BY PAULO MURILLO
LOS ANGELES
LA LGBT CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW CYCLING FUNDRAISER
The Los Angeles LGBT Center announced a new three-day cycling event from Los Angeles to San Diego, set for April 24–26, 2026. Modeled after AIDS/LifeCycle, the ride will raise funds for the center while building community. General registration for cyclists opens Wednesday, Oct. 9, with a $95 entry fee. Participants must raise a minimum of $2,500 by April 10, 2026, to take part in the ride. Spots are limited, and organizers encourage early sign-ups to secure a place in the inaugural year. The event will also offer volunteer opportunities for those who don’t plan to cycle, with a volunteer interest form available at the same time registration opens. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
SAN DIEGO
SD PRIDE APPOINTS MADONNA CACCIATORE AS INTERIM E.D.
San Diego Pride has appointed Madonna Cacciatore as interim executive director, effective Sept. 23, while the organization conducts a national search for a permanent leader. Cacciatore, the former executive director of LA Pride, brings more than 20 years of LGBTQIA+ community leadership, including roles at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and InterPride. A lifelong activist whose advocacy began after losing her brother to AIDS in 1991, she has also volunteered with The Names Project Quilt and completed seven AIDS/LifeCycle rides. San Diego Pride’s board has launched a search committee, with recruitment beginning this fall and a permanent director expected to be named by late 2025 or early 2026.
LONG BEACH
POLICE INVESTIGATING ANTI-LGBTQ GRAFFITI AT LONG BEACH PRIDE
Police are investigating hateful and threatening graffiti found outside Long Beach Pride’s administrative office near Rose Park. The vandalism, which included Nazi symbols, “MAGA,” slurs, and phrases such as “all should die,” was discovered and removed by city crews the next day. Long Beach Pride President Tonya Martin called the act “shocking,” noting the office has previously been targeted with vandalism and concerning mail. Officials, including Rep. Robert Garcia, State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, and Mayor Rex Richardson, condemned the act as a hate crime meant to intimidate the LGBTQ+ community. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn pledged $2,500 to help the group upgrade its security cameras.
PALM SPRINGS
CITY TO RAISE 65-FOOT PRIDE FLAGPOLE AHEAD OF PRIDE WEEKEND
Palm Springs is building a 65-foot flagpole to fly an 18-by-25-foot rainbow Pride flag at the entrance to the city’s Arenas District. The $106,000 project, approved by the City Council in July, is expected to be completed by mid-October in time for Palm Springs Pride weekend. The flag will serve as a new symbol of the city’s LGBTQ+ community and will be visible across the low-rise district.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
WEHO FACES BACKLASH FOR LOWERING LGBT FLAGS FOR CHARLIE KIRK
The City of West Hollywood is under fire for lowering its flags, including the Transgender and Progress Pride flags, to half-staff in memory of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The action was taken to comply with a presidential proclamation ordering flags lowered until September 14, 2025. However, many community members, citing Kirk’s history of racist, transphobic, and homophobic remarks, quickly condemned the move.
The City issued a statement clarifying that the action was a matter of policy compliance, not an endorsement of Kirk’s views. As a result of the controversy, the City Council announced it will review and potentially update its flag-lowering policy to better align with West Hollywood’s values.
