👏🏼 A gay dad is standing up to a far-right bigot

Plus, Sen. Laphonza Butler protests book bans with Audre Lorde Happy Thursday, 👏🏼 A gay single dad in New York, José Rolón, [took to social media this week]( to call out a far-right creep who attacked him and his family. The homophobic pundit Stew Peters accused Rolón of sex crimes. “In our community, we're often faced with this question of do we ignore it so that we don't give this person a voice, or make it so that people are aware of the kind of people that are out there spreading misinformation about our community, especially in an election year,” Rolón explained to The Advocate. “I made the decision to talk about it because I think it's important.” 🌈 📚 California [Sen. Laphonza Butler]( to the Senate floor today to read from Audre Lorde's Sister Outsider. She did so as a protest against book bans that have cropped up across the country. “Right now extremist politicians are working overtime to strip our nation’s bookshelves of essential literature that helps to tell the complete story of America, including the stories of great sacrifice, contribution, and pain of Black Americans,” she said. 🎤 ✨ Erick Russell is the first Black gay elected statewide official. The treasure of Connecticut gave some advice to other would-be politicians running for office: “We need more people stepping up and serving, particularly folks who are underrepresented in government right now,” he said. “Be confident in yourself and understand that you’re right where you’re supposed to be, and don’t hesitate to take up space, and don’t feel like you need to make yourself small to fit in somebody else’s.” [Read the interview here.]( ✨ See you Saturday, Alex Cooper [This gay dad is standing up to conservatives after one host called him a 'pervert homo' (exclusive)]( [Mitch McConnell leaves as the Senate’s longest-serving coward]( [America's first Black gay statewide elected official on being authentic and confident]( [Texas quietly restricts gender-affirming care for trans adults: 'Canary in the coalmine']( [California Sen. Laphonza Butler reads Audre Lorde in protest of GOP book banning]( [Oklahoma superintendent’s ties to anti-trans influencer spark outrage in wake of Nex Benedict’s death]( [Oklahoma superintendent and Libs of TikTok celebrate bullying gay principal out of job for drag persona]( 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: Who was the first out LGBTQ+ person elected governor in the U.S.? This week's hint is: They were also the first out bisexual elected governor. Reply to this email with the answer and you may get a shout-out in a future newsletter! What you should also be reading: - [WATCH: For the Love of DILFs Daniel & Derrick Hart answer all our burning questions]( (Pride) - [Trace Lysette shares funny stories & annoyances about her dating life]( (Pride) - [Fact-checking Elliott with 2 Ts' post about trans rights & drag bans]( (Out) - [Andy Cohen slams bombshell claims in Leah McSweeney's RHONY lawsuit: 'completely false']( (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](