September 15 2025, 08:15 
Anti-LGBTQ+ MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead during live event
What happened: Charlie Kirk, who was a very influential rightwing operative, was shot to death at a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The president has already talked about Kirk’s death more than he has about any victims of mass shootings this year, and many on the right are promising to use Kirk’s death to crack down on the left.
Anti-LGBTQ+ MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead during live event
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After a day of conservatives claiming that the person who shot Charlie Kirk engraved “trans ideology” on bullet casings, it turns out to be anti-gay messages
One of the messages: “If you read this, you are gay, LMAO”
Why it matters: Many prominent voices on the right have been claiming that the perpetrator was either transgender or a leftist seeking to silence the rightwing provocateur Charlie Kirk. The main suspect is now a cis white man from a conservative family, although his political leanings are not known and will likely be debated for a long time.
Anti-gay messages found engraved on Charlie Kirk murder suspect’s bullet casings
Sabrina Carpenter delivers a powerful message for trans rights at the Video Music Awards
In her words: “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. So, to get to be part of something… that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance… I’m so grateful. So grateful to do that.”
Why it matters: Performing on stage with transgender and drag artists in this political climate shows that many people are still committed to LGBTQ+ equality.
“In Trans We Trust”: Sabrina Carpenter stands up for trans rights during powerful VMA performance
Politicians all over the world demonized LGBTQ+ people during elections in 2024
The numbers: 60 countries and the E.U. held elections in 2024, with over 1.5 billion people voting. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric featured prominently in 51 of those elections.
Why it matters: The current backlash against LGBTQ+ rights is not a U.S.-only phenomenon. It’s part of the rise of a global right-wing movement.
Politicians demonizing LGBTQ+ people for electoral success is a global phenomenon
Virginia’s GOP gubernatorial candidate is recycling the president’s 2024 anti-trans campaign messages in her own ads
What her ads say: “Spanberger is for they/them, not for us.” Democrat Abigail Spanberger is running against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. The line, “X is for they/them,” comes from an anti-Kamala Harris ad from last year.
Why it matters: Anti-trans rhetoric is a serious source of transphobia that politicians are using to win elections, and it’s not stopping after its 2024 appearance.
GOP candidate recycles last year’s anti-trans campaign attacks: Dem opponent is “for they/them”
Here’s a picture
Marissa Copler, as Gay Jesus, attended the Louisville Pride Festival Decades Resistance & Hope Through The Years on September 6, 2025.
And here are some interesting queer and trans reads
Contributor Umar Ibrahim Agaie investigated “death doulas” in Michigan who help LGBTQ+ people die with dignity.
Meet the “death doulas” who help LGBTQ+ people die with dignity
LGBTQ Nation senior editor Daniel Villarreal shared his complicated feelings shortly after Charlie Kirk’s death.
LGBTQ Nation columnist John Gallagher discussed the GOP’s longstanding contempt for science just after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s disastrous Senate hearing
The right’s disdain for science is part of their strategy to attack LGBTQ people
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