March 4, 2021 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

STD bill introduced

16% spike in LGBTQ judges

J&J vaccine rolls out

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Vol. 51 • No. 9 • March 4-10, 2021

California not tracking COVID vaccinations in LGBTQ residents by Matthew S. Bajko Courtesy BAYMEC

San Jose Police Officer James Gonzales

Updated San Jose police LGBTQ policies attract praise in San Francisco by John Ferrannini

recent San Jose Police Department training bulletin establishes procedures for law enforcement interactions with the LGBTQ community in the South Bay city and has drawn praise from counterparts in San Francisco. The bulletin, sent February 8 from acting Police Chief David Tindall, sets some procedures that are already familiar to San Franciscans, such as conversing with the public using individuals’ stated names and pronouns, and some that are not, such as referring to people with their stated name and not their legal name in official reports, after a first reference. “Every individual has the right to be addressed by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity. Proof of a court-ordered name or gender change is not required. Whether or not the name on a person’s driver license or identification card corresponds with the person’s gender, department members shall address and refer to the person by the name and gender the person uses to identify him/her/themself,” the section of the bulletin on names and pronouns states. “In addition, the first paragraph of the narrative shall include a statement identifying the individual as their chosen name and/or gender identity,” the section on report writing states. “Throughout the remainder of the report, department members shall use the chosen name and/or gender identity when referring to the individual. The explanation of a person’s transgender identity in the first paragraph of the narrative preserves respect for the individual. Maintaining their legal name on the face page of the incident report avoids confusion with service of subpoenas and court appearances.”

SJPD changes praised

Officer James Gonzales, a gay man who is the LGBTQ+ community liaison for the SJPD, said that the department’s policy changes have been in the works since 2016. “We’re one of the few departments with a policy like this – instructing officers how to interact with the trans community,” Gonzales told the Bay Area Reporter. “It sends a strong message to the entire police department that this is how we treat people.” Gonzales said that the policies will hopefully not only improve the wider LGBTQ community’s experience with San Jose police officers, but will help LGBTQ people within the department. “People who are transgender are going to feel more confident in a place like this,” Gonzales said. “We know for the LGBTQ community in general, interacting with the police can be difficult; and seeing a report using a name you don’t use anymore for pages and pages, that doesn’t have to occur.” Gonzales said that the new policies come in two pieces – “a training bulletin defining terms and helping officers to navigate different circumstances” and revisions to the “actual duty manual.” SJPD has been a pioneer among police departments, Gonzales said, even before his appointment to the liaison position, which was created by the LGBTQ advisory board that has been running since 2016 in the chief’s office. See page 11 >>

s COVID vaccinations ramp up with a third vaccine authorized for use, community leaders and health officials across California are pushing to see that LGBTQ individuals sign up to get inoculated. Yet there will be no way to know just how many LGBTQ people get a shot. The state’s public health department is not tracking vaccinations among LGBTQ Californians, the Bay Area Reporter has learned. The lack of gathering sexual orientation and gender identity data related to the vaccines comes as California health officials remain blind to just how widespread COVID-19 has been within the Golden State’s LGBTQ population. “We just confirmed the state is collecting no SOGI data on vaccines,” gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) told the B.A.R. March 2. “I think this points to a broader issue, and I want to be really frank that we don’t see health care providers and counties and the state constantly quibbling and making excuses around race and age and gender data. They just collect it. They often don’t need a law telling them to collect it.” The California Department of Public

Sari Staver

California is not tracking sexual orientation or gender identity data for those getting COVID vaccines, such as at this site in San Francisco.

Health told the B.A.R. it is committed to collecting the SOGI data and working with its county counterparts to see that such information is gathered. “CDPH is working with local health departments to understand obstacles to collecting these data and improve the completeness

of sexual orientation and gender identity data reported to CDPH. CDPH has provided training on collection of complete demographic information, including information on sexual orientation and gender identity,” stated the agency. See page 5 >>

Gay restaurateur to open downtown Oakland nightclub and eatery by Matthew S. Bajko

well-known gay nightlife promoter in the East Bay who went into the restaurant business last year is opening a new nightclub and eatery in downtown Oakland. It will be the second LGBTQ nightlife venue in the heart of the city, and a third such business could also join the mix later this year. Valentino Carrillo, who opened La Frontera Mexican Restaurant in East Oakland last winter, is taking over the lease at 381 15th Street where the Senegalese restaurant and dance club Bissap Baobab Oakland had been operating. Owner Marco Senghor announced in December he had decided to shutter the business. By March 10 Carrillo expects to close escrow on the business and has already applied to transfer the liquor license into his name. The new business will be called Que Rico Nightclub and Restaurant, and its lease runs through 2029, with an option to renew for five years. “It is actually pretty exciting,” Carrillo told the Bay Area Reporter. “I definitely have been doing this 15-plus years, so I am glad I can finally make it happen.” At first just the eatery will open, serving Mexican cuisine like quesabirrias and fish tacos, as well as hamburgers and hot wings. Later this year when the COVID pandemic subsides, Carrillo will begin hosting events and dance clubs at the location. Friday nights will feature Latin pop music and hip-hop hits. Saturday nights will be branded Que Rico Vaquero, the Spanish word for cowboy, and focus on Latin country and banda music. “It is move-in ready,” Carrillo said of the space. “But I do plan over the next few months on doing some slight modifications and changes to give it more of a nightclub-type feel.” As the B.A.R.’s February 11 Business Briefing column noted, Carrillo opened his first restaurant last year as a way to finance his long-held dream of owning and operating his own nightclub in Oakland. Carrillo, who is in his late 30s,

Cynthia Laird

Valentino Carrillo stands inside the soon-to-be-home of his new eatery, Que Rico Nightclub and Restaurant.

grew up in Sacramento and moved to the Bay Area in 2003. Under the persona of Valentino Presents, Carrillo has managed DJs, drag performers, go-go dancers, and other nightlife entertainment for much of his time in the East Bay. He also hosted dance parties under the Que Rico name at various local venues. Carrillo was also the operations and marketing director at the now-defunct gay nightclub Club 21 in downtown Oakland. But he resigned in May 2019 due to issues he had with the new owners, said Carrillo. Shortly thereafter the gay couple that owns Oakland’s the Port Bar, Sean Sullivan and Richard Fuentes, reached out to Carrillo to invite him to throw his parties at their location. The three have been friends for years, and Carrillo designed campaign posters for Sullivan and Fuentes when they ran for public office years ago. “We are super excited. We are so proud of him and so happy for him,” said Sullivan, who opened the Port Bar at 2023 Broadway in 2016 with Fuentes. “I am super ecstatic about it because I know it is him, and I know him, and I

know it is going to be super well run.” Carrillo not only has supported their own bar, he has consistently been there for the performers they book, noted Sullivan. And having a nightlife venue that caters to the local LGBTQ Latinx community is a major win for Oakland, added Sullivan. “He has such a huge following in the community that went to his events and just has such respect for him,” said Sullivan. “They know that he cares about his queer, migrant, Latinx community. He knows what kind of entertainment they want.” The trio is looking forward to promoting downtown Oakland as an LGBTQ nightlife destination to East Bay residents who would prefer not to have to drive to San Francisco’s Castro district. The Port Bar routinely hit its capacity of 115 people prior to COVID, said Sullivan. “We are bullish on it. We believe very much, regardless of the people moving in and moving out of Oakland, there has been such a need for more queer spaces,” said Sullivan. “Our greatest competition has been the Castro. If we had more See page 11 >>

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

CA sees 16% spike in LGBTQ judges by Matthew S. Bajko

he number of LGBTQ judges serving on California state courts has spiked by 15.87% over the last year. It is a marked change from 2019, when the ranks of LGBTQ jurists remained flat at an official count of 62, the same as was reported in 2018. According to the latest demographic data for the makeup of the state courts, released Monday, March 1, LINK: https://www.courts. ca.gov/13418.htm there was an official tally of 69 LGBTQ judges as of December 31, 2020. But the number of LGBTQ people serving on the California bench is now at least 73. That total includes the November elections of lesbian judges in Alameda and Santa Cruz counties, who were sworn onto their courts in January, and the appointment of a gay man to the Alameda County court, who was sworn in March 1. Alameda, now at eight out judges, has the most of any county in Northern California. And as the Bay Area Reporter has noted in its annual coverage of the judicial demographic data, gay 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Luis A. Lavin continues not to be reflected in the official report. It does list the three other known out state appellate justices. “A double-digit increase in LGBT representation is quite meaningful. But there’s still work to be done. LGBT judges make up much less than 1% of the judiciary,” San Francisco Superior Court Judge Joseph Quinn, a gay jurist who advises Governor Gavin Newsom on filling judicial vacancies, told the B.A.R. “I’m confident that Governor Newsom will continue to work to make the judiciary more inclusive. And I’m confident the voters will assess candidates fairly. If I’m right, then we can look forward to

Courtesy Structurae.net

Alameda County, the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse is shown here, has the highest number of out LGBTQ judges in Northern California.

more judges who look like us, share our life experiences and understand our community.” The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation 2020 Statewide Demographics Report released March 1 revealed it had reviewed 144 candidates’ qualifications for judicial office last year, and 10 of those were known to be from the LGBTQ community. Two lesbian applicants were found to be well qualified and three were deemed qualified. A female LGBTQ person received a not qualified rating. Two gay men were found to be exceptionally well qualified, and another two gay men were deemed well qualified.

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Two male applicants who did not disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity were found to be qualified. One applicant whose gender was not disclosed was deemed to be exceptionally well qualified, while two other applicants who left their gender blank were given well qualified ratings. The Judicial Council of California first began reporting on the LGBTQ makeup of the Golden State’s judges in 2012 due to a change in state law and found there were at least 37 out jurists serving in 2011. The annual reports are published at the start of March each year and cover the previous year. The annual demographic information is often inaccurate and does not

include every known LGBTQ jurist, as the forms are not always filled out by the judges or they will not answer all of the demographic categories they’re asked about. Of the 1,703 respondents to the 2020 report, 393 justices did not provide their sexual orientation or gender identity; the bulk of those, 374 judges, serve on trial courts at the county level. The report for the first time indicates there is an out member on the California Supreme Court due to Newsom’s appointment last year of Martin Jenkins, a gay man who had been the governor’s judicial appointment secretary. All six of his colleagues on the state’s highest court identify as heterosexual per the latest report. In the nine-county Bay Area, the superior courts in Marin, Napa, and Solano counties continue to have no LGBTQ judges on the bench per the judicial demographic data. There are three LGBTQ judges in Santa Clara County, two each in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties, and one in Sonoma. San Francisco, at seven, has the third most LGBTQ jurists of any of the state’s county courts. The Los Angeles Superior Court, at 24, continues to have the most out jurists, according to the 2020 data. San Diego County has six LGBTQ judges, while there are five serving in San Bernardino County. The Superior Court in Orange has three LGBTQ jurists, while those in El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Joaquin each had one. Late Monday Newsom posted his judicial appointment data online for 2020, showing he appointed seven LGBTQ judges in his second year, accounting for 11.3% of the 62 judicial nominations he made in 2020. It was a marked improvement from his first year in office, when none of the 15

people Newsom named to Superior Court seats in 2019 were LGBTQ. “I am deeply committed to building an inclusive administration that reflects all aspects of our state’s diversity. The people of California are better served by a range of voices, perspectives and backgrounds in our judiciary and throughout state government,” stated Newsom. A total of 17 LGBTQ people applied to be appointed to judicial vacancies last year. Over the last two years Newsom has been able to pick from a pool of 776 judicial applicants. “It’s exciting to see Governor Newsom appointing more LGBTQ judges. It’s exciting to see voters retaining LGBTQ judges, not only in places like LA and San Francisco, but San Bernardino and other counties, and electing LGBTQ candidates to open seats, like happened in Alameda with Judge Elena Condes,” stated Quinn. “And of course it’s thrilling to have our first out member of the Supreme Court, Justice Martin Jenkins.” Quinn added that, “A strong and independent judiciary has never been more important. To be strong, a judiciary must be accepted as legitimate. And the keystone of legitimacy is inclusiveness. We are fortunate that Governor Newsom, his appointments staff and California voters understand this.” Thursday, March 11, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law will be hosting a virtual panel about how LGBTQ people can join the California bench. Joining the law and public policy LGBTQ think tank for the discussion will be Lavin and out Los Angeles Superior Court Judges Dean Hansell and Kate Chilton. To RSVP for the online forum, which begins at 5 p.m. Pacific, visit https://ucla.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CcTn6qjZQIqxFaGsyEJybA. t

