The Pride LA 8.7.2020

the pride

ISSUE NUMBER 39, VOLUME 10 | AUGUST 7 – AUGUST 20, 2020 08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

LA Pride Leaving West Hollywood

Christopher Street West announces LA Pride will not be in West Hollywood

By Sam caTaNZaro

Christopher Street West (CSW), the producer of LA Pride, has announced it is pulling out of West Hollywood, home of the parade and festival for over 40 years.

The announcement was made in a letter to City of West Hollywood City Council Tuesday. CSW cited the changing demographics of the greater Los Angeles Area, construction in West Hollywood Park and its “commitment to being responsive to the LGBTQIA+ community’s needs” as among the reason for the move to a new location, yet to be determined.

“We are grateful to the City of West Hollywood for our many years of partnership and collaboration in presenting LA Pride.

West Hollywood has been a successful home for the parade and festival, providing millions with a unique and incredible experience centered in this city. The community we serve and our organization have grown during our collaborations with West Hollywood, and we have been grateful to support the city and its business community by bringing hundreds of thousands of diverse visitors to the city and highlighting West Hollywood on the world stage,” reads the letter.

The event, which has been in West Hollywood since 1979, has been a significant contributor to the city’s economy. According to Beacon Economics (a consulting firm hired by CSW) the 2019 Pride event bolstered economic output countywide by $74.7 million and by $27.7 million in West Hollywood. The event also increased labor income for workers countywide by $33.1 million and by $14.7 million in West Hollywood. According to the Beacon report, 2019 Pride generated $2.5 million in tax

Photo: Morgan Genser

West Hollywood City Council at 2019 LA Pride.

revenue in LA County and $896,100 in West Hollywood.

In January, West Hollywood city staff recommended the city increase funding for the 2020 event by 46 percent to $3.05 million. Soon after, however, CSW canceled the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently City of West Hollywood City Councilmembers John D’Amico and John Duran proposed opening the bidding to other producers for an annual pride event in West Hollywood. In the wake of the letter

by CSW Tuesday announcing the departure form West Hollywood, Duran wrote the

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CSW is leaving Weho next year. But WEHO pride will continue every June like we have for the past 49 years.

Four weeks ago, my colleague councilmember D’Amico and I suggested that we open up the bidding to other possible producers for our annual pride event besides CSW. Their announcement was their response to our comments.

The organization has struggled for years now to gain the trust and support of the community. This year’s mishap trying to hijack the Black Lives Matter movement

TAX

was just the latest example of the clumsy missteps by the organization. Trying to hijack a protest march during the middle of a pandemic and turn it into gay pride was a serious error. Trying to make it happen without the participation of Black Lives Matter and without working with the City of West Hollywood shows disrespect for BLM and the City.

Weho Pride in June will happen next year.

And every year as it always has on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Just

LA Pride Leaving, see page 5

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08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

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08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

LOS ANGELES

Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After Heated Altercation in DTLA Bar

By TimoThy michael

Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Attorney, announced charges against a man in connection with a “heated altercation” at Las Perlas bar in downtown Los Angeles that ended with transgender women and gay men being dragged out of the bar.

Eduardo Gonzalez has been charged with one count of making a criminal threat and a second count alleging the criminal threat constituted a hate crime.

The incident happened almost a year ago on the night of August 23 last year.

On that night, several transgender women and gay men met at Las Perlas bar for drinks following the DTLA Proud Festival.

During that time Gonzalez and his girlfriend sat at a table with the group and allegedly “made multiple transphobic and misgendering slurs toward the transgender women, leading to an argument with the group,” officials said.

Eventually a security guard at the bar forcibly removed everyone involved but while being kicked out, Gonzalez allegedly shouted threats that he would return with a gun.

Video of the altercation went viral over

the weekend, the footage shows one person being carried out of Las Perlas. It then pans to a woman, identified as Jennifer Bianchi, shouting, “Don’t touch me like that,” before she is shoved into a wall. Bianchi shoves back and says she needs her shoe before she’s carried out as well.

A third woman is put into a chokehold before being forced out.

The group was made up of staff and volunteers from Bienestar Human Services, a non-profit social services organization for Latino and LGBTQ groups. They said in a statement later that they were treated unfairly because of their identity.

After the incident, a protest was started at Las Perlas the following day, as well as support by Mayor Eric Garcetti, who vowed that a thorough investigation will be done.

