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City College gets gay major
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'Maharaja' opens
Romantic Hawaiian travel
The
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Serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1971
Vol. 41 • No. 43 • October 27-November 2, 2011
Candidates address AIDS policy
Spate of hate crimes target gays
by Matthew S. Bajko
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by Seth Hemmelgarn
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handful of anti-gay hate crime incidents have caught the attention of San Francisco law enforcement officials in recent weeks. In the most recent case, the San Francisco Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred around 12:30 a.m., Saturday, October 15 at Taqueria Cancun, 2288 Mission Street. Police spokesman Officer Carlos Manfredi said the victims went inside the taqueria to eat and were confronted by three men who told them to leave. One of the suspects allegedly used an antigay slur, but Manfredi wouldn’t say exactly what it was. There was then “a physical confrontation,” he said, but he couldn’t offer more details. There were four victims, but Manfredi said one Courtesy SFPD was injured more seriously than the Defendant others. The 25-year- Kevin Guerin old man’s injuries included a laceration to the forehead, and he was transported to San Francisco General Hospital. Manfredi said the man, whose name he wouldn’t disclose, is from San Francisco. The primary victim, who responded to emailed questions from the Bay Area Reporter, offered an account that was different from what Manfredi said. For example, the victim, who said he’s gay but whom the B.A.R. is not naming, said there were more people involved. He said the only thing he remembers the suspects saying was, “Get out of our neighborhood.” His friends heard the suspects say “faggot,” he said. He also said that he was hit in the face several times. No arrests have been made. Manfredi couldn’t offer detailed descriptions of the suspects. Witnesses can call the hate crimes unit at (415) 553-1133. The incident number is 110 830 676.
Attacks on roommate, brother In another incident, Kevin Guerin, 57, has been accused of an anti-gay hate crime. He also faces several charges after allegedly attacking his brother with a power drill. See page 2 >>
Rick Gerharter
Have wings, will jump A
vishai Taashur tempts his dog, Lulu, with a treat during the fifth annual Pawtrero Pet Halloween Party and Charity Benefit October 23. Some 500 dogs and their guardians came to the party, many of them dressed in costume. The event on Pier 40 Park on the Embarcadero raised $2,800 to be distributed to three rescue organizations: Muttville Senior Dogs, Grateful Dogs Rescue, and Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue. For Halloween happenings for humans, see the Out and About listings in the arts section.
majority of the leading candidates for San Francisco mayor would name a designated adviser on HIV and AIDS policy in their City Hall administration should they be elected next month. And they would set aside up to 20 percent of units for people living with HIV and AIDS in new housing developments built in the Castro, the heart of the city’s LGBT community. They would also see that recommendations from the city’s Hepatitis C Task Force be put into place and look at how to hire HIV-positive people without jeopardizing their government assistance. Those were some of the policy positions to be articulated at a mayoral forum this month on HIV and AIDS that a number of AIDS service providers and nonprofit groups hosted. It was the first time that many of the candidates had directly addressed questions about the devastating disease, as up until the forum the mayor’s race had largely ignored the topic. City Attorney Dennis Herrera, one of seven candidates to take part in the forum, offered an See page 16 >>
Senate panel poised to vote on DOMA repeal bill, Feinstein says by David Duran
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enator Dianne Feinstein told the audience at the Human Rights Campaign’s San Francisco gala that the Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to approve a bill repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, setting the stage for an eventual vote by the full Senate. It was reported Monday that the committee vote will be November 3. Feinstein also pledged to continue working on behalf of equal rights for LGBTs and received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd at HRC’s event, where she delivered the keynote address. “I will not give up and you will not give up, no matter how long it takes, so stay with me and walk with me and we will get there, I promise,” she told hundreds of people in attendance at the October 22 gala at the Fairmont Hotel. Feinstein, a Democrat and a former mayor of San Francisco, is the state’s senior senator. “I count on each of you to keep the pressure on Washington until we achieve our shared mission, equal treatment under the law for LGBT Americans,” she said during her remarks. She then gave a brief progress report, starting with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military’s antigay policy that was repealed last month. She reminded the audience that she voted against it in 1993. “It was obvious for me at the time that the criteria should be courage, competence, and willing to serve,” she said. “If you want to serve your country loyally and proudly, you no
Rick Gerharter
Senator Dianne Feinstein speaks at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual San Francisco gala October 22.
longer have to hide in the shadows.”
Marriage equality One area where America hasn’t had the same level of success is marriage equality. The discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996 and signed by President Bill Clinton. Feinstein was one of 15 senators to vote against that anti-gay law.
“This is a cause that has been near and dear to me. It was wrong then, it’s wrong now and it must be repealed,” she told the audience. Earlier this year, Feinstein introduced the Respect for Marriage Act. The bill is simple, it strikes DOMA from federal law and “allows the federal government to provide basic stability, security and fairness to the tens of thousands See page 16 >>
{ FIRST OF TWO SECTIONS }
B.A.R. election endorsements REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8!
