Hands off our democracy, a liberal wins Wisconsin’s Supreme Court seat, and TS Madison cuts the ribbon on her Starter House - April 7, 2025

This week, we’re turning up the volume on resistance and resilience. From nationwide “Hands Off” protests to major political wins in Wisconsin and Montana, the people are making their voices heard. We also honor the lives of Linda Moran and Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz — two trans women taken too soon. In culture, I’ll take you to AIDSWatch on Capitol Hill, celebrate TS Madison’s game-changing Starter House, and gush over trans love in Survival of the Thickest. Let’s get into it, family — because our stories matter. ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🎙️

 

🗳️ In Politics This Week:

• Hands Off Our Democracy!: Over 1,200 protests in all 50 states demanding justice, economic equality, and protections for vulnerable communities.
  
  

• Wisconsin Victory: Liberal Judge Susan Crawford wins the most expensive state supreme court race in U.S. history — defeating a Trump-backed candidate and keeping the court’s liberal majority intact.
  
  

• Montana Pushback: A judge blocks an anti-trans bathroom bill, with support from trans legislators like Rep. Zooey Zephyr and SJ Howell leading the charge.
  
  

• We Speak Their Names:
  
  

• Linda Becerra Moran, a Latina trans woman in LA killed by police while in mental health crisis.
  
  

• Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz, a Black trans woman shot on Trans Day of Visibility in Alabama during a suspected setup.
  
  

 

🎭 In Culture & Entertainment:

• AIDSWatch 2025: Anna shares her powerful experience advocating on Capitol Hill with 560 advocates to fully fund HIV/AIDS services and Medicaid.
  
  

• TS Madison Starter House: TS launches a reentry home for formerly incarcerated Black trans women in Atlanta, offering housing, therapy, job help & more — fully people-funded!
  
  

• Trans Joy on Screen: Peppermint brings trans love & representation in Survival of the Thickest Season 2 — a show all about the happy endings we all deserve.
  
  

 

📝 Anna’s Word:

To honor National Poetry Month, Anna shares a portion of Ego Tripping by the legendary Nikki Giovanni — a tribute to Black womanhood, queer power, and flying high on our own terms.

 

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

 

00:00 - Welcome to Queer News

01:43 - Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 

02:02 - Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew

02:32 - Queer News Headlines    

03:09 - Hands Off Our Democracy!

05:16 - We Speak Their Names: Linda Becerra Moran and Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz    

10:17 - Montana Pushback

14:46 - AIDSWatch 2025    

18:12 - TS Madison Starter House    

19:47 - Trans Joy on Screen    

22:16 - Annas Got A word   

 

 

📣 Stay Connected

• Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, 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. 

📢 Queer News Tip Line: Got a story I should cover? Send it my way! https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 or email info at e3radio dot fm

🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew today! https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66

🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.

 

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

 

Interested in advertising?
Email: info at e3radio.fm

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

https://youtube.com/@e3radio 

🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨

 

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 every Monday by 9am CT. 

 

Edited by Ryan Woodhall. 

Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.