🚇🗽The voice of NYC subway is trans euphoric

Plus, Chasten Buttigieg calls out GOP lawmaker Happy Saturday! 🗽 Bernie Wagenblast, the voice of the New York subway, came out as a trans woman last year. She recently spoke to The Advocate about living her authentic life and her journey to thriving in trans euphoria. “I hope by telling my story that I can help others feel less isolated, and also educate those who hate or don’t understand or are willing to learn about what life is like for us,” she said. “I’m proud to be a part of so many millions of New Yorkers’ everyday life, just by being a voice that they hear in the subway station. And now that they know this aspect of my life, they perhaps will see trans people somewhat differently.” [Read her full interview here.]( 🏙️ 🍼 On Friday, GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida tweeted, “Pete Buttigieg got maternity leave and I didn’t. And he’s a dude. It’s time Congress gets with the times.” Pete's husband, Chasten, didn't take too kindly to the post. He told The Advocate that he's glad Congress is taking steps to provide better parental leave policies for lawmakers, but it's too far (and homophobic) to bring his family up like that. [Check out what else Chasten had to say.]( ✨ A father of a [transgender]( boy took some [Missouri officials to task recently]( as the state proposes a number of anti-trans bills. "The hard part — I mean it — the only hard part we have experienced is you all. The only hard part of having a trans kid is this sense that my government just won't leave us alone. That we have to come back here again and again and fight just for his basic human dignity," Rabbi Daniel Bogard said. Tell 'em. ✨ In other news: - [A Wyoming principal decided an antibullying play should be canceled after one of the scenes spoke about the bullying of a gay kid. Maybe the principal should watch the play a few more times...]( - [We're remembering the life of Kitty Monroe, a transgender woman killed in Phoenix earlier this month. May she rest in power.]( - [Longtime California legislator Toni Atkins, a Democrat, announced Friday that she will run for the post. She had said late last year that she was considering a run, but this makes it official.]( - [Billie Jean King gave a happy birthday message to legendary out baseball player Maybelle Blair, who was one of the inspirations behind A League of Their Own. The message included the now-97-year-old still playing ball.]( Onward and upward, Alex Cooper [The voice of the NYC subway and her journey to trans euphoria]( [Chasten Buttigieg slams Florida Republican's comments about Pete's parental leave as homophobic (exclusive)]( [Wyoming school principal axes antibullying play over gay character]( [Lesbian Toni Atkins announces run for California governor in 2026]( [Phoenix trans Latina woman Kitty Monroe run over and killed by a truck]( [A father emotionally defends his transgender son against Missouri lawmakers]( [Billie Jean King sends birthday love to 97-year-old 'A League of Their Own' inspiration Maybelle Blair]( 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: What state reportedly has the most LGBTQ+ people? This week's answer is: Oregon! According to a recent Williams Institute report, [Oregon has the most queer people]( in comparison to its overall population. The state's 253,300 LGBTQ+ residents comprise 7.8 percent of its population. Tina Kotek, who is a lesbian, is the current governor. She succeeded Kate Brown who is bisexual. 🎉 Congrats to Robert and Jett for getting it right! 🎉 Reply to this email with some queer trivia we should know and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter! 🫖 Tea time 🫖 Pope Francis is back in the news and the trending topics this week, announcing [that sexual pleasure is a gift from God]( but lust and pornography should be avoided. This follows his recent statements [approving blessings for same-sex couples]( though gay marriage is still considered a sin by the Catholic Church. Some consider these actions to be important steps forward, while others say it's too little, too late for the Church. What do you think? Continue the conversation by emailing us at social@advocate.com. What you should also be reading - [20 Black LGBTQ+ artists you need to add to your playlist ASAP]( (Pride) - [Kum & Go convenience stores are rebranding & NO ONE is happy about it]( (Pride) - [Our Flag Means Death fans buy Times Square billboard to save the show]( (Pride) - [Here's what we know about Sara Ramirez's messy firing from And Just Like That...]( (Out) - [Jacob Elordi has the gays wishing they were his bathwater candle]( (Out) - [Meet the DC-based gay photographer shining a light on the beauty of the LGBTQ+ community]( (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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