January 25, 2024 edition of the Bay Area Reporter, America's LGBTQ newspaper

Boost for Shepard stamp effort

Milk plaza meeting postponed

11

Primo ballerino Robert Carter

ARTS

09

ARTS

05

11

Salute to George Michael

The

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Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities since 1971

Vol. 54 • No. 4 • January 25-31, 2024

Lesbian Atkins to run for CA governor

by Cynthia Laird

T Screengrab

U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Lee

US Senate candidates debate ahead of primary

by John Ferrannini

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he three Democratic candidates vying to represent California in the United States Senate hit the sole Republican candidate on his refusal to say if he will vote for former president and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump this year – while each articulated differences between them on how to best represent the Golden State.

Republican Steve Garvey, a former baseball star, raised eyebrows when he said at one point that he “touched” homeless people while talking to them about issues facing them and was criticized by two of his opponents.

It all happened during a 90-minute debate at the University of Southern California, televised locally on KTVU-TV on January 22. It was hosted by Alex Michaelson of KTTV-TV, Los Angeles’ Fox affiliate, and Melanie Mason of Politico.

The candidates are running for the seat currently held by Black lesbian Senator Laphonza Butler (D), whom Governor Gavin Newsom appointed last fall after the death of longtime Senator Dianne Feinstein (D). Butler subsequently announced that she would not seek election.

Garvey, who is straight and played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, has not held elected office. He said he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, and wouldn’t rule it out this time, as Trump has a presumed lock on their party’s presidential nomination this year. After winning last week’s Iowa caucuses, Trump is on his way to becoming the Republican nominee for the third time in a row.

“I’m my own man; I make my own decisions,” Garvey said. “I voted for him twice ... it’s important when two people are the final two people that you choose the person you felt was the best person for the job. His first opponent [Hillary Clinton] talked down to the people of this country. She thought she was entitled. His second opponent [President Joe Biden] stayed in the basement and only came out in controlled environments. I wouldn’t have voted for [former] President [Ronald] Reagan if he’d stayed in the basement.”

Garvey said that economists say Trump “did an excellent job” and that “when the time comes, I’ll look at the two opponents, determine what they did, and at that time I will make my choice.”

Nonetheless, “I don’t believe Joe Biden has been good for this country,” he added. “I heard it said Trump was terrible for the world, we were less safe. We were safer more under him than we are under Biden.”

Congressmember Katie Porter (D-Irvine), a straight ally, had a couple of baseball references for Garvey.

“Once a dodger, always a dodger,” she said. “This is not the minor leagues. Who will you vote for?”

Congressmember Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), a straight ally who led the House prosecution on the first of Trump’s two impeachments, disagreed that the world would be safer if Trump returns to the presidency.

See page 8 >>

oni Atkins, the outgoing president pro tempore of the state Senate and a lesbian longtime lawmaker, is looking to make history as the state’s first woman and out governor.

Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego, announced she’s running for governor January 19 at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in her hometown, joined by hundreds of supporters.

“In 2026, we have the opportunity to elect a governor who understands, and has lived, the challenges facing Californians struggling to get by and trying to get ahead,” said Atkins in her remarks. “I am ready to be governor.

“I have a little over two years to reach almost 27 million eligible voters in California. Based on my speech at our wedding reception, I know Jennifer [LeSar] thinks I am going to try to speak to each one of them individually,” she quipped.

“Of course, I can’t do that,” she continued. “But, in asking people for their vote, I do have the obligation to tell folks who I am – and what I’m not.

“And before I go any further, I want to say to Jennifer, no announcement I ever make, no words I will ever say, can match getting to lawfully say ‘I do’ standing by your side.”

If elected, Atkins would be the Golden State’s first out and first woman chief executive. Current Governor Gavin Newsom (D), a former San Francisco mayor, is termed out but already several Democratic political leaders have announced their plans to run for the seat. Among them are Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and state

Bryan Giardinelli/Hello@BreatheNewWinds.com

Outgoing state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins announced she’s running for governor in 2026 at the San Diego Air and Space Museum January 19.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Former state controller Betty Yee has also announced she’s running. (There is currently one out statewide elected official: gay Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.)

Kounalakis rolled out some endorsements earlier this week that included gay Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), chair of the influential housing committee, and more than a dozen other state lawmakers, according to Politico.

On Friday, the attention was on Atkins. Several union representatives spoke, telling the audience that Atkins “gets it.”

“She’s fought for prevailing wages – she gets it,” said Val Macedo, business manager and secretary-

treasurer of Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LIUNA, Local 89.

Willie Pelote, a veteran and chair of the California State Fair board, gave a fiery speech.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Ph.D., introduced Atkins.

“We need someone who will fight for us,” said Weber, a former San Diego assemblymember. “We need someone who understands what it means to be poor and proud at the same time.”

Weber referenced the polarization of politics in the United States and noted the importance of democracy.

See page 8 >>

Wiener introduces bill to ensure collection of LGBTQ health data

by Mathew S. Bajko

G

ay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced legislation to ensure that state health officials are meeting their requirements to ask about sexual orientation and gender identity demographics. It is in response to a scathing 2023 report from California’s state auditor that found the statewide health department’s SOGI data collection efforts were woefully inadequate.

California State Auditor Grant Parks last April released a 45-page report titled “The California Department of Public Health: It Has Not Collected and Reported Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data as State Law Intended.” As the Bay Area Reporter noted, myriad issues have derailed the collection of the LGBTQ health information that was required to be gathered beginning in 2016.

One of his findings was that 105 out of 129 forms used by the state health department were exempted from collecting SOGI data because a third party, such as a local health jurisdiction, oversaw them.

And only 17 of the 24 forms that had been required to collect SOGI data did so “in a complete manner,” Parks noted.

Since the audit’s release, the state health department has been working to address the various issues raised by the auditor’s office, as the B.A.R. reported last fall.

It’s been reviewing and updating the forms it uses to ensure they include SOGI questions and that the phrasing of the queries are up to date. It also gathered feedback regarding the standardized definition, wording, and format of SOGI data questions and response fields to be used.

Nonetheless, state health officials have informed Parks it will be years before all of the forms have the required SOGI questions. One reason being the state health department is moving to a new surveillance system.

It is requiring the outsider vendors it uses to include the SOGI data fields. But as the B.A.R. noted in a December story, the state health department has said for the updates to be in place by July 1, 2026 will

Courtesy Sen. Wiener’s office

State Senator Scott Wiener

require additional state funding. With California lawmakers facing a growing budget crisis, it remains to be seen if such funding will be allocated this year.

To ensure that all forms used by the health agency collect SOGI data, Wiener decided to introduce his legislation, Senate Bill 957, which he submitted Tuesday. Speaking to the B.A.R. Monday, Wiener said his bill merely aims to put into law what the auditor asked California Department of Public Health officials to do to resolve all the issues the audit found regarding the gathering of the LGBTQ health data.

One of the most important, said Wiener, is seeing that state health officials add the SOGI questions to all the forms they use.

“This should be a no-brainer,” Wiener said of adopting his legislation. “It is the most glaring problem and a problem that cried out for a legislative fix.”

Since the lackluster collection of SOGI data by health officials at all levels of government became glaringly obvious at the onset of the COVID pandemic, for which there was no accurate data tracking how the novel coronavirus was impacting the LGBTQ community, Wiener has spoken out about the need to address the issue, along with other state legislators and LGBTQ advocates.

He told the B.A.R. the legislators have taken the proper approach to fix the problems with the SOGI data collection, from trying to work with health officials to passing emergency legislation and then calling for an audit when those efforts failed to bring about a remedy.

“We did it the right way,” he said. “We did the audit and it showed the problems at CDPH. Now we are making sure all these forms include sexual orientation and gender identity demographics.”

Wiener expects his latest bill will receive broad support from his legislative colleagues this year.

“I suspect we will get strong support,” he predicted. “Our original bill in 2020, I believe, we passed unanimously, so my colleagues understand the value of this data.”

Since his meetings in the first half of last year with CDPH officials, Wiener said he has not had additional sit-downs to discuss the department’s actions it has taken to address the audit findings. He told the B.A.R. his bill is based on the conversations he did have with the statewide agency.

“It is based on their input from when we met with them about the audit and all of the challenges. We were aware of their perspective,” said Wiener. “They want to do a good job and want to get this data. They always expressed that to us.”

He added that he would be monitoring the progress the department makes in addressing the myriad issues revealed in the audit. If additional bills are needed, Wiener said he would look at introducing them.

“If we end up having to add in more or do additional legislation down the road, I am certainly open to that,” said Wiener, who is seeking another four-year term this November.

His latest bill should have its first hearing in March or April. If enacted, it would take effect next January 1 and require that the state health department comply with its SOGI data collection requirements by July 1, 2026. t

<< Election 2024

2 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

Queer candidates spar at D9 supe forum

by John Ferrannini

S

parks flew between two of the three queer candidates present at a January 17 debate for those running for San Francisco District 9 supervisor over the war in Gaza and antisemitism at home.

The forum was held at the El Rio bar and nightclub on Mission Street – the district covers the Mission, Portola, and Bernal Heights neighborhoods. It was hosted by the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club among other local political groups. As many as 200 people packed the bar’s patio to watch.

Current District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen is termed out. Four years ago she ran unopposed for reelection. This time, there is a crowded field to replace her.

At one point, when the candidates could question one another, Jackie Fielder, a queer woman, took on Trevor Chandler, a gay man, about his time as a community

John Ferrannini

Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club President Jeffrey Kwong, left, welcomed District 9 supervisor candidates Trevor Chandler, Roberto Hernandez, Jaime Gutierrez, Julian Bermudez, Jackie Fielder, and Stephen Torres to the January 17 debate at El Rio.

outreach director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, mentioning political endorsements it made in 2022 of congressional Republi-

cans who had refused to certify the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021, and who oppose same-sex marriage.

“Trevor has been quoted as being

proud of the fact that he can work with people like Mike Pence to get $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to Israel,” Fielder said, referring to the former vice president.

“Twenty-three thousand Palestinians are dead.”

On October 7, Hamas terrorists went into Israel and killed 1,200 people in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Israel responded with an extensive bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, and a ground invasion, which has led to the deaths of at least 25,000 Palestinians, according to media reports, making it the deadliest conflict in the region in over four decades.

Fielder also criticized Chandler’s characterization that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ resolution backing a ceasefire in Gaza, which passed 8-3 January 9, was a “do nothing” resolution.

“I’ve talked to people in this district

t

who have lost family in Gaza as recently as last week,” Fielder said.

Responded Chandler: “I have spent more time in the West Bank than anyone on this stage negotiating and talking with the head of the –” Chandler couldn’t finish because he was cut off by boos from the audience.

Fielder then asked Chandler if he would have voted for the resolution. He responded by criticizing the behavior of some of the individuals who showed up to City Hall, particularly during the time devoted to public comment during the board’s rules committee meeting January 8.

“When I saw outright denials of the use of sexual violence and rape, when I saw that I would not have associated myself with that and I would have voted against it,” he said. “Would I have associated myself with people who make pig noises at Jewish residents? No.” See page 6 >>

Lesbians Who Tech moving summit to NYC compiled by Cynthia Laird

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he national lesbian-centered confab that has been the bane of some Castro merchants over the last two years it has been held in the LGBTQ neighborhood is heading to the Big Apple for this year’s event.

Lesbians Who Tech announced in an email blast January 18 that its Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit this year will be in New York City.

The conference will be held September 17-19. The organization has not returned the Bay Area Reporter’s request for comment as to whether this means the end of the summit’s years in San Francisco, but that appears likely. Prior years’ events had been held in the fall in the Castro neighborhood.

Late last year, Leanne Pittsford, a

Courtesy LWT

The Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit is apparently headed to New York City this year, according to an email blast from the organization.

lesbian who is the CEO and founder of Lesbians Who Tech, conducted an online survey to gauge potential attendees’ interest in having the summit in

San Francisco or New York City, as the B.A.R. previously reported.

The apparent move comes after business owners in the Castro neighborhood voiced opposition to allowing the confab to take over Castro Street once again in 2024. Last year and in 2022 the conference closed down the thoroughfare for use as a gated gathering area for its attendees.

As the B.A.R. reported last year, the Castro Merchants Association voted preemptively to oppose future closings of Castro Street to the event after concerns members had brought up with the tech group went unaddressed. These included a barrier that Auto Erotica owner Patrick Batt compared to an “armed camp,” and issues with garbage collection, street signage, and communications generally.

“I hope they treat New York City bet-

ter than they treated San Francisco,” Batt, a gay man, told the B.A.R. January 18.

The wording of the merchants’ resolution was specific to the street closure, and several expressed support for the summit continuing in the Castro if it were indoors, as it was in its earlier years. But the association was not able to come to a consensus on that matter and so did not vote on it.

Another factor that may have played a role in Lesbians Who Tech’s decision is that the Castro Theatre, which has served as the main venue for the summit, is expected to be closed for renovations this spring and will remain shuttered for a little over a year, according to Another Planet Entertainment, which manages the theater.

BMR UNIT

BEDROOM COUNT

BATH COUNT

SQUARE FEET

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PRICE W/ PARKING

PRICE W/O PARKING

MONTHLY HOA DUES W/O PARKING

MONTHLY HOA DUES W/ PARKING

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Asked about Lesbians Who Tech’s move to NYC by the B.A.R., Terry Asten Bennett, a straight ally who is the merchants’ president and co-owner of Cliff’s Variety at 479 Castro Street, said simply, “We hope it is incredibly successful for them.”

Pittsford told the B.A.R. in November, “There’s a lot of opportunity for the Castro to be a safe space for women and queer, nonbinary leaders. ... There’s literally nothing that centers us. There’s a reason it’s challenging for us to have space in the queer community, but my team works incredibly hard.”

She did not return a request for comment.

See page 6 >>

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Community News>>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 3

Exhibit showcases acceptance of LGBTQ APIs

by J.L. Odom

T

he on-and-off rain January 19 didn’t deter a crowd from gathering in the GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood for the opening reception of the “API Family Wall of Pride” exhibition.

The community-focused exhibition centers on Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ individuals’ recognition of family members, as well as others, who have had a positive impact on their lives – namely by championing them and demonstrating love and kindness in the face of adversity and social stigma.

“For folks who may feel disconnected from their families to be able to see and be inspired, for folks that are questioning how they can show up and be of support to their family members, I think this exhibit is going to make that happen,” said GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Roberto Ordeñana, a gay man.

As Ordeñana noted, the museum, which opened in 2011, is the first of its kind in the U.S. in terms of its exclusive focus on LGBTQ+ history and culture.

The “API Wall of Pride,” the latest installment in the queer-devoted space, will be on view until June.

For the exhibition, the historical society partnered with Asian and Pacific Islander Family Pride, a nonprofit based in the Bay Area. Belinda Dronkers-Laureta co-founded the organization with her husband, John Dronkers-Laureta; she has since served as its director.

About the collaboration with the historical society to showcase the exhibit in the museum, she shared that she’s “glad that this happened.”

API Family Pride’s mission, as stated on its site, is “to end the isolation of Asian and Pacific Islander families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members through support, education, and dialog[ue].” Since the founding of the organization in 2004, the DronkersLauretas have sought to bring greater

J.L. Odom

Belinda Dronkers-Laureta, director of Asian and Pacific Islander Family Pride, talked about the “API Family Wall of Pride” exhibit at its January 19 opening reception at the GLBT Historical Society Museum.

awareness to, and promote the acceptance of, diverse sexual orientations and genders in API families and the greater API community.

Said Ordeñana, “I am so inspired by the work that Belinda and John have done over the years to not only bring visibility to the love of families and the acceptance of our queer children and our queer siblings, but really [to ensure] that the legacy of these families lives on.”

At the opening, visitors gathered in the hallway space immediately past the museum’s entrance and reception area, where the “Wall of Pride” is mounted.

Positioned across from the GLBT Historical Society’s apparel and gifts section and the “Doris Fish: Ego as Artform” exhibit, it consists of two rows of 14 rectangular poster boards (28 in total), featuring “API Pride Honor Roll” individuals.

Each board includes a photograph of the person; a statement about them, written by an API LGBTQ+ family member, that highlights their supportiveness; and a brief biography.

One of the boards, for instance, features the Dronkers-Lauretas, whose son, Lance Dronkers, is gay. Another is dedicated to Dawning Chung and includes her daughter Cecilia Chung’s

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acknowledgement of, and gratitude for, her mother’s support. Part of Cecilia Chung’s written dedication to her mother reads, “When my father kicked me out in 1992, my mother risked everything to continue supporting me, to keep me from becoming totally homeless. In 1998, she gave me the financial support for my sex change operation and she slowly helped me reconcile with my father and my grandparents.”

Chung, a transgender woman who is HIV-positive, is a member of the San Francisco Health Commission and senior director of strategic initiatives and evaluation at the Oakland-based Transgender Law Center.

Most of the boards pay tribute to immediate family members, such as mothers, fathers, both parents, and siblings, though one expresses appreciation for the California Teachers Association and another recognizes Bay Area pastor the Reverend Michael Yoshii of the Buena Vista Methodist Church in Alameda (who retired from the position in 2020).

While each story on the wall is unique, the themes of acceptance, love, and support of API LGBTQ+ family members are discernible across the boards.

“This is a big deal, no matter what generation you’re from,” said reception attendee Naomi Kitajima, former director of health services at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

Kitajima, who identifies as a cis woman, an ally and “embracing” of the LGBTQ+ community, shared that she’s attended previous API Family Pride events and has appreciated Belinda Dronkers-Laureta’s ongoing efforts throughout the years.

Kitajima commented, “She [Dronkers-Laureta] went out to the community and said, ‘Hey, as APIs, we need to support our kids.’ And so she started it from the very beginning.”

At the reception, Dronkers-Laureta said that she has perceived her work as conveying the message of, “Your child is

who he is or who she is, and accept them for who they are. That’s your child.” She said that someone else once described her work as “putting families together.”

API Family Pride became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2004; during that same year, the conservative Christian “Mayday for Marriage” rally took place in Washington, D.C., drawing thousands of participants.

Dronkers-Laureta said that families, at the time, asked what they should do in response to the anti-LGBTQ+ march and negative perception of the LGBTQ+ community.

“And so we threw a banquet to celebrate us, our family, our LGBT family,” explained Dronkers-Laureta.

During the inaugural and in subsequent “Family Presentation” banquets, held at Hotel Whitcomb (now temporarily closed) in San Francisco, “API Wall of Pride” people were announced and honored in person, with nominations for individuals and organizations submitted prior to the gatherings.

Dronkers-Laureta shared that the inception of the “API Pride Ho≠–nor Roll” and corresponding boards was the work of API LGBTQ+ family members: “The family had said, ‘We are going to honor you; we’re going to put you on stage. And I said, ‘Put us on stage?’”

Dronkers-Laureta noted that she still has the first 10 boards that were unveiled at the 2004 banquet.

The exhibit’s name also derived from one of the banquets. According to Dronkers-Laureta, one of the parents in attendance, when looking at the boards, said, “I love that wall of pride.”

“We’ve honored all these parents and families who were just happy with their family and accepted their family,” said Dronkers-Laureta.

Acceptance has not been the case in all families, though, as Kitajima shared that her own parents were unsupportive of her gay brother, who also attended the reception.

“My parents never overly recognized him in any way or helped support him in any way for his identity,” Kitajima said.

“She [Dronkers-Laureta] tried to get my parents, or my mother in particular, to put up one of these, and my mother being an Asian person, second generation (Nisei), said nothing.”

“At the time I said, ‘I would love for us to be with them, with our brother, up here,’ but they never did it,” she added.

Kitajima now has a gay son, whom she hopes will consider being included.

“I’m going to read them all, and I’m going to take pictures of them. And I hope that either my brother will suggest it because I don’t feel that it’s my place to suggest it or my son will say, ‘You know, I’d like to be up there on that wall, too.’”

There are approximately 50 “Wall of Pride” boards in total, and the plan is to change them out every week or biweekly throughout the exhibit’s tenure in the museum, said Dronkers-Laureta. In doing so, visitors can see and read about even more “Honor Roll” individuals, with each poster board showcasing API LGBTQ+ pride, inclusivity, and family and cultural ties across generations.

As Ordeñana noted, “Right now, we continue to see really horrible attacks against some of the most vulnerable members of our LGBTQ family and community, particularly our trans and gender-nonbinary community members [and] our drag communities all across the country. And so lifting up history – preserving, exhibiting, and learning from our past so that we can envision a brighter future – has never been more important.” t The GLBT Historical Society’s museum is located at 4127 18th Street in San Francisco. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. More information can be found at glbthistory. org/museum

<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

Volume 54, Number 4 January 25-31, 2024 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 & NIGHTLIFE EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christopher J. Beale • Robert Brokl Brian Bromberger • Victoria A. Brownworth Philip Campbell • Heather Cassell Michael Flanagan •Jim Gladstone Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell • Lisa Keen Philip Mayard • Laura Moreno David-Elijah Nahmod • J.L. Odom • Paul Parish Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Charlie Wagner Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Rick Gerharter • Gooch Jose A. Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Rich Stadtmiller Christopher Robledo • Fred Rowe Shot in the City • Steven Underhill • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Christine Smith

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Barbara Lee for US Senate

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here is one Democratic U.S. Senate candidate who stands above the others when it comes to LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS issues and that’s why we’re recommending Congressmember Barbara Lee of Oakland for the U.S. Senate in the March 5 primary. Senator Dianne Feinstein occupied the seat for decades before her death last September.

Governor Gavin Newsom then appointed Laphonza Butler, a Black lesbian, to replace Feinstein, but Butler said she would not seek election and is thus serving as a caretaker.

We’re endorsing Lee because of her deep experience with the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. In fact, during Monday’s debate, Lee was the only candidate to specifically mention the LGBTQ community, which was in the contexts of health clinics and equal rights. She will stand up for us and stand with us in this deeply polarized political climate. Lee, a straight ally, is a founding member and vice chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and has consistently been ranked as the most progressive member of Congress, she stated in her Bay Area Reporter endorsement questionnaire. “I have a record of unspoken advocacy and legislative action on behalf of underrepresented communities,” she wrote.

One of Lee’s most significant accomplishments was working with then-President George W. Bush and congressional Republicans on her global HIV/ AIDS legislative package, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. The groundbreaking act has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives over the last 20 years, and has funded billions of dollars to curb AIDS cases and HIV transmission across the globe. We noted last year that PEP-

FAR’s reauthorization was in doubt, but Congress did approve a one-year funding patch last September.

So Lee has demonstrated an ability to work across the aisle even while maintaining her progressive bona fides. That will be critical in the Senate, which is narrowly divided, and hopefully, can remain under Democratic control next year. The Senate’s most important job right now is voting to confirm federal judges. Lee stated that she will prioritize federal judge nominees with a strong track record of standing up for justice – economic justice, racial justice, social justice, political justice, and environmental justice.

“In striving for a more equitable and ethical legal system, it’s also essential that federal judicial nominees reflect the varying experiences of people in our country, including those who have traditionally been excluded from having a seat at the table,” she stated.

“I will advocate for personal and professional diversity in nominations, including out LGBTQ+ people, to progress our federal judiciary toward being truly representative.” Lee does support term limits for the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court, and a congressionally-enacted, enforceable code of ethics for all judges as measures of accountability.

Addressing California’s housing crisis, Lee stated that as a senator she would pass legislation to fully fund the Section 8 rental assistance program, establish a national rent control standard, strengthen the Fair Housing Act, and implement a Section 8 nondiscrimination law so that landlords can’t discriminate against anyone based on their source of income.

Lee is a fighter who has stood up to MAGA extremists and even her fellow members of Congress.

Just last week, Lee was booted from a House Foreign

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Courtesy the campaign

U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Lee

Affairs subcommittee hearing on Cuba policy “because the Republican chair didn’t like my views,” as she wrote on X. Lee’s been working on U.S.-Cuba policy for her entire career, so the move was a headscratcher.

Lee will strongly advocate for our communities and be a champion for all Californians. She stands on principle – even when it is not easy. Some residents may be too young to remember, but Lee was the only member of Congress to vote to oppose the authorization for use of military force in Afghanistan on September 14, 2001, just days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, because she didn’t want a blank check for endless wars.

As she stated, “I’ve never stopped fighting for what’s right.” t

Low, Simon for Congress

I

t’s rare that a congressional seat opens up in the Bay Area, and we are fortunate to have extremely supportive representatives here. But change is afoot with two open congressional seats – one in the South Bay and one in the East Bay. Here are the Bay Area Reporter’s recommendations.

Low for Congressional District 16

The South Bay has a historic opportunity to elect a gay Asian man to Congress, but we’re recommending current Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Cupertino) for the 16th Congressional District because he’s the best candidate running in a crowded field to replace the retiring Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto). Eshoo has been a remarkable leader in the House and has always stood as an ally to the LGBTQ community. Low, as a member of our community himself, takes representation to another level. Also important for the diverse Bay Area, Low would be the first Chinese American elected to Congress for the region. He told us in his endorsement questionnaire that he does not take these facts lightly “and [has] been able to break barriers in the past as the first Asian American, openly gay, and one of the youngest people elected to [the Campbell] City Council.” From there, where he also served as mayor, Low was elected to the Assembly, where he chaired the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and led the charge on marriage equality.

Because the House of Representatives is currently controlled by Republicans, albeit by a slim majority, we asked the congressional candidates what types of legislation they can sponsor. Low stated that he intends to work in a bipartisan manner just as he has in the past to find consensus. “I will prioritize kitchen table issues like building more affordable housing, strengthening public safety, supporting Silicon Valley innovation, and bringing down costs for families,” he wrote.

Low is supportive of a long-standing goal of moving toward universal health care. Funding, of course, is a major obstacle, which he acknowledged. He derided Republicans’ constant attacks on the Affordable Care Act in an effort to roll back protections for

pre-existing conditions and coverage for millions of Americans.

Low has the support of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Equality California, and Representative Ro Khanna (D-San Jose), among others. He would be an exceptional addition to California’s congressional delegation and would work not only for the LGBTQ and Asian American communities, but also for all of the people in his district.

Courtesy the candidates

Congressional candidates Lateefah Simon, left, and Evan Low

Simon for Congressional District 12

This seat is open because veteran Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is running for the U.S. Senate. Of the candidates running, Lateefah Simon is the most qualified. A strong ally to the LGBTQ community, Simon, currently a director on the BART board, has experience with government agencies such as the transit service, as well as with nonprofits like the Young Women’s Freedom Center, which she stated she grew into one of the country’s leading juvenile justice reentry youth-run organizations that serves gender nonbinary and trans young people. “The Bay Area has a deep history of leading on LGBTQ+ rights and if elected, I will continue the strong allyship and work with leaders in the community to protect our LGBTQ+ youth, and continue the fight for equal rights,” Simon stated in her endorsement questionnaire.

A Black woman who is legally blind, Simon has fought to make BART more affordable for working families and transit-dependent people like herself, she noted.

Simon supports single-payer health care. “It is clear to me that the exorbitant cost of health care is untenable,” she stated. “I am committed to fighting for this change to make quality health care accessible and affordable for all.”

Simon is a progressive, but stated that she recognizes the need for bipartisan collaboration in the current political landscape. One area that has potential for that is transit policy. “I plan to be a leader on progressive transit policy,” she stated. “Infrastructure reform has historically been something that both parties can support and I believe it’s high time that we make transit policy a priority ... This issue, fundamentally linked to economic justice, lacks sufficient leadership. I hope to fill this gap.”

Simon noted that stigma persists around public housing. She stated Congress needs to focus on housing that acts as a resource for all. “Our public housing needs to be mixed use and multi-income,” she stated.

“This kind of housing will provide new customers to small businesses owned by LGBTQ+ folks that have become the lifeblood of so many communities in California.” Further, Simon noted it’s important that the housing is accessible by public transit and that more communities are walkable.

Simon is a longtime community organizer. East Bay voters would be fortunate to have her in Congress where she can use those skills to help bring about support for legislation like the stalled Equality Act. Simon has the support of Equality California, gay BART board President Bevan Dufty, and the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, among many others. She would be a champion for constituents in Oakland and the surrounding cities, and hit the ground running. t

Vote for Biden in the primary

T

here’s not much excitement in the upcoming primary as far as the presidential race goes. Years ago California lawmakers moved the traditional June primary to March in presidential election years to have more influence as a Super Tuesday state. And this year, with President Joe Biden basically running unopposed on the Democratic side, and former President Donald Trump moving toward wrapping up the Republican nomination, there isn’t much enthusiasm.

Nevertheless, the Bay Area Reporter endorses Biden for a second term and urges people to vote in the upcoming primary. We know Biden faces a tough reelection fight, but the president

is far superior on the issues, especially regarding the LGBTQ community. Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 that repealed the discriminatory federal Defense of Marriage Act, and the president has been constant in his support for the transgender community, particularly trans youth.

The real fight in the presidential race begins after the primaries, and the thought of Trump back in the White House is scary and deeply concerning. If you care about democracy, it should be worrisome. We have no doubt Biden will win the California primary, and a strong show of support will send a message to Trump that the Golden State remains deep blue. t

Courtesy the White House

President Joe Biden

t

Politics >>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 5

SF supervisors set to back Matthew Shepard stamp

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

he San Francisco Board of Supervisors is to become the first government body to endorse the issuance of a U.S. postal stamp honoring murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard.

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman introduced a resolution in support of the postal tribute Tuesday, setting up a vote on it at the board’s January 30 meeting.

The Bay Area Reporter was first to report about the Shepard stamp effort online December 1, which would have been Shepard’s 47th birthday. After reading the article, Mandelman decided to move forward with authoring his resolution.

“First of all, because we read the B.A.R. Secondly, it is a national effort to get recognition for Matthew Shepard,” Mandelman told the B.A.R. during a brief phone interview January 22 about why he wanted his colleagues to endorse the stamp campaign. “He was like a number of our queeroes, someone who is as famous more for his death than his life. His legacy is one of pretty dramatic social change and advancement for queer people.”

Shepard was brutally attacked on the night of October 6, 1998, tied to a fence outside of Laramie, Wyoming, and left to die. Found by rescuers and taken to a local hospital, he would succumb six days later on October 12 to the severe head injuries he had received.

“Tragic as his story is, his life is worth the recognition. He became a symbol for crimes and murders that were being committed against queer people and continue to be committed against queer people.

But, for whatever reason, his story captured the public imagination and led to change,” noted Mandelman.

The murder of the University of Wyoming student 26 years ago attracted intense media coverage and is one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in American history. It would galvanize activists across the country and led to the passage in 2009 of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It’s co-named in honor of a Black man who was tied to the back of a truck and dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas in 1998. The federal bill expanded a 1969 federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

“In light of the profound influence of Matthew Shepard’s life and death on our nation’s journey toward greater acceptance and equality, it is fitting and proper that we honor his memory and legacy through a commemorative stamp,” reads Mandelman’s resolution.

As of Monday afternoon gay District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, board President Aaron Peskin, who represents District 3, District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, and District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani had signed on as cosponsors of the resolution. It is expected to receive aye votes from all 11 members of the board next week.

