Queer News

Oct 19, 2026 · 25m

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story covers the retrial ordered for paris lee, a black trans woman murdered in 2022. In politics, the Illinois Department of Health & Family Services (HFS) provides an update on how they can use medicaid and chip funds on gender affirming care for youth, and the guild of angry transsexuals protest harry potter red carpet. In culture and entertainment, dem bois surgery gender affirming grant is now open, and pridechicago community grand marshal nominations are now open! Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right          00:26     Welcome to Queer News 02:41     Join our Substack 03:20     Join the QCrew 04:02     Queer News Headlines   04:58     Retrial Ordered For Paris Lee, A Black Trans Woman Murdered In 2022 09:15     HFS Provide An Update On How They Can Use Medicaid And CHIP Funds On Gender Affirming Care For Youth 13:21     Send us your Queer News Tip       14:18     The Guild of Angry Transsexuals Protest Harry Potter Red Carpet 18:13     Dem Bois Surgery Gender Affirming Grant Is Now Open 20:02     PRIDEChicago Community Grand Marshal Nominations Are Now Open 21:57     Anna's Got A Word 24:15     Outro   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   PRIDECHICAGO Grand Marshall Nomination Form    Dem Bois Gender-Affirming Grant    Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 362. This Week's Top Story Retrial Ordered For Paris Lee, A Black Trans Woman Murdered In 2022 Our top story for the week is about the retrial of Paris Lee. Lee was a trans woman murdered in cold blood back in 2022 by Samuel Ward Jr. The retrial was ordered earlier this year due to the jury operating under the belief that Lee was a cisgendered woman. It's allegedly argued by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals that the trial judge misled the jury by not disclosing Lee as a transgender woman.   Ward is now able to possibly reverse his conviction through this retrial, by bolstering his claims of self defense, which was his original claim when he shot Lee six times. The overturning of Lee's case is the first of its kind in Tennessee legal History, so we'll continue to follow how this retrial unfolds.   This Week In Politics   HFS Provide An Update On How They Can Use Medicaid And CHIP Funds On Gender Affirming Care For Youth   Trump's tyrannical tribulations know no bounds in his attack on gender-affirming care, but organizations continue to fight back and find silver linings. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, or HFS for short, issued a provider notice this month on how they'll be moving forward in light of federal rule on gender affirming care for young people.   The HFS press release reassured that the federal rule does not prohibit states from using their own state money to provide gender-affirming care when federal resources dry up. The HFS plans to use state-only funds to preserve continuity of care and coverage through the end of state fiscal year 2027. In 2028 they will revisit funding through a budget development process. Providers should continue as they have with their billing processes through 2027. The HFS is happy to answer any lingering questions via their Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services which can be reached at 877-782-5565.   The Guild of Angry Transsexuals Protest Harry Potter Red Carpet   Many attended the red carpet of JK Rowling's latest endeavor: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child including a group of activists protesting the play. The protestors laid down on the red carpet just as the performers were set to make their entrance, wearing shirts that read "Rowling Money Kills". Video of the protest shows security quickly dragging the protestors off the carpet, some of them shouting "When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!" and "Rowling funds transphobia! Boycott J.K. Rowling!" as they were pulled away.   The Guild of Angry Transsexuals claimed to have led the protests, writing "We took action to make attendees of Rowling's 'Cursed Child' [aware] that by continuing to fund her media and entertainment empire, they directly fund the legal attack on trans people, their rights and private lives."    This Week In Culture & Entertainment   Dem Bois Surgery Gender Affirming Grant Is Now Open   Dem Bois Inc have announced that their Gender Affirming Surgery Grant is open! This grant is for "trans men or transmasculine persons of color, inclusive of nonbinary, gender-expansive, and other diverse transmasculine identities in need of financial assistance to help cover the cost of gender-affirming surgery."   In addition to identifying as a trans man or transmasculine person of color, inclusive of nonbinary, gender-expansive, and other diverse transmasculine identities, applicants must also demonstrate financial need and select an experienced gender-affirming surgeon in the United States. Applications will be selected based upon financial need and surgery preparedness. Applications close on November 12th, so don't wait and apply today to this wonderful opportunity!   PRIDEChicago Community Grand Marshal Nominations Are Now Open   Family, do you know any Queer trailblazers or local grassroots organizers who should be next year's Grand Marshall for the Chicago Pride Parade? Well nominations for the Grand Marshall title are open! Now in its 57th year, PRIDEChicago, the nonprofit organization responsible for the annual Pride Parade is extending the invitation for the local community to uplift on another.   Nominations opened earlier this LGBTQ+ history month, and will remain open through December 31st. Final Decisions will be announced in Spring, ahead of the parade in June. In addition to nominations of organizations, individuals can self-nominate as well.   Anna's Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.

Oct 12, 2026 · 43m

Welcome back to our Interview series! This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community! Anna has a couple Queer News headlines to share, then later, join Anna for an exclusive interview with Tee Sanders! NAACP 2026 Image Award winner, Chicago born and raised, Black Masc lesbian who twerks y'all know who Tee Sanders is and if you don't you've seen her work on the internet. She's gone viral for her social media. When she's not on the Round Table Game Show, she's on tour, sharing her comedy with the world. On this episode of Queer News, Anna and Tee Sanders talk about Tee's rock-bottom and rise to winning the 2026 NAACP Image Award, WNBA All-Star Weekend, The moments going from being nominated for the NAACP Image award to accepting the award, And Tee shares some advice for creatives.   You can find on Tee Sanders on instagram : @teesanderscomedy Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.   00:26     Welcome to Queer News          04:04     Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew    04:40     Queer News Headlines             10:16     Interview with Tee Sanders              27:34     Join our Substack    28:04   Interview with Tee Sanders       🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Connect with : TikTok: @teesanderscomedy Instagram: @teesanderscomedy Website: https://teesanderscomedy.com/https://teesanderscomedy.com/    🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   https://www.genderpodcast.com/grant    RSVP for Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame   Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 361. This Week's Queer News Headlines    The Chicago Marathon Non-Binary Runners Division Continues to Grow!   The Chicago Marathon was yesterday and the number of non-binary runners continues to climb! The non-binary category was added quietly back in 2022, marking Chicago as the second world major marathon to do so after New York. During the inaugural year of the new runner's division approximately 42 runners were registered as non-binary according to the Bank of American Chicago Marathon official race results.    In 2023 that number more than doubled to 91 non-binary runners. In 2024 there were 135 non-binary runners and during last year's race there were 144 non binary runners registered for the race. Cal Calamia, a non-binary transmasculine marathoner and activist, competed in last year's race and placed 5th overall in the non-binary division. While we await this year's numbers, it's exciting to see the continuous growth of the running category! Congrats to all the runners!   Gender Reveal Grant Application Cycle Is Now Open   The Gender Reveal Podcast's grant cycle for 2026 is now open! They are offering several $1000 grants to community projects led by trans people of color. Last year across Spring and Fall a total of $20,268 micro grants were donated to snack and mutual aid events across the globe. Applications are open now until October 31st via Gender Reveal's website!   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.    Associate producer Myana Zhané Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Oct 5, 2026 · 24m

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story covers the breaking news that the education department rescinded Title IX protections for lgbtq+ students. In culture and entertainment, heated rivalry producers launch a nonprofit for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, Lil Nas X comes back with a new single, Chicago's Legacy Project announces this year's dedication nominees and we raised $10,000 on Purple Tie day. Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right     00:26     Welcome to Queer News     03:21     Join our Substack 04:06     Join the QCrew      04:45     Queer News Headlines        05:21     The Education Department Rescinded Title IX Protections For LGBTQ+ Students    11:51     Heated Rivalry Producers Launch nonprofit For LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Sports    13:59     Qn Tip Line         14:43     Lil Nas X Returns With A New Single     16:56     Chicago Legacy Walk Dedication    18:54     Anna's Word       🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   RSVP for the Chicago Legacy Walk Dedication    Learn more about The Irina Foundation    Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 360. This Week's Top Story   The Education Department Rescinded Title IX Protections For LGBTQ+ Students   On Monday, the US department of education announced that they rescinded the Biden Administration title IX ruling. Back in 2024, the Biden Administration approved a new Title IX rule that enhanced protections "against sex-based harassment and clarifying protections on discrimination based on LGBTQI+ status and pregnant and parenting status." In response to the rescission, ACLU deputy legal director Louise Melling wrote: "All students have the right to an equal opportunity to learn in school without being discriminated against on the basis of sex or sex stereotypes, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnant or parenting status. Title IX should be a shield against discrimination; instead, this administration has treated it like a sword to weaponize against our most vulnerable students. The Department's action also rolls back important provisions requiring schools to address reports of sexual harassment promptly and effectively."   