April 4, 2019 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

The

www.ebar.com

Since 1971, the newspaper of record for the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ community

Vol. 49 • No. 14 • April 4-10, 2019

Design: Ernesto Sopprani

The Besties winners have arrived!

by Cynthia Laird

W Community.

elcome to this year’s Besties, the Bay Area Reporter’s readers’ poll of favorite people, places, and things. This year’s survey garnered 1,324 completed ballots in categories like arts and culture, community, dining, nightlife, sex, shopping, and weddings and destinations.

Readers will find write-ups about this year’s winners throughout all three sections of the paper – news, arts and culture, and BARtab.

So raise a glass of your favorite beverage to the things LGBTQs love about the Bay Area. t

See page 18 >>

Shopping.

See page 20 >>

Weddings & Destinations.

See page 22 >>

Arts & Culture.

See page 29 >>

Nightlife.

See page 43 >>

Great dining.

See page 48 >>

Sex.

See page 50 >>

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Firewood Cafe closes

Lightfoot wins in Chicago

ARTS

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Charles Busch

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BESTIES: Nightlife

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Vol. 49 • No. 14 • April 4-10, 2019

Gay entertainer Randy Rainbow skewers politicians left and right

by Matthew S. Bajko

Courtesy SF Mayor’s Office

Mayor London Breed, left, swore in Reese Aaron Isbell March 29 to a seat on the San Francisco Rent Board. With them is Isbell’s husband, Sheng “Bruce” Yang.

Mayor criticized over gay SF rent board pick

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

enants rights activists have called into question the appointment of well-known gay Democratic Party activist Reese Aaron Isbell to the city’s rent board, and a supervisor plans to hold a hearing on his selection that could lead to his removal.

As the Bay Area Reporter disclosed in an online story Friday, Mayor London Breed swore Isbell into one of the two tenant seats on the five-person board during a private ceremony at her City Hall office that afternoon. His first meeting will be Tuesday, April 9.

The rent board approves the yearly rent hike for rent-controlled units as well as hears cases brought forward by tenants against their landlords. Isbell replaced longtime rent board commissioner Polly Marshall, whose latest term expired last fall but had remained serving on the oversight body.

She told the B.A.R. Tuesday that she learned about the mayor’s decision not to re-nominate her from the paper’s story. Marshall, who had left town last week for vacation in the Sierra, said she was “just completely floored and really quite crushed” by how Breed’s office handled the appointment.

“Personally, I am devastated that after 35 years on the rent board, having been appointed by five or six mayors going back to Dianne Feinstein, that the mayor’s office wouldn’t give me the courtesy of telling me about this,” said Marshall. “I feel totally disrespected.”

Breed’s spokesman Jeff Cretan told the B.A.R. that her office did call Marshall prior to the publication of the story but could not reach her and left her a message. He defended the mayor’s choice to name Isbell to the rent board seat in response to the B.A.R.’s request for comment about the criticisms it has elicited.

“Mayor Breed, a tenant herself who grew up in public housing, works every day with people advancing policies to protect renters, and she is confident that Reese can work with the entire community to advance and protect tenants’ rights as a member of the rent board,” stated Cretan.

District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who chairs the Board of Supervisors’ rules committee that weighs in on appointments to various oversight bodies, on Tuesday called for a hearing on Isbell’s selection. Although the board can’t force Breed to reappoint Marshall, it can reject Isbell with a super-majority vote of eight supervisors.

“San Francisco renters face a nearly constant struggle to remain in their homes. With enormous pressure from no-fault evictions and rent increases, they rely on our rent board for protection. I was shocked to hear that – without consultation or explicit justification – Mayor Breed declined to reappoint a long-standing tenant member, a person of tremendous dedication and experience,” stated Ronen to the B.A.R. “This is an extremely technical adjudicative role that demands a high level of expertise. It is incumbent on the board to review the proposed replacement, See page 25 >>

S

o far none of the 20 Democrats running to be their party’s presidential nominee next year, or thinking about entering the race, have been the focus of Randy Rainbow’s acerbic wit or musical comedic chops. But the gay performer and vlogger expects at some point he will parody the various congressional members, local politicians, and party leaders seeking to defeat President Donald Trump.

“Absolutely! As people start announcing and throwing their hat in the race, my cast of characters is growing,” Rainbow told the Bay Area Reporter during a recent phone interview. “Certainly, building up to the next election I will have a lot of material to work with.

I expect everyone to make a cameo at some point.”

So far, he doesn’t have a preferred candidate in the race.

“Certainly, there are people I lean toward.

I love Kamala Harris,” he said, referring to California’s junior U.S. senator who would be the country’s first black and Indian American female president if elected. “I am not ready to officially endorse, but really anybody would do at this point.”

Rainbow, 37, first attracted wide notice with

Randy Rainbow will be in the Bay Area this month.

his videos he posted after each of the 2016 Republican candidates dropped out of the race.

He expects he will do the same for the Democrats next year.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “The ‘GOP Dropout’ series really kicked things off.”

He shot to true internet stardom with his

“Braggadocious” video that parodied the first presidential debate in 2016 between former Senator and secretary of state Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, and Trump, the GOP contender, when Trump made up the word “braggadocious.” For the video, Rainbow retooled the song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from the musical “Mary Poppins.”

As the B.A.R. noted in November that year, the video had been viewed almost 30 million times on Facebook within a month of its debut. Since Trump won the election, he and his administration have provided a wealth of material for Rainbow to work with.

The day Rainbow spoke with the B.A.R. in February, he had watched Trump’s rambling news conference in the White House Rose Garden that was supposed to focus on the need for an emergency declaration to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. But it turned into a bizarre rant on numerous topics that Rainbow said sounded ready-made to be a sketch on “Saturday Night Live.”

“It is pretty insane; it is almost hard to lampoon this stuff,” he said. “It is hard to know where to go to take it to the next level.”

His spoof posted a few days later titled “Border Lies” reworked Trump’s remarks to See page 26 >>

Sisters celebrate 40 years with return to Dolores Park

by Alex Madison

I

t’s back. To commemorate their 40th anniversary, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Easter in the Park is returning to Mission Dolores Park near the Castro after being held at Golden Gate Park for the last five years.

The free public party (donations are welcome) takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21, and brings back all the fan favorites; children’s Easter egg hunt, live music, good eats, and the contests that have become rituals – Easter Bonnet, Foxy Mary, and, of course, Hunky Jesus.

The anniversary this year is a milestone for the nonprofit organization of drag nuns, which originated in San Francisco on Easter Sunday 1979.

Today, the Sisters have thousands of members across 75 chapters in 10 countries. The Sisters believe that all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and have devoted their organization to community service, ministry, and fighting for LGBT civil rights.

The beginning of the Sisters can be traced to Ken Bunch (Sister Vicious PHB), Fred Brungard (Sister Missionary Position), and Baruch Golden.

They went in full, traditional habits through the streets of San Francisco and down to the nude beach, according to the Sisters’ website. They were met with shock and amazement, but captured the public’s interest. The founders came up with the name Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the group’s mission: to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.

For its first two decades, the Sisters held Easter in the Park at Collingwood Park, a small neighborhood park in Eureka Valley. On its 20th anniversary the Sisters went big and closed down Castro Street for a block party that was met with strong resistance from the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, which fought to have the street closure denied. It garnered national media attention and CNN aired footage from the event.

Over the years, opposition from the Catholic Church in San Francisco appears to have dissipated. A spokesman for the archdiocese told the B.A.R. this week that “nobody is actively

Rick Gerharter

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence celebrated their 20th anniversary April 4, 1999 by closing down Castro Street for their Easter party.

contentiousness or opinionated about the Sisters at this end.”

“Easter Sunday is the most joyful day of the Catholic year, memorializing Christ’s Resurrection from the dead,” spokesman Mike Brown wrote in an email. “Many people will choose to organize their day around celebrating Mass as a Catholic community and then joining together as families and friends in a meal and to continue the day.”

Move to Golden Gate Park

After the 20th anniversary, the Sisters’ Easter party was held in Dolores Park until 2014, when the park underwent renovations. After which, the city tightened its rules for large events at the park, for instance not allowing spiked tents in the ground, making it challenging to pull off a party with more than 5,000 people, which the Sisters typically draw. The city, however, was more accommodating this year, Sister Abbi Normal, the spokesnun for the Sisters, said.

“The Castro is where the Sisters got their start

and gained a level of visibility,” Abbi, 30, who identifies as queer, said. “This is going to be a big ole party and everyone is welcome to partake in the community.”

A spokeswoman for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department said the Sisters were welcome at Dolores Park this year.

“The Sisters held their Easter celebration at Dolores Park for many years and we love working with them and hosting their event,” Tamara Barak Aparton, deputy director, communications and public affairs at Rec and Park, wrote in an email.

“Because this is the 40th anniversary of the celebration, they are returning to Dolores Park due to its connection and history. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are longtime park supporters and stewards. They work closely with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to promote our message of leaving no trace at Dolores Park by packing out trash and leaving glass at home.”

The event has been successful at Golden Gate See page 25 >>

<< Community News

4 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

t

Freelance Reporters The Bay Area Reporter, the undisputed newspaper of record for the San Francisco Bay Area’s LGBT community and the nation’s longest continuously-published and highest circulation LGBT newspaper, has immediate openings for Freelance Reporters for the news and arts desks.

Responsibilities include: attend assigned meetings or events; necessary interviews, and writing news and/or articles weekly. For News, coverage includes breaking news, City Hall, health, LGBT organizations, and other matters of interest to the community.

For Arts, coverage includes arts-related news events and/ or organizations. Availability should include at least one of the following: weekday daytime hours, evenings, or weekends to cover assigned events. News reporting experience preferred; newspaper background a plus.

Candidates should demonstrate ability to write under deadline and be detail-oriented. Send cover letter, resume & writing samples to c.laird@ebar.com or r.friedman@ ebar.com.

Cynthia Laird, News Editor, or Roberto Friedman, Arts Editor,

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an Francisco’s observance of Transgender Day of Visibility March 29 included an announcement by Clair Farley, left, director of the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, that community leaders launched Our Trans Home SF – a coalition to address the crisis of homelessness in the trans and gender-nonconforming

community. The office’s transgender advisory committee is scheduled to meet with members of the Board of Supervisors this week to make recommendations. The TDOV event was organized in part by Jojo Ty, right, a team captain. It was held at SOMArts Cultural Center.

Castro’s Firewood Cafe closes

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he popular Firewood Cafe in the Castro, known for its seafood, pasta, and pizza, quietly closed April 1 after 22 years of operation.

The eatery, located at 4248 18th Street, posted a brief farewell note on its front door, though it did not give any reason for the closure.

The Bay Area Reporter was able to reach owner Kevin Caso, who said that the writing had been on the wall for awhile due to a slowdown in business.

Caso declined to comment further.

In recent weeks the cafe had remained closed during the day and had been open only for dinner.

Firewood Cafe is part of a chain that included locations in Oakland and San Francisco international airports. A woman who answered the phone at the Oakland airport location Tuesday said the restaurant was now

Rick Gerharter

A passerby walks by the Firewood Cafe March 31, its last day of business

operating under a new name. The airport’s website listed it as East Bay Cafe.

SFO’s website did not have a listing for Firewood Grill, which had been its name there.

The Castro location had been the company’s flagship, opened in 1997

by brothers Garrett and Glenn Meyers.

According to its website, the company’s philosophy was that “freshly prepared food doesn’t have to be expensive.”

In its heyday, Firewood’s Castro location had been popular among local residents. On March 31, its last day of business, many lined up to say goodbye.

“This is terribly sad,” said David A. Diaz, a 53-year-old gay man who was at the cafe last weekend. “Firewood has been a dependable and friendly, affordable place. Martha, the cashier, has been there for many years and she’s always been welcoming. She remembers longtime patrons.” (Martha’s last name wasn’t available.)

Diaz noted that Firewood Cafe was a favorite hangout for people in the recovery community.

“As a member of the recovery community, Firewood has been very See page 6 >>

Police searching for MAGA hat slasher

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an Francisco police are still searching for an assailant who, on Friday night, slashed a man’s hand with a sword after an altercation in front of the Church of 8 Wheels, a queerfriendly roller rink in the Western Addition, according to authorities.

The suspect was allegedly wearing a Make America Great Again hat as pictures of the scene and witnesses indicate, though police are not confirming what the hat specifically said. Pictures show a red MAGA hat near a pool of blood on the sidewalk Friday night near the rink, which was hosting an adults-only roller disco. MAGA is a slogan used often by President Donald Trump.

It is also alleged that the suspect was screaming anti-gay slurs at some of the customers as they entered the rink, located at 554 Fillmore Street, according to witnesses and the man who runs the popular roller rink, David Miles Jr. According to San Francisco Police Department Officer Adam Lobsinger, the suspect and another man got entangled in a verbal altercation when the victim allegedly knocked off the suspect’s hat. The suspect then drew a sword and slashed the victim’s hand.

Police responded to reports of a stabbing around 9:50 p.m. March 29. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“We can’t comment on what the hat specifically said, but can say the victim flipped the hat off of the suspect and, as a result, the suspect produced a

Courtesy Scoot Sweeney

A picture shows a MAGA hat lying near blood after an alleged attack March 29.

large sword, a very large blade, and cut the victim’s hand and fled the scene,” Lobsinger told the Bay Area Reporter Monday. “We can’t confirm anything that was said or the specific events leading up to the incident.”

Police took witness statements and collected surveillance footage from nearby businesses. The case is still under active investigation. Police originally reported that the victim was wearing the hat, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, but changed their statement late Saturday.

One witness took to Twitter to talk about what happened. Scoot Sweeney, 24, attended the roller skating rink on Friday night with his girlfriend, his Twitter account states.

“Tonight, a #MAGA chud targeted a queer friendly roller skating event in San Francisco. We had seen him earlier as we were going in, he called us faggots. He followed us up to the event with a sword, we made it in okay, but he attacked someone outside. Fuck white supremacy,” read a

March 29 tweet.

His Twitter feed also shows the aftermath pictures with the MAGA hat. The Twitter thread indicates that Sweeney and his girlfriend saw the suspect wearing the MAGA hat standing near the entrance of the rink glaring at them. It is also detailed that Sweeney flipped the MAGA hat-wearing suspect off and that is when he began yelling anti-gay slurs at the couple.

When the B.A.R. spoke with Miles, who started the roller rink, which is located in the old building that once housed Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he also said he heard the man yelling anti-gay slurs.

“The guy was outside yelling at people coming inside,” Miles, a straight man, said Monday. “He was calling people fags and stuff like that.”

Although Miles did not witness the event and was inside the rink when it happened, he rushed outside to help the victim once he heard what happened.

“I saw a guy on the ground and his arm was bleeding really, really bad. It was just oozing onto the sidewalk,” Miles said, at which point paramedics and the police arrived and took over the situation.

Miles does not remember seeing a MAGA hat, but said other witnesses were talking about it right after the incident happened. Miles also said that after the suspect slashed the victim’s hand, the victim chased after him, until realizing how badly he was bleeding.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at (415) 575-4444. t

<< Community News

6 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

t

Gay man questions authorities in BDSM case

by Alex Madison

A

gay San Francisco man said that police and the district attorney’s office repeatedly told him that his alleged assault years ago was “consensual” because it happened during a BDSM encounter and said that they viewed the situation through a “hetero-normative lens” with a lack of understanding of BDSM or the LGBT community.

“They didn’t see me as a victim,” Ben Kincannon told the Bay Area Reporter.

On December 5, 2017, Kincannon, 36, said he hooked up with a man he had met on the dating app Scruff, after a few weeks of communicating through text message.

They met in the Castro district and had planned to engage in a consensual BDSM encounter at the man’s apartment. Text messages shared with the B.A.R. between Kincannon and the alleged assailant prior to the incident showed that Kincannon was to play the “dom” or dominant and the man the “sub” or submissive. One of the text messages sent by Kincannon to the alleged assailant prior to the meetup said, “If part of your fantasy involves striking me, we’re not a match.”

According to Kincannon, shortly after he arrived at the alleged assailant’s apartment, the situation got out of hand.

“Once we got behind closed doors, he beat me up,” Kincannon said.

“He fractured my ribs, in addition to choking me and slapping me. After he fractured my ribs he sat on me and pinned me down, grabbed my head, and violently moved my head from the floor to his crotch.”

The San Francisco District Attorney’s office did not file charges against the man who is allegedly responsible for the assault, citing a lack of evidence, spokesman Alex Bastian said.

The Bay Area Reporter is not naming the man because he has not been arrested or charged in the alleged incident.

Kincannon, who is legally deaf, said he repeatedly told the man to stop without avail.

“He heard me every time I said stop

<<

Firewood Cafe

From page 4

important,” he said. “It’s provided a place to gather before and after meetings, many of which are held at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church right across the street. More than just a place for fellowship, it’s been a place where we could host people’s recovery

Courtesy Ben Kincannon

Ben Kincannon said that a 2017 BDSM encounter went wrong.

and he never stopped until he wanted to,” Kincannon said. Kincannon eventually left the man’s apartment in the early hours of the morning.

A few days after the incident, Kincannon visited the Mission Neighborhood Health Center for treatment for his injuries. Medical documents from Kincannon’s physician, Dr. Brad Williams, on December 8, 2017, state that Kincannon “may not return to work at this time due to injury. He may return to work 1/18/18.”

In another document signed by Williams it states, “On 12/7/17 Mr. Kincannon presented to our clinic with right chest injuries resulting from an assault two days prior. On exam he was found to be in distress secondary to severe pain, and there was soft tissue swelling overlying the right lower rib cage.” The document also stated that Kincannon visited the clinic an additional three times for the same injuries.

Another document from December 6, 2017 states that Jorge Villarroel, a licensed marriage and family therapist from the same clinic, was treating Kincannon for depression, anxiety, insomnia with nightmares, and intrusive thoughts caused by the alleged assault. (Kincannon shared his medical

milestones. We often reserved the back room for those kinds of celebrations.”

Another patron, Brent Snowfleet, said the cafe was “a neighborhood fixture.”

“I’m sorry to see them go,” said Snowfleet, a 59-year-old gay man.

“The food was good and the staff was friendly. A great place to stop in before or after seeing a film at the Castro Theatre. They will be missed.”

Dave McKague, 66, told the B.A.R.

In response to the accusations of homophobia Kincannon has

made against some of the SFPD officers who were involved in the case, SFPD spokesman Sergeant Michael Andraychak wrote in an emailed response, “The San Francisco Police Department takes every report and investigation seriously. In this case, Special Victims Unit investigators met with the victim and discussed his case and progress of the investigation. An investigator presented the case to the district attorney’s office, which determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case.”

Kincannon believes that the DA’s office and SFPD did not see him as a victim because the incident involved a sexual experience between two gay men who are into BDSM. “I think homophobia is part of it.

None of the cops called me a gay slur, but I think degrees of homophobia were present,” Kincannon said. “The police officers saw it through a heterosexual light. They think it was just two dudes who were just buddying around.”

Kincannon also said that SFPD Lieutenant Liza Tiffe of the SVU told him that the unit was just now learning about BDSM. He added that Tiffe was “compassionate” and “understanding.”

Andraychak did not comment on what Kincannon said Tiffe told him.

“That struck me as so odd. This is San Francisco, not Mayberry. There is Dore Alley,” Kincannon said, referring to the leather-themed summer fair now known as Up Your Alley. “There is a kink coffee shop in SOMA. Why wouldn’t they know anything about BDSM? BDSM is not just gay. I think the BDSM elements were confusing for many cops, lawyers, and the DA. They think if you’re into it then you acquiesce to being assaulted.”

Some of the evidence that Kincannon had presented to police and the DA was in the form of text messages between himself and the alleged assailant the day after the incident.

On December 6, 2017 around 3 a.m., Kincannon texted the alleged assailant, “Whatever you did to my ribs has made it too painful to sleep.

Fuck you. Every moment and breath is agony. You assaulted me.”

The alleged assailant responded by saying Kincannon was not a victim in this situation.

“I was concerned and asked if you were OK. I certainly didn’t want to hurt you,” read the alleged assailant’s text message.

Kincannon did file a request for a restraining order against the alleged assailant and in January 2018, on the advice of his attorney, agreed to a mutual, non-criminal restraining order.

Kincannon said his lawyer suggested it because Kincannon would have had to cover the alleged assailant’s legal fees if he didn’t and said he felt intimidated by the alleged assailant’s two attorneys.

A mutual friend of Kincannon and the alleged assailant spoke to the B.A.R. about the impact the alleged attack had on Kincannon. The friend did not want his name to be used. He said that Kincannon told him about the incident a couple of days after it happened.

“Ben told me about it right away,” the friend said. “It really messed him up and the affects of the trauma lasted a long time.”

At the time the friend told Kincannon, “I said ‘Ben you have to call the cops,’ but because he is gay, the cops didn’t work real hard.”

When asked if he considered the incident to be a normal BDSM experience, the friend said, “If both parties had agreed on that beforehand, but they didn’t and when Ben said stop, the guy didn’t stop. In that type of situation, there has to be respect for boundaries and when someone says stop they are not kidding.”

Kincannon is currently waiting for a doctor’s referral to get a CT scan to determine if there is any further damage to his rib cage. Kincannon said he went public in hopes of preventing other victims from experiencing the same thing.

Williams and Anderson did not respond to requests for comment from the B.A.R. t

that he and his partner had been coming to Firewood Cafe for several years.

“We’ve always enjoyed the food,” McKague, who is gay, said. “We’ve enjoyed the friendly staff, the great service, and the atmosphere. Too many businesses in the Castro are closing and that isn’t good. We wish something could be done to keep this place going.

We wish something could be done to preserve the Castro that we love.”

The Firewood Cafe’s website stated that more locations are coming, but no information was offered as to where they might be. It was unclear if the information was current.

In other Castro business news, the popular nightclub the Cafe, located at 2369 Market Street, closed last Sunday, though it’s temporary. The Cafe is undergoing extensive renovations and is expected to reopen in June,

according to Hoodline. The remodel will increase the size of the club, and will most likely extend into the space formerly occupied by the now shuttered restaurant Bisou, located next door. The Cafe shares its space with a Subway sandwich shop. It is not known how, or if, the remodel will affect Subway.

The owners of the Cafe did not respond to a request for comment. t

records with the B.A.R.) Kincannon filed a police report two days after the incident, then another two over time due to errors in the initial report and additional documents Kincannon wanted to include, he said. Errors in the initial report included the wrong spelling of the alleged assailant’s name, incorrect date of the incident, and that it stated that the “wrestling match” was consensual.

The case was turned over to the Special Victims Unit in January 2018.

“The SVU officer repeatedly screamed in my face that this was consensual,” Kincannon said.

After the report reached a third officer, Sergeant Destiny Anderson, it was eventually turned over to Assistant District Attorney Lisa Williams. Anderson was one of the first officers to take Kincannon’s allegations seriously, he said, and she felt there was enough evidence to hand it over to the DA’s office in hopes of getting an arrest warrant issued for the alleged assailant.

Williams, however, believed the situation to be consensual, Kincannon said, and denied the arrest warrant.

“ADA Williams said since I went to [the alleged assailant’s] apartment I consented,” Kincannon said in a text message to the B.A.R. “I never consented to being assaulted. I thought I was going over there for sex, not fractured ribs and further trauma.”

Bastian did not directly respond to Kincannon’s allegation against Williams, but said there was “insufficient evidence” in the case and a “lack of corroborating evidence to warrant a felony charge.”

Bastian also said that aside from the lack of evidence, Kincannon’s injuries were not severe enough for the alleged assault to be considered a felony and that it had also reached its one-year statute of limitations for a misdemeanor charge, as the DA’s office received the case February of this year.

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<< Open Forum

8 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Volume 49, Number 14 April 4-10, 2019 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman BARTAB EDITOR & EVENTS LISTINGS EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • Alex Madison CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ray Aguilera • Tavo Amador • Race Bannon Erin Blackwell • Roger Brigham Brian Bromberger • Victoria A. Brownworth Brent Calderwood • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Belo Cipriani • Dan Renzi Christina DiEdoardo • Richard Dodds Michael Flanagan • Jim Gladstone David Guarino • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr • Lisa Keen Matthew Kennedy • Joshua Klipp David Lamble • Max Leger Michael McDonagh • Juanita MORE! David-Elijah Nahmod • Paul Parish Sean Piverger • Lois Pearlman Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr Adam Sandel • Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Tony Taylor • Sari Staver Jim Stewart • Sean Timberlake • Andre Torrez Ronn Vigh • Charlie Wagner • Ed Walsh Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland • FBFE Rick Gerharter • Gareth Gooch Jose Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Dan Lloyd • Jo-Lynn Otto Rich Stadtmiller • Kelly Sullivan • Fred Rowe Steven Underhil • Dallis Willard • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge • Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small Bogitini VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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t

Trans speaker needed at DNC convention T

he Democratic National Committee has chosen Joe Solmonese, a gay man, as chief executive officer for the 2020 convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His selection represents a remarkable achievement for LGBT people and a symbol of the Democratic Party’s commitment to inclusivity and equality. He can reinforce those values by selecting an out trans person to deliver a prime time address.

Solmonese’s tattered reputation in the trans community dates back to his former position as president of the Human Rights Campaign.

At the time the national gay rights group had a poor record representing the “T” in LGBT. That disconnect was starkly apparent more than a decade ago in 2007, when congressional Democrats were divided on whether to include trans people in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Ultimately, gay former Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank (D) decided to split the bill in two – one that would address sexual orientation only and one that would include gender identity.

Frank took his plan to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who delayed the vote when word got out about the split bill and massive community mobilization ensued. HRC, however, tried to have it both ways: it reaffirmed its 2004 position of supporting a trans-inclusive ENDA, but would not lobby members of Congress against voting for the transexclusive bill. As ENDA’s primary cheerleader outside of Congress, Solmonese came under withering attack from the LGBT community. That year, local activists and LGBT officials picketed HRC’s San Francisco gala in response.

Solmonese himself later came to San Francisco for a closed-door meeting with trans community leaders, a session that went poorly, as reported in the Bay Area Reporter. In November 2007, the House passed the trans-exclusive ENDA, but it died when that session of Congress ended. Today, HRC is more trans-friendly and regularly speaks out on trans issues. But among some trans community members, the organization will never truly represent them.

The 2020 Democratic convention will feature an array of diverse speakers, all delivering messages to their communities. Four years ago, Sarah McBride, national press secretary for HRC, became the first out trans woman to give a speech at a Democratic convention. But she delivered it on the last night, when nominee Hillary Clinton spoke, and it was not in prime time. There are a limited number of prime time slots, of course,

Rick Gerharter

Democratic convention CEO Joe Solmonese

but there are compelling arguments to be made for a trans person to have one of them.

1. As a direct rebuke on President Donald Trump’s attack on trans people. Since taking office, Trump and his administration have actively undermined trans people and their right to self-identify. The most glaring example was Trump’s tweet prohibiting trans people from serving openly in the military. The military ban has been bolstered by recent court rulings, though it remains unclear whether it can go into effect until other lawsuits are resolved. Regardless, it appears likely that the ban will be implemented. Meanwhile, it has real consequences and negative effects for trans people currently in the armed forces and those who would like to serve their country.

2. To highlight rescinded protections for trans students. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ cruelty toward students was demonstrated again when she decided to strip away protections for trans students that were implemented during the Obama administration. The issue largely revolves around bathroom and locker room access at schools. All students deserve safe educational facilities, and DeVos’ actions have made that more difficult, if not impossible, in jurisdictions that lack anti-discrimination laws.

3. To show the country that trans people are valued members of society. Last fall, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration was preparing a federal proposal to limit the identification of a person’s gender to only “male”

or “female” as is listed at birth. LGBTQ advocates contend that if this policy is enacted, trans people would not have federal recognition. The proposal, from the Health and Human Services department, would deny trans people government documents that match their gender identity.

We wouldn’t opine without offering a solution, so here are four nominations for Solmonese to consider as he embarks on his new DNC role.

Danica Roem is a Democratic state legislator from Virginia. She is the first out trans person elected to the Virginia General Assembly and, in January 2018, became the first to both be elected and serve while openly transgender in any U.S. state legislature. Roem is also up for re-election this year. She would be an inspiring speaker both for delegates and those tuning in at home.

Lisa Middleton is a Democratic city council member from Palm Springs, California. She made history by being the first transgender person elected in California for a non-judicial position in November 2017. She has an inspiring personal story and can attest to the needs of older Americans, and how Palm Springs, a city known for its retirees, is inclusive of everyone.

Adam Spickler was appointed to the Cabrillo Community College Board of Trustees in Santa Cruz County last year after no one else filed to run in the election. He’s the first trans man to hold public office in California. In light of the federal Education Department’s war on LGBT students, Spickler could offer a powerful counterpoint. Additionally, many of the current Democratic presidential candidates support free community college, so the topic will probably be addressed at the national convention.

An obvious choice would be a trans service member. Democrats must always highlight that they are not “soft” on the military and an actual service member would personalize the president’s misguided ban, which is opposed by many current and former military officials.

In short, Solmonese has myriad possibilities for an out trans convention speaker.

“The opportunity to lead the 2020 convention is a tremendous honor and I’m prepared to hit the ground running,” Solmonese said in a statement last week announcing his hiring. “There is no better time than now to be a Democrat and next summer we will showcase the ideals and diversity that make our party, the city of Milwaukee, and our nominee special to the American people.”

