Losangelesblade.com, Volume 05, Issue 02, January 08, 2021

‘Plague Rats’ overboard!

Vallarta circuit parties shock community, draw ire, PAGE 04

JANUARY 08, 2021 • VOLUME 05 • ISSUE 02 • AMERICA’S LGBTQ NEWS SOURCE • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

LOCAL

Senator-designate 0()1#20&3((0

(Photo via the State of California official YouTube channel)

Newsom fills Harris Senate seat with Padilla Strong track record championing LGBTQ equality !"#!$%&'#()*)+,-)

In a widely anticipated move to fill the U.S. Senate seat currently held by the departing Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he has chosen the state’s secretary of state, Alex Padilla.

Padilla and Newsom have had a long working relationship as elected officials in the Golden State. He will be the first Latino senator to represent California, the nation’s most populous state, which also has the largest Latino population in the nation.

“The son of Mexican immigrants — a cook and house cleaner — Alex Padilla worked his way from humble beginnings to the halls of MIT, the Los Angeles City Council and the State Senate, and has become a national defender of voting rights as California’s Secretary of State. Now, he will serve in the halls of our nation’s Capitol as California’s next United States Senator, the first Latino to hold this office,” said Newsom in a statement.

“Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts and grit, California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting up our state’s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic. He will be a Senator for all Californians,” the governor added.

Padilla has a strong track record as an elected official championing LGBTQ equality.

He publicly campaigned against Proposition 8 which called for a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. As a former state senator, he strongly supported the School Success and Opportunities Act, which protects transgender students and allows them to fully participate in school, and he earned a 100% Equality rating from Equality California in regard to his voting record when he served as a state senator.

This past August Padilla worked alongside the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Drag Out The Vote, that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy, naming drag performers as ambassadors to disseminate accurate and timely election information.

He also collaborated with the the Equality California Institute last Spring in a statewide effort to ensure transgender Californian’s voting rights were not violated in the early primary and later general election polling.

“Secretary Padilla has been a true ally to the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career and an exceptional partner to Equality California. Earlier this year, Secretary Padilla worked with Equality California to ensure that transgender and gendernonconforming Californians can vote free from discrimination or harassment. We couldn’t be prouder that a son of immigrants, a partner in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and a champion for free and fair elections — especially at a time like this — is headed to represent California in the United States Senate,” Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur said in a statement.

Padilla was sworn in as California’s first Latino Secretary of State on January 5, 2015 and was re-elected in 2018.

He has deep ties in Los Angeles growing up in the Latino majority area of Pacoima in the northeastern corner of the San Fernando Valley. After his graduation from San Fernando High School he won admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In 1994, after California voters passed Proposition 187, the sweeping antiimmigrant measure, his parents finally applied for citizenship and Padilla, now a recent MIT graduate, resolved to put an engineering career aside and dedicate his life to public service.

In his first run for elected office Padilla was elected to the Los Angeles City Council as a political outsider at the age of 26. Later, in 2001, Padilla’s LA city council colleagues elected him the youngest Council President in Los Angeles history. In 2006, he was elected to the State Senate to represent the more than 1 million people in the San Fernando Valley.

Since taking office as Secretary of State, Padilla has worked to make California’s elections more accessible and inclusive, while fighting to protect the integrity of the state’s voting systems. In this last election Padilla oversaw the largest mail-in ballot effort in California history, a result of the the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 21 million ballots that were sent to the state’s registered voters.

“Iam honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Newsom, and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians,” Padilla said in a statement released by Newsom’s office.

“From those struggling to make ends meet to the small businesses fighting to keep their doors open to the health care workers looking for relief, please know that I am going to the Senate to fight for you. We will get through this pandemic together and rebuild our economy in a way that doesn’t leave working families behind.”

Assemblymember Evan Low, Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, in an emailed statement on appointment of Secretary Alex Padilla to U.S. Senate noted; “The LGBTQ Caucus is thrilled with the governor’s decision to appoint Secretary Padilla to the U.S. Senate. During his time as California’s Secretary of State, Alex Padilla has passionately fought to protect transgender and gender-nonconforming voters’ access to the ballot box, supported same-sex marriage and championed inclusion by hiring a staff that represents California’s incredible diversity. Secretary Padilla is a worthy successor to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and we are certain he will represent our great state with honor and integrity. The LGBTQ Caucus cannot wait to continue working with him on issues affecting our community in the years to come.”

State Senator Scott Wiener, former chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus tweeted Tuesday upon learning of Newsom’s decision; “Congratulations @AlexPadilla4CA on your appointment to the U.S. Senate – the first Latino California Senator ever. I know you’ll make California proud.”

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • JANUARY 08, 2021 • ./

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TUNE IN OR STREAM

SUNDAY JAN 10 9PM

LOCAL

LA LGBT Center administers its first COVID-19 vaccinations #$%&'()%*)+,-.,(&-/&

Doctors and staff clapped after Keith Leach, a Black frontline healthcare worker at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination last week.

The first of 400 doses received by the Center, it was dispensed by Dr. Ward Carpenter, co-director of health services at the Center’s McDonald/Wright Building located on North Schrader Blvd.

Leach told the Blade that he felt “great and happy” after receiving the vaccine. He then highlighted the fact that, for the Black community, it might be difficult to accept the vaccine due to the racist history of the healthcare industry, but he recommends that everyone get the vaccine.

“Seeing so many people in [the Black] community being disproportionately affected by the virus, I know I needed to get the vaccine,” he said.

Dr. Carpenter said, “It’s exciting. It’s the day we give the vaccines. It feels like the dawn of an era.”

The Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Bolan, told the Blade that the Center’s doctors administering the vaccines believe that this is a clear step in the right direction to mitigating the impacts of COVID-19. “It’s amazing,” Bolan said, “it feels like how it felt after the first HIV treatment was given to the public.”

The Center had acquired the deep freeze capabilities to store the vaccines a few weeks ago according to Lorri Jean, CEO of the Center. In an emailed statement Jean told the Blade that “[The Center] has the capacity to store 100,000 doses. But we have no idea how many doses we will receive.”

“We have more than 400 front line staff. We have 355 employees in health services alone, and per the direction of the governing authorities, anyone working with them (e.g., security and maintenance staff) is included in the vaccines– that’s the way to ensure that they’re all protected,” Jean said in response to a Blade query as to the numbers of Center personnel slated to receive the vaccinations.

“We’ve also succeeded in getting our senior housing facility, Triangle Square, deemed equivalent to a congregate care facility and all of our senior services staff are considered front line staff. All of this means that they’ll be in the first group of people receiving vaccines,” she said.

“The Department of Public Health will be conducting those vaccinations (of residents and staff), we’ve been told some time this week (unless that has changed since I knew last week). We hope to secure a similar designation for our youth services workers who are on site with youth residents,” she added.

The Blade asked about the Center’s deep freeze capacity and whether or not it was officially designated a storage facility by the LA County Public Health Department for the Pfizer vaccine in addition to the Moderna vaccine.

Darrel Cummings, the Center’s chief of staff, responded, “While we received the Moderna vaccine, we have appropriate refrigeration for the Pfizer or other vaccines that require much lower temps for storage. We are an approved distribution site but I don’t believe we have been approved as a storage site.”

Cummings also noted, “Vaccines were delivered to us for

SANTA CLARITAí S NEWEST

SKINCARE EXPERT

+(011/2%*+31 watches as the Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Bolan, administer vaccines.

(Blade Photo by Noah Christiansen)

the purposes of vaccinating healthcare workers only. Should there be any leftover doses, we are required to return those to public health for use by other healthcare organizations.

