News

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Man Sentenced to Death in Torture, Murder of Boy he Thought Was Gay

A California man was sentenced to death on Thursday for the killing of a young boy who prosecutors said was tortured because he believed the child was gay, and the boy’s mother was sentenced to life in prison. Los Angeles County state court Judge George Lomeli sentenced 37-year-old Isauro Aguirre after he was convicted late last year of first-degree murder in the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The child’s mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February and was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Aguirre was Fernandez’ boyfriend. Gabriel […]

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Gay Veteran Shares Video of Neighbors Taunting and Spitting on Him

An Air Force veteran, Ryan Gierach, says his neighbors have a long history of discriminating against him because of his sexuality, reported KTLA 5 News. The San Pedro, California resident said the abuse started once he moved into the neighborhood two years ago. “When I came here my neighbors directly across from me began calling me names — all of them revolving around gay epithets,” he said. Gierach claims his neighbors have yelled homophobic slurs, and threw garbage at him. He said they even physically assaulted him. Gierach said the abuse got worse once the neighbor hung flyers around the […]

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Transgender Orthodox Scholar to Speak in Cotati, SR

Teaching at Three Local Synagogues about Spirit and Authentic Living. Yiscah Smith was once a Chasidic man, living in Jerusalem with wife and children. But her quest to be her most authentic self led her on a decades-long journey, resulting not only in her transitioning to become the woman she knew she was, but returning into the fold of observant Judaism. Yiscah now teaches lessons on using Jewish teachings (and religious teachings generally) not to enforce normative behavior, but as a guide to liberate oneself to live with utmost spiritual integrity. Reb Yiscah, who is faculty at Pardes Institute of […]

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What’s Happening at Food for Thought

Chef and Volunteers Cooking in a New Kitchen! Freshly prepared food for our congregate lunch program is now being prepared in a new location! Local nonprofit, Worth Our Weight, is generously renting its kitchen to Food For Thought every Monday. Chef Coby Leibman and our volunteer cooking crew (featured above) couldn’t be happier in this large kitchen with plenty of room to prepare healthy food for our clients. We are very thankful that Worth Our Weight has allowed us to use their kitchen and encourage you to support them. The Worth Our Weight Cafe serves brunch every Sunday from 8 am […]

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Large Majority Of Americans Oppose Businesses Refusing To Serve Gay People

Nearly three quarters of American adults oppose businesses refusing to serve gay men and lesbians based on the owner’s religious beliefs.According to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released Monday, 72 percent of respondents said that businesses whose owners are opposed to LGBT rights based on their religious beliefs should not be allowed to refuse to serve gay and bisexual men and lesbians. The poll was released on the same day that the Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. The high court’s ruling was narrow in scope and appeared to […]

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This Month at the Occidental Center for the Arts

Artists’ Reception for Call & Response Exhibit Saturday, June 9th 4 – 7 pm Please join us for a hosted reception to celebrate the opening of our “Call & Response” invitational exhibit! Enjoy the latest creations of local artists Dave Gordon, Adam Wolpert and Victoria Wagner. Exhibit runs Friday, June 8th through Sunday, July 29th; gallery open Fri-Sat-Sun 11 AM to 4 PM. Monica Pasqual & the Handsome Brunettes and Dear John Love Renee (members of the band Blame Sally) Saturday, June 9th at 8 PM OCA is pleased to host a concert by talented bandmates from the popular Bay […]

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Ricardo Lara Advances to November General Election in Historic Run for Insurance Commissioner

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur Tuesday night after Senator Ricardo Lara advanced to the November general election in his historic race for California Insurance Commissioner: “California voters made history today, as Senator Ricardo Lara is one step closer to becoming the state’s first openly LGBTQ statewide elected official. Ricardo has been a fierce, loyal and dedicated leader for California’s LGBTQ and immigrant communities, working to tear down barriers and ensure equality for all. As California’s next Insurance Commissioner, he’ll be a champion in the fight for […]

California Bans Travel To Oklahoma Over Law Allowing Adoption Agencies To Refuse Gay Couples

California has banned government workers from non-essential travel to Oklahoma over its recent passage of an adoption law that discriminates against gay and lesbian couples. Last month, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, a Republican, signed into law Senate Bill 1140, a controversial bill that allows religious child welfare organizations, including adoption and foster care agencies, to refuse to place children with same-sex couples. California adopted a law in 2016 banning such travel to states that restrict LGBT rights. On Friday, Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced that the state had added Oklahoma to its list of states under its travel ban. “California […]

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Same-sex Spouses Have EU Residence Rights, Top Court Rules

The European Union’s top court has ruled in favour of a Romanian gay man’s right to have his US husband live with him in Romania. The country, which does not recognise same-sex marriage, had argued that the American was not entitled to the EU residency rights awarded to spouses. But the European Court of Justice said the term “spouse” was gender neutral. Adrian Coman and his American partner Clai Hamilton were married in Brussels in 2010. Following the judgment on Tuesday, Mr Coman said: “We can now look in the eyes of any public official in Romania and across the […]

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ACLU: SCOTUS Ruling Leaves LGBT Protections Intact

Via press release from the ACLU: The Supreme Court today reaffirmed the core principle that businesses open to the public must be open to all in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The court did not accept arguments that would have turned back the clock on equality by making our basic civil rights protections unenforceable, but reversed this case based on concerns specific to the facts here. The American Civil Liberties Union argued the case on behalf of Charlie Craig and David Mullins, who were refused service at a Colorado bakery because they are a same-sex couple. In 2012, […]

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