Transphobic ad blitz fails (former) Omaha, Nebraska mayor in election

Omaha, Nebraska mayor Jean Stothert turned her back on the LGBTQ community and fully embraced transphobia with flyers (top picture) and television ads linking her opponent, John Ewing with the standard bigoted tropes. Ewing didn't distance himself from the trans community, while challenging Stothert's ad blitz head on (bottom picture). At the end of the campaign, Ewing easily won, becoming the city's first Black mayor.

A three-term incumbent mayor (now former mayor) in Omaha, Nebraska found out the hard way that scaring people about transgender Americans can only go so far.

From Queerty:

Jean Stothert governed as a moderate Republican during her tenure as the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, even creating an LGBTQ+ advisory board to improve her relations with the community.

 But in the waning days of her most recent campaign, the three-term incumbent leaned into anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. She ran a TV ad accusing her Democratic opponent, John Ewing Jr., of wanting “boys in girls’ bathrooms and sports,” tired transphobic lines that Republicans across the country have been trotting out for years. 

 When Omaha residents went to the polls Tuesday, they didn’t buy her fear-mongering. Ewing bested Stothert by more than 11,000 votes, becoming the first Black mayor in the city’s history. Though Omaha has more registered Democrats than Republicans, Stothert was popular and won by 27 points when she ran for re-election in 2021.

LGBTQ online publication THEM pointed out that the Ewing campaign met the ad blitz head on while not distancing itself from trans people and in one case, turning Stothert's ad blitz against her with a flyer of its own.

Stothert was generally favored going into Election Day, as a 12-year incumbent who won her last election with a whopping 64% of the vote. But in the final weeks of the campaign, Stothert and a conservative PAC blitzed Ewing and the Democrats with anti-trans ads similar to those seen in the 2024 presidential election. 

 One TV ad from the Stothert campaign claimed that Ewing “stands with radicals” in favor of “boys in girls’ bathrooms and sports,” according to the Omaha World-Herald. Separately, a mailer paid for by the newly-formed PAC Omaha Leadership Fund — itself funded by another right-wing, anti-abortion PAC called “Common Sense Nebraska” — claimed that Ewing wants to “transition minors without their parents’ consent” and is “backed by radicals who will allow men in girls’ sports and bathrooms,” as seen in what appears to be a photo of the mailer posted to the r/Omaha subreddit last week.

 Ewing’s campaign called Stothert’s claims “utterly false” and demanded that the TV ad be pulled, per the World-Herald. In a statement to the newspaper, Stothert said she had no knowledge of the mailer before it was released, but stood by the TV ad. The claims in that ad were not connected to any statements by Ewing himself, she said, but were instead based on his endorsements from the Nebraska Democratic Party and the Nebraska Stonewall Democrats, the party’s LGBTQ+ caucus. Stonewall Dems oppose LB89, a Republican bill in the state legislature that would ban trans students from using bathrooms or locker rooms, or competing on sports teams, that match their gender; legislators voted to advance the bill last month, after a similar version died as the result of a filibuster in 2024. 

 But though Ewing and the Nebraska Dems pushed back against the Stothert camp’s accusations, they also did not distance themselves from trans people . . .  On May 2, Ewing held a Q&A at Omaha gay bar Flixx hosted by local drag queen Jackie Oh Kennedy. And only a few days before the election, the Nebraska Dems posted an image to X declaring that “Jean is focused on potties,” featuring an edited image of Stothert’s face poking underneath a bathroom stall. (“Ultimately, Jean would rather focus on potties, while John focuses on fixing potholes,” Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Precious McKesson wrote in a May 8 press release.)

Drag queens and Pride organizers win twice in court cases against Florida's state and city governments

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

In court decisions on Monday and Tuesday, drag queens and Pride organizers won over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the state of Florida and a city in Florida.

From CBS News:

Describing the law as "substantially overbroad," a federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a preliminary injunction blocking a 2023 Florida law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, backed the Central Florida venue Hamburger Mary's in a First Amendment challenge to the law. The state appealed in 2023 after U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell issued a preliminary injunction. 

