Queer News

Family, Happy Trans Day of Visibility 🏳️‍⚧️ This episode is unlike anything we've ever done. We handed the mic over to our trans siblings to share messages of love, rage, resilience, and hope. From powerful testimonies to calls for action, 19 voices remind us why visibility matters—and why we must fight for more than survival. In this episode you'll hear: ✨Natasha Rothwell speaks truth on the GLA...

In this episode, Anna & Amanda discuss the life and activism of Bobbie Lea Bennett, the first person with a disability ever to receive gender affirming surgery in the United States.   In this episode you'll discover:   ✅ Why Bobbie drove from San Diego to Washington D.C. to confront President Carter. ✅ What Bobbie did to celebrate her 1974 acceptance into a gender care clinic. ✅ Who referred to...

Family, it's your favorite queer radio personality, Anna DeShawn, and this is Queer News —your go-to source where race & sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. This week, we celebrate a huge win as Boston declares itself a sanctuary city for trans and queer folks, setting a powerful precedent for protection and inclusion. But while some progress is made, we're also facing new threats...

In this episode, Anna & Amanda have a wide-ranging conversation about Jeanne Córdova and what lessons from her work are most relevant today. Born in Germany and raised in Los Angeles, Jeanne Córdova was the mother of the West Coast LGBTQ movement.    In this episode you'll discover: ✅ Why entering a convent helped her realize she was a lesbian ✅ How she became a millionaire ✅ What a lifetime of...

Family, welcome back to Queer News, where we break down the stories that matter to us—because our stories deserve to be heard.     This week, we honor Amyri Dior, a Black trans woman whose life was tragically cut short, and we refuse to let her story go untold. In politics, we celebrate comrades who are standing up for our community, from Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear's continued support to Rep...

In this episode, Anna & Amanda dive deep into the story of Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, the Mother of the Blues. Born and raised in Alabama, she first took to the stage around the age of 12 and never looked back. Over the course of her nearly 40-year career Ma Rainey subverted every expectation with style and changed the face of American music. In this episode you'll discover: ✅ How Ma Rainey got her na...

Family, this week on Queer News, Sam Nordquist is our top story as prosecutors reveal horrifying new details and expand charges in his brutal murder case. In politics, Montana delivers an unexpected win for trans rights, with nearly half of the state's Republican lawmakers breaking ranks to defeat anti-trans bills. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom raises eyebrows by aligning with far-ri...

In this episode, Anna & Amanda uncover the untold story of Isabel Pell—Raised among New York's elite, she ditched high society, defied expectations, and ultimately joined the fight against the Nazis in France. This bold and rebellious queer woman defied expectations, loved who she wanted, and risked her life by joining the French Resistance during WWII.  In this episode you'll discover: ✅ How she...

This week we're diving into some tough but necessary conversations. Iowa just became the first state to strip gender identity from its civil rights law, and the Pentagon is actively targeting trans service members, forcing them out of the military. But in the face of these attacks, we also have stories of resilience—like a major lawsuit challenging Trump's executive orders and my exciting new role...

This week on Queer News: We remember trans trailblazer Elisa Rae Shupe, her fight for recognition, and the heartbreaking circumstances of her passing. In politics, Maine's governor stands tall against Trump's anti-trans rhetoric. In culture and entertainment, we celebrate Raquel Willis, named one of Time's Women of the Year, and her powerful message to the trans community. Brittney Griner cancels...

From poetry to hip-hop, pain to purpose, 2AM Ricky has always known the power of words. In this episode, he sits down with Anna DeShawn to discuss his rise to fame, the losses that shaped him, and how faith fuels his music. 📌 Inside This Episode: 🔥 The story behind his history-making success 💔 How grief transformed his artistry ✨ The spiritual side of songwriting 🏳️‍⚧️ The importance of queer...

This week on Queer News, we honor the lives of Sam andTahiry, two Black trans individuals whose tragic deaths remind us why we must continue to speak their names and fight for justice. In politics, Lambda Legal secures a major win for gender-affirming care, while the people protest in NYC after transgender and queer identities are erased from the Stonewall Monument website. Plus, Darian Aaron from...

