For decades, the Fresno County Fairgrounds have stood at the center of public controversy. In 1942, the site served as an assembly center where more than 5,000 Japanese Americans were detained before being sent to internment camps, according to Central Valley News (Rodriguez, 2022). In 2005, a two-year-old girl contracted a severe E. coli infection […]
Fresno Fairgrounds Hosts Anti-LGBTQ Church Read More »
Charlie Kirk built his career spreading hate against LGBTQ people, people of color, and others. While I condemn his murder, I won’t pretend to mourn him. Grief isn’t owed to someone who spent his life causing harm, and honesty means refusing to sanctify a harmful legacy.
No tears for Charlie Kirk Read More »
The ability for Fresno County departments to celebrate cultural, LGBTQ+, and community heritage events may soon be sharply curtailed, after a 3 to 2 vote Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors moved forward a policy that will stifle inclusivity and silence underrepresented voices. The proposed changes would require department heads to seek advance approval –
Fresno County moves to restrict Pride and diversity celebrations. What’s next? Read More »
My first experiences in LGBTQ activism and advocacy go back to the Prop 8 campaign that successfully outlawed same sex marriage in California back in 2008. Here in California, Prop 8 was one of the defining political and social questions of that decade. I was in my mid-twenties and had only recently come out when
Beyond the “Save The Children” Rhetoric: True Protection Comes from Empowerment Read More »
Three Fresno Republican officials—Supervisors Nathan Magsig and Garry Bredefeld, and Sheriff John Zanoni—are aligning with Trump’s rhetoric while avoiding the full weight of his controversial policies. Trump’s hardline stances on immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) may not play well in the diverse Central Valley, but these officials are adopting his divisive language and
Local Leaders Align with Trump’s Rhetoric, Distort the Facts on Immigration and DEI Read More »
Several years ago, during Trump’s first term I was talking to a friend about the Masterpiece Cake shop case (in which a baker was sued for refusing to provide services to same sex couples). This friend is not a Trump supporter, but also doesn’t follow politics that closely and wasn’t aware of the issues involved.
How Trump’s Doublespeak Threatens Freedom and Democracy Read More »
As the mail-in ballots come in and disturb our sense of peace regarding this presidential race and all it entails, what does it mean for our community if there is a second Trump presidency? How might our lives change, and what could our communities look like, if, after we close our eyes while votes are
What a second Trump presidency means for our community Read More »
The latest comedy special from Dave Chapelle, The Dreamer, has only brought more of what is already known about himself to the limelight. Concerning his jabs against the transgender community, he stated, “It wasn’t worth the trouble. I ain’t saying shit about them. Maybe three or four times tonight, but that’s it. I’m tired of
Dave Chapelle’s The Dreamer: Hatred without Significance Read More »
Amidst the twinkling lights and holiday cheer, there’s often a hidden truth for many in the LGBTQ+ community: the holidays can be bittersweet. Family dynamics, societal pressures, and isolation can cast a shadow on what’s supposed to be a season of joy. That’s why we created the Chosen Family Holiday Party, an event that not
Togetherness: The Chosen Family Holiday Party Read More »
“The forced outing policy wrongfully endangers the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of non-conforming students who lack an accepting environment in the classroom and at home.” – Rob Bonta (CA Attorney General) On July 20, the Chino Valley Unified School District–representing nearly 26,000 students–passed a bill mandating schools to notify parents of any pronoun or