In a tweet after the incident occurred Mayor Garcetti wrote “Los Angeles is a place where hate against any person, regardless of gender identity, is not tolerated. My office is in communication with @LAPDHQ about the incident at Las Perlas, and will ensure a proper investigation is completed.”

Feuer echoed the sentiment in announcing the charges against Gonzalez and he is scheduled to be arraigned on August 7th.

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Las Perlas bar also issued an apology on their Facebook account stating a new security staff — one that has received sensitivity training — is being hired.

They went on to say “Our first and primary concern, and has been from day one, is to

operate a safe place for all people,” the bar posted. “Period, no exceptions. We regret that didn’t happen Friday night, and want to apologize to all of our guests, including the Transgender community, a community who has come to our bar as well as works there.”

08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

LOS ANGELES

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Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement Demands Justice for Muxe Burger King Employee

By Timothy Michael

In response to the death of Angela Martinez Gomez, a Muxe identity employee at a Burger King in Santa Monica, local community members of Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (Familia:TQLM) rallied on Friday July 24th to demand Justice for all essential workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone across the country, and the world, but especially LGBQ+, nonbinary, and third gender workers who are more likely to be underemployed, not have workplace protections, and has led to some of them losing their lives.

Angela Martinez Gomez, who was a 15 year employee of Burger King, died on July 6th 2020. Workers at the Burger King franchise report that Angela, along with other workers, wasn’t given adequate personal protective equipment (ppe) and worked while having COVID-19 symptoms.

Since Angela’s death, workers have filed a complaint with state and local authorities about the work conditions that have made them feel unsafe. Besides Burger King, local and federal governments haven’t done enough to protect all essential workers, including ensuring employers aren’t putting the safety of their workers on the line, as well as enforcing protections for workers.

Allegedly Gomez worked for a week while displaying COVID-19 symptoms before walking out on a shift, one of her colleagues, Yolanda Santiago Garcia, claimed in a complaint to OSHA and local public health agencies.

The complaint also alleges that a manager misled workers about Gómez’s cause of death, blaming it on the hormones that Gómez, a transgender woman, was taking.

Some employees of this particular Burger King also went on strike after Gomez’s death and held a vigil outside of the fast food location, holding signs that said “Say her name” and “Trans Lives Matter.” Video posted online show cars lined up outside of the restaurant as protestors socially distanced and passersby honked in support.

A community Event Organizer for Familia:TQLM Jennicet Gutierrez said, “We’re organizing this rally today because we know that our LGBTQ+, non-binary, third gender, indigenous communities are especially vulnerable during this time.

All essential workers are vulnerable right now. Burger King, the local and federal governments have failed in protecting our

LA Pride Leaving, from page 1 not with CSW. I look forward to the new creativity, innovation and excitement that will occur for June 2021 (pandemic permitting!) and the years that follow! Pride is the historic

Photo: Toi Creel

The Burger King on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica where Angela Martinez Gomez worked.

communities. We’re concerned corporations are putting profits over the lives of our people. The government has failed in holding corporations accountable. We’re speaking out because of our concern that these communities will disproportionately be impacted by COVID-19 and it will lead to more loss of life.”

She continued by stating “One of those we’ve lost is Angela Martinez who had COVID-19 symptoms yet had to go to work at Burger King. What we know from workers is that Burger King didn’t provide personal protective equipment to all of their employees nor offered paid leave to workers like Angela who had symptoms of COVID-19 but still went in to work. As Angela’s story is covered, it’s important to highlight Angela’s Muxe identity given that vulnerability this community faces.

Muxe people are a third gender, outside of the binary of just man or woman. It is a mistake to consider Muxe people as part of the trans community given that they can identify as both men and women and don’t fall into the typical binaries of the LGBTQ+ community.”

A muxe person is defined as “an individual assigned male at birth who behaves outside roles traditionally associated with masculinity. Sometimes referred to as a third

Boystown district and Santa Monica Boulevard. And there is plenty of room for other Pride events in other places – just like Long Beach Pride, Valley Pride and Pride on the Beach have always existed.

I wish CSW well. But Weho Pride goes on!

As it always has for 49 years! See you on Santa Monica Boulevard next year!”

gender, muxe identity pre-dates Spanish imperialism in the Zapotec region.”

Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement works at local and national levels

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08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

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The LGBTQ Center Long Beach Makes Some Changes

For more than three decades, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach has provided a variety of health, social, advocacy, legal, and service programs to the LGBTQ in the Greater Long Beach area.

The LGBTQ Center Long Beach (the “Center”), a leader in advancing equity for LGBTQ people through culturally responsive advocacy, education, programs, and services.

Unrelated to recent allegations against its former Executive Director Porter Gilberg, claiming he created a “traumatizing and hostile work environment” for Black staffers and other employees of color, particularly women, the center has made some changes.

In regards to the allegations The LGBTQ Center Long Beach issued this statement, “On Friday, June 26, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach Board of Directors received a letter from SaveTheCenterLB outlining a series of allegations against Executive Director Porter Gilberg. The Board acted immediately by speaking with Mr. Gilberg and outlining a plan to contract an outside independent contractor to conduct a formal investigation.

On Monday, June 29, Mr. Gilberg was placed on administrative leave and Center staff was informed. By Tuesday, June 30, a law firm and an independent private investigator were hired, and the formal investigation began.

In February 2020, three individuals filed complaints with the board about Mr. Gilberg. As Board President Stella Ursua began to reach out to each individual, the Covid-19 shutdown began. At that point, the investigation was put on hold while the Board and staff shifted focus to keep services in operation for its clientele and to ensure that employees would continue to be paid. The Center successfully shifted many of its programs and services online and continues to serve the greater Long Beach LGBTQ community. To date, no employees

have been furloughed or terminated due to Covid-19.

During this time, the Board has finalized a search for an outside Human Resources agency that will come on board in August 2020. The independent investigation’s findings are expected to be concluded by the end of August 2020 at which time, the Board will consult with staff on a plan of action to foster a positive and safe working environment.

“Allegations of organizational impropriety are taken seriously at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach,” says Board President Stella Ursua. “Furthermore, the board has a fiduciary responsibility to its employees, the Center, and its constituents.

We will investigate and adjudicate these matters appropriately based on the findings borne out from this investigation.”

In spite of those allegations, The Center has announced the hiring of Myron Day as Director of Development. In addition to Mr. Day’s hiring of Chief Financial Officer & General Counsel Andrew Dorado who will assume the role of Interim Executive Director of the Center.

Myron Day has more than 20 years of experience building nonprofit organizations focused on education, child abuse, divorce, domestic violence, and poverty. He has raised millions of dollars to help several nonprofits expand their operations to better serve constituents and raise public awareness of important challenges facing our nation.

He is excited to grow the Center’s Development Department and secure funding for programs and services to effectively serve the organization’s clients and the Long Beach community at large.

When asked about his new position as Director it Development Day said, “I am thrilled to join The Center at a critical time in its lifecycle. Fueled by the momentum generated in surpassing a historic milestone of securing $2M in a single year, The Center’s

leadership has embarked on a profound, yet completely realistic operational pathway for the organization’s future. Realizing our ambitions requires increased community connectedness and engagement. This is the focus of our organizational development efforts. The Center stands firm in its mission to advance equity for LGBTQ people. The development approach will continue to align more closely and in more clearly apparent ways than ever before. I am invigorated by the possibilities for the community.”

As of July 1, 2020, Chief Financial Officer & General Counsel Andrew Dorado has been assigned as the Interim Executive Director of The Center. Dorado has worked with the Center for more than four years.

During his tenure he has been instrumental in professionalizing the Center’s financial reporting, created new operational performance metrics and helped to secure funding leading to the direct the expansion of legal services at the Center.

In his role as Interim Executive Director, Dorado will continue to advocate for the LGBTQ community and ensure that the community continues to have access to the full spectrum of resources the Center provides.

Addressing his new role and what is

to come Dorado stated, “”I have worked for the organization for a number of years and I have seen the impact we have made on our community. In my role as Interim Executive Director, I will continue the progress our organization has made in expanding the services and programs we offer to our community with a continued emphasis on approaching our work with a culturally inclusive focus. The Center’s staff work tirelessly for the community and as Interim Executive Director, I will continue to promote their hard work as we foster affirming communities where all LGBTQ People live in health, wellness, safety and prosperity.”

Recently, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and TransHealthLB partnered with L.A. Care and Compton Pride for a “grab-ngo” event. The event took place on Saturday July 25th from 10am-12pm and involved volunteers handing out goodie bags with some essentials, snacks along with fruits and vegetables all the while maintaining social distancing rules and following health guidelines.

