OutBeat Radio News

June 1st marked the beginning of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the first pride march one year after the Stonewall Riots in New York.  Former vice-president Joe Biden issued a statement of unity with the LGBTQ+ community; this while President Trump was ordering the use of tear gas to combat protesters and despite his daughter, Ivanka, tweeting a short message of support.

Here in the Bay Area, the Foster City Council rejected community requests to fly the rainbow flag on the poles in front of City Hall. Meanwhile, cities all around them held ceremonies to raise the Pride flag. 

The McCarthy Library at Napa Valley College announced the first-ever virtual Pride Month exhibition now open and available online to the public.

(Photo: Tyrone Turner/WAMU/via NPR)

Richard Grenell is the acting Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Ambassador to Germany - US Consulate Munich / Public domain.In Croatia, a crowd opposed to same-sex couple adoption burned an effigy of a same-sex couple and a child.  Croatia’s president condemned the action, but event organizers defended their actions. 

Here in the U.S., the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case from Philadelphia involving the adoption agencies operated by the Catholic Church and their desire to openly discriminate against LGBTQ couples. 

An openly gay man has been appointed by the Trump Administration to lead the Department of National Intelligence.  This is the highest position held by an openly gay man in the federal government.

Hear Outbeat News Sunday nights at 8 pm during Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM.

(Photo: Richard Grenell is the acting Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Ambassador to Germany - US Consulate Munich / Public domain)

Some good news from Spain, a drug commonly used to treat HIV was successfully used to treat a 62-year-old man infected with the Corona Virus. Officials said while it’s only one use in one case, the results were promising.

Like many other natural disasters, haters in the world are blaming gay people for the coronavirus.  One pastor attacked churches that have taken steps to limit the spread of the virus calling them names. Mark Steyn from FOX news claimed that the shelter in place order given in San Francisco was ordered to “prevent a big gay apocalypse.” 

Local elected leaders including Senator Scott Wiener issued statements this week calling for everyone to come together in support of our most vulnerable communities.

(Photo: Miguel Ángel Benítez)

A wedding video of a New York lesbian couple getting married has gone viral proving that love is more powerful than the coronavirus pandemic.

California State Senator Scott Wiener is calling on the FDA to lift the ban on gay men donating blood in anticipation of a national shortage of blood during this current health emergency. 

San Francisco Pride officials announced three of this year’s grand marshalls and also said they will announce in mid April if this year’s celebration will be postponed. 

Meanwhile, Sonoma County Pride officials made the decision last week to cancel this year’s Sonoma County Pride celebration scheduled for June 6.

(Photo: Reilly Jennings – via Instagram)

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB-FM.

LGBTQ voter turnout on Super Tuesday was significant especially for those voters under the age of 45 in 12 of the 14 states that voted last week. LGBTQ civil rights leaders say the community’s voice is becoming more politically powerful. 

The Governor of Virginia signed into law a ban on conversion therapy for minors in his state paving the way for other southern states to follow suit. But anti-LGBT groups are calling this law a violation of the 1st Amendment. 

In California, the annual report on the demographics of judges shows the number of LGBTQ judges on the bench did not change in 2019.

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm during Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Rainbow flag - Wikimedia Commons)

Author Armistead Maupin joined Cher and fans around the world to mourn the death last week of award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis.  Dukakis was the first actor to play a transgender character on American television. 

Here in California, Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman who announced her run for Governor in California, told a TMZ reporter last week that she opposes transgender girls participating in girls’ sports in school because it isn’t fair to biological boys.

And here locally, Sonoma County Pride organizers announced a month-long Pride celebration this June themed “Beyond the Rainbow.”  This year’s pride celebration promises to be the biggest yet here in Sonoma County with events happening every week, all month long.

(Photo: Olympia Dukakis - Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A 23-year veteran teacher at a Catholic High School in Ohio was fired after it was discovered he was gay and married to a man. Students are fighting his termination. 

In New York, 2 gay men are working on the front lines of the COV-19 pandemic to provide backpacks full of basic living supplies to the homeless; one of the most vulnerable populations in the City. 

A new study was released last Tuesday by the American Atheists shows that 50% of LGBTQ people identify as religiously unaffiliated and suffer discrimination and stigma at a much higher rate than those who have religious faith.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm, as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Archbishop Alter High School – Courtesy of Change.org)

Another teacher at a Catholic school was fired by the church under the guise of religious freedom after requesting leave to seek treatment for breast cancer.  She died after filing a federal lawsuit and church officials continued to defend their actions.  