With 465 days until the convention’s opening gavel, we urge Solmonese to carve out five to 10 minutes in prime time for an out trans speaker. t

SF Travel always proud of our city

by Joe D’Alessandro

I

n December 2018, San Francisco dominated the Best of Gay Cities 2018 travel awards, taking home the gold for “Most Welcoming City” and winning honors for “Sustainable Dining,” “Most Loved Bar” (440 Castro), and “Rainbow Crosswalk.”

As the destination marketing organization (convention and visitors’ bureau) for the city, this makes us especially proud as we continue to promote San Francisco as a welcoming place for LGBTQ people from around the world. Our ongoing efforts in this market include a partnership with Q.Digital media (including Gaycities and Queerty). And we’re looking forward to making the most of “Tales of the City” coming to Netflix.

We are also proud of the latest developments San Francisco has to offer, such as the huge expansion of the Moscone Center, including four new public art installations (one by Leo Villareal, creator of the Bay Lights), several new hotels, and extended engagements of “Hamilton” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

One thing we are not proud of is the situation visitors sometimes see on our streets – people experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, mental health issues, and dirty conditions. Our visitors, especially convention attendees, tell us how upsetting this is and we agree.

As unpleasant as it is for visitors to observe these situations, we know they are downright awful for the human beings who have to live in them. In the City of St. Francis, that’s not right.

According to a recent report to the California State Senate, LGBTQ youth are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth, and data show that up to 40 percent of the population of youth experiencing home-

Courtesy SF Travel

San Francisco Travel CEO Joe D’Alessandro

lessness identifies as LGBTQ. Though these problems are complicated and longstanding, they are not limited to San Francisco. Homelessness and drug abuse are national issues. Our city actually fares better than some others on total numbers of unsheltered people.

Though visitors often feel unsafe when they encounter these situations, San Francisco is still one of the safest cities in the nation and our crime rates are dropping.

If there is a point of pride in all of this, it’s that the city of San Francisco – starting with Mayor London Breed – is devoting more time, energy, and funds than ever before to addressing these problems.

And in typical San Francisco style, innovative and collaborative programs are also offered by nonprofit, community, and corporate groups.

At San Francisco Travel, we pride ourselves on reflecting the values of the city in everything we do. In the spirit of being welcoming and com-

passionate to all, I am especially proud to announce that we have created a partnership with the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District to bring Downtown Streets Teams to the blocks surrounding the Moscone Center in a one-year pilot program that began last month.

Founded in 2005, Downtown Streets Team works to end homelessness by restoring the dignity and rebuilding the lives of unhoused men and women. Team members engage in beautifications projects such as street cleaning and creek restoration. All team members are volunteers who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless.

Team members are held accountable and trusted to complete tasks, show up on time, and work well with others. Those who show dedication and leadership skills have the ability to rise up to become team leads, then managers, and supervise others with little or no supervision from staff. In return, team members receive a non-cash stipend to help cover their basic needs, while taking advantage of case management and employment services to find housing and a job.

Downtown Streets’ ultimate goal is to transition team members into employment. The model is structured to be a one-year transitional program into permanent housing and employment.

Downtown Streets has secured more than 1,600 homes and jobs for people in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Its goal is to end homelessness in our lifetime, one community at a time.

This is just one of many ways that San Franciscans are helping those in need while welcoming those who visit and it’s one more reason that we are as proud as ever to market this amazing destination. t Joe D’Alessandro, a gay man, is president and CEO of San Francisco Travel. For more information, visit www.sftravel.com.

t

Politics>>

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

CA bans state-funded travel to South Carolina

by Matthew S. Bajko

E

ffective April 15 California will ban state-funded travel to South Carolina due to lawmakers in the Palmetto State enacting anti-LGBT legislation. It becomes the 10th state on the “no-fly” list for government workers, academics, and college sports teams at public universities in the Golden State.

California lawmakers in 2015 banned state-funded travel to states that discriminate against LGBT people with the enactment of Assembly Bill 1887 authored by gay Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell). There is a waiver for trips deemed essential, such as sending emergency assistance in response to a natural disaster, otherwise any travel to the states on the banned list cannot be funded by public tax dollars.

Tuesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office announced South Carolina would join the list due to “a discriminatory provision buried deep within a general budget bill” that South Carolina lawmakers enacted July 5 last year. While the law, H-4950 Paragraph 38.29, did not single out LGBT people, it enabled private faith-based adoption agencies to deny placing a child with adoptive parents who do not conform to their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

“Although H-4950 does not mention sexual orientation explicitly, it is written broadly enough to authorize such discrimination,” explained Becerra’s office as for why it was adding South Carolina to the travel ban list.

“The state of South Carolina recently enacted a measure that sanctions discrimination against families in the placement of children in need of homes. The state of California stands strongly against any form of discrimination. AB 1887 authorizes my office to make that promise real,” stated Becerra.

Last June, Becerra added Oklahoma to the travel ban list after lawmakers there enacted a similar anti-LGBT adoption policy. The other states on the list are Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kansas.

San Francisco maintains a similar list of states it restricts city workers from traveling to, as well as entering into contracts with businesses based in that state, for having anti-LGBT laws. It is following Becerra’s move in adding South Carolina as the 10th state on the city’s list.

City Administrator Naomi Kelly, who oversees the list, does plan to add South Carolina, Bill Barnes, a gay man who is a project manager in Kelly’s office, confirmed to the Bay Area Reporter.

The city’s ban will also go into effect April 15.

Supes advance Milk terminal sign rules

The supervisors’ budget and finance subcommittee Wednesday advanced an ordinance that spells out how the signage for Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport should look like both inside and outside the aviation facility. The full board is expected to approve it Tuesday,

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

family law specialist*

California’s attorney general has banned non-essential taxpayerfunded travel to South Carolina.

and Mayor London Breed’s office has told the B.A.R. she will sign it into law.

The city is renaming Terminal 1 after the late gay icon, the first out person to win elective office in both San Francisco and California.

But advocates of the Milk naming honor and airport officials have differed over how the terminal’s signage should appear.

At a supervisors hearing last month, airport director Ivar C. Satero presented a mockup of the exterior signage that included Milk’s name at only one of the terminal’s entrances. It prompted District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen to amend her ordinance about the signage to require SFO officials to include Milk’s name on every sign for the terminal at the airport.

She had initially brought forth legislation requiring Milk’s name be in a larger font size and before the Terminal 1 designation. She did so after airport officials in the fall unveiled plans for the Milk terminal that showed its signage gave more prominence to Terminal 1 rather than Milk’s name. They had argued doing so would prevent airport passengers from getting lost.

But Ronen, Milk’s family, and LGBT advocates pushed back against the airport’s plans. The supervisors were set to approve Ronen’s ordinance last week, but because of the $1.3 million estimated cost for replacing all of the Terminal 1 signs it was sent back to committee.

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar, and District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney are co-sponsors of Ronen’s ordinance.

The naming honor for Milk at the airport has been an arduous bureaucratic slog, as gay former San Francisco supervisor David Campos, whom Ronen had worked for, first proposed in 2013 naming all of SFO after Milk.

When that proposal didn’t fly with much of the public, Campos and the late mayor Ed Lee compromised on naming one of SFO’s four terminals after the beloved gay leader, who was assassinated in 1978. It wasn’t until last year that the choice of Terminal 1 was finalized.

The ongoing signage debate led Equality California, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, to rescind an award it had planned to bestow on SFO at its local gala fundraiser May 11 ahead of this year’s Harvey Milk Day, which the state observes annually on May 22, Milk’s birthday.

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The first travelers to use the Milk terminal, currently undergoing a yearslong $2.4 billion renovation, are expected to do so this summer when a portion of the facility reopens. The project is slated to be complete by 2024.

www.SchneiderLawSF.com

415-781-6500 *Certified by the California State Bar 400 Montgomery Street, Ste. 505, San Francisco, CA

SF state lawmakers host town hall

San Francisco’s three Democratic state lawmakers are co-hosting a town hall this Saturday.

Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, along with gay Senator Scott Wiener have teamed up to hold a conversation with their constituents that will be moderated by KQED reporter Thuy Vu. It should be a lively affair, as groups opposed to Wiener’s changes to the state’s conservatorship laws are planning to protest at the event.

Last year Wiener authored Senate Bill 1045 to allow local jurisdictions to force homeless people who have been repeatedly detained and suffering from mental illness and substance abuse issues into services if they refuse to do so on their own. But restrictions added to the bill reportedly mean it will only apply to less than a dozen people in San Francisco.

To expand its scope, Wiener this year has introduced SB 40. Groups opposed to the legislation have asked people to attend the town hall and make their views known.

In order for SB 1045 to take effect, the city’s Board of Supervisors must first adopt it. While the mayor and Mandelman support doing so, other supervisors remain concerned about it. It is unclear when the board will hold a hearing on it.

As for Wiener’s SB 40, the Senate’s Judiciary Committee is expected to take it up at its hearing Tuesday, April 9.

The lawmaker’s town hall will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the UC Hastings School of Law’s Louis B. Mayer Room at 198 McAllister Street in San Francisco.

Chiu plans to livestream the town hall on his website at https:// a17.asmdc.org/.t

Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. The most recent column reported on gay presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s promise to sign the Equality Act into law.

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<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

t

Castro LGBT social club looks to grow

by Matthew S. Bajko

The Castro Merchants business association voted to support the Academy’s permit request. Steve G. Porter, general manager of the restaurant Harvey’s in the heart of the Castro and a member of the Academy, also argued on its behalf in a letter he sent to the planning commission.

“As a club member and neighborhood merchant I see the success of the Academy as vital to the Castro,” wrote Porter. “At a time when there are record high storefront vacancies in the area, innovative uses of ground floor retail space should be encouraged and made easier. Approving these permits is the right thing to do for the interests of the neighborhood.”

Yet Chris Wyman, a gay resident of the city, argued in a letter he sent the oversight body that it should reject the social club’s permit request.

“I believe that the expansion of this Private Members Only Club (the Academy) with membership dues of $99+ per month will only further contribute to the gentrification of the neighborhood,” he wrote.

“I’m in favor of increasing the number of LGBTQ+ spaces in the area, but this business makes that type of space available only to a select few.”

Bourg and Miller are hopeful that the planning commission will approve their permits so they can turn their focus on expanding the Academy’s membership. They are one of the least expensive social clubs in the city, said Bourg.

“We will make it work for people in terms of the cost if we want someone to be a member,” he said. t

T

Rick Gerharter

Nate Bourg, co-owner of the Academy social club, discusses plans for the backyard terrace of the facility.

the permit requests at its meeting Thursday (April 4).

Planning staff has recommended the oversight body approve the permits. In her report, planner Bridget Hicks determined that it would add to the vibrancy of the commercial district, which has been plagued by a glut of vacant storefronts along upper Market Street for years.

“The project will fill a vacant tenant space on the vibrant Market Street corridor with a multi-purpose general entertainment use that will serve the surrounding community and city as a whole,” wrote Hicks.

Under a zoning change proposal for upper Market Street introduced last month by gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro, general entertainment uses such as the Academy would be considered a “principal use” on the first and second stories of buildings and would not need to seek conditional use permits in order to open.

though decades ago it was the site of a notorious gay bar called the Balcony.

Bourg and Miller envisioned selling the home decor items they selected to decorate the space – it feels like stepping into a well-appointed baroque living room – and leased the sidewalk fronting glass-enclosed space to two barbers. While the barbershop component remains, the Academy no longer sells furnishings.

Complaint filed

Its lack of a large retail component raised questions over its usage of the storefront, leading to someone filing a complaint against the Academy for being a non-conforming use. Its usage of the property’s backyard area for events also was flagged.

In order to come into compliance with the city’s zoning rules, the Academy is seeking conditional use permits to be designated as a general entertainment use and permission to use the patio. The city’s planning commission will take up

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event and, within an hour, I joined because I had such a good time.”

The membership cost is “reasonable,” said Gibson, and there are a plethora of different events, from book clubs and wine tastings to fundraisers for local nonprofits, that the social club hosts.

“It is a nice grown-up alternative to bars,” she said. “They have events every night they are open. There is something for everyone.”

As Bourg told the Bay Area Reporter recently, “We are as far from an elitist institution as you can get.”

Bourg had been working for the San Francisco Symphony when he first met Miller four years ago. Miller was a co-owner in two former gay bars at the time.

When they conceived of the Academy, their original business plan included more of a retail component since they were taking over a ground floor storefront in the upper Market commercial corridor. It had previously been leased by a watch store,

Tem

wo years after opening, a gayowned social club in San Francisco’s Castro district is looking to expand its membership as it seeks city approval for the permits it needs to remain open.

Business partners and friends Nate Bourg and Paul Miller started the Academy, in a historic gay bar space at 2166 Market Street, as a way to offer people, whether they are LGBT or straight, a place to connect and socialize outside of the typical bar environment. Memberships begin at $99 a month, with yearly dues of $100, and provide unlimited access to the space.

About 300 people have joined since the Academy opened May 31, 2017, though they are predominantly gay men. Bourg and Miller, both gay men themselves, would like to see more women and transgender people become members.

“Personally, I’ve met with so many people I wouldn’t have connected with at all,” said Bourg of the connections he has made through the social club, the only one focused on the LGBT community in the city.

Jean Gibson, a straight woman who is the regional manager for Walgreens’ specialty pharmacies, joined the social club in September 2017 after being introduced to it by one of her gay friends. He had posted a story about social clubs on Facebook that intrigued her, recalled Gibson.

“Most of them sounded really exclusive and snobby. The last one listed was the Academy and it noted how open it was,” she said. “I messaged him that I really want to join but I don’t think they are going to accept ladies. He invited me to an

t

Travel >>

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Soak up the sun and have fun in LA

by Ed Walsh

caters to the Latino LGBT community. You can’t miss it – look for the Mexican flag out front and the large sign that says “Not Our President.”

Jewel’s Catch One on W. Pico Boulevard has been going strong since 1973. Jewel Thais-Williams, who said that as a black female, she felt she was being discriminated against by the gay clubs in West Hollywood, started the historic bar. The club is the subject of a 2016 documentary of the same name.

H

ollywood’s best-known landmark wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for a closeted gay man from San Francisco. Sid Grauman and his dad ran a thriving theater business in San Francisco but decided to sell their theater interests in 1917 and try their luck in Los Angeles. By then it was clear that LA was emerging as the center of the moving pictures business.

Grauman opened the worldfamous Egyptian and Chinese Theaters on Hollywood Boulevard in 1922 and 1927, respectively. He came up with the idea of putting foot and handprints in the cement in front of the Chinese Theater, which he said was started as an accident when he stepped into the cement. In 1929, Grauman lost his theaters as a result of the stock market crash and was given work as an usher and ticket taker in the Chinese Theater he once owned.

Grauman’s story – and many others that made up the underground LGBT history of Hollywood – is told in both guided and self-guided tours

by Lavender Effect (http://www. thelavendereffect.org/). The nonprofit offers a free app that takes you on a walk through the LGBT history that would otherwise be forgotten. It also offers a guided tour and brunch on Sundays, as well as LGBT-oriented tours of West Hollywood. The tours make the LGBT history of LA come alive and are a must-do for any LGBT visitor to LA. West Hollywood promotes itself as California’s most walkable city. At a little under two square miles, it is compact enough to get around without a car. The city has a docking bike share program called WeHo Pedals (http:// wehopedals.com/). It is similar to San Francisco’s Ford Bikes. Dockless scooter sharing is also gaining popularity in WeHo. The city offers a free weekend shuttle bus, called WeHo Pickup (https://wehopickup.com/), making it easier and safer to bar hop.

WeHo is also a good home base to explore the greater Los Angeles area.

Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the beaches are to the west. Hollywood is part of the city of Los Angeles, just to the east. The city’s subway system does not run through WeHo but a number of bus lines do.

West Hollywood is one of the gayest cities in the country in part because it is just outside of the LA city limits. Before it became its own city in 1984, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, not the then-notoriously antigay Los Angeles Police Department, policed West Hollywood. Without interference from LA, gay WeHo thrived and eventually gentrified into one of Los Angeles County’s most desirable and expensive places to live.

Accommodations Ed Walsh

Pixar Pier at the Disney California Adventure Park features a Ferris wheel.

newest big attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is celebrating its third anniversary this month.

The first stage of Disneyland’s (www.disneyland.com) newest attraction opens May 31 – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre extension to the park that once included Big Thunder Ranch. Disneyland is about an hour’s drive from West Hollywood but Starline offers bus service that will pick you up at select hotels, including hotels in West Hollywood, for $55 round-trip. It costs $25 to park at Disneyland, so it’s cheaper than renting a car to get there if you are traveling solo.

The only drawback is that the Starline bus leaves Disneyland at 7 p.m., so you will miss any evening fireworks or light shows. If you don’t want to deal with the Star Wars crowds, be sure to check Disneyland’s sister park, Disney California Adventure Park. If you get homesick, California Adventure has a Boudin Bakery tour and a nearby row of colorfully painted Victorian homes.

LA’s unofficial gay beach is about a 25-minute drive from WeHo. It is a section of Will Rogers State Beach opposite Entrada Drive and West Channel Road. Locals affectionately call it Ginger Rogers Beach. If you are driving, take Sunset Boulevard west to the Pacific Coast Highway. Make a left on PCH and then turn left onto either Entrada Drive or West Channel Road. There is usually free street parking available. There are a couple of pay parking lots nearby, including a public parking lot at the beach. The best address to plug into your GPS is 14801 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica.

It is about an hour if you take the bus. You can take the #4 or #704 bus to Broadway and 4th streets in Santa Monica, then transfer to #9 Pacific Palisades bus to Entrada and PCH.

a more airy feel. WeHo’s most famous bar, The Abbey, is around the corner from the Mother Lode and draws a good crowd seven nights a week. Since the Palms closed years ago, there are no longer any full-time lesbian bars in the city but the Abbey’s Chapel section has an “AltarGirl” women’s night every Wednesday (https://girlbar.com/). And just across the street from the Abbey at the Robertson nightclub space, Fridays are lesbian nights with its Fantasy Friday venue.

In Silver Lake, popular nightspots include Akbar, Faultline, and the Eagle LA. While you are in Silver Lake, be sure to check out the Black Cat Restaurant. It used to be the Black Cat Tavern. A plaque commemorates an LGBT rights demonstration that was held in 1967 to protest a raid of the club for the unpardonable offense of allowing people of the same sex to kiss. The raid and protest inspired the publication of the Advocate.

The New Jalisco Bar is in downtown LA just a couple of blocks from City Hall. As its name implies, the bar

There are no longer any exclusively gay hotels in LA since the Coral Sands went mainstream years ago and the formerly gay San Vicente Inn is now a luxury restaurant and boutique hotel, but there are still plenty of good, albeit mainstream, options.

Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites West Hollywood (http://www.ramadaweho.com/) is a moderately priced hotel in a perfect location in the heart of gay WeHo, on Santa Monica Boulevard, just across the street from 24 Hour Fitness. Amenities include a gym and swimming pool. Rates start at about $139.

If you prefer to stay in Silver Lake, check out the gay-owned Sanborn Guest House (http://sanbornhouse. com/). The two-unit inn includes parking and is only a half-mile from Akbar.

Rates start at $93, which is a great deal considering parking is included.

One of the newest hotels in West Hollywood is also one of the best. The Kimpton La Peer Hotel (https://www. lapeerhotel.com/) is just two blocks from The Abbey. It’s not for the faint of wallet. Rates start at over $300.

On the other end of the budget scale, Banana Bungalow (http://www. bananabungalows.com) has sites in West Hollywood and Hollywood with rates for a private room starting at $83 and a bed in a dorm room for as little as $21. Free parking and free breakfast

are included.

Airbnb and other home sharing services, including the gay Misterb&b, are permitted in West Hollywood but only property owners, not renters, are allowed to rent out rooms and the property owner has to be on the property at least four hours a day. The rules in the city of Los Angeles are similar.

LA allows home sharing only if the room being rented out is the primary residence of the property owner and it bans renters from using the service if their apartments are rent-controlled.

Getting there

If you are driving, keep in mind that most hotels charge extra to park.

For example, Ramada Plaza WeHo charges $35 per night for guest parking. As mentioned, Banana Bungalows has free parking but only on a first come, first served basis. If you are flying, busing, or taking the train to LA and are staying in West Hollywood, you are better off without a car.

The newest way to get to LA from the Bay Area is on Flixbus (https:// www.flixbus.com/). The service has been popular in Europe for years and is establishing itself in the U.S. It is a direct competitor to Megabus. Both services take about eight hours to get to LA from San Francisco; they both have free Wi-Fi and power outlets.

You can catch the buses in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. If you book very early, you can find seats on the bus for as little as $5. The fare will be as much as $50 each way if you book late or are traveling during a busy time.

Airfares are very competitive to LA. You can find a round-trip flight for as little as $100. Unless you are a train enthusiastic, Amtrak is not worth it.

It takes about 13 hours to get from San Francisco to Union Station and it costs about $100 one-way. t

Life at San Francisco Towers is everything you love about the city and more. It’s a smart, sophisticated, inclusive senior community. Stay involved in your favorite activities.

Enjoy the conveniences of a Life Plan Community. And experience the peace of mind that comes with planning for the future now. For singles or couples, San Francisco Towers is the welcome you’ve been looking for.

A community you can connect with.

The sights

West Hollywood is home to one of the best tour companies in southern California. Bikes and Hikes LA (https://bikesandhikesla.com/) offers bicycle and hiking tours. A six-hour bicycle tour includes Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice. If that sounds a little daunting, check out one of its easy hikes in the Hollywood Hills or one of its shorter bicycle tours.

Another good option is Starline Tours (https://www.starlinetours. com/). It has a large menu of tours available and its hop-on, hop-off bus includes a free VIP tour of the Chinese Theater. Starline’s most popular red-line route makes stops in West Hollywood and runs every 30 minutes. You can download Starline’s app to check when the next bus is coming.

Warner, Sony, and Paramount offer studio tours. Universal Studios has evolved into a theme park with a studio tour. The tour includes a simulated earthquake in what is designed to look like a BART station. The city’s Metro red line subway has a stop right across the street from Universal. The park’s

Ed Walsh

Women pose at the AltarGirl venue at the Chapel section of The Abbey bar in West Hollywood.

Nightlife

Most of the LGBT nightlife in LA is centered in West Hollywood or the Silver Lake section of LA, about six miles east of WeHo and just east of Hollywood.

Mainstays in WeHo include Mickey’s, Revolver, Rage, Trunks, and Fiesta Cantina. The Mother Lode is a popular, fun dive bar that looks less divish since they remodeled it about a year ago to open up the front of the bar to give it

Get to know us. Call 415.447.5527 for more information or to schedule a visit.

1661 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 covia.org/san-francisco-towers A not-for-profit community owned and operated by Covia.

License 380540292 / COA #325

<< Community News

12 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Berkeley’s Pacific Center ED set to retire

by Alex Madison

A

s first reported online last week, the oldest LGBT community center in the Bay Area, the Pacific Center for Human Growth, is losing its longtime executive director, Leslie Ewing, to retirement.

Ewing has been with the Berkeley mental health and wellness center that serves Alameda County for a little over a decade. Her last day will be July 31.

“My hope is that the new executive director will love the job as much as I do,” Ewing, a lesbian, told the Bay Area Reporter March 28. “Perhaps someone very different than me. It’s time for the next 10 years and important to foster a new generation to do the work and time for me to step back.”

Ewing, 70, said it’s a personal decision to retire and that it’s time for new leadership at the center. Once Ewing departs, Jared Fields, its deputy director, will handle the day-to-day operations until an interim director is chosen.

Her journey to the Pacific Center is an interesting one. In the late 1980s, Ewing and her then-partner of five years decided to attend a community meeting

Courtesy Pacific Center

Pacific Center for Human Growth Executive Director Leslie Ewing

they thought was about housing.

“The first time I ever went to the center was in 1987 because I thought there was a meeting going on about housing,” Ewing said. “Turns out it was about the upcoming March on Washington and a civil disobedience training.”

They walked out of the meeting having helped form Queer and Present Danger, an affinity group of ACT UP that organized a trip to Washington, D.C. for the historic march that

brought out hundreds of thousands of activists in support of LGBT civil rights. At the Capitol, Ewing and many others were arrested. Her relationship with activism was never the same.

Shortly afterward, she began volunteering with a small group of San Franciscans who wanted to create a memorial quilt for those who had died of AIDS. That was the beginning of today’s NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, which was founded by gay activist Cleve Jones.

Ewing has formerly been board president at the AIDS Emergency Fund and associate executive director at Lyon-Martin Health Services. She also served as a buyer for the old Under One Roof store that raised money for HIV/AIDS organizations.

The Oakland resident said among some of her proudest accomplishments during her time with the Pacific Center is its expansion of programs. Today, the center offers youth programs, peer groups, counseling and psychotherapy, and serves more than 3,000 people at four locations throughout the county.

“Small community centers are really

the heart and soul of the LGBT civil rights movements,” Ewing said. “Our organization has really evolved into the LGBT support organization for all of Alameda County, not just Berkeley.”

A new member of Berkeley City Council, Rigel Robinson, a straight ally who won the District 7 seat last year after the retirement of longtime former councilman Kriss Worthington, has been to the center and talked about Ewing’s accomplishments.

“The Pacific Center has thrived under Leslie’s leadership, and I wish her the best in her retirement,” Robinson said. “I was lucky enough to join Pacific Center for one of their LOUD youth group meetings recently to meet the kids there – the team at Pacific Center is doing some of the most important and meaningful work in the world. Countless LGBTQ individuals across the bay and the world are better for the services and community that they found at Pacific Center, which has grown so much under Leslie’s watch.”

The after-school youth programs at the center have become popular.

LOUD, or Loving Ourselves and Uniting Diversity, provides a safe

t

space and peer support twice a week for LGBT youth. Through its Youth Speakers Bureau, young people are trained to become leaders in their community and have the opportunity to lead anti-bullying workshops in Berkeley and other Bay Area schools.

“I am really happy with this and want to make sure the Pacific Center continues going strong,” Ewing said.

The center also has 18 peer support groups, led entirely by volunteers, that usually see 10-20 attendees, Ewing added. Additionally, older adult services have expanded to Dublin, Livermore, and other areas of Alameda County.

“In most parts of Alameda County there is very little out there for folks,” Ewing said.

As for Ewing, she is looking forward to the next chapter of her life and what the future holds. Although she will initially take some time off, she says nothing is off the table.

“I’ll always say yes until I have a reason to say no,” she said.

Interested candidates for the executive director position are asked to send their cover letter and resume to boardpresident@pacificcenter.org. t

Lightfoot easily wins Chicago mayor’s race

by Sari Staver

F Vern Hester/Windy City Times

Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot

ormer federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot cruised to victory in the Chicago mayoral election Tuesday, making history as the first African-American woman and out LGBT person to become chief executive of America’s third largest city.

A lesbian also won the mayor’s race in Madison, Wisconsin.

In Kansas City, Missouri, a lesbian placed in the mayoral prima-

ry and will advance to the general election in June.

But it was Lightfoot’s victory in the Windy City that generated headlines from coast to coast Tuesday night. She easily defeated political insider Toni Preckwinkle, also an African-American woman, with 74% of the vote, according to unofficial returns.

Lightfoot, 56, had never held elected office. During the campaign she promised to rid City Hall of corruption and help low-income

and working-class people she said had been “left behind and ignored”

by Chicago’s political ruling class.

Lightfoot takes office in May. In an email to the Bay Area Reporter, Tracy Baim, co-founder of the longtime LGBT weekly paper, Windy City Times, and currently publisher of the Chicago Reader, wrote, “This is an astonishing accomplishment for Lori Lightfoot, and is especially thanks to the decades of LGBTQ activists and elected officials who helped pave

the path she strode.”

Baim added that the city’s first major out elected official was Judge Tom Chiola some 25 years ago.

“There are now dozens of LGBTQ elected officials in this state, and each has helped build on the accomplishments of the ones before them,” Baim added. “Now the real work begins.”

San Francisco leaders also reacted to Lightfoot’s win.

See page 25 >>

From morning laps in Aquatic Park to a night at the SF Symphony.

Muni’s $5 Day Pass

You’ve got unlimited rides with Muni’s new day pass.

SFMTA.com/MuniMobile

t

Community News>>

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

Rippon, Chenoweth to headline Crescendo compiled by Cynthia Laird

Chris Verdugo said in the statement.

Tickets for Crescendo are $250 general admission and $350 with the VIP reception. For tickets, visit https://www.sfgmc.org/crescendo/.

G

ay Olympic medalist Adam Rippon and award-winning actress and ally Kristin Chenoweth will receive awards at the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ Crescendo benefit Saturday, April 27.

The event takes place at the Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street. It begins with a VIP reception at 5 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, and the awards program.

Rippon earned a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics as part of the figure skating team. Since then, he has used his platform as a gay athlete to talk about LGBTQ rights. He will receive the chorus’ Trailblazer Award.

“I have always felt an obligation to use my voice to support those that are not heard,” he said in a statement issued by the chorus. “To be recognized for my advocacy work is truly an honor, especially by such a prestigious group as SFGMC, who have been using their voices to champion so many causes for years.

“Plus, I get to share a stage with Kristin so it’s a win-win all around,” he added.

Chenoweth won a Tony Award for playing Sally Brown in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” on Broadway and an Emmy for her role on “Pushing Daisies.”

Chenoweth will receive the Vanguard Award.

“God gave me a voice powerful enough to show the world how important it is to love each other,” she said in the statement. “Music unifies us, art brings us together, and that’s a fact.”

