Issuu

Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful

Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias

“Pride Marches On”: LA Pride Honors Queer Resilience with Star-Studded Parade and Street Festival

Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video

all in good fun. He went on to reveal that a secretly recorded video was made during

reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views.

Niecy Nash, Jessica Betts to Lead Pride Parade as Grand Marshals

in Year of Community and Courage

By Dolores Quintana

The 55th annual LA Pride Parade is set to return on June 8 with the theme “Pride Marches On,” honoring the resilience and strength of the LGBTQ+ community amid a year marked by adversity across Southern California.

Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is facing criticism from conservatives following the circulation of a video showing him being spanked by a drag queen during an event on the weekend of September 10. Anthony has responded that some of his critics are motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the incident was harmless.

In the video, posted by the Wisenuts podcast, Mayor Anthony is seen being spanked by a drag artist, backed by the Village People’s “Macho Man.” Anthony described the events as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was

Organized by the Christopher Street West Association, the 2025 celebration will feature an array of grand marshals, including Vanguard Grand Marshals Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts, Celebrity Grand Marshal Andrew Rannells, and Community Grand Marshals Trino Garcia and Adam Vasquez, also known as "TrinoxAdam," a couple who gained viral attention for their story defying stereotypes.

This year’s theme underscores both the legacy and forward momentum of LA Pride, the longest-running Pride event in Southern California, organizers said. The parade will also recognize first responders and community members who supported local recovery efforts during recent wildfires with a dedicated “Heroes of the Wildfires” section.

While not specifying the particular hate group in question, it is possible that Anthony was referring to the Twitter account, now known as X, called “Libs of TikTok,” which

Morning America” weekend co-anchor and ABC News transportation correspondent Gio Benitez, along with ABC7 Eyewitness News anchors Ellen Leyva and Coleen Sullivan. Coverage will extend to ABC7’s digital platforms, Hulu, and ABC News Live. The station previously won a regional Emmy Award for its 2022 LA Pride Parade broadcast.

directly via email at kanthony@burbankca. gov. He stated, “If you want to talk to me about what happened over the weekend, send me an email. Send me an email. I will talk to

with vendors, nonprofits, food trucks, sponsor activations, and entertainment on two stages. Two full-service bars will serve guests 21 and older with beverages provided by sponsors, including STOLI, Casamigos, Corona, and Coca-Cola.

you about it. There is no reason to involve all of the other people who were not at a public event, not at a government-sponsored event. It

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats voiced their support for Mayor Anthony and strongly denounced the sensationalized and inaccurate portrayal of their event for political purposes that promoted fear, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry. The Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers, refusing to engage with what they referred to as “fake outrage.”

Ninja—will compete in categories such as Runway, Performance, Sex Siren, and Face. Comedian and activist Margaret Cho, who will also appear in the parade, will serve as one of the judges.

This year’s Trans Galleria program will unveil a new exhibition titled “Bring the T,” showcasing multimedia works by transgender artists. The exhibit explores themes of trans visibility, discrimination, activism, and empowerment.

Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF

Premiere of Documentary Was Screened After 20-Minute Delay

Field reporters David González, Sophie Flay, and Kevin Ozebek will deliver live updates from along the route, capturing performances, float processions, and crowd reactions.

Thomson Hall, where the documentary was set to be screened.

ABC7/KABC-TV will return as the event’s official broadcast partner, airing the parade live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT. Hosting duties will be led by “Good

By Dolores Quintana

Montero” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) faced a momentary setback on Saturday night due to a bomb threat.

Following the parade, the LA Pride Village street festival will take over Hollywood Boulevard between Argyle and Bronson from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will feature more than 100 booths

Lung stated, “Our standard security measures remained in place during this time, and the screening commenced with a slight delay. To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist.”

The Music Stage near Bronson Avenue will host a lineup of live performers to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Gower Community Stage will spotlight the return of the Ballroom Battle, a voguing competition rooted in New York’s Black and Brown LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. Prominent houses— Miyake Mugler, Gorgeous Gucci, and

A spokesperson for the Toronto police informed CTV News Toronto that the threat had been conveyed to the festival’s private security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Toronto police and the private

All LA Pride Village events are open to the public and free of charge.

security swept the scene and cleared it within 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. Toronto police also clarified that the threat had a general nature and did not specifically

For more information, visit www. lapride.org.

