February 27, 2020 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

St. James ED resigns

SF drag artist on TV

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Supreme Court to weigh in on foster care fight by Lisa Keen

See page 12 >>

B.A.R.

ENDORSEMENTS CALIFORNIA PRESIDENTIAL

PRIMARY ELEC TION

Judges SF Superior Court Seat 1: Maria Elena State Senate Evangelista Dist. 11: Scott Wiener Seat 18: Dorothy Chou State Assembly Proudfoot San Francisco Dist. 17: David Chiu Seat 21: Kulvindar “Rani” Dist. 19: Phil Ting Singh Bay Area Dist. 15: Buffy Wicks Alameda County Superior Court Dist. 18: Rob Bonta Office 2: Mark Fickes Dist. 16: Rebecca Bauer-Kahan Propositions Dist. 25: Alex Lee San francisco Dist. 28: Evan Low Yes on: A, B, C No on: D, E State Senate California Other Yes on: 13 District 5: Susan Talamantes Eggman SF DCCC District 7: Marisol (17th AD): Steven Rubio Buss, David Campos, District 9: Nancy Mike Chen, Bevan Skinner Dufty, Tyra Fennell, District 17: John Peter Gallotta, Shaun Laird Haines, Frances Congress (Bay Area) Hsieh, Austin Hunter, Rafael Dist. 2: Jared HuffMandelman, Honey man Mahogany, Carole Dist. 3: John GaraMigden, Victor mendi Dist. 5: Mike Thomp- Olivieri, and Shanell Williams. son Dist. 10: Josh Harder 19th AD: Keith Dist. 11: Mark Baraka, Janice Li, DeSaulnier Dist. 12: Nancy Pelosi Mary Jung, Suzy Dist. 13: Barbara Lee Loftus, Jane Natoli, Dist. 14: Jackie Speier Faauuga Moliga, Nadia Rahman, Mawuli Dist. 15: Eric Tugbenyoh, and CynSwalwell Dist. 17: Ro Khanna thia “Cyn” Wang. Dist. 18: Anna Eshoo Dist. 19: Zoe Lofgren

Remember to vote March 3!

SF Pride grand marshal nominee Shanti sparks controversy by John Ferrannini

here was troubling news for LGBT legal activists coming from the U.S. Supreme Court Monday: The high court announced it will review a lower court decision that held a Catholic foster care agency could not discriminate against same-sex couples. The conflict is a long-standing one and has implications beyond church-run organizations and foster care. It could have impact on conflicts involving business vendors who have religious objections to serving same-sex couples. “Depending on how broadly the court rules, its holding possibly could apply even to the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws to commercial

President: Pete Buttigieg

Vol. 50 • No. 9 • February 27-March 4, 2020

fter voting began for community grand marshals for this year’s San Francisco LGBT Pride parade, several longtime activists signaled disapproval that the Shanti Project is one of the nominees for organization grand marshal. The displeasure is related to Shanti donor Dede Wilsey, whose name was included on an invitation for a fundraiser for President Donald Trump last summer. Voting is open until March 10 at noon for two community grand marshals – an individual and an organization. There are 10 individual nominees and five organization nominees, one of which is Shanti, which was founded in the 1970s and provides practical support and other services for people with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses. But Arthur W. Corbin, whose activism stretches back five decades, said that Shanti has strayed from its original mission by expanding to cover so many different things, noting its 2015 merger with Pets Are Wonderful Support, or PAWS. PAWS helps seniors and people with disability or illness care for their pets.

Shanti supporters marched in last year’s San Francisco Pride parade.

“Shanti does some good work but they’re not very connected to what’s left of the gay community anymore,” Corbin said in a February 24 phone interview with the B.A.R. “I have watched our nonprofits lose sight of their original goals and become traditional nonprofits. The original founders usually had an emotional stake. For the new leaders, it’s a job.”

Courtesy Facebook

On Facebook, Corbin wrote “the caring and loving spirit that was Shanti Project is long gone and has been replaced by the nonprofit hustle for more and more money for a wider range of services.” Ken Jones, another longtime activist and the first African American chair of San Francisco See page 2 >>

Proposed SF public park tribute to Milk hits approval hiccup

by Matthew S. Bajko

project that would see the first tribute to an LGBT individual installed in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park outside of the National AIDS Memorial Grove has hit a hiccup in the city’s approval process due to its rejection last week by the Historic Preservation Commission but approval by the Recreation and Park Commission. As part of the city’s plans to celebrate the green space’s 150th anniversary this spring, a local arts group wants to install a temporary light piece of the words “Hope will never be silent” along the top center of the Music Concourse Bandshell in a typeface inspired by historical inscriptions found on the nearby water fountains. The quote is widely attributed to the late gay Supervisor Harvey Milk, though it is unclear when he first said it. Also known as the Spreckles Temple of Music, the bandshell structure is at the western edge of the Music Concourse, which sits above the underground parking garage that serves visitors to the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, and Japanese Tea Garden. It was built in 1900, survived the 1906 earthquake, has been renovated over the years, and is the official home to the Golden Gate Park Band, which

Courtesy Illuminate

An artist’s rendering shows Illuminate’s plan for incorporating a quote attributed to Harvey Milk on the bandstand in Golden Gate Park.

performs on Sunday’s in the park during the summer months. The bandshell is now slated to receive enhancements this year that include the installation of re-configured risers that will open space on the stage to make it more usable for dance performances and the temporary installation of lighting and a state-of-the-art speaker system. Leading the project is Illuminate, the arts non-

{ FIRST OF THREE SECTIONS }

profit that installed the artistic lighting on the Bay Bridge and the facade of Golden Gate Park’s Conservatory of Flowers. It secured approvals last week from both of the city’s oversight panels for everything it plans to install at the bandshell except for the lighted artwork inspired by Milk. The LED light installation atop the 75 foot tall structure would span 40 feet in length. It would be in Caslon’s Egyptian Bold typeface, which Rhonda Rubinstein, the creative director of the California Academy of Sciences, helped to pick out. In November 2017 Illuminate installed a similar lighted art piece with the same quote on the mantel of the commercial building overlooking the plaza that bears Milk’s name above the Castro Muni station. It was part of the ceremonies that fall commemorating the 40th anniversary of Milk’s historic 1977 election as the first out gay supervisor in San Francisco and the first openly LGBT elected official in California. Tragically, a year after being elected to the Board of Supervisor’s District 5 seat, which back then covered the Castro and the Haight, Milk was assassinated along with then-mayor George Moscone inside City Hall by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White the morning of November 27, 1978. See page 12 >>

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

St. James Infirmary ED resigns to return to LA by John Ferrannini

oni Newman resigned as the executive director of St. James Infirmary, effective February 25, to move back to Los Angeles. “I have been commuting from SF to LA for five years and I decided I wanted to go home to Los Angeles,” Newman wrote in an emailed statement to the Bay Area Reporter February 25. “I want to thank those who supported St. James Infirmary during my tenure and for all the support I personally received. St. James Infirmary is an amazing organization with a talented staff of 30 doing awesome work. These five years in San Francisco have been the best years of my life and I feel so blessed and honored to have worked in SF.” Newman, 57, a transgender woman who originally hails from North Carolina, came to San Francisco several years ago to be the director of development for Maitri Compassionate Care, which provides hospice care to people with AIDS. In May 2018, Newman became the executive director of St. James Infirmary. Situated in the Polk

Courtesy Toni Newman

Toni Newman

Gulch, St. James focuses on offering health care and social services to current and former sex workers and others. Newman told the B.A.R. that her “proudest moment” was being awarded a two-year case management contract for $2.3 million in rental subsidies for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

The funds are distributed by Larkin Street Youth Services. “TGNC folks need housing more than anything else and to be able to provide that service was truly amazing,” Newman wrote. District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney praised Newman on her last day. “She’s been such a tremendous leader for our community,” Haney wrote to the B.A.R. “She will be impossible to replace, but she’s left an amazing legacy having impacted so many lives, and has done extraordinary work building up St. James Infirmary. I wish her the best with her next steps.” Clair Farley, a transgender woman who serves as director of San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, said, “We are so sad to lose her.” She called Newman “an incredible community leader.” “It’s hard to measure all she gave to San Francisco,” Farley wrote in an email to the B.A.R. Tuesday. “Her partnership on Trans Home SF was a constant inspiration and her legacy of working to get our community housed will live on forever. I know she will continue to make important changes for the community as she moves on to new opportunities. “Moving forward I encourage St. James Infirmary to continue to foster trans leadership, especially black trans leadership, to continue to inform their groundbreaking community service,” Farley added. Newman said she did not know who will be leading St. James in the interim. St. James did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Newman said that she is currently writing a second book. Her first book, a memoir titled, “I Rise – The Transformation of Toni Newman” was released in 2011. “My partner and I are excited for the next chapter of our lives in Los Angeles,” she added. Larkin Street Youth Services and Mayor London Breed’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. t

SF Pride

From page 1

Pride’s board of directors, asked on Facebook “How on earth is it possible that the Shanti Project (The Dede Wilsey drama) in the year of its community sell-out could be nominated as a Community Grand Marshal Organization. Really? ... Really? What is happening to ‘our’... quite possibly now ‘the’ Community. I was about to make a motion that The Shanti Project be excluded from marching in the parade entirely this year; but, I guess that would be pointless.” When asked by the B.A.R. to comment on the situation, Jones demurred, saying he did not want to “add one more piece” to the issues the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee is facing. Wilsey is the former chair of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and a longtime philanthropist. As the B.A.R. previously reported, gay San Francisco Democratic Party chair and former District 9 Supervisor David Campos was critical of Shanti for giving Wilsey an award at its gala last year because she was listed as a co-host for a Bay Area Trump fundraiser. Shanti gave Wilsey the Lifetime Achievement Award at its fall Compassion gala, although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) successfully had her name removed from it beforehand. (The award had been called the Nancy Pelosi Lifetime See page 8 >> Untitled-8 1

2/25/20 3:26 PM

Election 2020 >>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

Most LGBT panelists pick Sanders at election forum by Sari Staver

emocratic socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was the favorite of most of the LGBT panelists who discussed the Democratic Party’s presidential race February 21 at an event held at the Commonwealth Club and moderated by Michelle Meow. Meow put the panelists on the spot from the get-go, asking each to name and explain their pick. Although the panelists were each affiliated with a prominent LGBT organization or cause, they each stressed that they were speaking only for themselves. (Sanders won the February 22 Nevada caucuses. California voters head to the polls on March 3, Super Tuesday.) Perhaps surprisingly, only one panelist picked the sole out candidate, gay former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg. Terry Beswick, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society, said that although he will support any of the candidates who is ultimately the nominee, his top choice is Buttigieg. Beswick, previously the executive director of the Castro Country Club and a longtime LGBT and AIDS activist, said he “takes offense” when people assume he’s supporting Buttigieg “because I’m a gay guy.” Instead, Beswick thinks Buttigieg is a “practical progressive” with “commonsense goals” and a roadmap to get them through Congress. After hearing Buttigieg speak, Beswick concluded that he was “very engaging and very intelligent” and seemed able to communicate “very complex ideas to people with different” viewpoints. Beswick thinks Buttigieg has the capacity to “unify everyone” and his “persuasive” and non confrontational style, which helps people to “see the other side” of an issue.

Sari Staver

Panelists Anjali Rimi, left, Terry Beswick, Melanie Nathan, Honey Mahogany, David Campos, and Peter Gallotta discussed their picks for Democratic candidates for president at a February 21 Commonwealth Club forum.

Buttigieg’s candidacy is “important historically” Beswick noted, because the publicity about a gay man running the first credible presidential campaign can reach LGBT kids living in small towns who are still being “tossed out” by prejudice. (Gay Republican Fred Karger ran for his party’s nomination in 2012, but didn’t get the media attention or financial contributions that Buttigieg has garnered.) David Campos, a gay man who’s chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and a former member of the city’s Board of Supervisors, said he was one of the first elected officials to support Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, before his 2016 run for the Democratic nomination and still supports him. Despite his position with the Democratic Party, Campos, now a deputy county executive in Santa Clara County, said that he sees himself “as an outsider” and believes one of the reasons Democrats lost their way is that they “became Republican” through their connections to Wall Street and corporate interests.

Campos believes Democrats want someone who is honest and “has integrity” while still being able to take into account other points of view. President Donald Trump succeeded because his “sexist, bigoted” behavior “actually resonated” with millions of people, Campos said. Also behind Sanders is Peter Gallotta, an elected member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and former president of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club. Gallotta, who said his interests are focused on environmental issues and climate change, thinks Sanders would make the best Democratic candidate. When Sanders campaigned four years ago, “it felt like a breath of fresh air.” Support for Sanders, including his proposal for Medicare for All, has attracted a rapidly growing movement, he said. Meanwhile, said Gallotta, the Democratic Party “is figuring out who we are.” “The central issue is one of equity” and “addressing the needs of working people,” said Campos. “And

health care is just one example of the inequality” currently in the U.S. At an event where Sanders spoke last year, “it was amazing to see the energy and diversity” of people who came together with “a vision beyond fighting Trump,” he added. Honey Mahogany, a queer trans woman of color and an appointed member of the D-triple-C, as it’s known, is a co-founder of Compton’s Transgender Cultural District and a co-owner of the Stud, a South of Market LGBT bar, thinks that both Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Sanders are “strong candidates.” Mahogany, previously a social worker, believes health care should be the top issue. Warren has shown herself to be “fearless” in terms of “speaking truth to power,” Mahogany, now a legislative aide for District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, said. “It’s time for a woman to be president,” she added. The U.S. has been “ruled by men for so long” and “they haven’t done a great job.” Democrats, said Mahogany, have sold out to corporate interests. “We need leaders who are authentic and say what they mean,” she added. Another trans woman of color, Anjali Rimi, president of the board of directors of Parivar, a queer South Asian community organization, and a member of the board of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee, doesn’t have a favorite candidate yet. But Rimi, who worked in corporate America for 16 years and was fired from a job in 2005 when she was transitioning, has thought about issues some of the candidates will face. Middle America, she said, is not ready for Sanders’ socialist “revolution.” While Buttigieg’s years in the armed forces were “honorable,” he

doesn’t have the policy experience needed to be president, she added. “I’ll get swayed by whoever convinces me,” she said. Under Trump, Rimi received her gender marker change and was granted citizenship. Under former president Barack Obama, she said, she was twice denied a green card. At this point, she said, a candidate would “need to prove they can relate to me so that I can see hope” for the future. Melanie Nathan, executive director of the African Human Rights Coalition and a founding director of Private Courts Inc., a mediation services company, supports Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City mayor. “I read his plans and I was reasonably impressed,” until the mention of his negative comments about trans people. Nathan said she thinks Bloomberg has the best chance “of getting Trump the fuck out of there.” (BuzzFeed reported last week that in a video of Bloomberg taken last year, he described trans people as “she, he, it” and “some guy wearing a dress.”) Based on her estimates of which candidate had the best odds of winning states such as Florida and Texas, Nathan concluded that Bloomberg “stands a better chance” than Sanders. Putting aside some of the “terrible things” Bloomberg has said about women and the LGBT community, Nathan said she favors a two-step strategy of picking a candidate who is able to be elected and once in office, “use that as a springboard for our idealism.” t To watch the forum, go to the podcast at https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/archive/ podcast/lgbtqi-leaders-pickingdemocratic-presidential-candidate.

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<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Volume 50, Number 09 February 27-March 4, 2020 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 • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ray Aguilera • Tavo Amador • Race Bannon Roger Brigham • Brian Bromberger Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Belo Cipriani • Dan Renzi Michael Flanagan • Jim Gladstone David Guarino • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr • Lisa Keen Matthew Kennedy • Joshua Klipp David Lamble • Max Leger David-Elijah Nahmod • Paul Parish Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr • Gregg Shapiro • Gwendolyn Smith Sari Staver • Tony Taylor • 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 • 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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Pete Buttigieg for president

ext week, 14 states, including California, will vote on Super Tuesday and a third of the delegates for the Democratic nominee are at stake. With his landslide win in last weekend’s Nevada caucuses, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is the current frontrunner. But the self-described democratic socialist is too far left for many voters and moderate candidates in the race are splitting the vote. There is one candidate who we think is best equipped to take on President Donald Trump in the general election: Pete Buttigieg. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana is the first openly gay Democratic top tier contender in a presidential contest, but that’s not the only reason we support him. Having watched Buttigieg’s performances in the primary debates, town halls, and on the campaign trail, we’ve come to believe he is the one candidate who can unite the fractured party, reach out to disaffected independent voters, and make a credible case for defeating Trump in November. Buttigieg is currently in second place with 25 pledged delegates (Sanders has 48); he needs a strong showing in South Carolina’s primary this Saturday, and in the Super Tuesday states next, week in order to close the gap with Sanders. As a Washington outsider, Buttigieg knows that the status quo is not working for many Americans who are anxious about access to affordable health care insurance. Buttigieg has his Medicare for All Who Want It plan that will create universal health care and put Americans back in charge of their own health care decisions. It’s not blowing up the Affordable Care Act, as Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) want to do with Medicare for All. Rather, under Buttigieg’s plan, everyone will be able to opt in to an affordable, comprehensive public alternative. This affordable public plan will incentivize private insurers to compete on price and bring down costs, his website notes. His website states that the plan will cost about $1.5 trillion over 10 years: “It will be paid for by rolling back the Trump corporate tax cuts, which will generate $1.4 trillion in revenue, and the rest from cost savings that result from empowering the federal government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.” He also wants to improve mental health services and addiction treatment, two initiatives that are critically im-

Pete for America

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg

portant for meaningful health care reform. Most importantly, people who are satisfied with their health care coverage can keep it. Sanders’ plan to eliminate private health insurance is a dealbreaker for many voters and will require raising taxes, which he doesn’t mention much. Buttigieg also has a plan for free college for those who need it. Buttigieg has said that he doesn’t believe that American taxpayers should be paying for the tuition of millionaires and billionaires. Rather, public tuition will be free for about 80% of American families, including those earning up to $100,000, and many middleincome families with multiple children. He pledges to invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and others that serve minority communities. In short, he wants everyone to have the opportunity to go to college if they want. He proposes expanding the public loan forgiveness program, allowing such loan forgiveness to begin after a person’s first year of public service; full debt cancellation would be in effect after 10 years. As a gay man who came out at 33, Buttigieg also knows about discrimination. His major shortcoming is that so far, he has not demonstrated support among minority communities, particularly African Americans. An incident when he was mayor last year in South Bend, where a white cop shot and killed a black man, drew criticism and exposed the divide between his administration and the African American

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • jim@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement which the publisher believes is in poor taste or which advertises illegal items which might result in legal action against Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation. Advertising rates available upon request. Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential and is not sold. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, and writers published herein is neither inferred nor implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.

community. However, Buttigieg is committed to working with racial minorities and tackling the systemic racism that exists in our society, and has proposed his “Douglass Plan,” which he describes as “a comprehensive and intentional dismantling of racist structures and systems, combined with investment in the freedom and self-determination of black Americans.” Criminal justice reform is also part of the plan. Racism is a growing problem in this country – starting from the top with Trump, who began his presidential campaign in 2015 calling Mexicans “rapists,” and has never stopped adding to his pile of racist vulgarity. Buttigieg, who speaks several languages fluently, including Spanish, has a curiosity to connect with other cultures for whom Trump has only contempt unless he benefits materially from their relationship. Many question whether Buttigieg, 38, is too young and not yet ready to be president. He has spent most of his life thinking deeply about good government and public service, then taking action and providing leadership. His eight years as mayor are more government experience than Trump has. Buttigieg often points out that he has more military experience than the president, who has none. (Buttigieg took a leave during his first term as mayor to serve in Afghanistan as a lieutenant in the Navy.) The next Democratic president is guaranteed to face a difficult, daunting task repairing the damage created by Trump. We need a leader who cares about this country and the people who live and work here. We need a president who can motivate us and the world to create a brighter future under a competent, professional administration. Finally, we must acknowledge the historic precedent a Buttigieg presidency would set – unimaginable only a few years ago. A gay U.S. president, married to his husband, Chasten, would be an inspiration to LGBTQ people across the world and a testament to the freedom this country can sometimes provide to achieve one’s ambition. Buttigieg struggled to acknowledge his gay identity for many years before finally embracing it. Over the course of the campaign, we’ve seen Buttigieg’s increasing ease and comfort discussing being gay. Last week, a 9-year-old boy came out at a Buttigieg event. Like Barack Obama, Buttigieg has the potential to be a transformational leader. It is time for change. It is time for a new president. Pete Buttigieg is that candidate. t

B.A.R. ballot measure endorsements H

ere are the Bay Area Reporter’s recommendations for the propositions on the March 3 ballot.

