WEST HOLLYWOOD
GOLD COAST BAR CLOSES AFTER 39 YEARS
One of the oldest gay bars in West Hollywood, The Gold Coast bar, located on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and North La Jolla Avenue, on 8246 Santa Monica Blvd., becomes the fourth gay bar to close on Santa Monica Boulevard. After much speculation and rumors that the dive bar was closing, one of the bar’s owners, Bryan Worl, confirmed via a Facebook post that the GC is “closing for good” after 39 years. The LGBT community has lost Gym Bar, Flaming Saddles, and Rage Nightclub due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced all bars shut for the past six months.
LOS ANGELES
LA LGBT CENTER CEO LORRI L. JEAN RETIRING
The Los Angeles LGBT Center announced that CEO Lorri L. Jean is retiring. The Center is searching for her successor who will take her place on July, 2022. The search will be led by the Center’s Board of Directors and national search firm Koya Leadership Partners. In an unprecedented process, the new candidate will start in May 2021 as Executive Director and will work with Jean and senior staff to assure a smooth transition before assuming the role of CEO in July 2022. At the time of her retirement, Jean will have led the Center for more than 25 years.
PALM SPRINGS
WHITE PARTY ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT IS CANCELLED
White Party, the largest gay circuit party in the nation, has been cancelled in 2020. It was moved from April to Halloween night, on October 30th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Founder Jeffrey Sanker announced that the continuing threat has forced him to move the event to April 2021. “With the unpredictable changes in health guidelines surrounding COVID-19 which we respect and are taking seriously, my biggest concern is the safety of our attendees and the people of Palm Springs,” Sanker said on the festival’s website. Ticket holders will have their tickets automatically transferred to the 2021 slated for April 23-26.
SAN DIEGO
GAME FORFEITED AFTER TEAM MEMBER USES ANTI-GAY SLUR
The San Diego Loyal SC walked out of the soccer field after a member of the opposing team Phoenix Rising, allegedly used a anti-gay slur against midfielder Collin Martin who happens to be gay. The game ended in the first half of their USL Championship match. The game, played at Torero Stadium in San Diego, was not recognized in the league’s results from Wednesday, and the match has been ruled a forfeit. Loyal SC manager Landon Donovan, chose to have his team forfeit and walk off the pitch before the whistle to start the second half could be blown. The USL Championship said it was investigating the incident.
LONG BEACH
FALCON FIRST GAY BAR TO REOPEN ON BROADWAY CORRIDOR
The Falcon gay bar becomes the first gay bar to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. The bar opened its patio space to team up with Thai Silk, the Thai restaurant just east of the Falcon. They now offer food and drinks on the patio. Falcon owner Michael Barber saw the possibility that he could utilize the patio with a local restaurant partner to serve legally required food that would allow the bar to operate. With the Paradise bar closing in 2018, and the building that houses The Brit up for sale, the Falcon is trying to keep the gay bar alive on the Broadway Corridor in Long Beach.