We cannot choose to provide them to others who do not work in our healthcare programs. We will receive the same number of booster vaccine doses as we have with the first dose and they will arrive in a time appropriate manner.”

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1##4% '(-.% :/4/-1/% =*:7#7?% <:(")7% !*/=9#@+% 9)7% JE#% 9*0% *% 2-"% -'% #/#.)#7% "9*"% ,#-,2#% 0-/8"% ,*("/#(% */0% 9:7;*/0% -'% AB% 6#*(7+% 1*7% 9-.#% *"% "9#% (#.#.;#(+% */0% G-9/% R()557% )7% *% /*.#% "9*"% ,#-,2#% ").#?%&'()*"%1*7%CD? 79-:20% /-"% '-(5#"?% F#% 1*7% "9#% H-/*20% W(:.,% -'% &""-(/#6%*/0%'-(.#(%E#7"%F-2261--0%<)"6%<-:/=)2% Orange County of the 1970s,” Afriat said on “Sidebar,”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n 1980, Afriat ran unsuccessfully for a state 2-$#0%9).%*/0%4/#1%9#%2-$#0%.#?K &77#.;26%7#*"%;:"%.#"%U?&?%<)"6%<-:/=)2%.#.;#(%[#$% :/K(!+"3+.''$5.(L$&%"+K(!+.'$-.,%(.%(/#0).(/)((M+$30%N(O$%0 /1'2'#%3&4%1 ",( H:(*/87% ,-7"% 1*7% )..#0)*"#26% 0#2:5#0% 1)"9% S*(-72*$746%)/%"9#%,(-=#77?%S*(-72*$746%7:;7#T:#/"26% P").,Q'(;R*/#$%K(=/K($,(6*3*'%(IFJS>((M!0"%"(5$/(B"0,'",(",(61+$/%Q'(T/&.U""V(2/3.>N =-..#/"7%'(-.%*(-:/0%"9#%7"*"#+%)/=2:0)/5%'(-.%G-9/% hired him as chief of staff in 1983 and the two became &?%P#(#@+%5*6%!,#*4#(%Q.#()":7%*"%<*2)'-(/)*%!"*"#%&77#.;26+%<*2)'-(/)*%!"*"#%<-/"(-22#(%R#""6%S##+% '*7"%'()#/07? gay LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and 2012 gay Republican presidential aspirant Fred Karger.

JM%79-1#0%:,%*"%<)"6%F*22%*/0%*22%-'%*%7:00#/%1#%9*$#%*/%&MH!%=()7)7%*/0%)"%).,*="#0%[#$87%0)7"()="% “Steve Afriat was the political guru for numerous LGBT elected officials, candidates and activists. significantly,” Afriat said on “Sidebar.” Yaroslavsky chaired the city Budget and Finance committee His work spanned decades from fighting homophobic LaRouche initiatives, incorporating and *"%*%").#%19#/%J"9#(#%1#(#%/-"%"9(##%'()#/026%$-"#7%-/%"9#%R-*(0%-'%!:,#($)7-(7K%-(%*%,(-35*6% ;:)20)/5% E#7"% F-2261--0% "-% 7#($)/5% -/% "9#% QT:*2)"6% <*2)'-(/)*% ;-*(0% "-% *0$*/=#% UVRW% ()59"7+K% .*Z-()"6%)/%"9#%7"*"#%2#5)72*":(#?

H:(*/%"#227%"9#%R2*0#?%JF#%1*7%"9#%9#2,':2%#*(%"-%7-%.*/6%UVRW%,-2)")=-7%O%9)7%=*2.%1)70-.%1)22% “We got the first initial funding for AIDS Project Los Angeles. It wasn’t a lot of money — just to ;#%7-(#26%.)77#0? do outreach, help them pay their rent and begin to figure out a way to start educating people Rep. Mark Takano, the first out gay member of Congress of color, called Afriat a “wonderful because back in 1983, I don’t think any of us were fully educated.” ,#(7-/K%)/%*%=-..#/"%-/%&'()*"87%I*=#;--4%,*5#%)/%*%,-7"%;6%5*6%P(-5(#77)$#%X)="-(6%P(#7)0#/"% Two years later, Afriat’s close friend Craig Miller asked for help producing the first APLA AIDS F*/7%G-9/7-/?%&'()*"87%,*77)/5+%G-9/7-/%7*)0+%J2#*$#7%*%5()#$-:7%5*,%-/%"9#%=)$)=%2*/07=*,#?K%W9*"% Walk on July 28, 1985. “I played a role in securing Paramount Studios and helping with some 2*/07=*,#% )/=2:0#7% :79#()/5% "9(-:59% "9#% 5-$#(/.#/"*2% .*@#% 7:=9% '*.-:7% E#7"% F-2261--0% ,#(.)"% )77:#7% */0+% -'% =-:(7#+% 0-)/5% *% 2-"% -'% 7"(*"#56+K% )/=2:0)/5% 7#=:()/5% */0% )/"(-0:=)/5% U?&?% landmarks as the Pacific Design Center, SOHO House, and The London West Hollywood.

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78469:;7;4<76=;>?8@(A(B69C6DE(FGH(IFIJ(A ,-

LOCAL

Viral tsunami as hospitals, funeral homes in crisis Police bust parties, make arrests on New Year’s Eve #$%#&'()%*+,+-./+

!"#$%&'()*+',)$(&-.$/($0&)$(&1(,$%2"#&+'(&+'.30)"10&.4&5(.5*(&),$.00&+'(&#$()+($&6.0& Angeles region who defied Public Health orders by attending underground New Year’s 78(& 5)$+2(09& (8("& )0& +'(& ,.$.")82$30& 5)"1(:2,& ,$2020& ')0& ".-& .8($-'(*:(1& ;.3+'($"& California’s healthcare systems and funeral homes.

The Blade spoke to several ICU and other healthcare staff members at Cedars Sinai and at the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. All condemned the actions of their fellow Angelenos who were arrested or cited for violating the health order that forbids associating with others outside of their immediate household and no large gatherings.

Dr. Anish Mahajan, the Chief Medical Officer for Harbor-UCLA Medical Center told NBC News, “The risk that you take will result in death of somebody else in your community.”

The impact on Southern California’s healthcare system that one infectious disease specialist, Dr. Robert Kim-Farley from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, described as a ‘viral tsunami’ has now resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers being called in to assist in overhauling the hi-flow oxygen delivery systems of six older county hospitals that are crippled by the staggering number of patients requiring oxygen on an already overtaxed system.

The LAPD broke up at least eight New Year’s Eve gatherings involving more than 2,000 5(.5*(& 1.-"+.-"& )"1& 2"& +'(& 03$$.3"12"#& )$()9& 2",*312"#& ."(& -)$('.30(& 5)$+%& -'($(& more than 1,000 people were dispersed.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer had asked the web-based Eventbrite to remove invitations to New Year’s Eve parties from its website. There have been several dozen invitations posted over the past several weeks, many of which specified that ‘time & location’ would be disclosed upon purchase of a ticket.

An LAPD source confirmed to the Blade that the department has ramped up its capabilities and added additional manpower to respond to any gatherings that run afoul of the public health orders.