Bay Area Reporter

Proposition A: City College Job Training, Repair, and Earthquake Safety Measure. YES. This measure would allow City College of San Francisco to borrow up to $845 million by issuing bonds to repair, construct, or acquire buildings, sites, or equipment; make earthquake safety improvements; and upgrade energy efficiency by increasing the use of renewable energy. It requires 55% of the vote to pass. The proposition was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the Community College Board. The college has been navigating through financial straits for many years, and trustees decided to seek voters’ approval for these critical dollars to repair and retrofit the college’s aging infrastructure. Some of the necessary work includes improving disabled access and updating electrical, security, and fire safety systems. Also, Prop A would allow for the renovation and expansion of workforce training program facilities at the Bayview campus. Prop A includes an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual financial audits to provide protections for taxpayers. Vote YES on A. Proposition B: San Francisco Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond, 2020. YES. This measure would authorize the city to borrow up to $628.5 million by issuing general obligation bonds for improvements to fire, earthquake and emergency response systems. It requires 66 and 2/3% of the vote to pass. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors placed Prop B on the ballot. The city must

Rick Gerharter

Students pass the Rosenberg Library on the main campus of City College of San Francisco.

ensure that it can effectively respond in the event of a major fire, earthquake or catastrophic emergency. Bond proceeds would fund construction, acquisition, improvement, and completion of the emergency firefighting water system infrastructure, neighborhood fire and police stations, a firefighting training campus, the 911 call center, and other disaster response facilities. There is no opposition to Prop B. Vote YES on B. Proposition C: Retiree Health Care Benefits for Former Employees of the San Francisco Housing Authority. YES. This measure is a charter amendment that would make retiree health care coverage

available to certain city employees who previously worked for the Housing Authority based on their combined years of service and date of hire. The Housing Authority is a local government agency, but is separate from the city. Some funding is provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, but last year the feds asked the city to assume responsibility for some of the Housing Authority’s administration. The result is that the city has begun hiring some former Housing Authority employees. Since the city has hired them, these workers should be eligible for city retirement benefits like other municipal workers. The Board of Supervisors voted 11-0 to place Prop C on the ballot. It requires 50% plus 1 of the vote to pass. There is no opposition. Vote YES on C. Proposition D: Vacancy Tax. NO. At first blush, who can be against this simple, feelgood measure that proponents expect will solve the troubling trend of increasingly vacant commercial spaces in San Francisco? Yes, there are greedy landlords who are willing to tolerate a vacancy while holding out for the highest rent the market will bear. But in reality empty storefronts, restaurants, and malls are multiplying across the country and the reasons are many and complex, the foremost being that supply exceeds demand. In addition to high rents, the challenges of doing business in San Francisco are too much for many entrepreneurs to bear: bureaucratic red tape and a protracted permitting process; onerous taxes; scarcity See page 11 >>

Politics >>

t Santa Cruz, Alameda DCCC races draw LGBT candidates

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

by Matthew S. Bajko

t is not just the race for seats on the oversight body that runs the San Francisco Democratic Party that has drawn a wealth of LGBT candidates. Contests for Democratic County Central Committee seats on March 3 primary ballots around the Bay Area region have also attracted a host of out candidates and others eager to play a role in local politics. The committees are not only responsible for the day-to-day management of local county Democratic parties, they also endorse in local races. The positions are largely overlooked by the voting public but in recent years have become more coveted by both the party’s grassroots activists and local elected leaders. The interest in serving on a county committee has resulted in the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party seeing a competitive race for its leadership seats for the first time this year in decades. The party allots the 22 seats on the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee to each of the county’s five supervisorial districts. Because a bare minimum of people sought the seats in 2016, there wasn’t a need to hold an election that year. All of the candidates were automatically elected to serve. This year saw enough candidates file to hold contested elections to serve on the committee in four of the supervisorial districts. In District 1 that includes Santa Cruz, six people are competing for the five seats and will face off on the March 3 ballot. “It has been at least three decades since there has been a competitive race for the DCC in our district,” noted Adam Spickler, a transgender man who was appointed to a vacant seat in 2017 and is now running for election to a four-year term. In 2018 Spickler was appointed to the Cabrillo Community College Board of Trustees in lieu of an election since he was the only person who filed to run for the oversight panel’s Area II seat. When he took his oath of office that December, he became the first transgender man to hold public office in California. For 12 years he had served as an alternate on the committee on behalf of his former boss, state Senator Bill Monning (D-Santa Cruz). Spickler helped push through a rules change for how delegates to the state party convention are chosen so they were more fair to transgender and nonbinary people. He told the Bay Area Reporter he wants to remain on the local committee not only to register Democrats locally but also to continue the work he has done as a member of the state Democratic Party’s affirmative action committee. “My hope is we can reach minority communities that feel they are not a part of the electorate,” said Spickler.

Courtesy Tony Russomanno

Tony Russomanno, who is running for a seat on the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee, counted votes following the Watsonville Strawberry Festival straw poll last August.

Also campaigning for the first time is Tony Russomanno, a gay man and former television reporter for KPIX, the CBS affiliate in San Francisco. First appointed to the party committee six years ago, Russomanno was one of the five people in 2016 automatically elected from the 1st supervisorial district. “This is a really high pressure campaign. I think my expenses are approaching $60,” joked Russomanno when asked what it was like to go from covering politicians to seeking an elected office himself. “I always said I would never run for political office. This is basically a volunteer position that happens to be on the ballot.” The Santa Cruz County DCC race has drawn particular attention this year because supporters of presidential contender Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) formed a slate of candidates to seek the seats resulting in the contested elections. It includes one LGBT candidate, Glenn Glazer, who was appointed to his seat in the county’s 5th district and is seeking election to a full term. As he told the county’s weekly newspaper Good Times, “It is true that Bernie inspired many of us to get involved in politics, but it is not true that we are in lock-step with him, or that our candidacies are somehow dependent on his. We are progressives running for local office and the presidential race is largely outside of it.” Neither Russomanno nor Spickler are part of the slate, and both told the B.A.R. this week they remain undecided in terms of which Democratic presidential candidate they plan to vote for next week. “We got a memo from the Democratic Socialists of America talking about a takeover. They do want to take over the Democratic Party,” said Russomanno. “That is the charm of democracy, and I wish them good luck. But I don’t think they really understand what DCC members do.” He noted that the committee mem-

bers are critical to registering new Democrats and getting out the vote during election time. All last summer Russomanno attended community events like Santa Cruz Pride and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival to drum up interest ahead of this year’s presidential race. “Primarily what the DCC does is voter education. What the Democratic Socialists of America want is to do endorsements,” he said. “They just want to have the Democratic Party endorsing their candidates. They can do that, but the real work and job of the DCC is to engage new voters and to find and recruit new candidates.”

The Bay Area Reporter noted that activists from Queers Against Pete showed up at the candidate’s big bucks San Francisco fundraiser February 14 [“SF Buttigieg event protested,” February 20]. You didn’t mention that protesters inside the room were escorted out. Buttigieg’s campaign isn’t big on free speech, in any sense of the word. (Just to get in the room cost $250 and up; he’s backed by some 40 billionaires, according to Forbes.) Expelling protesters is a pattern with him. While he was speaking at Keene State College in New Hampshire, a single health care activist outside the auditorium passed out leaflets on Medicare for All. The activist was confronted by a Buttigieg campaign official who told him he’d be

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Brendalynn Goodall is running for a seat on the Alameda County Democratic County Central Committee.

Alameda County races

In the East Bay, the race for seats on the Alameda County Democratic County Central Committee has drawn a diverse array of candidates, some elected local officials and others party activists. The party divvies up its seats elected by Democratic voters by Assembly district. Among the candidates seeking the 11 seats on the oversight body in the 18th Assembly District are gay city councilmen Victor Aguilar Jr. of San Leandro and Jim Oddie of Alameda; former Oakland city councilman Abel Guillen, who is two-spirit; Victoria Fierce, a queer transgender woman who co-founded the prohousing group East Bay for Everyone; and Brendalynn R. Goodall, a lesbiSee page 13 >>

Letters >> SF protest against Buttigieg

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

arrested if he didn’t leave. When the activist continued passing out fliers, the official returned with a campus policeman, followed by two Keene city police. The staffer stood behind them as the cops threatened the activist with arrest for trespassing and handed him an order not to set foot on campus for a year (https://bit. ly/2v3UEgW). Queers Against Pete got it right: this friend of billionaires – husband, churchgoer, veteran – is no friend to most of us. Fit into his spotlessly respectable world or be banished. How ironic that the first openly gay Democratic candidate for president won’t tolerate difference. Jay Lyon San Francisco

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<< Community News

6 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

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SF drag artist to compete on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ by David-Elijah Nahmod

an Francisco-based drag artist Rock M. Sakura will be competing on Season 12 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” beginning this Friday. Sakura is the first San FranciscoFitness/Commuter Kid’s based drag queen to compete since Honey Mahogany in Season 5, and the first Filipino queen to appear on the show since Vivienne Pinay, also in Season 5. Sakura is a big fan of Fitness/Commuter Kid’s Japanese anime, which inspires her drag name – she also loves “all things campy and kitschy.” “I have a love of manga and JapaRoad Electric nese anime,” Sakura, 28, who identifies as gay, told the Bay Area Reporter. “Manga is Japanese comics and anime is Japanese animation.” Sakura gave the “Pokemón” series Road Electric and films such as “Spirited Away,” a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film, as well known examples of anime. “It’s definitely a medium that has pushed its way into the mainstream recently,” she said. “My favorite part about it is how over the top and alive it is. It’s like a caricature of day-to-day life. I feel that it’s really important to embody that in my drag because it’s important to make everyday feel special and animated.” Sakura elaborated on the campy aspects of anime. “It’s the costumes,” she said. “It’s the voice acting, and anime is usually over the top. You think that people in the United States overact for cartoons, but in Japan they overact for anime like 1065 & 1077 Valencia (Btwn 21st & 22nd St.) • SF It’s really good; I love it!” 415-550-6600 • REPAIRS 415-550-6601 • Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 300%. 11-5 Sakura pointed out that anime tends 10651065 & 1077 Valencia (Btwn 21st & 22nd St.) • SF & 1077 Valencia (Btwn 21st & 22nd St.) • SF to be mainly hand-drawn animation. Closed: 4pm New Years415-550-6601 EVE, and• All Day New Years SALES 415-550-6600 • REPAIRS • Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 SALES 415-550-6600 • REPAIRS 415-550-6601 Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 The genre has begun to break more Closed: 4pmNew NewYears Years EVE, EVE, and New Years Closed: 4pm andAllAllDay Day New Years into 3-D in recent years, but Sakura valenciacyclery.com notes that it’s mainly a 2-D genre.

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Courtesy “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Rock M. Sakura will be in Season 12 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

“Which is why my aesthetic only looks good from the front,” she said. “I never try to let people see me from the side because most of my drag looks good straight on.” Sakura’s love of camp goes beyond the world of anime. Sakura professes to watch American cartoons every day and to read American comics. She also watches a lot of musicals. She added that she finds a lot of current YouTube content very campy. “Anyone can make a video,” she said. “So people always try to outdo each other with different concepts, with different video ideas. And I think that idea itself is very campy.” Sakura referred to the Hundred Layers Challenge of several years ago, where YouTube vloggers started off with a hundred layers of nail polish, followed by a hundred layers of make-up and a hundred layers of eyelashes and hairspray. “I think that’s camp personified,” she said. Out of drag, as Bryan Bradford, she describes herself as “calm and docile.” “Out of drag I’m a sweet, considerate person,” she said. “I’m not necessarily super-talkative. I feel I’m a little more introverted, whereas when I’m Sakura I’m a bit more extroverted.” Sakura used the word “ambiverted” to describe her personality, meaning that she switches between being introverted and extroverted. She got the word from “Drag Race” host RuPaul, who uses the word to describe herself. “She calls herself an introverted extrovert,” Sakura said.

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Sakura has been living in San Francisco for about two years, having moved to the city from her native San Jose. She moved here for the drag scene, she said. She had been doing drag part-time before she came to the city. “I had a big change in my life,” she said. “I had been working in fast food for 10 years, and once I hit the 10-year mark I decided that I did not want to work for fast food anymore, so I quit my job. I decided that if I’m not going to be happy doing my job then I’m going to try for something bigger. So I quit and moved to the city and started doing drag full-time.” She spoke of what draws her to do drag. “It’s definitely the ability to be your own avatar and to create your own character – it’s my biggest draw to the craft,” she said. “I was at a time in my life where I was being restricted artistically and emotionally and I needed a way to express myself, and drag presented itself as a way for me to go out and be myself and express myself through art.” Sakura credits RuPaul for bringing drag into the mainstream and cultivating an atmosphere of love and acceptance. “I was floored when I met her,” Sakura said. “She’s beautiful in person.” Sakura couldn’t say anything more about her relationship with RuPaul or about what happens on “Drag Race’s” 12th season. She’s sworn to secrecy – viewers will have to tune in to find out. She did talk about the importance of being visible. “I think it’s important for us to be out performers,” she said. “And not just to be out and perform, but to scream it at turn, and to let people know that we’re here and we’re not going anywhere.” And as “Drag Race” Season 12 prepares to air, Sakura looks back at the show as something special to participate in. “It was one of my favorite experiences in my whole life,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of friends who I will probably consider family for the rest of my life, and I’ve made so many wonderful and dear memories that will amp up my art tenfold.” t

pecial education public school teacher Angela Normand, a lesbian, is aiming to become only the second LGBT person to serve on the Alameda County Board of Education. She is seeking the panel’s Area 2 seat, which includes the city of Alameda where she lives and various Oakland neighborhoods, including Jack London Square, Chinatown, and parts of West Oakland, Fruitvale, and the Oakland hills. Normand is running against the incumbent, Amber Childress, the board’s current vice president who was first elected in 2016. This is Normand’s first time seeking public office, though last June she was elected to the board of her union, the California Teachers Association, representing her colleagues in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties. She first became involved in union work and union advocacy in 2013, Normand told the Bay Area Reporter. And when it became clear last year that no one else was likely to run against Childress, Normand

said she decided to enter the race. “I think it is vital in all public offices that make decisions about education and students to have a teacher’s voice,” said Normand, 50, who works in the Brentwood Unified School District. “I am that teacher. I have 13 years of experience in serving the most at-risk, needy students. I know what it takes to make sure they are successful.” The race has become a proxy between public school supporters and those who back charter schools. Groups like the California Charter Schools Association Advocates and prominent charter school supporters, like Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, have paid for mailers backing Childress’ reelection, touting her as “the fighter we need” on the county education board. In its endorsement of Childress, a mom and the development manager at San Francisco Achievers, a nonprofit that works to send black male students in the city to college, the East Bay Times newspaper noted she is “a supporter of strong-perSee page 13 >>

“I am proud to be working with new and experienced leaders who will fight corporate and real estate interests and work for your needs on the Democratic County Central Committee.” – David Campos, Chair SF Democratic Central Committee *Title for identification purposes only; not an official endorsement by the San Francisco Democratic Party

On March 3rd vote for these LGBTQ candidates and allies for the SF Democratic County Central Committee Assembly District 17

Frances Hsieh

Shanell Williams

A San Francisco native and immigrant rights advocate, raising her family in the Excelsior and fighting for workingclass communities of color.

City College Board President, health equity advocate, and San Francisco native ready to get to work on the DCCC.

Matt Haney John Avalos Union Organizer Supervisor, City and David Campos County of San Francisco Deputy County Executive

Anabel Ibañez Teacher Union Organizer

Bevan Dufty

Honey Mahogany

Rafael Mandelman

Peter Gallotta

BART Director in forefront of making system cleaner, safer and more reliable – and first discount for low-income riders this April.

Co-operative member, legislative aide, and founder of the Transgender Cultural District, running to make San Francisco a more equitable place for all of us.

Longtime DCCC member and D8 Supervisor, he cochaired the Meth Task Force, co-convened the Muni Reliability Working Group and has led efforts to preserve residential facilities for the elderly and mentally ill.

Queer climate justice advocate and past President of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club running to curb corporate influence in the Democratic Party.

Jane Kim Hillary Ronen Statewide Organizing Supervisor, City and Director County of San Francisco Sophie Maxwell Incumbent

Shamann Walton Supervisor, City and County of San Francisco

Assembly District 19

ENDORSED BY:

Mano Raju SF Public Defender Queena Chen Public Library Assistant Leah LaCroix Incumbent

Keith Baraka

Janice Li

Keith is a firefighter and member of the San Francisco Firefighters Local 798.

Li is a mother, educator, and activist fighting for access to college, immigrant communities, and affordable housing.

Li Miao Lovett Community College Educator Gordon Mar Supervisor, City and County of San Francisco Faauuga Moliga School Board Commissioner/Parent Kelly Akemi Groth Nonprofit Policy Advisor A.J. Thomas Worker Rights Attorney

Ad paid for by SF Social Justice Democrats supporting John Avalos, David Campos, Bevan Dufty, Peter Gallotta, Matt Haney, Frances Hsieh, Anabel Ibanez, Jane Kim, Honey Mahogany, Rafael Mandelman, Sophie Maxwell, Hillary Ronen, Shamann Walton, Shanell Williams, Keith Baraka, Gordon Mar, Kelly Akemi Groth, Janice Li, Queena Chen, Mano Raju, Leah LaCroix, Faauuga Moliga, A.J. Thomas, and Li Miao Lovett for Democratic County Central Committee 2020. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org THIS ADVERTISEMENT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED OR PAID FOR BY A CANDIDATE FOR THIS OFFICE OR A COMMITTEE CONTROLLED BY A CANDIDATE FOR THIS OFFICE

<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Study: Gay, bi men have higher skin cancer rate by Liz Highleyman

ay and bisexual men are more likely to develop skin cancer than heterosexual men, according to a recent study. The research also showed that bi women have a lower rate than heterosexual women. A companion study revealed a higher skin cancer rate among gendernonconforming people. Although these studies were unable to evaluate specific risk factors, the researchers suggested that more frequent use of tanning beds by gay and bi men may play a role. These results highlight the importance of including questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in health surveys, according to lead study author Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “It’s absolutely critical that we ask about sexual orientation and gender identity in national health surveys; if we never ask the question, we’d

never know that these differences exist,” Mostaghimi said. “Historically, this kind of health variation was hidden, but we now recognize that it’s clinically meaningful. ... As a next step, we want to connect with sexual minority communities to help identify the cause of these differences in skin cancer rates.” Mostaghimi and his team looked at links between sexual identity and gender identity and the lifetime prevalence of skin cancer in the United States. Around 3.3 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, making it by far the most common type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Although most skin cancer can be removed or treated, melanoma – which accounts for about 1% of all cases – can be deadly. The researchers used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that

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collects information about health behaviors and risk factors from around 450,000 adults each year. Starting in 2014, the BRFSS has featured a module of questions about sexual orientation and gender identity that states can decide whether to ask or not. These studies included data from 37 states. Although rumors have surfaced in recent years that the CDC plans to remove this module, an agency spokesperson has denied that this is the case. As described in the medical jour-

San Francisco man is the subject of a temporary restraining order issued in Santa Clara County February 13, preventing him from coming into contact with gay Apple CEO Tim Cook. The restraining order is effective through a hearing on the subject that will be heard in Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose March 3. Rakesh “Rocky” Sharma, 41, of San Francisco, allegedly trespassed at Cook’s Palo Alto home on the night of December 4, according to court records. “Entering the property through the closed gate without permission ... Mr. Sharma attempted to deliver flowers and a bottle of champagne,” according to a sworn declaration from William Burns, a global security specialist with Apple who is named in the restraining order. Burns stated his work involves the personal security of Apple executives. Sharma allegedly entered Cook’s property another time, on the night of January 15. Entering through the closed gate again, Sharma rang the doorbell. The police were called but Sharma disappeared before they arrived, according to Burns. The harassment of Cook and other Apple executives began last September, when he left “disturbing voicemails” on an Apple executive’s phone, according to Burns.

