Dumbest things said about Same-Sex Marriage

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West Hollywood (facts)

West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757. It is considered one of the most prominent gay villages in the United States.

Most historical writings about West Hollywood begin in the late-18th century with European colonization when the Portuguese explorer João Rodrigues Cabrilho arrived offshore and claimed the already inhabited region for Spain. Around 5,000 of the indigenous inhabitants from the Tongva Indian tribe canoed out to greet the ship. The Tongva tribe was a nation of hunter-gatherers known for their reverence of dance and courage. By 1771, these native people had been severely ravaged by the diseases brought in by the Europeans from across wide oceans. The Spanish mission system changed the tribal name to "Gabrielinos", in reference to the Mission de San Gabriel. Early in 1770 Gaspar de Portola's Mexican expeditionary force stopped just south of the Santa Monica Mountains near what would become West Hollywood to draw pitch (brea in Spanish) from tar pits to waterproof their belongings and to say Mass. The Gabrielinos are believed to have burned the pitch for fuel. By 1780, what became the "Sunset Strip" was the major connecting road for El Pueblo de Los Angeles, and all ranches westward to the Pacific Ocean. This land passed through the hands of various owners during the next one hundred years, and it was called names such as "La Brea" and "Plummer" that are listed in historical records. Most of this area was part of the Rancho La Brea, and eventually it came to be owned by the Henry Hancock family. During the final decade years of the nineteenth century, the first large land reconstruction of the town of "Sherman" significantly accelerated the development of the region. In what would later become West Hollywood—the town of "Sherman"—was established by Moses Sherman and his partners of the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad, an interurban railroad line which later became part of the Pacific Electric Railway system. Sherman became the location of the railroad's main shops, railroad yards, and "car barns". Many working-class employees of the railroad settled in this town. It was during this time that the city began to earn its reputation as a loosely regulated, liquor-friendly (during Prohibition) place for eccentric people wary of government interference. Despite several annexation attempts, the town elected not to become part of the City of Los Angeles. In a controversial decision, in 1925 Sherman adopted "West Hollywood", "...a moniker pioneered earlier in the decade by the West Hollywood Realty Board" as its informal name, though it remained under the governance of Los Angeles County. For many decades, the area that is now the city of West Hollywood was an unincorporated area in the midst of Los Angeles. Because gambling was illegal in the city of Los Angeles, but still legal in Los Angeles County, the 1920s saw the proliferation of many casinos, night clubs, etc., along Sunset Boulevard (which starts near downtown Los Angeles and runs westward). These businesses were immune from the sometimes heavy-handed law-enforcement of the L.A. Police Department. Some people connected with movie-making were attracted to this less-restricted area of the County, and a number of architecturally distinctive apartment buildings and hotels were built. Many interior designers, decorators and "to the trade" furnishing showrooms located in West Hollywood date back to the middle of the century. Eventually, the area and its extravagant nightclubs fell out of favor. However, the Sunset Strip and its restaurants, saloons, and nightclubs continued to be an attraction for out-of-town tourists. During the late 1960s, the Sunset Strip was transformed again during the hippie movement which brought a thriving music publishing industry coupled with the "hippie" culture. Some young people from all over the country flocked to West Hollywood. The most recent migration to West Hollywood came about after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when thousands of Russian Jews immigrated to the city. A majority of the 5,000 to 6,000 Russian Jews settled in two major immigration waves, 1978–79 and 1988–92. Other than New York, West Hollywood's Russian-speaking community is the most concentrated single Russian-speaking region in United States. The Gauntlet was a body piercing business founded by Jim Ward in West Hollywood that is considered the first business of its type in the United States and was the beginning of the body piercing industry. The Gauntlet began in November 1975, with its original location in Ward's West Hollywood home, but on the evening of Friday, November 17, 1978 it celebrated the grand opening of its first commercial location at 8720 Santa Monica Boulevard (also in West Hollywood). In 1984, residents in West Hollywood organized to maintain rent control. When Los Angeles County began planning to discontinue rent controls, West Hollywood was a densely populated area of renters, many of whom would not be able to afford to keep up with the generally rapid raises in rent in the Los Angeles area. A tight coalition of seniors, Jews, gays and renters were greatly assisted by the Coalition for Economic Survival and they swiftly voted to incorporate as the "City of West Hollywood". West Hollywood then immediately adopted one of the strongest rent control laws in the nation. The city of West Hollywood gave the keys to the city to Stormy Daniels on "Stormy Daniels Day", May 23, 2018.

