the pride
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10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 August 2024
LOS ANGELES 1
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
Summer at Annenberg: Swim Daily Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Overand Playful Watch the Sunset Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video By Dolores Quintana 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
all in good fun. He went on to reveal that a secretly recorded video was made during the event and subsequently shared with a prominent hate group. In a post on his Instagram account, Anthony stated, “For several days, extremist right-wing organizations, including Fox News, have spread misleading information to fuel fear, discrimination, and hate. I will always be a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers.” He added, “On a busy Saturday filled with various independent gatherings, I attended the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats’ private fundraiser for their organization. Notably, there were no officially endorsed candidates or state and federal political figures present. The event was open to young adults ages 15 and above. However, there were no attendees below 18. Additionally, no children were present.” 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
reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views. In response to the video, the Libs of TikTok account claimed that children were present at the event. Mayor Anthony disputed this assertion, stating that “actually, there weren’t any children at this private 21+ event. But of course, lying is totally on brand for you.” While the account correctly pointed out that individuals aged 15 and older were permitted to attend, the event’s organizer, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance. Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during a City Council meeting and expressed his concern that the video’s circulation had led to city officials receiving “some of the most vile hate speech that I have ever seen.” Anthony encouraged those with concerns about his actions to communicate with him 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
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 wasn’t even in the city of Burbank.” 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.”
Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas By Susan Payne X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF A unique, inclusive community destination along the Pacific Coast Highway of Santa Monica is inviting you to join the fun this summer. Hosting beautiful sunset and beach views on five acres of land, the Annenberg Community Beach House combines a historic legacy with contemporary amenities including a splash pad, open seating, free wi-fi, beach courts and fields, cultural and community events and a café. By Dolores Quintana Operated by the City of Santa Monica, theThebeach house premiere of “Liloffers Nas X:daily Long pool Live access, site classes, volleyball Montero” at thetours, Toronto International Film and soccer courts reservation, tours Festival (TIFF) faced for a momentary setback on of the historic property, and group Saturday night due to a bomb threat. accommodations intimate to Judy Lung, TIFF’sas Vice Presidentasof 10 Public celebrations for 280. Affairs and Communications, confirmed to “WeNews loveToronto welcoming peoplestatement to the CTV via a written beach for alerted the first time and we that the house festival was to an investigation lovethewelcoming return guests.at The “in vicinity of the red carpet” Roy
World Premiere of Documentary Was Screened After 20-Minute Delay
beach house is a very loved part of the community. People really make their own experiences here, you can participate in the activities that we have, or Hall, you where can completely makewas your Thomson the documentary set own itinerary,” said Nan Friedman, to be screened. Annenberg Community Beach security House Lung stated, “Our standard manager.remained in place during this time, measures Community andThe the Annenberg screening commenced with aBeach slight House property sits on what was delay. To our knowledge, this was a general originally developed during the Gold threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” Coast Era of the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for silent film actress Marion Davies. In 1947, the main mansion was converted into Oceanhouse, “America’s Most Beautiful Hotel,” along with the Sand & Sea Club, a limited-membership beach club. By 1956, the main mansion had been demolished and the Sand & Sea Club remained. In 1959, the property was sold to the state of California. An earthquake in 1994 damaged all structures on site and the city struggled to secure funding for the rebuild, until the Annenberg
Foundation provided a $27.5 million seniors, ages 60 and over, are $5. grant that paved the way for the site’s The next two Sunset Picnics, a rehabilitation. beloved and popular event at the beach Today, the site has been reopened house, are Thursday, July 18, from 5 asAthe AnnenbergforCommunity p.m. to swept 8 p.m. 15 spokesperson the Toronto Beach police security the and sceneThursday, and clearedAug. it within House since 2009. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pack your favorite informed CTV News Toronto that the threat 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. “Santa Monica Conservancy offers picnic dinner, fancy or casual, games had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat tours of the Marion Davies Guest House and activities and watch the sunset amid security by a can passerby. abundance a general nature guests and didand notlive specifically where you really“Out getofa an feel for the had other beach house music. of caution, police and Friedman the private target any for individual or entity. legacy of the theToronto historic site,” S’mores dessert! said. “There’s beautiful history to be On the Fridays, July 12 and 26, and told here, you can learn about the three August 9 and 23, the beach house hosts OR UNFILES remarkable individuals BACK that shaped sunset swims — from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the historic legacy of this site; Marion “It’s a great way to end the week Davies, William Randolph Hearst and because it’s adults only, the pool is Julia Morgan.” gorgeous, and it’s relaxing.” Friedman Admission and events on the horizon: said. ALL FORMS • ALL • ALL STATES For daily swimmers, the beach houseTYPES To learn more about Annenberg Beach pool is open every day until Labor House, visit https://www.santamonica. SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA Day on September 2. Monday through gov/places/cultural-venue/annenbergThursday, the pool is open from 12 community-beach-house or visit https:// p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, www.annenbergbeachhouse.com. the pool 100 is open from 10Blvd., a.m. toSuite 6 p.m.1753Annenberg Beach House Wilshire • Santa Monica 90401is located Daily admission for youth, ages 1-17, at 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa is $4; adults, ages 18-59, are $10; and Monica.
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