• General election •
• Ballot measures •
San Francisco Mayor:
San Francisco Props:
Bevan Dufty, first choice Dennis Herrera, second choice Ed Lee, third choice
Vote YES on: A, B, C, E, F, G Vote NO on: D, H
District Attorney: George Gascón Sheriff: Ross Mirkarimi
Emerville City Council: Ruth Atkin College of Marin Board:
Stephanie O’Brien
<< Community News
2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
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State approves LGBT major at City College by Matthew S. Bajko
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tate higher education leaders have approved an LGBT studies major at City College of San Francisco. The community college is the first of the state’s two-year institutions to offer such an undergraduate degree. The news follows the recent announcement by San Diego State University that it would become only the second four-year institution in the country to offer an LGBT studies major. And just this week Napa Valley Community College officials signed off on a plan to offer its own LGBT studies certificate program and enter into a cooperative agreement with City College so students pursuing the course of study can take classes at either campus. It will now seek state approval and hopes to begin offering an Intro to LGBT Studies class as early as next fall. “The next step for us is to develop curriculum for the courses and formalize our partnership with San Francisco City College, which we are really, really excited about,” said Greg Miraglia, Napa’s openly gay dean of career and online education. City College learned Friday, October 21 that the State Chancellor’s office had given final approval to its request to offer students an associate in arts in LGBT studies. Such a major had been listed in this year’s class catalog as “pending state approval” so students will be able to petition for the degree in spring 2012, noted Tom Boegel, the college’s dean of curriculum, instruction, tenure review, and faculty evaluation. Offering such a major has been
Jane Philomen Cleland
Ardel Thomas, Ph.D., is chair of the LGBT Studies Department at City College.
a main goal of Ardel Thomas, Ph.D., chair of the LGBT Studies Department since she joined City College in 2006. “This is huge news that this got through,” said Thomas, adding that the LGBT community deserves to be its own academic discipline like any other community. “We’ve got enough that we’ve offered the world and will continue to offer the world and it is worth studying.” The chancellor’s office initially rejected City College’s application this summer on the basis that there were no four-year schools for students to transfer to in California that offered an LGBT studies major. At the time the only school known to offer such a degree was Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. San Diego State announced the creation of its major October 3. “The state chancellor was correct to throw it back,” said Thomas. “A straight up – forgive the pun – LGBT studies major for undergraduates didn’t really exist. It exists in two places now.” City College then reworked its application to seek approval of the major on the basis it would be a unique offering of value to the local community. “It has been approved on the grounds it is a groundbreaking program that offers something unique to the community and something unique to the state of California at the community college level,” said Thomas. Students at City College will need to take 21 units to earn the AA in LGBT studies. All those pursuing the major will be required to take an
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Hate crimes
From page 1
According to police, the first incident occurred October 4 in the 300 block of Seneca. The 47-yearold victim reported that after he asked Guerin how he was feeling, Guerin attacked him and said, “I’m going to kill you!” The victim, Guerin’s roommate, reported that Guerin said he was going to kill him “because of his sexual preference,” according to a police summary. “I think [Guerin] called him a fag,” Ingleside Police Station Captain Daniel Mahoney said in an interview. The San Francisco District Attorney’s office charged Guerin with assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats, both felonies. The charges carry allegations of a hate crime based on sexual orientation. On October 11, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Y.S. Cheng
Intro to LGBT Studies course and a pre-Stonewall history class that will be a global survey on LGBT people up through the Beat Generation of the 1950s. Thomas has already been in contact with Esther Rothblum, a professor of women’s studies at San Diego overseeing the creation of its bachelor’s degree in LGBT studies. The two women are working out a line of transfer so City College students can continue with their LGBT studies at the southern California campus. “My hat is off to them,” Thomas said of San Diego’s faculty. Thomas is also working with Napa’s Miraglia as he moves forward with his plans to offer LGBT studies courses. “Greg and I are working on mapping out a partnership so if I have some students who want to take classes there they can and we will count them toward the major and vice versa,” she said. The idea is Napa students interested in pursuing an LGBT studies major would earn a certificate from the North Bay school and then could transfer either to City College or a four-year institution to finish their studies. “I wouldn’t call it a minor, per se, but a record of academic achievement in a particular area,” said Miraglia, who has had requests from students for just such an option. The development of the degree programs comes as California public education officials scramble to implement LGBT curriculums in their classrooms due to passage of a state law this summer known as the FAIR Education Act. Miraglia believes the community colleges’ LGBT studies courses can help prepare teachers looking for instruction in the topic. “Teachers K through 12 have to deliver LGBT history in their classrooms. We want to offer something for them to do that well,” said Miraglia. It is unclear if more of the state’s universities and colleges will follow suit. In response to a query from the Bay Area Reporter, the chair of the Department of Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University, Rita Melendez, stated there are no plans to create an LGBT major at the city’s four-year institution. SF State, however, does offer a minor in LGBT studies, a minor in sexuality studies, and a master’s in sexuality studies.▼
lowered Guerin’s bail, which had been set at $175,000, over the prosecutor’s objection. He was released from custody. Then, on October 15 in the 100 block of Judson Avenue, according to police, Guerin got into an argument with another victim, whom the DA’s office has identified as his brother. Guerin said, “I’m going to kill you,” and tried to drill a metal bit into his brother’s forehead, but the bit fell off. He then hit the man in the face with the drill, according to police. In that case, Guerin faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and battery with serious bodily injury. The charges are accompanied by allegations related to causing great bodily injury and committing the crimes while he was out of custody on the other felony case. Guerin’s in custody in San Francisco County Jail. His next See page 5 >>
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October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3
4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
Serving the LGBT communities since 1971
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Community News >>
October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5
Gay attorney, ex-supe’s aide, faces disbarment by Seth Hemmelgarn
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former San Francisco supervisor’s aide is facing disbarment from the State Bar of California after pleading guilty to grand theft in 2010. Kerrington Osborne, who’s 49 and openly gay, worked for exSupervisor Michael Yaki more than 10 years ago. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990. A complaint filed in Riverside County Superior Court in 2009 indicates that Osborne was charged with a felony for at least trying to forge a check from Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert on February 11 that year. He also was charged with entering a bank in the Southern California City “with intent to commit theft and a felony” the same day. In November 2010, records show, Osborne pleaded guilty to misdemeanor grand theft over $400. The first two charges were dropped, and his sentence included three years probation, documents provided to the Bay Area Reporter show. Records indicate Osborne now lives in Redlands, in Southern California. The state bar’s website shows that he’s currently not eligible to practice law. He couldn’t be reached for comment. Jean Cha, deputy trial counsel for the state bar, said that after Osborne’s conviction in Riverside County, the court automatically notified the state bar. In February 2011, bar court documents show, Osborne was suspended from practicing law, effective March 9, pending final disposition of the bar proceeding. He was also ordered to comply with a court rule related to notifying clients and judges of suspension. The court document referred to grand theft as “a crime involving moral turpitude.” Tim Byer, deputy trial counsel for the state bar, said if an attorney is suspended from practice for 90 days or more, they have to notify all their
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Hate crimes
From page 2
hearing for both cases is October 27 to set a date for a preliminary hearing. Attorney Anne Irwin, who’s defending Guerin in both cases, didn’t respond to interview requests.
