There were 127 brave World War II American female war correspondents, who went above and beyond to capture the events of the war to inform the people on the home front. These women fought against condemnation and hostility from male officers in order to perform their jobs, and proved time and again that they were equal to male reporters.
Highlights of the slides include women war correspondents who were:
Hit by Junker planes in a B-17 Flying Fortress
Almost hit by Japanese snipers photographing on the top of Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima
Documenting the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp
Immediately following the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, photographing “Disease X”
Documenting the refugees for the Quakers after the war
WHERE AND WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 6:30 PM, St. Helena Public Library, 1492 Library Lane, St. Helena, 707-963-5244
SATURDAY, MARCH 7 AT 2:00 PM, CLOVERDALE LIBRARY, 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd, 894-5271
SUNDAY, MARCH 22 at 3:00 pm, CENTRAL LIBRARY, 211 E Street, Santa Rosa, 545-0831
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 at 6:00 pm, HEALDSBURG LIBRARY, 139 Piper St. Healdsburg, 433-3772
Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced the endorsement of three pro-equality candidates for the California legislature and six openly LGBTQ+ champions for local offices.
Equality California endorsed the following candidates:
Senate District 31: Richard Roth
Assembly District 37: Steve Bennett and Cathy Murillo (dual endorsement)
Alameda County Judge: Elena Condes
Yolo County Supervisor: Linda Deos
Corona City Council District 3: Meg E’amato
Monterey Park City Council District 4: Henry Lo
Huntington Park City Council: Eddie Martinez
Loma Linda City Council: Gabriel Uribe
Names shown in bold indicate an openly LGBTQ+ candidate.
Equality California released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur:
“Today, we are proud to endorse Richard Roth, a strong pro-equality ally, for his reelection to the California Senate. Voters in Assembly District 37 have two qualified, pro-equality champions to choose from, which is why we are excited to dual-endorse Steve Bennett and Cathy Murillo.
“One of Equality California’s highest priorities is to build a bench of LGBTQ+ leaders across the Golden State. Over the past few years in particular, it has been incredible to see so many openly LGBTQ+ champions run for — and win elections to — public office, up and down the ballot. That’s why we are proud to endorse Elena Condes, Linda Deos, Meg E’amato, Henry Lo, Eddie Martinez and Gabriel Uribe in their respective races this year. They represent some of the best emerging LGBTQ+ leaders in our state.”
For a full list of Equality California’s 2020 endorsements to date, visit eqca.org/elections.
The seven remaining Democratic presidential candidates have all said they would overturn Donald Trump’s ban on trans people in the military.
Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Mike Bloomberg, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer have all said they would reverse the policy imposed by Trump in 2017 to ban trans people from serving in the armed forces.
Responding to a survey from the Human Rights Campaign, the candidates indicated that they would rescind the Trump policy and adopt new regulations allowing open service by all, qualified transgender people.
Buttigieg said: “I will immediately repeal the ban on military service for trans Americans and allow our transgender troops to serve openly.”
Warren added: “I have opposed the Trump administration’s shameful ban on transgender service members from the start, and I will reverse it on day one. The only thing that should matter when it comes to allowing military personnel to serve is whether or not they can handle the job. That’s also true for service members with HIV.
“Advances in care and treatment have made it possible for individuals living with HIV to serve and deploy, and the Pentagon’s policies should be updated to reflect these advances in medical science.”
Biden said: “It’s simple: every American who is qualified to serve, should be able to – and we should all be grateful for their service and courage.
“On day one of my presidency, I will direct the department of defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly and free from discrimination. I know that this is not just the right thing to do, but it’s in our national interest.”
Mike Bloomberg said: “I will reverse the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and rescind the exclusion of coverage of gender-affirming care in the veterans health administration.”
The Sanders campaign confirmed: “As president, Bernie will rescind Trump’s disgraceful ban on transgender people from serving in the military and issue new regulations allowing open service by transgender people.”
The response from Klobuchar’s team said: “Senator Klobuchar will immediately lift the ban preventing qualified transgender people from serving in the military. She will also expedite the process for service members who were discharged for no other reason than their sexual orientation or gender identity to correct negative discharges in order to reflect their honourable service.”
