Remembering Sophie Lee and Asia Williams, Mass Arrests in Istanbul, and Chicago International Film Festival Queer Films Of 2026

This week on the Queer News podcast, our top story pays respects to Sophie Lee, and Asia Williams, two black trans women killed in Baltimore this year. In politics, A group of LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board, and we cover the mass arrests at a lgbtq+ led protest in Istanbul. In culture and entertainment, the queer trans project supplies more than 500 gender-affirming supply kits to Floridian youth, and Chicago's International Film Festival Returns in October with a stunning lineup of queer films. Let's get into it! Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://queernewspod.substack.com  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right     00:26     Welcome to Queer News 01:03   LGBTQ Veteran's Day 01:50 Join our Substack 02:21 Join the QCrew   02:49 Queer News Headlines  03:31 Remembering Sophie Lee and Asia Williams 06:11 LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board 08:13 Mass Arrests in Istanbul                                11:56   Get your tickets to the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair today         12:50 The queer trans project supplies more than 500 gender-affirming supply kits  15:25 Chicago's International Film Festival Returns in October with a stunning lineup of queer films             18:12     Anna's Got A Word   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links Fundraiser for Denise Jackson by Baltimore Safe Haven : I WAS SOMEBODY'S CHILD. I DESERVED TO LIVE  Fundraiser by Lisa drummond : Support for Jacqueline After Asia's Tragic Loss  Check out the Chicagoland Lesbian Business Directory Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month Send In a Queer News Tip or email info at e3radio dot fm 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 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 358. This Week's Top Story Rest in Power to Sophie Lee, And Asia Williams, Two Black Trans Women Killed In Baltimore This Year It's with a heavy heart that I share that two Black Trans Women have been killed in Baltimore. Sophie Lee, and Asia Williams have both been shot and killed in Baltimore this year. Police Investigations for both cases are under way, but no suspects or motives have been found. Asia was the 22nd trans woman killed this year and Sophie was the 23rd according to Pgh Lesbian. The gofundme's for both Asia and Sophie will be linked in the show notes if you'd like to support the families.   This Week In Politics A group of LGBTQ+ middle schoolers sue their school board And Are Victorious! This all started when 1