FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 33
LIST OF HONOREES P2
FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 33
LGBTQSD.NEWS
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SummerQamp: Queer joy
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Donor tiles to return
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California State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (in pink pantsuit) and her wife, Jennifer LaSar (in white pantsuit), greet supporters in the crowd at the San Diego Air & Space Museum on Jan. 19, after Atkins made her announcement that she is running for governor of the State of California in 2026. Sen. Atkins represents District 39, which is located in San Diego County. (Photo by Big Mike Phillips)
‘I am ready to be governor’ San Diego’s Toni Atkins announces her 2026 bid By Morgan M. Hurley On Friday, Jan. 19, State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, wearing a dark pink pantsuit, climbed the stairs of a temporary platform set up inside the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Atkins had just been endorsed and introduced by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who had previously represented Assembly District 79 in San Diego. The former colleagues hugged warmly.
Then, with airplanes loudly descending into Lindbergh Field overhead, Atkins looked out beyond the teleprompters, the news cameras, the fluttering campaign posters, and the WWII airplanes hanging from the ceiling of the museum’s atrium, and smiled. As she gazed into the sea of cheering supporters, she said, “Good morning, San Diego. You are beautiful. Thank you.”
Bayard Rustin Honors
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Local man who set fire to Gossip Grill released Probation, rehabilitation, and restitution in his future by Neal Putnam
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See ATKINS page 15
Moe Girton, the owner of Gossip Grill, looked at the big picture when asked how she felt about the drug treatment sentence of the man who set fire to her restaurant causing $5,849 in damages on Oct. 20. “It’s just material damage,” Girton told LGBTQ San Diego County News. “The building didn’t go up. I’m good with [the sentence]. “He lost his way. He was very mentally unwell,” Girton added, saying she was “100% behind him getting treatment.” On Jan 18, San Diego Superior Court Judge Rachel Cano imposed 200 days in jail for Ryan Scott Habrel, 38, and ruled that since he had served 187 days in
Ryan Habrel in happier times. (Facebook)
jail with credits for good behavior, Habrel was released Jan. 19 to a residential drug treatment program. Cano ordered Habrel to pay $5,849 in restitution to Girton for the fire, which damaged outdoor
seating and awnings outside the entrance of the 1220 University Ave. restaurant and other areas. She also ordered Habrel to stay away from Girton and Gossip Grill, as well as Urban MO’s, with two years probation. Habrel used to work as a bartender for Urban MO’s, another restaurant and bar in Hillcrest. “If he violates his [probation] terms, he goes back to jail,” Girton said. The judge also suspended a four-year state prison term which Habrel won’t have to serve, but if he has significant violations of his probation terms, he could end up in state prison. He pleaded guilty Dec. 18 to arson, which is a felony, without having a preliminary hearing. Girton said she saw him on the day of the fire and he was talking to himself, walking around without shoes, and was homeless.
See ARSON page 4
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH FRIIDAE In recognition of Black History Month, the City of San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is offering a variety of programs throughout the month, including a “Black History Pride Storytime” event at the Skyline Hills Library. Featuring local drag persona Friidae, the hour-long storytime will take place at 10:30 am, Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Children’s Nook at Skyline Hills Library. According to the Library’s website, “Pride Storytime is a family-friendly way of recognizing and celebrating our diversity and individuality through ageappropriate stories and songs. This is a safe space, all families are welcome.” Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary age children are all encouraged to attend with their families and the programming is classified as (part of Black History) celebration month, community engagement, cultural appreciation, educational and LGBTQIA+. Skyline Hills Library is located at 7900 Paradise Valley Road. Other SDPL Black History Month offerings Black Com!x Day, Feb 3-4, at the World Beat Center, Balboa Park; Martin Luther King Community Choir performance, Feb 10, Rancho San Diego Library; Exploring Identity, Love and Being Black in America in Fiction Writing, with Jason Mott, this is a virtual event, Feb 20; Fearing the Black Body author talk with Sabrina Strings, Feb 25, at the SD Central Library; Afro-Mexicanos: Mexico Finally Recognizes its Black Citizens, at the World Beat Center, Feb 26; a Wikipedia edita-thon for Black History Month, at SD Central Library, Feb. 16; many craft events, including paper crafts, mask and quilt making, and much much more. For a complete list and detailed descriptions of all of San Diego Public Library’s Black History Month programming, visit bit.ly/3Spg5iO FIRST ‘CLEAN UP & COCKTAILS’ A GREAT SUCCESS Nearly 70 community members came together on the cold morning of Saturday, Jan. 20, for the first “Hillcrest Cleanup & Cocktails” event. Co-sponsored by @HillcrestSanDiego, the Kiwanis Club of Hillcrest All-Inclusive, the Hillcrest Business Association, and Urban MO’s, the event was organized to bring community members together to serve the community, while making the neighborhood look a bit better in the process. Participating volunteers reported coming from not only Hillcrest, but also as far south as
See BRIEFS page 12