Listen Up Girl

Today on Listen Up Girl: Hobby Lobby's founder is bankrolling a 47-organization campaign to overturn marriage equality. A Canadian university is denying trans students hormone therapy out of fear of Trump's executive orders. A Pennsylvania county official refuses to resign after sending a transphobic campaign mailer — and the trans community isn't having it. The UK's major doctors union reverses c...

Today's episode covers seven stories from May 12–13, 2026. Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, passed away yesterday at 47 after an eight-month battle with glioblastoma. A 19-year-old trans student was stabbed and killed at the University of Washington; Turning Point USA postponed a campus event days later following widespread student backlash. GLAAD released its 2026 Social Media Sa...

Today on Listen Up Girl: A gay husband is finally free after 150 days in ICE detention. Hayden Panettiere publicly comes out as bisexual ahead of her new memoir. The Trevor Project releases alarming new data on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and suicide risk. A Wisconsin school board votes today on banning students from playing a piece of music honoring Marsha P. Johnson. And the Vatican sends mixed s...

Today on Listen Up Girl — your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast — we break down the White House's shocking new counterterrorism strategy that labels pro-trans groups alongside cartels and terror cells, the Supreme Court ruling against conversion therapy bans, the IOC's decision to ban transgender women from the Olympics, and more. Plus: Beanie Feldstein is pregnant and the internet is thriving. All the n...

Today on Listen Up Girl — your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast — the DOJ is bribing lawyers to target trans healthcare providers, courts keep blocking their grab for children's medical records, and a federal LGBTQ+ book ban is one step closer to the House floor. Plus: Dave Chappelle's tone-deaf moment on Michelle Obama's podcast, a horrifying Florida hate crime targeting a 5-year-old, Equality Californi...

Today's episode covers six major stories in the LGBTQ+ community. Florida's new anti-DEI law has stripped Key West Pride, Tropical Heat, and Womenfest of state funding starting in 2027 — potentially impacting over a billion dollars in LGBTQ tourism to the Florida Keys. The orange convicted felon's administration released a national counterterrorism strategy that targets transgender "ideology," rai...

Stories covered in this episode: HUD Proposes Trans Shelter Ban — The Department of Housing and Urban Development has put forward a rule that would require federally funded homeless shelters to house people based on their birth sex only, effectively barring transgender people from shelters that match their gender identity. Advocates warn most trans people will avoid shelter entirely rather than ri...

Today on Listen Up Girl: trans and disabled model Aariana Rose Philip makes Met Gala history as the first wheelchair user in 78 years. A Florida man is arrested for child abuse after allegedly assaulting a five-year-old to "beat the gay out of him." A young trans man organizes his rural Ohio county's first-ever Pride festival. It's Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murd...

This week: queer Jews leaving Orthodox Judaism, five anti-LGBTQ+ riders in a State Dept funding bill, Pennsylvania's historic anti-discrimination vote, the UK's new hate crime law, a trans woman making pageant history in Puerto Rico, a shocking new poll, and Trans+ History Week. Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman https://www.listenupgirl.com/ Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/ Podc...

Stories covered this episode: No Matter What Recovery opens LGBTQ+-affirming treatment facility in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood Smithsonian's "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" opens after controversial postponement Meta's Oversight Board overturns removal of Brazilian lesbian Instagram post Trump DOJ 197-page report calls LGBTQ+ protections "anti-Christian" and outlines Christian Natio...

HUD proposal could require shelters to house people by birth sex Court ruling protects trans women prisoners in Oregon Wesley Han files discrimination lawsuit against Soho Grand Hotel Michigan political complaint over deadnaming Senegal LGBTQ crackdown impacts HIV treatment Surgeon General nominee sparks backlash Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman https://www.listenupgirl.com/ Follow me at https://ww...

Europe conversion therapy ban vote Pride flag burned in Lancaster PA Montana trans rights ruling Madonna new song Bring Your Love Trevor Project $1M donation Illinois discrimination case DOJ LGBTQ policy report Tucker Carlson vs orange convicted felon Vermont trans athlete case Red Sox Pride night Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman https://www.listenupgirl.com/ Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/...

In today’s episode of Listen Up Girl , we’re breaking down a powerful mix of accountability, culture, and ongoing challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community around the world. We start with a landmark ruling in Australia, where politician Mark Latham was ordered to pay $100,000 after unlawfully vilifying openly gay MP Alex Greenwich — a decision that sends a strong message about the real consequences o...

