Listen Up Girl

By Zach Randles-Friedman

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman, a seasoned podcaster and communications professional, Listen Up Girl delivers trusted coverage of the stories shaping LGBTQ+ lives today. From breaking political news ... more

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The podcast currently has 293 episodes available.

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June 21, 2026 Ep. 289: House of Dragon Premieres, Castro Surveillance & Capital Pride Concert | June 21 2026
SHOW NOTES
Story 1 — Capital Pride Concert
The 2026 Capital Pride Concert takes place today, Sunday June 21, on Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., noon to 10 p.m. Free admission with ticketed pit and VIP upgrades. Headliner Maren Morris (bisexual, Grammy-winning) joined by Leikeli47, Lisa Lisa, DJ Harrison, and Drag Race Season 18 winner Myki Meeks. Source: Capital Pride Alliance / Metro Weekly / Washington Blade.
Story 2 — Chicago Pride Fest
The 25th annual Chicago Pride Fest ran June 20–21 in Northalsted along Halsted Street. Headliners included Durand Bernarr and G Flip. The Chicago Pride Parade follows June 28 with the theme "Free to Be Proud," led by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Source: PRIDEChicago / Choose Chicago.
Story 3 — House of the Dragon Season 3
House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres tonight, Sunday June 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. Nonbinary British actor Emma D'Arcy returns as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. D'Arcy spoke ahead of the premiere about the importance of nonbinary visibility and their commitment to speaking up for the trans community. The season runs 8 episodes through August 9. Red carpet world premiere was held in London on June 8, 2026. Sources: Jefferson City News-Tribune (June 18, 2026) / Autostraddle / Fandom.
Story 4 — Castro Facial Recognition
At least three bars in San Francisco's Castro district installed Patronscan Guard+ devices (Servall Data Systems, Alberta, Canada), which collect names, addresses, gender, and biometric data. Privacy advocates and LGBTQ Nation reported on the story June 19, 2026. Digital rights concerns focus on data retention, sharing, and risks to LGBTQ+ individuals. Sources: SFist / LGBTQ Nation / PinkNews / The Advocate.
Story 5 — Ontario Pride Flag Burning
York Regional Police identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan Mohammad Radmard, both 18, as suspects in the June 8 theft and burning of a Pride flag at a secondary school in Markham, Ontario. Both charged with mischief in connection with a hate crime investigation. Source: LGBTQ Nation (June 19, 2026).
Story 6 — Trans Healthcare in Federal Prisons
On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit briefly issued an order allowing the Trump administration to implement its policy stripping gender-affirming care from transgender people in federal prisons. The same day, the U.S. District Court for D.C. issued a new preliminary injunction blocking the policy. Source: National LGBTQ+ Bar Association Trump EO Tracker / KFF.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Intro
0:45 — Capital Pride Concert: Maren Morris, Myki Meeks & more in D.C.
2:30 — Chicago Pride Fest Day 2: 25th Anniversary in Northalsted
4:00 — House of the Dragon Season 3: Emma D'Arcy Leads Tonight
5:45 — Castro Gay Bars Install Facial Recognition — Queer Privacy Under Fire
7:30 — Canadian Teens Charged in Pride Flag Hate Crime
8:45 — Trans Healthcare in Federal Prisons: Court Whiplash
10:00 — Outro + Headlines
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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June 20, 2026 Ep. 288: FTC Sues WPATH + Trans Pride LA, Bronx Pride & NYC Grand Marshals | Pride Day 20
Story 1 — FTC Sues WPATH
The Federal Trade Commission, along with Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, filed a federal lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health on June 17, 2026. LGBTQ Nation and The Advocate both covered the story, including community response from Lambda Legal and The Trevor Project. Filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Story 2 — Trans Pride LA
Trans Pride LA 2026 takes place Saturday, June 20, at the Anita May Rosenstein Campus and The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood. Organized by the LA LGBT Center's Trans* Lounge. Hosted by Lo Colby. Free, all-ages event. Source: The Fight Magazine, LA LGBT Center.
Story 3 — Da Bronx Pride Festival
Da Bronx Pride Festival runs June 20, noon to 6 PM, on Westchester Avenue between Brook and Bergen Avenues in the South Bronx. Organized by Destination Tomorrow. Source: NYCHA Journal, Bronx Times, ClickBid event listing.
Story 4 — NYC Pride Grand Marshals
Bowen Yang and Bernie Wagenblast announced as 2026 NYC Pride March grand marshals. March steps off June 28, noon, from 26th St and Fifth Ave. Source: Gothamist, NYC Pride official.
Story 5 — Stonewall Columbus
Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival runs June 19–20 in Columbus, Ohio, expecting 700,000+ attendees. Source: AARP Pride Events guide, NYCHA Journal.
Story 6 — Broadway Bares
Broadway Bares returns Sunday, June 21, at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center. Over 200 Broadway dancers, Tony-winning creator Jerry Mitchell. All proceeds support HIV/AIDS services. Source: NYC Tourism Pride Guide.
Story 7 — WABC Pride Special
"Pride 2026: For All of Us" airs Saturday, June 20 at 7 PM on WABC-TV Channel 7 and the ABC7 app. Features T Lounge, NY Ramblers, Lesbian Herstory Archives, LGBTQ West Village walking tour. Source: ABC7 New York.
Story 8 — NYC Pride Drag Brunch
"It's Giving Brunch" NYC Pride drag brunch fundraiser, Saturday June 20, 11 AM and 2 PM sessions, Stella 34 Trattoria, 6th floor Macy's Herald Square, NYC. Source: NYC Pride Events Calendar.
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.
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June 19, 2026Ep. 287: Idaho Bathroom Ban Blocked + Juneteenth Pride + Columbus & SF Open | June 19
Episode Notes:
Juneteenth + Pride: June 19th, 1865 marked the announcement of emancipation in Texas. Capital Pride DC's 2026 Pride week has included a panel on the Black LGBTQ History Preservation Report featuring D.C. Council Member Zachary Parker. The Windy City Times and Washington Informer both published Juneteenth/Pride intersectionality features this week.

