LGBTQ+ rights were a rallying point at “No Kings” protests across the country

What happened: Around 7 million people protested the administration in demonstrations across the country. The administration’s attacks on LGBTQ+ people were one of the key points of discontent expressed at the protests, and one U.S. senator even wore a trans flag to show his support for the community.

Why it matters: While some Democratic party insiders are suggesting abandoning or downplaying LGBTQ+ issues in future elections, the values of equality and inclusion remain important to the party’s liberal base.

LGBTQ+ rights were a strong rallying point at “No Kings” protests across the country

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President grants clemency to disgraced former Congressman George Santos

Why was he in jail: Santos was sentenced to seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, a sentence he began to serve this summer. But the president granted him clemency because, he said, Santos is a Republican.

Why it matters: Santos’ victims did not get justice, and Santos is free to commit more scams because the president politicized the criminal justice system.

Republicans are upset that Trump got “con man” George Santos released from prison

Amy Coney Barrett explains why she doesn’t think the Supreme Court will overturn marriage equality

Her reasoning: The Supreme Court has not yet decided if it will take up Kim Davis’ challenge to Obergefell v. Hodges, but Justice Coney Barrett says that there are too many “social reliance interests” in that case to overturn it. That is, people have planned their lives around marriage equality being available, and so have businesses and local governments, so ending it would be difficult for the Court.

Why it matters: Coney Barrett is one of the six conservative Supreme Court justices. If she is not on board to overturn Obergefell – at least this year – then all five of the other conservatives would have to stand together to end it.

Amy Coney Barrett explains “very concrete” reasons marriage equality will remain in place

Federal judge to block administration’s plans to halt funding to pro-trans schools in 16 states and D.C.

What the president wanted: He ordered schools to deny the existence of trans people and demanded that “gender ideology” be removed from federally funded sex ed programs, threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that failed to comply.

Why it matters: Many LGBTQ+ young people will never hear about other LGBTQ+ people except at school. Blocking this directive ensures that more students will be able to get real information about who they are in school, since schools are likely to comply with the administration rather than risk losing funding.

Judge to block enforcement of administration’s “don’t say trans” school rule

Maine Gov. Janet Mills highlights her support for trans rights as she announces her Senate campaign

What she said: “I told him I’d see him in court,” Mills said earlier this year, referring to how she promised her state would sue if the president cut funding to pressure the state to ban trans athletes. “Well, we did see him in court, and we won.”

Why it matters: Some Democrats seem to realize that they can stand up to the president and win. Moreover, they’re standing up for trans rights, even in states that aren’t deep blue.

Janet Mills launches Senate campaign by celebrating her wins for trans rights

Here are some pictures

LGBTQ+ issues were a central concern at No Kings protests on October 18. Here are some pictures from those protests.

And here are some interesting queer and trans reads

LGBTQ Nation editor Daniel Villarreal talked to a gay Iraqi refugee in Dallas whose life has been turned upside-down by the current administration. He now worries about his future.

He fled Iraq after he was jailed for being gay. Now Donald Trump is making his life hell.

LGBTQ Nation contributor Greg Owen talked to Senate candidate Dakarai Larriett about the unjust arrest that inspired his campaign, growing up gay in Alabama, and his experiences with ghosts.

Cops allegedly planted drugs on him & humiliatingly arrested him. Now he’s running for Senate.

LGBTQ Nation columnist Faefyx Collington explained why it’s time to question the president’s mental health and invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

It’s time to invoke the 25th Amendment to protect America from Donald Trump

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