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10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 October January 2025 2026
LOS ANGELES 1
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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
CulverHollywood City Names First Openly With LGBTQ+ Mayor West Man Charged Killing Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful as Council Selects New Leadership Dog, Burglary of Former Roommate’s Home Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias Councilmember Mayor Konstantine Freddy Puza Chosen Anthony as MayorDefends for 2026, Actions Amid Bubba Fish Named Controversy Over Vice Mayor Video
New leadership took shape in Culver City as the City Council made a series of By Dolores Quintana unanimous and historic selections before a packed at the MikeAnthony Balkman Burbank audience Mayor Konstantine is Council Chambers. facing criticism from conservatives following Puza was theCouncilmember circulation of a Freddy video showing himchosen being to serve as mayor for 2026, marking the spanked by a drag queen during an event first time an openly LGBTQ+ individual on the weekend of September 10. Anthony has held the position in the city’s 108-year has responded that some of his critics are history. Puza, who was elected to the City motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the Council in 2022, will serve a one-year term incident was harmless. as mayor. In the video, posted by the Wisenuts podcast, Prosecutors have multiple felony "This is a new dayfiled in Culver City, and Mayor Anthony is27-year-old seen beingman spanked by charges against a accused I’m honored to work with the new City aofdrag artist, backed by the Village People’s breaking into his former roommate’s Manager to create new opportunities and “Macho Man.” Anthonyapartment, described the events West way of Hollywood operating in the city," said killing Mayor as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was the small dog,present, and damaging Puza.victim’s "The past, the and the property during the incident. future, they’re all right here, right now. Anmol Bhatiamade facesbefore one count eachthe of Every decision us created first-degree residential burglary, felony city we love today. We honor that. But we animal cruelty, what and vandalism involving also remember we were. We were a more than $400 in damage. Prosecutors sundown town. That’s our history. We don’t have who get to also forgetalleged it. We that don’tthe get victim, to pretend it is at least 65 years old, was particularly
27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges After a Violent Attack
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 didn’t We’re not responsible for and draghappen. performers.” theHesins of the past. ButSaturday we are absolutely added, “On a busy filled with responsible for the future we build. the various independent gatherings, I And attended decisions make this year will echo for the Santa we Clarita Valley Democrats’ private decades. not hyperbole. the fundraiserThat’s for their organization.That’s Notably, job. you,endorsed I will treat it with thereAnd wereI promise no officially candidates the seriousness it deserves. To everyone or state and federal political figures present. who has was everopen livedto here, here, The event young worked adults ages 15 and above.inHowever, were noofattendees invested this city:there you’re part Culver below story. 18. Additionally, City’s You matter." no children were present.” In his remarks, Puza emphasized that WhileCity not stands specifying thewith particular hate Culver firmly immigrant group in question, it is possible that Anthony families, LGBTQ+ residents, andortenants, vulnerable and that Bhatia knew should was referring to at the now have known theTwitter timeactively ofaccount, the crime. pledging thatthis the City will protect known as X,and called “Libs of TikTok,” Therights attack occurred around 11:30which p.m. civil human dignity.
onHe September 4, three whenmajor Bhatia allegedly outlined his priorities for forced hismonths: way advancing into the affordability apartment. the coming Investigators saidthrough video stronger evidencehousing shows and sustainability him violently slamming the dog to the and climate initiatives, strengthening fiscal ground, stomping on it, and then throwing responsibility with clearer budgeting and the lifeless animal offand a balcony onto a public transparency, raising Culver nearby construction site, where it was
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 City’s profile by promoting the city as a true clarifying that no individuals under the age of destination. He emphasized that each effort 18 were in attendance. is aimed at ensuring stability, belonging, Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during and opportunity for all residents. a City Council meeting and expressed his "It’s a new day in Culver City. Let’s concern that the video’s circulation had led to meet this moment with courage. With city officials receiving “some of the most vile conviction. With a unified vision of what hate speech that I have ever seen.” this city can be," Puza said. Anthony encouraged those with concerns Councilmember Bubba Fish was about his actions to communicate with him unanimously selected as vice mayor, directly via email at kanthony@burbankca. creating Culver City’s first openly gov. He stated, “IfAuthorities you want toalso talkaccuse to me later found dead. LGBTQ+ mayor–vice mayor leadership about what happened over the weekend, send Bhatia of vandalizing property inside the team. Fish joined the City Council in 2024. me an before email. Send me an email. I will talk to home fleeing.
