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Politics

In Politics, The Advocate presents the latest news about the political world. From Supreme Court rulings to state and federal laws, The Advocate reports on how politics shapes the day-to-day realities faced by members of the gay community. Read about LGBT leaders like Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin and their work to advance the causes of the LGBT rights movement in the United States and around the world. Find out about legislation related to same-sex marriage, adoption, and other issues in gay politics that will impact the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

Seattle Children's Hospital sign
Politics

RFK Jr.'s HHS investigates Seattle Children's Hospital over youth gender-affirming care

If the department concludes the hospital violated RFK Jr.'s illegal policy, it could lose its Medicaid and Medicare funding.

Zohran Mamdani; Elon Musk
Politics

Zohran Mamdani claps back after Elon Musk attacks out lesbian FDNY commissioner appointee

Elon Musk has claimed that "people will die" because a lesbian has been appointed FDNY chief.

Richard Grenell and the Kennedy Center
Politics

Trump's gay Kennedy Center president demands $1M from performer who canceled Christmas Eve show

Jazz artist Chuck Redd called off the performance over Donald Trump adding his name to the venue.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts
Politics

Far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Project 2025 will continue into 2026

But the Heritage Foundation, the group behind the conservative blueprint, has troubles of its own.

John Hodgens Laura Kavanagh Lillian Bonsignore
News

Who is Lillian Bonsignore — set to be first out gay Fire Department of New York commissioner?

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Bonsignore's appointment Tuesday. She will also be the second woman in the post.

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Transgender flag U.S. capitol
Politics

Transgender NSA employee files discrimination lawsuit against Trump administration

A lawsuit from a transgender NSA employee accuses the Trump administration of violating her civil rights.

Sports bra chest binder
Exclusives

Chest binder vendors respond to 'absurd' FDA warning letter: 'Clearly discrimination'

The FDA warned companies selling chest binders to register their products as medical devices. Here's how they're responding.

Erik Bottcher
Politics

Gay NYC Council member Erik Bottcher drops U.S. House bid, will run for state Senate instead

“This decision is rooted in where I believe I can do the most good immediately,” Bottcher said.

Sad young girl in foster care
Politics

Massachusetts removes rule requiring foster parents to support LGBTQ+ youth

Massachusetts has removed state rules requiring that foster parents not discriminate against LGBTQ+ youth.
Supreme Court LGBTQ+ flag
Politics

Texas judge who refused to officiate same-sex weddings sues to overturn marriage equality

Dianne Hensley is the new Kim Davis as she sues to overturn marriage equality with the hopes the Supreme Court will hear her.

From left: Brian Fitzpatrick, Henry Cuellar, and Gabe Evans
Politics

The Republicans who voted against making gender-affirming care a crime and the Dems who voted for it

Here's who broke with their party on Marjorie Taylor Greene's hateful bill.

Sports bra chest binder
Politics

Trump's FDA sends warning letters to companies selling chest binders

Trump's FDA claims that companies selling chest binders have "misbranded" medical devices.

Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride
Politics

Sarah McBride knew some Democrats would betray trans people, so she lobbied Republicans

Sarah McBride successfully lobbied a handful of Republicans to vote against a ban on gender-affirming care for youth.

Creating Change Returns to Washington D.C. for 38th Convening for LGBTQ Advocacy
National LGBTQ Task Force

Creating Change Returns to Washington D.C. for 38th Convening for LGBTQ Advocacy

In this era of defending LGBTQ rights, the National LGBTQ Task Force invites activists to the 38th Creating Change.

Transgender rights protest
Politics

House passes bill banning Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for youth

A bill banning Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for youth has passed the U.S. House with the help of four Democrats.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr
Politics

Health policy expert to RFK Jr.: You can't ban trans youth care this way

“They are trying to do something that CMS simply isn’t empowered to do,” a former senior Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official from the Biden administration told The Advocate.

Dr. Oz and RFK Jr. speaking at a podium
Politics

RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce sweeping measures to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth

The Department of Health and Human Services announced new proposals that would effectively block gender-affirming care for trans youth across the country.

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Rainbow crosswalk
Texas

Texas city will remove rainbow crosswalks under orders from Trump administration

San Antonio will remove its iconic rainbow crosswalks by January 15 after being denied an exemption.
kishla askins
Politics

After 30 years in uniform, a veteran in Nebraska who survived ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is running for Congress

Kishla Askins was investigated several times for being a gay woman while serving in the military. Now she's running for Congress to make those she lost on deployment proud.

Donald Trump
Politics

Six key takeaways from Trump's speech to the nation, including 'transgender for everybody'

Donald Trump's address to the nation Wednesday night was brief, full of falsehoods, and included one of his favorite phrases.