Andrea Jenkins adds another first to her bio. This time she’s the first trans person elected to serve as president of a city council in the U.S. Rory Teasley, a TikTok star, was murdered by his boyfriend over a video game. A barbershop discriminated against a trans man by refusing to cut his hair. They said, “We don’t cut women’s hair”. Wow.

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

00:36 – The Qube Ad

00:59 – Intro Music

01:41 – Andrea Jenkins adds another first to her bio. This time she’s the first trans person elected to serve as president of a city council in the U.S.

03:13 – Rory Teasley, a TikTok star, was murdered by his boyfriend over a video game

04:40 – A barbershop discriminated against a transman by refusing to cut his hair. They said, “We don’t cut women’s hair”. Wow. 

05:53 – Anna’s Got a Word

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Family, this is your favorite Queer radio personality Anna DeShawn here with our Queer news from today.

Andrea Jenkins adds another first to her bio. This time she’s the first trans person elected to serve as president of a city council in the U.S. Rory Teasley, a TikTok star, was murdered by his boyfriend over a video game. A barbershop discriminated against a transman by refusing to cut his hair. They said, “We don’t cut women’s hair”. Wow. 

Our leading story for today is some good queer news. Politician Andrea Jenkins has achieved many firsts in her life. She was the first trans person elected to a major city’s governing body and one of the first o but trans people of color elected to any office in the nation. Well now, she is the first transgender person in the U.S. to be eleceted president of a city council. And I must say that Andrea wasn’t just elected she was elected by unanimous vote. She has served on the Minneapolis city council since 2017 and has seen the city through some of its darkest times including the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent Derek Chauvin trail and conviction. Andrea said after the vote, “We have a whole lot of work to do.”… “We represent a diversity of thought, of ideas and solutions to the most pressing issues of our time”. Annise Parker, president & CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund and the former mayor of Houston had this to say, “Andrea is an elected official who serves all, but relentlessly champions those most marginalized, bringing an unmatched ability to spark empathy across divisions and communities. Minneapolis will be a better city with her as president and her history-making election will inspire more trans people to run and lead.” I believe that Andrea is doing just that. Congratulations councilwoman Jenkins! 

Our next story for today is a shocking case out of Michigan. Are you a TikToker? If so, do you know Rory Teasley? His username on TikTok is @too2pump4tv. Rory had just over 220 thousand followers and was known for his viral dance and comedy videos, in which he called himself “Everybody Gay Bestfriend”. His most popular video accumulated over 2.5 million views and of course it was him dancing to Beyoncé’s “Freakum Dress”. Such a gay fav. He was funny, entertaining, and had really found his stride in the social media landscape. Well last Thursday, his boyfriend Docquen Watkins, of 10 years, called 911 and said that he & his boyfriend got into a fight and he was sleeping on the couch. By sleeping he meant he killed him. And get this family, its being reported he murdered him over a video game, Overwatch. Now how many of us believe it was just the video game? How many of us believe this was the first time he put his hands on Rory? I don’t. An individual doesn’t go from loving you one day to killing you the next. This is an incredibly sad story. Watkins is now being charged with second-degree murder. Rory was just 28 years old and his fans have left many heartwarming messages for him. 

And our last story for today is about a 20-year trans man who was going to get a haircut and was turned away and told “We don’t cut women’s hair”. The trans man didn’t want to be named in the story for safety reasons and chose to by James said, “I felt disgusted being treated like I didn’t even matter,” … “I felt so bad and ashamed of my body. Due to me being transgender, being called a woman is very hurtful and disrespectful.” James was truly taken aback given he’d gone to this same establishment 3 times previously to get his haircut. When a member of the media reached out to the barbershop they didn’t back down from the statement either saying they don’t specialize in long hair. What?! That doesn’t even make sense. Big ups to James for having the courage to speak out and share his experience. Getting your haircut or done is a sacred time. We all deserve to feel seen and comfortable in these spaces and we all know that isn’t always the case. That’s why Queer-specific barbershops like Barbara & Barbara are so necessary and I’m proud to say they’re in Chicago. 

Now let us close out today with a word from the “Manifest Now” book. My goal is to read a chapter a day and I’ve found morning reading is where it’s at for me. The excerpt for today is coming out of the chapter titled “Spirit – You are Beyond the Physical”. It says, “You must discipline your mind to avoid focusing on the how, why, and when. These are not matters you need to concern yourself with; indeed, obsessing over these details can slow down manifestation. Do not doubt that your manifestations will happen. This can affect the universal balance and prevent your dreams from becoming a reality. You cannot simultaneously believe that something will happen and that it will not. The two types of thought will cancel each other out”. Whew that first part that says avoid focusing on the how, why, and when. Isn’t that one of the biggest challenges. Releasing that control. Well try it. Allow things to flow into your life. Stop canceling out your manifestations. Be open. Trust your faith. Trust in a power greater than yourself. It’s going to happen for you. Till tomorrow family, peace. 

Sources

Andrea Jenkins Is Nation’s First Trans City Council President

https://www.advocate.com/politics/2022/1/11/andrea-jenkins-nations-first-trans-city-council-president

TikTok Creator Rory Teasley (2PUMP4TV) Dies After Boyfriend Allegedly Choked Him Over a Video Game

https://www.gayemagazine.com/post/tiktok-creator-rory-teasley-2pump4tv-dies-after-boyfriend-allegedly-choked-him-over-a-video-game

TikTok influencer Rory Teasley allegedly killed over video game dispute

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/01/tiktok-influencer-rory-teasley-allegedly-killed-video-game-dispute/

https://www.tiktok.com/@too2pump4tv

Andrea Jenkins becomes the first trans person elected President of a city council, TikTok star Rory Teasley is murdered by his boyfriend, a barbershop discriminates against a trans man – Thursday, January 13, 2022