Idaho HB 752 blocked: On June 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford issued a preliminary injunction blocking major portions of Idaho's House Bill 752, a bathroom ban that would have criminalized trans people for using public restrooms aligned with their gender identity. The case was brought by the ACLU, ACLU of Idaho, and Lambda Legal on behalf of six transgender Idaho residents. The law was set to take effect July 1, 2026.

Stonewall Columbus Pride: The festival opens tonight, June 19, from 4–10 p.m. at Goodale Park, Columbus, Ohio. The 2026 theme is "Until We're All Free." Executive Director Densil Porteous and Community Programs Coordinator Jaki Braxton have been leading outreach and programming. LuSter Singleton is the 2026 Patron of Pride. The Pride March takes place Saturday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. Full details at stonewallcolumbus.org.

Fresh Meat Festival: The 25th Anniversary Fresh Meat Festival of trans and queer performance opens tonight, June 19, at 8 p.m. at Z Space (450 Florida Street, San Francisco). Tickets are on a sliding scale. Runs through June 21. The festival is produced by Fresh Meat Productions, founded and directed by Sean Dorsey. Full lineup and tickets at freshmeatproductions.org.

Capital Pride DC: The 2026 theme is "Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!" Capital Pride events this week included Silver Pride on June 12 and a Black LGBTQ History Preservation Report panel. The Capital Pride Concert is June 21, free, featuring Maren Morris. Full schedule at capitalpride.org.

WorldPride NYC countdown: The NYC Pride March falls on June 28, 2026 — the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. WorldPride events are centered in New York City this year.
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.
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13min
June 18, 2026Ep. 286: MLB Pride Backlash, Ranger Fired Over Trans Flag, Florida Scraps Arch | June 18
MLB & Pride: The Texas Rangers remain the only one of 30 MLB teams never to hold a Pride Night, hosting Faith and Family Night on June 18 instead. Separately, Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker wrote Genesis 9:12–16 on Pride Night caps; reliever Sam Hentges declined the cap. MLB warned the players of possible future penalties, and Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred alleging discrimination against Christian players.

Yosemite ranger: Dr. SJ Joslin, the nonbinary ranger behind the 55-foot trans Pride flag hung from El Capitan, had their wrongful-termination lawsuit dismissed but vowed to continue fighting.

Florida Rainbow Arch: A Florida city was forced to scrap a planned Rainbow Arch under Gov. Ron DeSantis's anti-DEI law — the installation had been intended to replace rainbow crosswalks previously removed.

Hate crime: A gay couple in a small town survived a brutal beating; one victim, who identifies as conservative, said he thought he would die.

