Top Stories
Court allows lesbian group appeal to exclude trans women from events
A Federal Court in Australia has allowed an appeal for a trans-exclusionary lesbian group to legally ban trans women from its public events for five years amid a lengthy, high-profile battle. The Melbourne-based Lesbian Action Group has been fighting for an exemption to Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act for years, with the most recent court date on 15 April being its third attempt. The group’s first attempt at securing the exemption was in 2023, when it submitted a later rejected application to the Human Rights Commission. The second was in the form of an appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, which was dismissed. Lesbian Action Group describes […]
Senegal’s new anti-LGBTQ+ law used for first conviction as man jailed for six years
A court in Senegal has handed down the first conviction after the country’s newly toughened anti-LGBTQ+ law criminalising same-sex acts, sentencing a 24-year-old man to six years in prison and a $3,300 fine. The case is an early sign of how quickly the harsher penalties are being enforced. On 10 April, the man was convicted in Pikine-Guédiawaye, a suburb of Dakar, for “acts against nature and public indecency”, and sentenced to six years in prison. He was arrested earlier this month. Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the law has created a climate of “constant fear” for LGBTQ+ people in Senegal. Speaking […]
Between Trump and Christian nationalism, MAGA Catholics have a big problem
As if going to war with Iran wasn’t enough, the Trump administration has apparently chosen to go to war with the Vatican as well. In a move that is shockingly stupid even by his own standards, Donald Trump unleashed a vicious attack on Pope Leo on Sunday. In a screed on Truth Social,Trump complained that the pope was “WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy,” and even took credit for the pope’s election. “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting […]
Local News
Celebrate Pride with Purpose – Advance, Advocate, Act Up with Us! Sonoma County Pride Parade and Festival Booth Registration Is Now Open
We’re excited to officially open registration for the 2026 Sonoma County Pride Parade & Festival, and we’d love for you to join us again! You’re receiving this because you’ve been an important part of our Pride family—whether as a vendor, parade participant, or community partner—and we’d be honored to have you back as we come together for another unforgettable weekend of visibility, celebration, and community. This year’s theme, “Pride & True: Advance, Advocate, Act Up,” is a call to action. It honors the progress we’ve made while reminding us that Pride has always been rooted in advocacy, visibility, and collective power. From the parade route […]
Food For Thought Plant Sale and Garden Tour Happens April 24 & 25
Special Preview for FFT Supporters (Friday, April 24 9:00–11:00 am Public Sale:Saturdays, April 25 and May 29:00 am–12:00 pmGuided tours of the garden and food bank available by request. Get your garden started with ours! Our Garden Manager, Oliver, and Food For Thought volunteers have been busy sprouting hundreds of seedlings for our annual plant sale. You’ll find a wonderful selection of flowers, herbs, and veggies—perfect for spring planting.A big THANK YOU to these generous donors for contributing additional plant starts and potting supplies to support this fun FFT fundraiser:California Flora NurseryChokmalichi FarmsEmerisa GardensHarmony Farm SuppliesSweetwater NurseryWillow Creek Ranch
Arts & Entertainment
Tickets Now Available for “Avenue Q” at Left Edge Theater May 22 – June 7
Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Avenue Q is a Tony Award-winning musical that follows a group of twenty-somethings, played […]
Occidental’s First Annual Ukulele Festival happens at OCA April 25
Saturday April 25 at Occidental Center for the Arts. Join us for Occidental’s First Annual Ukulele Festival! Musicians of all experience levels are welcome at this inclusive event. With a festival ticket you’ll enjoy: workshops and jams, performances including evening headliner George Kahumoku ,local Ukulele Clubs’ networking, Open Mic, and more! You will also be able to join a special, optional workshop with George Kahumoku (separate fee applies for the workshop). Don’t miss this fun fest for Ukulele players and enthusiasts! This event is sponsored by Warming Trends of Sonoma County. Tickets are $50 for the festival, $40 for OCA […]
State News
California Bill Would Extend Statute Of Limitations For Medical Malpractice Claims By Ex-Gay Torture Victims
Cal Matters reports: California lawmakers are advancing a new strategy to discourage efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Colorado law banning the practice. The strategy: Extend the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. A bill introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, would increase the time period during which someone could file a malpractice suit against a mental health professional for trying to change their sexual orientation or gender and harming them in the process. Depending on the age of the person who files the […]
Gavin Newsom’s homophobic Grindr controversy explained
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates after his press office used Grindr as a punchline in posts targeting conservative commentator Benny Johnson—the latest controversy for the governor, who is widely seen as positioning himself for a potential 2028 presidential run. The backlash comes amid broader unease among LGBTQ+ leaders over Newsom’s recent comments urging Democrats to be more “culturally normal” and to spend less time on “pronouns” and “identity politics,” remarks critics say echo language historically used to marginalize LGBTQ+ people. What happened The controversy stems from a series of social media posts by Newsom’s press office during an ongoing […]