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Achievement Award.) Wilsey’s son, Trevor Traina, was appointed by Trump in 2018 to be the United States ambassador to Austria. For her part, Wilsey told the San Francisco Chronicle August 28 that her name ended up on the invitation because “I assume they needed more names and thought I would never know or care.” The Chronicle reported that Wilsey had not given to Trump, though she

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nonconforming people were about twice as likely to have had skin cancer than heterosexual men. The BRFSS survey did not collect information about skin cancer risk factors including exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or indoor tanning beds. However, some smaller studies have found that gay and bi men are more likely to use tanning beds – and these facilities are more likely to be located in gay neighborhoods – while lesbian and bi women are less likely to do so, the researchers noted. Other skin cancer risk factors include lighter skin color; HIV, which suppresses immune responses against cancer; and human papillomavirus, which causes cervical, anal, and oral cancer as well as certain skin cancers. “Patient education and community outreach initiatives focused on reducing skin cancer risk behaviors among gay and bisexual men may help reduce the lifetime development of skin cancer in this population,” the study authors concluded. “Continued implementation of the BRFSS’s sexual orientation and gender identity module is imperative to improve understanding of the health and well-being of sexual minority populations.” t

Apple CEO granted restraining order against SF man A

THIS IS THE

and

Lead study author Dr. Arash Mostaghimi

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nal JAMA Dermatology, Mostaghimi’s first study analyzed data from 2014 through 2018 from approximately 351,000 heterosexual men, 7,500 gay men, 5,000 bisexual men, 466,000 heterosexual women, 9,400 bisexual women and 5,400 lesbians. The researchers found that 8.1% of gay men and 8.4% of bi men reported that they had ever had skin cancer, both significantly higher than the 6.7% rate among heterosexual men. After adjusting for other factors, gay men were 26% more likely and bi men were 48% more likely to have had skin cancer than heterosexual men. Among the women, 6.6% of heterosexuals, 5.9% of lesbians and 4.7% of bi women reported ever having skin cancer. Bi women were 22% less likely to have had skin cancer than heterosexual women. The second study included approximately 368,000 self-identified cisgender men, 1,200 transgender men, 492,000 cisgender women, 1,700 transgender women, and 766 gender-nonconforming people. Lifetime skin cancer rates were 6.6% among cisgender men, 6.0% among trans men, 6.4% among cisgender women, 5.8% among trans women and 7.1% among gendernonconforming individuals. After adjusting for other factors, gender-

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Apple CEO Tim Cook

Sharma made two phone calls to Apple on February 4. In the first he claimed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) was his attorney. In the second he claimed “he was being harassed by an Apple employee and provided a name of an individual which Apple confirmed does not work for the company,” Burns wrote. During a February 5 call, Sharma “stated that he knows where members of Apple’s executive team live, and stated that ‘I don’t use ammunition but I know people who do,’ that Apple’s CEO is a criminal and that Apple tried to have Mr. Sharma killed while Mr. Sharma was in the hospital,” the declaration states. After Apple sent Sharma a cease and desist letter, Sharma forwarded did give $5,000 to the Great America Committee PAC, which is affiliated with Vice President Mike Pence and gives money to GOP candidates. Wilsey, a Republican, has given to both Republican and Democratic politicians, public records show. When asked about the Shanti nomination via email February 25, Campos wrote that he did not want the people who work at Shanti to be punished for the decisions of its leadership. “While I believe that Shanti’s leadership is out of touch and has led the

it to the Apple store at 3251 20th Avenue in the Stonestown Galleria (near Sharma’s residence, according to court documents), stating that Apple was “protecting” one of its employees, who he alleged sexually assaulted him, according to Burns, although Apple contends the named individual never worked for Apple. “Based on Mr. Sharma’s increasingly threatening comments, including his reference to the use of firearms, (and) his continued threatening conduct ... I strongly believe that Mr. Sharma may physically harm me, another member of Apple’s security team, and/or a member of Apple’s Executive Team,” Burns wrote. Sharma has been ordered to stay at least 200 yards away from Burns, Cook, Cook’s residence, and Apple’s corporate locations, among related people and places, according to a copy of the order obtained by the Bay Area Reporter. A Twitter account associated with Sharma repeatedly tags Cook in tweets, along with other famous figures such as former President Barack Obama. Apple, its attorney in this matter, and Sharma had not returned requests for comment at press time. Cook became the CEO of Apple in 2011 shortly before the death of the company’s co-founder Steve Jobs. In 2014, Cook became the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company to come out as gay. t

organization astray, I don’t have a problem with the nomination as I see it as a recognition of the importance of the work of Shanti’s staff,” Campos said. “I don’t blame the amazing Shanti staff for the mistakes made by their misguided leadership.” The B.A.R. got in touch with a spokesperson for Wilsey, but she did not respond to a request for comment by press time. For its part, Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy wrote in a FebruSee page 9 >>

Travel>>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

Reno offers year-round fun by Heather Cassell

eno continues to shake off its Wild West image as it evolves into Nevada’s cosmopolitan northern city, but it still has its edgy, small-town feel. “The Biggest Little City in the World” at the foot of the Sierra Nevada hasn’t lost its rockabilly hipster edge or its taste for outdoor adventure. There’s plenty of live music, shows, nightclubs, dining, and other entertainment to enjoy after a day of skiing thanks to the city’s proximity to Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts in the wintertime. Other times of the year offer hiking, biking, kayaking, and golfing. All this action makes Reno a yearround destination with a little bit of glam. “There is a lot to do here that is hiking, biking, trailing, skiing, swimming, and boating,” said George Powell-Lopez, 54, a gay man who is the newest director of spa and wellness at The Spa at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. “For gay couples, it keeps you busy if you do activities together. That’s awesome because it keeps it fresh, keeps it different.” The biggest changes happening in Reno are along South Virginia Street. The broad street that heads toward the Peppermill Reno is undergoing an $87 million makeover in the city’s Midtown district where new trendy bars, restaurants, and stores are opening. The city and residents anticipate more will come following the 18-month project transforming the strip into an entertainment district. “That’s going to be a hotspot for the LGBTQ community,” said PowellLopez about South Virginia Street. “It has that energy and that feel.” East Fourth Street, not far from The Row, is another strip of cool bars and restaurants, such as The Jesse, which opened in June 2019. The boutique hotel has six rooms and features a hip restaurant and bar. The Silver Legacy is a part of the rebranded The Row, which encompasses three connected hotels and casinos in the heart of downtown Reno that include Circus Circus Reno and the Eldorado Resort Casino. The hotels merged in 2018, creating the entertainment center now known as The Row. As big changes continue to shape the city, The Row and the surrounding Riverwalk has taken on some of the same energy as South Virginia Street. Reno’s new vibe is driven by the

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ary 24 email to the B.A.R. that “we are thrilled and grateful to be nominated.” “As an organization that has served the LGBTQ community for nearly half a century, including during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, it is gratifying to be acknowledged with

The Row

George Powell-Lopez is the director of spa and wellness at The Spa at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino, part of The Row in Reno, Nevada.

Andy/Adobe Stock

Downtown Reno is lit up at night with the snowcapped Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background.

local LGBT community’s investment into its queer scene during the last decade; the University of Nevada, Reno; and the influx of companies, such as Amazon, Panasonic, and Tesla to name a few. The companies and university are attracting new people to Reno seeking employment opportunities and a better quality of life. Reno’s new residents come from California, Arizona, Oregon, and other Western states, bringing their tastes, styles, and values with them, transforming the city into a desirable destination for travelers of all types.

Blissed out

I recently escaped for a weekend to Reno to check out what my friends were telling me was happening since my last visit, but I ended up blissing out at the Silver Legacy’s newly renovated spa almost the entire weekend. I enjoyed a relaxing hour and a half massage, meditated in the salt room, and lounged in the dry and wet saunas. If Powell-Lopez gets his way, The Spa and The Row will be transformed into an LGBT travel destination. The family-owned group of hotels is wellknown for its LGBT-friendliness, but he wants to step it up by creating LGBT events at the resort. He also wants to work with local queer events, such as gay ski weekends in Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada Pride, which takes place July 25, as well as traveling events, like the International the nomination,” Roy wrote. “This really is a recognition of the tens of thousands of Shanti volunteers and staff caregivers who have selflessly and tirelessly shown up with compassion and care over the decades for the LGBTQ community.” When asked about the criticism, Roy said he had not heard any. “No one has contacted me to say

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Gay and Lesbian Bowling Tournament, which Reno hosted in 2018. Northern Nevada Pride is produced by, and supports, Our Center, Reno’s LGBT community center. “Eldorado Resorts International is very gay-friendly,” Powell-Lopez said, marveling at the resort company’s ability to “extend their arms” to his husband of nine years (whom he didn’t name to retain his privacy), without any issues. When I emerged from the spa, I found more than enough to entertain myself within the four blocks that contain the three properties that underwent a $100 million renovation that started after the merger. The Row is a city unto itself featuring 25 restaurants, 22 bars and lounges, and 11 nightclubs, according to a 2018 news release announcing The Row. That doesn’t include the theaters and the Eldorado Showroom that hosts thousands of people to see live performances or the more than 4,000 luxury rooms and suites and casino spaces that together are 227,000 square feet with 3,000 slot machines and 125 table games.

wild mustangs feeding off the crab apple trees on his property and drinking water out of the fountain the couple built at their house. “I’ve been all over the world and for it to take my breath away at every turn ... it is just stunning.” An added bonus to The Row are the restaurants and bars along the Riverwalk, including one of Reno’s wellestablished gay bars, the 5 Star Saloon. The bar is just around the corner from The Row. Other gay hotspots around town include Splash Bar Reno and Carl’s, which is within walking distance of the Peppermill.

Where to eat

Reno offers much more for LGBT travelers beyond The Row. It’s easy to grab a ski shuttle or drive to the mountains for a day of winter fun. It’s a short 30-minute drive to Mount Rose, the closest ski resort, or an hour’s drive to many of Lake Tahoe’s top ski destinations. “The beauty and the nature that is around here is absolutely stunning,” said Powell-Lopez, who has

There are plenty of selections for eating at The Row from high-end, like the notable La Strada, to fast food and chain restaurants. I dined at the classic La Strada, where its signature mushroom ravioli can be ordered as an appetizer or main course. The raviolis are amazing, but this time I decided to explore the menu. I started with the Fried Artichokes “Alla Romana,” which were delicious dipped into the lemZon aioli, and selected the Tortellini panna prosciutto and piselli. I enjoyed the dishes with a glass of the Ripasso, Giuseppe Lonardi, Valpolicella Superiore wine. The highly esteemed Eldorado restaurant was recently joined by other eateries throughout The Row, such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Canter’s Delicatessen, Kanpai Sushi, El Jefe’s Cantina, Madame Butterwork’s Curious Cafe, Habit Burger Grill, Piezzetta Pizza Kitchen, and Panda Express,

anything critical of the nomination,” Roy said. “On the contrary, since our nomination became public, many current and former LGBTQ elect(ed)s, philanthropists, community leaders, and activists have reached out to me to share their heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for Shanti’s contributions to the community and to share how well-deserved they think

our nomination is.” When the B.A.R. reached out to SF Pride Executive Director Fred Lopez and board of directors President Carolyn Wysinger, it received a response from Peter Lawrence Kane, SF Pride’s communications manager. “Shanti is but one of many organizations that the public may choose to vote for as a community grand mar-

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according to the release, providing a variety of dining options. Outside of The Row and the Riverwalk, one of the favorite special nights out for my girlfriend and I is at 4th Street Bistro, but we also like going to Bricks Restaurant, Lulou’s, Campo, and the Wild River Grill, to name a few whenever we are in Reno.

Where to stay

There are two places we usually stay in Reno depending on our mood. If we want to walk around and explore downtown Reno, we choose to get a room at Eldorado or Silver Legacy. If we want a full-on resort experience, we head to the Peppermill, which means we have to drive to get anywhere else in Reno.

How to get there

The most popular way to get to Reno is to drive. It’s about four hours from the Bay Area up Interstate 80 to old U.S. 395 to Reno. Amtrak provides a comfortable seven-hour scenic ride through the Sierra to Reno. The Flix bus takes between four and five hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Multiple flights aboard any one of the major airlines are available from any of the Bay Area airports to the Reno-Tahoe Airport daily. The flight takes just over an hour. t For links to many of the places and accommodations mentioned in this story, see the online version at ebar.com.

shal, suggested by a member of the community via our online tool,” Kane wrote in an email to the B.A.R. February 25. “If the voting public prefers one of the other options, that’s who they will presumably choose.” Neither Kane, Lopez nor Wysinger would address the criticism of Shanti. See page 12 >>

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10 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

<< Community News

t Flower Bulb Day coming to SF compiled by Cynthia Laird

Professional headshots / profile pics Weddings / Events

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an Francisco’s Union Square will be saturated in the colors of 100,000 tulip bulbs for Flower Day 2020 Saturday, March 7. The event, which includes a free “tulip garden” where people are encouraged to pick their own bunch of tulips to take home to welcome spring, takes place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Flower Bulb Day is presented by Royal Anthos, with support from the European Union, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and the Union Square Business Improvement District. Royal Anthos represents companies that trade in flower bulbs and nursery stock products in Europe and abroad. According to a news release, Flower Bulb Day celebrates and showcases the beauty and availability of classic European flower bulbs. European traders export flower bulbs to more than 100 countries worldwide and the U.S. is by far the largest export market, the release noted. European traders alone export approximately 100 different species of flower bulbs annually, including lilies, hyacinths, daffodils, dahlias, gladioli, and of course, tulips. Union Square is located near the Powell Street BART and Muni stations. A large turnout is anticipated and organizers encourage people to use public transportation.

Leap year benefit for Rainbow center

Former board members of the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County in Concord are holding a leap year benefit Saturday, February 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Garden Room at the Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. The afternoon includes prix fixe items for sale, a live auction, and wine, beer, and water. Donations are encouraged. Admission is free. According to a flier, the event’s major sponsor is the Andreason Groups at Morgan Stanley. Other sponsors include Bedell Frazier Investment Counselling and John Muir Community Health Fund. For more information, check out the Rainbow center’s Facebook page.

Clinic helps former LGBTQ service members

LGBT people who served in the military can drop by a free weekly clinic in San Francisco to inquire about

iBulb

People flocked to Union Square last year for Flower Bulb Day.

getting access to various benefits provided to veterans and having their discharge corrected or upgraded if it was due to their sexual orientation. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a story last week, roughly 114,000 U.S. service members were “involuntarily separated” from the military due to their sexual orientation between the end of World War II and the repeal in 2011 of the homophobic “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that barred LGBT people from serving openly in the military. While many of those veterans could likely qualify to correct or upgrade their discharges and gain access to myriad benefits provided to veterans, it is estimated that a mere 8% had done so as of 2018. To help guide former LGBT service members through the process, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel Robert M. Alexander holds the weekly clinic from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the San Francisco Vet Center, which is located at 505 Polk Street. “I use the term LGBTQ former service members because I found that many LGBTQ veterans do not consider themselves veterans because they have been told for so long that they are not and assume veteran services are not meant for them,” explained Alexander, who earned a law degree in 2016. “Part of what I do is convince these folks that they are indeed veterans, but first I have to get them in the door.” Alexander, a gay man who retired from the military in 2013 after 22 years, is now an Equal Justice Works Fellow (which is sponsored by law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP) for Swords to Plowshares in San Francisco. He began the weekly clinics in January 2019 and has assisted 15 clients to date who made use of the free offering.

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs has a network of vet centers that function as small, community-based mental health clinics where veterans with discharges that are less than honorable can go for mental health services, noted Alexander. Through his fellowship, Alexander established a formal medical-legal partnership with the SF Vet Center and will refer his clients to the vet center staff when appropriate, and vice versa. Anyone wishing to confirm availability before coming to the Thursday clinics can call the SF Vet Center on the day prior in the afternoon at (415) 441-5051. Those who are unable to attend the clinics can seek assistance through Swords to Plowshares’ LGBTQ Veterans Legal Outreach program by emailing LGBTQveterans@stp-sf. org or calling (415) 252-4788 and asking for the legal department.

Andrews Episcopal Church, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mike’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 or to Michael Jay Stauffer Joyce in Mike’s honor can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/ medical-loss-of-wages-expenses-dueto-stroke. On March 15 at 3 p.m. there will be a small service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral to place Mike’s ashes to rest in the columbarium. For further details go to https:// sites.google.com/view/michael-cletus-joyce/home.

Arriving eager for adventure from New York City in the mid-1970s, unassuming Anita Orlando found her way into a gym and began weightlifting. She quickly developed a combination of physique and beauty that earned her a silver medal in women’s physique at the first Gay Games in 1982. Patrons of Twin Peaks bar loved Anita, where she waited tables for many years with her warm, talk-tome-about-anything, caring style. She loved plants and worked as a gardener; adored animals and was a dog groomer. She was quite talented at painting and stained glass. Also a hospice volunteer at Coming Home, Anita helped everyone she could, and died at that same hospice. She is survived by a family of cousins, including John Orlando, a former resident of San Francisco, along with two nephews. Her dearest friends Ellen and Linda of Berkeley, along with Lynnie, were her tireless caretakers, because they knew she was a special person. Indeed, Anita was.

Castro Cultural district elects 5 more board members

Five more people were elected to the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District advisory board during voting that occurred Saturday, February 22. According to the cultural district’s Facebook page, the new members are Steven Bracco, a city firefighter and contributor to Hoodline; Ms. Billie Cooper, a transsexual woman and founder of the TransLife program at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; Mahsa Hakimi, a Castro resident and founder of a boutique law firm in the city; Jesse Oliver Sanford, who’s been working with the cultural district since its inception; and Stephen Jon Torres, a substitute teacher. The first five advisory board members were elected in December. There are still five advisory board seats that community members will vote on soon, probably in April, according to the cultural district’s website. See page 12 >>

Obituaries >>

Thomas V. Halloran General Manager

Michael “Mike” Cletus Joyce October 17, 1950 – February 19, 2020

A native San Franciscan with 40 years of professional experience assisting families in need. A longtime resident of the Eureka Valley, Castro and Mission Districts; a member of the Castro Merchants Association and a 25 year member of the Freewheelers Car Club. At Duggan’s Funeral Service, which sits in the heart of the Mission, we offer custom services that fit your personal wishes in honoring and celebrating a life. We are committed to the ever-changing needs of the community and the diverse families we serve.

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Mr. Michael “Mike” Cletus Joyce of San Jose died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 69 on February 19, 2020. Mike is survived by his husband, the love of his life, Michael Jay Stauffer Joyce; they were married on July 1, 2017. Mike was an accomplished organist, pianist, and vocal performer as well as an instructor. He sang with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and other organizations in the Bay Area, as does his husband. Both traveled and performed on the Lavender Pen Tour with SFGMC and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir to advocate LGBTQ rights and can be seen in the “Gay Chorus Deep South” documentary. Mike sang with North Coast Men’s Chorus in Cleveland. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at St.

Anita Orlando March 26, 1951 – January 15, 2020

One of San Francisco’s kindest and loving spirits sadly left us after a long respiratory illness that she chose to manage reclusively.

Commentary>>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Trans athletes: 80 years of controversy by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

recently discussed some of the many bills making their way through statehouses this year, attempting to curtail, or even criminalize, transgender care. There is one category of these bills, however, that I feel deserves special attention. A number of these proposals are specifically trained on young trans athletes. Perhaps the best known of these bills right now is House Bill 2706, making its way through the Arizona Legislature. Called the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” the bill requires all sports sponsored by an education institution, such as schools, colleges, etc., be based on “biological sex,” according to the bill. It applies to public and private institutions. The bill doesn’t stop there, of course. While it does go on to specify that women’s sports “may not be open to students of the male sex,” it makes no opposing example of men’s sports. Further, the bill claims that any such dispute of an athlete’s gender will need to be resolved with a signed physician’s letter that determines an individual’s sex based on internal and external anatomy, testosterone levels, and the person’s genetic makeup. Setting aside the flaws with such determinations, and understanding the wide variances in genetics, physical anatomy, and testosterone levels, this means that a school could require all women – or at least any who are challenged, regardless if they are trans identified or not – to be subjected to a medical examination that would dis-

Christine Smith

close details of their private parts. Much the same is happening in Idaho, with HB 500; in Missouri with House Joint Resolution 82; and in Alabama, with HB 35 and HB 20, aka the Gender Is Real Legislative (GIRL) Act. I would not be surprised to see more of these bills hit statehouses between the time I write this and this column’s publication date. The issue is being treated as if it is a major one, requiring immediate legislative solutions, a new bulwark in the “culture wars,” if you will. Yet the issue only serves as easy election year “red meat” for conservatives looking for something to scare their base with. The notion of people somehow masquerading as the opposite gender to participate in women’s sports is nothing new. While I am sure there are plenty of examples dating back

into antiquity, the first modern example I was able to locate was at the 1936 Olympics, held in Nazi Germany. In those games, American Helen Stephens, known as the “Fulton Flash” due to her Missouri roots, defeated record holder and 1932 winner, Stanislawa Walasiewicz. One might wonder how this lifelong resident of Missouri would feel to know that her home state is championing the very type of testing she was subjected to in Berlin. Forty years later, the issue of transgender people in sports was once again headline news, as Renee Richards fought to play tennis in the U.S. Open in 1976. Richards refused a chromosome test, and was not allowed to compete in the U.S. Open, the Italian Open, or Wimbledon. The arguments against Richards are the same that we hear today, with

Editorial: SF props

From page 4

of workers; decreasing parking spaces; homeless encampments; competition from big box stores; ordinances banning chains (businesses with more than 11 locations); and the potential objection from neighbors, local merchant associations, and neighborhood groups. The main reason that retail vacancies are growing nationally is a profound change in consumer behavior as a result of the convenience of online shopping, competitive prices, and speedy delivery – more people are just not bothering to shop or dine in person. It’s irresponsible to pretend that slapping a vacancy tax on landlords, their subtenants or sublessers alone is the magic bullet to reverse this dynamic. The Board of Supervisors should be doing the hard work of cutting the red tape that frus-

Rick Gerharter

Formerly Sparky’s Restaurant, the location now is vacant, one of many empty storefronts in this block of Church Street.

trates and discourages businesses from operating in our neighborhoods; instead, it punted and placed Prop D on the ballot. We recently reported on a gay couple who spent several years trying to open a French tea salon in the

Polk Gulch neighborhood – and they’re not alone. Local businesses need meaningful support from City Hall to open faster and maintain conditions to succeed. Given the overwhelming support and desperation to do some-

some fearing that allowing Richards to play would open the door for any number of male players to change their own genders in order to compete in women’s tennis, while the United States Open Committee argued in court that trans women should not be allowed to compete at all, because “there is competitive advantage for a male who has undergone a sex change surgery as a result of physical training and development as a male.” Richards eventually did relent and took the required chromosome test. The result was ambiguous. Ultimately, Richards did win her case, and was able to play in the 1977 U.S. Open. She lost in the first round of singles competition, but was able to make it to the finals playing doubles. The latter could be considered Richards’ high water mark when it came to her tennis career. This leads us back to today. Another 40 years on, and we are still arguing about gender in athletics. Today, the biggest name mired in controversy is Caster Semenya, a lesbian middledistance runner and gold medalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It is debates over Semenya, who, like Richards, has been required to prove her gender in order to compete – and has been barred for refusing such tests – that have helped fuel a lot of the controversy over trans student

athletes. Semenya, however, is not transgender. She has naturally occurring high levels of testosterone. Not that details matter much to those seeking to smear anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow definitions of sex and gender. A lot of the discussion, though, is more of the same sort of anti-transgender animus wrapped up in faux sympathy over women’s causes that has gone on for ages. This isn’t about protecting women in sports so much as it is about creating an exclusion. What’s more, just as we saw with trying to bar trans women from restrooms, it will be all women, trans or not, who will bear the burden. This will be used to shame any woman who is viewed as not feminine enough and will discourage women from competing in an environment built on suspicion. Meanwhile, in 80 years of fears over men participating in women’s sports, not one case has come forth to actually show an unfair advantage. That alone should show just how foolish this debate even is. It’s time to let trans people compete, and leave such naked bigotry behind. t

thing to fill commercial spaces quickly, this measure is sure to pass. We need a sophisticated, comprehensive approach to address the conditions that discourage businesses from opening and thriving, but we’re not convinced that this cure will have the intended consequences as promised, and are wary that it has the potential to undermine its goals. Prop D needs 66 and 2/3% to pass. We recommend a no vote. Proposition E: Limits on Office Development. NO. Like Prop D, this measure looks for a quick fix to a very complicated problem. Prop E was placed on the ballot via an initiative petition. It would tie the city’s annual allotment for office space projects that are at least 50,000 square feet (large office projects) to whether the city is meeting its affordable housing goals, and sets a minimum affordable housing goal of 2,042 units per year for this

purpose. If the city doesn’t meet that goal, the next year’s allotment of square footage for office space would go down by the same percentage. San Francisco does need more affordable housing, but Prop E does not address this problem. Building costs in San Francisco are the highest in the country. Office developers who can’t figure out a way to make their projects pencil out with the required affordable housing goals must pay into the city’s affordable housing fund. This proposition would reduce the amount available for nonprofit developers and the city to build affordable housing. Opponents noted that it could cut $600 to $900 million in affordable housing fees created by new office space over the next 20 years. It’s exactly these fees that help fund affordable housing projects. It would also limit office space for

Gwen Smith can be found at www.gwensmith.com.