Wrestling lawsuit: A high school wrestler filed a sexual assault suit after discovering an opponent was transgender; wrestling experts reviewing the footage say it shows no assault.

Good news: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art presents "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" (through Aug. 23), with a free curator-and-artist panel on June 18 from 5–6 p.m.
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.
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12min
June 17, 2026 Ep. 285: UFC Scandal, VA Cuts LGBTQ+ Vets, Niger Criminalizes Being Gay | June 17
On today's episode: UFC fighter Josh Hokit shocks the nation with a transphobic attack on Michelle Obama during a post-fight interview at the White House — and the administration stays silent. An arrest is made in the murder of Marlow Trottie, a Black trans woman killed in Louisiana during Pride Month. The VA moves to eliminate LGBTQ+-specific health care for veterans. Five men are arrested in Malaysia for using Grindr to rob and assault gay men. England's queer soccer fan group boycotts the 2026 World Cup. Niger criminalizes homosexuality. And the San Francisco LGBTQ+ Film Festival opens today.
New episodes every weekday. Subscribe and 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.
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12min
June 16, 2026 Ep. 284: Nancy Mace Out, Ghana Anti-LGBTQ Bill & Stonewall's Mark Segal | June 16, 2026
Listen Up Girl — Day 16 of Pride Month | June 16, 2026
Story 1: Nancy Mace Primary Loss
Nancy Mace finished fifth in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary with approximately 12.1% of the vote. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff. Trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride, speaking at the Equality PAC National Pride Gala as results came in, told the crowd "Happy Pride, Nancy." Mace will hold no elected office come January 2027.
Story 2: Ghana Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
Ghana's parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which proposes up to 3 years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ+, up to 5 years for "promoting" LGBTQ+ activities, and a duty-to-report clause. President Mahama has signaled he will sign it. The bill was advanced in part through a U.S. Christian nationalist-funded conference series — the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty — held in Accra with delegates from more than 20 African countries.
Story 3: Mark Segal Stonewall Interview
LGBTQ Nation published a major interview with Mark Segal, who was 18 years old and present at the Stonewall Inn on the night of June 28, 1969. Segal is the founder of the Philadelphia Gay News and a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front. He recently opened the Philly Pride Visitor Center in Philadelphia.
Story 4: Las Culturistas Culture Awards
The 5th Annual Las Culturistas Culture Awards air Wednesday, June 17, 9–11 PM ET/PT, simulcast on Bravo and Peacock. Hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television.
Story 5: NYC Pride March — June 28
The 57th annual NYC Pride March steps off June 28, 2026 at noon from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue, ending at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. The date falls on the exact 57th anniversary of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Theme: "For All of Us." Broadcast live on WABC-7 and streamed globally. Free and open to the public.
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.
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11min
June 15, 2026 Ep. 283: First Trans Tony Winner, Madonna's World Cup Show + Cubs Pride Night | LGBTQ News - June 15, 2026
Listen Up Girl — Day 15 of Pride Month | June 15, 2026
Story 1: Chicago Cubs Pride Night
The Chicago Cubs host their annual Pride Celebration tonight at Wrigley Field during an evening game against the Colorado Rockies. The event features local LGBTQ+-owned businesses, live entertainment, and community engagement programming. More at choosechicago.com and pridechicago.org.
Story 2: Tony Awards — Qween Jean & Queer Highlights
The 79th Annual Tony Awards aired June 8, hosted by Pink at Radio City Music Hall. Cats: The Jellicle Ball costume designer Qween Jean became the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award. Directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch also won for the production. Ali Louis Bourzgui won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Lost Boys and delivered a speech supporting the queer and trans communities, immigrants, and Arab artists. Schmigadoon! won Best Musical; Death of a Salesman led all productions with six awards. Coverage via Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Playbill.
Story 3: Madonna at the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
FIFA and Global Citizen announced that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife). The show is curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Madonna's new album Confessions II — the follow-up to her 2005 Confessions on a Dance Floor — drops July 3. More at globalcitizen.org and fifa.com.
