Activists plan ‘Drag Up, Fight Back’ rally

compiled by Cynthia Laird

Angered by the anti-trans and anti-drag hysteria that is being whipped up around the country, activists have planned a “Drag Up! Fight Back!” march and rally for Saturday, April 8, from noon to 3 p.m. in San Francisco over the Easter holiday weekend.

According to a news release, the American Civil Liberties Union is now tracking 430 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, fueled by extreme right-wing politicians, media, churches, and others. “These bills target everything from what can be said and taught in schools to which books can be read to banning drag performances and banning gender-affirming care for trans youth,” the release stated.

“This cumulative effect is dangerous, as it affects the physical and mental health of trans people, the safety and livelihoods of drag artists, and the basic rights of LGBTQ+ people everywhere,” the release noted.

The day will start with a rally at 11 a.m. on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. From there, participants will march to Union Square where there will be performances, readings by members of Drag Story Hour, and surprise guests, according to the release.

Sponsors include the People’s March, LGBTQ nightclub Oasis, the San Francisco Democratic Party, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which will be hosting its annual celebration on Easter Sunday, April 9, in Mission Dolores Park. (That day the Los Angeles LGBT Center is hosting an all-ages Drag March LA in West Hollywood.)

“These fascist laws are an attempt to silence, criminalize, and eradicate our

Ken Fitzharris, March 28th 1940 - July 3rd 2022

Outstanding member of Bay Area’s LGBTQ+ Community, Owner of famed SOMA’s BOOT CAMP BAR (1980’s)

Avid Gardener, Nature Lover and World Traveler. Ken had a boundless generosity towards anyone he met, whether be a stranger, his friends, or members of his Natural and chosen family. He will never be forgotten by those who were fortunate to meet him, as well as friends: Clay Araujo and Chris Murray, And his sisters: MaryAnn Fitzharris, Jeannette Fitzharris, Maureen Walters and brother in-law Michael Frank.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY KEN

Clay Araujo community,” stated Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who is helping organize the event. “‘Drag Up! Fight Back!’ is a call to action for everyone who believes that drag is not a crime and knows that queer and trans rights are human rights.” in several cities in northern San Mateo County.

Other drag artists are also sponsoring the event, including Alex U. Inn and Juanita MORE! of the People’s March, Kochina Rule, Juicy Liu, Per’sia, Santana Tapia, and Sister Shalita Corndog. Also listed as sponsors are D’Arcy Drollinger of Oasis, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, and local Democratic Party Chair Honey Mahogany, who came up short in last year’s District 6 supervisor race.

Roma stated that people are encouraged to wear drag, but it is not required.

“We’re going to show them how San Francisco responds to hate – with love and joy,” Roma stated.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://bit. ly/3JKgurX.

According to a news release, in February MOWSF became the main provider of free, home-delivered meals to the homes of more than 300 seniors living in the cities of South San Francisco, Colma, Daly City, Brisbane, and San Bruno – a region that was previously served by Peninsula Volunteers. In its March newsletter, MOWSF stated it had begun partnering with northern San Mateo County last summer and, as part of that contract, took over last month.

A graph in the newsletter shows that the seniors in Northern San Mateo County rely more on walkers or wheelchairs (42%) and have poor mobility or are bedbound (31%) than the clients served in San Francisco, of which 29% rely on walkers or wheelchairs and 14% have poor mobility or are bedbound.

SF trans visibility event

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The Transgender Day of Visibility will be observed in San Francisco with a free event Friday, March 31, from 5:45 to 9:30 p.m. at SOMArts Gallery, 934 Brannan Street. According to organizers, the gathering will cel ebrate trans identities.

“With over 400 anti-trans legislation bills currently active in the United States, it is important that we celebrate trans visibility and joy,” stated organizer Niko Storment. “Now more than ever, it is paramount to showcase our stories in the media. We must stand up to this pandemic of hate.”

Meals on Wheels expands to San Mateo

Meals on Wheels San Francisco has announced that it has expanded its service region and now provides homedelivered meals to homebound seniors

“More than 30% of the seniors we’re delivering meals to in Northern San Mateo tend to be homebound or bedbound, and really need the support to make sure they have food to eat,” stated Phil Duarte, director of the homedelivered meals program at MOWSF. “Our expansion into the county is a natural one for us because we already have established infrastructure to be able to deliver thousands of meals daily so that no one misses a lunch or dinner.”

MOWSF continues to see a growing need for meals as the population of people aged 60 and older continues to outpace other age demographics in San Francisco, the release noted.

Seniors in the Northern San Mateo County cities listed above can call (415)-920-1111 to see if they qualify for meals.

The release stated that San Francisco seniors can sign up for home-delivered meals through the city’s Department of Disability and Aging Services’ information referral and intake unit at (415) 355-6700. t

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Dille, who worked at Every Six Weeks at 491 Castro Street, was reported missing by friends last month, having been last seen February 2. One described his behavior before his disappearance as “very erratic” in a Facebook post.

“Our rangers discovered a body below the Trailview Overlook,” a popular observation point for visitors to the national park, Baird told the Bay Area Reporter on March 27.

“We successfully recovered the body,” she continued, adding it’s estimated it’d been there for about a day.

Baird said there was no evidence of foul play, though Dille had fallen “approximately 200-300 feet” from the southern rim of the canyon. An autopsy has to be done by the Coconino County Health and Human Services Medical Examiner’s Office, she added.

Trish Lees, a community relations manager with the office, told the B.A.R. that the autopsy has not been completed and it could take up to 60 days.

Dille had lived in the Castro for decades. A 1997 San Francisco Examiner piece described him as a “hairdresser” who’d previously lived in San Diego, where he knew the gay serial killer Andrew Cunanan. In the report Dille, talking to a friend at The Cafe, said he did

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