Queer News

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 few quick Queer News Headlines to share then join Anna for an exclusive interview with gardener, educator, author, and fashionista, Plant Kween.

Plant Kween, is a Brooklyn based gardener, author, and educator with more than 200 plants in their personal collection. They use their knowledge of horticulture to create prosperous green third spaces in NYC, and educate people about how to not only care for their plants – but for themselves. An abundance of joy is rooted in all that they create.

Plant Kween converses with Anna about their 200 green girls (name inspired by their love for Golden Girls), Their journey to becoming Plant Kween and the value of one's time, Their work building flourishing third spaces with New York city parks, and words of encouragement for plant parents who may be struggling in their caretaking journey.

"As a Black queer non-binary femme, Christopher enjoys exploring creative and accessible ways to use plants as a catalyst to incite further conversations centering the empowerment of QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color) in the lush world of horticulture, to help people reconnect with nature, live more sustainable lives, and be more curious of how they can contribute to making their lives and this planet greener."

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

02:55 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

03:49 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

04:19 Queer News Headlines

07:16 Exclusive Interview: A conversation with Plant Kween

21:28 Subscribe & Support us on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

21:50 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

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Plant Kween's Official Website

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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.

This week on the Queer News podcast, we begin with breaking news out of Berlin after a white van ran into a crowd on Saturday during Berlin Pride. For our top story, 200 million dollars in HIV prevention federal grants are at risk because of Trump administration budget cuts. In politics, rugby team the Baltimore Ferals won't comply with Trump's trans sports ban. In culture and entertainment, Meshell Ndegeocello debuts a new album of cover songs, Raven Symone is to be honored on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and Chicago's Esteem Awards uplifts courageous queers in the city. 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

03:05 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

03:50 Berlin Attack

06:30 Queer News Headlines

07:19 200 Million in HIV Prevention Federal Grants At Risk

10:46 Rugby Team The Baltimore Ferals Wont Comply With Trumps Trans Sports Ban

13:43 Subscribe to our Newsletter

14:06 Send us your Queer News Tip

14:26 Meshell Ndegeocello Debuts New Cover Album

16:34 Raven Symone To Be Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

18:57 Chicago's Esteem Awards Uplifts Courageous Queers In The City

21:30 Anna's Word

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Important Episode Links

Check out Pride on Full Display at the Obama Presidential Center

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📣 Stay Connected

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• 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 349.

This Week's Top Story

200 Million in HIV Prevention Federal Grants At Risk

200 million dollars in federal funding towards HIV prevention are at risk after the CDC allegedly declined to renew the grant program. The current grant runs through September, thanks to an extension passed earlier this year. Some speculate that the CDC will announce a new program and/or funding opportunity in place of the current grant, but with no guarantees, 96 organizations may be left without crucial funding. What's interesting is this grant has been in circulation for more than 30 years, so to cut it now with no alternative in sign is alarming.

Organizations need this funding to continue providing free/low cost HIV prevention services to the general public. The lack of funding could also lead to the closing of even more HIV treatment sites. We've already seen a decrease in them since last year due to Trump's increased cuts to funding. According to the human rights campaign, a study by amfAR found that over 1,700 HIV testing sites have already shuttered their doors since Trump took over.

This Week In Politics

Rugby Team The Baltimore Ferals Wont Comply With Trumps Trans Sports Ban

Rugby team the Baltimore Ferals refuse to comply with Trump's Trans Sports ban. Back in February, USA rugby crumbled to Trump's whims and made a policy stating that only people "assigned female at birth" could play on the women's team.

A statement released by the team states "Trans women are women and belong in women's sports…We are proud that so many of our opponents have shown us that they share these values and we hope that clubs around the nation continue to recruit and uplift trans players, especially in the face of transphobic policies." The Guardian reported that "While most trans-exclusionary policies in sports face opposition, advocates say that no sport has seen the immediate, collective cry of resistance that US women's rugby has in the aftermath of its ban."

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

Meshell Ndegeocello Debuts New Cover Album

Poet, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello returns to the musical world with a brand new cover album. Tilted Synonym, Meshell describes the album as a collection of "classic songs that…have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves."