Story 4: La Cage aux Folles at NYC City Center
The Encores! production of La Cage aux Folles opens June 17 and runs through June 28 at New York City Center. Billy Porter stars as Albin and Wayne Brady as Georges in the first-ever all-Black staging of the Harvey Fierstein/Jerry Herman musical, directed by Robert O'Hara. Tickets and information at nycitycenter.org.
Story 5: LA Pride Youth Roundtable
Today, June 15, Christopher Street West closes out the extended LA Pride celebration with a youth-focused roundtable featuring LGBTQ+ leaders, advocates, and creators. The 56th Annual LA Pride Parade took place yesterday, June 14, in Hollywood. More at lapride.org.
Story 6: The Vampire Lestat
The Vampire Lestat premiered June 7 with new episodes dropping weekly through late July. The show has received strong critical reviews and significant LGBTQ+ audience enthusiasm. Check local streaming listings for availability.
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.
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9min
June 14, 2026 Ep. 282: Day 14 of Pride: LA Pride Parade, David Archuleta & 796 Anti-Trans Bills - June 14, 2026
Segment 1 — LA Pride Parade 2026
The 56th Annual LA Pride Parade takes place today, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Hollywood, organized by Christopher Street West Association — the same nonprofit behind the world's first permitted LGBTQ+ parade in 1970. This year's theme is "Rise with Pride." Celebrity Grand Marshal Jeff Hiller won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy for Somebody Somewhere (HBO). Community Grand Marshal Mia Yamamoto is a transgender civil rights attorney born in a Japanese-American internment camp and a Vietnam veteran who spent decades in public defense law and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Legacy Grand Marshal Shirley "Ms. Shirley" Raines (1967–2026) was the founder of Beauty 2 the Streetz, a 2021 CNN Hero of the Year, and beloved figure in LA's Skid Row community. Pride Village runs along Hollywood Blvd. from Vine to Gower, free, 12:30–8:30 p.m.
Sources: ABC7 Los Angeles, LA Pride, Variety, Rafu Shimpo
Segment 2 — Albany Capital Pride
The 2026 Capital PRIDE Parade and Festival takes place today, June 14, at Washington Park in Albany, NY. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on State Street, moving to Lark Street and Madison Avenue. The festival features headliner David Archuleta, the 2024 GLAAD Media Award winner for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. Capital Pride benefits the Pride Center of the Capital Region.
Sources: CBS6 Albany, Pride Center of the Capital Region, NY State Dept. of Health
Segment 3 — Birmingham PrideFest / Central Alabama Pride
Central Alabama Pride's 48th annual PrideFest wraps up today, Sunday, June 14, at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham, AL. The free, family-friendly festival runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is headlined by Asher HaVon, winner of NBC's The Voice, with a lineup of RuPaul's Drag Race stars including India Ferrah, The Widow Von'Du, and Morphine Love Dion. Central Alabama Pride draws over 40,000 attendees annually. The organization traces its roots to 1979 and supports HIV/AIDS service organizations year-round.
Sources: Alabama Reporter, ABC 33/40, Bham Now, Central Alabama Pride
Segment 4 — Queer Streaming June 2026
Autostraddle's June 2026 streaming guide notes a strong month for gay male content — including two Thai BL series on Netflix, the Polish drama Proud on HBO Max, and Interview with the Vampire Season 3 on AMC+. However, the guide identifies this as "the worst Pride Month yet" for lesbian, bisexual, queer women, and trans characters, with no new scripted programming centered on those identities.
Source: Autostraddle
Segment 5 — 796 Anti-Trans Bills
According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, 796 bills currently under consideration in the U.S. would negatively impact trans and gender non-conforming people. That number is expected to grow. 2025 was the sixth consecutive record-breaking year for anti-trans legislation. For real-time tracking, visit translegislation.com.
Source: Trans Legislation Tracker (translegislation.com)
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.
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10min
June 13, 2026 Ep. 281: Pulse 10 Years Later, Baltimore Pride Parade & More | Day 13 Pride News
SHOW NOTES
Segment 1 — Pulse 10th Anniversary
Friday, June 12, 2026 marked 10 years since 49 people were killed at Pulse nightclub in Orlando during Latin Night. Vigils were held nationally; the Cathedral of St. Luke in Orlando held a Requiem Eucharist service where church bells tolled 49 times. The Pulse building was demolished earlier in 2026 to make way for a permanent memorial, with construction expected to begin Fall 2026 and open in 2027. Survivor and activist Brandon Wolf has returned to Equality Florida after years at the Human Rights Campaign and plans a community fundraising event the evening of June 13. Sources: FOX 35 Orlando, CNN, The Advocate, Washington Blade, Orlando Weekly.
