Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈 Our Chicagoland lesbian business directory is out, Patagonia and Pattie Gonia are in a tiff, and we give you the 4-1-1 on where to celebrate Pride Month in Chicago

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈 Our Chicagoland lesbian business directory is out, Patagonia and Pattie Gonia are in a tiff, and we give you the 4-1-1 on where to celebrate Pride Month in Chicago

This week on the Queer News podcast, Anna shares the joy for compiling our first Chicagoland lesbian business directory. We're also talking all about the nationwide campaign Seven Days In June: HEALTH IS PRIMARY. In politics, Pattie Gonia Sued By Patagonia, and a Federal Judge in DC Blocked Trump's Plan To Move Trans Women Into Men's Prisons. In culture and entertainment, we roundup Chicago Pride Month Events, and Edgewater Dedicates Street to LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon. 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, ht [https://queernewspod.substack.com]tps://queernewspod.substack.com [https://queernewspod.substack.com] 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 02:07 Subscribe to the Substack, https://queernewspod.substack.com/ 03:05 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 05:13 Queer News Headlines 05:50 Seven Days in June: Health Is Primary 09:50 Pattie Gonia Sued By Patagonia 14:06 A Federal Judge in DC Blocked Trump's Plan To Move Trans Women Into Men's Prisons 16:19 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 17:12 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 17:31 Chicago Pride Month Event Roundup 19:33 Edgewater Dedicates Street to LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon 22:13 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory [https://queernewspod.substack.com] Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month [https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d] Send In a Queer News Tip [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502] or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio [https://youtube.com/@e3radio] 📣 Stay Connected * Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews [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 340. This Week's Top Story Seven Days in June: Health Is Primary For our top news story, we're talking all about Seven Days In June: HEALTH IS PRIMARY A week long nationwide campaign that "demands that every 2026 federal and local candidate [to] clearly commit to protecting healthcare access, biomedical research, and public health infrastructure." From June 1st - June 7th a collection of community organizing in the form of town halls, rallies, and candlelight vigils will ask candidates how they will "improve affordability and access to care, sustain biomedical research, protect public health infrastructure, and provide stability for seniors, veterans, rural communities, and working families?" You can visit sevendaysinjune.org [http://sevendaysinjune.org] to learn more about the campaign and find a list of events near you. If you can't attend in person, they also have a list of virtual events for you to attend. Public health affects everyone, get involved now before it's too late! This Week In Politics Pattie Gonia Sued By Patagonia Patagonia [pat-a-gon-e-ah] has filed a lawsuit against the drag queen Pattie Gonia for trademark infringement. Here's what we know. A message shared by Pattie Gonia via Instagram five days ago reads "Patagonia told the media they're only suing me for $1. What they're actually trying to do is take away my name permanently and threaten me with more than $1M million in legal fees. This is not a brand conflict. This is a corporation trying to erase an activist. This is how corporations bully individuals who cannot match their resources." The complaint, filed by Patagonia back in January, states that "Today Patagonia filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the entrepreneur, drag queen, and activist Pattie Gonia. While we wish we didn't have to do this – and actively engaged with Pattie for several years to avoid this – it has become necessary to protect the brand we have spent the last 50 years building. We're not against art, creative expression, or commentary about our brand. We want Pattie to have a long and successful career and make progress on issues that matter – but in a way that respects Patagonia's intellectual property and ability to use our brand to sell products and advocate for the environment." Patagonia has not commented since Pattie Gonia's letter, but hopefully both parties can come to a mutual agreement and get back to their shared goal of fighting to help the environment. A Federal Judge in DC Blocked Trump's Plan To Move Trans Women Into Men's Prisons Rejoice! Trump's transphobic tenets have been blocked once again. Federal D.C. Judge Judge Royce C. Lamberth blocked the Trump administration's Plan To Move Trans Women Into Men's Prisons. The decision is an injunction of a larger case, Doe v. Blanche, a case that is hell-bent on transferring 15 incarcerated trans women into a men's prison. This is the second renewal of the preliminary injunction in this case, the first one being back in May. This renewal of the preliminary injunction will last until June 8th at which time another renewal will be necessary from Judge Lamberth, who seems more than willing to grant should everything work in his favor. This Week In Culture & Entertainment Chicago Pride Month Event Roundup This pride month we and yes that includes you our faithful listeners are OUTSIDE. Here on Queer news we have a roundup of some of the hottest events of the month. As most locals know the 25th annual pridefest is June 20th-21st, and the pride parade is on June 28th. Those two events are staples, but they're not all that this month has to offer. Kick Pride month off with the pride raising ceremony in Daley Plaza today, June 1st. In the world of sports White Sox's pride night is on June 10th and Chicago Sky's Pride Night is June 24th. Join yours truly on June 12 at the Sisters in Cinema Media arts Center For a Podcast Salon, an immersive, curated listening experience where podcast discovery meets the culture featuring Red for Revolution & Unboxing Queer History. The party doesn't stop in June y'all. The first weekend in July is Black Pride Weekend in Chicago. Head on over to the Southside for a weekend of community, fun, and fellowship with the flyest LGBTQ+ people in the city. Edgewater Dedicates Street to LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon The neighborhood of Edgewater celebrates a local hero just in time for pride month. LGBTQ+ activist Lori Branch posthumously received a street dedication in her honor. Lori Cannon Way is the new name for the 5500 block of North Broadway, a street that housed Lori's meal program for a food pantry that fed people with AIDS in the 1980s. Many of Lori's loved ones showed up to the street dedication ceremony including Lori's daughter Munro who told Block Club Chicago that her mother would've made a fuss but "She really deserved it." Lori's friends and strangers deemed her an "AIDS Angel" due to her refusal to turn her back on people who had AIDS during a time when even the government turned their back on them. 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.

We remember Juniper Blessing, Alderperson Fuentes continues her fight against ICE, and BET honors LGBTQ+ leaders at the fourth annual Black+ Iconic Soirée

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story remembers Juniper Blessing, a trans student at UW who was brutally murdered earlier this month. In Colorado, the Supreme Court just voted to reinstate gender affirming care to the youth. In Chicago, we have an update regarding Alderperson Fuentes' fight against ICE. In culture and entertainment, The Black LGBTQ+ vertical dramedy Unrequited has been acquired by Slay Media, and we talk about the BET Black+ Iconic Soirée honorees. 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 [https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66] 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 05:02 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 05:40 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 05:58 Queer News Headlines 06:52 A Trans Student At UW Was Found Fatally Stabbed To Death 09:30 Colorado Supreme Court Decision Requires Hospitals To Resume Gender Affirming Care 13:38 Alderperson Fuentes Files Lawsuit Against ICE Agents Due To Midway Blitz Altercation 17:24 First Black LGBTQ+ Vertical "Unrequited" Acquired By Slay Media Group 19:54 Meet The Black Queer Icons Honored at BET's Black + Iconic Soirée 22:30 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month [https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d] Send In a Queer News Tip [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502] or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio [https://youtube.com/@e3radio] 📣 Stay Connected * Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews [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 339. This Week's Top Story A Trans Student At UW Was Found Fatally Stabbed To Death Today we remember Juniper Blessing, a trans student attending the University of Washington who was brutally murdered on campus earlier this month. Juniper was found stabbed to death around 10pm in an off-campus housing laundry room on May 10th. Juniper's death is the 7th known death of a trans person in 2026. Juniper is remembered by her family as " the most amazing human being we have ever known — highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others…Juniper's loss not only devastates us but diminishes the world." This Week In Politics Colorado Supreme Court Decision Requires Hospitals To Resume Gender Affirming Care Coloradans Rejoice! Hospitals are once again required to provide gender affirming care thanks to a new Supreme Court Decision. The Colorado Supreme Court voted 5-2 [five to two] in a ruling that determined that the Children's Hospital of Colorado participated in discrimination by essentially phasing out of providing gender affirming care to minors in the face of the trump administration's crackdown on hospitals providing gender affirming care nationwide. Justice Brian Boatright and Justice Carlos Samour are the two dissenters in that vote. This decision sets a wonderful precedent for local (state) governments to take a stand against trump's tyranny and simply say no, we're going to do what's right and not deny care for those in need. Alderperson Fuentes Files Lawsuit Against ICE Agents Due To Midway Blitz Altercation Family, we have an update on Alderperson Fuentes legal battle against ICE agents in the aftermath of her conflict during Operation Midway blitz. Alderperson Fuentes has moved forward with suing the ICE Agents who brutally handcuffed her while she was responding to a call from a man who was injured in a different encounter with ICE and was in need of assistance at Humboldt Park Health hospital. According to the Windy City Times, Alderperson Fuentes' team hopes to gain compensation for damages, and accountability on the ICE agents part for the use of unnecessary escalation tactics, disruption to the peace and safety of the public, and the physical and emotional distress they caused Alderperson Fuentes as a result of the arrest they carried out that day. We'll continue to keep you updated should this story develop. This