SF Rec and Park Easter fun

Courtesy AP

Olympic medalist Adam Rippon will be honored by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

Offstage, Chenoweth has advocated for LGBTQ equality.

Chorus officials said that proceeds from this year’s event will support two youth-oriented programs – Rhythm: Reaching Youth Through Music and It Gets Better.

The chorus launched Rhythm last year to bring a message of anti-bullying and acceptance through music, personal stories, and experiences.

This year, the chorus will work with It Gets Better and Speak Theater Arts to launch an It Gets Better tour, the core mission of which is to reduce suicide among LGBTQ youth.

“We are privileged to recognize this year’s honorees for their commitment to uplifting and empowering the LGBTQ community, especially queer youth,” chorus Executive Director

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will hold its Eggstravaganza Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park.

The event will feature egg hunts, carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food trucks, and the highly anticipated annual rib cook-off between Rec and Park, the San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Police Department, and other city departments.

Officials said that pets are not allowed. Tickets are $10; children 2 and under are free.

There will be free bike valet parking courtesy of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition at the main (west) entrance to the event.

For more information, visit http:// www.sfrecpark.org.

Schaaf to return to Oakland LGBTQ center

Mayor Libby Schaaf will return to the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center with her mobile mayor program Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Last year, Schaaf did a similar program outside of the center. Officials said that this year she will hear from

residents inside the facility, located at 3207 Lakeshore Avenue (entrance on Rand Avenue).

People will be able to meet the mayor and her staff members, voice their concerns, and ask questions.

For more information, visit https:// www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/.

Our Family Coalition to honor Wahls

Our Family Coalition will honor Iowa state Senator Zach Wahls (D) at its Night Out gala Friday, April 26. Wahls is a straight ally who gained attention in 2011 when, as a young adult, he testified before a state legislative committee against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned marriage for same-sex couples after such unions became legal two years earlier in the state.

Wahls, 27, has two lesbian moms, and won election last year to the state Senate seat.

OFC officials said in an announcement Wahls will receive the organization’s Luminary Award “for his clarion-clear voice and potent advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ family and gender equity coast to coast.”

Also being honored is San Francisco school board member Alison Collins, another straight ally. She will receive the organization’s Community Partner Award for her dedication to education equity for all.

Finally, Amplify will receive the Corporate Impact Award. The com-

pany partners with teachers to facilitate next-generation curriculum.

Night Out takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street in San Francisco.

Tickets are $225 and can be purchased at http://www.ourfamily.org.

SamTrans seeks volunteers for advisory board

The San Mateo County Transit District, or SamTrans, is seeking volunteers for its citizens advisory committee.

The CAC is accepting applications to fill three seats. One represents community interests that also interact with SamTrans fixed-route service, such as schools, labor, business and industry, and environmental. The term expires in April 2022. The second seat is for a bus rider that represents the diverse population of both the county and SamTrans fixed-route ridership.

The term expires in April 2022. Finally, there is a seat for a multimodal rider, representing riders who use SamTrans to connect to other transit modes such as Caltrain, BART, or other bus agencies. The term expires in April 2020.

Each CAC member receives a free yearly bus pass to use on the SamTrans system. The committee meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the transit district headquarters in San Carlos.

Interested people can download the CAC application at https://bit. ly/1FEfGN1 or call (650) 508-6279.

The deadline is Friday, June 7.

For more information, visit http:// www.samtrans.com/cac.t

Chinese company pressured to sell gay app Grindr

by David-Elijah Nahmod

K

unlun Tech Co. Ltd., a Chinese mobile gaming company that bought Grindr in 2018, is being pressured to sell the gay dating app, according to multiple media outlets.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to block Chinese acquisitions in the U.S. and fears that Beijing could use personal information to blackmail or influence American officials, according to an article in the New York Times.

Kunlun, which also owns the internet browser Opera, had in 2016 bought a majority stake in Grindr before purchasing it outright.

Kunlun is being pressured to sell Grindr by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which claims that Kunlun’s ownership of the app constitutes a security breach due to the access Kunlun now has to Grindr members’ personal data.

Last year, Senators Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) sent a letter to Grindr demanding to know how the app would protect users’ data under the Kunlun ownership.

Data collected by Grindr includes location, private messages, as well as the HIV status of users who provide such details.

Founded in 2009, Grindr, which is based in West Hollywood, California, reaches 196 countries and has an average of 3.6 million daily users. In 2012, the app launched Grindr for Equality, using the platform to send out targeted information about political campaigns and LGBT candidates. In 2018 Grindr offered its users an option that

The gay hookup app Grindr is expected to be sold.

would send them a reminder to get an HIV test every three to six months.

Grindr has not been free of controversy. The company has come under fire several times for not doing enough to curb racist language such as “no blacks or Asians” by some users. In September 2018 it launched the KindrGrindr campaign to raise awareness of racism and to promote inclusivity. The app promised to ban users who use derogatory or hateful speech toward other users.

Reuters, which broke the story, reported that Kunlun did not go through the process of submitting its purchase of Grindr for review to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. According to the news service, the United States has been “increasingly scrutinizing app developers over the safety of personal data they handle, especially if some of it involves U.S. military or intelligence personnel.”

Because of pressure from the committee, Kunlun is expected to begin working on an auction process to sell Grindr in full.

Grindr officials did not respond to a request for comment.t

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

To be sure, we’re proud of our more than 30 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind.

So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities.

Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call your nearest SRG community to schedule.

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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure.

Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: } Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. } BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

(bik-TAR-vee)

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION } This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. } Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. } If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0105 02/19

KEEP CREATING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

<< Commentary

16 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Start-up offers heavily discounted legal pot

t

by Sari Staver

A

new San Francisco-based cannabis delivery service is offering legal pot at 30 to 50% less than prices at brick and mortar retail stores.

That’s the pitch from FlowerCompany.com, now serving the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, and Los Angeles with plans to open in Sacramento soon.

“I grew up with Costco,” co-founder Ted Lichtenberger, 29, said in a telephone interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “That’s the business model we’re aiming for.”

Like all cannabis consumers, my ears perked up when I read about Flower’s prices, which are for the same brands sold in dispensaries, including flowers, edibles, and concentrates.

Since legalization in 2018, retail prices of cannabis have gone up as much as 50%, half of that due to new taxes.

So when I reached Lichtenberger, I immediately asked him whether the start-up was using the same business plan as ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber: generating revenue by pricing items below cost in order to create a rapidly growing business. I was not the only person who wondered out loud whether this was Flower’s business plan; several industry executives, who would speak only on the condition of anonymity, had

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Scott Davies, left, Ted Lichtenberger, and Tony Diepenbrock cofounded Flower Company, a cannabis delivery service.

similar thoughts.

“Absolutely not,” said Lichtenberger. “We have a lean business model and are able to sell with lower markups” than retail stores. Lichtenberger acknowledged that retailers all pay the same wholesale price for branded products, but that Flower simply operates on smaller markups.

Flower charges customers an annual upfront fee of $79 to use its service, which still makes its products a bargain for anyone who plans to spend several hundred dollars during the year. Orders are accepted over the weekend, beginning at 4:20 p.m. Fridays, and are

delivered later the following week. As the company expands, it plans to add a more rapid delivery option. Currently, new customers can place their first order without paying a membership fee.

Lichtenberger, who worked for the elite consulting firm McKinsey and Company before getting into the cannabis business, said Flower is run by three partners: himself; Tony Diepenbrock, 29, an engineer whose background is in the technology industry; and Scott Davies, 54, a longtime Humboldt County See page 25 >>

Delaying the obvious

by Roger Brigham

T

he Court of Arbitration for Sport has postponed until later this month a ruling on whether the international track federation and its proposed restrictions against female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels is scientifically valid (it isn’t) or whether it instead reflects a blend of sexism, ignorance, racism, and arrogance (it does).

Originally, the court was scheduled to rule by the end of March on a policy the International Association of Athletics Federations proposed last year that would ban female runners in the 400-meter to 1500-meter races if they have naturally high testosterone levels. IAAF submitted that proposal after it had been ordered to submit scientific evidence to support a previous policy that would have banned high testosterone levels at all distances.

That previous policy was successfully challenged by intersex sprinter Dutee Chand of India.

Instead of providing evidence to support that policy, IAAF funded a survey of a small number of athletes that found almost no correlation between testosterone levels and performance results. What little correlation it did find was in the sprint races, not in the longer races.

The IAAF then proposed its new policy, which does not ban high lev-

Intersex runner Caster Semenya

els in the sprint races that the survey showed mild support for, but rather the middle distances in which intersex runner Caster Semenya of South Africa runs but with which its survey showed no correlation.

The court said it delayed its decision so it could evaluate more information submitted by both sides.

Such as research by the University of Colorado Boulder that shows IAAF’s research findings to be flawed and unreliable.

“We found problematic data throughout the study and consequently, the conclusions can’t be seen as reliable,” lead author Roger Pielke said. “In almost any other

setting of science, errors of this magnitude would lead to a paper being retracted. And it certainly would not be the basis for broad regulations that have a profound impact on people’s lives.”

Scientists wrote in the British Medical Journal that the IAAF’s proposal could set “an unscientific precedent for other cases of genetic advantage.” Two more scientists, writing in Science Focus, noted that some intersex athletes with naturally high testosterone levels have a condition known as androgen insensitivity syndrome that makes them unresponsive to testosterone.

Banning them for a natural condition that may have no advantage would be unfair, they argue.

And I would argue, so what if it did? Height is a natural advantage. Shall we ban volleyball and basketball players we decide are too tall? Ratios of fast twitch to slow twitch muscles can produce natural advantages. So can variations in bone density or eyesight.

None of that matters, or is grounds, for banning an athlete. Sports competition is about seeing what you do with what you have – not what you do with what we say you can have.

See page 25 >>

Obituaries >> Lanz Lowen February 5, 1953 – March 22, 2019

415 370 7152

StevenUnderhill.com StevenUnderhillPhotos@gmail.com

Longtime HIV survivor Lanz Lowen of Oakland passed away March 22, 2019 of complications from pneumonia. Lowen was an executive coach and organizational development consultant and was married to Blake Spears, currently treasurer of the board at the National AIDS

Memorial Grove. Lanz and Blake had been together 43 years, after meeting at the White Horse bar in Berkeley in 1975. They were married in a ceremony in the grove in 2013.

Lowen was an early activist in the UCSF AIDS Health Project (now the Alliance Health Project), a supporter of AIDS Walk SF and Flagging in the Park. Blake said Lanz made a lifelong habit of giving 5 percent of his annual income to charities, such as Habitat for Humanity. His generosity and dry humor were known to many.

Besides his husband, he leaves two

sisters, Lucie Sabella and Laurie Lowen, both of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Lanz is predeceased by his parents, Rex and Georgiana (Heywood).

Lowen was cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 25 in the grove; contact info@aidsmemorial. org for more details. Friends and family are respectfully asked to donate to either the National AIDS Memorial Grove or Habitat for Humanity in honor of Lanz Lowen’s life, so well lived.

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<< Besties 2019

18 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

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Community: SF LGBT center tops in Bay Area

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his year, the Besties made this category all about local LGBT centers. When the ballots were counted, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center topped the field.

Since opening its doors in 2002, the SF center has served tens of thousands of LGBTs. Its mission is to connect the community to opportunities, resources, and each other to achieve a more equitable world. With over 200 programs surrounding housing, health, legal, and employment, the center has become the “heart, home, and hands of the San Francisco LGBT community,” states its website.

It also rents out space to various nonprofits, such as the San Francisco Community Health Center, which has its Castro clinic there.

Roberto Ordeñana, a gay man who’s deputy executive director of the center, thanked Bay Area Reporter readers for the recognition.

“An enormous thank you to all those readers who chose the center for this amazing recognition; we are honored to receive it,” said Ordeñana. “While the presidential administration continues to target the most vulnerable among us – and while many of us face increasing challenges due to the affordability crisis facing the Bay Area community – this building has never been more important.”

He also mentioned the center is about to launch the city’s first Youth Host Home program that matches homeless youth to individuals and families that have a spare bedroom to share.

The center’s annual fundraiser, Soiree 2019, will be held Saturday, April 13, from 5 to 11:30 p.m. at Terra Gallery & Event Venue, 511 Harrison Street. Drag queen and event maven Juanita MORE! returns as the entertainment director for a night of celebration, entertainment, and dinner. For more information, head to https://www. eventbrite.com/e/soiree-2019-tickets-54722022041.

SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco. (415) 865-5555. http://www.sfcenter.org/.

Runner-up Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

Petchitecture, which features elaborate pet homes, is a fundraiser for Shanti

Best Health-Related Nonprofit

Shanti Project

The Shanti Project has been enhancing the quality of life for people suffering from life-threatening or chronic illness since 1974. It offers a vast array of services including in-home and onsite patient and care navigation, HIV/ AIDS services, and a drop-in service center. Through its Pets Are Wonderful Support program, which it took over a few years ago, the agency offers emotional support through human-animal bonding.

Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy expressed his gratitude for winning Besties 2019.

“What a tremendous honor. At Shanti, we don’t think about awards when we visit a severely isolated aging LGBTQ client at their home, or accompany a woman with cancer to her chemotherapy appointment,” Roy said.

“And our volunteers don’t think about high ratings when they drive a client and her sick beagle to a vet appointment. But today we will stop to celebrate the award and, of course, thank B.A.R. readers for the recognition.”

In 2001, Shanti expanded its services to include care for women’s cancer through its Margot Murphy Women’s Cancer Program.

Its Petchitecture fundraiser is coming up June 6.

Shanti Project, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco. (415) 674-4700. http://www.shanti.org/index.html.

The foundation is also one of the nation’s leading voices on HIV-related policy issues.

Several years ago it opened Strut, a men’s health center in the Castro.

Joe Hollendoner, a gay man, has been the foundation’s CEO since 2016. He told the B.A.R. that the organization will stop at nothing to achieve its vision.

“San Francisco has become an international model in the fight to end AIDS because of the support of this community. Ending HIV infections is an ambitious goal, and there is still much work left to do,” Hollendoner said. “Racism, homophobia, transphobia, poverty, and homelessness restrict our city’s progress but San Francisco AIDS Foundation is committed to a future where health justice is achieved for all people living with or at risk for HIV. Together, we will make this vision a reality.”

In partnership with Dining Out For Life San Francisco, SFAF will host Dining Out For Life 2019 April 23. Multiple participating San Francisco restaurants will donate 25 percent of patrons’ bills to the foundation. A list of restaurants can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ events/529312110812047/.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 1035 Market Street, San Francisco.

(415) 487-3000. http://sfaf.org/.

Runner-up Project Open Hand

Rick Gerharter

Fun times were had by many at the 2018 Folsom Street Fair.

Best LGBT Event

Folsom Street Fair

Runner-up St. James Infirmary

Rick Gerharter

Strut in the Castro is a program of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Best HIV/AIDS Nonprofit

SF AIDS Foundation

Since its 1982 inception, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation has fought to build a community where HIV transmission is rare and those living with it have long and healthy lives. The nonprofit offers free community services including sterile needle exchange, HIV/STI testing, education, counseling, and support groups.

Once again, the Folsom Street Fair takes the number one spot as the favorite LGBT event. Every September, it brings more than 250,000 leather, kink, and fetish enthusiasts to the event that’s spread out over 13 city blocks in the city’s South of Market neighborhood. The day of the fair, Folsom Street is transformed into the world’s biggest leather event with 200 vendors, multiple stages, and live BDSM demos.

The fair began as a way to bring visibility to the leather community after the forced closure of many BDSM establishments in the city during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Annually, hundreds of thousands of dollars raised from beverage sales, gate donations, and party tickets is funneled back to the community to nonprofits. This year’s fair will be September 29. folsomstreetevents.org.

Runner-up Castro Street Fair See page 23 >>

<< Besties 2019

20 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

a hybrid, Toyota’s got you covered. sftoyota.com.

Runner-up BMW of San Francisco

Best Bank/Credit Union

SF Federal Credit Union

Readers continue to love walking their dogs in Duboce Park.

Rick Gerharter

Services and Shopping: B.A.R. readers mostly stick with the familiar compiled by Cynthia Laird

Best Dog Park

Duboce Dog Park

Duboce Dog Park in the Castro remains a favorite of Bay Area Reporter readers. There’s space for pooches to run or meet new doggie buddies. It’s also a great opportunity for their human companions to make new acquaintances or catch up with friends.

Duboce Park, Duboce and Scott streets. https://bit.ly/2HTUGwp.

tional care and service are hallmarks of our business,” which provides bath and grooming services for your canine companion. Locations are in the Castro and at the Point Isabel Dog Park in Richmond.

Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub, 536 Castro Street, San Francisco and #1 Isabel Street, Richmond. 1-888505-2998. mudpuppys.com.

Runner-up:

Courtesy Wag SF

Doggie Day Spaw

Courtesy Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub

A dog gets its nails trimmed at Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub.

Best Place to Pamper Your Pets

Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub

After being retired from the Besties list last year, Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub returned to the top spot.

Co-owner Daniel Bergerac, the outgoing president of Castro Merchants, said he and his team were “thrilled” winning this category for 2019. Its website notes that “excep-

Best Pet Hotel Best Doggie Daycare

Wag Hotels

Wag Hotels was the winner in both of these categories. The company is known for its comfortable digs for dogs (and cats). Services include day-care, boarding, training, playtime, and more. Wag regularly holds special events or classes to foster community and improve the human-canine bond. It’s a great option for people when they go on vacation or a short-notice trip. Bay Area locations include San Francisco, Oakland, Redwood City, and Santa Clara.

Wag Hotels, 25 14th Street, San Francisco. 1-888-924-5463. waghotels.com.

Runners-up Hotel: Wag (Oakland) Doggie Day Care: Mr. Muggles’ Dogs

The Castro Animal Hospital just opened a couple of months ago and it’s already a hit with B.A.R. readers. Co-owner and veterinarian Dr. Sarah Inman runs the practice. Her husband, Shane O’Mara, is a coowner. The full-service animal hospital currently serves cats and dogs.

Castro Animal Hospital, 100 Church Street, Suite B, San Francisco. (415) 997-0147. castroanimalhospital.com.

Runner-up Mission Pet Hospital

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Room & Board

This is a new category and readers selected Room & Board as their favorite. The San Francisco location is “in the vibrant SOMA neighborhood,” the website states. “Originally a warehouse that dates back to the 1950s, Room & Board San Francisco is a modern furniture store that has since been restored into a bright, beautiful furniture shopping experience,” the site says.

Room & Board, 685 Seventh Street, San Francisco. (415) 2529280. roomandboard.com.

Courtesy Daddy’s Barbershop

Daddy’s Barbershop is a longtime Castro business.

Daddy’s Barbershop

This marks a consecutive win for Daddy’s Barbershop, which offers plenty of barbers to choose from and is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Located in the heart of the Castro, guys can always stop by for a quick trim or a new style.

Daddy’s Barbershop, 4102 19th Street, San Francisco, (415) 5525101. daddysbarbershop.com.

Runner-up Joe’s Barbershop

Best Bicycle Shop

Courtesy Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s has great prices and a large variety of goods.

Best Grocery Store (Chain)

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s has great prices and a wide selection of groceries. Meats, cheese and dairy, produce – they’re all here. It also carries frozen foods and a number of unique items, along with wine, appetizers, and snacks.

Trader Joe’s, 555 Ninth Street, San Francisco. (415) 863-1292. traderjoes.com.

Courtesy Valencia Cyclery

The SF Toyota dealership

Readers love Valencia Cyclery.

Best Auto Dealer

Valencia Cyclery

SF Toyota

Toyotas are very popular vehicles so it makes sense this dealership is a reader favorite. Whether you’re looking for a conventional car or

Valencia Cyclery is a longtime readers’ favorite. People like the service and selection of this store in the Mission district that has been under the same ownership since 1985. The shop provides full maintenance services and can repair just about any model of bike, from kids’ to carbon fiber models.

Valencia Cyclery, 1065 and 1077 Valencia Street, San Francisco, (415) 550-6600 (sales) or (415) 550-6601 (repairs). valenciacyclery.com.

Runner-up Mission Bicycle Company

Best Bookstore

Courtesy Dog Eared Books

Dog Eared Books has locations in the Mission and Castro.

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Best Place to Buy Furniture

Runner-up Safeway

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Best Barbershop

Runner-up Green Apple Books

Courtesy Castro Animal Hospital

The Castro Animal Hospital opened earlier this year and is already a favorite of readers.

Castro Animal Hospital

Wag pet hotels continue to be popular with readers.

Runner-up Bank of America

hosts events and has a great selection of new and used books. The store also buys books.

Dog Eared Books, 489 Castro Street, San Francisco. (415) 2821901. dogearedbooks.com.

Runner-up Stag & Manor

Best Veterinarian

Runner-up Bernal Heights Dog Park

San Francisco Federal Credit Union offers a full line of banking services, including home and car loans, checking and savings accounts, and retirement accounts. It has several branches in the city.

SF Federal Credit Union, 770 Golden Gate Avenue (at Gough), San Francisco. (415) 775-5377. sanfranciscofcu.com.

t

Rick Gerharter

Rainbow Grocery has an excellent selection of spices.

Best Grocery Store (Independent)

Rainbow Grocery

B.A.R. readers love Rainbow Grocery, a worker-owned cooperative.

Its claim to fame in the community is that it closes on Pride Sunday every year. Rainbow has an excellent selection of produce, spices, and other unique items.

The store has served San Francisco since 1975 and strives to offer the widest selection of organic and locally sourced products at the most affordable price. Along with being a grocery store, Rainbow is a resource for the community to exchange information about the health and sustainability of the foods people eat.

Rainbow Grocery, 1745 Folsom Street, San Francisco.

(415) 863-0620. rainbow.coop/.

Runner-up Bi-Rite Market

Dog Eared Books

Dog Eared Books returns to the winner’s circle after a one-year absence. The store, which has locations in the Castro and Mission, regularly

See page 24 >>

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<< Besties 2019

22 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

heart is Guerneville, with its gayowned or gay-friendly lodging options and a Main Street revived in recent years by LGBT business owners.

The majority of the businesses survived the recent winter storms largely unscathed, though flooding in February submerged the LGBT-centric R3 Hotel. The resort has been busy rehabbing the property in order to welcome guests again.

A four-day fundraising event is being held over the Easter weekend, kicking off Thursday, April 18, and running through Sunday, April 21, to assist the locals who lost their homes or businesses to the flooding. Check out the R3 Hotel’s Facebook page (facebook.com/r3hotel/) for a full list of events and how to donate online.

For more information, visit https://gayrussianriver.com/.

Rick Gerharter

Weddings & Destinations: Readers flock to Marshall’s Beach on its website for the national park site.

To learn more about Marshall’s Beach, visit https://www.presidio. gov/places/marshalls-beach.

Best Beach

Marshall’s Beach

oplin affair

e

ARTS

08

After this winter’s deluges, a day at the beach is certainly in order. And for San Francisco residents, the easiest way to sprawl out on the sand is to head to this formally hidden away gay seaside spot.

The advent of the internet threw back the curtain on this local favorite where men bare all and romp among the rocks. Then came a hillside restoration project that added easily accessible pathways down to this spit of protected shoreline near the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Nowadays it is not unusual to see straight day-trippers and international tourists mingling with the gay beachgoers. Dogs are not permitted on the trail down to the17beach or on the beach itself, though they are welcome at Baker Beach to the south.

Calle “Rumor hasSophie it, some dare to go bare at the intimate Marshall’s Beach, but whatever ‘natural’ aspects of this beach that entice you, this is one of the best places to take in a sunset over the Pacific Ocean,” notes the Presidio Trust

Courtesy Shreve & Co.

Shreve & Co. was the reader favorite for wedding rings.

Best Place to Buy Wedding Rings

Shreve & Co.

Runner-up New York City

This 167-year-old doyenne of San Francisco’s main shopping district ofHeather Cassell fers a wide selection of rings for both brides and grooms. One of the signaEric von Platen Luder, left, and ture gems it offers are Fire & Ice Diahis husband, Scott Dodd, stood monds, which are cut to maximize the outside Lava Lava Beach Club, one of the restaurants and lodgjewels’ radiant light and sparkle. ing businesses they own under Both the San Francisco and Palo the Luana Hospitality Group on Alto locations carry a wide assortment the Island of Hawaii and Kauai. of wedding bands and diamond engagement rings created by Switzerlandbased Furrer-Jacot. The Post Street loBest Honeymoon Destination cation welcomes customers seven days Hawaii a week as well as by appointment.

With a number of airlines reducing Shreve & Co., 150 Post Street, San fares on their Hawaiian flights now Francisco. (415) 421-2600. shreve. that Southwest is flying to the state com/locations/san-francisco/.

Th from the Oakland and San Jose air- e ports, it has never been a better time Runner-up w w w.e bar.com to plan a tropical honeymoon.

Since D&H Sustainable Jewelers 1971, the ne wspap This island state in the middle of er of re cord fo r the Sa n Fran the Pacific Ocean has numerous opcisco See 24 >> Baypage 77 A re

Ed Walsh

The Santiago Resort is one of 15 gay resorts in Palm Springs and offers amenities aimed at keeping guests happy.

Charlie Wagner

25

People stroll along Main Street in Guerneville.

Best Domestic Getaway

Palm Springs

Jennifer Holliday

This perennial favorite continues to beckon fogged in Bay Area residents looking for a sunny sojourn. The desert oasis for decades has been a welcoming place for LGBT visitors.

Since 1971, the newspaper of record for the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ community

rimes A

Runner-up Carmel/Monterey

Many end up staying, turning this Coachella Valley hotspot into a citywide gay retirement center. Its breadth of amenities, from shopping and dining to outdoor activities and nightlife, draws visitors the world over.

To plan your getaway, visit visitgaypalmsprings.com/.

Runner-up: San Gregorio Nude Beach

Best Local Getaway

Russian River

Vol. 47 • No. 28 • July 13-19, 2017

Another mainstay is Sonoma County’s Russian River area. At its

LGBT data collection underway in CA, SF

61

54

52

Janis lives

Summer stages

Runner-up Paris

Manifesto mania

a LGBT

Out &About

compiled by Matthew S. Bajko

tions for same-sex couples looking to celebrate their vows. Oahu’s gayfriendly Waikiki district offers a more metropolitan destination, while Maui boasts a number of LGBT-welcoming resorts. Those looking for a more secluded Aloha State honeymoon should consider renting a vacation home in the North Shore section of Kauai.

For more information, visit http:// www.gayhawaiiwedding.com and http://www.gogayhawaii.com/.

O&A

North Baker Beach, also known as Marshall’s Beach, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

t

Q com

munity

Vol. 4

Vol. 47 • No. 25 • June

22-28, 2017

of Perpetual April 1, 2009, The Sisters the opening of Indulgence arriving at exhibit at the their 30th anniversary San Francisco Hormel Center in the Gerharter.

Rick by Main Public Library,

www.ebar.com/arts

Rick Gerharter

tivated crimes were was a drop of 34.7 6. lated to sexual oried since 2007, when ted statewide, leadover the last decade. s report says that nicity/national orimmon kind of hate ars, while incidents ual orientation were . t, crimes motivated n went from 108 in 7 percent jump.

016, there were 36 See page 14 >>

Natalie Summers from Openhouse, right, took a photo of Sister Rose Mary Chicken and E.J. Hebert in Jane Warner Plaza in May as part of a project that asked federal officials not to remove LGBT elders from the National Survey of Older Americans.

ARTS

Briggs initiative, in November 1978. recall ever being asked to specify her sexual ori- 11 28 29 had 31a health At that time if a government agency entation on a government form or in asked someone about their sexual orientacare setting. She doubted she would have protion, “people would have absolutely freaked,” vided such information had she been asked to Lange said Hull, 66, who is straight, as she prepared due to privacy concerns.

Dorothea to march in this year’s Pride parade in San “The only person I could think would askgroup LGBT h On the Town Puff atbe The Stud is Francisco with a contingent honoring those such a question would my gynecologist askw Je ges at who successfully campaigned against the hoing about Ch my an sexual health history,” said Hull. mophobic measure.

See page 11 >> Vol. 47 • No. 28 • July 13-19, 2017 Throughout her life HullVsaid she couldn’t www.ebar.com www.bartabsf.com

by Sura Wood

Coming together “C in LGBTQ Pride!

Out &About

I

n the late 1970s Prudence Hull and her colleagues at the community college district in San Francisco worked to defeat a proposed policy that would have banned gay and lesbian people, and possibly straight educators who had gay friends, from working in California’s public schools. To their relief, voters rejected the statewide ballot measure, known as the

O&A

by Matthew S. Bajko

25 17 wn strips do ous though undeniably wellCommunity!,” an amorph rrigan the Brent Coelebrate ed LGBTQ Pride show that opened last weekend atmany

intention y in its aims to embrace humanit a Harvey Milk Photo Center, clearly defined theme and y ambition that needed a permutations, a laudator concept of community.

See page 68 >> narrowing of the overly broad

The

.

Vol. 47 • No

Guerneville looks at homeless options Rick Gerharter

by Charlie Wagner

17 18 -24, 20

y Artistseptao Milk homag

Area cisco Bay e San Fran cord for th re of r pe any new shelter and favored continuing to use the newspa nce 1971, the Veterans Building in town, operates a m which Si w.ebar.co wwshelter seasonal winter from December to March.

Not everyone agrees on what most residents want.

“I don’t think the majority of residents favor the status quo,” Hopkins said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “Most of the green dots were on the other locations.”