“I have made it clear that we will seek out and take law enforcement action against all ‘Super-Spreader’ events occurring anywhere within Los Angeles County,” Sheriff Alex

!"#$%#&'$()*'$+)',$-*)./$*($01231##)/$4355$#6&57&%#$%"#$*8,2#1$ /,/%#'/$&%$%"#$(*55*4312$9*71%,$"*/.3%&5/: • Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, Los Angeles; • Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital, West Covina; • Mission Community Hospital, Panorama City; • Beverly Community Hospital, Montebello; • Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Lakewood; • PIH Health Hospital, Downey.

“By working to upgrade challenged oxygen delivery systems at these older hospitals we can improve the ability to deliver life sustaining medical care to those who need it,” said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

LA county’s health services director, Dr. Christina Ghaly, said that some hospitals’ pipes cannot maintain sufficient pressure and might even freeze. <)+'%&<'21(0+($9&12$(,+.$&.4&+'(&6.0&!"#(*(0&<.3"+%&7:($#(",%&=(12,)*&;($82,(0&!#(",%& noted in an email: “We have deployed makeshift wards which are being set up in tents, arenas, classrooms and conference rooms. Ambulances are being forced to wait in bays as long as eight hours before having the ability to transfer patients inside hospitals — and in some cases, doctors were treating patients inside ambulances. We’re running out of ambulances, and our response to 911 calls is getting longer and longer.”

Against this backdrop the area’s funeral homes are also under siege. “I’ve been in the funeral industry for 40 years and never in my life did I think that this could happen, that I’d have to tell a family, ‘No, we can’t take your family member,’ ” Magda Maldonado, owner of Continental Funeral Home in Los Angeles, told the Associated Press.

Continental is averaging about 30 body removals a day — six times its normal rate.

Mortuary owners are calling one another to see whether anyone can handle overflow, and the answer is always the same: They’re full, too.

In order to keep up with the flood of bodies, Maldonado told the AP that she rented extra 50-foot refrigerators for two of the four facilities she runs in LA and surrounding counties. Continental has also been delaying pickups at hospitals for a day or two while they deal with residential clients.

The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments spent the New Year’s holiday period dispersing, detaining or arresting several thousand individuals breaking up illegal gatherings. According to Lt. Raul Jovel, an LAPD spokesman, police investigative teams were “all monitoring social media” this week to identify planned parties. Jovel noted that their task was made extremely difficult because party hosts “are getting smarter,” he said. !" • JANUARY 08, 2021 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

LA hospitals and funeral homes are overwhelmed as the COVID crisis escalates.

(Photo courtesy Los Angeles County)

Villanueva said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said they broke up at least five parties involving more than 900 people — including at a rented house, a vacant warehouse, a hotel and a closed business.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported a total of 806,210 confirmed COVID-19 cases across Los Angeles County and a total of 10,682 deaths as 138 new deaths and 15,701 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County were reported on Saturday.

There are 7,627 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 21% of these people are in the ICU. This is an increase of more than 850 patients since last Saturday, December 26, when the daily number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 6,770.

According to the California Department of Health, the Southern California Region continues to have 0% ICU capacity remaining. The only path that will reduce the demand on hospital care is to decrease the number of people becoming newly infected with COVID-19.

NATIONAL &=>%=?@#A=&+*$B defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler, HI%(I"*(J)*I0K("$+,-+#"$*(L02,*L"+,%$;

!"#$%&'(%)*+*("$+,-+#"$*( ,$&)./0$+(,$(10%#2," State’s runoff results could herald ."=+"&'+,.+>')7,./($. !"#$%&'(#)*%+(*+#, -./012/13452067589:-/;

!"#$%&'()*+)",-,./+$.+#$#".(0#+'1("&+2&"),3".(+4&0#56)+)7$%8,./+57$."+%'99+ urging Georgia state officials to “find” votes for him to reverse his election loss, scored a win Tuesday night in a run-off election in Georgia for two U.S. Senate seats, disrupting the narrative Democrats are unable to win in the Deep South.

Raphael Warnock defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler, making him the person Black person elected as U.S. senator in Georgia. The Associated Press declared victory for Warnock at 2 a.m. after votes were tabulated throughout the evening. Jon Ossoff holds a narrow lead over Sen. David Perdue, although the race wasn’t called as of Wednesday morning. (Visit washingtonblade.com for updates.)

If Ossoff pulls off a win, he and Warnock will make history as Democrats in the Deep South and set up a 50-50 split in the U.S. Senate weeks after Biden became the first Democrat in a presidential election to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992.

The loss for Loeffler was a particular win for the LGBTQ community: The Republican senator had introduced the Protection of Women & Girls Sports Act, legislation that would bar transgender girls from participating in school sports under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1952. Outgoing Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Warnock won 50.6 percent of the vote against Loeffler, who captured 49.4 percent. Meanwhile, Ossoff captured 50.2 percent of the vote in his race against Perdue, who claimed 49.8 percent. The run-off races were triggered after none of the candidates won a majority of the vote on Nov. 3 in the general election.

No data directly correlates Trump’s call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Sunday, which was criticized as an illegal attempt to overturn the 2020 election, with the loss of Republicans during the run-off election.

In fact, the call arguably energized Republicans who turned out to vote in the run-off, 75 percent of whom said they believed Trump’s loss in the election was fraudulent, according to a poll from the Associated Press. Each of Trump’s claims over voter fraud have been rejected as false and baseless.

But as the votes were counted, analysts said turnout made the difference.

Ossoff and Warnock did better than even Biden in predominantly Black areas of the state, such as Macon County, where voters came to the polls at nearly the same rates as they did on Nov. 3. Meanwhile, Republican turnout was depressed in comparison to the general election when Trump narrowly lost the state.

“It turns out when your coalition depends so much on one person (Donald Trump) driving turnout, there are some big downside risks when that person isn’t on the ballot,” wrote Dave Wasserman, editor of the Cook Political Report, on Twitter.

According to an internal memo with the Human Rights Campaign shared with the Washington Blade on Tuesday, voters in Georgia who prioritize LGBTQ

&,/7()*+%'99"3+“Equality Voters,” also turned out at higher rates compared to the general public in the state, at least in terms of early voting. A majority of “:;0'9,(<+ Voters” voted, 52 percent, took part in early voting, compared to 40 percent of the general public.

If Warnock ends up being the only Democrat who wins in the run-off and Ossoff’s lead is reversed, the Senate will be 51-49 with a Republican majority and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in charge and able to substantially block Biden’s agenda.

But if both Democrats end up winning, the Senate will be split 50-50. When Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is sworn in on Jan. 20, she would cast the deciding vote in Senate leadership, forcing McConnell to hand over control to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Democrats, at that point, would have control of both chambers of Congress, if narrowly in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, and the White House, giving President-elect Joe Biden a real opportunity to enact his legislative agenda.

Among the bills on Biden’s agenda is the Equality Act, which would expand the prohibition on anti-LGBTQ discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Biden has said the bill would be his No. 1 legislative priority and he’d sign it into law within the first 100 days of his administration.

Currently, the legislative filibuster has remained in place, despite elimination by both Democratic and Republican leaders of the filibuster for judicial nominees.

As a result, 60 votes are needed to move forward with debate on any particular bill in the event a single senator objects. Even with Democratic wins in Georgia, senators could invoke the filibuster to thwart Biden’s legislative agenda.

Democrats, including former President Obama, have proposed eliminating the filibuster, calling it a relic of structural racism that has been used to thwart civil rights legislation. It remains to be seen if Democrats will pull the trigger and put an end to the filibuster, which would require a majority vote in the Senate.

Talk has also emerged about not eliminating the filibuster, but changing the Byrd rule, which allows the Senate to vote on budget reconciliation matters with a simple majority. Under this proposal, the rule change would allow more policy related items to be eligible for the Byrd rule.

Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the LGBTQ media watchdog GLAAD, commended the Democrats for their apparent shared win in a statement.

“It’s clear the voters of Georgia support a pro-equality agenda at the White House and in the U.S. Senate,” Ellis said. “We congratulate Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and we look forward to working with them and President-elect Biden to secure comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people that an overwhelming majority of Americans already support. We are counting on their commitment to support the Equality Act, protecting LGBTQ people in Georgia and across the country from discrimination.”

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INTERNATIONAL

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National Electoral Council develop protocols to ensure trans !" #$%&'()(*" *$+(,-)(.)$" +/*'0',*" '(" 1%2%&3'+" .')." %(" 1%2%&3'+(,"/+("0%*):"$)-+$.2),,"%;"*C)'$"-)(.)$"'.)(*'*67 4+*5$.+67 9)'(,*)'("%0)$"*C)"2+,*"6)+$"F%$K)."F'*C"*C)">2%3+2"<5(."*%" 8+5$+" 9)'(,*)'(:" .'$)/*%$" %;" <5(.+/'=(" >$5#%" .)" !//'=(" 6" Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to reduce HIV rates among !#%6%"+"?)$,%(+,"@$+(,"A>!!@B:"+"*$+(,"$'-C*,"-$%5#"3+,)."'(" N)()I5)2+(,"FC%"C+0)"&'-$+*)."*%"1%2%&3'+7"1+,*+M).+",+'." *C)"1%2%&3'+("/+#'*+2"%;"D%-%*E:"#+,,)."+F+6";%5$".+6,"+;*)$" ,C)"F%$K)."F'*C"*$+(,"F%&)("+(."'("#+$*'/52+$",)O"F%$K)$,7 she was hospitalized with difficulty breathing.

1+,*+M).+" (%*)." 9)'(,*)'(" +" ;)F" &%(*C," +-%" 2+5(/C)." +" GH" C+0)" 3))(" C%,#'*+2'I)." ,'(/)" 6),*)$.+6" 3)/+5,)" %;" /+&#+'-("'("D%-%*E"*%",5##%$*"*$+(,"F%&)("+(."N)()I5)2+(" breathing difficulties,” tweeted Weinstein on Dec. 31. “They &'-$+(*,7" 9)'(,*)'(" F+," +2,%" +&%(-" *C)" 1%2%&3'+(" 8>D@J" gave me a COVID test and we are waiting for the results, but activists who backed the 2016 peace deal between the (%*"3)'(-"+32)"*%"3$)+*C"',",%&)*C'(-"*C+*"H"()0)$"F',C"5#%(" -%0)$(&)(*"+(."*C)"P)0%25*'%(+$6"!$&)."<%$/),"%;"1%2%&3'+" anyone.” *C+*")(.)."*C)"/%5(*$6L,".)/+.),Q2%(-"/'0'2"F+$7 Wilson Castañeda Castro, director of Caribe Afirmativo, an G9)" F'22" +2F+6," $)&)&3)$" C)$" +," +" -$)+*" +226:" ;$')(." +(."

8>D@J" +.0%/+/6" -$%5#" *C+*" F%$K," '(" +$)+," +2%(-" 1%2%&3'+L," tireless worker for human rights,” tweeted Colombia Diversa, 1+$'33)+("/%+,*:"%("4+*5$.+6"*%2."*C)"9+,C'(-*%("D2+.)"*C+*" '%0,%(1&"2-3&"2!!!N8L:?:!C<@!O><=A?><=MA!P@B>E::Q!J@H>R +(%*C)$"1%2%&3'+("8>D@J"+.0%/+/6"-$%5#7 9)'(,*)'(L,"/%$%(+0'$5,"*),*"/+&)"3+/K"()-+*'0)7 @+*'+(+"?'M)$%,:"+"*$+(,"F%&+("FC%"$+(";%$"*C)"1%2%&3'+(" 9)'(,*)'("C+."#$)0'%5,26";%5-C*"/+(/)$7"1+,*+M).+"*%2."*C)" Senate in 2018, described Weinstein’s death to the Blade as a “big loss.” Mauricio Toro, who is D2+.)"C)$"C)+2*C"C+.".)*)$'%$+*)."'("$)/)(*"&%(*C,7 the first openly gay man elected to the Colombian House of Representatives, is among those “We mourn the death of GAAT Director Laura Weinstein,” tweeted Caribe Afirmativo on FC%"+2,%"&%5$()."9)'(,*)'(L,"#+,,'(-7 Saturday. “The joint work and collaborative effort for all these years forged a great friendship “Her fight and her inspiration will endure forever,” he tweeted. between us and her! We are devastated.” !"#$%&'()*('%+&,Castañeda told the Blade that GAAT and Caribe Afirmativo in November requested Colombia’s

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H&&'-$+*'%("+5*C%$'*'),"'("*C)"1+6&+("H,2+(.,"C+0)"$)/%-('I)."*C)"&+$$'+-)"%;"+",+&)Q,)O" /%5#2)"FC%"2)-+226"&+$$')."%5*,'.)"%;"*C)"D$'*',C"*)$$'*%$67 The Cayman Compass newspaper on Dec. 23 reported Paul Pearson and Randall Pinder 2)-+226"&+$$')."'("H$)2+(.7 @C)" 1+6&+('+(" 4*+*5," +(." ?)$&+()(*" P),'.)(/6" D%+$." .)(')." *C)" /%5#2)L," +##2'/+*'%(" to have Pinder acknowledged as a “spouse of a permanent residency holder” on grounds the Cayman Islands’ Constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The H&&'-$+*'%("!##)+2,"@$'35(+2"2+,*"F))K"%0)$*5$()."*C)"3%+$.L,".)/','%(7 GP)/%-('I'(-" %##%,'*)Q,)O" ;%$)'-(" &+$$'+-)," +(." ;+'2'(-" *%" $)/%-('I)" ,+&)Q,)O" ;%$)'-(" marriages would be affording different and unjustifiable treatment to different persons on the grounds of sexual orientation,” states the ruling in the couple’s favor.

Cayman Islands Grand Court Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in March 2019 struck down the *)$$'*%$6L,",+&)Q,)O"&+$$'+-)"3+(7"@C)"1+6&+("H,2+(.,"1%5$*"%;"!##)+2"+";)F"&%(*C,"2+*)$" %0)$*5$()."*C)"$52'(-7 The territory’s Civil Partnership Law took effect in September. !"#$%&'()*('%+&,-

Lawmakers in Switzerland late last month gave final approval to a marriage equality bill first '(*$%.5/).",)0)("6)+$,"+-%7 The “Marriage for All” legislation passed in the National Council, which is the Federal Assembly’s lower house, by a 136-48 vote margin, even with the conservative Swiss People’s Party holding a 53-seat majority. The Council of States, the Federal Assembly’s upper house, approved the bill by a 24-11 vote margin.

A survey that Pink Cross, a Swiss LGBTQ advocacy group, conducted in February found 81 percent of Swiss voters support same-sex marriage, including 67 percent of respondents who ,+'."*C)6"+$)"&)&3)$,"%;"*C)"4F',,"?)%#2)L,"?+$*67 ILGA-Europe Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel also told the Blade that her organization supports Switzerland’s hard-fought vote, which now aligns them with most of western Europe in terms of marriage equality, but noted “rainbow families” still face challenges.

Von Känel said the next step is to challenge barriers to same-sex parents to adopting /C'2.$)(:"#+$*'/52+$26"*C%,)"3%$("+3$%+.7 4$"'"4(+%2(-'553&2

$FC:B@BG!H9:IJA!AI>!:C>9!KF>@?L!?:!@AGDI;M!9ID> Immigrant advocacy groups in a federal lawsuit they filed last month say the Trump administration’s “death to asylum” rule would make it nearly impossible for members of the LGBTQ community and people with HIV/AIDS to seek asylum in the U.S. Immigration Equality, the TransLatin@ Coalition, the Transgender Law Center, Oasis Legal Services and the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and outgoing U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr are +&%(-"*C)"(+&).".);)(.+(*,7 Lambda Legal represents the lawsuit’s plaintiffs.

A press release that announced the lawsuit says the new Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department rule that takes effect on Jan. 11 “eliminates eligibility for asylum to anyone with a gender-based claim.” The lawsuit itself notes this change “has the potential for altogether eliminating asylum relief for LGBTQ/H (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and people with HIV) applicants.”

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of individualized personal animus,” notes the lawsuit. “This measure will devastate the many LGBTQ/H asylum applicants who have faced persecution at the hands of people who act on societally and governmentally sanctioned animosities against LGBTQ/H people.”

The lawsuit also says the rule “further harms LGBTQ/H asylum seekers by sharply 2'&'*'(-" *C)" /'$/5&,*+(/)," '(" FC'/C" +##2'/+(*," &+6" /2+'&" +,625&" +;*)$" #+,,'(-" *C$%5-C" third countries (many of which are as persecutory of LGBTQ/H individuals as claimants’ home countries) or after being in the United States for more than one year (even though many LGBTQ/H claimants experience circumstances that render their claims timely).”

The lawsuit’s introduction also contains a portion “The New Colossus,” an Emma Lazarus poem inscribed on a plaque placed on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal.

“Many transgender and gender nonconforming Latinx people face unimaginable violence, persecution and torture around the world,” said TransLatin@ Coalition President Bamby 4+2/).%" '(" *C)" #$),," $)2)+,)" *C+*" +((%5(/)." *C)" 2+F,5'*7" G@C)" &+R%$'*6" %;" *$+(,-)(.)$" women who seek refuge in the United States from these serious threats have nowhere else to go.” !"#$%&'()*('%+&,-

WILL YOU SHOW OFF YOUR BANDAID?

GET VACCINATED

!""#!$%&'(#)!*

!"#$%$&'(!)$#*!+$&(,+#,-#(.$#/0(!1,#23'04!(5# 644!01&$#01*#"$+)$"#0"#0#7,'1&!4#8$89$+# -,+#(.$#7!(5#,-#:'1(!1;(,1#<0+=>#704!-?

/89:!;<=8>!?@ABC!;<D8!<@B;=8>!D!EF<=;C!GDA;:H! =B!D;;C8I=8>!@8C Defying COVID restrictions, gay revelers endanger community

I first visited Puerto Vallarta 20 years ago with my then boyfriend. It was an amazing experience where we got to enjoy the Mexican culture (my culture), the food, scenery and most importantly the people. It was the first time I traveled to a tourist destination as an out gay man. Having recently come out and being Mexican-American and Catholic, I still struggled with acceptance from within my LatinX culture, faith, and community.

At the time, the LGBTQ community was not thinking of “marriage equality” – we lived with AIDS stigma, legal discrimination and without the vast support by corporate America we enjoy today. What we did have was our friends, our fight, Circus/Arena and Puerto Vallarta.

Even back in the ’90s, Puerto Vallarta was known as an LGBTQ destination.

Friends who visited excitedly shared how friendly and welcoming the people of the Mexican Riviera were to them. To me, it was more about a place to drink, dance, and enjoy. Puerto Vallarta represented my culture, faith, and my identity.

It is located in the state of Jalisco where my dad grew up in nearby Guadalajara.

My roots are embedded in the Catholic faith of this country. Knowing the people of Puerto Vallarta could welcome the LGBTQ community to their town and treat them with respect gave me hope that I would be accepted more within my own LatinX community in Southeast Los Angeles.

However, today we are fighting a worldwide pandemic. We are in the midst of the “2nd wave” surge of COVID-19 to which we have already lost over 350,000 Americans! With the highest infection, hospitalization, and death rates, L.A. County Latino residents are now infected with the virus at more than double the rate of white residents, data show.

Hospitals and morgues are overwhelmed and Latin America, including Mexico, is seeing similar outcomes without the advanced healthcare system we have in the U.S. making their struggle to survive COVID even worse than ours.

More and more, I see Facebook friends’ post of a tía, mother or abuela who has died from the “Rona.” It is hitting my LatinX community hard and it is spreading through households where at least one member continues to work outside the home where they are exposed to the virus.

With that in mind, consider my shock and disappointment in hearing that my !"!"!#$%&$'(!)*+!,),-!"!./0$%12.203.$4256/7

own LGBTQ community is disregarding warnings about the COVID rampage by promoting and sponsoring a “White Party” in Puerto Vallarta for New Year’s Eve! Worse, when local authorities objected, the promoter, Jeffery Sanker, bypassed additional warnings by moving to a secret location and asking attendees to keep it on the down low.

Sanker and his White Party Entertainment group, although having cancelled or gone online with gay circuit events in Coachella and Palm Springs earlier in the year, has in effect decided its business interests are more important.

This is a slap in the face to Mexico and the beautiful people of the country for thinking you are entitled and privileged to host, sponsor and attend large gay circuit parties in Puerto Vallarta putting the people of that community, that for so many years have so graciously welcomed you with open arms, at risk for COVID-19.

As the surge and deaths increased in both the United States and Mexico, the promoter had the opportunity to lead and show our LGBTQ gratitude to the people of Puerto Vallarta by canceling the events. Instead the promoter tried to hide behind a veil of secrecy then flew back safely on a private jet leaving the people of Mexico and the event attendees at greater risk for infection in the wake the NYE super-spreader event.

Now, as hundreds of privileged gay boys return to cities like Los Angeles and West Hollywood with the virus, our people here are at risk too. A risk that will spread to already devastated communities like Boyle Heights and South LA, including my hometown of Huntington Park.

It is time for the LGBTQ community, including party promoters, sponsors and those who frequent gay circuit parties, to step up and be socially responsible! We are all fatigued of COVID but that is no reason to throw caution to the wind now.

!"#$%"#&'()* !+,-./01$2#0* !"#$%3'41* !5$6789

V O L UM E 05 IS S U E 02 !""#$%% 5455 Wilshire Blvd, 21st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036 &'()$ 310-230-5266 $*+!,-.tmasters@losangelesblade.com ,)/$#)$/.losangelesblade.com &01-,%'$".12.Los Angeles Blade, LLC &01-,%'$# TROY MASTERS tmasters@losangelesblade.com 310-230-5266 x8080 (o), 917-406-1619 (c) %!-$%.3.+!#4$/,)5 %!-$%.$6$70/,8$ !"#$%&%$'$!!())( *+,-./0+1-.2303140-5367+, 89:;<8=;8:>> &!-+.%&#,)5%.!77(0)/.$6$7 BRAD FUHR, 760-813-2020. brad@gaydesertguide.com )!/,()!-.!"8$#/,%,)5 RIVENDELL MEDIA sales@rivendellmedia.com, 212-242-6863 +!#4$/,)5.",#$7/(# STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com, 202-747-2077 x8077 $",/(#,!7()/#,10/,)5.9#,/$# KAREN OCAMB karenocamb@losangelesblade.com )!/,()!-.$",/(# KEVIN NAFF knaff@washblade.com, 202-747-2077 x8088 ,)/$#)!/,()!-.$",/(# MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com $",/(#.!/.-!#5$ BRODY LEVESQUE California 7()/#,10/(#%

