Politics · Jul 19
Trump’s dehumanizing rhetoric and the danger of scapegoating trans people
An LGBTQ Nation essay argues that stereotypes can fuel hostility and violence, drawing parallels from Nazi propaganda to modern political attacks.
Latest by Alexander Rivera
Reporting, analysis and culture from this writer
Politics · Jul 19
Vance’s Bluesky debut sparks swift backlash and mass blocking from users
The vice president joined the platform with a post about gender-affirming care and quickly became the most-blocked account in Bluesky’s history, according to Clearsky.
News · Jul 18
Phoenix leather bar gets liquor license after billionaire neighbor’s months-long challenge
The Arizona State Liquor Board approved the Barracks with a condition requiring a change to its ownership structure within 90 days.
Politics · Jul 18
Trump’s record and the state of U.S. democracy come under sharp critique in LGBTQ Nation essay
A commentary published by LGBTQ Nation argues that the country has weathered crises before, but says Donald Trump and MAGA politics are testing democratic institutions in new ways.
Politics · Jul 18
Michigan GOP lawmaker freezes after Democrat asks if he is trans at hearing
A tense exchange over anti-trans sports bills briefly derailed a Michigan House committee hearing before Republicans moved the measures forward.
Politics · Jul 17
Jens Spahn faces backlash after surrogacy birth draws scrutiny over prior ban support
The conservative German lawmaker and his husband announced the birth of their son in the United States, reigniting debate over surrogacy and political consistency in Germany.
Politics · Jul 17
Bessent says he was targeted in 2025 Capitol attack as he urges action against political violence
The Treasury secretary made the claim at a State Department summit on political violence, while details from prosecutors show the alleged plot centered on January 27, 2025.
Politics · Jul 17
Ohio Democrats face backlash after softening support for transgender rights
Amy Acton and Marcy Kaptur are drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and party advisory groups as Democrats seek to hold votes in November.
Education · Jul 17
Deposition testimony traces Ohio school board’s anti-LGBTQ+ poster fight to a single complaint
Court filings say Little Miami officials had no prior complaints about the classroom display before board president David Wallace raised it, and that the named complainant was Silas Shelton, a former pastor sentenced to 15 years in prison for sex crimes involving a minor.
Media · Jul 17
Jesse Watters mocks military testosterone plan with remarks about women overseas
Fox News host Jesse Watters laughed as he suggested Pete Hegseth’s new Pentagon policy could lead to sexual assault risks for women on bases and during port calls in Asia.
Media · Jul 17
MSG sued Wired over reporting on database that included LGBTQIA flags
Madison Square Garden Entertainment says Wired distorted stolen customer data. Wired says it stands by a report that examined how the venue tracked public figures, including some marked as LGBTQIA.
Politics · Jul 17
JD Vance draws attention for remarks about Biden’s ice cream eating
On Joe Rogan’s podcast, the vice president described Joe Biden’s ice cream habits as “suggestive” and joked about the awkwardness of eating certain foods in public.
History · Jul 17
Timeline of U.S. trans rights traces victories, backlash and visibility from 1776 to 2026
From early gender-nonconforming figures and firsts in Congress to modern battles over health care, bathrooms and military service, a new chronology maps 250 years of trans life in America.
Politics · Jul 17
Shuster says Trump officials would struggle to alter Epstein files
After Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, David Shuster argued that any attempt to remove references to Donald Trump would be exposed by the large number of DOJ and FBI employees who reviewed the material in March.
Health · Jul 17
A year after the shutdown of 988's LGBTQ+ youth line, Trevor Project says the crisis gap remains
The Trevor Project says the federal lifeline's specialized services were cut off on July 17, 2025, after supporting more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people.
Politics · Jul 17
Trump speech renews fight over election rules and transgender rights
A commentary on Donald Trump’s White House remarks argues that his claims of voter fraud are meant to weaken faith in democracy while advancing anti-transgender policy goals.
Politics · Jul 16
Becca Balint criticizes Pete Hegseth in remarks attacking his anti-LGBTQ stance
The Vermont congresswoman said the defense secretary’s rhetoric and policy choices expose hypocrisy inside the administration. Her comments came in a video posted by MeidasTouch on July 16, 2026.
Politics · Jul 16
House approves State Department spending bill with six anti-LGBTQ+ riders
The bill includes provisions that would restrict Pride flags, target trans-related care and weaken protections for LGBTQ+ people in federal and foreign-assistance work.