Top Stories
Dads are most susceptible to anti-trans ads. A new toolkit helps them learn to let trans kids shine.
During the 2024 election cycle, a multimillion-dollar deluge of Donald Trump- and GOP-fueled anti-trans campaign ads flooded the airwaves. Those ads peeled away some support for trans people, but in researching their efficacy, the Transgender Law Center and its communications and research partners found something fascinating: They were most effective at targeting dads. “They were eliciting this idea of protector, the defender that dads want to be,” Anna Castro, Principal Narrative Strategist for the Transgender Law Center (TLC), tells LGBTQ Nation. “We think that makes sense for our purposes as well.” This realization sparked the idea for what would become Dads Let […]
Washington doctors warn against ballot measure’s invasive sex checks for girls who want to play school sports
Doctors and nurses in Washington warn that an anti-transgender sports initiativewould subject girls to invasive sex-verification requirements to participate in school athletics. Initiative 638 would bar transgender girls from girls’ school sports teams and require students competing in girls’ sports to provide verification of their sex from a healthcare provider. Under the measure’s text, that verification would have to rely on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or naturally produced testosterone levels. Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week. Medical professionals opposing the initiative say those requirements would create barriers for cisgender girls while excluding transgender girls. […]
Report: Out-Of-State Voters Used Homocon’s Address
The Bulwark reports: The former steelmaking stronghold just north of Pittsburgh was a logical place for Scott Presler to put down roots. His get-out-the-vote efforts have been heavily focused on Pennsylvania, which was destined to be one of the key swing states that cycle—and, it seemed, well beyond. Presler cast his own ballot using that address during the 2024 cycle. So did three other people outside the Presler family. A review of voter registration records shows that GOP operatives from states across the country used Presler’s home address to cast ballots in Pennsylvania during the 2024 election. They include a consultant who […]
Local News
LGBTQI History: A Sonoma County Timeline Class Discusses the SCRAP 6 Fight
LGBTQI History: A Sonoma County Timeline 1947-2000. Online via Zoom. On Monday October 26, we will be talking about SCRAP 6, the SoCo fight against the Briggs Initiative which sought to keep gays and lesbians from teaching in our schools. Contact me to enroll and receive a Zoom link: cdungan@santarosa.edu
Positive Image’s Radical Education Center: Know Your Rights, Make Your Voice Heard
Positive Images is excited to spend the next month helping Sonoma County voters prepare for this election season. We want to make sure our community members have the information they need to register, vote, and make their voices heard. For queer and trans people, QTBIPOC communities, and people with disabilities, elections can directly affect our healthcare, housing, and access to community resources. We also know that voting can come with extra questions and barriers. This month, we’re breaking down some common voter questions and myths so you can know your rights and make a plan to vote. What to Know […]
Arts & Entertainment
Halloween Eve with Thugz at Occidental Center for the Arts on October 30
Friday October 30 @ 7 pm: Halloween Eve with Thugz at Occidental Center for the Arts! Join us on Halloween Eve for a fun night with the THUZ (Tribal Hippie Underground Zone)! Enjoy your favorite Grateful Dead and classic Americana tunes as we dance the night away. Cash prize for best costume. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets $20/$15 for OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door. Beer, wine, fine refreshments. Art Gallery open. Wheelchair accessible. Parking available. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. OCA is a non-profit arts organization with volunteer staffing for events.
Sabbath Lives! Halloween Party at Occidental Center for the Arts Happens October 31
Saturday October 31 @ 8 pm: Sabbath Lives! Halloween Party at Occidental Center for the Arts.It’s a Halloween Party celebrating the Prince of Darkness! Don’t miss this special Halloween performance of Sabbath Lives in Occidental. Well known throughout the Bay Area, Sabbath Lives recreates the classic, heavy, and blues-infused sound of the godfathers of heavy metal, focusing on accurate guitar tones, raw power, and iconic Ozzy-era anthems. With Tom Finch, Kalyan Godden, Dana Miller and Troy Bradley. It’s Halloween so dress up! Cash prize for best costume.Doors at 7:30, Show at 8:00 PM. Refreshments/beer/wine for sale, free parking. Wheelchair accessible. […]
State News
GLBT Historical Society Honors Poet, Artist, Preacher, and Storyteller Marvin K. White October 17
Saturday, October 17, 2026The Westin St. Francis, San FranciscoCocktails: 6:00 p.m. | Dinner: 7:00 p.m. We’re thrilled to announce the second of our 2026 History Maker Honorees, Marvin K. White, Minister of Celebration at Glide Memorial Church and founder of tendesf: art gallery and artpothecary. Born and raised in Oakland, Marvin has performed nationally and internationally as a member of the acclaimed theater troupe PomoAfroHomos and has presented his original work at numerous theaters, bringing his poetic voice into live performance and collective storytelling. His four poetry collections include the Lambda Literary Award–nominated last rights and nothin’ ugly fly, and he helped found and […]
Gavin Newsom moves to shield California transgender patient records from federal scrutiny
California is adding new medical privacy protections for LGBTQ+ adults facing federal subpoenas and expanding access to injectable medicines for HIVprevention. That is thanks to a spate of six new bills passed by the Democratic-led state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday. Newsom said he signed the bills to strengthen LGBTQ+ rights in the state amid a federal crackdown on such protections. Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week. “The Trump administration has launched an all-out assault on the LGBTQ community, using medical records […]