Emmett said, “Unless we want to expand our rn depuinfrastructure with more He ambulances mmelgaand Seth a new by oppose ties, most residents shelter.” bDebra Johnson, theanbroker-owner Francisco Pu off the Berkderin Jef fence shire-Hathaway real estate Guerneville, The incomparable singer lic Deoffi is accusing said, “For people at theAd April the answer achi meeting, returns to the Bay Area utpro ey is yes, they opposeanany Butsec lots of people orn attchange. of n ma wo are afraid and there’s solution.”

LGBT an easy ingno scause the pro beorganizers Johnson is one lyi ofngthe ofredwhat she prepa wasn’tHer

by Jim Gladstone calls the “Garbage ecu Patch group works tor Kids.” her case. like Riverwith local environmental organizations to prove ter

by David Lamble laint he Rick Gerhar mp co the InAlliance to keepthe keeper and Clean River homeless hire th wi f I had a chance to start 4 mers have e, the Berks led Maygarbage ecutor encampments fromfispilling and human what the Frameline 41 program LGBTQ os ing ia Pr y initiativ inting of Harvey astonish t’s rn lifo 77. o a new era of ag recording at o International s for Harve a pa r seat in 19 te Bar of Ca Dis- Mag gie Buitr packed into the SanfourFrancisc StaRiver. waste into the Russian the Window operties office has 22-25.

June days, o superviso rt of t ndow. final As painting pa wi tan Festival’s this point in my career,” Film Pr sis ice le As off da 68 San Francisc sed his mixed-media page >> rys See against In early May Hopkins said the county was no six rket Street ie way-D gg Ma of tha ba Ma , its Ha ty Hall in ies y 37 Ci in said Jennifer Holliday, “I would ser Yang, n Yang ct AttorneWoods assinated at created a s sat my best ever.” longer pursuing the tri Armstrong property Milk by Ju achi say who was ass the U.S. postal stamp be tness ready January, he portraits of luminarie Ad lk, wi , a In Mi d ago of ha itr Bu late imed she and was planning alternative strategies, from director s.

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Jennifer Holliday

A

ngry residents shot down a Sonoma County proposal for a homeless service center in the LGBT-friendly town of Guerneville earlier this year, as the tourismdependent area struggles to develop next steps to deal with what some call a growing issue.

After county officials announced a $1 million plan to buy a small horse ranch on Armstrong Woods Road for the center, residents packed a meeting of the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, which is tasked with managing the homeless population.

Exact figures on the number of homeless weren’t available (the county’s Point-In-Time count is slated for next year), but some residents estimate it to be around 200 people.

While small compared to the thousands of homeless people living on the streets in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, Guerneville residents have raised concerns about tent encampments near the Russian River and the possibility of water pollution from trash and human waste.

According to the SCCDC website, the proposed center would have provided substance abuse counseling, primary care, dental care, and other services and would have contained a seasonal emergency shelter with 25-35 beds.

County employees and possibly volunteers would have staffed it.

The April SCCDC meeting drew hundreds of people, including Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose district includes

20 • May

mmunity LGBTQ co

S

eline Reach the Bay Area’s most coveted audience.

Fram finales!

Jennifer Holliday

Charlie Wagner

The “pantry” area being set up in the Vacation Beach encampment in Guerneville.

Guerneville. Groups represented included the Guerneville Community Alliance, formed by Mark Emmett and other residents, and the Committee to Protect Guerneville School Children, Seniors, and Environment.

Five locations in and near Guerneville were discussed at the meeting. Attendees were given green dots to place on a board to indicate which location they favored, although only Armstrong Woods was immediately available. News reports on the meeting suggested most residents opposed

{ FIRST OF THREE SECTIONS }

H

oist a stiff drink, or a soft one, and enjoy the midsummer fun out there in nightlife land. Hodor spins grooves, sober drag sters rock, iconic music talents croon, and comics make us cackle.

Listings begin on page 27 >>

“I

grand

I

Andrew Cooper

6, an 11.2 percent dents related to the n went from 188 to ercent. mits a crime motist an attack on one attack on the entire es,” Becerra said in uncing the report’s from today’s report scriminatory rhetonger but divides us ur communities at ng hate crimes, discritical to ensuring ut fear of being tar, ethnicity, religion, orientation. general, I am comcal law enforcement cal communities to ate crime statutes to w. I strongly encourhey are a victim of o local law enforceded. om data submitted trict attorneys, and t the state. nt up last year, the n a decrease in the

Rick Gerharter

Attorney General Xavier Becerra

B

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Rick Ge rharter

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<< Besties 2019>>

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 23

Besties: Community

From page 18

Courtesy SF Fog Courtesy AIDS/LifeCycle

The AIDS/LifeCycle takes off June 2.

Best LGBT Fundraiser

AIDS/LifeCycle

Thousands of cyclists will ride mostly along the California Coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the weeklong AIDS/LifeCycle fundraiser June 2-8. This will be the 17th year of the 545-mile journey that raised over $16 million last year.

Donations benefit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center, which jointly produce the event.

Ride director Tracy Evans talked to the B.A.R. about the experience.

“Spending seven days with AIDS/ LifeCycle, whether you’re on a bike or volunteering, is an experience that people remember for their entire life. The ‘spirit of the ride’ is truly unique, as are every one of our 3,000-plus participants,” said Evans. “People from all over the world come together to help us get closer to a world without HIV/AIDS. And it’s a whole lot of fun.”

The most important training day for participating riders, Day on the Ride, which simulates an actual day of AIDS/LifeCycle, is April 13 in San Francisco. For more information, visit https://www.aidslifecycle.org/ event/sf-day-on-the-ride/.

AIDS/LifeCycle, (866) 2453424. aidslifecycle.org.

The San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club

Best LGBT Sports League

SF Fog Rugby

Once again, B.A.R. readers have chosen the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, best known as “The Fog,” as their favorite LGBT sports league. Founded in 2000, it’s the first gay and inclusive rugby club on the West Coast. It started after Jason Reimuller and Mark Bingham, along with Derrick Mickle, played together in a gay flag football social club and bonded over their love of rugby.

“The Fog is honored to be chosen by the SF community as ‘Best LGBT Sports Team’ for 2019,” said Tony Folenta, vice president of marketing for the Fog. “Fog Rugby strives to create an inclusive environment for anyone with an interest in rugby to come out and learn a new sport with a closeknit family of players. We welcome all backgrounds, skill levels, and sexual/

gender identities, and we’re proud to have been serving the community for nearly 20 years.”

Bingham died on September 11, 2001. He was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed into a Pennsylvania field. On April 26, the team and the new Disco Coalition will co-sponsor a happy hour at the Lookout, 3600 16th Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. to honor Bingham. More information can be found at https://www.facebook. com/events/2114659438609612. fogrugby.com.

Runner-up San Francisco FrontRunners

Runner-up GLBT Historical Society Gala

Jane Philomen Cleland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry smiles at last year’s championship parade in downtown Oakland.

Best Bay Area Pro Sports Team

Golden State Warriors

It’s no wonder B.A.R. readers chose the Golden State Warriors as their favorite pro team. The team has won back-to-back National Basketball Association championships, and three titles in the last four years. They are slated make another run at the championship in the playoffs, which start April 13. Over the years, the team has hosted LGBT Pride events.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the readers of the Bay Area Reporter and the LGBT community in general,” said Rick Welts, a gay man who is the Warriors president and chief operating officer. “Our organization prides itself on the diversity of our fan base and we are thrilled to be included on this list of LGBT favorites.”

The Warriors will play next season at the new Chase Center in San Francisco. nba.com/warriors/ Runner-up San Francisco Giants

D i s c o v e r t h e n e w s ta n f o r d c o u r t REIMAGINED ROOMS & S P E C TA C U L A R CITY VIEWS

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DINNER & DRINKS AT S E V E N S T I L L S NOB HILL

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U s e c o d e “ n e w s c ” f o r s p e c i a l s av i n g s o n y o u r n e x t s tay 9 0 5 C a l i f o r n i a S t, S a n F r a n c i s c o , C A 9 4 1 0 8 / T : 4 1 5 . 9 8 9 . 3 5 0 0 / s t a n f o r d c o u r t. c o m / @ s t a n f o r d c o u r t s f

<< Besties 2019

24 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

<<

Besties: Shopping

From page 20

Best Variety Shop

Apothecarium in the Castro is a repeat winner. Readers like its mellow vibe and wide selection of products, including flowers, edibles, and more. Other locations include the Marina and South of Market. It offers products for medical and recreational use.

In February, as the B.A.R. reported, the Apothecarium announced it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by a publicly traded Canadian corporation.

The acquisition, valued at $118 million in cash and stock, was made in a joint news release by the Apothecarium and TerrAscend, a Toronto-based biopharmaceutical and wellness company that is focused on the cannabis market and operates a number of other entities, including a manufacturer and distributor of hemp-derived products.

The transaction is pending approval from regulators in California and Nevada, according to the Apothecarium.

The Apothecarium, 2029 Market Street, San Francisco.

(415) 500-2620. https://apothecarium.com/.

This is a new category this year, and Cliff ’s, a mainstay in the gayborhood for decades, is the winner.

The family-owned store is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Stop by to peruse the eclectic mix of goods for the home and garden. Its website noted that the store carries everything from hardware and tools to cookware, garden supplies, toys, crafts, and gifts. It is recognized as a San Francisco Legacy Business.

Cliff ’s Variety, 479 Castro Street, San Francisco.

(415) 212-8400. cliffs-variety.business.site/.

The Apothecarium

Best Gym

Fitness-SF

Fitness-SF in the Castro again won this category. The over 16,000 square foot facility offers two floors of tools and equipment to keep a person’s workout fresh and challenging, according to its website.

From free weights to cardio, the gym has it all.

The gym also offers nationally certified personal trainers.

Fitness-SF Castro, 2301 Market Street, San Francisco.

(415) 348-6377. fitnesssf.com/location/castro/.

Runner-up 24-Hour Fitness

Courtesy Apothecarium

The Apothecarium in SF remains a favorite of readers.

Best Cannabis Dispensary

Runner-up Green Cross

Cliff’s Variety

Courtesy AIDS/LifeCycle

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation operates Out of the Closet thrift stores in Oakland and San Francisco.

Best Thrift Store

Out of the Closet

Out of the Closet is a repeat winner. The stores – there are several in the Bay Area – are operated by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Sales raise money for the nonprofit. Stores offer clothing, books, DVDs, and other items.

According to AHF, 96 cents out of every dollar collected by the thrift stores directly fund the agency’s HIV/AIDS services in the U.S. and abroad. The Oakland store offers free HIV testing.

Out of the Closet, 1295 Folsom Street and 1498 Polk Street in San Francisco. (415) 558-7176 or (415) 771-1503. In Oakland, 238 E. 18th Street, (510) 251-8671. outofthecloset.org.

Runner-up Community Thrift

Runner-up Just for Fun

t

years ago, Crossroads Trading Co. is back in first place, having been a runner-up in 2018. Customers sell their in-style, on-trend clothing and accessories for cash or trade credit on the spot. The website noted that stores are located in vibrant neighborhoods, each filled with the clothes you want at prices you can’t resist.

Right now, shop for spring at one of several Bay Area locations. Its website features a selling guide and four ways to sell your clothes.

In addition to San Francisco, there are shops in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose.

Crossroads Trading Company, 2123 Market Street, San Francisco. (415) 552-8740. crossroadstrading.com/.

<<

Besties: Weddings

From page 20

Courtesy Crossroads Trading Co.

Crossroads Trading Company has lots of vintage clothing.

Best Vintage Clothing/Consignment Shop

Crossroads Trading Co.

After winning this category two

EARLY SPACE RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

Gooch

Gareth Gooch, who also photographs nightlife and other events for the Bay Area Reporter, won in the best wedding photographer category.

Best Wedding Photographer

Gooch

Longtime Bay Area Reporter photographer Gareth Gooch took home the top honor this year for being the person readers trust most to capture their special day. In addition to happy couples, numerous local nonprofits and event producers hire him to photograph their gatherings for posterity.

To see various examples of his work and contact information, visit his website at https://www.garethgoochphotography.com/.

Runner-up Steven Underhill

Courtesy WeddingSpot.com

San Francisco City Hall remains a favorite venue for wedding receptions.

Best Wedding Reception Venue

SF City Hall

the official magazine of san francisco pride 2019 A Publication of VIA MEDIA [Caselli Partners LLC]

Call 415-829-8937 Advertising@ebar.com

Couples tying the knot have various options for celebrating afterward inside San Francisco City Hall. The historic Beaux Arts building not only lends a location with grandeur to the occasion but also historic resonance.

After all, it was where the fight for marriage equality became supercharged on Valentine’s Day in 2004 when thenmayor Gavin Newsom threw open the building’s doors to gay and lesbian couples looking to wed despite questions about the legality of his doing so.

His decision turned what had been a courtroom battle centered on legal arguments into a monthlong walk down the aisle featuring loving couples, some of whom had been denied the right to publicly declare their devotion to one another for decades.

For information about renting out the different venues SF City Hall has to offer, visit http://sfcityhallevents.org/ weddings.

Runner-up Legion of Honor

t <<

Community News>>

Bay Area Cannasseur

From page 16

grower. All are straight allies.

Before founding Flower, the three created a brand of products, Humboldt Legends, and developed a software supply chain that would enable them to buy and distribute cannabis with minimal expenses. They also launched Old Pal, an economical flower and vaporizer oil brand. Flower does not have licenses to cultivate or distribute, Lichtenberg said, but uses the same legal growers and distributors that the rest of the industry does.

<<

Jolk Talk

From page 16

This isn’t the same as doping.

This isn’t cheating. This isn’t taking a medically unnecessary substance to gain an unnatural advantage. If the IAAF had its way, however, it would require some athletes to take a medically unnecessary substance to lose whatever advantage God gave them.

That’s nuts.

<<

Sisters

From page 3

Park the Sisters said, but they, and the community, are looking forward to bringing the event back to the Sisters’ original stomping ground.

Sister Roma said this year’s event is a “test run” at Dolores Park to see how it goes, Roma wrote in an email. The Sisters are having a “Love the Park” cleanup day at the park the day after the party, April 22, which is Earth Day. It begins at 9 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

“We managed to fill Golden Gate Park and we had a successful run there, but it never really quite felt like home,” said Roma, a 56-year-old gender fluid queer. “It’s like coming home again. The community is really excited about it.”

Roma has attended countless Easter in the Park gatherings over her 30 years of being in the group and called it a “beautiful celebration.”

This year’s event begins with children’s programming, including an Easter egg hunt, Sisters’ Story Time, and free dental screenings. The main stage starts at noon with performances from GayC/DC, 9 Inch

<<

Lightfoot

From page 12

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, in an email to the BAR, wrote, “It’s historic to have a queer black woman leading the third largest city in America. Congratulations Mayor-elect Lightfoot.”

In a prepared statement, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said, “All across our country, more and more black women are show-

<<

Rent board

From page 3

to carefully examine and scrutinize his qualifications, and to determine whether he is an appropriate appointee for this critically important role.”

Cretan pointed out that the mayor has the prerogative under the city charter to name whomever she wants to the rent board and has full confidence that Isbell is up to the task.

“Mayor Breed appointed Reese because of his history of policy work and advocacy on tenant issues at the local and state level, as well as his personal experience living in a rent-controlled apartment in San Francisco for the past 20 years,” stated Cretan.

“He has dealt with challenges with his own landlord, and he is committed to working to support all tenants, including the LGBT community and those living with HIV/AIDS who are

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 25

While its product selection varies, right now consumers can buy Kiva chocolate bars for $12 ($22-$24 at many San Francisco dispensaries) as well Maven flowers, a top shelf indoor brand for $26-28 for an eighth ounce, compared to $60 in Los Angeles.

The company’s goal, said Lichtenberger, is to pull people away from buying black market products, which have typically not undergone testing.

“We want to add to the California tax base,” he said. Citing industry studies by Arcview and BBS, Lichtenberg said illegal sales appear to be four times larger than legal ones in California.

Right now, the future of the company looks rosy, with companies in Oregon and Massachusetts indicating an interest in partnering with Flower, Lichtenberger said. He expects competition, “but that’s good,” he added.

Details about future plans and financing are under wraps, as the company is preparing to raise $8-$10 million in a Series A private financing round, he said, adding that initial backing came through angel investors.

While the founders hope the company will bring a profitable return for their investors, they are also interested in continuing their com-

munity outreach programs, in which they have offered free memberships for financially strapped medical patients through the nonprofit East Bay Canna Community.

Joanna Arenstein, the former director of East Bay Canna, praised Lichtenberger’s efforts. In an email to the B.A.R., Arenstein wrote, “Ted always impressed me with his humble generosity. He found creative ways to support the cannabis community and never asked for anything in return, which made the community want to support him and his company more.

It was wonderful working with someone who wanted to give for giving’s

sake, and not out of obligation or for media attention. That kind of pure, humble giving is becoming more rare, which makes me revere it that much more.”t

Think prejudice (that is, prejudging based not on evidence but on one’s own gut feeling) isn’t involved in this proposal? Think again. Racism and sexism have plagued this debate for years and continue to set the tone today.

In 2009, when Semenya was emerging on the world scene, thenIAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss said, “She is a woman, but maybe not 100 percent.” In 2013, former IAAF medical director Stephane Bermon said, “We have a lot of peo-

ple coming from Africa, Asia, and we have a lot of these cases coming from these countries.”

This year, Sebastian Coe, the current IAAF president, told the Australian press, “The reason we have gender classification is because if you didn’t, then no woman would ever win another title or another medal or break another record in our sport.”

Hard to argue with the statement if delivered in a vacuum, but he made the statement in an

interview about the reason IAAF wants to prevent women with high testosterone from competing in the women’s category. He is, in essence, telling these women they are not women.

It was that historic institutional context of prejudice that Semenya said Coe was opening “old wounds.”

“Ms. Semenya does not wish to undergo medical intervention to change who she is and how she was born,” Semenya’s advisory team

said in a rebuttal statement. “She wants to compete naturally. Mr. Coe is wrong to think Ms. Semenya is a threat to women’s sport. Ms. Semenya is a heroine and inspirational role model for young girls around the world who dream of achieving excellence in sport. Ms. Semenya hopes and dreams that one day she can run free of judgment, free of discrimination, and in a world where she is accepted for who she is. t

Males, Trash Can Marchink Band, and drag performances from Dusty Porn, the Devil-Ettes, and Fou Fou Ha. An order of Sisters from France will also perform, though Abbi said it was yet to be announced.

The contests have become some of the most popular components of the Sunday event, which this year also commemorates Earth Day. People prepare for the Easter Bonnet contest for weeks, Roma said.

“It’s jaw-dropping,” the San Francisco resident said. “People start planning their bonnets for weeks and they are stunning, beautiful hats.”

Pets are also allowed to participate in the bonnet wearing, Roma added.

The Foxy Mary contest includes a sexy version of the Mother Mary, who is oftentimes “pregnant” and has a taste for alcohol.

The Hunky Jesus competition may be the most popular of all. It has been part of Easter in the Park for years.

The contestants sign up just hours before, though most contestants come prepared with outfits. In the past there has been a cheerleader Jesus, baby Jesus complete with a bottle, and last year, a political-themed hunky Jesus.

“Every year I never cease to be

amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of the San Francisco community,” Roma said. “Every year something surprises me. It’s clever, shocking, and beautiful.”

Rolando Sanchez, 30, of Oakland, was the winner last year, and said he decided to do it because, “I saw it as an outlet of communication as a way of doing some type of political message.”

Last year was the first year Sanchez had come to the United States. He was displaced after his hometown was hit

by Hurricane Maria in 2017.

He was a Puerto Rican refugee Jesus complete with a Puerto Rican flag and 16 toilet paper rolls to represent “all the U.S. has done to Puerto Rico.

Exploiting the island and no hurricane relief. I was paying it forward to the United States,” he said, adding that he will return to the event this year, but will not compete again. He also said that the Sisters were among the most welcoming community he had ever met.

“They made me feel like a family.

They put out their welcoming arms to say hi to me and ask how things are going,” he said, adding that he admires all the work the Sisters do in the community.

The event has also historically brought a lot of business to the Castro district. Outgoing Castro Merchants President Daniel Bergerac said he was looking forward to the event returning.

“It certainly helps drive people to the Castro neighborhood,” Bergerac said. “We love the Sisters and love all the good work they do. They are a tremendous asset to the city of San Francisco and to the queer community.”

relief. This was the beginning of the Sisters’ annual Halloween block party.

The Sisters managed the Halloween street party for many years, but in 2006 nine people were wounded when a shooter opened fire at the celebration. Halloween in the Castro was canceled the following year.

Through its grant program, the Sisters have donated tens of thousands of dollars to smaller, local nonprofits.

Abbi added that she looks forward to the continued evolution of the Sisters in its next 40 years. Something the organization is focusing on now, Abbi said, is the issue of limited housing for many San Franciscans, adding that the Sisters change with the needs of the day.

To Roma, the 40th anniversary represents the importance of the Sisters.

“It signifies to me that the sisters are authentic and important and really striking a cord in the communities we serve all over the world,” Roma said.

“To know a Sister is born every minute is a heartwarming and encouraging thing.”

For more information on the event, visit https://www.thesisters. org/events. t

ing what they can do in positions of leadership, and each of us who is elected opens the door for even more young girls and boys to follow in our paths. I’m excited what this election means for the people of Chicago and I want to wish the new mayor of Chicago luck as she takes office.”

Just two out lesbians have served as mayors of a top 100 city – former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and current Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan. Parker is now president

of LGBTQ Victory Fund. In a news release, the group said that there are 38 out LGBTQ people serving as mayors in American cities large and small.

“A black lesbian taking power in the nation’s third largest city is a historic moment for so many communities that are too often ignored in American politics,” Parker said in a statement.

“Chicago’s enormous influence on the national dialogue provides a platform for Lori to promote more

inclusive solutions to the challenges facing our cities and nation – and to be a credible messenger as well,” she added. “Lori will certainly remain focused on the issues facing Chicago. But as the highestranking LGBTQ person ever elected mayor of an American city – a title she takes from me – she is also now a key leader in the movement to build LGBTQ political power nationwide.”

In Madison, a progressive university town, Satya Rhodes-Con-

way beat longtime Mayor Paul Soglin by 62% to 38% in a runoff election and will become the first out mayor in the city’s history.

In Kansas City, mayoral candidate Jolie Justus placed in the primary and will now advance to the general election in June.

Later this month, lesbian mayoral candidate Jane Castor competes in a runoff that will determine the next mayor of Tampa, Florida.t

struggling to stay in the city.”

The supervisors, added Cretan, “will see at the hearing that Reese will be a leader on the rent board with a unique perspective grounded in his experience.”

Over the weekend Isbell had emailed all 11 supervisors requesting to meet with them to discuss their concerns about rental issues in their district and his goals for being on the rent board.

He met with the rent board’s staff Tuesday and remains confident in his qualifications to serve.

“I will just present myself as who I am, my background as a renter, and my story as a renter and the concerns that I have had and the fights I have done over the years for tenants and tenants rights,” said Isbell, who noted he has a master’s degree in public policy from Rutgers University and has been working in the public policy arena for three decades. “I have a breadth

of experience in these areas. I don’t know the woman I am replacing and wasn’t involved in those decisions. I have been sworn in; I will do the best job that I can for as long as I could.”

The mayor’s office had told the B.A.R. it believed Isbell was the first openly gay man to serve on the commission. But several people who follow the rent board and its proceedings have since told the B.A.R. that there have been at least four gay men who have previously served on the rent board dating back decades. It remains unclear if their being members of the LGBT community was highlighted by the mayor’s office when they were appointed or reported on by the media at the time.

“Bruce” Yang, live together in a studio apartment that is rent-controlled in the city’s Lower Nob Hill neighborhood and had to fight their landlord when she tried to raise their rent after Yang moved in three years ago.

During the mayor’s transition period last summer following her victory in the special June election, Isbell served on Breed’s Transition Policy Team and focused on transportation issues. A former co-chair of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, he continues to serve on its board as well as the board of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Last fall, lsbell left his position overseeing government affairs for the California Life Sciences Association to campaign for Democrats running in Missouri and Kansas. He is currently seeking work and told the B.A.R. he looks forward to adjudicating cases on the rent board.

“I look forward to being part of those discussions and dealing with the realities in San Francisco for renters,” said Isbell.

Tenant activists, however, question if Isbell has the qualifications to serve on the commission. They also fault the mayor’s office for not consulting with them about the appointment.

The mayor appoints all five of the commission members, and in years past, tenants groups say they have been consulted on the picks for the tenant seats on the panel, which also includes seats for landlords and a neutral representative.

This time they didn’t learn about Isbell’s swearing-in ceremony, they said, until reading the B.A.R.’s story.

“The main issue here is that Polly Marshall, a longtime fighter for tenants rights who has been on the board

Struggle to stay in SF

Isbell, 48, has struggled to afford to live in the city since arriving 20 years ago. He and his husband, Sheng

Cherished history

The evolution and history of the Sisters is something cherished by those in the group. Roma talked about how the Sisters began first as simply a way to break conformity, express individuality, and stir things up a bit, but when the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit the community the Sisters truly found their calling.

“HIV and AIDS ravaged our community,” Roma said. “That’s when the Sisters really found their purpose.”

She also recalled that on Halloween night in 1989, two weeks after the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake, she and some of the other Sisters got buckets and bullhorns and took to the streets. By the end of the night they had raised $10,000 for earthquake

For more information on Flower, including job openings, visit www.flowercompany.com.

Bay Area Cannasseur runs the first Thursday of the month. To send column ideas or tips, email Sari Staver at sari@bayareacannasseur.com.

See page 26 >>

<< Community News

26 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

<<

Rent board

From page 25

for 30 years and who has so much experience with the rent ordinance, is not being reappointed – and the tenants community was not consulted, as it has been in the past,” Tommi Avicolli Mecca, a queer activist who works for the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, told the B.A.R. Longtime tenants rights advocate Mitchell Omerberg was also critical

<<

Randy Rainbow

From page 3

Madonna’s hit song “Borderline.”

It’s since been viewed 533,074 times on YouTube.

Capitalizing on his popularity and social media fame, Rainbow packaged his more popular musical parodies into a live 90-minute show he launched last year. He has been touring around the country and lands in the Bay Area this month, with shows April 18 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa and April 20 at the Masonic in San Francisco.

“I am doing all of my greatest hits,” said Rainbow. “It is me and my band; I don’t have a name for them yet. I should think of something cute like the Randy Rainbow Orchestra. It is usually a four-piece band.”

Rainbow, which is his real last name, lives in Astoria, Queens in New York City. He has written material for various comedians, performed on stage in musical productions, and starred in a commercial for Orbitz alongside San Francisco native and queer comedian Margaret Cho. He has close to 1 million followers on his Facebook page and close

of the mayor’s choice of Isbell for the seat. He and Marshall have been partners for nearly 40 years and the couple have two adult children.

“I think it is very safe to say Reese’s appointment came as a surprise,” said Omerberg, who is involved in both the Anti-Displacement Coalition and the Affordable Housing Alliance of San Francisco. “I knew Reese was a campaign operative. He hasn’t had any contact with organized tenant rights groups or any history in that

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the property and meets the definition of a renter as specified under the city’s rent ordinance. Because the couple is not married or domestic partners, Marshall said she does not have any ownership rights to the house.

Her anger at the implication that she had misrepresented her status as a renter over the last 33 years while serving on the commission was evident in a March 27 letter she sent the mayor’s office and shared with the B.A.R. “As a female commissioner in the

city for over three decades, I am hurt and disappointed that the Mayor’s Office may be judging my fitness for office not by what I myself have accomplished and intend to continue accomplishing, but instead by the presence on a deed of the name of a husband that I do not have,” wrote Marshall. “I am hopeful it is not too late to remedy this situation, now that I have corrected the misinformation received by the Mayor’s office.”t

Outreach April 2019 to 240,000 followers on Twitter.

His YouTube videos can rack up anywhere from 158,000 views to 2 million.

A Trump bump

Open about his supporting Clinton three years ago, Rainbow has certainly benefited immensely having Trump occupy the White House. Asked if he was secretly wishing that the president would win another four years, Rainbow told the B.A.R. he will be rooting for his defeat.

“I am not secretly wishing for anything like that. I can say that honestly,” he said.

By 2021 Rainbow said it would be nice to have a new cast of characters to lambaste.

“I always say country first. It has been great for my career but terrible for the country. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody just for the sake of my material,” he said. “On top of that by the time he is gone I will have had a good run and be ready to take on new people and new topics.”

And he could use a breather from the breakneck pace of scandal and skullduggery that has been the hallmark of the Trump administration.

“It has been hard for me to keep up,” said Rainbow. “I will be able to

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regard that I am aware of.”

Marshall said she first learned that the mayor’s office was looking at appointing someone else to her seat last Tuesday. She was informed that a mayoral aide had seen her name listed as a co-owner of the home she shares with Omerberg, which would disqualify her from serving as a tenant representative on the rent board.

While Omerberg bought the home in 1986, the same year she moved in, Marshall insisted she does not co-own

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take a nap maybe when he leaves office. Or when we make him leave, depending on whatever happens.”

Born on Long Island, Rainbow at the age of 10 moved with his family to south Florida. He lived in the Sunshine State until he was 22 and then returned to New York.

Asked repeatedly if he is interested in seeking public office himself, Rainbow told the B.A.R. he doesn’t foresee doing so anytime soon.

“People ask me that, but I don’t know why,” said Rainbow. “Never say never, but I don’t have any expectations as of this phone call.”

