Queer Radio Done Right

This week Anna DeShawn is joined by Peggy Gillespie, co-founder & Director of Family Diversity Projects. She’s also a journalist and author who has released a new book titled “Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families”. The book is filled with 35 first-person accounts accompanied by beautiful imagery to challenge damaging myths and stereotypes about trans and nonbinary people. In addition to Peggy, I was joined by two people who contributed their stories to the book; Lana & Fresh. All four of us have such a beautiful conversation about why this book is so important right now. I really think you’re going to enjoy this conversation so stay close because after this quick break we’ll be back with Peggy, Lana & Fresh talking about Authentic Selves.

This week Anna DeShawn I welcome back Samiya Bashir, an award winning poet, author, and today the executive director of Lambda Literary. Lambda Literary is the hub for queer writers and the work they do today is so crucial given the unprecedented attacks on queer literature. We talk about these book bans, The Lammy’s which is the premiere award show for LGBTQ writers and how Lambda Literary is supporting our next generation of queer writers. I really think you’re going to enjoy this conversation so stay close because of this quick break we’ll be back with Samiya Bashir.

This week Anna DeShawn wants to introduce to some and re-introduce to others Wyn Starks. Wyn is a Nashville-based pop-soul vocalist who dropped on the scene after his mic drop appearance on America’s Got Talent last season. His monumental audition, which paid homage to his late twin brother, accumulated over 5.1 million YouTube views and earned TWO standing ovations. Shortly after AGT, “Who I Am” emerged as a breakout single that cracked Billboard’s Top 15 AC, adult contemporary, charts and became the 9th most-played record in the U.S. on AC radio in March. We talk about the impact of “Who I Am”, the untimely death of his twin brother, growing up in a religious family, being laid off from his hospitality job due to the COVID pandemic, and so much more.

This week Anna DeShawn is in conversation with Brandon Wolf. Brandon is a pulse survivor, LGBTQ advocate & recent author. Since surviving Pulse where he lost two of his best friends his life has never been the same. He took that tragedy and became an activist for gun safety and LGBTQ rights. Today, he is the press secretary for Equality Florida in the midst of the hate storm that is Ron DeSantis. We talk about how he’s finding hope right now, what life looks like for queer folks in Florida and of course his new book “A Place for Us”.

Anna DeShawn had the honor of interviewing Tre’vell Anderson, an award-winning journalist, social curator, & world changer who always comes to slay! Tre’vell has written a book called We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film. This book is a groundbreaking look at the history of transgender representation in TV and film, by an of-the-moment and in-demand culture reporter. Learn more about Tre’vell and the book in this E3 Radio exclusive.

During this interview, Anna DeShawn, the host of the Ambie award-winning Queer News podcast, sits down with Brandon Johnson, a Chicago mayoral candidate. With the mayoral election runoff between Johnson and Paul Vallas looming on April 4, 2023, this interview is driven by community questions and concerns. 

Throughout the conversation, Johnson touches on a range of topics, including his plans for public safety, taxing the rich, and his LGBTQ priorities.

As a progressive candidate, Johnson’s platform centers on issues of equity, justice, and representation for all residents of Chicago. In this interview, he outlines his strategies for addressing the city’s most pressing challenges and creating a Chicago that works for everyone.