Kansas' Dangerous Anti-Trans Politics, Pulse to Be Demolished, and Queer folks win at the 57th NAACP Awards!

This week on the Queer News podcast, in top news Kansas dangerous anti-trans politics leads to hundreds of Trans Kansans losing their drivers licenses overnight. In politics, celebrations are in order as Texas has been issued a preliminary injunction by the Federal Court. In Florida, Pulse Nightclub is set to be demolished this month. In culture and entertainment, we dive into Wanda Sykes' new lead role, a trans Chicago comedian saves a baby from freezing in Lake Michigan and Queer folks win at the NAACP Image Awards.

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02:22 Queer News Headlines

03:23 Kansas Bill SB244 Overrided By Republicans Leading to Hundreds of Trans Kansans Losing Their Drivers Licenses Overnight.

08:30 Celebrations! Texas SB 12 has been issued a preliminary injunction by the Federal Court.

11:20 Pulse Nightclub Set To Be Demolished In March

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15:30 Let's Talk About Wanda Sykes New Lead Role

17:50 Trans Chicago Comedian Lio Cundiff Saves Baby From Freezing In Lake Michigan

20:46 Queer NAACP Award Winners

23:39 Anna's Word

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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 327.

This Week's Top Story

Kansas Bill SB244 Overrided By Republicans Leading to Hundreds of Trans Kansans Losing Their Drivers Licenses Overnight.

Recently Kansas Governor Kelly's veto was overridden by Kansas Republicans, allowing SB 244 to go into effect.This means that using the bathroom that doesn't match your sex assigned at birth in government buildings is now illegal. The bill also stated that Kansas drivers licenses now must reflect a person's sex assigned at birth.

Hundreds of trans residents in Kansas received a letter from the state stating "Pursuant to the new law, if the gender/sex indication on the face of your current credential does not match your sex assigned at birth, you are directed to surrender your current credential to the Kansas Division of Vehicles.". They were given a 24 hour notice to surrender their license and get a new one.

A lawsuit has been filed by the ACLU, the ACLU of Kansas, and Ballard Spahr LLP on behalf of two anonymous trans Kansans in response to the passing of SB 244 claiming that the bill is "violates the Kansas Constitution's protections for personal autonomy, privacy, equality under the law, due process, and freedom of speech."

This Week In Politics

Celebrations! Texas SB 12 has been issued a preliminary injunction by the Federal Court.

In some good political news, Texas Senate Bill 12 has been issued a preliminary injunction by the Federal Court. The bill aims to "ban programs and discussions relating to race, gender identity, and sexual orientation in all public and charter schools in Texas from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade." That bill also includes the total ban of Genders & Sexualities Alliances clubs [formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliances].

A preliminary Injunction means that key parts of the bill were challenged, and until the issues are resolved, SB 12 won't go into effect. The tea is that the T.E.A or the Texas Education Association [tea for short] Commissioner was dismissed from the court because he failed to enforce the law in a timely manner.

Pulse Nightclub Set To Be Demolished In March

The Pulse Nightclub is set to be demolished on March 18th. The club has remained untouched since the massacre in 2016. The city of Orlando announced that key artifacts from inside the building have been transported to a warehouse for safe keeping and that "the Pulse sign will be removed on or near March 10, 2026, from outside of the building as a part of this process. The sign will be securely stored after removal." In the nightclub's place, the city plans to build a memorial for the 49 lives lost and they will reveal the designs for the memorial during a town hall meeting on March 5th.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

Let's Talk About Wanda Sykes New Lead Role

Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes is the leading lady in a new film titled Undercard. This film marks Wanda's first feature-length lead role in a drama. Wanda will be playing the role of Cheryl 'No Mercy' Stewart, "A boxing trainer re-connects with the son she abandoned." Undercard just released theatrically on February 27th, so check your local theatre for showtimes. In a statement from Wanda upon the release of the film she exclaimed "Finally! This project has been in the works for years. I'm excited for the audience to see on the big screen the love that was poured into the making of this film, from top to bottom."

Trans Chicago Comedian Lio Cundiff Saves Baby From Freezing In Lake Michigan

The day started like any other for comedian Lio Cundiff, that is until while taking a walk along the lake shore he saw the wind blow a baby stroller into lake Michigan. Without a moment's hesitation he jumped into the below freezing waters to rescue the child. "That baby was — I wasn't going to let that baby die. That's crazy." Lio told local news channel WLS-TV. The baby reportedly suffered no serious injuries, and after an overnight stay in the hospital Lio was cleared to return home. A Gofundme created to support the medical care cost for the comedian has reached over $30,000. Those looking to support Lio can also check out his stand-up. He performs at the laugh factory, The House of Blues, and other venues. Lio describes his stand-up like so: "The way I do comedy is I have something that happens and I just go onstage a few times and I just spit it out and see what hits and what doesn't."

Queer NAACP Award Winners

The 57th annual NAACP awards were Friday night and before I close out the show we gotta shout out the queer stars who won big.

Chicago native comedian Tee Sanders won the award for "Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Art/Comedy." This is the first year for the category and tee was the only woman nominated for that award. While Coleman Domingo was awarded the president's award and spoke from the heart during his speech. Big congratulations to them both!

Anna's Word

Today Anna's word is to "Keep Betting On Yourself". It's hard to be vulnerable and its hard to put yourself out there but it's a mandatory part of the process. Don't be afraid. You've got this.

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.