The Pride LA News: Jul 2026

West Hollywood Man Charged With Killing Dog, Burglary of Former Roommate’s Home

West Hollywood names the world’s first official Drag King as the city’s Drag Laureate

Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias

Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video

By Dolores Quintana

The City Council unanimously selects a new Drag Laureate to serve a threeyear term as the city's chief drag ambassador.

27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges

producer known for portraying a 103-yearold Vaudevillian character, will succeed the city's inaugural laureate, Pickle, who was appointed in 2023.

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.

A joint selection committee composed of representatives from the city’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, LGBTQ+ Commission, and Transgender Advisory Board vetted candidates through a competitive application process.

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.”

After a Violent Attack

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.

West Hollywood City Council members have unanimously appointed Odious Ari as the city’s next Drag Laureate, marking the first time a drag king has been chosen for an official laureate role anywhere in the world.

The choice was finalized during Monday's regular council meeting. Odious Ari, an accomplished local performer and

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

Prosecutors have filed multiple felony charges against a 27-year-old man accused of breaking into his former roommate’s West Hollywood apartment, killing the victim’s small dog, and damaging property during the incident.

"West Hollywood has long been a place where LGBTQ+ artists, performers, and visionaries have challenged conventions, expanded representation, and helped shape culture," Mayor John Heilman said. "We are thrilled to welcome Odious Ari as our new Drag Laureate and proud to celebrate this historic appointment as the first drag king to serve in an official drag laureate role anywhere in the world. Ari’s creativity, humor, musicianship, and commitment to community embody the spirit of West Hollywood. Through their work, they honor the rich traditions of drag while opening

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.”

Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance.

new doors for visibility, storytelling, and artistic expression. We look forward to the inspiration, joy, and imagination they will bring to our community over the coming years."

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.”

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.”

businesses and enhancing the presence of drag culture through public art and history initiatives.

vulnerable and that Bhatia knew or should have known this at the time of the crime.

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

The three-year honorary term begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2029. In this role, the laureate serves as an official civic ambassador, tasked with promoting local

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

City staff confirmed that Odious Ari will make appearances at approximately 15 major civic events annually, including prominent placement at the city's signature WeHo Pride festivities and West Hollywood Day.

October 9.

James Barker, ‘Love Island USA’ Executive Producer, Dies suddenly in Fiji

The attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. on September 4, when Bhatia allegedly forced his way into the apartment.

later found dead. Authorities also accuse Bhatia of vandalizing property inside the home before fleeing.

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.”

If convicted on all counts, Bhatia could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.

Anmol Bhatia faces one count each of first-degree residential burglary, felony animal cruelty, and vandalism involving more than $400 in damage. Prosecutors have also alleged that the victim, who is at least 65 years old, was particularly

Beverly Hills police arrested Bhatia on September 21 following a two-week search.

Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts

The veteran reality television producer and DJ suffered a fatal medical emergency while on location for the Peacock dating series.

By Dolores Quintana

Sheriffs Say a Man Was Arrested After Allegedly Exposing Himself to a Woman

"Love Island USA" executive producer James Barker died last week after suffering a medical emergency while on location for the reality series' current season in Fiji, production officials confirmed.

time we had and the memories we made together,” to TMZ.

Investigators said video evidence shows him violently slamming the dog to the ground, stomping on it, and then throwing the lifeless animal off a balcony onto a nearby construction site, where it was

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

He was arraigned on Tuesday at the Airport Courthouse and entered a not guilty plea. Bail was set at $175,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for

The case is being handled by the Animal Cruelty Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department,

The hit Peacock dating show, currently airing its eighth season under host Ariana Madix, will pay tribute to Barker during Tuesday night's broadcast. The show issued a statement that said, “James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock.”

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.”

with an incident that occurred on Sept. 19, 2025. Investigators said Harrington allegedly approached a woman inside a laundry room and exposed himself before leaving the area. No further confrontation was reported.

Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station are asking for the public’s help in identifying additional victims following the arrest of a man accused of indecent exposure.

