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blue states

Did you know most anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has failed? 'We're getting these wins'

While anti-LGBTQ+ bills are scary, we're doing better than you might think, Senior Manager of State Advocacy at the Trevor Project Gabby Doyle tells The Advocate.

Even in red states, the vast majority of Americans support LGBTQ+ protection laws

Most Americans support nondiscrimination laws and other protections, and a large number of them intend to vote based on it. However, those numbers are on the decline according to a new survey.

The Red State-Blue State Divide Is Growing For LGBT People

It's starting to feel like we're living in two different nations, Amanda Kerri writes.

Trans Inmates Often Led to Slaughter, Even in Blue States

Massachusetts -- viewed as a bastion of tolerance -- only recently began recognizing the humanity of trans prisoners.

Blue and red states were putting period products in schools — then came the transphobia

For years, bills that put tampons and pads in school bathrooms were gaining traction across states. But the rise of anti-trans legislation has made a health issue political.

When even blue states aren't safe from anti-LGBTQ+ laws, this queer mayor is protecting her city

Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, the first woman and first out gay mayor of Vermont's largest city, tells The Advocate about how blue states must be proactive instead of reactive in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Rock Out in North Carolina's Queer-Friendly Musical Mecca

For LGBTQ music lovers, Asheville remains a blue haven in a red state.

Gay, pro-choice GOPer Curtis Bashaw wins New Jersey U.S. Senate primary

His nomination gives Republicans hope they could pick up a Senate seat in the solidly blue state.

This Group Ensures LGBTQ-Inclusive Lessons Are Actually Taught

Blue states are passing laws mandating LGBTQ people and rights are included in school curricula, but progress has been slow and spotty.

LGBTQ+ candidates in Texas, California, and more advance in Super Tuesday races

There were notable wins in both red and blue states, with Texas moving toward sending a lesbian to Congress and Burlington, Vt., electing a lesbian mayor.

Trans Adults in Florida Forced to Seek Care Elsewhere Due to Restrictions

Florida’s government claimed it was about protecting children, but access to care is being taken from adults as well, leaving many looking to flee to blue states.

Why Are Small-Town Gay Bars Diverse and Big-City Ones Aren't?

After a Philadelphia bar owner was caught denigrating African-Americans, writer Amanda Kerri wonders why blue-state bastions can often be so segregated.

Rep. Steve King Promotes New Civil War With Violent, Transphobic Meme

"One side has about 8 trillion bullets, while the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use," says the meme showing red and blue states battling it out.

Strategic giving: Seven reasons to support the RNC

Equality can't be gained from only one perspective. If LGBT people want to truly affect political and social change, start by having a presence in the Republican Party. Consider yourself more blue-state? Click here for the Democratic view.

NYC Lesbians Hit Philly for Obama

A group of New York City lesbians took to the streets of Philadelphia to turn out the vote for Barack Obama. The Illinois U.S. senator holds a comfortable lead there, but John McCain has fixated on Pennsylvania as the only sizable blue state he hopes to turn red.

White House Christmas

A gay couple -- and blue state Democrats, no less -- invited to the Bush White House for a Christmas party? Advocate managing editor John Jameson recounts his and his partner's evening with George and Laura and a few hundred of their family and friends.

A Tale of Two Gay Would-be Mayors

Remember the Fort Lauderdale mayor who wanted to spend $230,000 on a "robo-toilet" to cut down the number of men who have sex with men in public restrooms? His name is Jim Naugle, and after 18 years in office, come spring 2009, the homophobic mayor will bid adieu to City Hall. Two gay men are seeking to take his place and, in aligning themselves with Barack Obama's bid for the White House, hoping to make Florida a blue state in 2008.

Analysis: Clinton Fails to Get Needed Game-Changer

Hillary Rodham Clinton needed a game-changer. Instead, it's almost game over. Barack Obama won a resounding victory in North Carolina after the worst two-week stretch in his campaign. And Clinton, fueled by a burst of energy from her convincing win in Pennsylvania last month, barely eked out a win in Indiana despite her full-throated populist appeal in that largely blue-collar state. There are six primaries left in the Democrats' epic battle for the nomination, but Tuesday's results were decisive on their own: They offered Clinton her last, best chance to turn the tables on her rival, and she didn't even come close.

Why Red State Queers Are the New Frontier

Nobody said it was going to be easy to change the world around you.

Why LGBTQ People Should Vote in Their Home State

If we want any chance at defeating Trump, we need our LGBTQ family to stay put.

Gay Bush Appointee Loses Appeal for Fair Treatment

Richard Grenell was appointed spokesperson for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by President Bush more than seven years ago and became the longest-serving public servant to hold that post. But when it came to having his partner of six years listed alongside the spouses of other U.N. diplomats, his dedication to the job didn't carry much weight with the State Department.