Lesbians threatened on bus Another alleged anti-gay incident occurred early this month when a man with a screwdriver threatened a lesbian couple. According to district attorney spokesman Omid Talai, the women were on a 14 Muni bus at about 7:30 a.m., Sunday, October 2, when Jeffrey Garcia Bascara, 36, of Daly City, boarded near Mission and 21st streets. In Tagalog, he allegedly told the women something to the effect of, “I know you’re lesbians. I will kill you,” Talai said. The defendant and victims are all Filipino. Bascara, who didn’t know the women, then took a screwdriver out of his pocket and held it, but didn’t raise it, Talai said. He couldn’t say how Bascara knew the women were lesbians. He said that one of the women called 911, and the bus stopped soon afterward. Police responded, got everybody off the bus, and eventually arrested Bascara. They found the screwdriver in his jacket See page 7 >>
Rick Gerharter
Kerrington Osborne in a 1996 file photo
clients and any judge before whom they have matters. Then, they have to file a document with the state bar court saying they’ve done that. “I don’t know if he’s complied with the notice to the clients or courts because he didn’t give notice to us that he did it,” Byer said. He said all his case against Osborne
concerns is his failure to comply with the court rule (9.20). After Byer handled the case, it was forwarded to Cha for prosecution. Osborne never responded to the February court order. In July, the court entered his default and “deemed the facts alleged in the notice of disciplinary charges admitted,” according to court documents. Cha said the organization has to wait until January 25, 2012 to request disbarment. Then, she plans to make a motion with the state bar court to request they disbar him. A state bar court recommendation for Osborne’s disbarment would then go to the state Supreme Court. That court is the only body that can disbar attorneys, she said. Osborne and Yaki didn’t respond to messages seeking comment sent via Facebook. A man who answered the phone at a number listed for Osborne said that he was Osborne’s brother. The man, who wouldn’t give his name, said that he hadn’t spoken to Osborne in a couple years and didn’t know how to reach him.▼
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<< Open Forum
6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
Volume 41, Number 43 October 27-November 2, 2011 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Thomas E. Horn Bob Ross (Founder, 1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko Seth Hemmelgarn Jim Provenzano CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aiello • Tavo Amador • Erin Blackwell Roger Brigham • Scott Brogan Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Duran Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell John F. Karr • Lisa Keen • Matthew Kennedy David Lamble • Tony K. LeTigre Michael McDonagh • Paul Parish Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr • Donna Sachet • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Ed Walsh • Sura Wood
ART DIRECTION Kurt Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGER T. Scott King PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Marc Geller Rick Gerharter Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja Steven Underhill Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge Christine Smith
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Feds must declassify marijuana R
ecent moves by U.S. attorneys in California to crack down on medical marijuana dispensaries are both bad public policy and a nefarious reversal in contravention to Attorney General Eric Holder’s 2009 policy not to use the Department of Justice’s limited resources to prosecute those in compliance with existing state laws on medical cannabis. That decision, made at the start of President Barack Obama’s administration, fulfilled a pledge by the candidate and seemed to bring an end to the raids on medical marijuana dispensaries that took place during previous administrations. In California, local governments and the legislature cobbled together law, policies, and guidelines for medical pot. While not perfect, these advancements brought the drug into the mainstream; patients seemed satisfied, and growers were, in some cases, willing to tax themselves in an effort to demonstrate their commitment to local communities. Then out of the blue this month, U.S. attorneys in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento joined to announce a crackdown that would target dispensary landlords, suppliers and dispensaries they believe are profiting from the sale of cannabis, and even including media outlets that accept their advertising. This move is wrong and in direct conflict with state law, which voters passed in 1996 that legalized medical marijuana. Since that landmark vote, 15 other states have legalized medical marijuana. One of the major issues in the debate over medical marijuana is the belief by the federal government that there is no scientific benefit to using the drug, when in fact many studies have concluded that it can be beneficial. From January 1997 to June 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported zero deaths caused by the primary use of marijuana. Many, many patients with HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, and other serious conditions use the drug because they say it relieves symptoms and is helpful in the treatment of their illness. This week San Francisco Supervisor David Campos introduced a nonbinding resolution urging the federal government to reverse course in its recent crackdown. He was joined by
Supervisors Scott Wiener, Eric Mar, John Avalos, David Chiu, Ross Mirkarimi, and Jane Kim. Campos said he believes it is necessary to send a message to the Justice Department that the board supports the right of patients to have access to their medicine. We agree. Another step that is needed – and can only be taken at the federal level – is for the government to declassify marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. Such a move would provide a means for more studies, and states that have medical marijuana laws could develop programs without intrusion from the feds. The reality is that declassification is unlikely to happen anytime soon, but now we have an opportunity for a wideranging discussion on the issue, particularly in states like California with laws that allow the medical use of marijuana. The California Medical Association recently came out in support of legalizing marijuana, and that is another good jumping off point for debate. The Justice Department must reverse itself and disengage from a potentially harmful campaign of intimidation and harassment of the dispensaries. Otherwise, patients will be denied their medicine or have to resort to dangerous
means to obtain it. We don’t think the president needs evening news footage of sick patients denied their medicine. But if that’s what it takes to get the U.S. attorneys to back off, then it’s time to “occupy the DOJ” and get the feds to focus their finite resources on real crimes.
