CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
We need your help
Your support makes The Advocate's original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Become a member today to help us continue this work.
Your support makes The Advocate's original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Become a member today to help us continue this work.
When gay Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas came out in The New York Times Magazine in June as an undocumented immigrant, he knew the repercussions could come swiftly.
"The moment I decided to do this," Vargas said, "I had to be prepared for anything and everything that can happen -- whatever those things may be."
Turns out Washington State officials were quick on the draw. According to The Huffington Post, the state has canceled his driver's license.
Officials opened an investigation after Vargas's essay was published, Department of Licensing spokeswoman Christine Anthony said. "We conducted in an investigation and concluded that he wasn't residing at the address he provided us," she said.
The Licensing Department sent Vargas a letter requesting proof of residency, says HuffPo, and when the letter was returned unread, the state canceled his license Monday.
In the Times Magazine, Vargas wrote about the anxiety over his driver's license: "Early this year, just two weeks before my 30th birthday, I won a small reprieve: I obtained a driver's license in the state of Washington. The license is valid until 2016. This offered me five more years of acceptable identification -- but also five more years of fear, of lying to people I respect and institutions that trusted me, of running away from who I am."
deliciousdiane
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Bizarre Epstein files reference to Trump, Putin, and oral sex with ‘Bubba’ draws scrutiny in Congress
November 14 2025 4:08 PM
True
Jeffrey Epstein’s brother says the ‘Bubba’ mentioned in Trump oral sex email is not Bill Clinton
November 16 2025 9:15 AM
True
Gay makeup artist Andry Hernández Romero describes horrific sexual & physical abuse at CECOT in El Salvador
July 24 2025 10:11 AM
True
Watch Now: Pride Today
Latest Stories
Missing Black trans man Danny Siplin found dead in Rochester, New York
December 29 2025 8:45 PM
'Heated Rivalry' season 2: every steamy & romantic moment from the book we can't wait to see
December 29 2025 5:27 PM
Chappell Roan apologizes for praising late Brigitte Bardot: 'very disappointing'
December 29 2025 4:30 PM
RFK Jr.'s HHS investigates Seattle Children's Hospital over youth gender-affirming care
December 29 2025 1:00 PM
Zohran Mamdani claps back after Elon Musk attacks out lesbian FDNY commissioner appointee
December 29 2025 11:42 AM
Trump's gay Kennedy Center president demands $1M from performer who canceled Christmas Eve show
December 29 2025 10:09 AM
What does 2026 have in store for queer folks? Here’s what's written in the stars
December 29 2025 9:00 AM
In 2025, being trans in America means living under conditional citizenship
December 29 2025 6:00 AM
Here are the best shows on and off-Broadway of 2025
December 26 2025 7:00 AM
10 of the sexiest music videos that gagged everyone in 2025
December 25 2025 9:30 AM
Far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Project 2025 will continue into 2026
December 24 2025 6:34 PM
Democratic officials sue RFK Jr. over attempt to limit gender-affirming care for trans youth
December 24 2025 4:30 PM
Heated Rivalry season 2: Everything we know so far
December 24 2025 3:30 PM
Who is Lillian Bonsignore — set to be first out gay Fire Department of New York commissioner?
December 23 2025 6:21 PM
True
The HIV response on a cliff-edge: advocacy must drive urgent action to end the epidemic
December 23 2025 2:23 PM
Trending stories
Recommended Stories for You

Diane Anderson-Minshall
Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.
Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.
































































Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes