Episode: Listen Up Girl — Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Story 1 — Becky Pepper-Jackson Wins State Track Title Becky Pepper-Jackson, 15, the trans student-athlete at the center of West Virginia v. BPJ, won the Class AAA girls' shot put at the West Virginia state track championships and placed fourth in girls' discus. She competes under a federal court injunction while the Supreme Court case awaits a ruling expected this summer. West Virginia's AG office submitted a letter to the Supreme Court clerk flagging her results. Sources: WBOY, Washington Times, HRC. Story 2 — Trans Military Ban — D.C. Circuit Ruling (June 1, 2026) A 2-1 panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled the orange convicted felon's transgender military ban is likely unconstitutional, driven by what the court called "the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group." The injunction protecting active-duty trans service members was upheld. Sources: CBS News, ABC News, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Story 3 — Corporate Pride Sponsor Pullback San Francisco Pride, St. Louis Pride, and St. Pete Pride reported losing $150,000–$350,000 each in corporate sponsorships ahead of Pride Month 2026, as brands withdraw amid the orange convicted felon's anti-DEI pressure. Small queer-owned businesses are stepping in. SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford: "We will remember who stood by us and who didn't." Sources: NBC News, NPR, HuffPost. Story 4 — India Trans Rights Amendment Bill 2026 India's Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill was passed in both chambers of Parliament and signed in March 2026. Critics — including members of India's National Council for Transgender Persons — say its mandatory medical examination requirement contradicts the 2014 NALSA Supreme Court ruling on self-identification. Source: Equaldex. Story 5 — Barney Frank Memorial — Faneuil Hall, June 8, 2026 Barney Frank, the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay (1987), died May 19, 2026, at 86, from congestive heart failure at his home in Ogunquit, Maine. His memorial is set for Monday, June 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Faneuil Hall in Boston. He is survived by his husband Jim Ready. Sources: Boston Globe, WBUR, NPR, Washington Post. Story 6 — Philly Pride 2026 — Patti LaBelle, June 7 Philly Pride 365 is hosting the Philadelphia Pride 2026 March and Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026, under the banner "PRIDE IS POWER" with the theme "This Is What Democracy Looks Like." Philadelphia native Patti LaBelle headlines the entertainment. Source: Philadelphia Gay News. 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.