Week In Culture & Entertainment First Black LGBTQ+ Vertical "Unrequited" Acquired By Slay Media Group The First Black LGBTQ+ Vertical is coming to a phone screen near you! The Vertical titled Unrequited follows the story of "an introvert on a mental health journey that starts blurring the lines of reality & fantasy." Verticals are on the come up, so to have a Black Queer Vertical thrive in the way Unrequited has is inspiring. Season one consisted of 18 episodes, and Season two was announced back in February alongside a Seed&Spark campaign raising funds to support the production of the vertical. You can watch all episodes of season one now on TikTok by searching Unrequited The Series on the app. Meet The Black Queer Icons Honored at BET's Black + Iconic Soirée B.E.T's fourth annual Black+ Iconic Soirée was this past Saturday and it truly was Iconic! The Black+ Iconic Soirée is an annual event that "celebrates the brilliance and impact of the Black LGBTQ+ and ally community", and this year's soirée was hosted by the Emmy award nominated Laverne Cox. Actress TS Madison received the prestigious Miss Major's Pioneer of the Year Award, an award that earned its name from the beloved Black transgender activist, stonewall veteran, and friend, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. What's also special is that TS Madison received the award on TS Madison day in Washington DC. In a brief message to her supporters on instagram TS Madison said "Thank you to all who have been with me on this journey all these years." Congratulations to all the honorees of this year's Black+ Iconic Soirée. Anna's Word Life is Heavy, Go Find the Fun! "Finding fun—even that fleeting happiness—is so critical. It is mandatory." Recording and dropping this week's episode on Memorial Day, Anna DeShawn reflects on the profound irony of honoring those who died for freedom at a time when the country is stripping citizens' rights away every single day. Because this work can get heavy, Anna delivers a vital, mandatory reminder for the family: You have got to find the fun. True resistance isn't just about fighting; it's about choosing joy. Anna shares a behind-the-scenes look at the absolute joy, laughter, and pure fun the team has experienced over the last two weekends filming content for the upcoming Pride Month Substack activation. Our queerness is a celebration, and finding space to experience that happiness is how we sustain ourselves for the long haul. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 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.

Jason Collins Passed Away at 47, The DOJ demands the names of trans youth from NYC Langone, and El Bar brings Latino culture to Chicago's North Halstead

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story breaks down the subpoena handed to NYU Langone on behalf of the DOJ. In Minnesota, Students walk out after a 7-1 vote to remove "A Mother of A Revolution!" from their spring concert. In sports, Jason Collins Passes Away at 47 and the community is mourning a real champion. In culture and entertainment, Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art Finally Unveils At The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and Our Friends at Windy City Times tell us all about North Halsted's new Latino night club El Bar. 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 [https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66] 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 03:07 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 03:55 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 05:24 NYU Langone Demanded To Hand Over List Of Names Of Trans Youth Seeking Gender Affirming Care 15:23 Minnesota School Pulls "A Mother of A Revolution!" From Spring Concert Due To LGBTQ+ Ties 20:11 Jason Collins Passes Away At 47 24:55 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 25:29 Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art Finally Unveils At The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art 27:34 El Bar Opens In North Halstead 32:09 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month [https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d] Send In a Queer News Tip [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502] or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio [https://youtube.com/@e3radio] 📣 Stay Connected * Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews [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 338. This Week's Top Story NYU Langone Demanded To Hand Over List Of Names Of Trans Youth Seeking Gender Affirming Care NYU Langone is one of multiple hospitals on the receiving end of a subpoena issued by the DOJ demanding the submission of "providers [names] and others who were involved in offering such care at NYULH in that timeframe." By providers the subpoena means doctors, assistants, nurses, accountants, and even volunteers who are involved in gender-affirming care in any capacity are under scrutiny. Within the same subpoena the DOJ requests 'information' on the trans youth receiving gender-affirming care but what they're requesting is vague at best and purposefully obtuse at worst. They want names of the patients, but in addition to that they essentially want the patient's entire history as well. Hospitals who've received subpoenas are meeting with their legal teams to prep patients and providers on how best to protect themselves during this time. With the continuous changes in laws, reduction in federal funding for gender-affirming care and the heavy over-policing of people's bodies the Trump administration is advancing their anti-trans agenda at an alarming rate. That's why it's imperative for people to speak out against