Steyer indicated he would scrap the ban but did not provide a further quote.
All the candidates have also pledged to sign the equality act, a bill to introduce federal LGBT+ non-discrimination protections that has been blocked by Republicans in the Senate, and to oppose efforts that allow individuals to use their religious beliefs as a justification for anti-LGBT discrimination.
Fox News favourite Tulsi Gabbard is AWOL from contest.
HRC notes that fringe candidate Tulsi Gabbard, who is yet to formally withdraw from the presidential race despite not appearing on a debate stage since November, did not respond to the survey, adding: “Should her campaign send responses, we will update the web site accordingly.”
It is unclear if the frequent Fox News guest, who has historical ties to anti-LGBT+ groups, plans to stay in the race after flatlining in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, while polling just one per cent nationally.
HRC president Alphonso David said: “LGBTQ people are among the most politically engaged constituencies in the country, and Democratic presidential candidates are taking notice.
“The more than 11 million LGBTQ voters and 57 million equality voters – LGBTQ voters and our allies – are crucial members of the intersectional coalition that will oust president Trump in November.”
He added: “Throughout his administration, Trump has attacked LGBTQ people at every opportunity. From eliminating access to necessary health care to actively supporting discrimination in the workplace, Trump has put LGBTQ rights at risk.
“Our community is looking for a leader that understands the challenges we face each and every day and has substantive, realistic plans to overcome them. The Trump-Pence administration must be stopped and HRC will work nationwide through November to ensure that they are.”
A homeless transgender woman was brutally murdered in Puerto Rico early Monday.
Pedro Julio Serrano, founder of Puerto Rico Para Tod@s, a Puerto Rican LGBTQ advocacy groups, confirmed media reports that said the victim, who was known as Alexa, was killed in a park in Toa Baja, a municipality that is about 15 miles west of San Juan.
Serrano told the Washington Blade that police on Sunday night responded to a report Alexa was “peeping” on people in a public restroom. David Begnaud of CBS News reported the person who filed the complaint declined to press charges against Alexa after they learned she was homeless.
‘Alexa’ was a transgender woman killed in Puerto Rico after social media posts accused her of peeping on people in a public bathroom. Police found no proof. The complainant didn’t file charges after finding out Alexa was homeless. Despite that a narrative spread on social media.
Alexa was killed a few hours after police responded to the report. Local media outlets indicate Alexa’s murder was captured on video.
“We’re urging authorities to investigate the hate angle in this horrific case,” Serrano told the Blade in a statement. “We don’t know all the details yet, but she was harassed, hunted and brutally killed.”
“There’s no doubt that transphobia and intolerance had much to do in this case,” added Serrano. “Trans people are human beings that deserve to live with respect, peace and dignity.”
Investigators have yet to classify Alexa’s murder as a hate crime, but Gov. Wanda Vázquez in a tweet said “no motive will be discarded.” Vázquez also urged anyone with information to contact the Puerto Rico Police Department.
“The (Puerto Rico Police Department) will work with the diligence and sensibility that this case merits,” she said.
Puerto Rico’s hate crimes and nondiscrimination laws include both gender identity and sexual orientation. Anti-LGBTQ violence and discrimination are nevertheless commonplace in the U.S. commonwealth.
Serrano and other Puerto Rican LGBTQ activists with whom the Blade has spoken say Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in September 2017, has made LGBTQ Puerto Ricans even more vulnerable to violence and discrimination.
“Transgender people and LGBTTIQ people are human beings like anyone else,” said Serrano in a press release. “We deserve respect for our lives and our identities without fear of being persecuted, prosecuted and executed.”
Seven current candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination were the among the respondents to an LGBTQ survey the nation’s leading LGBTQ group unveiled on Monday, but Tulsi Gabbard — who has been criticized for having an anti-LGBTQ past — wasn’t among them.
The seven current candidates who responded — Joseph Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth Warren — responded affirmatively to each of HRC’s questions on LGBTQ issues, including whether they support the Equality Act, oppose President Trump’s transgender military ban and will commit to tackling anti-trans violence.
