Las Vegas Spectrum

Joanna Theresa knows just what it will take to open a charter school. The executive director and founding member of The Village High School of Las Vegas knows that the needs of LGBTQ+ students (and allies) can be overlooked in traditional learning environments. She knows what is at stake for these students. And, she knows they are worth it. The...

Trans Day of Visibility is a day to see and celebrate the transgender community. This is a day for the trans community to come together to celebrate us, and for allies to support, validate and learn more about trans issues, needs and achievements. This year, Las Vegas is kicking off TransPride Week on Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), March 31,...

In 2017, The Advocate magazine listed the queerest cities in America and, surprisingly, Henderson, Nevada, ranked No. 14. That same year, a Gallup Poll listed Nevada as ninth in U.S. states with the highest number of residents identifying as queer (4.8 percent compared to Vermont’s leading 5.3 percent identifying as queer). With all these LGBTQ people in the state, and many...

The Center began 2020 with expanded programs and services in its outreach through HIV services, trans and gender diversity initiatives and direct services for LGBTQ youth, who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The organization’s growth includes the addition of new team members working hard to better serve the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada. Recent additions to the...

On a recent Thursday afternoon inside the now-closed Madison Avenue Bar & Grill, drag performer Jimmy Emerson is wearing casual clothes and a black baseball cap with his first name in bright pink letters as he maneuvers through the construction area. The diva who performed 20 years with “An Evening at La Cage,” at the Riviera ran his own production...

The 2020 presidential election may well be the most significant election in our lifetimes — if not in the history of our nation. As Nevadans, each of us will play a critical role in not only selecting the next president of the United States but determining whether we live in a just society that offers a better future for...

The results of the Nevada caucus are in and of course Sen. Bernie Sanders won a majority of our Silver State’s delegates. Congratulations to all the Bernie supporters who worked so hard to get this win. Also, congrats to Donna West and William McCurdy, respective chairs of the Clark County and Nevada State Democratic Party. Please consider some friendly...

ACA Health Insurance open enrollment has ended. The next open enrollment will begin Nov. 1 for 2021 plans. However, certain changes in an individual’s life can make them eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP) and allow them to enroll at any time during the year. Examples of qualifying-life events include: Loss of employer-based coverage, moving to Nevada from...

Rino Tenorio, an auditor with the Nevada Department of Taxation’s Marijuana Enforcement Division, said he was on jury duty Dec. 13, 2018, when he received a text from a colleague requesting a photo for an office calendar. He texted an image of himself, heard nothing back and thought little of it. The following Monday, Tenorio arrives back at work...

On the first Friday evening of 2020, members of Congregation P’Nai Tikvah were setting up for Shabbat services. The mood was somber. After all the shootings and other antisemitic acts that had taken place here in the United States and around the world, it was hard to bring the joy that one should have in welcoming the Sabbath. Although...