Queer News is a podcast that updates listeners on LGBTQIA+ sexuality and race news. The show's host is Anna DeShawn. She heads her own media production company, Qube.
With so much happening, keeping up with the news can be difficult. The 24-hour news cycle makes it a challenge to keep track of the issues one cares about. On Queer News, DeShawn provides listeners with a quick summary of what happened that week to affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Most podcast episodes are under twenty minutes long. When DeShawn has a guest, they extend as long as one hour.
Gay rights are a prominent battlefield in culture wars, so there is always news to report. States pass laws enshrining or banning basic rights. Too often, people die for being who they are. Prominent queer figures fight for visibility while athletes receive fines for homophobic comments. School groups ban books with queer characters while Pope Francis blesses queer couples. If something affects the LGBTQIA+ community, DeShawn covers it on the podcast.
On some podcast episodes, DeShawn invites a guest for a chat. Nadine Smith of Equality Florida talks about fighting against Ron DeSantis' policies. Guest Ken Mejia-Beal chairs the Democratic Party in DuPage County, Illinois. To him, QPOC participation in politics is crucial to a healthy society. Samiya Bashir is the head of Lambda Literary, a hub for queer poets like herself. She and DeShawn talk about how to resist book bans.
DeShawn ends every episode of Queer News with "Anna's Word." It's a gentle reminder to listeners to continue to work to make a better world. "Forgiveness," "push," and "kindness" are some examples of these words.
Queer News is a great resource for people who want to know what's happening in the queer community. It's also a good way to learn about prominent figures in the subculture who don't get mainstream attention. DeShawn's coverage is informative and uplifting.
Episodes