The Pride LA 9.28.20

the pride

ISSUE NUMBER 41, VOLUME 12 | SEPTEMBER 18 – OCTOBER 01, 2020 09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

Gay Felon Ed Buck Requests Release Ahead Of Criminal Trial

Buck pleads not guilty

By TimoThy michael

A federal grand jury added four felony charges to the Justice Department’s case against Ed Buck, the one-time political activist accused of drugging vulnerable black gay men, two of whom died in his West Hollywood home.

Two African-American men have been discovered dead in Buck’s West Hollywood home since 2017 due to drug overdoses.

Several reports indicated that Buck had a history of bringing African-American men to his house, where he would reportedly inject them with crystal methamphetamine for sexual gratification. In Jan. 2019, a coalition of 50 civil rights organizations called for law enforcement to investigate the matter. On Sept. 17, 2019, Buck was arrested and charged with three counts of

Gemmel Moore poses with his mother Latisha Nixon.

Photos: Facebook

Ed Buck

battery causing serious injury, administering methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house.

Buck has filed a new request to be released from custody while he awaits trial on those charges.

Buck, 65, has argued he is at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 while in jail due to his age and because he says he suffers from gum disease and needs specialized cardiac care.

Buck has been in custody since he was arrested by LA County Sheriff’s Department deputies on Sept. 17. He was quickly turned over to federal authorities

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and was indicted on a charge of distributing methamphetamine resulting in the deaths of 26-year-old Gemmel Moore, in July, 2017 and Timothy Dean, 55, who died in Buck’s apartment in January, 2019.

In their motion requesting his release, Buck’s attorney’s, Christopher Darden and Ludlow Creary, II, cited Buck’s long ties with West Hollywood in arguing that he would not flee if released. They also said that Buck would sign a $400,000 appearance bond, surrender his passport, and agree to electronic monitoring.

Ed Buck Requests Release, see page 7

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09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

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Rage Nightclub Permanently Closing

WeHo staple closing after 37 years

By Timothy Michael

After 37 years Rage nightclub located at the northwest corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente in West Hollywood will close permanently due to the financial burden COVID-19 has caused.

Rage was opened in 1983 by Robert Maghame and Saeed Sattari in a building owned by Monte Overstreet. Their lease is said to have been set to expire in November, but Maghame and Sattari were unable to negotiate a renewal with Overstreet.

Los Angeles County health officials ordered the closing of all bars on March 16 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order on June 18 allowing bars to reopen so long as they followed certain safety rules. But then 10 days later shut them down again after COVID-19 infections surged. Rage, like many others, had been struggling with the financial burden of these restrictions.

Rage is not the only bar that has permanently closed due to the COVID pandemic. The closing of bars and clubs due to COVID-19 has devastated many

LGBTQ small businesses causing many other queer focused spaces to close.

Cuties in East Hollywood, L.A.’s only queer focused coffee shop, went out of business last month.

Club Cobra, the North Hollywood gay Latino club, announced in May that it would not re-open.

Gym Bar, another popular gay bar, announced its permanent closing in July, with its owners saying that the property owner, Elias Shokrian of Calitex LLC in Beverly Hill, had been uncooperative in negotiating a way for them to pay their rent.

As well as Flaming Saddles the gay Country/Western bar, whos building is also owned by Overstreet, announced its closing on Aug.16 after they were unable to reach an agreement because of unpaid rent.

In 2014, Michel Thomas, who had worked as a promoter of events at Rage for 11 years, bought the business from Maghame and Sattari, making him the first gay man to own the gay bar. Thomas had launched events such as GAMeboi, which catered to gay Asian men, and Rage also hosted special nights for other ethnic groups, Kinky Saturdays and The Dreamgirls Revue on Tuesday. There was also an 18 and older night.

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Pre-pandemic crowds at Rage.

The club was known for high-energy dance music at night and a full-service restaurant during the day. The club offered two levels along with a large outdoor patio.

General Manager Ron Madril who has been working at Rage since May 1997 took to Facebook to say this about the

Photo: Facebook

announcement, “It’s almost a lifetime,” he posted. “The good times will always be

cherished, as will the staff…past & present!

It’s been a journey meeting sooooo many AMAZING people! So many! Thanks for all the memories, friendships and love!”

09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

LGBTQ Center Long Beach Fires Executive Director Porter Gilberg Racist and sexist behavior cited

By Timothy Michael The Board of Directors of the LGBTQ Center Long Beach announced that it will not renew the employment contract of Executive Director Porter Gilberg effective September 8, 2020.