In addition to diverse tones, this album is stacked with star studded features and collaborations. Celebrities like "Cat Power, Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, Bill Callahan, Chris Thile, Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper, Lianne La Havas, Moses Sumney, ANOHNI, and Willow" all make appearances on the album. Synonym releases on October 2, but is currently available for preorder wherever you buy music.

Raven Symone To Be Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Beloved cheetah Sistah and pop icon Raven Symone will be honored with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. From the cosby show, to thats so raven, to the cheetah girls, The actress, singer, writer, director etc has graced our screens for so long, so it's about time she received a star. Raven thanked her supporters in a heartwarming video on her instagram. "Thers a lot of feelings, There's a lot of feelings and um I'm still processing them just because it's been a long journey. Thank you guys for supporting me for the last…imma say it forty years…I love you guys, and back to work!"

Chicago's Esteem Awards Uplifts Courageous Queers In The City

Chicago's Annual Esteem Awards was held last week at Sidetrack, and a handful of courageous Chicagoans received high honors.The Esteem Awards honors and celebrates "the changemakers, trailblazers, and community champions who are making a real difference in the lives of African American, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities and our allies." Since the creation of the awards in 2007, more than 300 Chicagoans have received an esteem award.

Award recipients for the 2026 ceremony include: "chef Dominique Leach (Outstanding Female Service to the Community); Travis Gayles, MD (Outstanding Male Service to the Community); Darrius Caffey (Future Leader); Myah Brown (Outstanding Service, Transgender); Peter Gaona (Artistic Expression); Brandynicole Brooks (Outstanding Female Service National); with a special recognition for Jerry Jones, UB the Cure (Institutional Award); and the Chicago Women's AIDS Project (Service Organization)."

Anna's Word

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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.

Family, sharing our new-ish trailer for the podcast. Hope you enjoy it!

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 shares an update in the O'Shae Sibley case. Later, join Anna for an exclusive interview with educator and politician Dr. Everton Blair .

Dr. Everton Blair is on a historic campaign for a position in congress in Georgia's 13th district. Should he win, he would be the first openly out gay man to win the seat in Georgia. The polls are currently open and this week marks the last week of early voting. Dr. Blair was an educator first and the "first Black and youngest-ever member elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education." During his time working for Gwinnett County, he increased services for students, raised teachers wages, and took the lead for Metro Atlanta's COVID response team.

Dr. Blair converses with Anna about his love for math and teaching, the work he's done for Georgia's largest school system and how that inspired him to run for congress, the shade between congressmen, and the future of AI data centers and the detrimental effect it has on Black and Brown communities.

Dr. Blair fights for "a people-first economic agenda that puts money in the pockets of regular people, and puts an end to the loopholes that allow greedy corporations to pick our pockets" Improving schools and raises for educators, the strengthening of LGBTQ+ rights, the abolishment of ICE, and affordable housing.

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

03:46 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

04:43 Queer News Headlines

04:59 O'Shae Sibley's Murderer Finally Sentenced

08:05 Exclusive Interview: A conversation with Dr. Everton Blair

18:04 Subscribe & Support us on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

18:28 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

Important Episode Links

Everton Blair For Congress

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

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Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• 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 343.

This Week's Top Story

O'Shae Sibley's Murderer Finally Sentenced

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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.

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story covers Sam Nordquist's accused torturer pleads guilty to all charges. In politics, the supreme court votes 6-3 in west virginia vs b. p. j a case that determines the future of trans athletes ability to participate in sports. In sports, the women's pro baseball league reveals the first four teams and we provide a guide to WNBA's All Star Weekend. In culture and entertainment, GLAAD releases their where we are in film study. 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

03:40 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

04:21 Queer News Headlines

05:26 Sam Nordquist Accused Torturer Pleads Guilty To All Charges

08:53 The Supreme Court Votes 6-3 In WEST VIRGINIA vs B. P. J A Case That Determines The Future Of Trans Athletes Ability To Participate In Sports

12:53 Subscribe & Support us on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

13:17 Women's Pro Baseball League Reveals The First Four Teams

18:19 Your Guide To WNBA's All Star Weekend Including Some Lesbian Events Leading Up To The Game

20:59 GLAAD Releases Their We Are in Film Study

25:27 Anna's Got A Word

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Important Episode Links

Zero Trans Representation in Film! Raina talks GLAAD's 2025 Where We Are In Film Study on Queer News

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

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Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• 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 348.

