Photos! P16
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 23
LGBTQSD.NEWS
>>> NEWS P3
Drama in Point Loma >>> COMMUNITY P8
(left) The header of one of the “Sea to Sea” flags found in Rich’s attic, number 71 of 250, signed by Gilbert Baker. (right) The flag is carefully folded to fit into a shadowbox. (Photos courtesy Eddie Reynoso)
One Pride flag’s journey Local activist to deliver historically significant flag to Ukraine by Morgan M. Hurley, Editor
The first (and last) walk >>> DINING P13
This month, a historic handoff will take place in Malta at one of EuroPride’s signature events – the International LGBTQ+ Human Rights Conference – hosted by the Maltese government between a member of our local community and a representative from Ukraine Pride. What will be given to Ukraine is a Pride flag that has great historical significance for our LGBTQ community at large, and now our own local community. On March 25, Eddie Reynoso, the multi-hatted publisher of this newspaper, walked into Rich’s Nightclub for his night shift as
VIP Host. Other crew members were decorating for the evening’s festivities and as Reynoso walked by, he noticed a large plastic storage bin near them that was half open, with what appeared to be a very large rainbow flag hanging out of it. He went about his shift, but kept thinking about it, and later asked someone specifics regarding the container he saw and the flag inside. “Oh it’s got the wrong colors and we’re going to throw it out,” he was told. Another employee confirmed they were getting rid of it, because it “was stained” and
Readers will decide >>> ART P14
One of the dozens of tiles sold to community members through the years to benefit The Center. (Photo by Big Mike)
‘What happened to the tiles?’ An artist’s tango
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The Center responds to community concerns about donor tiles that disappeared by Benny Cartwright The San Diego LGBT Community Center (The Center) recently completed a renovation and modernization of the ground floor of its flagship facility in Hillcrest. Since moving into the space at 3909 Centre Street in 1999, these renovations were the first major upgrades to the building since the early 2000s.
had “extra colors.” Even more intrigued by the “wrong” and “extra colors” comments, Reynoso went up to Rich’s attic where the containers were usually stored and tracked the bin down. “I started to unravel the flag and immediately noticed the indigo – which is different from purple; most commercially made rainbow flags use purple,” he explained. “Gilbert Baker and other traditionalists used indigo.” He took the flag outside to see better in the light of day and have more room to lay it out for inspection. “Outside I started to open it up further and noticed the pink and turquoise, which are two colors that are unique and iconic to Gilbert Baker’s original flag, and the ‘Sea to Sea Flag.’ When I saw them I felt my heart jump and
Toni Atkins to step down from leadership role San Diego’s beloved Toni Atkins will step down early next year as Senate president pro tempore, the leader of the state’s upper legislative chamber. Atkins announced her decision at a press conference on Monday, Aug. 28, and also stated that Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat from the Northern Coastal areas of California, will take her place. Atkins has termed out and must leave the Senate at the end of 2024. She said the decision was made to make this announcement now, so that the caucus can get on with their duties without distraction before their end of session in September. “We have a lot of work to get through in the next few weeks,” Atkins said, referring to the chaotic final days of the legislative session when lawmakers will vote on hundreds of bills. “This work does not mix well with internal caucus politics being at the top of everyone’s minds.”
See PRIDE FLAG page 4
Prior to the renovations, The Center’s lobby had a number of personalized tiles affixed to the walls honoring community members who made contributions to the organization over the years. Several of the tiles were purchased by donors who helped the organization finance its move to its current building which has substantially more space (and a large auditorium for community gatherings) than the building that The Center occupied on Normal Street throughout most of the 1990s. Those tiles were removed during the recent renovations. Cara Dessert, CEO of The Center, told LGBTQ San Diego County News that the renovations came about due to a large-scale community outreach process that involved over 2,000 community members. Part of the feedback received, she said, was about the need to modernize the main Center to create a more welcoming and inclusive experience and create more community spaces on the first floor. “When we reopened to the public, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback about our renovations, with one exception,” said Dessert. “We heard from several community members concerned about the removal of the donor tiles.” Dessert noted that in an effort to preserve this history, a digital display of the original tiles was created in The Center’s auditorium to preserve the look of the tiles. She said the display has been present in The Center’s auditorium for all major events, as this is the main room at The Center for large community gatherings. In recent months, some community members have taken to social media and also reached out to LGBTQ San Diego County News to share concerns about the removal of the tiles, some that had been on display for nearly 20 years.
See DONOR TILES page 2
Atkins has been a San Diego Councilmember, Mayor, Assemblymember and Senator. (Courtesy Sen. Atkins office)
According to the state of California’s Capitol Museum website: “The President pro Tempore is the central figure in the policy-making and politics of the State Senate, elected by a vote of all the Senators as the leader of the Upper House. They are responsible for its administration, policy agenda, and its relationships with the Assembly and the Executive Branch.” As the powerful president pro tempore, Atkins has been responsible for negotiations between the governor and the assembly speaker, with a state operating budget of $300 billion. When she was in the state assembly, Atkins also held the equally powerful speaker position, and is only one of three individuals who have held both top leadership positions in the history of California’s state legislature. California’s Attorney General released a statement about the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
See NEWS BRIEFS page 2