See page 13 >>

Historic SF LGBT site listed on federal register by Matthew S. Bajko

third site in San Francisco with ties to LGBT history has now been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Japanese YWCA/Issei Women’s Building is the fourth property on the West Coast given such federal recognition due to its place in LGBT history. The property at 1830 Sutter Street was officially listed on the National Register January 10. It is also now listed in the California Register of Historical Resources, providing some protections to the two-story-over-basement, wood frame structure designed by famed architect Julia Morgan. She worked pro bono on behalf of a group of Issei, or first generation, Japanese American women in the United States who were barred from using the YWCA’s

Courtesy California Department of Parks and Recreation.

The YWCA/Issei Women’s Building is located in San Francisco’s Japantown.

other facilities. The building was constructed in 1932 and sports an eclectic Japanese-inspired style.

(An addition also designed in a Japanese-inspired style was built in 2017.)

As explained in a letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – dated January 13 and included in the board’s February 25 meeting packet – State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco noted, “Placement on the National Register affords a property the honor of inclusion in the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation and provides a degree of protection from adverse effects resulting from federally funded or licensed projects.” The Japantown Y site was where the pioneering gay rights group the Mattachine Society hosted its first convention in May 1954, according to the city’s LGBTQ historic context statement. Bayard Rustin, the late gay African American civil rights leader, also taught a course at the site, according to research done by Donna Graves

in preparing the request for listing on the National Register. (While visiting Pasadena, California January 31, 1953 as part of his lecture tour on the topics of anti-colonial struggles in West Africa, Rustin was arrested after being discovered having sex with two men in a parked car and forced to register as a sex offender. Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom posthumously pardoned Rustin.) The two other sites in San Francisco listed on the National Register partly due to their LGBT historical ties are the Women’s Building and the Federal Building at 50 UN Plaza. There are now at least 27 LGBT national historic places. To learn more about the various sites, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqplaces.htm.t

<< Community News

12 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Supreme Court

Park tribute

From page 1

The visual arts committee of the city’s arts commission voted last Wednesday to approve the Milk lighted art piece for the bandshell facade. And at its February 20 meeting the rec and park commission unanimously voted 7-0 to also support the quote being part of the larger bandshell improvements. Allan Low, the oversight panel’s vice president, said he saw no reason why it shouldn’t be approved. The wording’s message of “equity and inclusiveness” is something all San Franciscans should embrace, he argued, “especially given this is a quote by Harvey Milk and the National AIDS Memorial Grove is in Golden Gate Park. I think it is important to include this lettering.” As part of the rec and park commission’s vote to include the quote, it directed the department’s staff to return to the historic preservation commission in order to address the concerns it had raised. That body will take up the matter again when it meets March 18. “We are keeping hope alive in this process as well,” Ben Davis, Illuminate’s founder and chief visionary officer, told the Bay Area Reporter following the rec and park commission’s decision.

News Briefs

From page 10

Public works kicks off cleaning with Castro focus

Under new acting director Alaric Degrafinried, San Francisco Public Works will bring its new SidewalkSpotlight SF program to the Castro Thursday, February 27.

nation, said the city, were “both a legal requirement, and an important city policy and value that must be embodied in our contractual relationships.” CSS and other agencies that have objected to treating same-sex couples in accordance with non-discrimination laws have portrayed the conflict as one in which a city is trying to “force” the agency “act and speak in a manner inconsistent with its sincere religious beliefs about marriage.” Lambda Legal’s Loewy said the case “could have implications for people who want to discriminate in the name of religion,” but she said this case is “about a taxpayer funded agency performing public services on behalf of the government for children in the public child welfare system.” “It raises establishment clause concerns that are not usually implicated by a private individual or business who would be subject to state or federal non-discrimination mandates,” said Loewy. But Minter said the Supreme Court could issue a broad ruling that could overrule or weaken its 1990 ruling in Oregon v. Smith, a landmark ruling that upheld the right of the state to deny unemployment compensation to two people who lost their jobs because they used an hallucinogenic drug. The two people, both Native Americans, said they

used the drug as part of their tribal religious practices. The Supreme Court upheld the state’s right to deny the compensation. “That ruling,” said Minter, “held that there is no religious liberty exception to neutral laws of general applicability, even when they may have a negative impact on people who hold certain religious beliefs.” And in recent years, the Supreme Court has issued rulings that have chipped away at the Oregon v. Smith decision. Most notably, in 2014, it ruled, in Hobby Lobby v. Burwell, that a closely held family company could deny certain health coverage mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act by saying the owners have religious objections to providing the coverage. The American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement Monday night, saying a ruling in favor of CSS could have “profound implications” for the more than 400,000 children in foster care around the country. “If contractors providing government foster care services can reject families that do not meet their religious litmus test, children will lose out on countless families they desperately need,” said the ACLU. “In addition to LGBTQ people, this could impact people of a different faith than the agency or who do not attend church.”t

At its meeting Wednesday, February 19, the Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-0 to approve everything proposed for the bandshell except the tribute to Milk. Commissioner Jonathan Pearlman, a gay man and local architect, said he found the lighted art piece to be “really inappropriate” and “very jarring.” “I don’t see how it enhances the project in any way,” he said. “It is completely unrelated to the music. I don’t feel the sign is appropriate. I would advocate for the sign not being there.” Commissioner Richard Johns, a local attorney and historian, agreed that the quote attributed to Milk detracted from the improvements being proposed for the bandshell. “It adds a certain tackiness that is not best added,” he said. “Whoever thought that ought to have rethought it.” Speaking to the commissioners, Davis argued that reminding people to keep hope alive “is a very powerful necessity and not just a commodity” in today’s current political climate. The message that Milk was conveying, he added, will “come through loud and clear with every single performance. It adds gravitas to the performers on the stage.” Yet his argument failed to sway Pearlman, who did praise Illuminate’s

light installation on the Bay Bridge for celebrating that structure. But in terms of the bandshell, he said he felt its proposed artwork wouldn’t have the same effect. “The wording and the lighting completely distracts from the beauty of this classical building, a Roman or Greek temple-type form,” he said. “Having this modern lit words on it – I don’t care how important the words are – completely distracts from the structure instead of enhances it.” Commissioner Chris Foley, a preservation professional, initially expressed support for the lighted artwork but in the end voted to reject it. “Their vision is one large vision and I am supportive of it. I personally think the sign is OK,” said Foley. Commissioner Kate Black, a real estate professional, said she felt Foley’s point was a valid one. But she was also persuaded by the concerns expressed by Pearlman and Johns as for why the lighted quote should not be approved. “This is an artistic vision and this has been thought through at great length. But I am also very persuaded by the notion that this sign ... and Harvey Milk was an incredibly important person in the history of San Francisco and his message is important to remember forever,” she said. “But I do see this particular sign being distractive and I think even distractive during a performance. If I

was a seated person in the audience, I would wonder why this brightly lighted sign is there.” As it works to persuade the historic preservation commissioners to rethink their vote, Illuminate will press ahead on installing the other lighting, sound equipment, and new risers for the bandshell so they are in place in April for events being planned to mark Golden Gate Park’s sesquicentennial. Davis told the B.A.R. that if the Milk quote is approved next month, it too should be ready to be installed in time for the 150th anniversary celebrations. The total cost for the bandshell project is $800,000 and it is being paid for by private funds. Davis told the B.A.R. earlier this month that Illuminate has $150,000 yet to raise, which he noted was fitting in light of the park’s anniversary year. It is the nonprofit’s intention to gift the new lighting and sound equipment to the city’s parks department so local performance groups could continue to use it. Currently, groups need to truck in their own such equipment if they wish to perform at the bandshell. If approved, the art piece would be installed for two years and be illuminated during the evenings, though Davis has told the B.A.R. he hoped the public would embrace seeing it become a permanent addition to the bandshell. t

(Former Public Works chief Mohammed Nuru resigned earlier this month after being charged by federal authorities with fraud in a city corruption scandal. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that the indictment against Nuru listed “Girlfriend 1,” who was subsequently identified by the paper as Sandra Zuniga, who had run the city’s FixIt program. She has been placed on

administrative leave, the paper reported.) The new sidewalk program will deep-clean busy neighborhood corridors throughout the city with a focus on litter removal, steam cleaning, graffiti abatement, trash pickup, and public education. The sidewalk cleanups will continue through June, according to a news release.

“Public Works is working handin-hand with the community to deliver much-needed sidewalk cleaning to our busiest merchant corridors,” City Administrator Naomi Kelly stated. The program kicked off Monday in the city’s Little Saigon neighborhood. “Obviously, keeping our sidewalks clean remains a high priority for

the community and for our department,” Degrafinried stated. The department is also prioritizing a rapid response to dog and human waste and tree basin cleaning, the release noted.t

Nominee leaving SF

whistleblower Chelsea Manning, who was named a community grand marshal before the board rescinded the honor. In a statement at the time, the board said Manning couldn’t be considered for the recognition because she wasn’t local. The following year, after a new SF Pride board was seated, Manning was named an honorary grand marshal. Lopez told the B.A.R. that Newman will still be a nominee for community grand marshal. “It’s admittedly pretty rare that someone nominated to be a com-

munity grand marshal leaves the Bay Area during the brief window between the submission of their name and the conclusion of the voting period, but if the public does in fact vote for Toni, then SF Pride would be honored to have her march with us on June 28,” Lopez stated. The other individual grand marshal nominees are Terry Beswick, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society; trans filmmaker StormMiguel Florez; womxn’s event producer Jolene Linsangan; stand-up comedian Baruch Porras-Hernandez; Mar-

vel Comics writer Gabby Rivera; Compton’s Transgender Cultural District Executive Director Aria Sa’id; social justice advocate Zwazzi Sowö; Marin Spectrum LGBT Center (now called the Spahr Center) founder the Reverend Dr. Janie Spahr; and San Francisco Community Health Center CEO Lance Toma. To vote for community and organizational grand marshals, go to http://www.sfpride.org/grandmarshals/. t

From page 1

businesses,” said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “The court would have to rule very broadly for that to happen, which it ordinarily tries to avoid. That said, we are in uncharted territory with this court, which has already shown a penchant to disregard its own precedent and norms.” Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund voiced optimism. “The Supreme Court has the opportunity to affirm the basic principle that when agencies accept government money to provide services to children involved in the public foster care system, their religious beliefs are not a license to discriminate,” said Lambda Legal senior counsel Karen Loewy. But the Supreme Court could have done that by simply not accepting the case, Fulton v. Philadelphia, which was in a preliminary phase of review. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision denied Catholic Social Services a preliminary injunction that would have allowed it to continue discriminating against samesex couples. The 3rd Circuit decision said, “religious or conscientious objections

SF Pride

From page 9

The results will be announced at Pride’s March 11 membership meeting. “The membership and the board itself will then weigh in with choices of their own, with the full results out in mid-April,” Kane wrote. The other organizational grand marshal nominees are Compton’s Transgender Cultural District; Frameline, the LGBT film festival; Lavender Seniors of the East Bay; and the LGBT Asylum Project.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could impact same-sex couples’ ability to become foster parents.

do not supersede the basic obligation to comply with generally applicable civil rights laws provided those laws are applied neutrally.” And, in this case, said the court, “The city has acted only to enforce its non-discrimination policy in the face of what it considers a clear violation.” The case before the court began when the city government of Philadelphia became aware that two of the 30 foster care agencies it works with were refusing to consider same-sex couples as foster parents. Because city and state law prohibit discrimiDavis said he hopes to be able to meet individually with the members of the Historic Preservation Commission in the coming weeks to better explain the concept behind the lighted quote and why it should be added to the bandshell facade. “I am heartened by the reaction of San Franciscans to this project and I take responsibility for not doing a good enough job as I should given the nuance of this expression to the historic preservation commissioners,” Davis told the B.A.R. “I see this as an opportunity, I see this as a mandate from rec and park to go back and better articulate the meaning of this expression to the historic preservation commissioners.” Gay former District 9 supervisor David Campos, whose idea to name the city’s airport after Milk was rejected but led to the naming of its Terminal 1 after the gay icon, told the B.A.R. February 20, he hopes the historic preservation commissioners will reconsider their decision. “I’m happy to hear that Harvey Milk’s quote was approved,” Campos said in response to the rec and park oversight body’s vote. “Harvey Milk is an integral part of San Francisco history and I hope the Historic Preservation Commission recognizes that fact and approves this as well.”

In another community grand marshal matter, nominee Toni Newman announced Tuesday that she is immediately stepping down from St. James Infirmary, a nonprofit that provides services to sex workers and others, and relocating to Los Angeles. (See related story on page 2.) SF Pride’s website notes that community grand marshals “are local heroes who have contributed greatly to the SF Bay Area LGBTQ community or to society at large.” That language was added after the 2013 controversy over trans

nation based on sexual orientation, the city said it could no longer work with the two agencies. One of the two agencies worked out an agreement with the city, but the other, Catholic Social Services, refused, saying it would violate its religious beliefs to comply with the non-discrimination law. The city replied that, while it had “respect [for CSS’s] sincere religious beliefs,” CSS had “chosen voluntarily to partner with us in providing government-funded, secular social services.” Equality and non-discrimi-

Panel calls lighted artwork distracting

Matthew S. Bajko contributed reporting.

t <<

Election 2020>>

Political Notebook

From page 5

an and former president of the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club, the county’s LGBT political club. “I am running for the right reason – to have a vote and seat at the table,” explains Goodall on her campaign site for why she is running to serve on the committee. “I am open to change, can listen, and believe holding elected officials accountable. I am an individual who is an effective messenger, passionate, and

committed to advocacy.” Queer women Melissa ShuenMallory and Vanessa Sadsad are seeking seats in the 20th Assembly District. And there are also a number of out candidates running in the 15th Assembly District, including gay Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner James Chang; gay DCCC incumbents Andy Kelley and George Perezvelez, who also serves on the county’s Fire Advisory Commission; artist Alfred Twu, who is nonbinary; and lesbians Ces Rosales, a web design development, and Bar-

Alameda

From page 6

forming charter schools” who is also “discerning” and had “voted for and against charters.” Also supporting Childress are her board colleague Joaquin J. Rivera, a gay man who has served on the education body for a decade and is currently the board president, and Alameda County Superintendent L. Karen Monroe. “My vision is simple but not easy, make sure that Alameda County school districts are equipped to provide access to a quality education for every child, regardless of the neighborhood that they live in,” argues Childress, a native of Oakland, for why she deserves a second term. “We are moving in that direction, some districts, quicker than others. Fully funding public schools across California is necessary to carry out this goal.” Asked about charter schools, Normand told the B.A.R. she supports parents having a choice for how they

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

Editorial: SF props

From page 11

nonprofits and small businesses. The city controller noted in the voter guide that in 1986, voters adopted a program that generally created a limited annual allotment of new office spaces that may be developed in the city.

Courtesy Angela Normand

Angela Normand

want to educate their children. “I believe parents have a right to choose what they believe is best for their children. I would like to advocate every student deserves the best; that is where the theme in my campaign is coming from,” said Normand, who

Prop E would amend that. Prop E requires 50% plus 1 to pass. Vote no on Prop E.

California Proposition 13

Authorizes bonds for facility repair, construction, and modernization at public preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. YES. First off, this Prop 13 has noth-

bara “Bobbi” Lopez, policy director for lesbian Oakland At-Large City Councilwoman and current president Rebecca Kaplan.

Assemblyman David Chiu (DSan Francisco) drew no opponent by the filing deadline last year to seek his 17th Assembly District seat covering the city’s eastern neighborhoods. Thus, voters in his district will only see his name listed on their

March 3 primary ballots. And he is all but assured of winning another two-year term come the November 3 general election. Nevertheless, he has been sending out four-page mailers touting his election and endorsements from various political leaders and advocacy groups. It has some speculating the mailings are meant to boost his name recognition ahead of a bid for higher office in a few years. For voters who may be less than thrilled with Chiu’s leadership in the state Legislature, they now have an

option for casting a protest vote in next week’s election. Last week the secretary of state’s office announced that Starchild, a bisexual erotic service provider and Libertarian Party member, had qualified to be a writein candidate in the AD 17 race. Over the years Starchild has run numerous times for elected positions in San Francisco, including for Assembly, supervisor and a seat on the city’s Board of Education. He has also long advocated for legalizing sex work. t

doesn’t have children of her own. “This is obviously what I advocate for and champion for everyone.” Normand won the endorsement of the Alameda County Democratic Party and also the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club, the main LGBT political group in Alameda County. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is backing her, as is Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland). She was born in East Oakland but raised in Chicago, where her parents moved after they divorced when Normand was a child. She would visit relatives in the East Bay each summer and knew she wanted to move back to California one day. From 1993 through 2003 Normand served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed for two tours of duty in Okinawa, Japan. It allowed her to travel throughout Southeast Asia. Her family longed served in the military, as her dad was in the Navy and several uncles served in the Army.