Shoddy journalism The San Francisco Chronicle’s October 26 article alleging mayoral candidate Dennis Herrera was not on board with then-Mayor Gavin Newsom’s decision to allow same-sex couples to wed reeks of dirty campaign tricks. We’ve heard these same rumors for months, but no one would speak to us on the record. The Chronicle had no compunctions against using unnamed sources for an explosive allegation. The paper made a mistake by acquiescing to their demand to remain anonymous; there is no compelling reason to keep hidden the identities of these “four senior members of Newsom’s inner circle at the time.” And as city attorney, Herrera has a responsibility to advise his client, the mayor, of potential legal risks involved in any issue. But once Newsom went ahead and ordered city officials to grant marriage licenses to samesex couples, Herrera and his legal team went to the mat for same-sex marriage. And Herrera continues to fight for marriage equality today.▼
Together we’re better by Rich Guth
I
first heard of gay men falling mysteriously ill in 1981 in an article in this very paper. I was right out of a Midwest college and living at 21st and Castro. AIDS started touching me more directly in the summer of 1989 when three very close friends died. For the next few years, that was a typical summer. In the midst of all the deaths and misinformation I was invited to a dinner party that had a guest speaker, a peer educator from the Stop AIDS Project. He talked to us about safe sex, taught us how to be safe using some fun props, and got my group of friends to make a commitment to each other to play safe. The next thing I knew, I was volunteering, fundraising, and serving on the organization’s board of directors – twice. The Stop AIDS Project has been an invaluable presence in our community for the past 27 years. Together, we have educated countless gay, bisexual, and trans men about HIV/AIDS and issues relating to their health and well-being. We have offered thousands of HIV tests and distributed several million condoms. We have empowered the newly diagnosed to lead healthy lives and take an active role in preventing new infections. We have worked with black men to overcome the influences of stigma and homophobia. We have given guys like me an outlet to give back to the community through service projects. When I rejoined the board in 2009, I quickly learned that economic forces beyond our control were necessitating that the project change the way we operate. We probably could have continued independently for a number of years, but at a diminished capacity. And let’s be honest, we were never an “independent” agency. From the outset we partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UCSF’s AIDS Health Project, San Francisco Department of Public Health, local community fundraising organizations, other AIDS service organizations including the San Francisco
AIDS Foundation, and countless volunteers. So when discussions about joining forces with SFAF started for the second time, I was open, but cautious. At Stop AIDS we take our HIV prevention and education, community-based roots, and sex positivity very seriously, and some board members – myself included – were initially worried that those key elements would evaporate at the AIDS foundation. But as talks progressed, we got to know the foundation as it is today, and we found a new and different foundation from even a couple of years ago. (Just check out the racy art displays at Magnet in the Castro, a foundation program.) I am happy to say we found comrades in new CEO Neil Giuliano, and board President Tom Perrault. With their leadership, the foundation is more locally focused, all-inclusive, and community-based than ever before. Giuliano and Perrault share a vision to grow and expand the prevention services of Stop AIDS and SFAF. The same is true of the other board members I have met and CFO Jon Zimman. Our two agencies share a common vision for a city in which new HIV infections are rare and all people living with HIV have access to proper treatment and care. At a time when new HIV infections are still on the rise for gay and bisexual men, and when a 20-year-old black man in San Francisco has an 80 percent chance of contracting HIV by the time he turns 60 (a particularly hot issue for me), we have an obligation to make sure we’re doing everything we can to prevent new infections and get positive guys into care. Change is never easy. Moves like this inevitably create anxiety. But throughout this entire process, the staffs and boards of both agencies have been focused on one thing only: the community programs – doing what’s best
for the people and the city we serve. I hope everyone will understand that Stop AIDS Project joining San Francisco AIDS Foundation isn’t about one organization or another – it’s about maintaining and enhancing vital services for people at risk for or living with HIV in our community. This is about giving us the information we need to stay healthy. This is about radically reducing the number of new HIV infections and making sure all San Franciscans know their HIV status. This is about ending HIV once and for all, in the city where the epidemic first took hold. You should know that this transition, which will change the lives of people we know and love, could not have happened without some amazing assistance from some volunteers who happen to have law degrees. We owe a debt of gratitude to Jonathan Storper, Mike Moye, and summer intern Geoffrey Rapoport from the law firm of Hanson Bridgett, LLP; Jeffrey Washenko and Sean Michael Doran of Morrison and Foerster; and Robert Mison, my friend and Stop AIDS Project’s board treasurer. Each of you went above and beyond the call of duty and we are deeply grateful to have had your help. By the way, if you haven’t gotten an HIV test in a while, or you’re ready to speak with a counselor about your substance use, or you’re looking for groups of people who understand you, or you want to volunteer to make a difference, check out the AIDS foundation. With Stop AIDS now on board, including Executive Director Kyriell Noon and his stellar staff, the foundation is more prepared than ever to serve our community with the best possible array of local services. Together we’re better.▼ Rich Guth is president of Stop AIDS Project’s Board of Directors and a longtime volunteer.
