Koko Da Doll’s murderer turns himself in to police, Dwyane Wade shares why his family doesn’t live in Florida, Noah’s Arc is coming back & Yellowjackets star Liz Hewson withdraws from Emmy consideration – Monday, May 1, 2023

Now for the news. The person who murdered Black trans actor Koko Da Dall has turned themselves in. Protests in Florida heat up as legislators introduce more anti-LGBTQ legislation. Dwyane Wade shares why his family doesn’t live in Florida anymore. Noah’s Arc is making a comeback this year and Yellowjackets star Liv Hewson withdraws from Emmy considerations because of the gendered categories. Let’s go.

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

1:24 – Buy a Queer News Ad Spot, https://bit.ly/SponsorQueerNews 

2:02 – Today’s Top Stories

2:30 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

3:17 – A suspect has been charged with killing Koko Da Doll

6:32 – Pro LGBTQ protests in Florida

11:13 – Dwayne Wade shares why his family doesn’t live in Florida

14:16 – Lost & Found for Podcasters Trailer

14:55 – Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here? Trailer

15:33 – Noah’s Arc is coming back

18:17 – Liv Hewson withdraws from Emmy consideration

20:30 – Anna’s Word

23:30 – Outro

Things for you to check out

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D. Smith on the passing of Koko Da Doll

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The Blog Post by Chat GPT

The latest episode of the Queer News podcast, hosted by Anna DeShawn, covered a range of important topics related to the LGBTQ+ community. First, DeShawn reported on the arrest of the person who murdered Koko Da Doll, a Black trans actor. Jermarcus Jernigan, a 17-year-old, has turned himself in to the Atlanta police, and is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm. While the motive behind the killing is unknown, DeShawn emphasized the rarity of such arrests in cases involving Black trans women, and expressed hope that it would provide some closure to Koko’s family.

Next, DeShawn discussed the ongoing protests against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida, where lawmakers have introduced a number of bills aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. The protesters included RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Detox and Roxxxy Andrews, who spoke out against Senate Bill 1438, which could ban children from attending adult live performances such as drag shows. The protesters emphasized the cultural significance of drag as a form of artistic expression and vowed to fight back against policies that harm the LGBTQ+ community. DeShawn also drew attention to Senate Bill 254, which would allow the state to take temporary “physical custody” of minors receiving gender-affirming care, and the Florida House of Representatives’ approval of three anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including one that could be used to separate transgender children from their affirming parents during custody battles.

DeShawn also highlighted Dwayne Wade’s recent decision to move his family out of Florida due to the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Wade, who has a transgender daughter, spoke about the challenges faced by parents of trans children in red states and the need to fight for their rights and freedoms. While acknowledging that moving out of a state is a privilege not available to everyone, DeShawn urged listeners to support community organizations committed to fighting homophobia and transphobia and to donate to groups like Equality Florida, which are working to combat the hateful legislation.

The episode also included ads for other podcasts and a brief discussion of the upcoming reboot of Noah’s Arc, a popular Black gay TV series from the early 2000s. In addition, DeShawn reported on Yellowjackets star Liv Hewson’s decision to withdraw from Emmy nominations because of the gendered categories, highlighting the ongoing need for more inclusive and equitable representation in the entertainment industry.

Overall, the Queer News podcast provided an informative and intersectional perspective on the latest news, culture, and politics related to the LGBTQ+ community. The episode highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by members of the community and the need for continued activism and support to achieve equality and justice for all. The podcast also encouraged listeners to join the QCrew, a monthly membership program that provides exclusive content and helps to support the growth of the podcast. As DeShawn promised, the podcast will continue to bring listeners the latest queer news every Monday, providing a much-needed platform for voices that are too often ignored or marginalized in mainstream media

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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. The person who murdered Black trans actor Koko Da Dall has turned themselves in. Protests in Florida heat up as legislators introduce more anti-LGBTQ legislation. Noah’s Arc is making a comeback this year and Yellowjackets star Liv Hewson withdraws from the Emmy nominations because of the gendered categories. Let’s go. 

Family, two weeks ago I reported on the murder of Ashley Burton. A Black trans woman who was killed in Atlanta and found outside her apartment complex. Then last week, I reported on another Black trans woman who was murdered in Atlanta, Rasheeda Williams who the world knew as Koko Da Doll. Koko was a rising star in the entertainment industry who is featured in the hit 2023 Sundance Film Festival documentary “Kokomo City.” Well this week I have some news about Rasheeda’s investigation. Her murderer turned himself in to the police. His name is Jermarcus Jernigan. He’s 17 years old, basically a baby himself, and no motive has been shared with the police. The Atlanta police department was able to establish probable cause and secure warrants for murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm. I wonder what compelled him to do that.  Either way he is in custody now and I hope that gives Rasheeda’s family some peace. So often the cases of Black trans women go unsolved. I can count on one hand where I’ve had the opportunity to share a suspect is in custody in a case only a handful of times as it relates to a Black trans woman being murdered. I’m sure her celebrity had a lot to do with it. 

