Strife hits amid
Prop 8 repeal effort
by Seth Hemmelgarn
With an approved initiative in hand, backers of a drive to repeal Proposition 8 in 2010 began gathering petition signatures this week to get the measure on the ballot next November. (read more)
Online extra: Fed partner benefits bill advances in House
A House committee on Wednesday evening approved a bill to provide equal benefits to gay federal employees with domestic partners, but not without a political slugfest first over whether the legislation is an attempt to undermine the Defense of Marriage Act. (read more)
Gay papers' closures
stun readers
The LGBT media world lost two landmark publications this week with the sudden closures of the Southern Voice in Atlanta and the Washington Blade, which had just celebrated 40 years of covering the nation's capital. (read more)
Changes likely
for 17th St. plaza
Plans are in the works to improve the pedestrian plaza at the intersection of Castro, Market and 17th streets, which was created this spring by blocking off part of the street in the city's gay district to vehicle traffic and has proven to be quite popular with residents. (read more)
Folsom
does it again!
Folsom Street Events Inc. handed out big sums to local charities, totaling $333,452. (read more)
Stimulus money
to support UCSF HIV studies
The National Institutes of Health has given HIV researchers at the University of California, San Francisco two $1 million grants to study using web-based, patient controlled records to improve health for HIV-positive patients and help them prevent transmission to others. (read more)
A kiss helps
bring civil rights
to Salt Lake City
In a twist that surprised many people, the Mormon Church last week announced its support of anti-discrimination ordinances in Salt Lake City that will make it unlawful to discriminate against a person in housing or employment based on his or her sexual orientation. (read more)
It's good
to be Real Bad
Grass Roots Gay Rights West, producers of the annual Real Bad fundraising dance party that closes out the Folsom Street Fair, presented its beneficiaries with a combined $150,000 from this year's event, despite the difficult economic backdrop. (read more)
Shanti marks 35-year milestone
The nonprofit organization Shanti, which was founded in 1974 to provide practical and emotional support for people living with life-threatening or chronic illnesses, marked its 35th anniversary on November 10 with a gala benefit at the Hotel Kabuki in Japantown. (read more)
Memorial for
'Mister Marcus' Saturday
The Bay Area leather community will be mourning and celebrating one of its trailblazers when luminaries and readers alike pay tribute at a memorial for Marcus Hernandez this weekend in San Francisco. (read more)
Online extra: Political Notes: Gay-friendly club ends legal battle
The years-long dispute between the straight owners of the DNA Lounge, a gay-friendly dance club south of Market Street, and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has finally come to an end. (read more)
AIDS activist Edward Zold dies
Edward Zold, a leading local AIDS activist in the 1990s, died in San Francisco on Wednesday, November 4. (read more)
Political Notebook:
Health director stays put
As several high profile staffers in Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration have jumped ship this fall, one staffer who had said he would retire in December is now staying put: openly gay Health Director Dr. Mitch Katz. (read more)
News in brief: Transgender Day
of Remembrance events Friday
Events commemorating the 11th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place in cities across the country and around the world this week, including two in the Bay Area. (read more)
