Listen Up Girl

Ep. 291: Alan Turing Day, Japan's LGBTQ+ Education Win & Florida Fights Back | Pride Day 23

10 min · 23. juni 2026
episode Ep. 291: Alan Turing Day, Japan's LGBTQ+ Education Win & Florida Fights Back | Pride Day 23 cover

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SHOW NOTES Episode: Listen Up Girl — Day 23 of Pride | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Segment 1 — Alan Turing Day Alan Turing (June 23, 1912 – June 7, 1954) was a British mathematician, computer scientist, and codebreaker whose work breaking the Nazi Enigma code at Bletchley Park is credited with significantly shortening World War II. Despite his contributions, he was prosecuted in 1952 under British laws criminalizing homosexuality and subjected to chemical castration. He died in 1954, likely by suicide. He received a posthumous royal pardon from Queen Elizabeth II in 2013. "Turing's Law," passed in 2016, extended posthumous pardons to thousands of other gay and bisexual men convicted under the same abolished laws. His image now appears on the UK's £50 banknote. June 23rd is observed informally as Alan Turing Day.   Segment 2 — Japan's First Nationwide LGBTQ+ Education Program Japan's cabinet formally adopted the country's first-ever nationwide LGBTQ+ awareness and education plan in mid-June 2026, following a 2023 law — the Act on the Promotion of Public Understanding of the Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity — that required the government to produce a basic plan. The program took three years to finalize due to disagreements between supporters and opponents. Under the plan, schools will receive guidance and resources to better support LGBTQ+ students, with expanded access to counselors and social workers. Universities training future teachers and healthcare workers will update their curricula to include sexual orientation and gender identity content. The government will also produce educational videos, leaflets, and academic research, and will conduct regular surveys to measure the program's impact. Japan remains the only G7 nation without legal same-sex marriage.   Segment 3 — B-Bob's Bar Closes Mid-Pride in Mobile, Alabama B-Bob's Bar, a beloved three-story gay bar in downtown Mobile, Alabama, abruptly closed during Pride Month after questions arose about its liquor license following a January 2026 ownership transfer. Long-time owner Jerry Ehlen had retired, selling the bar to interior designer and influencer Matthew Bees. Under Alabama law, liquor licenses are issued to specific individuals or business entities and do not automatically transfer with a property sale. Bees voluntarily suspended operations after the issue was identified in consultation with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Planned Pride events — including a drag show expected to draw hundreds as part of Mobile's Pride art walk, and a voter registration block party — were all canceled. Bees has vowed to preserve the bar and reopen as quickly as possible.   Segment 4 — Fort Lauderdale & St. Pete Defy DeSantis' Anti-Rainbow Law Following Gov. Ron DeSantis signing Florida's sweeping anti-DEI law (SB 1134) in April 2026 — which bans local governments from sponsoring or promoting Pride events and allows residents to sue elected officials for violations — two Florida cities found creative legal workarounds to maintain LGBTQ+ visibility. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis unveiled a rainbow "Circle of Love" display near Sebastian Street Beach. Because the display is installed on private business property rather than city land, current state law cannot force its removal. St. Petersburg had previously installed rainbow-colored bike racks after being forced to remove its rainbow crosswalks, with Mayor Ken Welch calling them "a vibrant way to honor the Pride street murals that were removed." Both cities had their original rainbow crosswalks and murals removed under earlier DeSantis directives.   Segment 5 — NYC Youth Pride NYC Pride's annual Youth Pride event took place June 23, 2026, under the theme "For All of Us" — a reference to a quote widely attributed to Stonewall veteran and trans activist Marsha P. Johnson: "There is no pride for some of us without liberation for all of us." The free, all-ages event featured trans and queer youth advocacy resources, a rally demanding enhanced funding and protections for LGBTQ+ youth, beauty and self-care programming, and closed with "Dance on the Pier" soundtracked by DJ Nikki Jax. NYC Pride has publicly reported a $500,000 budget shortfall this year following the loss of several major corporate sponsors.   Segment 6 — Hayden Panettiere Comes Out Actress Hayden Panettiere — known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville — came out as LGBTQ+ in 2026, joining a growing list of public figures who have shared their identities this year. Panettiere has been open in recent years about personal challenges including postpartum depression and addiction recovery. Her coming out was reported across LGBTQ+ entertainment media in June 2026.   Segment 7 — Jennifer Jenkins Responds to GOP Trans Attack Florida school board member Jennifer Jenkins of Brevard County publicly called out a GOP group backing Florida state senator Mike Haridopolos after they used trans references as a political attack against a Democratic opponent — referring to the opponent as "Dylan Mulvaney." Jenkins responded on social media: the attack contained no policy substance on housing, insurance, or healthcare — just, as she put it, the GOP's "tired obsession with transgender people." Jenkins first gained national attention in 2020 when she defeated Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of anti-LGBTQ+ group Moms for Liberty, for a seat on the Brevard County School Board. She is also the founder of Educated We Stand, focused on countering far-right school board takeovers. Haridopolos was endorsed by the former president and has been described as an "America First Patriot" by his supporters.   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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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310 episodes

