Politics

Newsom signs PrEP expansion bill into law

Newsom signs PrEP expansion bill into law

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 6, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill expanding access to the HIV prevention medication PrEP via pharmacies. He did so Tuesday without comment.

Political Notes: Senator Butler addresses LGBTQ federal judges, AIDS funds, and 2024 races

Political Notes: Senator Butler addresses LGBTQ federal judges, AIDS funds, and 2024 races

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 5, 2024

While in San Francisco recently lesbian U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler praised President Joe Biden's efforts to diversify the judicial branch and argued for the renewal of a global AIDS fund that conservative Republicans have targeted over abortion rights.

Political Notebook: Record number of bi women seeks CA legislative seats

Political Notebook: Record number of bi women seeks CA legislative seats

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 31, 2024

With a record number of bisexual women seeking legislative seats in 2024, California could see its first bi female legislators come December when the winners of the fall races take their oaths of office.

SF's battle for the gavel becomes a referendum on safety issues

SF's battle for the gavel becomes a referendum on safety issues

  • POLITICS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 31, 2024

San Franciscans will be voting on who will occupy two Superior Court judgeships on March 5 in what is becoming the city's latest referendum on public safety issues.

Low releases TV ad for US House candidacy

Low releases TV ad for US House candidacy

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 29, 2024

Bay Area viewers tuning into the pregame show on Fox ahead of the San Francisco 49ers clinching a Super Bowl berth Sunday caught the debut of an ad touting the congressional candidacy of gay Assemblymember Evan Low.

Lesbian US Senator Butler meets with SF youth

Lesbian US Senator Butler meets with SF youth

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 27, 2024

Lesbian U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, during her first official community event in San Francisco as California's junior senator, met with youth leaders Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco's Don Fisher Clubhouse near City Hall.

CA lawmakers revive PrEP, STD prevention bills

CA lawmakers revive PrEP, STD prevention bills

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 25, 2024

A bill expanding access to the HIV prevention medication PrEP via pharmacies now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature to become law.

US Senate candidates debate ahead of primary

US Senate candidates debate ahead of primary

  • POLITICS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 23, 2024

The three Democratic candidates vying to represent California in the United States Senate hit the sole Republican candidate on his refusal to say if he will vote for former president and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump this year during a debate Monday.

Wiener introduces bill to ensure collection of LGBTQ health data

Wiener introduces bill to ensure collection of LGBTQ health data

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 23, 2024

Gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced legislation to ensure that state health officials are meeting their requirements to ask about sexual orientation and gender identity demographics.

Political Notebook: SF supervisors set to back Matthew Shepard stamp

Political Notebook: SF supervisors set to back Matthew Shepard stamp

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 22, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is to become the first government body to endorse the issuance of a U.S. postal stamp honoring murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard.

5 candidates make their case to replace Eshoo in Congress

5 candidates make their case to replace Eshoo in Congress

  • POLITICS
  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jan 19, 2024

Five of the 11 contenders — including two queer candidates — vying for outgoing Congressmember Anna Eshoo's Silicon Valley seat made their case to the Jewish community in a moderated discussion in Palo Alto.

Lesbian Atkins to run for CA governor

Lesbian Atkins to run for CA governor

Toni Atkins, the outgoing president pro tempore of the state Senate and a lesbian longtime lawmaker, is looking to make history as the state's first woman and out governor.

Queer candidates spar at SF District 9 supervisor debate

Queer candidates spar at SF District 9 supervisor debate

  • POLITICS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 18, 2024

Sparks flew between two of the three queer candidates present at a January 17 debate for those running for San Francisco District 9 supervisor over the war in Gaza and antisemitism at home.

Political Notebook: Housing, budget top priorities for LGBTQ caucus vice chair Ward

Political Notebook: Housing, budget top priorities for LGBTQ caucus vice chair Ward

  • POLITICS
  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jan 17, 2024

As vice chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, gay Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) will be helping this year to elect the out candidates for state Assembly and Senate seats endorsed by the affinity group for LGBTQ legislators in Sacramento.