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.

Site Navigation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can we count on you to support LGBTQ+ journalism?

Get The Advocate in your physical mailbox too!

The Latest

Half of U.S. trans teens live in a state that restricts their rights: study

The restrictive laws are most common in the South and Midwest, the Williams Institute reports.

Kennedy Center vice president steps down 12 days after appointment

Kevin Couch, who had been senior vice president of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center, has stepped down without comment.

Health insurance costs are up. Women and LGBTQ+ people are paying the price

After the expiration of ACA subsidies, soaring health care costs have forced some to dip into savings, take on second jobs or go without coverage.

More For You

Most Popular

'Pink coat lady' who filmed Alex Pretti's killing speaks out: 'It could be any of us'

Stella Carlson was on her way to a church event when she encountered Alex Pretti and the DHS agents who would kill him.

10 of the sexiest music videos that gagged everyone in 2025

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.

Alex Pretti’s killers placed on administrative leave as Kristi Noem’s story of the shooting unravels

After days of outrage, two federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, who shot and killed the ICU nurse, have been sidelined.

Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams is a mouthful in splashy new photo shoot

The actor discussed his dynamics with Heated Rivalry costar Connor Storrie, his polarizing runway debut for Dsquared2, and how he's keeping himself grounded.

Tim Cook and Sam Altman refuse to condemn Trump admin after Alex Pretti’s killing

Sam Altman and Tim Cook toe the line between calling out DHS's violence and staying on Trump's good side.

Here are Minnesota groups that need your help organizing against ICE and DHS operations

Here are some mutual aid groups in Minnesota that need donations and volunteers.