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Letters >>
October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7
Wayne’s world For what it’s worth and to those who have asked, these are my picks for upcoming election: Mayor: Dennis Herrera Bevan Dufty (#2) Sheriff: Chris Cunnie District Attorney: George Gascón Remember, vote as you please, but please vote. Wayne Friday San Francisco
The state of AIDS in SF In his “Mayor’s race overlooks AIDS” article [October 13], Matthew Bajko informed that the SF AIDS Office is embarking on a $9.5 million expansion and renovation project for its offices. For what? New Gucci desks to match their pumps? When Sacramento is dismantling its state Office of AIDS, you call a bureaucrat there and get a voice mail that your call “would be answered in the next 24 hours.” But after 24 hours the call is still unanswered. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program keeps shrinking its meds list. They keep arguing among ADAP, Medi-Cal and Medicare on who is going to pay for the
tab. Ramsell, a private entity that gets a juicy contract from the government, runs ADAP. They have over 500 “volunteers” all around California that take care of all HIV/AIDS patients’ enrollment, up to finding the address of an HMO where they are going to bill the Medicare Part D of the program. I said volunteers because these are workers from HIV-related agencies that have to do this job for them. The paid staff of Ramsell in Oakland many times forget these volunteers do not work for them and they don’t get an extra penny for what they do. Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS representatives met with HIV patients last week and the housing situation for HIV tenants is pretty murky. The same abuses from slumlords, attitude of employees in government offices still persist. A man in his 60s did not have housing nor one to help with the application forms. So the local AIDS Office is telling the HIV community in need, “let them each brioche” with a $9.5 million renovation project in the middle of this economic turmoil. Jorge Rodriguez-Sanabria San Francisco
Berkeley to host Pride party compiled by Cynthia Laird
The session will include a panel of LGBT folks who have converted to Judaism who will discuss their process, their questions, and worries. They will discuss congregational life and Jewish communal life in the Bay Area. For more information, contact Dawn Kepler at (510) 845-6420, ext. 11 or dawn@buildingjewishbridges. org.
B
erkeley is bringing back its LGBT Pride festival, which will take place Sunday, October 30 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way. The theme is “Making It Better,” which echoes the international antibullying campaign. The city had a Pride party for several years but dropped it the last few years. Openly gay Berkeley City Councilman Kriss Worthington said Pride organizers picked this weekend to revive the event so as not to compete with Oakland Pride, which takes place over Labor Day weekend. “We are reviving it. We didn’t want to do it Labor Day and conflict with Oakland Pride,” said Worthington. The famously lefty councilman told the Bay Area Reporter that since the Pride festival is the day prior to Halloween he plans to dress up in a Robin Hood costume. There will also be a costume contest with prizes for attendees. Worthington joked that his choice of dress up is a perfect fit since “the Chamber of Commerce thinks I play the role of Robin Hood 365 days a year.” The party includes free food, music, film, and dance. Entertainers scheduled to appear include out comedian Marga Gomez, Average Dyke Band, Momma’s Boyz, Opus Q, and the Know Jazz Band. There will be a DJ and dancing from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Additionally, the Pacific Center’s Loving Ourselves Uniting Diversity youth group will be previewing its oral history video project. The heartwarming selection of short films documents the personal histories of local LGBT community members.
Circumcision documentary Fresh off the failed effort to place a local proposition on the ballot to ban male circumcision in San Francisco, Bay Area intactivists, in collaboration with the Whole
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Hate crimes
From page 5
pocket, Talai said. One woman lives in San Francisco, and the other lives in Daly City. Bascara is charged with two felony counts of making criminal threats. Both counts carry allegations of use of a deadly weapon – the screwdriver – and of a hate crime based on sexual orientation. He’s also charged with
Trans Cuban film screening
Rick Gerharter
Berkeley City Councilman Kriss Worthington
Network, will screen Cut, a documentary that examines male circumcision from religious, scientific, and ethical perspectives. The screening takes place Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center, 145 9th Street in San Francisco. Filmmaker Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon will be joined by Dr. Mark D. Reiss, author Lisa Braver Moss, and Rebecca Wald to lead an audience discussion following the film. The event is open to the public and there is a $6 suggested donation. Intactivists tried to get a measure on the ballot for the November 8 election that would ban male circumcision, but a San Francisco judge ordered it removed from the ballot, citing state law that preempts local jurisdictions from regulating health care professionals. For more information visit www. bayareaintactivists.org/cut-tour-sf.
Workshop for gays converting to Judaism
The San Francisco State University College of Ethnic Studies, the Latino/a Studies Department, and the Cuba Educational Project will host the U.S. premiere of In the Wrong Body, a film about Mavi Susel, the first transgender person in Cuba to receive sex reassignment surgery in 1988. The screening takes place Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m. on the SFSU campus in Knuth Hall, 1600 Holloway Avenue. Susel and the film’s director, Marilyn Solaya, are expected to attend. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. The cost is $10 general admission, or $5 for students with ID.
BCA benefit concert The Black Coalition on AIDS and Rafiki Wellness will hold Night with the Divas, a benefit concert on Sunday, November 6 at the African American Art and Culture Center, 762 Fulton Street in San Francisco. Stellar vocalists Paula West, Faye Carol, Denise Perrier, and Jennifer Bryce will appear at the concert and will be accompanied by the Marcus Selby trio. The concert will include interpretations of American standards, jazz, blues, and soul music. The artists will also pay tribute to the great ladies of jazz. “This is a special event for our community,” said BCA Executive Director Perry Lang. He added that the artists have all donated their time and talent for the show. A meet and greet VIP reception takes place from 4 to 4:45 p.m., followed by the concert from 5 to 8. Tickets for the VIP reception and priority seating are $50; general admission is $35. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcoa.org.▼
If you’re LGBT and considering converting to Judaism, Temple Sinai in Oakland will have a workshop on the process Thursday, November 3 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at its synagogue, 2808 Summit Street. There is no cost to attend.
Matthew S. Bajko contributed to this report.
two felony counts of exhibiting a deadly weapon. Those counts also carry hate crime allegations. He pleaded not guilty October 4. His preliminary hearing was Monday, October 17. Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan held Bascara to answer on all charges and allegations, meaning there’s enough evidence to move forward to trial. His arraignment is set for Monday, October 31. He’s in custody in San Francisco County jail.
