Ep. 308: Gay GOP Candidate Called Pedophile By Own Party | Trans Inmates Forced to Detransition

Ep. 308: Gay GOP Candidate Called Pedophile By Own Party | Trans Inmates Forced to Detransition

On today's Listen Up Girl — Monday, July 14th, 2026 — six stories you need to know: An openly gay MAGA Republican in Wyoming is suing members of his own party after they called him a "pedophile" on social media and ran whisper campaigns accusing him of sexual misconduct with children. The story reveals just how deeply the anti-gay "groomer" smear has embedded itself in Republican politics — even when the target is a conservative ally. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a law forcing transgender inmates to stop all gender-affirming medical treatment with no taper, no plan, and no grandfather clause. Doctors are calling it medical malpractice. Legal challenges are expected under the Eighth Amendment. Senegal has amended its constitution to explicitly ban same-sex marriage, as part of what the government describes as a campaign to eradicate gay people. Activists on the ground say queer Senegalese people have gone underground out of fear. In Canada, Alberta's October independence referendum is raising serious alarm for LGBTQ+ residents, as the separatist movement is dominated by far-right voices with documented anti-LGBTQ records. JD Vance told a Biden joke to a crowd of soldiers. No one laughed. And a straight allied couple who built the biggest Pride display on their block got a surprise visit from a pro-LGBTQ+ governor — and has become an unexpected symbol of allyship in action. Follow on Instagram: @TheRealZachRE | listenupgirl.com 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. 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.

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.

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.