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4 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

Volume 51, Number 9 March 4-10, 2021 www.ebar.com

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Senate will betray LGBTQs, again

hen the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act last week, it marked the second time the lower chamber had approved the sweeping legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There was never any doubt the House would pass the measure, as it had done in 2019. Both times the vote was bipartisan, although the February 25 vote only garnered three Republican lawmakers in support, fewer than the eight who joined Democrats two years ago. Nevertheless, proponents hailed its House passage. To believe that the act’s approval is guaranteed in the Democratic-controlled Senate would be a mistake. Senate rules require 60 votes to end a filibuster on the legislation and that means at least 10 GOP senators would have to join all 50 Democratic senators. The possibility that Vice President Kamala Harris will be called upon to break a tie vote is not in play. Two years ago, when Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) led that chamber he wouldn’t even hold a hearing on the Equality Act, much less put it up for a vote. Now that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) is majority leader, odds are better for a hearing, but it doesn’t change the math. Complicating the search for Republican allies, Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) has stated that he will oppose the Equality Act because there aren’t significant religious liberty protections. The Washington Blade reported a couple of weeks ago that a possible strategy is to get rid of the filibuster rule, which some Democrats are clamoring for. But bi Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) said that they would vote to reject such a proposal, meaning it likely is dead. The Blade noted that Manchin’s support for the Equality Act itself is uncertain, possibly meaning more than 10 GOP senators would have to sign on. As it stands, passing the Senate is a “heavy lift,” as the Blade put it. As appealing as getting rid of the legislative filibuster may be, it’s unlikely to happen. (And, it’s

Senators Kyrsten Sinema, left, and Joe Manchin could help derail the Equality Act in the Senate.

probably for the best, as the Democrats’ majorities are razor-thin in the House and Senate and could evaporate after the 2022 midterms, meaning Republicans could pass laws detrimental to minority groups and others with a majority vote. Be careful what you wish for, as the saying goes.) This maneuvering comes at a critical time for equality. After four years of the previous administration, the LGBTQ community finally has a supporter in President Joe Biden (and Harris, of course). We face discrimination in all areas of our lives (California’s antidiscrimination laws are stronger than most other states). There are 29 states that haven’t any non-discrimination protection, meaning that same-sex couples could get married in the morning and be evicted from their home or lose their jobs in the afternoon, as Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) put it during a news conference ahead of last week’s House vote. Additionally, many states are now working to pass anti-LGBTQ laws, the latest being Montana. The Human Rights Campaign tweeted that it is tracking 128 such proposals across the country; that’s scary, and should give senators pause if they try to wriggle their way out of holding a hearing. The Williams Institute, an LGBTQ think tank at UCLA School of Law, stated that the Equality

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Act would provide federal civil rights protections to 13 million LGBTQ people. “It would be especially beneficial to those living in places without state-level protections and to LGBT people of color, who are particularly vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness,” stated Christy Mallory, legal director at the Williams Institute. In addition, Gallup reported last week that the percentage of Americans identifying as LGBT has increased to 5.6%, up from 4.4% in the polling firm’s 2017 data. More than half of LGBT Americans identify as bisexual, Gallup’s report stated. The bottom line is that as more Americans support equality, a growing percentage identify as LGBT, the report noted. One option that most LGBTQs and progressives don’t want to consider is amending the Equality Act to make it pass muster with Republican senators. We don’t know exactly what that would look like, and it might be moot with a U.S. Supreme Court decision expected in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. That case will determine whether a Catholic foster care agency has a First Amendment right to ban same-sex couples. “Although the conservative court may deliver a ruling against LGBTQ rights, observers have said the decision may let the air out of the religious liberty issue and allow additional Republicans to come aboard” supporting the Equality Act, the Blade reported. Democratic senators should meet soon with LGBTQ leaders to chart a path forward that will get the Equality Act passed. Period. That may mean some uncomfortable compromises, but millions of lives are at stake, especially people of color and those who are gender-nonconforming. The Biden administration can only do so much, as we have seen. It takes the power of federal law to make a lasting change. And the Senate should probably wait for the high court’s decision in Fulton before rushing a vote on the Equality Act that might end in failure. This would, of course, delay action on the bill, but the Senate is currently on course to betray the LGBTQ community again anyway. If we want the law passed, we may need to find an alternative to the current one to win enough votes.t

Voting is the theme in these stories by M.D. Neu

Bay Area Reporter

oting is a right and privilege that is a cornerstone of our democracy. Throughout our history, it’s also been taken for granted and remains unobtainable for many. But 2020 brought good change. More Americans voted – two-thirds of the eligible population – than in any other election in 120 years. Our voices matter. All of them. They make a difference and need to be heard. Yet, there are those that still try to stifle our voices and to alter our election process. Why? Because of fear. And that has to stop. Our new president has stated many times that we need to forge a more perfect union, and he’s right. Suspicion can kill our right to vote as well as our republic. In “A More Perfect Union” – a collection of voting-themed stories – people will hear their voices reflected. We all have the right to be heard, and the duty to use our voice. With so many voices shouting, it is often the loudest and the ugliest that get the attention, but we live in a country where voting should be the great equalizer. No other year proved that more than 2020. We need to keep that passion and that sense of urgency, because like every voice, every vote needs to be counted. If we remove the pressure, or allow ourselves to become complacent, then we are doomed. The stories in “A More Perfect Union” remind people of the implications involved in casting their vote. Forging our own united perfect union of writers, we brought together storytellers who are people of color, who identify as members of the queer community, who are part of the straight community, who are veterans, cancer survivors, parents of special needs children, et cetera. All the authors reflect a united American community and a unique voice. With this collection, we hope to reach people and empower communities to make their voices heard by participating in our electoral process. None of us can afford to sit back and watch. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Here’s what the authors of “A More Perfect Union” had to say about why voting, and this book, are important to them: Kilby Blades: “Political participation was taught to me from a young age. I remember go-

“A More Perfect Union” is an anthology of voting-themed romances.

ing to the polls with my parents and being eager for my turn to vote. Now, I take my own kids and I let them wear the stickers. Democracy only functions as intended when everyone has a say.” Aliza Mann: It was a great pleasure to submit to this anthology because minorities have fought for the opportunity to participate in democratic practices. This anthology gave us all the chance to highlight the victories won and the work that remains in order for all people to enjoy those privileges. Claire Marti: The U.S. cannot be a true reflection of its citizens unless individuals are allowed to participate and share their truth and authentic views. When we have equal access for every person, then we will have a country that truly reflects who we are. R.L. Merrill: This anthology has gathered an incredible lineup of best-selling and awardwinning authors who are passionate about using our voices for good, and in this case, encouraging others to use their voices for change. Together we’ve written meaningful tales featuring ordinary folks trying to make a difference. Dawn Montgomery: There is no greater freedom than exercising your right to vote. Every story in this incredible collection speaks from the heart and I wanted to show you, through my tale, the struggles military members face when vot-

ing absentee from overseas locations. Every voice should be heard. Sera Taíno: Democracy cannot function without the participation of the governed. Voting is the instrument for making our voices heard. Through my story, I hope we will think about whose voices are being left out and work to change that. As the latest elections have demonstrated, change is possible. Kearney Wentworth: In reverence to all of my ancestors that fought and died for the right to vote, and in honor of the legendary civil rights icon, Mr. John Lewis, being a small part of this incredible anthology is my way of getting into “Good Trouble.” For myself, I think people need to see themselves, not only in voting, but in art and media. This anthology is about both. I wanted to explore the importance of being heard and seen as well as explaining, through story, why debating our beliefs is important, especially for marginalized communities. The authors of this anthology decided to use our words to broaden our reach. We decided that 100% of the proceeds from the collection would go to support Fair Fight to ensure more marginalized voices will be heard and that our electoral process reflects our diverse communities and a more perfect union for all. We don’t want anyone to feel their vote doesn’t matter, that their voice can be silenced. That isn’t what unites America, and that isn’t how our elections are supposed to work, no matter what lies those loud ugly voices shout. All voices must count. 2020 was a difficult year, but we got out to vote in record numbers – over 159 million voters – and the world not only took note, but also is brighter for it. t M.D. Neu is an award-winning gay fiction writer. Love wins in this collection of nine all-new, voting-themed romances in “A More Perfect Union.” Proceeds benefit Fair Fight, an organization dedicated to combatting voter suppression. For more information about “A More Perfect Union,” or to purchase, visit https://bit.ly/2NQGg4U.

Politics >>

March 4-10, 2021 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

SF supervisors seat trio of straight preservation body members

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he San Francisco Board of Supervisors has seated three straight members on the Historic Preservation Commission, leaving it for the time being without anyone from the LGBTQ community. Mayor London Breed is facing pressure to name an out person to a fourth seat she has yet to fill. Last month, Breed did not reappoint the commission’s two gay members, Jonathan Pearlman and Aaron Hyland, who had been serving as the commission’s president. Pearlman’s Seat 3 is to be filled by an architectural historian, and LGBTQ community leaders have encouraged Breed to name Hyland to it. Breed spokesman Jeff Cretan told the Bay Area Reporter last week that the mayor will take the lack of LGBTQ members on the commission under consideration as she makes her decision on whom to appoint. It weighs in on such matters as landmarking LGBTQ historic sites in the city and approving queer-owned legacy business and nonprofit applications. When the supervisors’ rules committee took up the trio of straight nominations at its March 1 meeting, gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman stressed the importance of seeing Breed name an LGBTQ historic preservation commissioner. “I think it is important someone queer is on that commission and not just someone queer, but someone who will play a leadership role and make sure the queer history of San Francisco gets its due on the Historic Preservation Commission of San Francisco,” said Mandelman, who reiterated his comments before the full board Tuesday. At their March 2 meeting the supervisors unanimously voted 11-0 to approve Breed’s nominations of Diane Matsuda, Chris Foley, and Ruchira D. Nageswaran to the oversight body. Matsuda has served on the commission since 2008, while Foley joined it in 2019. Founder and chairman of the development firm Ground Matrix, Foley is the father of a teenage lesbian daughter who is Thai American. Matsuda, a native San Franciscan who has lived in Japantown for decades, is a staff attorney with Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach. She is also director of special projects at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. “History and culture is not for the few,” said Matsuda. “They are something we all should embrace.” Nageswaran, a senior architect with the firm Knapp Architects Inc., is

COVID vaccinations

From page 1

A year into the pandemic, despite regulatory and legislative efforts to track COVID testing and infections among LGBTQ Californians, no such information has been published or is forthcoming from state health officials. And at the county level, there continues to be problems with gathering accurate SOGI COVID data. “We don’t have a way of measuring it. It does feel like we are blind in some respects,” said Terra Russell-Slavin, the LA LGBT Center’s director of policy and community building. Since last spring Wiener has been haranguing state health officials about the lack of SOGI COVID data. Fed up after months of inaction on collecting

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Courtesy Sprouts, Foley; Rafu Shimpo, Matsuda

Chris Foley, left, and Diane Matsuda were reappointed to the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission.

now serving in Hyland’s Seat 1 on the commission, set aside for a historic architect. Among the projects she has worked on is that of the city’s LGBT Community Center, which includes the reuse of the historic Fallon Building, a Queen Anne-style Victorian built in 1900. “I traveled the world thanks to my parents,” said Nageswaran, whose family emigrated from India to Colorado when she was 5 years old. “I saw a myriad of cultures, urban environments and rural environments. It has really been a part of who I am. I want to bring that to the forefront of my work on the commission.” All three commissioners’ terms end December 31, 2024.