West Hollywood is bounded by the city of Beverly Hills on the west, and by neighborhoods of the city of Los Angeles: Hollywood Hills on the north, Hollywood on the east, the Fairfax District on the southeast, and Beverly Grove on the southwest. The city's irregular boundary is featured in its logo; it was largely formed from the unincorporated Los Angeles County area which had not become part of the surrounding cities. West Hollywood benefits from a very dense, compact urban form with small lots, mixed land use, and a walkable street grid. According to Walkscore, a website that ranks cities based on walkability, West Hollywood is the most walkable city in California with a Walkscore of 89. Commercial corridors include the nightlife and dining focused on the Sunset Strip, along Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Avenues of Art and Design along Robertson, Melrose, and Beverly Boulevard.[citation needed] Residential neighborhoods in West Hollywood include the Norma Triangle, West Hollywood North, West Hollywood West, West Hollywood East, and West Hollywood Heights, all of which are only a few blocks long or wide. Major intersecting streets typically provide amenities within walking distance of adjacent neighborhoods. Climate West Hollywood has a subtropical-semi-arid climate with year-round warm weather, although winter nights are cool. The record high temperature of 111 °F was recorded September 26, 1963, while the record low of 24 °F was recorded on January 4, 1949. Rainfall is sparse (only 13 inches annually), and falls mainly during the winter months. Snow is extraordinarily rare in West Hollywood, with the last accumulation occurring in 1949. The 2010 United States Census reported that West Hollywood had a population of 34,399. The population density was 18,225.6 people per square mile (7,036.9/km2). The racial makeup of West Hollywood was 28,979 (84.2%) White (77.9% Non-Hispanic White), 1,115 (3.2%) African American, 103 (0.3%) Native American, 1,874 (5.4%) Asian, 34 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,049 (3.0%) from other races, and 1,245 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,613 persons (10.5%). The census reported that 34,290 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 109 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 22,511 households, out of which 1,141 (5.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,060 (13.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 852 (3.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 431 (1.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,094 (4.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1,321 (5.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 13,434 households (59.7%) were made up of individuals, and 2,606 (11.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.52. There were 4,343 families (19.3% of all households); the average family size was 2.42. The population was spread out, with 1,578 people (4.6%) under the age of 18, 2,407 people (7.0%) aged 18 to 24, 16,228 people (47.2%) aged 25 to 44, 9,061 people (26.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,125 people (14.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 128.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.9 males. There were 24,588 housing units at an average density of 13,027.4 per square mile (5,029.9/km2), of which 4,976 (22.1%) were owner-occupied, and 17,535 (77.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%. 7,874 people (22.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 26,416 people (76.8%) lived in rental housing units. During 2009–2013, West Hollywood had a median household income of $52,649, with 15.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line. As of 2019, gay men were 33% of the city's population; a 2013 survey had estimated the gay male population at 39%.

