Bay Area Reporter, America's LGBTQ Newspaper since 1971

LGBTQ Agenda: Florida makes drastic changes to AIDS drug program AIDS organizations and others are crying foul after an emergency rule went into effect in Florida last weekend that could restrict access to HIV treatment for thousands of Floridians.

AIDS organizations and others are crying foul after an emergency rule went into effect in Florida last weekend that could restrict access to HIV treatment for thousands of Floridians.

SFPD makes arrests after apparent stabbing at Dolores Park San Francisco police said arrests have been made in a possible stabbing at Mission Dolores Park that left two people hospitalized Wednesday.

San Francisco police said arrests have been made in a possible stabbing at Mission Dolores Park that left two people hospitalized Wednesday. www.ebar.com/story/163852

Defendant in homophobic, antisemitic vandalism in SF will return to court next week A man accused of vandalizing a local church and threatening a mass shooting of San Francisco gays and Jews will remain in custody, for now.

A man accused of vandalizing a local church who once allegedly threatened a mass shooting of gays and Jews will remain in custody, for now. He is will have a hearing after courtroom statements about the 2020 election and asking a straight judge. www.ebar.com/story/163894

1 year on, defendant in beating outside Castro Theatre admitted to mental health court The defendant accused of a brutal beating outside the Castro Theatre a year ago is currently in mental health diversion court.

The defendant accused of a brutal beating outside the Castro Theatre a year ago is currently in mental health diversion court. www.ebar.com/story/163842

DA’s office says SF church vandalism suspect threatened to kill gays, Jews A man accused of vandalizing a church with pro-Hitler statements allegedly threatened a mass shooting of San Francisco gays and Jews, according to court documents obtained by the Bay Area Reporter.

A man accused of vandalizing a church with pro-Hitler statements allegedly threatened a mass shooting of San Francisco gays and Jews, according to court documents obtained by the Bay Area Reporter. www.ebar.com/story/163851

SF supervisors initiate landmark process for Hormel mansion The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to initiate city landmark designation for the mansion once owned by the late gay U.S. Ambassador James C. Hormel.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to initiate city landmark designation for the mansion once owned by the late gay U.S. Ambassador James C. Hormel. The board also approved starting the process for 24 other properties to become local landmarks.

Man in custody after alleged homophobic, antisemitic graffiti at SF church A 51-year-old man is being held on a $100,000 bond in jail after being arrested on suspicion of homophobic and antisemitic vandalism at a local church, according to San Francisco police.

A 51-year-old man is being held on a $100,000 bond in jail after being arrested on suspicion of homophobic and antisemitic vandalism at a local church, according to San Francisco police. www.ebar.com/story/163791

CA Dem gov candidates discuss LGBTQ issues at LA forum Seven Democratic candidates seeking to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom said that they stood with the LGBTQ community during a forum Monday evening.

Seven Democratic candidates seeking to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom said that they stood with the LGBTQ community during a forum Monday evening. www.ebar.com/story/163792

SF Imperial monarchs crowned San Francisco's new emperor and empress were crowned at the 61st annual San Francisco Imperial Court Coronation Saturday, February 21, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.

San Francisco's new emperor and empress were crowned at the 61st annual San Francisco Imperial Court Coronation Saturday, February 21, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA. www.ebar.com/story/163563

Democratic gubernatorial candidates contrast approaches at SF forum San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a late entry in the race for California governor, joined his fellow Democratic candidates at a forum held in conjunction with last weekend's state party convention in San Fr...

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a late entry in the race for California governor, joined his fellow Democratic candidates at a forum held in conjunction with last weekend's state party convention in San Francisco. www.ebar.com/story/163568

Silicon Valley Pride names interim CEO Silicon Valley Pride has named a gay man as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent chief executive.

Silicon Valley Pride has named a gay man as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent chief executive. www.ebar.com/story/163576...

News Briefs: Antiquarian Book Fair features queer panel A trio of LGBTQ scholars and archivists will be featured in a panel about queer rare books as part of the California International Antiquarian Book Fair that will be in San Francisco February 27-March...

A trio of LGBTQ scholars and archivists will be featured in a panel about queer rare books as part of the California International Antiquarian Book Fair that will be in San Francisco February 27-March 2. www.ebar.com/story/163579

$300K for HIV-positive seniors not included in SF budget ask San Francisco AIDS Foundation officials are disappointed that an ask of $300,000 for seniors living with HIV was not included in the Department of Disability and Aging Services’ budget proposal Monday...

San Francisco AIDS Foundation officials are disappointed that an ask of $300,000 for seniors living with HIV was not included in the Department of Disability and Aging Services’ budget proposal Monday. www.ebar.com/story/163634/

Transmissions: The real monsters In May 2015, I made a fairly bold claim in this very column.

