Advocate NL 8/25/26

Hello and Happy Tuesday, folks! Audience Editor Edgar Ramirez here with another exclusive from The Advocate's Christopher Wiggins.For nearly two decades, Julia Curlee worked in the shadow of both walls of the CIA. She survived rocket attacks, traveled through 35 countries, briefed former President George W. Bush and President Donald Trump, and became Vice President Mike Pence’s regular intelligence briefer. Almost all of it was work she could not discuss, Christopher writes.Curlee is also the first known CIA officer to transition openly.Now, after resigning from the CIA, Curlee is doing something once unimaginable for a career officer.Don't miss this exclusive interview from Christopher -- and our complete ongoing coverage of beloved LGBTQ+ icon Dolly Parthon.Transgender CIA veteran who briefed presidents says Trump has ushered in ‘amateur hour’Dolly Parton claimed gay people as family when country music wanted us invisibleWant to honor Dolly Parton? Love LGBTQ+ people like she didDr. Phil McGraw’s former publicist alleges humiliating antigay insults and discrimination. He’s suingA Virginia university fought against its first gay student group — and lost. Now it’s honoring themNavigating a new HIV diagnosis? Advocates say community is keyMeet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the handsome politician breaking a sweat on the campaign trailMarni von Wilpert had breast cancer. Now she wants to fight for health care in Congress