BY PAULO MURILLO
LOS ANGELES
LA LGBT CENTER’S TRANS TOWN HALL
The Los Angeles LGBT Center hosted the inaugural Trans Town Hall last month at the Renberg Theatre in Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza. The event kicked off the two-day Trans Pride LA (TPLA), an annual celebration of the trans and nonbinary community.
The Town Hall kicked off with a blessing of the stage by members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, followed by a conversation about the state of drag in the U.S. with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner Kylie Sonique Love. Athletes Chris Mosier and Cecé Telfer sat down for a conversation about trans athletes in sports, and journalist Thomas Page McBee led a conversation about trans visibility in media with Isis King, Trace Lysette, and Laith Ashley.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
LISA VANDERPUMP’S PUMP RESTAURANT CLOSING
Lisa Vanderpump’s Pump Restaurant is closing this month, after being at 8948 Santa Monica Boulevard, in the heart of West Hollywood’s LGBT Rainbow District, for the past decade, reports WEHO TIMES
A representative for Vanderpump released a statement of its closure in May, in response to rumors and reports that the space had been listed for lease on LoopNet, the online marketplace for commercial property, which listed the 2,865 SF space as a storefront retail. It is not yet clear if the business has found a new tenant as of the posting of this piece.
VALENCIA
“OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN” LGBTQ NIGHT
Six Flags Magic Mountain’s annual “Out on the Mountain” LGBTQ Night moves earlier into summer on Friday, August 18, 2023. The entire park goes gay for the night, which provides a safe and inclusive environment of fun for the LGBTQ community, with rides, dance parties, and performers.
Over 6,000 people are expected to attended this annual Southern California event of thrill rides and private LGBTQ party. They also raise funds for local LGBTQ organizations and charities. The entire park is closed to the general public for this private LGBTQ party from 6pm-12am.
For more info visit: www.outonthemountain.com/fight
LONG BEACH
40TH ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL & PARADE
The 40th Annual Long Beach Pride Festival & Parade takes place next month, August 4-6, featuring live music by headline artists and local favorites, three stages, food and drink, 150+ arts/crafts vendors, DJ’s and dancing, drag shows, parade, sponsored presence, games, giveaways and more.
Visitors will also enjoy a blend of unique cultural experiences where they’ll see talented artists share their artistic works, along with taste of unique cuisine by talented chefs at the food courts which will feature dishes from local eateries as well as many festival favorites, including popular food trucks.
For more info visit: www.longbeachpride.com
PALM SPRINGS
LGBTQ+ RIDE SHARE APP COMING SOON
A new ride share app, LGBTQ+ ride, is set to launch in Palm Springs and other California cities, offering a safe and inclusive transportation service for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, reports KESQ.com.
The founders, Stephen Ridl and Robert Taylor, aim to create a platform free of discrimination and foster a friendly environment for passengers and drivers alike.
Inspired by their personal experience of facing discrimination from a ride share driver, Ridl and Taylor conceptualized the idea nearly two years ago. The incident occurred after attending a drag show when an Uber driver drove away from one of their friends. Determined to provide an alternative option, they created LGBTQ+ ride.
For more info visit: www.lgbtqride.com.