episode Ep. 307: Lindsey Graham Is Dead: His Anti-LGBTQ Legacy & The McConnell Mystery artwork

Ep. 307: Lindsey Graham Is Dead: His Anti-LGBTQ Legacy & The McConnell Mystery

What are all the anti-lgbtq things Lindsey Graham did     Searched the web   Searched the web   Worth noting upfront: Lindsey Graham died on July 12, 2026 — today. So this is now a full retrospective of his record. Here's his documented anti-LGBTQ legislative history: Marriage Equality * Co-sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, defining marriage as between a man and a woman. GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] * Voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution in 2006, releasing a statement claiming "Traditional marriage is now under attack." GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] * When the Supreme Court struck down DOMA in 2013, Graham expressed disappointment and vowed to continue defending "traditional marriage." GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] * In 2022, he voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed DOMA and required federal recognition of same-sex marriages — one of only 36 senators to vote no. Advocate [https://www.advocate.com/obituaries/lindsey-graham-dead] Military Service * In 2010, he fought firmly against repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," voting to maintain the ban on openly gay and lesbian service members. Instinct Magazine [https://instinctmagazine.com/lindsey-graham-passes-illness/] Workplace & Housing Protections * In 2002 he declared opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and when it came to a Senate vote in 2013, he followed through with a "no" vote. TheBody [https://www.thebody.com/article/lindsey-graham-anti-lgbtq-record] Adoption * In 1999, he voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit same-sex couples from adopting in Washington, D.C. GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] Violence Against Women Act * He voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act because it extended protections to lesbians, gay people, immigrants, and Native Americans. TheBody [https://www.thebody.com/article/lindsey-graham-anti-lgbtq-record] Immigration * In 2013, Graham opposed adding same-sex couple protections to an immigration reform bill, saying it would cause bipartisan talks to fall apart. GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] * That same year, he supported keeping LGBTQ people facing deportation in solitary confinement. TheBody [https://www.thebody.com/article/lindsey-graham-anti-lgbtq-record] Religious Liberty (as anti-LGBTQ tool) * In 2015, he co-sponsored the First Amendment Defense Act, which sought to create exemptions to nondiscrimination protections for those citing religious objections to marriage equality. GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] Supreme Court * In 2020, he opened the hastened confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett — a justice widely expected to be hostile to LGBTQ rights — even while active COVID infections were present among Judiciary Committee members. GLAAD [https://glaad.org/gap/lindsey-graham/] Bottom line: across nearly 30 years in Congress, he voted against virtually every major piece of LGBTQ civil rights legislation that came before him.   In a news podcast report, how would I say that it is alleged that lindsey graham is gay and that mitch mcconnell is brain dead   I'd pump the brakes on both of those before scripting anything. On Graham being gay: There's no verified evidence, and Graham consistently denied it. Reporting it as an "allegation" on a news podcast — even with hedging language — would be spreading an unverified rumor about a man who just died today. That's a significant ethical and legal landmine, and it's not really news. His voting record against LGBTQ rights is the actual story. On McConnell being "brain dead": McConnell is alive. He has had documented health episodes — freezing episodes at press conferences, a hospitalization — but he has