Queer News

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.

A trans woman wins big money in a lawsuit against Oregon, more bans on pride flags and discussion topics, and what's going on with Denver's only lesbian bar?

This week on the Queer News podcast, Our top story features an imprisoned Trans Woman who is set to receive 200K from the state of Oregon as a part of a settlement. In politics, Texas Tech prohibits students from writing about queer topics, and Idaho gets creative in the face of a pride flag ban. In sports, the WNBA will induct five lgbtq+ women into their hall of fame. In culture and entertainment, The Denver Queer Community joined together in an attempt to save their only lesbian 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 03:12 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 03:43 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 04:01 Queer News Headlines 04:36 Oregon to Pay $295K To An Imprisoned Trans Woman As A Part of A Lawsuit Settlement 07:16 Texas Tech's New Ban Prohibits Students From Writing About Queer Topics 11:04 Idaho Gets Creative in The face of a Pride Flag Ban 14:19 Amnesty April is back from Chicago's City Clerk Anna Valencia 15:11 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 15:41 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 16:16 Highlighting the Queer Women Set To Be Inducted Into The WNBA Hall of Fame This Year 21:24 Denver's Queer Community Came Together To Try To Save Their Only Lesbian Bar 23:02 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 335. This Week's Top Story Oregon to Pay $295K To An Imprisoned Trans Woman As A Part of A Lawsuit Settlement Reparations! The state of Oregon has been ordered to pay an imprisoned trans woman $295k as a part of a lawsuit settlement. Zera Lola Zombie is the woman at the center of this case, and her team of lawyers first sought legal action back in 2021. According to the lawsuit, Zera faced "ongoing harassment and verbal, mental, and psychological abuse by both prisoners and staff as a result of her sex, gender, and gender identity,". A payment in the amount of $95K will go out to Zera herself, while her team of lawyers will receive the remaining 200K. Zara will continue to serve her current sentence of "manslaughter and first-degree assault following the death of a girlfriend in 2014" and is set to be released in 2049. This Week In Politics Texas Tech's New Ban Prohibits Students From Writing About Queer Topics Don't say gay? Well at Texas Tech apparently you can't write gay either. The university has issued a ban on student thesis and dissertations writing about lgbtq+ discussion topics. In addition, Professors are also to refrain from teaching anything related to lgbtq+ discussion topics. In a current administration that's hell bent on removing queer history, the elimination of these programs is downright dangerous for the preservation and continued study of queer history. 25 year associate professor Jen Shelton told the local news that "I think the whole university has been betrayed. I think even the provost did not expect it to look like this." Idaho Gets Creative in The face of a Pride Flag Ban On Trans Day of Visibility, Idaho republicans succeeded in compelling Idaho Governor Brad into passing a state law that fined "cities for flying flags that aren't on the Legislature's pre-approved list". Surprise, surprise the pride flag isn't on that list, essentially punishing any city that continued to fly the flag. On the passing of the state law Republican State Senator Ben Toews said "The ultimate goal is for us to fly flags that unite and don't divide." The City Hall in Boise was quick to comply with the law and took their pride flag down soon after the law was passed. Officials who opposed the ban got crafty and raised their own 'Pride flag poles" instead. The flag poles are painted in the rainbow that can also be found on the pride flag. This Week In Sports Highlighting the Queer Women Set To Be Inducted Into The WNBA Hall of Fame This Year The WNBA Hall of Fame is extra queer this year and we love to see it. Olympic gold medalists Sheryl Swoopes, Jennifer Azzi, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker, and Elena Delle Donne are the five queer women who are set to be inducted into the WNBA Hall of Fame later this year. Each woman on that list has an extensive career with the WNBA and is no doubt vital to the organization's success. This Week In Culture & Entertainment Denver's Queer Community Came Together To Try To Save Their Only Lesbian Bar The Pearl is Denver's only Lesbian bar and earlier this month they announced to their patrons that they would be closing at the end of the month. Within hours of the announcement the owners of the Pearl launched a gofundme for the beloved lesbian bar and by the end of the day, the Denver queer community banded together and they had raised over 83,000 dollars. Since then the owners have closed the gofundme, reassuring people that the funds will be allocated to their staff and to keeping the bar open through June. However, as of writing this story their instagram account has been deleted, and their website lists the bar as closed leaving many concerned about the future of the bar. The plot continues to thicken, as last week members of the pearl staff released their own joint statement revealing details about the gofundme funds and the owner(s) who launched the crowdfunding campaign in the first place. The staff asked people to report the GoFundMe as fraudulent, and that a lack of accountability on part of some of the ownership team has led to discord between the staff and owners of the bar. Anna's Word Today's Anna's Got a Word is inspired by the panel she co-moderated for Lesbian Visibility Week titled The Terms We Use where they discussed terms like saphhic, dyke, FLINTA, queer and so many others. From that conversation Anna wanted to share that defining you for yourself is really what's most important. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 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.