“I am fully confident we will have unanimous support for this,” said Mandelman.

LGBTQ Democratic Club voted Sunday night to rescind its endorsement of him ahead of California’s March 5 primary, when Democrats will cast votes for their party’s nominee in this year’s presidential race. The two-thirds threshold needed to do so was met among the 80 club members who cast votes at the special meeting January 21.

Milk club President Jeffrey Kwong told the B.A.R. he believes the club is the first in the Golden State to unendorse Biden over his handling of the war in the Middle East. Progressives within the Democratic Party have been incensed at Biden’s unwillingness to demand a ceasefire from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Focused on the crisis in Gaza, we condemn President Biden’s misguided and perilous actions, and inaction, which undermine the long-term interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.

CASTRO • MARINA • SOMA Despite officials privately suggesting a charitable interpretation of Biden’s apC10-0000523-LIC; C10-0000522-LIC; C10-0000515-LIC proach, the outcome is deemed a demonstrable failure,” according to a statement released by Kwong.

The Milk club had endorsed Biden Attorney at Law in October. Kwong noted its decision Sunday does not extend to the fall race, meaning the progressive queer political group could vote to again endorse Biden • Divorce w/emphasis on before the November election.

Real Estate & Business Divisions “Ahead of the March primary, we • Domestic Partnerships, Support & Custody want to send a strong signal,” said • Probate and Wills Kwong.

A similar effort fell short to rescind www.SchneiderLawSF.com the club’s endorsement of gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is Jewish and has been out front in *Certified by the California State Bar his support of Israel following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on the coun315 Montgomery St., Ste. 1025, San Francisco, CA 94104 try. It did not reach the required twothirds threshold to pass.

Wiener, who addressed the club Sunday night, noted to the B.A.R. that this is the first time Milk has endorsed him since his race in 2006 for a local Democratic Party committee seat.

“So I have had a very long and complicated relationship with the club. Of course, we have our disagreements, but I am grateful for the endorsement,” said Wiener. “As a citywide LGBTQ elected official and a significant LGBTQ political organization in San Francisco, it is important for us to have a working relationship and collaborate. It went through a democratic process, and I am grateful for the club’s support.”

Kwong told the B.A.R. it partly came down to the fact that Wiener has no direct role in setting federal policy. His telling the club he opposes a local measure on the March ballot pushed by Mayor When you plan your life celebration and lasting remembrance in London Breed that would require peoadvance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial ple seeking city services to be drug tested and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ahead also won Wiener support, added Kwong.

When your celebration lasting protectsyou your plan loved ones fromlife unnecessary stress and and financial burden, “I think the membership has strong When you remembrance plan your celebration and lasting in allowing themlife to focus on what will matter most at design that remembrance time—you. in advance, you can every opinions about Scott’s position on Israel. advance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial detail ofusyour owntheunique memorial andlegacy provide But people realized he is a state legislaContact today about beautiful ways to create a lasting tor so not directly involved in that issue, ” provide at the San Francisco Columbarium. and your loved ones with true peace of mind.

Planning ahead your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning said Kwong. protects your loved onesProudly from unnecessary stressunnecessary and financial burden, ahead protects yourserving loved onesCommunity. from With a deadline before midnight the LGBT allowing them focus on whatburden, will matter most them at thattotime—you.

Sunday to get to the printer its voter stresstoand financial allowing guide for the March ballot, Kwong told focus on what will matter most at that time—you. the B.A.R. there wasn’t time for the club Contact us today about the beautiful ways to create a lasting legacy to also bring forward a vote on rescinding its endorsements last fall of Demoat the San Contact FranciscousColumbarium. today about the beautiful ways to create cratic Congressmembers Nancy Pelosi a lasting legacy at the San Francisco Columbarium. of San Francisco and Kevin Mullin of San Mateo.

One Loraine Ct. | San Francisco | 415-771-0717 “I think we are done, given the fact SanFranciscoColumbarium.com

Let’s talk cannabis.

Courtesy the stamp campaign committee.

The SF Board of Supervisors is expected to pass a resolution in support of a Matthew Shepard U.S. postal stamp.

The San Francisco board had been the first county board of supervisors to back the earlier, successful effort to see a U.S. stamp be issued in honor of the late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk. The U.S. Postal Service released it in 2014.

The International Imperial Court System, which had pushed for the Milk stamp, is also behind the Shepard stamp campaign. It is the latest effort by the philanthropic drag organization to honor significant LGBTQ individuals with postal stamps.

Gay San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, chair of the court’s national stamp campaign, told the B.A.R. he expects the San Diego City Council to become the second governing body to back the Shepard stamp when it votes on its own resolution of support in February. Gay San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is one of the campaign’s honorary co-chairs, as are Dennis and Judy Shepard, who co-founded a foundation in honor of their son.

“The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has been steadfast in supporting all of our historic campaigns and usually the first government body to do so. We are especially appreciative of Supervisor Mandelman’s continued leadership,” said Murray Ramirez, who as the Queen Mother I of the Americas and Nicole the Great within the Imperial Court System is its titular head.

He told the B.A.R. he is planning to fly up to attend the board meeting next week to express his gratitude to the supervisors in person.

“I like that in San Francisco, we can always count on their Board of Supervisors to support the stamp campaigns,” said Murray Ramirez.

The court is also pressing to see stamps be issued on behalf of other deceased LGBTQ luminaries, such as Black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin.

It has also called for ones featuring drag performers José Julio Sarria, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera, which Mandelman previously authored a resolution in support of that was passed by the board in 2020.

Milk club rescinds Biden endorsement

Due to President Joe Biden’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza against the terrorist group Hamas, the Harvey Milk

Barry Schneider

family law specialist*

415-781-6500

PlanningAhead Ahead isisSimple Planning Simple The benefits are immense.

Planning Ahead is Simple The benefits are immense.

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Proudly serving our Community.

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FD 1306 / COA 660

Letters >> Mean girls

Reading your article on David Hemminger being just the latest victim of the San Francisco Unified School District left me wondering if these people have never read the fable about the boy who cried wolf [“Gay educator’s life upended by false sexual misconduct claim,” January 18].

They need to stop with all the overreacting.

Sooner or later there may be a real incident of sexual misconduct by a schoolteacher and no

one will listen because these people have methodically destroyed all of their own credibility. Gosh, if that happens, it might even be a teachable moment for them.

When these witch-hunts start there is no innocent victim, but the SFUSD makes damn sure there is one, the one falsely accused. Disgusting.

Anthony Rhody San Francisco

One Loraine Ct. | San Francisco | 415-771-0717

SanFranciscoColumbarium.com FD 1306 / COA 660

<< Community News

6 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

<<

D9 supe forum

From page 2

According to a video of the supervisors’ rules committee meeting, where the ceasefire resolution was discussed, some people in the board chamber used pig noises and made devil horns with their hands while a Jewish man, who said he lost cousins on October 7, spoke.

Later, Chandler noted his work on campaigns nationwide to legalize samesex marriage as part of his time with the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ rights organization.

Chandler reiterated his position to the Bay Area Reporter after the debate.

“What has become sadly clear is that for too many calling for a ceasefire is that it isn’t about this war but whether Israel should even exist, which I find abhorrent and unacceptable,” he stated. “After witnessing the behavior of those advocating for the resolution, heckling those expressing concerns about rising antisemitism and denying the proven use of rape as a weapon by Hamas, there is no way I would have associated myself with them and would have voted against the resolution.”

Last week, Mayor London Breed returned the resolution without her signature, meaning that it goes into effect.

Candidates talk drug overdose, housing crises

The other candidates running for District 9 supervisor who were at the forum are Stephen Torres, a queer man

who used to be on the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District board and the city’s entertainment commission and who works at Twin Peaks Tavern on Castro Street; Roberto Hernandez, whose work with the Carnaval festival and as founder of the Mission Food Hub has earned him the honorific “Mayor of the Mission;” Jaime Gutierrez, who works for the San Francisco Municipal Railway; and Julian Bermudez, a veteran who has lived and worked in the district his whole life.

If there was one thing the candidates agreed upon, it’s that the city and the Mission are on the wrong track.

“Having been a kid raised here, I am sad and I am angry and I am hurt that our city has turned into what it is today and it is unfortunate and enough is enough,” Hernandez said. “I believe we collectively can take over City Hall and take our city back.”

But that was where the agreement ended – as the candidates presented widely divergent views on how to handle the housing crisis, the drug overdose crisis, and small businesses.

Fielder said, “We have no way for people to access free, on-demand treatment” who are on fentanyl. Until then, she said, it’s a red herring to ask if people should be forced into treatment.

The city just recorded its worst year for overdoses in 2023, with 806 accidental drug deaths, most of them due to fentanyl, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“We have completely failed every single person in San Francisco who has died

of any overdose,” Fielder said, noting last year’s record-breaking number of over 800 overdoses. “You know why? It’s because we have continued this failed policy-based approach based on fear. … We have to invest in treatment and services.”

Chandler’s platform centered on what he called “safe and clean streets.” He supports arresting fentanyl dealers and said many of the city’s problems harken back to the street conditions, including openair drug markets and drug use.

There were also differences of opinion on harm reduction, which is a range of intentional practices designed to lessen the negative consequences associated with drug use. Torres and Chandler both brought Narcan to share with the other candidates so they can carry it on their persons and administer it if they run into someone experiencing a drug overdose. Narcan is an opioid overdose treatment that is available over-thecounter and administered by those who carry it with them.

But while Torres noted he also works at a safe consumption site (referring to the bar, which serves alcohol), Chandler said he doesn’t think harm reduction is enough. He also made a jab at Fielder.

“When someone has been in this race for 250 days without putting out a single plan about how they would solve the opioid epidemic, ask them why,” he said.

When asked what he would tell a small business considering leaving San Francisco, Chandler said, “I’ve had hundreds of these conversations.”

“The No. 1 thing small businesses tell me they want is ‘we want safe and clean streets so we can have the foot traffic necessary to stay in business,’” Chandler said. “We have some of the most littered streets in the entire city and we need to hold DPW [Public Works] accountable.”

Asked the same question, Torres said that the city’s small businesses are suffering because downtown interests prioritize big business over neighborhoods thriving.

“Nobody feels ownership over their communities right now,” Torres said.

“We’ve gotten here for many different reasons and we owe it to our small business community to uplift them and center them. Since things are being streamlined and deregulated, our small businesses are in a bigger crisis than they’ve ever been in.”

Hernandez also talked about community, saying that it needs to become more feasible for people to buy houses in the neighborhoods in which they grew up.

“We fought and fought and fought and saved 17,000 people from being evicted, yet we lost 10,000 people,” Hernandez said. “That was criminal in this city. We need a first-time home buyer program so they’re not vulnerable at all from being evicted.”

Gutierrez agreed that the sense of community needs to be restored by improving people’s economic opportunities.

“The cost of living keeps rising and the standard of living keeps falling, so we have to offer hope to these people and give them jobs,” he said. “It was easier to

t

come and make your way in this city [in the past]. Now, it’s ‘hooray for me and eff you’ around here, and it sucks.”

All of the candidates said they’d preserve district elections in some form – former supervisor, mayoral candidate, and superior court judge Quentin Kopp proposed last year a charter amendment that would allow every San Francisco voter to vote in each of the 11 supervisorial districts.

Chandler was notable in saying that he’d prefer a hybrid model of supervisors elected citywide and by district.

“I believe in a hybrid model,” he said.

“I believe the mayor should not be the only one thinking citywide and we need a check on the mayor.”

The candidates also said they’d seek to bridge the gap between the Asian American Pacific Islander and Latino communities, which each representing one-fifth of the district’s population, Fielder said.

“The Asian community and the Latinx community in the Mission-Portola area have similar issues,” Bermudez said. “The difference is the language.

We’re hard working, traditional families trying to make by. I’m willing to extend a hand to anyone who would like to help me connect with the Asian community.”

Fielder and Torres said they would not vote for Mayor London Breed to be reelected. They were the only two to directly answer the question, posed by gay Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club President Jeffrey Kwong.

Michael Petrelis, a gay man who is also running for D9 supervisor, was not at the debate. The Milk club had initially left him off when it didn’t see his name on the candidate list from the ethics commission, club officials said. By the time the club realized the oversight, Petrelis said he had another commitment and could not attend. t

<<

News Briefs

From page 2

SF Eagle plans 1 boost nonprofit fundraising

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

The SF Eagle Bar in the city’s South of Market neighborhood has announced it is increasing the cost of its beer bust tickets in order to boost fundraising for nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofits include those that provide resources such as food, medical care, and housing to those in need, according to a news release.

The popular Sunday beer busts take place at the bar, located at 398 12th Street, Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m. Beginning February 4, beer bust tickets will increase to $20 from $15, the release stated. Supporters who purchase a ticket can expect the usual beer bust cup, which comes with a substantial meal, the release noted.

The change in beer bust ticket pricing is one facet of a larger push to economically uplift the community as a whole, according to the release. The bar is vying for more grant dollars on the heels of its selection for a $10,000 SF New Deal Art & Culture grant, which was awarded on December 16, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.

The grant is via a partnership with Shared Spaces and the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Lex Montiel, owner of SF Eagle, stated that the grant funds are going toward expanding culturally rich programming, which in turn will enhance the beer bust experience.

Montiel added that in addition to nonprofits seeing more donations, supporters will also be getting more than beer and hot dogs when attending a Sunday beer bust.

“Our mandate to hire more local talent benefits the artists and performers, which creates more culturally-rich experiences and attendance by beer bust supporters,” Montiel stated. “More attendance means more donations that go to nonprofits. Our vision is a communitybased synergy accessible to benefitting all residents. Everybody wins.” t John Ferrannini contributed reporting.

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Election 2024>>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7

South Bay candidates debate for House seat

by Heather Cassell

F

ive of the 11 contenders – including two queer candidates – vying for outgoing Congressmember Anna Eshoo’s Silicon Valley seat made their case to the Jewish community in a moderated discussion in Palo Alto.

Eshoo, 80, a Democrat who has represented parts of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in the House since 1993, announced last November that she would not seek reelection to her 16th District seat. Her term ends in 2025.

Big-name politicians and unknown candidates quickly crowded the field by the December filing deadline, reported KQED-TV (https://www.kqed. org/news/11970076/crowded-field-ofsouth-bay-candidates-in-house-raceto-succeed-anna-eshoo).

“This seat could be filled by the winner for a generation,” said Tyler Gregory, a gay Jewish man who is CEO of the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area (https://jcrc.org/). He was proud that JCRC’s Democracy Initiative (https:// jcrc.org/blog/democracy-initiative/), which produced the January 17 candidate forum, was able to get five of the contenders together on stage to speak about Jewish issues and other topics of interest to Bay Area residents.

“I think it’s really important for different communities, the queer community, the Jewish community, and other communities to have a chance to see [the candidates] up close and get to know them,” he said.

The fact the candidates said yes to the forum “means a lot to us right now” Gregory told the Bay Area Reporter following the event. “Our community, I think, is largely not feeling seen. To have this attention, to understand that the Jewish vote matters in this district, I think was the really the most important outcome here.”

Gregory co-moderated the evening’s discussion with Zack Bodner, president and CEO of the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center.

Two LGBTQ candidates were present on the stage Wednesday night: gay Assemblymember Evan Low (DCupertino) and Palo Alto City Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims, a bisexual woman of color.

Low, 40, and Lythcott-Haims, 56, joined other South Bay Democrat political heavyweights and LGBTQ allies former San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo and former state legislator and current Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian Liccardo, Low, and Simitian have already racked up major endorsements and campaign war chests, putting them in the front of the race.

