Top Stories
Gay German politician resigns after welcoming child via surrogacy despite opposing it
German conservative politician Jens Spahn has resigned as parliamentary leader of the country’s governing coalition after facing intense criticism over becoming a father through surrogacy in the United States, despite years of publicly supporting Germany‘s ban on the practice. Spahn, a senior member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and former health minister, announced his resignation on Saturday (18 July), writing that he had realised that “my personal happiness – founding a family together with my husband and becoming a father – is not compatible with my political office”. He added that the growing tension between his personal decision and the expectations placed on him […]
What queer people should know about the ‘diarrhea parasite’ ruining our summer salads
Big gay salads are the spice of life when it comes to summer living, but queer people can’t have anything under this administration — not even fresh produce and a sense of unadulterated whimsy at the farmers market. It’s no secret that the Trump administration’s defunding of institutions that previously kept us healthy, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), has had widespread consequences, now including a parasite that loves to live on fresh produce and causes watery diarrhea. If you’re looking at that bag of salad mix sitting in your fridge a little more suspiciously, […]
Womontown: How a group of 80s lesbians built their own community to escape the patriarchy
In the late 1980s, two women set about creating a lesbian community in Kansas City, Missouri. The result was Womontown, an urban community of over 70 women that spanned a 12-block radius and contained 28 homes and 14 apartment buildings. “We just started imagining, what if we could just walk hand in hand, freely, down the street, a bunch of lesbians all in this neighborhood,” said co-founder Mary Ann Hopper in the 2022 documentary, Womontown. “And I thought, well, if we can do the work, I could imagine that it would maybe be fun to live here.” The journey began when Hopper’s partner, […]
Local News
Pride Bowling Pop-Up Event Sunday — Come Bowl With Us
Whether you already bowl with us, have been thinking about joining, or are simply looking for a fun way to meet new people, we’d love to have you join us for a special Sonoma County Pride Bowling Pop-Up Event! Sunday, July 26 at 11:00 AM (sign-in is from 10:30 am – 11:00 am) Double Decker Lanes300 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park $25 per bowler — includes three games of bowling Our Pop-Up Bowling Event is all about having fun, meeting new people, and getting a glimpse of what Sonoma County Pride Bowling is all about! No bowling experience is needed, and everyone […]
Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market organizers change this week’s musical act after public outcry
A new local band will take to the stage during Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Marketthis week following a last-minute change in the entertainment lineup in response to public outrage over a homophobic comment made on social media by the leader of the previously scheduled local band. The Humdinger Band will now perform, following the city’s cancellation of Big O and Company, during the June 30 Tuesday Night Market, which takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sonoma Plaza. The change was made on Friday, June 26, in response to requests from members of the public who were upset by a homophobic post […]
Arts & Entertainment
Authors of LGBTQ+ books say school visits cancelled after parent complaints
Several authors have spoken out after school visits promoting their children’s books – which feature same-sex families, queer characters, or other LGBTQ+ themes – were cancelled or disrupted following complaints from “homophobic” parents. Authors spoke to The Bookseller in a 16 July interview, describing schools cancelling events at short notice, allowing pupils to be withdrawn from talks, or asking them not to discuss LGBTQ+ themes despite their books focusing primarily on friendship, adventure and family. Author Kristina Rahim said two planned primary school visits were cancelled after parents claimed her books contained sex education because some of her characters are donor-conceived. “My books don’t teach sex […]
State News
California budgets $26 million to protect access to gender-affirming care from federal attacks
In a win for trans people, their families, and healthcare providers in the state, California has passed a new budget that includes funds to protect gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare from federal funding interference. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the budget, which was the result of extensive lobbying from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including TransFamily Support Services. “This historic investment will help keep care accessible, support the providers doing this lifesaving work, and remind trans young people that California will not abandon them,” said Kathy Moehlig, director of TransFamily Support Services. The 2026-27 budget sets aside $26 million to support gender-affirming care access […]
LAPD officer could face criminal charges for recording colleagues’ discrimination
A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer could face criminal charges for recording his colleagues making homophobic, racist and sexist remarks while on the job. Daniel Flores, who is an officer for the LAPD, secretly recorded the comments before handing the audio over to his superiors as evidence, according to an internal affairs complaint he filed last year. However, recording conversations without the consent of those involved is illegal in the state of California. Flores’ attorney, Greg Smith, told The LA Times that Flores was recently informed that his internal affairs case had been transferred to state prosecutors, who are currently weighing charges against him […]
