<description>&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;This week on the Queer News Podcast, Anna DeShawn sits down for an exclusive Season 5 interview with a leader who is truly "about that life": State Senator Mike Simmons. Representing the far north side of Chicago, Simmons made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person and the first Ethiopian American to serve in the Illinois State Senate. Now, he's taking a monumental leap to run for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 9th District, bringing a track record of 50 bills passed into law in just four years.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;This special episode is an honest look at the "lived experience" we need in D.C., as Mike discusses his unique People's Legislative Councils and why he believes "creative protest" is the only way to combat the affordability crisis and protect marginalized communities. From the behind-the-scenes story of making Illinois a sanctuary state for trans families to a candid conversation about the fundraising gaps Black and LGBTQ+ candidates face, this interview is a reminder that authentic representation isn't just a buzzword—it's a tool for survival.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;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: &lt;a href= "https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66"&gt;https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Important Episode Links&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mikesimmons.org/"&gt;Learn more about Senator Mike Simmons&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://cheerful-thinker-8561.kit.com/658060417d"&gt;Join the QCrew! Giving starts as low as $5/month&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502"&gt;Send In a Queer News Tip&lt;/a&gt; or email info at e3radio dot fm&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Interested in advertising?&lt;br /&gt; Email: info at e3radio.fm&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Subscribe to our YouTube Channel&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://youtube.com/@e3radio"&gt;https://youtube.com/@e3radio&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;📣 Stay Connected&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr" role="presentation"&gt;Subscribe for news &amp; queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, &lt;a href= "https://bit.ly/QueerNews"&gt;https://bit.ly/QueerNews&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr" role="presentation"&gt;Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr" role="presentation"&gt;Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;About Queer News&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race &amp; sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers &amp; celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer &amp; comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

Queer News

E3 Radio

Interview: Senator Mike Simmons' Bold Vision for Congress

MAR 6, 202625 MIN
Queer News

Interview: Senator Mike Simmons' Bold Vision for Congress

MAR 6, 202625 MIN

Description

This week on the Queer News Podcast, Anna DeShawn sits down for an exclusive Season 5 interview with a leader who is truly "about that life": State Senator Mike Simmons. Representing the far north side of Chicago, Simmons made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person and the first Ethiopian American to serve in the Illinois State Senate. Now, he's taking a monumental leap to run for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 9th District, bringing a track record of 50 bills passed into law in just four years. This special episode is an honest look at the "lived experience" we need in D.C., as Mike discusses his unique People's Legislative Councils and why he believes "creative protest" is the only way to combat the affordability crisis and protect marginalized communities. From the behind-the-scenes story of making Illinois a sanctuary state for trans families to a candid conversation about the fundraising gaps Black and LGBTQ+ candidates face, this interview is a reminder that authentic representation isn't just a buzzword—it's a tool for survival. 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://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Important Episode Links Learn more about Senator Mike Simmons 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, https://bit.ly/QueerNews Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices. 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT. Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.