Ep. 262: Barney Frank Dies + Chambers Arrested + UK LGBTQ+ Funding | May 22, 2026

Alan Chambers, former president of Exodus International, was arrested May 19, 2026 in Orlando on charges of solicitation of a minor via computer, sending harmful material to a minor, and illegal use of a two-way communication device. Barney Frank became the first openly gay member of Congress in 1987 and the first sitting member of Congress to marry someone of the same sex in 2012. He died Tuesday in Maine of congestive heart failure. The UK's £21 million LGBTQ+ commitment spans 2026–2029 and includes £19.5 million in official development assistance. The UK will host the IDAHOT+ Forum in London in May 2027. The 2026 Elton John Impact Awards honourees include Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, Melissa Etheridge, Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, and Billie Jean King. The awards launch June 1 on iHeartRadio, hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran. Jonas Hole, the transmasculine salutatorian at D'Iberville High School in Mississippi, was deadnamed and had his photo allegedly altered in a school Facebook post dated May 17, 2026. Councillor Stephen Holroyd was confirmed as the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds on Wednesday, with partner Simon Mapals as Lord Mayor's Consort — the first openly gay pair in the city's history. Don Lemon addressed Black MAGA supporters and gay Republicans on his YouTube show, calling the support "self-hating," "naïve," and at minimum "pick me." Vermont state Senator Steven Heffernan (R-Addison) made remarks on May 15, 2026 during debate on House Bill 578 comparing transgender identity to bestiality. Democratic Senator Tanya Vyhovsky responded directly and later condemned his remarks as deliberate dehumanization. Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://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.