As of the census of 2000, there were 35,716 people, 23,120 households, and 5,202 families residing in the city. The population density was 18,992.7 inhabitants per square mile (7,335.1/km2). There were 24,110 housing units at an average density of 12,821.0 per square mile (4,951.6/km2), making West Hollywood one of the most densely populated cities in the US. The racial makeup of the city was 86.4% White, 6.4% African American, 3.8% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.8% of the population. There were 23,120 households, out of which 5.8% had children under the age of eighteen, 16.4% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 77.5% were non-families. 60.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% included someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.53, and the average family size was 2.50. In the city, the population was spread out, with 5.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 48.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.4 males. For every 100 females aged eighteen and older, there were 125.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $38,914, and the median income for a family was $41,463. Males had a median income of $45,598 versus $35,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,302. About 7.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over. Under the legalization of the sale and distribution of cannabis, the city plans to issue 40 licenses to either operate a dispensary, consumption lounge or delivery service. Eight licenses are planned in each of the following categories: Adult-use retail business licenses Consumption lounge (smoking, vaping, edibles) business licenses Consumption lounge (edibles only) business licenses Medical-use dispensary business licenses Business licenses for cannabis delivery services located in West Hollywood State law does not allow local governments to regulate adults in growing, using or transporting marijuana for personal use but commercial activities, such as growing, testing, and selling cannabis within their jurisdiction may be regulated by each city by licensing none or only some of these activities.[38] West Hollywood's first four dispensaries, Alternative Herbal Health Services, Los Angeles Patients and Caregivers Group, Zen Healing and MedMen WeHo, were granted temporary extensions in June 2019 to operate as retail businesses through the remainder of the year. In July 2019, the West Hollywood Business License Commission approved a cannabis consumption license for Lowell Herb Co. In September 2019, Lowell Farms: A Cannabis Cafe opened with a menu of cannabis for consumption, THC-infused drinks and meals for cannabis-enhanced sense of taste and smell. It is the first cannabis cafe in the United States and will include the expertise of cannabis sommeliers, known as "budtenders" on site. On August 20, 2020, the Original Cannabis Cafe (previously known as The Lowell Cafe in West Hollywood) became America's first restaurant allowed to serve legal marijuana to open in California. It became one of eight establishments granted a cannabis consumption license in West Hollywood. There were reportedly over 300 applicants, and the Original Cannabis Cafe states it was granted the first license. The West Hollywood Halloween Carnival is an event that takes place annually on October 31. The largest Halloween street party in the United States (spanning over 1 mile (1.6 km) of Santa Monica Boulevard from La Cienega Boulevard on the East to Doheny and the Beverly Hills border on the West), the 2007 Carnival was reported to have more than 350,000 people in attendance, with some traveling from other countries specifically for the event. Christopher Street West is an LGBT pride parade and festival that was first held in June 1970 in Hollywood to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York. After incorporation, the event moved to West Hollywood and is typically held the second weekend in June. One City One Pride is an LGBT Arts Festival held during the month of June in West Hollywood. The West Hollywood Book Fair has been held in the fall since 2001. Past participants have included Andrew McCarthy, Deepak Chopra, and Rocco DiSpirito. The Oscars is a major event in the city with a majority of the large Academy Award party venues being located in the city. Many streets are closed and traffic swells on this day each year. Frontrunners LGBT Pride Run is a 5 km/10 km run/walk held on the Sunday morning of LGBT Pride. The City of West Hollywood sponsors an animal walk and pet appreciation days throughout the year, which have in the past featured pet psychics and dog activities. During Halloween the week prior to October 31, animals can participate in a costume contest in West Hollywood Park. West Hollywood is in close proximity to Runyon Canyon Park's hiking trail and dog park in Hollywood. The Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Party has traditionally been held at the Pacific Design Center. It is a multimillion-dollar fundraiser for the foundation. West Hollywood has many ongoing programs to celebrate the vibrant arts and unique culture of the city. The literary community is acknowledged with the year-round author series WeHo Reads, featuring new and noteworthy authors at the West Hollywood Library with a full day literary event each fall.[ An annual PowPow is presented by AIDS Project Los Angeles Red Circle Project and the City of West Hollywood. This event, held at Plummer Park promotes HIV awareness and prevention among the Native communities and features dance, music, food, and educational resources. West Hollywood inaugurated the first City Poet, Steven Reigns, during the regular City Council meeting on October 6, 2014.

In 1984, West Hollywood became one of the first pro-gay municipality regions in the country, with traditions and their recognition of acceptance recognised by locals and visitors. Approximately forty percent of the population identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and the city has become a leader of communities in showcasing how to protect and advocate for equal rights for the LGBT community. West Hollywood has become one of the world’s top gay vacation spots for LGBT travellers and is at the center of gay California nightlife, including spas, shopping and dining. The city hosts expansive historical records of the LGBT community. The West Hollywood Library hosts an extensive collection of LGBT records, literature, and history, including the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives, and the Ron Shipton HIV Information Center. According to an LA Times article, the ONE Archives Gallery and Museum is the first museum in Southern California exclusively dedicated to gay history. In 2018, America's first city-wide Bi Pride event was held in West Hollywood. The city government is headed by a five-member city council, including a mayor and a mayor pro tem who serve one-year terms. The positions of mayor and mayor pro tem are largely-ceremonial positions which rotate between the council members, and both positions are largely not re-elected in concurrent terms, although council members serve multiple non-concurrent terms in both offices. Currently, the five Council Members are Mayor Lauren Meister, Mayor Pro Tempore Sepi Shyne, John D’Amico, John M. Erickson, and Lindsey P. Horvath. West Hollywood was the first city in the country to have a city council with a majority of gay members. On February 19, 2001, West Hollywood became the second city in the United States (after Boulder, Colorado) to change the term pet "owner" to pet "guardian" in their municipal codes. With West Hollywood being one of the most prominent gay-friendly cities in the United States, Proposition 8 had a higher rate of rejection than it did in any other city in Los Angeles county: 86% of the city voted against the amendment, which restricted marriage to heterosexual couples. In the California State Legislature, West Hollywood is in the 26th Senate District, represented by Democrat Ben Allen, and in the 50th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Richard Bloom. On December 20, 2021, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new state Assembly and Senate district maps, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021. These maps take effect for California's 2022 state legislative elections, changing West Hollywood’s Assembly District to AD 51 and Senate District to SD 24. In the United States House of Representatives, West Hollywood is in California's 28th congressional district, represented by Democrat Adam Schiff.