In San Antonio, Texas, the 11th transgender person to be murdered this year was stabbed to death in a barbershop by a crazed patron.  

GLBT Historical Society leaders in San Francisco announced that plans to build a permanent GLBT museum facility have been scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(Photo: Jason Meredith from Louisville, KY, US / CC BY 2.0)

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio.

Germany is one of the latest European countries to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy for minors.  The new ban had very strong legislative support and provides wide spread protections for young people. 

Two police officers in Kansas City Missouri are facing a criminal investigation for excessive force involving a transgender woman who just months after the assault was found shot to death. 

PBS announced it will air a new series about gay life the south called “Prideland” this June during pride month.  But the hate group American Family Association is petitioning the network to halt the broadcasts calling “being gay unnatural and unhealthy.”

(Photo: Courtesy of PBS)

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a claim last week from the State of Texas that was trying to sue the State of California over its government-funded travel ban based on anti-LGBTQ laws held by the Lone Star state.  Texas is one of ten states that California prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to be used to fund travel to. 

The state of Montana may be the next state added to this list after Montana’s governor signed a new religious liberty bill into law.  LGBTQ advocates believe the bill will legalize discrimination of LGBTQ people based on religious beliefs. 

Last week three members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community murdered here in the United States including one woman in the South Bay Area.  Police are calling that murder a result of domestic violence.

(Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A male couple in Tunisia, a country in North Africa, has become the first same-sex couple to have their marriage recognized in a Muslim-Majority country. 

Here locally, last week San Francisco Airport officials opened another part of the new Harvey Milk Terminal One with a large display of historical photos provided by the GLBT historical society and San Francisco public library. 

And organizers of the popular Folsom Street Fair and Up Your Alley event announced that both are canceled for this year due to the corona virus health emergency.  But don’t worry, organizers say they are planning a virtual event for you to enjoy.

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

President-Elect Joe Biden thanked specifically LGBTQ people for supporting his election during his acceptance speech. It was a first for a victory speech by a president-elect. 

In California, Todd Gloria will become the first openly gay man and a man of color to be elected Mayor of San Diego, the state’s second largest city. 

Plus, Governor Newsom’s appointment of Justice Martin Jenkins to the California Supreme Court was confirmed last week. Jenkins becomes the first openly gay man to serve the State’s high court.

Outbeat News is s service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Suday nights at 8pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Courtesy Todd Gloria – via Twitter)

Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people are up in the United States, while the total number of reported hate crimes has declined for the first time in several years.  The FBI released 2018 hate crime statistics last year detailing increased violence targeting LGBTQ people. 

The Trump administration’s attempt to deny LGBTQ people health care in favor of religious and moral beliefs has been blocked by 2 courts, both citing a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 

The American Psychological Association updated it’s writing manual this week to allow the singular use of “they, them, their” as an appropriate pronoun to reference gender non-binary persons.

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo via Human Rights Campaign – hrc.org)

Vatican officials are rushing to clarify statements made by Pope Francis last week about supporting civil unions for same-sex couples. As Vatican leaders interpret the pontiff’s comments, he may not be as supportive of LGBTQ people as we thought. 

Meanwhile, couples in Missouri scrambled to City Hall to get married before right-wing judge Amy Coney Barrett was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Leaders in the LGBT community fear how Justice Barrett might rule on future LGBTQ civil rights cases.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Pope Francis - Zebra48bo/CC BY-SA 4.0)

An Alabama printing company declined to print a special diversity issue of a South Alabama student magazine because the publication featured articles about LGBTQ people. 

In Texas the state’s attorney general is partnering with the Catholic Church to sue the federal government in order to allow private religious adoption agencies that receive federal funding to openly discriminate against LGBTQ people. 

Then, this year’s holiday concert by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus happens Sunday, December 15 in the Green Center at Sonoma State Unversity.

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: SF Gay Men's Chorus - via Green Music Center)

Last week the FBI released the statistics for reported hate crimes in 2019.  You won’t be surprised to know the numbers are up including a dramatic increase in hate crimes targeting transgender people. 

3 people have filed suit in West Virginia after being denied health care benefits supporting treatment for various aspects of gender dysphoria.  This follows the U.S. Supreme Court hearing considering again the Affordable Care Act. 

