The A.M. READ newsletter is a news tipsheet highlighting LGBTQ+ news and HRC updates. It covers a wide range of topics from breaking news to politics to LGBTQ+ pop culture to sports and everything in between.

THE LATEST TEA

JOY IS CRUCIAL TO ENSURING AN EQUAL FUTURE — HRC PRESIDENT KELLEY ROBINSON AND AMANDA NGUYEN SPEAK AT TIME 100 SUMMIT: After being featured on the TIME 100 list, Kelley Robinson, alongside Amanda Nguyen and CNN anchor Abby Phillip, discussed what it takes to build a more equitable future. They cite joy as a necessary form of rebellion, believing that it is an integral part in the fight for equal rights. Additionally, they explored the ways that building people power creates the necessary strength and momentum to carry the nation forward. The panelists considered what steps need be taken to continue forward and recognized the major milestones we’ve already reached in the fight for equality. To read more about their discussion and the TIME 100 Summit, check out this article.

UNSURPRISINGLY, THE ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM CONTINUES TO DO EGREGIOUS THINGS: The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) have continuously been called out by progressive groups for their radical conservative approach to political and legal intervention. In 2016, they were deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their anti-LGBTQ+ extremism. Recently, the ADF represented Idaho in front of the Supreme Court in an attempt to protect and enforce a statewide abortion ban. “ADF has a well rooted presence in Idaho, and that is showing up in legislation, in litigation,” said HRC’s Cathryn Oakley. “The extent to which elected representatives are ceding their responsibilities… to unelected far-right folks is a little alarming.” The ADF’s dangerous beliefs and behavior, alongside their political ties and large funding base, continue to draw serious concern from LGBTQ+ advocates, marking them as a significant enemy in the fight for equal rights. To read more about the ADF and their involvement in Idaho’s Supreme Court case, check out this article.

SPOTLIGHT STORY

TIME — ELLIOT PAGE ON COMING OUT AS TRANS AND FINDING HOPE: Actor and writer Elliot Page, one of this year’s TIME 100 most influential people, reflects on his acting career since coming out as transgender, as well as his advocacy for transgender people in Canada, at this year’s TIME 100 Summit in New York City. “Hope for me is for those who continuously resist and support each other.” Read more and watch Page’s full interview here.