🤔 Why has Louisiana never had an LGBTQ+ state legislator?

Plus, Krysten Sinema isn't running for reelection Hi there, 🗳️ It's Super Tuesday and that means that states across the country are having their primary elections to see who will be facing off this fall in the general election. [Check out what LGBTQ+ politicians were running here]( and make sure you follow The Advocate's political coverage as we head toward November. ❓ Did you know that Louisiana is the only state left in the country — yes, the entire country — that hasn't elected an out state lawmaker? Why is that? The Advocate took a deep dive and spoke to some local politicians and experts to help understand why that is. “For queer candidates in the South, you are not just coming out to the world. You're coming out to everyone you know,” former candidate Brittany Gondolfi said. “And a significant portion of the population believes that God condemns gay people to hell.” [Read the story here](. 🚨 Kyrsten Sinema, the first out bisexual senator, [announced today that she's not running for reelection](. Elected as a Democrat, she changed her affiliation to independent. Sinema, from Arizona, has been much criticized by liberals for her coziness with corporate interests and for her support for the Senate filibuster, which has held up progressive legislation. In a video posted to social media, she said the positions she’s taken were about seeking civility and bridging partisan divides, but that’s proved unpopular. In response to the news, out U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia posted on social media, "Never thought I would be celebrating losing an [LGBTQ]( member from the Senate, but here we are. And thank goodness." 🚨 ☂️ Westboro Baptist Church plans to protest at Nex Benedict's high school in Oklahoma Wednesday. Yes, I too was unaware Westboro was still a thing. Unfortunately, it is. The school is where Benedict was bullied and where he was in a fight the day before his death. [Parasol Patrol, a dedicated nonprofit organization that escorts children and families past dangerous protesters]( is preparing to shield students from anticipated demonstrations by the "church." 👏🏼 Onward and upward, Alex Cooper [Here are the LGBTQ+ candidates to watch on Super Tuesday]( [Parasol Patrol plans to outshine Westboro Baptist Church’s anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry at Oklahoma protest]( [X’s anti-trans policy reversal draws ire and concerns from LGBTQ+ advocates and Twitter users]( [Louisiana is the only state that's never had an out LGBTQ+ state legislator. Here's why]( [Kyrsten Sinema, first out bisexual U.S. senator, won't run for reelection]( [Trump judge tosses DeSantis's 'Stop Woke Law,' and calls it 'First Amendment sin']( Look, queer trivia! Each week, The Advocate newsletter has a little bit of LGBTQ+ trivia. Today, you'll get the question. Thursday, you'll get a hint. And Saturday, you'll get the answer. This week's question is: Who was the Black queer singer known as the Empress of Blues? 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 this Texas Democrat epically shut down anti-LGBTQ+ Christian nationalists with the bible]( (Pride) - [Nicholas Galitzine returns to Twitter, promptly sparks gay chaos with this ONE WORD]( (Pride) - [Julio Torres' debut film Problemista breathes new life into the American dream]( (Out) - [21 filmmakers who have directed more than one gay movie]( (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](