02/13/24

Happy Tuesday,

🏡 In an election that has been called a test for the 2024 general election, Democrat Tom Suozzi bested Republican Mazi Pilip to claim George Santos' former House seat. The showdown came only a couple of months after Santos — of current Cameo fame — was expelled from Congress after an ethics investigation found he most likely broke federal law. Santos is also facing a number of criminal charges. While the win doesn't mean Democrats now control the House, it does mean the weak Republican majority is weaker. 🏡

👏🏼 And speaking of Democrats, the Congressional Equality Caucus called out House Republicans in a report on Monday, blasting the lawmakers for being "obsessed" with attacking LGBTQ+ people. The scathing document slammed legislation and amendments introduced by the GOP that looked to restrict gender-affirming care and allow discrimination against queer people.

🫖 “You expect bullies in school, but there are bullies walking the halls of Congress too. The House GOP is obsessed with targeting LGBTQI+ people—especially trans kids—because it gives them a little more clout with the most extreme parts of their base,” U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, chair of the Equality Caucus said. 🫖

🏈 Did you see all of the queer-inclusive commercials during the Super Bowl? While there was an increase in representation this year, gains could still be made, according to GLAAD. Check them out here.

In other news:

• Trans people are being killed at an alarming rate, especially in the South.
• Hannah Gadsby's next Netflix special is super queer.

Alex Cooper

Democrat Tom Suozzi wins George Santos' House seat in a win against GOP

Via Facebook

House Republicans are 'obsessed' with attacking LGBTQ+ people, say Democratic lawmakers

Win McNamee/Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

Watch the 10 LGBTQ-inclusive Super Bowl ads everybody’s talking about

Unilever; Paramount; NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP; homes.com/CoStar Group

Transgender people are being killed at an alarming rate, especially in the South (exclusive)

Shutterstock

Hannah Gadsby's Netflix special to feature starry lineup of genderqueer comics

Netflix

Black trans, nonbinary youth have higher suicide risk than cisgender queer peers (exclusive)

Shutterstock

Steven Ostrow, creator of NYC's legendary Continental Baths, dead at 91

via Fire Island Pines Historical Society

Polish state TV host: Our anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric was shameful

Shutterstock