Out San Francisco immigrant panelists head for final vote

The supervisors will next take up seating seven members to the city’s Immigrant Rights Commission at their March 9 meeting. Among the recommended applicants is a trio of LGBTQ community members. The board’s rules committee Monday recommended Commissioner Jessy Ruiz Navarro, who is originally from Mexico and the advisory body’s lone transgender member, be reappointed. When she joined in 2019 Navarro was the panel’s first commissioner whose primary language isn’t English. Also recommended to be seated was gay Walnut Creek resident Luis Zamora, who works in San Francisco as a facilities supervisor at law firm Morgan Lewis & Brockus LLP and is the current public policy chair for the Golden Gate Business Association, the country’s oldest LGBTQ chamber of commerce. Artist Lucia Obregon Matzer, a queer immigrant from Guatemala who became a U.S. citizen the health information, Wiener introduced legislation to require state and local health officials begin doing so. Last summer Dr. Mark Ghaly, the secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, instituted regulations that were expected to result in everyone getting tested for COVID-19 to be asked the SOGI questions. Governor Gavin Newsom then in September signed Wiener’s Senate Bill 932 requiring the SOGI data to immediately be collected. But as the B.A.R. first reported in November, state and most local health officials had not fully implemented the law or the regulations. California is still not reporting how many LGBTQ people have contracted COVID-19 or died from the virus.

four years ago, also won support to join the commission. Navarro works for the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, while Matzer is the community leadership development manager at the Mission Economic Development Agency. Sarah Souza, an administrative aide to District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who chairs the rules committee, won support to be named to the advisory panel’s Seat 10. The Brazilian immigrant would be the first DACA participant to be seated as a city commissioner. Peskin recused himself from voting due to Souza seeking to be appointed. Mandelman and District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan voted on which of the eight applicants to recommend to their board colleagues for the seven seats. They also advanced Commissioners Haregu Gaime, Ryan Khojasteh, and Elahe Enssani for reappointment. Gaime, a naturalized citizen from Eritrea, is an immigration attorney. Khojasteh, a San Francisco assistant district attorney, is the son of Iranian immigrants, while Enssani is a SF State professor who was born in Tehran, Iran. Navarro, Zamora, and Gaime need residency waivers in order to serve on the commission. Matzer and Souza are up for seats designated for immigrants with terms that expire this June 6. The five other applicants would serve two-year terms that expire on June 6, 2022, with one of the seats specifically meant for an immigrant to the U.S. t

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allowing them focus on whatburden, will matter most them at thattotime—you. stresstoand financial allowing focus on what will matter most at that time—you. ‘Glitches’ Contact us today about the beautiful ways to create a lasting legacy During a news conference Tuesday to promote its education camat the San Contact FranciscousColumbarium. today about the beautiful ways to create paign regarding the COVID vaccines, a lasting legacy at the San Francisco Columbarium. Equality California Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur was asked about the ongoing delay in getting accurate SOGI data regarding the pandemic and when such information would be released. “We are opportunistic that it will be soon,” said Zbur. “I know there have been glitches in the reporting systems between counties and the California Department of Public Health. We know this is a priority for [CDPH], but we don’t have a specific date yet.” Zbur said that most of the state’s 58 counties are now collecting SOGI See page 6 >>

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<< Community News

6 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

Fong sworn in as Alameda County judge by Cynthia Laird

eith Fong, a gay man whom Governor Gavin Newsom appointed an Alameda County Superior Court judge, took his oath of office Monday. The March 1 virtual ceremony was held in Department 1 at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. Fong was present, along with his husband, Chris Scott, and his father and his wife. Before receiving the oath of office, Fong was enrobed by his husband with the plain black garment that is stipulated judges wear when on the bench. He was sworn in by Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. Prior to becoming a judge, Fong, 58, served as a law clerk for Armstrong. Newsom had appointed Fong December 8, but he stayed for a couple of months so that Armstrong could hire a new clerk and he could help with the transition. During short remarks, Fong joked that his husband had told him “that he didn’t think I could be brief.” But

he was, thanking Martin Jenkins, a gay man Newsom recently appointed to the California Supreme Court but who had previously served as the governor’s judicial appointment secretary, shepherding Fong’s application through the process. He also thanked his husband, his family, and Armstrong. “Finally, I want to express my thanks to the presiding judge and the other judges on this court who’ve been so welcoming,” Fong said, referring to Judge Tara Desautels, who oversaw the ceremony. As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, Fong, a Democrat, fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ronni B. MacLauren. He is the second gay male jurist known to be serving on the Alameda County court, as Judge Tom Reardon has served on the bench for 22 years. As of the end of 2019, there were six LGBTQ judges on the East Bay bench according to the demographic data on the state’s judiciary released last March. Fong, who is of Chinese descent, will be one of at least two gay Asian male judges in the Bay Area. The

other, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Roger Chan, reached out to Fong to congratulate him on his appointment and offered his support as Fong transitions onto the bench. “I am just thrilled. I have so many emotions; I am excited, humbled, all of those things,” Fong told the B.A.R. shortly after his appointment. “It is such an honor to serve. It is especially an honor being a gay man of color joining the bench.” After earning his Juris Doctor degree from the UC Davis School of Law, Fong was hired as a law clerk by Armstrong in 1992. He also worked as an associate at the law firm Gordon & Rees in the early 1990s. In 1993 Fong returned to clerk for Armstrong until 1998, when he became general counsel and chief administrative officer for Discovery Foods. He left in 2002 to become senior counsel and an associate at Kerr & Wagstaffe LLC until 2009, when he returned again to clerk for Armstrong. In that position Fong has reviewed the papers submitted in the cases heard by Armstrong, analyzed the

Screengrab

Keith Fong was sworn in as an Alameda County Superior Court judge March 1.

facts and the law, made recommendations on what he thought her ruling should be, and drafted the ultimate opinion determined by the judge. He had first applied for a judicial appointment near the end of former governor Jerry Brown’s last term and reapplied in January 2020. Fong

learned he had been selected a few days prior to the official announcement in December. Desautels said at the end of the ceremony that Fong will be assigned to misdemeanor criminal cases and a domestic violence calendar. t

Wiener, Pan introduce more expansive STD bill by John Ferrannini

Courtesy senators’ offices

State Senators Scott Wiener, left, and Richard Pan have teamed up on an STD bill.

Partner Therapy] statute to include provider liability protections used in other states; permit HIV counselors to administer rapid STD tests; update state law to require congenital syphilis testing during the third trimester of pregnancy; [and] require coverage of home STD tests by public and private insurers.” Liability protections may lead to the increase of the practice of giving people diagnosed with an STI two doses of treatment – one for themselves and one for their sexual partner. Pan told the B.A.R. that the Legislature can focus on two public health crises at the same time.

WALLBEDS

AND

bill to strengthen the sexually transmitted disease public health infrastructure of California is better than a similar effort that had initially been introduced last year, a principal co-author of the legislation told the Bay Area Reporter. Gay state Senator Scott Wiener (DSan Francisco) co-authored Senate Bill 306 with Senator Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who introduced it February 4. “This is broader,” Wiener told the B.A.R. “Last year I authored the bill to allow HIV counselors to administer rapid syphilis tests (https://www. ebar.com/news/news//286839). They could administer HIV and regular syphilis tests, but not rapid, which makes no sense to me. Because of COVID-19, I dropped it with the intent of reintroducing it this year, when I found out that Senator Pan was interested in a broader [sexually transmitted infections] testing bill, so this legislation will significantly expand access to STI testing, which is so important.” According to a news release from Wiener’s office, the legislation will “permit the Family [Planning Access Care Treatment] program to offer covered benefits to income-eligible patients, even if contraception is not discussed during the patient encounter; update California’s [Expedited

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“We are focusing on the COVID epidemic, but that doesn’t mean problems pre-COVID are gone,” Pan said. “We still need to address it. People are still getting ill from STDs. Even though we are trying to socially distance, it doesn’t mean STDs have gone away. As we get people vaccinated and other types of activities resume, we’ll have to deal with the STD problem.” As the B.A.R. previously reported public health experts are sounding an alarm that STD numbers – which had been up in recent years – may rise even more due to a variety of factors, such as a lack of current testing and treatment due to COVID-19, the end of physical distancing, and the spread of antibiotic resistant variants. “Our health care systems are stressed,” Pan, himself a practicing pediatrician, said. “Our public health systems – which do the lionshare of work on STDs – are stressed. People are exhausted. We’re going to have

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data when people get tested for COVID. “We are hopeful that data will be publicly available very soon,” he said. A few studies and polling have given some insight into how the pandemic has impacted the LGBTQ community. Using data from an Axios-Ipsos poll conducted in the fall, LGBTQ think tank the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found among those tested for COVID-19, an estimated 15% of LGBT people of color had tested positive, compared to 7% of non-LGBT white people. Kerith J. Conron, the institute’s

a potential collision of increased intimate contact, an STD epidemic building up for many years, and a stressed health system, with serious consequences.” APLA Health is one of the sponsors of the bill. “California is facing an out-of-control STD crisis that was raging even before the COVID pandemic,” APLA Health CEO Craig Thompson stated in a news release. “Now, following nearly a year of stay-at-home orders, we have mounting evidence that the state’s STD epidemic has grown even worse. STDs are still on the rise, testing and treatment services are in short supply, and more serious cases of STDs are beginning to emerge. SB 306 is a comprehensive proposal that will strengthen California’s public health infrastructure and expand access to STD testing and treatment at a time when it is most desperately needed.” The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center are also listed as sponsors. “Allowing HIV counselors to perform rapid STD tests is a commonsense, practical solution to getting more people tested and treated for STDs,” stated Joe Hollendoner, the CEO of the AIDS Foundation who has been tapped to take over at the LA center. “This legislation will help California address its STD epidemic by ensuring that people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, young people, women, and other communities experiencing high rates of infections can access HIV, HCV, and STD testing from a singular, properly-trained test counselor in a safe and trusted setting.” Outgoing LA center CEO Lorri L. Jean stated that LGBTQs will be

particularly helped by this legislation because STDs “disproportionately impact marginalized communities.” “SB 306 will ensure that LGBT people have increased access to STD testing and treatment and is a crucial step forward in ensuring that California can and will end the STD epidemic,” Jean stated. “We commend Dr. Pan for introducing SB 306, his continued leadership on the issue, and for being a champion for our community. We are proud to stand with him.” Representatives of Equality California said that they were supportive of the efforts as well, though they left sponsorship to allied organizations. The bill was referred to four committees, including the committee on health, and may be acted upon on or after March 7.

research director, said Tuesday that SOGI questions need to be asked “in all health tracking systems and death records” so there is “a better sense of how the LGBTQ community is impacted by the next pandemic.”