Fellow congressional candidate tech entrepreneur and former Saratoga councilmember Rishi Kumar, whom Eshoo defeated in the last two general elections, also joined his fellow contenders on the stage.

Gregory noted that “all five candidates support LGBTQ rights” and their responses to the questions folded in LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and minority rights into Jewish rights “really demonstrated that, so we were happy to see this.”

The discussion

The discussion focused on issues of concern to the Jewish community – the Israel-Hamas war, U.S.-Israel relations, rising antisemitism, rising housing and the cost of living, homelessness, immigration, and the future of American democracy.

The Israel-Hamas conflict started on October 7, when Hamas terrorists went into Israel and killed 1,200 people in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas also took hostages back to Gaza. Israel responded with an extensive bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, and a ground invasion, which has led to the deaths of at least 24,000 Palestinians, according to media reports, making it the deadliest conflict in the region in over four decades.

Heather Cassell

Assemblymember Evan Low, foreground, addressed the South Bay’s Jewish community congressional candidate forum to replace retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo at the Oshman Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto on January 17.

The candidates did not debate with each other. Each candidate was given two minutes to present their position on questions from the moderators and some preselected from the audience.

All five candidates spoke about their connection to the Jewish community and expressed their support for Israel and the need for the U.S.’s ongoing support for Israel.

A majority of the candidates spoke about freeing the hostages in Gaza, a humanitarian way to help the people in Gaza, a pathway to peace between Israel and Palestine, and independence for Palestine.

“I know that many of you have felt afraid, targeted, and alone since that day, but please know that you will find a safe harbor with me,” said Lythcott-Haims, who is married to a Jewish man and raised two Jewish children though she is not Jewish herself.

“America has been and must continue to be Israel’s greatest ally. That should not change,” she continued, stating diplomacy is the U.S.’s power with Israel regarding the war against Hamas. “Israel must defend itself from terrorism. We need to be doing everything to eliminate Hamas, but we need to be doing it in a way that leaves a path to peace. Israel’s attack on Gaza jeopardizes Israel’s security because of what’s happening every day in Gaza. Generations of Palestinian people want to avenge the deaths of their loved ones and that is not going to lead to peace.”

Low spoke about a past visit to Israel and Palestine he made where he learned from political leaders on both sides and experienced Jewish and Palestinian people’s daily lives. He asked, “What is the role of the United States and promoting democracies?”

“This is not just about rhetoric,” Low said. “It’s about the lived experiences that exist. The solidarity of understanding that this is a democracy” committed to human rights, including LGBTQ rights.

Low noted Israel was a safe haven for LGBTQ people in a region where most countries do not accept queer people, including Hamas.

“Someone, like myself, would be celebrated in Israel, with same-sex marriage and equality,” he said, pointing out that in “neighboring countries” ruled by terrorist organizations, like Hamas, LGBTQ people “would be beheaded.”

Antisemitism and hate crimes

The candidates also spoke out against antisemitism as they talked about hate crimes and assaults committed against women; LGBTQ rights; and racism; as well as gun violence; homelessness; housing; and the rising cost of living and their approach to bipartisan politics.

They agreed mostly about how to tackle these issues, but not on the same routes to achieve solutions and working across the aisle.

“I began to appreciate the similarities in the journey that the Black diaspora and Jewish people have taken,” LythcottHaims said about rising antisemitism and racism. “We felt it coming, Blacks

and Jews. We don’t have the luxury of not noticing it happening.”

Responding to an audience member’s question about allies’ silence in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war and the rise in antisemitism, she said she understood the “loneliness” when allies are unaware or “don’t seem to care” when a community is under attack.

Simitian said, “It’s easy to be a friend when there’s no controversy when there’s no price to pay,” but “when times are hard” and people stand up and there’s a cost, that’s when one knows who a true ally is.

He and other candidates spoke about where they were around the district supporting the Jewish community in the days and months since the fighting broke out and their thoughts about combating hate.

Liccardo and Lythcott-Haims said that it was educational institutions’ responsibility to help people learn how to identify intolerance and hate speech and teach people how to respond.

“The antidote to speech we don’t like is actually more speech,” Lythcott-

Haims said. “We have to get better at teaching our young people how to have these difficult dialogues and be their role models.”

Low and Simitian said lawmakers and Congress have a role in curbing hate.

“There is a role for Congress to play in terms of fighting back against hate crimes,” Simitian said.

He suggested lawmakers at the federal level could do more to increase safety, such as clarifying legal definitions of antisemitism and hate crimes and funding security grants organizations can apply for to keep themselves and members safe.

Low, who spoke about legislation he’s written to increase safety, especially for hate crimes and sexual assault, agreed.

“A budget is a reflection of our values.

It’s imperative that we strengthen that deliverable,” he said.

Low told the B.A.R. after the forum that there is no mistake with the more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills proposed across the country last year, the most homophobic speaker of the house “in recent memory” in Mike Johnson (RLouisiana), and the threat of former President Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House, “We’re on the chopping block.”

“It’s important that we send gays to Congress. That’s the best way that we can fight it,” he said. It’s “imperative that we have representatives.

“The Bay Area has a unique and historic opportunity to elect its first openly LGBT person to Congress in Northern California,” Low said.

California currently has two gay House members from Southern California, Mark Takano (D-Riverside), and Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach).

Liccardo believes in enforcing existing laws, rather than creating new laws.

“We need to spend the resources that are required to address hate in our country,” he said. “We have to enforce hate crime laws aggressively.”

In responding to an audience member’s question about gun control Simitian noted that tougher gun laws took California’s gun death rate from being above the national average to “well below the national average.” Similar laws on the federal level “could cut the gun death rate in this country by a third,” he said.

Lythcott-Haims concurred. “The evidence is clear,” she said, “stricter gun laws lead to safer communities.”

After the discussion

Attendees gathered with the candidates in the theater lobby after the forum.

The few queer Jewish constituents who attended the event expressed that they left less than hopeful for change in their congressional office than when they arrived.

Two women who reached out to Eshoo for support a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war said they’ve been ignored by their representative for months.

“She doesn’t seem willing to engage in the conversation around a ceasefire and around utilizing our budget to protect folks in this district,” said Ayelet Marinovich. The 42-year-old Jewish woman attended the event with her friend, Rae Abileah, a 41-year-old Jewish queer woman, who was born and raised in District 16.

“We’re hopeful that we might have a new representative come November [who] might actually abide by international law and human rights,” said Abileah.

The two women’s hopes were dashed by the end of the forum. They were disappointed by the lack of diversity of the candidates – including the sole Jewish and Arab candidates – who weren’t on the stage due to the forum’s participation criteria.

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See page 9 >>

<< From the Cover

8 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

<<

Senate debate

From page 1

“Can you imagine what would take place if Donald Trump was when [Russian president Vladimir] Putin invaded Russia [Schiff misspoke and meant Ukraine] and Ukraine needed our help?” he asked. “There is no scenario under which we would be safer.”

Congressmember Barbara Lee (DOakland), a straight ally, said the nation itself wouldn’t be safer, referencing her experience at the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which led to five deaths and hundreds of injuries.

“We were sitting on the floor. We had to escape,” she said. “The U.S. won’t be any safer, let alone the rest of the world.”

On abortion, Garvey said he would refer to the choice of California voters, who in 2022 passed a state proposition enshrining the right in the state constitution. He said he was against a nationwide ban, which Republicans have floated as a possibility if they win back the Senate, but that with regard to Trump “at the end of the day, it’s all a personal choice.”

“It’s a one-party state that has only one voice, and that’s why I’m running,” Garvey said, referring to California being a solid Democratic state. “I want to be the voice of the people.”

Candidates debate earmarks, Gaza

A key difference between the candidates was earmarks, which Porter has made a main issue of her campaign by saying she was opposed to them. Earmarks are funds appropriated by Congress for specific projects or programs during the funding allocation process.

“We see people literally building bridges to nowhere with our hardearned tax dollars,” Porter said. She was referring to a 2006 project in Alaska where federal funds were to be used to build a bridge to improve airport access.

That project was abandoned and instead some of the money was used to build a road to nowhere.

Lee and Schiff not only defended the use of earmarks, but said they are proud of using them. Lee twice said she got earmark funds appropriated to LGBTQ

<<

health groups. (There were no LGBTQspecific questions during the debate, and Lee was the only candidate who mentioned the community.)

“I believe in earmarks,” Lee said. “I believe in not being derelict in my duty.

California, we are one of the states that sends money to [Washington] D.C. We don’t get our money back.”

Schiff said that Feinstein “brought billions” to California through earmarks.

“Any senator from California who says ‘No, I’m not going to fight for those resources – that’s going to be wonderful news to people in the 49 other states. I’m going to fight for money for housing, for mental health services. I’d rather have our constituents, Californians, housed than some political talking point.”

Garvey agreed in substance with Lee and Schiff.

“I wouldn’t call them ‘earmarks.’ I would call them necessary for the state of California I will fight for,” he said.

Another point of contention was the war in Gaza. On October 7, Hamas terrorists went into Israel and killed 1,200 people in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Israel responded with an extensive bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, and a ground invasion, which has led to the deaths of at least 25,000 Palestinians, according to media reports, making it the deadliest conflict in the region in over four decades.

Biden has been called on to support a ceasefire, considering the billions in U.S. military aid sent to Israel.

Schiff and Garvey were opposed to a ceasefire; Lee spoke in favor of one; and Porter was conditionally in favor.

“The conditions on the ground in Gaza have changed as the conflict has evolved,” Porter said, calling for a permanent ceasefire pending the release of hostages held by Hamas, resources to rebuild Gaza, and a “free state for Palestinians.”

Lee said a two-state solution (in which there are both Jewish and Arab states in the former Mandatory Palestine) is the only end to the conflict, and said the fighting is a threat to American security. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the war authorization on September 14, 2001 – three

Atkins

From page 1

“I’m almost in tears because of what is happening in the world,” Weber said.

“I’m here because of the times in which we live. California is more that just a state, it’s a country in itself.”

Weber said the state needs someone like the state’s last two governors, Newsom and Jerry Brown, and that while she had battles with each of them, they understood what it meant to lead.

Atkins talked about how it’s time for the state to elect a woman as governor “Let me also share some of what I am not,” she said. “Well, I am not a man.

As every other California governor has been.

“Now don’t get me wrong. I love the two governors I have worked with. And one of the things I’ve liked best about them is how they respect and promote strong women: Ann Gust Brown and my friend chief of staff Nancy McFadden. First partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and chief of staff Dana Williamson.

That says a lot,” she said.

“But it’s time to go the extra mile,” Atkins said. “Many have said that in 2026, it’s time for California to finally elect a woman governor. As the most qualified candidate running for Governor, who also happens to be a woman, I agree!”

Atkins, 61, has long championed reproductive rights. She was one of the public faces of 2022’s Proposition 1, a constitutional amendment that enshrined the right to abortion in the state’s governing document.

Courtesy the campaign

Outgoing state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins has announced she’s running for governor in 2026.

EMAIL STRIP.indd 1

Screengrab

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U.S. Senate candidate Adam Schiff

U.S. Senate candidate Katie Porter

U.S. Senate candidate Stave Garvey

days after the September 11 attacks that killed about 3,000 people.

“It could spiral out of control,” she said, referencing her vote 23 years ago.

“You see what’s happening – it’s escalating in the region. We have to make sure our national security is also protected.”

Garvey said it would be foolish for the U.S. to insist on a ceasefire.

“I stay with Israel yesterday, today, and tomorrow for whatever their needs are,” Garvey said. “That day [October 7] was atrocious. Terrorists while Israelis slept performed atrocities. With common sense and compassion, we realize we have to give Israel the opportunity to fight back. It’s naive to think we can ask our government to tell them or try to influence them to ceasefire. If 9/11 became 9/12 and one of our allies came to us and said ‘we want you to ceasefire,’ what would we have done?”

Garvey said a two-state solution is not tenable in the foreseeable future, saying, “If peace was broken, it was broken on the 7th, and it won’t be until the next generation we can talk about that again.”

Schiff was opposed to a ceasefire but supportive of a two-state solution in the region.

“I go back to the brutal murder of 1,200 people – not just murder, but rape and torture. No country, after having been attacked by terrorists like Israel was on October 7, could refuse to defend itself,” Schiff said. “We also should work with Israel to reduce the number of civilian casualties and my heart breaks for all the people who’ve lost lives, for all the families who have lost lives. I support a two-state solution. We have to get back on the road to a two-state solution. We

can’t leave Hamas governing Gaza. I don’t know how you can ask anyone to cease fire when they have citizens being held by a terrorist organization.”

Lee mentioned the LGBTQ community again in a discussion over rising antisemitism and Islamophobia in the aftermath of October 7, with Lee pledging to fight bigotry.

“I will fight against antisemitism each and every day until we dismantle it totally,” Lee said. “Antisemitism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, hate against the LGBTQ+ community – believe you me, as a Black woman, I know what hate is.”

said. “But the punishment must meet the level of the crime.”

The candidates also weighed in on the issue of homelessness.

Garvey brought up the issue as emblematic of a fading California Dream, for which he came to the state when he went to play for the Dodgers.

“When was the last time any of you went to the inner city, actually walked up to the homeless,” he asked. “I needed to talk to the homeless. I went up to them, talked to them, touched them and listened to them, and you know what they said to me? This is the first time someone has looked at me and talked to us about our lives. By the way, these are career politicians. They talk about Washington being dysfunctional? You’re Washington.”

Schiff, continuing the baseball analogy theme, called the answer “a swing and a miss.”

Lee said, “As someone who has been unsheltered, I cannot believe the way he described himself hugging and touching with the homeless.”

Schiff said that “in a state as prosperous as this one, it’s utterly unnecessary and utterly shameful” that so many people are homeless. Porter, Schiff, and Garvey expressly endorsed building more housing, with Garvey saying it will happen if the economy improves.

The top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation in the March 5 primary will advance to the November election.

Recent polling has shown Schiff leading the pack, with Garvey in second followed by Porter then Lee. t

new. While she denied that the travel ban was a failure, no state that had been added to it was then removed because it rescinded the homophobic or transphobic law that had landed it on the list.

Instead, Atkins’ bill calls for a marketing program in those states attacking LGBTQ rights that Atkins said would “encourage acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.”

To date, there has been little news about the BRIDGE campaign or if it has started.

Her foray into public service began when Atkins served as an aide to San Diego City Councilmember and LGBT trailblazer Christine Kehoe, who later served in the state Legislature. In 2000, she was elected to replace Kehoe as the council’s District 3 representative. During her eight-year tenure, Atkins provided steady leadership as interim mayor of San Diego in 2005 amid a challenging and tumultuous time at City Hall that resulted in other City Council members being convicted of wire fraud.

Elected by voters to the state Assembly in 2010, Atkins served there for six years. In 2014, her colleagues selected her to be the speaker of the Assembly – she became the first San Diegan and the first lesbian to hold the position. Atkins counts a $7.5-billion water bond and creation of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit among her proudest accomplishments in the Assembly, the bio stated.

In 2016, Atkins was elected to represent the 39th District in the state Senate.

After just one year, she was selected by her colleagues to serve as Senate president pro tempore. In March 2018, she was sworn in, becoming the first woman and the first openly LGBTQ person to lead the Legislature’s upper house. Atkins is the first person in 150 years, and the third person in California history, to lead both houses of the Legislature.

