Have you read the latest issue of The Advocate's newsletter (01/30/24)?

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.

Alex Cooper

Two Americas for queer people: HRC report finds stark differences in LGBTQ+ rights at the state level

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4 quintessential queer movie podcasts

Hulton Collection/Getty Images

Yet another passenger dies on world’s biggest gay cruise

Royal Caribbean International

Oklahoma appoints Libs of TikTok creator - who allegedly inspired school bomb threats - to library committee

facebook @RyanWalters4OK; Shutterstock; footage still via FOX News

Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act must be stopped. Now.

PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

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

Don't fear Donald Trump, say the women who won an $83 million damages award

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Gay French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal says his appointment shows the country's evolution

Christian Liewig/Corbis/Getty Images

Hugh Hefner's widow talks about the Playboy founder's same-sex experiences: report

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