This Week In Culture & Entertainment   Heated Rivalry Producers Launch nonprofit For LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Sports   In happier news about LGBTQ+ people in sports, Heated Rivalry producers and Accent Aigu  Entertainment founders Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady have launched a nonprofit fighting for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. Launched last week, the Irina Foundation "is rooted in the belief that shared participation can foster inclusivity and strengthen mental well-being and resilience in ways few other approaches can. It envisions a world where LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and underserved communities experience genuine belonging and opportunity through organized sports and arts programs - creating inclusive spaces that build confidence, connection, and a strong sense of community."   Lil Nas X Returns With A New Single   Dreamboy Lil Nas X is back with a brand new single. Titled World's Greatest, the song pays homage to Lil Nas X's beginnings, his mother, and his creative journey as an artist. The music video is full of throwbacks to his previous eras and glimpses of Lil Nas X's childhood and is dedicated to his mother Tamikia Hill who passed away earlier this year.   Lil Nas X seems to be on a continuous journey of healing which is great to see after the turbulent year he's had. Back in June, he reappeared on the internet after spending time in rehab. Since then he's been interacting with fans and slowly teasing new music. Guided by his mother's words "Walk by faith, not by sight" Lil Nas X continues to move though life with his head held high.   Chicago Legacy Walk Dedication   Chicago, the legacy project has announced the date for the 2026 legacy walk. October 10th will be a walk to remember as Chicago's AIDS Angel Lori Cannon, and Revolutionary War Hero Casimir Pulaski will receive bronze memorial dedications commemorating their life and legacy.   The dedication will be held at Center on Halstead. From 12pm to 2pm there will be a legacy walk program, followed by the on street dedication ceremony from 2pm to 3pm. Afterwards guests are welcome to stay for a reception where light bites and refreshments will be served from 3pm to 5pm. Admission is free and open to the public and you can rsvp at legacyproject.org   Anna's Word   We have not because we ask not. So, get to asking for what you want out of this life.    🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.  Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Sep 28, 2026 · 43m

Welcome back to our Interview series! This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community! Anna has a couple Queer News headlines to share, then later, join Anna for an exclusive interview with advocate, and chair of the council of justice leaders with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Robert Suttle! Robert's work is rooted in combating the criminalization of HIV through consultations, and education on the stigmas and harmful legislation surrounding HIV. His passion has personal ties, as he himself experienced felony charges and jail time as a result of the existing laws related to HIV.  Through The Sero Project, a program Robert co-founded, he  uplifts voices directly impacted by HIV criminalization and strongly advocates for policy reform across the globe.  On this episode of Queer News, Anna and Robert discuss the criminalization of HIV, Robert's personal story, states with laws actively criminalizing HIV, and ways people can support the HIV is not a crime movement and the true not crime series. You can find Robert Suttle on instagram @suttlevision.  Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26     Welcome to Queer News          02:50     Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew                    03:50     Queer News Headlines        10:50     Interview with Robert Suttle                           23:13     Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair Today 24:32     Interview with Robert Suttle (continued) 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Connect with Robert Suttle: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.suttle.3/  Instagram: @suttlevision Website: https://www.robertsuttle.com/  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Get Your Purple Tie Tickets RSVP for Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio  📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 359. This Week's Queer News Headlines  Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Inductees Announced The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is the only city-sanctioned LGBT Hall of Fame in the world, has announced its slate of 2026 inductees: 13 LGBT-identified individuals, two LGBT-identified organizations and three friends of the community, or allies. The 2026 inductees represent a wide cross-section of the diverse Chicago community.  