Meanwhile, in New York, state officials announced changes in that state’s DMV system that will allow gender non-binary people to select an X as a gender marker.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard as part of Outbeat Radio, Sunday at 7 pm on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Last week’s national election included more than 600 out LGBTQ candidates and dozens won their seat.  A transgender woman was elected to the U.S. Senate, a gender non-binary woman of color was a state seat, and an out lesbian will become a county sheriff in Ohio beating the man who fired her allegedly because she was gay. 

Voters in Nevada made same-sex marriage a right in their state Constitution.

California Senator Scott Wiener and Assembly Member Evan Low, two out gay men, won re-election to their state office.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Sheriff-Elect Charmaine McGuffey - Charmaine Mcguffey For Sheriff/Facebook)

Last week Governor Newsom nominated the first openly gay man to the California State Supreme Court. 

The United States Supreme Court began their new term last week and two of the court’s most conservative justices called for a case to overturn marriage equality for LGBTQ people.  The brazen statement could become a reality with the almost certain addition of a 6th conservative justice. 

This year’s Out Watch Film Festival will be presented virtually with four amazing films.

(Photo: Martin J. Jenkins will be the first openly gay man to serve on the California Supreme Court – via YouTube)

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91l.

A 23-year-old gay Saudi Arabian YouTube star has been arrested for violating that country’s public decency law because he posted a picture of himself wearing a bathing suit while on a beach. 

Legislators in Uganda are planning to re-introduce a “kill the gays” bill that would provide the death penalty in certain cases for being homosexual in Uganda.  Government officials declared that homosexuality does not occur naturally in Ugandans.  

In California, Governor Newsom signed into law the Safe and Supportive Schools Act which will provide bi-annual LGBT awareness training for school teachers and staff.

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8:00 pm on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Suhail al-Jameel claims he was arrested for sharing the photo on the left – Courtesyy of Suhail al-Jameel)

October 21, 2019

The two men who opposed each other in the landmark Supreme Court marriage equality case in 2015 have now teamed up to oppose the nomination of conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The annual World AIDS Day is coming up on December 1st and officials from the National AIDS Memorial announced last week that the 10,000 panels of the AIDS Quilt will be put on virtual display for the world starting on November 16th. The AIDS Quilt was an idea conceived by Bay Area activist Cleve Jones to remember and honor those who lost their lives to the disease. 

Locally, Face to Face announced the closure of the 3 Monkeys Thrift store. Your last chance to find a local treasure is on December 15.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard as part of Outbeat Radio Sunday nights at 8 on KRCB FM Radio 91.

(Photo: Amy Coney Barrett - Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP, via NPR)

Donald Trump justified his ban on transgender people serving in the military in part by citing the cost of trans troops’ healthcare. Leaked copies of Trump’s tax returns show that in 2010, he claimed a $73 million refund – 28 times the cost of yearly healthcare costs for almost 15,000 servicemembers. 

An Indiana High School formally apologized to a transgender student after she was listed erroneously as a candidate for prom king using the students dead name. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed several LGBTQ favorable bills into law including one that requires the state’s prison system to recognize the gender identity of persons in its custody.

(Photo: Ted Eytan / CC BY-SA 2.0)

In Argentina, the country’s president issued a decree that sets aside 1% of all government jobs for transgender people. 

Here in the U.S., a man has been arrested for making and then detonating a bomb in front of a popular gay gym in New Jersey.  No one was hurt in the attack that shattered windows in front of the popular gym. 

In Sacramento, a woman with HIV was featured in a medical journal this month after researchers found that her body naturally cured her of HIV - this after analyzing over 1 billion blood cells from the woman - No substantial HIV virus was detected.

(Photo: Alberto Fernandez, President of Argentina - Casa Rosada / CC BY 2.5 AR)

A Brazilian woman gave birth to twins after being a surrogate for her gay son, a rare instance of a woman giving birth to her own grandchildren. 

At the Southern Decadence Parade in Louisiana this month, protesters dressed as police officers and politicians showing opposition to the legally questionable sex laws that seemingly target LGBTQ people. 

And in San Francisco, new HIV infections hit an all-time low last year, setting the City on track to reach its goal of zero new infections. 

Here locally, this year’s Outwatch Film Festival runs October 4th through the 7^th.

(Photo: A Brazilian woman gave birth to her gay son's twins – Pexels)

Monday, September 16, 2019

Effective today in the State of Texas, the crime of indecent exposure now includes sending explicit photos over the Internet, including in emails, text messages, and via a dating app.  And it’s a misdemeanor crime with a fine of $500.  Texas Governor Abbot said he signed the law because he thinks exposing one’s self like that is “disgusting.” 

