Trans servicemembers get a win, Laverne Cox’s Clean Slate gets canceled and the LA Sparks will retire Candace Parker’s jersey - April 21, 2025
Episode description
This week on Queer News with Anna DeShawn — we’re talking legal wins and loses, representation on-screen, and unmatched excellence on the basketball court. A U.S. federal appeals court deals a blow to Trump’s anti-trans military ban, affirming the right of our trans siblings to serve with pride. But across the pond, the UK Supreme Court drops a devastating ruling stripping trans people of legal recognition.
In culture, we lift up the groundbreaking TLC show Jay & Pamela — a love story breaking barriers around disability, queerness, and visibility. We mourn the cancellation of Clean Slate, Laverne Cox’s bold sitcom, and celebrate WNBA icon Candace Parker as the LA Sparks announce her jersey retirement this Pride Month. And to close, we honor Black lesbian poet Pat Parker for Lesbian Visibility Week with her searing classic, my lover is a woman. This episode is a ride through pain, pride, power — and the poetry that keeps us grounded. Let’s get into it, family. 💜🏳️🌈
🏛️ Politics 9th Circuit Court Blocks Trump-Era Trans Military Ban
Federal appeals court upholds preliminary injunction, allowing trans servicemembers to serve while the legal battle continues.
UK Supreme Court Strips Trans People of Legal Recognition
A devastating ruling ties legal gender strictly to birth sex, nullifying Gender Recognition Certificates and setting back trans rights.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
TLC’s Jay & Pamela Shines Bright in Disability & LGBTQ+ Representation
A great new reality show follows a trans man and his fiancée as they navigate love, life, and layered identities.
Prime Video Cancels Clean Slate, Starring Laverne Cox & George Wallace
The heartfelt sitcom — Norman Lear’s final show — gets cut after just one season.
LA Sparks to Retire Candace Parker’s Jersey During Pride Month
The WNBA legend will be honored June 29th, solidifying her place in history as one of the game’s greats.
✊🏽 Anna’s Word
Honoring Pat Parker for Lesbian Visibility Week
Black lesbian poet and activist Pat Parker’s legacy lives on through her revolutionary work, including her iconic poem “my lover is a woman.”
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01:38 - Queer News Headlines
02:14 - 9th Circuit Court Blocks Trump-Era Trans Military Ban
06:07 - UK Supreme Court Strips Trans People of Legal Recognition
13:30 - TLC’s Jay & Pamela Shines Bright in Disability & LGBTQ+ Representation
16:41 - Prime Video Cancels Clean Slate, Starring Laverne Cox & George Wallace
19:25 - LA Sparks to Retire Candace Parker’s Jersey During Pride Month
21:55 - Anna's Got A Word
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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 9am CT.
Edited by Ryan Woodhall.
Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.