Segment 2 — Baltimore Pride Parade
The 2026 Baltimore Pride Parade takes place Saturday, June 13 with the theme "Charm City Homecoming." Parade begins at noon on Charles Street and North Avenue; festival continues at Druid Hill Park. Baltimore Pride Week runs June 8–14. Source: CBS Baltimore.
Segment 3 — Colorado Black Pride
Colorado's Black Pride Week has featured multiple events including the Kiki Ball hosted by Dashaun Wesley (June 11), the House is Black Party honoring Frankie Knuckles (June 12), Kenya Pleaser performing June 13, and T.S. Madison appearing at the June 14 queer cookout. Source: CBS Colorado.
Segment 4 — Hartford Capital City Pride
Capital City Pride Hartford takes place June 13, 2026, hosted by the Hartford Pride Center. The event is described as a departure from the traditional resource-fair model in favor of an artist-centered, community-voice-driven experience. Source: CTvisit.com.
Segment 5 — Paris Pride Fortnight
Inter-LGBT's 26th year organizing Paris Pride Fortnight runs June 11–27, 2026, culminating in the Grand March on June 27. June 13 event: Lipstick Polychrome at Bar Gallia, Pantin, 4 p.m.–1 a.m., free entry. Source: Paris Je T'Aime / parisjetaime.com.
Segment 6 — Proud on Streaming
Proud, a Polish queer series about a gay man who must raise his late sister's baby, premiered June 12 on streaming. Source: Autostraddle / AOL Entertainment Pride 2026 streaming guide.
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.
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10min
June 12, 2026 Ep. 280: LGBTQ+ News: Idaho Bathroom Bill DNA Tests, Pete Buttigieg & Pride Month
SHOW NOTES
Story 1: Idaho DNA Bathroom Bill
Idaho's House Bill 752, signed by Governor Brad Little, makes it a crime for transgender people to use public restrooms that match their gender identity, with first offenses punishable as a misdemeanor and repeat offenses as a felony. A federal court hearing on a lawsuit brought by the ACLU and Lambda Legal on behalf of six transgender Idahoans revealed that the state's Solicitor General suggested DNA testing — potentially without consent — as an enforcement mechanism. The federal judge is considering whether to temporarily block the law before it takes effect July 1st. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Idaho Capital Sun, PinkNews, ACLU of Idaho.
Story 2: Pete Buttigieg 2028
Out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is scheduled as the keynote speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party's Liberty and Justice dinner on July 12th — a high-profile event that has historically served as a launching pad for presidential candidates. Buttigieg has declined to run for Senate or governor in Michigan, keeping his path to a 2028 presidential bid open. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Des Moines Register, The Advocate.
Story 3: Cleveland Clinic DOJ Detransition Settlement
The Cleveland Clinic reached a settlement with the Department of Justice, committing $2 million to detransition services and paying just over $300,000 to resolve billing allegations. The settlement makes Cleveland Clinic the second major health system to cut such a deal after Texas Children's Hospital. Trans advocates including TransOhio called it performative and said there is no increased clinical need for detransition services. Sources: Signal Cleveland/Buckeye Flame, LGBTQ Nation, The Hill.
Story 4: Queer Businesses & Minneapolis ICE Raids
Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement operation that ran through Minnesota from December 2025 through February 2026, cost the city of Minneapolis an estimated $700 million and resulted in three deaths, including two U.S. citizens. Queer-owned businesses and activists became central to resistance and mutual aid networks throughout the operation. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Truthout, Sahan Journal.
Story 5: Jake Lang Arrested
Jake Lang, a Florida Republican U.S. Senate candidate and pardoned January 6th rioter, was arrested in Dallas on a $1 million bond for making terroristic threats. Lang allegedly stated that if the jury in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial did not return a guilty verdict, he "would take care of it himself." Sources: LGBTQ Nation, The New Republic.
Story 6: Black Pride Colorado / Denver
Black Pride Colorado's annual celebration runs through this weekend in Denver, featuring ballroom events, drag performances, house music, and a cookout with trans activist and TV personality T.S. Madison. Organizers say the celebration is more important than ever, with over 500 anti-queer bills currently active across the country. Sources: CBS Colorado.
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.
...more
12min

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How many episodes does Listen Up Girl have?

The podcast currently has 293 episodes available.

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