New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: lgbt

A candlelight vigil to be held in DTSA tonight to honor the Florida shooting victims

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Guns, LGBT, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The LGBT Center OC, which is located in Santa Ana, is hosting a candlelight vigil tonight, Sunday, June 12, 2016, at 6:30 pm this evening, to give our community to honor and heal in the wake of the horrific mass shooting at a gay club in Florida yesterday, in which 50 innocent people were killed and another 54 victims were injured.

The event will begin at CO4, at 6:30 p.m., located at 305 E. 4th St., Second Floor, Santa Ana, CA, and continue with a walk to Sasscer Park and back to CO4 for a candlelight vigil at 7:00 p.m.

Garden Grove Mayor Bao Nguyen, a candidate for the 46th Congressional District, released this statement today regarding the shooting: Continue reading→

OC Board of Education Trustee caught referring to gays as sodomites in an email

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, LGBT, Robert Hammond, Santa Ana Leave a comment

DAVID L. BOYD, TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 2, ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2016

Contact: David L. Boyd, (714) 708-0723, Ext 313 boyd@taftu.edu

OCBE Trustee Requests Investigation into Anti-Gay Slurs

COSTA MESA, CA. – David L. Boyd, a Trustee serving on the Orange County Board of Education, will request at the May meeting of the Board a briefing by legal counsel on what constitutes a hostile work environment as well as an investigation into the conduct of another trustee.

This request is a result of an e-mail written by Trustee Robert Hammond in April 2014 to an employee of the Orange County Department of Education where Hammond wrote “I hope you don’t mind, but I plan on asking you about your sexual orientation publicly during our next board meeting.” The email was recently made public as a result of a public records request. Continue reading→

Council Members Martinez, Reyna and Benavides voted against flying the rainbow flat at city hall

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, LGBT, Michele Martinez, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Roman Reyna fakes that he supports gays

A rainbow flag will fly over Santa Ana City Hall for five weeks this coming Harvey Milk Day (May 22) through the end of national Pride Month in June, making the city the first in Orange County to fly the symbol of LGBT solidarity, according to the O.C. Register.

However the motion did not pass unanimously even though all of the Santa Ana City Council Members are registered Democrats.

Council Members Michele Martinez, David Benavides and Roman Reyna voted against flying the rainbow flag over Santa Ana’s City Hall. Continue reading→

Will Councilman Tinajero put rainbows on the Santa Ana police officers too?

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero will term out in 2018 but before he leaves he wants to put a rainbow flag next to the US and State flags at City Hall, as we posted about earlier this week.

We find it ridiculous that Tinajero is wasting civic time and resources on this when our city has so many other more serious problems – including a rise in crime and an out of control Santa Ana Police Department that is being sued for beating up a suspect and for breaking and entering into medical marijuana clinics, destroying their property and eating their marijuana edibles. Continue reading→

Tinajero ignores increase in crime while aiming to place a rainbow flag at city hall

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, LGBT, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 9 Comments

The City of Santa Ana is awash with gang violence, graffiti and leads the County of Orange in fatal accidents between vehicles and both pedestrians and bicyclists. So what is Santa Ana Councilman Sal Tinajero choosing to take a stand on? He wants to “fly the gay pride flag outside city hall, next to the national flag and the California state flag,” according to the O.C. Register.

I am not terribly opposed to this idea but why this is Tinajero’s top priority when there are so many other problems in Santa Ana? Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Democratic Party, LGBT, Loretta Sanchez, Politics, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2015

MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Morris, 202-226-2965, Emily.Morris@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ APPLAUDS SUPREME COURT RULING ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage:

“The Supreme Court ruling today, guaranteeing an individual’s right to marry who they love, regardless of sex, is an important step forward for our country and a victory for American families. Continue reading→

Five pro immigrant LGBT protestors to be charged for blocking DTSA streets

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, immigration, LGBT, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Photo Courtesy of the Not1More Facebook Page

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CM07231

Date: June 25, 2015

FIVE PROTESTORS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR DELAYING POLICE OFFICERS AND OBSTRUCTING SANTA ANA STREET BY CHAINING THEMSELVES TOGETHER