The lack of response from Gabbard sticks out, especially because she faced heavy criticism during the start of her presidential campaign for her opposition to LGBTQ rights as a Hawaii state legislator.
At the time in the early 2000s, Gabbard denounced LGBTQ rights supporters seeking to legalize civil unions as “homosexual extremists” and touted working for her father’s anti-gay organization, which fought marriage equality and promoted widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy.
“I’m deeply sorry for having said that,” Gabbard says. “My views have changed significantly since then and my record in Congress over the last six years and reflect what is in my years.”
Gabbard since her election to Congress has endorsed marriage equality and became a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation that would bar anti-LGBTQ discrimination under federal law.
But her record on LGBTQ issues isn’t spotless. The Hawaii Democrat was among a handful of congressional Democrats last year who didn’t sign a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, therefore illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In a news statement, the Human Rights Campaign says it will update its website with Gabbard’s responses should she provide them. The Washington Blade has placed a request in with the Gabbard campaign seeking comment on why it didn’t provide an LGBTQ survey response.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, Andrew Yang and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick also responded to the survey, but the organization didn’t make those results public because neither are still in the race.
Also not among the respondents is Trump, who has been criticized for building an anti-LGBTQ record over the course of his administration. Asked by Blade whether the Trump campaign received a questionnaire, an HRC spokesperson replied, “HRC sent questionnaires to all Democratic presidential candidates earlier this year.”
HRC hasn’t made an endorsement in the 2020 presidential race. Asked by the Blade how the survey results will factor into the endorsement decision and whether the endorsement during the primary, the HRC spokesperson was vague in response.
“These answers, alongside our town hall, will be crucial to our endorsement process and decision,“ the HRC spokesperson said.
HRC has a varied history on presidential endorsements, although it always endorsed Democratic candidates for the White House. In 2016, HRC endorsed Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary. In 2008, the organization waited until the conclusion of the primary between Clinton and Barack Obama before endorsing the latter candidate, who went on to win the presidency.
The Blade has placed a follow-up inquiry in with the Human Rights Campaign on whether the Gabbard campaign provided any explanation for not providing an LGBTQ survey response by deadline.
An investigation by Responsible Statecraft has found that President Trump’s newly installed acting Director of National Intelligence, Richard Grenell, knowingly provided public relations services directed at U.S. media on behalf of a project funded by Hungary’s far-right government. Grenell didn’t register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), which is a requirement applying to individuals and entities operating inside the U.S. as an “agent” of a “foreign principal.”
Craig Engle, Grenell’s attorney, told Responsible Statecraft that Grenell “knew that the Hungarian government was the sponsor” of work he undertook, but claimed that Grenell’s activities did not require him to file under FARA. According to the Justice Department, activities requiring registration as an “agent” to a “foreign principal” includes engaging in “acts within the United States as a public relations counsel, publicity agent, information-service employee or political consultant for or in the interests of such foreign principal.”
This latest revelation follows a similar ProPublica reportpublished on Friday:
President Donald Trump’s new acting intelligence director, Richard Grenell, used to do consulting work on behalf of an Eastern European oligarch who is now a fugitive and was recently barred from entering the U.S. under anti-corruption sanctions imposed last month by the State Department.
In 2016, Grenell wrote several articles defending the oligarch, a Moldovan politician named Vladimir Plahotniuc, but did not disclose that he was being paid, according to records and interviews. Grenell also did not register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which generally requires people to disclose work in the U.S. on behalf of foreign politicians.
FARA is the same law that Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former deputy campaign manager Rick Gates were convicted of violating. (Manafort went to trial. Gates pleaded guilty.)
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won’t place foster children with same-sex couples.
The justices will review an appeals court ruling that upheld the city’s decision to stop placing children with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s agency because it would not permit same-sex couples to serve as foster parents.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled the city did not target the agency because of its religious beliefs but acted only to enforce its own nondiscrimination policy in the face of what seemed to be a clear violation.
UPDATE: From the ACLU.
