daily newsletter 7/21/25

Hi y'all,

Happy Monday!

🪖 Delaware U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, the first trans member of Congress, took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Monday to defend those whose military careers are under threat, not because of misconduct, but because they are transgender.

🚨 Andry Hernández Romero, a gay makeup artist who sought asylum in the U.S. due to persecution in Venezuela but was deported to a prison in El Salvador, has been released as part of a prisoner swap — but he's being sent back to Venezuela instead of the U.S. His supporters warn that because he initially left Venezuela to escape persecution for his sexual orientation, he remains unsafe.

👀 Another Florida city will power-wash support for the LGBTQ+ community off its roadways but under duress. West Palm Beach officials said rainbow colors on crosswalks at Spruce Avenue and Northwood Road will be removed to comply with a new Florida law. But, officials have plans for where to put another.

Onward and upward,

Alex Cooper

Editor-in-Chief, The Advocate

P.S. Support The Advocate's journalism. Become a member today.

Andry Hernández Romero, gay asylum seeker disappeared by Trump, part of prisoner swap

Courtesy Immigrant Defenders Law Center; Alex Pena/Anadolu via Getty Images

Another Florida city will power-wash its rainbow crosswalks away under pressure from Sean Duffy, Ron DeSantis

©2025 Google Maps Data

New study ranks U.S. states with highest STI rates

Digital Illustration by Nikki Aye for Out.com (elements: shutterstock)

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues swimming group over inclusion of transgender women

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; shutterstock creative

Sarah McBride defends transgender troops on House floor as Pentagon expels ‘committed patriots’

Courtesy Pictured

Children’s National Hospital caves under Trump’s pressure & ends gender-affirming care for trans patients

shutterstock creative; instagram @pambondi

Gay asylum seeker Andry Hernández Romero remains in danger, advocates warn

Courtesy Immigrant Defenders Law Center; Alex Pena/Anadolu via Getty Images

Kamala Harris’s former spokesman celebrates his bold gay love story on his wedding day (in photos)

Almida Meyer of Almida Meyer Photography

Transgender attorney who argued before Supreme Court explains why it was ‘my nightmare’

Courtesy Fourth Act Film

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