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

HONORING NINE YEARS SINCE PULSE WITH ACTION: Today is Pulse Remembrance Day, which marks nine years since the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, a popular LGBTQ+ space in Orlando, FL, that killed 49 people on the club’s “Latin Night.” Human Rights Campaign National Press Secretary and Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf honored those we lost that day by calling for action: “Every one of us deserves to live in a world free of the fear of hate and violence. But nine years ago, 49 people, many of whom were both LGBTQ+ and Latine, had their lives stolen in a hate-fueled attack at Pulse Nightclub. Countless others were devastated and traumatized. Today, bullies — from the White House to the talking heads — continue to stoke the flames of anti-LGBTQ+ hate, drive racist, anti-immigrant division in this country, and do nothing about easy access to guns that makes dangerous hate deadly. The price of hate is not theoretical; it’s missing faces at birthday parties, empty seats at dinner tables, and communities torn apart. This somber day is the time to recommit to showing up -- for a safer future, for full equality, for a freer, more equal nation. And honoring those stolen from us with action.” Today at 12 p.m. EST, Equality Florida and the Equality Federation will hold a coordinated digital action to remember those we lost and to #HonorThemWithAction. 

HRC’S TORI COOPER HONORED AT LABOR OF LOVE AWARDS: Last week, the National Trans Visibility March hosted its annual Labor of Love Awards, honoring the trailblazing individuals and organizations whose work has paved the way for trans visibility and liberation. Held at the Human Rights Campaign Headquarters in Washington, DC, the ceremony was a powerful tribute to legacy, community, and deep gratitude—a moment to come together, celebrate, connect, and honor the labor of love that has fueled this movement. Among this year’s honorees was HRC’s Director of Strategic Outreach, Tori Cooper, recognized for her unwavering commitment to trans and HIV advocacy.

TRANS SERVICEMEMBERS NAVIGATE BROKEN SEPARATION PROCESS: After the Pentagon’s ban on transgender troops, over 1,000 service members have begun a so-called “voluntary” separation process as they are forced out of their positions. While the Pentagon has said that transgender troops with clean records would receive honorable discharges, a May 15 memo indicates these troops may receive JFF or JDK code separations, which could prevent them from getting or maintaining security clearances. The highest-ranking transgender officer in the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force Col. Bree Fram, said that the military’s transgender separation policy will leave gaps in units as skilled service members are removed from the armed forces. Fram also noted that the separations will cause disruptions for ongoing operations as troops who are qualified for specific roles are “suddenly gone.” “We served with our friends, our colleagues, with people who respected us, and now that’s just missing,” Fram said. Read more here.

SPOTLIGHT STORY

DALLAS MORNING NEWS - LGBTQ ADVOCATES VOW TO KEEP FIGHTING AFTER THE END OF TEXAS’ LEGISLATIVE SESSION: The Texas legislative session has ended, but LGBTQ+ advocates remain strong in the fight against a wave of harmful and discriminatory proposed legislation. In the coming days, Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign several bills into law—measures that would codify the state's definition of biological sex over gender identity, restrict education by banning discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity, and prohibit queer student organizations in public schools. While some of the proposed bills did not advance, Landon Richie, policy coordinator with the Transgender Education Network of Texas, emphasized that “doesn’t diminish the fact that this session was really, really bad, and the bills that passed… will have some really devastating impacts.” Brad Pritchett, interim CEO of Equality Texas, echoed the urgency, stating, “The session’s over. The fight now moves into the hands of some of the legal organizations and into our hands—on how we provide resources and support for the community moving forward.” Read more about the Texas legislative session here.