BY PAULO MURILLO
WEST HOLLYWOOD
NEW GAY BAR IS COMING TO FORMER FUBAR SPACE
A new gay bar is coming to the former FUBAR WEHO space in West Hollywood at 7994 Santa Monica Boulevard. Owner Jay Krymis, who also owns Schmitty’s WeHo at 8737 Santa Monica Blvd with his wife Michel Verdi Krymis, posted a video with an update, stating that work on the new bar is underway. Regarding FUBAR, he said that chapter is over: “We’re not calling it FUBAR. I think that bar had such an amazing run and so much history and it was such a staple to the community that I think it would be a disservice to bring it back. So we’re looking for something new.”
PACIFIC PALISADES
L.A. County Lifeguard Sues Over Rainbow Tower Assignment
Veteran Los Angeles County lifeguard Jeffrey Little is suing the county for assigning him to work near a rainbow-painted lifeguard tower at Will Rogers Beach, citing religious discrimination. Little, a devout Christian evangelical with over 20 years of service, claims he was punished for removing three Pride flags from lifeguard towers. The lawsuit also alleges emotional distress. Despite being granted an exemption from raising the modified rainbow flag representing marginalized communities, Little was later ordered to fly the flags again at a different beach. The city and county have policies supporting the display of LGBTQ+ flags on government buildings.
SANTA MONICA
SA-MO PRIDE ON THE PROMENADE DRAWS CROWDS
The Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica celebrated LGBTQ+ pride in June during the annual Pride on the Promenade event. The celebration featured local exhibitors and musicians, drawing a packed crowd. Performers included Jeffrey Chan, Kao Wonder, Tori Kay, Big Kim, and resident DJ Zeus. Exhibitors ranged from Santa Monica College to organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness Westside Los Angeles and the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Special art projects, including an interactive piano painting by Viva LA, were also showcased.
LOS ANGELES
TRANS WOMAN ASSAULTED WITH METAL BASEBALL BAT
Jamie Love, a trans woman who is an artist and nightlife performer, was assaulted on June 17, by an unidentified man, resulting in injuries that required medical attention. According to LASD West Hollywood Sheriff Captain Bill Moulder, the attack occurred in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles near the Pan Pacific Park as the victim was returning home. The assailant, dressed entirely in black with a mask and hood obscuring his face, struck the victim with a baseball bat. Despite the sudden attack, Love managed to escape to safety and contacted the authorities.
SAN DIEGO
PELLET GUN INCIDENTS TARGET SAN DIEGO GAY BARS
Several gay bars in San Diego’s Hillcrest and North Park neighborhoods were targeted in pellet gun attacks, unsettling the local LGBTQ+ community. Around 1 AM on Saturday, May, 24, four establishments—Pecs Bar, The Rail, Rich’s, and Number One on Fifth Avenue—were reportedly shot at by an unknown assailant driving a BMW. Witnesses reported multiple patrons being fired at, with at least three directly hit. Eddie Reynoso, an employee of Rich’s, suffered an eye injury and required minor surgery. Donny Hurry, a security guard at The Rail, was struck multiple times in the arms and back. Another patron, Stefano Contreras, was hit in the eyebrow and back. The attacks have raised concerns in the community.
