Scroll To Top

Politics

In Politics, The Advocate presents the latest news about the political world. From Supreme Court rulings to state and federal laws, The Advocate reports on how politics shapes the day-to-day realities faced by members of the gay community. Read about LGBT leaders like Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin and their work to advance the causes of the LGBT rights movement in the United States and around the world. Find out about legislation related to same-sex marriage, adoption, and other issues in gay politics that will impact the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

people at pride in D.C.
Pride

This year, WorldPride in the nation’s capital is a protest

The global Pride event celebrates its 25th anniversary in Washington, D.C .— and it should be anything but quiet.

parasol patrol LGBTQIA rainbow umbrella shields counter protest Westboro Baptist Church in front of the Emporia Middle School Emporia Kansas 2021
Law

Transgender teens sue Kansas over 'harmful' gender-affirming care ban

Kansas' gender-affirming care ban "impermissibly infringes" on parents' "fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children," a new lawsuit asserts.

donald trump speaking during press conference East Room of the White House WASHINGTON DC USA FEBRUARY 2025
Politics

Trump threatens to yank California’s federal funding over one transgender student’s sports participation

"I am ordering local authorities...to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals," Trump wrote. He doesn't have that power.

Donald Trump oval office desk surrounded by cabinet and administration members
Politics

Donald Trump's anti-LGBTQ+ cabinet: An in-depth look

Trump's 2.0 cabinet is a cast of characters from right-wing television and MAGA politics. Here are their LGBTQ+ rights records.

Speaker Mike Johnson and Donald Trump
Politics

Republicans pass ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ banning federally funded gender-affirming care for trans people

The Human Rights Campaign called the bill "cruel."

True
Maine Rep. Laurel Libby
Politics

Supreme Court restores voting privileges of censured anti-trans Maine Republican lawmaker

Rep. Laurel Libby can speak and vote in the Maine House while her lawsuit proceeds.

journals with rainbow bookmark and judges gavel alongside Pam Bondi turned around and pointing
Politics

Trump limits American Bar Association's input on judicial nominees; LGBTQ+ groups say it'll undermine quality

"This is a continuation of the administration's attack on the rule of law," says Andrew Ortiz of the Transgender Law Center.

sneakers and jeans standing on asphalt road with gender symbols of male. female. bigender, and transgender
Politics

Texas to require sex assigned at birth on state documents

The controversial bill is one of several transphobic actions taken by Republicans in Texas.

Evan Low and Justin Ayars
Politics

LGBTQ+ elected officials are facing mental health challenges. A new initiative wants to support them

“Being an out LGBTQ+ elected official in this climate takes a big toll on one’s mental health," says Victory Institute's Evan Low.

JK Rowling February 2024 alongside anti TERF transgender advocates protest, APRIL 2025, London
News

J.K. Rowling uses Harry Potter wealth to fund anti-transgender organization

Harry Potter profits are going directly to anti-transgender legal cases.

House Speaker Mike Johnson smirking at a press conference
Politics

House budget cuts could devastate LGBTQ+ people's health care: What you need to know

It would have terrible consequences for transgender Americans, impoverished LGBTQ+ people, and those living with HIV.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz town hall meeting
Politics

Tim Walz: Democrats mustn't abandon transgender people

The price of eggs has nothing to do with a person's gender, the former vice-presidential nominee says.

Winsome Earle Sears campaign video
Politics

Virginia Republican candidate for governor addresses grads at extremely anti-LGBTQ+ schools

Both institutions explicitly disavow the LGBTQ+ community.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Speaks At The American Bankers Association Summit April 2025 Washington DC
Politics

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego adopts anti-trans, far-right talking points

He is the latest Democratic lawmaker to turn his back on the trans community.

The Advocate's John Casey reflects on a decade of marriage equality in new book
Print Issue

The Advocate's John Casey reflects on a decade of marriage equality in new book

"LOVE isn’t just a collection of stories. It’s a testament. A reminder. A celebration. A rallying cry."

Florida governor ron desantis press conference July 2023 LGBTQIA pride parade drag queen performing Germany 2019 Congressman Byron Donalds at the Republican National Convention RNC 2024
Politics

Florida Republicans Ron DeSantis & Byron Donalds continue attacking Naples Pride's family-friendly drag shows

The two are upset that a judge ruled in favor of Naples Pride and against proposed restrictions from the Florida city.

Karoline Leavitt white house press secretary podium2025 harvard university banners between columns at Memorial Church Harvard Yard 2022
Politics

Karoline Leavitt: Trump wants 'less LGBTQ graduate majors' from Harvard

The White House Press Secretary justified cutting funds to Harvard by saying Trump would rather give them to trade schools, not "LGBTQ graduate majors."

Dionne Warwick Eugene Levy Bianca Del Rio Brita Filter to perform at National Pride Gala 2025
News

Dionne Warwick to perform at National Pride Gala, joining other big names

The EqualityPAC fundraiser will be held on June 4 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

United States Representative Adam Schiff attends the 2024 WeHo Pride Parade participants celebrate at the end 2001 California eighth annual AIDSRide aka AIDS Lifecycle ALC
Politics

Democrat Adam Schiff to be the first U.S. senator to participate in California's AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride

This will be the final year for the seven-day AIDS/LifeCycle fundraising ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Schiff previously participated when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jon Lovett Pod Save America Tim Miller The Bulwark Andry Hernandez Romero
News

Jon Lovett and Tim Miller team up to ‘raise hell’ over gay asylum-seeker vanished to El Salvador by Trump

Andry Hernández Romero entered the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution for being gay. Then the Trump administration disappeared him, sending him to a dystopian prison. They’re trying to get him back.