Blade speaks with senior State Department advisor Kimberly Zieselman
La. Republican opposes LGBTQ rights, abortion
Other Republican lawmakers treated activists well
Malamed founded The Next 50
Country's president in May signed Anti-Homosexuality Act
Conversation comes after a week of battles over book bans on Capitol Hill
Democratic ranking member raised objections
Former EMILY's List president appointed to succeed Dianne Feinstein
'We need more politicians who are reading books and fewer politicians banning books'
'House Republicans have just elected a speaker nominee who in 16 years in Congress hasn’t passed a single bill'