Today on Listen Up Girl — your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast — the DOJ is bribing lawyers to target trans healthcare providers, courts keep blocking their grab for children's medical records, and a federal LGBTQ+ book ban is one step closer to the House floor. Plus: Dave Chappelle's tone-deaf moment on Michelle Obama's podcast, a horrifying Florida hate crime targeting a 5-year-old, Equality California's SF Awards, and Drag Race All Stars 11 is officially here. Pride is 23 days away. 🏳️‍🌈

Subscribe for daily LGBTQ+ news. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Bloomberg Law, Philadelphia Inquirer, Book Riot, GLAAD, Fox News (Chappelle), Pink News, Equality California, Paramount+

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

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Today's episode covers six major stories in the LGBTQ+ community. Florida's new anti-DEI law has stripped Key West Pride, Tropical Heat, and Womenfest of state funding starting in 2027 — potentially impacting over a billion dollars in LGBTQ tourism to the Florida Keys. The orange convicted felon's administration released a national counterterrorism strategy that targets transgender "ideology," raising serious concerns about the use of national security infrastructure against LGBTQ+ people and allies. In Rhode Island, advocates are fighting a federal subpoena that would expose the private information of transgender youth. GLAAD's Sixth Annual Social Media Safety Index found that Meta, X, and YouTube all hit new lows for LGBTQ safety — read the full report at glaad.org. On a brighter note, the 79th Tony Award nominations delivered strong LGBTQ representation, with Nathan Lane, Luke Evans, Stephanie Hsu, Qween Jean, and many more queer artists earning recognition. And we honor the life of SaVanna Wanzer, D.C. trans rights advocate and founder of D.C. Trans Pride, whose celebration of life is May 17th at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stories covered in this episode:

HUD Proposes Trans Shelter Ban — The Department of Housing and Urban Development has put forward a rule that would require federally funded homeless shelters to house people based on their birth sex only, effectively barring transgender people from shelters that match their gender identity. Advocates warn most trans people will avoid shelter entirely rather than risk harassment or violence.

Trevor Project 2025 Mental Health Survey — For the seventh consecutive year, the Trevor Project's national survey of over 16,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13–24 found alarming rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. 36% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year; for trans and nonbinary youth, that number is 40%. The report directly links anti-LGBTQ+ policy and rhetoric to these outcomes. A separate study found 97% of LGBTQ+ youth can still identify at least one source of hope. If you or someone you know is struggling, visit TheTrevorProject.org or call/text 988 and press 3.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Riders in Federal Funding Bill — Republican lawmakers have attached provisions to a must-pass federal spending bill that would eliminate the U.S. Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ Human Rights, defund organizations providing or promoting gender-affirming care, and expand the Global Gag Rule to bar foreign organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights from receiving U.S. funds.

Tennessee Trans Tracking Bill — The Tennessee House passed legislation requiring all gender clinics to submit monthly health data on patients receiving gender-affirming care to the state Department of Health — including age, sex assigned at birth, county of residence, medications, and surgery referral dates. Critics warn the bill creates a de facto surveillance system for transgender residents. Protesters were physically removed from the House gallery during the vote.

Florida 2026 Legislative Session Wrap — Equality Florida reports that advocates successfully stopped or neutralized four out of five anti-LGBTQ+ bills this session. One bill did pass — the Anti-Diversity in Local Government bill — pushed through in the final days with suspended rules and the public locked out.

California's $26 Million Trans Healthcare Proposal — Equality California is advancing a $26 million state budget proposal to create a state-only Medi-Cal funding pathway for transgender healthcare and stabilize the provider network in response to federal funding threats. All priority bills have cleared initial committee hearings and move to appropriations on May 14th.

Queer Pop Culture — May 2026

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

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Today on Listen Up Girl: trans and disabled model Aariana Rose Philip makes Met Gala history as the first wheelchair user in 78 years. A Florida man is arrested for child abuse after allegedly assaulting a five-year-old to "beat the gay out of him." A young trans man organizes his rural Ohio county's first-ever Pride festival. It's Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. A Christian cell phone network launches with built-in blocks on LGBTQ+ content. Same-sex couples lose access to K-1 fiancé visas under sweeping 2026 travel restrictions. The Met Gala faces backlash over Jeff Bezos as honorary chair. Minnesota Aurora FC signs its first trans player. Right-wingers spiral over an ABBA pregnancy TikTok. Tommy Dorfman exposes transphobic texts from a fellow first-class passenger. Pete Buttigieg claps back after Sean Duffy blames him for Spirit Airlines' collapse. And San Antonio becomes the first U.S. city to officially recognize Trans+ History Week.

🏳️‍🌈 New episodes every day. Subscribe so you never miss the news that matters to our community.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week: queer Jews leaving Orthodox Judaism, five anti-LGBTQ+ riders in a State Dept funding bill, Pennsylvania's historic anti-discrimination vote, the UK's new hate crime law, a trans woman making pageant history in Puerto Rico, a shocking new poll, and Trans+ History Week.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stories covered this episode:

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Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode of Listen Up Girl, we’re breaking down a powerful mix of accountability, culture, and ongoing challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community around the world.

We start with a landmark ruling in Australia, where politician Mark Latham was ordered to pay $100,000 after unlawfully vilifying openly gay MP Alex Greenwich — a decision that sends a strong message about the real consequences of hate speech.

From there, we shift into culture, with reports that George Michael’s life may finally be heading to Broadway — not just as a celebration of his music, but as a deeper look into his life as a gay icon navigating fame, identity, and privacy.

We also dive into the latest LGBTQ+ reality TV drama with OUTtv’s Ultimate Boys Trip, and discuss the growing impact of anti-DEI policies in Florida after an LGBTQ+ community center was denied critical funding.

This episode also reflects on history, marking 27 years since the Admiral Duncan bombing in London, and covers a powerful moment of protest and remembrance in Florida, where charges were dropped against individuals who recreated a rainbow tribute near Pulse nightclub.

Plus, we cover:

These stories highlight the reality of where we are right now — progress, visibility, backlash, and resilience — all happening at the same time.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly — make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a story.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman

https://www.listenupgirl.com/

Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/

Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.