In political news, let’s talk Florida because there is much to discuss. The chats that you just heard were from protesters this week inside of the Tallahassee legislature. They were protesting against the anti-trans legislation being proposed and passed in Florida. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Detox and Roxxxy Andrews joined that fight against Republican lawmakers’ anti-LGBTQ+ bills being passed in Florida. They were among the hundreds of protesters who showed up at the state capitol building on April 25th to protest the passing of Senate Bill 1438, also known as the Protection of Children Act, which could ban children from attending adult live performances, including drag shows. The protest aimed to educate people on the cultural significance of drag as a form of artistic expression and to resist policies that harm the LGBTQ+ community. The activists chanted, “Drag is not a crime” and vowed to fight back against the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Senate bill 254 that has been introduced in Florida. This law would allow the state to take temporary “physical custody” of minors receiving gender-affirming care. The Florida House of Representatives has approved three anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including one that could be used to separate transgender children from their affirming parents during custody battles. The bill would classify gender-affirming care for minors as a form of “serious physical harm” that courts could cite to justify taking “physical custody of the child” during custody enforcement hearings. Additionally, state funds would be prohibited from providing gender-affirming care, adding to the confusion about those rules in Florida. Lambda Legal attorney Carl Charles said Republicans are “taking aim at ‘lower hanging fruit’ of gender variance” after losing their war against gay marriage.

Now all this leads to the reasons why Dwayne Wade has spoken out about moving his family out of Florida. He recently did an interview with Rachel Nichols and here is what he had to say.  

This is the very reality of many parents who have trans children in these red states. They are choosing to leave so their children can have the rights and freedoms of everyone else. I will also say this is such a privilege to be able to move your entire life out of a state. Not everyone can do that and it was for them that we fight. We must fight for their equality treatment under the law. 

If you’re wondering how you can support, I suggest volunteering at a community organization committed to the fight against homophobia and transphobia. If you have the means I suggest giving to organizations like Equality Florida who are out here on the front lines fighting this hateful legislation. 

Now is a good time for us to take a quick break and hear from a couple of our sponsors. We’ll be right back. 

Family, welcome back. Now let’s get into some culture and entertainment news. 

In some of the BEST news I’ve heard late, Noah’s arc is making a come back. Yes, the Noah’s arc. This beloved drama series about the lives and relationships of four Black gay men, is officially returning to the small screen in 2023. Director Patrik-Ian Polk confirmed the news while accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award at the second annual SpeakOut “I AM” Awards in D.C. last night. The original cast was in attendance to celebrate Polk’s achievement. Noah’s Arc, which originally ran from 2005-2006, broke ground for focusing on the love lives and relationships of Black gay men during a time where there was still not very much representation for LGBTQ+ people of color in media.

Are y’all familiar with Yellowjackets? I’m totally not. It’s a show centers on the members of a high school soccer team called the Yellowjackets that survived a plane crash in the wilderness. It’s on Showtime.  Liv Hewson, a nonbinary actor who plays Van on the second season of Yellowjackets, has withdrawn from Emmys consideration due to the awards’ binary-gendered categories. “It would be inaccurate for me to submit myself as an actress. It neither makes sense for me to be lumped in with the boys,” Hewson explained. Although the Emmys announced in 2021 that actors may choose to have the gender-neutral term “performer” listed on their nomination certificates, the binary awards categories remain. Withdrawing from awards contention has increasingly become a form of protest for nonbinary performers, who are calling for an end to gendered categories at award shows.

Let’s close out the show honoring the legend that is Harry Belafonte. We lost him this week and it was one of those moments where we realize we’ve lost a true American hero. He did what so many actors of his time didn’t have the courage to do which was speak truth to power. He has a quote that says, “Artist are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s anchor. We are the compass for humanity’s conscience.” Whew. I know that’s how I feel about this work we’re doing with Queer News. 

Till next week family, peace. 

Sources

Teen arrested in fatal shooting of transgender woman featured in documentary

https://abc7ny.com/teen-arrested-in-fatal-shooting-of-transgender-woman-featured-in-do/13190772/

Drag Race legends join ‘fight back’ against Ron DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ+ agenda: ‘Humbled and grateful’

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/26/florida-ron-desantis-drag-queen-protest-detox-roxxy-andrews/

Florida Advanced a Bill That Could Separate Trans Kids From Affirming Parents

https://www.them.us/story/florida-anti-trans-legislation-kids-parents

Dwyane Wade Explains Why He Moved Out of Florida: “My Family Would Not Be Accepted”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/dwyane-wade-why-he-moved-out-of-florida-ron-desantis-1235405336/

Noah’s Arc Will Officially Be Returning This Year

https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/noahs-arc

Nonbinary Yellowjackets Star Liv Hewson Withdraws From Emmys Consideration

https://www.them.us/story/yellowjackets-liv-hewson-nonbinary-emmys