WeHo LASD Detectives Seek Possible Additional Victims After Indecent Exposure Arrest

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

The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) faced a momentary setback on Saturday night due to a bomb threat. Judy Lung, TIFF’s Vice President of Public 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

Authorities believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.

His partner Adam Roth said, “James was the absolute light and love of my life. He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched. His loss is unimaginable. While it was not enough, I am so thankful for the

Barker's tenure with the franchise began in 2020 when he joined the production team as a story producer. Over the next four years, he steadily climbed the ranks to co-executive producer before taking over as executive producer for the last three consecutive seasons, as well as holding a similar leadership role on the spinoff series "Love Island Games." In his executive capacity, Barker managed both active physical production and post-production workflows, while also directly overseeing the show's signature musical soundtracks.

Jackie Harrington was taken into custody on Sept. 28, 2025, in connection

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact West Hollywood Station Detectives at 310-855-8850. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), using the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

A native television career that began in 2011 at Leftfield Pictures saw Barker contribute to prominent unscripted cable

The investigation remains ongoing.

hits including "Pawn Stars," "Counting Cars," and "Forged in Fire." He later transitioned to ITV America, serving as a story producer on Netflix's Emmywinning reboot of "Queer Eye," alongside production stints for Kinetic Content, Scout Productions, and Sharp Entertainment.

Beyond his television achievements,

Barker spent two decades working as a prominent DJ at venues across the United States. Network representatives noted that his career behind the turntables introduced him to his long-term partner, Adam, with whom he spent years traveling to music festivals worldwide.

Kevin Spacey tells Bill Maher he felt

“gay community” long

The actor claims on Club Random that he planned to come out two years prior, but hesitated due to public mockery from LGBTQ peers.

Facing public scrutiny long before the sexual misconduct allegations that derailed his career, actor Kevin Spacey stated he felt alienated and targeted by the gay community rather than supported, according to the actor during a podcast.

During an appearance on Bill Maher’s "Club Random", the Oscar-winning actor made claims about the complexities of his public coming-out process, describing the LGBTQ+ community as frequently hostile toward him. Spacey challenged the assumption that navigating fame while disclosing one's sexuality is simple, noting

that peers and public figures within the community routinely made him the target of jokes.

On social media, many pushed back on Spacey’s claims. Actress Rachel True said, “Only because he was well known in Hollywood for hitting on every underage young male actor to ever exist back in the 90s “

The actor asserted he had intended to

come out publicly two years before his eventual announcement, but he hesitated because he already felt deeply estranged from the community.

Spacey ultimately disclosed his sexuality in 2017 amid public fallout from sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him by actor Anthony Rapp. The actor said, in the podcast, that Anthony Rapp’s accusation was untrue.

Madonna’s global Confessions II album launch continues with iHeartRadio preview and threeday West Hollywood pop-up

The global campaign features a multi-platform iHeartRadio broadcast with Lola Leon ahead of a holiday weekend installation.

Pop icon Madonna is launching a global, multi-platform campaign this week to mark the July 3 release of her highly anticipated studio album, Confessions II.

The promotional rollout, partnered with Warner Records, features an international livestream event, an immersive West Hollywood retail installation, and a specialized fan event at Amoeba Hollywood.

The festivities begin July 2 with a global broadcast hosted by TikTok and iHeartRadio. Streaming live from the

official album release party in London, the one-hour special will offer fans an exclusive preview of select tracks. Inside the broadcast, Madonna will discuss the album's creative process in a conversation moderated by Bob the Drag Queen.

The livestream will also feature appearances by producer Stuart Price and visual artist Lola Leon, Madonna's daughter, who collaborates with her mother on the new track "The Test." Music throughout the digital event will be provided by Price, Honey Dijon, Jodie Harsh, and Horse Meat Disco. The broadcast will air across 200 domestic iHeartRadio stations and official TikTok

channels, where interactive features like fan polls and live Q&A sessions will be active.