Gilberg started as a volunteer at the LGBTQ Center Long Beach in 2007 where he rose through staff positions until being named executive director in March 2014.

He has been on administrative leave since June 29, 2020 after a letter from SaveTheCenterLB to the Board outlined accusations of racist and sexist behavior

by Gilberg. In response, the Board hired independent counsel and an outside private investigator to look into the allegations cited by 14 former employees.

While he was on administrative leave, and through an external independent investigation, the Board found that Mr. Gilberg’s values were not in alignment with those of The Center. As a consequence, the Board has elected to move forward with the search for a new executive director.

In a press statement Board President Stella Ursua said, “The fundamental goal of an LGBTQ Center is to be a safe space for clients as well as staff,” she continued by saying, “We want to ensure the environment at the LGBTQ Center Long Beach is consistent with The Center’s values and mission of embodying a culturally inclusive community. We are determined to continue to grow for our staff and our clients in the Greater Long Beach area.”

“The Board recognizes Mr. Gilberg’s many achievements during his tenure,” adds Ursua. From 2015 to 2019, The Center’s annual revenue doubled to $2 million and the number of full-time employees rose from 14 to 26.

“However, the Board believes it is time for a new leader to build on our spectacular growth and improve the workplace culture to reflect our values of strength through diversity and being a safe haven where people can thrive.”

Coming up next from The Center is its 27th annual film festival fundraiser which has gone online this year due to the COVID-19 environment. From September 10-13, the Long Beach QFilm Festival, a celebration of the rich diversity and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities, will stream more than 40 new narrative, documentary, and short films not seen in theaters or on major streaming platforms. Tickets are available at http://www.qfilmslongbeach. com/ proceeds from the festival support The Center’s programming.

The LGBTQ Center Long Beach supports more than 25,000 people a year through programs including youth services, senior services, counseling, legal services, domestic violence support, trans health programs, HIV and STI testing, and more than 20 weekly support groups. Currently many of these services are offered online during the pandemic. Drive up and walk up HIV/STI testing is now available Monday through Friday in a private area of the parking lot behind The Center at 2017 E. 4th Street in Long Beach.

For more information on services, visit http://www.centerlb.org/

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09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

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Christopher Street West, the nonprofit organization that produces LA Pride, has named a Black transgender woman as president of its board for the first time in its 50-year history.

Sharon-Franklin Brown, an activist for transgender rights and a former U.S. Navy sailor, will take the reins as previous president of LA Prides board, Estevan Montemayor, leaves Christopher Street West. Something he had planned to do after the 50th anniversary celebration to focus on the 2020 election. Brown, who has been a board member since 2019, will serve the remainder of Montemayor’s term, which will expire October 2021.

Montemayor shares his feelings in a Facebook post stating, “The last 3 years have flown by. I’m so proud of the work we have done and the lessons we have learned. My time with LA Pride has come to an end but my commitment to our fearless and beautiful community will always continue. I’m so proud of my friend Sharon Brown. She is an exceptional and experienced professional who will lead with empathy, inclusiveness, and grace.

LA Pride is lucky to have her. I cannot wait to see what she does with the role!”

Madonna Cacciatore, Christopher Street West’s executive director, said she has worked with Brown for more than eight years. The two women have known each other at Christopher Street West and the LA LGBT Center, where Cacciatore previously worked.

“I have known and worked with Sharon for more than eight years of my career at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Christopher Street West,” said CSW executive director Madonna Cacciatore.

“She has never failed to inspire me and those around her through her intentional leadership, unwavering dedication, and her openness and honesty. She is the right person to walk our community into the next chapter of our history.”

Christopher Street West produces one of the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ celebrations, prepares to move annual events from its longtime West Hollywood

home and places a renewed emphasis on diversity and social justice.

“It’s never been a more important moment for the LGBTQ-plus community and its allies to continue fighting for all of us,” Brown said in a statement. “As a robust community across Los Angeles, we value inclusiveness and diversity.” She continues to say she is “so humbled to have been appointed … as the first Black trans woman to lead CSW/Los Angeles Pride and our community efforts forward, beyond the pandemic and election, and into the future.”

In July, Christopher Street West announced that it was leaving West Hollywood after more than four decades in the iconic LGBTQ-friendly city.

The LA Pride Parade and Festival, which have taken place in West Hollywood every summer since 1979, draws hundreds of thousands of people each year and is a major economic driver for local bars, nightclubs, restaurants and other businesses that have been hard-hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The nonprofit, in a letter to the West Hollywood City Council, said it would move the parade and festival in 2021. A new location has not been announced.