Atkins is a member of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

Throughout her career, Atkins has been a champion for affordable housing, the environment, health care, veterans, women, the LGBTQ community, and

Raised in rural Virginia

She has also authored LGBTQ-related legislation. Most notably, last year she spearheaded Senate Bill 447, the BRIDGE Act, which stands for Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equality. It ended the Golden State’s ban on using taxpayer money for travel to states that have passed anti-LGBTQ legislation, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill last September and because it had an urgency clause, it took effect immediately.

Gay Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Cupertino) had authored the travel ban legislation several years ago. He previously expressed misgivings about ending it. Now, Low is running for an open South Bay congressional seat Atkins said the repeal was needed because the state needed to try something

KEEP UP!

Screengrab

t

Atkins was born and raised in rural southwestern Virginia. She has often talked about how she grew up in poverty. During the push to pass SB 447, she said that the goal of her legislation “is to speak to people’s hearts and open minds.

That’s a pursuit that would have made teen Toni – that southwestern Virginia girl afraid to be herself back then – so proud.”

The daughter of a miner and a seamstress, Atkins graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory & Henry College in Virginia.

In 1985, she moved across the country to San Diego, California, to help care for her sister’s young son while her sister served in the U.S. Navy. In San Diego, before becoming involved in public service, Atkins committed herself to providing safe access to healthcare for women, becoming director of clinic services at Womancare Health Center at the age of 27, according to a news release provided by the campaign.

Oakland, housing issues addressed

Lee was also questioned on the state of Oakland, which she represents in Congress. Mason asked Lee why she should get a “promotion” considering the city losing three professional sports teams in recent years, and an In-N-Out last week. KRON-TV reported that the burger eatery cited crime as a reason for the forthcoming March 24 closure of the location at 8300 Oakport Street, off of Hegenberger Road near Oakland International Airport.

“I’m the most experienced, the most consistent progressive who gets the job done,” Lee said. “Public safety is on everybody’s mind and I understand that.

That’s why we need a public safety plan.”

Key to Lee’s plan are “getting guns off the street,” implementing gun control and implementing police reform.

“Believe you me, I understand what is happening in my community and the state and throughout the country,” she

mitigating the increasing impacts of climate change, the release stated. She has authored landmark legislation on housing, including SB 2, which created a permanent source of funding for affordable housing, a signature piece of legislation she worked on for several years, and SB 9, which streamlined the process for homeowners to create a duplex or subdivide an existing lot in single-family zones.

In 2022, Atkins introduced the “California Dream for All Program,” an innovative new way for the state to help firsttime homebuyers dramatically lower or eliminate their down-payment requirements and lower monthly mortgage payments. That same year, she authored several critical pieces of legislation, including SB 1375, which allows qualified nurse practitioners to provide abortions without the supervision of a physician, and the aforementioned Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 (Prop 1), a constitutional amendment to make explicit the fundamental right to abortion and contraceptives.

Atkins lives in the South Park community of San Diego with LeSar, and their dogs, Joey and Mia. Atkins had set up a campaign committee for lieutenant governor in 2026, but can now transfer that money, about $2.3 million to her gubernatorial campaign. Meanwhile, gay Sausalito City Councilmember Janelle Kellman announced last month that she’s running for lieutenant governor in two years, meaning the state’s top two elected posts could both be held by members from the LGBTQ community. t

Stay up-to-date with late breaking news, online extras and our weekly email recap of the most comprehensive Bay Area, state and national LGBTQ news.

Sign up today at ebar.com/SUBSCRIBE 6/19/19 11:29 AM

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Community News >>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 9

Milk plaza meeting postponed by organizers

by Cynthia Laird

T

he big “We’re Here to Recruit You” community meeting to discuss the planned renovation of the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco’s LGBTQ Castro neighborhood has been postponed, organizers said.

The meeting was to have taken place Thursday, January 25, at the former Harvey’s space at 18th and Castro streets, as the Bay Area Reporter noted in an advance story last week.

But Tuesday evening, Aaron Wessels, who handles publicity for drag artist Juanita MORE!, one of the organizers, sent an email that stated the meeting was on hold.

“The ‘We’re Here to Recruit You’

<<

House seat

From page 7

Candidates were required to meet a minimum of 20 endorsements from current San Francisco Bay Area elected officials and $250,000 in reported campaign funding to be on the stage.

Abileah called the criteria “a terrible excuse for not inviting a diversity of opinions and candidates” and “as a Jewish community to not invite an Arab American candidate” she said, referring to Joby Bernstein and Ahmed Mostafa (https://www. ahmedforcongressca.com/), a for-

<<

Political Notebook

From page 5

our printed voter guide is signed, sealed, and delivered,” said Kwong, adding it remains to be seen if the club will continue to support the two House members come the November contests.

event originally scheduled to take place this Thursday will be rescheduled for another date/time,” the email stated. “We look forward to celebrating with you all very soon!”

Wessels did not respond to a followup email seeking comment.

Brian Springfield, a gay man who’s executive director of the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, which is spearheading the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza project, wrote in a text message that he “had no additional information on the postponement or on the rescheduled date.”

The Milk plaza project aims to reconfigure the public parklet above the Castro Muni station to make it more accessible and honor its namesake, who was the city’s first openly gay elected official

when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk took office in January 1978 but was assassinated, along with then-mayor George Moscone, 11 months later by disgruntled ex-supervisor Dan White.

While in office, Milk was a big supporter of public transit. The plaza was named in his honor in 1985.

Springfield had previously told the B.A.R. that the community meeting was to jump-start interest in the project, which has been on the drawing board for nearly seven years. The Friends’ group, which has had a “quiet” capital campaign since at least last year, needs to raise about $35 million. Some of that money has already been raised, Springfield said, including about $1 million in

private funds and $3.3 million in public funding.

The San Francisco Examiner last November reported that Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has asked for $5 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the redesign.

The community meeting was not to be a fundraiser, Springfield said, but a “buzzraiser.”

MORE! was one of several people scheduled to speak at the meeting. Another email from Wessels, sent before the postponement, indicated that “big news” would be revealed at the meeting.

Springfield also did not have information on that.

“Juanita always surprises,” he stated in a text. t

A rendering shows an overview of the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza.

mer policy strategist at Google and women’s rights attorney.

“It’s just rude,” Abileah said.

“Tonight, we saw a horrible display of people justifying genocide in a Jewish institution.”

Bernstein, 28, the youngest candidate and only Jewish person in the race, greeted roughly 200 attendees as they entered the theater. Bernstein said he came in just under the minimum requirement to participate in the forum.

Speaking with the B.A.R. before the forum, Bernstein, an LGBTQ ally and climate change advocate, expressed his despair over the Israel-Hamas conflict and similar views

about Israel and the war as the other candidates. Bernstein, who worked on policy in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Utah before moving to the Bay Area six years ago, believes Congress can do a lot to advocate and mediate for peace in the Middle East.

The debate was sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area, Joshman Family Jewish Community Center at the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, and Jewish Silicon Valley. The Jewish organizations were joined by event co-sponsors Congregations Am Tikvah, Beth Am, Beth Jacob, Sinai in San Jose, Peninsula Sinai Congre-

gation, Temple Beth El, and Peninsula Temple Shalom.

Gregory told the B.A.R. there won’t be any other candidate forums before the March 5 primary election, but “we’re anticipating doing more for the general election,” he said.

The top two vote-getters in the March 5 primary will advance to the November 5 general election.

Eshoo has backed Simitian, 70.

Current San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan endorsed his predecessor Liccardo, 53. Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna (D-San Jose) backed Low. Former Redwood City mayor Giselle Hale endorsed LythcottHaims, campaign political director

Gil Rubinstein texted to the B.A.R. LGBTQ political organizations the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus – which Low formerly chaired – and Equality California , the statewide LGBTQ rights organization, immediately endorsed Low’s bid after he entered the race.

Lythcott-Haims picked up lesbian political action committee LPAC for her bid, according to a January 16 news release. Rubinstein added that Lythcott-Haims, a lawyer, received an endorsement from U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), her Stanford University undergraduate classmate. t

A Buttigieg bump for gay CA Senate candidate

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will be stumping with Cabaldon at a North Bay fundraiser next weekend.

The District 3 Senate seat sprawls across parts of Yolo, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma, and Napa counties. This is Cabaldon’s second bid for a legislative seat, having lost his 2008 bid for a state Assembly seat.

His fundraiser with Chasten Buttigieg, whose “I Have Something to Tell You – For Young Adults” version of his 2020 memoir was published last year, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, February 4, in Napa.

Co-hosted by Progressive Women of Napa Valley and Indivisible Napa, attendees are asked to make a donation of

at least $100 to Cabaldon’s Senate campaign online at https://secure.actblue. com/donate/napawomenfundraiser.

The location of the event will then be disclosed.

People can also RSVP by emailing Amber Moran Wannell at RSVP@ amwconsulting.net. t

was required to pay compensation to Miguel Orpoeza in the amount of $277,540.58 as set forth below, and seeks recovery of the compensation paid and other damages.

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION As to all Defendants (Subrogation) 7. On August 31, 2017, Miguel Oropeza was employed

by RECOLOGY and performing work for RECOLOGY as a sanitation engineer at Castro Street and Market Street in San Francisco, California, when REYNOLDS, who was driving a BMW, struck the body of Miguel Oropeza with REYNOLD’s BMW (“the INCIDENT”), causing significant physical and emotional trauma to Miguel Oropeza. 8. At all times relevant hereto, REYNOLDS negligently operated his vehicle to cause the damages alleged herein. 9. At all times mentioned herein and material hereto, Miguel Oropeza, through his Employer, RECOLOGY, was entitled to and did receive, and continues to receive, workers’ compensation insurance benefits paid by RECOLOGY for injuries attributable to the INCIDENT. 10. The negligence of Defendants was the proximate cause of the injuries sustained by Miguel Oropeza, and of the damages incurred by RECOLOGY in providing workers’ compensation benefits relative thereto. 11. Miguel Oropeza was seriously injured as a result of the INCIDENT. 12. Miguel Oropeza filed a workers’ compensation claims with RECOLOGY relative to the ATTACK. 13. As of the filing of this Complaint, RECOLOGY has paid workers’ compensation benefits to/on behalf of the Miguel Oropeza as a result of injuries sustained from the INCIDENT, in the amounts specifically set forth in the Prayer for Damages below long with other damages incurred in the amount of $277,540.58. 14. RECOLOGY may step into the shoes of Miguel Oropeza and pursue the rights and remedies of Miguel Oropeza against Defendants.

15. RECOLOGY may recoup its payments directly from Defendants. 16. As of the date of this filing, Defendants have failed to pay RECOLOGY the full amount of the damages sustained

by RECOLOGY, and such damages continue to be incurred.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Pursuant to Code of Civ. Proc. Section 631, RECOLOGY demands a trial by jury in this action of all issues so triable.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF RECOLOGY prays for judgment against Defendants in the amounts paid out in Worker’s Compensation Benefits and other Damages set forth below: 1. For Worker’s Compensation Benefits paid in the amount of $141,282.96. 2. For attorneys’ fees incurred herein in the amount of $55,000; 3. For costs in the amount of $2,744.82; 4. For interest on the above damages in the amount of $78,512.8; 5. For total damages of $277,540.58, and 6. For such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.

KLINEDINST PC DATED: August 7, 2023 By: s/James J. Reynolds. Teresa M. Beck, James J. Reynolds, Attorneys for Plaintiff RECOLOGY INC.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558453

Gay former West Sacramento mayor Christopher Cabaldon is receiving a Buttigieg bump in his bid to succeed termed out state Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) ahead of the March primary.

Chasten Buttigieg, husband to Biden’s

Courtesy SWA Group via Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza

Legals>> NOTICE FOR CHANGE OF LEGAL NAME

I have changed my name from NIDHI NIRMAL MENON to NIDHI MENON. The name change has been done in India, as per MAHARASHTRA GAZETTE NO (M-23168124)

JAN 25, 2024

SUMMONS FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: JOHN REYNOLDS, JR., AN INDIVIDUAL; AND DOES 1-10, INCLUSIVE; YOU ARE BEING SUED

BY PLAINTIFF: RECOLOGY INC., A CORPORATION AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA CASE NO. CGC-19-578961

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away.

If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The attorney for Plaintiff: TERESA M. BECK (SBN 149763), JAMES J. REYNOLDS (SBN 109658), KLINEDINST PC, 501 WEST BROADWAY #600, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101; TEL. (619) 400-8000; TBECK@KLINEDINSTLAW.COM; JREYNPOLD@KLINEDINSTLAW.COM. 08/07/2023, Clerk of the Court, William Trupeck, Deputy.

SUMMONS FIRST AMENDED SUBROGATION COMPLAINT, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, RECOLOGY, INC., A CORPORATION AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA, PLAINTIFF, V. JOHN REYNOLDS, JR., AN INDIVIDUAL; AND DOES 1-10, INCLUSIVE, DEFENDANTS. CASE NO. CGC-19-578961 Plaintiff RECOLOGY INC. (“RECOLOGY” or “Plaintiff”) alleges against JOHN REYNOLDS, JR. (REYNOLDS”), and DOES 1 through 10, inclusive (collectively, “Defendants”) as follows: 1. At all times mentioned herein, Defendants, and each of them, were residents and/or domiciliaries of the State of California and/or operating and/or working in the State of California.

2. At all times mentioned herein and material hereto, RECOLOGY was and is a corporation entered, authorized, and licensed to do business in the State of California and is self-insured for workers’ compensation insurance. 3. At all times mentioned herein and material hereto, Miguel Oropeza was acting within the course and scope of his employment for RECOLOGY. 4. This court has jurisdiction over this action, and venue lies in this county because the actions leading to this case occurred in this county.

The Plaintiff RECOLOGY has spent considerable time and money attempting to locate Defendants without success. 5. The true names or capacities, whether individual, corporate, associate or otherwise, of Defendants named herein as Does 1 through 10, are unknown to Plaintiff who therefore sues said Defendants by such fictitious names and Plaintiff will amend this complaint to show their names and capacities when the same have been ascertained.

6. At all times mentioned herein and material hereto, RECOLOGY was the employer of Miguel Oropeza while Miguel Oropeza was acting within the course and scope of his authority as such, and with the permission and consent of RECOLOGY; and at all relevant times, RECOLOGY was selfinsured for workers’ compensation. As a result, RECOLOGY

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558263 In the matter of the amended application of ANGELA CONSUELO GARCIA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ANGELA CONSUELO GARCIA is requesting that the name ANGELA CONSUELO GARCIA AKA ANGELA GARCIA AKA ANGELA C. GARCIA be changed to ANGELA C. GOMEZ GARCIA. 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 29th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558452

In the matter of the application of EDY VAZQUEZ SANCHEZ & SHAYRENE CAMPOS SAMBOLA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioners EDY VAZQUEZ SANCHEZ & SHAYRENE CAMPOS SAMBOLA is requesting that the name HABIB ASHER VAZQUEZ CAMPOS be changed to HABIB ASHER VAZQUEZ CAMPOS. 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 28th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

In the matter of the application of IRYNA YURIIVNA SERDECHNA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner IRYNA YURIIVNA SERDECHNA is requesting that the name IRYNA SERDECHNA be changed to IRYNA THEOHARIS. 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 28th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558460

In the matter of the application of ADRIANNA DARIA MARON, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ADRIANNA DARIA MARON is requesting that the name ADRIANNA DARIA MARON be changed to ADRIANNA MARON CERVANTES. 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 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558454

In the matter of the application of WEN-FEI KUAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner WEN-FEI KUAN is requesting that the name WEN-FEI KUAN AKA WENFEI KUAN AKA JESSE W. KUAN AKA JESSE WEN-FEI KUAN be changed to JESSE KUAN. 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 28th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402131

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DJC, 516 JERSEY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JESSE HANCOCK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402176

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CROW & ROSE, ATTORNEYS, 838 SOUTH VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DAVE CROW. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/2005. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/28/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402134

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SMOOTH LIMOUSINE, 38 LOIS LN, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ELIAS DEGU GULEMA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/2000. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402111

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GROCERY OUTLET OF MISSION, 1245 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed OUR LUCKY GROCERY INC. (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/14/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/19/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401995

The following person(s) is/are doing business as QUALITY RENTALS; CRAIG & GREEN POWER TOOL SERVICE, 1595 FAIRFAX AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed L&M RENTAL, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/01/1993. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/29/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402185 The following person(s) is/are doing business as APEX CLEANING SERVICES, 266 TEDDY AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PARADIGM SOLUTIONS NETWORK (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402087

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PENA MADRIDISTA NORCAL, 200 MAYNARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a joint venture, and is signed FRANCISCO J. GALICIA & LUIS E. PLATERO PENA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/31/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/14/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 602991

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ACCORDION REPAIR & LESSONS SHOP SAN JOSE, 21988 FOOTHILL BLVD #103, HAYWARD, CA 94541. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed VALDET JAKUBOVIC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of Alameda, CA on 12/22/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 602666

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FAMPECA ELECTRIC INC., 1711 98TH AVE, OAKLAND, CA 94603.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed FAMPECA ELECTRIC INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/2018. The statement was filed with the City and County of Alameda, CA on 12/11/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0400071

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as DUSTYHISTORY, 815 SOUTH VAN NESS AVE #A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by DUSTIN JON LEE. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/13/2023. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/27/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0390375

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as UTSUWA FLORAL DESIGN, 1288 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by HIROSHI ROY HAYAMA. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/03/2020.