ERNESTO VALLE, YARIEL VALDÉS GONZALEZ, PARKER PURIFOY, CHRISTOPHER KANE, AUSTIN MENDOZA, JOHN PAUL KING, JOEY DIGUGLIELMO, CHRIS JOHNSON, LOU CHIBBARO JR., MARIAH COOPER, REBEKAH SAGER, JON DAVIDSON, SUSAN HORNIK, CHANNING SARGENT, SAMSON AMORE, CHRISTOPHER CAPPIELLO, MICHAEL JORTNER, DAN ALLEN, SEAN SHEALY, SCOTT STIFFLER

.&-(+'/-%0-1'*)23&405.+'4) $?(!@!($)A'(6@"# ",%/#,10/,() CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, 562-826-6602

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Picking Pete over other more qualified LGBTQ officials is 5"*#(*&0334$"-&("26 #$%#&'()%*('+,-&

!"#$%&'#($)"($*+#$,#-"./0*&.$("-&(0*&"(1$0('$23*&-0*#34$ *+#$5/#6&'#(.41$("*$"(34$7#.026#$+#$)06(8*$,"(03'$9/2-5$ 72*$7#.026#$+#$036"$."(:&(.#'$#("2;+$6)&(;$6*0*#$:"*#/6$ *+0*$ +#$ )06(8*$ %#/(&#$ <0('#/6=$ >#86$ 0$ .#(*/&6*$ )&*+$ 0($ agenda that first allayed the fears of moderate Democrats 0('$*+#($*+#&/$?#5273&.0($."2(*#/50/*6= 9+#$%&'#(@>0//&6$.0-50&;($#-5+06&A#'$&*6$5"3&*&.03$7"(0$ fides as centrists with its pushback against the charges of “socialism” Trump levied on the ticket before Election Day. Yet, even after the Electoral College had formalized Biden’s #3#.*&"(1$*+#$B/#6&'#(*@#3#.*$-0'#$62/#$*"$/#-&('$/#5"/*#/6$ his centrism wasn’t just for show. He told them he’s as ready to fight the left wing of his own party as he is to fight Republicans, referring to his primary opponents by saying “I respectfully suggest that I beat the hell out of everyone #36#=C Not surprisingly, Biden’s immediate political focus will be to attempt a hard reboot to January 2017. Much of his presidency will be defined by his success in restoring the 6*0*26$ D2"$ 0(*#$ E$ /#:#/6&(;$ 9/2-5686$ *0F$ .2*61$ 0.*&"(6$ "($ &--&;/0*&"(1$ #(:&/"(-#(*03$ 5"3&.&#61$ 0('$ #F#.2*&:#$ "/'#/61$&(.32'&(;$-&3&*0/4$'&/#.*&:#61$*+0*$2('#/-&(#'$("(@ discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans.

For those of us in the broader LGBTQ community, there’s 3&**3#$ /#06"($ *"$ &-0;&(#$ )#833$ 7#$ &($ 0$ 6276*0(*&0334$ 7#**#/$ position at the end of Biden’s administration than we were at the end of Obama’s. Despite a lengthy and detailed campaign platform, including a promise to make passage of the Equality Act a legislative priority during his first 100 days in office, Biden’s in no position to advance anything through a Republican Senate, assuming Democrats fail to pick up the two Georgia seats this week. And with the selection of Pete Buttigieg for a place in his Cabinet, he’s signaling that he already knows it.

By naming Buttigieg to be his Secretary of Transportation, Biden kept his promise of putting an LGBTQ-identified person in the Cabinet — certainly an historic event and a praiseworthy demonstration of commitment to his ideals.

But there are other prominent, and far more qualified LGBTQ people in public life whom Biden could have chosen to lead the Department of Transportation. Sean Patrick Maloney is one of them. He’s a congressman from New York who’s served in the House of Representatives for eight years and is a member of its Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Another is Anise Parker who currently leads the LGBTQ Victory Fund and formerly served as both mayor and controller of the City of Houston.

Buttigieg, distinct from the rest, offers Biden a high degree of complaisance. Being eager to serve the interests of those in power who might promote his own station, Buttigieg can be expected to dutifully appear on behalf of the administration whenever someone is required to rationalize the lack of White House action on behalf of LGBTQ Americans.

Biden will subsume all of Pete’s short political career — 03"(;$ )&*+$ +&6$ -0//&0;#$ E$ &(*"$ 0$ 30/;#/$ 6*"/4$ 0/.$ )+#/#$ President Biden, not President Obama, becomes the main political figure in realizing LGBTQ equality since 1996. As a 6#(&"/$ -#-7#/$ &(6&'#$ *+#$ %&'#($ 0'-&(&6*/0*&"(1$ %2**&;&#;$ will be used as a symbol to solidify Biden’s narrative of pushing Obama toward backing gay marriage in 2012.

Whenever possible, Pete will be the benchmark against which Biden measures the history of our movement for equality, his role in it, and his future ambitions for LGBTQ people (even if his presidency achieves none of them).

Unlike the openly LGBTQ members of Congress and governors whom Biden could have selected as Cabinet officials, Pete’s political career was otherwise at an apparent end. Elevating Pete over the rest makes Biden the hero who acts on behalf of LGBTQ people. What we might 0.."-53&6+$6#50/0*#341$0('$"2*6&'#$*+#$5"3&*&.03$.#(*#/1$)&33$ 7#$-&(&-&A#'= At first glance, Pete’s inclusion in the Biden Cabinet appears to be a huge win. But it’s worth further inspection lest we overlook the fact that it may also be the only true “progress” we see from the new administration.

!"#$%&'!'#(!$)'*+",-.-/$%0$12-345-6367-.-!"

Instagram’s anti-LGBTQ trolls zap gay influencers

Use of algorithms to harass popular accounts leads to frustration, lost income 34)35*67)+'8',91'

themselves,” says Paul. “We were so humbled.” !"#$ %#&#'(#%)*%+$ ,-'$ ./$ 012!3$ 4'#-56'7$ 56$ 8'65#45$ 5"#*'$ At the launch of their podcast, Matthew and Paul also started -4469%57$ -+-*%75$ .9::*#7$ ,"6$ ;-%*89:-5#$ 5"#$ -956;-5#)$ a joint Instagram page simply called “Matthew and Paul” where fiefdom that is Instagram, has once again claimed another 5"#/$ 7"-'#)$ )-*:/$ 8*459'#7$ -:6%+$ ,*5"$ #77-/(75/:#$ 86757$ -.695$ casualty as two gay Instagrammers had their account disabled their lives together. with no apparent hope of appeal.

“I was stunned by the reaction to our Instagram page,” says The reason is that the social media company, owned by Matthew. “I had no idea our stories would bring hope to so Facebook, is built on a system that makes it nearly impossible to many people. Every day we received hundreds of messages restore an account, have a fair hearing with human interaction, from people around the world, thanking us for being so open 6'$#&#%$'#4#*&#$#;-*:$46;;9%*4-5*6%7$56$)*7895#$5"#$46;8-%/<7$ about our lives and experiences.” seemingly arbitrary decisions to disable or delete an account.

Within a handful of months, the Instagram page grew to !"*7$ -::6,7$ 5"#$ -%5*(012!3$ 5'6::7$ ,"6$ 5-'+#5$ 012!3$ 8#68:#$ 33,000 followers. nearly free reign.