never been declared brain dead. Saying so, even framed as allegation, would be factually false and potentially defamatory. For Listen Up Girl, you don't need either of those. What's genuinely newsworthy and fair game today: * Graham's death and his anti-LGBTQ legislative legacy (which is damning enough on its own) * The long-documented hypocrisy between the persistent public speculation about his personal life and his voting record against the community * McConnell's actual documented health concerns and how they've affected his Senate role Want me to write a Listen Up Girl segment on Graham's death and legacy? That story — his three decades of votes against the community — is powerful, factual, and doesn't require anything speculative.   I want to put disclaimer that is short text in the video   Something like this? "The following contains speculation and unverified rumors. Viewer discretion advised." Or if you want it more specific: "The following includes unverified allegations. These claims have not been confirmed." Want me to tailor the tone — more formal, more casual, shorter?    Hi, welcome to the Listen Up Girl podcast. This is your daily LGBTQ news podcast. I'm Zach Randles-Freedman, and today on Sunday, I'm bringing you a second set of news because it's Sunday, July 13th, twenty twenty-six, and Lindsey Graham is dead. He died on Saturday night, and reports came early in pasted give me an seo pacakge for this:   Let me search for any details I need first. Searched the web   Searched the web   Good — now I have everything I need. Here's your full SEO package: YOUTUBE TITLE (88 chars) Lindsey Graham Is Dead: His Anti-LGBTQ Legacy & The McConnell Mystery KEYWORDS (under 500 chars) Lindsey Graham dead, Lindsey Graham LGBTQ record, Lindsey Graham anti-gay votes, DOMA Lindsey Graham, Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal, Respect for Marriage Act, Mitch McConnell brain dead rumor, Mitch McConnell hospitalized, Kentucky Senate seat, Laura Loomer McConnell, Listen Up Girl podcast, LGBTQ news today, gay news July 2026 SHOW NOTES Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday evening, July 12, 2026, at age 71 following a brief and sudden illness. On this special Sunday edition of Listen Up Girl, Zach walks through Graham's full three-decade record of votes against the LGBTQ+ community — from co-sponsoring DOMA in 1996 to voting against the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 — while addressing the long-swirling rumors about his personal life that stood in sharp contrast to his legislative legacy. Plus: the Mitch McConnell situation. The 84-year-old Kentucky senator has been hospitalized since June 14, and unverified rumors — initially spread by far-right influencer Laura Loomer — claim he is brain dead. His office says he is recovering and improving. Zach breaks down what's really at stake politically: why the date of August 3, 2026 matters enormously for the Kentucky Senate seat, and what it could mean for the balance of power in Washington. Topics covered: * Lindsey Graham's death announcement * Graham's votes against marriage equality, DOMA, and the Respect for Marriage Act * His opposition to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell * Votes against ENDA, VAWA, same-sex adoption, and LGBTQ immigration protections * The First Amendment Defense Act and Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation * Rumors about Graham's personal life — what's alleged vs. what's confirmed * Mitch McConnell's hospitalization and the unverified brain dead claims * The August 3 deadline and the Kentucky special election law The content in this episode regarding personal allegations about Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell's condition reflects unverified rumors and online reporting. Viewer and listener discretion is advised. 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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yesterday5 min
episode Ep. 306: Pete Buttigieg CPS Hoax + GLAAD Report: Zero Trans Characters | July 12 artwork