 Tuesday's majority opinion said that "by providing only vague guidance as to which performances it prohibits, the act (the law) wields a shotgun when the First Amendment allows a scalpel at most." "The Constitution demands specificity when the state restricts speech," said the 81-page majority opinion, written by Judge Robin Rosenbaum and joined by Judge Nancy Abudu.

 "Requiring clarity in speech regulations shields us from the whims of government censors. And the need for clarity is especially strong when the government takes the legally potent step of labeling speech 'obscene.' An 'I know it when I see it' test would unconstitutionally empower those who would limit speech to arbitrarily enforce the law. But the First Amendment empowers speakers instead. Yet Florida's Senate Bill 1438 (the law) takes an 'I know it when I see it' approach to regulating expression."

 . . . The law, dubbed by sponsors the "Protection of Children" bill, sought to prevent venues from admitting children to adult live performances. It defines adult live performances as "any show, exhibition, or other presentation that is performed in front of a live audience, which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or specific sexual activities, … lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts." It would allow regulators to suspend or revoke licenses of restaurants, bars and other venues that violate the law. Also, it would prohibit local governments from issuing public permits for events that could expose children to the targeted behavior. 

 While the law does not specifically mention drag shows, it came after Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration cracked down on venues in South Florida and Central Florida where children attended drag shows. It also came amid a series of controversial laws passed by Republicans in Florida and other states about transgender-related issues. 

 Tuesday's majority opinion focused, in part, on the use of the words "lewd conduct" in the law. It said the term is overbroad and that Rosenbaum and Abudu "understand the act's prohibition on depictions of lewd conduct to reach speech that is constitutionally protected, even as to minors."

And then, courtesy of LGBTQ Nation was a decision handed down on Monday against the efforts of a city in Florida, Naples, to limit open drag performances and charge Pride organizers a $36,000 security fee:

A federal judge has approved a preliminary injunction against the city of Naples, Florida, that will allow the annual Naples Pride event to host outdoor drag performances viewable by people of all ages. The judge also ruled that the city must re-evaluate the $36,000 security permit fee that it tried to charge the event to protect it from anti-transgender protestors. 

 Last month, organizers of Naples Pride sued the city government after the city tried to force the event to only admit adults over the age of 18 and tried to charge event organizers a $36,000 security fee. Organizers refused, stating that all drag performances will be family-friendly and that the security fee was much more than what’s required for similarly sized events or what Pride organizers were charged since the event started in 2017.

 . . .On Monday, Judge John E. Steele, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida appointed by President Bill Clinton, ruled that neither the city nor its police force can require the Pride event to move its drag show indoors.

 Steele also ruled that the city must reevaluate its $36,000 security permit fees. The judge wrote that the city’s demands “threatened injury to [the Pride organizers’] First Amendment rights,” which “outweighs the harm a preliminary injunction may cause to [the city or its government].”

'Man burns 100 library books about Jewish and Black history, LGBTQ education' & other Mon/Tue news briefs

Man burns 100 Beachwood Public Library books on Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+ education: report - I wish I could be completely shocked, but a part of me isn't.  While this incident isn't solely about trans people or LGBTQ people in general, it's a reminder how those who use oppressive tactics against us have no problem using them against other groups. Folks need to remember that the next time they hear the Trump Administration slam trans people. 

Nation’s largest pediatric group slams Trump’s “inaccurate” anti-trans health report - The American Academy of Pediatrics stand on the side of trans Americans against the Trump Administration.

Speaking of Trump's inaccurate anti-trans health report - Roundup: Experts Condemn Trump Pseudoscientific Anti-Trans "Report" 

A reflection on Black queer memory, meaning, and the words we write to our mothers - Amen.

Most Americans support Donald Trump when it comes to trans issues - THIS is a major problem. It stems from general lack of knowledge about trans issues combined with the misinformation swarming with regards to gender-affirming care, trans athletes, etc.  We need more pro-trans visibility as well trans people and families with trans kids telling their story. One difficulty exists, however. There are LGB people working actively against the trans community without the common sense to know that whatever is used against trans people will be used against them.