This year there are five Black LGBTQ individuals and one organization that will be inducted into the hall! (in alpha order) Adodi Chicago, David Dodd, Coquie Hughes, Saundra DeAnne Johnson, Alderman Lamont J. Robinson, and Marshall Titus. Wow! This cohort spans politics, culture and entertainment. We are also sending special congratulations to our friends Brad Balof and Simone Koehlinger who we love dearly here. Congratulations to them all 🎉 A Different World Reboot A Different World is back with a brand new look. The reboot launched on Netflix September 24th, 39 years after the original premiere back in 1987, and many have already binged the season, myself included. New and familiar faces return to Hillman College for a semester filled with comedy, drama, and a whole lot of heart. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.  Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.  Associate producer Myana Zhané Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Sep 21, 2026 · 20m

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story pays respects to Sophie Lee, and Asia Williams, two black trans women killed in Baltimore this year. In politics, A group of LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board, and we cover the mass arrests at a lgbtq+ led protest in Istanbul. In culture and entertainment, the queer trans project supplies more than 500 gender-affirming supply kits to Floridian youth, and Chicago's International Film Festival Returns in October with a stunning lineup of queer films. Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right     00:26     Welcome to Queer News 01:03   LGBTQ Veteran's Day 01:50 Join our Substack 02:21 Join the QCrew   02:49 Queer News Headlines  03:31 Remembering Sophie Lee and Asia Williams 06:11 LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board 08:13 Mass Arrests in Istanbul                                11:56   Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today         12:50 The queer trans project supplies more than 500 gender-affirming supply kits  15:25 Chicago's International Film Festival Returns in October with a stunning lineup of queer films             18:12     Anna's Got A Word   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links Fundraiser for Denise Jackson by Baltimore Safe Haven : I WAS SOMEBODY'S CHILD. I DESERVED TO LIVE  Fundraiser by Lisa drummond : Support for Jacqueline After Asia's Tragic Loss  Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 358. This Week's Top Story Rest in Power to Sophie Lee, And Asia Williams, Two Black Trans Women Killed In Baltimore This Year It's with a heavy heart that I share that two Black Trans Women have been killed in Baltimore. Sophie Lee, and Asia Williams have both been shot and killed in Baltimore this year. Police Investigations for both cases are under way, but no suspects or motives have been found. Asia was the 22nd trans woman killed this year and Sophie was the 23rd according to Pgh Lesbian. The gofundme's for both Asia and Sophie will be linked in the show notes if you'd like to support the families.   This Week In Politics A group of LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board And Are Victorious! This all started when 17 students attending a King George County school wanted to establish a GSA. The King George County School Board enacted a policy change in response to the backlash so that middle school students can no longer form noncircular clubs. Well,  the students weren't having that so they took the school board to court! The students argued that the school board violated their first amendment rights by blocking their club from forming meanwhile other student organizations were allowed to continue. The students victory in court resulted in the policy being changed back to how it was as well as a settlement. Mass Arrests At A LGBTQ+ Led Protest In Istanbul In international news, multiple people were detained at a LGBTQ+ led protest in Istanbul. The protestors were asking for the release of numerous LGBTQ+ activists who were arrested during a police crack down on LGBTQ+ groups and organizations earlier this month. It's estimated that 150 people were detained at the protest in front of Istanbul's courthouse. Titled the "My Family Is Safe" operation, local police swept through LGBTQ+ organization offices, popular queer hangout spots and safe spaces, LGBTQ+ activists homes, and they even went as far as to delete websites affiliated with the LGBTQ+ community. Close to 50 people were detained as a result of those raids. This Week In Culture & Entertainment The Queer Trans Project Supplies More than 500 Gender-Affirming Supply Kits To Floridian Youth The Queer Trans Project just donated more than 500 gender-affirming supply kits to youth in