Lady Gaga’s Foundation Supports Two LGBTQ Orgs in Chicago, Jason Collins Speaks on Terminal Diagnosis & Cynthia Erivo Makes History Again

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 Golden Globe history, and the Teen Vogue X GLAAD 20 under 20 list is out! Let's get into it.

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03:24     A U.S Military Ban Update         

05:44     Trans Up Front Illinois Receives A Grant From A Familiar Face.         

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12:10     Jason Collins Releases A Diagnosis Update         

15:52     Cynthia Erivo Makes Golden Globe History         

17:35     Teen Vogue X GLAAD 20 under 20 list is out!         

19:35     Anna's Got A Word         

 

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This Week’s Top Story

 

A U.S Military Ban Update

Back in November we reported about the trans bans in the air force and how those affected are now without retirement plans and without respect from the US government. We now have an update as to how these bans were held up in the court of law. The U.S. The Court of Appeals ruled that the bans initiated by the Trump administration are to remain in place for now. These rapid changes in policy affect those who serve’s retirement, healthcare, etc and Admiral Rachel L. Levine knows the effects of these bans firsthand. Admiral Rachel L. Levine is a trans woman who previously worked for the Biden administration. To commemorate her time serving her country, her portrait is currently on display in Humphrey Building in Washington D.C. That portrait was recently tampered with. Levine’s nameplate was altered to read her deadname instead of her name.

 

This Week In Politics

 

Trans Up Front Illinois Receives A Grant From A Familiar Face.

The Born This Way Foundation has awarded the Trans Up Front Illinois organization funds from the 2025–2026 Kindness in Community Fund. If the The Born This Way Foundation org’s name sounds familiar that's due to the co-founder Lady Gaga. The Fund offers much more than just financial support, it also offers mental health support and resources to those in need. Trans Up Front Illinois is a part of the 55 organizations selected to receive the kindness in community fund.

Jason Collins Releases A Diagnosis Update

Family, we have an update on Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player. His family publicly announced back in September that Collins was battling a brain tumor. When reflecting back on that time Collins recounted that "They [his family] did that [announce the tumour] to protect my privacy while I was mentally unable to speak for myself and my loved ones were trying to understand what we were dealing with. But now it's time for people to hear directly from me."  It’s now been revealed by Collins himself that he is battling stage 4 Glioblastoma. 

This Week In Entertainment and Culture

 

Cynthia Erivo Makes Golden Globe History

Multi-hyphenate Cynthia Erivo continues to make history. The Golden Globe nominations came out this month and Cynthia has been nominated for “Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good. Cynthia is now the first Black woman nominated to be nominated in this category twice, and in a row at that. Cythina was also nominated in the same category for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked: Part One.

 

Teen Vogue X GLAAD 20 under 20 list is out!

The sixth annual GLAAD x Teen Vogue 20 under 20 list for 2025 is out. Each year since its inception in 2020, GLAAD and Teen Vogue have teamed up to celebrate 20 incredible changemakers who are under 20 years old! The portraits of this year's honorees were painted by George Hilton III and can be seen on GLAAD’s website. That's also where you can find the full list of honorees.

 

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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 drops every Monday by 9am CT. 

 

Edited by Ryan Woodhall. 

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