Queer News

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story contains a round up of anti-trans laws states are attempting to pass this year. In politics, We remember Jay Lee, and stand with California as they fight for trans youth. In culture and entertainment, The National Rainbow College Fund Launches Their 2026–27 Scholarship Program and Magic: The Gathering players raise more than $600,000 for Trans Liv...

This week on the Queer News podcast, Our top story is all about Don Lemon and the group of journalists arrested while covering the protests in Minneapolis. In politics, we dive into the twelve states suing the HHS, and USA Hockey's secret ban of trans athletes. In culture and entertainment, we take a look at the safest travel destinations for the LGBTQ+ community and the LGBTQ artists that won big...

This week on the Queer News podcast, Chicago has appointed Antonio King as the city's first Director of LGBTQ+ affairs. In politics, we have updates on the murders committed by ICE in Minneapolis. and. In culture and entertainment, we share the 2026 LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame inductees, we say goodbye to ballroom legend Boom Balenciaga, and we stand with Karamo as this Queer Eye drama unfolds.    W...

This week on the Queer News podcast Anna DeShawn shares a few top queer news stories and drops a special episode honoring the work of Coretta Scott King while celebrating everything Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was to the world. Just as Dr. King was called to this civil rights work, so was Coretta. History has put her in boxes that keep her narrative somewhere behind Martin's but no, not here o...

Family, this week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn kicks off Season 5 by honoring the historic legacy of Andrea Jenkins, the first out Black trans person elected to public office in the U.S., as she announces her retirement. In politics, we head back to Minneapolis to discuss the heartbreaking killing of Renee Good by ICE agents and look ahead to the Supreme Court, where the future of trans girls in sp...

Family, "Me and God gonna have a lot of talks about forgiveness on this one..." The holiday tradition continues! While we are still on our winter break, we are bringing you the conclusion of our annual end-of-year takeover with Kris and Shana of the Bad Queers Podcast. In Part 2, we're moving from the heat of July through the final moments of December to wrap up what can only be described as a "du...

Family, while the Queer News Podcast is on holiday break, we're bringing you a special gift: Part 1 of our annual end-of-year crossover with our favorite duo, Kris and Shana of the Bad Queers Podcast. 🏳️‍🌈 2025 was a "dumpster fire" of a year politically, but culturally? It belonged to the icons. We're calling it The Niecy Nash Year and in this first half of our recap, we're breaking down the top...

Family, we are in holiday mode here at the Queer News podcast which means it's time for rest and some interviews. This week we're bringing some inspiring holiday voicemails to help you get through this season and an interview centering purpose to help us get our lives right together as we enter 2026. As Marvin says, "Purpose is a vehicle, and purpose has the ability to take you in the right direct...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, Trans Up Front Illinois received a big grant from Lady Gaga's foundation. In politics, we have a disappointing update on the U.S military ban. In culture and entertainment, Jason Collins shares that he has been diagnosed with stage four brain cancer, Cynthia Erivo makes G...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, the Victory Institute held its 41st gathering of LGBTQ+ politicians from around the world and I was there. I'm going to tell you all about it. In politics, the USA received an 'F' on the 2025 Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers Report.  The Girl Scouts of the UK, GirlGu...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news,we mourn the loss of viral trans Tiktoker Girlalala. In politics, a Philadelphia judge blocks Trump's subpoena targeting trans kids' medical records, and we honor world AIDS day while the Trump administration refuses to acknowledge it. In culture and entertainment, We upli...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, the community gathered to celebrate the life of Miss Major in New York City at Riverside Church then the church decided to abruptly end the services an hour early. In politics, 17 trans Air Force members are suing Trump for their retirement benefits. In culture and entert...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, we have an update on the Supreme Court's decision to toss out Kim Davis's appeal on marriage equality and Anna takes a look at future Supreme Court cases. In politics, Texas issued a partial drag performance ban because they can't stop thinking about us. In culture & ente...

Family, this week on Queer News we welcome our contributor Benjamin Coy for a beautiful celebration of love and family! Benjamin sits down for an exclusive, cozy chat with Scott Hoying of Pentatonix and his husband Mark Manio. They break down their exciting new chapter: marriage, becoming dads, and why they wrote their holiday children's book, Fa La La Family. Learn how this couple is championing...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. Our top story breaks down the victories across the board after November 4th's election day. Continuing in politics, Anna revisit's the topic of George Santos in light of his recent commutation granted by Trump and discuss the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on a case that could effe...

Family, this week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community, and this one is all about power through unity! We have an exclusive interview with national and local leaders from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC): Nik (VP of Strategic Initiatives) and Stephen (Chicago Steering Committee). They break down the organization's essential work, led by th...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In our top story, we mourn the life of Lia Smith. In politics, Anna analyzes the Texas ruling that now allows judges to refuse the unification of same-sex marriage, and uplift how LGBTQIA+ food pantries are stepping up in the loss of SNAP benefits for millions of people. In culture an...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, we mourn the life of Tiara Love Tori Jackson. In politics, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of a trans athlete who faced discrimination at a powerlifting competition, and across the US we take a look at the aftermath of harmful legislation. In culture & entertai...

Family, this week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community and this one is critical in the fight for our rights. We have a powerful, breaking news interview with Chicago's own Alderperson Jesse Fuentes (26th Ward), who was illegally handcuffed by ICE agents at Humboldt Park Health hospital simply for asking about a signed warrant. Hear direct...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, we honor the life and legacy of transgender rights activist Miss Major. The Supreme Court ruled for parents in Maryland to opt-out of LGBTQIA+ education and only 0.03% of parents followed through. In culture & entertainment, Queer News wins big at the Black Podcasting Awa...

Family, this week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community, and this one is pure joy! We sit down for an exclusive, celebratory chat with Kirrin Finch founder Kelly as they celebrate 10 years of radically inclusive, gender-defying fashion. Kelly shares the personal journey and the entrepreneurial fight behind creating a clothing brand that is...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, The Queer News Podcast has been nominated for four Black Podcast Awards! In politics, The Supreme Court is looking at 3 major cases that could impact the LGBTQIA+ community, and in Chicago Alderperson Jesse Fuentes was briefly handcuffed by ICE. In culture & entertainment...

One year ago, the Purple Tie Affair was cancelled. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of resilience, community, and radical vision, raising an incredible $30,000 for Black queer media. In a deeply personal opening, Anna DeShawn pulls back the curtain on the emotional journey: from losing a major sponsor to rebuilding with grassroots support. She shares why this victory, powered by commun...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, California lawmakers pass a bill to protect the medical data of Transgender people, a Bipartisan bill was introduced to reinstate the LGBTQIA+ suicide emergency hotline, and former Vice President Kamala Harris tells all in a new memoir detailing her 107 day presidential c...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, The Okra Project Expands Nationwide with BetterHelp to Deliver Free Mental Health Care for Black Trans Communities. In politics, In a 6-3 vote the Supreme Court declined to immediately overrule a lower court's block on South Carolina's bathroom ban law, Texas A&M presiden...