the pride
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10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 October 2025 May 2026
LOS ANGELES 1
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
West Hollywood family faces legal battle after Hollywood Man Charged With Killing Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful confrontation with MAGA influencer Dog, Burglary of Former Roommate’s Home Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias A gay couple Mayor Konstantine and their infant Anthony Defends child, who were Actions Amid targeted during a Controversy Over neighborhood walk, Video have launched a By Dolores Quintana GoFundMe.
Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is A West Hollywood family is following seeking facing criticism from conservatives community a being legal the circulationsupport of a videofollowing showing him dispute sparked by a confrontation with spanked by a drag queen during an event aon right-wing “political commentator” in the weekend of September 10. Anthony West Hollywood. has responded that some of his critics are The incident occurred during a routine motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the evening walk when a gay couple and their incident was harmless. newborn infant were approached by Ryley In the video, posted the Wisenuts Prosecutors have by filed multiplepodcast, felony Niemi, the "political commentator" known Mayor Anthony is seen being spanked by charges against a 27-year-old man accused for verbally aggressive man-on-theaofdrag artist, backed by the Village People’s breaking into his former roommate’s street According to the video, “Machointerviews. Man.” Anthony described thekilling events West Hollywood apartment, the interaction devolved when Niemi as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was the victim’s small dog, and damaging
27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges After a Violent Attack
questioned the parents using discredited property during the incident. 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
tropes regarding LGBTQ individuals and child welfare in an accusatory fashion on all in 16. good fun. He went on to reveal that a April secretly video was made during While recorded such digital "ambush" interviews the event subsequently shared with a are often and designed to elicit a volatile prominent for hate social group. media engagement, reaction In a post on his Instagram account, Anthony this specific encounter has resulted in a stated, “For several days, extremist right-wing complex legal situation for one of the organizations, including FoxDavid News,Millerhave parents, Anthony Vulin and spread misleading information to fuel fear, Robinson. discrimination, will always be a "My husbandand andhate. I haveI fought incredibly proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community hard to build the life we have today," stated and drag performers.” Anthony Vulin in a public appeal. The He added, “On a busy Saturday filled with family has launched a fundraising effort on various independent gatherings, I attended GoFundMe to secure legal representation the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats’ private for David as he navigates the ensuing court fundraiser for their organization. Notably, process. They noted that the unexpected there were no officially endorsed candidates financial burden of a defense is significant, or state and federal political figures present. as they also manage the demands of caring The event was open to young adults ages 15 for newborn. and aabove. However, there were no attendees They that the and below 18.added Additionally, no “hostile children were discriminatory encounter” was “deeply present.” upsetting and specifying destabilizing our family.” While not thefor particular hate The appearance of such a provocateur in group in question, it is possible that Anthony vulnerable and that Bhatia knew or should West Hollywood is previously unknown was referring to at thetheTwitter now have known this time ofaccount, the crime. in the usually safe and LGBTQ+ majority known as X, called “Libsaround of TikTok,” which The attack occurred 11:30 p.m. environment. on September 4, when Bhatia allegedly
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. This confrontation atalk growing gov. He stated, “IfAuthorities youmirrors want toalso to me later found dead. accuse trend of "influencer" confrontations in about what happened over the weekend, Bhatia of vandalizing property insidesend the the United States. Similar incidents, such me an before email. Send me an email. I will talk to home fleeing.
as Beverly one involving “pro-life” influencer Hills police arrested Bhatia
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 Savannah have previously led commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and October 9. Craven, to altercations, which shows drag performers, refusing to engage with what Ifphysical convicted on all counts, Bhatia could the ofand these they volatile referred tonature asyears “fake outrage.” face up to seven eightdeliberately months in
provocative state prison. interactions. 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, West Hollywood Station.
forced his way into the apartment. 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
on September 21 following a two-week search. 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
City Manager are working with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station to increase visibility Hall, through additional deputy patrols Thomson where the documentary was set and the deployment of more Security to be screened. Ambassadors. Lung stated, “Our standard security The city councilinemphasized measures remained place duringthat thispublic time, safety remains the top priority for City and the screening commenced with the a slight of West Hollywood, which maintains a with an incident that occurred on Sept. delay. To our knowledge, this was a general zero-tolerance policy regarding threats to 19, 2025. Investigators said Harrington threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” the community. Detectives are currently allegedly approached a woman inside a investigating case to himself identifybefore those laundry room each and exposed responsible. leaving the area. No further confrontation In reported. addition to increased enforcement, was theAuthorities City is highlighting available believe there may bemental other health resources theforward. emotional victims who havetonotaddress yet come distress by these events. Maple Anyonecaused with information about this case Counseling offersWest freeHollywood clinical services is urged to contact Station to those who live, work, or Tips attend school Detectives at 310-855-8850. may also be submitted anonymously through Crime in West Hollywood. Residents can access Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS these year-round services by calling(8477), (310) using the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or visiting 271-9999. lacrimestoppers.org. LA County Supervisor and former West The investigation remains ongoing. Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsay
Horvath released a statement that said, Authorities urge anyone with information “Gun violence anywhere is devastating and regarding these crimes to contact the West frightening, but especially in a close-knit Hollywood Station at (310) 855-8850. • ALL • ALL STATES community likeALL WestFORMS Hollywood, whichTYPES Anonymous tips can be submitted through has taken safety seriously and significantly Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. invested in protecting its SAMUEL residents.” The B. MOSES, CPA Residents are encouraged to stay statement added that the Supervisor has spoken with Captain Larkin and Sheriff informed by texting their ZIP code to 888-777 to receive timely safety alerts Luna to make that solving theSuite crimes1753 100 clear Wilshire Blvd., • Santa Monica 90401 and advisories directly from the Sheriff’s is a top priority and to make sure they have all the resources necessary to do so. Department.
West Hollywood Mobilizes Emergency Safety Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas Response Following Rainbow District Incidents X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF City leaders and the A spokespersonPossible for the Toronto police security swept the scene and cleared it within WeHo LASD Additional Sheriff’sPremiere Department World of Detectives Seek informed CTV News Toronto that the threat 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat deploy additional Victims After Indecent Exposure Arrest Documentary Was security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance had a general nature and did not specifically patrols and mental of caution, the Toronto police and the private target any individual or entity. Sheriffs SayAfter a Man Screened health resources. Was Arrested After 20-Minute Delay BACK OR UNFILES
West Hollywood city officials and the Allegedly Exposing Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department By Dolores Quintana have launchedtoaa coordinated Himself Womansafety
response following a Nas series violent The premiere of “Lil X: of Long Live Detectives with the LosInternational Angelesover County incidents in Rainbow District the Montero” at the the Toronto Film Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood past week. Festival (TIFF) faced a momentary setback on Station asking the public’s in The are recent includedhelptwo Saturday night due activity tofor a bomb threat. identifying additional victims following shootings and two Vice physical altercations, Judy Lung, TIFF’s President of Public the arrest a man accused of indecent prompting immediate concern among Affairs andofCommunications, confirmed to exposure. local News residents owners. CTV Torontoand via abusiness written statement Harrington taken City into that the festival was alerted to an investigation In Jackie response, the West was Hollywood “in the vicinity the2025, red carpet” at Roy custody onCommunity Sept.of28, in Team, connection Council, Safety and
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