Daily newsletter 8/22

➡️ Conservatives are getting some pushback this week, as Illinois launches the nation’s first LGBTQ+ legal hotline, a Texas resident speaks out against draconian bathroom bills, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon snubs Oklahoma’s far-right superintendent of schools.

We also report on CVS Health denying coverage for a breakthrough HIV drug despite it being nearly 100 percent effective.

As Florida’s crackdown on rainbow crosswalks continues, columnist John Casey wonders if Republicans are going to go after the AIDS Memorial Quilt next. “If we allow the Pulse rainbow to disappear, without protest, we risk allowing ourselves to disappear too.”

Enjoy your weekend,

Christine Linnell
Social media manager, The Advocate

Illinois launches first-in-nation LGBTQ+ legal hotline

Andreas Stroh/Shutterstock

Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced the launch of the nation's first-ever LGBTQ+ legal hotline.

Texas constable tells legislators ‘We’re not interested in being the potty police’ at bathroom bill hearing

Courtesy Texas House of Representatives

The father of a transgender child said that in nine years of working near a court bathroom, he has gotten zero complaints about people using it.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon snubs Oklahoma’s extremist superintendent of schools

Courtesy Ryan Walters for Oklahoma; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Trump cabinet official's representatives asked state officials to keep Ryan Walters, the firebrand schools chief, off her schedule.

CVS Health denies coverage for breakthrough HIV drug, committing 'clear violation' of ACA

QualityHD/Shutterstock

CVS Health will not cover Gilead's Yeztugo, generic name lenacapavir (LEN), citing "clinical, financial, and regulatory factors."

After erasing a memorial to the Pulse shooting victims, will the GOP try to burn the AIDS Quilt next?

Anthony Constantine/Shutterstock; CREATISTA/Shutterstock

Opinion: For the evangelical right that dominates Republican politics, their dream is for LGBTQ+ people to disappear, writes John Casey.

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Illinois launches first-in-nation LGBTQ+ legal hotline

Texas constable tells legislators ‘We’re not interested in being the potty police’ at bathroom bill hearing

Education Secretary Linda McMahon snubs Oklahoma’s extremist superintendent of schools

CVS Health denies coverage for breakthrough HIV drug, committing 'clear violation' of ACA

After erasing a memorial to the Pulse shooting victims, will the GOP try to burn the AIDS Quilt next?

Get Out / The Advocate in your physical mailbox too!

Can we count on you to support LGBTQ+ journalism?

The Latest

RFK Jr.’s HHS proposes scrapping protections for LGBTQ+ kids in foster care

The policy change was announced in a notice of proposed rulemaking.

Exclusive: Jim Obergefell endorses Angie Craig for U.S. Senate

"While LGBTQ rights are at risk, we can count on Angie to stand up to these threats and do the right thing," the marriage equality icon said about the Minnesota congresswoman.

If this gay paratrooper could speak directly to Pete Hegseth, this is what he’d say

“People have chosen to stay in the military because they see people like me,” First Lieutenant Brian Femminella told The Advocate.

Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

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New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

Darrell Issa’s retirement opens Palm Springs–area House race for queer Democrats

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

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Daily newsletter 8/22

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The Latest

The policy change was announced in a notice of proposed rulemaking.

"While LGBTQ rights are at risk, we can count on Angie to stand up to these threats and do the right thing," the marriage equality icon said about the Minnesota congresswoman.

“People have chosen to stay in the military because they see people like me,” First Lieutenant Brian Femminella told The Advocate.

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

More For You

Most Popular

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

On Truth Social, the president appeared to leave the door open to kids getting gender-affirming care with "express written approval of the parents."

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.