Judge defends trans inmates’ rights, Native Son celebrates Black gay brilliance and drag entertainers crash Trump’s Kennedy Center debut - June 16, 2025
Release Date: 06/16/2025
Queer News on E3 Radio
Family, this week on Queer News we’re watching blue states draw a legal line in the sand as they sue the Trump administration for attacking gender-affirming care. In a major win for reproductive justice, a federal judge blocks efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. In culture and entertainment, we celebrate the crowning of the first King of Drag, bid farewell to Dinah Shore founder Mariah Hanson, and get a much-needed laugh from TS Madison and Laverne Cox on Family Feud. Plus, I bring you Baldwin’s words, wisdom, and rage as we celebrate his birthday. Let’s get into it. Want to...
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Episode Description: Family, in politics this week on the Queer News podcast we talk about the U.S. Olympic Committee falling in line with Trump's executive order, George Santos is headed to prison and we honor the lives of Dream Johnson and poet Andrea Gibson. In culture and entertainment, Raheem DeVaughn stands up for Black women living with HIV, artist Amy Sherald pulls her work from the Smithsonian because of anti-trans censorship, and Laverne Cox opens up about a deeply personal love story with a right-wing Trump supporter. Let’s get into it. Want to support this podcast? ...
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Family, this is your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn and you’re listening to Queer News, your weekly pod where race & sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. Only on E3 Radio. This week, I’m coming to you with a heart full of gratitude and a story full of hope. Amidst a chaotic week caring for my family, a bright moment stopped me in my tracks: Lambda Legal won a massive legal victory that restored $6.2 million in funding to LGBTQ+ and HIV organizations. I knew we had to talk about it. So I sat down with Jose Abrigo, Lambda’s HIV Project Director, to...
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Episode Description: Family, this week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn honors the life of Jewel Thais-Williams, a Black lesbian pioneer who built spaces that saved our lives. In politics, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court clears the way to finally ban conversion therapy, while a sobering new report reveals foundation funding for LGBTQ+ causes has plummeted nearly 20%. In culture & entertainment, Artis restaurant keeps fighting to stay open, American Airlines refuses to back down under conservative pressure, and BET+ debuts House on Fire, a docuseries spotlighting the legendary House of Miyake...
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This week on Queer News, Anna DeShawn is holding space for the hard and the hopeful as Iowa becomes the first state to strip gender identity from civil rights protections, and UPenn caves to Trump’s threats, erasing Lia Thomas’ NCAA wins. We hear about the family of Chyna Long, a Black trans woman, finally getting some justice in court. Then there’s resilience too: nearly 100,000 march for Pride in Budapest despite a government ban, Noah’s Arc: The Movie makes Black queer history on Paramount+, and Chicago’s Artis restaurant fights to stay open after tragedy. From heartbreak to...
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Family, this is your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn, and this is Queer News — your favorite weekly news pod where race & sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. This week, we’re wrapping up Pride month with headlines you need to know: the Supreme Court keeps lifesaving HIV prevention free under the Affordable Care Act, Chicago is officially named the #1 safest travel destination for LGBTQ folks, and Netflix drops a powerful new documentary honoring ballroom legend Venus Xtravaganza. From legal wins to cultural milestones, let’s get into it. Want to...
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This week on Queer News, we begin with the sounds of the Gender Liberation movement, protesting the United States v. Skrmetti decision, which upholds Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. We remember Taylor Casey, who disappeared one year ago in the Bahamas, and report on the Trump administration’s cruel move to defund the LGBTQ youth lifeline. But there’s a spark of justice—Reagan-appointed judges are ruling for the people, declaring NIH grant cuts unconstitutional. And in Culture & Entertainment, joy wins with the long-awaited premiere of Noah’s Arc: The...
