Dear Friends,

This week, while Donald Trump and Elon Musk staged a messy public breakup — hurling petty insults and fighting for attention — anti-equality lawmakers continued to work on their devastating bill that will cut hundreds of billions from programs everyday Americans rely on, while cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans and increasing the debt by $2.4 trillion.

They’re cutting Medicaid. Slashing housing and food assistance. Undermining reproductive healthcare. And yes, continuing their relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ people with provisions that limit access to gender affirming care. It’s a familiar tactic: distract the public with chaos, while rigging the system behind closed doors.

At the Human Rights Campaign, we see through the noise. And we’re staying locked in on what matters: protecting our rights, defending our communities and expanding the power of our movement.

That’s why this week — as Pride Month officially kicked off — we showed the world what it means to celebrate, organize and resist all at once.

And here in the heart of Washington, D.C., WorldPride has transformed the city into a global epicenter of love, defiance and liberation.

There’s a reason for this beautiful transformation at a time of great crisis for our nation. Pride isn’t just a party — it’s a protest, a platform and a promise to keep going. Even when they try to silence us.

According to OutRight International, Pride is celebrated in over 100 countries, despite bans, threats and political repression. This year HRC will show up at more than 150 Pride events across the country this year, from major cities to small towns.

This Pride we’re also celebrating some major milestones:

Lexington, KY and West Valley City, UT will host their first-ever Pride parades. And Delaware Pride is on track to be the largest in state history.

This is what progress looks like. In every corner of the country, our communities are showing up and showing out.

As we take our pride and joy to the streets, we’re watching the courts. Right now, HRC is awaiting four upcoming Supreme Court decisions that could significantly impact LGBTQ+ rights and protections.

This week, one decision dropped: AMES v. OHIO DEPT. OF YOUTH SERVICES. While headlines were confusing, here’s the truth:

This was not a ruling in favor of discrimination.
This was not about a straight woman “winning” over a gay coworker.

What the Court said — unanimously — was simple: civil rights laws must apply equally to everyone. That’s how they work. That’s how they’re supposed to work.

As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote for the Court, these laws still matter. They remain a crucial line of defense, especially as LGBTQ+ people face increasing political attacks and fewer legal pathways for justice.

Our own Cathryn Oakley, HRC’s Senior Director of Legal Policy, makes it clear: “Fighting discrimination is not just about one case or one person—it’s about defending the broader promise of equality and justice for all.”

And let’s also look at the context that we’re in. Anti-LGBTQ actions are coming from the highest powers in the land. This week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to strip the name 'Harvey Milk' from the U.S. Navy ship that honors him. He’s also threatened to remove ships named after Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Harvey Milk was a Navy veteran and a civil rights leader who changed this country for the better. Renaming this ship is a cruel, targeted act during Pride month itself.

We won’t let them erase our heroes. Sign HRC’s petition to stop this attack.

At a time when strategic, visionary leadership is essential, we’re proud to announce two new members of HRC’s senior leadership team:

Jonathan Lovitz, a longtime advocate and changemaker, will serve as Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications.

Amy J. Peña, a deeply respected organizational leader, joins as Senior Vice President of People, Culture, and Operations.

They are powerful additions to our team—and they’re already rolling up their sleeves to help lead this movement with clarity, compassion and fire.

Finally, we end this week inspired by the truth of Harvey Milk’s words

“Hope will never be silent.”
 —Harvey Milk

In this moment of chaos, cruelty and coordinated attacks, we remain clear, courageous and committed.

We are fighting in courts, showing up in the streets, calling out cruelty from the Capitol to the Pentagon, and through it all, we are leading with pride.

And if you’re with us — if you believe these colors don’t run — then keep marching, keep organizing, and keep telling your story.

Talking Points & Actions:

SCOTUS Watch. HRC is tracking four upcoming Supreme Court decisions that will impact critical freedoms for LGBTQ+ people. These cases will shape the future of our fight for equality, putting the freedom to live authentically and the ability to access healthcare without discrimination at risk. Read our fact sheet.

Shameful, disgraceful, petty. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, named after the LGBTQ+ rights leader and Navy veteran, as a targeted attack against the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month. Sign HRC’s petition and demand Secretary Hegseth stop erasing American heroes from our Navy.

Lovitz and Peña. This week, HRC announced the addition of two dynamic and seasoned individuals to its senior leadership team. Jonathan Lovitz will serve as the Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications. And Amy J. Peña will serve as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel. Read more about them.

WorldPride Wraps. WorldPride 2025 ends this weekend, but HRC is continuing to show up louder, prouder and more powerful than ever. Now with a record 3.6 million members and supporters, HRC is building people power to shift the momentum for equality. Celebrate Pride with HRC all season long — because these colors don’t run!