anti-trans rhetoric. This Week In Politics Minnesota School Pulls "A Mother of A Revolution!" From Spring Concert Due To LGBTQ+ Ties Band students at WaterTown High School have been prepping for months for their spring concert which showcases the instrumental piece titled "A Mother of A Revolution". The school board held a meeting six days before the spring concert to determine whether or not the students would be permitted to play the piece due to composition's ties to the lgbtq+ community. "A Mother of A Revolution" was composed by Omar Thomas back in 2019 as a homage to all trans women, but especially Marsha P. Johnson who is known for her bravery during the Stonewall Uprisings. In a 7-1 vote, the school board voted almost unanimously to remove the piece from the spring concert, much to the dismay of many students and faculty including Board President Laurie Hoffmann, the only board member who voted against removing the composition from the spring concert. The Board members who voted in favor of removing the song described the piece as "indoctrination", and were concerned that the playing of the song could invoke political violence. News spread quickly about the school board's decision, and in response on May 13th hundreds of students staged a walkout in protest. As things stand right now, "A Mother of A Revolution" is still pulled from the spring concert. This Week In Sports Jason Collins Passes Away At 47 Family, former NBA player Jason Collins has passed away surrounded by friends and loved ones at 47. Collins legacy with the NBA as the first openly Gay player in the NBA broke down doors (and prejudice) for other players to come out should they wish to do so. No other players have done so in the NBA, but Collins legacy lives on in the work he's done since his NBA retirement by raising funds for multiple LGBTQ+ organizations such as the Trevor Project. Collins' family shared the following message after his passing: "We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly." This Week In Culture & Entertainment Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art Finally Unveils At The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art The National Museum of African Art Has debuted a New Exhibit. Titled Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art, the exhibit "is based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms. They are united by a simple, shared declaration: We are here and always have been and will be." The exhibit is supported by the Fisher Arts Impact Fund. El Bar Opens In North Halstead Opened on St. On Patrick's Day of this year, El Bar specializes in agave spirits and latin music, promising a great time for guests, but especially latino guests. Writer Lu Calzada from the Windy City Times got to speak with the owner Miguel about the creation of a latino place for queer people in North Halstead. Miguel told Lu "Every bar always has [something] like a Latino night…But I feel like it would be nice to have more Latino bars in the area and also try something different." Anna's Word This week, Anna DeShawn shares a deeply grounding word inspired by her experience emceeing Lambda Legal's recent Bon Foster Celebration. Standing in front of hundreds of people helping to raise vital funds for the legal fight protecting our communities, Anna experienced a powerful moment of alignment. She opens up about the overwhelming community love she received after stepping off the stage and the profound reminder of what it feels like to be exactly where you are supposed to be. Anna challenges the family to step into spaces that allow them to thrive effortlessly. Finding yourself isn't about forcing a path—it's about stepping into your element and recognizing the things that come to you with absolute ease. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 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.

Illinois Education under DOJ investigation, The Trevor Project Receives 1 Million Dollar Donation Form NFL Owner, and Chicago Queer Wedding Show is on May 12th

This week on the Queer News podcast, for our top story, The DOJ investigates 36 Illinois schools over alleged Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) education. In politics, The Acceptance Academy Community school opens in South Florida this August, and the Trevor Project receives a 1 million dollar donation from NFL owner Arthur Blank. In sports, a lesbian engagement during a women's hockey game goes viral. In culture and entertainment, the Chicago Queer Wedding Show is on May 12th. 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://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 [https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66] 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 03:37 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 04:01 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 04:41 Queer News Headlines 05:25 DOJ Launches investigation in Illinois schools for violations of civil rights 11:00 South Florida To Open A School For LGBTQ+ Students In August 14:10 Trevor Project Receives A 1 Million Dollar Donation From NFL Owner Arthur Blank 16:40 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 17:10 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 17:46 This Lesbian Couple's Engagement went viral in the Hockey World 20:34 Chicago's Queer Wedding Show Returns May 12th 23:08 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month [https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d] Send In a Queer News Tip [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502] or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio [https://youtube.com/@e3radio] 📣 Stay Connected * Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews [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 337. This Week's Top Story DOJ Launches investigation in Illinois schools for violations of civil rights The DOJ has launched an investigation into 36 Illinois schools via their civil rights department. Most of the schools on the list are suburban schools. They claim that they're investigating if the schools have been teaching SOGI-related content otherwise known as sexual orientation and gender ideology in grades pre-K through 12th grade. In a statement released by the DOJ they said "If they are teaching SOGI-related content, the investigations will examine whether the schools have notified parents of their right to opt their children out of such instruction. The investigation will also assess whether the Illinois School Districts limit access to single-sex intimate spaces (such as bathrooms and locker rooms) and girls' sports teams based on biological sex." There's currently no hard timeline for the DOJ investigation, but we will continue to keep an eye on this story as it develops. This Week In Politics South Florida To Open A School For LGBTQ+ Students In August The Acceptance Academy Community school is described as a "private, nonprofit middle school serving LGBTQ+ students, bullied youth, and those who struggle to thrive in traditional school environments." The school is a part of the Step Up For Students scholarship program, a program that assists Florida families and students with tuition, transportation, and educational resources. Applications for the school and scholarships within the Step Up For Students scholarship program are now open. Tuition to attend is $20,000 a year. Families with a $8,000 state voucher, would pay about $12,000. In an era where there's been a crackdown on school simply for queer students existing, it's nice to see a school that is striving to be a safe space for lgbtq+ students. The school will operate with smaller class sizes, ensuring a more personalized learning experience. When asked by local news about the security of the students, school president Gaskill shared that "we have significant security and the building is secure and I just want to leave it that." Classes will be in session starting August 10th. Trevor Project Receives A 1 Million Dollar Donation From NFL Owner Arthur Blank The Trevor Project received a million dollar donation from NFL Owner Arthur Blank via the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The now retired first gay NFL player to be out while actively playing in the league Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib uplifted the donation on his LinkedIn page saying "This donation helps fund counselor training, enhance volunteer services and ensure our critical programs reach LGBTQ+ youth in their most vulnerable moments. Thank you again to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, this gift will save lives." This Week In Sports This Lesbian Couple's Engagement went viral in the Hockey World Proposals during sports games are a tale as old as…the invention of the jumbotron circa 1980s, but Canadian lesbian couple Megan and Nina put a creative spin on their engagement. The Toronto Sceptres game began like any other against the New York Sirens. During a break in the game play the couple was tasked with solving a Wheel-of-Fortune esc puzzle that contained a personal message. Footage posted by the Toronto Sceptres showed the moment the proposal unfolded. Megan solved the first part of the word puzzle, giving Nina just enough clues to solve the rest of the puzzle which spelled out the phrase "Will you marry me?" Nina turned to find Megan on one knee with a ring in her hand and words of love flowing from her heart. Nina said yes and the couple sealed their engagement with a kiss on the jumbotron. This Week In Culture & Entertainment Chicago's Queer Wedding Show Returns May 12th Hosted by Mei Lin Barral Photography, Something Profound Weddings, and Replogle Studios, "The Chicago Queer Wedding Show gathers LGBTQ+ owned + operated wedding vendors for queer marriers to easily meet and learn about vendors who are not just queer "friendly" but queer lead. This is the perfect place for queer folks to support people within their community and be supported by them on one of the most significant days of their lives." The Chicago Queer Wedding Show is on May 12th from 6pm - 9pm at the Vinery in Logan Square. In addition to shopping the vendors, guests can cuddle puppies, get their fortunes read through cheese, and even get married right on the spot thanks to an ordained officiant who will be officiating weddings all night! The event is a celebration of queer love, and crafting a wedding tailored to one's personal interests according to co-founder Rebecca Pope from Something Profound Weddings. Anna's Word This week, Anna DeShawn is getting real about what it takes to scale Queer News Done Right. After a transformative meeting with a revenue strategist that left her feeling "uncomfortable the whole time," Anna is sharing a word for anyone who feels like they've been getting in their own way: Get Uncomfortable. Through the discomfort comes the pivot. Anna reflects on the shift from surviving to thriving and why staying in your "comfort box" is the fastest way to stay stagnant. In that spirit of activation and focus, Anna is leading by example—announcing a bold move to Substack and a major fundraising campaign for the month of June. It's time to take this work to the next notch, get serious about sustainability, and move together toward a future where independent Black queer media doesn't just exist, but flourishes. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 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.

