Top Stories
Federal court rules against voluntary “X” gender markers because they could out nonbinary people
The First Circuit Court of Appeals is denying accurate gender markers for nonbinary people born in Puerto Rico, with new reasoning that has not been seen in other trans rights cases. The ruling claims to protect the privacy of nonbinary people by denying them accurate gender markers on birth certificates. Critics say the ruling might do the opposite and lead to the erasure of nonbinary people instead. The case was sent back to the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico for further debate. “This case is about the fact that every person should have access to government-issued identity documents that […]
Pro-LGBTQ+ Senate candidate Mary Peltola denies using anti-gay slur around staff
Pro-LGBTQ+ Senate candidate Mary Peltola has denied an allegation that she used the anti-gay slur “f*****”, after a New York Times investigation detailed claims from former staffers about angry outbursts and offensive language. The Alaska Democrat, who is running for the US Senate, was accused by former aides of using slurs during workplace blow-ups. Four former staffers reportedly told the Times they personally witnessed Peltola use “f*****” over the years they worked for her, sometimes referring to staff members. The report was based on interviews with nine former staff members and included references to text messages and photos which were seen by […]
Gay Dutch prime minister & Zohran Mamdani visit LGBTQ+ archive — and hear from young New Yorkers it serves
Rob Jetten, the gay prime minister of the Netherlands, met with New York CityMayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday afternoon for a visit to a historic LGBTQ+archive and community center in Manhattan. The Advocate was invited to tag along. Jetten, the nation’s youngest and first out gay prime minister, is currently visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly. He has also made visiting LGBTQ+ cultural institutions a visible part of his trip. Earlier this week, Jetten stopped by the Stonewall Inn, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the gay rights movement. Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in […]
Local News
LGBTQI+ LEGACY Sonoma County is Looking for a Volunteer Social Media Coordinator
LGBTQI+ LEGACY Sonoma County works to preserve, collect, and archive historical materialsfrom the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex communities of SonomaCounty. We believe it is vital to record the story of how Sonoma County became a vibrant,desirable place where LGBTQI+ people lived, worked, and built a community.We are looking for a volunteer Social Media Coordinator to manage and grow our onlinepresence, helping us better connect with our community and the general public.Key Responsibilities p
Tickets Now Available for Positive Images Big Fundraiser Queer Magic GAYLA 2026
You are invited to Positive Images’ 2026 QUEER MAGIC GAYla: Meet Me at the Disco! Join us for a night full of dancing, laughs, celebration, and unforgettable memories to support Sonoma County’s LGBTQIA2S+ Community Center. We’ll be joined by PRXZM for a live performance, a silent auction, and so much more! This is the dance party of the year you will not want to miss! Event Details Saturday, November 14, 2026 5:00-9:00 PM Sally Tomatoes (1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park) Please note, this event is 21 and over. ID’s will be checked at the door. Tickets are now on […]
Arts & Entertainment
“Slave Play” Opens September 25 at The Left Edge Theatre
What happens when the past refuses to stay in the past?At the MacGregor Plantation, the old South lives on, in the cotton fields, in the master’s house, and in the complicated relationship between fear, desire, race, gender, and power. In SLAVE PLAY, acclaimed playwright Jeremy O. Harris rips open the history we think we know and brings it into conversation with 21st-century America. Provocative, explosive, and unflinching, this daring play challenges audiences to confront the ways race, gender, sexuality, and power continue to shape our lives. SLAVE PLAY has been recognized with the Rosa Parks Playwriting Award, Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award, Lotos […]
Friday, September 25 @7 pm/Sunday Sept. 27 @ 3 pm : Acorn MusEcology Project: ‘The Earth Says’ at Occidental Center for the Arts
Friday, September 25 @7 pm/Sunday Sept. 27 @ 3 pm : Acorn MusEcology Project: ‘The Earth Says’ at Occidental Center for the Arts. Directed by Sarah Dupre, Acorn MusEcology Project is proud to present the Northern California premiere of Alex Berko’s Sacred Place, an immersive exploration of ecological spirituality set to the words of Wendell Berry, John Muir, William Stafford, and Rabindranath Tagore. Acorn’s 27-voice ensemble will be joined by violin, cello, and piano to offer up this song cycle of reverential texts within a richly-layered soundscape. Additional original music by co-directors Sarah Dupre and Robin Eschner includes a new setting of poetry by […]
State News
California Gov Candidate Vows English-Only In Schools
Mediaite reports: Steve Hilton, who’s running as a Republican for California’s next governor, said he’ll mandate English-only in the state’s schools if elected in November. On Sunday’s The Big Weekend Show on Fox, host Tomi Lahren mentioned the “English second-language students” in California due to the high Latino population, and asked for his thoughts. “Well, look, the problem is it’s not just people with a second language, it’s hardly anyone can speak English properly because our schools are such a disaster. You’ve got now less than half of the kids in California public schools meet basic standards in English even though we spend […]
Teachers stage walk out in response to anti-trans activist outburst at chaotic school board meeting
A Davis, California school board meeting descended into chaos on Thursday night when teachers staged a walkout as Beth Bourne, a local Moms for Liberty chapter president and school board candidate, began speaking during public comment. Video of the meeting is available via the district’s school board meeting video portal. As Bourne approached the lectern, many district-area teachers stood up and left the room. Bourne shouted at the meeting chair: “Ask those teachers to stop interrupting my comment!” She then demanded: “I want my time back! I want my time back!” During the disruption, one attendee shouted “B*******!” at Bourne. Bourne […]