Arkansas LGBTQ+ organizers crowdfund to make up for fewer Pride sponsors in time for June - Because of Trump Administration threats, some companies aren't sponsoring upcoming Pride events. It's actually a plus for the LGBTQ community because it provides the opportunity to raise funds in different manners. And to show that Pride has never been about corporate sponsors. I'm glad to say that this Pride in Arkansas is one of MANY which are rising to the challenge.

Anti-trans Congresswoman Nancy Mace now waging war against single-stall unisex restrooms

Nancy Mace is feeling left out of the public spotlight, so she starts another inane attack on transgender Americans.

To say that SC Congresswoman Nancy Mace has a reputation for being rabidly publicity hungry is an understatement. I'm of the personal belief that she would rent out members of her family to the devil for 10 minutes on Fox News or a couple of thousand hits on Twitter.

Some would say that my statement was a bit harsh, but I stand by it. Especially after her latest exploit Tuesday:

Spotted in Austin: “All gender restroom.” On a recent trip to Texas. Um, no. There are only two.

Hold the line. Biology isn’t bigotry. pic.twitter.com/TreAFaV6U7

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) May 7, 2025

For those who aren't aware, Mace has made a name for herself by dipping deep into anti-trans rhetoric and actions from causing a ridiculous ruckus about trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride using the ladies room to having a trans ally arrested for merely shaking her hand to highjacking Congressional committee meetings to whine about trans women to never missing an opportunity to publicly demean trans women. 

But, as hard as it is to believe, this one right here takes the award for "Best Brazen Attempt to Grab the Spotlight." As you can see by the Community Note (and by the comments below the tweet which you can read if you click on it), responses to her tweet aren't in her favor. 

But I doubt she cares. Besides being completely inane, Mace's tweet is deliberately dishonest. And she knows this. Nancy Mace is not a stupid woman. She knows exactly what she's doing by her ridiculous attack on a single stall, unisex bathroom - generating controversy and publicity. 

So why am I helping to amplify her? Because it would be dangerous to simply laugh at Mace or ignore her in hopes that she goes away. Congressional leaders like Mace don't go away by being ignored or laughed at. She represents the poison tainting this country's politics. Immersed between decent politicians are the ones like Mace - power hungry demagogues more concerned about how high they can go up the ladder than doing their jobs.  These are Congressional leaders who lack values or honesty but are heavy on bravado and cheap tactics designed to distract voters or trick them into playing the blame game against marginalized groups who can't fight back. 

Or to put it plainer - Nancy Mace is trash and folks need to recognize that. She is a low-grade dollar general store Margaret Thatcher/Eva Peron wannabe.  The only woman she cares about is herself and the only thing she cares about is her political future. The one thing she is correct about is that we do need to hold the line.  And raise hell when folks like her step over it.

Video: Journalist David Shuster touches on needed conversation about Trump and dementia

 

While it's easy for folks to make jokes about the notion of Trump and dementia, journalist David Shuster actually brings up some good points here. 

Settlement gives Maine a victory over Trump Administration in funding fight about trans athletes

In February, Maine Governor Janet Mills told Trump that she would see him in court if his administration tried to freeze federal funds from the state for noncompliance with his executive order against trans athletes.

Trump froze the funds.

Mills and the state of Maine sued. 

On Friday, Mills and the state of Maine won. 

From The Associated Press:

President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday agreed to halt all efforts to freeze funds intended for a Maine child nutrition program after initially suspending those dollars due to a disagreement between the state and Trump over transgender athletes.

 In response, the state will drop its lawsuit that had been filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced. “It’s unfortunate that my office had to resort to federal court just to get USDA to comply with the law and its own regulations," Frey said in a statement. 

"But we are pleased that the lawsuit has now been resolved and that Maine will continue to receive funds as directed by Congress to feed children and vulnerable adults.” An email message seeking comment was sent Friday to the Agriculture Department.

In February during a meeting for the National Governors Association at the White House, Trump and Maine's governor, Janet Mills had a verbal altercation with regards to trans athletes.

During the 2024 election, Trump continuously decried the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports. Since taking office, he has attempted to ban trans athletes from women's sports via an executive order. Many have pointed out that the executive order has no power, but Trump tied it to whether or not states will receive federal funding. 

