🌈 📺 The L Word premiered 20 years ago today!

Plus, Green Day has had it with the transphobes Happy Thursday! 📺 Today marks 20 years since The L Word premiered on Showtime — the show behind so many folks' queer awakening. The iconic sapphic Showtime series brought a new level of visibility to lesbian and queer women never before seen on television. The show ran for six seasons (the reboot, The L Word: Generation Q, premiered in December 2019 and ran for three). Check out photos from [the actual premiere]( back two decades ago. 🌈 📚 [Casey McQuiston]( the author of Red, White, and Royal Blue, is releasing their latest book The Pairing this year. The spicy book will poke fun at bisexual stereotypes, according to the author, and fully embrace the idea of queer sexual pleasure. We 👏🏼 are 👏🏼 here 👏🏼 for 👏🏼 that. The Pairing hits bookstores on August 6. 📚 🎤 U.S. Sen. [Laphonza Butler gave her first speech]( in the Senate this week. In her speech, the California Democrat spoke about how young people are actively trying to shape the world for the better. "Whether it’s the movements for gun reform, environmental protection, racial justice, or your local barista’s fight to join a union, young people are demonstrating their willingness to be the force, the energy, and the face of change," Butler said. #Truth. In other news: - [Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong isn't mincing words about transphobes.]( - [The Abbey, the iconic LGBTQ+ bar in West Hollywood, is at the center of drugging allegations going back years.]( - [A conservative lawmaker in Oklahoma seems to think it's okay to propose a bill allowing animal control to go after students.]( - [A South Carolina chapter of Moms for Liberty is starting a charter school funded by taxpayer dollars — wonder what they'll be teaching...]( - [Some far-right influencers are angry that MSNBC cut away from Donald Trump's victory speech after the former president — who is facing 91 criminal charges — won the Iowa GOP caucuses this week. Rachel Maddow said it was because of the inevitable lies. Ouch.]( Onward and upward, Alex Cooper [15 Photos from The L Word’s premiere 20 years ago]( ['Red, White & Royal Blue' author Casey McQuiston’s next book is their 'spiciest' ever]( [Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong slams transphobes as 'close-minded']( [South Carolina taxpayers set to pay for Moms for Liberty-run charter school]( [Rachel Maddow and Adam McKay to make documentary on Trump-supporting criminal Lev Parnas]( [Who is Pedro Pascal's sister, Lux? 11 pics of the trans model that prove she's the next 'it girl']( [Oklahoma Republican falls for furry conspiracy, proposes bill unleashing animal control on students]( [285 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures already this year and it's still January]( [MSNBC’s decision not to air Trump’s Iowa victory speech live ignites right-wing firestorm]( [A night they can't remember, at one of the country's most popular LGBTQ+ bars]( 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 state reportedly has the most LGBTQ+ people? This week's hint is: The state's governor is LGBTQ+ and was preceded by another out LGBTQ+ governor. That former governor was the first out LGBTQ+ elected one in the U.S. Reply to this email with the answer and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter! What you should also be reading: - [Joel Kim Booster is coming for Andy Cohen's gig & jokes about who he'll have to 'behead' to get it]( (Pride) - [9 evil gays who probably felt seen by Jennifer Coolidge's Emmy speech]( (Pride) - [20 artists that LGBTQ+ fans are excited to see at Coachella 2024]( (Out) - [Queer cinema is shining bright at Sundance 2024—and festival leadership is excited]( (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. Follow us [X]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( Copyright © 2024 equalpride. All rights reserved. PO Box 241579, Los Angeles, CA 90024 [Privacy policy]( [Terms of use](