“We have folks who served all the way back to the civil war,” said Normand. Asked why she chose the Marine Corps, Normand noted it has had the fewest number of women and particularly black women, of the service branches. “I never wanted to look back on my decision and wonder if I could be a Marine. I knew it would be the most challenging,” she said. When she left the military, Normand earned her teaching credential at California State University, Hayward (now known as Cal State East Bay). She worked for a year at a school, now closed, in Contra Costa County for students age 10 to 18 with behavioral disorders and had spent time in the juvenile justice system. “It really was an experience to learn how to connect and encourage someone who has been discouraged to learn and to achieve,” said Normand. Initially thinking she would teach high school English, Normand was

encouraged by her advisers to become a special education teacher, as there was a greater need for such educators. She was hired as such by the Brentwood school district in 2007 and works with middle school students. “I thought about it for a moment and something just clicked that this might be a good thing. I never looked back,” she recalled. Her decision to now seek the education board seat mirrors her resolve to never second-guess herself when it comes to pursing opportunities, explained Normand. “Honestly, that’s been a constant motivator for me my whole life, to include running for this seat. I would really hate to look back and wonder ‘if ’ I could have won and what difference I could have made,” she said. “The Marine Corps urged us to go back to our communities and make them better. I am servicedriven, and that’s why I am running.” t

ing to do with property taxes and the “original” Prop 13 that passed in 1978. This Prop 13 is a legislative statute that allows the state to sell general obligation bonds totaling $15 billion – of which $9 billion is for public schools and $6 billion is for higher education facilities. The funding is designated for four specific types of projects: renovation, new con-

struction, charter schools, and career technical education facilities. The higher education funding is spread evenly among community colleges, state universities, and UC campuses. The voter guide notes that some school districts could undertake more facility projects because of the additional state bond money, along with their own local bonds,

like Prop A for City College. Prop 13 has broad bipartisan support, including Governor Gavin Newsom, the Bay Area’s legislative delegation, and many Republican lawmakers. It needs 50% plus 1 to pass. Vote YES on Prop 13. t

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038962000

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038967600

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555600

Escort approved as SF Assembly write-in contender

Legal Notices>> NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ESTHER SOO HOO IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-20-303461

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ESTHER SOO HOO. A Petition for Probate has been filed by JOHN SOO HOO in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that JOHN SOO HOO be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: March 04, 2020, 9:00 am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney or Party Without Attorney for petitioner: John Soo Hoo, 311 Oak St #811, Oakland, CA 94607; Ph. (510) 332-3120.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555512

In the matter of the application of: MATT SCOTT, 908 CONNECTICUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MATT SCOTT, is requesting that the name MATT SCOTT, be changed to WAZIR ABDULLAH MUHAMMAD. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103, Room 103 on the 2nd of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE # JD10-3011

In the matter of the application of: RYAN SHEETS # 229823, LAW OFFICE OF RYAN SHEETS, 459 FULTON ST #304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CEDRIC JEROME TATUM, is requesting that the name CEDRIC JEROME TATUM, be changed to DOMINIC MORGAN KRASOWSKI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 425, Room 425 on the 9th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555561

In the matter of the application of: WINNIE JEAN LIU, 2240 BAY ST #207, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner WINNIE JEAN LIU, is requesting that the name WINNIE JEAN LIU AKA WEI WEI LIU, be changed to WEI WEI LIU. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 19th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555571

In the matter of the application of: LOUISE ROBB STIMSON, 150 PINE ST #25, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner LOUISE ROBB STIMSON, is requesting that the name LOUISE ROBB STIMSON, be changed to SOPHIE LOUISE SCHULZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of April 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038965500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AVA HANDYMAN SERVICES, 2231 16TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ARTUR SENIKI HOVHANNISYAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUSHI SHOUBU, 2 MARINA BLVD. C370, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TAKESHI UCHIDA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/27/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/20.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038938900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WAKE THE WOLVES, INC., 933 VERMONT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed WAKE THE WOLVES, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/14/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/30/2020

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038966800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WAXMAN & ACHERMANN, 340 PINE ST #503, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAMES ACHERMANN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/10/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SPICE, 8 JOOST AVE #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PROJECT SPICE INC (DE). 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 01/29/20.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038940900

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038961900

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038964800

FEB 06, 13, 20, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038966000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO LANGUAGE SERVICES, 82 B MIRABEL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed FERNANDA M. MONMANY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/13/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAKURA APARTMENTS, 1890 SUTTER ST #312, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a trust, and is signed JOSEPH XUEREB & GRACE WILSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/84. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RARITY ENTERPRISES, 620 HAMILTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DOMINIQUE CLEOPE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 23 ART DESIGNS, 1570 SUTTER ST #306, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 23 ART DESIGNS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038961700

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038967000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NEPENJI JAPAN CENTER BEAUTY CLINIC, 1825 POST ST #160, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KANADERU (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TERPSICHORA BALLET SCHOOL, 1700 POST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TERPSICHORA BALLET SCHOOL, 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 01/29/20.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038962200

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038971400

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ALTITUDE LEARNING, 49 STEVENSON ST #1000, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ALTSCHOOL, INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FOG CITY CONSTRUCTION, 1592 UNION ST #484, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROBERT KELLER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/03/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/20.

In the matter of the application of: FRANCES BENDER, 2040 BROADWAY #301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner FRANCES BENDER, is requesting that the name AVA GRACE BENDER, be changed to AVA-GRACE MARGARET BENDER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm 103 on the 24th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555584 In the matter of the application of: GRACE NAN KAO, 25 SIERRA ST #W304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107 & AIDAN SIOBHAN MADIGAN-CURTIS, 1395 22ND ST #411, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner GRACE NAN KAO & AIDAN SIOBHAN MADIGAN-CURTIS, are requesting that the name QUINN ISABELLA MADIGAN-KAO, be changed to QUINN ISABELLA KAO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept 103, on the 19th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555583 In the matter of the application of: AUDREY ANNE SCHENCK, 2242 SLOAT BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner AUDREY ANNE SCHENCK, is requesting that the name AUDREY ANNE SCHENCK, be changed to AUDREY ANNE SCHENCK BADJO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept 103N, Rm 103N on the 19th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038959700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JULIE’S SAFE CLEANING, 394 CAPISTRANO AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GUILLERMINA ALAMILLA RAMIREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/24/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020

<< Legals

14 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

SUMMONS (FAMILY LAW) SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: THOMAS WOODROW PRICE II, YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. PETITIONER’S NAME IS MIRIAM PRICE, AKA MARIAM PRICE, AKA MARIAM MELKO CASE NO. 19FL003010

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter or phone call will not protect you. If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courts. ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association. NOTICE-RESTRAINING ORDERS: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them. FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party. The name and address of the court are FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER COURTHOUSE, 201 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95113. The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, is: Motaz M. Gerges, Esq, 330 Arden Ave #210, Glendale, CA 91203; 818-396-4433. Date: 08/05/19. Clerk of the Superior Court, by A. Georgieva, Deputy. STANDARD FAMILY LAW RESTRAINING ORDERS Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from: 1. removing the minor children of the parties from the state or applying for a new or replacement passport for those minor children without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court. 2. cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor children. 3. transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and 4. creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party. You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs. NOTICE – ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE: Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com . Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506. WARNING – IMPORTANT INFORMATION California law provides that, for purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555577 In the matter of the application of: CORY MICHAEL JUHLIN, 855 BRANNAN ST #678, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CORY MICHAEL JUHLIN, is requesting that the name CORY MICHAEL JUHLIN, be changed to CORY MICHAEL HAWKRAVEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept 103N, Rm 103N on the 19th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555578

In the matter of the application of: DAVID ADAM HURST, 855 BRANNAN ST #678, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DAVID ADAM HURST, is requesting that the name DAVID ADAM HURST, be changed to DAVID ADAM HAWKRAVEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept 103N, Rm 103N on the 19th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038975600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SF TRIAL TECH, 241 NEVADA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MICHAEL SKRZYPEK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/04/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038963900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MISE EN PLACEMENT, 165 MARGARET AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANTE RAMON NUÑO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/28/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038963700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: A FINE INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING, 1250 BUCHANAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed AFI CRECY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/28/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/28/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038975400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GLOBAL MEDIA X, 219 DWIGHT RD, BURLINGAME, CA 94010. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed LOURDES ALCAZAREN-KEELEY & CAROLINE OCAMPO. 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 02/04/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038964700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TAISHAN CUISINE, 781 BROADWAY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed HUIYUAN INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/21/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038978700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ARBOR, 384 HAYES ST #B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed THE ABSINTHE GROUP, 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 02/06/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038954300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BRAND NEW DAY, 5455 GARDEN GROVE BLVD #500, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed UNIVERSAL CARE, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/10/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/21/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038966500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SOUTH BEND DESIGN, LLC, 726 GUERRERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SOUTH BEND DESIGN, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038971600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO ICE COMPANY, 45 WILLIAMS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GLACIER ICE COMPANY (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/03/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038976500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NINE HIVES, 738 CLIPPER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed NOVE VINEYARDS, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/05/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/05/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038978800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PROXY PRESS, 105 FAIRMOUNT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CONTEXT MARKETING SERVICES 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 02/06/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038980100

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038959600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CADILLAC BAR AND GRILL, 1355 MARKET ST #160, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DOS LAREDOS, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/06/20.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MEN’S HEALTH HAVEN, 55 NEW MONTGOMERY #306, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEPHEN TRAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/24/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038959400

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038988100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ONESTOP WINE & SPIRITS, 1373 CAYUGA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ONESTOP TRADING LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/20/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038966300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIG & THISTLE APOTHECARY, 313 IVY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 415 NATIVE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 13, 20, 27, MARCH 05, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555619 In the matter of the application of: CHRISTOPHER KENDALL CARR, P.O.BOX 14702, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CHRISTOPHER KENDALL CARR is requesting that the name CHRISTOPHER KENDALL CARR AKA CHRISTOPHER KINSEY CRONIN AKA CHRISTOPHER CRONIN, be changed to CHRISTOPHER KINSEY CRONIN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept 103N, Rm 103N on the 2nd of April 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555608 In the matter of the application of: JOE LOUIS LOPEZ, 1050 PINE ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JOE LOUIS LOPEZ, is requesting that the name JOE LOUIS LOPEZ AKA JOSEPH LUIS LOPEZ AKA JOSEPH L. LOPEZ AKA JOSEPH LOPEZ, be changed to JOSEPH LUIS LOPEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm 103 on the 26th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038989000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRACTICALI LAW, 44 MONTGOMERY ST 3RD FL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SIRIVATH MU. 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 02/13/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038982400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YSA BARBERSHOP, 763 ELLIS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ISA ALY MOHAMATH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/02/06. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/10/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038988600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: VALUEXCHANGE DIAMOND IMPORTERS, 999 GREEN ST #2503, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HAROLD APFELBAUM. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/31/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/13/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038989100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JAYNE ALTAFFER STYLIST, 178 BLUXOME ST, UNIT 206, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAYNE BOYLE ALTAFFER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/13/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/13/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038971800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ROYALTYDNA, 60 29TH ST, #232, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ZEMA COLE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/03/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: UNICA DENTAL, 2813 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DR. CHOI DMD, 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 02/13/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038982600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FAST PRO SERVICES, 1610 POST ST #301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PACIFIC LIGHT GROUP INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/10/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/10/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038956600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE IH0011, 300 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HENLEY PACIFIC SF LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/15/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/20.

FEB 20, 27, MARCH 05, 12, 2020 AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555559

In the matter of the application of: NATALYA SHITOVA, 125 CAMBON DR #4E, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner NATALYA SHITOVA, is requesting that the name NATALYA SHITOVA, be changed to NATALYA PINKHASOVA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103N, on the 10th of March 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 06, 13, 20, 27, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039000400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WATCHERS SECURITY, 950 GILMAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CURTIS THOMAS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/24/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/24/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038995900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TOISHAN IRONWORKS, 730 HURON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SHI ZHU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/19/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038969800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE APERTURIST, 810 GONZALEZ DR., #4F, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EKEVARA KITPOWSONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/28/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038995200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC CENTER, 155 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVEN BIEGEL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/99. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/19/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038996300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUGAR COIN PRESS, RISING CHIMERA PRODUCTIONS, 2261 MARKET ST #418A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOYCE Y. LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/14/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/20/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038965400

(CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038980000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHE BENDS, 1340 BRYANT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MERYL PATAKY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/02/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/06/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038990300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NANI HEATING & AIR-CONDITIONING, 1075 QUESADA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOVICA MAKSIMOVIC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/13/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/14/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038998900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HEALGOOD, 1571 23RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STACEY MICHAELS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/07/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/21/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038999000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HAPPY CHILDHOOD, 2268 17TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TATIANA SERGUNINA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/21/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/21/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038996100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JL PAINTING, 79 REGENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed ZHI XIN YANG & JOE LOC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/19/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038994900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: POLYGON VISUALS, 2750 42ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed POLYGON VISUALS INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/19/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/19/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039000300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OTRA, 682 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ONE TABLE MANAGEMENT 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 02/24/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038992200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE PATIO, 3232 SCOTT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ALPHA BAR 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 02/18/20.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038361100

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: PARIGO, 3232 SCOTT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by ALPHA BAR LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/17/18.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-037886600

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: HAPPY CHILDHOOD, 2268 17TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business was conducted by a married couple and signed by EDWARD ROMANOV & JANET ROMANOV. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/08/17.

FEB 27, MARCH 05, 12, 19, 2020

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MERKADO SAN FRANCISCO, 130 TOWNSEND ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed NO WALLS LLC

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In accordance with the provisions of the California Commercial Code, Section 7201-7210, there being due and unpaid storage for which Closetbox holds the lien as warehouseman on the goods hereinafter described and due notice having been given to parties known to own or claim an interest therein and the time specified in such notice for payment on such charges having expired, notice is hereby given that the goods located in San Francisco will be sold at www.storagestuff.bid.com On 3/12 at 1:15PM. The household goods of Ernest Trice are being sold on monies owed of $5,012.70 and includes boxes, furniture, and appliances. On 3/12 at 10:00AM. The household goods of Kiara Fletcher are being sold on monies owed of $12,081.60 and includes boxes, furniture, and appliances.

ASSOC. DIRECTOR, SALES OPERATIONS. –

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS ENGINEERING, ADS. –

Engage with senior executives in advertising business to set company’s indirect sales strategy, negotiate commercial deals, etc. Req. 2 yrs exp in job or 2 yrs exp in Sales or Bus. Strategies or rel. occup. Any suitable combo of educ, training &/or exp is acceptable. Jobsite: San Francisco, CA. Send resume ref#19051 to: J. Chu, Activision Blizzard Media, LLC, 405 Howard St, #400, San Francisco, CA 94105.

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Lead cross-functional solutions initiatives operating across Product, Engineering, Ops, & Sales. Req. Bach. in Comp. Networks or rel field or foreign equiv & 1 yr exp in job or 1 yr exp as Systems Admin. &/or Support Dir. or rel. occup. Any suitable combo of educ, training &/or exp is acceptable. Jobsite: San Francisco, CA. Send resume ref#19050 to: J. Chu, Activision Blizzard Media, LLC, 405 Howard St, #400, San Francisco, CA 94105.

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Full frontal

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Marriage story

Vol. 50 • No. 9 • February 27-March 4, 2020

www.ebar.com/arts

Minna Hatinen

Salonen Year One San Francisco Symphony unveils 2020-21 season by Philip Campbell

he lobby of Davies Symphony Hall felt more like a big, glamorous bar last week as the San Francisco Symphony announced the 2020-21 Season, its first with Music Director Designate EsaPekka Salonen on the podium. More meet-and-greet than press conference, the enthusiastic gathering signaled a future filled with inclusion and adventure. Everyone is invited, and everyone should find something exciting to explore. See page 22 >>

San Francisco Symphony Music Director Designate Esa-Pekka Salonen.

An overalls ad from the 1930s, from Levi Strauss Co. Archives.

Jean genie Lionizing lying

by Sura Wood

“L

evi Strauss: A History of American Style,” a new exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, has a promising backstory. The saga, we’re told, started in 1873, towards the end of the Gold Rush, when Levi Strauss & Co., which bore the name of its owner, a San Francisco merchant and Jewish immigrant, patented riveted pants. The innovation marked the planet’s first blue jean. That momentous event led to a phenomenon that began as durable clothing for miners, 49ers and blue-collar workers, and became the uniform of youth and the fashion elite worldwide. It also swelled the coffers of a family whose philanthropic contributions were important to the development of the city. See page 20 >>

by Tim Pfaff

wo misfortunes, one likely unforeseen, attend the publication of Peter Kispert’s new short story collection “I Know You Know Who I Am” (Penguin). The first is its coming hard on the heels of Garth Greenwell’s story collection “Cleanness,” with which comparisons could be drawn, but I have neither the space nor the heart. The second is that lying is its theme, its subject, its narrative, its genre, and there is reason to believe that readers in 2020 have had enough of lying. See page 16 >>

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

Courtesy Penguin

Courtesy CJM

“I Know You Know Who I Am” author Peter Kispert.

16 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

<< Out There

t Colors in a Japanese rainbow by Roberto Friedman

– for Kana, he’s her giant Canadian uncle, and for Yaichi, his gay brother-in-law. Sweetly, Kana comes to love and full acceptance first, learning to take part in the Western custom of hugging friends hello and goodbye easily. At first it seems strange that such a young and vulnerable girl should come to love such a big and hulking stranger, but later the reader learns that she keeps a collection of lovable teddy bears, and Mike, with his full beard and big, hairy frame, is nothing if not one of them.

Yaichi has a longer road to love and acceptance, but he gets there. He begins by believing that “Men marrying each other is weird” but ends up understanding that his twin brother had a loving marriage with Mike, and regretting having become estranged from him. This intimate story is told against the backdrop of contemporary Japan, which, while modern in many ways, still keeps the trappings and habits of mind of the traditional culture. So we meet a young man who is still struggling with his sexuality, and a contemporary of Yaichi’s who can’t go public with being gay. By the novel’s end, Yaichi is working on raising the consciousness of Kana’s schoolteacher, calling on him to accept the presence of her Canadian uncle. It’s a heart-warming tale, told with a minimum of language but 704 pages full of wonderful pictures. Given Tagame’s background in illustrating Japanese bondage techniques, it’s no surprise that Yaichi’s gym physique and Mike’s bearish bulk are rendered in such loving detail when they emerge naked from the bath or hot spring. But except for a slightly shocking episode when Mike, coming home after drinking, grapples with Yaichi, reminded so much of his mirror image Ryoji, the book isn’t concerned with the erotic impulse. It’s a story of family, acceptance and personal growth, and easily transcends cultures. Highly recommended for Japanese and Gaijin alike.t

pale, vulnerable, caught in the crevasse between truth and fiction.” Or of another: “So he kept talking, kept offering these gifts of exaggerated strangeness. It was almost generous, he remembered thinking.” The stories, some previously published, are here arranged in an order that induces the reader to expect that the fare will be gay romantic theatrics of a barbed, Wildean variety. “Breathing Underwater,” one of the longest, most absorbing stories, is built on the premise that “Gavin held a golden memory of his first important lie. He remembered how the words had tumbled out in a way he almost couldn’t control, how easy – even clean – it was to tell Erin before gym class that he could see the future, that he’d seen it before.” But it’s not long until the reader is drawn away from the innate humor of wannabe actors being actors in their relationships and into the realms of Edgar Allan Poe, in stories such as “Rorschach.” With some laugh lines along the way, it tells of staged live shows in which prisoners are used as actors in real onstage crucifixions, driving all other forms of local entertainment out of business. Almost generous! Kispert is a taxonomist of lies and other forms of deception, ghosts without sheets. In addition to plays, there are dreams (mostly nightmares) and the practiced dishonesty of family discourse. A lesbian travels for her father’s funeral but understands by the time she’s hours late for the wake and still dressing in her Hitchcockian hotel room that it might be a better time for a swim, at a beach that would have done Tennessee Williams proud, with children spearing sand sharks. Former diving champ Gavin is literally tripped up in the shallows by a human skeleton whose ribs he is relieved not to have broken – unless it’s all an illusion or just a terrible mistake.

