This week on Queer News: Happy Lesbian Visibility Week , We Remember Davonta Curtis & the Pride Flag is Back at Stonewall .
This week on the Queer News podcast Anna DeShawn reports, in politics politicians fail to pass multiple pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislations in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. In culture and entertainment, Chicago’s Lesbian Bar Dorothy Gains A Sibling Named Fathom, and Poet Laureate avery r. young Debuts safronia at the Lyric Opera. Let’s get into it.
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00:26 Welcome to Queer News 02:51 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 03:25 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 03:56 Queer News Headlines 04:34 Her Name Was Davonta Curtis, And She Should Still Be Here Today 07:41 Montana Supreme Court Steps Up To Protect Their Trans Citizens 11:19 The Pride Flag At Stonewall Is Here To Stay 13:36 Amnesty April is back from Chicago’s City Clerk Anna Valencia 14:28 Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm 14:58 Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews 15:32 It’s Lesbian Visibility Week 18:20 Love isn’t in the air? Lesbian Power Couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe Have Split Up 20:43 Anna’s Got A Word
This week’s episode of Queer News is packed with historic milestones, urgent calls for justice, and accountability. Here is your social-media-ready breakdown of every story from Episode 334.
This Week’s Top Story
Her Name Was Davonta Curtis, And She Should Still Be Here Today
A 31 year-old trans woman was found murdered in her own home. Her name was Davonta Curtis, and she should still be here today.
Here’s what we know. The morning of April 8th Davonta was found by Chicago PD with a blunt forced trauma to her head. She was pronounced dead on the scene in East Garfield Park. That’s two days after her boyfriend, Deandre Bell was arrested and brought in for questioning .On April 11th, during a hearing, it was revealed by Cook County Prosecutors that Bell Googled “how to kill someone with a hammer” and “if a person gets hit in the head with a hammer while sleeping what happens” Bell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (allegedly Davonta’s) and one count of murder in the first degree. Shortly after the hearing the Judge ordered the Bell be detained. Bell’s next court date is April 29th. Rest in Power Davonta Curtis,. You deserved so much more than what the world gave you.
This Week In Politics
Montana Supreme Court Steps Up To Protect Their Trans Citizens
In a nearly unanimous vote, the Montana Supreme Court voted 5-2 declaring that “transgender discrimination is, by its very nature, sex discrimination” in the case of Kalarchik v. State of Montana. The case centers on two trans women who argued against a 2022/2021’s law about sex markers on official Montana ID markers such as birth certificates and drivers licenses.
This trend of states voting in favor of changing legislation so that it further protects their trans citizens is a welcome change, and a much needed protection in the event that the federal government acts out.
The Pride Flag At Stonewall Is Here To Stay
The Trump Administration lost a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal back in February on behalf of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. Gilbert Baker is the creator of the rainbow pride flag. As a part of the settlement, the pride flag at Stonewall is here to stay. As many of you remember (and were there in person) The Trump Administration abruptly removed the pride flag at Stonewall earlier this year. A day of rapid organization led to a protest at Stonewall which resulted in the pride flag being returned to its original place of rest. May we never forget that When we fight, we win.
This Week In Culture & Entertainment
It’s Lesbian Visibility Week
It’s Lesbian Visibility week and the theme for this year is Healing and Wellness. The Lesbian Visibility Week of North America has the next seven days filled with in-person and virtual panels, film screenings and discussions, Exhibits, and Celebrations of people in our community. To check out the full schedule, head to www.lesbianvisibility.org/#events.
On Friday, I’ll be speaking on the panel Beyond the Rainbow: The Terms We Use. The panel will analyze how certain terms shift definitions over time between generations and how to bridge the gap as language continues to evolve. The panel is at 3PM CT and will be virtual. I hope to see you there!
Love isn’t in the air? Lesbian Power Couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe Have Split Up
Love isn’t in the air in the world of sports. If social media is any indication, I’m sure by now you’ve all seen the news that Olympian and four time WNBA title holder Sue Bird and Soccer Olympic Gold medalist Megan Rapinoe have decided to go their separate ways.
The two retired from playing in their respective leagues in the early 2020s, and Sue Bird was just inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2025 and currently works as the WNBA’s national team managing director. Although their joint podcast: A Touch More is coming to an end, it’s not an abrupt one. The same day it was announced by Bird that six special episodes are set to release as a “farewell to you all and to this space.”
Anna’s Word
The word for today is empathy. Anna chose this word today because that’s what she believes Eboni K. Williams was practicing in the clip that I played at the top of the show. It wasn’t sympathy. It was empathy. When you can free us some space in our hearts, our minds, our lives to really put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. I promise you won’t react the same way. You won’t be so judgy. And you’ll probably give folks some grace.
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About Queer News
An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod every Monday by 7am CT.
Edited by Ryan Woodhall.
Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.