The People Are Rising Up!  Family, wild and wicked don't even begin to describe the political chaos we're facing right now. But let me tell you—resistance is here. From the streets to the halls of Congress, leaders like Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Elizabeth Warren, and Maxine Waters are speaking out, and our legal warriors are taking these executive orders to court. In this episode, we break down the la...

This week, we kick off Black History Month with some powerful words from Doechii and a reminder: You are exactly who you need to be. 🌟 Anna breaks down the political landscape, from trans military bans to the erasure of LGBTQ+ resources from government websites. Plus, an uplifting story of resilience in Kentucky politics & a powerful response to corporate pride hypocrisy. 📢 In the News: 🏳️‍⚧️ Th...

This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn dives into the first chaotic days of the 47th presidency and the real-life impacts on our community. Plus, we're recapping the Creating Change conference—a true queer refuge in these wild and wicked times. From politics to culture, we've got you covered. 🎙️ Chanting for Change: Creating Change wrapped up with a powerful chant: "What side are you on? I'm on fre...

Today's episode drops on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the same day Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. What a juxtaposition. We reflect on what this moment means for our communities and why the work we do matters now more than ever. 🏳️‍🌈✊🏾 Here's what we cover today:   🏛️ Inauguration Day 2025: What to expect & why you might want to tune out ⚖️ ERA Declared the 2...

Anna DeShawn kicks off this episode with the fiery highlights of the year's first days and a heartfelt reflection on recent events that have shaped our community. From the staggering devastation of the LA fires to inspiring tales of resilience, this episode is a blend of activism, community, and laughter. 🌟 In This Episode: Hot Topics: Zuckerberg's alarming rollback on DEI initiatives and allowan...

Welcome to Season 4! It's a new year, and Anna DeShawn is back to guide us through Queer News where race and sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. While Anna takes time to reflect and recharge, we're revisiting a vital conversation with Mony Ruiz Velasco, Deputy Director of Equality Illinois. In this replay episode, Mony breaks down the actionable steps LGBTQ+ folks can take to safe...

As we close out 2024, our host Anna DeShawn takes us on a reflective journey through a year filled with triumphs, challenges, and moments that defined our community. This episode revisits an impactful interview with Nico Lang, author of American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era. Nico's work, highlighting the resilience and joy of trans youth, reminds u...

This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn wraps up the year with a mix of headlines and an exclusive interview you don't want to miss! 🌈 Headlines: The anti-trans provision snuck into a major military spending bill—the first federal anti-trans legislation passed in 30 years. Anna breaks it all down and highlights the senators who stood strong in support of trans rights. Remembering Troy Masters, LGBT...

Join Anna DeShawn, your favorite queer radio personality, as she winds down to the end of the year with a few top queer news headlines and an exclusive interview with Jordan Alexander.  Jordan Alexander, the breakout star of HBO Max's Gossip Girl reboot, describes herself as an unrelenting artist, blazing her own path in music and entertainment! In this episode of Queer News with Anna DeShawn: Jor...

Join Anna DeShawn, your favorite queer radio personality, for a power-packed episode of Queer News. This week, we dive into the Supreme Court case on trans healthcare bans—a historic moment for LGBTQ+ rights—with insights from ACLU attorney Chase Strangio and a look at the inspiring activism of Raquel Willis and Hope Giselle. Anna also celebrates the success of the Queer News merch line, shares a...

Join your favorite queer radio personality, Anna DeShawn, for this powerful Queer News World AIDS Day special. In this episode, we confront a critical yet under-discussed issue: the impact of HIV on Black women. Through heartfelt storytelling, historical context, and expert voices, Anna shines a light on systemic inequalities, cultural stigmas, and the resilience of Black women in the face of an e...

This week on Queer News with Anna DeShawn reports on Quanesha "Cocoa" Shantel, a Black trans woman who was murdered in Greensboro, North Carolina. In politics, Representative elect Sarah McBride has been banned from the women's bathroom in the US Capitol. In culture & entertainment, Jussie Smollett's conviction has been overturned in Illinois, BlaqueOut Magazine releases an interactive map to reme...

This week on Queer News with Anna DeShawn we remember trans pioneer Sir Lady Java. I'm still over this election. Can we start there? But there were a lot of wins by LGBTQ folks across the country so let's run those down. Nex Benedict's school district is found to have violated multiple Title IX violations. A group of fraternity bros decided to commit a hate crime, I'll tell you all about it, and l...