Rainbow Cactus Company
www.therainbowcactus.com
Gay nightclub for DJs & dancing, featuring drag shows, male dancers, karaoke, pool & live bands.
The Edge Virginia Beach
facebook.com/TheEdgeVB/
Pub grub & cocktails offered in a dark, straightforward watering hole with DJs & special events.
Repeal Bourbon & Burgers
www.repealvb.com
Cool, speakeasy-themed restaurant serving hearty, unique hamburgers & specialty cocktails.
Daniel Hernández is running for Congress to represent Arizona’s second district. If elected, Daniel will be the second Latinx out LGBTQ member of congress. The date of the primary election is August 2nd, 2022 and the general election takes place on November 8th, 2022
The Victory Fund writes…
Daniel is a state representative, former school board president, and lifelong Arizonan running for Congress to help Southern Arizona families.
Daniel was born and raised in Tucson, his mother an immigrant from Mexico who came to the U.S. where she met Daniel’s father. A first-generation college student, Daniel attended the University of Arizona when he interned for then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and was there on the day of the tragic attack on her life which resulted in 6 deaths and 13 people injured. Daniel was the first to administer first aid to the Congresswoman before the EMTs arrived and was named a national hero by President Obama.
Inspired by Congresswoman Giffords’s commitment to public service, Daniel went on to advocate for access to reproductive health care and education as program manager for Raíz, Planned Parenthood’s Latino outreach program. He was also elected to his local school board, where he became the youngest school board president in the district’s history.
Since 2017, Daniel has served in the Arizona State House, was one of the youngest elected and is a co-founder of the House LGBTQ caucus. In the House, he has worked with both Republicans and Democrats to pass bills protecting survivors of sexual assault and secure $20 million for school resource officers, counselors, and social workers. He also led the fight against legislation that would discriminate against LGBTQ Arizonans.
He fought to expand access to affordable health care, having struggled firsthand with a severe illness and to afford the right care and medication. During the pandemic, he protected critical health care services and saved a rural hospital that treats underserved communities in Southern Arizona. He also received recognition as the 2019 Women’s Healthcare Champion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Find out more about Daniel at: danielhernandezforcongress.com
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act, which creates age-appropriate learning standards for public schools that decide to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education (grades K-5) and comprehensive sexual health education (grades 6-12).
Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, said:
“Equality Illinois is excited the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act is now law. In Carbondale, Springfield, Naperville, and more communities across the state, LGBTQ youth consistently told us their healthcare needs, their relationships, and their identities must be included and affirmed in public school instruction about personal health and safety education and sexual health education. This law advances Illinois’ values of inclusion and the freedom to build our best lives without burden or discrimination.
“While we are proud of this Act, there is much work to be done and more allies to get on board to ensure all Illinois public schools provide students with age-appropriate, comprehensive, and affirming personal health and safety education and sexual health education. We will forge ahead.”
Also known as Senate Bill 818, the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act applies to public school districts that choose to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education in grades K-5 and comprehensive sexual health education in grades 6-12. The new law will establish age-appropriate learning standards in alignment with national standards developed by leading public health groups, education organizations, and experts to ensure that youth in Illinois are equipped with the necessary tools and information to lead healthy and safe lives at all ages. The Illinois State Board of Education must develop and adopt the standards by August 1, 2022. Before that date, public schools that provide instruction in comprehensive personal health and safety education and comprehensive sexual health education must do so in an age-appropriate, inclusive, and comprehensive way.
The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act also ensures that such instruction is inclusive and affirming of communities who historically have been stigmatized or excluded from such instruction, including youth living with a disability, LGBTQIA youth, pregnant or parenting youth, and survivors of interpersonal and sexual violence. Additionally, this education must not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act passed the Illinois General Assembly in May, where it was championed by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago), State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), and State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Addison).
The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act is supported by a broad statewide coalition of organizations, including Equality Illinois, ACLU of Illinois, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Illinois, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago Abortion Fund, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Chicago Women’s Health Center, Citizen Action/Illinois, Comprehensive Sex Ed Now, Cook County Health, EverThrive Illinois, Healing to Action, Hult Center for Healthy Living, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Illinois National Organization for Women, Illinois Public Health Association, Illinois School Counselor Association, Kenneth Young Center, Lambda Legal, Life Span, McHenry County Citizens for Choice, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter, National Council of Jewish Women Illinois, Peoria Proud, PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois, Prairie Pride Coalition, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Resilience, She Votes Illinois, SIECUS, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, Uniting Pride of Champaign County, and YWCA Evanston/North Shore.
“Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for signing the bill,” Johnson said. “Thank you to our champions: State Sen. Ram Villivalam, State Rep. Camille Lilly, State Sen. Celina Villanueva, and State Rep. Kathleen Willis. Thank you to the 37 state senators and 60 state representatives who voted YES to supporting Illinois’ youth, including LGBTQ youth. Thank you to our many dedicated partners, including Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, Rainbow Café LGBTQ Center, AIDS Foundation Chicago, and the ACLU of Illinois.”
Ripcord
Laid-back gay bar with a patio, pool tables & darts, serving a diverse crowd since 1980.
theripcord.com
Eagle Houston
Leather-&-Levis gay bar with a well-worn vibe, a pool table & craft beer, plus an adult gift shop.
eaglehouston.com
JR’s Bar & Grill
Gay watering hole with a patio popular for happy hours & live entertainment such as drag shows.
jrsbarandgrill.com
George
Gay sports bar serving drinks & Grub in relaxed digs with TV’s, pool tables, & a country-western bent.
fb.com/George-Country-Sports-Bar-90494902121
Barcode Houston
Small LGBTQ hangout with various events, including drag shows & karaoke in a convivial atmosphere.
fb.com/barcode77006
Tony’s Corner Pocket
Gay nightclub featuring DJs & dancing, plus game nights & events.
tonyscornerpocket.com
Crocker
Lively gay bar & night spot featuring DJs, karaoke & a patio, plus pub grub & happy hours.
Crystal Nighclub
Long-standing Latino dance club & music-video bar drawing a diverse LGBT crowd.
fb.com/ClubCrystalHouston
Anvil
Energetic gay bar with regular theme nights, including live dancers, karaoke & open-mike events.
anvilbaraz.com
Stacy’s at Melrose
This gay- & lesbian-friendly nightclub features Gothic architectural elements, DJs & karaoke.
stacysatmelrose.com
Cruisin’7th
This unassuming, gay-friendly joint features live entertainment, including drag shows & karaoke.
cruisin7th.com
Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon
This unassuming, bear- & leather-friendly area gay bar offers darts, pool & karaoke nights.
www.bunkhousesaloonphx.com
The Rock
Gay nightspot offering a bar area with karaoke & a showroom with comedy & drag performances.
therockdmphoenix.com
Boycott Bar
Classic bar drinks with themed events & drag shows in a dimly lit space with disco lights & DJs.
boycottbarphx.com
Kobalt
Happy hours & regular theme nights from karaoke to trivia keep this gay bar hopping.
www.kobaltbarphoenix.com
Eagle LA
Long-standing gay hot spot caters to a leather-wearing crowd, with cheap beer nights & DJs.
eaglela.com
Akbar
Lively, gay-friendly bar with an unpretentious vibe, tiny dance floor & well-stocked jukebox.
www.akbarsilverlake.com
The Abbey Food & Bar
Cocktails & shared plates are served at this lively gay lounge with outdoor terraces & dance floor.
www.theabbeyweho.com
Redline
Bumping gay bar & pub serves up classic bar bites plus a DJ spinning tunes in a large space.
www.redlinedtla.com
Precinct
Spacious, brick-lined gay bar with lively events, cocktails & a small menu of American grub.
www.precinctdtla.com
Micky’s West Hollywood
Hopping, 2-story gay nightclub with a lounge, dance floor & patio. Open late Friday & Saturday.
www.mickys.com
Fubar
Edgy East Village gay bar transplanted to WeHo offers a dark interior & high-energy crowds.
www.fubarla.com
Revolver Video Bar
Upbeat, events-packed gay bar featuring contemporary styling, go-go dancers & video mash-ups.
revolverweho.com
Club Tempo
Drag shows & live bands are attractions at this gay-friendly nightspot with a Latin cowboy theme.
www.clubtempocowboys.com
Bayou
Easygoing hangout with Mardi Gras decor serving pub fare with a Cajun twist, cocktails & beer.
www.thebayouweho.com
Trunks
Unassuming neighborhood gay bar with billiards, sports TV, patio seating & a laid-back vibe.
trunksbar.com
The Drinkery
Long-running gay bar & local hangout with kitschy decor offering TVs & lively karaoke shows.
fb.com/The-Drinkery-100853806626567/
Mixers
Narrow, long-standing gay bar for cocktails, drag shows, karaoke & ladies’ nights in unfussy digs.
mixersbaltimore.com
Baltimore Eagle
Your neighborhood Leather Bar
baltimoreeagle.com
Leon’s Backroom
Cocktails & pub grub offered in a laid-back watering hole with kitschy decor & karaoke.
facebook.com/leonsbackroom
Ziascoz Bar & Lounge
Gay bar with an all welcome feel. Lots of fun
www.facebook.com/ziascoz
Victory Fund has endorsed Malcom Kenyatta for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. If elected Kenyatta will become the first out gay man ever elected to the United States Senate. His primary election takes place May 17, 2022, and the general election is November 8, 2022.
