The Devil Does, Indeed, Wear Prada
Models, soccer players, and wrestlers
Friends, foes, and other h*es,
You rang? It’s KB Brookins coming back to you with nothing but good news. For an entire year I’ve been doing this, and every week, I’ve been able to find stuff. Isn’t that great?! This week I’ve got models, soccer players, and wrestlers breaking barriers, plus a Florida saving an LGBTQ+ org (among other things).
But first: trivia! Who is the trans man philanthropist who, according to sociology specialist Aaron H. Devor, largely informed "almost every aspect of gender-affirming work being done in the 1960s and 1970s in the US and beyond?
You’ve got to read to the end for the answer :)
Trans Video That Doesn’t Suck

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Wisconsin’s governor vetoed 5 anti trans bills this March on Trans Day of Visibility! Shout out Governor Tony Evers for his advocacy on TDOV and year-round <3
Trans News That Doesn’t Suck
In Wayne County, Michigan: transphobic Democrat Frank Liberati went on a tirade against his trans election opponent, Joanna Whaley. Instead of the reaction he wanted, Whaley got an outpouring of support from voters and colleagues. Yay! Wayne County: make sure this transphobe doesn’t win!
Ron DeSantis almost let an LGBTQ+ org rot in the summer heat, but it was saved by Palm Beach County officials. AMAZING!
San Antonio, Texas issued a proclamation that makes first week of May as Trans History Week.

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Woohoo! Congrats to the many activists and council members that made this happen.
As the race to represent New York City’s 10th congressional district approaches, both Democratic candidates say that their track records on LGBTQ+ rights make them the best fit for office. In the age of people trying to out-transphobe each other, this is GREAT!
I had a GREAT conversation with Gabe Dunn on the trans news and the importance of hope here!
I’m not particularly a Met Gala person, BUT I must acknowledge the history that was made this year: trans model Aariana Rose Philip became the first wheelchair user to attend the gala!
Supermodel Alex Consani also became the first trans woman to serve on Met Gala host committee! Congrats ladies.
Minnesota Aurora FC, a women’s soccer team that plays in the Heartland Division of the USL W League, has signed its first trans player: Isaac Ranson. Congrats, bro!
A federal judge has ordered Oregon to house trans women prisoners based on gender identity, which trumps Trump’s executive order saying otherwise. Yay prisoner’s rights!
Legislative Sessions are ending, and there are AMAZING results from in Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, and West Virginia.
Thanks so much to advocates on the ground for doing this hard work!
This group is working to save America by defeating Heritage’s radical project.
Thank you to Mr. Troy Ford and Keith Aron for including my memoir, PRETTY on QStack: The LGBTQIA+ Community of Substacks!
In a new skit for the nonprofit based on the iconic scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) scolds Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) for not understanding how fashion media influenced even her choice of bargain-bin sweaters, Dominique Jackson delivers a history lesson how gay rights will always be intertwined with trans liberation.

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With the help of the ACLU and Lambda Legal, six Idahoans have filed a class action lawsuit against the state over the most extreme anti-trans bathroom ban in the country. Thank you to these entities; let’s continue to watch this case!
Check out BLOCKERS, a new literary arts & culture magazine
by and for transfemmes!Over 2,100 parkrunners and supporters in the UK rallied against a legal threat over trans policy. Yay resistance!
Gisele Shaw, who goes by the name “The Quintessential Diva,” is now the first out trans woman to hold an NWA championship ever!
This rips. Congrats, Gisele!
A new poll in Hungary shows that people in the central European nation who voted for the new government broadly support LGBTQ+ people’s rights.
Assigned Media just put out a cool comic on trans artist Jeffrey Catherine Jones.
Contrary to popular belief, there are joys associated with being trans. This piece explores them.
Trans actress Dylan Mulvaney is having too much fun on Broadway to care about haters.
That’s it & that’s all! The answer to my trivia question is Reed Erikson. Did you know him before this newsletter?
Till next time :)
Love, Peace, & Chicken Grease,
KB






Thanks for all this goodness, KB - and especially for lifting up the well-hidden story of Reed Erickson. 🩵🩷🤍
Lou Sullivan