In fact, he doesn’t see his vlogging as being political in nature.

Rather, he sees himself as a truth teller.

“I am not a political pundit. My message is never political. I have more passion for the truth than I do for politics,” said Rainbow. “At the end of the day I am going after more behavioral than political. As long as people keep saying crazy shit, I will always have material.”

For more information about Randy Rainbow’s tour and to purchase tickets, visit his website at https://www.randyrainbow. com/.t

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA BARREL COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Plaintiff, v.

All Person Claiming Any Interest, or Lien Upon, the Real Property Herein Described or, Any Part thereof, Defendants.

CASE NO. CGC-19-574377 AMENDED SUMMONS [CCP § 751.05] The people of the State of California, to all persons claiming any interest in, or lien upon, the real property herein described, or any part thereof, defendants, greeting (See Memorandum Disclosing Adverse Interest [CCP § 751.07] attached.): You are hereby required to appear and answer the complaint of CALIFORNIA BARREL COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, plaintiff, filed with the clerk of the above-entitled court and county, within three months after the first publication of this summons, and to set forth what interest or lien, if any, you have in or upon that certain real property or any part thereof, situated in the City and County of San Francisco, State of California, particularly described as follows: REAL PROPERTY, SITUATE IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COMPRISED OF SIX (6) PARCELS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING A PORTION OF PARCEL A, AS SAID PARCEL A IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN GRANT DEED RECORDED SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2016-K334613 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PARCEL ONE BEING ALL OF MARYLAND STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID MARYLAND STREET; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), EASTERLY 80 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH THE EASTERN LINE OF SAID MARYLAND STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF MARYLAND STREET, SOUTHERLY 279 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID EASTERN LINE OF MARYLAND STREET WITH THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID SOUTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), WESTERLY 80 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID SOUTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH SAID WESTERN LINE OF MARYLAND STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF MARYLAND STREET, NORTHERLY 279 FEET TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL TWO BEING ALL OF LOUISIANA STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID LOUISIANA STREET; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), EASTERLY 80 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH THE EASTERN LINE OF SAID LOUISIANA STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF LOUISIANA STREET, SOUTHERLY 279 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID EASTERN LINE OF LOUISIANA STREET WITH THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID SOUTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), WESTERLY 80 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID SOUTHERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH SAID WESTERN LINE OF LOUISIANA STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF LOUISIANA STREET, NORTHERLY 279 FEET TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL THREE BEING A PORTION OF GEORGIA STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID GEORGIA STREET, SAID POINT BEING THE SOUTHWESTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 1, AS SAID PARCEL 1 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 1, 2001, AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2001-G897578 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 1 (DN 2001-G897578), EASTERLY 80 FEET TO A POINT IN THE EASTERN LINE OF SAID GEORGIA STREET, SAID POINT BEING THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF SAID PARCEL 1 (DN 2001-G897578); THENCE, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF GEORGIA STREET, SOUTHERLY 406.42 FEET TO THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 3, AS SAID PARCEL 3 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT QUIETING TITLE RECORDED MAY 26, 1960 IN BOOK A127 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, AT PAGE 596, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, ALONG THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 3 (A127 OR 596), NORTHWESTERLY 18.79 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) COURSES: 1) NORTH 03°10’16” WEST 125.39 FEET, AND 2) SOUTH 86°49’44” WEST 63.85 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2001-K334613) AND SAID WESTERN LINE OF GEORGIA STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF GEORGIA STREET, NORTHERLY 271.42 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL FOUR BEING A PORTION OF MICHIGAN STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EASTERN LINE OF SAID MICHIGAN STREET, SAID POINT BEING THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 2, AS SAID PARCEL 2 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 1, 2001, AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2001-G897578 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF MICHIGAN STREET, SOUTHERLY 157.42 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 4, AS SAID PARCEL 4 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT QUIETING TITLE RECORDED MAY 26, 1960 IN BOOK A127 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, AT PAGE 596, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, ALONG THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 4 (A127 OR 596), NORTHWESTERLY 2 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO A POINT ON THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) COURSES: 1) NORTH 03°10’16” WEST 9.01 FEET, AND 2) SOUTH 86°49’44” WEST 11.12 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2001-K334613) AND SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL 4 (A127 OR 596); THENCE, ALONG SAID NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 4 (A127 OR 596), NORTHWESTERLY 6 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO A POINT ON SAID WESTERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), NORTH 03°41’19” WEST 143.4 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613) WITH THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 2 (DN 2001-G897578); THENCE, ALONG SAID SOUTHERN LINE OF PARCEL 2 (DN 2001-G897578), EASTERLY 18.62 FEET TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL FIVE BEING A PORTION OF HUMBOLDT STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID HUMBOLDT STREET (33 FEET WIDE) WITH THE EASTERN LINE OF MICHIGAN STREET, AS SAID MICHIGAN STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, SAID POINT BEING THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 2, AS SAID PARCEL 2 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 1, 2001, AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2001-G897578 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 2 (DN 2001-G897578), WESTERLY 18.62 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID NORTHERN LINE OF PARCEL 2 (2001-G897578) AND THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613); THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) COURSES: 1) NORTH 03°41’19” WEST 1.31 FEET, AND 2) NORTH 87°24’17” EAST 18.63 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERN LINE OF PARCEL A (DN 2001-K334613) AND SAID EASTERN LINE OF MICHIGAN STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF MICHIGAN STREET, SOUTHERLY 1.12 FEET TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL SIX BEING A PORTION OF HUMBOLDT STREET, AS SAID STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, LYING WITHIN SAID PARCEL A (DN 2016-K334613), MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE SOUTHERN LINE OF SAID HUMBOLDT STREET (33 FEET WIDE) WITH THE EASTERN LINE OF GEORGIA STREET, AS SAID GEORGIA STREET EXISTED PRIOR TO THE VACATION THEREOF, SAID POINT BEING THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PARCEL 1, AS SAID PARCEL 1 IS DESCRIBED IN THAT CERTAIN JUDGMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 1, 2001, AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2001-G897578 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, IN SAID OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; THENCE, FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, ALONG THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID PARCEL 1 (DN 2001-G897578), WESTERLY 80 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID PARCEL 1 (2001-G897578) AND THE WESTERN LINE OF SAID GEORGIA STREET, SAID POINT BEING THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF SAID PARCEL 1 (DN 2001-G897578); THENCE, ALONG SAID WESTERN LINE GEORGIA STREET, NORTHERLY 33 FEET TO THE NORTHERN LINE OF SAID HUMBOLDT STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID NORTHERN LINE OF HUMBOLDT STREET, EASTERLY 80 FEET TO A POINT ON THE EASTERN LINE OF SAID GEORGIA STREET; THENCE, ALONG SAID EASTERN LINE OF GEORGIA STREET, SOUTHERLY 33 FEET TO SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCELS ONE THROUGH SIX BEING PORTIONS OF APN 4175-017. ATTACHED HERETO IS AN ILLUSTRATIVE INDEX MAP, AND BY THIS REFERENCE, MADE A PART HEREOF. And you are hereby notified that, unless you so appear and answer, the plaintiff will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the complaint, to wit: quiet title to the Property consistent with the legal description above, against all adverse claims of all claimants, known and unknown, as of the date the Complaint in this case was filed.

Witness my hand and the seal of said court, DATE: MAR 11 2019 Clerk, By CAROLYN BALISTRERI, DEPUTY [SEAL], CLERK OF THE COURT Memorandum Disclosing Adverse Interest [CCP § 751.07] The following persons are said to claim an interest in, or lien upon, said property adverse to Plaintiff: 1. 1. PG&E, 245 Market Street, N10A, Room 1015, P.O. Box 770000, San Francisco, CA 94177; 2. City and County of San Francisco, Office of the City Attorney, Room 234, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102, 3. Trans Bay Cable LLC, One Letterman Drive, C5-100, San Francisco, CA 94129; 4. San Francisco Port Authority, Pier 1, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111; 5. California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the San Francisco Bay Region, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400, Oakland, CA 94612; 6. NRG Potrero LLC, c/o GenOn, 1360 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 2000, Houston TX 77056 SUMMONS.indd 1

3/13/19 11:24 AM

<< Legals

27 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

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Legal Notices>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-554671

In the matter of the application of: RAUL ANTHONY, 1090 NATOMA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RAUL ANTHONY, is requesting that the name RAUL ANTHONY, be changed to RAUL ANTHONY GOMEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 18th of April 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038554200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DRAGONFLY PI, 180 STEUART ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAQUEL COHEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/11/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038550300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TIEN YUAN PLUMBING, 33233 LAKE GARRISON ST, FREMONT, CA 94555. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ZHUANG JU FANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/06/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038553600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ROMANCING BRIDES OF THE 21ST CENTURY, 1535 EDDY ST #404, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JESSIE CASTLE HARRIS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/08/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038543300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MI FAMILIA TAQUERIA, 1797 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAMIRO CARDENAS JR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/01/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038548100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MADE

BY DELPHI, 128 ELLSWORTH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MATTHEW IRVING. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/12/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/05/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038550200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MENTAL WEALTH, 69 NORDHOFF ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131.

This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed NAZNEEN ABDULLAH & MICHELLE MAGARRELL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/14/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/06/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038553400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GO MOTION ENTERPRISE; KARTE BLANCHE, 854 44TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed GO MOTION ENTERPRISE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/08/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038543700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CALIFORNIA STREET CANNABIS CO., 1398 CALIFORNIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DISPLEASED MARMOT LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/01/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038551000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KALON SF, 49 KEARNY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed KALON INTERNATIONAL LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/15/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/07/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038547000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DOSE; DOSE HERE NOW, 540 BARNEVELD AVE, UNIT C, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DOSE, LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/31/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/04/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038549000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIERY CAFE, 1316 NORIEGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed FIERY, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/05/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038554300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AWROOF!, LLC; DOG DAY AFTERNOONS, 2261 MARKET ST #188, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability partnership, and is signed PAUL TYRONE SMITH-CUNHA & RAFAEL GONCALVES CUNHA-SMITH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/06/19.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/11/19.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-036675900 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: DOG DAY AFTERNOONS, 1708 FELL ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by SUZANNE EPSTEIN. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/15.

MAR 14, 21, 28, APR 04, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-554694

In the matter of the application of: KAORU OGURA, 40 MULLEN AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner KAORU OGURA, is requesting that the name KAORU OGURA, be changed to KAORU OGURA BULLARD. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 30th of April 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-554697

In the matter of the application of: MALAIKA MARIE DREBIN, 2009 DIVISADERO ST #3A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MALAIKA MARIE DREBIN, is requesting that the name MALAIKA MARIE DREBIN, be changed to MALAIKA MARIE DREBIN SMYTH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 14th of May 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-554685

In the matter of the application of: ADAM GERALD RAMADAN, C/O WENDY MARIE GIBSON, GIBSON LAW OFFICES, 394 BEL MARIN KEYS BLVD #3, NOVATO, CA 94949, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ADAM GERALD RAMADAN, is requesting that the name ADAM GERALD RAMADAN, be changed to ADAM GERALD STOCKWELL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, on the 23rd of April 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038552700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TRANS AMERICA REALTY, 30 SAN JOSE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARIO SANCHEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/08/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038565900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BLISSFUL HAIR SALON, 872 WASHINGTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed YONGHONG YU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/18/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038563500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HEALTHMAX MANGOSTEEN CAPSULE, 935 ULLOA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RENELEE SO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/19.

MAR 21, 28 APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038558500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEAN AND MEAN PRODUCTIONS, 885 25TH AVE #202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LUCY HUDSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/13/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038561600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PROPEL REAL ESTATE GROUP, 555 GROVE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROGER PEREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038560600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAY CITY SOUL PRODUCTIONS, 985 INNES AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARIA VICTORIA AHEARNE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/14/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038550700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUPER APPLIANCE REPAIR, 364 JOOST AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ILDAR TELYAKOV. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/06/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038557300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SOWL BOWLS THAI STREET FOOD, 138 6TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GLAGHOA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/12/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/12/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038556400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE LITTLE CHIHUAHUA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 475 6TH ST K16, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TLC SOMA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/12/19.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038570000

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038576000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 535 47TH AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO, 535 47TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HENRY WILLIAM VOGE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/19/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KORINDIAN PRODUCTIONS, 1834 GREAT HIGHWAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GAUTAM BAKSI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038570700

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038582600

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038565200

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038566000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE BOYS WHO SAID NO!, 139 CORBETT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CHRISTOPHER C. JONES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/18/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038580900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MASTERPIECE TATTOO, 766 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual and is signed BRAHIAN MARTINEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/19.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038564200

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038569500

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038579000

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038209800

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038576800

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038580200

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038574800

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038576500

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038576600

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038581000

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038547800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TRIPLE J LAUNDROMAT SF LLC, 517 O’FARRELL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TRIPLE J LAUNDROMAT SF LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/06/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/05/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ANGELINA LEE, 588 SUTTER ST #333, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed LUXE CAPITAL CONSULTING, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/18/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JAMIN JANTZ, 15 KENWOOD WAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed FATHER GRAYBEARD LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/19.

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: MIND YOUR VIBE, 1630 CALIFORNIA ST #407, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by KIMBERLY KHUNARAKSA. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/05/18.

MAR 21, 28, APR 04, 11, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-18-554496

In the matter of the application of: SARA ANGELICA MATUTE, 850 RUTLAND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner SARA ANGELICA MATUTE, is requesting that the names DIEGO SANCHEZ be changed to DIEGO SANCHEZ-MATUTE & ESTEFANIA SANCHEZ be changed to ESTEFANIA SANCHEZ-MATUTE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 2nd of May 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-554704

In the matter of the application of: HEATHER MARIE HAMPTON, 190 CERVANTES BLVD #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner HEATHER MARIE HAMPTON, is requesting that the name HEATHER MARIE HAMPTON, be changed to MAYA STERIN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 2nd of May 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038574100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FLYNNSPACE TRAVEL CONSULTING, 320 TURK ST #108, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed FLYNN DOMINGUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/22/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038567900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUBTRACTION, 940 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAMSEY WEST ARMSTRONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038571600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: COLDWAR, 850 SOUTH VAN NESS #45, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NITA D. RICCARDI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038572400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DISCRETION, 27 SEARS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NICHELLE EMELIA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038572200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GARCIA CONSTRUCTION, 2804 GONZAGA AVE, RICHMOND, CA 94806. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CARLOS MAURICIO GARCIA LOPEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038563400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HUNGERART GALLERY, 1222 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CHRISTOPHER LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JAIME’S JANITORIAL SERVICES, 1732 POST ST #14, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed FRANCISCO JAIME. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/19/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/19/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BUENA LANE PHOTOGRAPHY, 3150 18TH ST #246, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EILEEN ROCHE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/19/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE CLUB DONATELLO; CLUB DONATELLO; CLUB DONATELLO OWNERS ASSOCIATION, 501 POST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CLUB DONATELLO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/31/94. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/26/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PACIFIC BAY ASSESSMENTS & COUNSELING, 1300 CLAY ST #600, OAKLAND, CA 94612. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EILEEN COLORADO LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/22/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/22/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BLIND BUTCHER, 4058-A 18TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CHEFSGROUP INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/25/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038575600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHANCE REAL ESTATE, 2309 NORIEGA ST #78, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed COOCRR INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038559600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MIN DESIGN, 2325 THIRD ST #203, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MIDDAY INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038572100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HDA CONSULTING, 718 LONG BRIDGE ST UNIT 1604, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94158. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed HELENE T. ROOS, INC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/24/96. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038566300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LOCAL CATERING; TAMALITOS CATERING, 1566 CARROLL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CUEVAS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/19.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-037063000

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: THE COTTAGE BAKING COMPANY, 780 WISCONSIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by ARLENE NAOMI KATO. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/26/16.

MAR 28, APR 04, 11, 18, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038587800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RZ MANDARIN STUDIO, 436 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LIQIONG ZHU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038587900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WE GO, 1214 POLK ST #308, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SANG IN PARK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WUSU TRAINING, 1770 NORTH POINT ST #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TOLULOPE WUSU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/28/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/28/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: META MATTERS, 563 DONAHUE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MONICA G. PADILLA-STEMMELEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/19/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/26/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SELVAVISION, 2261 MARKET ST #292, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KRISTIN TIECHE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/30/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHICKEN N WAFFLES PLACE, 1968 LOMBARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RAMEN-YA (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/25/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SENIORE’S PIZZA, 2415 19TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SENIORE’S PIZZA SF INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/27/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038560200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ARCFLUX STUDIO, 350 BRODERICK ST # 205, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed J.TOBIAS ARCHITECTS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/08/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038578000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SF CULTIVATORS; SAN FRANCISCO DISTRO; BULK WEED COMPANY, 1125 REVERE AVE A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124-3422. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GSFCA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/26/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/26/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038581100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HAL HARPER, 240 CHATTANOOGA ST #24, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed IN AMERICA PRODUCTIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038580800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CUIA ACAI & POSITIVE FOOD, 1 MARKET ST #8, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BOSSA NOVA GROUP, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038582200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CAFE ALMA, 888 INNES AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HUDSON VENTURES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/28/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038578200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIAT LUX JEWELRY, 3169 16TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed FIAT LUX LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on03/26/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/26/19.

APR 04, 11, 18, 25, 2019

HEALTHY AND HAPPY

At Kaiser Permanente, our doctors are focused on more than practicing good medicine. They take the time to really listen. And give all members the personalized, culturally sensitive care they deserve.

We are proud to be your partner in health.

kp.org/sanfrancisco

32

Murder mastery

38

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42

Fashion forward

BESTIES 2019

Gospel truth

Vol. 49 • No. 14 • April 4-10, 2019

www.ebar.com/arts

Besties 2019 LGBTQ Performing Artist of the Year

Charles Busch

by John F. Karr

M

Michael Wakefield

onday night is not a usual night to step out and see a show. Which means we’ll all be free to meet up at the Oasis on Mon., April 8, to see Charles Busch in his brand-new cabaret act.

See page 42 >>

Charles Busch

Courtesy SFS

Art Haus dancers perform in the lobby as part of the Stravinsky Festival last fall at Davies Symphony Hall, chosen as Best Classical Music Venue

by Besties 2019 voters.

Besties announced in Arts & Culture

by Roberto Friedman

W

e are pleased as punch to bring you the 2019 Besties Award winners in nine Arts & Culture categories. Along with sampling some press appreciations of the winners, we also list the second-place and third-place winners and runners-up.

Congratulations to all the players.

See page 30

>>

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

<< Out There

30 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

<<

Out There

From page 29

Best Art Museum:

SFMOMA

de Young Museum (2nd place), GLBT History Museum (3rd place), honorable mention: Asian Art Museum, Cable Car Museum, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Legion of Honor, Museum of Craft and Design, Museum of the African Diaspora, Oakland Museum of California, Pacific Pinball Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, Walt Disney Family Museum.

“It’s really saying something when female nudes radiating carnal urgency are the least exciting element of a famous photographer’s work. These startling images come into view near the end of ‘Brassai,’ an engrossing new show at SFMOMA, which leaves no doubt that this artist, who was also an accomplished sculptor and writer, was a great of 20th-century photography.

Even with over 200 intimately sized, black-and-white photographs, and a smattering of drawings and publications, divided into a dozen thematic sections, the exhibition never lags.” – Sura Wood, “Parisian pleasures,” B.A.R., Dec. 13, 2018.

Best Nature/Science Museum:

California Academy of Sciences

Exploratorium (2nd place), SF Botanical Gardens (3rd place), honorable mention: SF Conservatory of Flowers.

“A network of exhibits concentrates on the giant redwoods that grow along a narrow stretch of the Northern California coastline, where climate conditions are conducive for nurturing these amazing specimens. A mere 5% of old growth forests survive, a sorry statistic resulting from aggressive logging dating back to the Gold Rush.

An awesome 8,500-lb. cross-section of an ancient redwood taken from 150 feet up a tree, felled by a storm last year, was airlifted by helicopter from Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and installed in the museum.”

– Sura Wood, review of “Giants of Land and Sea” at the CAS, B.A.R., June 20, 2018.

Best Classical Venue:

Davies Symphony Hall War Memorial Opera House (2nd place), Grace Cathedral (3rd place), honorable mention: Herbst Theatre, Old First BBB_BAR_101118.indd 1

Church, SF Conservatory of Music, Taube Atrium Theater.

“Did you know that the curiously designed, acoustically challenged venue Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall turns 25 this year [2005]? The love-hate relationship between audiences and musicians with the serviceable but imperfect auditorium is being celebrated with a week of festivities to coincide with opening night. One can only hope that some day the decor will be updated from its boring 80s theme of peaches-and-cream to a more contemporary palette, or that the flying discs above the stage will finally be adjusted to an optimal tilt. Whatever our complaints, Davies has sat in minimalist splendor as the cornerstone of the SF arts corridor for longer than most music-lovers can remember.” – Philip Campbell, “Davies Hall theme and variations,” B.A.R., Aug. 30, 2005.

Best Ballet Company:

San Francisco Ballet Alonzo King Lines Ballet (2nd place), Smuin Ballet (3rd place), honorable mention: Ballet San Jose, Diablo Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Post: Ballet.

“The most beautiful sight I’ve seen so far this year was Max Cauthorn (soloist) in Balanchine’s ‘Divertimento #15.’ He’s a local boy, good-looking in a sort of quarterback-ish way, but his dancing was beyond good-looking, it was Dresden-statuette perfection in paulement, ballon, line, action, intention. In flight, he’s like a three-point basket. You can tell from when he leaves the ground where he’s going and that he’s going to whiff through the net. Just the right effort, just the right shape, miraculously coordinated. When he’d alight from a jump, his position was perfect, the stillness complete: alert, but still as a deer. It just looked like pure fun.” – Paul Parish, “Spotlit moves,” B.A.R., Feb. 21, 2019.

Modern Dance Company:

ODC Dance

AXIS Dance Company (2nd place), Joe Goode Performance Group (3rd place), honorable mention: Detour Dance, Jess Curtis/Gravity, Katie Faulkner/Little Seismic, Keith Hennessy/Circo Zero, Sean Dorsey Dance.

“Two decades ago, my predecessor at the B.A.R. Keith White wrote that Brenda Way, co-founder of ODC, was going further into the real emotions that same-sex pioneering could convey than any other dance group he knew of anywhere. It is probably just serendipitous that Mark Morris’ ‘Beaux’ and ODC’s KT Nelson’s ‘Cut-out Guy’ should present within a month of each other deeply observed portraits of the way guys interact. It’s wonderful that Nelson should be operating on the same level as Morris.” – Paul Parish, “Deep-rooted choreography,” B.A.R., Mar. 20, 2012.

3/25/19 11:30 AM

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Apr 5 – May 5, 2019

Best Theatre Company:

American Conservatory Theater

By PHILIP DAWKINS

One interview.

Two theatre icons.

Plenty of secrets.

Directed by ARTURO CATRICALA

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“ “ “ “

richly evocative new play” —WTTW/CHICAGO PBS

utter, tragic perfection” —TIME OUT MAGAZINE

heartfelt and spell-binding” —BROADWAY WORLD

messy and fascinating love story” —SPLASH MAGS

Berkeley Repertory Theatre (2nd place), SHN (3rd place), honorable mention: Aurora Theatre, Bay Area Musicals, Curran Theater, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Ray of Light Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros.

“Edward Albee, always so precise with his words, knew what must happen after the curtain falls.

Lizards, even the marine iguanas on which he modeled Sarah and Leslie, are reptiles, not amphibians.

On a grand scale, evolution dictates what’s next. We may be afraid. We may bicker over where we’re going.

But there’s no turning back. We can

t

only move forward.” – Jim Gladstone, review of ACT’s “Seascape,” B.A.R., Feb. 5, 2019.

Best Choral Group:

SF Gay Men’s Chorus Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF (2nd place), Chanticleer (3rd place), honorable mention: East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Women’s Chorus.

“The chorus was founded by Jon Reed Sims in October 1978,” the chorus’ artistic director and conductor Dr. Tim Seelig recalls.

“The first rehearsal was on Oct. 30 at Everett Middle School.

The 100 men attending selected the name San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. It was the first of its kind.” Four weeks later, after gay Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated at City Hall, the Chorus had its first public performance. “The chorus went to the candlelight vigil,” Seelig said.

“They sang Mendelssohn’s ‘O Lord Our Refuge.’ They also joined Holly Near in singing a piece she composed on a napkin in a cab on the way to the vigil, ‘Singing for Our Lives.’” – David-Elijah Nahmod, “SFGMC marks 40 years,” B.A.R., Oct. 25, 2018.

Best Large Live Music Venue:

Fox Theater

The Warfield (2nd place), Masonic Hall (3rd place), honorable mention: The Chapel, The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, Regency Center, Slim’s.

“The venue is about 20 minutes from UC Berkeley, and by the looks of their schedule, they have some big names performing there constantly. Berkeley student Tony Oliverio says that out of the Another Planet Entertainment venues, the Fox Theater is superior to the Greek Theatre and Bill Graham Civic due to its smaller, more indie atmosphere.

“This place has the most beautiful interior details I’ve seen at a theater. The design on the website is described as ‘Indian, Moorish, Medieval and Baghdadian.’” – Connor Sullivan, “Venue Review: Fox Theater, Oakland,” KCPR, April 30, 2018.

Best Small Live Music Venue: Martuni’s, SF.

Best Small Live Music Venue:

Martuni’s

El Rio (2nd place), SF Eagle (3rd place), honorable mention: The New Parish (Oakland), Rickshaw Stop, Thee Parkside.

“Nine o’clock on Friday is a good time to get to Martuni’s, the piano bar at Valencia and Market Streets. You can still snag a table, though it may be the last one. You can still get a drink in under five minutes. The singing, for now, is background music against the high din of the bar. Nine o’clock is still amateur hour. ‘I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day.’ Friends goading friends to sing. Plenty of space around the piano: that means there’s no wait.” – Esther Mobley, “Show tunes and strong drinks at Martuni’s,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 8, 2018.t

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 31

Ballet’s ruling passions

Erik Tomasson

Yuan Yuan Tan and Aaron Robison in Yuri Possokhov’s “two united in a single soul” for San Francisco Ballet.

by Paul Parish

S

an Francisco Ballet opened its Programs 5 (“Lyric Voices”) and 6 (“Space Between”) last Wednesday and Friday nights at the Opera House. The two programs run in alternation through April 7, and both are well worth seeing, simply to see the kind of dancing our home team is capable of. Male dancing at this company has risen to a new level of quick release and freedom to move subtly and fast that I have never seen before.

The point of showing several short ballets instead of a full-evening piece is to vary the aesthetic. The evening is like a great three-course meal, each course requiring different techniques, moods, emotions, and the finesse to present them at the highest level. Both triple bills fit those specs. Each begins strong and keeps it up. “Lyric Voices” ends with a big piece by Yuri Possokhov, our Bolshoi Ballet veteran and principal guest choreographer. Alas,

“two united in a single soul” looked underrehearsed. The brilliant set by Ben Pierce took up so much room onstage that it cramped the action.

By the end of the run, the dancers will have worked that out, and I expect this to be ultimately the most remarkable ballet of all six. Already, the men are dancing with a level of fleetness and softness at full amplitude. It’s a new generation. Possokhov’s world-premiere ballet is worthy of the old school. He presents Narcissus himself (the astounding Joseph Walsh, whose fleetness in the legs allows fantastic whirlings in the upper body, with arms like tendrils), falling in love with his reflection and consuming his soul in unrequitable passion, perhaps the ruling passion of our times.

Curiously, Christopher Wheeldon’s ballet “Bound To” (music by Keaton Henson, on Prog. 6) had also dealt with self-absorption, but as a blast at screen addiction. Dancers are holding cell phones (we’re “bound” to them) and ignoring

Erik Tomasson

Lauren Strongin and Esteban Hernandez in Liam Scarlett’s “Die Toteninsel” for San Francisco Ballet.

each other. Wheeldon rises above public service announcement, with many beautiful passages about the old days when we talked to each other, beautiful choreography showing children’s games for girls and for boys, and a glorious pas de deux for Yuan Yuan Tan and Carlo Di Lanno that shows our ballerina at her finest, in a glorious duet about the kind of connection being lost. Although “Bound To” ends with a poignant solo, danced to the hilt by soloist Lonnie Weeks, for a youth “trying to breathe,” the ballet feels like ephemeral journalism, not a ballet built to last.

The world premiere on “Space Between,” by Liam Scarlett to Rachmaninoff ’s “Die Toteninsel” (“Isle of the Dead”), lives up to the majesty of the great Russian composer’s sepulchral music, and the vision presented onstage is astonishing, rhythmically intricate, solemn, and exalting, in deep sympathy with the music. Dark as the subject is, the piece is glorious, and there’s not a step wasted. Scarlett, choreographer in residence at the Royal Ballet, London, has a mise en scene by David Finn and costumes by Sandra Woodall that fit the bill, and dance phrases of a disturbing wave-like movement that comes on like a tide.

Lauren Strongin, as the Maiden who must die, breaks your heart with her bravery as she chooses not Death but her beloved, who goes with her. That diagonal is so strong, the kind of thing that dance can do and words cannot. The crowd on the orchestra floor rose to cheer them.

There were lots of standing ovations. I cheered loudest for “Rodeo” (Prog. 5, Justin Peck, Aaron Copland), with its real poetic feel for the West. So many danced well in this: Jaime Garcia Castilla, Diego Cruz, Steven Morse, Henry Sidford, the god-like Wei Wang, Esteban Hernandez, and Hansuke Yamamoto.

