Top Stories
Banning Transgender Troops Would Cost 100 Times More Than Letting Them Serve
A new study from the Palm Center, a think tank at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has found that the cost of implementing President Trump’s proposed ban on transgender military service would far exceed the costs of actually letting transgender people serve their country. According to the study, it would cost $960 million to(…)
A Case For The ‘Gayborhood’
For most of the queer community, I think it’s accurate to say many of us will always experience a feeling of being at ease when we know we’re in a safe space. Whether in a queer-friendly neighborhood, café or restaurant – there is a sigh of relief when I see a hanging pride flag, knowing(…)
More People are Turning to Facebook Groups to Find Queer-friendly Housing
It’s no great surprise that cities and neighborhoods that boast significant LGBTQ populations tend to be the ones with the most gentrification. And while that’s great for local economies, it also means that many of the same queer folk who help make vibrant neighborhoods such attractive places to live are left priced out when rents(…)
Local News
Swastika Found Scrawled on Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa
Maria Carrillo High School officials early this week discovered a swastika and other graffiti scrawled on campus but removed the offensive markings before classes resumed for the year on Tuesday.Vandals used paint stored in the school’s fieldhouse for the graffiti, which a teacher first spotted on Sunday, Santa Rosa school district spokeswoman Beth Berk said(…)
Russian River cleanup Plan to Seek Fixes for Failing Septic Systems
North Coast water regulators are taking another run at a comprehensive program to prevent bacterial contamination of the Russian River, one that includes provisions likely to have significant impacts for thousands of homeowners dependent on aging septic systems. The proposed action plan aims to keep human and animal fecal waste out of the watershed and(…)
Human Services Department Projects Receive Aging Achievement Award from National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Two County of Sonoma Human Services Department Adult and Aging Division programs serving seniors have been honored for their innovation with an Aging Achievement Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). The LGBTQI Seniors Connection Program and Sonoma Collaborative Care Project were among 52 aging programs to receive honors at the(…)
Zipcar Coming to Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa residents who don’t want to own a car but might like to zip around in one sometimes are in luck — Zipcar, the nation’s largest car-sharing company, is coming to town. The City Council today is expected to sign off on a deal allowing the company to operate two of its rental cars(…)
Arts & Entertainment
Book Review: ‘Heart Stop’ by Radclyffe
Dr. Olivia Price, Assistant Medical Examiner, is dedicated, serious, professional and running away from any life beyond her day job. In the opening scenes of Heart Stop, Olivia shows us a precise ME, good at her job, undeterred by roadblocks—that is, until her boss intervenes with a request that she interview someone for a fellowship(…)
Director Carlton Smith Finds Life Among Queer Couples Looking to Foster/adopt Children
Carlton Smith One of the less-publicized but equally important victories to come out of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriage was the now-new ability to adopt children. It would take exactly two years to the day for the court to strike down an Arkansas law that tried to uphold the ban(…)
State News
Lesbian Psychologist ‘Locked in Cell by Colleagues’ After Reporting Abuse Against LGBTI Prisoners
A California prison psychologist has filed a lawsuit against the state of California, US. Lori Jesperson alleges colleagues threatened her and she was demoted after reporting the mistreatment of gay and trans inmates. The prison doctor said her reports of these incidents did not receive appropriate attention. Correctional officers locked Jesperson in a room with(…)
San Francisco’s Oldest Gay Bar the Gangway Could Become a Laundromat
The Gangway opened in 1910 and became a gay bar in 1961. It’s hailed as San Francisco’s oldest gay bar — but perhaps not for much longer. According to a pending liquor license, Sam Young, owner of the sometimes controversial Kozy Kar bar, is in the process of buying the Gangway. And if the license(…)