The Supreme Court today agreed to hear Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a case about whether or not taxpayer-funded foster care agencies have a constitutional right to discriminate based on the agency’s religious requirements.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) sued Philadelphia for the right to discriminate against prospective foster families headed by same-sex couples. The Support Center for Child Advocates and Philadelphia Family Pride, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Pennsylvania, intervened in the lawsuit.
Both the district court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected CSS’ claims, saying instead that Philadelphia can require agencies that accept tax dollars to provide foster care services for children to accept all qualified families.
Taxpayer-funded foster care agencies in a number of states, such as South Carolina, have asserted a religious objection to accepting families of different faiths, families that do not attend church, same-sex couples, or unmarried people.
Here he is in all his glory. The supposedly perfect gay archetype. Handsome, virile, muscled, and perhaps with his most glaring attribute, his unavailability. Jameson Currier explores many themes in his latest collection of short stories, but the elusive “one that got away” is central to most of them. The results are a wry, witty, often self-deprecating take on desire from the more mature gay man’s point of view. The protagonists of many of these stories are settled, nuanced, experienced, and yet still filled with longing. Their days as a beauty, if they were ever perceived as that, are behind them—and while they may initially come off as insecure, they shine in defeat, the years have served them well emotionally. They have seen some things.
Often the protagonists lust after men they can’t have. There’s the swarthy office handyman who speaks in a working class patois who serves as a hilarious foil to an office drone’s desire in one of the funniest stories in the collection. The drone does locks lips with the man briefly, but ends up leaving a work event enraptured by the man he had always failed to truly see. In another story, an office regular is snowbound with an international client who inspires a lot of lust, but proves to be a chaste, if enjoyable, companion. Currier thrives on setting up his characters in impossible situations and delivering results for his main character, that while not fantastical, deliver an opportunity to see them grow. This collection, while entertaining to any reader, is particularly satisfying for the gay man “of a certain age.” One can see oneself in its protagonists, I know I did. Anyone who’s ever felt awkward or overlooked could.
Another world that Currier gives us an intimate look at, because of his own background in it, is the theater. Not necessarily the Broadway hit, more the second tier, or the flop. This device serves him well and provides much comic relief. There’s a hilarious look at a frustrated publicist’s work on a laborious musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, where the misadventures of the many characters recall Austen’s novel, although in a much more modern context. The show itself is a flop, but it’s what is going on behind the scenes that keeps both its characters and the reader engaged and laughing. In another tale, there’s a singing and dancing version of Hamlet performed with puppets in which a middle-aged office worker gets caught up in the drama, as well as the beautiful man playing the lead. Currier sees the theater world as a perfect microcosm for life in general and revels in it as a haven for the gay male, both in the closet and out of it. He does this with wry and self-deprecating humor to great result.
A major theme in much of Currier’s past work, and one which he is renowned for, is the early AIDS crisis. It’s not the main theme of this collection, but he manages to skillfully pay tribute to both those we have lost and those now living successfully with the virus. Several of his deftly-drawn protagonists have lost close lovers and friends and and those echoes are heard in their present lives and relationships. They were lovers of men now gone, as well as caretakers, often of others for whom their love may have been unrequited, but was still fully given.
This collection is very much a tribute piece to the older gay man, the guy who has not achieved all of his dreams, but his power is in the fact that he hasn’t given up—he’s not down for the count, not yet. Where there’s life, where there’s love—there’s still hope. There’s still a life affirming story to tell.
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) presents the 5th Annual Sonoma County Israeli Film Festival, March 3-31, at Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol. The festival seeks to nurture an appreciation of Israeli culture in Sonoma County, exploring the human stories and important issues facing Israeli society, and the larger world.
The 2020 films focus on issues of gender identity, love at old age, the pull between secular and orthodox, and the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, and include comedies, dramas, international award winners, and a Bay Area premiere. Israel has a robust and prolific film industry, many films of which never grace our screens – the JCC is proud to present these gems to our Sonoma County communities.
All films are on Tuesdays and screen twice on the day, at 1 pm and 7 pm.
