News :: News Columns

Transmissions: Checkmate

Transmissions: Checkmate

  • by Gwendolyn Ann Smith
  • Aug 23, 2023

As we've all seen, the last few years have been chock full of attacks on transgender rights.

News Briefs: SF to hold 3rd trans immigrant symposium

News Briefs: SF to hold 3rd trans immigrant symposium

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 23, 2023

Several organizations will co-host the third San Francisco Transgender Immigrant Symposium Friday, August 25, at Strut, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's health center in the heart of the LGBTQ neighborhood at 470 Castro Street.

LGBTQ Agenda: Gay Libertarian presidential candidate says he's running 'confident, aspirational' campaign

LGBTQ Agenda: Gay Libertarian presidential candidate says he's running 'confident, aspirational' campaign

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 22, 2023

A gay Libertarian from Georgia is making waves in his run for his party's nomination for U.S. president — becoming the first-ever third-party candidate to speak at the Iowa State Fair Political Soapbox.

Political Notes: Queer San Diego supervisor candidate Goldbeck concedes primary race

Political Notes: Queer San Diego supervisor candidate Goldbeck concedes primary race

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 18, 2023

Queer military veteran Janessa Goldbeck has failed to survive the primary for a vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Political Notebook: Gay former CA legislative staffer Ruiz seeks LA Assembly seat

Political Notebook: Gay former CA legislative staffer Ruiz seeks LA Assembly seat

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 16, 2023

For six years in the 2010s Ari Ruiz worked for a member of the California Legislature. Come next December, the gay immigrant hopes to be serving in the state Assembly himself.

Out in the World: Queer Persian-owned Toronto restaurant serves as a hub for Iranian activism

Out in the World: Queer Persian-owned Toronto restaurant serves as a hub for Iranian activism

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Aug 16, 2023

In Toronto, family-owned restaurant Banu has served as a place of resistance and refuge for Iranians — including LGBTQ Iranians — fleeing the country's theocratic government that has been ruled by strict Sharia law for nearly 45 years.

LGBTQ Agenda: Florida college DEI programs shut down as school year starts

LGBTQ Agenda: Florida college DEI programs shut down as school year starts

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 15, 2023

A national nonprofit that works for safer college campuses for queer students is condemning the "dismantling and closure" of LGBTQ support offices and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida's public colleges and universities.

Out in the World: Ugandan president pushes back after World Bank suspends billions in future funding due to anti-LGBTQ law

Out in the World: Ugandan president pushes back after World Bank suspends billions in future funding due to anti-LGBTQ law

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Aug 11, 2023

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni lashed out at the World Bank Group after it decided to halt any new funding proposals due to the African country's new anti-LGBTQ law.

Political Notebook: Gay former congressional staffer Ratevosian vies for LA House seat

Political Notebook: Gay former congressional staffer Ratevosian vies for LA House seat

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 9, 2023

Years before being appointed by President Joe Biden as the most senior Armenian American official at the State Department, Jirair Ratevosian, Ph.D., had served as legislative director to Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-Oakland).

Business Briefing: From Castro start, yoga practice spreads across SF

Business Briefing: From Castro start, yoga practice spreads across SF

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 9, 2023

Twenty-five years ago David Nelson got his start as a yoga proprietor when he opened his first studio in San Francisco's LGBTQ Castro district in 1998 with co-owner Darren Main.

News Briefs: Woods to speak on anti-LGBTQ legislative assault

News Briefs: Woods to speak on anti-LGBTQ legislative assault

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 9, 2023

Tiffany Woods, a trans woman and chair emeritus of the California Democratic Party's LGBTQ Caucus, will speak at the Commonwealth Club on the current legislative assault on LGBTQ+ Americans.

Transmissions: Barbie, through a trans eye

Transmissions: Barbie, through a trans eye

  • by Gwendolyn Ann Smith
  • Aug 9, 2023

In the early 1970s, Mattel partnered with United Airlines to enter Barbie into one of her many careers.

LGBTQ Agenda: House GOP nixes millions in proposed funds for queer groups

LGBTQ Agenda: House GOP nixes millions in proposed funds for queer groups

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 8, 2023

The United States House of Representatives Appropriations Committee voted on party lines last month to strip funding for three LGBTQ groups in a decision Democrats said was motivated by bigotry.

Political Notes: Nonbinary labor activist Thompson seeks Santa Cruz council seat

Political Notes: Nonbinary labor activist Thompson seeks Santa Cruz council seat

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 7, 2023

After falling short in their bid for a state Assembly seat last year, nonbinary former union organizer Joe Thompson now has their sights set on being elected to the Santa Cruz City Council.