This Week's Top Story

Sam Nordquist Accused Torturer Pleads Guilty To All Charges

Family, more than a year after Sam Nordquist's murder, his torturer pleads guilty to all charges. Sam Nordquist was a Black trans man who was brutally tortured by a group of 7 people for a month before his murder. One week ago, the alleged mastermind behind the murder Precious Arzuaga pleaded guilty to all of her charges. On September 4th it is suspected that she will be sentenced to life in prison with no parole. The others accused are still awaiting trials. This is but a small deliverance of justice to Sam Nordquist and his family, who are continuously grieving the loss of their loved one just one year after his untimely death. We will continue to update you as this story progresses.

This Week In Politics

The Supreme Court Votes 6-3 In WEST VIRGINIA vs B. P. J A Case That Determines The Future Of Trans Athletes Ability To Participate In Sports

The Supreme Court has made their decision in the case of West Virginia vs BPJ a case that determines the future of trans kids in sports. The Court voted 6-3 in favor of the states deciding the laws regarding whether trans girls can participate in women's sports or not. They cited that states voting to ban trans girls from women's sports does not violate Title IX or the Equal Protection Clause. This ruling means that states that have a ban in effect have essentially barred their trans students from participating in sports.

27 states and counting have passed laws that are discriminatory against trans people since 2020. This supreme court decision to leave it up to the states to decide who can and can't participate in sports is harmful and could potentially open up even more doors for discrimination against the trans community

This Week In Sports

Women's Pro Baseball League Reveals The First Four Teams

Let's play ball! The Women's Professional Baseball League has announced the first four teams of the league. Each team's name is rich in historical significance and the leading ladies who paved the way for the WPBL to shine. The Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, The New York Heights, and the San Francisco Firebells are coming soon to the field near you!

Your Guide To WNBA's All Star Weekend Including Some Lesbian Events Leading Up To The Game

WNBA All-Star Weekend is almost upon us, and if you don't have your itinerary put together then what are you doing? I've rounded up a few events and activations that you don't want to miss during the exciting and jam-packed weekend. WNBA Live presented by AWS will be at the McCormick Place July 23rd-25th. The fan festival aims to unite fans and players for a weekend full of celebration of the WNBA.

The Three Point contest and the Kia WNBA Shooting Stars take place on Friday the 24th. The All-Star game is on Saturday July 25th. Bliss Sundays, Ladies Love Us, and Lovers and Friends are partnering together to host a Lesbian WNBA All-Star Weekend full of meetups! Dirty Matriarch will be joining the fun on July 25th with an All-Star weekend after party at Tunnel Chicago. Yours truly will be co-hosting a WNBA trivia night with Shana Sumers at level sporting club on July 23rd at 8pm.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

GLAAD Releases Their We Are in Film Study

Did TV and Film feel a little less queer to anyone else last year? GLAAD's annual study analyzing the queer representation in media has just dropped for the year and has the numbers to back the decreasing queer representation in media.

Titled Where We Are In Film, GLAAD describes the study as research that " maps the quantity, quality and diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) characters in films released by ten major motion picture studios during the 2025 calendar year. GLAAD researched films released by A24, Amazon MGM Studios, Apple TV+, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Skydance, Sony, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery, and their subsidiaries. The report is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation in film." Hopefully the 2026 numbers will improve.

Anna's Word

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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.

Written & associated produced by Myana Zhanè.

Edited by Ryan Woodhall for Public Sound.

Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Welcome to our Summer series! This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community! Join Anna for an exclusive interview with Brave Space Alliance's new CEO Nikki Patin.

Nikki Patin has been serving as the CEO for Brave Space Alliance for one month, but before then Nikki's had quite the career. Featured in The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, Windy City Times and on WBEZ, WTTW, and HBO, Nikki Patin has been writing, performing, educating, leading organizations and advocating for over two decades.

Nikki talks with Anna about who they are, what qualified them for the CEO position out of the 100 applicants who applied, their tentative 10-year strategic plan for the future of Brave Space Alliance, and the impact Brave Space Alliance has had on the LGBTQ+ community.