That omission has been blamed for hampering efforts in California and other states to collect health information about LGBTQ people in order to better address what is ailing them. As the B.A.R. reported in January, the Public Health Work Group that oversees the HL7 standards pledged it would address the issue after Wiener and Ghaly publicly called on it to do so. More than a month later the group has yet to provide an update, and the B.A.R.’s requests to interview Health Level Seven International CEO Dr. Charles Jaffe have yet to be granted. “We have not gotten any definitive answer from them,” Wiener said this week. See page 9 >>

Problem with national reporting guidelines

One issue state health officials only brought up to Wiener in December was a problem with the national guidelines for how medical settings, whether doctors’ offices, clinics, or labs, are supposed to collect and share health information. Known as Health Level Seven International (HL7) standards, they do not include how to ask about SOGI data.

End-of-year SF STD numbers delayed

On February 16, the San Francisco Department of Public Health estimated that the December 2020 STD monthly report would be released March 1. But the release of that monthly report, which would be the last for 2020, has been delayed due to the COVID emergency. “Our STD epidemiologists are all occupied and working on COVID,” Veronica Vien, a spokesperson for the department of public health, stated to the B.A.R. March 1. “We are working to get the [numbers] out as quickly as possible, hopefully within the next one to two weeks.” When the numbers do come out, they could give unparalleled insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the sexual ecology and health infrastructure of the city. t

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<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

SF ‘Hearts’ raise $1.6 million for hospital compiled by Cynthia Laird

his year’s edition of “Hearts in SF” raised more than $1.6 million for essential health care initiatives at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. A free virtual event was held February 11 honoring three health equity programs at SFGH. Proceeds from the event were generated by bidding on the hearts. The Hearts program, produced by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, has raised nearly $34 million since its inception in 2004. During the event essential workers on the frontline of care were honored and three SFGH programs were highlighted: Empowered by Heart SF, which is a series of San Franciscobased events geared toward improving heart health through wellness workshops, neighborhood celebrations, and conversations around education and prevention of heart disease; Richard H. Fine People’s Clinic, one of the first outpatient clinics at a public hospital; and Solid Start, which promotes integrated care coordination for all pregnant people, children, and families. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a February article, two of the artists this year were members of the LGBTQ community: Kaytea Petro, who is bisexual, and Daniel Dallabrida, a gay man who has lived with HIV for 30 years. Select Heart sculptures from the public art project are on display in San Francisco’s Union Square through October.

Video portraits running on SF City Hall

A temporary video installation is running on the facade of San Fran-

cisco City Hall this week and honors members of the Glide Memorial Church community. “We the People” by artist Jock McDonald is shown on the Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place side of City Hall from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Sunday, March 7. It is composed of San Franciscans’ portraits morphing and blending from one individual into another and aims to heal division, illuminate connectedness, and inspire people through shared humanity, according to a news release from the San Francisco Arts Commission, which is overseeing the project. Named for the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, “We the People” is a reminder of the new Biden-Harris administration that took the oath of office just weeks ago promoting values of diversity and equity, and that has since populated cabinet and senior-level positions that manifest the goals of pluralism and inclusivity represented in the nation’s leadership. The faces portrayed also embody a sense of pluralism and feature community members of project partner Glide – BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals too rarely visible in public art. The artwork aligns with Glide’s mission: founded in 1929 to serve all people, and revived in 1963 to welcome “the diverse community of poor and marginalized people of the Tenderloin,” the release states. “It is my desire to throw visual emotional weight on our shared humanity and create empathy through the use of ‘the eyes are the window to the soul,’” stated McDonald, who was born in Vancouver and

Courtesy SFGH Foundation

The back of Bunny California’s 2021 mini heart, entitled “San Francisco Glow,” features the rainbow and trans flag colors.

opened his art studio in San Francisco in 1986. The Rev. Marvin K. White of Glide stated, “In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were displaced and isolated, Jock McDonald invited us to come out and be seen. Jock invited us to be photographed and to go on record as being part of a beloved community called Glide Memorial Church.” Ralph Remington, the city’s new director of cultural affairs, praised the project. “We need art like this,” he stated. “We hold these truths to be self-evi-

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dent that all people are created equal. There’s a profound sense of humanity in Jock’s work, a visual reminder that there’s very little that separates us, and that we’re all connected and valued.” McDonald is a self-taught photographer whose work has achieved national and international acclaim. His last project, “Light of Water,” was shown at San Francisco International Airport in 2019.

National Trust seeks restaurant nominees

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with American Express, is launching Backing Historic Small Restaurants, a new grant opportunity to aid restaurant recovery. The trust will award $1 million in grants to 25 historic restaurants throughout the United States to help improve, upgrade, and preserve their exterior physical spaces and online businesses. The program has a preference for restaurants owned by underrepresented groups, including people of color and women, disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The program also looks to help eateries that have not received significant COVID-19-related aid, a news release stated. People can participate by nominating cozy cafes, delicious dives, and other beloved restaurants that have stood the test of time and served their communities for decades – but now are facing their biggest challenge yet from the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurant owners and restaurant lovers alike are encouraged to nominate their favorite business(es) for this opportunity by Tuesday, March 9. For details on the program, go to https://bit.ly/3c5tfg7.

Bi Awareness Month launched

The eighth annual Bisexual Awareness Month has kicked off with the Boston-based Bisexual Resource Center launching a campaign for bisexual equity in social, educational, and health care spaces. Equity is achieved when the unique needs of the diverse bi+ community have been met, and discrimination against BIPOC, transgender, and disabled members of the bi+ community has been eliminated, according to a news release from the center. The bisexual+ community makes up the majority of the LGBTQ+ community and experiences significantly higher rates of physical, sexual, social, and emotional violence and

disparities than gay and straight people, as well as worse physical, mental, and social health. These health disparities are even worse for bi+ people of color and trans people. “Although bisexual+ people are the majority of the LGBTQ+ community, we don’t benefit from the same research, resources, or attention as our gay or straight peers,” stated Belle Haggett Silverman, president of the Bisexual Resource Center. “At work, at school, and at the doctor’s office, our needs are often overlooked, creating serious challenges to our health and well-being. This year, #BiHealthMonth invites our supporters to help us build a healthier, happier, and more equitable future for everyone in our diverse bisexual+ community.” Throughout March, the center will partner with various organizations, including #StillBisexual, AIDS United, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and CenterLink, the community of LGBTQ centers, to name just a few. For more information, follow the Bisexual Resource Center on social media or visit www.biresource.org.

SF civil grand jury seeks candidates

The San Francisco Superior Court is seeking volunteers for civil grand jury service for the 2021-2022 term. Judge Susan Breall, chair of the court’s civil grand jury committee, encouraged interested San Franciscans to apply. “The civil grand jury offers the opportunity to contribute to our community by examining city government to identify efficiencies, to suggest reforms, or to highlight things that are not working well,” she stated in a news release. In order to serve, the release stated, volunteers must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age; have lived in San Francisco for at least the past 12 months; have no felony convictions; and be able to communicate in English. A requirement of the state constitution, the civil grand jury provides a “watchdog” function and has broad latitude to examine city departments, agencies, and officials. The upcoming term runs from July 1 to June 30, 2022. The civil grand jury usually meets once a week, with additional meetings and interviews scheduled as necessary. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 14. A court spokesman said that the grand jury meetings continue to be conducted virtually. For more information and to apply, go to https://civilgrandjury. sfgov.org/. t

t <<

Community News>>

March 4-10, 2021 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

COVID vaccinations

From page 6

Counties face issues in gathering SOGI data

While San Francisco had been asking about the gender identity of people getting tested for COVID-19, it only updated the appointment app it was using to ask about sexual orientation in early December. As its webpage with the city’s COVID data notes, sexual orientation information is missing “for a large proportion of cases and deaths.” Yet it estimates that “less than 10% of cases are among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and other sexual minorities in San Francisco” and that “among deaths where sexual orientation is known, most are heterosexual residents.” According to the data, 476 gay or lesbian people have contracted COVID-19, as have 264 bisexuals. Just one gay or lesbian person has died. There have been 32 COVID-19 cases in trans females and 11 in trans males and no deaths. A note on the webpage explains the relatively few cases among people who are transgender, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming may be due to the small size of the population. However, the “size of these populations is difficult to estimate because residents may choose not to identify with their gender identity in a medical setting because of the risk of stigma or discrimination,” noted the site. Clair Farley, a transgender woman who is the executive director of the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, told the B.A.R. that local city and public health officials have been updating the SOGI data collection across all cityled and -funded COVID testing sites. “Today, if you go to a city testing site or register online you will be asked your gender identity and sexual orientation,” Farley noted in an emailed reply. “Although, we still need the state and federal government to issue clear guidance since non-city sites and labs

Rick Gerharter

Courtesy LA County

Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl

Sexual orientation and gender identity information has started to be collected for those getting COVID tests, but glitches remain.

are not consistently collecting this critical data that will allow us to better understand the barriers and impact of the pandemic on our communities.”

the legislation signed into law by Newsom last fall did not mandate that the COVID data be collected. Rather, they contend it directed counties to share whatever SOGI COVID data they are collecting with the California Department of Public Health. Earlier this year, as the problems in trying to collect the SOGI COVID data became apparent, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors asked that the health department report back to it by April how it plans to better streamline SOGI data collection and reporting. “I think the expectation of how simple it would be, as Senator Wiener found out, is not, it was not really accurate,” Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, a lesbian and former state lawmaker, told the B.A.R. in a recent phone interview. “We can say we want this data to be collected and we want it to be routinely collected in every manner so we can appropriately target services and resources. So we started collecting it in our COVID testing data and in contact tracing interviews, but we feel there are actually gaps in even that data collection.” The newness of people being asked the SOGI questions has led to some

LA County

In Los Angeles County, where LGBTQ leaders announced with much fanfare last summer that SOGI COVID data would be collected, nine months later the county health department says it does not have accurate information to share about how many LGBTQ county residents have tested for and contracted COVID-19. “LA County is currently collecting SOGI data through COVID testing and contact tracing interviews. However there are gaps in data collection and we don’t want to report out partial data because it would be misleading,” explained Sienna Spencer-Markles, a public relations manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in an emailed reply to the B.A.R. Confusion continues to surround just what county and city health departments and providers are supposed to be collecting in terms of the SOGI COVID data. Los Angeles County officials have told the B.A.R.

not providing the information, noted Kuehl, who told the B.A.R. she was not asked to provide her SOGI data when she got tested for COVID. “It wasn’t that easy because people often identify by race, that is not so hard. I think there are still a few issues on people’s minds about sexual orientation or gender identity,” she said, adding that, “Frankly, we don’t have any authority to mandate people to provide that data.” Under his bill, Wiener told the B.A.R. that SOGI data is supposed to be collected by health care providers just as they ask about race and gender. If they are not, he asked that people report them to the state health department. “If there are bad actors or health providers that are refusing to do this, we need to know so CDPH can go after them,” said Wiener. He sounded exasperated about the yearslong delay in resolving the issues around collecting SOGI data. Various state agencies were to have begun collecting the LGBTQ demographic information in the late 2010s, but it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic hit that the problems in gathering the data were brought into stark relief. This month Wiener will be officially

requesting an audit of the state efforts to collect SOGI data. “We are in this perpetual game of cat and mouse with health care providers, state and county officials constantly making excuses or quibbling with the language of statutes to make excuses for not to collect this data. That speaks volumes about why our community is so invisible in health care systems and why there is such stigma.” It is time that health care providers stop with the excuses and update their databases to collect SOGI data, said Wiener. “It is just not OK,” he said. “They are collecting all the other demographic data and they aren’t being micromanaged. Why are they not collecting it here? It just speaks volumes about the health inequities facing our community.” When asked who was at fault for the SOGI data problems, Zbur said this week no one individual entity or person is to blame. “I think it is a combination of a lot of different people. Some of it is the historic ways we collect data and the fact that the data has been collected under different data collection systems and computer systems,” he said. “It seems like it is a simple answer. I approached this originally months ago with a point of view, ‘Let’s just sort of get this done.’ It is still my point of view frankly.” EQCA has created an online help center about COVID-19 at www.covid19.eqca.org and a help line people can call at 323-448-0126. Various San Francisco city agencies and groups are co-hosting a virtual town hall at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, for the LGBTQ community to learn about the COVID vaccinations. The health department’s Dr. Susan Philip will be providing an overview and there will be a Q&A session regarding the status of COVID-19 and the roll out of the vaccine. To register and submit questions prior to the panel visit https://bit. ly/3e4vCCn. t

<< Health News

10 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

3rd COVID vaccine begins shipping out by Liz Highleyman

istribution of a third vaccine to combat COVID-19 has begun across the country, following federal authorization last week.