“We’ve been creating social media content for over four years.

There is a long history of the Instagram “systems” targeting This was the fastest growth we’ve ever seen. Something was LGBTQ people, based on the ability of online trolls to be able really connecting with people,” says Paul. “We were thrilled to to manipulate those systems. In May of 2017, Joe Putignano, be representing a same-sex relationship in such a positive way.” the author of the bestseller “Acrobaddict” and a gay man who is Matthew and Paul’s social media presence began to shift also a Cirque du Soleil performing artist, model, and a Broadway from hobby, to part-time work, and finally to a full-time job. By performer wrote in the Huffington Post: “We have learned that May of 2020, social media influencing was their primary source Instagram does not investigate pictures or accounts that get of income. removed; it is based on an algorithm and bot from a number Then, on the morning of Dec. 20, 2020, Matthew and Paul of reports that deem the account to be either inappropriate or logged onto their shared Instagram account only to find nothing. unfit. Instagram claims to take their harassment and bullying It was gone.

7#'*697:/=$ "6,#&#'$ *%$ -$ ,6':)$ ,"#'#$ 021!3$ 8#68:#$ -'#$ 75*::$ A single message appeared onscreen informing them that considered “inappropriate” where anything we do is considered their account was disabled for violating Instagram’s terms of “adult content” or “pornographic,” then this raises the question use. A second window revealed the “violation” in question.

“Is our community actually truly safe from discrimination and “Your account has been disabled for pretending to be harassment?” someone else.”

He then added, “My own account, @joeputignano, had 264.2K Matthew and Paul were stunned. Pretending to be someone followers and disappeared last week when Instagram decided else? For the past four years, all Matthew and Paul had aimed to to delete it without word or warning. I woke up in the morning, do was be their most authentic selves. It was, in fact, the most and it was gone. I was someone who had been harassed since frequent comment from their fanbase. the inception of my account and had been very public about 89:;<=>:!#$%%&'()*+,&'-,./ <=> 0$1+)2$,%+'!<?@!

“It’s ironic that we were accused of being someone else,” says that harassment because I was trying to get help to stop it. It ;<AABC=D!ECAF!G=:A<D?<H5!A?IC=D!AJ!?@D<C=!<KK@::!<=>!

Paul, “when our fans and followers thank us for being ‘real’ on wasn’t a minor harassment either; it was an army of people with ?@@:A<;BC:F!AF@C?!<KKJ9=A,!!!LMFJAJ!KJ9?A@:I!AF@!KJ9NB@O a daily basis.” fake accounts using homophobic slurs and remarks to report The next window prompted Matthew and Paul to submit photo identification and await an every photo I posted.” email from Instagram within 24 hours. An email never came.

Like most people caught up in the never-ending vortex of non-communications and auto“While we waited for the email, we did some research online and discovered people in similar response, Putignano, also received no answers. However, after a concerted campaign of situations waited over two months to hear back from Instagram” says Matthew, “and others Facebook posts and publicity, the social media company relented and reactivated his account. never heard back at all.”

For husbands Matthew Olshefski & Paul Castle, not unlike Putignano, they now also face the Meanwhile, their many fans were concerned and confused. What happened to the daily %#&#'(#%)*%+$ .-55:#$ ,*5"$5"#$764*-:$;#)*-$+*-%5$5'/*%+$56$'#+-*%$ -44#77$-%)$ '##75-.:*7"$5"#*'$ pictures and stories of love that had provided them with so much hope? account disabled due to the anti-LGBTQ forces that bully the community at large and Instagram, “We love bringing this kind of content to the world,” says Paul. “But it’s more than just a which makes no allowances to stop this scenario from repeating. bunch of pictures and posts; it’s a message of equality and representation in a world where Shortly after Matthew and Paul went on their first date in 2016, they started sharing their homophobia still thrives.” stories and talents on the internet.

They have been left wondering: Was the takedown an act of discrimination?

Paul is an artist with a rare form of blindness, and Matthew is a classical violinist who survived “We want answers,” adds Matthew, “but more importantly, we want to get back to what we a cult in his childhood years. Bonded by their love of the arts, and a shared understanding of were doing, being our most authentic selves.” “overcoming the odds,” not only did Matthew and Paul become social media influencers, they This is not an issue that occurs in isolated circumstances; it is widespread on the Instagram fell in love and got married. platform. Adding to the frustrations of LGBTQ users who have lost access to their accounts is Along the way, their combined creative forces garnered 100,000 Instagram followers, 150,000 the fact that like most of the IT/Internet companies in the San Francisco Bay Area that have TikTok followers, 200,000 Facebook followers, and over 15 million YouTube views. gone remote as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its continuing grip on California and Matthew shared his beautiful violin music; Paul shared his paintings and illustrations. And elsewhere, Instagram is not staffed except remotely. together they shared a love story built on unconditional support and a deep admiration for A source knowledgeable of the company’s operations but not authorized to speak to the each other. ;#)*-$56:)$5"#$2:-)#$5"-5$-:;675$46;8:#5#$'#:*-%4#$6%$5"#$-956;-5#)$7/75#;7$-%)$%#>5$56$ When the pandemic forced the world indoors last March, Matthew and Paul started their no human oversight as a result of the remote virtual work environment has created a backlog own podcast called “His and His,” which touts itself as a “conversation between husbands.” Each of disputed decisions on accounts that have been disabled as a direct result of the algorithms week, Matthew and Paul discuss different topics relating to their experiences as gay men. From being tripped by repeated so-called ‘complaints’ over content in particular. coming out, to dealing with homophobia, to getting married.

The Blade has reached out to Instagram for comment but has not received a “We had no idea our podcast would resonate with so many people around the world. We response. have received countless messages from listeners thanking us for giving them the courage to be !"!"!#$%&'()#)%*#&+),-$.!"!/&'0&12!345!6367

