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Happy Tuesday,
🚨 The Human Rights Campaign published a disturbing report today that found 2023 to be the worst year in U.S. history for LGBTQ+ state legislation. While some states did make progress on LGBTQ+ rights — looking at you, Michigan — other states...well, they rolled them back. HRC's Cathryn Oakley attributes the rash of anti-trans bills to the fact that right-wing politicians have lost on so many other LGBTQ+ rights issues, including marriage equality. “Our opponents are running out of issues that are galvanizing to their base. … They needed a new issue, and they settled on trans kids,” she told The Advocate. 🚨
🪖 Three gay lawmakers have sent a letter to the Department of Defense calling for information following a new Pentagon program meant to ensure those dishonorably discharged due to "don't ask, don't tell" have their records updated to an honorable discharge.
🚗 Florida — why is it always Florida? — has moved to prevent transgender people from changing their gender on government IDs like driver's licenses. A letter sent out by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, part of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration — oh, that's why it's always Florida — said it was rescinding a rule allowing individuals to alter their driver’s licenses when they transition. Further, the letter threatened legal action for those who do change their gender.
🏛️ The E. Jean Carroll defamation damages trial showed that former President Donald Trump is “just a guy” and not to be feared, Carroll and her lawyers said on The Rachel Maddow Show Monday night. Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $83 million last week.
In other news:
- Chaya Raichik, the creator of Libs of TikTok, has — for some reason — been appointed to an Oklahoma library committee.
- We're remembering LGBTQ+ rights pioneer Ann Maguire who died at 80.
- Need a new podcast? Here are 4 podcasts on queer film.
- Another person died on an Atlantis cruise.
- France's new gay prime minister made his first speech to parliament.
Onward and upward,
Alex Cooper
Two Americas for queer people: HRC report finds stark differences in LGBTQ+ rights at the state level
Shutterstock
Oklahoma appoints Libs of TikTok creator - who allegedly inspired school bomb threats - to library committee
facebook @RyanWalters4OK; Shutterstock; footage still via FOX News
Gay Democratic reps demand Pentagon resolve cases of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ dishonorable discharges
Cheryl Senter for the Washington Post; Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images; Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for MoveOn.org
Florida criminalizes changing gender on driver’s licenses in latest attack on LGBTQ+ rights
Florida Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles; Shutterstock
Gay French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal says his appointment shows the country's evolution
Christian Liewig/Corbis/Getty Images
Look, queer trivia!
Each week, The Advocate newsletter has a little bit of LGBTQ+ trivia. Today, you'll get the question. Thursday, you'll get a hint. And Saturday, you'll get the answer.
This week's question is: Who is the first out transgender woman to win a Grammy?
Reply to this email with the answer and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter!
What else you should be reading:
- A beer company put a gay bear twist on the Jeremy White's Calvin Klein ad & has our ATTENTION (Pride)
- 10 most heartbreaking 'RuPaul's Drag Race' eliminations ever (Pride)
- Sniffies' newest feature helps you be discreetly horny while cruising in public (Out)
- Kristen Stewart says she 'won't make another movie' until this thing happens (Out)
@wgacooper
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