“Your Flesh Shall Be a Great Poem” opened Prog. 5 with a solar eclipse projected onstage before anything happened. The sweet-fey folk songs of Chris Garneau gave a country-dance lilt to the dancing. I couldn’t decide if these were polkas or Scottish reels, but they had the BUM-tiddy Bum-tiddy rhythm of both. Trey McIntyre’s nostalgic dances have made a star out of Benjamin Freemantle, a poetic dancer from Western Canada and a poetic dancer with something of Gene Autry in him. There’s a great lonesomeness in this piece. Of all the ballets, it’s the one that brings tears to my eyes. In Freemantle’s glorious performance, no single movement could be changed. He was ably assisted by the whole cast. The astonishingly light Sasha De Sola might have been a Prairie-Home Sylphide.

Often, the corps were the stars. Both shows open in big-sky, wide-open spaces, somewhere in the American West, and close with dances packed into dark decors. Program 6 ends with the splashy “Bjork Ballet,” in which anybody can flare up like a supernova. It’s a stylized rave, with its tinselly aesthetic on display. Daniel Deivison-Oliveira’s outsized dramatic appeal staggered the senses, but he was just a walkon. Ulrik Birkkjaer threw in about 16 bars of the Bluebird’s fluttering brisées, a recognizable quote from “The Sleeping Beauty,” before ducking under the huge red table on which the ballerina was cavorting.

Dores André was the star who pulled this riotous folderol together, the only dancer onstage who could command your attention. You’re astounded by her strength, the power to coil her spine like a cobra, but foremost by her willpower, which she deploys in the manner of Bette Davis. She is top dog on this stage.t

Freelance Reporters The Bay Area Reporter, the undisputed newspaper of record for the San Francisco Bay Area’s LGBT community and the nation’s longest continuously-published and highest circulation LGBT newspaper, has immediate openings for Freelance Reporters for the news and arts desks.

Responsibilities include: attend assigned meetings or events; necessary interviews, and writing news and/or articles weekly. For News, coverage includes breaking news, City Hall, health, LGBT organizations, and other matters of interest to the community.

For Arts, coverage includes arts-related news events and/ or organizations. Availability should include at least one of the following: weekday daytime hours, evenings, or weekends to cover assigned events. News reporting experience preferred; newspaper background a plus.

Candidates should demonstrate ability to write under deadline and be detail-oriented. Send cover letter, resume & writing samples to c.laird@ebar.com or r.friedman@ebar.com.

Cynthia Laird, News Editor, or Roberto Friedman, Arts Editor, 44 Gough Street, Suite 204, San Francisco, CA 94103.

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<< Theatre

32 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Deadly games, inconsequential kisses

by Jim Gladstone

I

ra Levin’s twisty self-referential thriller “Deathtrap,” now in a Theatre Rhinoceros production at the Gateway Theatre, is one of the most commercially successful plays of all time. Set in a single room, the meta-mystery follows playwright Sidney Bruhl and his competitive young protégé Clifford Anderson through a series of violent murders – some faked, some real – as they battle over authorship of a show that bears a strong resemblance to the one you’re watching. “Deathtrap” debuted on Broadway in 1978 and was still running when a feature film adaptation opened four years later.

While the movie version was relatively unsuccessful, it forever affected the collective cultural memory of “Deathtrap.” To many viewers at the time, a brief smooch between Bruhl (Michael Caine) and his protégé Anderson (Christopher Reeve, strapping and shirtless) was the most horrific twist in a thriller full of them. Reeve later referred to the scene as “the $10 million kiss,” suggesting that’s how much potential box office revenue was lost because of it. (There was actually no kiss in Levin’s script or in the Broadway staging. Ironically,

it’s been added to most Fisher, who also co-directs theater productions subsethe show with Jerry Metzker, quent to the movie.) nonetheless has a fine time emGiven that Theatre Rhibroidering on the work’s “gay noceros bills itself as “the play” reputation. His Sidney longest-running queer is a closeted fussbudget circa theatre in the world,” audi1978. Pulling disdainful faces, ences at its new production adjusting his ascot (!), using certainly won’t be scandalhomophobic quips as armor, ized when Sidney (John and flapping his cardiganFisher) locks lips with Cliff sleeved arms, Fisher evokes (Jake Soss). What they may John Waters butching it up. be surprised by is just how As Cliff, Soss initially struck irrelevant that kiss is in the me as overemphatically stagy. overall scheme of things.

So I was relieved – not to menBased on script alone, tion impressed and delighted “Deathtrap” really doesn’t – to see his style shift after the merit much consideration plot’s first twist revealed that as queer theater. It’s an airthe mediocre performance tight, plot-driven gizmo, a belonged to the character, not puzzle as much as a play. the actor.

Its sex appeal is on par with Rogers, as Myra, and Randy the Sunday crossword. Any Soloman, as his lawyer, do character’s gender, sexuality yeoman’s work in roles that or race could be switched serve primarily as narrative to no significant detriment. devices. But the third supIn Rhino’s rendition, Sidporting cast member, Anne David Wilson ney’s wife Myra is played by Hallinan, brings a blithe Desirée Rogers, an African- Jake Soss as Clifford Anderson in Ira Levin’s spirit to Helga Ten Dorp, the American actress. While classic thriller “Deathtrap,” a Theatre psychic next door; her Dutchshe’d be unlikely to go un- Rhinoceros production at the Gateway Theatre. accented medium is a dizzy remarked upon in the 1970s delight, filling the room with human being; she’s just one of the Connecticut wasp nest infectious comic energy every pieces in Levin’s clever game. where the story takes place, Myra, time she enters.

While leaving the script to its like every role in “Deathtrap,” hasn’t While Levin’s script is chock full amusing, automated machinations, been written to resonate as an actual of quaintly dated showbiz referenc-

t

es that will sail over many younger viewers’ heads (The Amazing Kreskin, Merv Griffin, “The Magic Show”), the set he describes in his stage directions, which Gilbert Johnson has impressively executed, is one giant, timeless theater joke.

Sidney’s wood-paneled drawing room, festooned with an armory’s worth of weapons, is Levin’s knowing wink at Chekhov’s famed playwriting advice: “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Or it shouldn’t be there in the first place.”

Meeting that standard would make the second half of “Deathtrap” a total bloodbath. But Chekhov’s guidance was offered in regard to the creation of lasting works of dramatic art, not a diverting onstage parlor game like “Deathtrap.” Well-aware of his own short-shelf-life jokes and fun-but-flimsy gimmickry, the late Levin might be surprised to learn that, despite its long-ago onscreen kiss of death, his comic thriller is still alive and tickling.t Deathtrap by Theatre Rhinoceros, through April 13 at the Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St., SF. Tickets ($12-$42): (800) 838-3006, www.therhino.org

Sculptural anthropology

by Jim Gladstone

A

s a toddler, one of my favorite picture books was Richard Scarry’s “What Do People Do All Day?,” in which a city’s buildings were illustrated with vitrine-like window walls and in dollhouse-style cross sections. I could peek inside

and pore over the mundane details of dozens of their inhabitants’ lives.

As a university student, I discovered intriguing parallels in “Life, A User’s Manual,” in which the French writer George Perec imagines the overlapping histories of the people who live in a single Paris apartment block over the course of 50 years.

“Home,” the virtually wordless movement theater piece now at the Berkeley Rep, takes the visual and descriptive power I discovered on those printed pages and brings it to life in stunning four-dimensional form.

Four, because after Geoff Sobelle and his slyly synchronized corps of performers literally build and fur-

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nish the frame of a full-scale house on stage, they permeate its walls and hallways with the flow of time.

In a rush of dreamlike vignettes, compressed generations of residents simultaneously stream through the spaces, scurrying up and down the staircase, grabbing snacks from the fridge, showering in the single second-story bathroom. They are each others’ unknown but benevolent guests, potential futures and transcended pasts. Long after the house is built, the act of building continues in this collective generation of energy. Quotidian ephemera stratifies to form a more durable soul-force. Residence takes on resonance. House becomes home.

At several intervals, a boy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre stands against a kitchen corner and a parent – some- (Foreground, l-to-r:) Sophie Bortolussi, times mother, sometimes Jennifer Kidwell, and Geoff Sobelle, with father – marks his changing (background, l-to-r:) Elvis Perkins and height on the wall with a Justin Rose in “Home” at Berkeley Rep. pencil. In the grand scheme of “Home,” this tiny timevisual and emotional impact are line, charted by a single family, has significantly dampened. “Home” a tender inconsequence. But it’s the sets such a fine philosophic example tenderness that prevails, floating for its audience that it needn’t offer free of those fleeting moments to hands-on instruction as well. blend with the essence of a thouStill, this is a not-to-be-missed sand others in a beautiful cumulus production, in which all of the theof shared meaning. ater arts are as poetically interconDuring the show’s final third, Sonected as the lives of the characters belle and company aim to further difplayed by the seven-member cast. fuse the notion of home beyond the Under Lee Sunday Evans’ masterful physical. As garlands of party lights direction, Sobelle’s concept, Chrisare strung from the stage through topher Kuhl’s shimmering lighting, the audience (“the house” in theater David Neumann’s crosshatched parlance), the walls of the house choreography, Brandon Wolcott’s that’s been built are extended and genre-blending musical soundgrow porous. Members of the crowd scapes, Steven Dufala’s ingenious are invited on stage to participate in scenery, Steve Cuiffo’s gossamer ila flowing series of milestone rituals: lusions and Karen Young’s costumes birthdays, a birth, graduation, a fuweave together in an elegantly coherneral. A brass band weaves through ent vision. “Home” welcomes you to the set and the spectators. It’s a comstep outside of yourself and observe munal celebration of everyday life your place in something larger.t and of every life’s red-letter days.

While the message of inclusivity Home, through March 10 at is sweet and clear, the stage quickly Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater, becomes clotted with a mass of peo2025 Addison St., Berkeley. ple. For those spectators not literally Tickets ($22.50-$81): (510) 647invited to join the party, the show’s 2949, www.berkeleyrep.org

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<< Music

34 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Striking out for Santa Fe

by Philip Campbell

A

new chamber opera based on an incident in the life of painter Georgia O’Keeffe premiered last week at Z Space in San Francisco.

“Today It Rains,” the first full-scale work co-commissioned by adventurous Opera Parallele with American Opera Projects, received an imaginative production that emphasized a strong score and thought-provoking story.

Composer Laura Kaminsky has written haunting music for the 90-minute opera in one act, which chronicles a train ride O’Keeffe took in 1929 with her friend and fellow artist Rebecca “Beck” Strand, from New York to Santa Fe. Librettists Mark Campbell (he came up with the original idea) and Kimberly Reed tell O’Keeffe’s personal journey in flashbacks and dreams, adding a made-up character who validates her decision to strike out on her own, far from pretentious Manhattan and her exasperating husband, famous photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

The train porter Aubrey Wells, charmingly portrayed by tenor Nathan Granner, allows composer Kaminsky a chance to show her jazz chops, and provides a neat plot device that unfortunately backfires.

While practicing the clarinet on the train’s caboose, Aubrey shares his own philosophy with the emotionally torn artist, moving her to an affectionate kiss. He quickly departs,

Steve DiBartolomeo

Mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert as Georgia O’Keeffe (right) and tenor Nathan Granner as Aubrey in the world premiere of Opera Parallele’s “Today It Rains” at Z Space.

saying it could get him lynched. It is chillingly true and puts O’Keeffe’s agonized soul-searching into stark relief. She may be colorblind, but she should know better. Instead of acknowledging the profound gap between them, the scene ends with her returning to her own predicament and reaffirming her decision to leave Stieglitz.

A little snipping could fix the misstep, and the opera arrives optimistically in the high desert regardless. Most of the scenes portray the freethinking woman’s progress to liberation successfully, and touches of witty banter ease the mood of unremitting introspection.

The production design concept and stage direction by Brian

Staufenbiel moved gracefully, aided

by Sean Riley’s fluid scenic design, Alexander V. Nichols’ effective lighting, and Alina Bokovikova’s vintage costumes. Co-librettist Kimberly Reed’s marvelous projections set a stylish seal on Staufenbiel’s vision.

Conducting the orchestra from stage right, OP Artistic Director Nicole Paiement made the 11-piece ensemble sound amazingly rich.

The musicians responded well to her attention to detail and composer Kaminsky’s evocative use of percussion. Whiffs of popular songs, Native American music, and a catchy recurring motif reminiscent of early Leonard Bernstein immersed listeners in a colorful American landscape.

The cast, including a sort of Greek chorus “Ensemble” – soprano Maya Kherani, mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, tenor Elliot Paige, and baritone Gabriel Preisser – could act as well as sing. The aforementioned Nathan Granner and soprano Marnie Breckenridge as O’Keeffe’s delightful gal pal Beck (fine with the moniker “gal”) were bright standouts.

Baritone Daniel Belcher, as Alfred Stieglitz, created a complex portrayal that explained some of his wife’s ambivalence and depicted his own turmoil. He was a not-unsympathetic, talented artist himself who recognized O’Keeffe’s importance, but found it hard to move past the role of domineering husband.

Mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert navigated the arduous central part of Georgia O’Keeffe with a mixture of flinty determination and confused vulnerability. Her extended arias were stand-alone scenes themselves, and when she stepped off the train at the end, her epiphany was convincing.

“Today it rains” comes from a heartfelt goodbye O’Keeffe wrote to Stieglitz. The subtlety of its meaning makes a fitting title for an opera that touches briefly, but with insight, on many relevant aspects of a great artist’s life.

‘Trial’ dates

Lamplighters Music Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Trial

by Jury” and “Trial by Jury Duty”

t

(book and lyrics by Lamplighters, music by Arthur Sullivan) as its Bay Area spring production. Loyal Savoyards and curious newbies can catch the whimsical pairing in San Francisco at two matinees in the beautifully renovated Herbst Theatre, Sat., April 6, and Sun., April 7, at 2 p.m.

“Trial by Jury” was one of the earliest successes of the fabled partnership, which launched the series of 13 collaborative works that came to be known as the Savoy Operas. Full of typically hummable Sullivan melodies and bitingly satirical lyrics by Gilbert, the preposterous plot of the one-act operetta is also pure G&S. A jilted bride, surrounded by bridesmaids, sues her ungentlemanly fiancé for reparations before a leering judge, an officious windbag foreman, and a contentious jury.

Poking lighthearted fun at the Brits, the war between Mars and Venus, and the general human condition is the lifeblood of the Lamplighters, and the Company is fleshing out the bill with another one-act concoction that takes aim at “Trial by Jury Duty.”

Beautiful costumes and production values, superb unamplified singing, and live orchestra are Lamplighters traditions. If you “get” English humor and like a catchy tune, you should appreciate their divine drollery.t Info: lamplighters.org.

Tickets: (415) 392-4400 or cityboxoffice.com.

Russian circus

by Jim Gladstone

“K

ill The Debbie Downers! Kill Them! Kill Them! Kill Them Off!” is the attention-grabbing but

overlong title of the attention-worthy but overstretched performance now being staged by Berkeley’s Shotgun Players. Billed as a devised theater piece, “KTDD” was cre-

ated collaboratively by its directors (Mark Jackson and Beth Wilmurt), cast and creative team members, not from a formal script, but from characters and themes elicited from

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Chekhov’s “Three Sisters.”

While familiarity with the Chekhov is not a necessity, if you want to engage with this show on an intellectual level, it’s almost a prerequisite to read the collateral material Jackson and Wilmurt have provided in the program and on Shotgun’s website. You’ll learn that they aim to embroider upon notions of stasis and desire, of “memories fading, revolutions looming, and visions of the future beckoning,” of gobble and degook.

To be frank, I recommend intellectual disengagement.

On stage, “KTDD”’s relationship to narrative and philosophy is similar to that Kyle Adler of a Cirque du Soleil production. The piece yields Nathaniel Andalis as Solyony in “Kill plenty of pleasure if taken the Debbie Downers… .” on a sensory level rather than a sensible one. Mikiko and Gabby Batista makes an impish Uesugi’s translucent-paneled set, Irina, eliciting grins with her sweet Ray Oppenheimer’s shifting veils singing voice, out-of-the-blue hipof color-saturated light, Alice Ruiz’ hop moves and “Drag Race”-worthy and Devon Labelle’s stylized pedeathdrop (complete with winkriod costumes and props, and Sara ing, wincing faux pain). And in a Witsch’s collage-like sound design Bay Area theater scene that lately are inviting from the moment you seems addicted to meta-cleverness, enter the theater, and enveloping Nathaniel Andalis, playing Solyony, once the action gets underway. delivers a genuinely funny and unThat’s action, not plot. Roll with it. expected fourth-wall knockdown The physically and musically that, in an ideal world, would be the gifted cast of six seems at least as last word on this theme for a while. dedicated to entertaining us as to At two intermissionless hours, providing a comprehensible ex“KTDD” goes on a good 25% longer egesis of “Three Sisters.” There’s than it needs to, especially since its a terrific variety show to take in final stretch includes video footage here, with funny hand-jive rouof the Brett Kavanagh hearings and tines, group songs with jolly accorLas Vegas mass shooting. It’s a suddion and trombone solos, Fossesque den, unanticipated shift from dechairback choreography, even a lightful to dire, and reinforces some little “Jaws” shtick. The sisters, our of the very preconceptions about hostesses for this miscellany of a experimental theater that the rest party, offer a triple tickle. As Olga, of this show has successfully broken Sam Jackson, in a topiary marvel of down.t a hairdo, offers a mini-master class in facial and vocal expressiveness; “Kill the Debbie Downers,” Erin Mei-Ling Stuart is a fetchingly through April 21 at Shotgun melodramatic Masha, striking exagPlayers, 1901 Ashby Ave., gerated poses of romantic resignaBerkeley. Tickets: $32-$37. tion and martyr-like sublimation; shotgunplayers.org.

<< Film

36 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

The Castro Theatre does April

by David Lamble

A

pril showers find the Castro Theatre movie palace fulfilling several roles: presenting classic repertory in style, and hosting screenings of the 2019 San Francisco International Film Festival.

“Vertigo” (1958) Of the 53 films in the Alfred Hitchcock resume, this unsettling San Francisco-set drama had the hardest time with contemporary critics and the filmgoing public. Featuring the final and perhaps boldest of James Stewart’s four turns for Hitch, the film (based on a French novel by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Nancejac) pivots on the weakness of Scotty, a retired police detective (Stewart) whose attempts to solve a crime and save a young woman (amazing Kim Novak) backfire. A great home exercise before renewing your relationship with “Vertigo” is to climb onto a kitchen stool set close but not too close to an open window. Now you’re Scotty: let the fun begin. With Barbara Bel Geddes, and a haunting Bernard Hermann score. (4/3-6) “Pal Joey” (1957) Novak returns as a naive aspiring showgirl who falls under the spell of nightclub singer Frank Sinatra. Based on a collection of John O’Hara stories and a 1940 Broadway show. The conflict arises when Rita Hayworth’s wealthy patron agrees to furnish the dough

for the singer’s own club. Featuring timeless Sinatra takes on Rodgers & Hart classics “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” directed by George Sidney.

(4/4) “Dark Passage” (1947) Delmer Daves helms this melodrama featuring the era’s top on- and off-screen couple. Humphrey Bogart teams with real-life partner Lauren Bacall in an escaped inmate’s recovery from identity-altering plastic surgery. With Bruce Bennett & Agnes Moorehead. (4/5) “San Francisco” (1936) Castro veterans revel in the nightly organ rendition of the title tune from S.

t

Van Dyke II’s lively telling of the great 1906 city-leveling quake. The special effects from this pre-digital masterpiece are still breathtaking, and the cast is without peer, headed

by Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Jeanette MacDonald. (4/6) Peaches Christ’s “First Wives Fight Club” live stage show, no film.

(4/7) SFFilm Festival opening night: “Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City” (2019) The former SF Chronicle columnist updates his newspaper-launched serial that has contributed mightily to this city’s contemporary reputation. (4/10; find our film fest coverage beginning in next week’s issue.)

“Gallipoli” (1981) Aussie director Peter Weir’s brilliant betrayalof-innocence drama finds youthful buddies Mark Lee and Mel Gibson having the time of their young lives before cruel fate delivers them into the meat-grinder of WWI’s grimmest tragedy. The final freezeframe shot of a young soldier at the moment of his death is one of the most poignant moments in modern cinema. It tops all other anti-war statements. Plays with “They Shall Not Grow Old.” (4/22) “Police Story” (1985) Hong Kong-based Jackie Chan is a oneman movie machine with this first of five episodes about a crime-fighting cop. With Bridget Lin, Maggie

Cheung & Kenneth Tong. Plays with “Police Story 2” (1988), more popcorn-cool action from Hong Kong. (4/23) “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966) Edward Albee’s 1962 stage drama gets a perfect widescreen B&W treatment from firsttime director Mike Nichols. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor rock as an aging academic couple with secrets galore. Those secrets come tumbling out in a 131-minute dramatic exorcism that laid the groundwork for the last half-century of American adult cinema. With a great supporting turn from a young George Segal.

“Boom!” (1968) Burton & Taylor team up again for an imaginative treatment of Tennessee Williams’ “The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore.” One-time blacklisted director Joseph Losey finds odd meanings in this hybrid with a stellar supporting cast: Noel Coward, Michael Dunn and Joanna Shimkus. Shot on location in Sardinia and Rome. (both 4/24) “Mulholland Drive” (2001) If David Lynch is your taboosmashing cup of tea, this latter-day noir is must viewing. A young actress arrives in Hollywood and uncovers the plight of a woman with memory lapses. With Naomi Watts, Ann Miller, Robert Foster, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Grant, Chad Everett and others. Plays with “L’important c’est d’Aimer.” (4/25) “Wings of Desire” (1988) Wim Wenders’ delightful tale of angels hovering over the then-divided city of Berlin and wondering what it’s like to be human. With Bruno Ganz and Peter Falk.

“The American Friend” (1977) Wenders adapts Patricia Highsmith’s “Ripley’s Game” into a meditation on American gangster movies. Dennis Hopper is the title character in a story that pivots on an assassination attempt on a mobster.

With supporting roles for American directors Nicholas Ray and Sam Fuller. (both 4/29)t

string of self-deprecating jokes.

“Have you tasted this? When I took over the [2016 Trump presidential] campaign, I was 35 lbs. overweight. I looked like Java the Hut.” As “The Brink” opens in fall 2017, Bannon has climbed down from his

Trump election-win high. Key to his strategy was Trump’s “Muslim travel ban.” But following violent protests in Virginia, Bannon leaves the Trump inner circle, boasting he’s now “unchained” from political correctness, free to pursue long-term goals of “The Movement.” This “Movement” is nothing less than a worldwide political and cultural realignment rallying right-wing forces, including anti-immigrant, sometimes antiSemitic, and anti-LGBTQ cadres behind violent street protests such as the French “Yellow Jackets” trashing Parisian tourist sites.

At first viewers don’t know what either the filmmaker or the film’s “star” has in mind. In the year we spend observing Bannon (through the 2018 midterm election), director Klayman has us chilling with an amusing dude who could as easily be preparing to host “Saturday Night Live” as plotting the reelection of Alabama Judge Roy Moore, facing accusations of sexual harassment.

The defeat of Moore by liberal Democrat Doug Jones produces a Bannon sourpuss reaction that plays like a character-revealing arc.

What “The Brink” does best is deliver a close-up view as Bannon uses private jets and multiple screens to raise huge amounts of cash from older rich people in America, Italy, Germany, and Britain. In folksy anecdotes ranging from the engineering of the Nazi death camps to the philosophy behind the Muslim travel ban, Bannon confirms his unofficial title as “Trump’s Brain.”

In a key moment, he discusses what

he feels are the deadly mistakes of America’s elites.

“The elites in this country are comfortable with managing our decline, they just are. I saw the impact of globalization, particularly coming out of Harvard. I saw that the goal of globalization was all about shipping jobs overseas, having no concerns about social equity.”

Klayman had amazing access to Bannon’s traveling circus, getting on film such gems as a young pregnant supporter’s hope “that President Trump will sign my belly.”

It was harder for the filmmaker to find those moments where Bannon meets his match, such as an encounter with David Lewis, a young [UK] Guardian journalist who accuses him of “dog whistle anti-Semitism.”

Bannon’s recipe for success is his realization that AM radio stations could serve as a conveyor belt for right-wing platitudes. “The Left has never figured out how to do talk radio, but talk radio has been such a valuable aide to the Right.” Another key moment comes when Bannon addresses a fundraiser at South Carolina’s Citadel military academy.

A female protestor challenges his thesis and is promptly hustled out of the audience by security guards.

“The Brink,” opening Friday, is only the first stab at defining this garrulous right-wing guru. Later this year veteran docmaker Errol Morris (famous for winning the freedom of a wrongly convicted death-row inmate in 1988’s “The Thin Blue Line”) will release his own take on this unorthodox Harvard man.t

Rightward ho!

by David Lamble

“T

he Brink” is Alison Klayman’s scary but insidiously entertaining portrait of former Trump campaign architect Steve Bannon. The subject is planted

in front of a screen in Breitbart’s Washington, DC “Embassy,” waiting for his nephew to prepare a slimegreen health drink. Spooning out the chunky concoction, Bannon, then 64 and sporting a full head of steel-gray hair, launches the first in a

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<< DVD

38 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

t

Celebrity disco fashion icon Antonio Lopez

by Brian Bromberger

T

he 1970s were a period of change, when the progressive social values unearthed in the 1960s began to be lived out in the mainstream. A corresponding movement from communitarianism to individualism was later termed “the Me decade” by journalist Tom Wolfe. For LGBTQ folk, the repression they had felt for decades was quashed by the Stonewall Rebellion, leading to sexual and cultural liberation. The new DVD “Antonio Lopez 1970 Sex Fashion & Disco,” just released by Film Movement, is a warm, sensual time capsule about the early 70s through the eyes of Antonio Lopez, the most influential fashion illustrator of his time, and the personification of cool in that industry. Somewhat forgotten, this artist has been resurrected by director James Crump, who gave us the documentary “Black, White + Gray,” about Sam Wagstaff & Robert Mapplethorpe.

Lopez was born in 1943 in Puerto Rico. His parents immigrated to the Bronx when he was seven years old.

He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he met fellow student Juan Ramos. They became lovers, left school, striking out on their own as collaborators, producing independent work for Vogue, The New York Times and Elle.

Although their romantic relationship ended after five years, their professional partnership continued the rest of their lives. Lopez had the artistic talent, but Ramos provided refinement, intellect, and taste as art director, keeping Lopez anchored.

Their collaboration could be volatile at times, resulting in physical fights.

The film is buffered by insightful interviews with Lopez’s coterie and his protégés, including New York Times street fashion photographer

and close friend Bill Cunningham (who gave this last on-camera interview before his death in 2016), actresses Jessica Lange and Patti D’Arbanville, model muse Pat Cleveland, and fashion arbiter Grace Coddington.

While his surreal line drawings epitomize 70s free-wheeling style (and appear somewhat dated, with long bodies, bare breasts, and flowing hair), Lopez put the models and their clothes into a narrative fantasy, inventing a new style of fashion based on his own unconventional perception of beauty, accepting minor flaws, not in line with rigid classical standards, nor commercially driven. He always had an audience around him when he worked. He was handsome, extremely seductive, his movements fluid, almost dancing, catlike in his gestures, with a magnetic aura. Lopez drew women the way he thought they should look. To cite Joan Juliet Buck’s (former editor-in-chief of French Vogue) appraisal, knowing the difference between recording and rendering made his work enthralling.

Everyone had wild crushes on him. Lopez discovered Jessica Lange, Grace Jones, Patti D’Arbanville, and Jerry Hall, essentially selecting their looks, make-up, and clothes, stylizing them as “Antonio girls.”

For Lopez, there was no demarcation between his personal and professional life, with the former fueling his ingenuity, even if he was self-indulgent at times. An avid partier hanging out with all types of creative people imbibing each other’s passionate spirits, he was voraciously sexual (bisexual, with a bias towards men). One interviewee says he was probably a sex addict. He experi-

enced creative blocks, and was hypnotized over the phone by therapists to get him out of his funk and narcissistic neediness.

Seeking aesthetic autonomy in 1969, Lopez and Ramos moved to Paris and met designer Karl Lagerfeld (he died this February), who

invited them to live in one of his apartments, one of the city’s chic locales. Andy Warhol made a film about the clique, “L’amour” (1973), though Lopez and Ramos aren’t featured because they left for a business trip in Japan. Lagerfeld used them creatively in his own work despite

their friendly rivalry. There were legendary boisterous parties at the gay Club Sept. Lopez was engaged to Jerry Hall (she declined an interview), pretending to marry each other, but eventually the relationship lost steam. Lopez discovered he had AIDS in 1982, spending his final years in a futile search for a cure. In pain and desperate, according to a crying Cunningham, he asked Lagerfeld to sponsor a campaign supporting him, but he refused. Lopez died at 44 in March 1987. Ramos succumbed to the disease in 1995.