West Hollywood is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.[64] The area is within Board District 4.[65] Elementary schools that serve sections of West Hollywood include: West Hollywood Elementary School K–6 Rosewood Avenue Elementary School K-6 Laurel Elementary School K-7 Melrose Elementary School K-5 Gardner Street Elementary School K-6 (Some areas jointly zoned to Rosewood and West Hollywood) Most of West Hollywood is zoned to Bancroft Middle School. Some portions in the south are zoned to John Burroughs Middle School. Students living in the Los Angeles area known as Beverly Hills Post Office, usually attend West Hollywood Elementary but then go to Emerson Middle School. Private Schools in West Hollywood: West Hollywood College Preparatory School (WHCP) K-12 The Center for Early Education Pacific Hills School All of West Hollywood is zoned to Fairfax High School; some areas are jointly zoned to Fairfax High School and Hollywood High School. The Center for Early Education and Pacific Hills School are private schools in West Hollywood. Traffic congestion, public transport and parking are critical issues in the city due to its location between access to areas such as Greater Hollywood to the east and the San Fernando Valley to the north and the area of the Los Angeles West Side, with the Hollywood Hills creating a natural impediment to the north. Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard are critical east-west arteries in the metropolitan area, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard is a popular shortcut through the hills. Nearly 600 employees and 260 buses in the District 7 fleet of the LACMTA are based in a large facility on prime real estate near San Vicente Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. The K Line extension to the Hollywood/Highland station is likely to pass through, or along, the edge of West Hollywood.

In August 2013, the City of West Hollywood launched a free Friday and Saturday night shuttle, the PickUp, connecting the eastern and western parts of the city. The goal of The PickUp is to provide an alternative to the automobile and bring an energetic and playful transit option to one of West Hollywood’s busiest nighttime districts. The Public Relations Society of America Los Angeles Chapter (PRSA-LA) has recognized the City of West Hollywood with a PRism Award of Excellence in the category of New Product/Service Launch for the city’s kick-off campaign for the PickUp. In June 2018, the City of West Hollywood launched a new free shuttle service called The Sunset Trip. This service focuses on shuttling riders on Sunset Boulevard, but also crosses the PickUp shuttle route to allow transfers. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the West Hollywood Station. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Hollywood-Wilshire Health Center in Hollywood, serving West Hollywood. Fire protection in West Hollywood is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. LACoFD operates Station 7, the battalion headquarters, and Station 8, both in West Hollywood, as a part of Battalion 1. Emergency Medical Services are provided by LACoFD and McCormick Ambulance. West Hollywood, with a gay male population of about 39%, has been disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has ravaged its gay male population since the early 1980s. The city funds or subsidizes an array of services for those living with HIV or AIDS. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation parks a Mobile HIV/STD testing van outside of the city's busiest nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights, and again on Sunday afternoons. This outreach attempts to intervene with those young people most at-risk for HIV infection. Project Angel Food receives city funding to deliver hundreds of fresh lunches and dinners daily which are prepared under the supervision of a registered dietitian who tailors the meals to meet individual client's nutritional needs. AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) is a national leader for AIDS policy and advocacy issues and provides assistance to clients navigating the maze of available public benefits. APLA also provides free dental, psychotherapy and pharmaceutical services. Aid for AIDS provides direct financial support by assisting clients with rent, utility and pharmacy expenses. The city also subsidizes agencies that help clients train for a return to the workforce. The city permits all residents living with HIV/AIDS to have up to two pets in his or her home regardless of a landlord's specifications in the property's lease. West Hollywood subsidizes programs for its growing population of children through a partnership with the USDA and local schools. "Healthy Start West Hollywood" is a program of the city's Social Services division that introduces pre-Kindergarten through High School age kids to the benefits of good nutrition through such activities as collective vegetable gardens and yoga. The special needs of senior citizens are addressed through a variety of programs. West Hollywood either funds or subsidizes agencies that offer adult day care, a roommate matching service, and nutritious meals. The West Hollywood Senior Center provides recreational programs, excursions, and socializing as well as counseling and case management. West Hollywood also seeks to address the health needs of residents who do not have adequate insurance by subsidizing the LA Free Clinic and The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Residents can access free medical, dental, legal and mental health services between these two sites. The West Hollywood's Public Safety Division publishes guides on sexual assault prevention, nightclub safety, and how to access rape services. County of Los Angeles Public Library operates the West Hollywood Library at 625 North San Vicente Boulevard. Until early September 2011, the library was based at 715 North San Vicente Boulevard in a building designed by architect Edward H. Fickett. On September 6, 2011, the City of West Hollywood demolished that building, which aroused controversy among some community members, including the architect's wife. The current library building officially opened to the public on October 1, 2011. The building, which was designed by architects Steve Johnson and James Favaro, received a favorable review in the Los Angeles Times that ended by calling it "...a tremendously encouraging achievement".[89] Exterior surfaces of the library building and adjacent parking structure are decorated with murals by Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf and Marquis Lewis (aka Retna), and the interior incorporates design work by Fairey and David Wiseman.