The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY

OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558461

In the matter of the application of OLIVIA EILEEN BARE GROUNDS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner OLIVIA EILEEN BARE GROUNDS is requesting that the name OLIVIA EILEEN BARE GROUNDS be changed to ORION EILEEN BARE GROUNDS. 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 4th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558161 In the matter of the application of SOPHIEMARIE KUNG, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SOPHIEMARIE KUNG is requesting that the name SOPHIEMARIE KUNG be changed to SOPHIE MARIE KUNG. 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 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558468

In the matter of the application of BASSAM ABDULMALEK THABIT AL-MOHAMADI, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BASSAM ABDULMALEK THABIT AL-MOHAMADI is requesting that the name BASSAM ABDULMALEK THABIT AL-MOHAMADI be changed to BASSAM AL-MOHAMADI. 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 4th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558377

In the matter of the application of ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVICH TATARINOV, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVICH TATARINOV is requesting that the name ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVICH TATARINOV be changed to ALEXANDER ZANCHENKO. 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 22nd of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558470

In the matter of the application of BROOKE ERIN SEGARAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BROOKE ERIN SEGARAN is requesting that the name BROOKE ERIN SEGARAN be changed to BROOKE ERIN BLUME. 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 9th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558477

In the matter of the application of SOPHEA TOMMY SOEUNG, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SOPHEA TOMMY SOEUNG is requesting that the name SOPHEA TOMMY SOEUNG be changed to TOMMY SOEUNG HODGSON. 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 11th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

<< Classifieds

10 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402165

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE WORKING ARTIST, 1694 44TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JIULIETTA CARRELLI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/26/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/27/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402225

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PROGRESSIVE LIMO SERVICE, 1562 47TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed AZIZ A. BENARAFA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402234

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GENERAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 48 OCEAN AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARCO MORAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402097

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE FORGOTTEN COLLECTIVE, 775 POST ST #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed AADIL MUHAMMAD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402219

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CENTERPEACE, 38 LANDERS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ELHAM ZARRABIAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/02/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402224

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BONJOUR PROFESSIONAL IPHONE IPAD REPAIR & ELECTRONIC CENTER, 1652 IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed FUSHEN LI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402256

The following person(s) is/are doing business as EVENTS OF ALL KINDS, 1401 MISSION ST #1202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KYMBERLYN ROBINSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402072

The following person(s) is/are doing business as STARHAWK, 2852 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MIRIAM SIMOS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/06/2005. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/13/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402140

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CALACAS SCREEN PRINTING, 3156 22ND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JUAN PABLO RODRIGUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/22/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402268

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FLORECITA PANADERIA, 2823 18TH ST #106, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed XIMENA SUAREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/08/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402149

The following person(s) is/are doing business as POLK STREET ASSOCIATES, 2101 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed by GEORGE MORF, NICK MORF, & NICK MORF TRUSTEE, OF NICK MORF TRUST. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/1996. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/26/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402240

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BANH MI VIET, 518 DIVISADERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed AI LINH DUONG & THI KIM DUNG NGUYEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/2024.

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0366031

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as HOMEOPATIA Y NUTRICION, 2595 MISSION ST #306, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by MARIO ARMANDO LARA. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/29/2015. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0376290

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as ATELIER YUKI, 210 POST ST #1109, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by YUKIKO OKADA. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/07/2017. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0396142

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as FS HVAC SERVICES, 912 COLE ST #156, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by QUALITY APPLIANCE REPAIR SAN FRANCISCO LC (CA). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/28/2022. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/19/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: RONALD J. ROSCIOLI, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: BLUEX TRADE INC. CASE NO. CGC-22-601888

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away.

If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: San Francisco Superior Court, Civic Center Courthouse - Civil, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: NEIL PERETZ (SBN 244532), ENUMERO LAW, 925 S. ELDORADO ST, SAN MATEO, CA 94402; (310) 266-3373

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558480

In the matter of the application of MIKAIYA PETERS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MIKAIYA PETERS is requesting that the name MIKAIYA JADEN PETERS be changed to MIKAIYA JADEN PETERS MCKOY. 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 11th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558482

In the matter of the application of LANCE ADRIAN GAURANO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner LANCE ADRIAN GAURANO is requesting that the name LANCE ADRIAN GAURANO be changed to LUXE DANTE AURANO. 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 16th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558458

In the matter of the application of YIU LUN CHAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner YIU LUN CHAN is requesting that the name YIU LUN CHAN be changed to HARRISON ALAN CHAN. 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 28th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558488

In the matter of the application of MELISSA KATE MANDELBAUM, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MELISSA KATE MANDELBAUM is requesting that the name MELISSA KATE MANDELBAUM be changed to MELISSA KATE SACKS. 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 18th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402226

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558490

The following person(s) is/are doing business as RADIANCE, 58 WEST PORTAL AVE #254, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed KORWIN CONSULTING, LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402050

The following person(s) is/are doing business as RUNWAY GROOMING, 1801 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DREFREDDI LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/03/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/07/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402204

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOMEOPATIA Y NUTRICION, 2595 MISSION ST #306, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HOMEOPATIA Y NUTRICION, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/29/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402208

The following person(s) is/are doing business as INTERIM HEALTHCARE OF RICHMOND DISTRICT CA; INTERIM HEALTHCARE OF MISSION DISTRICT CA, 1652 W TEXAS ST #227, FAIRFIELD, CA 94533. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed XNO SOLUTIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2024

In the matter of the application of OMAR FRAZER RESTOM, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner OMAR FRAZER RESTOM is requesting that the name OMAR FRAZER RESTOM be changed to RAMSEY FRAZER RESTOM. 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 18th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402276

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ADVANCE ARCADE, 57 LELAND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MALO TANUVASA JR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/09/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402251

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KELVIN YUK PRODUCTIONS, 500 SWEENY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KELVIN YUK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/05/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402275

The following person(s) is/are doing business as EFFECTIVE CONSULTING, 575 CORBETT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LEO CHAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/10/2008. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/09/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402263

The following person(s) is/are doing business as K. L. CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, 791 MADRID ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed by K. L. CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/08/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402205

The following person(s) is/are doing business as EAZY VACATIONS, 295 KANSAS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SHAW ENTERPRISES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/29/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402229

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LA ROUTINE, 340 HAYES ST #505, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BOULANGERIE NOVEMBRE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402261

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ORDINARY OBJECT, 40 HARRISON ST #888, OAKLAND, CA 94607.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MOSSY MOSSY LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402287

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MASITDA GALBI JJIM, 2123 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MASITDA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/10/2024.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE M-296192

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SUPER TECH BODY SHOP, 370 INDUSTRIAL WAY, BRISBANE, CA 94005. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SUPER TECH BODY SHOP (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Mateo, CA on 12/28/2023.

JAN 18, 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF BARRY ROBERT KING IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-24-306956

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of BARRY ROBERT KING. A Petition for Probate has been filed by COLIN KING in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that COLIN KING be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 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: FEBRUARY 13, 2024, 9:00 am, Dept: Probate, 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 later 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. 1. Remote Access to Department 204 A) Appearance or Public Access by Video and/or Audio via Zoom: Parties, counsel, and witnesses may appear by video or audio-only telephone through Zoom. For a video appearance, go to zoom.us, click ‘join a meeting” and input meeting ID 160 225 4765 and password 514879. For an audio-only telephone appearance through Zoom, call 1-669-254-5252 and key in meeting ID 160 225 4765#, then participant ID 0#, then password 514879#. Toll rates may apply. Counsel, parties, and witnesses appearing by video must input their first and last name into the “’Your Name” dialogue box. Attorney for petitioner: MICHAEL F. WOODS, 377 WEST PORTAL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127; Ph. (415) 759-1900.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

AN AMENDMENT TO THE PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF BUENAVENTURA VINCENT ORTEGA IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-23-306909

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of BUENAVENTURA VINCENT ORTEGA. An Amendment to the Petition for Probate has been filed by ROSALINA ZANAS in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that ROSALINA ZANAS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 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: FEBRUARY 28, 2024, 9:00 am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102.

The hearing can be attended remotely. Instructions can be found at https://sf.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate-court. 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 later 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 for petitioner: TATIANA PAVLOVA-COLEMAN (SBN 350374), PAVLOVA-COLEMAN LAW, INC., 12121 WILSHIRE BLVD. #810, LOS ANGELES, CA 90049; Ph. (310) 405-7551.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558197

In the matter of the application of AYOOLA MITCHELL, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner AYOOLA MITCHELL is requesting that the name AYOOLA MITCHELL AKA AYOOLA HAYNESWORTH AKA AYOOLA HAQIKAH AKA KELLI WATERFIELD be changed to AYOOLA MITCHELL. 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 27th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558491

In the matter of the application of SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN is requesting that the name SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN be changed to SHARIF BEY. 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 18th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558492 In the matter of the application of JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III is requesting that the name JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III be changed to JAY PALMER HARCOURT. 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 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558497

In the matter of the application of BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO is requesting that the name BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO be changed to JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO. 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 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558500

In the matter of the application of FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT is requesting that the name FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT AKA FRANCISCO VILLABLANCA FLOTTS be changed to BEAU DARIAN BRANT. 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 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558499

In the matter of the application of KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS is requesting that the name KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS be changed to KASSANDRA MARIE NACHT. 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 25th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558501

In the matter of the application of JENNIFER IICAR ROWE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JENNIFER IICAR ROWE is requesting that the name JENNIFER IICAR ROWE AKA JENNIFER IICAR KIFFOR be changed to JENNIFER AIKA KIFFOR. 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 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024 CHINESE-CHARACTERBASED NAME STATEMENT NICHOLAS (NICK) BERG IS USING THE FOLLOWING CHINESE-CHARACTERBASED NAME: 柏格.

Nick commenced using this Chinese-character-based name on 12/15/2023. He is an individual living in San Francisco, CA.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402330

t

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402369

The following person(s) is/are doing business as F&G MARKET, 3698 20TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed SUHEIL MALAK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/1999. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402362

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NOWHERE, 393 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103.

This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed RYAN RINKER, LEAH MARTIN, & AMBER GAVIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402304

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HALE AI, 333 1ST ST UNIT N301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed FIRST STREET VENTURES (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402281

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KOAST, 388 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KRUJIM, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/10/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402346

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DENIS BARRON, MFT, 4155 24TH ST #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed TWO PINES FAMILY COUNSELING, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402241

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT; PLC; PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY; PLC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, 4111 18TH ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PAUL LANGLEY CO (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402252

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LET’S GET CUTE SALON, 4907 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed EVSTYLESBRAIDS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402309

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BETTOLA, 343 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CUORE MATTO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402363

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOLGER LLC, 348 CHESTNUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DOLGER LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402357

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LATINA LASH SPOT, 201 POPE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual and is signed JAQUELINE JOHANA SANABRIA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ELEVATE FORWARD NOW, 2000 BROADWAY ST #618, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ELEVATE FORWARD NOW (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/16/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402353

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0401183

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MM BUNUAN CONSULTING, 454 FERDINAND AVE, EL GRANADA, CA 94018. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAXWELL M. BUNUAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402308

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FIBO SERVICES, 1631 LARKIN ST #7, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROBERT ROEPKE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/21/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402345

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DANI MARIE INTERIORS, 872A 27TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIELLE MARIE PAUTROT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as BEST COAST COLLECTIVE, 1828 PINE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by BLAKELY HULL LLC (CA). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/15/2023. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

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JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402319

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GREGORY SMITH OFFICE DESIGNS, 1850 32ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GREGORY SMITH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402339

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KAYLA CARE FOUNDATION, 30 KEMPTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KALANI HILLS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/18/2024.

Lab Engineer (HW Design) (InfoTech Sourcing, SF, CA) Lab Engineer (HW Design) (InfoTech Sourcing, SF, CA). Dvlp. new lab spaces, schematics capture, layout checking, BOM generating, & server motherboards/add-on cards/backplane products. MS EE/CE, or foreign equiv. + 1 yr exp. Email resume Infotech3@infotechsourcing.com.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402368

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GUERRERO MARKET, 701 GUERRERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SUHEIL MALAK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/2001. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/204.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

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Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Trock & roll Primo ballerino Robert Carter on his unique career

Olga Supphozova (Robert Carter), Lariska Dumbchenko (Raffaele Morra, current Trocks ballet master), Ida Nevasayneva (Paul Ghiselin), Sveltlana Lofatkina (Fernando Medina Gallego).

by Jim Provenzano

R

obert Carter may play a dying swan with Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, but he’s more of a unicorn in real life. As the longest performing member in the company, he’s also one of very few men, and a Black gay man, who performs ballet on pointe.

Loved around the world for a depth of fine

technique mixed with camp drag and humor, the company’s celebrating its 50th anniversary, with performances of their classic takes on “Swan Lake,” “Les Sylphides,” and other works.

While on tour with the company in Houston, in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Carter shared his experiences as a young child studying ballet, and how this eventually led to his touring the world as dual characters Olga Supphozova and Yuri Smirnov.

The company will perform January 27 and 28 at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley as part of Cal Performances’ 2024 season.

You recently performed in your home town, right?

We started the tour in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Then we went to Florida, and then came back up and did further upstate in Greenville.

You mentioned Tokyo as a city that was one of your favorites. You have a big fan base there. What is it about Japanese culture, you think, that they love the Trockaderos?

Oh, my goodness, so many things. We are different, for sure. But the Japanese people have such a profound appreciation for artists and when they find something unique that they See page 12 >>

Rory Phelan and Craig Winberry in ‘The Life and Music of George Michael’

A two-man one-man show

Salute to George Michael at the Curran

by Jim Gladstone

G

ays of a certain age, brace yourselves. The days of “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” are long gone. “Older” is officially a golden oldie.

And with “The Life and Music of George Michael,” which plays a sold-out performance at the Curran Theatre on February 3, the Whambam leather man hunk of your teenage dreams has joined the wizened, grizzled likes of Elvis

Presley and Johnny Cash on the repro-retro “concert experience” circuit.

