Dear friends,

In the week since he became Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson (R-LA) has emerged as a lawmaker who is out of step with the rest of the country on virtually every topic of importance to voters. From LGBTQ+ rights to MAGA extremism and election denialism, from abortion rights and gun violence prevention to combating global climate change, Johnson comes straight out of the radical fringe of his party. He’s not just wrong on these issues, either — he’s been obsessed with restricting people’s freedoms, rolling back progress and harming marginalized people for literally decades. He’s unfit to lead the House, and the lawmakers who made him Speaker will have to face the voters who expected better.

Before joining Congress, Mike Johnson also worked for more than a decade as an attorney and spokesperson for the Alliance Defending Freedom — an extremist organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center deems a “hate group.” In a story published by Rolling Stone last weekend, reporter Spencer Macnaughton details the ADF’s long game to dismantle civil rights for LGBTQ+ people and to infiltrate virtually every space of government in the United States.

ADF’s cunning legal and political strategies were also exposed in a piece by David Kirkpatrick published earlier this month in the New Yorker. In the article, HRC called attention to the implications of Johnson and ADF’s odious project to erase LGBTQ+ people from public life.

HRC also released an explainer video of Johnson and ADF.

While we fight Johnson’s extremist legislative agenda in Washington, D.C., HRC is also carrying on the fight around the world. This week, the HRC Foundation and its Global Partnerships Program hosted the 6th Global Innovative Advocacy Summit in the nation’s capital. This unique forum brought together 32 established and emerging LGBTQ+ advocates from 32 countries to exchange experiences, ideas and best practices for promoting LGBTQ+ equality in our home countries.

These innovators are now members of HRC’s growing Global Alumni Leaders Network, numbering more than 200 advocates in some 100 countries. They are also eligible for further support and engagement, including HRC’s Global Small Grants Program, which helps to super-charge the impact of these changemakers.

The summit was held amidst a variety of international conflicts and crises, all directly or indirectly affecting LGBTQ+ people, such as Uganda’s draconian anti-LGBTQ+ law that was enacted last May, as well as the unprecedented national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States which HRC declared last June in the face of more than 570 anti-equality bills that were introduced in the states.

At this time of immense stress for the global equality movement, we must also take time to celebrate our progress, recognize how far we’ve come and support each other in the challenges we face on the path to full equality. Both in the United States and around the world, when we work together, positive change is inevitable. HRC is proud of our reach and our work — and immensely grateful for your support which makes it all possible.

Dear friends,

Today we honor veterans for their courage and commitment in serving our country. As we celebrate Veterans Day, I especially want to honor the LGBTQ+ servicemembers who have long contributed to the defense of our nation with unwavering pride and dedication. HRC will continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ veterans, service members and their families, today and every day.

This past week has been a test of our collective strength and resilience, as we have grappled with the reality of global conflict and the fight for democracy here at home.

On Election Day, with team HRC on the ground in critical races, the power of Equality Voters prevailed again. And as we have seen year after year, efforts to use transgender people as a political wedge failed — from Kentucky to Ohio to Virginia. In state after state, voters rejected candidates who peddled transphobia and tried to control their personal health care decisions.

In Virginia, where majority control of the state legislature and the future of Governor Youngkin’s extreme anti-trans, MAGA agenda hung in the balance, the pro-equality majority held control of the Senate and flipped control of the House of Delegates. Equality won.

In Ohio, where the GOP used every dirty trick in the book — including false and hateful attacks on transgender children — to try and prevent voters from enshrining their right to abortion in the state’s constitution, abortion rights were victorious. Reproductive freedom won.

In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear, a fierce ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, faced an anti-LGBTQ+ smear campaign from his opponent. Beshear’s record of support for LGBTQ+ youth was the target of millions of dollars in negative ads. Nevertheless, he was re-elected in a state Donald Trump won by 26 points. Equality won.

There were also historic victories for the LGBTQ+ community. Danica Roem will be the second-ever transgender state senator (and first in Virginia); Rozia Henson became the first openly gay Black man elected to the Virginia legislature, and the number of openly LGBTQ+ state legislators in Virginia grew from 5 to 8. In Mississippi, Fabian Nelson, a Black gay man, officially became the first out legislator in the state. And we’re filled with joy because our dear friend, Andrea Jenkins, the first Black trans woman elected to office in the United States, won her re-election. Go, Andrea!

The struggle for liberation without exception relies on our unwavering determination and persistence. This truth holds in both the public and private sectors.

This week we took pride in supporting LGBTQ+ businesses serving local communities through our Queer to Stay Initiative in partnership with SHOWTIME®. This program aims to provide targeted assistance and resources to LGBTQ+ businesses, recognizing their importance not only in building economic opportunity but also in promoting inclusivity and diversity. Through Queer to Stay, which has already awarded $750,000 in grants to small LGBTQ+ businesses, we are investing in the resilience of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and ensuring that they can continue serving their communities.

And next Thursday at 6:00 PM EST, HRC will host a live membership town hall, “LGBTQ+ People, Politics and Our Power.” I’ll be speaking along with key HRC staff members on HRC’s presidential endorsement and campaign 2024; the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson; gearing up for the new state legislative season; our latest HRC Foundation work and plans for the year ahead. RSVP for the livestream today.

As we take stock in the progress of the last week here in the United States, we also share in collective grief on a global scale. This week the conflict between Israel and Hamas reached a heart-wrenching milestone: More than 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the four weeks since terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, killing more than 1,400 Israeli people.

Each day of this conflict brings a new weight of grief, shock, and disbelief at the unrelenting toll of war. In times like these, it’s important to note that there are no easy answers or quick solutions.

No statement will ever be enough in times of war. But what’s not hard, nor complex, is knowing right from wrong.

The Hamas terrorist attack was wrong.

The killing of 11,000 Palestinians and counting is wrong.

The bombing of hospitals and the killing of children is wrong.

The denial of safe food, water, telecommunications and safe passage is wrong.

The antisemitism and Islamophobia escalating in the United States is wrong.

If, like me, you’re witnessing what’s happening in horror and want to do something to support relief efforts, the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are both active in the conflict zone.

The work ahead of us is not easy, nor is it up to one person or one organization to solve. But HRC will use our platform to recognize the collective grief and humanitarian crisis that’s unfolding. And we will also call out the escalating Islamophobia and antisemitism that’s happening here in the United States.

Hate and extremism are a global challenge — and we all have a responsibility to play our role in ensuring humanity prevails. That is our charge and I’m proud of the work our team does every day to push progress forward.

Dear friends,

In many ways, the last week has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. Fresh off an inspirational HRC dinner in Seattle, we dove headfirst into our ongoing fight for equality. Teaming up with the Equality Federation, we unveiled the twelfth edition of the Municipal Equality Index (MEI). This crucial tool doesn't just measure LGBTQ+ equality in cities across our nation; it lights the way for local leaders to stand up for what's right, even in the face of daunting state-level opposition.

This year, we've seen a remarkable surge in support at the municipal level, with a record 129 cities achieving perfect scores. This isn't just a number—it's a testament to the grit and resolve of mayors and councilors who are fighting tooth and nail for their LGBTQ+ constituents, regardless of the political climate they're in.

Our decision to launch the MEI in St. Louis, Missouri, wasn't coincidental. This city, an "All-Star" by our metrics, has shown incredible innovation and courage in protecting LGBTQ+ rights, despite the lack of statewide non-discrimination protections. They are a shining example of what can be achieved when determination meets action.

To our incredible MEI team and the dedicated advocates on the ground: your work is more than impactful—it's a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.

Like many of you, I’m still fired up from the election victories we celebrated last week — nothing short of a triumph for democracy, equality, and freedom. Voters from Ohio to Virginia stood up against chaos and divisiveness, proving once again that our collective voice for equality is powerful and unyielding. To each of you who contributed to this monumental effort, know that your activism is the backbone of our democracy.

These victories also sent a clear message: attempts to undermine reproductive rights and use trans folks as pawns in the ongoing culture war are a losing strategy. Across the board, voters rejected these harmful narratives, embracing inclusivity, equality and basic dignity.

And, of course, we must celebrate our very own Andrea Jenkins, a beacon of hope and progress, winning her re-election to the Minneapolis City Council. Her victory, just ahead of Trans Week of Awareness, is a stark reminder of the incredible progress we've made and the battles still ahead.

During Trans Week of Awareness, we shined a bright light on courage, resilience and beauty of trans and non-binary people from coast to coast. We uplifted the four trailblazing teens who made history this year organizing Trans Prom, a historic celebration that brought over 50 trans and non-binary teens from all over the country to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for a magical evening of joy and liberation. At a time when trans teens are under unprecedented attack in cities and states across the country, Daniel Trujillo, Grayson McFerrin, Libby Gonzales, Hobbes Chukumba give me hope that better days are ahead.

Trans Week of Awareness is a chance to celebrate and uplift our trans community, but it is also a reminder of the urgent work we must do to advance equality and justice.

As we approach Trans Day of Remembrance, amid the sobering reality of one year since the Club Q shooting, I’m uniquely aware of the relentless violence and bigotry that has ripped far to many of our trans loved ones from our lives in horrifying tragedies. This week, we honor their lives and recommit ourselves to the fight against this senseless hatred.

The next few weeks bring us squarely into the holiday season. This time of reflection is often a challenging period for many. My hope is that we all find space to lift and affirm our chosen family and lean on our HRC community for support, strength, and a sense of belonging.

I’m grateful every day for this community. Your passion, your voice, and your unwavering support are changing the landscape of equality in America.