The Food and Drug Administration on February 27 granted emergency use authorization for a single-shot COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson. The new vaccine, autho-

Leanne Martin, born June 24th, 1958 in Xenia, Ohio, passed from this life on February 8, 2021 at her home in Brooksville, Florida.

rized for people age 18 and older, will expand the total supply and accelerate progress toward a return to normal life. “To get control of the COVID-19 pandemic, stay ahead of worrisome viral mutations, and protect the American public, we must vaccinate as many Americans as we can as quickly as possible,” National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a statement. “The Janssen vaccine provides yet another option to help achieve those goals.” The new vaccine, dubbed Ad26. COV2.S, uses an inactivated adenovirus – a common cold virus – that cannot replicate and cause illness itself. The weakened adenovirus delivers genetic blueprints for the spike protein the coronavirus uses to enter cells. The same platform is used for the company’s approved Ebola virus vaccine and an HIV vaccine now being tested in two large trials.

Safe and effective

The FDA authorization was based on results from the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial, which was designed to test how well the vaccine prevents moderate or severe COVID-19. The study enrolled more than 43,000 adults in the United States, Central and South America, and South Africa; they were randomly assigned to receive a single injection of the vaccine or a placebo. The trial included a diverse population. About 40% had underlying health conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19 and 1,218 participants were living with HIV. Overall, a single dose of the vaccine was 66% effective. A total of 66 cases of moderate or severe COVID-19 occurred in the vaccine group versus 193 cases in the placebo group a month or more after vaccination. But the overall number hides some regional differences. Effectiveness rose to 72% in the United States but

Like her parents Joyce and Tom Martin, Leanne became a teacher. She graduated high-school early and went on to earn several degrees including a BA in English at Wright State University, an MA in English at Wright State, and MA in Anthropology at Ohio State University, and an MA in American Culture at the University of Michigan. Leanne relocated to Richmond, California, earned her teaching credential in Special Education and taught for several years in urban Special Education programs throughout the Bay Area. She then went to Florida to care for her beloved parents who preceded her in death. Leanne was an intellectual. She loved to read, had a particular interest in the culture of Appalachia, and was well read in critical theory. She also loved to listen to music, especially Bluegrass, and was considered an authority within music communities. Leanne was passionate about education, especially supporting kids who learn differently. She cared about her students, advocating for those who might have otherwise fallen through the cracks. Leanne enjoyed live music, craft beer, boating with her father, poetry, cats, Social Justice, being teased, arguing politics, Marxism, Queer culture, and educating her students. She is survived by Uncle Parker Martin, whom she treasured, cousins, and an astounding number of Friends-Turned-Family including Carla Petree and Christina Olson. Leanne has been a devoted Aunt to many of her friend’s children; Isaac and Elijah Nation, Ruth and Victor Schultz, and cousins Charlotte Almeyda, and Kalypso Miller, whose lives and libraries are deeply enriched through knowing Leanne Martin. Remembrances can be sent in her name to: Breast Cancer Research https://give.bcrf.org/give/302920/#!/donation/checkout

Courtesy Johnson & Johnson

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was approved last week for emergency use authorization and it’s now shipping out.

fell to 64% in South Africa and 68% in Brazil, where more transmissible coronavirus variants are circulating widely. Across all regions, the vaccine was 85% effective at preventing severe or critical COVID-19. No one in the vaccine group was hospitalized or died from COVID-19 a month after vaccination, while there were 16 hospitalizations and seven deaths in the placebo group. In general, the vaccine was effective regardless of demographics and underlying health conditions. Efficacy was lower, at 42%, for people over age 60 with underlying health conditions, but even in this high-risk group the vaccine prevented hospitalization and death. What’s more, the vaccine also reduces asymptomatic infection, which means it will lower the risk of transmission from people who have been vaccinated. In a subset of 2,650 people without symptoms who were tested for coronavirus antibodies, 18 vaccine recipients and 50 placebo recipients tested positive – a 66% reduction. The vaccine was well tolerated with no notable safety concerns. The

most common side effects were soreness at the injection site and flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. One case of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) was reported. Although the new vaccine appears less effective than the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which are 95% and 94% effective after two doses, respectively, it will offer a major public health benefit when it comes to increasing vaccine supply, easing pressure on hospitals, and reducing COVID-19 deaths. Experts stress that people should get whichever vaccine they are offered. Johnson & Johnson only requested authorization for the single shot, but it is also testing a two-dose regimen that could prove more effective. If this happens, the FDA could amend its authorization and recipients could be given a second booster dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are also quite effective after a single dose, but those companies only requested authorization for a double-dose regimen. However,

in hospitality management. Gary arrived in San Francisco in 1985, first working at the Grand Hyatt, then opening the Portman prior to landing at the Huntington Hotel, where he worked as a manager for 31 years. Gary was loved by his co-workers at the Huntington and by the hotel guests, whom he treated like family. Gary enjoyed travel to London, Paris, and especially, Hawaii, and enjoyed spending time with his good friends in Sedona, Arizona.

He is preceded by his grandmother, Wanda; mother, Joanne; and stepmother, Virginia. Gary leaves his father, Willard; sisters, Kimberly and Kelley; and stepbrother, Darren; along with several nieces and nephews. Gary also leaves behind his families in San Francisco, Sedona, and in England. Thank you all for your kind expression of sympathy, along with your donations to Project Open Hand in Gary’s name.

See page 11 >>

Obituaries >> Gary King October 30,1955 – February 11, 2021

Gary King passed away on February 11, 2021. Gary passed quietly at his home in San Francisco, the city he loved so deeply. Gary completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas-Lawrence

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Community News>>

San Jose police

From page 1

“We were the first police department to fly the Pride flag,” he said. “[The new policies are] one of a number of things that have come out of the board and that has translated as policy in the department. We are continually improving over time.” Sera Fernando, a queer trans woman who is senior management analyst at the Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, was among those consulted by SJPD. “The creation of the policy was the heavy-lifting of the SJPD,” Fernando said. “In order to ensure that the policy is community-informed – and so that there’s a deeper collaboration with the LGBTQ community – they sought the assistance of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and other folks in the area, such as the Billy DeFrank [LGBTQ+ Community] Center. Multiple organizations, including LGBTQ staff, provided recommendations.” Fernando said that LGBTQ people made sure that the correct language was used, such as the term “cisgender” instead of the term “non-transgender,” which was used in the original draft. “We did what we could do to ensure right verbiage and words are used for the trans and nonbinary community,” Fernando said. “Originally the word ‘non-transgender’ was used and I thought that was kind of funny so we put in ‘cisgender.’” Fernando said that she has not received much feedback, other than from the comments sections of local

3rd COVID vaccine

From page 10

some experts have argued that everyone should receive a first dose as soon as possible to gain partial immunity, delaying second doses until supplies are more plentiful.

Speeding vaccine rollout

In addition to requiring only a single dose, the new vaccine can be stored and transported at standard refrigerator temperatures and does

Oakland nightclub

From page 1

queer spaces within the footprint of the Port Bar, I know based on talking to customers for nearly the last five years they would not go to San Francisco as readily.” Carrillo said his Que Rico “will help keep a lot of people in Oakland too, especially the LGBTQ community. It will give them more things to do in Oakland.” Sullivan and Fuentes have been looking to open a second queer nightlife venue in downtown Oakland. They had begun to inquire about possible locations until the health crisis last year upended how nightlife spots could operate. “We have long wanted the neighborhood to be its true queer self and

March 4-10, 2021 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Officer Kathryn Winters, a trans woman who is treasurer of the San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance, stated to the B.A.R. that “we applaud San Jose PD’s efforts to ensure transgender, gender-variant, and nonbinary individuals will be treated with dignity and respect, and be addressed by their preferred name and the pronouns with which they identify.” “As an organization, San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance hopes that more and more departments will implement similar policies that recognize and support the dignity of transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary individuals,” Winters continued. “As a transgender woman, I have been fortunate to work in a department that, many years ago, recognized the importance of implementing policies and practices that recognize and support the dignity of transgender people. The SFPD put in place its first policy regarding the use of chosen name and pronouns in 2005, and, since then, has expanded those policies and incorporated them into a department General Order,

which was implemented in 2018. The SFPD has supported these policies with training, which began in the early 2000s and, since then, has continued and expanded.” Winters wrote that the department is continuing to take steps to improve relations with the LGBTQ community in the city. “Pride Alliance feels that the department continues to take steps that support San Francisco’s LGBTQ and diverse communities, such as recently updated it’s policy on bias-free policing, which included mandatory training, implementation of a Bias Working Group, continued training on implicit bias, the creation of it’s new Community Liaison Unit, which includes an LGBTQ liaison officer, and continued conversations with San Francisco Pride regarding the participation of out LGBTQ officers in the annual Pride parade and the department’s role in policing the event,” she concluded. As the B.A.R. previously reported, SF Pride officials last September banned San Francisco Police Department officers from participating in the 2021 parade in uniform. Sergeant Michael Andraychak, a spokesman with SFPD, told the B.A.R. that a general order titled “Interacting with Transgender, Gender-Variant, and Nonbinary Individuals” had been adopted in October 2018. “With regard to legal documents, such as police reports, officers are required to use the person’s most cur-

rent legal name,” Andraychak stated in an email to the B.A.R. “Officers must converse with the person using their preferred name and/or pronoun.” Andraychak stated that Theresa Sparks, a trans woman and thenpresident of the San Francisco Police Commission, began work with Stephan Thorne, the first out trans officer in the nation, on departmentwide policies in the early 2000s “regarding treatment of transgender and gender nonconforming persons.” “Stephan Thorne conducted training on interaction with the transgender community and eventually retired as a lieutenant,” Andraychak added. “In 2019, the SFPD conducted department-wide training that covered the [department general order] as well as best practices for interacting with transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary persons. The department includes mandatory training for every police academy class that covers the [department general order] as well as best practices for interacting with transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary persons.” Thorne could not be reached for comment and Sparks did not respond to a request for comment. Sparks left the police panel after she became executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and also served as the mayor’s adviser on trans policies. She retired in 2017. The San Francisco Department of Police Accountability did not respond to an interview request for this story. t

not require super-cold freezers like the more delicate Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Therefore it is expected to be particularly useful in more remote areas and for harder-to-reach groups. “The availability of another safe and effective vaccine that requires only one dose and that can be stored with only basic refrigeration opens new opportunities for delivery and expanded access for millions of people,” Infectious Diseases Society of America president Dr. Barbara Alexander said in a statement. Johnson & Johnson said it expects

to provide enough doses to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of March and 100 million by the end of June. Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on Twitter that he expects California will get around 380,000 doses this week. The latest authorization will help relieve supply shortages that have slowed the vaccine rollout. In San Francisco, mass vaccination sites at Moscone Center and City College had to temporarily suspend operations last month due to limited supply. The Coliseum site in Oak-

land, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, gets its supply directly from the federal government and does not draw on the state supply. To date, nearly 162,000 San Franciscans – 22% of the population over age 16 – have received at least one vaccine dose and more than 69,000 are fully vaccinated, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s vaccine tracker. San Francisco Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax, a gay man, said last month that the city has the capacity

to administer upward of 10,000 vaccine doses per day. UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. George Rutherford told the San Francisco Chronicle that if the city vaccinates 5,000 new people per day, it should reach the estimated herd immunity threshold of 85% by the end of May. At that point, enough people will be immune – due to either vaccination or natural infection – that the virus will no longer be able to spread easily. t

have a broad queer experience here,” said Sullivan, whose bar is five short blocks from Carrillo’s new establishment. “The challenge there was the high cost of everything. We are still looking to do it. When the pandemic is more closer to ending, we will then continue to look for spaces and see how the landscape looks.” For now, the Port Bar is able to accommodate about 40 patrons at a time with its sidewalk tables and parklet two of its customers, Cameron Kephart and David Davila, built for it. It has teamed with Shiloh Cuisine, a food truck that serves Yucatan-style Mexican cuisine. It is once again offering drag brunch on the weekend and drag shows Wednesday nights at 9, 10, and 11 p.m. The Port Bar is currently open 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through

