Matthew S. Bajko
@politicalnotes.bsky.social
Assistant news editor and political columnist for San Francisco LGBTQ newspaper the Bay Area Reporter www.ebar.com dog owner, nature enthusiast, Disney geek
San Francisco Black Pride is preparing an ambitious schedule for this year’s second annual edition that takes place later this month.... www.ebar.com/story/168983
SF Black Pride aims to showcase history, have fun
San Francisco Black Pride is preparing an ambitious schedule for this year’s second annual edition that takes place later this month.
ebar.com
After hitting a high mark two years ago, participation in a biennial survey on the LGBTQ policies enacted by California public schools has fallen to its lowest level... www.ebar.com/story/169025
CA school participation drops to lowest level in LGBTQ policy survey
After hitting a high mark two years ago, participation in a biennial survey on the LGBTQ policies enacted by California public schools has fallen to its lowest level.
ebar.com
Just days ahead of her special election in mid-August to fill a vacant congressional seat, state Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) is to be honored by an Alameda County LGBTQ political group.... www.ebar.com/story/169001
Political Notebook: LGBTQ Dem club to honor Wahab ahead of special election
Just days ahead of her special election in mid-August to fill a vacant congressional seat, state Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) is to be honored by an Alameda County LGBTQ political group.
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The acquisition of San Gregorio Ranch by the state means no more nudity at a site on the San Mateo County coast that has been a popular gathering space for queer people for generations.... www.ebar.com/story/168963
Nudity no longer OK at San Mateo beach long frequented by queer men
The acquisition of San Gregorio Ranch by the state means no more nudity at a site on the San Mateo County coast that has been a popular gathering space for queer people for generations.
ebar.com
California is making permanent an online suicide prevention training program it had piloted for middle through high school students.... www.ebar.com/story/168933
California makes youth online suicide prevention training permanent
California is making permanent an online suicide prevention training program it had piloted for middle through high school students.
ebar.com
Now that California legislators are back from their summer recess, a host of LGBTQ bills await their fates in the Legislature... www.ebar.com/story/168961
Lawmakers to decide fate of CA LGBTQ bills
Now that California legislators are back from their summer recess, a host of LGBTQ bills await their fates in the Legislature.
ebar.com
It’s been 16 years since a gay man was killed in San Francisco and police have put out a renewed call for help in solving the cold case... www.ebar.com/story/168927
SFPD seeking info on cold case killing of gay man
It’s been 16 years since a gay man was killed in San Francisco and police have put out a renewed call for help in solving the cold case.
ebar.com
For the second time in four years a statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization is opting not to endorse Congressmember Adam Gray (D-Merced).... www.ebar.com/story/168882
Political Notes: LGBTQ group passes on endorsing CA Dem Congressmember Gray
For the second time in four years a statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization is opting not to endorse Congressmember Adam Gray (D-Merced).
ebar.com
An alcohol-free cafe, lending library, and programming venue opening in downtown Oakland this fall will operate as an intergenerational “third space” for members of the LGBTQ community.... www.ebar.com/story/168815
Non-alcoholic LGBTQ ‘third space’ to open in Oakland
Oakland residents can expect a new LGBTQ-friendly alternative to bars later this year.
ebar.com
Mechanics’ Institute in downtown San Francisco has established the first West Coast archive dedicated solely on LGBTQ children's books, with a Mill Valley family donating its inaugural holding of 200+ titles... www.ebar.com/story/168820
Nonprofit SF library archive preserves LGBTQ children’s books
When Randall Tarpey-Schwed and his husband, Mark, became fathers in 2001, the couple wanted books to read to their twin daughters that celebrated the LGBTQ community and families like their own.
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Gay data engineer Mike Chen will maintain LGBTQ representation on the San Francisco Planning Commission now that he has been confirmed to a term running through the summer of 2030... www.ebar.com/story/168796
Political Notebook: Gay data engineer Chen joins San Francisco planning body
Gay data engineer Mike Chen will maintain LGBTQ representation on the San Francisco Planning Commission now that he has been confirmed to a term running through the summer of 2030.
ebar.com
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given its preliminary approval for landmarking a 127-year-old Queen Anne Victorian once the residence of the late gay U.S. Ambassador James C. Hormel.... www.ebar.com/story/168781
San Francisco supervisors vote to landmark Hormel mansion
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given its preliminary approval for landmarking a 127-year-old Queen Anne Victorian once the residence of the late gay U.S. Ambassador James C. Hormel.
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A San Francisco Board of Supervisors panel Monday backed gay mayoral nominee Mike Chen serving on the city’s planning commission... www.ebar.com/story/168749
SF supes panel backs gay mayoral planning body pick Chen
A San Francisco Board of Supervisors panel Monday backed gay mayoral nominee Mike Chen serving on the city’s planning commission.
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Weeks after revealing she is in treatment for a curable form of breast cancer, bisexual Democratic San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert secured the support of an influential LGBTQ political group for her congressional bid... www.ebar.com/story/168646
Political Notes: Bi CA House candidate von Wilpert rakes up donations, LGBTQ PAC nod
Weeks after revealing she is in treatment for a curable form of breast cancer, bisexual Democratic San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert secured the support of an influential LGBTQ political ...
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1st of its kind nonprofit built around Kinnar and Hijra leadership, referring to communities of marginalized trans and intersex people in South Asia, San Francisco-based Parivar is facing possible shutdown due to funding cuts.... www.ebar.com/story/168593
South Asian transgender-led organization in San Francisco under financial threat
Amid last fall’s Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Parivar Bay Area opened its headquarters blocks away from San Francisco City Hall.