To coincide with the official street date, a dedicated "Confessions II" pop-up experience will debut in West Hollywood over the Fourth of July weekend. Operating from July 3 through July 5 at 8471 Melrose Ave., the immersive space will offer exclusive merchandise, collectible vinyl editions, and interactive photo installations inspired by the new project. The venue will welcome fans daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Locally, Amoeba Hollywood will host a separate, free, all-ages album listening and dance party on Friday, July 3, starting at

5 p.m. The retail event includes a custom photo backdrop, promotional giveaways, and an in-store raffle at 5:30 p.m. for prizes including turntables, slipmats, apparel, and posters. Attendees who purchase the album at the Hollywood location during the party will receive a complimentary turntable slipmat while supplies last.

Organizers noted that no purchase or RSVP is required to attend the Amoeba Hollywood event, and confirmed that Madonna will not be appearing in person at the retail location.

NOW ENROLLING TK - KINDERGARTEN

Where

The sixth annual initiative transforms select retail storefronts into complementary libraries featuring LGBTQIA2S+ literature.

Skincare brand Aesop has partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation to launch the sixth annual iteration of its Queer Library initiative, an international book-distribution program highlighting LGBTQIA2S+ authors.

Beginning on June 26, select Aesop retail locations across the United States will clear their product shelves to feature and distribute literature from queer writers. Visitors to the participating stores can select a book from the curated collection to take home as a complimentary gift, with no purchase required. Since its launch, the global initiative has distributed more than 115,000 books.

Aesop Larchmont, at 128 N Larchmont

Boulevard, is the main Westside location, where all of the store’s products have been removed from the shelves and have been replaced with copies of the books.

The current edition of the library focuses on literature centering the queer body as a narrative tool to challenge cultural assumptions and elevate historically marginalized perspectives. The 2026 selection spans multiple genres and styles, featuring works by prominent and emerging authors such as Audre Lorde,

The program draws inspiration from the brand's namesake storyteller and aims to support local independent bookstores and community organizations. The collaboration shows Aesop’s ongoing philanthropic partnership with the ACLU Foundation to defend civil liberties and support underrepresented creative voices.

Ousted Los Angeles fire chief files defamation lawsuit against Mayor Karen Bass

The civil lawsuit alleges Bass mischaracterized facts during her reelection campaign.

The legal battle between the city's former fire chief and the mayor of Los Angeles has escalated following a newly filed defamation lawsuit centering on a catastrophic 2025 wildfire.

Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley filed the civil complaint against Mayor Karen Bass, alleging the mayor repeatedly mischaracterized Crowley's emergency response to the Jan. 7, 2025, Palisades Fire to insulate herself from political fallout during her reelection campaign. Crowley is seeking unspecified economic, compensatory, and punitive damages for emotional distress and professional damage, while asking that the city cover all associated legal fees.

Kristen Crowley was the first female fire marshal in the LAFD and is a member of the LGBTQ community.

According to the filing, the friction stems from how the blaze was handled, which broke out while Bass was out of the country. Bass terminated Crowley in February 2025, publicly asserting that the fire chief failed to pre-deploy personnel ahead of a major high-wind weather event and subsequently refused to complete an after-action report.

The lawsuit says, “Crowley now seeks accountability for Bass’ calculated efforts

to punish a dedicated LAFD civil servant for exposing the truth, and for choosing the safety of the city and its firefighters over the interests of Bass and her cover-up.”

Mayor Bass’ spokesperson said in response to the lawsuit, "This is another meritless lawsuit from a disgruntled individual who was removed from her position."

Crowley’s legal team argues those claims are inaccurate and designed to cover up the administration's own operational oversight. The lawsuit specifically highlights a May 6 mayoral debate during which Bass was questioned about operational budget cuts that reportedly left LAFD fire engines out of service. Rather than accounting for the budget shortages, the lawsuit claims Bass shifted blame to Crowley despite the former chief's documented public opposition to those specific cuts.

The document states that public records contradict the mayor's assertions. Crowley alleges that Bass falsely claimed she was unaware of the incoming extreme weather and erroneously stated that the department's operational engines were not utilized on the morning the fire erupted. Because Bass allegedly made these remarks in her personal capacity on the campaign trail, the lawsuit contends she is not shielded by standard governmental immunity.

