It might be one of Lake Tahoe’s best kept secrets, a four diamond AAA restaurant for seven consecutive years in the back of a so-so casino and resort, the Mont Bleu, in South Lake Tahoe.

You would never guess from the small dingy casino floor and cheap eateries that circle the craps and poker tables that a sophisticated restaurant calls this place home, but tucked in the back near a nightclub is the Ciera Steak and Chophouse (55 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe, 775-588-3515).

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The post Ciera: Luxury for stomach and soul in South Tahoe first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Changes are underfoot around the Castro neighborhood from new buildings to the newly unveiled Rainbow Honor Walk that was revealed September 2.

It was a warm sunny day in San Francisco when Girls That Roam toured the Castro to check out the new bronze plaques honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have made extraordinary contributions to art, culture, history, science and more.

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The post New Rainbow Honor Walk celebrates queer women first appeared on Lesbian.com.

On a hot summer day, my girlfriend and I were ready to ditch the concrete jungle and get back to nature with a quick weekend escape to the lake and mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California.

The lobby was buzzing with travelers checking in to the elegantly appointed Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa (27984 California 189; 909-336-1511; LakeArrowheadResort.com) in Lake Arrowhead, California when we arrive on a busy Friday evening.

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The post Lake Arrowhead: Southern California’s lake and mountain escape first appeared on Lesbian.com.

While over one-third of the Fortune 500 now accepts NGLCC certified LGBT businesses as a part of their diverse supply chains, California is poised to be the first state to require utility companies doing business in the state to include LGBT-owned businesses alongside other diverse enterprises, like those owned by women, ethnic minorities and disabled veterans.

The law will include all companies with more than $25 million in annual revenues that are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

“We are so proud of the hard work of our team, our California Affiliate Chambers, our LGBT businesses, our corporate utility partners, and our allied organizations that made passing this bill not only our priority, but also their priority. We are hopeful the wide support of this bill from diverse business communities will ensure Governor Brown signs the bill quickly,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president.

The bill’s lead sponsor in the State Assembly, Assemblyman Rich Gordon, said, “Not only does the bill establish equity for LGBT business owners, but it is also generates additional opportunities, spurring continued recovery and economic growth throughout California.”

On Tuesday, the California State Senate passed the bill by a vote of 22 to 9. Yesterday, the State Assembly gave final approval to the measure by a wide margin of 50 to 17. It now heads to Governor Jerry Brown to be signed into law.

The bill was introduced by Senator Mark Leno in the California State Senate. “The LGBT business community owes a huge debt of gratitude to Assemblyman Gordon and Senator Leno for their hard work in passing this bill that will have real impact on the lives of LGBT California business owners and the many Californians employed by them,” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC co-founder and CEO.

“This is a major step forward in leveling the playing field for thousands of LGBT business owners in California and we look forward to working with the many diverse business organizations in the state to ensure access and opportunity for our collective businesses,” said Sam McClure, NGLCC vice president of affiliate relations and external affairs.

Nelson noted that in addition to advocacy at the state level, NGLCC is working with several federal agencies through a series of memorandums of understanding to ensure LGBT-owned small businesses have access to contracts that will aid the federal government in meeting its mandated small business procurement goals. NGLCC is also working with several county and municipal governments to open up procurement opportunities to certified LGBT businesses.

The post Business equality bill passes in California first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Get ready. A fierce spat of dueling words is coming to Oakland, California, for the first time ever and the city will never be the same.

It’s been 25 years since the National Poetry Slam! started across the bay in San Francisco and the poetry competition hasn’t been back to the bay since the 1990s.

Next month, the slam competition returns home for its silver anniversary and for the first time to Oakland.

An estimated 500 poets representing a record number of 72 slam teams from across the United States and Canada — seven from the Bay Area — will verbally battle it out for five days, August 5 – 9, in front of thousands of fans for the National Poetry Slam! trophy. More >

The post Slam Nation hits Oakland first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Mariah Hanson

BY HEATHER CASSELL

GirlsThatRoam

Mariah Hanson, promoter of Club Skirt’s The Dinah, the annual all-girl weekend hosted in Palm Springs, Calif. is being honored with the 2013 Athena Leadership Award for her tremendous contributions to the Palm Springs community.

Mariah will be honored with the 27th Annual Athena Award on behalf of the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce at a special event hosted at the Renaissance Palm Springs on Thursday, Dec. 5.

“I’m humbled to have been considered for this award and especially to be in such stellar company of women,” said Mariah about the award. “I could not be more honored.”

The event will be hosted by Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and CBS Local 2’s Brooke Beare.

“Helene Galen, Carol Channing and Mariah Hanson truly exemplify the highest level of achievement when it comes to excellence in community leadership and all three of these amazing ladies serve as tremendous role models for future generations of women leaders,” says Steve. “I want to thank them for their outstanding contributions to Palm Springs and I encourage everyone in the Coachella Valley to join the Palm Springs Chamber on Dec. 5 as we celebrate these three remarkable women.”

Mary Jo Ginther, director of Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism agrees.

A sea of women at one of the famed Dinah pool parties. (Photo: Courtesy of the Dinah)

“Mariah has tirelessly promoted Palm Springs for over twenty years through Club Skirts: The Dinah Shore Weekend. She is a true example of an entrepreneur who has built her business with each individual effort and Palm Springs has been lucky to be the recipient of her efforts,” says Mary Jo.

Mariah was selected to receive this honor because of her visionary leadership as the founder of one of the city’s largest tourism boosters, the world famous and hugely successful The Dinah, which is also known as the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

For 24 years, Mariah has not only continuously promoted Palm Springs as a destination, but she has also created a viable platform for the advancement of the LGBT community, according to The Dinah news release Oct. 15.

“Palm Springs has been home to the Original Dinah Shore Weekend for the past 24 years. I couldn’t have chosen a better host city to produce the largest lesbian event in the world,” says Mariah. “It’s an amazing LGBT supportive city and this recognition shows just how truly hip and inclusive Palm Springs is. I look forward to The Dinah being here for another 24 years!”

As the largest and biggest lesbian event in the world, the Dinah offers a life-changing experience for myriads of women who come from all over the world to enjoy the freedom to be who they truly are without fearing the judgment, discrimination and prejudice of others. With The Dinah, Mariah provides a haven where acceptance and tolerance – in its deepest values – rule.

The Athena Award is a distinguished national honor awarded annually by the chamber of commerce’s around the nation to pay tribute to women who demonstrate excellence and creativity in their business or in the community at large.

Inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment, the Athena Leadership Award is presented to exemplary community leaders who are honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Additionally, the women who are honored with the Athena Award actively assist women in realizing their leadership potential, pointing out Nona Watson, CEO of the Palm Springs Chamber.

This year’s group of honorees is “truly spectacular women leaders making a difference in the Coachella Valley,” says Nona.

Other 2013 honorees joining Mariah are Helene Galen who will be awarded the “Community Icon” Award, and Carol Channing recipient of the “Jackie Lee Houston Angel Award.”

Mary Jo points out that all three women have significantly touched Palm Springs art community.

Helene has been intimately involved with the Palm Springs Art Museum for many years. In the same breath, Dr. Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation fosters the benefits of arts back into the curriculum of California public schools, and has funded scholarships for students and teachers in the arts, included here in the Coachella Valley.

Helene has also assisted in the medical world and with children’s programs, Mary Jo points out.

“Carol is a frequent guest at many city events, and it is always an honor and a delight to experience her upbeat and infectious personality,” says Mary Jo.

“Palm Springs wouldn’t be where it is today without their love for our city,” says Mary Jo.  “All three ladies are remarkable and truly deserve this recognition. In very different ways – as promoter, actress, and philanthropist, they have each played a role in the quality of the Palm Springs that we all enjoy today.”

To attend the gala honoring Mariah along with Carol and Helene hosted at Renaissance Palm Springs (888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, 800-468-3571, RenaissanceHotelPalmSprings.com‎) and learn more about The Athena Awards, visit www.pschamber.org or call 760-325-1577.

To learn more about Mariah and attend the 23rd annual The Dinah, visit TheDinah.com.

Originally published by GirlsThatRoam.com

The post Promoter of The Dinah to be honored in Palm Springs first appeared on Lesbian.com.

LGBT seniors at pride. (Photo via www.kbgressitt.com’s 2011 San Diego Pride coverage)

BY JESS MOOR
dot429

In a senate vote of 26-11, Assembly Bill 663 was passed on September 3. The bill was designed to help ensure that LGBT senior citizens get respectful and competent elder care by integrating LGBT cultural competency instruction into the training courses taken by residential care facility administrators.

Sponsored by Equality California (EQCA)—a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy in California that has advanced the state of California to one with some of the most comprehensive human rights and protection for the LGBT community, over the last ten years—and the California senior legislature, the bill will now advance to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown.

Read more at dot429.com

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Over the past several months, Ashton Lee, a transgender 16-year-old from Manteca, California, has been at the forefront of the state’s political arena, attempting to convince legislators about the significance of passing Assembly Bill 1266. The bill, which already passed California’s Senate earlier this month, now awaits the signature of Governor Jerry Brown.

Earlier this week, Lee delivered a petition with 5,700 signatures to Gov. Jerry Brown’s Sacramento office.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

The post Transgender teen petitions for trans rights in California schools first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY ANNIE-ROSE STRASSER

On Friday afternoon, the ninth circuit court lifted its stay on same-sex marriages in the state of California, acknowledging the Supreme Court’s opinion in Hollingsworth v. Perry that supporters of anti-gay Proposition 8 did not have standing to appeal a lower court judge’s ruling that the ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. The move, which came earlier than expected, allows gay and lesbian couples to begin getting married immediately.

As soon as the news came down from the ninth circuit on Friday, California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris began marrying couples — starting with Proposition 8 plaintiffs Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier. UCLA estimates that 37,000 same-sex couples in California will get married in the next three years.

Read more at ThinkProgress.org

The post In California, no more waiting for same-sex marriages first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Sandy Stier and Kris Perry at the rally. (Photo: Gail Ehrlich)

BY GAIL EHRLICH
Lesbian.com

On Wednesday June 26, the Supreme Court eliminated the part of DOMA that caused the Federal Government to ignore same-sex marriages. The Court also reinstated Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision striking down Prop 8. That evening, a boisterous West Hollywood crowd welcomed the Prop 8 plaintiffs, Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo, back home.

The rally was kicked off by Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar winning screenwriter who wrote the screenplay “Milk.” Black is also a founding member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (known as AFER). AFER is the organization that sponsored the Federal lawsuit which resulted in striking down Prop 8. At the rally, Black reminded the crowd that at the 2009 Oscars he promised the young people that very soon there will be equal rights federally. Black reminded ralliers that Harvey Milk exhorted the LGBT community to refuse to accept crumbs.

(Photo: Gail Ehrlich)

Also speaking at the rally was West Holllywood Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico. D’Amico said, “We are no longer the other! We are Americans!”

Kris Perry told the crowd that she grew up in Bakersfield California, a conservative town which overwhelmingly voted in favor of Prop 8. She said, “I grew up a tomboy, knowing I was a little different.” She added, “I still love the state…where I will marry the woman I love. California you are better today than you were yesterday. California you are the golden state. Not the silver state. Not the bronze state. But the golden state.”

Also speaking at the rally were renowned lawyers Ted Olson and David Bois, the political polar opposites who orchestrated the successful lawsuit. Olson told the crowd that the best legal strategy was to let the court hear the plaintiffs describe how Prop 8 negatively impacted their lives.

Robin Tyler, left, and Diane Olson were plaintiffs in the state lawsuit that initially granted same-sex marriage rights in California. Prop 8 was designed to overturn the results of their lawsuit. They were the first same sex couple in Los Angeles County to get married. (Photo: Gail Ehrlich)

Chad Griffin, the current President of the Human Rights Campaign and a founding AFER Board Member urged the crowd to continue the hard work of seeking equality. Griffin set a new goal stating, “within five years, we will bring marriage equality to all 50 states.”

Gail Ehrlich is a career prosecutor and is presently writing a book discussing the legal history of LGBT Americans.

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