The state of Gender-affirming care for youth, queers winning settlements galore, and queer-owned indie bookstores for the win

This week on the Queer News podcast, for our top story we cover the state of gender-affirming care for youth that remains in limbo here in Illinois. In politics, The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund released their April list of endorsements, and Jayee Cooper wins a settlement from USA Powerlifting. In culture and entertainment, Utah Drag Queens win their settlement against the state, and we highlight queer owned bookstores to support on Indie bookstore 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://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 [https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66] 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 05:55 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 06:29 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 06:50 Queer News Headlines 07:26 Illinois youth access to gender affirming care remains in limbo in the aftermath of a new federal ruling 12:20 The LGBTQ Victory Fund Announces their Candidate Endorsements 14:54 JayCee Cooper and USA Powerlifting Reach a Settlement 18:53 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 19:23 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 19:57 Drag Queens Win Lawsuit Against the State of Utah 21:59 Chicago's Independent Bookstore day was April 25th and here's a list of the queer owned bookstores you should visit this year. 25:54 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month [https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d] Send In a Queer News Tip [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502] or email info at e3radio dot fm Our Candidates – LGBTQ+ Victory Fund [https://victoryfund.org/our-candidates/] 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio [https://youtube.com/@e3radio] 📣 Stay Connected * Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews [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 336. This Week's Top Story Illinois youth access to gender affirming care remains in limbo in the aftermath of a new federal ruling On April 18th, the U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai issued a ruling that reversed the treacherous Trump administration's policies aiming to end medicare and medicaid from providing gender-affirming care to minors. While the ruling eases hospitals' fears of losing federal funding if they were to provide gender-affirming care to minors, the hospitals that have already cut, and/or gutted their gender-affirming care programs have no legal obligation to reinstate them. In Illinois, UChicago Medicine, Rush University Medical Center and Lurie Children's Hospital have all disbanded their gender-affirming care for minors, and none of those hospitals have released a statement and any indication that they plan to reinstate the programs anytime soon. This Week In Politics The LGBTQ Victory Fund Announces their Candidate Endorsements In the whirlwind of this political climate it can be challenging to find guidance on candidates to support in your local and national elections this year. The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund just released their list of endorsements which highlight 57 new candidates for people to support. Candidates who earn an endorsement from the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund must "be an out member of the LGBTQ+ community who supports LGBTQ+ equality and the right to bodily autonomy and demonstrates a path to victory." JayCee Cooper and USA Powerlifting Reach a Settlement We first covered this story back in episode 306, but we have an update in the JayCee Cooper vs USA powerlifting case. JayCee Cooper won the Minnesota Supreme Court's unanimous approval back in 2025 after she faced discrimination during a powerlifting tournament. On the lawsuit, Cooper commented: "I don't want anyone to experience what I and other trans athletes have and continue to experience: having our basic human dignity questioned and opportunities denied because we are trans…We all benefit when sports are as inclusive as possible, when we organize around our shared humanity and collective empowerment." This settlement is a great win for JayCee Cooper and all trans women in sports as it sets a precedent that discrimination can and should continue to be challenged in the court of law and that it's possible to win cases like this. This Week In Culture & Entertainment Drag Queens Win Lawsuit Against the State of Utah Drag Queens in Utah win big in a lawsuit against the state. The state of Utah has been court ordered to pay $350,000 dollars in attorney fees to the Southern Utah Drag Stars after Judge David Nuffer ruled in their favor. The legal battle between the Southern Utah Drag Stars and the city of St. George continued for three years until they reached a settlement back in 2025. In April, and federal judge ruled that the city must also cover the legal fees of the drag queens who sued the city of St. George, resulting in the $350,000 going towards the attorneys. In cases similar to the one in Utah, judges have been shown to rule in favor of the first amendment which is what the Southern Utah Drag Stars said was violated in their initial lawsuit back in 2023. Chicago's Independent Bookstore day was April 25th and here's a list of the queer owned bookstores you should visit this year. April 25th was national Indiependent bookstore day, and all over the country people spent the day supporting these stores through book buying block parties, exclusive author signings, and special story times for families. Chicago does things a bit differently by hosting a city wide bookstore crawl. A whopping 82 independent bookstores participated in the crawl this year which is a significant increase from the 54 stores last year. Goblin Market, Unabridged Books, and Women and Children First are a few of the queer-owned indie bookstores that participate in the bookstore crawl. If you missed independent bookstore day this year, worry not because these queer owned bookstores are open year round. You also have time to plan your route for next year, and should add these stores to your 2027 bookstore crawl. 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.