Tennessee bans drag entertainment, Mayor Lightfoot of Chicago loses re-election, a referee was banned because she’s a lesbian, and a Chicago legend is nominated for a GLAAD media award  – Monday, March 6, 2023

Now for the news. Tennessee did it. They’ve banned drag shows and so much more. Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses her bid to be re-elected as Mayor of Chicago. A Kentucky mom is banned from refereeing because she’s a lesbian. Chicago legend gets nominated for a GLAAD media award. Let’s go.

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

1:23 – Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here? Trailer

1:53 – Lost & Found for Podcasters Trailer

2:32 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

3:13 – Top Stories

3:38 – Tennessee bans drag entertainment 

6:15 – Mayor Lori Lightfoot

8:35 – Referee Banned for being a Lesbian

10:35 – Chicago legend gets nominated for a GLAAD media award

12:05 – Anna’s Word

12:52 – Outro

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The Stonewall Generation Has Found Their Voice with Leslie Jordan & Donald M. Bell

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Transcript

Family, it’s your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn with our queer news for today. Now, I want to make you a promise. We will continue to bring you the latest in queer news, culture, and politics every Monday by 7am CT. So, if you are digging our intersectional take on the weekly, consider joining the QCrew.

The QCrew is our monthly membership program we started to help us grow the podcast. You get weekly emails from me, exclusive interviews with LGBTQ influencers from across the country and beginning this year special behind the scenes footage too. With your support, we can bring you more stories celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Click the link in the show notes to join the QCrew today. 

Now for the news. Tennessee did it. They’ve banned drag shows and so much more. Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses her bid to be re-elected as Mayor of Chicago. A Kentucky mom is banned from refereeing because she’s a lesbian. Chicago legend gets nominated for a GLAAD media award. Let’s go.

Family, now for an update on Tennessee. You know last week we discussed the bill that was headed to the governor’s desk that would essentially ban drag shows. Well he signed it. Governor Bill Lee signed the bill which limits what they are calling in the bill “adult cabaret performances” on public property. Now if found guilty the performer could face a misdemeanor and repeat offenders a felony. You may be wondering how they define “adult cabaret”. The bill basically says anything, “that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers.” Y’all had to look up prurient. It means having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters. They’ve framed this whole bill as an act to protect children but isn’t that the parent’s responsibility? Republicans stay in other people’s business until it’s theirs and then its first amendments and whatever other BS they can come up with. The facts are the more visible LGBTQ folks and drag entertainers become the more anti-LGBTQ & anti-trans rhetoric we should expect. So, please know this is only the beginning for 2023. I have no doubt this same ignorance and hate will play out in other states to come. This law for Tennessee goes into effect on July 1st. 

In more political news, here in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not obtain enough votes to enter the runoff election to be the next mayor of Chicago. Maylor Lightfoot was the first Black lesbian mayor of Chicago and anywhere I traveled folks would ask about Mayor Lightfoot. I will say this, it is the first time in forty years the incumbent didn’t make the runoff. This hasn’t happened since the first woman was mayor, Jane Byrne. There needs to be some dialogue around that but that’s not what this story is about. She was running against 8 other candidates for the position and Paul Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago schools, will face Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union will face off in a runoff election April 4th. Vallas, endorsed by the racist fraternal order of police. Johnson, endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Chicago politics never disappoints so we will see how this all shakes down. 

Now let’s move on to Kentucky where a mom of six was asked to stop refereeing her kids’ basketball games because she’s a lesbian. Yup this happened. Church officials rang Ayanna Mckinney’s doorbell and told her she was banned. Now she claims church officials knew she was a lesbian in a relationship with children. But we all know how this goes. It takes one homophobe to speak up, the church has no backbone, then discrimination like this takes place. Ayanna’s wife Jesika told WCPO-TV, “We obviously see judgment or discrimination often within our world, but it’s an unimaginable experience when you are facing it personally.” Ayanna & Jesika are now making it their mission to make sure that flyers promoting this league are no longer promoted by the school system they live in. A district spokesperson told WCPO, “Based on what has happened to this family, in the future, we will ensure all flyers will be vetted through the lens of inclusion before approving them to be distributed in our schools.” That was refreshing to hear but you never know how that all will shake down. 

I must end this Queer News with some good news. One of our Chicago heroes and legend Mr. Donald M. Bell has been nominated for the GLAAD Media Award. He’s being nominated for Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia for his part in the video titled “The Stonewall Generation Has Found Their Voice with Leslie Jordan & Donald M. Bell”. Yes, the Leslie Jordan. Now let Don tell it and this nomination is coming because of the legend of Leslie Jordan but let me tell you Don is just that special to us here in Chicago. The GLAAD media awards are set to take place on March 30th in Los Angeles. Friends, one day we’ll be going to these awards with a nomination too. 

Let’s close out today’s podcast with some words from Marlon Riggs. He said, “I was born gay, just as I was born Black. It is necessary to constantly remind ourselves that we are not an abomination.” I don’t know who needs this word today but you are perfectly and wonderfully made. Never forget that. Today’s date incorporates 2222 which is a very powerful number. Look it up for yourself and pay attention to the signs. You are enough and your angels have your back. Till next week family, peace. 

Sources

Tennessee becomes first state in 2023 to restrict drag performances

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/02/politics/tennessee-ban-drag-show-performances-governor/index.html

Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/lori-lightfoot-becomes-first-chicago-mayor-40-years-lose-re-election-rcna71997

Lightfoot concedes but other LGBTQ+ candidates make inroads

https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Lightfoot-concedes-but-other-LGBTQ-candidates-make-inroads/74693.html

Kentucky Mom Banned From Working As Referee Because She’s Gay

https://blavity.com/kentucky-mom-banned-working-as-referee-because-shes-gay/kentucky-mom-banned-working-as-referee-because-shes-gay?category1=news&item=5

Kentucky Mom Banned From Refereeing Her Kid’s Basketball Game Because She’s A Lesbian

http://gomag.com/article/kentucky-mom-banned-from-refereeing-her-kids-basketball-game-because-shes-a-lesbian/