August 25 2025, 08:15 
Protestors vow to restore Pulse memorial crosswalk after Ron DeSantis destroys it
What did Ron DeSantis do this time? His adminsitration painted over a rainbow crosswalk created to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. The DeSantis administration claims, without citing evidence, that the crosswalk threatened people’s safety because its colors were distracting.
Why it matters: Florida is one of the first states to crack down on rainbow crosswalks, which the presidential administration has said identified as their national priority. People are fighting back against the attempt to erase LGBTQ+ people from the public sphere.
Protestors vow to restore Pulse memorial crosswalk after Ron DeSantis destroys it
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Colorado tells the Supreme Court to let it keep its ban on conversion therapy
Who’s even arguing against the law: A Christian counselor sued the state of Colorado over its ban on conversion therapy for minors, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The state says that it has an obligation to protect young people from the harmful practice, while the Christian counselor bizarrely says that she’s not going to practice conversion therapy if the ban is overturned.
Why it matters: If the Supreme Court finds a First Amendment right to try to turn LGBTQ+ kids straight, then more children could be put in harm’s way for decades to come.
Colorado’s AG urges Supreme Court to let it keep its ban on conversion therapy
A federal judge strikes down Florida’s book ban law because “none of these books are obscene”
The books that were getting banned: The Color Purple, The Handmaid’s Tale, Beloved, Slaughterhouse-Five, and The Bluest Eye, among others.
Why it matters: Conservatives have been calling books “obscene” in order to bypass First Amendment restrictions. But this judge showed that it’s not enough to just call random books obscene and that courts are willing to say “no” to such labels when they don’t apply.
Federal judge strikes down Florida’s book ban: “None of these books are obscene”
Research group estimates that there are 2.8 million trans people in the U.S., or just under 1%
The statistic comes with a warning: The Williams Institute, which came to the figure based on various federal surveys conducted between 2021 and 2023, said that the current administation is erasing questions about LGBTQ+ people from federal surveys, which will make it harder to come by this data in the future.
Why it matters: Millions of people are transgender, and no amount of institutional transphobia is going to erase an entire demographic.
Data on trans people is the best it’s ever been. But researchers warn it’s all about to change.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) was sworn in as the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by Kamala Harris
Great quote: “Immigrants are some of the most patriotic people in this country because we fought for citizenship,” Garcia said at the ceremony. “Patriotism is not screaming and yelling ‘America First.’ Real patriotism is loving your country so much that you actually want to help the people in your country.”
Why it matters: Garcia is the first House sophomore in a century to be named ranking member of a committee, and he’s the second out LGBTQ+ member of Congress to be selected to lead his party on a committee. (Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota is the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.)
Kamala Harris swears in out Rep. Robert Garcia to key House role: “I am very proud to be here.”
Here’s a picture
Conservatives have been outraged that the Minnesota Vikings have two male cheerleaders this season, but the men are standing proud with their squad. Blaize Shiek and his fellow cheerleaders stand for the national anthem before a game with the New England Patriots on August 16.
And here are some interesting queer and trans reads.
LGBTQ Nation Editor-in-Chief Alex Bollinger examines what’s really behind the right’s hatred of those Minnesota cheerleaders.
Conservatives aren’t mad at male cheerleaders. They’re mad that gay people are on TV.
Brian Rosenberg of “Gays With Kids” discusses some of the risks that come with having twins and suggests that perhaps twins should not be sought intentionally.
Gay men using surrogacy often want twins. But that dream comes with big risks.
Jake Angelo of UnCloseted Media talked to Asian-American gay men about their experiences in community spaces, including on the apps.
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