I was attempting to find a way to write about the opening of The Eagle bar in Cathedral City, the La Bola Negra film, and the upcoming election in one blog. As I awoke this morning from a night of fitful dreams about this very subject, it hit me:

These are the times that try men’s souls. The quote comes from the opening line of The American Crisis, a series of patriotic pamphlets written during the American Revolutionary War by Thomas Pain in 1776.

First and foremost, our election is just days away and the headlines are hopeful that the democrats may take one or both chambers of Congress. Trump is brooding in the White House, and bizarrely talking about the anatomy of Sen. Jon Husted, whose ass may be hard but his poll numbers are soft.

Those of us who pay attention are biting our nails and hoping that the polls are correct this time. There have been so many odd incidents that the theory of an October surprise seems to have given way to an avalanche of revelations that we have become numb to.

Then there’s the beautifully shot La Bola Negra film that opened in Palm Springs on Thursday night. I’m still in awe of this cinematic masterpiece that is so complicated as to deserve a second viewing — before it comes out on streaming. The film weaves three generations of gay men from the Spanish Civil War to modern day. It takes concentration and you almost need a scorecard to keep track, but it helps to read the synopsis and see the trailer a few times (with some good eye candy included!)

You may remember that Fresh Air’s Tanya Mosley was the keynoter for the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame luncheon last year. She interviewed the directors — dueling Javiers — who tell her, “Filmmaking is ‘our weapon against intolerance.’”

Last, but not least, The Eagle Bar opened last evening as VIPs ducked under scaffolding while the finishing touches were still being applied. If you drove by the storied building in Cathedral City over the last number of months, you saw lots of trucks and workmen. It appeared that they weren’t going to hit the mark to be open for Leather Pride.

But Phillip and Jeremy Nalwalker proved everyone wrong and have transformed the space formerly known as the Barracks into a sleek, welcoming space. We’re glad to have them in the Gayborhood and look forward to many of the signature events that were once held at the previous iteration. Their souls were certainly tried by finances and delays. But it was well worth the wait.

So there, all tied up in a nice little blog bow I was able to report on the top things on my mind this weekend.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s happening in sunny Palm Springs:

Halloween Palm Springs 2026

Downtown costumed revelers gather for Halloween Palm Springs 2026, taking over the Arenas District on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 from 4–10 pm. This massive two-night street party offers live music, dancing stages, and a VIP Lounge. Friday’s lineup features sets by DJ K-Swift, Meaty Beats by Juan, MODGIRL, and DJ Jeffree. Saturday brings a performance from singer-producer MkX, a costume contest at 7:30 pm, and headline sets by legendary R&B group KLYMAXX. Suggested donations support local charities including DAP Health, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Greater Palm Springs Pride, and the LGBTQ+ Community Center. More info

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Palm Springs Leather Pride: Valhalla

Leather vikings and valkyries gather for Palm Springs Leather Pride: Valhalla, hosting a community celebration across Palm Springs all weekend. Presented by The Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, this multi-day festival highlights kink, fetish, and leather culture with inclusive programming. Festivities include clothing-optional Plunge pool parties at CCBC, BDSM skill labs, pup play, Dark Alley Marketplace, cigar social, BATE party, Eisenhower Health speaker series, and the Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2027 Contest. See our event listing for a detailed schedule: More info

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FRI–SUN: Halloween Weekend at Toucans Tiki Lounge

Halloween Weekend at Toucans Tiki Lounge kicks off on Friday, October 30 with “FREAKQNCY,” hosted by Athena Kills and featuring show-stopping drag performances by Aria S Williams and Mayday at 8 pm and 10 pm. On Saturday, October 31, dance the night away at the free 80s vs 90s Halloween Party with a costume contest and beats by MODGIRL. Visiting NYC comedian Jack Sullivan wraps up the fun on Sunday, November 1 at 7 pm and 9 pm with his solo comedy show, “Leather and Loads.” More info

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& Juliet

Experience a hilarious and empowering theatrical twist on Shakespeare’s legendary love story with & Juliet at McCallum Theatre from Tuesday–Sunday, October 27–November 1. This Broadway sensation asks what might happen if Juliet chose a second chance at life and romance instead of her tragic ending. Packed with pop icon Max Martin’s chart-topping anthems, including “Since U Been Gone” and “Roar,” the romantic comedy delivers a high-energy stage spectacle full of joy and unforgettable musical moments. More info

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La Bola Negra

Acclaimed international cinema arrives onscreen as La Bola Negra premieres at Festival Theaters on Friday, October 30 at 7 pm. Winner of the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award and Best Director at Cannes, this sweeping drama stars Guitarricadelafuente and Carlos Gonzáles alongside screen icons Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. Spanning three distinct eras—Republican Spain in 1932, the Spanish Civil War in 1937, and modern Spain in 2017—the narrative traces interconnected lives centered on three young men whose political and emotional choices echo across generations. More info

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The B-52s & DEVO: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour

Two iconic new-wave powerhouses join forces for a spectacular Halloween concert when The B-52s & DEVO: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour hits Acrisure Arena on Saturday, October 31 at 7 pm. Featuring special guest DJ Cummerbund providing signature mashups, this art-driven double bill brings legendary hits, theatrical visual production, and retro energy to the desert. More info

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Scoop Ice Cream Festival

Sweet treats meet community fundraising as the 2nd Annual Scoop Ice Cream Festival gathers at Palm Springs Downtown Park on Sunday, November 1 from 12–4 pm. Local artisans, gelaterias, and paleta makers from across the Coachella Valley will serve signature frozen creations throughout the afternoon. All proceeds from the annual gathering directly benefit the LGBTQ Center’s Community Food Bank, making it a delicious way to give back to neighbors in need while enjoying top-tier local desserts. More info

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The Minutes

A small-town city council meeting turns contentious when a new member questions previous recordkeeping in The Minutes, playing at CV Rep October 28–November 15. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracey Letts, this razor-sharp political satire peels back the polished surface of local democracy to uncover hidden secrets, raw power plays, and chilling truths. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh says “What starts as civic satire evolves into something much deeper and more unsettling, forcing the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about collective memory and national identity.” Read his full review and Get tickets

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Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Gothic horror meets fast-paced farce in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, running at Revolution Stage Company through Sunday, November 1 (special added performance). This gender-bending stage parody blends classic monster lore with Monty Python-esque physical humor. The plot follows a meek British real estate agent who accepts a wealthy new client, only to discover he is an ancient, bloodthirsty vampire. Complications multiply quickly when the creature sets his sights on the agent’s fiancée, forcing three clever women to take charge and halt the bloody mayhem. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh calls the production “A wildly entertaining theatrical experience… a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy.” Read his full review and Get tickets

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This Weekend at The Purple Room

On Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, globe-trotting powerhouse Meghan Murphy presents The Big Red Show! with dinner at 6 pm and show at 8 pm, channeling Jessica Rabbit and Bette Midler with belt-busting vocals from Broadway to Beyoncé. Then on Sunday, November 1, celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes hosts The Judy Show! with dinner at 5 pm and show at 7 pm, delivering hilarious camp parodies of Judy Garland alongside Golden Age icons accompanied by Joel Baker on keys. More info

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Sordid Lives

Southern eccentricities and family chaos take center stage in Sordid Lives at Palm Canyon Theatre from October 30–November 15. Written by Del Shores, this beloved cult-classic dark comedy follows a colorful Texas clan assembling after the absurdly unexpected death of their family matriarch. As relatives converge, long-held secrets emerge alongside outrageous personalities, sharp hilarity, and heartfelt reflections on acceptance and redemption. More info

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Dog & Cat Food Drive

The Dog & Cat Food Drive Benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter takes place on Friday, October 30 from 1–3 pm. Hosted in the Community Room at Palm Springs Animal Shelter, neighbors can drop off unopened wet or dry pet food, clean gently used towels, blankets, and monetary donations to help keep shelter animals comfortable, warm, and well-fed. Guests are invited to enjoy light bites, refreshing drinks, and meet adoptable dogs and cats during their visit. More info

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Dog Days: Pups & Pumpkins and Howl-O-Ween

Celebrate spooky season at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens during a festive two-day Halloween lineup. The festivities kick off with the first-ever Halloween edition of Dog Days: Pups & Pumpkins on Friday, October 30 from 9 am–12 pm, where dogs and their humans can trick-or-treat through the grounds and join a 10 am costume parade led by Mayor Max followed by a costume contest. The fun continues as the annual Howl-O-Ween returns on Saturday, October 31 from 9 am–1 pm, offering pop-up surprises, face painting, fall photo ops, keeper connections, and limited-edition animal trading cards alongside 600+ resident animals.

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Ladies of Rock Festival

Groundbreaking female rockers take the stage during the Ladies of Rock Festival, performing at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Saturday, October 31 from 6–10 pm. Doors open at 5 pm as platinum guitarist Orianthi kicks off the evening, followed by glam metal favorites Vixen and former Runaways lead guitarist Lita Ford. More info

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Pride: ’26 Edition

Explore fine art interpretations of the male form at Pride: ’26 Edition, displaying at Rubine Red Gallery from November 1–15. Featuring four interconnected collections by artist Troy Schooneman, the exhibition combines classical references, photography, constructed imagery, and imagined artifacts. Visitors will experience a contemporary lens on fine art nudes that examines memory, identity, and physical aesthetics across centuries of artistic tradition. More info

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Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ

Wrap up the weekend with a sizzling poolside-style cookout during Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ, hosted at The Social Cafe & Lounge on Sunday, November 1 from 2:30–4:30 pm. This all-inclusive Sunday afternoon gathering combines backyard grill favorites with upbeat music and high-energy live male entertainment. Guests can feast on hot-off-the-grill burgers, dogs, and savory sides while sipping bottomless draft beers and bottomless mimosas. Designed as the ultimate social brunch party, the weekly event offers a fun, welcoming atmosphere for friends to eat, drink, and socialize before the new work week begins. More info

Daylight Saving Time Ends

As you enjoy an extra hour of sleep this weekend, don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 am, meaning brighter mornings and earlier sunsets. It’s also a great reminder to check and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

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• Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Instructor Lise Baadh leads a beginner Two-Step lesson during a lively evening of country-western dancing at Step by Step Dance Studio on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm. Dancers of all skill levels can participate in two-step, waltz, shadow, swing, and line dances throughout the night.
• Unbuttoned: A Boylesque Social Experience • Star performer Michael Silas delivers an intimate boylesque showcase blending dance, personal storytelling, and comedy at The Social Cafe & Lounge on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm.
• Día de los Muertos Celebration • Community members gather to honor ancestral traditions during a festive cultural event at Demuth Community Center on Sunday from 10 am–1 pm. The seasonal gathering features traditional decorations, vibrant music, and family-friendly activities celebrating life and memory.
• Charged Stillness Exhibition • Local artist Tina Roy showcases vivid paintings reflecting the beauty, drama, and delicate ecosystems of the wild desert from through October 29 at Rubine Red Gallery.

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Bookmark This: Gay Desert Guide Pride Planner

Getting ready for Palm Springs Pride next week? Our Pride Planner 2026 is your one-stop resource for parade details, stage guides, dining recommendations, weekend schedules, FAQs, and more as Palm Springs celebrates 40 years of Pride. Check it out and start planning!

Preview: Limited-Edition Pride Tees

Next weekend, celebrate Palm Springs Pride and support a meaningful cause with KGAY 103.1’s Threads for Hope fundraiser. Starting Friday, November 6 at 3 pm, stop by the KGAY 103.1 booth on Arenas Road to grab a limited-edition 40th Anniversary Pride T-shirt with a $20 donation, with all proceeds benefiting the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial (while supplies last!). While you’re there, enter to win the Ultimate Palm Springs Getaway Package featuring a two-night stay at Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway passes, and $500 in dining and shopping gift cards.

In a world fraught with anxiety and fear, waking up Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, with a Goldilocks feeling that everything was just right was just odd. And then breaking news confirmed it: Dolores Huerta, icon, civil rights legend, hero to the long, too-often-ignored farm workers movement, had died of cancer at her home in Bakersfield, CA, at age 96.

Dolores’ impact was beyond what could ever be documented. As a 15-year-old in Westport, Connecticut, for instance, I stopped eating grapes to support the Farm Workers Grape Boycott that Dolores and Cesar Chavez started as founders of the United Farm Workers in 1965.

Decades later, as a working reporter, I could only beam as I introduced myself, asked for a quote, and took numerous photos of Dolores with young delegates to the California Democratic Party convention. They loved and appreciated her, just as they knew she loved and appreciated them.

But as Goldilocks timing would have it, I was already scheduled to interview Michael Weinstein, co-Founder of the AIDS Hospice Foundation and Founder of its successor, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Michael felt very honored to have worked often with Dolores and to call her a friend. He was scrambling with his team to immediately set up an ofrenda (sacred altar) at the site of Dolores Huerta‘s mural – by world-renowned Los Angeles muralist Robert Vargas – at the Barclay Hotel in DTLA, starting at 1:00 pm through Nov. 2.

A more official public ofrenda at the Día de Los Muertos altar at the Barclay Hotel mural at 6:00 pm featured speakers including CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles), LA Federation of Labor, SEIU, Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Father Gregory Boyle, and Michael Weinstein. (The Barclay Hotel is located at 103 W. 4^th St., DTLA. The mural is on the rear North-facing wall.)

Michael’s official statement: “Dolores Huerta was a towering figure who embodied everything that was best about the progressive movement.

Her singular voice encompassed fighting all forms of discrimination.

AHF was so honored to have Dolores as a close friend and supporter in our struggles for renter rights and defense of our democracy.

She marched with us. We lobbied together. She rode on our Food for Health float in the Rose Parade and was to speak at our 40^th anniversary World AIDS Day event on November 30 at The Forum.

A piece of the best of us is gone, but she would have told us the fight goes on.”

Here’s just some of what Michael told me during our roughly one-hour Zoom conversation.

Michael has to separate the legend, the icon, from the person that he knew.

“What’s so singular about her was the fact that she embraced all aspects of the battle against discrimination and for people’s human rights with great energy and sincerity.

She is just a very unique figure in the world, but particularly in California. He didn’t want to think of this day coming.

At one of her birthday events, he said, “There are dog years – but there are Dolores Huerta years, given her vitality despite her age.”

But as a person, “Dolores, to me, is my friend,” Michael says. “First of all, she understood loyalty at a level that not enough people do in this day and age. You hear about the expression ‘speaking truth to power.’ But in really tangible ways, she was a conscience, because when she gets on your case about something that she knew wasn’t right….I know that she dressed down [Gov.] Gavin Newsom when he had told her that he wasn’t going to take a position in the rent control initiative, and two days later, he did.

“But in very quiet moments when she would share about her history, or she would share about a lesson she learned and give advice if I requested it – just the feeling that she exuded that you know there really wasn’t a separation between her as an individual, and her commitment to the movement, to the struggle.

“And also, she had a zest for life. She wasn’t a dour person. She was a very smiling, friendly person.”

Michael Weinstein doesn’t giggle, but if he did, it would be in the unguarded telling of a “little anecdote” about attending her last birthday celebration. He spoke during the program and, as he often does, he left when the program was over. Dolores approached one of his AHF colleagues and asked where I was.

“Susie said, ‘Oh, Michael left. And Dolores said, ‘Yeah, he’s not really a party animal, is he?’ Oh, she got that one,” Michael says, cracking up as if you had to be there.

“She was so fulsome in her praise of me, personally, and AHF, to the point where it was embarrassing, because I don’t handle compliments that well. I mean, when she was chanting ‘Viva Michael Weinstein’ at the dedication of her mural, it was embarrassing. She meant it,” Michael says, briefly hiding his face in his hands.

“I’m so happy that we dedicated that mural in her lifetime. I think it’s such a beautiful monument to her spirit. It’s a great work of art by Robert Vargas, the muralist,” Michael says, noting it’s right across from the Reagan office building, where she can keep an eye out.

“She is the conscience of the state. She’s going to be looking right in there at them, saying, ‘You do your job and be true to the cause of serving the people.’

“I hope [the mural] keeps some people’s hearts more open. Some of our cynical politicians who admired her and some of our no-good activists – pretend activists. I hope that maybe it gives them a moment to reflect on what it really means to give your life to these struggles and what it really means to be in solidarity.

“I mean, no one could be a better ally of the LGBT community,” Michael says, “because I saw her raise those issues anywhere and everywhere.”

Among the meaningful moments and funny stories, Michael says that when he closes his eyes tonight, the one thing he’ll think about Dolores Huerta is her courage.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, right? It’s doing what you have to do in the face of all your fears,” Michael says. “The last part of her life had to do with the revelation that she had been raped by Cesar Chavez. And what she told me, what she said publicly, was the fact that she wasn’t going to allow that terrible chapter to wipe out all the good that the Farm Workers Union had done.

“She made a great sacrifice keeping that secret because she did not want to see the harm to that movement,” he continues. “That was a moral dilemma that she had to cope with, and she had the strength to do it. And when the time came, she didn’t hide from it. That’s just one example of the strength that she had.”

“I found it interesting how much of an affinity she had for LGBT people,” Michael says. She had a daughter who’s a lesbian. She has other people in the family. But I think she saw the central similarity between the way that Latinos were marginalized and the way that LGBT people were also on the margins. Another genius was the ability to make these connections very understandable to people.

“Dolores was so special, so unique that I think her place in the history of all the communities she touched is well cemented,” Michael says.

While most of our conversation was about honoring Dolores Huerta, we also discussed the midterm elections.

“I voted for Nithya Raman. I was a supporter of Karen Bass,” Michael tells me. “The last four years have been very disappointing and, really have failed us as a city.”

He’s especially critical of Bass’ Inside Safe program to combat homelessness, an issue he thinks can be handled by smart legislation rather than another rent control ballot initiative.

“It was a terrible idea,” Michael says. “That’s the program that basically scoops people up and puts them in temporary motel rooms, and then a large percentage of them wind up out on the street in short order. It is not a solution. They have a very simple solution to the housing crisis. House people.”

On the other hand, “the centerpiece of Nithya’s campaign is that the city doesn’t work and it’s impossible to argue with it.”

Michael also says he voted for the Billionaires Tax. “I was very disappointed that Gov. Newsom is once again the lead attack dog against a progressive proposal. I voted against 41 and 42, which were put on by the billionaires to try to declaw Prop 40. I voted against 45, which is trying to weaken the environmental regulations.”

He’s also been watching the national trends towards Democrats possible winning majorities in Congress. And he’s very excited about this having been “a great week for freedom,” with pro-democratic victories in Serbia and Brazil, where AHF has a huge program. He’s also pleased that, while the outcome in the Israeli elections remains unclear, Trump ally Bibi Netanyahu got many fewer votes than expected.

“There’s been a fever sweeping the world in the last few years that’s put these right-wingers into power,” Michael says. “But I think that the tide has turned.”

Michael returns to Dolores Huerta. “It’s an indulgence to give up,” he says. “It’s selfish. Whether we embrace it or not, we are part of one human race. That’s what Dolores understood. We are part of one human race. And we, we’re gonna rise up together or we’re going to fall together. And I believe that love triumphs over hate.”

There is so much more that Michael Weinstein discussed which is actually an easy conversation to listen to on our video and podcast.

Also – please note that AHF is celebrating its 40^th Anniversary, featuring Ricky Martin.

This is a cross-post from Karen’s LGBTQ+ Freedom Fighters Substack.

California Deputy Attorney Gen. Marissa Roy is in a race against Deputy District Attorney John McKinney to be the next City Attorney of Los Angeles. The election for City Attorney has been overshadowed by L.A.’s Mayoral election and the national midterms that will determine control of both chambers of Congress. However, the City Attorney has the power to interpret national, state, and local laws in Los Angeles, set guidelines for enforcement of laws, and represent the city in civil and misdemeanor capacities. This means the winner of the election will shape the city’s legal priorities from law enforcement to civil rights and consumer protection. 

Roy spoke with the Los Angeles Blade in an exclusive interview discussing her campaign priorities and her plans if elected as the L.A.’s next City Attorney. 

First and foremost, Roy views Los Angeles as a city under siege by the Trump-Vance administration and believes that the current City Attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, could have done more to insulate the city from harm. 

“I think the thing to remember with the Trump administration at the end of the day is that they’re bullies,” Roy said. She believes that the city should be fighting the Trump-Vance administration in court more aggressively and more frequently. “We need to be really active in this litigation because it is what works,” she said, adding that when the National Guard was deployed in L.A. amid protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, California state sued for their removal, not the city. 

A particularly prominent example of the Trump-Vance administration’s policies impacting Los Angeles came last year when Children’s Hospital L.A. ended its gender-affirming care services amid federal pressure. Roy said that if elected, she would work to get the hospital to reinstate the “life-saving care” the hospital provided for transgender youth. She said that regardless of executive orders to end gender affirming care for minors, it still remains legal in California and that it may be a violation of the California Unruh Civil Rights Act to deny trans patients care on the basis of their gender identity.  

“As city attorney, I would want to work with the California Department of Justice to say that you still have to comply with state law, which bans that discrimination,” Roy said. She also said that the city could join numerous other lawsuits against the Trump-Vance administration, as it has targeted gender-affirming care and transgender rights across the country, something current City Attorney Feldstein Soto has not yet done. 

Roy said another priority of her campaign was to wield the City Attorney’s office to protect Angelenos from predatory employers, landlords, and companies. She wants to scale up the public rights branch of the City Attorney’s office from 25 to 100 lawyers to help the city proactively prosecute workers’ rights, tenant rights, and consumer protection cases. When the city wins these cases, they not only get back pay and restitution for the litigants, they also get civil penalties from whoever violated the law, which can then go towards fighting more cases. “These are revenue-generating sections, and they operate based on the penalties they win, so that is how we are able to scale up the work,” Roy said. 

But more important than any individual issue, Roy wants to show Angelenos that the city is actively working for them, not just waiting and watching. “I know that this office can be a fighter and that people deserve their government to be fighting with them,” Roy said. “It shouldn’t always fall on their shoulders … this should be an office that is your lawyer.”

For more information, head to www.MarissaRoy.com.

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday defeated Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round of the country’s presidential election.

Lula beat Bolsonaro by a 51.79-48.21 percent margin with 100 percent of the votes counted. CNN Brasil declared Lula the winner shortly after 9 p.m. local time (5 p.m. PT.)

The runoff took place after neither man received a majority of votes in the first round that took place on Oct. 4.

Bolsonaro in the first round defeated Lula by a 47.03-45.16 percent margin. Several polls

The Brazilian Supreme Court on Sunday extended voting for two hours after voters in Bahia state in northeast Brazil had issues with public transportation that was to have taken them to their respective polling places and bad weather in the southern part of the country. Bolsonaro had called for them to be “annulled,” but later backtracked after his own right-wing Liberal Party acknowledged the results.

Congresswoman Erika Hilton, a travesti member of the leftist Socialism and Liberty (PSOL) party who won re-election on Oct. 4 with nearly 1.6 million votes, the most any female member of Congress has received in Brazilian history, was among those with Lula after he won the runoff. Natal Municipal Councilwoman Thabatta Pimenta, a member of the Green Party who became the first transgender woman from northeast Brazil elected to represent Rio Grande do Norte state in the country’s Chamber of Deputies on Oct. 4, and other LGBTQ+ elected officials also celebrated the incumbent president’s victory.

Bolsonaro’s father is former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula, who leads the Workers’ Party, in 2022 defeated Jair Bolsonaro in that year’s presidential election.

The Brazilian Supreme Court last year sentenced Jair Bolsonaro — who repeatedly targeted LGBTQ+ Brazilians and other groups while in office — to more than 27 years in prison for his role in an attempted coup that saw thousands of his supporters storm the Congress, presidential palace, and the Supreme Court itself on Jan. 8, 2023. Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving his sentence at his home in Brasília, the country’s capital, because of his poor health.

His son had pledged to pardon him if he were to become Brazil’s next president.

Vote Early, Vote Often. That phrase was bandied about from the days of Chicago politics. The catchphrase ironically encourages voting multiple times under the guise of promoting voter participation. It gained widespread popularity in the early 1900s through organized crime led by Al Capone and was always invoked when I lived in the Windy City.

Today, it’s just the opposite. The Trump administration is working hard to suppress the vote ahead of the November midterms in hopes that it will help the Republicans cling to power.

I remember learning civics lessons about the importance of voting in elementary school. We held mock elections to parallel what was happening in real politics.

In high school, I participated in YMCA Youth in Government, where we went to the state capital in Lansing, Michigan, and spent most of a week sitting in chambers, drafting bills, and passing legislation that was important to us.

The trouble is, they didn’t tell us the full story of how the legislature really worked. There were no lobbyists currying favor with us, no large corporations taking us out to dinner or on exotic trips. We learned the pure version, the way our forefathers intended.

That encouraged me to run for mayor of my high school, with my girlfriend as vice-mayor. We lost, but I remained on student council. That’s probably why I’ll never run for mayor again. Scarred for life, lol!

I’m often referred to as the “unofficial mayor of Palm Springs”, an honor I’m pleased to hold. When asked about why I don’t actually run for public office, my answer is always the same: Government moves at a snail’s pace; the court of public opinion moves at internet speed. As the old saying goes, “You can’t win for losing.” The amount of vitriol that our politicians must endure is truly disgusting. Just look at your social media feed and you’ll go down a rabbit hole of half truths, false claims and piling on just for the blood sport of it.

Then there are the campaign ads. Nearly $12 billion is being spent on these ads and most is Super PAC money. This cycle we are seeing some of the worst ever. They bring deeply personal and painful experiences like sexual abuse to damage the credibility of a candidate as in Ohio’s governor’s race.

In less than two weeks, our election will take place. My upbringing taught me to take my responsibility seriously to participate in the democratic process. My hope is that the guardrails put in place by our forefathers will be enough to weather the storm of election tampering we’re seeing this cycle. I’m voting early, but not often…

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s happening in sunny Palm Springs:

10th Annual East Coachella Valley Pride Festival

Gather for an inspiring afternoon of community connection, culture, and equality at the 10th Annual East Coachella Valley Pride Festival. Head to Coachella Library Park & Gardens on Saturday, October 24 from 3–8 pm for a free, family-friendly celebration and health resource fair. The event features live local entertainers, queer art displays, food vendors, and community organizations dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies. Come honor a decade of progress and regional pride in the East Valley! More info

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Reel Women’s Film Festival

See inspiring stories of trail-blazing women at Planned Parenthood’s Reel Women’s Film Festival. Gathering cinema lovers at Palm Springs Cultural Center on Sunday, October 25 from 12:30–11 pm, this 13th annual festival benefits Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. Featured films include The Inquisitor, highlighting congresswoman Barbara Jordan and her longtime partner Nancy Earl, alongside inspiring documentaries telling the powerful journeys of Somali runner Samia Yusuf Omar and Israeli activist Efrat Tilma. More info

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62nd Annual Golf Cart Parade

Colorful floats, marching bands, and whimsical decorations roll down El Paseo during the 62nd Annual Golf Cart Parade. Head over to El Paseo Shopping District on Sunday, October 25 to experience this beloved community tradition. Festivities start early at 8 am with a marketplace, food vendors, dance groups, and a dedicated kids zone, followed by the main parade processional at 12 pm. Keep an eye out for KGAY’s Brad Fuhr and John Taylor, taking part in the parade aboard the all-electric OPTIQ from Jessup Cadillac! More info

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Best of CV – Final Round Voting Final Day is Friday

CV Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2026–2027 final voting round is wrapping up and this is your chance to help crown the winners across the valley’s most‑loved radio stations, personalities, DJs (and many more categories). Thank you for showing us the love already with a strong nomination phase! Our finalists include KGAY 103.1 and Sunny 106.5 for Best Radio Station; John Taylor, E.J. Tyler and Patrick Evans for Best Local Radio Personality; and the dynamic DJ trio — DJ Galaxy, DJ Eric Ornelas, and MODGIRL — for Best Local DJ. Voting continues through Friday, October 23, so cast your vote and help celebrate your favorites in this year’s Best of Coachella Valley! Vote Today

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Naked Yoga

Marvel at fine art photography during Naked Yoga, a stunning exhibition featuring thirty rare silver gelatin prints by renowned photographer Michael Childers. This free three-day event runs Friday–Sunday, October 23–25 at Stephen Baumbach Gallery. Opening night on Friday, October 23 from 5–7 pm offers wine and a live Yogi flow demonstration. On Saturday, October 24 from 3–5 pm, enjoy tea, cookies, and conversation with the artists. The showcase concludes Sunday, October 25 from 5–7 pm with a final meditation session. Sales of signed framed prints directly benefit yoga teacher certification scholarships. More info

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Perez Art District: 4th Friday Art Walk & “Conversations with the Land” Show

Immerse yourself in Cathedral City’s creative scene during the 4th Friday Art Walk featuring the special “Conversations with the Land” show. Stroll through open working studios at Perez Art District on Friday, October 23 from 4–7 pm to meet talented local artists, watch live demonstrations, and purchase original art directly from creators. This multi-media exhibition features desert-inspired works by twenty local artists exploring nature, highlighted by a special 5 pm performance by the Bird Singers from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and poetry recitations by Cathedral City Poet Laureate Clare Chu.

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REAF House Party PS

Celebrate in grand style at the REAF House Party PS – Pride in Paradise 2. Set for Saturday, October 24 from 5–8 pm at a private address in Andreas Hills, this tropical cocktail party features spectacular live entertainment. Billboard recording artist Debby Holiday performs alongside drag superstar Billy L’Amore, jazz diva Keisha D, the SOS Entertainers dance troupe, and the Desert Studs gogo dancers. KGAY Morning Show host John Taylor is hosting, and KGAY’s own spin master DJ Galaxy provides high-energy music throughout the evening. Don festive tropical or Pride attire to enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, dancing and community celebration surrounded by stunning desert views. More info

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This Weekend at the McCallum Theatre

Sensational live stage entertainment fills the lineup this weekend at McCallum Theatre. On Saturday, October 24, the dazzling circus spectacular C!RCA: Duck Pond reimagines Swan Lake with breathtaking acrobatics, humor, and an energetic duck army. Closing out the week on Sunday, October 25 at 2 pm, Broadway favorite Megan Hilty delivers a powerful vocal concert featuring beloved musical hits. More info

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This Weekend at The Purple Room

On Friday and Saturday, musical comedy duo Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley strip down to their underwear as The Skivvies for The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show, delivering mash-up arrangements of Richard O’Brien’s cult musical classics. Then on Sunday, celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes takes the stage in The Judy Show! to deliver a hilarious, razor-sharp parody of Judy Garland hosting Hollywood legend guest stars. More info

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Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Get ready for a hilarious, bloodthirsty night of entertainment as Revolution Stage Company kicks off its fourth season with Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. Running October 15–31, this fast-paced, 90-minute gender-bending stage farce combines gothic horror with Python-esque humor. The story follows a meek British realtor who takes on a terrifying vampire client whose deep pockets are irresistible and whose attraction to his fiancée is concerning. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh calls the production “A wildly entertaining theatrical experience… a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy.” Read his full review and Get tickets

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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs October 9–24, presented by THE BENT. Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize‑winning masterpiece holds deep significance for LGBTQ+ audiences, exploring repressed homosexuality, internalized homophobia, and the destructive nature of the closet. This production highlights the hidden desire between Brick and Skipper, offering a fresh interpretation of Williams’ groundbreaking work. More info

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Bound 4K Screening w/ Local Queer Erotic Short ‘Bite the Boot’

Experience a special one-night-only film event as Festival Theaters Palm Springs host a special screening of Bound on Friday, October 23 from 7–9:30 pm. Three years before The Matrix, directors the Wachowskis unleashed their iconic sapphic heist thriller starring Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon. This stunning 4K re-release is paired with the high desert queer erotic short film “Bite the Boot” by XilaMonstrr Productions. Attendees can also participate in an exclusive Q&A session with the creators of the short film immediately following the showing. More info

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Into the Woods

Fairy tales collide in magical ways as Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical masterpiece Into the Woods comes to life outdoors. Running Friday–Sunday, October 23–25 at Rancho Mirage Amphitheatre, this whimsical production features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. The talented cast stars Lizzie Sosa, Jacob Lozano, and Catrina Teruel following a baker and his wife on a quest to reverse a curse. Experience an unforgettable theatrical journey about courage, consequence, and community. More info

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Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ

Every Sunday from 2:30–4:30 pm, The Social Cafe & Lounge hosts Burgers, Boys & Brews, a backyard‑style cookout featuring fresh‑grilled burgers, hot dogs, sides, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, and live male entertainment. Come for great music, cold drinks, and a lively crowd ready for a fun, all‑inclusive brunch experience. More info

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• Joy’n Us • VR filmmaker Travis Hutchison showcases newly discovered 1970s archives from photographer Frank Diernhammer at Materias Primas, opening Friday. The multimedia exhibition includes vintage prints, 8mm film, and virtual reality honoring Antonio Lopez and Juan Ramos, with proceeds benefiting DAP Health.
• Floating Sound Bath Experience • Guests float in an outdoor saltwater pool for a restorative guided meditation session launching Friday at 6:30 pm at JW Marriott Spa and Resort. The 60-minute experience combines soothing sound frequencies and serene mountain views.
• Life Without Limits Sock Hop Luncheon • United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire hosts a retro 1950s-themed fundraising luncheon on Friday from 11:30 am–1:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage.
• Perez Art District: 4th Friday and 2nd Saturday Art Walk • Local art lovers gather to explore working studios and meet creative talent on Friday from 4–7 pm at Perez Art District. Conversations with the Land • Twenty local artists showcase desert-inspired artworks during a multi-media exhibition during the Art Walk. The event features a special 5 pm performance by the Bird Singers alongside poetry recitations by Clare Chu.
• 38 Special – Milestone • Southern rock band 38 Special performs classic platinum hits and fresh tracks on Friday at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.
• La Quinta CV Link Day • The City of La Quinta invites residents and visitors for a morning walk or ride on Saturday from 8–10 am at Jefferson Street & Vista Grande. Participants can explore the 40-mile CV Link pathway with free e-bike rentals, water, and snacks.
• Miralon Community Blood Drive • LifeStream and the Miralon community host a lifesaving blood drive on Saturday from 9 am–2 pm at MiraBar. Donors can walk in or schedule appointments to help save lives while receiving a limited-edition Halloween-themed T-shirt while supplies last.
• An Evening at COPA: Where Rhythm Meets Philanthropy • Hanson House Foundation presents a Copacabana-inspired gala dinner on Saturday from 5–10 pm at Palm Springs Air Museum. The evening honors community leaders Dick Shalhoub, Gerald “Jerry” Keller, Linda Evans, Oliver Jack, and Sherman Tam, with special recognition for Dr. Ercoli.
• Atomic Pink Bash • Metropolitan Fashion Week hosts a high-fashion fundraiser supporting earthquake relief on Saturday from 6–10:30 pm at The Velvet Rope. Highlights include a presentation styling breast cancer survivors, runway shows, fine art, vocalists, and a dessert table, with tunes from KGAY’s DJ Galaxy!
• Unbuttoned: A Boylesque Social Experience • Performer Michael Silas, former dancer for Lady Gaga, delivers an intimate boylesque show on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge.
• Dance Ranch – Country Dance Saturdays • Country western dancers of all skill levels gather for an inclusive dance social on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio. Instructor Rob Ollander-Krane leads a beginner shadow lesson at 7 pm followed by open social dancing.
• Charged Stillness Exhibition • Local artist Tina Roy showcases vivid paintings reflecting the beauty, drama, and delicate ecosystems of the wild desert from through October 29 at Rubine Red Gallery.

Questions about how high-level political appointees wield their power have long persisted, particularly under the Trump-Vance administration. Now, allegations involving openly gay Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell, White House adviser Alina Habba, and her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, are making headlines across newsrooms.

The allegations have prompted President Donald Trump to order an investigation into what has become a convoluted mess, raising questions about a potential “pay-for-play” scheme within the White House.

Axios first reported that Habba accused Grenell of directing her husband to send $17.6 million to a Texas defense and security company, with approximately $5.6 million supposedly earmarked for the Kennedy Center. A text message allegedly sent by Grenell to Mildon promised VIP events and access to administration officials, including Trump, in connection with arranging a donation.

“Once the money comes to the company here, I will arrange the donation to Kennedy center, and you’ll be joining the VIP events and get close with the administration, even with POTUS,” the message allegedly sent by Grenell reads, according to Axios.

Habba, a former U.S. attorney for New Jersey, has alleged that the Kennedy Center never received the donation. Grenell, who served as the center’s acting director from February 2025 to March 2026, has denied sending the text message and called the allegations against him false.

According to Axios, Habba raised concerns with Trump on Oct. 9 after money had reportedly been sent to the Texas company but the promised donation to the Kennedy Center had not materialized. One administration official described Habba as “pretty animated” during the discussion and said she exclaimed at one point, “Ric stole the money!”

However, an administration source told Axios that Habba had not gathered all the necessary information before making the accusation.

“[She] didn’t have all her stuff in order. She went in there half-cocked without all the facts yelling about Grenell stealing. And the facts keep changing,” the source told Axiso. “That doesn’t mean Ric is out of the woods. This looks really shady.”

Following Habba’s accusations, Trump called White House Counsel Will Scharf into the Oval Office and asked him to investigate her claims, according to sources cited by Axios.

Trump and Scharf then called Grenell, who denied the allegations and said he would have immediately alerted others if he had known about a $17 million contribution.

“There’s no way this is true. This is crazy,” Grenell told Trump at one point, according to a source briefed on the discussion.

The Kennedy Center reportedly has no record of receiving the alleged $5.6 million contribution. The White House investigation remains ongoing, with officials examining the digital authenticity of the disputed text message.

Grenell has denied soliciting money under false pretenses or receiving any payment from Mildon.

“I’ve never asked for one cent to be sent somewhere else pretending it was for the Kennedy Center, and I’ve never received any payment from him at all,” Grenell said. “Make him give proof to what he is saying, not make these absurd allegations.”

The amount Habba cited has also reportedly changed. She initially claimed the donation intended for the Kennedy Center totaled approximately $17 million, while the amount allegedly designated for the performing arts institution appears to have been $5.6 million.

The allegations come amid broader questions about corruption within the Trump-Vance administration. Vice President JD Vance addressed the issue last week when asked whether he had witnessed anything inside the White House that gave him pause.

“D.C. is a corrupt town,” Vance said. However, he added, “I have not seen a single shred of evidence that [Trump] participates or sanctions in that corruption.”

The Los Angeles Blade reached out to the White House, Habba, and Grenell for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

New Zealand’s High Court on Wednesday struck down regulations that banned new puberty blocker prescriptions for minors.

The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa Inc. challenged the Health Ministry over the regulations it adopted in 2025.

“The applicant successfully bought a claim for a breach of an obligation to consult under s 105 of the Medicines Act 1981 (Medicines Act),” says a press release that announced Justice Dale La Hood’s ruling. “The applicant was also successful in their claim that the minister unlawfully discriminated against young people with gender incongruence or gender dysphoria on the round of disability contrary to s 19 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (Bill of Rights). The applicant’s claims that the minister abdicated his decision-making power to Cabinet and acted for an improper purpose were unsuccessful.”

“The court declined to separately determine the applicant’s claims that the minister made material mistakes of fact or that he reached an irrational decision,” added the press release. “The court also declined to determine whether there was discrimination on the basis of sex or whether the decision breached ss 8, 9 and 10 of the Bill of Rights.”

The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa welcomed the ruling.

“As clinicians, we see clearly the benefits of puberty blockers and the significant impact they have on the lives of young transgender people,” said Elizabeth McElrea, a doctor who is the advocacy group’s vice president, in a press release. “Decisions about this healthcare are best made by patients and their doctors. The removal of this regulation is crucial and puts that decision back in the consult room.”

“This judgment means that as clinicians we can continue to prescribe GnRH agonists in line with best practice and without fear of retribution for doing the right thing,” added McElrea.

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked a Trump-Vance administration policy that would have ended gender-affirming care for prisoners.

On Wednesday, the justices rejected an emergency application filed by the administration that would have allowed the Bureau of Prisons to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender inmates in federal prisons.

Three prisoners, Alishea Kingdom, Jas Kapule and Solo Nichols, have said they had been receiving hormone therapy for years as inmates and challenged the sudden policy change. They argued that the abrupt change to decades of policy would end treatment for nearly 1,000 people in custody. The assertion of security concerns within prisons, the American Civil Liberties Union told the Supreme Court, was odd “given that BOP has not pointed to a single security incident relating to its provision of this treatment over the past 30 years.”

According to the application, President Donald Trump’s order called on the Bureau of Prisons to revise its medical care policies so that federal funds aren’t spent “for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex.”

Two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, would have allowed the policy to be enforced but ultimately did not join the majority, marking a rare judicial win for trans people at the nation’s highest court.

This decision is in line with other anti-trans actions taken by the White House regarding inmate rights. In May, the Washington Blade first reported on letters from congressional Democrats condemning changes to official BOP policy regarding trans inmates to bring it in line with Trump’s Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”

The policy would require BOP staff to “refer to individuals by their legal name or pronouns corresponding to their biological sex,” ban the use of funds for any “items that align with transgender ideology,” and suspend clothing accommodations, pat-search accommodations, and support programs offered to trans individuals.

The BOP responded to the Blade’s request for additional information about its policy change, but BOP spokesperson Donald Murphy said the updated policy is “rooted in medical guidance” and “data-driven decision making,” despite the guidance running counter to what most doctors who specialize in trans health care would recommend.

In June, the court upheld state bans on trans athletes participating in women’s and girls’ sports. A year earlier, the court upheld state laws banning gender-transition treatments for trans youth.

The court has also allowed Trump to implement a ban on trans people serving in the military.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson sent a statement to the Blade following the court’s decision.

“Today, trans people in federal prisons can keep getting the care they need. Denying access to critical medical care for incarcerated people simply because they are trans is discriminatory, cruel and flies in the face of our Eighth Amendment protections,” Robinson said via email. “Trump and MAGA extremists are obsessed with targeting our community and undermining access to essential healthcare, defying the recommendations of every major medical association in the country. This decision protects incarcerated trans people from the administration’s attempt to steamroll over constitutional rights for now, but the fight to uphold the dignity and respect our community deserves is far from over.”

The Blade reached out to the White House for a response on the Supreme Court’s ruling but did not hear back by publication time.

Uncloseted Media published this story on Oct. 21.

This story was reported in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.

By HOPE PISONI | Texas’s Senate race has become one of the most-watched elections of the year. MAGA Republican nominee Ken Paxton pulled off a rare primary defeat against a well-established 24-year incumbent, while challenger James Talarico has been polling well enough to ignite hopes of electing a Democrat to represent Texas in the Senate for the first time since 1993.

This election could have a major impact on issues like education and healthcare prices, which rank as Texas voters’ top priorities. But an outsized amount of coverage of the race has centered instead on transgender people. Paxton’s campaign and its supporters have run several AI-generated ads attacking Talarico’s pro-trans positions. That focus has shaped reporting on the race, both by right-wing media like Fox News and in mainstream outlets like The Washington Post, with many describing Talarico’s stances on trans issues as a liability. Talarico himself has walked back some of his positions in response to controversy, expressing support for some restrictions on trans athletes and rescinding a promise to co-sponsor the pro-LGBTQ+ Equality Act.

This outsized focus didn’t come out of nowhere — on March 3, when Talarico was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, there was a stunning increase in traffic on X related to his takes on trans issues.

In the three days leading up to his primary win, Uncloseted Media and The 19th could only find four posts about Talarico’s take on trans issues. But in just over 24 hours after Talarico won the primary, the newsrooms identified nearly 200 posts. Most of this was driven by three viral videos that were initially posted and amplified by GOP-affiliated politicians and strategists before being circulated by right-wing influencers, media personalities and activists. The spike shows how an army of accounts work together to amplify attacks that can shape the political debate in key races — and perpetuate harmful rhetoric.

“It is a match made in heaven, the business model of social media and people pushing hate,” Sarah Oates, a professor of communications at the University of Maryland, told Uncloseted Media and The 19th. “Because the social media companies know that these are the things that engage people.”

So how did the proliferation of this narrative happen? The following is a play-by-play of how the videos and their accompanying narrative spread in the 26 hours after Talarico’s primary win. The timeline is accompanied by analysis from experts in political communications and strategy.

What are people saying, and where did it come from?

Five minutes after election analyst Dave Wasserman calls the primary for Talarico, Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas posts a clip from a 2021 debate in the Texas legislature where Talarico says that “God is nonbinary.” This is one of two clips which suddenly go viral despite having existed for years — the other, which comes from a 2021 hearing where Talarico says that there are “six really common biological sexes,” is posted by Gill the next morning to a similarly large reach. Talarico has since walked back both statements.

As Gill’s post spreads, the replies are increasingly filled with animus. In one reply, Lynn Conrad writes that “this false prophet speaks with a forked tongue and will lead many from the truth.”

Prior to Talarico’s win, these clips had gotten a small amount of media coverage and appeared in an attack ad by Terry Virts, one of Talarico’s primary opponents. However, Republicans seemingly waited to boost them further until after the primary. Matthew Sheffield, political analyst and a former right-wing political consultant, says this strategy is common.

“Sometimes candidates will decline to reveal [opposition research] that they have for other-party candidates until the general election,” Sheffield told Uncloseted Media and The 19th. “When that’s done, it’s usually because they perceive that the other-party candidate would be severely damaged by the disclosure and they actually want that person to win their party’s nomination.”

Eight minutes after Gill’s first post, the same clip is posted by Greg Price, a political consultant who held a leading role in President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and worked at the White House in 2025. Within the next hour, accounts with direct connections to the Republican Party and the Trump administration post the clip and spread anti-trans talking points. This includes the National Republican Senate Committee; their regional press secretary and senior adviser; and Steve Guest, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s former communications adviser, who posted the clip and wrote: “James Talarico is a radical trans activist who weaponizes Christianity to push a far-left agenda to mutilate children.” Overall, 12.1 percent of the posts we analyzed came from such accounts.

At least 23 other accounts go on to post Gill and Price’s version of the clips, helping their message go viral. The posts above are also reposted by accounts with millions of followers, including conservative writers Dinesh D’Souza and Ann Coulter, fundamentalist Christian radio host Jenna Ellis and an account called End Wokeness.

About an hour later, Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA and the co-host of The Charlie Kirk Show, posts the “God is nonbinary” clip while calling Talarico a “beta male white boy” and a “compliant little lap dog.” Right-wing media figures are quick to jump on these talking points, with 18.7 percent of all the posts we analyzed coming from them.

Sheffield says that right-wing outlets scour the internet for stories that could “forward their narratives.”

“They do this not just with trans issues, they do this all the time with anyone who puts an argument forward that is helpful to them, and I personally experienced this myself,” says Sheffield, who entered into politics after his small anonymous right-wing website was covered by far-right heavyweights Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly mere days after its launch.

As the nonbinary video spreads like wildfire overnight, a new clip drops around 8 a.m. the morning after. This clip, which shows a sermon in which Talarico says that “our trans community needs abortion care too,” is the only one we analyzed which hadn’t surfaced prior to the Democratic primary. It’s first posted by ATX data, an anonymous account that bills itself as providing “conservative news and public policy covering local Austin and Texas issues.” While the account has less than 6,000 followers, the clip is picked up quickly: Fox News anchor Will Cain posts it within an hour and Kolvet and Price do so within two, allowing it to rack up over one million views.

Sheffield says that while Democratic leaders tend to prefer to establish rhetoric and positions in-house, Republican leaders more frequently look to grassroots supporters for talking points.

“That’s what this was an example of — they found something that seemed effective to conservatives, so they started picking it up and using it,” Sheffield says.

As lunchtime approaches, influencers and political commentators, who make up 18.1% of the posts analyzed, begin boosting the clips. Accounts with millions of followers, including Libs of TikTok, End Wokeness and podcast host Matt Walsh, help them go viral. The three aforementioned accounts rack up a combined 1.26 million views on their posts about Talarico.

Ashley St. Clair, the mother of a child with Elon Musk and a former MAGA influencer who has since left the right-wing online ecosystem and has spoken out about its “very coordinated” nature, says influencers are incentivized to repost right-wing talking points with momentum on social media because they can make bank from ad revenue, brand deals and practices like paid retweets.

“I worked with [Libs of TikTok], and that’s a business where she makes money hand over fist from this type of content,” St. Clair told Uncloseted Media and The 19th. “It’s become an obsession where she spends all day scouring the dark corners of the internet to make a minority seem like the rule.”

Libs of TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.

Between 10 p.m. on March 3 and 11 a.m. on March 4, Uncloseted Media and The 19th identified 48 posts about Talarico that use similar anti-trans talking points, including 26 separate posts of the three clips that would amass millions of combined views. In contrast, we identified zero pro-trans posts about Talarico in the same time period. Oates finds this sharp turn in the discussion suspicious.

“When you see a shift in a discourse on a particular platform that’s quite abrupt and moves from one side to another and then stifles all dissent, that’s generally gonna be inauthentic,” she says. “That’s generally gonna be led by people who are pushing propaganda or political messaging. … It’s not reflective of general public opinion on the issue.”

This perspective reflects statements by St. Clair. She told the Washington Post that she joined large group chats where influencers would receive “marching orders” from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. She also shared direct messages with The Post that showed White House staffers asking her to boost talking points and Republican strategists offering her money to amplify posts. Based on Uncloseted Media and The 19th’s findings, she says it’s likely that the anti-trans attacks against Talarico were coordinated in this way.

“I’d be willing to bet there was money put behind it in a paid campaign, because this is how MAGA operates,” St. Clair says. “Most people don’t understand that a lot of these MAGA influencers have access to a dashboard through certain companies where they can just log on and see any campaign that they can sign on to … and all they have to do is push out messaging, which means they don’t have to disclose that they’re paid.”

Sheffield says that many right-wing actors have such closely aligned interests that they don’t need to work together to act in concert.

“Probably most of it is not intentional when you see something go big,” Sheffield says. “They all have a movement mentality on the right, so when they see something that looks effective, then they’re gonna repeat it.”

As the morning progresses, the same talking points are adapted to French, Portuguese and Spanish, the last of which 28.5 percent of Texans speak at home. Like in English, they’re primarily spread by right-wing actors, including political strategist Emmanuel Rincon, who has nearly 620,000 followers on X and is the first to post the sermon clip to a Spanish-speaking audience. By the end of the day, the Spanish news media had also picked up the story.

One especially viral post comes from Collin Rugg, co-owner of the right-wing news site Trending Politics. Rugg stitches together a video that includes numerous clips of Talarico speaking on different topics, including the three trans-focused clips. In his post, he incorrectly says that Talarico claimed there were six genders rather than “biological sexes,” a misquote later repeated in an article by the Daily Caller, Fox News anchor John Roberts, and later Trump.

Matthias Kettemann, a professor of internet law at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, says that social media optimized for engagement allows misinformation to spread easily.

“Untrue information is usually more emotionally charged, and therefore there is a prima facie advantage,” Kettemann told Uncloseted Media and The 19th.

Shortly after noon, these posts begin moving outside of X and social media. The Charlie Kirk Show, broadcast on the streaming and cable channel Real America’s Voice, airs the nonbinary and six sexes clips. Later in the day, anti-trans talking points about Talarico make it onto Newsmax’s “The Big Take,” “Ed Henry: The Briefing,” and “The Pulse” as well as Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show.” By 8:30 p.m., “Jesse Watters Primetime,” which is the second most-watched cable news show in America, discusses Talarico’s stances on trans issues to an audience of roughly 4 million.

Shortly after the clips air on The Charlie Kirk Show, the conservative print media starts picking them up. At 12:35 p.m., the Washington Examiner publishes an article titled “FLASHBACK: James Talarico said there are six sexes while opposing ban on men in women’s sports.” Later in the afternoon, the Daily Caller, the Daily Signal, The Gateway Pundit, and Voz all post articles about the clips, with three of them citing X posts from earlier in the day.

Howard Polskin, president and founder of TheRighting, a website that tracks and analyzes right-wing media, says that right-wing social media and traditional media narratives tend to support each other.

“It’s a virtuous cycle,” Polskin told Uncloseted Media and The 19th. “If something gets written about in an extremist right-wing website, it might be posted on social media, then more social media outlets will pick that up and it might go viral.”

Matt Whitlock, a former senior adviser to the National Republican Senate Committee and the current senior vice president at CRC advisers, a PR firm known for serving conservative organizations, plays a key role in getting these anti-trans talking points on TV. He is the first one to introduce them on Fox News and Newsmax.

“The problem for [Talarico] is he’s created so much incredible ad content already that if you look at [X] today, it is flooded with clips of [him] saying absolutely insane things,” Whitlock told the host of The Big Take on Newsmax.

Whitlock uses the fact that social media is “flooded” with clips of Talarico advocating for trans rights to legitimize his claims that Talarico is an unviable candidate, despite the fact that right-wing operatives like himself are the main ones responsible for the spread of those clips. Oates says this reflects a common strategy in propaganda campaigns.

“Social media has the opportunity to spread more outrage more widely and more freely, but it’s not as influential as mainstream media,” Oates says. “What’s worrying is when what’s going on on social media starts to shape discourse in the more influential mainstream media. … ‘The people are saying’ is a classic propaganda gambit.”

Whitlock did not respond to a request for comment.

What to make of this

All told, we tracked 182 anti-trans posts attacking Talarico on X in the 26 hours after he won the primary. Sixty-three included or referenced the nonbinary clip, 50 referenced the sermon clip and 35 referenced the sexes clip. Between these posts and the citations in the right-wing media, the talking points targeting Talarico’s pro-trans positions likely reached over 10 million people.

In the leadup to the midterms, some Democrats have walked back their positions on trans rights — candidates have come out against gender-affirming care for minors and trans inclusion in bathrooms or sports, with one Ohio representative running an ad opposing “gender ideology” in schools.

Oates says that the manufactured nature of this spread indicates that these anti-trans positions do not accurately reflect the feelings of the voter base. A recent poll of American adults by The 19th and YouGov found that 37 percent of respondents think that both Democrats and Republicans talk about trans issues too much, and trans issues ranked the lowest in terms of importance among respondents to a September CNN poll.

“It’s understandable that some politicians would limit what they say about trans rights, but I think it’s misguided,” Oates says.

Despite how successful these social media tactics can be for Republicans, Democrats rarely follow suit. Oates attributes this to the fact that Democratic narratives tend to be more factual and less inflammatory, making them less suited to virality. Kettemann adds that research has found that right-leaning people tend to be slightly more susceptible to online misinformation.

“There have been few examples of campaigns like you’ve described coming from the left,” he says. “One of the reasons is that people from the left, by and large, are more technologically savvy and don’t fall into the trap of this kind of messaging.”

These tactics endanger trans people

The spread of these posts endangers trans people. The spike in anti-trans rhetoric in the 2020s has increased rates of poor mental health and suicidality among trans people and incited violence against the community. Oates says X’s algorithm rewards hateful content, especially since Elon Musk removed several guardrails for content moderation, including replacing the site’s independent fact-checkers with a volunteer-based community note system.

Social media platforms have increasingly come under fire for the harmful consequences of their engagement-focused algorithms. In the U.S., legal accountability for tech platforms can be difficult to achieve due to laws protecting them from being liable for content on their websites. But in their current state, Oates says that social media platforms like X are not healthy for democracy.

“By participating [on X], you’re not participating in real civic discourse, you’re being used as a commodity by a social media company that not only doesn’t have your best interests at heart but is deliberately trying to inculcate hatred.”

Oates believes that moving beyond the midterms, we will see one of two paths in American politics: “One in which political power is defined by … campaign[ing] on fear,” and another where “people decide … to embrace news and information that’s actually based in reality.”

Additional data reporting by Andrew Norris.

On a cool evening, around a hundred people gathered at the Black Cat’s outdoor seating area in Silverlake. The crowd was full of precisely trimmed mustaches, sleeveless cardigans, and colorful rainbow pins that read “Nithya Raman for Mayor of Los Angeles.” 

This was the “Coming out for Nithya” LGBTQ fundraiser for Nithya Raman’s mayoral campaign. 

The event which took place on October 8th, was hosted by gay comedian Joel Kim Booster and Pickles the Drag Queen. The pair encouraged the queer audience to support Raman and to donate money to her campaign. The event ended with over $20,000 raised to support Raman according to an organizer of the fundraiser.

Raman is locked in a tight race to become the next mayor of Los Angeles with current incumbent Karen Bass. After coming second in the mayoral primary in August, defeating right-wing provocateur and former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, Raman and Bass advanced to the general election. Since then, current City Councilmember Raman has been steadily gaining in the polls, with most showing her now maintaining a consistent lead over Bass. But the race is far from over, as many of the same polls show a large portion of voters are still undecided. Mayor Bass did not respond to multiple requests to comment on this story. 

After an hour of the audience ordering drinks and snacking on appetizers, Raman took the stage. She addressed the audience in an impassioned speech where she invoked the history of the historic Black Cat venue where the event was taking place.

In the early hours of New Year’s Day 1967, undercover police officers raided the gay bar, arresting and beating patrons for kissing people of the same gender as the new year rolled in. The raid left many queer community members badly injured, and others were permanently placed on the sex offender registry. The bar would soon have its liquor license revoked and was forced to close only a few months later. 

“Six weeks after the raid, hundreds of people stood right where we are right now on Sunset [Avenue] and peacefully protested,” Raman said in her speech. “In 1967 being seen on that sidewalk could cost you your job, it could cost you your home, it could cost you your family, and they showed up anyways,” she said. “How remarkably brave.” 

She then tied the historic oppression of queer people in Los Angeles to contemporary issues, highlighting the Trump-Vance administration’s targeting of transgender people. “Right now, Donald Trump and the people around him are running a coordinated attack on trans people,” she said. Raman remarked on how this targeting of trans people has impacted Los Angeles. “Last year, under pressure from the Federal government, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shut down the largest clinic for trans youth in the country,” she said, referring to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ decision to suspend gender affirming care services. 

“As mayor, I will use every tool that the city has to protect trans Angelenos,” Raman said to ecstatic applause from the audience.

After her speech, Raman spoke with the Los Angeles Blade about the specific actions she would take to protect Angelenos from the federal government. 

According to Raman, the federal administration is conditioning funding to the city “in ways that undercut some of the values of inclusiveness that we have here,” she said. “Going through the courts is very powerful… I would do more of that. This city has actually not filed as many cases as other cities have.” 

Speaking about CHLA’s ending of gender affirming care services, Raman said, “There are other hospitals that have not stepped back from their services as quickly as CHLA did.” If elected as Mayor, Raman said she would “reach out to their board and speak to them about that decision and see how we can push them to do better [for] trans patients,” she said, adding that she doesn’t think “that outreach has happened yet” under Mayor Bass’ administration. 

She added that her campaign’s focus on affordability and affordable housing is particularly important for queer people. She said that if elected, she would create “an office of tenant protections” to help renters most vulnerable to being priced out of the city. 

“Housing is what makes LA a haven for people,” Raman said. “If you can’t afford to live here, then LA is not a place that is inclusive anymore.” 

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.