Happy Lesbian Visibility Week , We Remember Davonta Curtis & the Pride Flag is Back at Stonewall

This week on the Queer News podcast Anna DeShawn reports, our top story mourns the life of Davonta Curtis, a trans woman who was brutally murdered in Chicago earlier this week. In politics the Montana Supreme Court steps up to protect their trans citizens, and The Pride at Stonewall is here to stay. In culture and entertainment, It's Lesbian Visibility Week and Sports power couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe have split up. 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 02:51 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 03:25 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 03:56 Queer News Headlines 04:34 Her Name Was Davonta Curtis, And She Should Still Be Here Today 07:41 Montana Supreme Court Steps Up To Protect Their Trans Citizens 11:19 The Pride Flag At Stonewall Is Here To Stay 13:36 Amnesty April is back from Chicago's City Clerk Anna Valencia 14:28 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 14:58 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 15:32 It's Lesbian Visibility Week 18:20 Love isn't in the air? Lesbian Power Couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe Have Split Up 20:43 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Join the QCrew! 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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 334. This Week's Top Story Her Name Was Davonta Curtis, And She Should Still Be Here Today A 31 year-old trans woman was found murdered in her own home. Her name was Davonta Curtis, and she should still be here today. Here's what we know. The morning of April 8th Davonta was found by Chicago PD with a blunt forced trauma to her head. She was pronounced dead on the scene in East Garfield Park. That's two days after her boyfriend, Deandre Bell was arrested and brought in for questioning .On April 11th, during a hearing, it was revealed by Cook County Prosecutors that Bell Googled "how to kill someone with a hammer" and "if a person gets hit in the head with a hammer while sleeping what happens" Bell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (allegedly Davonta's) and one count of murder in the first degree. Shortly after the hearing the Judge ordered the Bell be detained. Bell's next court date is April 29th. Rest in Power Davonta Curtis,. You deserved so much more than what the world gave you. This Week In Politics Montana Supreme Court Steps Up To Protect Their Trans Citizens In a nearly unanimous vote, the Montana Supreme Court voted 5-2 declaring that "transgender discrimination is, by its very nature, sex discrimination" in the case of Kalarchik v. State of Montana. The case centers on two trans women who argued against a 2022/2021's law about sex markers on official Montana ID markers such as birth certificates and drivers licenses. This trend of states voting in favor of changing legislation so that it further protects their trans citizens is a welcome change, and a much needed protection in the event that the federal government acts out. The Pride Flag At Stonewall Is Here To Stay The Trump Administration lost a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal back in February on behalf of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. Gilbert Baker is the creator of the rainbow pride flag. As a part of the settlement, the pride flag at Stonewall is here to stay. As many of you remember (and were there in person) The Trump Administration abruptly removed the pride flag at Stonewall earlier this year. A day of rapid organization led to a protest at Stonewall which resulted in the pride flag being returned to its original place of rest. May we never forget that When we fight, we win. This Week In Culture & Entertainment It's Lesbian Visibility Week It's Lesbian Visibility week and the theme for this year is Healing and Wellness. The Lesbian Visibility Week of North America has the next seven days filled with in-person and virtual panels, film screenings and discussions, Exhibits, and Celebrations of people in our community. To check out the full schedule, head to www.lesbianvisibility.org/#events. On Friday, I'll be speaking on the panel Beyond the Rainbow: The Terms We Use. The panel will analyze how certain terms shift definitions over time between generations and how to bridge the gap as language continues to evolve. The panel is at 3PM CT and will be virtual. I hope to see you there! Love isn't in the air? Lesbian Power Couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe Have Split Up Love isn't in the air in the world of sports. If social media is any indication, I'm sure by now you've all seen the news that Olympian and four time WNBA title holder Sue Bird and Soccer Olympic Gold medalist Megan Rapinoe have decided to go their separate ways. The two retired from playing in their respective leagues in the early 2020s, and Sue Bird was just inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2025 and currently works as the WNBA's national team managing director. Although their joint podcast: A Touch More is coming to an end, it's not an abrupt one. The same day it was announced by Bird that six special episodes are set to release as a "farewell to you all and to this space." 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 of Public Sound. Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.