SANTA ANA – Five protesters are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for delaying police officers and obstructing a Santa Ana street by chaining themselves together. Mariela Martinez, 23, Los Angeles, Jorge Hernandez, 25, Oakland, Sandra Paola Jara Riveros, 33, Pasadena, Isaia Celestino Noyola, 36, Vellejo, and Jeffrey Christopher Neel, 43, Anaheim, are charged with one misdemeanor count each of obstructing or delaying a peace officer, obstructing passage on a public street, and unlawfully loitering or sitting on a public street. If convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum sentence of one year in jail and $1,000 fine. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Friday, June 26, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-54, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on May 28, 2015, the five defendants were part of a group of approximately 50 individuals participating in a protest regarding the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants who are part of the LGBT community. The protestors gathered at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Flower Street in Santa Ana, near the Central Justice Center to begin their demonstration. The protest was not pre-planned with the City of Santa Ana, and no permits had been issued allowing blockage of the intersection as required by law. Continue reading→

Does the City Council have a problem with the homeless and the LGBT?

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, homeless, LGBT, Santa Ana 1 Comment

One of our readers paid attention the other night when the Santa Ana City Council was deciding how to spend their Community Development Block Grant money. Kidworks, a non-profit organization that recently hired Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides, asked for $45,000 in CDBG grants and the City Council gave them $56,000!

While Kidworks, and presumably Benavides, scored the City Council rejected these requests: Continue reading→

A Tribute to Selena Quintanilla set for March 31 in Downtown Santa Ana

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Latinos, Movies, music, Santa Ana 1 Comment

DeColores Queer Orange County & The Frida Cinema Invite you to : Anything for Salinas!” A Tribute to Selena. A Special One Night Only Fundraiser Event and Screening of “Selena” The Movie, on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 7 pm, at Frida Cinema, located at 305 E. 4th St., in DTSA.

To commemorate Selena’s life 20 years after her passing, we want to honor her by inviting the community to this fun-filled event! Folks are encouraged to dress up as Selena or an inspired costume there will be contests.

We will be raising funds to support local high school Gay Straight Alliance groups (GSAs) as well as for The Zoraida Reyes Scholarship fund that supports local Transgender individuals. Continue reading→

Man arrested for murder of transgendered Santa Ana resident Zoraida Reyes

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, LGBT, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Parkerson, Randy Lee
Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2014

Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330

Subject: Updates on On-going Homicide Investigation

On June 12, 2014 at 10:51 am, the body of Zoraida Reyes was discovered in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen in the 200 block of N. State College Blvd. Reyes, 29 of Santa Ana, was an active member of several Orange County transgender and immigrant rights advocacy groups and her death prompted concern. So far the investigation has not uncovered any evidence to indicate Reyes was specifically targeted, and Detectives are not investigating this homicide as a hate crime.

Yesterday, October 7, 2014 at 9:25 a.m., Randy Lee Parkerson was arrested in his vehicle in the 200 block of E. Katella Ave. Parkerson, 38 of Anaheim, was booked at the Anaheim Police Department Temporary Detention Facility for murder and he is being held on 1 million dollars bail. His booking photograph is above. Continue reading→

DeColores Queer Orange County Annual Conference set for 9/6

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civil Rights, Entertainment, LGBT, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Redefining Mi Familia

Join DeColores Queer Orange County for our 5th Annual Community Conference! The theme for this year’s conference is “Redefining Mi Familia: Re-membering our histories, bodies, and communities.”

As a community we aim to redefine “famiia” and what that looks like for Queer and Trans Folks of Color. We are re-membering parts of us that have been fragmented (i.e. our histories, bodies, and communities) in order to be whole again and no longer compromise who we are.

The event will take place this Saturday September 6, 2014, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at Latino Health Access, located at 450 W 4th St, Suite 130, in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

National Gay Pride Blood Drive event set for July 11 at The Center Orange County

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Health and Medical, LGBT, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Join OC Pride, Gay For Good, MenAlive, DeColores OC, The Center OC, OC Young Democrats, Orange County Log Cabin Republicans and other LGBT organizations from around Orange County for a festival in association with The National Gay Blood Drive, on Friday, July 11, 2014, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, at The Center Orange County, located at 1605 N Spurgeon St., in Santa Ana.

