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"Let us march to show that we are still here, and we are still happily queer, " writes The Advocate's editor in chief.
Are you proud? I am.
This Pride season, I’m the proudest I’ve ever been to be queer. It’s not an easy time to be. Queer and trans rights are under attack by our government. “Don’t say gay” policies continue to affect schools across the country, and our history is being erased from government archives. The Trump administration has given a vocal, hateful minority the freedom to be openly and aggressively anti-LGBTQ+, anti-immigrant, misogynist, racist, and more. But for those who can be out and proud, now is a time to show up and speak out. It’s time to remind people that the first Pride parade was a protest. More importantly, it’s time to remind people that Pride is still a protest.
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I’m also proud to have stepped into The Advocate’s editor-in-chief role after helming its digital newsroom for years. It’s an honor to continue this legacy and to lead The Advocate right now as our community faces obstacles it hasn’t had to in some time. In this issue we’re celebrating Communities of Pride, showcasing how queer people across the country manifest Pride in their local areas. Central Alabama Pride is spreading queer joy in the Deep South. Capital Pride in Washington, D.C., hosted WorldPride, with thousands coming out to attend a series of events — from concerts with Cynthia Erivo and Doechii, to a protest against the federal government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Also in this issue, we hear from a board member of Navajo Nation Pride who is a Two Spirit person expressing their Indigenous and queer pride through drag.
In our cover story with the multihyphenate Cynthia Nixon, she tells The Advocate about how activism shaped her perspectives on the world from a young age and the importance of using your power to stand up to oppression. While she enjoys making nuanced art, she says of her politics, “I always want you to know what side I’m on.”
June marks the 10th anniversary of marriage equality. A huge victory for LGBTQ+ rights, our own John Casey has co-written a book, which came out this month, on the subject. He takes us through the process of working on the book in a personal essay.
We also interview the queer Americana artist Allison Russell, whose musicand activism have always blended. Her re-released song “Superlover” features the legendary Annie Lennox in a call to rise up and show compassion in a world where that can be hard to come by.
Let Pride 2025 be a reminder of how our community has mobilized to find justice for all. Let it fill you with queer joy. Be “superlovers.” And let us march to show that we are still here, and we are still happily queer.
Onwards and upwards,
ALEX COOPER
Editor in Chief, The Advocate
This article is part of The Advocate's May/June 2025 "Pride" issue. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue now through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.