The Bay Area Reporter spoke with the two actors who play Michael, a late-blooming gay activist who died at age 53 in 2016, at different stages of his career.

Young Gun

“My mum is a huge fan!” said actor-singer Rory Phelan, 31. The native Brit who plays Young George in the touring production, which features a live band and backup singers, recalled

his mother “dancing around the kitchen doing the ‘Wham! Rap.’ “When I first became more aware of George Michael,” he confided, “I didn’t really make the connection between him and Wham!”

Fair enough for a lad whose own childhood pop idolatry took place at the altar of the Spice Girls and their manager Simon Fuller’s knock-off group, S Club 7, who he saw perform three times, tagging along with his older sister.

“We knew all their dances,” he recalled with a combination of pride and embarrassment.

Phelan, who is teen-idol handsome, has toured the U.K. in musicals including “Heathers,” “Grease,” and an ’80s jukebox show, “Club Tropicana,” coincidentally named after an early Wham! Hit. He’s also straight, which seems oddly appropriate in conjunction with the largely upbeat, carefree dance tunes and swoony ballads he performs in the portion of the show dedicated to Michael’s time in Wham! and early solo success; a period in which Michael hid inner inklings of his own See page 13 >>

<< Dance

12 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

‘Mouf//Full’

t

Oysterknife’s spiritul exploration at Grace Cathedral

by Cornelius Washington

T

he Bay Area’s hottest live performance from the Black queer community for African-American History Month is Oysterknife’s “Mouf//Full,” Friday, February 2 through 4 at the venerable Grace Cathedral. The series blends song, dance and visual design in a threeday performance event that honors Black faith across diaspora, secular and institutional, indigenous and inherited. This immersive, participatory performance explores how Black cultures have transformed Church into a uniquely syncretic cultural space. The two lead creators and performers, Gabriele Christian and Chibueze Crouch, spoke about the upcoming work.

Cornelius Washington: What was the genesis of the show?

Gabriele Christian: In 2019, CounterPulse (our co-producer) offered us our first incubation residency, called “Performing Diaspora.” To make Mouthful ultimately a work in progress. This show, “Mouf//Full,” is all about bridging our personal black faiths between American Black Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal, with Igbo Catholicism, examining our sense of rejection and self-doubt that emerged in these worlds in the 1990s/2000s as kids.

During this initial residency, we really pushed the limits of both content and form, making a longer show than our 30-minute allotment, inviting in a large range of Black and majority Queer designers and performers, with six different endings to the work. Very ambitious: we clearly had something deeper to excavate.

CounterPulse approached us about mounting an evening-length version of the work in 2020 and then the pandemic happened, pushing back our original timelines. Now, almost five years later, the show has finally re-surfaced again.

Chani Bockwinkel

Chibueze Crouch and Gabriele Christian in ‘Mouf//Full’

What particular cultures are you reflecting in these series of performances?

GC: It was the gambit, honestly.

You could say that’s partly why we call it “Mouf//Full.” We’re inviting all of the cultures that we can; house, ballroom, Igbo masquerade and ritual, drag, contemporary dance and culture and jazz. We’re also conjuring queer performance as protest culture, asking critical questions of Grace Cathedral as a site, while defying the often punitive culture of Christianity.

What is the catharsis you’ve had from rehearsing the show?

GC: Oysterknife’s process is pretty different from typical scripted theater work. We live in the experimental, and we have a broad range of collabora-

tors. We won’t really feel the impact of the full show until all the pieces land into place until we perform.

But we can say that the entire creative process – from auditions to conceptualizing to poetry sessions with our collaborator Marvin K. White to submerging ourselves into the Saint John Coltrane Church – have each been a little piece of catharsis.

There’s something about visioning and watching the daily drip of that vision that is fundamentally cathartic, like watching the moon slowly grow into fruition every night.

Do you have any pre-show rituals? How do you wind down after a show?

GC: Our mutual pre- and postshow, we are all about checking in with

each other, reading up on and listening to our ancestors (Nina, Baldwin, Zora), remembering our bodies’ need for rest and intimacy.

Chibueze Crouch: Pre- and postshow rituals include a consistent prayer practice, where I go to my personal altar at home to speak with my ancestors, Igbo deities and spirits who guide me, rosary beads from my upbringing, self-written prayers in Igbo, and tarot cards.

What do you think will be the evolution of black queer religious beliefs?

GC: We will see a reckoning of the role of the Black church across the diaspora, especially among young people who are more progressive and more queer than their parents. There’s short pieces in the middle, and then the final ballet with the whole company. As it’s structured, our opening pieces are generally a little bit broader in comedy, kind of the expected gags, like “Swan Lake Act II.” We have “Les Sylphides,” which is another opener. That’s a little bit more subtle, but still just as funny in my opinion. By the time you get to the ensemble pieces in the middle, you’ll see the comedy is still present throughout the show. But the dancing takes more of a focus so that people understand that while they’re enjoying it and they’re getting a good laugh, we are still first and foremost a dance company and we have some very accomplished dancers.

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JL Marerro Medina

Left: Robert Carter Right: Robert Carter as Olga Supphozova in ‘Swan Lake’

<<

Robert Carter

From page 11

like, they truly support it 100%. I mean, we have a fan club. Especially after being in the company for so many years, I have a lot of fans. It’s just so funny. They buy a block of tickets, so when the curtain opens at a different theater, and it’s almost as if they have assigned seating. You know where they’re all sitting.

I thought there might be a parallel between the makeup and the costumes and Kabuki theater, that there’s a recognition or a parallel?

I think so. They appreciate that because like Kabuki, traditionally the males pass it down from father to son and so on, but there is a beauty in the art of impersonating women. I think that’s what they really appreciate about it, aside from the comic spin that we

put on classical ballet.

Some of the works don’t initially start out as being broadly funny. There’s a subtlety of wit, of the gesture, or a slight stumble that builds in the pieces that are not shtick.

Right. Generally, the way that our program is set up for an evening, we’ll have our opening ballet, and then we’ll have an intermission and then three

You’ve been with the company since 1995, and a primo ballerino.

Are you the primo primo?

I have graduated from Auntie to Mama, as far as helping everybody with hair and makeup, sometimes advising the steps, choreography, and so on. But yeah, I mean, I’m the longest running member in the history of the company.

That’s quite an accomplishment, because many dancers have short-lived careers, if they don’t transition to teaching or other roles, but you’ve been able to continue for this long.

I am quite fortunate and I credit good genetics, I guess, and an indomitable spirit. With this kind of job, I get to see the world doing what I love to do and getting paid for it. The perks are seeing the world and experiencing all these different wonderful things that have happened along the way. This job is unique in the dance world in the respect that coming up on 49, I’m able to get on stage and dance. In another conventional setting, I would’ve been

a widespread awakening to the cultural and religious conditioning to which we’ve all been subjected. We also see that Black queer people are at the forefront, refashioning faiths in their own images, bending them to suit our purposes, and not the other way around.

What would you have your audiences take away from your performances?

GC: We want you to connect with someone unexpected, to breathe deeper, to free your beliefs. We want you to feel that you’ve come home.

Oysterknife’s ‘Mouf//Full’ Feb. 2 & 3, 7:30pm, Feb. 4, 7pm.

Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. $25-$45. www.counterpulse.org/mouffull/

forced out earlier just because that is just the societal standard within the dance community.

But nowadays, there are stars of the dance world that have extended themselves well past 50. I hope to be one of them, as long as you’re able to bring the quality of your artistry. I never want to be in that position where people are watching and say, “Well, you used to be good.” I have enough vanity to tap my own shoulder to sit down before someone else has to. When that comes, I’ll know it. But so far, I’ve been quite fortunate. I don’t have any issues with my joints or muscle problems. As long as I take care of myself.

Let’s talk about the dances. You perform the Dying Swan, and you mentioned “Les Sylphides.”

Is there other repertoire that we can expect in a Cal performances concert that are old favorites or newer ones?

We’re still using our classics. The beauty of this company is we might have a lot of the same repertory, but we have a lot of new dancers. One of the one fun quirks with this company is that you could see my interpretation of Odette in “Swan Lake” or you could see one of the other guys have their interpretation, and it might be the same ballet, but it’s still different because they put their total personal character spin on it, so that’s what keeps it fun for us.t

Read the full interview on www.ebar.com.

Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, January 27, 8pm and Jan. 28, 3pm at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus. $37-$119. www.calperformances.org www.trockadero.org instagram.com/bobbyballerino

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Cabaret>>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 13

Bonni Suval

Goth chanteuse to play Martuni’s with original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn

by David-Elijah Nahmod

O

n January 27 and 28, goth chanteuse Bonni Suval, who’s been seen with the Thrillpeddlers and The Cockettes revival shows, will take to the stage of Martuni’s for a night of song. Suval, known as a belter, will offer vintage standards such as “I’d Rather Be Blue,” along with more contemporary fare like “That Wasn’t Me” and “Cripple and the Starfish.”

Joining Suval at the piano will be none other than original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn.

Since The Cockettes disbanded in the early 1970s, Koldewyn has kept busy composing, performing and teaching. Like Suval, he was involved with The Thrillpeddlers and has performed in the recent Cockette revivals.

In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Suval said that they were delighted to be reunited with their old friend Koldewyn.

“We have worked together off and on for fourteen years now so he knows my style and aesthetic and has suggested some great music for us to play together,” Suval said. “Plus, he lives a few blocks away from me, so I can walk my little dog over to rehearse at his house. It’s been so fun to show each other music that is new to each of us.”

The pair performed their first cabaret together at The Golden Bull nightclub in Oakland in 2022. They had so

Gooch

Left: Bonni Suval Right: Scrumbly Koldewyn and Bonni Suval

much fun, they decided to do it again.

Suval said that they won’t be the only one showing off their pipes at Martuni’s. Koldewyn will be singing a solo number in the show and will be joining Suval on some harmonies.

Suval began performing when they were very young. They studied ballet at the tender age of four and soon began studying tap. Their teacher saw their passion and they won “most improved” at their first tap performance.

“I spent much of my early years performing tap numbers at fairs and

malls,” they said. “Remember Tiffany doing mall tours? My inspiration to perform has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I came out of my mother jazz hands ablazing.”

It all paid off, as Suval is now an award-winning performer. They won a BATCC Award for playing Gina in Thrillpeddlers’ revival of The Cockettes’ musical “Vice Palace.”

“I was so shocked to be nominated,” they recalled. “I remember accepting the award onstage at the Palace of Fine Arts. It was so surreal

being on that stage at that beautiful theater with my co-stars. It felt pretty cool to be seen in that way. I had stopped performing for a few years before 2010 and this made me feel like I was back where I belonged.”

Suval loves being a part of The Cockettes revivals and has performed in six full runs of Cockettes shows.

They’ve been seen in “Pearls Over Shanghai,” and “Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma” in addition to the more recent Cockettes revues.

“I truly adore Scrumbly and his

work,” they said. “It makes me so damn happy to be able to help to continue his legacy as a brilliant performer, darling deviant, and scintillating songwriter.

The Cockettes show us that love, music, and a ton of glitter can bring the magical weirdos together to create something truly alive. Dirt! Sex! Passion!”

When they take to the stage of Martuni’s, Suval will be singing a selection of songs that are meaningful to them. There’s at least one costume change planned, and the songs will represent a wide variety of genres.

There will be a tune from “Funny Girl,” a Jon Brion song, a song in tribute to Sinead O’Connor, a comedic interlude of “Otto Titsling,” and even a little Diamanda Galas.

“The theme seems to be love, insanity, grief, and supportive garments,” Suval said. “You may laugh, you may cry, you will definitely learn about French patent thieves.”

And since Martuni’s is a queer venue, just how queer will the show be?

“Well, I’m queer and Scrumbly’s queer, so it’s a queer show, but I wouldn’t say that’s the theme,” said Suval. “Is that a theme? I’ll leave that to the audience to decide.”t ‘Bonni Suval & Scrumbly Koldewyn: A Cabaret,’ January 27 & 28, 7pm, Martuni’s, 4 Valencia St. $40 www.eventbrite.com

Rory Phelan (left) and Craig Winberry (right) in ‘The Life and Music of George Michael’

<<

George Michael

From page 11

homosexuality from the public, and even himself.

In interviews later in his career, Michael discussed having relationships with women and later considering himself bisexual before eventually identifying as gay at a point that coincided with his emergence as a solo artist.

Older and wiser

In the second act of the show, the role of Older George is taken up by New York-based performer Craig Winberry.

“When I was a kid, my brother would blare Wham! from his stereo,” noted Winberry. “For months on end, anytime ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ came on, I would run out into the hallway and dance around, singing at the top of my lungs. Eventually, I saw the music video and I was obsessed with George’s hair.”

Even as a boy, Winberry picked up on more than youthful exuberance in Michael’s stage presence.

“At first, I connected through the voice, the beats and the instrumentation. As I got older, I began to sense we shared an interest in things that at the time weren’t really talked about. [The

song] ‘Father Figure’ was a moment that made me stop and say, ‘Wait, I think I’m picking up on something here.’ I wasn’t really sure at the time exactly what it was.”

Winberry continued, “Over his career, I was attracted to the same elements in his music, fashion and life. I always wanted to see what he was going to share next. What was he telling us? I always felt he was a North Star.”

Like many gay men who thrilled to the homoerotic vibe of Michael’s 1980s and early 1990s solo songs and videos, including “I Want Your Sex,” “Fastlove” and “Cowboys and Angels,” as well as the tiptoes out of the closet represented by his contributions to the 1992 “Red, Hot + Dance” AIDS benefit album and Freddie Mercury tribute concert, Winberry recalls being disappointed when Michael was publicly outed in the wake of being arrested for public cruising in 1998.

“WTF?! He was doing what?” remembered Winberry of his reaction.

“But after the dust settled from the scandal, I felt he was standing stronger in his Pride years. And as great artists, do, they create and share.

“The “Outside” video [which openly mocks police sting operations like the one in which Michael was entrapped] was an outstanding contribution in so many ways. I respect his strength.”

Feeling free

In preparing for the show, which began touring in 2019 and went on hiatus over the pandemic, Winberry “devoured any footage I could find.

Most things I found jarred certain memories. The revisit had a profound impact. Material that had come out when I was younger at a time I was navigating things in life now had me seeing it from the other side, looking back from the light at the end of the tunnel. Revisiting the music was cathartic.”

While Winberry is able to bring the insight provided by personal experience to Michael’s more musically and emotionally sophisticated late career tunes, he says that during the show, audience members of all genders, sexual orientations and ages get swept up by an energy that transcends its subject’s biography.

“There’s a video of George singing at Rock in Rio. He sings “Ain’t Nobody” and gives a shout out to Chaka Khan.

It’s authentic and soulful and fascinating to watch. Feeling as free as he is on stage, that’s the goal.”t ‘The Life and Music of George Michael,’ Feb. 3, 7:30pm. Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St. www.broadwaysf.com www.thelifeandmusicofgm.com

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<< Film & TV

14 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 25-31, 2024

‘Good Grief’

Dan Levy’s journey down a dark tunnel

by Brian Bromberger

G

ay writer/director Dan Levy’s follow-up to his smash streaming TV series “Schitt’s Creek” is a romantic comedy/drama about a man processing the sudden death of his husband in the new Netflix film, “Good Grief.”

While earnest and entertaining, it remains tepid, lacking a spark or momentum, and surprisingly emotionally stagnant, considering what should have been heartfelt subject matter.