In this snappy documentary with an addictive disco soundtrack, we get to know these people in those revolutionary times and places, when anything seemed possible with no restrictions. The fashion industry was moving out of its staid haute couture period into ready-to-wear. Lopez was prescient by trying to use black models, but magazines like Vogue rejected this movement toward diversity and inclusivity. Today, when there are trans models and people of color acting as spokespeople for the industry, which now appreciates subcultural and street aesthetics, Lopez seems both prophetic and in vogue. As the film progresses, Lopez’s art becomes secondary to his excesses. We don’t glimpse the inner Lopez, as he barely talks in the rare extant video, but photographs speak volumes about him, as do the scenester talking heads’ testimonies. His work reveals the true, complicated, charismatic Antonio Lopez. Audiences will be mesmerized by Lopez, as he beguiled the people who loved him in the 1970s.t

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<< Books

40 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Promiscuous living comes to light

by Tim Pfaff

S

easoned gay historian Martin Duberman showed the value of historical fiction in his ambitious novel “Jew Queers Germans” of 2017, when a host of new “nonfiction” writing, some by Duberman, about the era in which the word “homosexual” was coined appeared.

The novel brought the struggle for liberation to life. With “Luminous Traitor: The Just and Daring Life of Roger Casement” (UC Press), he has narrowed the focus to a deeply informed biographical novel, skillfully told in present tense, that brings another, even lesser-known historical era and its principal actors to light.

Before I lose you, consider the final sentences of Duberman’s concluding Author’s Note. After properly acknowledging the important work of historians before him, he criticizes two recent biographies that “do discuss Casement’s homosexuality, and their tone is not censorious,” he writes. “Yet both do seem uncomfortable with the extent of his promiscuity, minimizing or gently disparaging it, as well as (to a lesser extent) his rejection of monogamy and coupledom – thereby skirting certain essential ingredients

Courtesy UC Press

Swashbuckling: Roger Casement, subject of a new biographical novel by historian Martin Duberman.

in Casement’s startling contemporary posture.”

If you know anything about Roger Casement it may be about the rampant sex life he chronicled in his private “Black Diaries,” which listed

the trysts with the prodigality of John Rechy’s “Numbers,” only with more apparent joy and fulfillment.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there’s sex that makes one or other(s) of the partners feel

bad, and sex that perks up everyone’s day. Casement’s was more of the binge than the compulsive type, so however arcane the diary entry we’re provided, mentally filling it out is both a pleasure and a

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Claude Cahun (Lucy Schwob) and Marcel Moore (Suzanne Malherbe), Untitled [I am in training don’t kiss me], 1927. Gelatin silver print. © Jersey Heritage Collection.

t

reminder to writers that readers like to use their imaginations, too.

Ultimately, it was the calculated leaks of “Black Diaries,” deliberately lewd crypto-crosswords, that got Casement a bug-ridden, celibate staycation in the Tower of London, and after a four-day trial for treason, hanged. But his advocates, including John Galsworthy, G.K. Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw, and the parts of his story in which he remained clad, testify to a daring man whose primary, life-long concerns were freedom for all and the end of oppression of the powerless poor.

His first major posting, to Africa, quickly led the adventurer in Casement to the discovery of the brutal exploitation of the native population by the rubber barons in liege to the King Leopold of Belgium. He reported what he saw; it’s not for the faint of heart; he didn’t want it to be.

Back in England, he advocated for a halt to the horrors to a shocked, credulous England inhibited by its own imperial atrocities.

He was reassigned to South America, where again he left his desk to investigate the criminal rubber-harvesting industry there. In the Putamayao, he once again found appalling forms of slavery, forced labor and populace-controlling (and -decimating) violence. And again he reported, advocating for the native population and against the criminal rubber barons, who, in a pattern alltoo-familiar, prevailed, the rapidly disappearing rubber trees outlasting the brutalized Indians.

There’s some genuine swashbuckling in these episodes of Casement’s career, but what stands out in Duberman’s telling is the diplomat’s fundamental bravery and deep compassion. There were the apparent dangers of the jungle and the more insidious ones of the government halls, and Casement fared better with the former, his hot-headed frustration a key factor in sieges of bad health.

On his final posting, to his native Ireland, he witnessed poverty as grinding as any he had seen in the Congo and the Amazon, and his own people not merely neglected by their British overlords but tortured by them with starvation.

The complex story benefits from Duberman’s mastery of detail, but Casement became a deep partisan for Irish independence. Getting caught up in a failed but daredevil attempt to import German weapons to Ireland for the Easter Uprising of 1916 led to his hanging. There’s some sentimentality in the long but ultimately successful attempt by the Irish to retrieve his bones from the prison grounds and repatriate them to Dublin.

The accounts of Casement’s sex life are thoroughly integrated in Duberman’s telling, which he rightly suspects will find some sympathetic modern ears. Casement’s work for the oppressed was determinant, his extracurricular love of sex as much a matter of his arrestingly good looks, appealing personality and personal tenderness and the norms of the sexual libertines of his time. Others have seen imperialism in his sexual dealings, but they were hardly restricted to poor, powerless natives, and when money did change hands, it was as often because Casement knew the difference it would make in the lives of his partners. Fiery in his convictions and tender in his relations overall, Casement was a voracious bottom with a taste for big dicks and deep penetration – despite a life-long susceptibility to hemorrhoids and anal fistulas. His diary entries suggest that, sexually, a good time was had by all. Casement’s was a versatile, multi-faceted heroism.t

<< DVD

42 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Christianity meets queer identity

by David-Elijah Nahmod

“T

he Gospel of Eureka,” a new documentary by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, is the perfect antidote to the divisiveness being inflamed by the current administration. The film (Kino Lorber DVD) paints a lovely portrait of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a Bible Belt town that’s home to a thriving LGBT community, many of whom are devout Christians. Short and sweet, the film is narrated by cabaret chanteuse and former San Franciscan Mx. Justin Vivian Bond.

Looming over Eureka Springs, the first municipality in Arkansas to issue same-sex marriage licenses, is Christ of the Ozarks, the largest statue of Jesus in North America. The town also hosts an annual Passion Play that attracts huge crowds each year. Only a stone’s throw away from the statue is a gay bar owned by a married gay couple who refer to their watering hole as “the hillbilly Studio 54.” The bar features drag shows that are a little bit different from what

<<

Charles Busch

From page 29

Yes, but can he sing? That’s what we wanted to know several years ago when Charles came to town not as the star of a play he’d written, but as the all-talking, all-singing star of a solo cabaret turn.

Turned out he could indeed sing.

Oh, he was neither the Broadway belter nor the pop diva slumming with her back-up boys after an arena gig. He was an intimate man of sly wit, sharing confidences with us.

His warm voice was husky à la Lauren Bacall, and as seductive. His way with a lyric was personal. Reviewer David Hurst called Charles an “interpreter of character and a diviner of emotion.” Charles may not have known it, but he was on his way to becoming Mabel Mercer.

Kino Lorber

Drag queen at “the hillbilly Studio 54” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

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tells, in larger-than-life style, the story of Jesus Christ. Scenes of the Passion Play are juxtaposed with footage shot inside the gay bar, where people drink, dance, and applaud the drag performers.

The filmmakers do not comment on the goings on in Eureka Springs, they merely present what is, reminding viewers that the town wasn’t always the peaceful and accepting hamlet that it now is. The Christ of the Ozarks statue was commissioned in 1966 by Gerald L.K. Smith, an extremist, anti-Semitic preacher whose rhetoric has since been rejected by the town. Eureka Springs now fully embraces its commitment to equality and fairness.

Non-Discrimination Ordinance 2223 passed by a wide margin.

So how did this Bible Belt community become so accepting and so diverse? That’s never explained, and no explanation is necessary. What the people of Eureka Springs eloquently illustrate is what the world could be like, if only we would let it be so.t

viewers might expect: outrageously dressed queens lip-sync to songs that have religious themes. (“You can’t pray the gay away, no matter what your preacher says.”)

The residents of Eureka Springs are not what you’d normally find in the Bible Belt. Viewers will meet a devout trans woman who sees no disconnect between her faith

and her transitioning. “God has no problem with me,” she says. “I see faith as a reason for who I am.”

Other town residents include a gay pastor whose supportive straight son owns a Christian Tshirt shop, and a straight dad who teaches his children about tolerance.

But not everyone in Eureka Springs is happy with the town’s

The show that first visit was “My Kind of 60s,” a potpourri of the songs of Charles’ youth. This time, it’s “Native New Yorker,” a more distinctly autobiographical serving of tales and tunes that brings the story up to “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.”

As always, musical director and accompanist Tom Judson will be on hand. That’s much to Charles’ great benefit, and ours as well, for debonair Mr. Judson is an impeccable musician, a delightful duettist, and the most congenial company.

So. How does a slender, demurely voiced, androgynous, teenage would-be actor such as Charles Busch launch a career in the theatre?

There weren’t any roles for such a person being written when Charles was knocking on the stage door.

“But I’m a pragmatic person,” he told me during a recent telephone

interview from his home in New York City, “and my goal wasn’t fame and fortune. It was to earn a living without doing temp work. So I was overwhelmed when I saw Charles Ludlum when I was 18, and realized that I could have a career by creating my own theatre opportunity.”

Mr. Busch has been doing that ever since, and has been the author and star of over 25 plays. Two of them have been filmed. “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” remains one of the longest-running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. And mainstream success arrived when “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” opened at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 2000, starring Linda Lavin, Tony Roberts, and Michele Lee. Even without Charles in the cast, it Michael Wakefield ran for 777 performances, and is the Charles Busch will open on Broadway in “The Confessions of Lily longest-running Broadway comedy Dare” mere days after his Oasis appearance. of the past 25 years.

Pretty good for a drag queen.

Oops, I gotta watch that nomenclatime I presented myself out of drag, as if it was the Emerald City.” ture. It can make Charles a little wary.

I felt good. But in this gender-fluid Charles found himself in a one“In the mid-80s theatrical circles, age, I thought, why did I have to be night benefit at Theatre Rhino, being called a drag queen could be either this or that? So I became a then the city’s entry point for pera pejorative, implying you were a more blended, androgynous act. A formers like Kate Bornstein and dope-smoking non-professional, Salome without any veils at all. After Justin Bond (as Mx. Justin Vivian and when off-stage, an extreme perall,” he announced imperiously, “I’m Bond was then known). This led to sonality,” by which I think Charles not gonna give up my eyeliner!” a booking at the legendary Valencia meant flamboyant at all times. “I Charles reminisced about days Rose, a former mortuary turned felt dismissed when straight people long gone. “Now, I’d read ‘Tales of into a cafe and cabaret. Exploding called me a drag queen.” Remember, the City,’ and I was obsessed with out of that place were not only it was a time when Charles Pierce performing in San Francisco. It was Charles, but the likes of Marga maintained his (oft-discarded) Gomez, Tom Ammiano, dignity upon presentaand Lea DeLaria. After all, tion to the straight world it was post-Stonewall and by insisting he was not a pre-AIDS. Exploding is drag queen but “a male what we did. So Charles actress.” Like Charles P., had a long run there while Charles B., too, identified living upstairs, next to the with the legit theatre side embalming room. of the equation. Not truly “Life in San Francisco a female impersonator or was everything I’d hoped it drag queen, he explained would be. Meeting people to me, “I was merely writlike Danny Nicoletta and ing drag roles.”

Armistead Maupin, enter“When I was in Loning the world of Harvey don, an angry younger Milk, and dipping into a reviewer was harsh. In relaxing hot tub, which view of radical drag, he turned into a polite orgy.” called me old-fashioned, Of course, I wanted too conservative.”

Charles to tell me how a The issue is moot at “polite” orgy was conductthe moment, for Charles ed. Was it, “Oh please, perwon’t be performing in haps you would be so kind drag for this Oasis show. as to pass the poppers,” After all, he’s presenting and, “Thank you so veddy his own life, not a drag much?” Charles remained character. After performdiscreetly mum, only aling his cabaret act for a lowing that it was, indeed, while in the drag he was “very San Francisco.” used to, and which his As for Monday’s bookaudiences expected, he’d ing, Charles enthuses, “I felt a growing confusion.

Frederic Aranda love the Oasis! I played “I wasn’t quite sure why I No, Charles Busch and Tom Judson haven’t married. the Nikko Hotel once, and was in drag,” he told me. it’s nice. But I feel more at This is their gag Valentine’s Day card.

“That image didn’t fit my home at the Oasis. It’s so material. And the first uniquely San Francisco.”t

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diversity. As queers and supporters campaign for the passage of NonDiscrimination Ordinance 2223, which would offer legal protections to the town’s LGBT population, one man expresses his extreme displeasure. “This town is getting too permissive,” he says, “and I don’t like it.”

A big part of the film focuses on the elaborate Passion Play, which

46

Bestie Peeps

48

50

Bestie Food

Bestie Sex

www.ebar.com

Vol. 49 • No. 14 • April 4-10, 2019

Best Bars and Nightclubs 2019’s reader favorites

By Michael Flanagan

See page 44 >>

Jolene’s wins Best New Bar.

Best Events

Weekly, monthly and one-off parties rock

by Michael Flanagan

F

rom drag shows to dancing bears, game nights and beer busts, cubcakes, mangos and other treats, your choices for Best Nightlife Events truly represent a diverse menu of options.

See page 49 >>

Gooch

Shot in the City

T

he Besties give us an opportunity to visit some longtime favorite watering holes, to visit some of the newer venues in town and unfortunately to note the passing of one venue. Whether you’re looking for the right spot for new adventures, a quiet place to talk over cocktails or exciting spots where anything can and does happen you’ve got a lot of choices in this year’s winners and runners-up.

Disco Daddy (again, Best Monthly Nightlife Event) at the SF Eagle (also a Bestie winner).

{ THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

<< Best Bars and Nightclubs

44 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

t

Gooch

Congrats, D’Arcy Drollinger and crew! Oasis is again a multi-Bestie winner, and so are you.

<<

Bars and Nightclubs

From page 43

Best New Bar:

Jolene’s

The

DAILY DRINK SPECIALS Cocktails and Dancing with Celebrity DJs and Entertainment

White Horse Thank you B.A.R readers for voting us as the Best East Bay Bar and

Captain Ficcardi as Best Bartender!

Check us out online at www.whitehorsebar.com

6551 Telegraph Ave, Oakland 94609 • 510-652-3820

We actually didn’t have this category on the ballot, because only one new bar opened in the past year worth noting. Jolene’s not only serves the mid-Mission neighborhood (fixing the empty spot in our hearts after The Lexington’s demise), the staff serves up a delicious brunch on weekends, and has given a weekly home to Uhaul, the popular women’s night. Welcome, Jolene’s!

Best Bar to Meet Men:

cross section of our community having a great time – and that it is a performance and dance venue for all has made it a go to place for our readers to meet trans people.

Oasis calls itself a “unique home for San Francisco nightlife - presented by Drag legends D’Arcy Drollinger and Heklina” – and it is certainly that. With “Mother” carrying on the tradition started at the Stud and recent events like Queens Read Celebrity Autobiographies and Hamiltunes: Hamilton SingAlong, you can’t go wrong with a night at the Oasis. So perhaps you can raise a glass in memory of the runner-up Divas, which closed after its last night on March 30.

was looking around for the perfect queer space to quench my thirst for a Guinness and cider the first place I thought of was the Pilsner Inn. With 30 beers on tap you’re bound to find something you love, whether your tastes tilt towards hoppy IPAs or substantial stouts. With an amazing bar that has a history itself (it was once a lane in a bowling alley) and a backyard patio complete with gigantic koi in a pond the Pilsner is the place for you if you love beer (and who doesn’t)?

SF Eagle

Runners-up: 44 Castro, Powerhouse With events like Bearracuda, Underwear Night and the ever-popular Sunday beer bust, it’s no wonder that the Eagle tops (so to speak) the list of best places to meet men for the fifth year in a row. Our readers know what they like and they love the Eagle. And is it any wonder?

Because the Eagle makes a place for nights like Pound Puppy and Frolic (“Oh dear, the furries are here!”); live music and both already famous and up and coming DJs. The Eagle is a renowned success story of a bar that fought for its place to remain in a changing San Francisco and won. It is no wonder that it is the anchor for the Eagle Plaza project, which is planning the world’s first leather plaza on 12th Street (in front of the Eagle).

A friendly bar which has the feel of a neighborhood bar and yet has become a cultural institution? Indeed, the Eagle has all this and a sense of fun that brings our readers back year after year. With events like “Leather Bar Showtune Sing Along,” what’s not to love?

Best Bar to Meet Trans People:

Oasis

Runners-up: Aunt Charlie’s, Divas

Best Bar Dance Floor:

Oasis

Runners-up: Beaux, the Cafe

Best Cabaret Venue:

Oasis

Georg Lester

Twin Peaks won Best Castro Bar and Best Neighborhood Bar

Best Castro Bar/Nightclub:

Twin Peaks Nico SF

Qbar was voted Best Bar to Meet Women.

Best Neighborhood Bar:

Twin Peaks

Runners-up: Pilsner, The Cinch

Best Bar to Meet Women:

QBar

Runners-up: Wild Side West, Uptown, Oakland Vice Tuesdays has won the day for women in the Castro with its weekly dance party. DJ Val G and guest DJs present a mix of music including Hip-Hop, funk, blasts for the past and top-40 hits. Recent guest DJs include Dj Tatiana, Jesse Robeck and DJ Lady Ryan with photos by Takeover Tokyo. Speaking of their events, Vice Tuesday recently said: “Queer spaces are sacred. Dance floors are our church. We worship to deep bass and the beauty of bodies moving to the beat; anointed by sweat, grounded in community.

And in these sparkly, fabulous places, we feel free.” So if you are sparkly, fabulous and free, then QBar is the place to be!

Runners-up: Martuni’s, Feinstein’s Oasis is once again the winner in multiple categories for the Besties. That the triple winner as the best place to meet trans people, best dance floor and best cabaret for the second year in a row reiterates the success story that it has become and the contributions that Oasis has made to South of Market nightlife.

When we lost Carol Channing earlier this year, Oasis was the place those who love performance celebrated her life. Oasis is where Congregation Shaar Zahav went to celebrate Purim with Gender Schmear.

Its dance floor gives events like Furr Play the space to kick up their paws and have a roaring good time. It is the good to place to find a broad

Runners-up: Lookout, 440

The Twin Peaks Tavern has a long and storied history (as do many of its patrons). There has been a bar on this site since 1935 and it has been a gay bar since 1972, so obviously they know what they’re doing.

When it first became a gay bar, the owners inadvertently made history by taking down the window coverings – then owners Peggy Forster and Mary Ellen Cunha simply wanted to be able to look outside. And it’s easy to understand why: with a birds eye view of Castro Street you can see the neighborhood pass by on a daily basis. Perhaps that’s why the bar has gathered a group of regulars over the years who can regale you with stories of both the bar and the community.

Whether you’re out for a film at the nearby Castro Theatre, or shopping in the neighborhood, the Twin Peaks is the bar that makes you feel right at home. Stop by and say “cheers” to a local institution and congratulate them on this well-deserved accolade.

Best East Bay Bar:

White Horse

Runners-up: Port Bar, Club 21/Club BnB

Enjoy Best Beer at Pilsner’s patio.

Best Beer Selection:

Pilsner

Runners-up: Eagle, 440 Castro This Saint Patrick’s Day when I

The White Horse is one of the bars that lays claim to the “oldest gay bar in the United States” label. The East Bay Express dates the building the bar is in to 1936, so it is definitely the oldest gay bar operating in the bay area. When you step into the bar it’s clear why it has been open so long. When’s the last time you stopped by a bar that was homey enough to have a fireplace?

With their “Triple-D” parties (DJs, dancing and drinks) every Sat-

t

Best Bars and Nightclubs>>

urday, Thirsty Thursday’s College Party and karaoke several nights a week it’s the kind of bar where something is always going on. This has been acknowledged by B.A.R. readers as the bar has won the Bestie as the Best East Bay bar for several years in a row.

ing on wings? Want a burger and a beer with your baseball? Hi Tops provides you with sixteen screens to watch your chosen sport while enjoying your chosen beverage. And when is the last time you paid $5 for a basket of wings? You can do that on Monday nights.

And that’s probably one of the reasons Hi Tops has winged its way into the hearts of B.A.R. readers. Still going strong in its sixth year, Hi Tops shows no sign of slowing down.

Besides those $5 baskets there’s Tuesday night trivia and Thursday night’s Gym Class (with go-go boys and whiskey shots). With a menu that includes burgers, nachos and a kale Caesar salad, your brackets –and stromach– will be filled.

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 45

Blush Wine Bar

WINNER

Best Wine Bar:

Blush

Runners-up: Swirl, Press Club

Mark Beale

Bestie winner Katya SmirnoffSkyy at Martuni’s (Best Bar for Mixed Drinks).

Best Bar for Mixed Drinks:

Martuni’s

Runners-up: Blackbird, Twin Peaks What could be better than a cabaret hotspot with the best dirty martinis in town? Or if you don’t fancy a martini, then how about a lemon drop? Regardless as to your tastes you’re certain to find a drink that fills the bill here – and they’ve been doing it long before the “craft cocktail” craze happened. You have a broad palate of drinks to choose from here, including Chocolate Martinis, Mango Melon Martinis and Cosmopolitan Martinis – and for those interested in more straight-forward drinks, try a Martuni (Bombay sapphire gin, and dry vermouth – with a lemon twist or olive). Side effects may include engaging in a sing-along at the piano in the back room.

Gooch

Best SoMa Bar/Nightclub?

The Stud.

Best SoMa Bar/Nightclub:

Wine, food, art and live music – who could ask for anything more?

Whether you prefer white, red, rosé or bubbly, this is the place for you.

Of course they have the perfect food to compliment wine, whether it be small plates, oysters, cheeses, sandwiches or deserts. With tarot readings, dirty bingo, gypsy jazz and other live music Blush has made itself into a destination on Castro street. Our readers have exquisite taste.

Writer’s ChoiceBest Place to read Frank Norris’ ‘Octopus’:

The Stud

Runners-up: Eagle Powerhouse The Stud has a powerful history.

It’s the bar where Sylvester met the Cockettes. It featured live rock bands long before many other gay bars. And it inspired a generation of people in the LGBT community for whom alternative was the go to destination. It featured Heklina’s fabulous style of madness before the Oasis. And the wonderful news is that it has a new two-year lease, which means it’ll be around for some time to come. Still going strong after 52 years with karaoke nights, open mic nights, tea dances, burlesque and drag nights it’s still a magical club after half a century. Come see the club which B.A.R. readers have decided is the best SoMa nightclub – we’re sure you’ll agree.

Best Stray (Straight/Gay) Bar:

EndUp

The Phone Booth

The Phone Booth is a cute neighborhood bar named for the nearby Telco (from “telephone company”) building. As the telephone company was originally a monopoly it’s a great place to read Frank Norris’ novel about the power of monopolies over people – and it may give you some insight into what’s going on in the Mission these days.

When your musings about monopolies get overwhelming there’s Lagunitas IPA, Anchor Steam and Green Flash IPA on tap to distract you, as well as an amazing jukebox (with Bowie, Blondie, Motorhead and Joy Division on it), Christmas lights decorating driftwood on the ceiling and an autographed picture of Barry Manilow to distract you.

It’s the perfect place to muse on what has become of the neighborhood.

Runners-up: Blackbird, Willows

Steven Underhill

Hi Tops wins Best Sports Bar again.

Best Sports Bar:

Hi Tops

Runners-up: Lookout, Pilsner Hankering for football (American or European) on multiple screens?

Want to watch the NBA while feast-

This year the EndUp replaces Blackbird as B.A.R. readers’ favorite “stray” bar – and it’s likely you will find more than a few strays here.

The EndUp has a rich place in San Francisco LGBT history, whether it be in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City in the ‘70s, or the rich history related to Club Uranus in the ‘80s and ‘90s. ShangriLa has brought the LGBT magic back to the SoMa club with DJs like DJs Paul Goodyear and Alan Liao. Come see the bar that’s been celebrating music and diversity since 1973.

Steven Underhill

The Cinch, “Best Last Gay Bar Before Marin County.”

Writer’s ChoiceBest Last Gay Bar Before Marin:

The Cinch

photo

The White Horse; Best East Bay Bar.

The Cinch will soon be the last gay bar standing on Polk Street. As the bar celebrated its 20th anniversary with the current owners last year, it is a great place to remember the neighborhood and perhaps envision what it can become again.

If you happen to be headed to the ferries across the bay, the last best place to quench your thirst in San Francisco is the Cinch. Who wouldn’t love a bar whose baseball team is called the Polk Street Hustlers? So come on down and have a brew and perhaps head out to the patio. But don’t have too many or you’ll forget to catch that ferry. t

Best Breakfast & Best Late-Night Restaurant Proudly serving the LGBTQ community for 42 years!

<< Best Nightlife People

46 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Bestie Peeps

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Your favorite singers, MCs, dragsters and DJs

Gooch

Best DJ Juanita MORE! at her 2018 Pride party.

for bar-hopping, including a hop all the way across the bay to the oldest gay bar in the country, where Captain Catherine Ficcardi has steered the ship to a stunning out-of-SF victory.

Best Cabaret Performer:

Katya Smirnoff-Skyy

Best Specialty Store

Runners-up: Connie Champagne, Paula West

by Jim Gladstone

T

479 Castro Street , San Francisco • (415) 431-5365 • www.cliffsvariety.com

hey love the nightlife, they love to boogie. And this year, our creatures of the night like to mix it up. We’ve got all-new winners in the bartending category, a ladies’ rout in the comedy club, a wake-up call in the gogo guys competition, and a whole new playlist in the musician category. Some repeat winners kindly bowed out to ‘emeritus’ status, because too often the Besties suffer from Gay Stasis, so here’s to giving things a shake and passing the crowns around.

No collusion, just brilliant illusion as J. Conrad Frank embodies class with a fractured wit in his celebrated stage persona, the exiled Russian opera diva. Katya performs monthly at Bestie-winning Martuni’s, and elsewhere.

Best DJ:

Juanita MORE! Runners-up: David Harness, Page Hodel Say no MORE! and elevate our perennial winner to emeritus status. Miss MORE! not only DJs, but continues to organize philanthropic events that are also hella fun. Meanwhile, welcome David Harness to the club. The globetrotting local’s next San Francisco gig is at Halcyon on April 20.

Gooch

Go BANG DJs Prince Wolf, Sergio Fedasz and Steve Fabus with Bestie Nightlife Photographer winner Gooch.

Best DJ/Duo Group:

Go BANG!

Runners-up: Hard French, Honey Soundsystem

Best Comic Lisa Geduldig

Best Comic:

Lisa Geduldig Best Bartender, The White Horse’s Captain Ficcardi

Best Bartender:

Captain Ficcardi

(The White Horse, Oakland) Runners-up: Jeffrey Green (Twin Peaks), Oscar Pineda (The Stud) A complete turnover in winners from last year means a great excuse

Go hard honey! Last year’s winners score a three-way repeat. Veteran DJ Steve Fabus, plus Sergio Fedasz, Prince Wolf and guest-spinners guarantee a disco-licious mix of grooves at The Stud or wherever they play.

Runners-up: Karen Ripley, Marilyn Pittman

Best Drag King:

We dispensed with male and female comic categories this year, only to end up with women mopping up and sweeping. Rimshot! Winner Geduldig hosts the monthly Comedy Returns at El Rio, the classic Kung Pao Kosher Comedy over the Christmas holiday, and the new edition, Comedy at Ashkenaz in Berkeley.

Runners-up: Leigh Crow, Fudgie Frottage

Madd Dogg 20/20 Madd Dogg and Fudgie are veterans of the field, but we’ve been eating Crow two years in a row (as a Bestie winner). You may have seen the macho Madd Dogg at Mother, SF Bootie, The Monster Show, SF Pride, Mascara, and Pride Night at Great America. He is one of the cur-

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Best Gogo Guy Michael Tempesta

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Gooch

Best Drag King Madd Dogg 20/20

Representing the “best of the best” in LGBT media, with over a million readers weekly in print and online.

rent Sacramento Drag King winners 2014, and San Jose’s Switch-hitter Drag King winner 2014.

Representing the “best of the best” in LGBT media, with 212-242-6863 over a million readers print and online.

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Best Drag Queen:

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D’Arcy Drollinger Runners-up: Carnie Asada, Landa Lakes New to our winner’s circle, U.S. Navy vet Landa Lakes is a Chickasaw activist and founded the TwoSpirit Native American drag troupe.

But the always-busy Drollinger (coowner of multi-Bestie winner Oasis) is our winner, and currently onset for the film adaptation of the hit comedy show Shit & Champagne.

Hmm, will ‘Best Screen Version of a Drag Show’ be far behind?

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Steven Underhill

Best Event HostMC Donna Sachet

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Best Event Host/MC:

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New Ywww.nationallgbtmediaassociation.com ork | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

Donna Sachet

Runners up: Peaches Christ, Sister Roma

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

They need no introduction. Besides, that’s their gig. But with Sachet as your MC, you know a benefit will roll along smoothly. Peaches and Roma are so iconic, it’s about time we built statues in their honor. Goddess knows they’d be happy to pose!

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

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Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

6/2/17 1:17 PM

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

Best Faux Queen Miss Shugana

Best Faux Queen:

Miss Shugana Runners-up: Trixie Carr, Alotta Boutté Jodi Goldstein aka Miss Shugana has always stood out from the crowd: She was raised a Jewish Army brat and spent several years stationed in Alabama. And she gives great eyeliner.

Best Gogo Guy:

Michael Tempesta Runners-up: Simon Palczyinski, Michael Strickland While his brief foray into adult entertainment served as a delicious “Oh, my!” for his fans, Tempesta’s trademark gogo style is more about the tease, the licked armpit and his genuine affable persona. Kudos, kid!

