Honoring legacy of the UpStairs Lounge

50 years ago, 32 gay men died in arson attack on New Orleans bar, page 10

Book ban gets beloved superintendent fired by school board

TEMECULA - The Temecula Valley Unified School District board meeting Tuesday erupted in anger, accusations and shouting when it was announced that the board had fired district’s beloved superintendent Jodi McClay in a closed door session held just prior to the public meeting.

This coming barely a month after the board vetoing the social studies curriculum for TVUSD elementary schools after the three conservative members voiced their opposition to any mention of LGBTQ+ people, highlighting mention of former openly gay San Francisco City Supervisor and human rights activist Harvey Milk.

Dr. Joseph Komrosky, the board’s president during the open May meeting referred to Milk as a pedophile. That remark drawing the ire of Governor Gavin Newsom who tweeted: “An offensive statement from an ignorant person. This isn’t Texas or Florida. In the Golden State, our kids have the freedom to learn. Congrats Mr. Komrosky you have our attention. Stay tuned.” Hundreds of the district’s teachers continue to protest the board’s decision to block the curriculum.

“In 4th grade, we’re required by law, by state ed code, to teach the California state standards, and those standards include Civil Rights legislation for all people, and so there’s a brief mention of somebody who fought for those Civil Rights and that’s what they’re upset about” said Carolyn Thomas, a third grade teacher at Rancho Elementary School.

The decision to not include Milk in the curriculum now puts the district in potential violation of California’s Williams Educational Act, which requires all students to have equal access to proper instructional materials.

KABC7 noted that some parents who spoke at Tuesday’s board meeting expressed their support for the board’s decision. “We are talking about an elementary school curriculum,” said one speaker. “I feel like parents are being dismissed when some people stand up and say, ‘I’m not comfortable with my kids talking about sex or gender ideology,’ or anything like that in an elementary school setting.”

Others took exception at the board’s actions. “We get upset when people call people Nazis,” said Andrew Enriquez, a Technician at Temecula Valley Unified School District.

“It is the same thing when somebody chooses to call somebody a groomer and to hear it used in our community is disrespectful to the men and women and family that work for this organization.”

Curriculum that deals with LGBTQ+ history is mandated under California’s FAIR Education Act, which was signed into law on July 14, 2011, and went into effect on January 1, 2012. It amends the California Education Code to include the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful reference to contributions by people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community in history and social studies curriculum.

Newsom celebrates Disney Pride, highlights Disney investments

ANAHEIM – Following the recent release of an economic impact study on the Disneyland Resort’s multiyear public planning effort to expand in Anaheim, Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday received a briefing on Disney’s plan to invest in the region for decades to come, and attended Disneyland’s first-ever Disney After Dark Pride Nite event.

Earlier in the day, the Governor met with parents, school leaders, teachers and staff at the Glendale Unified School District following anti-LGBTQ+ protests held in response to the school board s move last week to recognize June as Pride Month for the fourth year in a row.

As part of its Disneyland Forward initiative, announced in 2021, the Disneyland Resort recently released a study from Cal State Fullerton’s Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting. The study showed that every $1 billion that Disney invests to expand its theme parks at the Disneyland Resort is expected to generate more than $250 million annually in economic output and $15 million in tax revenue for the City of Anaheim, as well as create more than

4,000 construction and 2,000 ongoing operations jobs.

In addition, more than $20 million in tax revenue will go directly to the State of California. Disneyland is the largest employer in Orange County and generates more than $5.7 billion annually for the Southern California economy. California’s tourism industry is a major economic driver – travel spending increased to $134.4 billion last year, supported 1.09 million jobs, and generated $11.9 billion in state and local tax revenue.

Moving to welcome companies that share California’s values, Governor Newsom and the Legislature took action to update the California Competes program to provide additional consideration for companies leaving states that have enacted restrictions on reproductive rights and anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The change in statute will go into effect July 1, 2023.

BRODY LEVESQUE

LA City Councilman Curren Price charged with embezzlement

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Tuesday that his office had charged LA Councilman Curren Price in what was deemed as a Pay-to-Play Scheme.

The 73 year-old Price was charged with five counts of embezzlement of government funds, three counts of perjury and two counts of conflict of interest. According to a criminal complaint, Price’s wife allegedly received payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before he voted to approve projects. He also is accused of failing to list the money his wife received on government disclosure forms.

By law Price is prohibited from having a financial interest associated with any project that was before the City Council. Additionally, Price is charged with receiving about $33,800 in medical coverage for his wife while he was still married to another woman.

“Today’s charges against Councilman Curren Price are the result of a thorough investigation into allegations of public corruption. This alleged conduct undermines the integrity of our government and erodes the public’s trust in our elected officials,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to root out corruption at all levels and hold accountable those who betray the public’s trust.”

The Los Angeles Times, which broke the story, noted the charges against Councilman Price are the latest in a series of scandals that have rocked City Hall. Last year, the leak of a conversation among then-City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo and a top labor official that included racist remarks ended Martinez’s council career and turned De Leon into a political pariah.

Earlier this year, Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas was found guilty of conspiracy, bribery and fraud for extracting benefits for his son from USC while voting on issues that benefited the school. Councilmembers Mitch Englander and Jose Huizar also pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in recent years following an FBI probe.

Price was first elected to the council in 2013 and currently serves as its president pro tempore. His district includes South Los Angeles and parts of the city’s downtown. His term is set to expire in 2026.

“We have not seen the charges filed against Councilmember Curren Price. It’s highly unusual for charges like this to be brought up against a sitting City Councilmember without any prior notice or discussion,” Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, a spokesperson for Price, said in an email.

She added that Price, “looks forward to defending himself once he’s had an opportunity to address these charges.”

Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date the DA’s office noted and added the case remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.