In addition to selecting its political Beverly Hills Bhatia leadership, the police councilarrested unanimously on September 21 following two-week approved Odis Jones as Culvera City’s next search. city manager. Jones will succeed John He waswho arraigned on Tuesday at the Nachbar, is stepping down after 15 Airport Courthouse and entered not years in the role. You can read more aabout guilty plea. Bail was set at $175,000, and Jones here. a preliminary hearing is scheduled for
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 their Jones brings moreDemocrats than three voiced decades of support for Mayor Anthony and strongly executive leadership experience in local and state government, havingand served as a denounced the sensationalized inaccurate city manager, chief executive officer, and portrayal of their event for political purposes executive director in jurisdictions across that promoted fear, homophobia, transphobia, Texas, Ohio,The Michigan, andreaffirmed New Jersey. and bigotry. Democrats their His professional background includes work commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and October 9. development, public finance, in economic drag performers,on refusing to engage withcould what If convicted all counts, Bhatia organizational management, and largethey referred to asyears “fakeand outrage.” face upinfrastructure to seven and eight months in scale redevelopment
state prison. projects. The is beingcited handled by the Animal City case officials Jones’ emphasis Cruelty Section of equity, the Loscommunity Angeles on transparency, County District Attorney’s Office and engagement, and collaborative leadership remains under investigation by the Los as key strengths as he prepares to assume Angeles the role. County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.
Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF Federal Judge Blocks California From
Thomson Hall, where the documentary was setSeek A spokespersonPossible for the Toronto police security swept the scene and cleared it within WeHo LASD Detectives Additional World Premiere of Teacher to be screened. informed CTV News Toronto that on the threat Student 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. Restricting Disclosures Lung stated, “Our standard security had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat Victims After Indecent Exposure Arrest Documentary Was measures remained in place during this time, security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance had a general nature and did not specifically Gender Identity and the screening commenced with a slight of caution, the Toronto police and the private target any individual or entity. with an incident that occurred on Sept. delay. To our knowledge, this was a general Sheriffs SayAfter a Man Screened may not barsaid public school federal appeals court has temporarily 19,California 2025. Investigators Harrington threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” Ruling FindsAfter teachers from informing parentsinside abouta stayed enforcement of the ruling while it allegedly approached a woman Was Arrested 20-Minute Delay OR UNFILES how students their gender a longer-term laundry room andexpress exposed himself before considers whether to issue BACK
State Guidance Allegedly Exposing By Dolores Quintana Himself to a Woman Unconstitutional,
The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Detectives withToronto the LosInternational Angeles County Montero” at the Film Sheriff’s Department West Festival (TIFF) faced a momentaryHollywood setback on Station are asking the public’s Saturday night due tofor a bomb threat. help in identifying Judy Lung,additional TIFF’s Vicevictims Presidentfollowing of Public the arrest a man accused confirmed of indecent Affairs andofCommunications, to exposure. CTV News Toronto via a written statement Harrington taken into thatJackie the festival was alertedwas to an investigation “in the vicinity the2025, red carpet” at Roy custody on Sept.of28, in connection
but Enforcement Is Paused While Appeal Moves Forward
identity the at school, federalconfrontation judge ruled leaving area. Noa further last reported. month, finding the state’s guidance was unconstitutional. Authorities believe there may be other victims haveJudge not yetRoger come Benitez, forward. in U.S. who District information about this case a Anyone Dec. 22with decision, said the restrictions is urged to contactdue Westprocess Hollywood Station violate parents’ rights and Detectives 310-855-8850. Tips may also infringe onatthe First Amendment speech be anonymously through Crime andsubmitted religious rights of parents and teachers. Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS The ruling also enjoins public (8477), school using the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or visiting employees from misleading parents about lacrimestoppers.org. a student’s gender presentation on campus. The investigation remains ongoing. state immediately appealed. A
stay. The case began in 2023 when two San Diego County public school teachers challenged state guidance warning that violated parents’ religious rights by failing ALL FORMS • ALL • ALL STATES to provide notice or opt-out options for disclosure of a student’s transgender statusTYPES without consent could violate state anti- instruction involving LGBTQ+-inclusive SAMUEL B. MOSES, discrimination law and privacy protections. materials. CPA He said the decision underscored The lawsuit later expanded into a class parents’ constitutional interest in their action involving both teachers and parents. children’s education and 90401 upbringing. Benitez100 citedWilshire the U.S. Supreme Court’s1753 Blvd., Suite • Santa Monica The appellate court has not ruled on the recent decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which held that a Maryland school district merits of California’s appeal.
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