The issue of Paparazzi chasing celebrities is raised regularly and the city participates in meetings with other nearby municipalities such as Beverly Hills and Los Angeles to discuss the problem and possible actions to better control the activity. The epicenter of the Thirty Mile Zone lies just blocks to the south of the city, and is the basis for the name of TMZ on TV, a paparazzi footage-based program. TMZ moved their operations from Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards to Los Angeles. On May 28, 2018, Mayor John Duran announced that Stormy Daniels would receive the "Key to the City" alongside her attorney, Michael Avenatti. “In these politically tumultuous times, Stormy Daniels has proven herself to be a profile in courage by speaking truth to power even under threats to her safety and extreme intimidation from the current Administration”, said the mayor. Actress Drew Barrymore grew up on Poinsettia Place until the age of 7, when she moved to Sherman Oaks; she moved back to West Hollywood at the age of 14. Valerie Terrigno (1984–1985) John Heilman (1985–1986) Stephen Shulte (1986–1987) Alan Viterbi (1987–1988) Helen Albert (1988–1989) Abbe Land (1989–1990) John Heilman (1990–1991) Paul Koretz (1991–1992) Babette Lang (1992–1993) Sal Guarriello (1993–1994) Abbe Land (1994–1995) John Heilman (1995–1996) Paul Koretz (1996–1997) Sal Guarriello (1997–1998) Steve Martin (1998–1999) John Heilman (1999–2000) Jeff Prang (2000–2001) John Heilman (2001–2002) Sal Guarriello (2002–2003) Jeff Prang (2003–2004) John Duran (2004–2005) Abbe Land (2005–2006) John Heilman (2006–2007) John Duran (2007–2008) Jeff Prang (2008–2009) Abbe Land (2009–2010) John Heilman (2010–2011) John Duran (2011–2012) Jeff Prang (2012–2013) Abbe Land (2013–2014) John D'Amico (2014–2015) Lindsey Horvath (2015–2016) Lauren Meister (2016–2017) John Heilman (2017–2018) John Duran (2018–2019) John D'Amico (2019–present) Alta Loma Road is home to the Sunset Marquis Hotel with its famous 45-person Whisky Bar and NightBird Recording Studios, an underground music production facility. Alta Loma Road was one of the main locations for the film Perfect. Actor Sal Mineo lived on Holloway Drive in the 1970s; he was murdered in his carport just around the corner from Alta Loma. The western stretch of Melrose Avenue, between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive, is notable for its trendy clothing boutiques, interior design shops, restaurants and antique stores. The west end of Melrose Avenue, near the Pacific Design Center, is especially known for its exclusive furniture. The area around Fountain Avenue, Harper Avenue and Havenhurst Drive contains a high concentration of landmark 1920s Spanish Revival and Art Deco apartment buildings by such noted architects as Leland Bryant. This historic district has been home to many celebrities and at one time the Sunset Tower at 8358 Sunset Boulevard was home to Frank Sinatra, Errol Flynn, the Gabor sisters, John Wayne and Howard Hughes. Notable business and attractions in West Hollywood include: The Sunset Strip Hotels such as Andaz West Hollywood, Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel, The Charlie, Mondrian, Montrose West Hollywood and the Standard The Pacific Design Center Architecture such as The Schindler House by architect Rudolf Schindler Buildings such as 9200 Sunset by architect Charles Luckman and the old Coronet Building (Piazza del Sol) Music venues such as House of Blues (Closed), Whisky a Go Go, The Troubadour, The Roxy Theatre and Viper Room Westlake Recording Studios, where Michael Jackson recorded the albums Thriller and Bad in 1982 and 1987, respectively Celebrity hangouts such as Soho House, Formosa Cafe (reopened 2019), Whisky Bar, Rainbow Bar and Grill, Palm Restaurant (now located in Beverly Hills): West Hollywood (not to be confused with the chain by the same name,) Dan Tana’s, The Abbey Food & Bar and Villa Nightclub Film, television and music production including Samuel Goldwyn Studio (now known as The Lot), home to Oprah Winfrey Network, Funny or Die, and Showtime Several parks including historic Plummer Park Comedy Store Sierra Towers, the tallest residential building in the greater Los Angeles area Saint Victor Catholic Church West Hollywood Gateway Project, the city's largest shopping center that is home to Los Angeles' largest public art piece using projection technology. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, an independent bookstore founded in 1970 that was located on Melrose Avenue.

