Season 5 Premiere: Honoring the Legacy of Andrea Jenkins, Remembering Renee Good & Las Culturistas Apologizes

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 sports hangs in the balance. In culture and entertainment, the boys of Las Culturistas are catching smoke for their comments on Jasmine Crockett, and gospel legend Donnie McClurkin faces a shocking lawsuit that brings the "pray the gay away" conversation back to the forefront. Let's get into it. 

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03:17     Queer News Headlines        

04:00     Honoring the Historic Legacy of Andrea Jenkins     

08:12     Renee Good Should Still Be Here     

13:19     Trans Youth Sports Take the Stand at the Supreme Court     

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20:12     Las Culturistas Catch the Smoke After Jasmine Crockett Comments     

24:21     Gospel Legend Donnie McClurkin Faces SA Lawsuit     

28:50     Anna's Word    

 

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This week’s episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from the Season 5 premiere.

This Week’s Top Story

Honoring the Historic Legacy of Andrea Jenkins

In a move that marks the end of an era, Andrea Jenkins, the first openly Black transgender woman elected to public office in the U.S., has announced her retirement from the Minneapolis City Council. Since her historic 2017 win, Andrea has led through "tumultuous" times, serving as Council President, navigating the 2020 uprisings, a pandemic and managing an MS diagnosis with grace. Now, she is returning to her first loves, poetry and family. We honor her as a possibility model who didn’t just break the glass ceiling, she held the door open for everyone behind her.

This Week In Politics

Renee Good Should Still Be Here

The Minneapolis community is reeling following the killing of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by an ICE officer, less than a mile from where George Floyd was murdered. Despite federal attempts to characterize Renee as a "domestic terrorist," eyewitnesses and local officials are disputing the claims. Renee’s wife, Becca, describes her as a woman who "literally sparkled." In a historic show of community support, a GoFundMe for the family amassed $1.5 million in days, which the family has moved into a trust. We continue to demand accountability for this federally sanctioned violence.

Trans Youth Sports Take the Stand at the Supreme Court

Tomorrow, January 13th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for Hecox v. Idaho and B.P.J. v. West Virginia. At the center of the storm is 15-year-old Becky Pepper-Jackson, who just wants to play middle school track and field. Despite having no "biological advantage" and having transitioned in the 6th grade, Becky is fighting state laws that aim to ban trans girls from sports. With a 6-3 conservative lean, the stakes for trans inclusion in public life have never been higher.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

Las Culturistas Catch the Smoke After Jasmine Crockett Comments

The award-winning podcast Las Culturistas found itself in hot water this week. Hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang faced major backlash after Matt suggested on-air that listeners shouldn't give their money to Jasmine Crockett, the Black congresswoman known for standing up to MAGA extremism. Following a justified social media firestorm, both hosts issued apologies. It’s a reminder that once your voice hits the internet, accountability is the only way forward.

Gospel Legend Donnie McClurkin Faces SA Lawsuit

Gospel icon and "reformed homosexual" Donnie McClurkin is facing a lawsuit from a former assistant alleging years of sexual abuse. The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, claims the abuse began during "pray the gay away" sessions after he sought McClurkin’s help to overcome what the pastor calls the "curse of homosexuality." While McClurkin denies the claims, the lawsuit highlights the deep trauma and manipulation often found in conversion therapy spaces. As Anna says: "You can't pray away something that was God-given."

Anna’s Word

The Bears’ BIG win over the Packers (against a 4% chance!) is a reminder: What God has for you, is for you. No matter the odds or what seem like insurmountable odds, keep your head up and stay on purpose.

 

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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.