Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast P2
Happy Spring!
APRIL 2024 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 37
LGBTQSD.NEWS
>>> NEWS P20
SOUTH BAY YOUTH CENTER HITS MILESTONE
Stars of University
>>> DINING P12
Clarione Gutierrez-Owens works on a portrait of Matthew Shepard, the artwork proposed for the postage stamp.
This Bud’s for San Diego
>> THEATER P15
‘Absolutely outrageous’
Campaign to honor Matthew Shepard hits a wall by Morgan M. Hurley On Dec. 1, 2023, the International Imperial Court Council (IICC), directed by Queen Mother Nicole Murray Ramirez, began a grassroots effort to convince the US Postal Service (USPS) to establish a US Postal Stamp to honor Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was brutally murdered in 1998
by two men who knew that he was gay. Matthew was born Dec. 1, 1976, which is why they chose that date. Ramirez is the national chair of the campaign, with honorary chair members that include Sen. Toni Atkins, Mayor Todd Gloria, and Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard. San Diego native Clarione Gutierrez-Owens (Clarione) was chosen as the artist for the stamp, and
See SHEPARD STAMP page 4 Powerhouse performance
>>> CRIME P17
Murder two Driver who fled accident that killed Cheers bartender ordered to stand trial by Neal Putnam
Did you know this man?
CONTACT US 619 61 9- 432-LG BT sales@lgbtqsd.news editor@lgbtqsd.news editor@lgbtqsd .news
A hit-and-run driver has been ordered to stand trial for seconddegree murder in the death of a local beloved bartender, Joshua “Josh” Gilliland, who was fatally injured while walking to work last year. Gilliland, 47, had worked at Cheers, a local LGBT bar located on Adams Avenue in University Heights, for 20 years when he was struck on June 10, 2023, at the southeast corner of El Cajon and Park boulevards. He died four days later in a hospital. Brandon Allen Janik, 37, of North Park, was also ordered to stand trial for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI while having a prior DUI conviction, hit-and-run in a traffic fatality, and three counts of presenting false auto insurance claims.
‘LESBIANS IN MILITARY’ ZOOM PLANS TO CONNECT VETS, SHARE STORIES
BMW and that Janik took it to a repair shop. The front windshield was damaged, mostly on the passenger side. Det. Beal said Janik first told a worker that the BMW was already damaged when he rented it, but the employee told him it was
Two longtime San Diego lesbians are seeking lesbian military veterans from any branch of service who served any time between 1970 and 2000. The two women wish to gather as many lesbian veterans as they can to participate in a Zoom event on April 25, at 4:30 pm, PDT. Organizers of the Zoom, Kithie Gateley and Jill Waters, say the
See JOSH page 5
See BRIEFS page 16
People attending a vigil held at the three-way intersection (Normal Street, Park and El Cajon boulevards) where Josh was killed. (Photo by Eddie Reynoso)
The attorneys at the preliminary hearing told San Diego Superior Court Judge Steven Stone the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. San Diego Police officer Gabriel Torres said the driver ran a red light at 10:45 pm before striking Gilliland, who was not at fault. Detective Justin Beal said Janik’s vehicle was a rented
On April 6, the South Bay Youth Center (SBYC), part of the San Diego LGBT Community Center, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a celebration to not only commemorate the milestone but also honor its early steadfast supporters. The event was open to the public. “The South Bay Youth Center’s fifth anniversary is a celebration of our incredible South County LGBTQ+ community,” stated The Center’s CEO Cara Dessert in a press release about the event. “Queer and transgender youth need safe spaces to get help and create community, and The San Diego LGBT Community Center is proud to offer this center to our youth and families here in San Diego’s South County. We are committed to building the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, advocates, and change-makers in San Diego. Together, we can create a brighter future where every young person feels welcomed, valued, and supported.” The early supporters honored at the event included: Nora Vargas, chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, who received the Legendary Advocate of SBYC award; California State Senator Steve Padilla, who received the Legendary Role Model of SBYC award; former Chula Vista mayor Mary Salas, who received Legendary Friend of the SBYC award; and PFLAG San Diego County received the Legendary Community Partner of SBYC award. The South Bay Youth Center is a program of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, and provides a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 10 to 24. The youth center provides counseling, education, and community-building activities for ages 10 to 24. The SBYC staff aims to empower young individuals to thrive and embrace their authentic selves. SBYC is located at 1180 Third Ave., in Chula Vista. To learn more, follow them on IG @ southbayyouthcenter, or on Facebook.