Queer News

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...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In politics, Denver public schools stand up to the Trump administration, a Texas A&M literature professor of more than 10 years was wrongfully terminated from her job. In culture & entertainment, an underground death doula network in Michigan is ensuring that LGBTQIA+ people die with...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In top news, Pope Leo plans to continue the welcoming tradition of Pope Frances for LGBTQ folks. In politics, Texas state representatives decide to take their state mandated police escorts to a gay bar. And down in Florida, Floridians are being arrested for coloring in the Pulse memor...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn is still celebrating her birthday so we're bringing you something special, a Chicago connection that runs deep. She sat down with singer-songwriter Jim Verraros , who you may remember from the very first season of American Idol , where he made history as the first openly gay contestant on national TV back in 2002. In this candid conversation, Jim reflec...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In politics, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker launches IL Pride Connect , the nation's first statewide LGBTQIA+ resource hub and legal hotline. Meanwhile, the Trump administration plans to ban transgender healthcare for federal workers in 2026 and promotes conversion therapy as an altern...

Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In politics, we celebrate Massachusetts' Shield Act 2.0 expanding protections for abortion and gender-affirming care, while keeping a close eye on a Supreme Court case threatening marriage equality. In culture and entertainment, a Black lesbian couple survives a racially charged roads...