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On 'Gaydar Show,' Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proves she's a fierce ally

Gretchen Whitmer
Peter Serocki/Shutterstock.com

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at last year's Democratic National Convention

The governor excels at naming LGBTQ+ celebrities, standing up for trans people, and more.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer showed once again that she’s a fierce ally to the LGBTQ+ community in a recent “Gaydar Show” Instagram video.

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Whitmer, a Democrat being mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2028, performed well in naming LGBTQ+ celebrities, standing up for transgender people, and highlighting the measures her state has taken to be inclusive.

When asked by host Anania how many states have banned conversion therapy, Whitmer couldn’t give a number, but she said Michigan definitely has. It passed a law in 2023 barring licensed mental health professionals from subjecting minors to the practice. She also noted that Michigan is the first state to establish an LGBTQ+ commission.

Asked why it’s important to stand up for trans people right now, Whitmer answered, “Because, you know what? Trans people are people, and they deserve to have respect and protection under the law. And right now all the crap coming out of D.C. makes everyone feel less safe, and it’s wrong.”

She picked Lake Michigan as the gayest of the Great Lakes because Saugatuck, the gayest town in Michigan, is on that lake. She further revealed that her mother once took her to a gay bar.

There were other revelations about her favorite queer celebrity and which three queer people she’d like to have a dinner party with — one is her lesbian daughter.

She concluded by confirming that she’s “100 percent” a “fierce ally.”

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Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.