Affairs and Communications, confirmed to CTV News Toronto via a written statement that the festival was alerted to an investigation “in the vicinity of the red carpet” at Roy

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Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, and Jamie Lee Curtis Rally Behind the Trevor Project

Federal Cuts Loom, Celebrities Fight to Save Lifesaving LGBTQ+ Youth Hotline

More than 100 prominent figures from the entertainment industry have signed a letter urging federal officials to preserve funding for crisis support services tailored to LGBTQ+ youth, as a key federal program faces elimination.

The Trevor Project, a national nonprofit focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people, warned on Monday that its LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is in jeopardy of losing $25 million in federal support. The group cited recent proposals that would strip all federal funding from the initiative.

Signatories of the open letter include a broad array of celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dua Lipa, and Troye Sivan, among others. Their appeal emphasizes the potential harm of removing

crisis resources for vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth at a time when mental health support remains critical.

“To every LGBTQ+ young person reading this: you are not alone. We see you. We value you. You have the right to feel safe, supported, and loved exactly as you are. You deserve access to life-saving services that honor your humanity. You may be hurting. You may be scared. You may feel like no one hears you, but we do.

We will keep showing up and speaking out. We will not stop fighting for you.”

Other high-profile supporters of the letter span the entertainment and cultural sectors, including actors, musicians, writers, athletes, and public figures like Sarah Paulson, Alan Cumming, Sabrina Carpenter, Christina Aguilera, and Josh Hutcherson.

The 988 Lifeline, which officially launched in July 2022, was established

under the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, signed into law in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump. The specialized LGBTQ+ support channel offers trained counselors equipped to respond to the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.

A full copy of the letter and the complete list of signatories have been made publicly available by The Trevor Project, and you can sign the petition here.

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The soul’s greatest hits

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims offers a sacred collaboration of celebrated

musicians and singers

By Linda Chase

If 19th-century Austrian composer Franz Schubert got into a time machine that took him to June 13 and deposited him on California Avenue in Santa Monica, he might hear a familiar tune.

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As he walked by the St. Monica Catholic Church, he’d notice soprano Golda Zahra singing music from a song cycle he wrote based on Sir Walter Scott’s poem “Lady of the Lake,” which was inspired by the legends of King Arthur.

But Schubert would scratch his head because instead of he original German words, he’d be hearing Latin. That’s because his song was appropriated by the Catholic Church.

Schubert’s song begins with the lines, in English translation,

Ave Maria, gentle maiden

Listen to a plea of a maiden

The Catholic prayer “Hail Mary, Full of Grace” begins, in Latin, Ave Maria

Gratia plena

Someone noticed that the prayer worked great with the Schubert music, and the result is probably still sung more often than any prayer in history, both in church and in concert.

Along with Zahra, “The Angelic Voice Concert” in St. Monica Church features the 55-member Dream Orchestra conducted by Daniel Suk and the 40-member Opera Chorus of Los Angeles. They will be performing other famous inspirational chartbusters, including Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”; “You Raise Me Up,” popularized by Josh Groban, and the “Ode to Joy” from the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Zahra and J.J. Lopez will sing “The Prayer,” made famous by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, and in a break from the spiritual compositions, violinist Ray Ushikubo will be featured in “Zigeunerweisen,” written by Spanish composer Pablo Srasate and based on Hungarian folk songs.

Proceeds from the concert go to the Ministry of St. Monica’s programs to help victims of the Los Angeles basin fires.

Conductor Daniel Suk and singer

Linda Chase is a freelance writer based in Santa Barbara specializing in the arts, travel and lifestyle. This feature is produced by the Journalism Arts Initiative, which is underwritten by donations from arts organizations and others interested in supporting excellence in arts journalism.

Golda Zahra have been working together since she was a teenager studying at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. “It is a joy to work with someone like that,” he said. He and the Dream Orchestra will continue to work with her after the St. Monica performance – in an eclectic solo concert in Santa Monica’s BroadStage on July 12 and in a concert version of Puccini’s “Turandot” at Disney Hall in Los Angeles on Aug. 16.

