“It’s clear that the Republican Legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education.”

Sen. Tim Scott Monday during the launch of his 2024 Republican presidential campaign with a message of hope that he hopes will cut through the negativity of the political realm. The South Carolina conservative enters as a prohibitive underdog in a GOP race dominated for now by former President Donald Trump and his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (New York Daily News – May 22, 2023)

Julie Mabry, the owner of Pearl Bar in Houston, one of two lesbian bars in Texas, regarding her denial of insurance coverage for her business because it hosts drag shows. Mabry said that in the nearly 10 years that her bar has been in business she has never received denial due to drag. Mabry is encouraging people to contact their legislators about the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills. (NPR — May 19, 2023)

D’Arcy Drollinger, a well-known drag performer and nightclub owner in San Francisco, regarding her appointment by Mayor London Breed as the city’s inaugural drag laureate, also a first in the nation. Drollinger’s appointment comes when anti-trans legislation is sweeping the nation, including bills that prohibit drag. West Hollywood is likely to appoint its own drag laureate later this month. (Associated Press — May 18, 2023)

Donna Deegan, after being elected the first female mayor of Jacksonville, Fla. Deegan won 52 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election that saw 33 percent voter turnout. (Associated Press — May 17, 2023)