Best Gogo Gal:

Jella Gogo

Lucy Dorado, Vada Ashley Look for our winner’s Hamilton routine: “Ain’t Givin’ Away My Jella Shot” as we congratulate the multiBestie winning dancer.

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6/2/17 1:17 PM

Matt Alber, Best LGBT Band/ Musician

Best LGBT Band/Musician:

Matt Alber

Runners-up: Susanne ‘Kitten on the Keys’ Ramsey, Velvetta The Bay Area native may tour the world, but you can bet his local concerts (Swedish American Hall, Feinsteins, and even Bear Week at Russian River) will sell out.

Also, props to local piano-accordion-ukulele darling Kitten, and queer country band Velvetta, which includes nightlife and theatre veterans Leigh Crow and Ruby Vixen.

Best Nightlife Photographer:

Gooch

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

On Sale Friday!

Runners-up: Steven Underhill, Marques Daniels These three photographers have likely shot everyone else on our list, and made them look fabulous! The next time you see one fo them aiming for you, give them your best side.

As for Gooch, with his busy schedule, you could probably go barhopping and see him several times (we’ve done that).t

TICKETS AT APECONCERTS.COM, BILLGRAHAMCIVIC.COM, AND TICKETMASTER.COM

<< Best Eats

48 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Bestie Eats Your fave brunch, dinner, desserts and more

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By Jim Gladstone

“W

e are everywhere!” may be a queer community rallying cry, but once again, Bestie voters don’t seem to eat anywhere but the Castro and the Mission.

Sadly, even in the gayborhood, the pink dollar isn’t enough to keep some of our past winners up and running. This year saw the closing of former Bestie champs Chow and Firewood Café.

Past runner-up dessert shop Tout Sweet, gay Top Chef winner Yigit Pura’s outpost at Macy’s, also shuttered this year. The landmark Flore (nee Café Flore) seems to have fallen out of favor with voters. A previous winner in coffee shop, patio dining and brunch categories, it entirely slipped off the gaydar this year.

Here are this year’s winners, along with a few nudges and recommendations to expand your palates.

Steven Underhill

Best Brunch: Hamburger Mary’s.

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt:

Bi-Rite Creamery

(3692 18th St.; 550 Divisadero) Best Breakfast and Best Late Night Restaurant: Orphan Andy’s

Best Breakfast:

Orphan Andy’s (3991 17th St.)

Runners-up: Stacks (501 Hayes St.), Kate’s Kitchen (471 Haight St.) Our raggedy perennial winner is one of precious few 24-hour spots in the city. Swing by with your guy after the bars close to eat fresh eggs before your cock crows.

Try this: Wooden Spoon (2172 Market) complements traditional bacon and eggs with California curveballs like a morning bowl with quinoa, kabocha and chard.

Best Brunch:

Hamburger Mary’s (531 Castro St.) Runners-up: Squat & Gobble (3600 16th St.), Dottie’s (28 6th St.) Surprise, surprise; a girl leaves town for 17 years and is immediately popular again on her return.

Reservations suggested for Drag Brunch.

Try this: Corridor (100 Van Ness) has a Saturday-brunch. Don’t miss the homemade tots and cheese and chive monkey bread.

Runners-up: Mitchell’s (688 San Jose Ave.), Castro Fountain (554 Castro) Our voters say NoYo. Meanwhile, on the ice cream front, the 18th Street Bi-Rite is currently undergoing seismic retrofitting, but is operating from a truck outside; the Castro Fountain’s homemade waffle cones are the city’s best; Mitchell’s offers at least 40 flavors daily.

Best Restaurant Outdoor Patio:

Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St.)

Delfina

(3621 18th St.) Runners-up: Finn Town (2251 Market St.), Canela (2272 Market St.) In Memoriam: The year’s top vote-getter was actually The Firewood Café. But after 22 years, the Castro comfort foodery was scheduled to shut down this past Sunday.

Inexplicable: Year after year, the common threads in the Restaurant Besties are proximity to the Castro and modest prices. So it’s a bit of a mystery that Petit Crenn, located in Hayes Valley and serving $95 prix fixe dinners, was our third runnerup. The times they are a changin’.

Runners-up: Hi-Tops (2247 Market), Lookout (3600 16th St.) Try this: Beyond the Castro, the tapas and burgers at 15 Romolo in North Beach (15 Romolo Place) are back alley bliss.t

Peets (everywhere) Want to unshackle yourself from the chains (even our favorite locally grown ones)? Give a little love to some of our solo location also-rans, including Wicked Grounds, Spike’s, Castro Coffee and Hearth.

Best Dinner:

(500 Castro)

Best Coffee Shop:

(500 Castro St.)

Nice to see Starbelly making a Besties appearance. Their invisible-to-the-street tented back patio (overlooked in our patio category) is a lovely place to break bread.

Try this: Kantine (1906 Market St.) features Swedish-style smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches), salads and savory porridge (Try it, you’ll like it.)

Harvey’s

All well and good, but don’t neglect the ultimate old time sittin’ on the dock of the bay experience at The Ramp (855 Terry Francois St.).

Runners-up: Philz (everywhere), Blue Bottle (everywhere)

Runners-up: Starbelly (3583 16th St.), Super Duper (2304 Market St.)

Best Bar Menu:

Runners-up: Zeitgeist (199 Valencia St.), Fable (558 Castro St.)

Best Lunch:

Harvey’s

neighbor whipping up avocado eggrolls and charcuterie.

Try this: An $8 bowl of insanely rich seafood chowder and a $5 draft at Bar Crudo (655 Divisadero, Happy Hour 5-6:30pm) makes for a fine early dinner.

Best Late Night Restaurant:

Orphan Andy’s (3991 17th St.)

Runners-up: Grubstake (1525 Pine St.), DNA Pizza (371 11th St.), All nice noshes for queers after midnight, but for a classic mid-20th century urban vibe and top-notch drunken tourist viewing, hit the 24hour Pinecrest Diner (401 Geary St.).

Best Happy Hour Bites:

Hi Tops

(2247 Market) Runners-up: Harvey’s (500 Castro), Jolene’s (2700 16th St.) Yes, Hi Tops. But yasss, hello Jolene’s! It’s nice to have a new

Above: Best Bar Menu and Best Lunch: Harvey’s Below: Best Dinner: Delfina

Best Dessert:

Tartine

(600 Guerrero) Runners-up: The Baked Bear (2824 Jones St. and 303 Columbus Ave.), Sixth Course (1554 15th St.) Yes, that hairy dude with the vape pen would make a fine after-dinner treat, but apparently there’s a chain of iced cream sandwich shops the gays are also fond of.

New to our ranks is Sixth Course, a dessert stop with the aesthetics of a jewelry shop; sweet and swanky.

Best Restaurant Outdoor Patio: Foreign Cinema

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Best Events>>

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 49

Project Nunway won Best Unusual Nightlife Event.

Mango at El Rio is your Best Women’s Bar Event.

<<

Best Events

From page 43

Best Drag Show:

Mother/Oasis Runners-up: Monster/Edge, Daytime Realness/El Rio Mother gets weekly billing in the events calendar as “Heklina’s popular weekly drag show, with special guests and great music themes” – but that hardly covers it! The show is a transplant from its original run at The Stud, and has been wildly popular for years.

In the last year the show has featured 11-year-old drag icon Desmond Napoles, winner of Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Blair St. Clair, a Prince tribute night, a Dolly Parton tribute, Kim Chi from Season 8 of Drag Race. As their website says: “It is standing room only” – and then some! Mother is returning as a winner in this category and it is a well-deserved accolade. If you have never been to Mother…well, where have you been? If you have been, isn’t it time you went back?

Best Comedy Night:

Comedy Returns/El Rio Runners-up: Comemy Night/Eagle, Hysteria Comedy/Martuni’s Comedy Returns, produced by Kung Pao Kosher Comedy’s Lisa Geduldig, is in its 11th year at El Rio and yet it’s still fresh and cutting edge. In the past year the show has featured Diane Amos, (The Pine Sol Lady), Ngaio Bealum, Sampson McCormick (from the Netflix documentary A Tough Act To Follow), Karen Ripley, Eloisa Bravo, Nick Leonard, Nicole Tran and of course Geduldig herself. Comedy Returns is returning once more as the winner of best comedy night, and if you think that means you should check it out you would be right.

while now and it is a wildly popular fun night at the Bernal Heights bar. It’s always a lively raucous fun night. Miss Kitty claims the top spot from last year’s winner (and this year’s runner-up) Gaymer Night at the Eagle, so that should give you an idea how popular this event is. Celebrate Hump Day in style with Miss Kitty and her many fans at Wild Side West.

Best Non-Weekly, Non-Monthly Nightlife Event:

Bearracuda

Runners-up: ShangriLa at the EndUp, Hard French Winter Ball Whether it’s at the Eagle or the Folsom Street Foundry, underwear night or jock straps and singlets, Bearracuda is the place to be.

With their sexy dancers and DJs like Matt Consola, Paul Goodyear and Robert Jeffrey, Bearracuda has made a place in our readers’ hearts.

It is billed as “a fun, friendly party for bears, cubs and other wildlife” – and that it is. You’d have us down, down, down to our knees.

Wouldn’t you, Bearracuda?

Best Stage Show in a Bar/Nightclub:

Red Hots Burlesque at the Stud

Best (Non-Contest) Leather Event at a Bar: Lick It at The Powerhouse

Cubcake

at the Lone Star Saloon

DJ Blackstone provides the soulful sounds and Lance Holman hosts the popular night at the Powerhouse – where the denizens dance and play and have an evening of low-key sexy cruise and kink. Lick It often features special nights for holidays and events like Folsom Street Fair that benefits organizations like the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund with sponsorship from companies and products like Mr. S Leather, 9x6Lubes Pure Silicone and wüfGear. Lick It takes its place at the top of our readers list this year, beating out last year’s winner Code at the Edge. Don’t you deserve to find out why?

Runners-up: Onesie Parties at Lookout, Frolic at SF Eagle Take one historic bear bar add a feisty mix of cubs and bears with a great sense of fun and you’ve got the magic that is Cubcake! In the past year they’ve featured DJ Dominant and DJ Paul Goodyear spinning tunes while the wildlife frolic on the patio. It’s an event that is so notable that the international press has checked in: they’ve been featured in the UK Guardian! They’ve also won the furry hearts of B.A.R. readers.

Best Unusual Nightlife Event:

Project Nunway at SOMArts

Best Weekly Nightlife Event: Beer Bust at SF Eagle

Runners-up: Broadway Bares Strip SF @ DNA Lounge, Flagging in The Park

Runners-up: The Monster Show at The Edge, Pan Dulce at Beaux

Project Nunway gave us Project Nunway 9 to 5: Work! last September in their ninth annual event that has in the past seen them celebrate the 666 Heretics of Fashion (for year six). It’s fun, it’s fashion, it’s drag, it’s the Sisters and it’s for charity. Project Nunway and the Sisters have found their way to the top of their list this year.

The Sunday Beer Bust at the Eagle is both a tradition and a party – and it benefits various nonprofits and local charities. Previous Beer Busts have benefited the Leather Pride Contingent for the Pride Parade and raised money for Eagle Plaza. What could be better than an afternoon of fun, good food, hot men and cold beer all for a good cause? Clearly our readers agree. The Beer Bust at the Eagle returns again to claim the Bestie for Best Weekly Nightlife Event.

Best Women’s Bar Event: Mango at El Rio Runners-up: Uhaul at Jolene’s Vamp Mondays at Beaux

Best Monthly Nightlife Event: Disco Daddy at SF Eagle Runners-up: Go Bang! at the Stud, Beatpig at the Powerhouse

Miss Shugana

Best Game Night? Miss Kitty’s Trivia Night at Wild Side West.

Best Game Night:

Miss Kitty’s Trivia Night at Wild Side West

Runners-up: Gaymer Night at SF Eagle, Gaymer Night at Midnight Sun Kit Tapata has been hosting this weekly trivia extravaganza for a

Red Hots Burlesque says their mission is to be inclusive. When you see their shows you should “expect drag, comedy, striptease, sideshow, circus from folks of every gender, size, race, performance style and country.” They’ve been featured locally in the Examiner, the Chronicle and even on the local NBC affiliate, and it’s no wonder why. The troupe has had over 500 performers participate in their shows and it is always fresh. As they say, “you will never see the same show twice.” Put them in the Stud and our readers say you have a winning combination.

Best Bar Theme Night:

Runners-up: BLUF at SF Eagle, Code at The Edge

DJ Bus Station John has an amazing sense of fun. This year when Disco Daddy fell on the President’s Day weekend, he suggested that it was “Another chance to steal a kiss from a bawdy bank teller, play Post Office with a man-hungry mail carrier, and/or, uh, drive a dreamy DMV worker to ecstasy!” Aside from the fun, there is his amazing musical taste. Disco Daddy just celebrated their fifth annual Sylvester tribute. In an interview with Broke Ass Stuart he said he is “workin’ hard to keep our connection to oldschool gay culture, aesthetics & history alive.”

There’s no doubt that he’s doing it, and our readers love it.

Runners-up: Baloney at Oasis, Buffy The Vampire Slayer at Oasis

Scott Iverson

Above: Best (Non-Contest) Leather Event at a Bar; Lick It host Lance Holman (right) at the Powerhouse.

Middle: Red Hots Burlesque won Best Stage Show in a Bar/Nightclub.

Below: Bearracuda’s your Best Non-Weekly, Non-Monthly Nightlife Event.

Way back in 2013 the Bold Italic quoted Mango’s DJ Edaj as telling the crowd at Mango, “If nobody told you today that they loved you, we’ll tell you. Mango loves you.”

Our readers say, “Right back at you, Mango.” The queen of women’s parties, still going strong 23 years on, is a celebration of community that harkens back to a time when Valencia Street was the place to be for women in the city. the event’s music is a mix of salsa, hip-hop and more music that makes its fans get up off their feet and have a great time.

A brainchild of the late (and much missed) Chantal Salkey, Mango shows that her vision is still much needed. Coming up on a quarter of a century Mango is the kind of institution that generates love and makes El Rio a special place.t

<< Best Sex

50 • Bay Area Reporter • April 4-10, 2019

Besties Sexys

Ongoing and missed erotic outlets Runner-up: Pound Puppy at The SF Eagle

Playmates and soul mates...

San Francisco:

Leave it to the San Francisco Eagle to host the best event for the huge sociosexual phenomenon of blending sexual kinks with DJed grooves and casual cruising. The trend has thrown off the old guard a bit, but it has become a seriously legitimate part of gay male bonding, and let’s face it; Game of Thrones is in its final season. 398

18+ MegaMates.com

1-415-692-5774

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Steamworks’ recent photo shoot showed off their renovations.

Daddy’s Boy, one of the popular events at Atlas.

12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Honorable Mention: Atlas events

by Cornelius Washington

H

aving once again been chosen to give our loyal readers the results for our search of the best of the best of businesses in the Bay Area, I shall address our wants and needs concerning our sexuality. These businesses help you embrace it, whatever it is. We want you to embrace, engage with and utilize them while you still can.

Best Sex Venue:

Steamworks Berkeley

Personals

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SEXY ASIAN $60 Jim 415-269-5707

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FABULOUS F**K BOY

Model looks 6’ 150# 27yrs, 8” uncut beautiful tight yummy ass. Smoky sexuality erotic male nympho. Hndsm hedonist. Str8, gay, married men at yr apt, hotel, mansion! Greek god Nick 415-290-2639. Leather fetish fantasy roleplay kink dom sub group scenes mild to wild. Pretty boy with a dirty mind, romantic & unforgettable! $400/hr, $2000 overnight negotiable.

The temple of gay male sexuality, Steamworks Berkeley is a venue that creates the setting for you to execute your skills with multiple men, all day, into the night, all night! The music and special events combine to take you places within your psyche that may heal you. 2107 4th St., Berkeley. www.steamworksbaths.com

Runner-up: Blow Buddies Bay Area Reporter readers have voted Blow Buddies their number two choice for special spaces. All of the kink, raw and fetish, combined with its SoMa location, allows patrons to truly take and give the blowby-blow. Recent news of the building’s possible sale should serve as a warning for patrons to enjoy such a space while they can. 933 Harrison St. www.blowbuddies.com

Runner-up: Eros One of the most wholesome, safe, reputable, convenient and very comfy spaces in San Francisco’s storied history, Eros is so romantic, a most excellent place for safe sex with someone whom you may want to get to know very well. It’s also a convenient venue for that no-host hookup, where you want to create an aura of sensuality.

2051 Market St. www.erossf.com

Best Sex Shop:

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” ­—Lily Tomlin

Mr. S. Leather

Mr. S. Leather is the locus sanctus of LGBTQ sexuality. Just walking into the place makes you want to remove your clothing and do you and everyone around you. The air itself is charged with sexuality. Between you and your charge card, you can purchase the goods that get you the goods, from rubber bests to cock rings, assless shorts and more. 385 8th Street www.mr-s-leather.com

Rich Stadtmiller

A cruisy event at Mr S Leather.

More than a dozen voters this year commented that Renegade, the weekly Sunday event at Atlas, is becoming the hot new event. My spies tell me that the proprietors keep the cruisy events pumping through the week. Truck Tuesdays, Daddy’s Boy and Pac 10 are other sexy events at Atlas. I, myself, am extremely curious and will conduct a personal inquiry into the happenings that will give me the Monday hangover that is so needed in my life. 415 10th Street. www.eventbrite.com/o/daddys-boy-17339458482

Runner-up: Good Vibrations An idea that a business can be so helpful, so friendly and knowledgable and all-encompassing, with its holistic understanding, can occur only in San Francisco. With multiple locations, Good Vibes normalizes sex toys and sexuality in such a beautiful setting that is quite moving to experience. 603 Valencia Street www.goodvibes.com

Runner-up: Does Your Mother Know?

One of the jewels of The Castro District, particularly in the evening, this store is nestled snugly between popular bars, restaurants and cafes.

DYMK provides an excellent vibe, particularly for those last-minute purchases, from gag gifts to gifts upon which you can practice your gag reflex. 4141 18th Street. (415) 864-3160

Cruisiest Event:

Underwear Night

Nob Hill Theatre house dancer, Adilson, in a hand-painted photo by Cornelius Washington.

at 440 Castro

Thongs! Boxer briefs! Tighty whiteys! 440 attracts men in a space with excellent music. This is truly a whatyou-see-is-what-you-may-get situation. If you’ve been focused about your New Year’s resolution to get into shape, break out that new underwear in a flattering primary color and show your assets in their best light.

440 Castro Street. www.the440.com

Runner-up: Junk at The Powerhouse It’s just so sexy. It’s just so dirty.

Don’t even try to resist cohosts mrPam and Dulce de Leche. Do what you came to Junk to do, and bring your tip money for the bartenders and gogo boys. This is what a gay bar is supposed to be at night.

1347 Folsom Street. www.powerhouse-sf.com

In Memoriam: The Nob Hill Theatre For decades, the Nob Hill Theatre was singular in creating intense sensations for gay, bisexual and bi-curious men the world over who enjoy a hot strip show and lap dance. The professional lighting, mood-inducing music, sizzling porn stars, hot house dancers and horny patrons are so iconic that its closing boggles the mind, still.

Cultural anthropologist Bob Mathis-Friedman commented, “Had they advertised more, it could have been even more famous. It was an insanely perfect blend of sex, culture, entertainment and serious money. You will not see that again in San Francisco for a very long time, if ever again.”t

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Events>>

For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

Thu 4 The Callaway Sisters @ Orinda Theatre Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway perform their witty cabaret show, Sibling Revelry. $55.

7:30pm. 2 Orinda Theatre Square. www.lamorindatheatres.com

Live Music Night @ El Rio Rockin’ bands each week. April 4: queer and trans bands Sapphic Lasers, Frootie Flavors and Eddie and the Heartbeats. $5-$10. 8pm-11:30pm.

3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com

FRI 5 Bare Chest Calendar Prelims @ Powerhouse Meet early candidates for next year’s fundraiser calendar; weekly for a while. 8pm-10pm. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Bear Trap @ Lone Star Saloon DJs Jimmy Swear and Chaka Quan play grooves at the party’s 2-year anniversary. $5. 9pm-2am. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Latin Explosion @ Club 21 The popular Latin club with gogo guys galore and Latin music. $10-$20.

9pm-3am. 2111 Franklin St., Oakland. www.club21oakland.com

April 4-10, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 51

Stank @ Powerhouse

Polythene Pam @ El Rio

Forget to bathe for the smelly armpit contest. $5. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. powerhousebar.com

Pop-folk queer and trans bands perform; WayFairy and Soft Vowel Sounds (Julia serano) also perform. $5. 9:30pm. 3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com

Uhaul @ Jolene’s The popular women’s dance party returns at the new nightclub, now weekly. 10pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. http://jolenessf.com/

Sat 6 La Bota Loca @ Club 21, Oakland Banda Los Shakas performs live at the LGBT Latinx night. $10. 9pm-4am.

2111 Franklin St. club21oakland.com

Brunch @ Jolene’s Enjoy DJed grooves, chicken & waffles, veggie scrambles and more, with brunch cocktails, at the new queer bar. 11am-3pm. Also Sundays.

2700 16th St. www.jolenessf.com

Daddy’s Boy @ Atlas The cruisy men’s party goes MTV Beach Party. Bring your Speedos and enjoy some indoor sun. $10-$15.

10pm-3am. 415 10th St. www.daddysboy.eventbrite.com

GAMeBoi SF @ Rickshaw Stop The monthly gay Asian Kpop dance night, with Rock M. Sakura. $12. 155 Fell St. www.gameboievents.com

Go BANG! @ The Stud

Meat Puppets @ Independent

Groovy disco night with guest DJ Lester Temple, plus residents Steve Fabus, Sergio Fedasz, Prince Wolf and Jimmy DePre. $5-$10. 9pm-3am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

The epic punk-country band performs, with Neil Hamburger. $30. 9pm. 628 Divisadero. http://apeconcerts.com/

Muni Diaries Live @ Rickshaw Stop

Rorshok @ SF Eagle Goth rock with a queer edge. $5-$10.

8pm-2am. 398 12th St. sf-eagle.com

Tall tales of terrible/terrific transportation, plus a Haiku Battle. $16. 6:30pm. 155 Fell St. www.rickshawstop.com

The canine pup play happy hour precedes the furry dance night. $5$10. 5pm-9pm, 9pm-2am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Sun 7 Drag Brunch @ Hamburger Mary’s Food, bottomless mimosas and drag shows with Kylie Minono, Patty McGroin and other talents. Seating 11am, show 12pm. Also Saturdays.

531 Castro St. www.hamburgermarys.com

First Wives Fight Club @ Castro Theatre Peaches Christ’s new movie mash-up parody costars Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Raja Peggy L’Eggs and April Kidwell (no film screenings). $20-$110. 4pm & 8pm. 429 Castro St. www.PeachesChrist.com

Get Down On It @ SF Eagle Steve Fabus and Sergio Fedasz (Go BANG!) spin grooves at the new Sunday T-dance. $5-$10. 7pm-12am.

9pm-2am. 398 12th St. sf-eagle.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550 The popular two-stepping linedancing, not-just-country music night, with free lessons, celebrates its 21st anniversary; free admission. 5pm10:30pm. Also Thursdays 6:30pm10:30pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. www.sundancesaloon.org

Swagger Like Us @ El Rio Monthly queer hip hop dance party, with DJs spinning groovy tunes. $5-$10. 2pm-8pm. 3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com

Helen @ NOHspace Theatre of Yugen performs Ellen McLaughlin’s updated contemporary tragicomic version of Euripedes’ Helen of Troy. $15-$40. Fri-Sun thru April 27. 2840 Mariposa St. www.theatreofyugen.org

Ramon Pablo Vidali @ Strut

Pippin @ Julia Morgan Theater, Berkeley

Brighten up your spring with arts events blossoming around the Bay.

Arts Events April 4-11, 2019 For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

Thu 4 Adiós Mamá Carlota @ San Jose Stage Company Premiere of Luis Valdez’ drama set during the French occupation of Mexico. $32-$72. 490 South 1st St., San Jose. www.thestage.org

Jennifer DuBois @ The Bindery The author of The Spectators, a New York ‘90s gay, AIDS and mediathemed novel. 7:30pm. 1727 Haight St. https://www.booksmith.com

Light in the Water @ Kabuki Theatre

The Stephen Schwartz musical gets a local production Berkeley Playhouse. $20-$40. Thu-Sat 7pm &/or 1pm, 2pm; thru May 5. 2640 College Ave. http:// berkeleyplayhouse.org

Ramon Pablo Vidali @ Strut ‘Castro on Canvas,’ the artist’s historic portraits of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Opening reception 8pm-10pm. Thru April.

470 Castro St. www.ramonvidaliart.com www.strutsf.org

Sat 6 The Diary of Anne Frank @ Lesher Arts Center

Special screening of the fascinating documentary about West Hollywood Aquatics, the swim team’s history from Gay Games I in 1982 to today.

7:30pm. 1881 Post St. https://gathr. us/screening/28322

Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett’s dramatic adaptation, based on the world-famous diary of a young Jewish girl hiding with her family from Nazis, is performed by Center Repertory Theatre. $34-$56.

Thru April 28. 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. www.lesherartscenter.org

Fri 5

Mark Foehringer Dance Project @ Cowell Theater

The Gentleman Caller @ New Conservatory Theatre Philip Dawkins’ play explores the relationaship between gay playwrights Tennessee Williams and

April 4-11, 2019

Woof/Frolic @ SF Eagle

William Inge. $28-$44. Thru May 5.

25 Van Ness Ave, lower level. www.nctcsf.org

Fri 5

Nightlife Events

Alice in Wonderland, the choreographer’s dance adaptation of the classic children’s book, is performed. 11am & 2pm thru April 14. Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd. https://fortmason.org/

Our Besties issue comes once a year, but each week we bring you the best of LGBT events, and some others that are just fun.

Sun 7

Sundance Saloon’s 21st Anniversary @ Space 550

Mon 8 Charles Busch @ Oasis The acclaimed gay playwright and drag actor performs Native New Yorker, his new autobiographical cabaret show. $27-$50. 7pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Karaoke Night @ SF Eagle Sing along, with host Beth Bicoastal, plus prizes, local celeb judges, and $2 draft beer. 8pm-12am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Tue 9 Gaymer Night @ Midnight Sun Weekly fun night of games (video, board etc.) and cocktails. 8pm-12am.

4067 18th St. midnightsunsf.com

Retro Night @ 440 Castro Jim Hopkins plays classic pop oldies, with vintage music videos. 9pm-2am.

44 Castro St. www.the440.com

Vice Tuesdays @ Q Bar Queer femmes and friends dance party with hip hop, Top 40 and throwbacks at the stylish intimate bar,

SF Hiking Club @ Mission Peak Join GLBT hikers of the SF Hiking Club for an 11-mile hike on the back side of Mission Peak near Fremont.

Carpool meets 9:00 at Rockridge BART. www.sfhiking.com

with DJs Val G and Iris Triska. 9pm2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Wed 10 Baritoned @ Oasis I Hate Men, the vocal trio’s (Joe Hager, Edward Miskie, and Kyle Hines) tribute to Broadway’s leading ladies. $27-$50. 8pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

NSA @ Club OMG Weekly underwear party at the intimate mid-Market nightclub. $1 well drinks for anyone in underwear from 9pm-10pm. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

Thu 11 Ten Fé @ Independent Brit art pop concert; Madison Malone opens. $15. 9pm. 628 Divisadero. www.apeconcerts.com

Thump @ White Horse, Oakland Weekly electro music night with DJ Matthew Baker and guests. 9pm-2am.

6551 Telegraph Ave, (510) 652-3820. www.whitehorsebar.com

Wed 10 Aladdin @ San Jose Performing Arts Center

Sun 7

The stage adaptation of Disney’s hit animated musical is performed by the national touring company.

Thru April 21. 255 South Almaden Blvd., San Jose. www.AladdinTheMusical.com

Expedition Reef @ Cali.

Academy of Sciences

Kour Pour @ Ever Gold Gallery

Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Deep Reefs, Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, and more. $20-$35. MonSat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. calacademy.org

Mon 8 Dorian Katz @ Wicked Grounds The illustrator’s exhibit of queer comics and coloring books; thru April. 289 8th St. wickedgrounds.com

SoMa Nights @ GLBT History Museum SoMa Nights: 1980s-1990s Queer Club Photography, an exhibit of prints by prolific photographer Melissa Hawkins. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

Tue 9 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre @ Zellerbach Hall Annual residency and 4-program concert series by the acclaimed New York dance company. $38-$145.

Thru April 14. Bancroft Way at Dana, UC Berkeley campus. www.calperformances.org

Exhibit of vibrant paintings combining historic and contemporary tapestry themes; thru May 4. Wed-Sat 12pm-5pm.

Minnesota Art Project, 1275 Minnesota St. at 24th. www.evergoldprojects.com

Michelle Tea @ The Bindery The acclaimed author discusses her new illustrated book (with Mike Perry), Astro Baby. 7:30pm. 1727 Haight St. www.booksmith.com

Thu 11 Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders @ SF Public Library The two queer authors discuss their new books (Anders’ The City in the Middle of the Night , Newitz’ Autonomous. 6pm. 100 Lartin St., 3rd floor. www.sfpl.org

Rosie Kay Dance Company @ Taube Atrium Theater San Francisco Performances presents 5 Soldiers: The Body is the Frontline, a riveting dance about the physicaloity of modernday warfare. $65. Thru April 13.April 12, 2pm, free for veterans: (415) 677-0325. War Memorial Veterans Bldg., 4th floor.