LONG BEACH
ROBERT GARCIA, FIRST OPENLY GAY IMMIGRANT MAYOR, IS GOING TO CONGRESS
Robert Garcia, the first openly gay mayor of Long Beach, will also be the first openly gay immigrant in the U.S. House of Representatives. Garcia was projected to win in the heavily Democratic district and has declared victory as votes are still being counted in the 42nd Congressional District, which includes Long Beach and southeastern Los Angeles County. Long Beach appears to be making history yet again by electing the city’s first black mayor as candidate Rex Richardson continues to be in the lead with 53% of the vote, leading by fewer than 4,000 votes. Richardson said in a statement that he was “confident” in his path to the mayoral seat, but he has not officially declared victory as the publishing of this piece.
LOS ANGELES
LA LGBT CENTER APPLAUDS PASSING THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has applauded the Senate passing of the Respect for Marriage Act. The bill now heads to the House for final approval before being sent to the President’s desk. “This is a necessary and momentous occasion for the LGBTQ movement, and we look forward to President Biden signing this incredible achievement once it arrives on his desk,” said Joey Espinoza-Hernández, Director of Policy & Community Building at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
NEW GAY BAR OPENS ON SANTA MONICA BLVD
Welcome to Schmitty’s Bar. A nameless bar was christened in November to coincide with its grand opening in the city of West Hollywood. The new neighborhood gay bar located at 8737 Santa Monica Boulevard was packed during the grand opening last month. Owners Jay Krymis and his wife Michel were at the grand opening being congratulated by friends and fans of the shuttered Fubar located in mid-WeHo. They both owned Fubar which did not survive the pandemic and are currently working on bringing a new bar to the space at 7994 Santa Monica Boulevard.
PALM SPRINGS
COUNTRY CLUBS HOST LGBT TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Three country clubs in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert launched the 29th annual Palm Springs Open tennis tournament last month. The Desert Tennis Association tournament has attracted more the 270 LGBT players worldwide. Mission Hills Country Club and Sunrise Country Club in Rancho Mirage and the Monterey Country Club in Palm Desert hosted the free events. A silent auction raffle hosted by Bella da Ball, featuring entertainment from Keisha D, took place at Mission Hills Country Club. Proceeds from the auction will benefit AAP—Food Samaritans, which provides nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses throughout the Coachella Valley.
SAN DIEGO
OLDEST GAY NIGHTCLUB UPPING SECURITY FOLLOWING MASS SHOOTING IN COLORADO
The Rail, formerly known as The Brass Rail, in the heart of Hillcrest, which is the oldest gay nightclub in the LGBT Hillcrest area of San Diego has upped their security in wake of the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Security at The Rail will now use a security wand to prevent any potential weapons from making it into the nightclub. The Rail will be working with San Diego Police and at least two other gay bars in the area to set up an active shooter training drill.
