BY PAULO MURILLO | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
LOS ANGELES
CLAW PRESENTS LA LEATHER GETAWAY
The 3rd Annual Leather Getaway, an all-encompassing weekend of skills & education classes, kink vending, inclusive socials, game shows, speed dating, sex-positive events, dinners, cruising, and more (all under one roof), takes place next month.
Presented by CLAW, a not-for-profit corporation, The Leather Getaway is not a title competition, but rather serves as a fundraiser with proceeds from the event going to local and national LGTBQ+ charities.
The event takes at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in DTLA, November 23-26, 2023.
For more info visit: www.leathergetaway.org.
PALM SPRINGS
PALM SPRINGS PRIDE ANNOUNCES GRAND MARSHALS
Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced one of the oldest living drag queens in the world, James ”Gypsy” Haake, will be recognized as the 2023 Pride Parade Grand Marshal. Trixie Mattel will be honored as the Celebrity Grand Marshal and Ethylina Canne will be celebrated as the Community Grand Marshal of the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade scheduled for November 5 in Palm Springs. The honorees are masters of the craft, and their participation will affirm the Palm Springs Pride theme, Drag Now. Drag Forever.
“By honoring Gypsy, Trixie, and Ethylina, we acknowledge their resilience and ability to thrive at times when being a Drag performer in some cities is met with severe prejudice. Moreover, their stories inspire younger generations, illustrating the progress that has been made and reminding us of the work that still needs to be done in the fight for equality.”
For more info visit: www.pspride.org.
SACRAMENTO
CALIFORNIA TO ESTABLISH TRANSGENDER HISTORY MONTH
The state Assembly voted in favor last month of House Resolution 57, introduced by state Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), to recognize August as Transgender History Month beginning in 2024.
“San Francisco has been and always will be a place where everyone can seek refuge, sanctuary, and safety,” mayor London Breed stated.
Previously, San Francisco became the first city in the nation to declare August Transgender History Month back in 2021. Santa Clara made a similar declaration in 2022.
LOS ANGELES
THE FIRST AND ONLY QUEER HISTORIES FESTIVAL
Celebrating seven decades of service to the LGBTQ+ community, One Institute presents Circa, the first and only LGBTQ+ histories festival in the United States.
Kicking off LGBTQ+ History Month, October 2023, the month-long, LA County-wide programming series showcases the trailblazing histories and vibrant cultural contributions of LGBTQ+ communities through the lens of present-day challenges and triumphs. Through exhibitions, performance, readings, screenings, lectures, dialogues, and parties, Circa features queer and trans artists, activists, and educators leading the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation.
For more info visit: www.oneinstitute.org.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
WEHO RECOGNIZES INTERSEX AWARENESS MONTH
The City of West Hollywood recognizes Intersex Awareness Month in October, including Intersex Awareness Day on October 26, reports WEHO TIMES. The City will raise awareness about Intersex Awareness Day in the city’s social media platforms, @wehocity, on October 26.
Intersex, the “I” in LGBTQIA+, is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. Intersex people are either born with these differences or develop them in childhood.
Despite the lack of media representation, intersex people make up approximately two percent of the population.
