Listen Up Girl

Zach Randles-Friedman
  • 4.8 (17)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman, a seasoned podcaster and communications professional, Listen Up Girl delivers trusted coverage of the stories shaping LGBTQ+ lives today. From breaking political news and cultural moments to personal stories of resilience and pride, every episode is designed to inform, inspire, and connect. With years of experience amplifying diverse voices and building authentic conversations, Zach brings credibility, compassion, and insight to each discussion. Listeners can expect accurate reporting, thoughtful commentary, and a safe space where queer voices are always centered.

  1. Ep. 252: DOJ Bonuses for Anti-Trans Lawyers, Book Ban Alert & All Stars 11 Is Here | May 9

    1D AGO

    Ep. 252: DOJ Bonuses for Anti-Trans Lawyers, Book Ban Alert & All Stars 11 Is Here | May 9

    Today on Listen Up Girl — your daily LGBTQ+ news podcast — the DOJ is bribing lawyers to target trans healthcare providers, courts keep blocking their grab for children's medical records, and a federal LGBTQ+ book ban is one step closer to the House floor. Plus: Dave Chappelle's tone-deaf moment on Michelle Obama's podcast, a horrifying Florida hate crime targeting a 5-year-old, Equality California's SF Awards, and Drag Race All Stars 11 is officially here. Pride is 23 days away. 🏳️‍🌈 Subscribe for daily LGBTQ+ news. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Bloomberg Law, Philadelphia Inquirer, Book Riot, GLAAD, Fox News (Chappelle), Pink News, Equality California, Paramount+ 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    9 min
  2. Ep. 251: Florida Defunds Pride, Trans Youth Privacy Threat & Tony Nominations | LGBTQ News

    3D AGO

    Ep. 251: Florida Defunds Pride, Trans Youth Privacy Threat & Tony Nominations | LGBTQ News

    Today's episode covers six major stories in the LGBTQ+ community. Florida's new anti-DEI law has stripped Key West Pride, Tropical Heat, and Womenfest of state funding starting in 2027 — potentially impacting over a billion dollars in LGBTQ tourism to the Florida Keys. The orange convicted felon's administration released a national counterterrorism strategy that targets transgender "ideology," raising serious concerns about the use of national security infrastructure against LGBTQ+ people and allies. In Rhode Island, advocates are fighting a federal subpoena that would expose the private information of transgender youth. GLAAD's Sixth Annual Social Media Safety Index found that Meta, X, and YouTube all hit new lows for LGBTQ safety — read the full report at glaad.org. On a brighter note, the 79th Tony Award nominations delivered strong LGBTQ representation, with Nathan Lane, Luke Evans, Stephanie Hsu, Qween Jean, and many more queer artists earning recognition. And we honor the life of SaVanna Wanzer, D.C. trans rights advocate and founder of D.C. Trans Pride, whose celebration of life is May 17th at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    10 min
  3. Ep. 250: Trans Shelter Ban, Youth Mental Health Crisis & TN Tracking Bill | Listen Up Girl

    4D AGO

    Ep. 250: Trans Shelter Ban, Youth Mental Health Crisis & TN Tracking Bill | Listen Up Girl

    Stories covered in this episode: HUD Proposes Trans Shelter Ban — The Department of Housing and Urban Development has put forward a rule that would require federally funded homeless shelters to house people based on their birth sex only, effectively barring transgender people from shelters that match their gender identity. Advocates warn most trans people will avoid shelter entirely rather than risk harassment or violence. Trevor Project 2025 Mental Health Survey — For the seventh consecutive year, the Trevor Project's national survey of over 16,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13–24 found alarming rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. 36% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year; for trans and nonbinary youth, that number is 40%. The report directly links anti-LGBTQ+ policy and rhetoric to these outcomes. A separate study found 97% of LGBTQ+ youth can still identify at least one source of hope. If you or someone you know is struggling, visit TheTrevorProject.org or call/text 988 and press 3. Anti-LGBTQ+ Riders in Federal Funding Bill — Republican lawmakers have attached provisions to a must-pass federal spending bill that would eliminate the U.S. Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ Human Rights, defund organizations providing or promoting gender-affirming care, and expand the Global Gag Rule to bar foreign organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights from receiving U.S. funds. Tennessee Trans Tracking Bill — The Tennessee House passed legislation requiring all gender clinics to submit monthly health data on patients receiving gender-affirming care to the state Department of Health — including age, sex assigned at birth, county of residence, medications, and surgery referral dates. Critics warn the bill creates a de facto surveillance system for transgender residents. Protesters were physically removed from the House gallery during the vote. Florida 2026 Legislative Session Wrap — Equality Florida reports that advocates successfully stopped or neutralized four out of five anti-LGBTQ+ bills this session. One bill did pass — the Anti-Diversity in Local Government bill — pushed through in the final days with suspended rules and the public locked out. California's $26 Million Trans Healthcare Proposal — Equality California is advancing a $26 million state budget proposal to create a state-only Medi-Cal funding pathway for transgender healthcare and stabilize the provider network in response to federal funding threats. All priority bills have cleared initial committee hearings and move to appropriations on May 14th. Queer Pop Culture — May 2026 Drag Race All Stars 11 — Premieres May 8 on Paramount+. 18 queens, Tournament of All Stars format, $200,000 prize. Wanda Sykes: Legacy — Premieres May 19 on Netflix. Directed by Julie Dash, filmed at Hampton University. The Devil Wears Prada 2 — In theaters now. 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    9 min
  4. Ep. 249: Trans Model Makes Met Gala History + Florida Man Beats 5-Year-Old "To Beat The Gay Out"