Like Caesar his Gaul, Kispert divides his 21 stories into three parts: “I Know,” “You Know” and “Who I Am.” But a reader with my gullibility (I can come to the end of a whodunit and still not know who did it) might be well into “Who I Am” before it clicks that the characters have appeared before, sliced and diced in previous stories, and are now coming back to take their revenge some like some recombinant virus. Then, as anywhere in the endless tally of our impeached president’s lies, you find that you’re caught in what looked like a honeycomb but turned out to be a spider web; that despite your best intentions you’ve been tricked into reading one more; you’re exhausted and demoralized. The handful of short short stories, dropped in along the way like hailstones that usurp the narrative only to melt away as quickly, feel more experimental than essential. But some of the individual stories use fierce concentration to create narratives of real impact. A principal contender for main character, Finn, is made up, even in the context of the stories in which he appears. By “Who I Am,” patent surrealism is the name of the game; the nerve ends of humor have been cauterized, and any remaining sense of pleasure is gone, overtaken by bewilderment, killed off by the certainty that you’re the dupe. Let me be clear: I’ll read Kispert’s next book. That he can write is not a lie. He writes sentences with the tails of scorpions and deploys vocabulary like IEDs. He’s genuinely funny and as adept at a specifically gay male dialect of irony, neither fey nor fatal, as any writer I can think of. Remarkable as his skills are, it’s his ambition that gets the reader down, by repeatedly feeling fleeced. It’s bedtime here, and I’m lying down with Anna Karenina, a woman I know well because Tolstoy I trust.t

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apanese manga artist Gengoroh Tagame is well-known for his intricate drawings of men tied up in various forms of Japanesestyle bondage and rope play. But he won the Japan Media Arts Award for Outstanding Work of Manga, and the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material, Asia, for his first all-ages title, “My Brother’s Husband.” Now that graphic novel has been published in its complete form (Vol. 1 & 2) in a colorful paperback, translated from the Japanese by Anne Ishii (Pantheon Books). It’s the story of Yaichi, a single dad living in contemporary Tokyo with his young daughter Kana. One day a large Canadian visitor, Mike Flanagan, appears at their home and announces that he’s the widower of Yaichi’s twin brother Ryoji. Estranged from his traditional Japanese family, gay Ryoji had left Japan 10 years previously, and had been living and happily married to Mike in Toronto. Yaichi and Kana take in this plus-sized Gaijin (foreigner) so that Mike can find the places in the neighborhood Ryoji had told him about from his boyhood. Gradually his Japanese hosts come to think of Mike as the family he has become to them

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Peter Kispert

From page 15

Lies have always been central to fiction – the first paragraph of “Ethan Frome,” for example; the first couple’s answer to God in Genesis; all of “Anna Karenina,” including that first sentence so famous and resonant people regularly misquote it – and it wouldn’t take long to drum up a thesis that the essence of fiction itself is lying. Maybe Kispert is speaking for himself when he puts into the mouth of what turns out to be a main character the words: “I felt

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<< Theatre

18 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Big score for G-strings & heartstrings by Jim Gladstone

ome of the most compelling performances in Bay Area Musicals’ crowd-pleasing production of “The Full Monty” go unseen. I don’t mean the Free Willy finale, in which the show’s sextet of leading men really do drop trou, maintaining a modicum of discretion only through lighting director Eric Johnson’s split-second timing. I’m talking about the all-in, balls-out bravura of music director John Gallo and the five-piece combo he leads through composer David Yazbek’s grab-you-by-the-collar score. From an offstage perch out of the theater’s sightlines, they ace the punchy rock and R&B vernacular that these songs are built for. Throwing themselves into the music with palpable heart and enthusiasm, the band had this viewer beating a rhythm on his knee and shimmying in his seat during several numbers over the course of the evening. Hold that thought for a moment. Actually, hold it until May, and consider it in relationship to a more recent Yazbek score when “The Band’s Visit” plays the Golden Gate Theatre. That sinuous, Middle East-inflected music, all smoke and whisper, is just as accomplished than (and radically different from) the “Monty” tunes. If Yazbek’s name doesn’t register with you (or if you

Ben Krantz Studio

Scene from the Bay Area Musicals production of “The Full Monty” now at the Victoria Theatre.

muddle him in your mind with the celebrated Broadway actor-dancer Tony Yazbeck), it may well be because he so generously disappears into each project he works on. A collaborative ventriloquist, Yazbek seems intent on generating a sound ideally suited for each show’s milieu rather than employing a signature style that stands out like Sondheim’s or registers like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s. This bespoke craftsmanship may not be in sync with our era’s penchant for personal branding, but from an audience member’s perspective, it makes each Yazbek show, when they’re mounted as effectively as director/choreographer Leslie Waggoner has done here, feel singular and very much alive. They’re not aiming for an established canon,

they’re shooting high and sparkling like fireworks, not all commercial smashes, but very much worth seeing. Catch them when you can. In addition to “The Full Monty” and “The Band’s Visit,” Yazbek has been represented on Broadway by “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” and “Tootsie.” All five were Tonynominated for Best Original Score. Based on the charming 1997 British film and transplanted to Buffalo, NY, “The Full Monty” follows six long-unemployed steel-plant workers as they concoct a Chippendalestyle striptease act in order to earn money and regain some self-esteem. It’s the latter aspect of this motley crew’s efforts, the soul stripping, that makes the show compelling. Terence McNally’s book lightly

riffles through a wide range of issues – father/son relationships, materialism, body image, industrial decline, and prejudices about race, gender and sexuality – without ever sinking into preaching or mawkishness. But it’s Yazbek’s score and a fine cast’s delivery that keep the show from merely ticking the boxes on a predictable list of social ills. The songs infuse a sense of swelling, rough-hewn and emotional depth into the characters. When ringleader Jerry (James Schott), best bud Dave (Chris Plank) and depressed, closeted gay colleague Malcolm (Jackson Thea) croon the mock singer-songwriter ballad “Big Ass Rock,” Yazbek’s black-humored lyrics about suicide counter the sweetness of his melody, underscoring the guys’ discomfort with their own emotions. But when Plank gleefully flashes a heavy metal devil-horns gesture, Horse (Albert Hodge) rips his way through the deliriously appealing James Brown dance pastiche “Big Black Man,” or all six guys find the lyrical safe space of sports metaphor in “Michael Jordan’s Ball,” they tap into a gregarious, unfinessed energy rarely captured in musical theater (a world in which gay men often drive the aesthetics). There’s a song called “The Goods” in which women’s breasts are saluted as “bodacious funbags” in a way that comes off as more earnest than offensive.

Four strong female characters not only temper the men’s tomfoolery, but also revel in their own playful, sometimes juvenile carnality. Among them, Adrienne Herro, playing a wife who is terribly misperceived as a golddigger, performs “Life With Harold” with infectious, high-kicking Chita Rivera gusto. Brie Pomerantz, as overweight Dave’s steadfast partner, provides a palpable emotional throughline from the first scene to the last. Over the course of the show, two of the dudes, Thea’s smooth-crooning Malcolm and Stephen Kanaski’s frisky sparkplug Ethan, slowly slide into a romance that feels organic, unforced and is pleasantly underemphasized relative to the straight characters’ marital struggles. For about five years now, a musictheater version of “Magic Mike” has been in the works, because some cabal of marketing geniuses thinks a single Broadway adaptation of a male stripper-themed movie just isn’t enough. But it is. And it’s “The Full Monty.” Roll out a San Francisco welcome mat for BAM and David Yazbek. And chant “Ta-ta!” to Channing Tatum.t The Full Monty, through March 15. Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St., SF. Tickets ($35-$85): (415) 340-2207, www.bamsf.org.

Electile dysfunction in the Castro by Jim Gladstone

t’s a good thing that Theatre Rhinoceros has been presenting its recent readings and productions in the cozy ad-hoc confines

of the Spark Arts gallery on 18th Street. First, because it’s nice to have some queer-oriented performing arts activity in the Castro, where lately, falafel wars have seemed more prominent than faggotry. Second,

You

because this informal storefront setting is likely to undermine audience expectations, freeing the Rhino to engage in some of its quirkier inclinations. That certainly includes “Radi-

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cal,” the company’s current production, written and directed by artistic director John Fisher, who beams maniacally into an iPhone, gives audience members a lift in a ZipCar built from rolling chairs, and briefly appears in the briefest of swimsuits over the course of an antic, freakflag-flying show chockablock with weirdness, charm and half-baked political philosophy. It’s a very San Francisco piece of work. Or two. On the one hand, “Radical” is a dark but jaunty social satire. Fisher plays Jack, a creepily chipper candidate for District Supervisor, unaffiliated with any party, but David Wilson in most respects a small-l libertarian. Among his pro- John Fisher as Jack and Jacob Soss as posed policies (or more ac- Plant in “Radical,” a Theatre Rhinoceros curately, personal stances he production at Spark Arts. thinks others would be wise to pick up on): Don’t pay to weapons. By the play’s end, Jack has ride public transit, because registered Republican and is leading the service is lousy; pee in public, a Trumpian rally at the Bill Graham wherever you like; red lights are a Civic Auditorium. At least one of waste of time; invite the homeless to the characters dies. your place for dinner. “Homeless,” There’s some clever improvisahe declares in one of Fisher’s wicktion along the way, including a town edest lines, “is an Identity. We need hall where Jack fields questions to respect that!” from the audience. And there’s some Jack is heavily covered – and delightfully silly self-referential diahis messages are amplified – by logue about supporting local artists, a local internet news service run theater productions in art galleries, by entrepreneurial 20something and the characters running over to Diana (Polly Levi: Real name? Or a Molly Stone’s (they really exit the pan-sexual, meta-theatrical gag via gallery, which is next door to Molly Yonkers?) and her sensitive-guy cub Stone’s). There’s lots going on, but reporter, Plant (Jake Soss). Diana is not enough of any of it for “Radicynically using Jack as clickbait, but cal” to really cohere. Still, all three Plant is gradually seduced by his performers are appealingly playful, ideas. and Fisher has no shortage of enterBut over the second half of its taining observations and witty bon speedy, intermissionless 80 minmots about our city to share. When utes, “Radical” whips itself into you step into a Castro art gallery soap operatic froth. In one skeevy after hours to find creative energy reverse-Weinstein scene, we learn crackling and laughter filling the that Diana has more than a profesroom, you’ve found a party worth sional interest in Plant. Then we joining.t find out that Plant’s seduction by Jack goes beyond the intellectual. The three of them postulate about Radical, Thurs.-Sat. through March 1. Spark Arts, 4229 18th each other’s masturbatory fantaSt., SF. Tickets ($20-$30): (800) sies, their lust triangle’s corners 838-3006, www.therhino.org. sharpening into potentially lethal

DVD>>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

Celebrating a marriage equality victory by David-Elijah Nahmod

society. Once persecuted, they had become the persecutors. Much to the surprise of the lawyers, the plaintiffs and the Church, US District Court Judge Robert Shelby ruled that Amendment 3 was unconstitutional, paving the way for hundreds of same-sex couples in Utah to marry, including Tomsic and her partner. But the Church filed a stay of the order, and the case made its way to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

Lawrence, meanwhile, the man who started it all, found himself pushed into the background because his often-abrasive personality got on everyone’s nerves. Lawrence was unhappy that what he called “professional homosexuals” from national gay organizations were involving themselves in the case. The plaintiffs eventually emerged victorious at the Court of Appeals, helping to pave the way for the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2015 legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Much of “Church & State” plays out like a suspense drama, and the film is suspenseful even though the outcome of the lawsuit is known before it begins. It includes interviews with Lawrence, the plaintiffs, and the attorneys, though the Mormon Church did not respond to the filmmakers’ requests for interviews. The Church’s anti-gay views are heard in archival footage, in clips from local Salt Lake City news broadcasts, and in candid footage shot at public rallies. “Church & State” is a fascinating film, which documents an important chapter in the fight for marriage equality. It should be seen. With the resurgence of the religious right in the era of Donald Trump, the fight may not be over.t

animal species Canis lupus familiaris: Preciado’s dog. He flew 435 miles round-trip for the sole purpose of seeing and touching Philomene and affirms, “I am familiar with canine love.” There’s a feeling of connection to the wider world at a muchelevated level: of knowing living

creatures as equals. This is a book for the true New Age, relevant to LGBTQ people leading the charge of identity politics, challenging the status quo. To the larger human community, often unaware, Preciado beautifully pleads, “Wake up.”t

he shadow of the Mormon church looms large in “Church & State,” a new documentary by Holly Tuckett and Kendall Wilcox. The film is now available on DVD and streaming at Vudu and Amazon Prime. It tells the story of how Mark Lawrence, an inexperienced gay activist, along with a small law firm in Salt Lake City, took on Amendment 3, Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage that was passed by voters in 2004. When Lawrence decided to challenge the ban, it was an accepted fact of life in Utah that same-sex marriage would never be. Lawrence took on this challenge because he wanted to make his mark. A former San Franciscan, he had remained quietly in the background during the AIDS crisis, and felt that bringing down Amendment 3 would be his big shot at doing something positive for the community. Lawrence found a small Salt Lake law firm, Magleby and Greenwood, that was willing to take on the case for $1 million. M&G ended up absorbing most of the cost of the suit. For Peggy Tomsic, one of the lawyers in the case, the suit was very personal. Tomsic was in a same-sex relationship with her longterm partner. The two wanted very much to marry, and Tomsic wanted to adopt

Blue Fox Entertainment

Mark Lawrence took on Amendment 3, Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage.

her partner’s son. Several couples were found who would serve as the plaintiffs in the case. Much of the film focuses on the influence of the Mormon Church on Utah’s day-to-day life; little happens at the state capitol without the Church’s approval. Church activists are seen campaigning against marriage equality, always emphasizing that marriage is “eternal” and that those in same-sex relationships will not be included in the church’s

eternal family after they die. Church activists claim that they mean the gay community no harm, yet more often than not, their choice of words crosses the line into hate. “Church & State” also offers a bit of insight into the history of the Mormon Church. Polygamy was part of the church’s culture in the distant past, and church members felt the sting of prejudice due to this. They had to give up polygamy in order to be accepted into American

Fear of a trans planet

by Mark William Norby “An Apartment on Uranus: Chronicles of the Crossing” by Paul B. Preciado, translated by Charlotte Mandell; semiotext(e), $16.95

ranus is the coldest planet, covered in ice, named after a Greek deity. The word “uranism”was coined by German writer and gay rights pioneer Karl Heinrich Ulrich in 1864 from the planet’s name, to define the “third sex.” “An Apartment on Uranus” strives to fathom the expansiveness of unadulterated self, inevitably free from any single identity. This is an essay collection ahead of its time, but right on time, a dissection of the individual’s attachment to identity. “Life begins and ends in the unconscious; the actions we carry out while fully lucid are only little islands in an archipelago of dreams,” writes Paul B. Preciado. Born Beatriz Preciado in Castile, Spain, now a trans man living in Paris, he works as a writer, philosopher, and curator. He writes, “My trans condition is a new form of uranism. I am not a man. I am not a woman. I am not heterosexual. I am not homosexual. I am not bisexual. I am

a dissident of the sexgender system. I am the multiplicity of the cosmos trapped in a binary political and epistemological system, shouting in front of you. I am a uranist confined inside the limits of technoscientific capitalism.” This collection is manifesto, human rights declaration, and trans agenda. The author writes in a punk intellectual aesthetic, with a background in radical philosophy. He studied under Jacques Derrida at the New School in New York, earning a Ph.D. at Princeton. Preciado’s focus is on identity, gender, pornography, architecture and sexuality; he learns these subjects, and lets them take new forms. He has done the same with his own life. Written between 2013-18 in locations all over the world, he writes, “I consulted the Wikipedia page on Uranus: it is in fact one of the most distant planets from Earth.” He imagines himself living there, in an apartment on Uranus. In the essay “Forgetting the Idea of Being Special,” he writes, “On the Internet, hypnotized, I watch the World Population Clock spinning. 7,381,108,786 [written in 2016]. During the time it took to write this number, the number on the world clock has changed. Two new actors enter onto the stage every second.” Hidden within the text is a jarring call to detach, drop our labels, and redirect. Preciado understands the feeling of being male, having begun his transition in 2010. “Preciado shows us the dangers and wonders of the complete and radical transformation of self,” said his translator, Charlotte Mandell, in an email interview. “He is interesting to me in his desire to go beyond the self, beyond labels. At a time when we as a culture are so caught up with identity politics, it is powerful

and refreshing to be reminded that beyond nameable identities, there is the actual self. For him, taking testosterone is a political act.” One of the lightest and brightest of the essays is “Love in the Anthropocene,” in which he writes of his true love, named Philomene, of the

<< TV

20 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

The Lavender Tube is not OK with this by Victoria A. Brownworth

“E

verybody feels like a freak sometimes,” Dina tells her friend Sydney to calm her. Amen to that. If you are looking for the next best “Why weren’t there TV shows like this when I was a teenager so I wouldn’t have suffered alone for X number of years?” series, it drops on Netflix, Feb. 26. “I Am Not Okay with This” is just what we need in this dystopian hellscape Trump has created for us. Based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel of the same name, the eight-episode series is a weekend binge-watch. Sydney is a queer girl whose dad died, collapsing hers and her mother’s worlds. Her rage is intense, and in venting it, she discovers she has some superpowers. Who doesn’t want that? Sydney Novak is a terrific lead character. We know her, we were her, she is so very us. Sophia Lillis, who starred in “It” and “It: Chapter Two,” and HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” is the perfect gender nonconforming teen looking for love and a better life in all the wrong places. Sydney is a self-described “boring 17-year-old white girl” living in Pittsburgh and trying hard to cope. Her mother Maggie (Kathleen Rose Perkins) is an overworked and deeply depressed waitress. Her bestie Dina (Sofia Bryant) is dating Brad (Richard Ellis), a dull-witted whiteboy jock who keeps telling Sydney to smile more. Sydney is suffering. A lot. She epitomizes teenage angst: full of rage and sad over her dad’s recent death, she’s protective and loving of her adorable and precocious younger brother Liam (Aidan Wojtak-Hissong). Most of all, she’s trying to figure out why she has zero interest in boys, including Stanley (Wyatt Oleff), the nerdy hipster who is seriously in crush with her. Enter superpowers. Do we need them in this tight little dramedy about love and loss in the high school lane? Probably not. The least intriguing part of “I Am Not Okay with This” is the superpowers part, but the rest of it is solid. Sydney confiding in Stanley about Dina is more John Hughes than “Euphoria,” but like another little queer teen Netflix gem, “Trinkets,” the characters and the acting make this all work. Check out the trailer, you’ll want to watch.

Nazi hunters

Oscar winner Jordan Peele is everywhere right now, which is great

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because the percentage of black people in TV is pathetically minuscule. Peele (“Get Out”) is executive producer of David Weil’s new Amazon Prime series “Hunters.” This is a series for now. We might not be living in Weimar Germany, but we dare you to turn on C-SPAN of an evening and watch an entire Trump rally, live and unexpurgated. All that’s missing is Leni Riefenstahl filming it to an Alban Berg score. That said, “Hunters” is a mishegas of graphic novel meets over-the-top declamation about killing Nazis. In the lead-in and aftermath of the Charlottesville horror, the debate over whether it’s morally cool to punch a Nazi raged. “Hunters” is predicated on a similar theme. Just change “punch” to “kill,” as violently and repulsively as if Dr. Josef Mengele wrote the script. Amazon describes the series as depicting “a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City. The hunters, as they’re known, have discovered that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. The eclectic team of hunters will set out on a bloody quest to bring the Nazis to justice and thwart their new genocidal plans.” You can almost hear the Bernard Hermann score swelling, right? “Hunters” is a bit of a mess, but wow is it watchable. Reviewers were given a list of verboten spoilers. Al Pacino stars as the Nazi-hunter-inchief, Meyer Offerman. Lena Olin, who seems to have been in every Holocaust film or TV show ever made, is the Colonel. Saul Rubinek and Carol Kane play Murray and Mindy Markowitz, two other Nazi killer consiglieres. But in keeping with the current Zeitgeist, the story is told via the central teen character, Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman). Jonah lives with his grandmother, Ruth (Jeannie Berlin). Life is not easy for him. He is regularly set upon by bullies, leading him to talk about his desires to be a superhero (who doesn’t want these powers?), which he discusses ad

Levi Strauss

From page 15

The most interesting part of a show is at the gallery’s entrance, where a pair of text panels lay out dual, interconnected narratives: Levi (Lob)’s family background and the history of anti-Semitism in Buttenheim, an enclave in Germany’s Franconian region where, by the early 19th century, almost all of Bavaria’s Jews lived; and the Strauss family’s emigration to New York, Levi’s subsequent journey West, and the

nauseam with his two besties. One grim Kristallnacht of the soul, Ruth is murdered right in front of Jonah in her own living room. Enter Offerman, who was in the camps with Ruth, a Holocaust survivor. Ruth was also a Nazi killer, one of the hunters, as Offerman reveals. He hands a grieving Jonah his card, and we see the numbers tattooed on the underside of his wrist. As he leaves Jonah mourning on Ruth’s stoop, her empty lawn chair a metaphor behind them, Offerman says, “You know what the best revenge is? Revenge.” Offerman, Ruth, the Colonel, the Markowitzes, some others who look like they walked out of “The Pawnbroker” are all working to rout and kill a group of Nazis in America who are plotting to revive the Reich. “There is a right way and a wrong way to get justice. You do this and you become the evil you are fighting,” Agent Malone (Jerrika Hinton) tells Jonah at one point. Eh, maybe, or maybe you just need to kill the people who deserve it. “Hunters” is not for everyone, and it asks questions about morality that may or may not be answered. As Nietzsche said, “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” Streaming on Amazon. Rated by us as EEV for extremely and excessively violent.

Simon says

David Simon is a TV god. “The Wire” will, in perpetuity, be the litmus for all other TV drama series, including others by Simon himself. The peril of having created arguably the best TV series ever is that you may always be reaching to replicate that and never quite achieve it. Simon comes close with “The Plot Against America,” a miniseries based on Philip Roth’s novel of the same name that premieres on HBO March 16. Powerful, provocative, chilling, it is Simon at his politic best. This is astonishingly good work about how Fascism takes root in society. The setting is early1940s suburban Newark and Union, NJ. Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg are Jewish kids in NYC, Joe Biden is an Irish Catholic kid in Delaware, each about to grow up under FDR’s Hitler-fighting U.S.A. that also put Japanese-Americans in camps and where being Jewish was oh-so-different from being Irish Catholic without an Mc in front of one’s name. It’s a time that is ripe for its own Ubermenschen. And the character of Charles Lindbergh – the blond, Aryan fighter pilot and icon – is that guy. “The Plot Against America” envisions an alternative America history as told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in NJ as they watch the political rise

evolution of his apparel business, from its manual labor origins to producing the must-have item in everyone’s wardrobe. A great leveler that enhanced the mythology of the American West in its wake, Levi’s wearers have included Beyonce; Georgia O’Keeffe, who evidently never revved her motorcycle without her Levi’s; Lauren Bacall, whose outdated, embroidered jean suit is here; a prisoner who spent his sentence inking the entire surface of his white jeans; and Albert Einstein, with whom I now know I share at least one thing. It may

of Lindbergh, the aviator hero and xenophobic populist who becomes president and turns the country toward Fascism. More even than “Hunters,” “The Plot Against America” replicates our current milieu. While there is no 24-hour news cycle nor the staccato Morse code of social media punctuating every thought and exacerbating the hate in every Trumpian tweet, there is a welter of fear-mongering that still manages to seep through every aspect of American life. And then as now, there is a huge swath of America that confuses Fascism and anti-Semitic Jew-baiting for patriotism. It is in this political maelstrom that Herman (Morgan Spector) and Bess Finkel (Zoe Kazan) are trying to make a better life for themselves and their kids. Bess’ older sister Evelyn (a fervid Winona Ryder) is captivated by the charismatic Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf (John Turturro). As HBO explains, Evelyn is unmarried, her plans arrested by 10 years of caring for her infirm mother, and is hungry to find her own place in life. The sudden attentions of Bengelsdorf, a Lindbergh supporter, are exhilarating and transformational for her. Bengelsdorf is that essential figure, the token who doesn’t understand his tokenization. A conservative rabbi and a transplant from Charleston, SC, Bengelsdorf seizes the reins of history to become a key figure in the emergent Lindbergh administration. The rise of Lindbergh is slow, but not that slow. It is the frog boil writ large. And when the flint of Lindbergh’s anti-Semitism and xenophobia sparks, there is no containing the conflagration. At one point Sandy (Caleb Malis) and Phillip (Azhy Robertson) have the following exchange: “What’s a Fascist?” “The Fascists don’t like Jews.” “Why?” “Because we’re Jews.” The simplicity of this exchange is its own foreboding. What comes next is both totally expected and utterly shocking. This is brilliant TV and must-see for stand-out performances, great writing and a chilling narrative that is very much a cautionary tale.

