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

@earthtokb🏳️‍⚧️TRANS NEWS THAT DOESN’T SUCK🏳️‍⚧️ Wisconsin’s governor vetoed 5 anti trans bills this March on Trans Day of Visibility! Shout out Governor Tony Evers. If you want more trans news that doesn’t suck, subscribe to my newsletter linked in my bio :) #TransNewsThatDoesntSuck #TransNews #wisconsin

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

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

1. 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!

2. Ron DeSantis almost let an LGBTQ+ org rot in the summer heat, but it was saved by Palm Beach County officials. AMAZING!

3. San Antonio, Texas issued a proclamation that makes first week of May as Trans History Week.

@jalenmckeerodriguezNow and forever, we stand alongside our trans siblings in the fight for liberation. ❤️ Join us in celebrating Trans+ History Week May 4-10, and learning about the triumphs, achievements, deep history, and ongoing struggles of the transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit community. Thank you to our local trans+ community who continue to show up authentically and powerfully as we build a more beautiful San Antonio.

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Woohoo! Congrats to the many activists and council members that made this happen.

4. 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!

5. I had a GREAT conversation with Gabe Dunn on the trans news and the importance of hope here!

6. 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!

Isn’t that ridiculous?! Credit: Vogue

Supermodel Alex Consani also became the first trans woman to serve on Met Gala host committee! Congrats ladies.

7. 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!

8. 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!

9. Legislative Sessions are ending, and there are AMAZING results from in Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, and West Virginia.

THIS POST CONTAINS HOPE

Thanks so much to advocates on the ground for doing this hard work!

9. This group is working to save America by defeating Heritage’s radical project.

10. Thank you to Mr. Troy Ford and Keith Aron for including my memoir, PRETTY on QStack: The LGBTQIA+ Community of Substacks!

11. 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.

@dominiquet.a.r.jackson#GENDERLIBERATIONMOVEMENT Listen up gays! It's the first Monday in May and we got somethin’ to say. This “gender stuff” isn’t just about trans people. It’s attacks on families, medical providers, attacks on you – and we need to fight together now more than ever. Gender Liberation Movement is holding the line: we’re building power in the streets, in media, and for affirming families of trans & non binary kids. From now through Pride season, we’re raising 250k to make the work sustainable for the long haul. Support our work https://secure.actblue.com/donate/glm250 (or link in bio) Editor-in-Chief: @dominiquet.a.r.jackson Gay Guy Assistant: @kota._vv Fashion Editor # 1: @yen_sennyyyyyy Fashion Editor # 2: @ladymisskay_ Art Director: @lio.mehiel CREW Director / Writer: @theelielcruz Executive Producer: @raquel_willis Producer: @sarahlubyburke Director of Photography / Editor: @alyza___enriquez Gaffer: @c4mgurl Production Sound Mixer: @morgan.loux Hair: @blaqfrancishair Makeup Artist: @laurelcharleston Assistant Makeup Artist: @nikiamua Stylist: @gabriel_held_vintage Styling Assistant: @chayy.ti Special thanks to @thekatzcompany #DevilWearsPrada #MetGala

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

12. 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!

13. Check out BLOCKERS, a new literary arts & culture magazine
    by and for transfemmes!

14. Over 2,100 parkrunners and supporters in the UK rallied against a legal threat over trans policy. Yay resistance!

15. Gisele Shaw, who goes by the name “The Quintessential Diva,” is now the first out trans woman to hold an NWA championship ever!

@giseleshaw08Outsmarted the professor! 🫶🏼🫰🏼#prowrestler #prowrestling #diva #quintessentialdiva #fyp #foryoupage #giseleshaw @MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

This rips. Congrats, Gisele!

16. 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.

17. Assigned Media just put out a cool comic on trans artist Jeffrey Catherine Jones.

18. Contrary to popular belief, there are joys associated with being trans. This piece explores them.

19. 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