pisode: Listen Up Girl, Wednesday, September 23, 2026Host: Zach Randles-Friedman Today's episode is about visibility: who gets seen, who gets erased, and who decides. Story 1: UNT pulls its LGBTQ archive pageThe University of North Texas deleted the webpage for its LGBTQ archive, a collection of more than 15,000 items documenting queer life across the South and Southwest. It came down less than a day after Republican state Rep. Brian Harrison posted screenshots and called it "transgender indoctrination." GOP megadonor Monty Bennett amplified the attack, and Harrison celebrated the removal as a win. The collection appears to remain intact, but public access is now harder to find, with no vote or hearing involved. Story 2: James Talarico shifts on trans athletesIn 2021, Talarico told fellow Texas lawmakers "you can't compromise with hate" while opposing a trans sports ban. Now the Democratic Senate nominee says he opposes trans athletes in girls' sports when safety or fairness is at stake. He also backs a national ban on gender-related surgeries for minors. Equality Texas CEO Brad Pritchett responded, "We expect better," but still co-hosted a Pride fundraiser for Talarico in his race against Ken Paxton. Story 3: The UN warns of a "comprehensive onslaught"At the U.N. LGBTI Core Group event on the sidelines of the General Assembly, High Commissioner Volker Türk said persecution of LGBTQ and intersex people is escalating and coordinated. He cited Turkey, Senegal, and politicians using anti-LGBTQ bigotry in campaigns. The Netherlands pledged €50 million and the U.K. £21 million for LGBTQ groups worldwide. The U.S., which left the Core Group in 2025, sent no representatives. Story 4: DignityUSA's Marianne Duddy-Burke retiresThe executive director of the world's oldest LGBTQ Catholic organization is stepping down after more than four decades with the group and nearly two decades as its leader. She pushed the Vatican toward inclusion, championed marriage equality, met Pope Francis in 2023, and traveled to Rome for the 2025 conclave. She'll stay on until a successor is named. Story 5: Team USA wins wheelchair basketball goldThe U.S. women's wheelchair basketball team beat host Canada 77–76 in Ottawa for its first world title since 2010. Lindsey Zurbrugg scored 26. Courtney Ryan, one of the team's out players, added 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. The team now heads toward the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics as reigning world champions. Follow the show: listenupgirl.com | @TheRealZachRE Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman https://www.listenupgirl.com/ Follow me at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/ Podcast music: https://dillonderosa.com/ Thank you Dillion!!! GayBFF: the app where making LGBTQ+ friends is finally as easy as swiping — no dating pressure, just your people. https://gaybff.app/ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gaybff-make-real-friends/id6795699619 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