In California, the San Jose Police Department became the first large law enforcement agency to fly the rainbow flag at police headquarters.  LGBT Liaison Officer James Gonzalez explains why it’s so important.

(Photo: Courtesy of Coming Out From Behind the Badge)

Monday, September 2, 2019

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8:00 pm as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91.

A transgender woman in Delaware, Sarah McBride, won a primary election last Tuesday and is on the road to becoming the first transgender member of the United States Senate. 

Last week the Trump Administration directed all federal agencies to stop all forms of anti-racism training alleging it costs millions and promotes division within the federal workforce.  Some leaders of anti-LGBTQ organizations praised the decision. 

Here in California Governor Newsom signed into law SB 145 a controversial bill that critics say promotes sex with children.  The bill of course does no such thing, but it does create equality for LGBTQ young people by treating them the same as their heterosexual peers.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard as part of Outbeat Radio, Sunday nights at 7 pm.

(Photo: Sarah McBride - Senator Chris Coons / Public domain)

A printing business owned by a conservative Christian couple sued the state of Arizona in order to avoid having to print wedding invitations for same-sex couples.  Even though they haven’t yet received an invitation order, they sued to stop a City of Phoenix ordinance that prohibits discrimination.  The Arizona State Supreme Court agreed with the couple.  

And here locally, Jim Foster, one of the founders of Positive Images has been struck by a debilitating disease and needs our help.  A community fundraiser is set for this Saturday at Santa Rosa High School.

(Photo: Arizona Supreme Court Building in Phoenix - davidpinter [CC BY 3.0])

Outbeat News can be heard as part of Outbeat Radio Sunday nights at 8pm on KRCN FM Radio 91.

Last week, 2 federal judges issued rulings against known hate organizations that target LGBTQ rights.  The first was against a Florida based church and the second in Maryland against a challenge to the state’s ban on ex-gay reparative therapy. 

In San Francisco, a gay man was been appointed by Israel to be the Consulate General of the Pacific Northwest.  Matan Zamir and his partner of 3 years say they are excited to be living in San Francisco. 

And don’t forget the OutWatch film festival begins this Friday at the Rialto cinemas in Sebastopol

(Photo: Matan Zamir – Courtesy of http://embassies.gov.il)

Last week, two federal courts ruled that transgender students can access the restrooms and facilities that match their gender identity and that the meaning of “sex” in Title 9 includes gender identity. 

A 28-year-old gay man may become Hawaii’s first LGBT member of the state legislature. 

In California, lawmakers unanimously passed a new law requiring health care providers to track sexual orientation and gender identity when testing for COVID 19 and 90 other communicable diseases. The bill’s author, Senator Scott Wiener, says that this is critical to ensure LGBTQ people get equal access to health services.

Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 as part of Outbeat Radio on KRCB FM Radio 91

(Photo: daveynin/CC BY 2.0)

Last week while one NFL player came out as openly bisexual, another was preaching for the anti-LGBTQ group focus on the family by encouraging school children to bring their bibles to school in order to preach to their friends. 

In Kentucky, a school principal, who back in 2008 confiscating books with LGBTQ themes from the school library because he thought they could corrupt children, was arrested this week for possession and distribution of child pornography. 

Locally, this year’s OutWatch LGBTQ film festival will take place October 4 through 7 at the Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Outbeat News can be heard Sunday nights at 8:00 pm as part of Outbeat Radio.

This is a special report for Pride Sunday 2021. 43 years ago, this weekend, the very first rainbow Pride flag, designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, was raised on the flagpoles at UN Plaza as part of the annual pride celebration.  The original flag was made by Baker and some friends with hand-dyed pieces of fabric in 8 different colors.  The original flag was thought to be long gone, until now.  Charles Beal, a close friend of Gilbert Baker’s and now executive director of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, discovered a remnant of the original rainbow flag in an old box of memorabilia he got from Baker’s sister.  After authenticating the piece of flag, Beal contact the GLBT Museum where Gilbert had said he wanted his collection of flags to be donated. A ceremony accepting the historic piece of flag was held earlier this month at the GLBT Museum where it is now on public display. 

Learn more at gilbertbaker.com and glbthistory.org

(Photo: Benson Kua, CC BY-SA 2.0,  via Wikimedia Commons)