affirming care. Lives will be proudly impacted, and potentially at risk, if these bills were signed into law.

Our caucus stands with transgender Utahns. We recognize that this annual onslaught of targeted legislation causes lasting harm. To everyone impacted, we want you to know: we see you, we stand with you, and we will keep fighting for you."

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 3

It's inspiring to see how many wonderful and creative queer folks show up, especially in drag on a Tuesday afternoon. Utahns keep showing up for queer art, healthcare, and housing when the Legislature targets us. The bill in question is HB114: bsky.app/profile/slig...

Utah Capitol steps with a pretty large crowd, most of them in gorgeous drag. There are pro-drag art signs throughout the crowd.

April Gardner@slignot· Feb 1

@surlyamy.bsky.social Happy Birthday! May you have good food and lots of dog snuggles today.

A small brown and white mixed breed dog naps while almost completely swallowed up in a team blanket.

A yellowish brown mixed breed dog curled up into a tight circle on top of a fleecey patterned throw.

Two dogs snuggled side by side in a fleecey blanket, with their heads in a close up in the photo center. A long yellowish snoot peeks from under the blanket, while a white and brown pibble side eyes the camera.

April Gardner@slignot· Jan 31

It was great watching @lavendermenaces.bsky.social perform at today's Rally to Save the Great Salt Lake.