BY PAULO MURILLO
WEST HOLLYWOOD
WEHO EYES WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST DRAG STORY HOUR
The City of West Hollywood voted to officially attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest Drag Story Hour during its City Council meeting last month. Proposed by Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, the initiative would celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, highlight the city’s Drag Laureate program, and serve as a symbol of resilience amid growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. The current record was set in 2024 in Philadelphia with 263 attendees. West Hollywood was the first city in Los Angeles County to fund Drag Story Hour in 2017 and currently hosts the program through its Drag Arts Lab and Drag Laureate, Pickle the Drag Queen.
LOS ANGELES
L.A. LGBT CENTER CONDEMNS COUNTY CUTS TO HIV PREVENTION FUNDING
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has strongly condemned a decision by the L.A. County Department of Public Health to terminate HIV and STI prevention contracts with community-based organizations, including a $3.8 million annual allocation to the Center.
In a sharply worded statement, the Center warned that the cuts pose a direct threat to public health, risking a resurgence in HIV infections and disproportionately harming LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Services such as HIV testing, STD screening, and PrEP navigation could be eliminated, and hundreds of frontline health workers may lose their jobs.
The Center criticized the County for acting without clear justification or transparency, calling the move reckless and unprecedented. It urged County leaders and the Board of Supervisors to immediately reverse the decision and work with the state and federal officials to restore funding.
PALM SPRINGS
PALM SPRINGS TO UNVEIL LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONUMENT THIS FALL
Palm Springs Pride and city officials unveiled plans for a new LGBTQ+ Pride monument set to be installed later this year at Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive. Designed by local artist Jim Isermann and currently being fabricated in Houston, the rainbow-colored sculpture is expected to be unveiled in September ahead of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association convention in October.
The monument, which incorporates the triangle, the lambda, and the rainbow—three historic symbols of LGBTQ+ solidarity—aims to serve as a civil rights tribute and a beacon of hope.
ORANGE COUNTY
GAY NIGHTCLUB STRUT ORANGE COUNTY LISTED FOR SALE
Strut Orange County, the vibrant queer nightclub in Costa Mesa known for its neon lights, disco ball ceiling, and Dolly Parton mural, is up for sale after over 5 years in operation. Owner Luke Nero announced the decision on social media, stating the club will remain open until September. While Nero did not provide specific reasons, he responded to comments noting he couldn’t stay open simply to provide “the option” for queer nightlife.
SANTA MONICA
SAMO PRIDE RETURNS TO CITY OF SANTA MONICA
SaMo Pride returns to Santa Monica this June with a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusion, and community, culminating in a full day of festivities on Saturday, June 21. Events will span the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, and Main Street, offering interactive experiences, family-friendly programming, art, music, and community resources.
The weekend wraps with the Pride on the Pier Dance Party on Sunday, June 22.
Full event details can be found at www.SMPride.com.