Florida. Their "Build a Queer Kits" include binders, tucking supplies, makeup kits, health supplies and much more at no cost! The next restock of the build-a-queer kits is November 17th, and it's their biggest restock yet with more than 5000+ gender-affirming care items available. The kits are fully customizable and to apply for one, you can head to https://queertransproject.org/ for all the application details. The kits are distributed on a lottery based system, so even if you don't get selected for this drop, you can reapply for the next one. In addition to their build-a-queer kits, the Queer Trans Project also offers financial assistance for airfare in the form of their Flight Assistance program. Introducing The Queer Films Showing At The Chicago International Film Festival Continuing our coverage of Film Festival Season In Chicago, The Chicago International Film Festival is next month and they've just announced their full lineup for their 62nd year! Club Kid is one of the highly anticipated opening night films. Directed by and starring Jordan Fistman (I Love LA + Ms. Marvel) The film is described as hilarious, touching, racy, and tender and is about a New York club promoter who wakes up one day to find the ten year old british son he never knew he had at his door step. Filmmaker Jordan Fistman will be in attendance at the opening night screening on October 14th at the music box theatre. In addition to premieres, there are many anniversaries being celebrated at the film festival as well. The Watermelon Woman turns 30 this year, and to celebrate, a special tribute to director Cheryl Dunye will be held before the screening of the film on October 17th at the Logan Center for the Arts. During the tribute, Cheryl will be presented with the Career Achievement Award. Anna's Word: Reason, Season, or Lifetime "What felt good then doesn't feel good now. What you accepted then you will not accept now. Hold space to grieve, but recognize that some people come into your life for a reason, a season, and a select few get to be for a lifetime." Family, my word for this week comes from a place of deep personal reflection after a trying week. We grew up hearing the classic quote that people enter our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, but it isn't until we gain lived experience that the truth of those words really hits home. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.  Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.  Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Sep 14, 2026 · 31m

Welcome back to our Summer series! As we head into Bisexuality Week, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories and voices that matter most to our community! First, Anna brings you an important Queer News update on the Sam Nordquist case, then later, join Anna for a conversation with the visionary founder of Skirt Club, Genevieve Lejeune.   Genevieve is a leading figure in women's sexual empowerment and the founder of Skirt Club, a private, global members-only club for bi-curious and bisexual women. With over 25,000 members across 36 cities worldwide, Genevieve was the first to curate luxurious global spaces where women can prioritize their desires and gain confidence from the bedroom to the boardroom. Her work and expertise have been featured in high-profile publications such as Marie Claire, Elle Magazine, Cosmo, Bloomberg, Rolling Stone, and the Sunday Times. On this episode of Queer News, Anna and Genevieve discuss dismantling the stigma around bisexuality, reclaiming pleasure, the power of women-only spaces, and the launch of Skirt Club's new global app. You can find Genevieve Lejeune and Skirt Club online at SkirtClub.co.uk and on Instagram @skirtclub. Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right       00:25     Welcome to Queer News      03:55     Join our Substack      04:36     Join the QCrew             05:23     Queer News Headlines        09:48    Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today          10:42     Send us your Queer News Tip          11:01    Interview      🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 357. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.    Associate Producer Myana Zhane' Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Sep 8, 2026 · 27m

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story is a tragic one. We remember our two family members who were killed outside of the Venture-N gay bar in Tuscan, Arizona. In politics, Dr. Everton Blair wins in Georgia and makes gay history. In Arkansas politics, a librarian fired for opposing the censorship of LGBTQ+ books wins a massive settlement. In culture and entertainment, Lil Nas X's mom passes away and Chicago's LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th - 27th. Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right   00:26     Welcome to Queer News          03:01     Join the QCrew              03:40     Queer News Headlines             04:30     A Targeted Shooting in Arizona Outside A Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead          09:52     Dr. Everton Blair Sworn Into Congress          13:29     Librarian Fired For Opposing the Ban of LGBTQ+ Books Wins Massive Settlement          17:20     Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today         18:14     Send us your Queer News Tip                19:33     Lil Nas X's mom passes away          20:54     Chicago's LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th - 27th          24:36     Anna's Got A Word   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   Interview: A conversation with Dr. Everton Blair about his historic run for congress in Georgia's 13th district   Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 356. This Week's Top Story   A Targeted Shooting in Arizona Outside A Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead A targeted attack outside an Arizona gay bar left two dead and hundreds in mourning on Monday. Local police arrived to Venture-N around 12 am Monday morning after reports of shots fired. Shortly after they found Vincent Anthony Siqueiros (42N) and Cameron Davis Capara (33M) who were pronounced deceased at the scene. The shooter, Ousman Ceesay, was also found at the scene. He had a self inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to a nearby hospital where he died.    A hit list of LGBTQ+ businesses was found on Ceesay's body, leaving local law enforcement to believe that Ceesay intended to cause a lot more harm than he did. Vincent Anthony Siquerios and Cameron Davis Capara were remembered fondly by hundreds on Wednesday during a candle lit vigil outside of Venture-N. Portraits of the two were surrounded by flowers brought by friends, family, and patrons paying their respects.   This Week In Politics   Dr. Everton Blair Sworn Into Congress Family do y'all remember Dr. Everton Blair? He's a friend of the show and an openly gay politician running from the South running for congress. Well he has just been sworn into congress, making him the first openly gay Black man from Georgia to hold a seat in Congress.   Although it is unclear whether Congressman Blair will remain in congress after January, he's been known to pull off upsets in his past races. Congrats Congressman Blair. Make us proud.   Librarian Fired For Opposing the Ban of LGBTQ+ Books Wins Massive Settlement In Arkansas, a librarian won a big settlement after she was fired for refusing to comply with a LGBTQ+ book censorship. Patty Hector had been a librarian at the Saline County library for almost 10 years before Saline County Judge Matt Brumley fired her because she opposed the censorship of LGBTQ+ books. The ordinance that Patty rejected stated that she was to remove books with "sexual imagery or content" from the children's section of her library.   Patty, alongside the ACLU of Arkansas untied to sue the county, but to avoid litigation the county agreed to pay a 275 thousand dollar settlement to Patty. She hopes this serves as a motivator for more librarians to stand up against book censorship, saying "I hope this settlement sends a message to librarians and other public servants across Arkansas that their voices and their constitutional rights matter." This Week In Culture & Entertainment   Lil Nas X's mom passes away Family, keep Lil Nas X in your prayers. It was announced August 29th that his mother, Tameka Hill, passed away. In a social media post dedicated to his mother the musician wrote: "RIP TO THE BADEST EVER. LOVE YOU FOREVER MOMMY. this one's gonna hurt."   Chicago's LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th - 27th One of Chicago's largest LGBTQ+ film festivals is back for it's 66th year. Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQIA+ International Film Festivals returns September 17th - 27th for another year of the best and boldest queer films. Anna's Word   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.  Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Aug 31, 2026 · 1h 6m

Welcome back to our Summer series! This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community! Anna has a Queer News headline to share, then later, join Anna for an exclusive interview with leading journalist and broadcaster Hunter Kelly. Hunter is a leading journalist and broadcaster whose focus on music and LGBTQ+ issues has influenced his work for more than a decade. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Apple News Radio, Variety, and NPR just to name a few publications.    Hunter served as the Nashville Correspondent for ABC News and ABC News Radio, where he's interviewed celebrities such as Katy Perry, Loretta Lyn, Garth Brooks, and Taylor Swift. From there he transitioned to Apple Music's Proud Radio, where he hosted "an hour-long show featuring LGBTQ+ artists in country and Americana music."   On this episode of Queer News, Anna and Hunter fondly remember the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.   You can find Hunter Kelly on instagram @nashvillehk.    Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26     Welcome to Queer News     02:35     Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew         03:55     Drag Show Ban In Texas Struck Down By Judge      09:20     Interview with Hunter Kelly      35:41     Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair Today    36:35     Subscribe to our Newsletter      36:57     Send us your Queer News Tip  p          37:30     Interview with Hunter Kelly (continued)   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Featured Artists & Key Links Hunter dropped incredible country, folk, and Americana artists during this conversation. Check out their music and support independent queer artists in country:   Denitia — Black queer country artist and featured vocalist on Dolly Parton's official symphony tour. Joy Oladokun — Acclaimed Nashville-based Black queer singer-songwriter. The Kentucky Gentlemen — Twin brothers making waves as Black queer artists in country music. D'orjay (The Singing Shaman) — Canadian Black queer country singer-songwriter. Chris Housman — Out gay country artist; check out his album Dodge City! Allison Russell — Grammy-winning roots/country artist and activist. Brandi Carlile — Multi-Grammy winning queer icon and champion of Dolly's legacy.   Connect with Hunter Kelly: Substack: Untethered Southerner Instagram: @nashvillehk Website: hunterkelly.com   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 355. This Week's Top Story   Drag Show Ban In Texas Struck Down By Judge U.S. District Judge David Hittner struck down a 2023 state law that had sought to ban drag shows last week in Texas.The law, also known as Senate Bill 12, was ruled as a violation of the First Amendment. Under Senate Bill 12, businesses would've faced fines up to $10,000 dollars and even up to 1 year in prison for hosting events that involve public nudity and/or sexual content.   In his ruling Judge Hittner wrote. "The vast majority of the law's numerous applications violate the First Amendment because all the performances that it has an actual impact on are constitutionally protected and are targeted for prohibition based on content and viewpoint." He added that for "those who find such activities as described in this case offensive…The solution is relatively simple ... just don't go." 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.    Associate producer Myana Zhane' Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.  

Aug 24, 2026 · 32m

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story highlights trans and nonbinary politicians on the precipice of making history. In politics, co-owner of the Lesbian Bar My Sister's Room Jen-Chase Daniels was arrested over the weekend, and the Trump administration is getting sued again! In sports, culture and entertainment, WNBA security pulls fans for pro and anti trans shirts, the lgbtq+ community now makes up 12% of the population and the chicago therapy collective will soon be prohibited from providing funds for gender affirming care by the Trump administration. Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.                     00:26     Welcome to Queer News     02:05     Subscribe to our Newsletter          03:14     Join the QCrew            03:47     Queer News Headlines             05:10     Two Trans Women Are Poised To Win Positions in State Legislature in Two Separate States      09:36     Atlanta Lesbian Bar Owner Arrested After "Noise Complaints"          14:35     Trump Gets Sued Over Trans Healthcare Ban      17:55     Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today 18:49     Send us your Queer News Tip        19:10     WNBA Pulls Fans For Pro and Anti Trans Shirts          27:43     The LGBTQ+ Community Now Makes Up 12% Of The Population     30:04     Anna's Word       🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory   Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   This week's episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 354. This Week's Top Story   Two Trans Women Are Poised To Win Positions in State Legislature in Two Separate States   Jaelynn Scott and Joanna Whaley have the potential to do something historic: Become the first trans woman elected to State Legislature in their respective states of Washington and Michigan. In Washington, Jaelynn Scott is on track to become the first Black trans woman in the country to be elected to a state legislature. Over in Michigan, Joanna Whaley is running for Michigan's 2nd House District.    We'd also like to shout out Bentley Hudgins in Georgia won their democratic primary for Georgia's House of Representatives in the 90th District. Should they win in November, they'll be the first openly nonbinary member of Georgia's state legislature.November is shaping up to be a historic election season. Good luck to all the candidates, and we'll continue to monitor their campaigns progress through November.   