Jeffrey Epstein takes the ties between anti-trans beliefs and the awful crime of pedophilia to a new level, Gwen Smith writes in Transmissions 🏳️‍⚧️. www.ebar.com/story/163338/

Editorial: Money for HIV/AIDS is drying up We’re sounding the alarm. Money for HIV/AIDS is drying up.

Our editorial board is sounding the alarm about HIV/AIDS money drying up. www.ebar.com/story/163337/

Guest Opinion: Reproductive justice for queer communities San Francisco has always been a city defined by freedom – freedom to be yourself, freedom to love openly, and freedom to build a life and start a family on your own terms.

District 8 supervisor candidate Gary McCoy and San Francisco Democratic Party Vice Chair Emma Hare wrote this week's guest opinion. www.ebar.com/story/163290

LGBTQs mourn the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson LGBTQ and allied leaders in the Bay Area and beyond mourned the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader who twice ran for the Democratic nomination for president.

LGBTQ and allied leaders in the Bay Area and beyond mourned the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader who twice ran for the Democratic nomination for president.

Obituaries: William Gross The obituary for William Gross, a decades long survivor of HIV who worked for many years for Pacific Bell.

The obituary for William Gross, a decades long survivor of HIV who worked for many years for Pacific Bell.

Political Notebook: SF LGBTQ Dems welcome state party to town San Francisco LGBTQ Democrats are ready to host their counterparts from across the state this weekend during the California Democratic Party’s 2026 convention.

San Francisco LGBTQ Democrats are ready to host their counterparts from across the state this weekend during the California Democratic Party’s 2026 convention.

News Briefs: MCC-SF to formally install senior pastor Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco will formally install its new senior pastor, the Reverend Daniel Borysewicz, during a ceremony Sunday, February 22, at 4 p.m. at 1620 Gough Street.

Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco will formally install its new senior pastor, the Rev. Daniel Borysewicz, during a ceremony Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. at 1620 Gough Street. www.ebar.com/story/163291

HHS blocks $600M in HIV/AIDS prevention funding, affecting SF nonprofits At least two San Francisco HIV/AIDS organizations are reeling after new cuts to federal prevention grants by the Trump administration.

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the San Francisco Community Health Center stated to the Bay Area Reporter that they were informed of funding termination via letters on Feb. 12. www.ebar.com/story/163191

Federal immigration action occurred in SF Friday, Lurie confirms There was a federal immigration enforcement action in San Francisco’s Diamond Heights neighborhood, near the Castro LGBTQ district, February 13, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie.

There was a federal immigration enforcement action in San Francisco’s Diamond Heights neighborhood, near the Castro LGBTQ district, Feb. 13, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie. www.ebar.com/story/163195

Editorial: Trump’s pettiness strikes again A hallmark of President Donald Trump is his pettiness.

Our editorial board isn't surprised by the Trump administration’s latest action – ordering the rainbow flag removed from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. www.ebar.com/story/163101

Guest Opinion: SF is the center of LGBTQ+ sports for the next generation Out Athlete Fund cements San Francisco as an innovative launch pad for LGBTQ+ sports.

Out Athlete Fund cements San Francisco as an innovative launch pad for LGBTQ+ sports.

Political Notebook: Gay Contra Costa supe Carlson seeks 2nd term Gay Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson is now in an electoral holding pattern to see if anyone challenges him for the District 4 seat on his East Bay board of supervisors.

Gay Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson is now in an electoral holding pattern to see if anyone challenges him for the District 4 seat on his East Bay board of supervisors.

SF supervisors approve expansion of Castro cultural district The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved expanding the size of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District to include the Duboce Triangle neighborhood at its February 10 meeting.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved expanding the size of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District to include the Duboce Triangle neighborhood at its Feb. 10 meeting.

Castro Theatre reopens! Local political leaders, drag artists, and more turned out last week for the reopening of the historic Castro Theatre.

Local political leaders, drag artists, and more turned out last week for the reopening of the historic Castro Theatre.

Obituaries: Ralph RC Irming-Geissler The obituary for Ralph RC Irming-Geissler, who became successful in real estate and loved restoring antique Packard automobiles.

The obituary for Ralph RC Irming-Geissler, who became successful in real estate and loved restoring antique Packard automobiles. www.ebar.com/story/163066

SFAF opens Castro pharmacy The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has opened a full-service pharmacy in the Castro, in Suite B on the first floor of the Strut building in the LGBTQ neighborhood.

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has opened a full-service pharmacy in the Castro, in Suite B on the first floor of the Strut building in the LGBTQ neighborhood.

Political Notes: Fintech executive Wheeler enters SF House race Jumping into the race to succeed retiring Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) in the state’s 11th Congressional District is fintech executive Dan Wheeler (D).

Jumping into the race to succeed retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) in the state’s 11th Congressional District is fintech executive Dan Wheeler (D).