Don Lemon Arrested for Reporting on Minneapolis, 12 States are Suing HHS, and Queer Artists Win Big at the Grammy’s

This week on the Queer News podcast, Our top story is all about Don Lemon and the group of journalists arrested while covering the protests in Minneapolis. In politics, we dive into the twelve states suing the HHS, and USA Hockey's secret ban of trans athletes. In culture and entertainment, we take a look at the safest travel destinations for the LGBTQ+ community and the LGBTQ artists that won big the Grammy's.

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04:18 Queer News Headlines

04:54 Independent Journalist Don Lemon Arrested while covering the protests in Minneapolis

10:28 States Sue Trump over Transphobic Policies

13:14 The USA Hockey Organization Quietly Banned Trans Athletes In Secret

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19:12 LGBTQ+ and traveling within the US? Here are some of the safest cities to visit in 2026

21:26 Billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott Gifts Millions to the Trevor Project.

23:34 Queers Win Big at the Grammy's

26:13 Anna's Got A 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 322.

This Week's Top Story

Independent Journalist Don Lemon Arrested while covering the protests in Minneapolis

Don Lemon was one of multiple journalists arrested on Friday for covering a protest at a Minnesota church. The pastor of Cities Church in St. Paul, David Easterwood, was alleged to be working with ICE, so protestors peacefully interrupted a Sunday service, and Don Lemon was one of a group of journalists present at the church. The DOJ charged the journalists with "conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship". Lemon was later released the same day with a court date of February 9th in Minneapolis.

This Week In Politics

States Sue Trump over Transphobic Policies

California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have joined together to sue the head of health and human services Robert F. Kennedy over the executive order embedded within the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. By refusing to comply with the executive order, these states have lost millions in funding for vital programming. New York Attorney General Letitia James is guiding the collection of states during the lawsuit.

The USA Hockey Organization Quietly Banned Trans Athletes In Secret

The USA Hockey organization quietly made the move to ban trans athletes from competing in "hockey leagues that match their gender identity" late last year. USA Hockey debuted a new participant Eligibility Policy back in November. Within the policy restrictions for trans athletes are written boldly: "In all programs where participation is restricted by sex, athletes are only permitted to participate in such programs based on their sex assigned at birth, except that a female (as assigned at birth) may not play in programs restricted to females if they have undergone any male hormone therapy." This policy will go into effect for the 2026 USA hockey season set to begin on April 1st thus essentially barring trans athletes from competing on National and Olympic teams. Several have spoken out against this discrimination including the first out trans hockey player Harrison Browne and the Seattle Women's Hockey League.

This Week In Culture & Entertainment

LGBTQ+ and traveling within the US? Here are some of the safest cities to visit in 2026

Blog misterb&b's Queer Safety Index has the 411 on the safest cities to visit in 2026. They describe the Index as "an ordered ranking based on a weighted scoring model incorporating multiple data sources, starting with misterb&b most booked destinations. Safety is measured using FBI-reported hate crimes over the last five years. Each factor is normalized to a 0-1 scale, and weighted to produce a final ranking, where higher scores indicate greater LGBTQ+ safety and inclusivity." Coming in at number one on the Index is the beautiful windy city Chicago, IL with a score of 0.925818.

Billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott Gifts Millions to the Trevor Project.

Billionaire philanthropist, and Jeffery Bezos' ex wife, Mackenzie Scott is putting her fortune to good use. She recently donated $45 million dollars to the Trevor Project marking this donation as the biggest one the non-profit has ever received in the history of the organization. Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black wrote in a statement "At a time when many LGBTQ+ young people are facing heightened stigma, political hostility, and mental health challenges, MacKenzie Scott's support sends a powerful message. LGBTQ+ young people matter, and the world is full of people fighting for their safety and well-being."

Queers Win Big at the Grammy's

Queer musicians who won big at the Grammy's. Durand Bernarr for Best Progressive R&B Album, Kehlani for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, Tyler the Creator won for Best Album Cover, Doechii for Best Music Video and Billie Eilish for Song of the Year. The speeches were phenomenal and called us to act.

Anna's Word

Take care of you. This is Anna's word for the week. We are living in dark times and the bes way for you to combat that is to take great care of yourself. Rest, read a new book, journal, go shopping, the list goes on, but whatever it is make time to do it. We can't pour from an empty cup.

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.