Isnt It Queer

Jonny discusses the pushback against anti-trans legislation in several states, Caitlyn Jenner's run for CA governor, and President Biden's joint address of Congress. We end with a special commentary from Rona P. Andemic.

Jonny and Clare Killman discuss "queer liberation" and all things "queer," including persistent resistance to the term. It is also the continuation of the Spring pledge drive for WDBX. Please check out WDBX.org and consider making a donation.

Jonny reviews some of the fallout and damage already being done by the anti-trans legislation targeting youths that is sweeping the nation. Featured prominently is Kai Shapple's testimony before the Texas State Legislature. He then reviews three TV and documentary projects coming out soon. This is spring pledge week for WDBX. If you enjoy listening to IIQ, please consider heading over to WDBX.org and pledging some support for the station. The station could really use more folks signing up for monthly direct deposit donations.

Jonny reports on the recent Southern Illinois LGBTQ virtual town hall meeting. He then covers more recent developments in anti-trans legislation, including a veto from an AR Governor (since overturned) and a letter from the president of the NCAA.

Jonny covers details about an upcoming virtual Town Hall in SoIL concerning LGBTQ community issues and concerns. He then interviews Curtis Galloway, a local activist relocated to LosAngeles, about his continued work to ban conversion therapy and his published response to Milo Yiannopoulos's return to the spotlight as an "ex-gay in process." Finally, he ends with some uplifting news about local communities organizing and pushing back against the recent rush of anti-trans legislation.

Jonny reviews some of the important push back and likely consequences for the various legislation limiting how trans youth can compete athletically. He then discusses Milo Yiannopoulos's attempts to resuscitate conversion therapy and the ex-gay movement. He ends the show with some news from Marvel and DC about an upcoming summer Pride spotlight on LGBTQ+ heroes and villains.

Jonny reviews reasons why members of the LGBTQ community should get vaccinated. He reviews the Right's hypocritical obsession with "cancel culture." He checks in on the progress of legislation around the country that prevents trans youths from playing sports as their gender, noting especially the failure of proponents of this law to provide any evidence that there is a problem.

Jonny reviews a series of stories that demonstrate the Republican Party seeks to make Trans Rights issues (especially sports and puberty blockers) their new defining issue. From CPAC to the halls of Congress to toy shelves, GOP transphobia was on full display this week.

Jonny interviews friend of the show Tara Bell about the REACH Act, which is under consideration in the Illinois legislature and would mandate age-appropriate and LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in public schools. He then offers a suitably salty obituary for Rush Limbaugh. He ends with some hopeful news about the status of the Equality Act.Addendum: Tara reports that state representative Patrick Windhorst has agreed to a meeting with her about the REACH Act. In the interview, Tara shares her frustration that IL legislators in Southern Illinois don't seem willing to talk with constituents about this piece of legislation under consideration. We can now remove Rep. Windhorst from that list.

Jonny reviews further policy from the Biden Administration to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ people, notably in housing and in allowing asylum seekers. He then reviews the status of anti-trans bills, particularly those impacting trans youth, as they move through various state legislatures. Finally, Clare and Tara discuss what a Trans INCLUSIVE Feminism looks like.

Jonny talks with a group of folks associated with The Rainbow Cafe about new developments at the RC and how to respond to increasing local and national transphobic discourse. Included on the show: Tara Bell, Clare Killman, new chair of the RC Board of Directors O.J. Duncan, and new RC manager Benton Goff.

Jonny reviews the record of some of the more outspoken QAnon endorsing members of Congress, revealing their anti-LGBTQ records. He then checks in on the status of the Equality Act. He reviews information on current studies that may make new PreP drugs a monthly rather than daily dosage. Finally, he offers obituaries for activist Carmen Vázquez and ally Cloris Leachman.

Jonny responds to the first week of the Biden Administration and his inauguration. He reviews the pro-LGBTQ Executive Orders of the first week. He summarizes some of the anti-LGBTQ backlash in state legislatures around the country. He checks in on the historic Sennate confirmation process of the first out gay full member of a presidential cabinet--Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. He concludes with a reading of the letter of support for LGBTQ youth from nine prominent US Catholic bishops.

Jonny rebroadcasts his December 2020 interview with Clare Killman. Hey, it was a busy week. And this interview was so good, it deserved multiple airings. We discuss the 2020 Election, anti-trans legislation co-sponsored by Tulsi Gabbard, JK Rowlings and the empowering of the UK TERFs, and how to respond to liberal friends who embrace TERF discourse ad opinions.

Jonny reviews LGBTQ involvement in the assault on the Capitol. He then reviews other LGBTQ responses to the assault, including some high profile resignations from the Trump administration. He ends with some news coming out of Vice President Pence's home state (Indiana) of legal efforts to ban Conversion Therapy, something Pence has long supported.

Jonny shares information about the upcoming mini series "It's a Sin" about the UK's LGBTQ response to HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, including a clip that features many of the myths and disinformation that spread about the disease at the time. He then reviews the differences between HIV and Coronavirus to understand why we still don't have a vaccine for the firmer. He ends with a review of controversy over folks on social media documenting and "policing" gay circuit and other parties that violate pandemic protocols.

Jonny does the year in review episode. Rona P. Andemic offers some commentary about resolutions. Jonny closes out with gratitude for the Southern Illinois LGBTQ+ community.

Jonny interviews local trans advocate and campaigner for the Ray Linzi bit for the US Congress, Clare Killman. They discuss election shenanigans, recent anti-trans legislation co-sponsored by Tulsi Gabbard, the elevation of TERF discourse in the UK and US, and a host of other issues impacting the trans community.

Jonny Talks with Tara Bell and Brandon Groff about the Rainbow Cafe's upcoming "Merry Queermas" virtual event. He then checks in on some recent SCOTUS refusals to take up cases coming out of Indiana challenging same sex parents appearing on birth certificates. Finally, he reviews some ways Illinois Blue Cross/Blue Shield is denying coverage to LGBTQ clients and their dependents that it would otherwise authorize for straight clients.

Jonny reviews EU sex scandals, the Trump Administrations new rules allowing anti-LGBTQ discrimination, how mysterious obelisks became an opportunity for homophobia, and a UK ruling making it harder for trans youth to get access to puberty blocking therapies.