Thursday; 3 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. At some point Carrillo also hopes to offer drag dinner shows at Que Rico and drag brunches. The 2,500 square foot location has two rooms that can convert from dining areas into a nightclub; he is still waiting to learn from the city what the capacity will be. Carrillo is looking to hire bartenders, cooks, preps, and wait staff for the new restaurant. Que Rico’s hours will initially be from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursdays through Sundays and expand as business grows. He expects once the nightclub opens dinner service on event nights will end at 8:30 p.m. with the nightclub open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. “The restaurant itself will start tak-

ing orders for takeout and delivery around mid-March,” said Carrillo. “We hope to be able to open at least for outdoor dining and possibly indoor dining if allowed to by the be-

ginning of April.” To learn more about Que Rico and to sign up for its mailing list to be alerted when the nightclub opens, visit www.quericonightclub.com. t

Bay Area stations such as KPIX-TV and KNTV-TV, which ran stories about the new policies. The response has been largely positive. “From my stakeholders the overall consensus is that this should be a model,” she said. “This policy should be shared throughout the Bay Area, and nationwide. … I think this is the next step forward and in no way an end-all-be-all policy.” Gabrielle Antolovich, a genderqueer nonbinary lesbian who is the board president at the DeFrank center, told the B.A.R. that members of the police academy have been visiting the center “for a number of years” to learn about the LGBTQ community. These policies, Antolovich said, will help educate and inform those who joined the force before those visits became routine. Antolovich serves a dual role as both board president of the DeFrank center and as an LGBTQ representative on the police chief’s advisory board. “I already was connected to the law enforcement community, and so I’m like the connection between the two communities,” Antolovich said. “I’m in a very useful position.” “What I’ve been doing is having the police academy come here [to the center], give them a tour, and when we have large events at Billy DeFrank I tell people ‘they are here to protect us, not harass us,’” Antolovich continued. “Sometimes it’s appropriate they keep an eye on us, for our own good. … The relationship between our LGBTQ+ community and law

enforcement is something both sides have to work out, and it’s going to take a while.” Antolovich’s role on the advisory board had a “tangential” influence on the new policies. “This is what I like about San Jose; we’re moving forward,” Antolovich said. “I’m hoping the new policies help with that relationship.”

SFPD also on forefront

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<< Legals & Classifieds

12 • Bay Area Reporter • February 25-March 3, 2021

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556086 In the matter of the application of GABRIELLE ANNE HERNANDEZ, 1950 CLAY ST #301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner GABRIELLE ANNE HERNANDEZ is requesting that the name GABRIELLE ANNE HERNANDEZ be changed to GABRIELLE HERNANDEZ LANGLEY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103 on the 23RD of March 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556077 In the matter of the application of ALEXIS WHITNEY OLIAN, 144 EVERSON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ALEXIS WHITNEY OLIAN is requesting that the name ALEXIS WHITNEY OLIAN AKA ALEXIS WHITNEY MATHUS be changed to ALEXIS WHITNEY OLIAN. 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 March 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556093 In the matter of the application of MARK RYAN SHIVERS, 3380 26TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MARK RYAN SHIVERS is requesting that the name MARK RYAN SHIVERS be changed to MARK RYAN SHIVERS-DELGADO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103 on the 23RD of March 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039234700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE BOUDOIR COLLECTION, 2021 FILLMORE ST #2013, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GINA CORSI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/31/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/02/21. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039237900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ASIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL GROUP; ALL AMERICAN MEDICAL GROUP; AAMG, 827 PACIFIC AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ASIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL GROUP (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/19/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/04/21. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039232600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ANGLIM/ TRIMBLE, 1275 MINNESOTA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SHANNON D. TRIMBLE FINE ART 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 02/01/21. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039233100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as JAMAICA AFRICA YAY AREA, 1608 OCEAN AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed JAMAICA AFRICA YAY AREA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/15/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/01/21. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039235200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ALEXANDER FIREPROOFING AND PLASTERING LLC, 275 5TH ST #408, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ALEXANDER FIREPROOFING AND PLASTERING 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 02/02/21. FEB 11, 18, 25, MAR 4, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039249400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as APOTHECARIUM, 2029 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed RHMT, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/20/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/10/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021

SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF MARIN NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: SUSAN WHITE, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: LEGAL PAYMENT SERVICES LLC CASE NO. 2002695 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: MARIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael, CA 94913. The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, is: RANDY WARREN, LEGAL PAYMENT SERVICES LLC, 18124 WEDGE PARKWAY #940, RENO, NV 89511; (415) 225-3258. October 28, 2020 Clerk, by W. Simmons; James M. Kim, Deputy. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 SUMMONS (FAMILY LAW) SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: KEISHON SCOTT, YOU ARE BEING SUED. PETITIONER’S NAME IS: JANET SCOTT CASE NO. FDI-21-794347 You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter or phone call will not protect you. If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnerships, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), or by contacting your local county bar association. NOTICE: The restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment entered, or the court makes further orders. These orders are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them. FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party. The name and address of the court is: SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT – UNIFIED FAMILY COURT, 400 MCALLISTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: JANET SCOTT, 328 ALIDA WAY #10, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080. January 20, 2021, Clerk, by Mechel Agustin. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 SUMMONS (CITATION JUDICIAL) SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: CLOUD OF GOODS, INC, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; PUNSRI ABEYWICKREMA, AN INDIVIDUAL; AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE; YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: REXFORD INDUSTRIAL REALTY, L.P. CASE NO. 37-2020-00015401-CL-BC-CTL 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 of 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 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 DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT, 330 WEST BROADWAY, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101. The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or the plaintiff without an attorney, is: CYNTHIA D. STELZER (SBN 228462), KIMBALL, TIREY & ST. JOHN LLP, 7676 HAZARD CENTER DR #900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92108; (619) 231-1422. May 27, 2020, Clerk, by M. David. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556111 In the matter of the application of CRISTIANO DE BARROS CORREIA FACANHA, 1655 MISSION ST #841, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CRISTIANO DE BARROS CORREIA FACANHA is requesting that the name CRISTIANO DE BARROS CORREIA FACANHA be changed to CRISTIANO FACANHA. 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 March 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039235500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as RUSSIAN HILL DOG GROOMING EXPRESS, 2178 BUSH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RUSSIAN HILL DOG GROOMING EXPRESS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/19/08. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/02/21. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039237400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as BUENA VISTA SEAFOOD LLC; 1 FISH 2 FISH MARKET; 63 BUENA VISTA TERRACE #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BUENA VISTA SEAFOOD LLC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/20. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039252400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as TOKAIDO ARTS, 1581 WEBSTER ST #202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROBERT W. HSU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/04/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/11/21. FEB 18, 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 SUMMONS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR TE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. DOCKET NO.: 2020DR-10-3041 SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERSUS JOSHUA GEORGE AND KELLY PETERS, DEFENDANTS. IN THE INTEREST OF: MINOR CHILD BORN 2013. TO DEFENDANT: JOSHUA GEORGE. TO DEFENDANT: JOSHUA GEORGE. YOU ARE HERBY SUMMONED YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action filed with the Clerk of the Court for CHARLESTON County on DECEMBER 3, 2020. Upon proof of interest, a copy of the Complaint will be delivered to your Answer to the Complaint on the Plaintiff, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, at office of its Attorney, Newton I. Howle, Jr., Legal Department of the Charleston County Department of Social Services, 3366 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405 within thirty (30) days of this publication, exclusive of the date of service. If you fail to answer within the time set forth above, the Plaintiff will proceed to seek relief from the Court,. NEWTON I. HOWLE, JR., SC BAR #2729, 3366 RIVERS AVENUE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29405, Telephone #843-339-8761. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 2021 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556102 In the matter of the application of LAURANCE L. LEE & SOFIA M. TOUAMI, 130 VICKSBURG ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114 for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner LAURANCE L. LEE & SOFIA M. TOUAMI are requesting that the name ELYSIA TOUAMI LEE be changed to ELYSIA LEE TOUAMI. 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 8th of APRIL 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556137 In the matter of the application of CHARLES BARRY MIIN, 339 WOOLSEY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CHARLES BARRY MIIN is requesting that the name CHARLES BARRY MIIN be changed to CHARLES BARRY SUN. 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 6th of APRIL 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039251300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FOCUS PRESS, 567 BAY ST #1054, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KENNETH LO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/10/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039231800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CRITICAL GROWTH GAMES, 1478 33RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JEFFREY HAYES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/19/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039249700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CLOVER HEIGHTS PUBLISHERS; CLOVER HEIGHTS PUBLISHING, 29A CASELLI AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ELLEN J. LEONARD. 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 02/10/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039248600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ADAPT FITNESS, 1395 HAMPSHIRE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MELISSA ASHLEY M. PERAZA. 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 02/10/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039250700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BRIGHT WINDOW CLEANING AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, 349 SAN CARLOS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EDGAR S MOSQUEDA CRESPO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/07/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/10/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021

Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RANDOLPH MARTIN VARGAS is requesting that the name RANDOLPH MARTIN VARGAS be changed to BRANDOL MARTIN VARGAS BORRELL. 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 6th of APRIL 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039255200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CONNECTION COURIER COMPANY, 339 HEAD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CHAU N. LY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/18/98. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/12/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556151 In the matter of the application of THOMAS PATRICK MOONEY & ELIZABETH RACHAEL BULLOCK, 2221 MORAGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner THOMAS PATRICK MOONEY & ELIZABETH RACHAEL BULLOCK is requesting that the name JOHN PATRICK O’MOONEY be changed to JOHN PATRICK MOONEY. 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 13th of APRIL 2021 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039231000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MIKE’S MARKET, 2200 SILVER AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed PHAYNARITH PANH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/02/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039245100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as BRAIN HOLE ENTERTAINMENT, 200 BROADWAY #106, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TIANXIANG XIONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/22/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/08/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039236400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MONEY TH FAST, 3376 24 ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ALFA BROS INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/21/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039253500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE HOME TENDERS, 99 FERNWOOD DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BERLUTI ENTERPRISES 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 02/12/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039253300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THEISEN GLASS & QUALITY GLASS & MIRROR DIV, 301 POTRERO AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed THEISEN GLASS CO. INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/09/73. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/12/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039259600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FOREST DELIVERY, 1635-A ROLLINS RD, BURLINGAME, CA 94010. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed FOREST RESTAURANT SUPPLY INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/17/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039258000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GREEN HEART FOODS, 2565 3RD ST #313, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed THE FIRE SOCIETY 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 02/17/21. FEB 25, MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CURTIS C. CHAN; AND PETITION FOR PROBATE OF LOST WILL IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-20-304118 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of CURTIS C. CHAN. A Petition for Probate has been filed by JEAN-PAUL WEST LACOUNT in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that JEAN-PAUL WEST LACOUNT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: MARCH 23, 2021, 9:00 am, Dept. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: GARY K. MACHADO (SBN 253915) PATRICK J. LARSEN (SBN 278835), WATSON & MACHADO LLP, 425 CALIFORNIA ST, 25TH FL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104; Ph. (415) 362-0900. MAR 4, 11, 18, 2021 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556134 In the matter of the application of RANDOLPH MARTIN VARGAS, 739 VALENCIA ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039238900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THOMAS BRENDA P. DDS, 2299 POST ST #101, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BRENDA PEOPLES THOMAS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/04/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/04/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039252600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as AQUINO’S PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING, 338 BOSWORTH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LINDA A. AQUINO RODRIGUEZ. 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 02/11/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039252600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as INA BOTANICALS & TEA, 1766 43RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BERNADETTE AGUIRRE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/08/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/22/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039274400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GENEFACTOR, 26 CAMELLIA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GENE LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/26/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039274000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SURF HOTEL, 2265 LOMBARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NARANJIBHAI PATEL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/96. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/26/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039244500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SRI THAI CUISINE, 4621 LINCOLN WAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed SIRIWAT CHITKLAEW & SONGPHOL AMORNRIT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/23/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/08/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039268700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as HENRYS HUNAN RESTAURANT, 1708 CHURCH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EDDY & JEFFS HUNAN INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/23/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039269900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CALG LLP, 96 JESSIE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability partnership, and is signed BENJAMIN FEUER (GENERAL PARTNER OF CALIFORNIA APPELLATE LAW GROUP LLP) & ANNA-ROSE MATHIESON (GENERAL PARTNER OF CALIFORNIA APPELLATE LAW GROUP LLP). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/24/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039276500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THOUGHT PARTNERS, 736 DIVISADERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed JOSEY BAKER BREAD LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/15/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/26/21. MAR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 6M2075 EXTENSION OF TIME FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the General Manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District has extended the time for receipt of Proposals until the hour of 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at the District Secretary’s Office, 23rd Floor, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612, INDEPENDENT AUDIT SERVICES, Request for Proposal No. 6M2075. Dated at Oakland, California, this 23rd day of February 2021. s Patricia K. Williams Patricia K. Williams, District Secretary San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 3/4/21 CNS-3444973# BAY AREA REPORTER

Gooch

Oasis to host telethon

D’Arcy Drollinger at a September 2020 rooftop gathering.

by Jim Provenzano

espite a year of providing entertainment both in-person and online through the pandemic, the drag-focused nightclub Oasis still needs fan support to remain open. So owner D’Arcy Drollinger will host a 12-hour telethon with dozens of performers on March 6. Scheduled for noon to midnight, the telethon will include live and pre-recorded performances, testimonials, hourly interactive events, fabulous items up for auction from our community.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of Oasis shutting down our normal operations due to Covid-19, the financial situation has become dire. It literally costs us money to be open right now, due to our size and location,” wrote D’Arcy Drollinger, Owner and Artistic Director of Oasis, in the fundraiser page. The performer line-up of live and recorded acts includes Sister Roma, Heklina, Juanita More, Glamamore, Peaches Christ, Alaska, Lady Bunny, Ben De La Creme, Justin Bond, Leigh Crow, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Trixie Mattel, Honey Mahogany, Rock M. Sakura, Snaxx, Matthew Martin, Chyna Maykit, The

Baloney Boys, Mario Diaz, Patty from HR and many more fabulous performers who have graced the Oasis stage over the years. Just like traditional TV telethons, a phone bank of drag queens to take your call. Fans can also donate at any time online. All funds raised go directly to business expenses for the club: rent, utilities, operations, as well as paying off debt accrued while being closed. The goal is to raise $100,000 to save our iconic queer SOMA nightclub. As of March 1, the fundraiser has already received $52,000 from more than 500 donors. “This is just a start!” wrote donor Ginger

Array

Arush Nand in Funny Boy.

Sri Lanka queer drama

Shyam Selvadurai & Deepa Mehta’s ‘Funny Boy’

by Gregg Shapiro

ased on the acclaimed 1994 novel of the same name by gay writer Shyam Selvadurai (who co-wrote the screenplay), Funny Boy (Array) is directed by Deepa Mehta (who co-wrote the screenplay with Selvadurai). Mehta, who is straight, is no stranger to queer material, having written and directed the award-winning 1996 lesbian feature Fire. Set in Colombo, Sri Lanka during the mid1970s and early 1980s, especially turbulent years leading up to the beginning of the civil

war between the Tamils and the Sinhalese that lasted for 26 years, Funny Boy is timely for a variety of reasons. At a time when tensions are particularly high here in the U.S., with our own civil war seemingly looming daily, Funny Boy serves as a kind of warning. Equally important is the central theme of sexuality and acceptance that propels the story. When we first encounter eight-year-old Tamil boy Arjie (Arush Nand), he is dressed as a bride and his sister Sonali (Araina Nand) is dressed as a groom, and they are having a play wedding with cousins and friends. But the fun is short-lived when the adults,

including Arjie’s concerned father Chelva (Ali Kazmi) and seemingly less upset mother Nalini (Nimmi Harasgama), get involved. When a relative tells Chelva that Arjie is a “funny boy” he is visibly disturbed. Chelva has pinned all of his hopes on his older, more athleticallyinclined son Diggy (Avlok Wignaraja). Fortunately for Arjie he has cool and worldly Aunt Radha (Agam Darshi), his father’s sister, for support and encouragement. She takes Arjie to an audition for a local stage production of The King & I, and he gets a part. Meanwhile, Radha, who has been promised in an arranged marriage to Toronto-based Rajan (Kanishka

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Jenny Collins, who gave $200. “I’m gonna spread the word (and go couch diving for coins), so hopefully more to come! Love to you and the entire Oasis crew, we need you in our lives!” “Oasis is a critical queer space in SF’ so happy to donate,” wrote $250 donor Alex Kirschner. “Oasis can’t close!” The Telethon will air for free on the OASIS TV network and on givebutter.com/ saveoasis, Saturday March 6, from 12pm PT to midnight.t www.sfoasis.com

Ranabahu) begins a relationship with cast member Anil (Ruvin DeSilva), whose family is Sinhalese. The reaction of Radha’s family members, including the matriarch (Seema Biswas) is an indication of the troubles to come. When Radha is seriously injured in a Sinhalese attack on a train it’s clear that things are only going to get worse. By the movie’s early 1980s midpoint, teenage Arjie (Brandon Ingram) is enrolled in high school. It is there that he meets Sinhalese Oscar Wilde-quoting classmate Shehan (Rehan Mudannayake). Before long, the teens realize that they have many things in common, including being queer, as well as a mutual attraction. Around the same time, Jegan (Shivantha Wijesinha), the son of a family friend, who is involved in the revolutionary Tamil Tigers movement, has been sent to work for Chelva at the beachfront hotel he owns. It is through Jegan that we continue to see the deadly cultural divide become even more dangerous. The dramatic tensions of the story continue to mount. Arjie and Shehan are caught in a compromising position by Chelva. Jegan is arrested as part of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Chelva and Nalini’s marriage is straining under the pressures. Mobs of Sinhalese attack Tamils on the streets and raid their homes. As previously stated, the timing of the release of Funny Boy couldn’t be better than at this particular moment. If people are able to overlook some of the issues, including the lack of Tamil actors among the cast members and issues with the language spoken on screen, Funny Boy is still worth seeing for its various messages of understanding. Rating: B-t

<< Books & Music

14 • Bay Area Reporter • March 4-10, 2021

Black queer experience Brandon Taylor’s ‘Real Life’ by Brian Bromberger

ast year the nation was rocked by Black Lives Matter’s protests on police brutality and systemic racism. While laws can be enacted to prevent discrimination, the overt/ covert bigotry and the abrasions of dignity people of color encounter in their everyday lives, cannot be so easily legislated. It is these daily prejudices and micro-aggressions that are examined by Brandon Taylor in his astonishing debut novel, just released in paperback. Shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, Real Life is a reimagined campus novel from a fresh perspective, a gay African-American graduate student. Because he never saw himself represented in this genre, Taylor reinvents it by fictionalizing his own black queer experience, as a “chubby” southern (rural Alabama) lone, token biochemical researcher in a predominantly white doctoral program, which he later abandoned to become a writer. The central question for Taylor’s protagonist, Wallace, was the one he faced, “If I don’t fit in here, where can I fit in?” The novel is an in-depth examination of the final summer weekend at an unnamed Midwestern university where Wallace confronts several personal and professional crises before the start of his fourth year of graduate school. He must decide whether to leave his program and “to be out there with a real job, a real life.” At the opening, his father –whom he barely knew after he left the family during Wallace’s adolescence, never contacting them again– has

Real Life author Brandon Taylor

recently died. He’s also facing the lab contamination and death of his breeding nematodes he’s been painstakingly studying all summer, his experiment perhaps sabotaged by a colleague. He’s reluctantly heading to an evening social lake party with his mostly white biochemistry fellow graduate students, including two gay couples, a straight couple, and various singles, who meet to drink, vape, share coffee and meals, go to the beach, but mainly to talk and process their relationships, academic trials, catty lab politics, and career dreams. Clearly, these twentysomethings have messy, convoluted lives as they hurt each other often with their petty jealousies, despite good intentions and a privileged education. We discover this doctoral group is the first to include an African-American in more than thirty years. Wallace’s friends are scandalized once they hear that Wallace skipped his father’s funeral.

Wallace is continually distancing himself from his friends despite their barrage of invitations. He starts a testy tryst with Miller, the supposedly straight acquaintance, which sometimes results in violent mishaps (often sexual) primarily due to Wallace’s aloofness and dismissing their connection, regularly leaving him in the middle of the night after one of their romantic dalliances. Later, we learn about Wallace’s abusive upbringing, being raped by one of his father’s friends, then being blamed by his parents for instigating the incident. These traumas have left their mark, not only in his attempts to escape his past and shame, but inattention to the anguish and rage they’ve left. Thus, he seems unable to form intimate relationships, blinding him to the misery and anger of others, increasing his aloofness and loneliness. His dread of socializing and guarding his privacy, stem from

worrying about disturbing the sensitivities of his white cohorts, who use him as a mirror to assess their own issues, with anything he says or does, becoming all about them. Taylor is adept at showing Wallace’s friends’ passive-aggressive condescension via their disguised racist barbs, notwithstanding their progressive elite education. The French Roman in one devastating scene where Wallace reveals he’s thinking about quitting the program, says he should reconsider as the stats for Black people are fairly dismal and he should be grateful for the opportunity he’s been given. What upsets Wallace more than this overt racism is that nobody else is shocked by the comment or comes to his defense. Then in the lab, the female white lab partner he suspects of wrecking his experiments calls Wallace a misogynist, accusing him of cornering the market on oppression. Wallace’s reaction to these humiliations is minimizing them, passively replying he’s fine, a way of assuaging their feelings despite the harm inflicted upon him. He rationalizes their behavior by noting, “when you tell white people that something is racist, they hold it up to the light and try to discern if you are telling the truth. Rather than interrogate themselves, they always trust their own judgment.” Wallace however, is just as selfabsorbed as his friends, capable of lashing out and inflicting the same pain and insensitivity he’s undergone, such as in one disturbing incident at a dinner celebration where repeated gossip almost causes the

breakup of a gay relationship. He’s shocked when a kind, close Chinese-American colleague reveals a similar resentment toward the lab’s racism that he does. Taylor shows the unwitting emotional devastation we cause when we don’t deal with our own brokenness and secrets, and how ineffective coping strategies can become toxic. Taylor skillfully uses scientific language to not only describe what’s transpiring in the laboratory, but as a poetic figurative device (especially through similes, though there’re too many of them) to essay his character’s contradictory behaviors. For Taylor, science and writing are complimentary ways of interpreting the world. His cerebral stream-ofconsciousness technique highlights Wallace’s isolation and feelings of not being accepted or understood. In terms of approaching systemic racism, Taylor –rather than bemoaning people of color’s scarcity in an institution/field and solving the problem by bringing in or hiring minorities to make them more diverse– suggests the first step should be to ask why it was so white to begin with, if any change strategies are to be effective. Taylor brilliantly dissects the hypocrisy, pretensions, and scornful failings and derisions of this privileged subculture, and reveals the suffering we endure yet also inflict upon each other, regardless of race or sexuality. At the conclusion of Real Life, it’s apparent we are witness to a new singular captivating American voice that fortunately happens to be black and queer.t

