News

Woman speaks out in Emeryville hate crime case

Woman speaks out in Emeryville hate crime case

A woman who is a resident at a senior housing facility in Emeryville is speaking out after her former neighbor allegedly removed a Pride-themed display in June.

Drag queens & DJs & drinks, oh my! Besties nightlife venues & events for 2023

Drag queens & DJs & drinks, oh my! Besties nightlife venues & events for 2023

  • BESTIES
  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Oct 24, 2023

Yes, some bars have closed, but more nightclubs and bars have recently opened than in years past, despite the pandemic. This includes winners and runners-up, many in Oakland. Celebrate them all by going out.

Gogos & other great talents: Besties nightlife talents for 2023

Gogos & other great talents: Besties nightlife talents for 2023

  • BESTIES
  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Oct 24, 2023

From your favorite DJs to drag performers of all kinds, you, our readers, selected their favorite people in nightlife. Live bands, bartenders, gogo dancers and more talented folks get a nod for 2023.

Museums, music & more: Besties arts: a winning year in local culture for 2023

Museums, music & more: Besties arts: a winning year in local culture for 2023

  • BESTIES
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Oct 24, 2023

From music to dance and theater, our readers have shared their favorites in the Besties once again. Here's what they have to say this go-round in the performing arts.

Eat me, drink me, take me to-go: Besties dining for 2023

Eat me, drink me, take me to-go: Besties dining for 2023

  • BESTIES
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Oct 24, 2023

In a city renowned for fetishizing its food, Besties dining voters once again reveal themselves to be surprisingly vanilla, and reluctant to stick their tongues out much further than the Castro.

LGBTQ Agenda: US hate crimes up in 2022, report says

LGBTQ Agenda: US hate crimes up in 2022, report says

Reported anti-LGBTQ hate crimes were up nationwide 16% last year, as reported hate crimes in general rose 6.9%, according to statistics released October 16 by the FBI.

SF supervisors to vote on measure affecting Castro Theatre second floor plans

SF supervisors to vote on measure affecting Castro Theatre second floor plans

  • NEWS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Oct 23, 2023

A committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to forward to the full board one of the last hurdles for renovations to begin at the Castro Theatre that will determine if the movie palace can sell liquor on the second floor.

Your guide to Halloween weekend in SF's Castro neighborhood

Your guide to Halloween weekend in SF's Castro neighborhood

  • NEWS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Oct 23, 2023

Ghosts and goblins of the friendly variety will likely be among the revelers in San Francisco's LGBTQ Castro neighborhood this weekend, as Halloween festivities will reboot for the first time in 16 years.

'Restore Drag!' event paints a queer visibility message in the Mission as mural is restored

'Restore Drag!' event paints a queer visibility message in the Mission as mural is restored

  • NEWS
  • by J.L. Odom
  • Oct 20, 2023

At the corner of Valencia and 22nd streets, music emanated from a speaker set up outside of Aditi restaurant as a crowd watched San Francisco artist Juan Manuel Carmona and volunteers chip away at a dark brown coating of paint on a utility box.

Lyon-Martin friends group shelves bid to buy historic SF lesbian property

Lyon-Martin friends group shelves bid to buy historic SF lesbian property

  • NEWS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 20, 2023

A group instrumental in preserving the two-story cottage once owned by lesbian pioneering couple Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin has determined it is unable to purchase the historic San Francisco property.

Political Notes: Lee picks up LGBTQ backing in US Senate race

Political Notes: Lee picks up LGBTQ backing in US Senate race

  • NEWS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 20, 2023

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is picking up support within the LGBTQ community for her bid to succeed the late U.S. senator Dianne Feinstein next year.

Bonta's lawsuit against Chino Valley school district's 'forced outing' policy scores 2nd win

Bonta's lawsuit against Chino Valley school district's 'forced outing' policy scores 2nd win

  • LEGAL
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Oct 19, 2023

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge granted a preliminary injunction October 19 against enforcing two parts of a California school district's policy to out transgender and nonbinary students without their consent.

US Sen. Butler won't seek full term

US Sen. Butler won't seek full term

  • NEWS
  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Oct 19, 2023

Recently appointed Black lesbian U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-California) said Thursday that she would not seek a full term to replace the late senator Dianne Feinstein.

Defaced queer mural to be restored during Mission district protest Friday

Defaced queer mural to be restored during Mission district protest Friday

A protest against homophobia is set for Friday morning in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood after a mural of a prominent drag artist was destroyed and its painter reportedly threatened.