A hot LGBT Pride Parade
by Seth Hemmelgarn
Hundreds of thousands of people soaked up the sun and took to San Francisco streets Sunday, June 28 to mark the 39th annual LGBT Pride Parade. (read more)
Gays meet Obama at White House
President Barack Obama on Monday used a gathering with LGBTs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots to urge the community to judge him "not by promises I've made but by the promises that my administration keeps. (read more)
DOMA repeal remains on Congress'
back burner
President Barack Obama reiterated this week his pledge to repeal a federal ban on same-sex marriage during his historic June 29 celebration of Pride, the first such event to take place at the White House. (read more)
Jerry Brown
inches closer
to governor's race
California Attorney General Jerry Brown inched closer to declaring himself a candidate for governor, telling the Bay Area Reporter Sunday, June 28 that "he's not ready to announce yet." (read more)
Court to hear Prop 8 challenge today
Vaughn Walker, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, will meet with lawyers of a federal case seeking the invalidation of Proposition 8 today (Thursday, July 2). (read more)
Trans March
hits the Mission
Several thousand transgender people and their supporters took part in the sixth annual Trans March Friday, June 26. (read more)
Arson hits
pink triangle
Arson struck the pink triangle installation at the top of Twin Peaks early Sunday morning, which covers about an acre of ground and can be seen for miles during Pride weekend. (read more)
Meet in the
Middle paid for TV star's flight
Expenses for the Meet in the Middle 4 Equality rally in Fresno, which drew thousands of people to the Central Valley city in late May to support marriage equality, include just over $1,000 to fly in Eric McCormack, a straight actor who once starred in the gay-themed sitcom Will & Grace. (read more)
Correction
The June 25 article "Frustration with Obama builds to a crescendo" incorrectly reported that Steven Goldstein is a former chair of Garden State Equality. (read more)
Online extra: All sides pledge speedy Prop 8 federal case
Both sides involved in a federal case seeking to overturn California's same-sex marriage ban told a federal judge in San Francisco Thursday morning (July 2) that they want a speedy trial, as the issue is expected to ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court. (read more)
Obama admin-
istration tries to soften DADT
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon is looking at "a more humane way to apply" the anti-gay military policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" until it can be repealed. (read more)
House Dems block DADT repeal vote as LGBTs march
on White House
A military newspaper reported last week that House Democrats blocked consideration of two measures to repeal the anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy just days before LGBT veterans and their supporters marched to the White House in protest of the ban on gays serving openly in the armed services. (read more)
Spirited
Dyke March
Dyke March participants took part in the annual event Saturday, June 27 that called attention to human rights and the passage of Proposition 8. (read more)
Charges dropped
against Prop 8 protesters
Charges were dropped last week against an estimated 215 people who were arrested after blocking city streets following the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, according to Rachel Lederman, a volunteer lawyer with the National Lawyers Guild, who represented those arrested. (read more)
Political Notebook: Anti-gay group
errs with charge
against Ammiano
The Capitol Resource Institute, an anti-gay lobbying group based in Sacramento, is trying to smear gay Assemblymen Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) and John Perez (D-Los Angeles) for their hosting a Pride ceremony last month on the floor of the Legislature's lower body. (read more)
News in brief: Castro
concert series starts July 4
The Castro and Upper Market Community Benefits District is pleased to announced a series of free summer music concerts in the pedestrian plaza. (read more)
Online extra: Political notes:
Ma shines spotlight on LGBT partner abuse
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) is pledging to find ways to increase state funding for LGBT domestic violence programs as resources dry up for the few agencies currently addressing what advocates say is a "hidden" dilemma within the gay community. (read more)