Peter Santina, who’s representing Bascara, said in an interview that Bascara’s “never had a brush with the law. This whole case is an obvious misunderstanding. Mr. Bascara is innocent and, furthermore, he had no idea of [the women’s] sexual orientation.” He declined a request to interview Bascara. Asked how his client’s doing, Santina said, “He’s never been accused of a crime before, so he’s afraid.”▼
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<< Politics
▼ Out Emeryville official seeks re-election
8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
by Matthew S. Bajko
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esbian Emeryville City Councilwoman Ruth Atkin, one of the longest serving out officials in the East Bay, is seeking a fourth term this fall. Atkin, a social worker married to wife Janet Tobacman, first won her seat on the council in 1999. Four years ago she placed first among four
candidates seeking three seats with 921 votes. In a repeat of that election, Atkin and fellow council members Nora Davis and Ken Bukowski are once again running for re-election. This year they face two new challengers hoping to gain a seat on the council: attorney William Michael Weber and educator Jacqueline Asher. “There is a lot more I still want to
do,” said Atkin on why she wants to serve for another four years. “I still want to fight for more parks and open space and improving our internal connectivity.” One of Atkin’s major projects has been the construction of a Center for Community Life, a multipurpose facility to be shared by the city and local schools that she has championed for years. It is currently in the design phase and is being paid for through a bond measure Atkin helped pass last year. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for both public jurisdictions to have state-of-the-art facilities that both desperately need,” she said. Other items on her todo list include finding ways to connect her hometown’s east and west sides, which are bisected by railroad tracks and Interstate 80. “We have significant barriers ... that divide the city from itself,” said Atkin. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the Bay Area Reporter have both endorsed Atkin. Out officials Berkeley City Councilman Darryl Moore and
Emeryville City Councilwoman Ruth Atkin
Oakland At-Large City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan are among her individual endorsers. Berkeley Democratic lawmakers state Senator Loni Hancock and state Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner have also endorsed Atkin’s reelection bid. Confident about winning the race, Atkin said her biggest challenge is getting her supporters to the polls next month. “I think because it is an off year it’s been hard to get people motivated,” said Atkin. To learn more about her campaign, visit ruthatkincitycouncil. blogspot.com/.
SF relative mourns loss of gay icon San Francisco public school teacher Susie Kameny, a distant cousin of gay icon Frank Kameny, hopes to travel to Washington, D.C. next month to attend the memorials planned for her famous relative. Related via her father’s side, Susie Kameny last saw Frank Kameny in 2008 during a family party held during President Barack Obama’s inauguration. The elder Kameny, an early voice for LGBT rights in the 1950s, died October 11 at the age of 86. In a brief interview last week, Susie Kameny joked that she is straight “to Frank’s disappointment. I think he was a little let down that I wasn’t gay.” The federal government refused to grant Kameny a security clearance due to his being gay. He fought back but ultimately lost his case in the courts. Undeterred, he founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C. in 1961, and dedicated his life to fighting for LGBT rights. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will unveil a special exhibition of his picket signs this Friday from the first gay rights marches Kameny helped organize in front of the White House and Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. His body will lie in state for the public to pay its respects November 3 at the historic Carnegie Library in D.C. “He is such a hero,” said Susie Kameny, 39, who added that she has always looked up to Frank Kameny due to his “heroic acts.” A teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Susie Kameny hopes that her cousin will be included in the LGBT curriculum California schools must implement due to the passage of SB 48, the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act. “It is important to teach about him and his works,” said Susie Kameny, who last May during the school district’s Pride month taught her class of fifth graders about Frank Kameny.▼ Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ twitter.com/politicalnotes.
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October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9
<< Travel
10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
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Over the rainbow in Hawaii by Heather Cassell
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ong a destination for weddings, Hawaii extended the aloha spirit this year to civil unions and wedding planners are anxiously awaiting the stroke of midnight on December 31 when LGBT couples take advantage of the new law, which was signed by
Governor Neil Abercrombie (D) in February. On New Year’s Eve, if all goes according to plan, hundreds of LGBT couples will say, “I do,” on Waikiki beach as fireworks ignite in the sky over Honolulu. Arlei Patterson and her business partner Nancy Wilder of Arlei Style, an event planning
business, are organizing Union of a Lifetime, which they’ve been working on for a year. The three-day event will begin December 30 with a sunset rehearsal dinner featuring Hawaiian barbeque. Couples will honeymoon New Year’s Day before finalizing official paperwork January 2 and celebrate with a reception afterwards, said Patterson. “I’m a romantic at heart. It’s just the sweetest thing,” said Patterson, 52, a lesbian. “I think that it will be great for our economy. It’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” Wedding planners are ready to extend the aloha spirit. “We will bask in the wonderfulness and love it. I’m absolutely ecstatic,” said wedding planner Sharon Ortiz, proprietor and officiant of Rainbow in Paradise, a lesbian-owned business specializing in small weddings in Oahu. “I feel like we climbed a mountain worth climbing and we are now at the top.” “Hawaii is going to be a huge destination,” added Kevin Rebelo, who owns Gay Hawaii Wedding in Maui with his business and life partner Frank Miholer. Maui has been voted the best wedding destination island for the past 14 years and nabs 60 percent of all of Hawaii’s wedding business, according to Miholer and Rebelo. The gay couple knows firsthand about Maui’s romantic glow. They fell in love on the island 18 years ago and celebrated their own Maui union. Unable to find anyone to plan their commitment ceremony they coordinated it themselves and turned the experience into a business. They’ve performed more than 1,000 weddings in nearly 20 years, they said. Same-sex couples can find a variety of civil union options for different budgets, from the small to the extravagant.
