Advocate newsletter 3/17/26

💉 Big vaccine news this week: A federal judge has blocked RFK Jr.'s dangerous changes to childhood vaccine policy. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former senior CDC official featured on The Advocate's January/February cover, called the ruling "big news" and a win for science and the law.

Also in D.C., HIV activists staged a mock funeral as a form of protest against the Trump administration's cuts to critical treatment and prevention funding. And Karoline Leavitt tied the controversial SAVE America Act to attacks on trans people, calling for bans on trans youth health care and sports participation to be added to the bill.

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, a transgender tech executive is trying to become the first out elected official in the western part of that state. Read our interview with Lena Chipman.

HIV activists stage mock funeral to spotlight Trump’s deadly federal funding cuts

Judge blocks RFK Jr.’s dangerous vaccine policy changes. Ex-CDC leader calls it ‘big news’

Trans editor sues DreamWorks over harassment on ‘Bad Guys 2’

Trump reveals GOP congressman’s ‘terminal’ medical diagnosis at Kennedy Center meeting

Trans tech executive could become first out officeholder in western Tennessee

White House press secretary ties voting bill to unrelated anti-trans Trump agenda in Fox News appearance

'Driving force' for marriage equality: Billy Crystal's emotional Oscars tribute to Rob Reiner