In this special episode of Queer News, Anna drops the script and speaks directly from the heart. As Pride Month begins amidst a wave of political attacks, rising hate crimes, and corporate retreat, Anna reflects on the importance of joy as resistance and why we must never stop telling our stories.  From celebrating her upcoming WorldPride panels in DC to spotlighting a heartbreaking hate crime in Illinois, this episode is raw, unfiltered, and full of fire. We also hear from contributor Jake Wittich of Windy City Times, who reports on a recent anti-LGBTQ hate crime in Illinois that’s rocked the local community. If you’re moved by the story, please consider donating to the survivor’s GoFundMe — the link is in the show notes. This is not just news — this is truth-telling, soul-centering, and community care. Pod in, family. This one’s for us. 💜   00:26    Welcome to Queer News     01:29    Leave a Queer News Tip, Email info at e3radio.fm or leave a message here https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502     01:56    Join the QCrew, https://bit.ly/JoinQCrew     02:54    Queer News Headlines        03:08    Your Mental Health Coverage Is Just As Important As Your Physical Health Coverage, https://getcovered.illinois.gov/resources/mental-health-parity.h    03:38    Howard Brown launches new testing site  04:17    Anna Speaks     18:12    Learn more about the Help Stop Hate Campaign, https://ilstophate.org/      18:42    Hate Crimes On The Rise, with Jake from windycitytimes.com     25:26    Anna's Got A Word     🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 📣 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.  📢 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 🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew today! https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   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.