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In this episode of Queer News, Anna breaks down one of the most significant legal wins for trans rights this year—a federal judge blocking Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for incarcerated trans folks. We remember Laura Schueler, a beloved Black trans woman murdered in Cincinnati, and we honor the 49 lives lost at Pulse Nightclub nine years ago. Plus, we celebrate the power of protest and performance: four drag queens crashing Trump’s Kennedy Center return with defiance and dignity. Contributor Benjamin Coy takes us to the Native Son Gala, a night honoring the brilliance of...
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Family, this is your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn, and this is Queer News — your favorite weekly news pod where race and sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. This week’s episode is unlike any other because I’m fresh off the plane from WorldPride Washington, DC 2025 and bringing you a special edition filled with the powerful voices, moments, and movements that made the week unforgettable. In this special recap, Anna shares firsthand reflections from the week that brought LGBTQIA+ activists, artists, and leaders together from across the globe. From...
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In this special episode of Queer News, Anna drops the script and speaks directly from the heart. As Pride Month begins amidst a wave of political attacks, rising hate crimes, and corporate retreat, Anna reflects on the importance of joy as resistance and why we must never stop telling our stories. From celebrating her upcoming WorldPride panels in DC to spotlighting a heartbreaking hate crime in Illinois, this episode is raw, unfiltered, and full of fire. We also hear from contributor Jake Wittich of Windy City Times, who reports on a recent anti-LGBTQ hate crime in Illinois...
info_outlineIn this episode of Queer News, Anna breaks down one of the most significant legal wins for trans rights this year—a federal judge blocking Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for incarcerated trans folks. We remember Laura Schueler, a beloved Black trans woman murdered in Cincinnati, and we honor the 49 lives lost at Pulse Nightclub nine years ago.
Plus, we celebrate the power of protest and performance: four drag queens crashing Trump’s Kennedy Center return with defiance and dignity. Contributor Benjamin Coy takes us to the Native Son Gala, a night honoring the brilliance of Black gay and queer men. From the courts to the stage, from mourning to marching—this episode reminds us that resistance takes many forms and our stories will not be erased.
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00:26 Welcome to Queer News
01:37 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew
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02:31 Queer News Headlines
03:16 Judge Blocks Trump Ban on Transgender Healthcare in Federal Prisons
06:55 We Speak Her Name: Laura Schueler, Black Trans Woman Killed in Cincinnati
08:38 Navy to Erase Civil Rights Icons from Ship Names, Including Harvey Milk
12:48 9 Years After Pulse: Honoring Lives Lost, Fighting for Gun Safety
17:08 Native Son Gala Celebrates Black Queer Brilliance
19:33 Drag Queens Crash Trump’s Kennedy Center Return with Bold Defiance
22:45 Anna's Got A Word
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Politics
⚖️ Judge Blocks Trump Ban on Transgender Healthcare in Federal Prisons
A Reagan-appointed federal judge sides with trans inmates, ruling that gender-affirming care is a constitutional right—even under Trump’s executive orders.
🕊️ We Speak Her Name: Laura Schueler, Black Trans Woman Killed in Cincinnati
Laura’s death adds to the growing list of violence against trans women. Her community remembers her as a local icon, the “Beyoncé” of her city.
🚢 Navy to Erase Civil Rights Icons from Ship Names, Including Harvey Milk
Defense Secretary Hegseth pushes name changes to support Trump’s “warrior ethos,” sparking backlash from Democrats and LGBTQ leaders.
Culture & Entertainment
🕯️ 9 Years After Pulse: Honoring Lives Lost, Fighting for Gun Safety
We revisit a conversation with survivor Brandon Wolf and call for real action—because remembrance without reform isn’t enough.
🏆 Native Son Gala Celebrates Black Queer Brilliance
Contributor Benjamin Coy takes us inside the star-studded night uplifting Black gay and queer men making cultural change.
👑 Drag Queens Crash Trump’s Kennedy Center Return with Bold Defiance
Tara Hoot, Vagenesis, Mari Con Carne, and Ricky Rosé turn protest into performance, refusing to be erased despite bans and censorship.
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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.