Massachusetts protects gender-affirming care, the Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Threat & Black lesbian couple attacked in Virginia - August 18, 2025
Family, this week on Queer News Anna DeShawn continues to bring you the stories that matter most to our community. In politics, we celebrate Massachusetts’ Shield Act 2.0 expanding protections for abortion and gender-affirming care, while keeping a close eye on a Supreme Court case threatening marriage equality. In culture and entertainment, a Black lesbian couple survives a racially charged roadside attack in Virginia, UCLA stands firm against the Trump administration amidst pressure to roll back trans rights, and fashion legend Rick Owens launches an OnlyFans page with proceeds supporting a trans shelter in France. Let’s get into it. Want to support this podcast? 🏳️🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✨ 00:26 Welcome to Queer News 02:01 Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew 02:42 Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 03:04 Queer News Headlines 04:00 Massachusetts Signs Shield Act 2.0 Into Law 08:00 The Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Threat 14:58 Focal Point Coaching Program: Turn Clarity into Cash, https://register.focalpoint4u.com/focalpoint4u 15:50 Queer News is on Vinyl - Order Yours Today! Ordering closes on August 31st. https://certifiedcrucial.com/product/podcast_salon_lp_2025/ 16:22 Your Mental Health Coverage Is Just As Important As Your Physical Health Coverage., https://getcovered.illinois.gov/resources/mental-health-parity.html 16:36 City Services Are Coming to Your Neighborhood, Learn more at www.chicityclerk.com/MCH 17:12 Black lesbians attacked in Virginia 20:46 UCLA vs. Trump Administration 23:07 Rick Owens OnlyFans for Charity 25:31 Anna's Got A Word 🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✨ Important Episode Links The War on Obergefell - Under the Desk News https://underthedesknews.substack.com/p/the-war-on-obergefell How To Save Gay Marriage - Under the Desk News https://youtu.be/hOhIHdmnBM0?si=_8uaHejJXKk_dd0t Survived a Hate Crime — Now We’re Fighting to Heal https://www.gofundme.com/f/survived-a-hate-crime-now-were-fighting-to-heal Queer News is on Vinyl - Order Yours Today! Ordering closes on August 31st. https://certifiedcrucial.com/product/podcast_salon_lp_2025/ Listen to Jim Verraro's New Album “Explicit” https://www.jimverrarosmusic.com/ 🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio Queer News Tip Line: Got a story I should cover? Send it my way! https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 or email info at e3radio dot fm 📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices. 🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✨ This Week In Politics Massachusetts Signs Shield Act 2.0 Into Law: Governor Maura Healey signs legislation expanding protections for abortion and gender-affirming care. The Shield Act 2.0 updates the state’s original shield law to safeguard patients and providers from out-of-state investigations or prosecutions. The Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Threat: The Supreme Court has been formally asked to overturn same-sex marriage. While lower courts have consistently upheld the law, the Respect for Marriage Act provides some federal protections, but now it’s time to make sure all legal paperwork is in order. This Week In Culture & Entertainment Black lesbians attacked in Virginia: A Black lesbian couple, Amylah Majors and Jamaria Gaskins, survive a racially charged roadside attack. They’ve started a GoFundMe for medical bills and recovery costs. UCLA vs. Trump Administration: UCLA resists federal pressure to roll back trans rights and diversity programs, standing firm against demands that other universities have already met. The standoff highlights the high stakes for students and faculty, as 300 federal grants remain frozen and the outcome could set a precedent for how public universities defend LGBTQ+ protections nationwide. Rick Owens OnlyFans for Charity: Fashion designer Rick Owens has launched an OnlyFans page featuring videos of his feet, with every dollar going to support La Maison d’Alanah, a trans shelter in France. He’s blending art, activism, and creativity to support LGBTQ+ youth. 🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✨ 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 drops every Monday by 9am CT. Edited by Ryan Woodhall. Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.