Vegas action

One of the most volatile couple of hours on TV came on NBC during the Las Vegas Democratic debate. Though badly moderated by Chuck Todd, Lester Holt and Hallie Jackson, eight-and-a-half-months pregnant, it was nevertheless a standout performance by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in perhaps the best debate performance we’ve seen in years. The task was to undermine the carefully constructed image former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg has built with near-perfect ads, replete with Pres. Obama praising him along with a raft of black entrepreneurs and others singing Bloomberg’s praises. Warren didn’t undermine that

come as a surprise to learn that, like the chocolatier who never eats candy, the only person who never wore Levi’s was Levi himself. Perhaps he knew something we don’t. Neither a full-fledged history nor costume exhibition, the show fails to adequately deliver in either category, and is less than the sum of its parts. A chaotic installation doesn’t help. What must have sounded like a snappy marketing hook and feels like a potential, Smithsonian-style exhibition screaming to get out if only it had the heft, is a showcase of corporate ephemera with plenty

image, she decimated it. Her opening salvo was nuclear: “I’d like to talk about who we’re running against: a billionaire who refers to women as fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m taking about Mayor Bloomberg.” The crowd gasped, then cheered. It never got better for Bloomberg, but it did get better for Warren, who has spent a year running as the nicest campaigner in the Democratic line-up. Warren has long epitomized Michelle Obama’s “When they go low, we go high” mantra. It knocked her down to fourth place in New Hampshire. Channeling her inner snapqueen, Warren decimated everyone on stage, emerging after two hours as the indisputable winner. In her Feb. 20 town hall on CNN, Warren previewed her next chapter, arriving with a contract for Bloomberg that he could proffer to women (or men) with whom his company has nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to allow them to break the agreement with neither harm nor fowl to either party. Whoo-boy. The revolution will be televised, and this was it. Forever, women candidates have been tasked with being nice, smiling more, keeping their voices well-modulated and making sure they were likable. Warren has perfected the peripatetic schoolmarm in sensible shoes and pull-on black slacks with her bright no-iron jackets the only hat-tip to fashion. A dozen years ago women all over America winced as Barack Obama told Hillary Clinton “You’re likable enough” in a voice dripping with condescension. For her part, Hillary was forced to make a joke of it, saying, “That hurts my feelings” while pretend-pouting. Obama apologized years later, but in 2016 Trump was stalking Hillary onstage during a debate with no comment from the moderators, and she was supposed to just roll with it. In the Las Vegas debate, much-vaunted hair-sniffer Joe Biden said he wouldn’t allow Trump to do that to him, missing the misogynist point. Warren broke through a glass ceiling when she did her lightsaber routine in the Las Vegas debate. She didn’t play nice: she did what men get away with all the time. Warren tore up the rules about female outrage the way Speaker Pelosi tore up Trump’s SOTU speech. Warren says in her rallies that she is doing this for all the little girls in America who want to be president. All the big girls in America got a preview of what she would do to Trump on a stage (put it on pay-per-view!). As the pundits talked about her performance on MSNBC and CNN post-debate, it was with awe, not opprobrium. In the end she raised a record-breaking amount in campaign donations and won a Twitter trend of #PresidentElizabethWarren. So for tales of strong women who persisted, the neverending story of Trump and his quisling cohort, and a plethora of new and cautionary tales, you know you must stay tuned.t

of padding. For filler, you can’t top the baby blue AMC Gremlin automobile with a denim-upholstered interior, parked in the main gallery. Yes, really. There’s a generous helping of this and that – some this more interesting than that: archival photographs, a vintage Singer sewing machine, assorted garments, Andy Warhol’s psychedelic silkscreens for a 1984 Levi 501 jeans campaign, and various print ads and posters, like one promoting Bruce SpringSee page 21 >>

DVD>>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 21

First they came for ‘Mr. Klein’ by Tavo Amador

fter making a few films at RKO in the late 1940s and early 50s, American-born director Joseph Losey (1909-84) was blacklisted during the grim Red Scare days of McCarthyism. He directed a handful of pictures under different names, but ultimately moved to the United Kingdom. “Eva” (1962), an erotically charged movie starring Jeanne Moreau, marked his official comeback. His subsequent output varied in quality, but included such well-regarded films as the “The Servant” (1963), “Accident” (1967), “The Go-Between” (1971), “A Doll’s House” (1973) and the stunning French language “Mr. Klein” (1976), now available in a newly restored print on DVD. The first scenes are of a doctor examining a woman to see if she has “Semitic” features that would label her Jewish. The “examination” is impersonal. Her humiliation at standing nude while the doctor dictates his findings to a nurse is painful to watch. It’s Paris in 1942. The City of Light has lost its luminosity under the Nazi occupation. Viewers then meet the elegant Robert Klein (Alain Delon), an impeccably attired art-and-antiques dealer living in a beautifully decorated home in a tony area of Paris. Many of his clients are Jews who are forced to sell their treasures to raise money to escape. He offers them rock-bottom prices. When they protest his taking such blatant advantage of their desperate situation, he shrugs, says life is tough, and tells them they can sell to someone else, knowing full well they aren’t likely to find another buyer. He has a mis-

tress (Francine Berge) who sexually services him but to whom he is otherwise indifferent. One morning he finds a Jewish newspaper outside his front door. He is confused. He’s not Jewish. He’s Roman Catholic. He visits the publisher to find out why it was delivered to him, but learns that their mailing list has been confiscated by the German authorities. Mr. Klein

visits those authorities, who are suspicious of his protestations. He sets out to find the other Robert Klein, the one with whom he has been confused. This other Mr. Klein seems to be a Jewish Resistance fighter. He appears to live in a filthy, vermin-infested apartment in a grim section of Paris. His unstable concierge (Suzanne Flon) is vague about how often he stays there and resists showing the apartment, which is now vacant. Delon’s Mr. Klein rents it in hope of learning something. This leads him to visit a fabulously wealthy woman (Jeanne Moreau) who may be Jewish and who may be the former mistress of the other Mr. Klein. She casually dismisses him as “a snake in hibernation,” presumably waiting for better weather. When asked for his address, she gives the real Mr. Klein’s residence. His friends think he is mad to obsess about this issue, which is clearly an error, but he senses trouble. He asks his lawyer to get copies of the birth certificates of his grandparents to prove they were Gentiles. If even one had been Jewish, the Nazis would have labeled him a Jew, re-

gardless of how he had been reared. Mr. Klein is forced to sell his valuable paintings and antiques to raise money to leave Paris. His attorney buys these things, at well below market value. Mr. Klein, carrying substantial funds in gold, boards a train that will take him to safety. But he remains outraged that he is being mistreated. It’s all a bizarre, frightening mistake. He shows little if any compassion for others whom the Nazis are sending off to concentration camps. Nor does he ask for sympathy for himself. Rather, he demands justice. Mr. Klein clings to the belief that if he can prove to the Nazis that they are wrong about him, that he is not a Jew, they will relent. That certainty drives his actions. The suspense mounts as he encounters one rebuff after another, each one putting him at greater risk. Yet heedless of warnings, he continues to seek someone in an official capacity who will administer justice. At 41, Delon was no longer the blindingly beautiful youth of “Purple Noon” (1959), “Rocco and His Brothers” (1960), “The Leopard” (1963), “Le Samouri” (1967) and other pictures of the 60s, but was still handsome and trim. He

Levi Strauss

From page 20

steen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” tour, and another from “Giant” graced with the image of James Dean, who wrote the book on 50s cool. A makeshift theater, where visitors can watch a loop of film clips featuring “Brokeback Mountain” and an outlaw Marlon Brando in “The Wild One,” takes up space and doesn’t add to what most of us already know: movie stars rock in blue jeans. Brad Pitt, in his auspicious “Thelma and Louise” debut, might have been among them, but maybe I just willed him there for psychic relief. Save your money, skip the show and buy yourself a new pair of jeans.t Through Aug. 9. www.thecjm.org.

Real Men. Real Hookups. VISIT WWW.SQUIRT.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR NEW FEATURES:

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Courtesy CJM

White Levi’s ad from the 1960s, from Levi Strauss Co. Archives.

gives a remarkable performance. His confusion and bewilderment turn to desperate anger as his world falls apart. Yet he remains emotionally distant. His situation evokes sympathy, even though he does not. Viewers are more likely to feel pity and compassion for the others whom the Nazis are preparing for death. It is hard to imagine another actor playing the part so effectively. Moreau, in her cameo, is splendid, as is the rest of the large cast. Losey’s direction is powerful yet unobtrusive. He uses Paris locations that are often sinister and far from recognizable. He superbly shows the indifference of so many of the French to what was happening around them. Restaurants and clubs are full of Parisians enjoying themselves. They laugh at a puppet show targeting Jews. Franco Morandi and Franco Solinas (with an uncredited assist from Costa-Garvas) wrote the groundbreaking screenplay, one of the earliest examinations of French anti-Semitism and collaboration with the Nazis during WWII. Delon was one of the movie’s producers – without his participation, the film would not have been made. In French with English subtitles.t

<< Film

22 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Five-man band in a beautiful tragedy

David Gahr, Magnolia Pictures

The Band in “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band.”

by David Lamble

n the opening frames of the fabulous rock-history memory piece “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band,” the one-time pretty boy and still quite handsome bandleader Robbie Robertson ruefully reflects on the human tragedy that overtook a group of five musicians who gathered in the late

SFS 2020-21

From page 15

With ingratiating humor and modesty, Salonen briefly detailed his attitude toward the musicians, supporters, and colleagues of the venerable SFS. His understanding of Northern California – specifically, San Francisco pride – calmed possible fears that time-honored repertoire or traditions will be forgotten. The emphasis is on a bold approach to winning new listeners. The classics will survive with fresh focus by new artists. There are many premieres and commissions during the inaugural season, which include a number of works new to the orchestra. Be

1970s in a small upstate New York community with rules to break and worlds to conquer. “I don’t know any other musicians with a story equivalent to that of The Band. And it was a beautiful thing. It was so beautiful it went up in flames.” “Once Were Brothers,” opening Friday, is that rare film event that teaches without preaching. It’s in fact one of the most entertaining

cautionary tales in recent memory, a quality that is likely to land it on a host of top film lists (mine included). Even though I lived through the group’s rocket-ship-like rise and fall – from roughly the end of the Beatles era in 1968 through the beginning of the Jimmy Carter years in 1976, when rural authenticity was ever-so-briefly in fashion – it’s still hard to believe that this five-man

on the lookout (we’ll be happy to remind you) for pieces by an intriguing range of international composers and African-Americans. Also, in case anyone has forgotten, Salonen himself is an exceptionally fine composer. Two major event-festivals anchor the concerts. “Myths & Mortals: A Festival of Greek Mythology” offers a big fat Greek tour through ancient stories illuminating the basis of modern society. Brilliant soprano Christine Goerke will repeat her astonishing interpretation of “Elektra” in March, and Esa-Pekka starts the series conducting the SFS premiere of his musical depiction of Castor and Pollux, “Gemini.” “On the Precipice: Music of the

Weimar Republic” looks back in horror and admiration to the “Cabaret” years of Germany between the two great wars. The first week, “Salonen: Make Art, Not War,” features Paul Hindemith’s “Mathis der Maler” (“Mathis the Painter”), deemed “degenerate” by the Nazis, and the US Premiere of an SFS Co-Commission, Bryce Dessner’s Violin Concerto. “Salonen: Weimar Nightfall” is a semi-staged event for the second week. There will be more Hindemith (trust me, you will be amazed) and haunting works by famous American immigrant Kurt Weill. “Das Berliner Requiem” and “The Seven Deadly Sins” run the gamut of Weill’s genius from broken and proud to deliciously depraved. Ragnar Bohlin’s SFS Chorus will join with soprano Nora Fischer. A fascinating themed orchestral series, “Voices of Change” shows the importance of composers’ musical chronicles in illuminating turbulent times. Benjamin Britten’s overwhelmingly powerful “War Requiem” is a major highlight, and in a program titled “Give Me Shelter,” SFS premieres Gabriel Kahane’s “Emergency Shelter Intake Form,” facing the issues of homelessness. “The Fight for Equality” in November joins the SFS with all-female Lorelei Ensemble to realize the premiere of “Her Story,” a co-commission by genre-defying composer Julia Wolfe. The highly anticipated new work by the classical-folk-rock mixologist, heard temptingly this season in her exhilarating “Fountain of Youth,” shares a bill with AfricanAmerican Florence Price’s onemovement Piano Concerto. It is never too late to make up for lost time. With the important teamwork Salonen shares with eight youthful “Collaborative Partners,” drawn from a range of musical backgrounds, the future is getting a shot of creative adrenaline. Queer visionary Nico Muhly; rock guitarist-composer Bryce Dessner; performer-educator-creator Claire Chase; brilliant vocalist-curator soprano Julia Bullock (currently in a successful SFS artist-in-residency); jazz bassist-vocalist Esperanza Spalding; violinist-conductor Pekka Kuusisto; composer-pianist Nicho-

Peter Serling

SF Symphony will premiere composer Julia Wolfe’s “Her Story.”

band of bearded desperados, who became a must-play during my college radio DJ days in 1968-70, were professionally spent by 1978. The filmmakers intersperse smart talking heads – Robertson, former Cream band member Eric Clapton and the film’s producer Martin Scorsese – with sublime samples of their greatest hits – “Up on Cripple Creek,” “The Weight” and “Rag Mama Rag” – to give context to the fate of five talented musicians who should still be working the rock nostalgia circuit. New Jersey-born Bruce Springsteen lists the incredible assets The Band brought to their bid to be famous forever. “Not only did they have the incredible writing, Robbie’s writing, but they had three of the greatest white singers in rock history. Any one of those guys would be the foundation for a great band, but to have all three in one group, that was just loaded for bear!” Executive producer Martin Scorsese, whose film music credits include manning a camera on the stage at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, elaborates on the special musical roots that came together in The Band’s joyful compositions. “This music drew upon country music – English, Scotch, Irish, Welsh, at the same time Mississippi Delta – and there was so much imagery, this didn’t sound like anything else.” Black blues legend Taj

Mahal adds, “Nobody sounded like those guys. They came in and they played. I just loved that about them.” What happened, then? Canadianborn filmmaker Daniel Roher tries to balance the group’s drug-fueled plunge over a cliff with their legacy. Robertson wistfully notes the heroin addiction that spread like a prairie wildfire through three of his band members, “I was confused that the guys wanted to play with that fire.” He also reckons with their lasting contributions to several musical genres, including their partnership, controversial at the time, with Bob Dylan, such as in 1973’s “Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine).” The most poignant moments of the film feature Robbie Robertson watching footage of his now-deceased bandmates while pondering what might have been. I love the sneaky guest-starring of Bob Dylan, who, approaching his ninth decade, has surrendered none of his nettlesome charisma. Did he lead the Band down the wrong path? I’ll let you the filmgoer decide. “Once Were Brothers” is a must-see for music-lovers who still believe that rock stars, with all their grievous flaws, are among the most gorgeous creatures on earth. A great idea would be to pair this new film with Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz,” a multi-rock-star 1976 documentary about The Band’s farewell appearance.t

Shayan Asgharina

Composer and guitarist Bryce Dessner is one of San Francisco Symphony’s Collaborative Partners.

las Britell; and Carol Reiley, Artificial Intelligence entrepreneur and roboticist (!), are the new season’s Collaborative Partners. Most have track records that belie their years; all have credentials that promise boldly ambitious innovation. Debuts by nine guest conductors, including a record number of women, enliven the densely packed schedule. The annual return of beloved Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt and four concerts with our still very much in charge MTT smooth the transition to new leadership. “Beethoven250” is celebrated big-time with soloist and conductor Rudolf Buchbinder joining the Orchestra for a mighty weekend in

October performing all five piano concertos. A litany of star guest soloists including Renee Fleming, Joshua Bell, Yuja Wang, Gidon Kremer, Gautier Capucon, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and jazz giant Chick Corea join the line-up, and there are many community-inspired events. Esa-Pekka Salonen admits he couldn’t achieve anything alone, even though he most definitely has. The future of his leadership in San Francisco rests on his well-known musical intelligence, probing sense of discovery, and his enthusiastic embrace of both the city and the Orchestra. Subscription packages are available now, and single tickets go on sale in July. sfsymphony.orgt

Leather

MORE! Pride

www.ebar.com

Shining Stars Vol. 50 • No. 9 • February 27-March 4, 2020

Stunning visuals, rousing theatricals and sonorous sounds await you among the multi-faceted arts jewels this week.

Arts Events

Feb. 27-March 5, 2020

Fri 28 The Forgotten Empress @ Hammer Theatre, San Jose University & Z Space

Listings on page 24 >

Nightlife Events Feb. 27-March 5, 2020

Leap into a new month’s worth of nightlife fun.