This Week In Politics   Atlanta Lesbian Bar Owner Arrested After "Noise Complaints"   In Atlanta, co-owner of the Lesbian Bar My Sister's Room (MSR for short) Jen-Chase Daniels was arrested over the weekend allegedly due to noise complaints. Here's what we know so far: A video of Jen-Chase's arrest was uploaded to the my sisters room instagram Saturday night. In the video, you can hear the co-owner tell officers that the building was not at capacity, and the event going on in the bar that night was not 18+ as she asks the person recording to call her wife shortly before being escorted to the back of a police car.   Jen-Chase wrote "I was asked to show my ID. The officer already knew who I was, and I questioned why I needed to provide identification when we had not done anything wrong. I was willing to show the video footage demonstrating that the noise was not coming from MSR. Instead, I was arrested." Jen - Chase spent the next 12 hours at Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was unable to notify her family of her whereabouts. Upon her release from the hospital, she was transferred to jail.   Trump Gets Sued Over Trans Healthcare Ban   The Trump administration is getting sued again and we love to see it! This time, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is allegedly being sued by five federal workers because healthcare coverage was revoked for transgender employees, retirees, and their families. The plaintiffs argue that this is a violation of Title VII of the civil rights act, which prohibits places of work from discriminating against race, religion, or in this case, sex.   The plaintiffs are seeking an end to the Carrier Letter 2025-01b policy as well as reimbursements to employees who've had to pay for procedures out of pocket. They also are seeking to reinstate healthcare coverage to employees whose coverage was revoked as a result of The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's new policies.   This Week In Sports   WNBA Pulls Fans For Pro and Anti Trans Shirts   A game with the Atlanta Dream vs The Indiana Fever got heated in the stands as guests were asked to remove their shirts by security. Reportedly three fans were asked to cover up and/or remove shirts with messages that contained both pro and anti trans language.   In response to the incident, the WNBA wrote "The WNBA is aware of interactions at (Sunday) night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened." A representative from the Atlanta Dream also commented on the actions taken by the WNBA's security during Sunday's game, saying that "The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night's game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security."   This Week In Culture & Entertainment   The LGBTQ+ Community Now Makes Up 12% Of The Population   Cheers Queers, we now make up 12% of the adult population in the United States! The Human Rights Campaign Foundation analyzed the U.S. census and found that there are approximately 26.5 million LGBTQ+ adults in the US which totals up to 12% of the recorded population from the years 2021 - 2024. The data was collected from that specific time period because shortly after the Trump administration had removed sexuality and gender metrics from a majority of federal surveys.   Chicago Therapy Collective Will Soon Be Prohibited From Providing Funds For Gender Affirming Care By The Trump Administration   Due to a new ruling by the Trump Administration, organizations such as the Chicago Therapy Collective will soon be prohibited from providing funds to assist people receive the gender affirming care they need. The new ruling specifically prohibits the use of "federal funds and CHIP funds from covering certain forms of gender-affirming care for trans youth." This will go into effect on October 13th of this year, and youth currently accessing gender-affirming care will have a six month grace period before the loss of federal funding.   All is not lost. Plans are being made across the nation for amendments to the new ruling, however at this current point in time legislative action is necessary to get these funds resumed. On a state level, states can allocate funds to supporting those seeking gender affirming care, but there's no guarantee that individual states can (or will) move those funds.    Anna's Word   I'm Built for More   "This year has been about persistence and a bullish attitude that I've always been built for more."   Family, it's my birthday week! As I prepare to turn 43 on August 30th, I'm taking a moment to reflect on a year defined by true fortitude. It hasn't been easy, personally or professionally, but if there's one thing this season has taught me, it's that we are built to push past the resistance.   In this week's word, I share:   Standing in Fortitude: Navigating tough seasons with persistence and the refusal to let challenges take us out. Evolving for Today: Why sustaining independent media means focusing on expansion, pivots, and meaningful collaborations right now—not relying on what worked five years ago. Choosing Hope: Showing up authentically for ourselves, our purpose, and this community every single day.   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.  Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.