FLAWLESS (Coming of Age) – BAY AREA PREMIERE – Tuesday, March 3, 1 pm & 7 pm Eden has a deeply held secret. An outcast at her new high school, she discovers that her only two friends have been lured into a plot to sell their organs to pay for cosmetic surgery and prom dresses. Believing she has found the answer to her prayers, she joins them on an international adventure. The film’s star, Stav Strashko, was the first transgender woman nominated for the Best Actress Israeli (Ophir) Academy Award.
There will be a special post-show talk following the 7 pm screening.
TEL AVIV ON FIRE (Comedy) – Tuesday, March 17, 1 pm & 7 pm
Young Palestinian Salam is an assistant on the soap opera “Tel Aviv on Fire.” When he is suddenly stopped on his daily commute to work at an Israeli military checkpoint, he pretends to be the screenwriter to get through. But the tough officer Assi – whose wife loves the show – has a few storyline ideas of his own. Salam is trapped in a hilarious and impossible situation in this delicious film that walks the fine comedic line of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Winner of Best Film at the Venice Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Israeli (Ophir) Academy Awards.
THE OTHER STORY (Drama) – Tuesday, March 24, 1 pm & 7 pm
Anat flees the chaos of her secular upbringing for the discipline and comfort of Hassidic life. Engaged to marry her now-religious, formerly wild-and-crazy pop star boyfriend, her family is determined to stop the marriage and lure her away from orthodoxy. Directed by the legendary Avi Nesher, the film weaves captivating stories about the complex diversity of Israeli Jewish life.
LOVE IN SUSPENDERS (Romantic Comedy) – Tuesday, March 31, 1 pm & 7 pm
When feisty, absent-minded widow Tami hits gruff widower Beno with her car, the last thing on her mind is romance. Warned by her attorney son, Tami tries to ensure Beno will not sue her by inviting him to her luxury apartment in a retirement community. A heartwarming comedy about overcoming loss and celebrates the right to love and be loved at any age.
Important Dates: February 1: season tickets on sale; February 8: individual tickets on sale. Tickets at JCCSOCO.ORG. For more information, contact Irène Hodes, Film Festival Director.
1301 Farmers Lane, C103Santa RosaCA 95405 The JCC is a 501 (c) (3), not-for-profit corporation. Tax ID# 68-0381321.
A new Pride festival is coming to the Los Angeles area this May.
This year, for the first time, City of Glendale, California, also known as the ‘Jewel City,’ is offering a fully immersive Pride held on Saturday, May 30, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Glendale’s Central Park, 216 South Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91203.
Pride is the grassroots effort of several Glendale-based organizations and volunteers including glendaleOUT, Gay and Lesbian Armenian Society (GALAS), Equality Armenia, The Blunt Post, and with media sponsorship by Revry. The festival is strategically located in Downtown Glendale’s shopping and nightlife district, adjacent to the library, the Americana at Brand and Glendale Galleria.
The Pride festival and its programming will raise awareness and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community as well as individuality, empowerment, and inclusivity within Glendale. With a focus on family-friendly art, events and community connection, the event will include storytelling time for kids and more to celebrate love in every color.
The festival will feature diverse music and entertainment by a local DJ and emcee and wrap-up with a dance party at sundown.
“Silverlake, West Hollywood … why do I have to export my gay? Why can’t I be gay where I live? So, I set about doing that. With Gary Freeman and Nick Macierz, with ace/121 gallery and Roslin Art Gallery, with Arno Yeretzian at Abril Books. Soon it was with Gay Straight Alliance chapters in the Glendale Unified School District and Alicia Harris,” said Grey James, Founder of Glendale Pride.
“The dots started connecting quickly. People are showing up. Like everyone’s been waiting for this moment. I look at the group that is working on this and I am so amazed and grateful. It’s very satisfying to witness this momentum and all the individuals driving it so kindly,” he added.
The festival will be a free community event, without an entrance fee, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. A Kids’ Village will create a special space for Rainbow Families with unique programming such as “Drag Story Telling.”
For more information about Glendale Pride, please visit GlendalePride.org