Gold miner Singer-songwriter Melissa Carper by Gregg Shapiro

here’s so much to recommend about Daddy’s Country Gold, the dazzling new album by out singer/songwriter Melissa Carper, it’s hard to know where to begin. Carper’s distinctive vocal style not only recalls the sounds of vintage classic country, but it also suggests Billie Holiday, especially in the Western Swing of “Making Memories” and “I Almost Forgot About You,” which has the potential to become a jazz standard. Throughout the album Carper honors country music tropes - “My Old Chevy Van” is a song about a

beloved vehicle, while “Back When” and “Many Moons Ago” recall the tradition of looking back on lost love. She also strikes gold with her unique sense of humor on “Would You Like to Get Some Goats?” and then proceeds to stir our hearts with the gorgeous album closer “The Stars Are Aligned.” Carper was kind enough to answer a few questions shortly before the album was released. Regarding your songwriting process, do the words or music come first, and where do you find inspiration? Usually I’ll get like a little lyric first, like a line. And then, gener-

Locally-made, with love.

Gay-owned, locally in SF! FREE DELIVERY IN SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY 1-844-23-COCOA 1-844-23-26262 Winner Best Chocolatier in America Award, ‘20 & ‘21 Winner Good Food Award, 2018

M i c h a e l s c h o c o l at e s . c o M

ally, the melody will naturally fall around that line without having to think of what the melody will be. The melody kind of presents itself with the phrase. A concept or phrase will come and then I’ll go from there. I usually write without an instrument. I also play guitar. That helps me when I go back to find the chords and everything to the song. I don’t go back on my bass and write the song with the bass. I’ll walk or drive around, or I’ll just be sitting and thinking, and the rest of the lyrics or melody will come. Then I’ll go and find the chords on the guitar. Daddy’s Country Gold is being released at a time when we are still at the mercy of a raging pandemic. With live performances in music halls on hold for the near future, how do you plan to get this music to your fans? We’re playing gigs again down here in Texas. When me and my girlfriend, with whom I have a band called the Buffalo Gals, moved, some of the music venues were opening up again, to less capacity and with mask rules. We’ve been playing pretty fulltime down here; smaller and a lot of outdoor venues. So we’re able to reach some folks down here with the venues that we’re playing. We do live-stream concerts, as well. I do plan on visiting Arkansas which is kind of an old home base for me. I’ve already booked three outdoor shows for May. I have a plan to go to Nashville in June and play at The Station Inn and have a sort of a release there with the folks that were on the album. Station Inn is doing limited capacity and they’re live streaming the show, as well. I’ll do the best I can to get it out there. Being out in country music is less unusual than it used to be, with queer women such as Brandy Clark, Jaime Wyatt, H.C. McEntire,

Melissa Carper

Sarah Shook and Brandi Carlile leading the charge, as well as the recent coming out of T.J. Osborne (of Brothers Osborne). And yet, just a few years earlier, artists such as Chely Wright and Ty Herndon suffered because of coming out. Speaking as a queer musician, what do you think changed? In general, it feels like it’s just being accepted more in society. I feel like there’s just a broader acceptance of it and maybe that was just the natural thing that was going to happen over time. Certainly, the more we see queer people represented on TV and in movies and music, and everything, then the younger generation, and maybe even the older generation, are able to let go of some old beliefs they were holding on to. I do know when it comes to my own family, I grew up in a family that was Christian, and I was taught to believe it was sinful to be gay, that

it was not natural. I knew when I was young, when I was eight or so, I was starting to have my first crushes on girls. I knew, not like some people who realize later on. For a long time, I really struggled with it. I would pray to God to help me not be sinful [laughs] and perverted. I grew up knowing that my family – my mom and dad and my sister and my brothers– pretty much thought the same thing because that’s what we were taught to believe. But as we grew older and I finally, slowly came out to my family, they accepted me and it was okay. They were able to let go of that belief that they had. I think people can grow and change their own belief system. I think we see that happening.t

Read the full interview, with music videos, on www.ebar.com

Fests & Books>>

March 4-10, 2021 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

Saints & Sinners literary fest’s online

(From upper left) Farzana Doctor, Colby Byrne, Dorothy Allison, Bryan Washington (from lower left) Phil Gambone, Regie Cabico and Judy Grahn are just seven of the many authors participating in SASfest 2021.

by Jim Provenzano

iterature online is now nothing new, but with an entire literary festival, from readings to panels, all online, the 18th annual Saints & Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival, usually held in New Orleans, returns with a robust roster on March 11-14, and most events are free to the public. The virtual SASFest will include literary discussions, writing workshops, readings, and special events, all via Zoom or YouTube. While the convivial gatherings at previous SASfests at New Orleans restaurants and bars will be missed, the online version packs the talent with literary legends and acclaimed new writers. Literary panels and discussion topics include a wide array of genres: mystery, romance, young adult, poetry, memoir vs. fiction, and short fiction. Since 2003, Saints + Sinners Literary Festival brings together the who’s who of the LGBTQ literary world. The Festival features panel discussions and writing workshops by authors, editors, and publishers for emerging writers and LGBTQ

literature fans. Among the highlights are a discussion with the Literary Luminaries of the Violet Quill —Andrew Holleran, Felice Picano, and Edmund White— and a discussion of Jewish Lesbian Literature and Activism with Elana Dykewomon, Judith Katz, Irena Klepfisz, and Michele Karlsberg. The Reading Series includes new voices and literary icons sharing their work including Meredith Doench, Bud Gundy, Cheryl Head, Michael Lowenthal, Daniel W.K. Lee, David S. Pederson, JD Scott, Tammy Lynne Stoner, and Sassafras Lowrey; along with the winners from the festival’s first annual poetry contest —Danielle Bero, Ezra Adamo, and Steven Riel and three contributors to the festival’s 12th annual short fiction contest: Colby Byrne, Lisa Hines, and Laura Price Steele. A new addition to the Festival lineup is a Conversation Series featuring authors interviewing authors. Bryan Washington will discuss his acclaimed first novel Memorial, a New York Times Noteable Book of 2020, with author Matthew Griffin. Scholar & Poet Julie R. Enszer

will host a talk with literary icon Judy Grahn regarding her new book, Eruptions of Inanna: Justice, Gender and Erotic Power. Founder of the Son of Baldwin media community, Robert Jones, Jr. discusses his groundbreaking new novel The Prophets with The Reading Life’s Susan Larson. Journalist Merryn Johns will discuss sex and censorship and the modern gay rights movement with author and political activist Naomi Wolf; and Jenn Shapland and Carlos Dews discuss their passion for the work of Carson McCullers. SASFest also offers established and emerging LGBTQ authors, as well as students and readers, an opportunity to network via Padlet, a free community building app, and nurture their craft with a diverse array of artistic and educational offerings. The Writing Workshop Series will feature Dorothy Allison, Michael Nava, Matthew Clark Davison, and Radclyffe. Acclaimed writer Jewelle Gomez will lead a poetry workshop, and also included is an instructional workshop from Kindle Direct Publishing to familiarize authors with their services and self-publishing options. Workshops will have a fee.

Special Events

SASfest this year will be more than books. Bay Area favorite Fauxnique (Monique Jenkinson) will perform excerpts from her provocative cabaret works and will read passages from her forthcoming drag memoir Faux Queen. The New Orleans-based band The Slick Skillet Serenaders play a set of their 1920s and ‘30s-era Ragtime, Blues, and Jazz music stylings. Members and donors to the festival can also view a partial screening and discussion of the Project Legacies documentary, In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction. Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop is the official bookstore of Saints and Sinners. Buy authors’ books from the shop on the festival

X marks his spot by David-Elijah Nahmod

ohn Amero was there at the very dawn of the porn industry. At a time when working in porn carried a huge stigma, at a time when people in the business worked under assumed names out of fear of being “discovered,” Amero and his late brother Lem proudly put their real names in the credits of early X-rated classics such as Every Inch a Lady (1975) and Blonde Ambition (1981). Amero worked on more than thirty feature films in various capacities. He called the shots in both gay and straight films and had a wonderful time doing so. Now, in his newly published memoir, American Exxxtasy: My 30-Year Search for a Happy Ending, Amero recalls those bygone days with wit, humor and heart. A New York City that no longer exists comes to life as Amero recalls his early days in the Big Apple where he shared an apartment with his beloved older brother Lem. At first Amero hid his homosexuality from Lem. It was a different era and being gay was not accepted by mainstream society. But one fateful night Amero wanders into a gay bar and runs into Lem, and the two were best friends from that day forward. The book is dedicated to Lem, and to Amero’s long-term partner Chuck, both of whom are now deceased. In his salad days, Amero worked at CBS and ABC, editing commercials into TV shows for the latter. As he did during his youth, he went to the movies constantly. The movies

were his escape, and he absorbed everything he saw like a sponge. One day he went with his friend Michael Findlay to see a low-budget exploitation film and his whole life changed. Amero agreed to work on an exploitation film with Findlay, producing a black and white film called Body of a Female (1964), a film which promised its audience all manner of sexual activity. These forerunners of adult films were never quite as dirty as they promised to be, though they definitely were not for kids. The film was a success, and Amero was on his way, producing, writing, or directing one film after another, working closely with Findlay and with his brother. When hardcore became the industry standard in the early 1970s, Amero accepted it and continued working.

Amero goes into great detail about the making of many of the films. He offers insight into what goes into the casting process, securing locations, dealing with performers’ egos, the trials and tribulations of actual film shoots, and getting a good distribution deal. Whether a reader is interested in making adult films or working in mainstream Hollywood, Amero’s prose serves as a teaching guide in how to make a film. Two chapters of the book are devoted to the gay films that Amero worked on, which he did under the ‘nom de porn’ Francis Ellie. As with his straight films, Amero put a good deal of thought into each film, coming up with fully fleshed-out stories and hiring the best talent he could find. Navy Blue, one of the Francis Ellie films, was an homage to the 1949 musical On the Town, which had starred Hollywood legends Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. Audiences ate up everything Amero did. His films always made money. The book is also filled with the names of people who were superstars during the porn industry’s early years. Names like Harry Reems, Andrea True and gay porn legend Jack Wrangler are remembered as consummate professionals, and Amero humanizes them with his deft writing. American Exxxtasy: My 30-Year Search for a Happy Ending is a wonderful time capsule of an era that will never live again.t

Read the full review on www.ebar.com

website and the store will donate a portion of sales back to the Festival. All events are free this year with the exception of the Writing Workshops. Tickets on sale at www.sasfest.org.t

(Arts & Nightlife Editor and author Jim Provenzano will host a panel on memoir and fiction, and participate in the reading series.)

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