The Angelic Voice Concert, an evening of inspirational and sacred music with soprano Golda Zahra, the Los Angeles Dream Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Suk, and the Opera Chorus of Los Angeles. June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica. Open seating in the pews is $33.85, including all fees. Tickets are available at www. angelicvoice.com

Santa Monica ‘Pier 360’ Beach Festival Returns

June 28–29 with Two Days of Surf, Sports, and SoCal Vibes

Free All-Ages Event Features Ocean Races, Skate Competitions, Roller Rink, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Activities, And More

The Santa Monica “Pier 360” Beach Festival, the ultimate celebration of SoCal beach culture, returns June 28-29, 2025, for two epic days of competition, entertainment, and good vibes along the iconic Santa Monica shoreline. The free, all-ages event brings together thousands of locals and visitors for ocean sports, beachside games, skateboarding, roller skating, live music, food and drinks, and a deep dive into 90 years of paddleboard racing history.

“Pier 360” action kicks off Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. on the sand and continues from 10 a.m. on the Pier deck, where festivalgoers can explore interactive activities, grab bites and brews, and soak up summer energy at one of Southern California’s most legendary destinations.

“Pier 360” Main Attractions

• Paddleboard Races (June 29) –Celebrate 90 years of paddleboard racing with the One-Mile Short Course ($30), Mike Vaughan Memorial 5-Mile Distance Race ($40), and high-speed Sprint Racing ($40). Open to paddlers of all levels.

• Ocean Swims (June 29) – 500m and 1-Mile open water swim events with wetsuit/non-wetsuit divisions and age group awards. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with Hawaiian blessing.

• CBVA Beach Volleyball Tournaments (June 28 and 29) – Men’s & Women’s Open competition for a $4,000 prize pool plus the Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame Legends Exhibition.

• Santa Monica Classic (June 28 and 29) – High-octane strongman contest featuring over 80 male and female athletes competing across multiple weight classes.

• AAU Invitational (June 29) – Top 18:U girls teams compete in a Triple Crown showdown.

• Lifeguard Competitions (June 28) – Including the historic Pete Peterson Surfboat 1-Mile Dory Race and Junior Guard events.

• Skate Experience (June 28 and 29) – An energetic celebration of skateboarding and athleticism with demos, clinics, and competitions on custom ramps with L.A.’s top skaters.

• POP SK8 Roller Rink (June 28 and

29) – Community themed pop-up roller rink on the Pier deck open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (skates available on site).

• Beer & Spirits (June 28 and 29) –Chill with cold brews and vodka seltzers thanks to Michelob Ultra in the “Ocean Brews & Bites Garden.”

• All-Day Music & Polynesian Dance (June 28 and 29) – Kick off each day with vibrant Polynesian performances and live music throughout the afternoon.

• Museum of Beach Life (June 28 and 29) – A free, hands-on exhibit curated by local legends explores the history of surf, Muscle Beach, and paddleboard racing.

• Youth Zone (June 28 and 29, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) – Arts, crafts, and giant games for kids. An adult must accompany children under 18.

“Pier 360 is more than a festival; it’s a tribute to the unique culture that was born right here on the Santa Monica Pier,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier. “From racing traditions that started in the 1930s to the cutting-edge sports and experiences of today, it’s a weekend that captures the heart of SoCal beach life.”

“Pier 360” is produced by Santa Monica Pier Corporation, along with these great sponsors Adidas, Best Day Brewing, Big Blue Bus, Celsius, Costco, Frontier, Gatorade Hydration Booster, Heal the Bay, Hot Dog On A Stick, Johnny Rockets, Kendra Scott, Left On Friday, Lifeway Kefir, Lightship, Los Angeles County, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Simply Pop, The Pierside Hotel, The Surfing Fox, Toyota, and Wetzel’s Pretzels, along with many more to be announced soon.

Free to attend with some competitions requiring advance registration and entry fees. Beach activities begin at 8 a.m. Pier deck opens at 10 a.m. For full details, athlete registration, and event schedule, visit: www.santamonicapier.org/pier-360festivities.

Arrive by Rideshare, Metro, Bus or Bike. The Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

About Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the Santa Monica Pier experience for every visitor. Through impactful, location-specific programming offered year-round, SMPC ensures that the Pier remains a vibrant, world-class destination that is accessible to all. For more information on happenings at the Pier, please visit santamonicapier.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Threads.

