This week on Queer News: Tuscan Hate Crime Claimed Two of Our Own, Dr. Everton Blair Won in Georgia & Reeling Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival Returns.
This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story is a tragic one. We remember our two family members who were killed outside of the Venture-N gay bar in Tuscan, Arizona. In politics, Dr. Everton Blair wins in Georgia and makes gay history. In Arkansas politics, a librarian fired for opposing the censorship of LGBTQ+ books wins a massive settlement. In culture and entertainment, Lil Nas X’s mom passes away and Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th – 27th. Let’s get into it!
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00:26 Welcome to Queer News 03:01 Join the QCrew 03:40 Queer News Headlines 04:30 A Targeted Shooting in Arizona Outside A Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead 09:52 Dr. Everton Blair Sworn Into Congress 13:29 Librarian Fired For Opposing the Ban of LGBTQ+ Books Wins Massive Settlement 17:20 Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today 18:14 Send us your Queer News Tip 19:33 Lil Nas X’s mom passes away 20:54 Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th – 27th 24:36 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 356.
This Week’s Top Story
A Targeted Shooting in Arizona Outside A Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead
A targeted attack outside an Arizona gay bar left two dead and hundreds in mourning on Monday. Local police arrived to Venture-N around 12 am Monday morning after reports of shots fired. Shortly after they found Vincent Anthony Siqueiros (42N) and Cameron Davis Capara (33M) who were pronounced deceased at the scene. The shooter, Ousman Ceesay, was also found at the scene. He had a self inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to a nearby hospital where he died.
A hit list of LGBTQ+ businesses was found on Ceesay’s body, leaving local law enforcement to believe that Ceesay intended to cause a lot more harm than he did. Vincent Anthony Siquerios and Cameron Davis Capara were remembered fondly by hundreds on Wednesday during a candle lit vigil outside of Venture-N. Portraits of the two were surrounded by flowers brought by friends, family, and patrons paying their respects.
This Week In Politics
Dr. Everton Blair Sworn Into Congress
Family do y’all remember Dr. Everton Blair? He’s a friend of the show and an openly gay politician running from the South running for congress. Well he has just been sworn into congress, making him the first openly gay Black man from Georgia to hold a seat in Congress.
Although it is unclear whether Congressman Blair will remain in congress after January, he’s been known to pull off upsets in his past races. Congrats Congressman Blair. Make us proud.
Librarian Fired For Opposing the Ban of LGBTQ+ Books Wins Massive Settlement
In Arkansas, a librarian won a big settlement after she was fired for refusing to comply with a LGBTQ+ book censorship. Patty Hector had been a librarian at the Saline County library for almost 10 years before Saline County Judge Matt Brumley fired her because she opposed the censorship of LGBTQ+ books. The ordinance that Patty rejected stated that she was to remove books with “sexual imagery or content” from the children’s section of her library.
Patty, alongside the ACLU of Arkansas untied to sue the county, but to avoid litigation the county agreed to pay a 275 thousand dollar settlement to Patty. She hopes this serves as a motivator for more librarians to stand up against book censorship, saying “I hope this settlement sends a message to librarians and other public servants across Arkansas that their voices and their constitutional rights matter.”
This Week In Culture & Entertainment
Lil Nas X’s mom passes away
Family, keep Lil Nas X in your prayers. It was announced August 29th that his mother, Tameka Hill, passed away. In a social media post dedicated to his mother the musician wrote: “RIP TO THE BADEST EVER. LOVE YOU FOREVER MOMMY. this one’s gonna hurt.”
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival Reeling Returns Sep 17th – 27th
One of Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ film festivals is back for it’s 66th year. Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQIA+ International Film Festivals returns September 17th – 27th for another year of the best and boldest queer films.
Anna’s Word: Don’t Half-Ass It
“If you’re gonna half-ass it, don’t do it at all. Show up as the best version of yourself every single time you get an opportunity.”
Family, I’m keeping it 100% real with you this week. Coming off a holiday and looking forward to some much-needed vacation time, I caught myself wanting to take the easy way out and just breeze through my prep. But I had to give myself a quick reality check before hitting the record button.
In this week’s word, I share:
Holding Ourselves Accountable: Why taking shortcuts robs us, and the people who depend on our work, of the excellence we’re capable of delivering.
Respecting the Opportunity: Remembering that every chance to create, show up, or lead is a privilege that someone else wished they had.
Refusing to Settle: Giving your full effort, whether you’re working with a team, running your business, or stepping into your daily routine.
Where in your life are you recommitting to giving 100% this week? Share your thoughts in the comments or hop into the QCrew chat!
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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.