Sometime in the 1940s, a sign appeared over the bar at Barney's Beanery that said "FAGOTS – STAY OUT." The message so offended locals that Life magazine did an article on opposition to the sign in 1964, which included a photograph of the owner steadfastly holding on to it. The owner died in 1968, and efforts continued to have the sign removed. The Gay Liberation Front organized a zap of the restaurant on February 7, 1970, to push for its removal. The sign disappeared that day. The sign was put up and taken down several times over the next 14 years, but the practice ended in December 1984, days after the city voted itself into existence. The then-mayor, Valerie Terrigno, the entire city council and gay-rights activists marched into Barney's and relieved the wall of the offending sign. It was held by Morris Kight for many years and now rests in the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives. Jewel-Thais Williams, who owned the bar Jewel's Catch One, originally opened the bar in 1973 because she experienced discrimination in both heterosexual bars and gay bars because she was both black and a woman. A resident drew national attention during the 2008 presidential campaign by including a Sarah Palin mannequin hung in effigy in a Halloween display. The home's decorations also featured a doll of John McCain surrounded by decorative flames in the chimney. Some residents complained about the display as a hate crime, but the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department concluded the display did not violate any laws. In March 2006, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service seized 250 fake denomination notes, each bearing a denomination of $1 billion, from a West Hollywood apartment. In 1961, comedian Lenny Bruce was arrested on obscenity charges at The Troubadour in then-unincorporated West Hollywood. The arresting officer was a young deputy named Sherman Block, who would later become the sheriff of Los Angeles County. In 1982, John Belushi died of a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood, adjacent to WeHo. On the night of his death, he was visited separately by friends Robin Williams (at the height of his own drug exploits) and Robert De Niro, each of whom left the premises, leaving Belushi in the company of assorted others, including Cathy Smith. This is just one of many notable sordid events at the location. A 1930s movie executive reportedly said, "If you must get into trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont". In 1989, actor Christian Slater was arrested in West Hollywood for leading the police on a drunken car chase that ended when Slater crashed his car into a telephone pole. On Halloween night in 1993, actor River Phoenix died at age 23 of a drug overdose at the Viper Room, a club that was opened that year and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp until 2004. On January 8, 2006, New Zealand film director Lee Tamahori, dressed as a woman, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover police officer oral sex on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Lodi Place. He was convicted only of criminal trespass, having pleaded no contest in exchange for other charges being dropped. On November 17, 2006, during a performance at the Laugh Factory, a cell phone video captured Michael Richards shouting "Shut up" to a heckler in the audience, followed by repeated shouts of "He's a nigger!" to the rest of the audience (using the word six times altogether), and also making a reference to lynching. In 1985, West Hollywood was the first city to create a same-gender domestic partnership registration for its residents, as well as to offer same-gender domestic partner benefits for city employees. West Hollywood's comprehensive Domestic Partnership Ordinance allows those couples that are prohibited from marrying (same-sex) and those who can marry but choose not to (heterosexual), to register their union with the city. These unions are treated on an equal basis with legal marriages with respect to city-level benefits and services. In California as a whole, same-sex couples may enter domestic partnerships which offer them all of the state rights of marriage. West Hollywood has inclusionary zoning laws governing development. The city established the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 1986 requiring developers to either provide affordable housing in new projects or pay a fee in-lieu to the city which it directs towards other affordable housing projects. In 1993 the West Hollywood City Council voted for West Hollywood to become the first official pro-choice city in America. In 2006, the City Council passed a medicinal marijuana resolution, by a vote of 4–0, making it the first city in Southern California to adopt a lowest law enforcement priority law for cannabis offenses. The resolution stated "it is not the policy of the City or its law enforcement agency to target possession of small amounts of cannabis and the consumption of non-medical cannabis in private by adults". West Hollywood adopted one of the nation's first mandatory green building ordinances on October 1, 2007. The city designed a law that pets are to be called "companions" and their owners "guardians" and was the first city in the country to outlaw the de-clawing of cats. In 2011, West Hollywood became the first city in the United States to ban the sale of clothing with real animal fur; the ban took effect on September 21, 2013. In May 2014, the ordinance was upheld by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, after a local business had challenged the prohibition as unconstitutional. Legislation prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation is widely recognized as the toughest in the nation. The city is one of 225 jurisdictions in the country where it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity or expression. City legislation bans the sale of handguns, prohibits smoking in public places, and restricts the city from doing business directly or indirectly (via vendors) with any country known to violate human rights. The city has banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