About Pacific Park on the Santa

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s only admission-free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, Snackville with five fun food offerings and seaside retail shopping. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. For more information and operating hours, please call 310-260-8744, visit pacpark. com, and go to Facebook.com/pacificpark, Instagram.com/pacpark or X.com/pacpark.

Monica Pier

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place where plant lovers gather to share stories, tips and their love for all things green.

This summer, founders Tracey and Mark Marriott, reflect on the impact of the Southern California wildfires in January and have entered a season of gratitude for their customers that have shared stories, tragedies, and have continued to rebuild their lives.

Urban Jungle sprouted from a deepseated love for horticulture shared by the founders. As they approach more than a year in business, Tracey said they are thankful for what Urban Jungle has become — not only a sanctuary of green, but a place that helps people inspire their own environments, both indoor and outdoor, and nurture plant life.

“We’re holding space for people in a way of thankfulness and appreciation. As people are rebuilding their homes, their lives and regaining a sense of normalcy, we’re profoundly grateful to be here and able to inspire them with plants and horticulture — that for every pot or plant, a sense of normalcy will return,” Tracey said.

Urban Jungle’s community-centered oasis brings a lush slice of paradise to urban lifestyle, hosting a unique variety of indoor and outdoor plants, in addition to a collection of globally sourced pottery.

Most of the outdoor plants found at Urban Jungle started from the soil of the couple’s 14-acre farm in Los Angeles. An unrivaled selection from exotic rarities to familiar favorites, Urban Jungle’s collection is diverse and hand-picked for its health and vibrancy.

Ahead of its second year in business, Tracey said they are looking forward to growth, helping people and businesses flourish, by extension of caring for and nurturing plants in homes and workspaces. Plants are known to have positive effects on wellbeing and stress reduction, while also benefiting the planet. Urban Jungle’s farm-to-nursery selection gives people

many options.

From exotic rarities, to low-maintenance succulents, Urban Jungle is a green retreat for all to enjoy. Across the boulevard, Urban Jungle has a sister store called Certified Plant Growers that is celebrating one year of business in June.

Certified Plant Growers carries a selection of larger plants, wholesale items for landscaping, and bigger items for homes and gardens, such as privacy screens.

Certified Plant Growers is only open for wholesale business from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We’re so thankful for this community that has welcomed us with open arms,” Tracey said. “While you’re on the boulevard shopping or perusing, be sure to check out Certified Plant Growers for all of your lawn and landscape needs.”

Visit Urban Jungle at 3113 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, open Monday through Friday 11 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 p.m.

To learn more about Urban Jungle and follow its journey, follow @ urbanjungleplantsandpottery on Instagram.

Welcome to Urban Jungle

Immerse yourself in a sanctuary where nature’s tranquility meets the vibrancy of city life. Urban Jungle is more than a plant store it’s a communitycentered oasis bringing a lush slice of paradise to your urban lifestyle. Here, we passionately believe in the power of plants to transform spaces and elevate well-being.

Tina Romero’s ‘Queens of the Dead’ Brings

Queer Sensibilities to the Zombie Apocalypse

Filmmaker’s Tribeca Debut Turns a Brooklyn Drag Rave Into a Glitter-Soaked Battleground

In her feature-length directorial debut, Tina Romero puts a vibrant, LGBTQ+ twist on the zombie genre with Queens of the Dead, a comedy-horror survival romp set in Brooklyn on the eve of an undead uprising, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. As a drag show spirals into chaos and the city locks down, a defiant band of queer partygoers becomes humanity’s last line of defense—armed with defiance, flamboyance, and even a glitter-covered, makeshift shield.

The film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on June 7. Romero, daughter of legendary filmmaker George A. Romero, does not attempt to disguise the lineage she comes from. The film includes knowing nods to her father’s work, featuring horror icons like Tom Savini and Dawn of the Dead’s Gaylen Ross, but boldly declares its own identity. In one meta moment, a character proclaims, “This is not a George A.

Romero movie,” a line Tina Romero says reflects her pride in carving a new path within the genre.

