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

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.

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.

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.

Ep. 302: DeSantis "Stop WOKE Act" Struck Down + Lyra McKee Verdict | Listen Up Girl Jul 8

On today's Listen Up Girl (Wednesday, July 8, 2026), Zach breaks down six new stories from across the LGBTQ+ world. A federal appeals court strikes down Ron DeSantis's "Stop WOKE Act," with a Trump-appointed judge calling it "a breathtaking assertion of power." Three men are acquitted in the 2019 killing of openly gay journalist Lyra McKee, and her family says the justice system "completely failed" them. A teacher who allegedly called LGBTQ+ people "mentally ill" faces consequences. The White House closes out Pride Month with an official statement raging against "transgender insanity." A political analyst points to data suggesting "historic" wins for Democrats in November. And in Ukraine, a defiant KyivPride marches on despite war. New episodes every day. Subscribe, rate, review, and share. 🔗 listenupgirl.com Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro 00:45 — DeSantis "Stop WOKE Act" struck down 03:00 — Three men acquitted in Lyra McKee killing 05:30 — Teacher faces consequences for anti-LGBTQ+ comments 07:15 — White House ends Pride Month with anti-trans rant 09:00 — Data points to Democratic wins in November 10:30 — A defiant KyivPride 11:30 — Outro 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.

Ep. 301: LGBTQ+ News: Trans Athletes, Supreme Court & Budapest Pride | July 3, 2026

Today on Listen Up Girl — your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast — the Supreme Court allows 27 states to keep trans athlete bans in place, a new SCOTUS case threatens healthcare access for runaway trans teens, Russia hands down prison sentences under its LGBTQ+ terrorism designation, Istanbul Pride ends in arrests, Budapest marches in hope, and Republicans come for a trans girl in Irish dance. Plus — I'm taking a few days off for July 4th and will be back on July 8th with fresh news. 🎙️ New episodes every weekday 📍 Find us wherever you listen to podcasts 🌐 https://www.listenupgirl.com [https://www.listenupgirl.com] 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheRealZachRE [https://www.instagram.com/TheRealZachRE] Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to stay informed. 🏳️‍🌈 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.