Ep. 263: LGBTQ+ News: Trans Rights, Russia Charges Teen & Viral Gay Grad Speech | May 26

We open with Garrett Snoeyenbos — a former college offensive lineman who played at Vanderbilt, the Naval Academy, and the University of Tennessee — and the moment after graduation when he could no longer hide who he was. It's a story about the weight of the closet and what it costs to finally put it down. Our Pride Pioneer spotlight looks back at Penn State hockey player Voight Demeester, who came out in 2016 and proved that sexual orientation is no barrier to athletic identity or success. Then: Kentucky eighth grader Daniel Mattingly goes completely off-script at his middle school graduation — calling his school "built on racism, sexism and homophobia" and telling classmates to stand up for themselves even if it makes a scene. His line about "an angry gay kid with a microphone" went viral almost immediately. What makes it hit harder is the backstory: Daniel lost both of his parents to cancer. His original speech was written to encourage other kids carrying trauma. When the school wouldn't let him deliver it, he found another way. Shia LaBeouf has been formally charged with misdemeanor battery following a February Mardi Gras bar altercation in New Orleans where anti-gay slurs were allegedly used. His subsequent public comments drew further criticism. The legal process is now underway. In Russia, a 13-year-old has been registered as a juvenile offender under the country's LGBT propaganda law after allegedly showing a video to classmates. The child's identity is protected. The content of the video has not been disclosed publicly. Our history moment: In 1979, Swedish queer activists called in sick for being "too gay to work" — and simultaneously occupied the National Board of Health and Welfare in Stockholm. Within months, Sweden became one of the first countries in the world to remove homosexuality from its official list of illnesses. We report on the loss of Murry Foust — a 22-year-old transgender student from Northern Kentucky University whose body was found on Sunday, nearly a month after they were last seen on April 27th. We say Murry's name. A 2026 Out Leadership study finds that 87.9% of LGBTQ+ individuals now feel comfortable being out at work — the highest figure ever recorded. Iceland has been named the most trans-friendly country in Europe and Central Asia in the 2026 Trans Rights Index, scoring 30 out of 32 points. Russia scored zero. Out Missouri Democratic House candidate Whitney Wisker-Brooks is seeing something quiet but real in her deep-red district: Trump flags are coming down. She believes Republican voters in Missouri's 116th district are growing tired of how the orange convicted felon's decisions are affecting their lives, and her advisors think now may be the first real opening for a Democrat — and an out one at that. We close with Arnold Dahl-Wooley, founder of Two-Spirit Advocacy, who started his organization from the back of a truck and now runs a full community center in Minnesota offering ceremonies, support groups, and culturally safe care for Native LGBTQ+ families. His story is featured in this month's issue on queer spirituality. His words: "We've lived through a lot, we've overcome a lot, but we're still here." Stories Covered Garrett Snoeyenbos — coming out after college football Pride Pioneer: Voight Demeester, Penn State hockey (2016) Daniel Mattingly — viral Kentucky graduation speech Shia LaBeouf — formally charged with misdemeanor battery Russia — 13-year-old charged with LGBT propaganda History moment — Sweden, 1979 Murry Foust — trans student from Northern Kentucky University Out Leadership 2026 — record LGBTQ+ workplace acceptance Iceland tops the 2026 Trans Rights Index Whitney Wisker-Brooks — Missouri LGBTQ+ Democratic candidate Arnold Dahl-Wooley — Two-Spirit Advocacy, Minnesota 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.