LONG BEACH
FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia is running for Congress hoping to fill the seat Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) will give up at the end of 2022. Garcia, a Democrat, made history by becoming the first Latino and openly gay mayor. He launched a campaign video following the day Lowenthal announced his retirement, where he focuses on his mother, who immigrated to the country when Garcia was a small child and died last year of coronavirus. The video also highlights his assertive pandemic response. He received an immediate endorsement by LGBTQ group Equality California as well as potential rival State Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), who bowed out of contention shortly after his announcement. Garcia will remain as mayor of Long Beach as he runs for this congressional seat.
PALM SPRINGS
LISA MIDDLETON BECOMES FIRST TRANSGENDER MAYOR IN CALIFORNIA
Lisa Middleton made history last month by becoming the first Transgender Mayor in Palm Springs and in the state of California. Middleton, who represents District 5 and served as mayor pro tem for the past year, replaced Christy Holstege. Under a rotational system adopted by the council in 2018, the current mayor pro tem automatically is sworn as mayor at the first council meeting in December, while the councilmember for the next sequential district is appointed mayor pro tem. District 1 Councilmember Grace Garner was sworn in as mayor pro tem.
LOS ANGELES
APLA IS CONDUCTING A PREP TALK PROGRAM FOR BLACK GAY/BISEXUAL MSM
APLA Health is conducting a PrEP Talk program for Black/African American men between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. The program gives individuals the opportunity to learn more about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and gain communication skills with a friend and possibly make upwards of $340 for participation. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can be taken regularly to prevent HIV transmissions. Those interested in participating in the PrEP Talk program can do so by signing up via a call or text at 323-329-9031, email at cbr@aplahealth, or DM via Instagram at @aplahealt_cbr, or Facebook at /aplacbr.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
NEW GAY BAR IS COMING TO WEHO
Jay Krymis, the owner of Fubar announced earlier last month that he is opening a new gay bar at the former home of Gym Bar—the popular sports bar moved to a new location a few blocks west on Santa Monica Boulevard. He says the new bar is going to be—quote—“gay, gay, gay!” Krymis posted a video on his social media where he spoke of the new gay space at 8737 Santa Monica Boulevard. According to the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), the owners of The Normandie Room, which was a lesbian bar at that location prior to when Gym Bar moved in, obtained the liquor license to the space and Krymis bought the liquor license from them, which is currently in transition. Fubar has been closed throughout the pandemic, leaving many to wonder if the bar will ever open again.
SAN DIEGO
MAN CHARGED WITH A HATE CRIME AFTER HOMOPHOBIC ATTACK
Robert Frank Wilson, 40, has been charged with a hate crime after an altercation with his neighbor. According to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Wilson blocked the neighbor’s driveway, yelled homophobic slurs, then reached into the victim’s vehicle and struck him in the face. According to the DA’s statement, a few days later, Wilson was cited by the San Diego Police Department for working with a group of people to hang a large anti-Semitic poster on the fence of an Interstate 805 overpass. Wilson, who is currently out of jail on bond, appeared in-person in a Chula Vista courtroom and pleaded not guilty to a felony count of battery, plus a hate crime allegation.