"I did want this to be a film in which I am paying homage to the world and the monster he created, but I'm also introducing my own voice. It's very much not a film he would make, but it is using his vocabulary and is playing by his rules. As far as the queer element, on one hand, I just feel like the gays need a zombie film. It's time that we get to have a big gay zombie movie," said Romero to Entertainment Weekly.

The cast is a dazzling mix of queer talent and comedy heavyweights that form a “queer Avengers.”. Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) stars as Dre, a frazzled party promoter trying to salvage a dragfilled warehouse rave on the same night the undead rise. She’s joined by Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls), Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Tomás Matos (Fire Island), Margaret Cho, Dominique Jackson (Pose), and Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story), among others.

In a gender-bending reversal of horror tropes, Quincy Dunn-Baker plays the “token straight guy,” subverting the genre’s usual dynamic. Riki Lindhome (Knives Out), Shaunette Renée Wilson, Becca Blackwell, Eve Lindley, and drag performer Julie J also round out the ensemble.

Romero’s path to the zombie film was unexpected. Initially interested in reinventing fairy tales like Peter Pan, she gravitated toward horror after crafting a queer, genre-fueled concept that felt both playful and powerful. The shoot itself echoed the spirit of indie horror, with most scenes filmed in a New Jersey warehouse and guerrilla-style sequences shot without permits in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood.

Production was scrappy by design, tapping into the resourcefulness of its cast. Nina West, no stranger to quick-turn costume design from her Drag Race days,

brought signature flair to her looks. The final cut even includes a special thankyou to Tom Cruise, who allowed O’Brien a week off from Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning to join the Queens production.

punishment” given Girardi’s deteriorating condition. However, Judge Staton rejected that plea, ruling Monday that the Bureau of Prisons could provide sufficient medical care.

Girardi’s fall from grace was steep and public. Once considered a titan of plaintiff

Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday to more than seven years in federal prison for embezzling at least $15 million from his clients over a decade, in what prosecutors described as a sprawling Ponzi-style scheme that helped fund his lavish lifestyle.

U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton also ordered the 86-year-old Girardi to pay more than $2.3 million in restitution. He has been directed to report to prison by July 17.

The once-prominent legal figure, who made headlines both for his high-profile lawsuits and appearances on the reality TV series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, was found to have misappropriated funds intended for his clients to pay for personal luxuries, including private jets and expensive jewelry. Girardi’s actions, prosecutors said, violated the trust of vulnerable clients, many of whom were victims of catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Tom Girardi built his reputation on highstakes class-action lawsuits, including the famed toxic groundwater case that inspired the film Erin Brockovich and the civil lawsuit filed by injured baseball fan Bryan Stow against Major League Baseball.

Defense attorneys had requested that Girardi be allowed to serve his sentence in a medical facility, citing his advanced age and a diagnosis of moderate dementia. Attorney Sam Cross called a traditional prison sentence “a meaningless

law in Los Angeles, he is perhaps best known to pop culture audiences as the former husband of Erika Girardi, also known as singer Erika Jayne, who filed for divorce in 2020 and has not been charged in connection with the criminal case.

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic melodies across every genre with two special guest artists during Pride month.

Legendary performer and advocate Bruce Vilanch will take stage with GMCLA’s 200-member chorus as a special guest, celebrating Pride as never before with this over-the-top Season 46 blockbuster finale. Vilanch is a multiple Emmy-winning writer, actor, comedian, author, and stripper. He starred on Broadway and in the first national tour of the musical Hairspray, as Edna Turnblad, housewife-superstar.

He has been in projects as diverse as The Morning After with Jane Fonda, The Ice Pirates with Anjelica Huston, and “Celebrity Fit Club.”

“I’m doing two numbers with the GMCLA, which, I only hope I don’t fall on my face. I love the Chorus, I’ve been a supporter for years and have been to a number of their shows, so I’m thrilled,” Vilanch said. “I’m going to do a number from Hairspray, which I did 20 years ago, but it’ll be a different take on the number and something else, still in the planning stages, but it’ll be a big evening.”

Joining the Chorus is another special guest, dance-music diva and super ally Kristine W. Named by Billboard Magazine as the #8 Greatest Dance Artist of All Time and the #3 greatest from the Last Decade, Kristine W compels bodies to find the mighty groove on the dance floor.

