Just one example: “They take them as young children, and Timmy leaves home and comes back Sarah,” Donald Trump said at a rally in Texas this week to drum up support for Ken Paxton’s US Senate bid. Youth trans care is already banned in the state.
Why it matters: Demonizing a historically oppressed minority right before an election is an old conservative tactic that harms real people.
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Where that money is going: Republicans have spent $183 million by October 25 on ads that tell voters Democrats are coming for their children, despite voters repeatedly saying they care far more about economic issues this election. The biggest share went to Texas, but millions were spent on anti-trans ads in Ohio, Kansas, South Carolina, Iowa, and Mississippi.
Why it matters: It wasn’t just their final pitch to voters but the main message of 2026. We will likely be learning about the effects of this mass demonization for years to come.
What happened: Incoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva kissed Hilton on the cheek in a celebration after the Brazilian elections last week. The video went viral.
Why it matters: Acceptance will win over hatred.
In her words: “They violated Title IX,” said senior Ana Mota, who was banned by the district from the role because she’s a girl and the role was male. “I was excluded from participation in an education program receiving federal financial assistance because I am a female.”
Why it matters: Schools have become very afraid of anything that looks even remotely LGBTQ+, but students still have rights.
What happened: A lesbian couple tried to buy a wedding jumpsuit from a New York clothier, who refused to sell it to them after she found out they were lesbians. Now she’ll have to pay $25,000 in fines and damages.
Why it matters: While there have been some court rulings in favor of “expressive” wedding products like websites and custom cakes, the appeals court rejected applying that reasoning for selling a garment that was already designed.
More great queer and trans reads
Deputy editor Molly Sprayregen talked to Bry Charland, who has a project of painting a portrait for all the queer people who the Nazis persecuted.
Columnist John Gallagher examined what it means when a major GOP candidate runs an ad that platforms his Democratic opponent’s abusers.
Contributor Greg Owen looked into the story of John Kyper, who was deported from Canada for carrying copies of a gay newsletter.
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