Right-wingers renew their attacks on LGBTQ+ families & marriage

What happened: The creators of Project 2025 released a new set of policy guidance for the administration to target LGBTQ+ families for erasure, claiming that being raised by same-sex parents is bad for children. Meanwhile, a coalition of 47 right-wing organizations announced a new campaign to end marriage equality, arguing that children’s interests are “greater than” LGBTQ+ people’s rights, echoing “groomer” attacks on LGBTQ+ people.

Why it matters: Conservative Christians apparently believe that the political climate is right to overturn one of the biggest civil rights advances of this century.

Influential GOP think tank unveils new attack plan targeting gay families

Insights for the LGBTQ+ community

Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

Gay journalist Don Lemon arrested for reporting on a protest in a Christian church

It’s looking like a political arrest: A magistrate judge and an appeals court both denied the DOJ’s request for an arrest warrant, but federal agents arrested Lemon anyway. The White House’s social media accounts celebrated his arrest by posting, “When life gives you lemons…”

Why it matters: They’re arresting journalists for reporting on major events that are unfavorable to the administration.

Feds arrest gay journalist Don Lemon for covering anti-ICE protest in church

Federal agents pepper-sprayed an award-winning queer journalist while she reported on Alex Pretti’s death

In Jana Shortal’s words: “They started to just aggressively say ‘Move back,’ but nobody knew what was happening. I’m moving back, walking backwards on the pavement in my boots and apparently [I] was not fast enough. And so, an agent probably twice my size pushed me pretty hard, and I said, ‘Don’t push me, I’m press.’”

Why it matters: This happened before Lemon was arrested and shows how the current administration, at every level, does not like the free press.

Feds peppersprayed this award-winning out journalist while she reported on Alex Pretti’s death

GOP lawmaker calls for the death penalty for doctors and parents who support trans kids

In his words: “I think we need a law in Tennessee that would allow for capital punishment for those who commit an assault on the sanctity of life,” said Tennessee state Rep. Monty Fritts (R).

Why it matters: All the states that are going to pass bans on gender-affirming care have already passed them, but Republicans feel the need to keep dialing up the rhetoric against trans kids and their families.

GOP candidate calls for executing parents & doctors who help trans kids

New York’s attorney general fired a transphobic lawyer for “flagrant and repeated disregard” for rules that protect people’s rights

Why was the lawyer fired? She claims it was because she spoke out against gender-affirming care, which she claims is homophobic. James said she was fired because she wasn’t following the rules of her job.

Why it matters: Democratic officials are, generally, holding the line on LGBTQ+ rights when they have the power to do so, even in all this chaos.

Gay lawyer who thinks trans rights are “homophobic” says Letitia James fired her for her views

This week’s pictures

LGBTQ+ advocates marched in Tallahassee, Florida this past Wednesday in support of trans rights at the third annual “Let Us Live” rally. They targeted two sets of bills being heard in the current legislative session. One would expand the state’s ban on gender-affirming care, making even pharmacists liable for filling a doctor’s prescription. The other would ban LGBTQ+ awareness training for government workers and give workers the right to misgender trans people.

Some more queer and trans reads

Deputy Editor Molly Sprayregen asked LGBTQ Nation readers what has changed in their lives one year into the current presidential administration. Here’s what they had to say.

“I hope that it isn’t too late”: Queer folks cling to hope for a brighter, more equal future

Contributor Ellen Shanna Knoppow talked to out lawmaker Jeremy Moss about the adversity he has faced as he mounts his congressional campaign, the rise of antisemitism in politics, and how he sees a way for our community to make it through these troubled times.

“I didn’t lose consciousness”: Gay lawmaker on his resilience as he runs for Congress

Editor-in-Chief Alex Bollinger discussed how cynicism brought us to the current political moment and how it’ll take hope – like the hope Alex Pretti had – to get us out of it.

As cynicism takes over the world, Alex Pretti could teach us all about hope

Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.