The FDA bans gay and bisexual men from donating bloo…d. This ban was established in 1983 before HIV testing capabilities. The ban prevents otherwise eligible people from contributing to the Nation’s Blood Supply and perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes and stigma about the LGBT community. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Theatere Out to celebrate slain LGBT rights leader Harvey Milk

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in LGBT, Plays, Santa Ana Leave a comment

THEATRE OUT TO CELEBRATE SLAIN LGBT RIGHTS LEADER HARVEY MILK

SANTA ANA, CA (May 15, 2014) In celebration of Harvey Milk Day on May 22, 2014, Theatre Out, Orange County’s gay and lesbian theatre, is pleased to announce that critically-acclaimed Orange County and Los Angeles County director, Katy Chidester will helm Dear Harvey by Patricia Loughrey, a multimedia production exploring Harvey Milks life and message, May 22-24, 2014 with tickets available online at www.theatreout.com.

Written as a commissioned work in 2009, Dear Harvey was first produced at Diversionary Theatre in San Diego. The work won immediate critical acclaim and was hailed as Inspiring, edifying, enlightening and sometimes amusing, by SDNN.com and SanDiego.com raved that Dear Harvey is a touching, life-affirming and at times humorous portrait of the activist who affected so many and changed the course of politics. Continue reading→

The Center OC to host an open house and mural party today, in Santa Ana

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Entertainment, LGBT, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Center OC Invites you to join us for a day of beautifying our space, collaborative arts and crafts, community history sharing, music, food, and FUN, at their Open House and Mural Party, on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Mural Painting!
Craft Corner activities for kids, families, and grown-ups!
OC LGBTQ History Archive Collaborative Exhibit!
DJ Music!
Food!
Fun with Families and Friends! Continue reading→

The Center OC celebrates 40 years of serving the Orange County LGBT community

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Entertainment, LGBT, Loretta Sanchez, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Press Release

The Center OC Celebrates 40 Years of Serving the Orange County LGBT Community

The Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC) commemorates 40 years advocating for the LGBT community on Saturday, June 4, at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Special guest honoree is Estelle Harris, who voiced Mrs. Potato Head in Pixar/Disney’s Toy Story 2 & 3.

Santa Ana, CA, May 20, 2011 –(PR.com)– The Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC) commemorates 40 years advocating for the LGBT community on Saturday, June 4, at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

The elegant evening begins at 7 p.m. and includes dinner, auction items and dancing, all with the theme “Picture This: Imagine the Future.” A special VIP reception, hosted by Michael Niemeyer of Mickey’s in West Hollywood, will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature musical entertainment by acoustic duo Makena.

“Building on our rich history of 40 years of service, The Center OC is very excited about the future,” said Executive Director Ginger Hahn. “The Gala plays such an important role as we move forward, because it raises much-needed funds to help us create lasting solutions to help LGBT youth and adults in Orange County.”

The Center OC annually serves more than 10,000 LGBT adults, families, youth and allies who come for support, education, HIV testing and counseling, and mental health services.

Special guest Estelle Harris (Toy Story 3, Seinfeld), will receive the Torchbearer Award not only for her stellar real-life role as the mother of a gay son, but also for being an outspoken advocate for the LGBT community. The Outstanding Role Model Award will go to Mark Guillod and Alan Miller for their many years of visibly supporting the community as a couple.

Special thanks to the Gala Honorary Host Committee: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Santa Ana City Council Member Sal Tinajero. Sponsors for the event include: The California Endowment; Wells Fargo; Collette’s Catering; OC Printing Services and Disneyland Resort PRIDE Diversity Resource Group. Sponsorships are still available.

The Gala is a well-attended event that sold out in advance last year. To purchase tickets, call (714) 953-5428. Tables of 10 start at $2,000 and individual tickets are $200. VIP tickets are $300. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 North Main Street in Santa Ana. For more information, visit www.thecenteroc.org.

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Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County
Thomas Soule
714-953-5428
thomas.soule@thecenteroc.org
thecenteroc.org