An activist for transgender rights and a former U.S. Navy sailor, Brown also is the current director of human resources at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Sharon-Franklin

Photo: Courtesy of LA Pride

09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

Book Feature: Panorama by Ross Victory

By TimoThy michael

Los Angeles singer-songwriter recently turned author Ross Victory provides a detailed vision of his life as a bisexual minority through his relationships and life-altering experiences in his new book “Panorama: The Missing Chapter from the Memoir Views from the Cockpit.”

Ross’ first book, “Views from the Cockpit” explores the relationship with his father and his father’s womanizing tendencies. Following this book, Ross felt compelled to write a piece that shattered stereotypes surrounding hypermasculinity and “bi-phobia” by pointing out that both oppress the individual on the other end of it. He accomplishes this in a soul-bearing and gripping account of his life: “Panorama: The Missing Chapter from the Memoir Views from the Cockpit.” Both books are award winners. Literary Titan gave “Panorama” a Silver Award and Nonfiction Writers Association of America gave “Views From the Cockpit” Bronze. In addirion, Writer’s Digest gave Ross five/five stars while Book Life by Publisher’s Weekly called Ross’ writing a “pivotal moment.”

Ross doesn’t downplay his experiences, writing in a way that invites his readers to voyeuristically participate in his reflections of sexual identity, tolerance, and hypocrisy.

Beginning in Seoul, South Korea, Victory takes a sincere approach on

society’s view of men, masculinity, sexuality, spirituality and romance.

The bisexual community is overwhelmingly underrepresented in media. People who are part of the bisexual community are often pigeonholed into binaries because of discrimination from both the heterosexual community and the LGBTQ community.

Ross not only speaks to the underrepresentation of bisexuality but also as bi black man and the intersections of race and sexuality. As a creator, Ross uses his unique voice in both written and music formats and will continue to develop in these areas. Ross’ music is available on all music platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

Ross opens up his knowledge of being bisexual at the age of thirteen and being attracted to both men and women that were “activated separately”. He expresses as a teenager feeling the anxiety and dread around his bisexuality which was a result of the under-representation of “the bisexual experience” and the lack of access to experiences outside of the gay/ straight binary.

He also explores the stereotype that people who consider themselves bisexuals are “going though a phase”, or are confused or undecided and feel they will ultimately settle down and realize they’re either homosexual or heterosexual. It is a stereotype shared by heterosexual and LGBTQ communities alike.

While it’s true some people go through a transitional period of bisexuality on their way to adopting a lesbian/ gay or heterosexual identity, for many others bisexuality remains a longterm orientation. For some bisexuals, homosexuality was a transitional phase in their coming out as bisexuals. Many bisexuals may feel confused, living in a society where their sexuality is denied by homosexuals and heterosexuals alike, but that confusion is a function of oppression.

Fence sitting is a misnomer; there is no “fence” between homosexuality and heterosexuality except in the minds of people who rigidly divide the two.

Some feel that “bisexual,” “lesbian,” “gay,” and “heterosexual” are labels created by a homophobic, biphobic, heterosexist society that wants to separate

Ross Victory Standing for Bisexuality, see page 7

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09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

OUTFEST Announces “Taiwan Program” Partnership with Ministry of Culture, Taiwan (R.O.C) and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles

By TimoThy michael The 2020 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan (R.O.C) and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles will host Taiwan Program featuring Taiwanese films “The Teacher” and “Sunshine in the Ruins” from August 24-26, 2020 with post-screening Q&As during the festival, which takes August 20-30, 2020 to highlight the LQBTQ culture and achievements of Taiwan. Taiwan passed the same-sex marriage bill in May 2019, and the law went into effect on May 24 that year, making Taiwan the first country in Asia to legalize the same-sex marriage. One year after the law took effect, over 4,000 LGBTQ couples got married in Taiwan, demonstrating Taiwan’s achievements in equal rights for sexual minorities.

Damien S. Navarro, Executive Director of Outfest said, “Outfest is honored to continue our relationship with the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan (R.O.C) and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles. We are proud to be able to showcase

the incredible LGBTQ films and filmmakers from Taiwan. During the festival, we have the opportunity to recognize Taiwan’s support to Outfest, as well as Taiwan’s values of liberty and equality that inspired the lives of LGBTQ groups and communities in Asia.”