Brave Space Alliance (BSA) is an LGBTQ+ focused community center on Chicago's South Side that welcomes and serves all who come through our doors. They strive to empower, embolden, and educate each other through mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of community-sourced resources as we build a world of liberty and justice for all.

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.

🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.

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Important Episode Links

Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month

Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates!

• Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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.

Produced by: Anna DeShawn

Associate Produced by: Myana Zhanè

Edited by Esther Ikoro

Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.

Family, this Queer News special edition episode is created in collaboration with GLAAD. Fresh off the historic grand opening this past Juneteenth, Anna DeShawn takes you through the 19.3 acre Obama Center through her eyes.

Anna pulls back the curtain on the massive, unapologetic LGBTQ+ representation woven into the foundation of the campus. We are talking about the stunning 38-foot atrium masterpiece by out Black gay artist Mark Bradford, a pristine copy of the historic 1964 lesbian magazine The Ladder, Bayard Rustin's gold-plated pocket watch, Gilbert Baker's hand-dyed rainbow flag, and the vibrant "Pass it Forward" murals by Chicago icon Sam Kirk at Home Court.

This isn't just a tour, it's a celebration of our impact, a critical look at what investments mean for our neighborhoods, and a vital reminder from Michelle Obama herself that hope is a choice we have to make every single day.

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.

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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

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Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates!

• Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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.

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story covers Governor JB Pritzker as he signs three new bills protecting LGBTQ+ Rights in Illinois moments before the pride parade. In politics, a federal judge blocks the DOJ from accessing the medical records of patients seeking gender-affirming care. In sports, three Giants players protested their own pride night, angering the MLB. In culture and entertainment, Chicago city officials break ground on the Elise Malary Pedestrian Plaza, and we talk about the BET awards.

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

05:53 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

06:36 Queer News Headlines

07:27 Gov JB Pritzker Signs 3 New Bills Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights In Illinois

15:15 Federal Judge Blocks DOJ From Accessing The Medical Records Of Patients Seeking Gender-Affirming Care

19:52 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

21:37 Subscribe & Support us on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

21:59 Three Giants Players Protest Their Own Pride Night Angering The MLB

24:55 City Officials Break Ground On The Elise Malary Pedestrian Plaza

28:59 BET Awards Star Studded Queer Performers

31:19 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

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Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• 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 344.

This Week's Top Story

Gov JB Pritzker Signs 3 New Bills Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights In Illinois

Happy pride family! Just hours before the pride parade kicked off in Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker showed his support to the LGBTQ+ community by signing three house bills that offer additional protections to the community. Pritzker signed the following three Bills: HB 4834, HB 5095, and HB 5492. HB 5095 preserves gender markers on state IDs; HB 5492 expands access to hormone therapy; and HB 4834 shields private medical information from surveillance. HB 4834 is effective immediately, while HB 4834 and HB 5492 will be effective on January 1st 2027.

This Week In Politics

Federal Judge Blocks DOJ From Accessing The Medical Records Of Patients Seeking Gender-Affirming Care

A federal judge has blocked the DOJ from accessing the medical records of patients seeking Gender-Affirming care. If that headline sounds familiar, that's probably because the DOJ has been blocked 8 times by federal judges for similar requests. The DOJ defends their administrative subpoena's, saying that the investigation is linked to possible drug misbranding but Lambda Legal and federal judges across the nation call BS.

Judge Failla concluded after hearing oral arguments that "The subpoena expressly targeting members of a particular and uniquely vulnerable group both shocks ⁠the conscience and rises to the level of the most egregious official conduct." The block is temporary as Judge Failla searches for a long term solution.

This Week In Sports

Three Giants Players Protest Their Own Pride Night Angering The MLB

The San Francisco Giants pride night is in hot water with the MLB due to three players staging their own protest of pride. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker scribbled bible verses on their pride night caps that were a part of the team's attire for the special night. Reliever Sam Hentges went against the uniform by wearing a different colored Giants cap. A similar event happened during the Dodgers pride night last year where pitcher Clayton Kershaw also wrote bible verses on his baseball cap. MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney addressed the protest saying "The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations."

