Politics

Political Notes: Attacks ramp up in gay Palm Springs House race, now seen as a toss-up

Political Notes: Attacks ramp up in gay Palm Springs House race, now seen as a toss-up

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 24, 2023

As the 2024 contest for a Palm Springs House seat tightens, the attacks on the gay challenger in the race and the Republican incumbent are heating up months before voters will cast their first ballots for who they want to represent them on Capitol Hill.

SF budget adds $5.4M for LGBTQ needs

SF budget adds $5.4M for LGBTQ needs

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 20, 2023

The two-year budget San Francisco leaders have crafted includes funding for various LGBTQ needs, from beefing up security at nonprofits to assisting the local transgender community through an array of programs.

SF budget includes boost for HIV agencies, housing subsidies

SF budget includes boost for HIV agencies, housing subsidies

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 20, 2023

HIV advocates were unable to secure all of the $7 million funding ask they were seeking in San Francisco's budget this year.

With no LGBTQ SF mayoral candidate expected in 2024, past contenders recall steep hill they faced

With no LGBTQ SF mayoral candidate expected in 2024, past contenders recall steep hill they faced

Gay former state senator and city supervisor Mark Leno perhaps came closest when he was in first place for several hours in San Francisco's June 2018 special mayoral election.

Political Notebook: Former Pelosi, Breed aide Lazar enters tough Sacto Assembly race

Political Notebook: Former Pelosi, Breed aide Lazar enters tough Sacto Assembly race

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 19, 2023

Alex Lazar, a former aide to San Francisco Democrats Mayor London Breed and Congressmember Nancy Pelosi, is aiming to be one of the first out gay members of the state Legislature elected from the Sacramento region.

Political Notes: West Coast LGBTQ US House races feature rematches, newcomers

Political Notes: West Coast LGBTQ US House races feature rematches, newcomers

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 17, 2023

The 10 contests for West Coast House races in 2024 with LGBTQ candidates that the Bay Area Reporter is already tracking feature a number of rematches and several newcomers seeking to serve in Congress.

Eyed for repeal, California travel ban to states with anti-LGBTQ laws expands

Eyed for repeal, California travel ban to states with anti-LGBTQ laws expands

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 14, 2023

Even as the policy is being eyed for repeal this year, California's ban on state-funded travel to states with anti-LGBTQ laws is expanding.

Repeal of Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban language heads to California ballot in 2024

Repeal of Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban language heads to California ballot in 2024

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 13, 2023

A repeal measure of language defining marriage as between a man and a woman embedded in the state constitution will go before California voters in 2024.

Appointment of former SF supervisor Leal made history 30 years ago

Appointment of former SF supervisor Leal made history 30 years ago

The historic appointment of San Francisco's first — and so far only — Latina lesbian supervisor was put in motion after then-President Bill Clinton nominated another lesbian supervisor, Roberta Achtenberg, to a top administration post in 1993.

Political Notebook: Gay SF BART director Dufty won't seek reelection

Political Notebook: Gay SF BART director Dufty won't seek reelection

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 12, 2023

The board that oversees the regional transit agency BART will be losing at least one of its current three out members at the end of 2024.

Political Notes: Atkins makes historic turn as acting CA governor

Political Notes: Atkins makes historic turn as acting CA governor

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 10, 2023

Lesbian state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has once again made political history in California.

Political Notebook: Virginia trans leader Roem campaigns in SF

Political Notebook: Virginia trans leader Roem campaigns in SF

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 5, 2023

As she faces a tough election battle this year to become a senator in her home state, transgender Virginia Delegate Danica Roem will be in San Francisco this weekend to meet with local LGBTQ leaders and raise money for her campaign.

Political Notebook: UC Berkeley grad Mohajer aims to make history as 1st gay Iranian legislator

Political Notebook: UC Berkeley grad Mohajer aims to make history as 1st gay Iranian legislator

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 28, 2023

With his bid in 2024 for a California state Senate seat, Alex Mohajer is looking to make LGBTQ political history.

2024 to be record year for CA LGBTQ legislative candidates

2024 to be record year for CA LGBTQ legislative candidates

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 28, 2023

The 2024 legislative races are shaping up to be a record year for LGBTQ candidates in California, with at least 24 out contenders already pulling papers to seek Assembly or Senate seats in the Statehouse.