Sun 1 Blessed @ Port Bar, Oakland

Listings on page 25 > { THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

Untitled-4 1

2/26/20 12:43 PM

<< Arts Events

24 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

The Supers @ Z Space

Thu 27

Screening of documentation of Kevin Seaman’s trans-drag solo show. Free. 6:30pm. 2830 20th St. www.pacificfeltfactory.com

Classic and News Films @ Castro Theatre

Following Lou @ GLBT History Museum

Sara Moore’s science fiction magical realism human cartoon opera costars DeMarcello Funes and includes music by Rob Reich. $15-$55. Thu-Sat 7:30pm. Sat 2pm, Sun 5pm thru Feb. 29. 450 Florida St. www.circuscenter.org

Picture

femMasculine @ Pacific Felt Factory Arts Complex

Feb 27: Uncut Gems (7pm) and The King of Marvin Gardens (9:25). 28: Uncut Gems (7pm) and Thief (9:30). Feb 29: Guster, an evening of Acoustic Music and Improv. 8pm. Mar. 103: Parasite in black and white. Mar. 4: Bong Joon-Ho’s The Host and Snowpiercer. Mar. 5: Jesus Christ Superstar with stars Ted Neely and Yvonne Ellman (7pm). $8-$15. 489 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

Don’t Eat the Mangos @ Magic Theatre World premiere of Ricardo Perez Gonzalez’ comic-drama about three sisters caring for their ailing father amid a San Juan hurricane. $15-$75. Thru Mar. 22. Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd. www.MagicTheatre.org

Events @ City Lights Bookstore Feb 27, 7pm: Dodie Bellamy and Anthony Huberman. Mar. 1, 7pm: Fellini Turns 100 celebration. Mar. 4, 7pm: Javad Djavahery ( My Part of Her). Mar. 5, 7pm: slideshow and talk about the book The Half Acre Homestead: 46 Years of Building and Gardening. 261 Columbus Ave. www.citylights.com

Events @ Manny’s Feb 27, 6:30pm: Voto Latino. 28, 5pm: Out with a Bang! 29, 3:30pm: Electoral System Screws Californians, 4pm South Carolina primary results. Mar 1, 2:30pm: Book Club: Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century ; $10. 1, 5pm: Smack Dab Queer Open Mic. 2, 7pm: Car Lobby/Reclaim Cities talk; $5-$10. 3, 4pm: Super Tuesday election watch party. 5, 6pm: Prison Truth; The San Quentin News. 3092 16th St. www.welcometomannys.com

Following Lou: Searching the Archives for Our Queer Past, with Ellis Martin and Zach Ozma, coauthors of We Both Laughed In Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan. 7pm. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

Gloria @ Strand Theater American Conservatory Theater’s production of Branden JacobsJenkins’s Pulitzer Prize finalist dark comedy about competing aspiring writers amid a shared tragedy. $30$75. Thru April 12. 1127 Market St. www.act-sf.org

Trans Voices @ Strut QTPOC presents a trans open mic night and party, hosted by Pearl Teese, with creators Julian Shendelman and Kay Nilsson. 6:30pm-9pm. 470 Castro St. www.strutsf.org

Fri 28 Chicago @ San Jose Stage Company Broadway’s longest running multiple Tony-winning musical about 1920s criminal corruption and hype gets a South Bay staging. $32-$60. Thru Mar. 15. 490 Soputh 1st St., San Jose. www.thestage.org

The Forgotten Empress @ Hammer Theatre, San Jose University; Z Space Multimedia dance production from Farah Yasmeen Shaikh and Noorani Dance that tells the compelling story of the 17th-century Empress Noor Jahan. $35-$60. Feb 28 & 29, 7:30pm. March 5 & 6, 7:30pm at Z Space, 450 Florida St. www.nooranidance.com

Sat 29 Art Exhibits @ Minnesota Street Project View a dozen+ art galleries’ exhibits, including Nicola Roos’ Kurobozu/Dark Stranger (closing day!) 1275 Minnesota St. www.minnesotastreetproject.com

Bay Area Rainbow Symphony @ San Francisco Conservatory of Music Violins of Hope, a concert that’s part of citywide events with violins and string instruments left behind after Jewish and gay holocaust victims were killed in Nazi Germany; commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp; Mendelssohn Symphony #3 “Scottish”, Ethel Smyth’s Overture to the Boatswain’s Mate; Chris Brubeck’s Interplay for 3 Violins, with Dawn Harms, Kay Stern, Robin Mayforth violin soloists. $15-$35. 8pm. 50 Oak St. www.bars-sf.org

Black Choreographers Festival @ Dance Mission Theater See multiple dance works by Gabriel Christian & Chibueze Crouch, Alex Diaz, Clarissa Dyas, and many others. $10-$25. Thru Mar. 1. 3316 24th St. Also March 7 & 8 at Laney College Theater, Oakland. www.brownpapertickets.com

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder @ Gateway Theatre 42nd Street Moon’s production of the Tony-winning musical filled with romance and treachery. $31$72. Thru Mar. 15. 215 Jackson St. www.42ndstmoon.org

Lawrence Lindell @ Strut The comic artist’s exhibit of uplifting gay works. 470 Castro St. www.lawrencelindell.com

Leaping Rats, Hidden Histories @ Origin Gay Asian Pacific Alliance’s resource fair, performances, panel chats and multi-generational socializing. Free/$50. 6pm-2am. 1538 Fillmore St. https://gapafoundation.org/

Living Legends @ LGBT Center Storytelling Brunch with OpenHouse and Our Family Coalition, celebrating Black History Month and LGBTQ histories, plus food! 11am-2pm. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org/

Living the Shuffle @ The Marsh Berkeley Film director Robert Townsend ‘s acclaimed solo show shares his story of the odds of making it in Hollywood while Black. $40-$100. Fri 8pm, Sat 8:30pm Sun 5:30pm thru Feb 29. 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. www.themarsh.org

March to Remember & Re-ignite Hope @ Castro District Juanita MORE! and local activists and community builders take a solemn informative walking tour of former LGBT-owned businesses and queer spaces. 2pm. Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro St. at Market. www.juanitamore.com

Sat 29 Bay Area Rainbow Symphony with Violins of Hope @ San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Pre-Code Horror @ Cartoon Art Museum Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics, thru March 1. Gemma Correll’s witty cartoons in the Emerging Artist Showcase, thru March 29. Free/$10. 11am-5pm daily; closed Wed. 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org

The Queer Ancestors Project @ Strut Exhibit of prints by queer and trans emerging artists; Christine Abiba, grace cho, rai dang, Kazayra Miranda González, Kimiko Goeller, jess ‘sylk’ rodriguez, Satän, Sen, Striff, and curator Katie Gilmartin. Thru May 9. 470 Castro St. strutsf.org

Sun 1

Tue 3 Alex Prestia @ Eros Wistful Edificials, the local artist’s exhibit of SF people and architecture, at the sex club; thru March. 2051 Market St. www.a1205x.com

Expedition Reef @ Cali. Academy of Sciences Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Skin, a multi-species hands-on exhibit; Deep Reefs, Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, and more. $20-$35. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Anthem: Homunculus @ Roxie Theatre

Richard Caldwell Brewer @ Lost Art Salon

John Cameron Mitchell’s star-filled story podcast (Patti LuPone, Glenn Close) gets a 7-hour marathon listening party. 2pm. 3117 16th St. www.roxie.com

Exhibit of works by the late gay artist (1923-2014). Also, Cappi and Michael Insinna. Mon-Sat 10am5:30pm. 245 South Van Ness Ave., #303. https://lostartsalon.com/

Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment @ Asian Art Museum

Wed 4

Exhibit of Tibetan antiquities and modern works -Sculptures, paintings, textiles and book arts made between 800 and 2016- with many related events and activities, thru May 3. Lost at Sea: Recovered Art From Shipwrecks, a new exhibit of antiquities discovered in oceans; also, Chang Dai-chien. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. www.asianart.org

The End of You @ Grand Theater Gray Area’s unusual immersive multimedia experience about the natural interconnectivity of nature and the planet. $15-$25 (kids under 12 free). Wed-Sat 5pm-11pm. Sun 11am-6pm; thru March 1. 2665 Mission St. https://endofyou.io/

SmackDab @ Manny’s Alex L. Combs, S.F. cartoonist, is featured at the free LGBTQIA community open mic. 5pm. 3092 16th St. welcometomannys.com

Mon 2 Fiberful @ NIAD Art Center, Richmond Exhibits of art by visiting professionals, and art made by developmentally disabled people; new exhibits include Fiberful, a fabric sculpture group exhibit, Tippy Toes: Terry Hoff, and Right Here, Right Now, Richmond. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. 551 23rd St., Richmond. (510) 620-0290. www.niadart.org

They Called Us Enemy @ Cartoon Art Museum New exhibit of Harmony Becker’s artwork for the graphic novel written by actor-activist George Takei, about his family’s U.S. internment in a concentration camp during WWII. Free-$10. Thru May 17 (closed Wed). 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org

Exhibits @ Chabot Space & Science Museum, Oakland Space, science and planetary exhibits, including planetarium shows and the Observatory; special nighttime events like meteor shower shows. Free-$18. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. chabotspace.org

Naked Men’s Sketch @ Eros Get naked and take turns modeling at the sex club’s popular weekly event. Donations/no entrance fee. 7pm-9pm (Open Christmas 12pm9pm). 2051 Market St. erossf.com

Thu 5 Amber Martin @ Oasis The amazing singer performs Bathhouse Bette, her tribute concert of Bette Midler songs. $20. 9pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Divine Women, Divine Wisdom @ BAM/PFA Exhibit of Tibetan art depicting women as holy entities. Thru May 24. Also, Art Wall: Edie Fake (thru June 21); and Lands of Promise and Peril: Geographies of California (thru April 26). Film screenings, too. 2155 Center St., Berkeley. bampfa.org

Leo Kottke @ Yoshi’s Oakland The prodigious guitar instrumentalist performs at the elegant restaurant-nightclub. $42. 8pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. www.yoshis.com

Toni Stone @ Geary Theater American Conservatory Theater’s production of Lydia R. Diamond’s historical drama about the real-life first woman to play in Negro League Baseball. $30-$95. Thru Mar. 29. 405 Geary St. www.act-sf.org t

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 25

Picture

Nightlife Events>>

Munro's at Midnight @ Midnight Sun

Miss Kitty's Trivia Night @ Wild Side West

Drag night with Mercedez Munro. No cover. 10pm. 4067 18th St. www.midnightsunsf.com

The weekly fun night at the Bernal Heights bar includes prizes, hosted by Kitty Tapata. No cover. 7pm-10pm. 424 Cortland St. wildsidewest.com

Vamp @ Beaux Women’s weekly night with a sultry vampire theme. DJs Olga T and Jayne Grey. $5-$15. 8pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Fri 28

Growlr @ SF Eagle

For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

Thu 27 Beso Latinx @ Jolene’s Von Kiss hosts a new night at the queer nightclub. 9pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. www.jolenessf.com

Curious at the End @ The Stud Apocalyptic Cabaret with a show by Nicole Jost and Carson Beker. $15. Doors 6pm, show 7pm. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Events @ Steamworks, Berkeley

Fri 28 Drag Alive @ The Stud Happy hour shows with seating, with VivvyAnne ForeverMORE, Shane Thomas, Militia Towers, Cash Monet. $15-$25. 6:30pm-8pm. 299 9th St. www.studsf.com

Get Busy @ Driftwood DJ Robin Malone Simmons plays house, techno and more. $5. 9pm2am.1225 Folsom St. www.driftwoodbarsf.com

Growlr @ SF Eagle Cubs, bears, dad and pups cruise night with DJ Marcos Moreno and gogo guys. $5. 9pm-2am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

The stylish bathhouse’s music-filled super-cruisy days and nights with DJs Myster?ous, Ray, Trever, and Little Rock take place Thursdays-Sundays, 10pm late; Sundays 1pm-7pm. $7$62, plus annual memberships $160. Open 24/7, every day. 2107 4th St., Berkeley. (510) 845-8992. www.steamworksbaths.com

Jenn Colella @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

Friends Live @ Oasis

New dance party with DJ Ion the Prize, hostess Lindsay Slowhands MCs a drag show. $10. 10pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

The popular sitcom gets a deserved drag parody, with Caleb Haven Draper, Carol Ann Walker, Emily France, Titus Androgynous, Sue Casa, Paul Grant, Hovannes, Cassie Wassie, Kirk Saraceno, L Ron Hubby and Anne Norland. $27.50$50. 7pm. Thu-Sat 7pm thru March 14. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Literary Speakeasy @ Martuni’s Lit and liquor combine at the famed martini bar, with Hugh Behm-Steinberg, Spencer Fleury, Yume Kim, Andrea Passwater, Danielle Truppi, and host James J. Siegel. 7pm. 4 Valencia St.

NoisePop @ Multiple Venues Music and arts festival with dozens of acts, thru March 1. www.noisepopfest.com

Thursday Night Live @ SF Eagle Rock bands play at the famed leather bar. Feb. 27: The Alternating Currents, Sutras and Grotesque. $8. 9pm-12am. 398 12th St. at Harrison. sf-eagle.com

The Broadway performer with a smart comic edge performs at the elegant cabaret nightclub. $50-$65. ($20 food/drink min.) Also Feb 29. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. feinsteinssf.com

Millennia @ Oasis

Steam @ Powerhouse Bathhouse towel-dancing wet fun at the cruisy SoMa bar, DJ NonSuit. $5. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Uhaul @ Jolene’s The popular women’s dance party returns at the new nightclub, now weekly. 10pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. www.jolenessf.com

United We Groove @ El Rio DJ Kween Uneek spins. 10pm-2am. 3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com

Sat 29

Chillonas @ Driftwood DJs Nate Manic, Pinche Pobrecito and Prince Wolf. $5. 10pm-2am.1225 Folsom St. www.driftwoodbarsf.com

Creep Year @ The Stud Drag and DJs John Fucking Cartwright at the night for pervs, freaks, inverts and sociopaths. $5-$10. 9pm-2am. 299 9th St. www.studsf.com

Dave Schweisguth @ Martuni’s The vocalist’s concert, ‘Here’s to Your Illusion: Songs About Life by Yip Harburg,” with accompanist Russell Deason. $20. 7pm 4 Valencia St.

Women bands play folk, blues and more. $15-$18. 8pm. 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. www.ivyroom.com

High Fantasy @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Weekly drag and variety show at the intimate bar, plus DJed grooves. $5. Shows at 10:30pm & 12am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. auntcharlieslounge.com

Trivia Night @ Port Bar, Oakland Big gay trivia night at the East Bay bar with host Robert Perez. 8pm. Broadway. portbaroakland.com

Tarot card readings by Mutha Chucka; live DJ music; tasty zodiac-themed cocktails curated by bar manager, Raul Ayala, and more extra day fun. $20. 7pm-11pm. Hotel Zelos, 5th floor, 12 4th St. www.eventbrite.com

Bedtime Stories @ SF Eagle

Enjoy the Cuban jazz-pop vocalists and band at the elegant restaurantnightclub. $29-$74. 7:30pm & 9:30pm. Mar. 1, 7pm & 9pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. www.yoshis.com

Onyx, Nutz @ Powerhouse Black men into leather gathering at the cruisy SoMa bar; special Bare Chest Men ‘wet chest’ contest with $100 prize. 5pm-9pm. Nutz: 9pm-2am includes Mr. David Glamamore & Dulce de Leche with DJ Josh Cheon, plus a gogo-dancing contest with a $500 prize. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

PopTart @ Oasis D’Arcy Drollinger’s new drag night, with cohost Sue Casa, and a Star Wars theme with guest Rock M. Sakura. $10. 10pm-2am. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Big Boy @ Lone Star

Sun 1

Leap Year party at the bear bar, with DJs Boyshapedbox & Subdominant. $5. 9pm-2am. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Amoura Teese and Ava Lashay cohost a weekly drag show. 2023 Broadway. www.portbaroakland.com

Blessed @ Port Bar, Oakland

Saucy drag show, 7pm-10pm. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. olenessf.com

PoleSexual @ Powerhouse Cabaret show with dancers and other acts. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Rosalie’s Wig Camp @ Oasis Fundraiser. $200. 11am-6pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550 The popular two-stepping linedancing, not-just-country music night, with free lessons. 5pm-10:30pm. Also Thursdays 6:30pm-10:30pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. sundancesaloon.org

Mon 2 Antigone Rising @ The Ivy Room, Albany

Antigone Rising, the Muddy Roses @ The Ivy Room, Albany

Wed 4

Omar Sosa, Yilian Canizares @ Yoshi’s Oakland

Carmen Jones @ Yoshi’s Oakland The powerhouse vocalist performs a Teena Marie tribute, with hostcomedian Dennis Gaxiola. $20. 8pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. www.yoshis.com

Weekly underwear party at the intimate mid-Market nightclub. $1 well drinks for anyone in underwear from 9pm-10pm. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Pan Dulce @ Beaux

Leap Year Party @ Dirty Habit

Club Shevil @ Jolene’s

Tue 3

NSA @ Club OMG

Drag divas, gogo studs, DJed Latin grooves and drinks at the Hump Day fiesta. 9pm-2am (free before 10:30pm). 2344 Market St. www.clubpapi.com

Thu 5 Amber Martin @ Oasis The amazing singer performs Bathhouse Bette, her tribute concert of Bette Midler songs. $20. 9pm. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Fuego @ Watergarden, San Jose Weekly DJed sex party with Latin videos and music. 4pm-12am. 1010 The Alameda, San Jose. www.thewatergarden.com

Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences

Salon and variety show with hosts Nella Pudin and Eric Mueller. $5-$10. 8pm-11pm. 398 12th St. sf-eagle.com

Big Butterfly @ The Ivy Room, Albany Diverse rock, jazz, zydeco and other hybrid styles with Scott Amendola, Zachary Ostroff & Adam Nash. $10. 8pm. 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. www.ivyroom.com

Party at the spacious nature museum; Mar. 5: Women in Science, with DJ Lady Ryan, pop-ups demos, dancing and more. $10-$20. 6pm-10pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.calacademy.org

Thump @ White Horse, Oakland Electro music night with DJ Matthew Baker and guests. 9pm-2am. 6551 Telegraph Ave. whitehorsebar.comt

Playmates and soul mates...

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<< Leather

26 • Bay Area Reporter • February 27-March 4, 2020

Embracing change, honoring history

Race Bannon

Amp Somers, Mr Friendly SF 2019; Lady Byrd, Team Friendly SF Ambassador 2020; Stephan Ferris, Mr Friendly 2018, and Steve Nuñez-Jirgl, Mr Friendly 2015.

by Race Bannon

f there is anything in life that’s unavoidable, it’s change. One moment you’re traveling along a wellworn path, only to find out the path now has more branch paths, and it turns out those new paths branch out yet again. Or, a path might become a dead end because what was

best for that path before isn’t best for it now. So, you take another path. Life is unique each moment and as time passes we adapt and recalibrate our lives and environments. New paths. Change. One must keep up with the times or be left in the dust wondering what happened. Mr. Friendly is a wellknown national campaign with deep roots in the leather and

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kink communities founded by Dave Watt to help fight the stigma of HIV. Recently, the folks in Mr. Friendly reacted to what they saw as a need for a new approach. They rebranded their campaign and announced opportunities for their official representatives to be of any gender or orientation. Watt said this about the change. “Our Friendly campaign recognizes the importance of reaching everyone, as HIV affects all persons. One aspect of our mission is to ensure that this program speaks, without limitations, to our society’s expanding understanding of gender. It is for this reason that we have decided to drop the ‘Mr’ from our campaign.” “We are thrilled to announce that we are rebranding to ‘Team Friendly’ as we have found that the term Team Friendly best expresses our mission to fight stigma of HIV, one Friendly conversation at a time. We listen. We learn. We change.” “To combat stigma, we are constantly evaluating and evolving our campaign to be more inclusive. Goodbye ‘Mr;’ hello ‘Team!’” Last Sunday at the SF Eagle the San Francisco chapter of Team Friendly announced their new 2020 representative. Lady Byrd was designated the new Team Friendly SF Ambassador and she becomes the first woman to hold such a position. I asked Lady Byrd how she felt about becoming the first Team Friendly SF appointee. “Team Friendly is about combating stigma in a kind and compassionate way. I find that mission beautiful because, to me, stigma is a barrier that keeps us from truly connecting with others. I hope to inspire people to move away from a place of stigma and toward a more loving, friendly way of being.” I know that such changes can be both welcome and controversial within the kink communities, but in this case since HIV has an impact on people of all genders and orienta-

Both photos: Rich Stadtmiller

Top: Eric See, Chairman of The 15 Association (at podium), surrounded by most of the fraternal members of the club. Bottom: Some of the guys enjoying The 15 Association’s 40th Anniversary Dinner (left to right): Yito Guillen, Bob Brown, Norm Lynde and Warzie Lang.

Dave Watt, the founder of the national Mr Friendly campaign that has been renamed Team Friendly.

tions, the change seems like simply acknowledging the need to adapt to reality. Good luck Lady Byrd. May your year be a good one.

The 15 Association Turns 40

In February 1980, six leathermen got together and formed a new club in San Francisco for gay men into BDSM. That club ended up being called The 15 Association, and they just celebrated their 40th anniver-

sary with a big celebration weekend of social gatherings, play parties and a formal dinner. The 15 Association is the longeststanding BDSM club for men on the West Coast. It was the second such club formed in the country with Chicago Hellfire Club being the first. The club’s purpose is to be a social fraternal organization for men into BDSM and leather. While primarily a play club, they have always participated in the local leather community supporting education, safer BDSM, fundraising for worthy community charities, and support of other leather and BDSM clubs. I attended the celebration weekend’s opening cigar social at the SF Eagle and their annual anniversary dinner held at a local restaurant. The camaraderie and pride present at both events were palpable. Yes, I have a bias since I’m a member of this wonderful organization, but I honestly feel they represent what’s best about the men’s BDSM scene. I asked Eric See, Chairman of The 15 Association, to reflect on his club’s long history. “I am so amazed at the strength of our club at 40. While so many leather clubs are struggling, the 15 association has figured out a good formula for success: focus on fun, play, and sex. Keep fundraising to only what’s necessary. Build a sense of brotherhood and keep strife and drama to a minimum. We had over 160 members and guests from around the world attend a weekend of activities. Everyone left with smiles on their faces.” Congratulations to The 15 Association on 40 years of being an integral part of San Francisco men’s leather culture. In an era when many such clubs are challenged to attract members this club’s strength is a sure sign that our local kink scene is still alive and vibrant.t

For Leather Events, visit www.ebar.com/events Race Bannon is a local author, blogger and activist. www.bannon.com

Shining Stars>>

February 27-March 4, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 27

Gooch

Juanita MORE!’s confetti-filled entrance at her 2018 Pride Party, held at SVN West.

Giving Back at Pride

Coronation 55 @ Park Central Hotel

Celebrating 17 years, and getting ready for 2020

“I

remember the first time I marched with a contingent. It was pure magic, stepping off the curb and planting my foot onto Market Street. The heavy weight of not being out to everyone in my life had finally been lifted off my back, and I felt like I had set myself free; I was floating way up high in the clouds. I smiled for the entire day.” In her online column, philanthropist and event creator Juanita MORE! shares her history of throwing the always-popular Pride parties while raising thousands for local nonprofits. Read it on www.ebar.com

photo by Gooch

n addition to Imperial Council events around the Bay Area through the weekend, Coronation 55, titled ‘Disco in the Jungle,’ held Saturday February 22 at the Park Central Hotel, concluded with the crowning of new Empress Mimi Osa and Emperor William Bulkley. Congratulations to the new royalty. http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/

Shining Stars

Photos by

Steven Underhill Coronation 55 @ Park Central Hotel

oronation 55, titled ‘Disco in the Jungle,’ held Saturday February 22 at the Park Central Hotel, brought out a festive array of fabulous Royal queens in gowns, daring drag, and some amusing jungle-themed couture. www.imperialcouncilsf.org See plenty more photos on BARtab’s Facebook page, facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife. See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at StevenUnderhill.com.

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