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

City Officials Break Ground On The Elise Malary Pedestrian Plaza

Andersonville breaks ground on a plaza honoring a local Black trans activist and icon. The Elise Malary Pedestrian Plaza will be a car-free plaza at the cross streets of Clark Street and Ashland Avenue. The city held a ground breaking ceremony to start the construction of the project.

Chicagoans know and honor the late activist, but for you out of towners, Elise Malary was a longtime trans activist who assisted with the creation of the Chicago Therapy Collective in an effort to combat the disproportionate amount of mental health care services that are available for the LGBTQ+ community.

BET Awards Star Studded Queer Performers

The BET Awards were last night, and this year these four queer artists showed up and showed out with their live performances. Doechii, Queen Latifah, Durrand Bernarr, Kehlani, and kwn performed in tributes that honored D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill. Doechii won the BET Her Award for her single "girl, get up." featuring SZA while Kehlani took home the BET awards for video of the year, and Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Congratulations to all the BET awards winners!

Anna's Word

In today's episode Anna passed the mic to Equality Illinois CEO Channyn Lynne Parker for the word. Channyn spoke at the Equality Illinois breakfast before the governor signed those three bills. She said, "Access to Pride depends on what state you live in, what county, what block. The fight continues." Speaking directly to the privilege of gathering in a room overflowing with friends, supporters, and allies, Channyn drops an urgent reality check for the family: not everyone has access to Pride. While many are out celebrating at beautiful events, the reality of safety, visibility, and freedom varies drastically depending on the exact block or state you call home. As we wave our banners and celebrate our joy, Channyn delivers a vital reminder that the fight is far from over. True liberation requires staying on the ground, passing protective legislation, and supporting organizations like Equality Illinois that work tirelessly to ensure that every single one of us is completely free, no matter where we live.

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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.

Welcome to our Summer series! This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community! Anna dives into her experience attending the grand opening of the Obama Center and has an update on Lil Nas X.

Queer News contributor, Benjamin Coy, catches up with RiVERSE, a four person pop collective of critical acclaim from Toronto. The collective consists of four members: Justice, Khadija, Zach, and Monroe.

RiVERSE talk about their origins as a group, their creative process and synergy, and their new EP, Humanity in Volume, that was released on World AIDS Day last year.

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.

🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.

00:26 Welcome to Queer News

07:30 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

08:14 Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening

15:54 Lil Nas X Returns

17:49 Subscribe & Support us on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

18:22 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

19:04 Interview with RiVERSE

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Important Episode Links

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📣 Stay Connected

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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 343.

This Week's Top Story

Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening

The Obama Presidential Center has officially opened, and Anna had the opportunity to attend the grand opening. The Grand Opening Ceremony was held on Juneteenth eve and in addition to the Obama family, Former Presidents Biden, Clinton, and Bush were in attendance. Musicians Jennifer Hudson, TEMS, Stevie Wonder, and so many more graced audiences with their musical talents throughout the day.

A small group of people got to sit on the Obama Center main campus, but arguably the true party was on the Great Lawn where Chicagoans from all over brought their families to witness the historic moment. In addition, the Obama Foundation welcomed Chicago vendors primarily from the South Side to table at the grand opening. If you're looking to get tickets to the museum I'd suggest doing so quickly as they're already sold out through November. But there's so much more than the museum to explore on the Obama Presidential Center Campus.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

Lil Nas X Returns

Lil Nas X has briefly returned to social media! The pop Icon released a three minute video giving fans an update on his health and what he's been up to for the past few months. Backlit by a clear blue sky, Lil Nas X visibly looked like he was feeling better as he talked to the camera about his Bipolar diagnosis saying "I feel like I had known for like the past few years, but I didn't want to admit to it because I didn't want to have to take medication and, I don't know, have people think different of me."

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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.

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story welcomes accountability in the O'Shae Sibley hate crime. In politics, Representative Zoe Zephyr wins the Montana primary and a federal judge blocks the Trump Administration from accessing the medical records of trans patients again. In culture and entertainment, cannabis has been removed from the WNBA's prohibited substances list and Brave Space Alliance is hosting a name change clinic.