    4D AGO

    Ep. 249: Trans Model Makes Met Gala History + Florida Man Beats 5-Year-Old "To Beat The Gay Out"

    Today on Listen Up Girl: trans and disabled model Aariana Rose Philip makes Met Gala history as the first wheelchair user in 78 years. A Florida man is arrested for child abuse after allegedly assaulting a five-year-old to "beat the gay out of him." A young trans man organizes his rural Ohio county's first-ever Pride festival. It's Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. A Christian cell phone network launches with built-in blocks on LGBTQ+ content. Same-sex couples lose access to K-1 fiancé visas under sweeping 2026 travel restrictions. The Met Gala faces backlash over Jeff Bezos as honorary chair. Minnesota Aurora FC signs its first trans player. Right-wingers spiral over an ABBA pregnancy TikTok. Tommy Dorfman exposes transphobic texts from a fellow first-class passenger. Pete Buttigieg claps back after Sean Duffy blames him for Spirit Airlines' collapse. And San Antonio becomes the first U.S. city to officially recognize Trans+ History Week. 🏳️‍🌈 New episodes every day. Subscribe so you never miss the news that matters to our community. 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    14 min
  5. Ep. 248: LGBTQ Jews Leaving Orthodoxy + Anti-Trans Bills, UK Hate Crime Win & More

    6D AGO

    Ep. 248: LGBTQ Jews Leaving Orthodoxy + Anti-Trans Bills, UK Hate Crime Win & More

    This week: queer Jews leaving Orthodox Judaism, five anti-LGBTQ+ riders in a State Dept funding bill, Pennsylvania's historic anti-discrimination vote, the UK's new hate crime law, a trans woman making pageant history in Puerto Rico, a shocking new poll, and Trans+ History Week. 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    9 min
  6. Ep. 247: New LGBTQ+ Treatment Center in Chicago, Meta Censors Lesbians & Trump DOJ Declares War on Queer Rights

    MAY 4

    Ep. 247: New LGBTQ+ Treatment Center in Chicago, Meta Censors Lesbians & Trump DOJ Declares War on Queer Rights

    Stories covered this episode: No Matter What Recovery opens LGBTQ+-affirming treatment facility in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood Smithsonian's "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" opens after controversial postponement Meta's Oversight Board overturns removal of Brazilian lesbian Instagram post Trump DOJ 197-page report calls LGBTQ+ protections "anti-Christian" and outlines Christian Nationalist agenda Chicago's Antonio King feted as nation's first-ever Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs DOJ opens civil rights investigations into 36 Illinois school districts over LGBTQ+ content Tennessee LGBTQ+ advocates urge Governor Bill Lee to veto anti-trans slate of bills AOC says the U.S. may have already had a gay president — and history agrees it's possible Listen Up Girl drops new episodes regularly. Subscribe, share, and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  7. Ep. 246: Trans Shelter Ban? Major LGBTQ+ Rights Stories You Need to Know

    MAY 3

    Ep. 246: Trans Shelter Ban? Major LGBTQ+ Rights Stories You Need to Know

    HUD proposal could require shelters to house people by birth sex Court ruling protects trans women prisoners in Oregon Wesley Han files discrimination lawsuit against Soho Grand Hotel Michigan political complaint over deadnaming Senegal LGBTQ crackdown impacts HIV treatment Surgeon General nominee sparks backlash 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    8 min
  8. Ep. 245: Europe Bans Conversion Therapy? Pride Flag Burned & Major LGBTQ+ News Breakdown

    MAY 2

    Ep. 245: Europe Bans Conversion Therapy? Pride Flag Burned & Major LGBTQ+ News Breakdown

    Europe conversion therapy ban vote Pride flag burned in Lancaster PA Montana trans rights ruling Madonna new song Bring Your Love Trevor Project $1M donation Illinois discrimination case DOJ LGBTQ policy report Tucker Carlson vs orange convicted felon Vermont trans athlete case Red Sox Pride night 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!!!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    13 min
See All (254)

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedman, a seasoned podcaster and communications professional, Listen Up Girl delivers trusted coverage of the stories shaping LGBTQ+ lives today. From breaking political news and cultural moments to personal stories of resilience and pride, every episode is designed to inform, inspire, and connect. With years of experience amplifying diverse voices and building authentic conversations, Zach brings credibility, compassion, and insight to each discussion. Listeners can expect accurate reporting, thoughtful commentary, and a safe space where queer voices are always centered.

Information

  • Creator
    Zach Randles-Friedman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Listen Up Girl

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