This legal action marks the second major lawsuit Crowley has leveled against city leadership regarding her termination. In February 2026, the former chief filed a separate lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that Bass engaged in a campaign of workplace retaliation.

West Hollywood favorite Breakfast by Salt’s Cure closes to open new Silver Lake outpost

After 16 years on Santa Monica Boulevard, the neighborhood staple is transitioning to a counter-service model

just

a mile away.

By Dolores Quintana

Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, the West Hollywood location, at 7494 Santa Monica Boulevard, closed today and announced the closure via an Instagram post.

Even though the closure comes as a shock, the restaurant put a positive spin on it, noting that they are not shuttering their operations, but “shaking things up a bit.”

While the restaurant announced it on IG on Wednesday morning, they had written a post on Substack the day before, June 23, that was linked to the IG post.

The breakfast standby that has been in operation in West Hollywood for sixteen years is opening a new location in Silver Lake, at 1155 Highland Avenue, on

Thursday, June 25, and the location at 1155 Highland Avenue is only a mile away, so there will still be three locations of the restaurant open in Los Angeles.

The Substack post goes into detail about the decision to close the West Hollywood restaurant, which is related to the current building being rezoned as a hotel, which led them to consider new potential locations, including Culver City, which they still consider an “attractive option,” but they ended up going with the new space in Silver Lake.

They note in the post that the Highland location will migrate from table service to counter service and will offer a simplified menu and officially become Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, and that they soft-opened the Silver Lake location last weekend, so it is ready to go.

They ask customers not to bring dogs inside the restaurant because it violates public health code, but added that they were working on outside seating to accommodate your furry friends. They also said staff members who customers knew would be moving to the new restaurant and the spot on Highland, and said they would receive “ the same friendly service from Marlene and Sara, along with newer faces Luke and Isaac. Eliseo, Honorio, Chris, and Sandra will still be cooking your food.

Actor, Producer, and Musician Keke Palmer joins UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television for five-year artist residency

The "From Blocking to Broadcast" initiative will offer mentorship, studio courses, and digital distribution through KeyTV.

Emmy Award-winning actor and entrepreneur Keke Palmer will join the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television as an artist-in-residence under a newly established five-year partnership, university officials announced.

The initiative, titled “From Blocking to Broadcast,” launches in the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year. It will pair the university's production curriculum with practical mentorship from Palmer and her digital media platform, KeyTV Network, to help students create and distribute original multimedia content.

During the first year of the residency,

Palmer will lead quarterly campus workshops focusing on the commercial side of the entertainment industry, including project pitching, distribution strategy, business ownership, and personal brand development.

“UCLA TFT is a place where artists learn to be in practice, to experience trial and error, to take projects off the page,” Palmer said. “That is also the mission of KeyTV. We know that education is key to democratizing opportunities, and I am eager to both learn from and support UCLA TFT students. It is no small feat to pursue higher education, especially at a prestigious institution. I look forward to listening, encouraging, and offering them more than one chance to succeed.”

Beginning in the 2027–2028 academic year, the program will expand into a fully sponsored studio course. Under the guidance of UCLA faculty and Palmer's mentorship, students will develop original projects in various formats, including television pilots, video podcasts, music videos, and musical theater.

KeyTV has committed to distributing at least three student-produced projects annually on its platform, subject to a quality review. The arrangement is designed to provide students with handson experience in packaging, marketing, and digital audience engagement.

Palmer founded KeyTV in 2021 to spotlight underrepresented creators, launching the network in late 2022 with

a focus on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leadership. Over the last three years, the network has produced 29 original projects and recently introduced a six-week creative immersion program called KeyTV Days at Special Academy. University administrators noted the residency arrives amid rapid technological and economic shifts in Hollywood, specifically pointing to the rise of generative artificial intelligence in production workflows. Campus officials said the program aims to give student creators the entrepreneurial tools necessary to navigate the changing digital media landscape.

A Class for Every Dream