For more information and to keep up with events from The LGBTQ Center Long Beach visit www.CenterLB.org.

Casita Del Campo an Iconic Queer Space in Danger of Closing

By Timothy Creel

Having just celebrated its 58th anniversary in May, one of Silverlakes many treasures Mexican restaurant Casita Del Campo, is in danger of closing due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In the wake of March’s stay-at-home orders, all of LA’s queer restaurants and bars were forced to close not only taking jobs but also the safe spaces that the LGBTQ+ community depends on. Some establishments, such as West Hollywood’s Gym Bar, have already announced they won’t be reopening.

The all pink bungalow, instantly recognized as you drive down Hyperion Ave, Casita Del Campo has been an iconic queer space with its welcoming atmosphere, sizzling fajitas, super-strong margaritas, and a bubbling fountain in the courtyard.

Since 1962 the restaurant, which also has a performance space downstairs called The Cavern Club Theatre, has been a community center, a performance venue, and a gathering space for queer artists, actors, drag queens, and all other walks of life who have shown up to feel safe and be their authentic selves this is in huge part to founder Rudy Del Campo.

Rudy and his family opened Casita del Campo in 1962 and they dedicated themselves to building a loyal clientele with fine food and caring, friendly service. Nina del Campo met Rudy in 1965, and instantly fell in love. Nina has been working at the restaurant since she met Rudy and just celebrated 53 years of service and leadership.

She’s been in charge of the business since the 1960’s, and has loved every minute.

Casa, see page 8

Photo Credit: casitadelcampo.net

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08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

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Ellen Degeneres Show Scandal

By Timothy Michael

The host herself Ellen Degeneres and top executives at Ellen Degeneres Show are under internal investigation by WarnerMedia after accusations against them have come to light. Recently producers of the show have been accused by current and former employees of engaging in sexual misconduct and harassment. The host herself has been accused of making the workplace toxic and unhealthy.

Head writer and executive producer in particular, Kevin Leman, has been accused by a male employee of asking him if he could give him a hand job or perform oral sex in a bathroom at a company party in 2013.

Another employee said they separately saw Leman grab a production assistant’s penis.

In May 2017, another former employee also said she saw Leman grope a production assistant in a car and kiss his neck.

Nearly a dozen former employees, who range from longtime, senior-level employees to production assistants, said it was also common for Leman to make sexually explicit comments in the office, like pointing out male colleagues’ bulges in their crotches, or ask them questions like, “Are you a top or a bottom?”

Many of Leman’s targets were lower-level and younger employees who felt they lacked any power to speak up.

In a statement after this article was published, Leman said “I started at the Ellen Show as a PA more than 17 years ago and have devoted my career to work my way to the position I now hold. While my job as head writer is to come up with jokes — and, during that process, we can occasionally push the envelope — I’m horrified that some of my attempts at humor may have caused offense, I have always aimed to treat everyone on the staff with kindness, inclusivity and respect. In my whole time on the show, to my knowledge, I’ve never had a single HR or inter-personal complaint made about me, and I am devastated beyond belief that this kind of malicious and misleading article could be published.”

Leman wasn’t the only top executive producer accused, his colleagues Ed Glavin and Jonathan Norman were also named in the accusations.

Ellen Degeneres, the Emmy award

Casa, from page 6

They celebrated 40 years of loving marriage until Rudy’s passing in 2003. Robert, Rudy’s son, has since taken over ownership of the restaurant.

Rudy was a very talented dancer. Having appeared on Broadway, performed in Las Vegas, and was even one of the Sharks in the movie version of West Side Story. Rudy

winning talk show host herself, has come under accusations as well. Many former employees have accused Degeneres of making the workplace hostile and toxic.

On July 30th, Degeneres broke her silence and apologized following previous claims of racism, intimidation and unjust firings in a memo to her staff.

She began, “On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry.

Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.”

Celebrities are also starting to take sides.

Actor Brad Garrett expressed himself in a tweet saying the alleged mistreatment her employees faced comes as no surprise and actress Lea Thompson quickly supported his statement.

In April, the allegations first came to the surface, as unnamed members of the production team claimed they were left uninformed as to the status of their pay or employment amid the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ellen Degeneres Show, which has

been in the air since 2003 and has run for 17 seasons may even shut down amidst the gathering accusations. A Telepictures source claimed, “She [Ellen] feels she can’t go on and the only way to recover her personal brand from this is to shut down the show.”

