On Sept. 20, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Eric Alva will be on hand in San Diego to accept his Salute Award personally for his efforts in overturning the government’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) military policy. Alva knows only too well the sacrifices ordinary men and women make in the service of their country, as…
San Diego lost part of its heart and soul with the passing of John Laird in late August, a long-time activist, volunteer and the 21st emperor of the Imperial Court of San Diego County. Laird endured several ailments after suffering a heart attack in 2006, while climbing stairs at The San Diego LGBT Community Center,…
UNITED KINGDOM – The UK Department of Health has announced that the lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have had sex with men is to be lifted following an evidence-based review by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs. The recommendation, which has been accepted by the health ministers…
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists launched an attack on the U.S. like this country has never experienced before. On the 10th year anniversary, San Diego LGBT Weekly pays tribute to the known LGBT community members who lost their lives that day. Renee Barrett, 41, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Although she…
BY IAN STOKELL San Diego LGBT Weekly Batter up San Diego! The fall league of America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL) begins Sept.11, offering both the novice and experienced player alike a chance to strut their athletic stuff during a 12-game season played over a six-week period. Founded in 1981, the LGBT league had expanded…
Newly crowned Executive Director John Alexander, Director Richard Baird and the Diversionary Theatre are bringing to the stage Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, which opens this weekend. It is arguably the largest cast Diversionary has ever had in their space and according to Alexander it is the first time a classical piece has been done at…
AB 9, known as Seth’s Law, is now on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk after the Senate passed the bill last week. He is expected to sign it. Seth’s Law is designed to address school bullying, especially against LGBT students, by providing California schools with tools to create a safe school environment for all students. The…
MISSISSIPPI – Bryan Fischer, spokesman for the anti-gay hate group American Family Association (AFA), has openly expressed support for the re-criminalization of homosexuality. On his radio show Focal Point recently, Fischer called on all fifty states to criminalize homosexuality. Fischer said, “Both of the cases that went to the United States Supreme Court that dealt…
CANADA – The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has amended an earlier ruling which said that radio stations must censor the song “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits which includes the homophobic slur “faggot.” The original decision was rendered Jan. 12, 2011. In it, the CBSC concluded that the broadcast of the original version of…
SCOTLAND – The Scottish government has launched their promised consultation on marriage equality for Scotland. The government’s initial view is to support the introduction of same-sex marriage. The introduction to the consultation paper by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon states, “The Scottish government is choosing to make its initial views clear at the outset of…
