LOS ANGELES
Supporting March For Our Lives
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Downtown Los Angeles for the March for Our Lives demonstration to call to action an end to gun violence. Among the thousands in attendance were members from the LGBT community who let their presence known with rainbow flags and sassy gay signage. “NRA Can Sashay Away,” one sign read. “The Only Guns I Want to Hold are Zac Efron’s,” read another held by a gay male protestor.
The Los Angeles chapter of Gays Against Guns convened at Pershing Square and marched to city hall. Gays Against Guns are an action group of LGBTQ people and their allies committed to nonviolently breaking the gun industry’s chain of death—investors, manufacturers, the NRA and politicians who block safer gun laws.
To join, visit gaysagainstguns.net.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
CSW Announces Theme For LA Pride Festival
Christopher Street West (CSW), the non-profit that produces the annual LA Pride Festival and Parade announced this year’s LA PRIDE festival theme with #JUSTBE 2018 campaign to focus on self-expression.
According to a CSW press release, #JUSTBE is more than just a theme. It’s a bigger story that will permeate every element of this year’s Pride festivities – from the Festival to the Parade (returning to its home on Santa Monica Boulevard this year) to the many week-long community events that CSW is busy planning.
To learn more, visit lapride.org.
LONG BEACH
Paradise Restaurant And Bar Closes
The city of Long Beach lost a gay landmark when Paradise Bar and Restaurant closed permanently late last month after serving the LGBT community for over 30 years. The space located on the section of the Broadway Corridor in the heart of the Alamitos Beach neighborhood held farewell celebrations on March 16 and 17. It officially closed on Tuesday, March 20.
The closing of Paradise marks another end of an era in Long Beach, which saw the closing of Pistons Bar in 2016.
HOLLYWOOD
RuPaul Gets Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
RuPaul Charles had his star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, March 16. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that RuPaul is the 2,631st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was dedicated in the category of Television. The star has been placed at 6652 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the World of Wonder production office which produces the show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Since 2009, RuPaul has produced and hosted the reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
SAN DIEGO
Senator Toni Atkins Makes History
San Diego Democratic Senator Toni Atkins, 55, has made history by becoming the first woman and first lesbian to become California Senate Leader. Atkins is taking over the post of Senate president pro tempore after serving as Speaker of the California State Assembly. She also represents the 39th district, encompassing most of San Diego. Aside from running the senate, she will focus on developing a process to deal with sexual harassment allegations. She has been a driving force behind a successful push to raise money for subsidized housing by charging $75 for many real-estate transactions. Atkins, who advanced groundbreaking legislation on health care, LGBT rights and housing. She is described by her colleagues as kind, measured and compassionate but steadfast in her commitment to fighting for people and ideas she believes in.
