BY PAULO MURILLO
CULVER CITY
CULVER CITY ELECTS FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR
Culver City has elected its first openly gay mayor in its 108-year history, with the City Council unanimously selecting Freddy Puza for a 12-month term last week. Puza, formerly the city’s vice mayor and first elected to the council in 2022, was sworn in during a ceremony that included appearances by actors portraying The Wizard of Oz characters Glinda and Elphaba, a nod to the city’s role as a historic center of the film industry. Puza said his election carries broader significance amid ongoing debates over LGBTQ+ rights, calling it a message of “visibility, dignity, and hope.” He said he hopes his leadership will show young people that public office is open to everyone and pledged to make Culver City welcoming to all residents.
LOS ANGELES
BETTER BROTHERS LA: CELEBRATING BLACK QUEER EXCELLENCE
Better Brothers Los Angeles (BBLA), in partnership with Emmy Award-winning actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation, is proud to announce the milestone 12th Annual Truth Awards. The event will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel, continuing its mission to illuminate the achievements of the Black LGBTQ+ community.
The Truth Awards serves as a vital platform for honoring LGBTQ+ African Americans and their allies who have made significant contributions to the arts, business, social justice, and philanthropy.
For more info visit: www.thetruthawards.com.
PALM DESERT
COUNCIL BLOCKS PROPOSAL TO HALT PRIDE MONTH RECOGNITION
In a decisive move that underscores the city’s commitment to inclusivity, the Palm Desert City Council voted 4-1 last month to reject a controversial proposal that would have ended the city’s formal recognition of Pride Month.
The proposal, introduced by Councilman Joe Pradetto, sought to strip the city of its long-standing tradition of honoring the LGBTQ+ community every June and would have permanently removed the Pride banner from its prominent display at City Hall.
The meeting drew significant attention from the community, with residents and activists filling the council chambers to weigh in on the symbolic importance of Pride.
SAN DIEGO
TOP CITY FOR LGBTQ FRIENDSHIP SEARCHES
San Diego is among the top cities where LGBTQ people are seeking friends, according to a new report from Grindr, highlighting a growing desire for in-person connection and community.The dating app’s 2025 year-in-review, Grindr Unwrapped, lists San Diego alongside Tokyo, Seattle, Taipei and Minneapolis as cities most frequently tagged for “friends,” a term the company says reflects users’ search for trusted networks, safe spaces and long-term companionship.
LOS ANGELES
VAN NESS RECOVERY HOUSE HONORS LGBTQ RECOVERY LEADERS
The Van Ness Recovery House, the nation’s longest-running residential treatment program for LGBTQ people, honored two longtime community leaders during its “Sleigh All Day” holiday fundraiser. The open house recognized Jose Ramos, a national director at AIDS Healthcare Foundation and founder of Impulse Group, with a Community Leadership Award for his work expanding LGBTQ wellness and recovery support, and Timothy Jay Sullivan, 85, with a Legacy Award for decades of mentoring people in sobriety. The event drew local LGBTQ leaders and supporters as the recovery house continues a major renovation and fundraising campaign. More than 10,000 people have received services through Van Ness Recovery House, which remains focused on providing a judgment-free environment for recovery while upgrading its facilities and expanding its mission.