While the host hinted at not having full knowledge of the alleged bullying offcamera, the Telepictures source claimed she “knew what was going on.”

The insider continued, “It’s her show. The buck stops with her. She can blame every executive under the sun — but Ellen is ultimately the one to blame.”

didn’t just open Casita as a business venture, he opened it so all his industry friends, theater family, and fellow artists had a safe space they could call home.

Casita’s survival now relies on a takeout and delivery service that includes their entire menu, plus eight different to-go cocktails and beer. For those comfortable, the back parking lot has been transformed into a giant new outdoor dining space, complete with

temperature checks, socially distant tables, and hand sanitizer stations. It may not be the familiar Casita Del Campo experience, but it’s the only way to assure that LA’s oldest queer space will continue to be there for generations to come.

A message on their website reads “The Casita Del Campo family of staff members, workers and the Del Campo family are so appreciative for the patronage, the

outpouring of support and encouragement during these trying times and sincerely thank you so much for your loyalty and allowing us to continue to operate as we have for the past few months. We are doing our best to bring you the service and quality you deserve even through a crisis such as COVID 19.”

To support this LGBTQ+ friendly establishment visit www.casitadelcampo.net for delivery and takeout options.

08.07.2020 – 08.20.2020

LOS ANGELES

Never Too Late To Live Your Truth

⚫ 9

THE BEST CANCER THERAPY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Photo Credit: Kenneth Felts/facebook

By Timothy Michael Kenneth Felts, a local to Long Beach, California is making waves in the LGBTQ+ community by coming out of the closet at the age of 90.

While writing his memoir during the COVID-19 pandemic, Felts said he “awakened many soul-searing memories of my early life.” He talks specifically about his one true love named Phillip.

In the 1950s Kenneth met Phillip in Long Beach, California, where they both worked for a retail credit company and, as Felts states, “instantly fell in love”.

It’s no surprise that at this time Felts, who was 29 years old, was suppressing his sexuality but despite how he felt Felts and Phillip began a year long love affair and moved in together. Unfortunately their romance did not last. Felts, feeling the pressure and fear of living his true self in the 60’s, decided to leave and never speak to Philip again.

He went on to live a straight life. He married a woman, whom he divorced, had a child and spent 30 years working for the Colorado Division of Rehabilitation as a counselor and supervisor. All the while, he pushed down his feelings of being attracted to men.

Felts was diagnosed with lymphoma in the fall of 2019 and after several rounds of chemo and medication, his most recent scans were cancer-free.

Felts said the cancer, along with COVID-19, propelled him to finally face his truth. He came out to his daughter Rebecca, who coincidentally came out to him years earlier, in an email telling her about his lost true love Philip.

His daughter Rebecca says “I was surprised that he came out, but I wasn’t surprised that he was gay. I am so proud of him and so happy for him. He’s still carrying some regret and guilt, but I think the healing has started.”

After telling his daughter and with her support, Felts decided to come out to the world. He posted on June 5 to his Facebook page and emailed friends and family and since then the torrent of support he has received has been “overwhelming” as Felts put it.

Despite just coming out, Felts said, he’s been searching for Phillip since his divorce 40 years ago. He never managed to find his long-lost love, but after sharing his story publicly, he learned that Phillip, who lived his life as a gay man, died two years ago.

In Phillip’s memory, Felts said, he will embrace his sexuality for as long as he has left. He flooded his wardrobe with rainbowcolored clothing, purchased a pride flag and even put a blue streak in his hair.

Felts now attends weekly virtual senior coffee group meetings facilitated by the Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ+ group, and participated in the 2020 Denver Pride Virtual 5K on June 20.

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⚫ 11

Lady Red Couture, WeHo Drag Queen and Trans Icon, Has Died

By Timothy Michael From gracing the world with her boisterous personality, glitter, wigs and heels to sharing herself on her popular YouTube show “Hey Queen!” which gave her a world-wide audience and millions of followers, Lady Red Couture was a name that people in the LGBTQ+ community knew and respected.

A local to Weho and a drag and trans icon, Lady Red Couture, who’s real name was Kereemia Baines, died on July 25th and was only 43 years old. Her friend and Co-Host on “Hey Queen!” Johnny McGovern announced the news on social media writing, “It doesn’t feel real but the beautiful light that was Lady Red is gone,” he wrote. “I love you baby. I will miss you every day.”

