Now for the news. A Tennessee judge rules their anti-drag law unconstitutional. Iowa signs its own version of “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Adidas is another brand catching hate for its pride collection and Out on Film is raising money for its Filmmaker Fund. Let’s go!

00:00 – Leave Queer News a voicemail for PRIDE 🌈, https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/12/a7mpvs34mswsoo7e 

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2:17 – Subscribe to Rebound Revolution, https://pod.link/reboundrev 

2:50 – Top News Stories

3:23 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

4:02 – Tennessee’s anti-drag law ruled unconstitutional

7:29 – Iowa’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation is now law

10:50 – Lipstick & Lace White Party Ad, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068303690277 

* Buy a Queer News Ad Spot, https://bit.ly/SponsorQueerNews 

11:40 – Pride Shoutout for Jamilia Bryant, https://pushforwarddevelopment.com 

12:25 – Homophobes come for Adidas’ Pride Collection

14:31 – Support Out on Film’s Kickstarter

15:54 – Anna’s Word

17:05 – Outro

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The Blog Post by Chat GPT

Welcome to our website, where we bring you the top queer news stories of the week. I’m Anna DeShawn, your favorite queer radio personality, and it’s Pride Month! Let’s take a moment to celebrate our identities and the incredible love and diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. We want to hear from you, whether you’re queer, an ally, or a comrade. Share with us why you love being queer or supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Together, let’s remind ourselves of our magic and the beauty of being wonderfully made.

This week, we witnessed a groundbreaking victory in Tennessee’s fight against discrimination. A judge appointed by former President Donald Trump ruled the state’s anti-drag law, known as the Adult Entertainment Act (AEA), unconstitutional. The law, signed by Republican Governor Bill Lee, aimed to restrict drag shows under the guise of regulating “adult entertainment.” However, the judge emphasized that such laws must be narrow and well-defined to respect individuals’ constitutional rights. This unexpected triumph highlights the importance of having judges who value our lives and defend our freedoms.

Unfortunately, not all news is positive. Iowa recently enacted its version of the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, which prohibits discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in grades K-6 and requires schools to forcibly out transgender students. Additionally, the bill removes essential information about HIV and AIDS from the state’s curriculum standards. These regressive measures pose risks to our community and hinder education and acceptance.

As we continue our battle against LGBTQ+ discrimination, we face an alarming number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures. In 2023 alone, 530 such bills have emerged across the country. Shockingly, 18 states have banned medically necessary care for trans youth, while 21 states have passed school sports bans specifically targeting trans girls. Three states have even implemented forced outing laws for transgender kids in schools. We must support organizations like the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) who work tirelessly to challenge these harmful laws. Consider donating to the NCLR to help them combat this wave of hate and protect our rights.

In the realm of culture and entertainment, Adidas recently launched its “Let Love Be Your Legacy” Pride collection. This collaboration with South African queer designer Rich Mnisi includes a pride swimsuit modeled by a male-presenting individual. Unfortunately, this sparked backlash from homophobes who attacked trans inclusion in sports. However, Adidas took a firm stance by choosing not to respond, demonstrating their unwavering support for LGBTQIA+ advocacy and self-acceptance.

Lastly, let’s spotlight Out on Film, the esteemed Atlanta LGBTQ+ Film Festival. With 35 remarkable years of sharing queer stories, they have now established a Filmmaker Fund to provide critical support to LGBTQ+ artists. Your contribution can make a tangible difference in the future of independent film. By donating, you help Out on Film offer cash awards, project funds, and educational programs that nurture and sustain queer voices. Let’s support this worthy cause and empower queer filmmakers to share their stories with the world.

As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s important to reflect on the triumphs and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s unite in the power of understanding, acceptance, and solidarity. Elliot Page’s words resonate deeply: “This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.” Together, let’s strive for a kinder, more inclusive world.

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Transcript

Family, it’s your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn and it’s pride. Happy freaking pride month. This month I want to hear from you. Tell us why you love being queer. Why you love being an ally or a comrade to the LGBTQ community. I want to share them this month and remind us why we are magical humans who are beautifully and wonderfully made.

Cool. So you already know a link to leave us a voicemail is in the show notes. I really hope to hear from you. Yes you. I want to hear from you. 

Now, if you’re driving go ahead and make a mental note. If you’re at your computer go ahead and make a calendar reminder so you don’t forget. Alright let’s take a quick break for our sponsors we love so much. 

Now for the news. A Tennessee judge rules their anti-drag law unconstitutional. Iowa signs its own version of “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Adidas is another brand catching hate for its pride collection and Out on Film is raising money for its Filmmaker Fund. Let’s go! 

Family, today in politics I’ve got to talk about the groundbreaking victory in Tennessee. A judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has ruled that the state’s anti-drag law, known as the Adult Entertainment Act (AEA), is unconstitutional. Yea you heard me right. A Trump appointed judged voted in favor of the gays. This was a victory I didn’t see coming. The law, signed by Republican Governor Bill Lee in March, aimed to restrict drag shows under the guise of regulating “adult entertainment.” However, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, in a two-day trial, found that the law violated the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech.

Judge Parker, in his ruling, emphasized the importance of narrow and well-defined laws that respect individuals’ constitutional rights. He stated, “The Tennessee General Assembly can certainly use its mandate to pass laws that their communities demand. But that mandate as to speech is limited by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which commands that laws infringing on the Freedom of Speech must be narrow and well-defined. The AEA is neither.”

