Florida high school teacher loses job for using student's preferred name
Melissa Calhoun is believed to be the first teacher to be fired for using a student's preferred name.
April 10, 2025
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freedom of speech
University of Cincinnati removes 'biological' bathroom signs, wasting $16K
Maintenance staff had to put up then take down 117 signs across campus, bringing the total cost of labor and materials to $16,000.
April 9, 2025
What are 'Religious Freedom' laws, and how are they used against LGBTQ+ people?
Just how far does religious freedom go? Many human rights experts believe it's already gone too far.
April 2, 2025
Texas A&M's drag ban blocked by federal court as judge cites free 'speech rights'
A student "Draggieland" performance will go on as scheduled March 27.
March 24, 2025
This cancer researcher was studying LGBTQ+ people. Her work is now in limbo
A researcher at the George Washington Cancer Center says Trump could erase years of scientific work.
February 28, 2025
Tennessee drag ban will stay as SCOTUS refuses to hear case, but artists 'refuse to be silenced'
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a lawsuit challenging Tennessee's drag ban, but a separate suit is still ongoing.
February 26, 2025
Republicans strip Louisiana's only LGBTQ+ elected official of leadership role
Davante Lewis tells The Advocate about his removal as vice chairman on Louisiana's Public Service Commission, which he believes was racially and politically motivated.
February 20, 2025
Black gay official could lose leadership role after criticizing Louisiana governor's anti-LGBTQ+ post
Davante Lewis talks to The Advocate ahead of a vote to remove him from his vice chairman role on Louisiana's Public Service Commission — all for defending former HHS official Dr. Rachel Levine.
February 18, 2025
Louisiana LGBTQ+ activist exonerated after 3 years of unconstitutional prosecution
Matthew Humphrey has been exonerated three years after his wrongful arrest for speaking out against book bans during a local library board meeting.
February 18, 2025
Indiana State University sued for blocking LGBTQ+ Pride festival
The lawsuit claims that ISU officials have prohibited an LGBTQ+ group from hosting a 2025 Pride celebration on campus despite allowing and sponsoring the event in 2023 and 2024.
February 12, 2025
Publishers and library sue Idaho over book ban that defines 'homosexuality' as 'harmful to minors'
Several large book publishers and a small public library are suing the state of Idaho over its book ban that requires libraries to restrict content "harmful to minors" to patrons 18 and older.
February 6, 2025
Will TikTok go dark? Will Trump enforce the ban? Here's what to know
U.S.-based users will no longer be able to download or use the popular short-form video platform as of Jan. 19.
January 17, 2025
What is RedNote? The TikTok alternative that doesn't allow showing skin or LGBTQ+ content
With heavy censorship of bodies and LGBTQ+ topics, RedNote might not be everything TikTok refugees are seeking.
January 13, 2025
New Jersey just banned book bans with Freedom to Read Act
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law the Freedom to Read Act, which prohibits public institutions from removing books based on the "origin, background, or views of the material or of its authors."
December 10, 2024
Ohio teacher suspended for LGBTQ+ books in her classroom sues school district
An Ohio elementary teacher is flipping the script and using her religious beliefs against conservatives to support LGBTQ+ rights.
December 9, 2024
Gay adult star gets called out after coming out as a Trump supporter
Arad Winwin exchanged messages with Out to share his perspective and motives for supporting Donald Trump.
November 9, 2024
Donald Trump isn't going anywhere. But neither are we. Here's our promise to you, our readers.
The editors of The Advocate make a statement on Donald Trump's victory, and our promise going forward.
November 6, 2024
Texas anti-marriage equality judge refuses to drop suit against state commission
The Texas state judge is suing after a state commission warned her personal beliefs cast doubt on her ability to act impartially from the bench.
October 21, 2024
Florida judge chastises Ron DeSantis for threatening abortion ad: 'It's the First Amendment, stupid'
"The government cannot excuse its indirect censorship of political speech simply by declaring the disfavored speech is 'false,'" the judge wrote.
October 18, 2024
A GOP school board member tried to ban a student's art for being 'offensive' to Christians
Conservative Timothy Simmons tried (and failed) to get his Virginia district to turn on a queer student's moving art piece about religious trauma.
May 9, 2024
'Florida has a First Amendment problem' — judge rules trans teacher can use 'Ms.'
A federal judge has ruled that a trans woman teacher forced to go by "Mr." can return to going by "Ms." and use female pronouns in the classroom.
April 10, 2024