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://bit.ly/3L3Ng66

🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.

00:23 Welcome to Queer News

03:16 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

04:12 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502

04:32 Queer News Headlines

05:09 A Verdict Has Been Reached 3 Years After O'Shae Sibley's Death

09:12 Representative Zoe Zephyr Wins Montana Primary

12:48 Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Accessing The Medical Records of Trans Patients Again

15:55 Chicago's Pridefest is Back! Check out the lineup here https://northalsted.com/main-events/chicago-pride-fest/

16:44 Buy an Ad! Email: info at e3radio.fm

17:14 Access the CLBD (Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory) on our new Substack https://queernewspod.substack.com

17:54 Cannabis Has Been Removed From The WNBA's Prohibited Substances List

20:36 Brave Space Alliance Is Hosting a Name Changing Clinic 6.17

23:22 Anna's Word

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Important Episode Links

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

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📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews

• 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 342.

This Week's Top Story

A Verdict Has Been Reached 3 Years After O'Shae Sibley's Death

A new verdict has been reached in O'Shae Sibley's death after 3 years, ushering in some justice to O'Shae and his loved ones. O'Shae, a vouge Dancer residing in Brooklyn, was fatally stabbed by Dmitriy Popov who claimed he stabbed O'Shae in self defence. The Jurors disagreed with Popov's testimony, arguing that his motivation was rooted in anti-LGBT+ beliefs. In the end, the jurors found Popov guilty of a hate crime in the form of manslaughter.

This Week In Politics

Representative Zoe Zephyr Wins Montana Primary

Montana's first openly trans woman and Representative Zoe Zephyr has won the Montana Primary for the third consecutive year! With a nearly 100% vote, she will run unopposed in the general election. Zephyr's wife Erin announced the news on her website saying "I'd like to congratulate my wife, Rep. Zoe Zephyr, for winning her primary with 100% of the vote. She ran unopposed and will also be unopposed in the general, meaning for election cycles in a row, Montana will have a trans woman (and kick ass human) in the legislature. I love her so much!"

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Accessing The Medical Records of Trans Patients Again

Ahhh. Another beautiful day of Trump getting blocked by a federal judge. In California, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from accessing the medical records of youth seeking gender-affirming care at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts sent an emergency order to the hospital advising them to not hand over the medical records of their trans youth patients.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

Cannabis Has Been Removed From The WNBA's Prohibited Substances List

If I may be blunt, this new WNBA policy is pretty lit. Cannabis is no longer part of the WNBA's Prohibited Substances list. It was removed as a part of the negotiations that happened earlier this year between the WNBA and the players union.

Brave Space Alliance Is Hosting a Name Changing Clinic 6.17

On June 17th, Brave Space Alliance and Transformative Justice Law Project are hosting a name changing clinic. Hosted monthly at Brave Space Alliance, the name changing clinic offers free legal assistance to those living in Cook County looking to change their name and/or gender marker. "We believe that folks should have access to any resources that will allow them to live affirmed and supported lives. To find affirmation in a name and in identity is integral for many queer folks…" said the Brave Space Alliance communications team to The Windy City Times in an interview.

Anna's Word

"Let the darkness do what it's gonna do, but joy comes in the morning. Choose the light."

Following a wild week of intense storms in Chicago that left fallen trees scattered across her property and upended her daily routine, Anna DeShawn drops a deeply moving, vulnerable word about a universal truth: the light will always exist with the darkness, but it is our job to choose the light. Balancing the chaotic "adulting" of storm cleanups with professional commitments across the city, Anna found her anchors of gratitude in the people thanking her for her work, and in a beautiful, profound moment celebrating her mother's 78th birthday—where despite the cruel reality of dementia, her mom remembered her name twice.

Choosing the light also means making room for joy, ease, and community care as we head into the season. To prevent burnout and keep Sunday brunches and rooftop hangs guilt-free for both her team and the family, Anna is announcing a special, intentional cadence for our summer programming: alternating weekly between incredible long-form interviews and our traditional multi-story news roundups.

Let's choose the light together this summer. Help us bring that joy to life by hitting our goal of 200 paid subscribers at just $5 a month, and look out for the full summer lineup in our newsletter!

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

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.