Politics

Senate confirms lesbian, trans nominees to high-profile defense roles

Senate confirms lesbian, trans nominees to high-profile defense roles

  • POLITICS
  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Jul 22, 2021

The U.S. Senate confirmed on July 20 two LGBTQ Biden nominees for high-profile positions at the Defense Department by unanimous consent.

Out men will help redraw San Francisco's political map

Out men will help redraw San Francisco's political map

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 22, 2021

Two out men will have a hand in reconfiguring San Francisco's political map as members of the city's decennial redistricting task force.

Political Notebook: SF supes seat gay historic preservation commissioner

Political Notebook: SF supes seat gay historic preservation commissioner

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 20, 2021

After months of debate about the need for LGBTQ representation on San Francisco's Historic Preservation Commission, the Board of Supervisors has seated a gay man on the oversight body.

Political Notes: New US LGBTQ museum seeks executive director

Political Notes: New US LGBTQ museum seeks executive director

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 19, 2021

Four months after going public with their plans, the board members of the New York City-based American LGBTQ+ Museum have begun the process to hire its first executive director.

LGBTQ groups endorse queer East Bay Assembly candidate Ramachandran

LGBTQ groups endorse queer East Bay Assembly candidate Ramachandran

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 16, 2021

Two more LGBTQ groups have endorsed queer social justice attorney Janani Ramachandran ahead of the August 31 runoff race for the East Bay's 18th Assembly District seat.

Newsom signs nonbinary death certificates bill

Newsom signs nonbinary death certificates bill

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 12, 2021

Deceased Californians who are nonbinary will be able to be identified as such on their death certificates under legislation Governor Gavin Newsom signed July 9.

Political Notes: Gay veteran Rocha seeks San Diego area congressional seat

Political Notes: Gay veteran Rocha seeks San Diego area congressional seat

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 8, 2021

A gay Latino veteran who fought the military's homophobic "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and has ties to San Francisco is seeking to be elected to a Southern California congressional seat.

Political Notebook: Gay Santa Clara councilman Becker adjusts to new role

Political Notebook: Gay Santa Clara councilman Becker adjusts to new role

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 7, 2021

For years Santa Clara native Anthony Becker sought to have a say in the direction of the South Bay city.

Biden nominates lesbian to ambassador-level post

Biden nominates lesbian to ambassador-level post

President Joe Biden on July 2 nominated Chantale Wong to be the United States director to the Asian Development Bank, a post with the rank of ambassador.

Queer Assembly candidate Ramachandran appears headed to August runoff race

Queer Assembly candidate Ramachandran appears headed to August runoff race

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 30, 2021

Queer Assembly candidate Janani Ramachandran appears headed to the August 31 runoff race for the East Bay's 18th Assembly District seat.

Political Notebook: San Mateo supervisors fund new coastal LGBTQ center

Political Notebook: San Mateo supervisors fund new coastal LGBTQ center

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 29, 2021

With $35,000 from San Mateo County and donations from community supporters, the new CoastPride Community Center in Half Moon Bay surpassed its fundraising goal of $75,000.

Political Notebook: With children's book, 1st lesbian Native American Congresswoman Davids aims to inspire

Political Notebook: With children's book, 1st lesbian Native American Congresswoman Davids aims to inspire

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 23, 2021

Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) made history in 2018 by becoming the first out member from Kansas and one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress.

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 18, 2021

A new campaign aims to bring a plethora of Pride flag emoji to the keyboards of smartphones and other devices.

Political Notebook: Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Dem Club marks 50 years

Political Notebook: Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Dem Club marks 50 years

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 16, 2021

At its launch in December 1971 San Francisco's oldest LGBTQ Democratic Club operated with a "wink, wink" as being a political group for the city's LGBTQ community.