🍊 Ron DeSantis's transphobia got called out by a judge 🌴

Plus, just how gay is the U.S.A? Happy Saturday! 🐊 Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis [got called out]( a judge for his transphobia. The presidential hopeful was taken to task in a case over gender-affirming care. DeSantis has [repeatedly said the ban has stopped the “mutilation” of young patients,]( in reality, gender-affirming surgery is not generally performed on people under 18. “When I’m analyzing the governor’s motivation, what should I make of these statements?” the judge reportedly asked the lawyer defending the ban. “This seems to be more than just hyperbole.” 🐊 ❓ Do you know how gay America is? [Apparently 5.5 percent]( of U.S. citizens identify as [LGBTQ]( according to a study by the Williams Institute. How many people is that exactly? Find out below. 🌈 🇺🇸 [Russian parents are having their LGBTQ+ kids kidnapped]( and shipped off to conversion therapy camps, which are using brutal measures on them. It's just the latest in recent crackdowns on the LGBTQ+ community in the country. The government recently designated the LGBTQ+ rights movement "extremist" and several LGBTQ+ clubs and bars have been raided. 🇷🇺 The right might have freaked out over the recent [Senate hearing room gay sex scandal]( but let's not forget the [scandals Republicans]( have found themselves in over the years. We've gathered some of the most notorious ones as a reminder. In other news: - [A Florida GOP lawmaker is trying to ban Pride flags from government property. The proposal failed before, and we're hoping it fails again.]( - [Kentucky's "don't say gay" law is making queer kids miserable. Are we surprised?]( - [More than 300 LGBTQ+ artists have signed on to a petition arguing for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War.]( - [What's the pope's record on LGBTQ+ rights? Check out our pretty extensive list of what Pope Francis has said about queer folks.]( - [OnlyFans content creator Kyle Krieger is donating money from his account to AIDS/LifeCycle. He's raised more than $25,000, so far and has taken the lead fundraising spot. His goal is $50,000 before the new year.]( Onward and upward, Alex [How Many LGBTQ+ People Live In the U.S.?]( [Ron DeSantis Lied About 'Mutilation' in Pushing Anti-Trans Law, Judge Says]( [Russian Parents Are Kidnapping Their LGBTQ+ Children and Sending Them to Conversion Therapy Camps]( [Florida GOP Lawmaker Proposes ‘Don’t Display Gay’ Bill to Ban Pride Flag From Government Properties]( [Kentucky's 'Don't Say Gay' Law Brings Misery to LGBTQ+ Students]( [Pope Francis' (Mostly) Complete LGBTQ+ Record: the Good and the Bad]( [300+ LGBTQ+ Artists Join Call For Ceasefire in Gaza, Boycott of Israel]( [Kyle Krieger Looks to Raise $50k For AIDS/LifeCycle Through His OnlyFans]( Look, the answer! Each week, The Advocate newsletter has a little bit of LGBTQ+ trivia. Tuesday, you'll get the question. Thursday, you'll get a hint. And today, you'll get the answer. This week's question was: Who was the first Supreme Court member to conduct a same-sex marriage ceremony? This week's answer is: [Ruth Bader Ginsberg]( is believed to be the first Supreme Court justice to officiate a same-sex marriage ceremony, which she did in 2013 only a couple of months after joining the majority opinion that the federal government must recognize marriage equality. "I think it will be one more statement that people who love each other and want to live together should be able to enjoy the blessings and the strife in the marriage relationship," Ginsburg told The Washington Post at the time. Reply to this email with a recommendation of a bit of LGBTQ+ trivia we should know, and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter! What you should also be reading: - [Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa Reveals Similarities Between Gays & The Doctor]( (Pride) - [Saltburn's Bathtub Scene Is Scandalizing Gen Z & We're LIVING For The Hilarious Reactions]( (Pride) - [10 Must-Watch Lesbian Movies Based On Books That Celebrate Sapphic Love]( (Pride) - [Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon Features an Old, Tired Homophobic Trope]( (Out) - [Drag Race Star Farrah Moan Comes Out As Trans]( (Out) - [From Friends to Tying the Knot in Vegas: The Unconventional Love Story of Two ER Doctors]( (Out) Do you know someone who would like to receive The Advocate newsletter? Share it with them!   [Click to email a link to your friends](   Keep up with the latest LGBTQ+ news -- from politics to entertainment to opinions from queer voices. [Manage your newsletter preferences.]( The Advocate is part of [equalpride]( a proudly LGBTQ-owned and operated media company that serves as a leading voice on equality with LGBTQ, women and people of color. Follow us [X]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( Copyright © 2023 equalpride. All rights reserved. PO Box 241579, Los Angeles, CA 90024 [Privacy policy]( [Terms of use](