There are geographical niches that, when mentioned, bring images of thriving, supportive LGBT communities – such as Hillcrest, Palm Springs and San Francisco. North County is not one of these niches. The residents know it, which is why they are working to open a resource center by the end of this year. The North County…
Don’t miss Women’s Fest 2011: Do It Yourself (DIY)! On May 7 at The Center (3909 Centre Street), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This day-long festival of workshops, entertainment and resources for LBT women focuses on the DIY movement, which empowers individuals to take matters into their own hands when it comes to artistic expression,…
BUSINESS PROFILE: Six years ago, a white Doberman with blue eyes stole the hearts of Chris Chandler and Dr. Robert Nagell, co-owners of the former Pacific Veterinary Clinic in North Park. On April 15, the pair moved the 20-year-old practice into their new expanded location at 2200 University Ave. and renamed it in honor of…
RHODE ISLAND – The Speaker of the House in Rhode Island, Gordon Fox, who is openly gay, has said his bill to extend marriage to gay couples had “no realistic chance” this year and he would push for a civil unions bill. “This is the best we can do right now,” Fox said. “Full marriage…
CALIFORNIA – The last exclusively LGBT bookstore in San Francisco is set to close. A Different Light Bookstores, which used to operate four stores, established the San Francisco branch at 489 Castro Street in the heart of the city’s gay district in 1986. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the shop was a vibrant cultural centre,…
ILLINOIS – A school bus driver has been charged with leading a homophobic attack on a 10-year old student passenger. The Kankakee Sheriff’s Police Department said that the boy was taunted by the driver, who then encouraged other students to chase and beat the child. It was alleged that he repeatedly called the boy “gay.”…
NEW YORK – The lesbian cadet who resigned from West Point military academy last year because she refused to lie about her sexuality has been rejected for readmission due to the still existing ban on gays in the military. Katherine Miller, 21, said in a statement, “Although I am deeply saddened that I will not…
JAPAN – Taiga Ishikawa, 36, has become the first openly gay person to be elected to office in Japan. He recently won a seat in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward Assembly in the city’s local elections. He quickly drew attention to his victory’s significance for the nation’s LGBT community. In a statement to AFP, Ishikawa said, “I…
ZIMBABWE – President Robert Mugabe has condemned gay “filth” in Europe. The Zimbabwean leader, speaking at a recent funeral, hit out at Western powers for maintaining their asset freeze and travel ban on him and his inner circle. “We don’t worry ourselves about the goings-on in Europe,” he told thousands at the burial of deputy…