girlsthatroam.com
Maui sunsets are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Hawaii, of course, offers more than civil unions. It has long been a popular destination for LGBT travelers, from gay urbanites looking for island culture to adventurers seeking a thrill to couples taking romantic beach strolls. But in recent years Hawaii often hasn’t been on U.S. LGBT couples’ radar as a vacation destination. The state, beyond the work of openly gay Keli’i Brown, director of public relations and promotions at the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, hasn’t reached out to the LGBT tourism market. It slipped to 19, tying with Denver, Key West, and Phoenix, according to Community Marketing Inc.’s 15th annual Gay and Lesbian Tourism Report, published in 2010. Some tourism economic studies estimate that by not reaching out to mainland LGBT travelers Hawaii’s coffers are losing an estimated $50 million a year. In spite of poor marketing there has always a rainbow over Hawaii, according to LGBT locals. “It’s more open here than in most places because of the Hawaiian culture,” said Patterson, a native of Oahu. Charlie Palumbo, founder, curator, and tour guide of the Waikiki Historic
Trail Tour, agreed that Hawaiians have a long history of LGBT culture. A straight ally, he pointed out the Kapaemahu Stones (which translates into transsexual in Hawaiian) are now protected in a garden surrounded by a Victorian fence. Legend has it that four soothsayers from Tahiti – Kapaemahu, Kahaloa, Kapuni and Kinohi – who were well known for their healing powers, transferred their powers to the stones before vanishing long before the 16th century. The sacred stones were moved to their current location across the street from the Hyatt Regency years ago.
Fun in the sun My girlfriend and I recently escaped the Bay Area ready to unwind for two weeks in Oahu and Maui, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines. We embraced the sunshine, hopping onto a red scooter provided courtesy of Hawaiian Style Motorcycles and Mopeds. The scooter shop is located a few short blocks from the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, where we were being hosted. Scooter and motorcycle travelers will immediately notice that Hawaii doesn’t currently have a helmet law for adults, but it is against the law for See page 13 >>
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October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11
12 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
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Travel >>
October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 13
Hawaii
From page 10
motorcycles to split lanes. We headed into the Oahu hills toward the famed North Shore, taking a leisurely drive before heading back for dinner and a night out in Waikiki. Waikiki has an active gay nightlife with Hula’s bar, which looks out toward Queens Surf, known to locals as the “gay beach,” and is one of the most popular hangouts, with a DJ and dance floor. Rum Fire Waikiki, the only bar located directly on the beach, hosts the Phoenix Party, a gay night on Sundays, at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort. On any given weekend night Honolulu’s six gay bars are as crowded as any Castro Street bar. Honolulu also has an emerging foodie scene that ranges from classic romantic settings, such as Chef Mavro’s, a FrenchHawaiian twist of artfully designed food that takes your taste buds on an exquisite journey, to the Veranda at the Mona Surfrider Hotel. Casual chic diners might prefer Indigo or funky Uncle Bo’s, which serves up a variety of spicy dishes. Hula’s Gay Saturday Catamaran Cruise is a great deal at $20 per person and $5 drinks. Spinner dolphins often put on a show chasing the catamaran and leaping out of the aqua water. Whales sometimes make an appearance. We happened to be lucky the day we went out on the water. It was the first time dolphins and whales were readily putting on a show together, according to the captain and crew. Tickets are only available at Hula’s bar, located on the second floor in a hotel across from the Honolulu Zoo and sell out fast to the locals. Lucky vacationers might be able to snag one of the 45 tickets by calling the bar or hanging out drinking any number of concoctions created by Mike Lunde, also known as Mr. Aloha, the bartender, on Saturdays before the 2 p.m. boarding.
Hawaiian spirit Honolulu is the cultural center of Hawaii as the state capital and longtime home to Hawaii’s royal family, who reigned over the string of 132 islands that made up the kingdom. Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. Individuals interested in Polynesian art and history can tour a number of art museums, historic sites, and other palaces of interest. We took a day to tour the North Shore, where there is an all-women’s surf school, Kelea Surf Spa and School, the historic town, and the Dole Plantation. While driving north we stopped off for lunch at Sweet Home Waimanalo Cafe and Market, one of the restaurants catching the sustainable food movement. We took another day to scooter around the southern part of Oahu and Diamond Head, where there is hiking. Oahu has the art, culture, and cosmopolitan nightlife, but Maui has the best food and wine experience from the flavors to the atmosphere and scenery. Maui is the Sonoma of Hawaii, rich in agriculture with eye-popping scenery and a diverse climate that ranges from about 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the summit of Haleakala volcano to 74 degrees at the beaches. We headed southwest from the airport for 30 minutes through the sugar cane fields and other agricultural crops to Wailea, where we enjoyed our first Maui sunset at the bar at the Hotel Wailea, part of the gay-friendly Aqua Hotels and Resorts family. Maui maintains a small nightlife scene, but the night is really for lovers. The daytime is playtime with outdoor activities and tours at O’o Farm, Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, Tedeschi Vineyards at Ulupalakua Ranch, and golf and surf schools, among other activities. My girlfriend was excited to play a round of golf in Maui after hearing
Courtesy Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort
Chuck Spence, owner of the Maui Sunseeker, with general manager Michael Waddell.