Dancing Queens, choreographed by Ray Leeper, will take place on Saturday, June 21, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 22, at 3:30 p.m. at the historic Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

In this eleganza extravaganza, GMCLA’s

singers will perform iconic dance melodies from Broadway musicals like Singin’ in the Rain, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Hairspray, and The Producers, along with music from artists that include Madonna, Lady Gaga, Bee Gees, Luther Vandross, ABBA, Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa, and Earth, Wind & Fire. And, of course, Donna Summer.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased online.

MORE FUN, MORE COMMUNITY

Following the rhythmatic energy of the chorus, GMCLA is hosting its Annual Gala, raising funds for youth education and its countless free community events.

GMCLA’s GALA 2025 is on June 21, at 8:30 p.m. and celebrates those who have given selflessly to the Chorus and to the LGBTQ community by lifting their voices to advance human rights. Two honorees will be presented with GMCLA’s Voice Awards in the beautifully restored Art Deco lobby of the Saban Theatre.

For his decades-long contributions to the entertainment industry as a writer, performer, and advocate, Dancing Queens

special guest Bruce Vilanch will receive the Artistic Voice Award. As a publicly out entertainment personality, Vilanch has been a trailblazer for queer voices in the entertainment industry.

“The Chorus has been doing this faultlessly for 45 years. I've only been involved in a few of their shows, but I've been doing a whole bunch of other work, so it's nice to be acknowledged for it. To actually get up on stage with the energy of the Chorus, because they are electric, I'm looking forward to that,” Vilanch said.

GMCLA’s Civic Voice Award Honoree will be presented to the “CEO of Everything Gay,” Tristan Schukraft. A technology entrepreneur, turned hotelier nightlife aficionado and producer, Schukraft founded ID90.COM, an e-ticketing platform for airline personnel, later establishing MISTR, the largest telemedicine platform dedicated to HIV prevention and longterm HIV care, which currently serves over 500,000 patients across the United States. To reserve your tickets and for more information on GMCLA’s GALA 2025, visit www. GMCLA.org.

West Hollywood to Celebrate Judy Garland Day with Ribbon Cutting, Tribute Panel

Event Will Honor the Icon’s Birthday With Special Guests From the Garland Family

The City of West Hollywood will commemorate the birthday of legendary entertainer Judy Garland with an official celebration on June 10, featuring a ribboncutting ceremony, a costume exhibit, and a panel discussion honoring her legacy.

Designated as West Hollywood’s Official Judy Garland Day, the event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Beaches Tropicana, located at 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Doors open at 3:45 p.m., with activities scheduled throughout the evening for guests of all ages.

The celebration begins with a curated exhibition of Judy Garland costumes and memorabilia, personally loaned by historian Woolsey Ackerman and

sponsored by the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sample and purchase Judy, a luxury fragrance created by Vince Spinnato in tribute to Garland.

At 6:30 p.m., the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of West Hollywood, and members of the Garland family will participate in an official ribboncutting ceremony, recognizing the date as an annual citywide observance.

Following the ceremony, a panel discussion at 6:45 p.m. will feature intimate reflections on Garland’s impact. Scheduled speakers include Garland family members, Oscar-winning actress Margaret O’Brien, Woolsey Ackerman, Meredith Ponedel, and Vince Spinnato. The panel will conclude with a Q&A session open to the public.

Organizers describe the event as a rare and heartfelt opportunity to celebrate Garland’s timeless contributions to film, music, and culture in the city that helped shape her stardom. You can secure your free tickets on Eventbrite.

West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson to Retire After 26 Years of Public Service

Wilson to Retire After Guiding West Hollywood Through COVID and Beyond

David Wilson, West Hollywood’s City Manager and a longtime public servant, announced Monday that he will retire in early 2026 after more than two and a half decades of service to the city.

Wilson shared the news during the May 19 City Council meeting, marking the beginning of the end of a distinguished career that began in 1998 and culminated with his appointment as City Manager in July 2021. During his tenure in the city’s top administrative post, Wilson steered West Hollywood through the COVID-19 crisis and recovery, safeguarded continuity in public services, and helped solidify the city’s financial standing for future initiatives.