I mean in judge speak he told them off. Sometimes it’s hard to tell but it’s there. Lol. This lawsuit happened because of the Friends of George’s. Friends of George’s is a drag-centric theater group based in Memphis. They said the ruling was a triumph over hate and emphasized the importance of standing against bigotry. Melissa Stewart, one of the lawyers representing Friends of George’s, expressed relief on Twitter, saying, “And just like that, drag remains legal in Tennessee.”

Literally just like that. So the next time don’t y’all rush through your judges’ votes on the ticket. Judges are often the last line of defense for some of these hateful laws and we need judges in place that value our lives and humanity.  

Keep fighting Tennessee. Keep fighting. 

In more political news, Iowa has just signed its own version of the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation this passed week. Let me break it down for you. The new law bans classroom discussions that touch on LGBTQ+ topics in grades K-6, and also requires schools to forcibly out transgender students. In addition, this bill would remove information about HIV and AIDS from required curriculum standards in the state. How does any of this help anyone? It just doesn’t. It puts them more at risk. 

I got an email this week from the National Center for Lesbian Rights. If you don’t get their emails you should fix that and subscribe. I get their emails all the time but this one included stats that I wanted to share with you. 

There have been 530 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures in 2023 

• 18 states have banned medically necessary care for trans youth, but only 10 are being challenged in court. 
• 21 states have passed school sports bans, many specifically targeting trans girls between the ages of 5 and 17, but only 5 are being challenged. 
• 3 states have passed forced outing laws for transgender kids in schools, none are being challenged. 
• Many states have passed bathroom bans and Don’t Say Gay or Trans laws, only two are being challenged.

They shared these stats and I had to sit back like wow. How do we combat all these hate if our LGBT organizations can’t keep up with it and it’s not because they don’t want too. They just literally can’t afford too. The caseload is wild. I’ve included a link in the show notes in case you want to give to NCLR and the work they’re doing. 

Now let’s take a quick break. Hear from a couple of our sponsors and then jump into some good queer news. 

Now let’s jump into our culture and entertainment news with Adidas. For Pride, Adidas dropped their “Let Love Be Your Legacy” line and the homophobes were ready okay. They were keyboard thumping before anyone could blink an eye. This pride collection is a collaboration with South African queer designer Rich Mnisi. Whats got these homophobes in such a tizzy is a pride swimsuit modeled by a male-presenting model. Mnisi explained that the collection was inspired by a love letter he wrote to his younger self and aims to promote self-acceptance, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and allyship. 

Anti-trans figures like Oli London and Sharron Davies, who have been vocal against trans inclusion in sports, were quick to join use hashtags like #AdidasHatesWomen and claimed that trans inclusion was an assault on femininity.

We know this rhetoric all to well. I reported on it just last week as I discussed Bud Light, Target, & The North Face. You want to know whats different for Adidas. They just chose not to respond at all. The entire line is still up. The models have not changed. And their business is still standing. Sometimes not saying anything at all can work too. 

For our last story today, I want to amplify Out on Film, the esteemed Atlanta LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Recognized as the 2023 Best Film Festival by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award, Out on Film has been sharing LGBTQ+ stories for 35 remarkable years.

Now, they are launching a Filmmaker Fund to provide critical support to queer artists. By donating to this campaign, you can make a tangible difference in the future of independent film. Your contributions will enable Out on Film to offer cash awards, project funds, and educational programs that nurture and sustain queer voices.

Every dollar counts. Y’all know I’ve been talking about your time, talent, & treasure. I’m sure they could use all 3 but this one is specifically for that treasure. They are currently at $6,865 when I recorded this story. The goal is $10,000. With your help I know they can get it done. You know a link is in the show notes so you can give today. 

Now for my word today. Let’s close out the podcast with a word from Elliot Page. You know Elliot just recently dropped their memoir PAGEBOY which you need to scoop asap. He said, ““The act of writing, reading, and sharing the multitude of our experiences is an important step in standing up to those who wish to silence and harm us. Books have helped me, saved me even, so I hope this can help someone feel less alone, feel seen, no matter who they are or what path they are on.” That’s why we are here producing this podcast every week so we can all feel less alone. As Elliot says, “This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.” So let’s try that. Let’s be a little less horrible. Till next week, peace. 

Sources

Tennessee Judge, Appointed by Trump, Rules Anti-Drag Law Unconstitutional

https://www.advocate.com/law/drag-tennessee-law-unconstitutional

Trump-appointed federal judge rules Tennessee’s anti-drag show law is ‘unconstitutional’

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/03/politics/tennessee-drag-ban-law-unconstitutional/index.html

ICYMI: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Signs “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” and Sex Ed Censorship Bills into Law

https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/icymi-iowa-governor-kim-reynolds-signs-dont-say-lgbtq-and-sex-ed-censorship-bills-into-law

Bigots are, unsurprisingly, losing their minds over Adidas’ new trans-inclusive swimwear

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/18/adidas-pride-collection-swimsuit-trans/

Out on Film – Launching a Filmmaker Fund!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/outonfilm/out-on-film-launching-a-filmmaker-fund?_ga=2.252124745.1776167901.1684680701-1375131443.1684680700

Elliot Page kicks off Pride Month with ‘Pageboy,’ more must-read new books this week

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2023/06/03/elliot-page-pageboy-frieda-hughes-magpie-memoir-new-books/70279051007/

Happy Pride 🌈 Tennessee’s anti-drag law ruled unconstitutional, Iowa’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation is now law, Homophobes come for Adidas’ Pride Collection, Support Out on Film’s Kickstarter – Monday, June 5, 2023