Gay Sonoma

2 days ago | gaysonoma.com | Jay Valle

Features/ Health/ Top Stories Self-defense classes geared toward LGBTQ people can be found sprinkled across the United States, and instructors and students say the skills these classes provide are giving attendees a boost of confidence and a sense of community in a fraught political environment. “Pretend someone’s coming for you. How would you kick them if you were fighting for your life?” an instructor at Queer Fight Club in St. Louis asked attendees during a recent self-defense class. Tori...

4 days ago | gaysonoma.com | Daniel Villarreal

National/ News/ Top Stories Numerous colleges nationwide have shuttered their LGBTQ+ centers under political pressure to end all diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) programs, but not at Utah’s Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Peter Moosman was hired at SLCC in 2019 to help open up its Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center, an office supportive of LGBTQ+ and female students. The center is open to all students: It has a drop-in lounge, offers connections to community groups and...

4 days ago | gaysonoma.com | Christopher Wiggins

Features/ Religion/ Top Stories More than 150 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents have targeted affirming religiouscommunities across the United States since June 2022, according to new data released Tuesday by GLAAD’s ALERT Desk — a stark reflection of how extremists are targeting not only LGBTQ+ people but also the faith-based spaces that welcome them. The report documents a wave of violence and harassment against churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples that openly support LGBTQ+ inclusion. The...

6 days ago | gaysonoma.com | Daniel Villarreal

National/ News/ Top Stories The municipal government of Naples, Florida has refused to grant Naples Pride an event permit, citing increased security costs due to a probable rise in anti-transgender protests. The city also asked event organizers not to allow admittance to anyone under 18 years of age — so, Naples Pride is now suing the city government. The all-ages event is scheduled for June 7. The city told event organizers that they’d need to pay $36,000 for security, much more than what’s...

6 days ago | gaysonoma.com | Ryan Adamczeski

Arts & Entertainment/ Theatre Saturday/Sunday April 26 & 27 @ 2-5 pm. Auditions for Romeo and Juliet, directed by Stuart Handloff.