“Throughout his career, Wilson has exemplified a service-driven leadership approach grounded in collaboration, compassion, and equity,” city officials noted in a statement.

Wilson’s leadership has been characterized by an emphasis on collaboration, equity, and community well-being. His work prioritized affordable housing, expanded social services, and initiatives to improve public safety, all while advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, including

LGBTQ+ and BIPOC residents.

Before taking on the role of City Manager, Wilson served as Assistant City Manager from 2018 to 2021. His earlier roles included Director of Finance and Technology Services, where he also acted as City Treasurer and Risk Manager, as well as Budget and Compensation Manager and Senior Management Analyst. His contributions spanned critical functions, from redevelopment to financial planning and housing policy.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies, Wilson also holds a master’s degree in Planning from the University of Southern California. He completed executive leadership training through programs at Harvard University, the University

of Virginia, and the International City/ County Management Association.

The West Hollywood City Council will oversee the hiring of Wilson’s successor, with the recruitment process being jointly led by the City Attorney’s Office and the Human Resources Division.

Chin Chin to Close West Hollywood Location After 45 Years of Service

Iconic Sunset Plaza Restaurant Announces Final Day of Operations

Chin Chin, the iconic Chinese eatery that has been a fixture on Sunset Boulevard for more than four decades, will permanently close its West Hollywood location at the end of July, the restaurant announced this week.

The final day of service at the Sunset Plaza storefront will be Sunday, July 27, marking the end of a 45-year chapter for a restaurant that became known for its upscale take on Chinese-American cuisine and loyal celebrity clientele.

Men’s Journal wrote an article on the news, which questioned readers to find out if anyone had notified Will and Grace actor Sean Hayes, who is a big fan of the restaurant.

“We are heartbroken to share this news,” the restaurant said in a public statement.

“For 45 years, Chin Chin West Hollywood has been a place of celebration, community, and connection. We are incredibly grateful to our guests who have supported us through every season.”

Chin Chin’s locations in Brentwood and Studio City will remain open, continuing to serve signature dishes such as Chinese chicken salad, sesame noodles, and potstickers that made the restaurant a culinary mainstay.

The company cited the closure as “unexpected,” though it did not offer specific reasons. In response, Chin Chin has launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting employees impacted by the shutdown and to aid in relocating to a new space.

The restaurant is inviting longtime patrons to stop by before the final day to share a farewell meal and pay tribute to decades of memories at the location.

‘King of the Hill’ Star Jonathan Joss Murdered in Homophobic Hate Crime at 59

The Indigenous Actor Was Fatally Shot During a Targeted Attack in San Antonio

Jonathan Joss, the LGBTQ actor best known for voicing John Redcorn on the long-running animated series King of the Hill, was murdered Saturday in San Antonio, according to police and his husband. He was 59.

Joss, who also appeared in Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, and True Grit, was shot while visiting the site of his former home, which had previously been destroyed by fire. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, said in a Facebook post on Joss’ official account that the couple had been checking the mail when they were approached by a man who began shouting homophobic slurs before firing a weapon.

“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving,” de Gonzales wrote in a public statement. “Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.”

Joss portrayed the character of John Redcorn from Season 2 through the show’s final episode in 2009. He had also completed voice work for the upcoming King of the Hill revival, which is set to debut on Hulu on August 4. He is expected to appear in at least one of the early episodes.

San Antonio police confirmed the

shooting to Variety, saying that San Antonio police responded to reports of a shooting in progress around 7 p.m. Sunday and found actor Jonathan Joss lying near the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers administered life-saving aid until paramedics arrived, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspected shooter fled the area by car but was apprehended by police just one block away. He was taken into custody and booked on a murder charge.

De Gonzales said the couple had faced two years of threats and harassment before the fire that destroyed their home. The threats, which he said were often homophobic, were reported to authorities multiple times.

“When we returned to the site to check our mail, we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view,” he wrote. “This caused both of us severe emotional distress.”

Joss’s career spanned decades and included work across film, television, and voice acting. He played Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation and had supporting roles in films such as The Magnificent Seven.

De Gonzales said, “My focus now is on protecting Jonathan’s legacy and honoring the life we built together.”

“He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get,” the statement read. “He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other.”