Pathological reads awful tweets from awful people

The patrons in that bar were innocent and didn’t deserve to die. How would you feel if someone you loved was in that bar and they were killed? Would you go on Twitter saying the things that you are saying now? It’s really sad and disgusting to wish death upon innocent people all

because you are an ignorant homophobe.

 
Gay people are not animals and don’t deserve to be hunted down and killed like they are. Why are people applauding this man like he did such a good deed? He walked into a club and he killed 50 innocent people all because he seen two men kissing. This is the worst massacre in U.S. History! We should be shaming people like this because society can’t function properly if people have to worry about being killed just walked down the street.

There was nothing good about the Orlando Shooting. Innocent people were killed! I honestly wish there were less homophobes like you in this world. It’s really sad and disturbing that two consenting adults can’t be in a loving relationship without other people trying to dictate their happiness. Maybe we should put all the hateful homophobic people on one little island so you all can be hateful together and let society function with less hatred.

God’s moral code is completely fucked up. He allows innocent people to die and does nothing! You cannot sit here and use your god as a justifiable reason to say the deaths of 50 people is okay.

God finds gay people offensive, while people are dying every day and he has the power to stop it? But does he? No he does not! He does absolutely nothing. Again, you are using your god as a justifiable reason to hate those in the LGBT Community.    

As an ‘individual’ you are disgusting and foul. How are you able to find happiness in the deaths of innocent people? YOU are the filthy one here because no honest loving person would sit here and say these things about anyone whom hasn’t harmed or hurt others. Two consenting adults should not be killed for being in a consensual and loving relationship.     

You’ve got a twisted sense of humor. I don’t find anything funny about 50 people being killed. Maybe I missed the punch line here? Yes, most Republicans have anti-LBGT stance and most Democrats are Pro-LBGT. I still can’t see the humor in it. It doesn’t matter if he was a Muslim, Christian, atheist whatever! The point is the man went into a club with the intention to kill and that’s exactly what he did. I find nothing about that humorous. You are vile for finding this funny!

‘There’s nothing wrong with shooting a few gays?’ Let me tell you something, yes there is something wrong with shooting ‘a few gays’ in fact there is something wrong with you if you think that shooting innocent people is perfectly okay thing to do! You really do need help if you can sit there and laugh at the pain and suffering the families of the victims are going through. It’s mind boggling that some of you people have no kind of remorse and are quick to spew their hatred to fit their biblical agenda. Disgusting!

‘Disrespecting natural order?’ What in the flying fuck does that even mean? Scientists have proven that being attracted to the same-sex isn’t something that you choose! In fact you don’t choose what gender you are attracted to, so can we please stop with this lie that everyone is born heterosexual! Yes the gunman was right about one thing and that’s exposing the truth about most religions and how some people are so indoctrinated into them, that they are willing to take the lives of other people because their ‘holy text’ tells them to do so. Any religion that tells you that it is okay to physically or mentally harm someone isn’t a religion worth following. No religion should encourage harm towards those that don’t deserve it.

Gay people are not sick. There is nothing wrong with being attracted to the same-sex. You may not understand the attraction but that doesn’t give a right to judge someone harshly. Please further educate yourself it will get you far you know.

Again, some of you are perfectly okay with the fact that people have been murdered for being who they are; and it’s just disturbing as fuck. I don’t understand how two men or two women in a consenting relationship affect your life so much that you have to wish death upon them. LGBT Community contributes just as much as the rest of society. We take their money in taxes, they work like everyone else and all they want is to be treated like everyone else. Basic human rights! You may not contribute anything to society but don’t label every single person in a community as worthless when you have no idea how large and influential this community has been.

