BY PAULO MURILLO
LOS ANGELES
JEWEL THAIS-WILLIAMS, LGBTQ+ PIONEER AND CATCH ONE FOUNDER, DIES AT 86
Los Angeles is mourning Jewel Thais-Williams, the pioneering businesswoman, LGBTQ+ activist, and community matriarch, who passed away last month at age 86. Thais-Williams founded Jewel’s Catch One in 1973, making it one of the nation’s first Black-owned queer nightclubs and LA’s longest-running Black gay dance bar. Beyond attracting stars, the club served as a vital sanctuary. During the AIDS epidemic, she co-founded the Minority AIDS Project and established Rue’s House for women and children with HIV/AIDS, later opening the Village Health Foundation for holistic healthcare. Honored with Jewel Thais-Williams Square in her name and as LA Pride’s Grand Marshal, her life exemplified courage and equality. She is survived by her wife and partner of over 40 years, Rue.
IMPERIAL VALLEY
LGBTQ CENTER REBRANDS AMID ANTI-TRANS CONTROVERSY
The Imperial Valley LGBTQ Resource Center is facing widespread condemnation after rebranding as the Donnelly Community Services Center and making statements perceived as anti-trans. Major LGBTQ+ organizations have criticized the move as divisive and harmful, particularly to transgender and nonbinary youth. Critics argue this shift reflects a troubling move away from inclusion and gender-affirming care, aligning with national anti-trans narratives. CEO Rosa Diaz defended the change, expressing concerns about youth transitioning without parental input, referencing California’s AB 1955. Advocates, however, contend Diaz’s comments invalidate trans identities and could endanger vulnerable youth in underserved areas like Imperial Valley.
LONG BEACH
EX-DIRECTOR OF LGBTQ CENTER SETTLES WRONGFUL TERMINATION COMPLAINT
The Long Beach LGBTQ Center has reached a confidential settlement with former Executive Director Carlos Torres, who filed a wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation complaint in November 2023. Torres, hired in March 2021 and fired in August 2023, alleged dismissal for reporting the Center was operating an unlicensed daycare. The resolution, reached through arbitration, includes undisclosed terms due to a nondisclosure agreement. This marks the third major issue for the Center in the past year, which continues to face controversy under current Executive Director Ellie Perez, a former board member present during Torres’s suspension and firing, who has also faced multiple complaints of a hostile work environment and misconduct.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
RIZZBOT, THE GAY-CODED ROBOT, TAKES OVER WEHO
A rainbow-clad, cowboy-hat-wearing robot named Rizzbot recently caused a stir on West Hollywood’s Santa Monica Boulevard. Created by Chinese company Unitree Robotics, the 4-foot-tall android engaged playfully with locals while sporting a sign declaring “Not Elon’s B*tch.” The spectacle delighted social media users, quickly going viral. However, the AI-powered robot, widely perceived as gay, drew criticism from conservative commentators who labeled it an “attack on American soil.” Rizzbot’s flirty Instagram posts across all genders have sparked online speculation about its sexuality, though it undeniably captivated onlookers.
PALM SPRINGS
GAY MEN’S CHORUS CELEBRATES NEW SEASON AND NEW HOME
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is launching its 2025–26 season with a new home at the recently renovated Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs, where they will serve as artists-in-residence. The season opens with a holiday show, Bells, Brass and Sass, running December 19–21, followed by a spring Dolly Parton tribute titled Rhinestones and Rainbows, and a June cabaret performance. The chorus, which now includes over 100 singers, plans to expand its audience and community outreach.
Tickets and audition information are available at psgmc.com.