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As 15-story tower of affordable housing aimed at LGBTQ seniors nears breaking ground in San Francisco’s Castro district, city officials are set to finalize the lease agreement with the nonprofit housing developer behind the project... www.ebar.com/story/168582
SF supes approve lease terms for LGBTQ senior housing project
As a 15-story tower of affordable housing aimed at LGBTQ seniors nears closer to breaking ground in San Francisco’s Castro district, city officials are set to finalize the lease agreement with the non...
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A civil court case against the Trump administration brought by a gay former FBI agent trainee is proceeding. David Maltinsky filed suit last November after he was fired for displaying a Pride flag the agency gave him in recognition of his support of diversity efforts... www.ebar.com/story/168511
LGBTQ Agenda: Gay ex-FBI employee’s case against feds proceeding
A civil court case against the Trump administration brought by a gay former FBI agent trainee is proceeding.
ebar.com
The stately home where the late gay U.S. Ambassador James. C. Hormel once resided is a step closer to becoming a San Francisco landmark... www.ebar.com/story/168512
Late gay Ambassador Hormel’s former home step closer to being landmarked
The stately home where the late gay U.S. Ambassador James. C. Hormel once resided is a step closer to becoming a San Francisco landmark.
ebar.com
A new report on the status of LGBTQ political representation in the U.S. undercounts how many out elected leaders there are across the country... www.ebar.com/story/168425
Political Notes: Report undercounts number of LGBTQ electeds in US
A new report on the status of LGBTQ political representation in the U.S. undercounts how many out elected leaders there are across the country.
ebar.com
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Brendalynn Goodall, a Black Oakland lesbian, to the California Workforce Development Board... www.ebar.com/story/168556
News Briefs: Newsom appoints Goodall to state workforce board
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Brendalynn Goodall, a Black Oakland lesbian, to the California Workforce Development Board.
ebar.com
Ahead of the upcoming August 7 filing deadline for candidates interested in running for local city council seats and other elected positions, several out Bay Area city councilmembers have already launched their bids for reelection.... www.ebar.com/story/168557
Political Notebook: Out Bay Area city councilmembers launch reelection bids
Ahead of the upcoming August 7 filing deadline for candidates interested in running for local city council seats and other elected positions, several out Bay Area city councilmembers have already laun...
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Transgender student athletes in CA and their parents are speaking out after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding state bans in Idaho and West Virginia against trans female athletes playing on women’s and girls’ sports teams.... www.ebar.com/story/168367
Trans families speak out after US Supreme Court ruling on athletes
Parents of trans kids and youth themselves are speaking out after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding state bans in Idaho and West Virginia against transgender female athletes playing o...
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Alameda school board President Ryan LaLonde could extend his tenure another 2 years if he wins a special election for a truncated term this year.... the gay married dad also aims to maintain LGBTQ leadership on his oversight body.... www.ebar.com/story/168335
Political Notebook: Gay Alameda school board prez LaLonde to seek 2-yr. term
Late last year gay married father Ryan LaLonde became the first LGBTQ person to serve as president of the Alameda Unified School District Board of Education.
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Likely to weigh in on the permits for a gay bathhouse project and other developments is Mike Chen, a gay man whom San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has nominated for a seat on the city's planning commission.... www.ebar.com/story/168306
News Briefs: Lurie nominates gay man for planning commission
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has nominated Mike Chen, a gay man, for a seat on the high-profile planning commission.
ebar.com
A proposal to open San Francisco’s first gay bathhouse in decades is navigating the city approval process a year after first being announced. Nonetheless, its proponent is still eyeing a June 2027 opening date.... www.ebar.com/story/168304
Permitting issues delay gay SF bathhouse project
The news last year during Pride Month that a local contractor wanted to open San Francisco’s first gay bathhouse in decades sparked wide interest in the project.
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In recent weeks two out California elected officials have garnered headlines for revealing they had been treated for different types of cancer, bringing public attention to preventative measures and need for routine screenings.... www.ebar.com/story/168181
Political Notes: Out CA leaders disclose treatments for cancer
In recent weeks two out California elected officials have garnered headlines for revealing they had been treated for different types of cancer.
ebar.com
A haven for unhoused youth in Oakland just expanded its offerings. Covenant House California’s Oakland program opened 20 new beds for youth experiencing homelessness last month, bringing the space’s number of beds up from 40 to 60.... www.ebar.com/story/168105
Amid youth homelessness crisis, Covenant House California in Oakland opens 20 new beds
A haven for unhoused youth in Oakland just expanded its offerings.
ebar.com
The LGBTQ community's embrace of the Golden State Valkyries is recalling similar support by out fans for the first professional women’s basketball team in the Bay Area - the San Francisco Pioneers, which formed in 1979 under the Women’s Professional Basketball League.... www.ebar.com/story/168103
Lesbians loved basketball even before the Valkyries
During the recent Golden State Valkyries Pride Night in Ballhalla, as Chase Center is known by the team and its fans, lesbians appeared to be the visible majority.
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This year, as of July 7, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has endorsed 267 candidates running for election across the country. Of those, just 29 have been for those seeking election in California.... www.ebar.com/story/168104
Political Notebook: LGBTQ+ Victory Fund slow to endorse in CA
During the 2024 midterm election cycle, as of July 5 that year, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund had endorsed more than 290 out people seeking public office.
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The Bay Area Reporter has received five California Journalism Awards in its division from the California News Publishers Association, including 1st place in the Community Focus category.... www.ebar.com/story/168057
B.A.R. wins state journalism awards
The Bay Area Reporter has received five California Journalism Awards from the California News Publishers Association.
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