Daily newsletter 10/28

➡️ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had the perfect clapback for transphobic swimmer/influencer Riley Gaines, who is now demanding a debate with her.

Meanwhile, Harvard Medical School is delaying a transgender health care course following scrutiny from the National Review.

Election 2028 is already heating up, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom considering a presidential run while President Trump hints at a (completely unconstitutional) third term. Columnist John Casey weighs in on why Trump won’t succeed.

And in Maine, a gay candidate running for Susan Collins’s senate seat isn’t buying Graham Platner’s explanation for his Nazi tattoo.

‼️ Are you an aspiring journalist who wants to work with The Advocate? We're looking for the next generation of queer and trans storytellers to participate in the Future of Queer Media Fellowship. Applications are open now until Oct. 31. Learn more at advocate.com/fellowship

Until tomorrow,

Christine Linnell
Social media manager, The Advocate

AOC tells Riley Gaines to 'get a real job' instead of attacking trans people

Ivan Apfel/Getty Images; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

AOC had a short but scathing response after failed college swimmer Riley Gaines challenged her to a debate.

Harvard Medical School delays transgender health care course after conservative outlet questions fee waivers

ThePhotosite/Shutterstock

Originally, the institution offered fee waivers for trans and gender diverse participants. The National Review questioned if that was legal.

California Gov. Newsom is considering a presidential run. Here's his LGBTQ+ rights record

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; MindStorm/Shutterstock

Gavin Newsom has been known as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights, but recent actions have some questioning his commitment to the transgender community.

Donald Trump will not be running for a third term in 2028, and it has nothing to do with law or politics

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Opinion: The bluster about a third term is more of a Trump-created distraction that seeks to promote strength in the face of the creeping inevitability of aging, writes John Casey.

A gay Maine man seeking Susan Collins’s senate seat says he isn’t buying Graham Platner’s redemption story

Courtesy Jordan Wood

“I believe deeply in second chances,” Democrat Jordan Wood told The Advocate. “But what I saw was someone who doesn’t understand what’s wrong with these statements."