Politics

Political Notebook: Queer family advocate seeks Oakland school board vacancy

Political Notebook: Queer family advocate seeks Oakland school board vacancy

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

A queer family advocate is seeking the vacant seat on the Oakland school board this November. If elected, Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez would be the second LGBTQ member of the oversight body.

Newsom signs set of trans bills

Newsom signs set of trans bills

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

The last two remaining LGBTQ-related bills adopted this year by California lawmakers have been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Political Notes: Gay SF health commissioner Bernal gets waiver to take UCSF job

Political Notes: Gay SF health commissioner Bernal gets waiver to take UCSF job

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

Gay San Francisco Health Commission President Dan Bernal has secured the waiver he was seeking to become UCSF's vice chancellor of community and government relations.

Political Notebook: Gay Pelosi chief Bernal seeks waiver for UCSF job

Political Notebook: Gay Pelosi chief Bernal seeks waiver for UCSF job

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

Dan Bernal, the longtime gay chief of staff to Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), is seeking a waiver from San Francisco's ethics watchdog body in order to take a job with UCSF as its vice chancellor of community and government relations.

HRC, other LGBTQ groups, endorse Biden-Harris for 2024

HRC, other LGBTQ groups, endorse Biden-Harris for 2024

  • POLITICS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Oct 10, 2023

Three national LGBTQ groups — including the Human Rights Campaign's political action committee — endorsed President Joe Biden's re-election campaign October 10 in their first joint endorsement.

Newsom nixes trio of bills covering LGBTQ health concerns

Newsom nixes trio of bills covering LGBTQ health concerns

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 9, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend nixed three pieces of legislation aimed at addressing health concerns facing LGBTQ individuals.

Political Notes: Black Cat Tavern, 1st California LGBTQ state landmark, receives its plaque

Political Notes: Black Cat Tavern, 1st California LGBTQ state landmark, receives its plaque

Across California are hundreds of sites designated as official state historical landmarks, from the homes of prominent individuals and locations of important businesses to religious structures and arts institutions.

Feinstein, SF's 'forever mayor,' lionized at City Hall memorial

Feinstein, SF's 'forever mayor,' lionized at City Hall memorial

After America's powerful raised their voices in praise of Dianne Feinstein at her memorial service Thursday, the late senator's granddaughter reminded San Franciscans what made her, in the words of another speaker, their "forever mayor."

Political Notebook: Vallejo leader Wilson vies to be 1st gay Solano supervisor

Political Notebook: Vallejo leader Wilson vies to be 1st gay Solano supervisor

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 4, 2023

Michael Wilson, a gay former Vallejo city councilmember, is vying to become the first known LGBTQ member of the Solano County Board of Supervisors.

Butler sworn in as US senator

Butler sworn in as US senator

Laphonza Butler was sworn in Tuesday as California's new senator, succeeding Dianne Feinstein, who died last week.

Newsom names Butler, Black lesbian, to Feinstein's Senate seat

Newsom names Butler, Black lesbian, to Feinstein's Senate seat

Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday named Laphonza Butler, a Black lesbian and president of Emily's List, to replace Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate.

Political Notes: LGBTQ leaders post remembrances of late senator Feinstein

Political Notes: LGBTQ leaders post remembrances of late senator Feinstein

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Sep 29, 2023

Numerous LGBTQ leaders across the Golden State who woke up Friday morning to the news of Feinstein's passing took to social media to post tributes to her and express their condolences.

Political Notebook: Amid Orange County LGBTQ backlash, House candidate Min remains an advocate

Political Notebook: Amid Orange County LGBTQ backlash, House candidate Min remains an advocate

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Sep 27, 2023

California state Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) has faced a grueling political year throughout 2023 as he runs for a U.S. House seat in the heart of Orange County.

Newsom signs book ban, other LGBTQ bills

Newsom signs book ban, other LGBTQ bills

With the stroke of his pen Governor Gavin Newsom has prohibited public schools in California from banning books due to their addressing LGBTQ or race-based topics.