🌈 This is why aunties save queer lives

Plus, Dolly Parton gifts guitar to drag queen activist Hi, y'all! ✨ As if we didn't love our aunts enough, here's another reason: They provide a vital source of support for [LGBTQ]( young folks. [A recent study]( looked at aunts who were relatives or chosen family and their relationship with queer youth. Researchers found that "aunts of all racial backgrounds brought an ethic of care and social responsibility toward the well-being of their LGBTQ niblings [a gender-neutral term for the child of a sibling]. Aunts acted as a buffer between the youth and other family members, especially parents, and provided consistent loving and affirming support.” Here's to all the aunties out there! 💕💕💕 [Conservative influencers seem excited]( that the 17-year-old who police say killed a child and injured five others in a school shooting in Iowa may have been LGBTQ+. The shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. While authorities haven't commented about the shooter’s gender identity or sexual orientation, right-wing social media users have focused on the appearance of a Pride flag on an account allegedly linked to the shooter and have run with it. 🚨 Fact: Most mass shooters aren't trans or nonbinary people. The predominant demographic of mass shooters remains cisgender men. “Extremists often try to muddy the waters by blaming our gun violence crisis on mental health or gender identity, when often people with these lived realities are most likely to be victims of gun violence, rather than perpetrators of it," Angela Ferell-Zaballa, executive director of Moms Demand Action, said in a statement to The Advocate.🚨 💅🏽 [Dolly Parton is being the wonderful person she is again](. This time, the icon gifted a signed bejeweled guitar to Texas-based drag queen Brigitte Bandit. The drag performer has been a vocal advocate fighting against the state's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. “To Brigitte. Love, Dolly Parton,” the guitar's message read. 🪕 In other news: - [A Ugandan LGBTQ+ activist is recovering after a knife attack. It comes after the country passed a new anti-homosexuality bill that includes the death penalty in some cases.]( - [A school district settled with a former student who was disciplined for wearing a shirt that read "Homosexuality is a sin." The former student happens to be the daughter of a preacher of an organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled as a hate group.]( - [Two Colorado Catholic preschools are suing to discriminate against LGBTQ+ couples. We're not kidding.]( - [Out Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is working to make IVF easier for queer Veterans.]( - [A Virginia community is remembering the life of advocate Shelby "Lexus" Riddick-Walker.]( - [We're also remembering trans woman Amber Minor who was killed in Missouri.]( Onward and upward, Alex [Aunts are a key source of support for LGBTQ+ youth, study says]( [Right-wing influencers seem happy that Iowa school shooter might be LGBTQ+]( [Beloved Virginia Beach-area LGBTQ+ advocate killed by drunk driver, police say]( [Colorado Catholic preschools say they have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people]( [Massachusetts governor seeks IVF coverage for veterans in same-sex relationships]( [Black transgender woman Amber Minor killed in Missouri on Christmas Eve]( [Dolly Parton gifted a bejeweled guitar to Texas drag queen. Here's why]( [Ugandan activist suffers horrific wounds in suspected anti-LGBTQ+ knife attack]( [Daughter of hate group's preacher settles with school district over ‘Homosexuality is a sin’ shirt]( Look, a hint! Each week, The Advocate newsletter has a little bit of LGBTQ+ trivia. Tuesday, you'll get the question. Today, you'll get a hint. And Saturday, you'll get the answer. This week's question is: What was the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation? This week's hint is: The state also elected the first out LGBTQ+ U.S. senator. Reply to this email with your answer, and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter! What you should also be reading: - [10 LGBTQ+ directors we want to direct the next 'Star Wars' movie—it's about time!]( (Pride) - [We're thirsting over Jeremy Allen White's steamy new Calvin Klein shoot]( (Pride) - [8 infamous celebrity clashes we'd love to see Ryan Murphy take on in a future 'Feud' series]( (Pride) - [Yes, Paul Mescal & Andrew Scott know how thirsty we are for them]( (Out) - [11 sad LGBTQ+ movies to watch during sad girl season]( (Out) - [LGBTQ+ people were rocking out to these 20 songs 20 years ago]( (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. 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. 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