Rash Nightclub was set on fire & the arsonist has been identified, Disney is in a battle with right-wing Republicans & Anna recommends a new podcast titled Stories All Around Us – Friday, April 22, 2022

Rash, the LGBTQ nightclub out of Brooklyn, New York that was set ablaze a couple of weeks ago by arsonists, announced that a suspect has been identified. Florida politicians look to punish Disney for standing up against the Don’t Say Gay legislation. I recommend a new podcast called Stories All Around Us. 

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

01:13 – E3 Radio Ad, Tune-in at https://e3radio.fm #QueerRadioDoneRight 

01:36 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

02:17 – Rash, the LGBTQ nightclub out of Brooklyn, New York that was set ablaze a couple of weeks ago by arsonists, announced that a suspect has been identified

03:31 – Floridia politicians look to punish Disney for standing up against the Don’t Say Gay legislation

04:59 – Anna recommends a new podcast titled Stories All Around Us

05:58 – Anna’s Got A Word

Things for you to check out 

GOFUNDME – Rash Bar Fire – Staff, Medical & Restoration Fund

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rashbarfire

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rash (@rash_nyc)

Stories All Around Us 

https://www.vanguardpn.com/storiesallaroundus

Earth Day Doodle from Google

https://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2022

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Transcript

Family, this is your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn with our queer news for today. If you enjoy what you hear rate & review us inside your fav podcasting app, okay. Also, last Wednesday I dropped an update on Brittney Griner. We have new information on how she’s been doing and how the WNBA plans to keep her top of mind throughout the season. I think it’s good & I’d love for you to take a listen and tell me what you think. If you do enjoy it and find it informative, share it with a friend. Now for the news.

Rash, the LGBTQ nightclub out of Brooklyn, New York that was set ablaze a couple of weeks ago by arsonists, announced that a suspect has been identified. Floridia politicians look to punish Disney for standing up against the Don’t Say Gay legislation. It’s Friday which means I’m recommending a new podcast. Today’s recommendation is Stories All Around Us. 

Our leading story for today is a follow up to a story I shared last week about Rash nightclub in Brooklyn, New York. Do y’all remember it? Rash, is a new LGBTQ nightclub that was set on fire while people were inside. The club reported that someone came into the bar, poured gasoline on the floor causing an explosion that set the bar in flames. They report that it all happened so fast and one of the bartenders thought the smoke was coming from a fog machine but then quickly realized he couldn’t breathe and everything was in flames. Thankfully everyone who was inside made it out but two people had to be taken to the hospital. Well, the Department of Justice issued a press release confirming that a suspect will be charged for the arson attack, John Lhota. They will be facing a minimum of 7 years and a max of 40 if convicted. The owners of Rash posted the prese release on Instagram and said they will be sleeping a little easier tonight. Rash has started a GoFundMe to support everyone directly affected. I’ve included a link to the GoFundMe in the show notes so if you have a few dollars please consider giving. 

Now onto the battle in Florida raging between Disney & the governor. As you all know Disney finally came out and denounced the Don’t Say Gay legislation after employees protested and held leadership to account. Well now Florida’s governor DeSantis has decided to dissolve the special taxing district which allows Disney to self-govern its theme park area. This bill was put into place in 1967 to allow Disney to have its own firefighters, road construction and building and zoning. To give some context, Disney is 25,000 acres which is twice the size of Manhattan and the size of San Francisco. The Florida counties where Disney is located can’t even handle the services on Disney’s properties if they tried but these politicians could care less. DeSantis and other right-wing Republicans are just looking to punish Disney and they are doing just that. I guess they figure if they can’t get Disney money through political donations they will get it through taxes. The bill passed the Florida senate 23-16 and now it moves to the House. I am reminded daily that the far right has taken over the Republican party and it’s scary if I’m being honest. 

It’s Friday which means I’m dropping another podcast recommendation for you. Today its Stories All Around Us is a podcast of the Vanguard Podcast Network powered by Afros and Audio. Stories All Around Us is an autobiography of the Black experience where they believe if you’ve lived long enough to form a sentence you have a story to tell, and it matters. Their mission is to record and share personal short stories that will open minds, expand worldviews and inspire storytellers around the country. Each episode features three storytellers who share their personal experiences around a singular topic; highlighting the fact that we are not a monolith while showcasing the diverse identities and perspectives of the Black experience. Hosted by Latrice Sampson Richards who will keep you engaged and grounded in each episode I definitely recommend you add this one to your list. 

Now today is Earth Day so I’d like to close by reminding all of us how important it is for us to protect our planet. Climate change & global warming are real and I love the Doodle Google has going today showing a time lapse of how the earth has changed just over the last 20 years. It’s wild to see the significant changes over such a small window of time. Check the show notes so you can look for yourself. Family, there are so many ways for us to do our part; sign up for a community cleanup, support sustainable fashion, bring your own water bottle vs. using plastic all the time. From what I hear literally every little bit counts. Choose to live a little greener today. Till Monday, peace. 

Sources

GOFUNDME – Rash Bar Fire – Staff, Medical & Restoration Fund

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rashbarfire

A Suspect Has Been Charged in the Arson Attack on Brooklyn LGBTQ+ Bar Rash

https://www.them.us/story/rash-brooklyn-arsonist-fundraiser-lgbtq-nightclub

Rach Nightclub Instagram – Press Release Post

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcV1UrwuW0g/

Florida Senate passes bill to strip Disney’s special self-governing status

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/florida-senate-passes-bill-strip-disney-special-self-governing-status-rcna25219?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-nbcout&utm_content=later-26263101&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio

Stories All Around Us 

https://www.vanguardpn.com/storiesallaroundus

Earth Day Doodle from Google

https://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2022