That was what sparked February exchange: 

 “The NCAA has complied immediately, by the way. That’s good. But I understand Maine – is Maine here? The governor of Maine?" Trump said. 

 “Yeah, I’m here,” responded Mills, a Democrat. Asked by Trump if she would abide by the executive order, Mills responded, “I’m going to comply with state and federal law.”

 “Well, we are the federal law,” the president retorted. “Well, you better do it. You better do it. Because you’re not gonna get any federal funding at all if you don’t.” 

 Trump then boasted about his performance in Maine in the 2024 election while serving a warning to Mills. “And, by the way, you’re population – even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there – it doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports," he said. “So, you better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding.” 

 Mills shot back: “See you in court.” 

Trump welcomed the opportunity. “Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one,” the president said, before claiming Mills’ position on trans issues doesn’t bode well for her political future.

Federal funds to Maine which were to go to a child nutrition programs were subsequently frozen. Maine subsequently sued.

 . . . the state's attorneys argued that the child nutrition program received or was due to receive more than $1.8 million for the current fiscal year. Prior year funds that were awarded but are currently inaccessible total more than $900,000, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also said that the program was anticipating about $3 million that is typically awarded every July for summer meal program sponsor administration and meal reimbursement.

Last month, a federal judge handed Maine a temporary restraining order against the Trump Administration's actions:

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze funds intended for a Maine child nutrition program that were suspended amid a disagreement between the state and the president over transgender athletes. District Court Judge John Woodcock issued a temporary restraining order on Friday in a case brought by the state of Maine against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 . . . The court’s order came the same day Maine officials said the state would not comply with a ban on transgender athletes in high school sports in the wake of a Trump administration finding that the state violated antidiscrimination laws by allowing the students to participate. The U.S. Education Department said in March that an investigation concluded the Maine Department of Education violated the federal Title IX law by allowing transgender girls to participate on girls’ teams.

 That decision is probably what led the Trump Administration to settle and allow Maine access to the federal funding. 

Mills told The Associated Press in a statement:

“The state of Maine went to court and fought this unlawful attempt to freeze critical funding for our school lunch program – and we won. I applaud the work of Attorney General Frey and his staff in representing the state in this action against USDA, and preserving healthy school meals for 172,000 Maine school children.”

No doubt after the bravado he used to call out Mills in February, this has to be an embarrassing public loss to Trump and his administration. And we know how Trump hates being embarrassed, particularly in public.

'Donald Trump humiliates his cabinet during meeting' & other Wed/Thur news briefs

This picture, while seemingly over the top, is the best way to describe what Trump made members of his cabinet do Wednesday.

12 Most Painfully Sycophantic Comments From Trump’s ‘Kim Jong Il-Style’ Cabinet Meeting - Unbelievably humiliating. Trump holds a cabinet meeting where each member of his cabinet poured praises on him. It just goes to show how low some people will stoop to attain and keep power. Dignity is luxury you have to surrender when you work for Donald Trump. 

For example, this is what Attorney General Pam Bondi said: 

 “President, your first 100 days has far exceeded that of ANY other presidency in this country. Ever. Ever. Never seen anything like it. Thank you.” 

Youngkin calls on gay Va. GOP LG candidate to exit race over alleged ‘porn’ scandal - Well THIS is happening under everyone's nose.

Illinois governor says don’t blame trans kids for losses by ‘do-nothing Democrats’ in fiery speech - THIS is how you do it, Gavin Newsom. 

Democrats reintroduce landmark LGBTQ nondiscrimination bill - It's a nice thought but with Republicans in charge, I fail to see the why and how. 

'Hetero Awesome Fest' planned for Idaho capitol during LGBTQ Pride Month - I'm curious to see just how awful and dull this will be. 

Canadian Transgender People Avoid Crackdowns With Liberal Election Victory - As Canada proved this week, elections matter. Folks need to remember that and not get distracted again.

Poll: Most Americans oppose trans women competing in female sports, including 2 of 3 in Gen Z - Notice how the poll mentions just trans women. Trans men seem to never be talked about with regards to this issue. That's the crux of it all and there needs to be lots of work done to educate people.