Welcome to Season 4! It’s a new year, and Anna DeShawn is back to guide us through Queer News where race and sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. While Anna takes time to reflect and recharge, we’re revisiting a vital conversation with Mony Ruiz Velasco, Deputy Director of Equality Illinois. In this replay episode, Mony breaks down the actionable steps LGBTQ+ folks can take to safeguard their rights, families, and futures in an increasingly hostile environment.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   00:00 - Welcome to Queer News 1:29 - Welcome to Season 4 of the Queer News podcast 4:03 - Need health insurance. Get covered, https://getcoveredillinois.gov/  4:19 - Promote your business on the Queer News podcast. Book an ad today! Email info @ e3radio.fm  4:49 - Get your affairs in order   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Key Highlights 🔒 Legal protections for queer families: wills, beneficiaries, powers of attorney 🏥 Safeguarding healthcare privacy and access 🛡️ Preparing for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and attacks 🌍 Supporting displaced LGBTQ+ individuals seeking safety in Illinois 🤝 The power of community: time, talent, and treasure in the fight for equity Mony and Anna share insights on turning hope into action, building resilience, and leaning into the strength of our communities. ❤️ Tune in for practical tips, inspiring stories, and the unwavering reminder that our humanity is never up for compromise. 👉🏽 Visit Equality Illinois for resources and ways to get involved. 📣 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.  🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to the Queer News Newsletter https://bit.ly/QueerNews    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio    Leave a Queer News Tip https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502    Join the QCrew https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   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 every Monday by 7am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall.    Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.