The two films delicately and deeply explore issues in the LGBTQ+ community.

“The Teacher”, is a story that not only touches on the marriage equality debate happening in Taiwan, but also reveals the fragility of human nature in the face of the HIV threat.

“Sunshine in the Ruins” centers around inter-generational communications that take place in military dependents’ village of Taiwan, with a hope of capturing the discomfort in facing the topics on homosexuality and the relief through reflection.

“These two films present the breathtaking affections and struggles through their intricate narratives,” said Emmy Yang, Director of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles. “They represent the creative freedom and the dedication to equal rights for the LGBTQ community in Taiwan. We are extremely delighted to have worked with Outfest for three consecutive years. Through this wellknown platform, splendid Taiwanese LGBTQ works will be unveiled to amaze the American audience.”

This year’s Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival will run August 20-30, 2020 and will be accessed via www.outfestla2020.com

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Photo: Courtesy OUTFEST

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09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

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Trans Women Will No Longer Be Incarcerated In Men’s Prisons In California

SB 132 headed to desk of Gavin Newsom

By TimoThy michael

After passing the state legislature with a vote of 29 in favor and 10 against, Senate Bill 132 is headed to the desk of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the bill’s author, celebrated its passage following a two-year effort to enact the proposal. He noted that trans female inmates are “at severe risk of assault and sexual victimization because they’re automatically housed by their birth-assigned sex,” especially transgender women of color, and said this vulnerable population should be “housed where they’re safest.”

The statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality California, a leading supporter of SB 132, called the legislation’s long awaited passage a “critical first step toward ending the violence and harassment to which transgender, gender-nonconforming

Ross Victory Standing for Bisexuality, see page 7

and alienate them from each other. People are all unique and don’t fit into specific categories. Acknowledging and accepting the differences and seeing the beauty in that diversity facilitates people’s sexual esteem.

Ross points out in his book that “according to the Bisexual Health Resource Center, almost half (40%) of bisexuals have attempted suicide, compared to 25% of gays”. He attributed this to the discrimination felt from both sides of the spectrum as well as the lack of representation for bisexual people.

He bravely shares his opinion on the influence that religion has on sexual orientation writing “I blame the false prophets who have attached themselves to the perception and symbols of love and acceptance. They have recited scriptures and offered rainbows but have been

Ed Buck Requests Release, see page 7

Federal prosecutors have argued that Buck should be kept in custody, citing the risk of flight and his potential danger to the community.

Buck could face a sentence of between

and intersex people are subjected while incarcerated.”

A 2007 study published by the University of California at Irvine showed that trans women in prison are 13 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than male inmates.

Nearly 3 in 5 trans women in prison reported being assaulted.

Although the California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) says that it has a “zero tolerance” policy for unsafe conditions, more than half of trans, intersex, and nonbinary inmates reported that they don’t feel comfortable reporting violent incidents.

Currently CDCR houses inmates according to sex assigned at birth. After a 2016 federal court ruling, the agency has begun supplying clothing and cosmetics to inmates in accordance with their gender identity and implemented a policy that they should be addressed by their correct pronouns.

There are currently 1,078 trans, nonbinary, or intersex people in prison in California, according to the state.

selective and one-sided with the message of love, focused solely on converting people.” He adds “I don’t understand how spirit exists without a foundational sense of love from God, the creator.

Ultimately, every child, every teen, every future man, woman or they, no matter their circumstances, must learn how to endure suffering and convert their unique narrative into personal opportunity and resilience.”

“Panorama: The Missing Chapter from the Memoir Views from the Cockpit” by Ross Victory is available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailers. To listen to Ross’ music, visit https://open.spotify. com/artist/0z7sTXqeT1kW1SgCPxULKd or https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ ross-victory/1481923921.

For more information on Ross, visit https://www.rossvictory.com/.

20 years and life in prison if he’s convicted on the federal charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

The federal criminal trial is set to begin in January, 2021.

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09.18.2020 – 09.01.2020

LOS ANGELES

SA N T A MO N I C A C O LLEG E

Exciting events happening this fall!

Santa Monica College is offering a variety of events online. Most events are free. Come join us for: • Dance Performances & Master Classes • Theatre Arts Performances • Music Concerts • Business & Entrepreneurship Series • Santa Monica Review Issue Launch Party

• Planetarium Shows • Sustainability Week • Art Exhibition Receptions • Green Screen Series • and much more!

Visit smc.edu/calendar for more information.

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff, Vice Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Joshua Elizondo, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu