Matthew S. Bajko
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politicalnotes.bsky.social
Matthew S. Bajko
@politicalnotes.bsky.social
120 followers 89 following 420 posts
Assistant news editor and political columnist for San Francisco LGBTQ newspaper the Bay Area Reporter www.ebar.com dog owner, nature enthusiast, Disney geek
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politicalnotes.bsky.social
Months after release from notorious El Salvador prison, gay Venezuelan makeup artist Andry Jose Hernández is having trouble finding work. He had been sent to the prison by the Trump administration earlier this year.....
www.ebar.com/story/160470...
Gay Venezuelan makeup artist works to move forward after prison release
Months after his release from an El Salvador megaprison known for reported human rights abuses, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist is having trouble finding work because of how notoriety found him.
www.ebar.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Friends are remembering James Edward Gordon, a gay man who served as the first secretary of Bay Area Gay Liberation and was a nude liberationist. Gordon also helped found the San Francisco-based GLBT Historical Society...
www.ebar.com/story/160436...
Friends recall early gay liberationist James Gordon
Friends are remembering James Edward Gordon, a gay man who served as the first secretary of Bay Area Gay Liberation and was a nude liberationist.
www.ebar.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:32 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits has gained its nonprofit status, the organization posted on social media. Best known for its annual powwow, BAAITS also announced that it has opened a satellite office at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center...
www.ebar.com/story/160443...
News Briefs: SF Two-Spirit group gains nonprofit status
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits has gained its nonprofit status, the organization posted on social media.
www.ebar.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:31 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Ahead of San Francisco marking the fourth annual Transgender Immigrants Day Tuesday, news began to spread that a high-ranking queer city official who had handled immigrant rights issues is no longer employed by the city....
www.ebar.com/story/160444...
As SF marks trans immigrant rights day, queer immigrant affairs deputy no longer employed by city
Ahead of San Francisco marking the fourth annual Transgender Immigrants Day Tuesday, news began to spread that a high-ranking queer city official who had handled immigrant rights issues is no longer e...
www.ebar.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:29 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
On a crisp fall day, San Francisco politicos, emperors, and members of the Bay Area Reporter family paid tribute to the paper’s founding publisher, Bob Ross on the occasion of the unveiling of a plaque for Ross by the Rainbow Honor Walk in the city's Castro district...
www.ebar.com/story/160426...
Politicos, emperors pay tribute to B.A.R. founding publisher
On a crisp fall day, San Francisco politicos, emperors, and members of the Bay Area Reporter family paid tribute to the paper’s founding publisher, Bob Ross.
www.ebar.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Despite it being the only race at the moment that could ensure there is an LGBTQ statewide elected leader come 2027, the affinity group for out California legislators is sitting out the 2026 primary contest for lieutenant governor...
www.ebar.com/story/160407...
LGBTQ caucus passes on CA Lt Gov 2026 primary endorsement
The affinity group for out California legislators is sitting out the 2026 primary contest for lieutenant governor.
www.ebar.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:50 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Nearly 5 decades since the late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk’s political career was tragically cut short, the civil rights icon is still roiling US politics. And it appears his hold on the country’s political discourse won’t be fading anytime soon...
www.ebar.com/story/160326...
Political Notebook: 47 years post his death, Milk still roils US politics
Nearly five decades since the late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk’s political career was tragically cut short, the civil rights icon is still roiling politics in the United States.
www.ebar.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:32 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Isabella Alcaraz now has the distinction of serving the shortest tenure of a SF District 4 supe in recent times. Disgraced supe Ed Jew served 294 days between Dec 5, 2006, & Sept 25, 2007, until resigning for lying about living in the Sunset when he ran for office....
www.ebar.com/story/160325...
SF D4 supe Alcaraz resigns after 1 week following multiple scandals
Just one week after her lightning ascent from political obscurity to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and attending one special meeting, Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz resigned late Thursday.
www.ebar.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will be celebrating the end of one era at the dawn of another with its annual holiday shows this December....
www.ebar.com/story/160293...
Holiday shows will bridge eras for SF Gay Men’s Chorus
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will be celebrating the end of one era at the dawn of another with its annual holiday shows this December. The Winter Wonderland shows will be performs at several th...
www.ebar.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
After initially calling for a higher penalty, San Francisco Ethics Commission approves smaller fine for gay Human Rights Commissioner Mark Kelleher due to missed ethical trainings resulting in him casting votes he should not have over a 3-year span...
www.ebar.com/story/160323...
Political Notes: SF ethics panel OKs smaller fine for gay human rights commissioner
In the spring, the San Francisco Ethics Commission had decided it wanted to see gay Human Rights Commissioner Mark Kelleher pay a larger fine than its staff initially had proposed to settle an investi...
www.ebar.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
It was a rainy Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District Day in Oakland Thursday, as Mayor Barbara Lee and many others celebrated the special district’s two-year anniversary and cut the ribbon on a rainbow crosswalk that spans Lakeshore Avenue....
www.ebar.com/story/160292...
Oakland celebrates new rainbow crosswalk
It was Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District Day in Oakland Thursday, as Mayor Barbara Lee and many others celebrated the special district’s two-year anniversary and cut the ribbon on a rainbow crosswalk ...
www.ebar.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:09 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
With his retail brand Scenic Cruising that he co-owns with his husband, Jim Gibson is paying homage to the beloved National Park posters from the 1930s and celebrating an aspect of gay male culture long "hidden" behind the foliage of public greenspaces....
www.ebar.com/story/160215...
Business Briefing: With a wink, SF retail brand honors cruising culture
Bay Area Reporter
www.ebar.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
As the only declared 2026 LGBTQ candidate at the moment for a statewide position, gay California lieutenant governor candidate Janelle Kellman is running to ensure the Golden State continues to have an out statewide elected leader come 2027...
www.ebar.com/story/160219...
Political Notebook: Come 2027, CA could again be without a LGBTQ statewide elected
Bay Area Reporter
www.ebar.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Queer acrobat and aerialist Neal Courter is among the performers in Cirque du Soleil's newest big-top production “Echo” arriving at Oracle Park in San Francisco on November 20.....
www.ebar.com/story/160165...
Cirque du Soleil gets stripped down in ‘Echo’
For decades, Cirque du Soleil has been known for spectacle.
www.ebar.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
A crew from Associated Builders wrapped up installation November 7 of the Rainbow Honor Walk plaque for Bay Area Reporter founding publisher Bob Ross....
www.ebar.com/story/160166...
Unveiling set for late B.A.R. publisher's plaque
A crew from Associated Builders wrapped up installation November 7 of the Rainbow Honor Walk plaque for Bay Area Reporter founding publisher Bob Ross.
www.ebar.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:40 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
The family of Kaushal Niroula, the so-called Dark Prince accused of orchestrating the 2008 murder of gay Palm Springs retiree Clifford Lambert, was handed a defeat last week in federal court...
www.ebar.com/story/160160...
Judge tosses wrongful death suit by ‘Dark Prince’s’ parents
The family of Kaushal Niroula, the so-called Dark Prince accused of orchestrating the 2008 murder of gay Palm Springs retiree Clifford Lambert, was handed a defeat last week in federal court.
www.ebar.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:41 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Daniel Chesir, a gay man who co-founded and served as the first president of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco’s LGBTQ synagogue, died October 31....
www.ebar.com/story/160162...
Co-founder of LGBTQ synagogue Daniel Chesir dies
Daniel Chesir, a gay man who co-founded and served as the first president of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco’s LGBTQ synagogue, died October 31.
www.ebar.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:41 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
As newly appointed San Francisco D4 Supervisor Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz deals with her 1st controversy, gay ousted ex-supe Joel Engardio is staying mum on if he will run next year to regain the Sunset District seat....
www.ebar.com/story/160164...
New D4 SF Supe Alcaraz dogged by pet store controversy
San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood has a new supervisor in political novice Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz.
www.ebar.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
One of the new gay characters on the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful" speaks to the Bay Area Reporter about making history with the role...
www.ebar.com/story/160124...
Long-running soap introduces 1st gay couple
Since 1987, the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful" has kept viewers enthralled with its tales of the glamourous life within the Los Angeles fashion industry.
www.ebar.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
A gay San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner is now facing a substantially reduced fine from the city’s ethical watchdog agency after its staff determined upon further review that his voting on grants that had come under scrutiny led to “minimal public harm...”
www.ebar.com/story/160125...
SF ethics staff reduce fine for gay human rights commissioner
A gay member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission is now facing a substantially reduced fine from the city’s ethical watchdog agency after its staff determined upon further review that his vot...
www.ebar.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
An initiative co-led by LGBTQ veterans aims to see the 2028 presidential candidates pledge to name a new naval vessel in honor of the late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk…

www.ebar.com/story/159962
Political Notebook: 2028 prez candidates asked to support naming a Milk naval ship
An initiative co-led by LGBTQ veterans aims to see the 2028 presidential candidates pledge to name a new naval vessel in honor of the late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk.
www.ebar.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
Ending months of speculation and clearing the way for a new generation of representation, Congressmember Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection to the House of Representatives next year…https://www.ebar.com/story/159987
November 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
A religious leader aiming to be one of the highest-ranking LGBTQ elected officials in the Midwest came up short Tuesday, while other LGBTQ candidates notched historic wins in their off-year races across the U.S. ...
www.ebar.com/story/159961...
Political Notes: Gay Minneapolis mayoral candidate loses; other LGBTQ candidates notch historic wins
A religious leader aiming to be one of the highest-ranking LGBTQ elected officials in the Midwest came up short Tuesday, while other LGBTQ candidates notched historic wins in their off-year races acro...
www.ebar.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
In a rebuke to Republican President Donald Trump, California voters overwhelmingly passed a statewide ballot measure Tuesday to redraw the Golden State’s 52 House seats so five more should be easy wins for Democratic candidates in 2026....
www.ebar.com/story/159930...
CA voters redraw House maps to favor Dems
In a rebuke to Republican President Donald Trump, California voters overwhelmingly passed a statewide ballot measure Tuesday to redraw the Golden State’s 52 House seats.
www.ebar.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM
politicalnotes.bsky.social
San Francisco Main Library event will commemorate the 75th anniversary of early gay rights group the Mattachine Society ... plus a groundbreaking lesbian author is being honored in 2026 with a US stamp....
www.ebar.com/story/159913...
News Briefs: Event marks Mattachine Society’s 75th year
On Veterans Day in 1950, a small group of homosexual men met on a hillside in what was then known as Eden Dale, Los Angeles.
www.ebar.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:26 PM