In becoming San Diego's first gay elected mayor and first mayor of color Thursday, Todd Gloria pledged a "new era" for his Southern California city.

A trio of new out San Mateo County city council members, all young people of color, is set to bring a fresh perspective to how their municipalities are run in the coming months now that they have been seated on their governing bodies.

At age 70, gay state Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) became the oldest out member of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Monday when he took his oath of office inside a sparsely attended Senate chamber.

The AC Transit District Board of Directors again has an out member, as Jovanka Beckles was sworn into office during a virtual ceremony Friday, December 4.

For close to 17 years Rene Spring and his husband, Mark Hoffmann, have called Morgan Hill home. And during that time the bedroom community south of San Jose has seen rapid development of new homes and businesses.

Two prominent lesbians of color have been appointed to major roles in President-elect Joe Biden's communications department, the transition team announced in a news release November 29.

As the number of out LGBTQ people winning elective office continues to grow around the Bay Area, San Francisco is seeing a decline.

Another ritual has been upended this year by the COVID-19 pandemic: political swearing-in ceremonies.

Despite San Francisco voters adopting a slew of revenue-generating local propositions on the November 3 ballot, the city is bracing for more budget turmoil over the coming months.

Voters in the Bay Area and across California were of a mixed mind this month when it came to lowering the voting age.

California voters signaled a more progressive approach to criminal justice when they cast ballots November 3.

With their victory in the race for the newly created District 3 seat on the City Council in Redwood City, Lissette Espinoza-Garnica has become the Bay Area's first nonbinary city council member.

While street parties celebrating President-elect Joe Biden's win have ended and Donald Trump's refusing to concede the November 3 election, the incoming team has hit the ground running, releasing a plan to combat the nation's burgeoning COVID-19 epidemic.

San Mateo County will see two more freshmen city council members as a pair of out candidates have been elected in South San Francisco and Redwood City.