Politics

San Francisco supervisors eye ending contract ban covering states with anti-LGBTQ laws, abortion bans

San Francisco supervisors eye ending contract ban covering states with anti-LGBTQ laws, abortion bans

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 13, 2023

A controversial proposal that San Francisco end its contracting ban with companies headquartered in states that have adopted anti-LGBTQ laws, abortion bans, or restricted voting access in recent years will soon be taken up by the Board of Supervisors.

SF mayor defiant in State of the City: 'like air, I rise'

SF mayor defiant in State of the City: 'like air, I rise'

Mayor London Breed made downtown revitalization a key part of her State of the City address in the city's Dogpatch neighborhood midday Thursday, in a defiant address where she said San Francisco has seen tough times before, yet has always survived.

Political Notebook: Lesbian CA Senator Menjivar settles into Sacramento

Political Notebook: Lesbian CA Senator Menjivar settles into Sacramento

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 8, 2023

Providing a video tour of her Sacramento office via Twitter in early January, lesbian state Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) showed off the entry area and shared workspace for her staff.

LGBTQ Agenda: Artists and others speak out as bills advance in 3 states that would criminalize drag

LGBTQ Agenda: Artists and others speak out as bills advance in 3 states that would criminalize drag

LGBTQ civil rights groups and drag artists are sounding the alarm about bills in three states that if they became law would restrict drag performances.

Political Notes: US senators call for LGBTQ data about scientific workforce

Political Notes: US senators call for LGBTQ data about scientific workforce

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 6, 2023

A group of Democratic U.S. senators is calling for better data about the number of LGBTQ people employed among the country's scientific workforce.

Gay Lynwood councilmember Solache confirms CA Assembly bid

Gay Lynwood councilmember Solache confirms CA Assembly bid

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 2, 2023

Joining the growing ranks of LGBTQ candidates seeking California legislative seats next year is gay Lynwood City Councilmember José Luis Solache.

Political Notebook: Transgender Orange County candidate Wade falls short

Political Notebook: Transgender Orange County candidate Wade falls short

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 1, 2023

A transgender veteran has fallen short in her bid for a city council seat in the seaside town of Seal Beach, California.

Political Notes: Transit, safety, budget issues top focuses of out Bay Area politicians

Political Notes: Transit, safety, budget issues top focuses of out Bay Area politicians

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 30, 2023

Budgetary matters, public safety policies, and assisting transit agencies will be top focuses in 2023 for San Francisco's trio of gay supervisors.

Political Notebook: Complaint filed against opponent of trans Seal Beach, CA council candidate

Political Notebook: Complaint filed against opponent of trans Seal Beach, CA council candidate

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 24, 2023

The runoff race opponent of a transgender City Council candidate in Seal Beach, California is facing questions about her eligibility to seek the district seat, and other issues.

Political Notes: SF LGBTQ Dem club elects 1st Asian male president

Political Notes: SF LGBTQ Dem club elects 1st Asian male president

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 23, 2023

Members of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club have elected Jeffrey Kwong to lead the progressive political group in 2023.

Gay vet Rocha seeks San Diego Assembly seat

Gay vet Rocha seeks San Diego Assembly seat

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 19, 2023

Two months after losing his bid for a state Senate seat, gay veteran Joseph C. Rocha of Escondido has launched his campaign for an open San Diego County Assembly seat that will be on the ballot in 2024.

Political Notebook: Lesbian marriage activist joins CA school board

Political Notebook: Lesbian marriage activist joins CA school board

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 18, 2023

Back in the early 2000s Jennifer Sookne was fighting to achieve marriage equality in California.

Political Notebook: LGBTQ CA senators given key committee chairmanships

Political Notebook: LGBTQ CA senators given key committee chairmanships

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 11, 2023

As state leaders grapple with a projected $22 billion budget deficit this year, LGBTQ members of the California Senate will be in key leadership posts to help address fiscal matters and other policy issues in 2023.

2023 ushers in new SF LGBTQ Dem club leaders

2023 ushers in new SF LGBTQ Dem club leaders

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 11, 2023

San Francisco's two main LGBTQ political clubs are bidding adieu to their male leaders of the past two years.