Baines, a West Hollywood resident, was an actress who performed in “Leave It on the Floor” (2011), “Judge Lady Red” (2015), and “Johnny McGovern: Dickmatized” (2011).

Baines was known as the “security diva” at Gym Bar, the popular West Hollywood gay sports bar, which closed recently. And she

stood out for her height of 6 feet, 7 inches.

She described herself as “a trans woman that lives as the largest drag queen in captivity — not just another drag queen”.

A week prior McGovern had posted to social media that he had rushed Lady Red to the hospital due to complications with cyclic vomiting syndrome, a chronic condition that the performer suffered from. At the time McGovern asked for donations to help Lady Red with her bills given that she was in the intensive care overnight. On Friday McGovern reported that she had been on a breathing tube and unconscious for five days but was stabilizing. McGovern has said that “ALL the generous donations to her Venmo over this week” will go towards funeral costs.

Drag Queen colleagues such as Detox, Shangela and Adore Delano, as well as celebrities such as Ross Matthews took to social media to express how heartbroken they were and how missed Lady Red Couture will be.

Katya, from RuPauls Drag Race Season

7 and All Stars Season 2, said: “Oh my god I can’t believe Lady Red has died. She brought me so much joy the past few years when my manic a** was working the WeHo beat. Rest easy, beautiful soul.”

Adore Delano, a Drag Queen also from RuPauls Drag Race, added on Twitter: “Such a bright ass light for many of us.

Walking down the street every night will not be the same without your hugs and chats.

The world won’t be the same without your laugh. Rest In Peace, beautiful.”

Her cause of death is unknown, although she suffered from a chronic vomiting illness however it was confirmed by McGovern that it was not from a COVID-19 related illness.

Baines grew up in Park City, Utah, and attended Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, graduating in the class of 2001. Her IMDb profile says that “although most drag queens simply use their drag name on stage and during appearances, he subscribes to the idea of living as his drag character full-time.

Consequently, his drag name, “Lady Red Couture,” is also his legal name.”

Photo: Lady Red Couture/Facebook

Her sister Krystal Butler took the time to express her gratitude for people’s condolences by saying “Thanks for all of the condolences sent to me and my family in this time of grief… I am Grieving her…

I can’t stop crying… I will not get over this ever…,”

Glee Star Naya Rivera’s Body Found

By Timothy Michael

On Wednesday July 8th at 1pm 33 year old former Glee Star Naya Rivera and son, 4 year old Josey Hollis Dorsey, rented a pontoon boat for a day of swimming on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California.

At around 5pm police responded to a report of a small boy alone on a boat in the middle of the lake. Josey was recovered from the pontoon boat unharmed and when asked by authorities what happened he told them his mother didn’t come back into the boat after they were done swimming. It is believed that the little boy had on a life vest while Rivera did not, as a life vest was found on board the boat.

Authorities launched a search and rescue dive team along with helicopters and drones to help search for the young actress/singer.

The search went well into Wednesday evening and the operation was being called a search and rescue operation. The search continued for five days but turned up empty until Monday morning.

Capt. Eric Buschow, of the sheriff’s department, said “There’s a lot of challenges in a reservoir this size, at times with visibility, I don’t have details yet as to the depth of the area where the boat was found or what conditions they’re encountering out there.”

In the following days hope was kept alive and several attempts were made to find the former Glee star. Heather Morris, a co-star and love interest of Rivera on the show, had this to say, “My name is Heather Morris, I’m Naya’s close friend and co-worker, and I’m trying to conduct an on foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru. I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless, and want

Photo: Courtesy

Naya Rivera and son Josey.

to help in any way,” Morris wrote in a series of tweets.

Five days later, Rivera’s body was found.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner announced that an autopsy had been conducted and revealed Rivera’s cause of death as drowning and the manner of her death was an accident.

Lake Piru has been the site of several drownings over the years, and the actress’ disappearance prompted a petition calling for signs warning swimmers of its dangerous conditions.

Rivera’s work on the Fox show Glee moved the needle in how queer characters are represented and portrayed on mainstream

TV and she became an icon for the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout her character arc on the show her character, Santana Lopez, discovers that she is a lesbian and falls for her best friend Britney, played by Heather Morris.

Our hearts go out to Naya Rivera’s loved ones during this difficult time.

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