The film opens at a Christmas party in a luxury London Notting Hill apartment with artist Marc (Dan Levy) in his late thirties, celebrating the holiday with children’s book writer, Oliver (Luke Evans), his husband, in what appears to be a flawless life. Oliver must leave for a book signing at the Louvre in Paris, but dies in a car accident a few minutes later.

The next scene occurs a year later where Marc’s best friends Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel), his ex-lover of years ago, are trying to help him through his grief. Thomas has moved in with Marc, while Sophie signed him onto a dating app.

Doing therapy, Marc agrees to open a note from Oliver he gave to him the

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Jonathan Daniel Pryce/Netflix

Himesh Patel, Dan Levy and Ruth Negga in ‘Good Grief’

night he died. The message reveals Oliver confessing he had met someone else and they needed to talk. Marc also learns from Oliver’s lawyer (the marvelous Celia Imrie) that he had been

secretly leasing a pied-a-terre in Paris, where he was headed to meet his lover, a young dancer. Marc doesn’t tell Sophie and Thomas what he’s unearthed.

Instead, he invites them on a Paris

vacation and they will stay in Oliver’s apartment. Marc will spend time with Theo (Arnaud Valois), a French guy he had met at a performance art exhibit.

Marc shares that he gave up painting following the death of his mother and is encouraged to return to his art as a way of working through his pain.

What happens when Marc tells Sophie and Thomas the truth, how it unsettles their friendship with more secrets and brokenness revealed, and the way he copes with grief and betrayal, leads to the film’s conclusion. Will Marc learn to love himself and accept his new life?

This is a film with wealthy creative artists and at times sparkling dialogue that mostly doesn’t exist in the real world, but is delightful anyway.

As the scriptwriter, Levy has written himself an excellent role, where he can exercise his comic expertise, but he also has some fine dramatic moments about pain and regrets as well as showcasing his more sensitive side. The death of his grandmother at the end of the COVID lockdown inspired him to create this film. Marc is self-absorbed, which can be offputting, but there are enough scenes where we can empathize with his attempts to cope with all these am-

bivalent feelings so you start feeling protective towards him.

However, there are two wonderful brief acting tour de forces: David Bradley, as Oliver’s father, who gives a heartbreaking eulogy at the funeral intertwining sorrow and gratitude while bemoaning his lapses as the parent of a gay son. Kaitlyn Dever is hilarious as a narcissistic actress in Oliver’s film series, who in an inappropriate speech at the funeral is very upset that now he’s dead, there won’t be another film role for her.

Despite these complaints, the film centers as much on friendship as it does on grief, particularly as one struggles to process conflicting emotions. Levy’s skilled at directing actors, as long as they have robust roles to execute.

And some of his lines, like “Grief is a little ulcer that never goes away,” will stick with the audience. He effectively conveys there’s no one way to grieve, that it can’t be fixed, only lived through. There is warmth and good intentions, even if it seems forced.

Levy’s forte is still comedy, but there’s definite promise, so we’re eager to see more of what he can offer.t www.netflix.com

Milestones and millstones

by Victoria A. Brownworth

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Left: Mariska Hargitay in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Right: Jodi Foster in ‘True Detective: Night Country’

The season 25 opener ended in the rain with a scream and a victim of sex trafficking still missing. It was as unsettling as real life, and a paean to Olivia, who’s still trying her best in a world that wants to take down both her and the most vulnerable among us.

We are still thinking about the opening episode of NBC’s flagship series, “Law & Order” when the series returned Thursday for its 23rd season. It was a classic ripped-from-theheadlines story with the murder of a college president who witnesses an act of antisemitism in the opening scene. The IsraelHamas war and the Palestinian-Jewish college campus conflicts are front and center in this unsettling and hyper-realistic episode.

Foster, kids

Jodie Foster is back. It’s been 33 years since Foster captivated us as FBI agent Clarice Starling as she hunted Buffalo Bill and played mind games with Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Now Foster, fresh off her role in “Nyad,” is playing a new detective, Liz Danvers, in “True Detective: Night Country.” The HBO anthology series debuted its much-anticipated fourth season on January 14.

If you forgot how Foster won two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, also earned the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2013 and the Honorary Palme d’Or in 2021, Liz Danvers will remind you.

In an interview with NBC’s “To-

day” show, Foster told Hoda Kotb, “I think ‘Silence (of the Lambs)’ is the closest experience that I’ve ever had to this – where you jump on something because you love the material so much and everybody jumps on and does their best work because they respond to that material and the depth of it. And then you do the best work of your life.”

The fourth season of “True Detective,” the anthology crime drama series created by Nic Pizzolatto, is set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight men from a research station. Foster stars with Kali

Reis, a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, as Indigenous Detective Evangeline Navarro. Mexican filmmaker Issa López is showrunner, writer and director of season 4; on HBO. Foster was also seen at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival opening night gala, “Celebrating 40 Years” on January 18. Foster was with her wife, Alexandra “Alex” Hedison, at the world premiere of Hedison’s short film “Alok” at the Sundance Film Festival. Foster is executive producer on the film which is about Alok Vaid-Menon, an American writer, performance artist, and media personality. Vaid-Menon is gender non-conforming and transfeminine.

Sundance says, “Hedison delivers a compelling portrait of her friend, Alok Vaid-Menon, the internationally acclaimed, nonbinary author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. This thought-provoking short documentary explores the limitless expression of self, challenges societal norms, and inspires viewers to embrace personal freedom beyond the binaries that divide us. Featuring Dylan Mulvaney, Chani Nicholas, and other cultural change makers.”t

Read the full column on www.ebar.com.

From bright and beautiful musicals to thought-provoking art exhibits, and rousing nightlife events (like those at El Rio; see photo), you’ve got plenty to whet your appetite for culture and clubbing, this week and every week in Going Out.

Going out

Steven Underhill

BC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” celebrates an amazing TV milestone this season: 25 years of broadcast in prime time with a woman – Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay as the lead character, detective, now captain, Olivia Benson – since the series debuted.

Mariska Hargitay spoke about this at a New York event celebrating 25 years of “SVU,” at which she said “the timing worked out perfectly” for her to talk about being sexually assaulted in a recent magazine essay, as it coincides with themes in the new season of the show.

We became a victim of a serial rapist during the early years of “SVU” and our late wife asked where the female detectives were as we went to SVU locked in the back of a police cruiser, more like a perpetrator than a victim.

There were no female SVU detectives. That was perhaps the biggest fiction “SVU” ever wrote in those first few years of the series. And what detectives there were weren’t dedicated like Olivia Benson and her squad to finding perpetrators, handholding victims, and putting the rapists behind bars.

Olivia Benson makes the world safer for victims. The criminal justice system makes the world safer for rapists.

We’ve thought a lot about this show for over 25 years. We’ve thought about how Olivia solves rapes and America doesn’t.

Hargitay herself was so unnerved that rape kits weren’t being tested, she produced a 2017 documentary, “I Am Evidence,” about the issue. She also created the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to address victims of sexual assault and abuse, whose vision is “a world free of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.”

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Books & Music>>

January 25-31, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 15

Victor Heringer’s ‘The Love of Singular Men’

by Tim Pfaff

Y

ou’ll know before the first sentence has run its course whether Victor Heringer’s final novel, “The Love of Singular Men” (New Directions), is for you. It opens with a creation story, unless, that is, it’s a desecration story: “In the beginning, our planet was hot, sickly yellow and stank of stale beer.” Moving right along: “The ground was black with boiling, clinging mud.”

As for people: “The streets collected so much dust that man had no choice but to come into being to sweep it.”

All that said, there are other things to know before you proceed. The novel has experimental aspects. Either none of its principal characters is sympathetic or they all are. There are visuals of several kinds sprinkled among the words. The “end” is more in the middle. But finally, if you let it, “The Love of Singular Men” will knock the wind out of you.

Other things to keep in mind: the novel is set in Rio de Janeiro and was written in Portuguese (translated, one assumes superbly, by James Young, who declared his qualifications simply by taking it on) by an author both polyglot and artistically polymath.

And Heringer, plagued by depression throughout his short life, committed suicide at 29, just as he was teetering into something like fame.

Hate at first sight

Then the best thing to do, if you can,

Renato Parada

Author Victor Heringer

is to put all of those things out of your mind in order to expose yourself to the startling originality of the novel. The list of things the novel could be said to be “about” –and Heringer loved lists, which he manipulates with a power similar to the Old Testament “begats”– is ultimately as unrevealing as it is long.

What it concerns is a character named Camilo and his first –and last– love, an orphan boy named Cosme.

Make of the adopted boy’s name what you will, Camilo is not an Everyman except in his singularity, by which he and his creator mean his aloneness, and sometimes his loneliness.

The story all but condenses itself. Camilo’s father brings Cosme into the family unannounced.

For Camilo, it’s hate at first sight.

Songs she sings

by Gregg Shapiro

F

rom folk to ethereal, new music by women artists ranges from sassy to spiritual.

While there isn’t anything on “Nothing’s Gonna Stand In My Way Again” (Bloodshot) as unexpectedly funky as “Heaven” from her 2016 album “Real,” Lydia Loveless does takes her fans in some new and exciting directions. An alt-country diva of the highest order, Loveless leans more toward alt on these 10 songs. However, she never completely abandons the twang or the trill on “Poor Boy,” “Sex and Money,” “Toothache,” and “Do The Right Thing.” Loveless is also capable of creating beautifully soulful tunes as is evident on “Summerlong,” “Runaway” and “Ghost.”

Lydia Loveless performs on Jan. 24, 8pm in San Francisco at Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St. $25. www.lydialoveless.com “Desert Pavement,” the second album by non-binary singer/songwriter Ismay (aka Avery Hellman), contains 13 songs that take alternative Americana in new and fascinating directions, as you can hear on “I Called You Up” and “Streaming Family.” The

centerpiece “Melodies” is a stunner that becomes more dazzling with each repeated listen. Populated with more critters than the average city slicker has ever encountered, including the ram in “The Shearer + The Darby Ram,” the horses in “The Lonely Stallion” and “The Golden Palomino,” as well as “The Dove, The Shrew, & The Raccoon” and “Coyote In The Road,” it’s a true musical menagerie.

Ismay performs on Jan. 28, 8pm at Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. $22. www.ismaymusic.com Once you get past the unusual spelling of the name Spellling (aka Chrystia Cabral), you can dig into the music, which is well worth a listen.

The 11-track album, “Spellling & the Mystery School” (Sacred Bones) is a reimagining of songs from her previous releases, including 2017’s “Pantheon of Me,” 2019’s (“Mazy Fly,” and 2021’s “The Turning Wheel.” Proving that Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who can pull off this sort of thing, Spellling’s new versions of “Always,” “Under The Sun,” “They Start The Dance,” “Haunted Water,” “Boys at School,” “Revolution,” and “Phantom Farewell,” really sing!

Weeks into what soon becomes the boys’ budding romantic idyll, Comse is raped and murdered. In middle age Camilo, haunted by the past, adopts a boy named Renato and knows love, or something resembling it, again.

It’s not too soon to note that this is not a novel about pedophilia; homophobia, yes, centrally. A possible motive for the murder of Cosme is that the boys were, perhaps naively, open with their affection – kissed in public, if in that passion-free, marriage-ceremony kind of way – by no means common in 1970s Brazil.

Opposites attract

At one level the novel is the millionth retelling of the story we know best as Romeo and Juliet. Camilo,

Spellling performs on Feb. 2 as part of the Homesick Festival at The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave. $40-$65. spelllingmusic.com

whose family is affluent (their walled-off swimming pool holds the first scene), is white, so white, he jokes, that he’s almost green. Cosme is the color of milk coffee.

But family affluence does not confer unlimited privilege on Camilo. He’s physically disabled and mired in self-pity about it. Like the family housekeeper and resident crone, Maria Aina, he was born with the umbilical cord around his neck. “Anyone born that way will always be on the edge of trouble,” she tells him (and the author tells us more than once).

“I was crippled,” Camilo tells the reader, “but not terribly. By five I was limping; by eight I was on crutches.”

Those crutches go into a different kind of action when Camilo beats Cosme with them (and breaks his own arm). Anyone familiar with crimes of passion will immediately perceive the seeds of love in that sincerely violent “transaction.”

Innocence informs the boys’ sex play. Cosme teaches Camilo some refinements of masturbation, and the two join other boys in regular circle jerks inside the confines of an abandoned slave house –not, incidentally, the place Cosme is violated and slain.

Camilo’s own violence is told with all manner of overtone.

“After I walloped him with my staff, my hate no longer took Cosme’s name or shape,” Camilo tells us. “And so, with a single blow, I began to love him.”

Make of any of that what you will.

“If you must know,” Camilo confides, “it was he who fucked me. Every time.”

The author’s vision embraces multitudes, but front to back the novel is a meditation –rumination, more like it– on the duality of love and hate, or love and its opposite.

Characters come and go, reappear in new guises and identities, and time frames are shuffled. Chapter numbers reverse after the longest one, about the rape-murder, and point of view changes from first to third person.

Never mind. None of that spells hard reading, and the reader is jostled along by writing as fundamentally cheerful as it is vivid. The prose gallops, and when it slows, in the book’s second half, it’s by design and part of the emotional scenery. Far more than fancy dancing on the computer keys, Heringer’s writing is a braid of the tirelessly hilarious and the deadly serious.

Crack the novel open almost anywhere, and you will find language that astonishes. Overreaching as it sometimes does, Heringer’s novel never seems beside the point.t

“Tomorrow’s Fire” (Polyvinyl) begins with the gorgeous, layered vocals of opener “I Don’t Use A Trash Can,” in which she vows not to change her sheets, possibly a reference to love that was that good. She shifts gears

on the electrified songs “Alley Light” (which has a kind of queer energy), “Full Time Job,” “Stick,” and “Intheskatepark,” before ending on the gently acoustic note of “Finally Rain.” www.squirrelflower.nett

‘The Love of Singular Men,’ by Victor Heringer; translated from the Portuguese by James Young, New Directions, 180 pages, paperback, $15.95, www.ndbooks.com

On her 2022 album “Laurel Hell,” Mitski explored synth-pop, giving listeners two irresistible dance tracks: “The Only Heartbreaker” and “Stay Soft.” Her new album “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” (Dead Oceans) is a more organic effort and even features pedal steel guitar (“I Don’t Like My Mind,” “Heaven,” and “The Frost”).

There is also a lushness, represented by the presence of a choir (“Bug Like An Angel,” “My Love All Mine”), strings (“The Deal,” “Heaven”), brass and woodwinds (“When Memories Snow”). All in all, “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” is a stunning effort by an artist who never fails to dazzle us. www.mitski.com Montreal-based La Force (aka Ariel Engle) has a musical style reminiscent of fellow Canadian Feist.

This makes sense once you discover that, like Feist, La Force has performed with Broken Social Scene. To be clear, La Force is her own person, and distinctive songs on “XO Skeleton” such as “Outrun the Sun,” “How Do You Love A Man,” “October,” “Ouroboros,” and the title number go a long way in establishing that fact. www.laforceband.com If fans of the previously mentioned Mitski, as well as Sharon Van Etten, Weyes Blood, and Angel Olsen don’t already have Squirrel Flower (aka Ella Williams) in heavy rotation, they don’t know what they’re missing.

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StevenUnderhill 415 370 7152 • StevenUnderhill.com

Everything we know started in the stars.

The Universe in Us A new planetarium show narrated by Diego Luna

The universal truth? Everything around you shares a celestial ancestry.

Trace how generations of exploding stars forged every atom and element that make up Earth, the Solar System—and us.

Now open | Get tickets at calacademy.org Every visit supports our mission to regenerate the natural world.

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11/22/23 3:09 PM