West Hollywood viral incident involving two dads explained Pope signals shift on LGBTQ+ priorities in the Catholic Church Drag performers win $350K legal battle in Utah Women’s Institute branches close over trans inclusion rules Elliot Page’s Second Nature documentary breaks down “nature” myths New study challenges “trans youth desistance” claims Dylan Mulvaney responds to Broadway backlash Suprem...

In this episode: New research highlights disproportionate suicide rates among trans youth and systemic gaps in care New Zealand updates blood donation rules to focus on behavior, not identity Hungary’s LGBTQ+ law faces a major challenge in the European Union A far-right U.S. figure is banned from entering the UK over inflammatory rhetoric Russia intensifies its crackdown by labeling LGBTQ+ organiz...

In this episode: New research highlights disproportionate suicide rates among trans youth and systemic gaps in care New Zealand updates blood donation rules to focus on behavior, not identity Hungary’s LGBTQ+ law faces a major challenge in the European Union A far-right U.S. figure is banned from entering the UK over inflammatory rhetoric Russia intensifies its crackdown by labeling LGBTQ+ organiz...

Trans sports ban initiative faces lawsuit over invalid signatures Senate Democrats block anti-trans voting bill amid internal divisions Florida bans public funding for Pride and DEI programs Eurovision boycott expands across Europe The Onion could take over Infowars in surprising twist Caitlyn Jenner opens up about delayed transition GLAAD responds to proposed crackdown on trans representation UK...

In this episode: Same-sex couple targeted in alleged fake CNN incident Federal ruling impacts trans women in prisons Oregon settlement highlights abuse in custody Laverne Cox speaks out on trans rights and dehumanization Andy Cohen responds to anti-trans rhetoric FBI involved in trans custody dispute Trans woman killed in San Francisco hit-and-run Religious backlash at Baylor University Pastor ple...

In this episode: Meryl Streep credits queer culture for shaping fashion and media Netflix announces Kylie Minogue documentary New queer photo series inspired by Madonna’s SEX era Heartstopper Forever finale set for July 17 NYC appoints Black lesbian archivist Shawn Smith-Cruz Former drag performer calls for Pride funding cuts John Waters appears on The View with viral Trump comment This episode ex...

Major LGBTQ+ news updates you need to know right now. In today’s episode of Listen Up Girl , we break down a HUGE legal win for trans rights as the Montana Supreme Court rules that denying accurate IDs is unconstitutional. We also cover a historic decision from the European Union striking down Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law, and a surprising moment in Nebraska where multiple anti-trans bills failed to...

In this episode of Listen Up Girl , Zach covers: Heated Rivalry season 2 shifting from romance to real-life relationship struggles Heartstopper Forever casting changes and what it means for the final chapter Australia ending discriminatory blood donation restrictions for LGBTQ+ people Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin returning as a major protest movement Gay teachers in France facing ongoing anti-LGB...

In today’s Listen Up Girl episode, we break down the biggest LGBTQ+ news stories happening right now — and what they really mean. From a shocking claim about overturning trans healthcare access, to a viral confrontation in West Hollywood that’s sparking debate across social media, to quiet policy changes in states like Wyoming that could impact transgender rights — this episode covers it all. We a...

Madonna stuns at Coachella with Sabrina Carpenter RFK Jr. controversy sparks backlash Wisconsin governor vetoes 5 anti-trans bills 10 anti-LGBTQ+ bills fail in Kentucky Trans athletes win major court case in Minnesota UK nurse settles NHS pronoun dispute case Church in Wales approves permanent same-sex blessings LGBTQ+ leaders recognized on TIME100 Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman https://www.liste...

This week on Listen Up Girl , we’re breaking down one of the biggest transgender rights rulings in the U.S., as the Montana Supreme Court declares that discrimination against trans people is a form of sex discrimination. But while that’s a major win, the fight is far from over. We cover a controversial court case in Australia that could impact trans inclusion in LGBTQ+ spaces, a shocking $800,000...

In today’s LGBTQ+ news, we break down major stories impacting the community right now—from a controversial Idaho law forcing schools to out trans youth, to shocking allegations involving Katy Perry and Ruby Rose. We also cover Miss America’s new policy banning trans women, the tragic murder of a Black transgender woman in Chicago, and global developments including anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Senegal. Plus...