Policy fights over housing, health care await newly installed lesbian Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Bisexual Arizona U.S. Senate candidate makes Bay Area fundraising swing.

Should one of the three out candidates seeking the 15th Assembly District seat this year win, they would be the first LGBT state lawmaker from the East Bay.

Lesbian state Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) took her oath of office Wednesday to become the first female and first LGBT president pro tem of the California Senate. She is the 48th person to hold the second most powerful post in state government.

At Monday night's mayoral forum at the Castro Theatre, gay former state lawmaker and city supervisor Mark Leno was a no-show.

A local monthly newspaper that covers San Francisco's western neighborhoods is apologizing for running a photo of gay state Senator Scott Wiener that many found to be homophobic.

With just weeks to go before absentee ballots begin hitting voters' mailboxes, gay District 8 Supervisor Jeff Sheehy remains undecided on which of the candidates to back in the race to be San Francisco's next mayor.

They all support California offering universal health care to its residents. They all pledge to advocate for LGBT rights in Sacramento.

One of the best chances this year to elect a new member to the California Legislative LGBT Caucus is in the gay retirement and vacation mecca of Palm Springs.

In his bid to become San Francisco's first gay mayor, Mark Leno has picked up the support of two groups aimed at electing LGBT people to office, as well as two out former Democratic speakers of the state Assembly.

The needs of youth and health issues within the LGBT community are the main focus of a bill package California lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing during the 2018 legislative session.

San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell plans to form a transgender advisory panel to assist the city in meeting the community's needs, the Bay Area Reporter has learned.

He won't turn the required age to be a member of the House of Representatives, 25, until four days before the November 6 election. And amid campaigning he is also focused on earning a law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law.

San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell supports naming Terminal 1 at the city's airport after slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

With California routinely devastated by natural forces, from wildfires and earthquakes to floods and droughts, Jess Phoenix aims to be a powerful voice on environmental issues on Capitol Hill should she win her congressional bid.