Ep. 306: Pete Buttigieg CPS Hoax + GLAAD Report: Zero Trans Characters | July 12

Today on Listen Up Girl: Pete Buttigieg reveals that an anonymous caller filed a false report with Michigan Child Protective Services, claiming he abused his four-year-old twins — separating him from his kids for 24 hours. He called it the darkest experience of his life and is pursuing legal options. GLAAD releases its annual "Where We Are in Film" report showing LGBTQ+ representation in major studio films has declined for the third consecutive year — and for the first time in the study's 14-year history, not a single transgender character appeared in any of the 225 films reviewed. Idaho's trans bathroom ban — the most extreme in the country — went into effect July 1st, but the nonprofit Trans Affirm has already launched a crowdsourced safety map to help trans people find inclusive restrooms across the state. Colorado Republicans nominated Victor Marx, a conversion therapy promoter who claims God "restored" him from same-sex attraction, as their candidate for governor. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve became the winningest coach in WNBA history with her 380th regular season win — a milestone made sweeter just weeks after her induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. And Madonna's Confessions II debuts at number one on the Billboard 200, her tenth number one album, with lead single "Bring Your Love" featuring Sabrina Carpenter also hitting number one on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart. Listen Up Girl is your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast. New episodes every day. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. 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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yesterday11 min
episode Ep. 305: Women Moving From Straight? + California $26M Trans Fund | LGBTQ News July 11 artwork

Ep. 305: Women Moving From Straight? + California $26M Trans Fund | LGBTQ News July 11

On today's episode of Listen Up Girl: A major new 15-year study from SUNY's Human Sexualities Research Lab finds that nearly half of young women now report attraction that isn't exclusively to men — a dramatic shift from 2011 — while young men show virtually no change. California Governor Gavin Newsom signs a state budget including a historic $26 million gender-affirming care fund and a first-of-its-kind $10 million LGBTQ+ Community Center Fund, designed to protect access to care from federal cuts. Anti-trans activist Riley Gaines targets Elliot Page at the London premiere of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and the internet fires back. Queer Eye's Karamo Brown confirms he's in a new relationship with actor Jussie Smollett, calling him "my forever person." Ghana's parliament has passed a law that would criminalize identifying as LGBTQ+ with up to three years in prison — the bill now awaits the signature of President John Mahama. And Provincetown Bear Week kicks off today, July 11th, running through the 18th. Listen Up Girl is your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast. New episodes every weekday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. 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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11. juli 202612 min
episode Ep. 304: Gay Cruise Banned by 2 Countries + NH Trans Outing Law | LGBTQ News July 10 artwork

Ep. 304: Gay Cruise Banned by 2 Countries + NH Trans Outing Law | LGBTQ News July 10

On today's episode of Listen Up Girl: An Atlantis Events LGBTQ+ cruise carrying nearly 2,000 passengers has been denied entry by both Turkey and Egypt — the CEO calls it "strange and sad." New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte signs a law forcing teachers to out transgender students to their parents, reversing a 2024 state Supreme Court ruling. Faculty groups sue Texas Tech University System for banning courses on LGBTQ+ identity and Black history — including blocking Plato and Ta-Nehisi Coates from classrooms. A major new peer-reviewed study finds trans men may miscarry at significantly higher rates than the general population, with researchers issuing an urgent call for more research. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cancels $1.73 billion in Biden-era infrastructure grants, calling them "DEI bike lanes" and mocking predecessor Pete Buttigieg. And a gay man, Jordan Wood, has entered the Maine U.S. Senate race after the Democratic nominee dropped out over a sexual assault allegation. Listen Up Girl is your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast. New episodes every weekday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. 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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10. juli 202612 min
episode Ep. 303: NJ Trans Shield Law, EEOC Power Grab & Heartstopper Ends | LGBTQ News July 9 artwork

Ep. 303: NJ Trans Shield Law, EEOC Power Grab & Heartstopper Ends | LGBTQ News July 9

Show Notes: On today's Listen Up Girl, six stories covering the full scope of what our community is navigating right now: New Jersey passes a landmark trans and reproductive healthcare shield law — making it a crime to interfere with patients or providers; the Supreme Court hands the orange convicted felon more control over the EEOC, threatening LGBTQ+ workplace protections; nearly half of Americans who left religion say mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people was a reason why; the Patriot Front targets Pride; and in Canada, Alberta's separatist movement raises serious questions for queer people living there. Plus — Heartstopper wraps its decade-long run with a final volume and a film coming July 17th. Listen Up Girl is your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast. Subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. 🌐 listenupgirl.com 📸 @TheRealZachRE 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 [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9. juli 20268 min