This week on the Queer News podcast Anna DeShawn reports, in top news The Supreme Court has made a decision in the conversion therapy case Chiles v. Salazar. We mourn the loss of Black Trans Activist and drag performer Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, and in politics, state representative Malcolm Kenyatta sponsored a bill in Pennsylvania to protect marriage equality and it passed. In culture and entertainment, studies find that 85% of Americans support trans-rights, Elliot Page to introduce an all trans and non-binary cast production of Shakespear's As You Like It, and Ironman's first all-trans relay team places third. Let's get into it.
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02:35 Queer News Headlines
03:32 The Supreme Court Votes 8-1 In the Chiles v Salizar Case
06:34 Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, Black Drag Performer And Activist, Killed at 42
09:03 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Step Up To Protect Marriage Equality
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12:37 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews
13:12 A Recent Human Rights Campaign Study finds that 85% of Americans support trans-rights
15:36 Elliot Page to introduce an all trans and non-binary cast for the production of Shakespear's As You Like It
18:28 Chella Man, Schuyler Bailar, and Cal Calamia are the first all-trans Ironman relay team to compete in the sport, and they just won third place!
21:15 Anna's Word
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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 332.
This Week's Top Story
The Supreme Court Votes 8-1 In the Chiles v Salizar Case
The Supreme Court voted nearly unanimously in their decision regarding the case of Chiles v Salazar. The 8 - 1 vote was in agreement that the Colorado law banning conversion therapy for minors likely unconstitutional as a violation of the first amendment.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole dissenter on the case, stating that her reason for dissent was in part because "Not only is conversion therapy ineffective, former participants report that it causes lasting psychological harm. Gay and transgender children who underwent nonaversive conversion therapy say they were taught to feel shame and self-hatred. Survivors continue to suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. As one survivor put it, conversion therapy "'came close to killing me.'"
The bill will now be sent back to Colorado for a final decision. We break down the Supreme Court's Decision even further in Episode One of The Docket, a three-part video series delves into the constitutional stakes and human impact of the 2026 term's key LGBTQ+ cases. Coming soon to the E3 Radio Youtube Channel. Subscribe to be one of the first to see the first episode about Conversion Therapy.
This Week In Politics
Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, Black Drag Performer And Activist, Killed at 42
Family, another trans sibling was taken from this earth far too soon. 42 year-old Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, a beloved Black trans activist and Drag performer, was killed. The Petersburg police found Shyyell with multiple gunshot wounds in her home on March 13th, where she later passed away on scene. Shyyell is the first reported trans person to die by violence this year.
Shyyell was known in the Petersburg community for her work in pageants. She often competed and won the Miss Mayflower EOY in 2015 and the Miss Charlotte FFI in 2020. In addition to competing, her activism was prevalent on social media where she would often speak out about the cruel injustices against marginalized communities. Shyyell also worked with the nonprofit, Nationz Foundation, where she provided HIV/STD testing to the local Petersburg community.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Step Up To Protect Marriage Equality
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on a bill to codify marriage equality into law. The Bill, introduced to the house by state representative Malcolm Kenyatta, would have the legal union between two people written as "two individuals" in place of the archaic phrase "one man and one woman."
This vote aims to protect marriage equality at the state level, as an extra layer of protection in addition to the federal protections that are currently in place. The bill is now headed to the State senate, which is currently a republican majority. We'll continue to update you on this bill as things develop.
This Week In Culture & Entertainment
A Recent Human Rights Campaign Study finds that 85% of Americans support trans-rights
85% of Americans support trans rights! At least, according to a recent survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign. Researchers found that of the 1,032 people surveyed, "41% of American adults know a trans person, whilst 27% report "regular conversations" with a trans person." 85% believe that trans people should have "the same rights and protections as everyone else", and 89% said the trans community should have the same ability as anyone else to get the necessary healthcare."
Elliot Page to introduce an all trans and non-binary cast for the production of Shakespear's As You Like It
Elliot Page will introduce an all trans and non-binary cast for the production of Shakespear's As You Like It. The Production is slated to open summer 2026 in London and is helmed by the company Trans What You Will Theatre whose mission is to "to provide opportunities for those under the trans umbrella to come together and make us laugh and cry and show the world how precious and wonderful gender diversity can be".
Previews for the production will be held July 22nd and 23rd with an exclusive matinee for LGBTQ+ youth under 25. July 24 will be the premiere and will be livestreamed globally. This production is directed by Queer, trans, disabled director Phoebe Kemp who previously directed a production of Twelfth Night.
Chella Man, Schuyler Bailar, and Cal Calamia are the first all-trans Ironman relay team to compete in the sport, and they just won third place!
Deaf nonbinary cyclist Chella Man, champion trans swimmer Schuyler Bailar, and trans nonbinary marathoner Cal Calamia are the first all-trans Ironman relay team to compete in the sport, and they just won third place at the 2026 Athletic Brewing Ironman 70.3 Oceanside competition!
Team Iron Transmasc beat out 200 teams to secure their third place victory on March 28th. Competing in an Ironman relay race consists of a swim (1.9km), bike (90km), and run (21.1km) split between a duo or a trio.
Anna's Word
The word for today is inspired by Anna's Dad Easter sermon where he reminded the congregation, "How long, not long." A phrase coined by Dr. King pertaining to getting justice for Black folks here in America. Anna's Dad used it in the context for the time we have to live on earth and how we choose to use our time. How long, not long. He challenged the congregation to use their time to do the work they are called to do and to give grace where it is needed.
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.
Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.
