Good Queer News: When We Fight, We Win!
This week's good news roundup is ABSOLUTELY PACKED!
Howdy, folks! I’m coming to you today feeling both exhausted and deeply fulfilled after the conclusion of the 2025 Lambda Literary Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ+ Authors! I will probably have a longer piece about this at some point, but all I can say right now is that the love and community I spent the week surrounded by has left me feeling both softer and more confident than ever.
Now that I’m forced to return to earth, I’m going through all my usual sources and WOW this newsletter is going to be really, really full. The underlying theme between so many of these headlines this week is that when we fight, we win. SO many people have told me that trans people are being thrown under the bus, that everyone hates us, that no one cares anymore. I see you in your pain, I hold you in your fear. AND, I gently remind us that the apps and newsrooms telling us we’re alone and abandoned are the same ones who have something to gain from us believing that lie. They don’t want hundreds of thousands marching in the UK to become millions. They don’t want us to know our phone calls to legislators add up. They don’t want us getting inspired to vote for progressive primary candidates or—god forbid, feel empowered enough to RUN.
They don’t want us to know that when we fight, we win. But I’m here to show you how marrow-deep this truth runs. Look at this list of stories, and in each one, feel the size of the community who fought for it to be true. See them. We are not alone.
Top Headlines
BIPARTISANLY, The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to reject proposed cuts to HIV prevention efforts, including access to PrEP.
16 states sued trump over his attacks on gender affirming care, and they did NOT mince words. To quote William Tong, the AG of Connecticut:
“What would you do if your child was diagnosed with gender dysphoria? I would fight for my kid every single day…We’re fighting for … parents who just want to do the best for their kids, as we all do, to help them live their best and truest lives.”
Overall, according to a tally maintained by The Downballot, Democrats are overperforming last year's presidential race by an average of 15.9 points across 33 special elections so far in 2025. When you look out at the blatant partisan gerrymandering attempts by the GOP happening lately, understand this is because they are TERRIFIED at the sweeping loss of power they know they are about to experience. KEEP PUSHING.
Sarah McBride passed a UNANIMOUS piece of bipartisan legislation leveling the playing field for investment opportunities. In a vacuum, is this bill a piece of legislation I’m extremely passionate about? No. But I’m always here to put our wins in context. Sarah McBride is a master coalition builder, a politician listening to the wants of her constituents, and a woman dedicated to making sure she’s not the last transgender legislator. I’m proud of her!!
The Governor of Massachusetts has passed a newer, stronger shield law protecting patient and provider privacy for reproductive health and gender affirming care. This is coupled with Boston Children’s Hospital releasing a STRONGLY worded public statement saying they will not be bullied into stopping gender affirming care. Mad props to MA for fighting to be a safe haven for so many people, and to showing other states how it’s done!
Chappell Roan (who, by the way, just released a GREAT new song) is auctioning off two of her tour outfits to benefit the LGBTQ+ community in Springfield, Missouri. Springfield is a POWERHOUSE of queer organizing and I absolutely love to see her pouring love back into them.
State level wins
In Texas, the democratic state legislators are still out of the state, now in California, despite civil arrest warrants, $500 a day fines, and threats to strip them of their titles. This has been a TREMENDOUS act of courage that I hope makes others feel empowered and emboldened. While they know that the map will eventually get pushed through, they’ve lit the fire on a national conversation about redistricting and power grabs. To quote representative Trey Martinez Fischer from San Antonio
“It takes an act of defiance like this to wake up the country and let them know that our democracy is being stolen right in front of our eyes. If we’re going to be the spark that lights that fire, then we’re doing our jobs.”
While it’s devastating that New Hampshire passed their healthcare ban, the governor did veto a bill making it easier for parents to get books removed from schools, as well as a potential ban on trans folks in locker rooms, restrooms, and correct-gender prison spaces. Keeping these nondiscrimination protections in place is still a major win!
After the US government defunded both the Trevor Project and the LGBTQ+ specific hotline within the federal suicide hotline, Illinois has promised to keep its own line open and continue providing mental health support services for LGBTQ+ young people. They’re also working hard to expand and improve the quality and accessibility of their call centers!
International Wins!
Over 100,000 people came together to march at the UK’s pride march! Last year, their attendance was around 55,000 people, and this has smashed the record to be the largest trans pride celebration EVER. That record is a challenge we can meet! Trans people, and the allies that love us, are not going anywhere.
Cuban Lawmakers have simplified the process for trans folks to get accurate and affirming identity documents, one of several new amendments to the Civil Registry Law that are supportive of LGBTQ+ Cubans!
Hong Kong’s highest appeals court ruled that criminalizing transgender folks using the bathrooms is unconstitutional. This is a fantastic step towards safety and equality in Hong Kong!
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has struck down St. Lucia’s sodomy law! Activists in the region are calling this a beacon of hope amid a very challenging time.
Cherry Van is the first Lesbian Archbishop in Britain!
Amsterdam had a major pride celebration with a combination of protest, celebration, and resistance art!
Unsure whether community resistance makes a difference? Check this out!
This is a special note for all those feeling disheartened or unmotivated to get involved in changemaking because “what can I really do? I’m just one person and the world is on fire!” These wins are looking at the direct results of individual people deciding to stand up and fight for something better!
This New Report looked at the impact, cost and carbon reduction of different community driven climate response strategies. There are so many incredible insights about how exactly to bring about change within this report. Definitely worth a read for our data lovers!
Representative Andrea Salinas is leading a pressure campaign to restore federal funding to the LGBTQ+ youth specific 988 suicide hotline! We have rising evidence that these pressure campaigns are sometimes able to get through. It’s certainly worth a try!!
In Gilroy, California, organizers have been fighting for years to build a community that feels safe enough for a pride celebration. This year, they came together to celebrate pride for the first time!
After a massive community pushback campaign, Amazon has pulled their plans to build an additional water-hungry data center in Louisa, Virginia.
I also saw this posted on notes by a representative from Alaska, which was an amazing story of strength and triumph protecting education!
Other wins I’m happy about
Generally, I try to keep this report to queer specific news, but I recognize that we’re all citizens of the world and there are a lot of intersecting issues we’re worried about. Here’s a collection of some wins in other domains this week!
Illinois just passed a bill that bans AI therapists—a critical move as more and more teenagers are turning to ChatGPT for mental health support. The bill also includes improving the state’s mental health training/support infrastructure.
A federal judge has halted construction of Alligator Alcatraz, the US’s latest ICE concentration camp, while she hears arguments from environmental groups in hopes to permanently block construction and operations at the site.
A senate committee has advanced a bill banning stock trading by lawmakers, presidents, and vice presidents (except trump, which is stupid) and their spouses. Critics worry it would punish the wealthy and discourage some people from running for office. Fingers crossed they’re right!
Education department has released more than 5 BILLION dollars of frozen grants! This is thanks to multiple states suing the government, as well as legislators on both sides of the aisle sharing the strain these cuts would put on their communities.
Need an even bigger dose of good news? Check out this collection of legit wins from Chop Wood Carry Water.
WOW!! That was action packed. Thanks for sticking around and reading all the way to the end, friend! I’d love to know which stories had you feeling the most hopeful (or what wins you think I need to know about!)
All my love ‘til next time,
Ben
Needed some positive news and proof that keeping up the fight works. Thank you!
Loved this so much ❤️