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It would be nice to offer a glowing recommendation on this one, especially since it involves "2(% +("5+'% $/% 7&'*% /8% /5+% 8&</+0"(% $7&33% $.+(('% $"&3)&+"$,% 95"% +(&."0/'$% "/% "2(% 603/"% (60$/-(% 2&<(%9(('%70I(-,%&"%9($":%W203(%.+0"0.$%&'-%<0()(+$%2&<(%6+&0$(-%;0&304#$%&9030"*%"/%$20'(%(<('% )2('%$2(#$%8/+.(-%"/%2&'-3(%$59=6&+%7&"(+0&3,%"2(*#<(%&3$/%9(('%3($$="2&'=('./5+&1(-%9*%75.2% (3$(%&9/5"%"2(%$(+0($,%)0"2%O/33*)//-%Z(6/+"(+%.+0"0.%Z/9*'%;&2+%)+0"0'1,%JL&"#$%$6&+43(%\]^%0$'#"% ('/512%"/%033570'&"(%2(+%93&'-%$5++/5'-0'1$,%)20.2%0'.35-(%"2(%"/60.&3=0'=_A@`%.&"%.&8U%$(""0'1,% 2(+%1'&""0$2%7/"2(+%&'-%2(+%'/'-($.+06"%9&+0$"&%95--0($:M%>2&"#$%'/"%304(3*%"/%-0$./5+&1(%$0"./7% 8&'$%25'1+*%8/+%$/7("20'1%'(),%2/)(<(+,%&'-%&'*%"+5(%>?%[5'40(%4'/)$%"2&"%(<('%"2(%1+(&"($"% shows sometimes get off to a rocky start. Instinct says to give “Call Me Kat” a chance to find its $"+0-(a%/'.(%0"%-/($,%0"%7012"%[5$"%('-%56%9(0'1%/'(%/8%/5+%'()%8&</+0"($: B/I%0$%&3$/%2/60'1%8/+%&%-/593(%20""(+%&$%0"%$"(6$%56%"/%"2(%63&"(%)0"2%"2(%+("5+'%/8%0"$%b@%-+&7&,% “9-1-1,” and last season’s new spin-off series, “9-1-1: Lone Star,” which will have their back-to9&.4%$(&$/'%6+(70(+($%/'%C&':%@c:%>2(%FG;>H%&66(&3%/8%"2($(%6/653&+%$2/)$%0$%&%10<('%8/+%"2(0+% 6(-01+((%&3/'(%E%"2(*%./7(%8+/7%"2(%('"(+"&0'7('"%6/)(+2/5$(%"2&"%0$%Z*&'%D5+62*,%&3/'1$0-(% ;+&-%B&3.254%&'-%>07%D0'(&+%E%95"%9/"2%&3$/%)(&+%"2(0+%d5((+'($$%/'%"2(0+%$3((<(%)0"2%0'.35$0<(% .&$"0'1%&'-%$"/+*30'($: >2(% 8/5+"2% $(&$/'% 6+(70(+(% /8% Je=@=@M% 8/33/)$% 0"$% .2&+&."(+$% "2+/512% "2(% &8"(+7&"2% /8% &% devastating Los Angeles earthquake, with Athena (Angela Bassett) trying to shrug off her physical &'-% (7/"0/'&3% 0'[5+0($% &'-% [576% 9&.4% 0'"/% "2(% [/9,% )203(% D&--0(% SC(''08(+% F/<(% O()0""T% &'-% K207'(*%SL(''("2%K2/0T%6+(6&+(%8/+%"2(%90+"2%/8%"2(0+%9&9*,%&'-%;5.4%Sf30<(+%Y"&+4T%$(&+.2($% 8/+%&'$)(+$%0'%20$%6&$"%"/%2(36%207%8&.(%20$%6+($('":%B/+%"2/$(%4((60'1%"+&.4,%Y"&+4%0$%/'(%/8% $(<(+&3%&."/+$%6/+"+&*0'1%d5((+%.2&+&."(+$%/'%"2(%$2/),%)0"2%/"2(+$%63&*(-%9*%P0$2&%O0'-$,%Z*&'% G5g7&',%&'-%Z/.47/'-%h5'9&+: As for “9-1-1: Lone Star,” the new season brings Gina Torres (“Suits,” “Firefly”) on board as a '()%.&6"&0',%+(63&.0'1%F0<%>*3(+,%)2/%-(.30'(-%"/%&66(&+%0'%"2(%$(./'-%$(&$/'%-5(%"/%./'.(+'$% &9/5"%"+&<(30'1%8+/7%"2(%NL%8/+%"2(%$2//"%0'%"2(%70--3(%/8%&%6&'-(70.:%Y2(%[/0'$%+("5+'0'1%$"&+% Z/9%F/)(,%&$%)(33%&$%"+&'$%&."/+%;+0&'%D0.2&(3%Y70"2,%0'%&'%('$(793(%.&$"%"2&"%&3$/%0'.35-($% Z/'('%Z590'$"(0',%C07%V&++&.4,%Y0(++&%D.K3&0',%i&"&.2&%L&+&7,%Z&8&(3%Y03<&,%&'-%C530&'%W/+4$%E% )0"2%9/"2%Z590'$"(0'%&'-%Y03<&%63&*0'1%1&*%.2&+&."(+$:%P$%8/+%"2(%63/",%&33%"2&"%.&'%9(%4'/)'%8/+% "2(%7/7('"%0$%"2&"%0"%)033%0'</3<(%"2(%.2&+&."(+$%-(&30'1%)0"2%"2(0+%6(+$/'&3%&'-%-/7($"0.%-+&7&$% &$%"2(*%+($.5(%"2(%.0"0g('$%/8%>(I&$%8+/7%/'(%(7(+1('.*%&8"(+%&'/"2(+%E%0'%/"2(+%)/+-$,%&33%"2(% "20'1$%)(%3/<(%&9/5"%"2($(%40'-$%/8%6+/.(-5+&3%-+&7&$: i;K% 0$% &3$/% $(+<0'1% 56% $/7(% FG;>H=8+0('-3*% 85'% )0"2% "2(% +("5+'% /8% Jj/(*#$% RI"+&/+-0'&+*% V3&*30$",M%"2(%20"%8&'"&$*k./7(-*%&9/5"%&%$7&+"%*/5'1%"(.2%40-%)2/%(I6(+0('.($%&%$"+&'1(%(<('"% "2&"%3(&<($%2(+%)0"2%"2(%&9030"*%"/%2(&+%"2(%0''(+7/$"%"2/512"$,%)&'"$%&'-%-($0+($%/8%(<(+*9/-*% around her. The twist (and it’s a twist that makes all the difference), is that she hears "2(7%'/"%&$%"2/512"$,%95"%&$%$/'1$:%D&40'1%"20'1$%[5$"%&%30""3(%7/+(%13/+0/5$%0$%"2(%

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presence of Zoe’s friend and neighbor Mo (Alex Newell), who is gender-fluid. If you missed the boat for season one, you’ll definitely want to take the opportunity to jump on board. You might need to catch up first – but it’s 2021, so there are ways to easily accomplish that.

JY56(+$"/+(,M%&'/"2(+%6/653&+%&'-%0'.35$0<(%i;K%./7(-*,%+("5+'$%"20$%7/'"2%SC&':%@`T,%"//%E% 95"%$0'.(%0"#$%"(.2'0.&33*%&%70-$(&$/'%+("5+'%S"2(%.5++('"%$(&$/'%9(1&'%0'%"2(%8&33,%&39(0"%8/+%/'3*%&% 2&'-853%/8%(60$/-($T,%0"#$%'/"%(I&."3*%'():%i(<(+"2(3($$,%"2&"#$%1//-%'()$%8/+%8&'$%)2/%7&*%2&<(% 8(3"%.2(&"(-%9*%"2(%9+0(8%"&$"(%"2(*%)(+(%10<('%&%8()%7/'"2$%&1/: F&$"3*,%08%*/5#+(%&%8&'%/8%"2(%KW#$%G+(1%;(+3&'"0=.+(&"(-%JZ0<(+-&3(M%S&'-%)2/%0$'#",%)2("2(+% "2(*#33%&-70"%0"%/+%'/"lT,%"2(%'()($"%$(&$/'%/8%"2&"%.&'-*=./3/+(-,%-(30.0/5$3*%d5((+(-%+(07&10'0'1% /8%"2(%JP+.20(M%./70.%9//4$%)033%-+/6%/'%C&'5&+*%_A%E%6+($57&93*%9+0'10'1%L:C:%P6&#$%8+(d5('"3*= flashed abs with it. f8%./5+$(,%08%*/5#+(%/'(%/8%"2(%7&'*%6(/63(%)2/%2&<(%./7(%"/%6+(8(+%"2(0+%('"(+"&0'7('"%/'% demand, rather than waiting a week in between episodes to find out what happens next, you already know that the big streamers have their own new offerings waiting in the wings, ready 8/+%*/5%"/%90'1(%*/5+%)&*%"2+/512%C&'5&+*%0'%"2(%$"*3(%"/%)20.2%*/5#<(%9(./7(%&..5$"/7(-:%P% lot of those shows are geared for the queer eye, too – but that’s a whole different article in itself.

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