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JUNE 6, 2023 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 17
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Paris Sukomi Max
in Arms
San Diego to Host Drag March for Trans Rights by Benny Cartwright
Benny Cartwright is back!
As states across the country propose bills that strip away the rights of transgender individuals and limit the freedom of expression for those in the drag community, a coalition of San Diego activists and drag entertainers decided to organize the San Diego March for Trans Rights, scheduled for Sunday, June 18.
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The stated purpose of the march is “to show support for the trans and non-binary community who continue to be under attack across the country.” In addition to the onslaught of legislation being proposed and passed, trans community members continue to report increased threats and harassment, which sometimes becomes fatal. The Human Rights Campaign reports that at least 11 transgender and gender non-conforming people have lost their lives in 2023 through violent means, including by guns and interpersonal violence.
See DRAG MARCH page 4
Foodie Flashes return
SPECTRUM NEWS BRIEFS
>> COMMUNITY P. 12
THE CENTER AWARDED $100K ‘CHALLENGE GRANT’
TALKING IN CIRCLES ABOUT STRIPES
Thoughts on Tina Turner
THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY: A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT IN LA MESA
b y Je n L o t h s p e i c h
A Pride flag gets raised in La Mesa, but not without controversy. (Photo by Jen Lothspeich)
As many La Mesans can attest to, realtor-turned-city councilmember Laura Lothian likes to cause drama. I’m not sure if it’s to distract from all the real issues at hand, or if she’s just one of those people without any real problems, so she has to create them.
Cara Dessert, CEO of The Center, identified San Diego Foundation’s recognition of the work The Center has been doing for LGBTQ youth as “incredibly rewarding.”
I have plenty of real problems – among them: being a newly-widowed, single mom to a toddler; recently losing a good friend and seeing her family suffer in the way I am; and watching politicians who actively try to take our small joys away. Whatever noble reason she had in mind, Lothian’s ill-conceived proposal to not fly a Pride flag at town hall in La Mesa during Pride month blew up in her face, leaving a trail of rainbow glitter in its wake.
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The challenge grant is basically a matching grant, but is contingent upon The Center raising $100,000 of its own for its recently opened Hillcrest Youth Center. “At San Diego Foundation, we have a vision for just, equitable and resilient communities,” said Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation, in a press release. “Our work will not be complete until everyone who calls San Diego home has the opportunity to prosper, thrive and feel like they belong. This grant acknowledges The Center’s important work with LGBTQ-identifying youth and young people in our region.”
>> ART OPENING P. 16
Spectacle in Mission Hills
The San Diego Foundation, a local nonprofit philanthropic organization, announced on May 12 at the annual Harvey Milk Breakfast that it was awarding a $100,000 challenge grant to the San Diego LGBT Community Center to “support outreach and programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth in San Diego.”
I could not be more proud of the place I was born and raised. Myself, my niece, and a few dozen other allies and queers crowded into the La Mesa Town Hall chamber on Tuesday, March 23, to offer fiery public comments opposing Lothian’s amendment
See FLAG page 2
“The San Diego LGBT Community’s Hillcrest Youth Center was established in 2000 as a drop-in resource center for high school youth, and since then we have expanded our services and now provide programs and support for youth ages 10 to 24,” Dessert said in a press release. “After 22 years of renting space, the Hillcrest Youth Center will now have a forever home in Hillcrest, which provides more than double the space of our former location. The challenge grant will be awarded once The Center
See BRIEFS page 2