The Victory Fund writes…
Representative Malcolm Kenyatta currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention, and on a host of committee leadership positions. As the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, he is deeply committed to creating an equitable and inclusive society. As a legislator, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, protect workers’ rights, increase access to mental healthcare, stem the rise of gun violence, and protect our digital infrastructure.
In 2016 and in 2020, he was elected as Delegate to the Democratic Convention, both times garnering the second-highest vote total of any delegate in the Commonwealth. He has also appeared on local and national media outlets to discuss systemic poverty, affordable education and childcare, and making government more accountable to citizens. He was the subject of an award-winning short documentary about his election run, ‘Going Forward’ produced by Seven Knot Productions, which premiered on ‘The Atlantic Magazine Selects’ in 2018. In 2020, he was chosen by President Joe Biden to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention along with a group of other ‘Rising Stars.’ He was one of twenty Electoral College votes cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Malcolm lives in the same neighborhood he grew up in North Philadelphia with his partner, Dr. Matthew Jordan Miller.
Learn more about Malcom at: www.malcolmkenyatta.com
The Victory Fund has endorsed Michelle Rayner for the US House of Representatives District 13 seat. If she wins, Rayner will become the first out LGBTQ member of congress from Florida. District 13 includes the cities of St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater. The primary election takes place August 13th, 2022, and the general election will take place November 8th, 2022.
Victory fund writes ….
Civil rights and social justice attorney Michele Rayner made history in 2020 when she was elected as the first openly queer Black member of the Florida legislature and immediately established herself as one of the strongest advocates for underserved communities. Now, she’s ready to do more for her constituents by bringing their fight to Washington.
Michele was raised by a family of changemakers in Pinellas County. Her parents both integrated the University of South Florida in the early 1960s, with her mother going on to become one of the first Black social workers in St. Petersburg and her father successfully putting himself through engineering school while working in a warehouse. Her parents established themselves as community leaders and set an example for Michele with their dedication to service.
After law school, Michele joined the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s office, a position she was drawn to because she felt it was where she could do the most good for the most vulnerable in her community. While serving as a public defender, she learned the importance of truly listening to and steadfastly advocating for clients who have limited agency.
Michele was called to ensure justice again when she became an attorney for Markeis McGlockton’s family, working alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Markeis was shot and killed in an altercation in a Clearwater parking lot, reigniting the debate over Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law 6 years after the death of Trayvon Martin. During the 2019 trial, the killer was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The experience made it clear to Michele that running for the legislature could help her do more to fight unjust laws like Stand Your Ground and prevent future tragedies from occurring.
Growing up, Michele’s father always told her: “Help others, do the right thing and most of all, always keep your head up high.” To this day, Michele keeps her head up and will continue to do so as a leader for her constituents, ensuring an equitable recovery from COVID, protecting voting rights, and demanding real justice for underserved communities in Congress.
Michele currently lives in St. Petersburg with her wife Bianca and their dogs.
The Vault
The Vault is a landmark cruisy hangout for the Bear, Leather and Uniform crowds, with hot guys, pulsing music and boot-black station.
https://onlyatthecrown.com/venue/6-the-vault
A-House
The Atlantic House in Provincetown, Massachusetts is a drinking establishment that has been in continual operation on the tip of Cape Cod for over two centuries.
ahouse.com
Shipwreck Lounge
Brass Key Guesthouse’s bar serves martinis & wine in cozy, parlorlike digs with a fireplace & patio.
ptownlounge.com
Old Colony Tap
Dingy, dimly lit, creaky floorboards, wonky chairs, down to earth, good old drinking den.
old-colony-tap.business.site
Aqua Bar
Chill hangout on the harbor with a spacious deck, offering an array of specialty cocktails & beer.
www.aquabarptown.com
Boatslip Resort and Beach Club
Adults-only, gay-friendly hotel with relaxed rooms, poolside parties, free breakfast & a buzzy bar.
theboatslip.com
Governor Bradford Restaurant
Lively spot with lunch only in off-season & all-day menu in summer, plus popular drag karaoke.
fb.com/Governor-Bradford-Restaurant-198879440180789/