December 2011
Let’s fight back against this stereotypical discrimination
December is already here and it’s time for shopping. I did some serious shopping over Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but they were all gifts to myself. I have some good news. Well, I guess bad news for some. I will be writing weekly starting in January. So if you enjoy my column then great, but…
Civil rights: Police may decide Pride attire
EXCLUSIVE San Diego resident William X. Walters, 30, has filed a federal civil rights claim against the San Diego Police Dept. after he was arrested for public nudity, a violation of Municipal Code 56.53, during the 2011 San Diego LGBT Pride festival held in July at Balboa Park. Walters contends that police, with involvement and…
Ron deHarte’s wrongful termination suit from Pride settled quietly
The wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former LGBT Pride executive director, Ron deHarte has been quietly settled out of court, with the amount and terms undisclosed. “I’m pleased with the outcome. I’m not permitted to talk about the settlement,” said deHarte Monday. “I’m not permitted to talk about the case at all.” DeHarte was fired…
48th Annual North Park Toyland Parade: Dec. 3
North Park welcomes the 48th Annual North Park Toyland Parade and Holiday Fair this Saturday, Dec. 3 starting at 11 a.m. The historic parade will travel down University Avenue between Utah and Iowa Streets, with marching bands, upbeat dance groups, vintage cars, beauty queens, city officials and more. Santa Claus will be riding atop his…
Local couple alleges United employee used anti-gay slur
As reported at LGBTweekly.com this week, San Diegans Billy Canu and husband Michael Harbron were flying home after spending Thanksgiving away with friends and relatives. Canu, CEO and cofounder of a successful search engine optimization and Web marketing services firm with offices in San Diego and London, and Harbron say they got a rude awakening…
Tom of Finland’s new crib to host arts fundraiser
Pleasures & Treasures’ new location in Hillcrest is where you need to be Friday night from 7-10 p.m. if you’re a fan of that eternally young and beautiful bruiser named Tom of Finland, for a fundraiser to support emerging LGBT artists and makers of LGBT art. Billed as a place where you can “explore your…
Same-sex benefits bill introduced in Congress
WASHINGTON – The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in the House and Sens. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate, would provide benefits for same-sex domestic partners…
Lesbian cops win benefits case
BALTIMORE – Two Baltimore County police officers who were denied health benefits for their same-sex spouses have won their cases before an arbitrator, the first disputes of this kind to be decided in the department. As reported in the Baltimore Sun, officers Margaret Selby and Juanika Ballard got the word last week that an independent…