The patrons in that club all were innocent! I fail to find the humor in innocent people dying. How would you feel if someone you loved were in that club and were killed? You wouldn’t be on Twitter making this dumbass comment.

Okay, not only are you demanding the deaths of innocent people because your religion says so; but you are asking that the police get sued because they did their jobs in stopping a maniac who had already killed nearly 50 people? Are you fucking insane!!! This is why we have a separation of church and state. You can have your religion and you can practice is as much as your heart desires, but the moment you try to infringe on other people rights that’s when it becomes a problem. The government can’t support an ideology but it can support your right to practice it as long as it follows within the law of the land which is the constitution!

There are literally 4,000 religions out there with so many gods to choose from. How do you know that you picked the right one, and how do you know if that really is the word of god? I can say that every single comic book is proof that superman exists.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t give a fuck what your god thinks because his moral code is awful. I really don’t think he exists and this is just your own personal opinion which is a hateful one at that. You’re an abomination for writing this tweet.

Hey everyone this guy has it all figured out. You aren’t born gay, you are born hetero and it’s all your parents fault because they didn’t properly raise you and this is why people turn ‘gay’. Yep, I guess that means we can just toss all the science research that has concluded your sexual orientation isn’t a choice. Good job man! What are we going to do with the people who didn’t get ‘properly raised by their parents’? Kill them all? Yes we are going to shove millions of people into bars and blow them up. It’s nice to hear how you are such a good Christian and how loving and tolerant you are of other people who aren’t even harming anyone.

The reason I decided to write this post was to display the type of hatred that the LGBT Community faces on a daily basis. There is nothing wrong with loving who you are and being attracted to the same-sex. We as a society need to stick together more than ever, especially in the light of the massacre that took place in Orlando. None of those people deserved to die, and it’s tragic that even if we have gradually moved forward. There are still people who truly believe that this was the act of god and this was a just act. These people support terrorism and hatred, we as a society cannot function properly if people have to worry about being killed just going to a bar to have a good time.

Please remember you can have your opinion and you can wear your opinion but you cannot enforce that opinion onto others.  

(Part-two) popular car choices among LGBT-Community

Porsche 718 Boxster 
Likes: Fantastic car to drive with handling that's near perfection. It's well balanced and very fast. The interior is top notch in quality.

Dislikes: Porsche is stingy with options and they aren't cheap either. You won't find any Porsche on the dealer lot priced near the MSRP price tag.

Overall: Porsche has an appeal that literally no other car on the road has. Your investments are well protected and it is easy to live with. Your only other option is a Mazda Miata and well the be honest that's literally best way to go if you can't justify the high price of admission Porsche asks for.



Audi A7 
Likes: The exterior and interior are the definition of classy. Boot space is quite generous and versatile thanks to the hatchback opening. Strong range of engines to choose from.

Dislikes: Audi design language really isn't for everyone. It can get expensive quickly.

Overall: Audi really did a good job with the A7. We just wish that Audi did a little more with the exterior styling.



Jeep Grand Cherokee 
Likes: Rugged styling with fully capable off-road abilities. The SRT version is wicked fast and the diesel engine offers the best of both worlds in terms of flexibility and low running costs.

Dislikes: FCA reliability record and quality issues haunts what is actually a great vehicle. You'll have to pay for features that should be standard across the range.



Mazda 6 
Likes: The sole engine is flexible and has low running costs. It's more fun to drive than many of its keen rivals. Interior is beyond what you'd expect and it's roomy/comfortable for the family.

Dislikes: No all-wheel-drive and no upgraded engine option.

Overall: The Mazda 6 is literally the best family sedan money can buy. It's not boring to drive, it's not expensive to run and you can fit five people in with a spacious boot. We just wish that it had a more potent engine for those who may want the extra oomph but don't want to venture else where.



Ford Focus
Likes: There's literally a Focus for everyone. The ST and the RS versions are absolutely insane. Practical hatchback boot space and the interior is roomy for five people. It's fun to drive across the board and priced within reason.

Dislikes: Reliability of the auto gearbox is iffy. Sedan version isn't as eye appealing as the hatchback. Why no wagon?

Overall: We love the Ford Focus even though it isn't as good as the Golf. It does offer plenty for everyone and is an easy car to live with. We highly recommend keeping a close eye on the auto gearbox as it has been known for numerous issues.