Dawn Ennis

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At least 5 GOP-led states have a new Pride Month tradition — renaming June

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“If you can’t lick ’em, join ’em,” a conservative Indiana senator famously advised nearly a century ago. Today’s Republicans appear to have taken that lesson to heart, working overtime to create GOP-branded alternatives to Pride Month that celebrate traditional marriage, “nuclear families,” and what some governors are calling “fidelity.”  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders became the latest Republican official to join the trend Monday, the start of Pride Month, issuing a proclamation declaring June “Fidelity Month” to celebrate “fidelity to God, family, community, and country.” Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week. The announcement was unveiled through […]

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Trans salutatorian’s powerful graduation speech puts Mississippi school’s mistreatment on display

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His commencement speech was greeted with applause and even cheers, but Jonas Hole, Salutatorian of the Class of 2026 at his Mississippi high school, had to endure being called “young lady,” being misgendered, and deadnamed by the same administrators who handed him his diploma.  “Despite my own self-acceptance, others judged me without understanding me. I became my label, and it felt as if my achievements, hardships, personality, all became irrelevant for the sole fact that I present myself differently,” he said. Hole identifies as transmasculine. Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your […]

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National Trans Visibility March steps off in Orlando on its way to L.A.

Hundreds of out transgender people and allies from across Florida and from as far away as Southern California gathered in Orlando Saturday to rally and to march, demanding justice, equality and acceptance.  Chanting, “Trans Solidarity,” and “Hey Hey, Ho, Ho, Transphobia Has Got To Go!” participants in the 3rd annual National Trans Visibility March stepped off for their first march to be held outside Washington, D.C. This was also the first in-person parade since last year’s march was held mostly virtually, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “There are so many of us who feel excluded from our cities and our communities,” said Ariel Savage of […]