Advocate newsletter 3/18/26

💔 Ten years after the mass shooting at Pulse, the LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando is being torn down. Demolition began today at the site, which never reopened after 49 people were killed there on June 12, 2016. This morning, Pulse survivor Orlando Torres live-streamed the demolition while recounting what he experienced that night.

A transgender MIT student was facing eviction after being cut off by his family when he came out. But he managed to raise $85,000 through GoFundMe in just three days, helping him secure temporary housing and get back on track to graduate this spring.

Bisexual former journalist and MAGA foe Kat Abughazaleh fell short in Tuesday's Democratic primary election in Illinois' 9th Congressional District. Her campaign drew national attention for its focus on universal rights and for her legal battle with the Trump administration.

Until next time,

The Advocate team

Demolition underway at Pulse nightclub, site of one of the deadliest U.S. mass shootings

Facing eviction before graduation, MIT student cut off by family raises more than $85K in days

Indicted Chicago-area progressive MAGA foe falls short in Illinois Democratic U.S. House primary

Ric Grenell’s very ‘normal gay’ implosion

Revisiting 'Ode to Billy Joe'—and the boy who jumped—50 years later

Who is Daniel Biss, the Democrat who narrowly beat Gen-Z star Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois

Congressional Republicans advance federal ‘don’t say trans’ school bill

Appeals court weighs in: Can religious employers fire workers for being trans?