from other golfers that there isn’t a bad golf course on the island. Ka’anapali is one of the best with its Royal and Kai courses and it caters to women golfers. Every third Thursday of the month, an estimated 85 women hit the green for fun, themed events and to improve their golf with the help of professional golfers at the Ladies League. The Ladies League is open to guests and is $50 per tee time. Waiehu Golf Course, a public golf course in central Maui, also hosts several women’s golf clubs. I was more excited about our trek into the mountains to O’o Farm, an organic farm that provides produce for Aina Gourmet Market, Feast at Lele, I’o Restaurant, and pacific’O. It’s owned by chef and restaurateur James McDonald and his three business partners, who brought the slow food movement to Maui. We arrived early enough to tour the neighboring Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Farm manager Richard Clark encouraged us to get our hands dirty and select the vegetables we wanted to eat with our lunch. We bent down selecting spears of asparagus, lettuce, and other vegetables that were turned into a savory lunch by chef Caroline Schaub. Later that evening our farm experience continued at I’o Restaurant where we were shown a tuna caught fresh from the ocean that then ended up on our plate as an appetizer moments later. Queer travelers still wanting a bit of a nightlife in western Maui have two options, Lahiana’s historic Front Street or the popular gay-friendly hangouts at Ambrosia Martini Lounge, South Shore Tiki Lounge, and Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei located near the Maui Sunseeker. The nightspots are 45 minutes away from each other by car. The Maui Sunseeker is Hawaii’s only LGBT resort located right on its western shores. It recently expanded, joining two other buildings with the original and has 25 suites and two penthouses in addition to a new spa and pool, along with other amenities. The resort is also offering group travel, with its first Bear Break, March 24-31. The seven-day vacation package is produced by Bears in Paradise. The resort is also an easy 15-minute drive to the Little Beach at Makena State Beach, a popular nude beach that is also a favorite for gay men. Lesbian travelers looking to stay at a lesbian bed and breakfast might consider Tutu Mermaids. Maui doesn’t appear to suffer from a lack of LGBT travelers wanting to experience its delights, especially queer women vacationers. It seemed like it was a lesbian paradise as my girlfriend and I spotted other queer women couples dining beside us at restaurants or noticed a couple playfully teasing each other as they headed out for a romantic night at the Fairmont Kea Lani.▼ A listing guide is online at www.ebar.com.
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<< The Sports Page
14 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
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Gay Games name wins by Roger Brigham
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year of speculation about the future of the Gay Games culminated this week with the passage of a motion at the annual meeting of the Federation of Gay Games calling for continuation of the Gay Games name and a pledge to retain the arts and athletics program that have defined the event since its inception three decades ago. The one quadrennial event motion, drafted and submitted by members of Wrestlers WithOut Borders (of which I am a member), passed unanimously, but only after a portion of the motion regarding site selection rights was stripped out of the language. The FGG general assembly and board met October 23-25 in Toronto. Several key business matters, such as financial reports, were tabled for 30 days. Questions were being raised as the meeting was being held about matters such as how much money was given to or recovered from Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the group that was originally awarded the right to organize Gay Games IX before having its license revoked by the FGG, and from Games Cologne, hosts of Gay Games VIII in 2010. All six incumbents running for reelection to the board were voted back
Doug Litwin, the newly reelected FGG marketing officer, with his dog, Sammy
into office, including Co-President Emy Ritt of Paris; vice president of operations Jon Baldan of Sydney; vice president of membership Paul Oostenbrug of Chicago; sports officer Sebastien Datiche of Paris; and marketing officer Doug Litwin of San Francisco. Additionally, I was elected as an officer at large. To avoid a conflict with my work as a sports columnist for the Bay Area Reporter, I will no longer be writing about the Gay Games or the FGG after this column. A year ago, the FGG assembly had authorized a working group to enter discussions with the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association to resolve the quadrennial competition between the Gay Games and GLISA’s World Outgames, which were formed after Montreal negotiators walked out of talks to host the Gay Games for 2006 and established the Outgames. But a year of talks has not yet produced a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, which have radically different models in their quadrennial events. GLISA’s Outgames do not provide a great deal of supervision of event hosts, do not provide their own LGBT sports group modifications
for competition rules, but do include a large human rights conference component. The FGG’s 1QE motion provides a directive for the board from the membership as to what any MOU considered should include in it: recognition that the sports and cultural program of the Gay Games play a unique and value role in the advancement of LGBT rights; that the Gay Games name will not be altered, as had been speculated on previously; provides support for GLISA’s continental Outgames in areas outside North America and Western Europe, which already are served by the EuroGames and numerous national and international single sport championships; endorses the restoration of the EuroGames in all non-Gay Games years; and opens the door for sports-themed human rights conferences to be held as smaller, external events not organized by Gay Games hosts. The substance of the motion had been endorsed with a public statement to FGG member by Team San Francisco. A raft of motions, including one requiring financial commitments from board members and several from former FGG Co-President Sion O’Connor, were disallowed before the meeting or failed to pass when presented. Three motions submitted by board members Robby Davis of Seattle and Gene Dermody of San Francisco, calling for retention of the sports, cultural and ceremonial programs of the Gay Games were folded into an omnibus motion that passed. Next year’s FGG membership meeting will be held in Cleveland, site of the 2014 Gay Games.▼
On the web Online content this week includes Gay History Month articles on Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln. www.ebar.com.
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Community News >>
October 27-November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 15
AmfAR to pay tribute to Taylor by David Duran
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special memorial tribute to Dame Elizabeth Taylor has been set for this year’s amfAR annual Bay Area fundraiser. The Foundation for AIDS Research will present Violet Eyes in the Red City: An amfAR Affair, on Friday, November 4. Taylor, who died March 23 at the age of 79, was a longtime supporter of amfAR and an outspoken advocate for people living with HIV/ AIDS. Organizers said that it’s only fitting they honor her memory and dedication to AIDS awareness. She was amfAR’s founding international chairman. A legendary star of stage and screen, Taylor achieved equal fame for her humanitarian commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. As she once said, “I kept seeing all these news reports on this new disease and kept asking myself why no one was doing anything. And then I realized that I was just like them. I wasn’t doing anything to help.” After the death of her longtime friend Rock Hudson, who lost his battle with AIDS in 1985, Taylor was determined to speak out against hypocrisy and discrimination and for compassion and care. From then on she lent her voice and considerable star power to the fight against HIV and AIDS. For many Americans, it was Taylor who brought the issue of HIV/AIDS into the mainstream. In 1985, Taylor joined with Dr. Mathilde Krim and a small group of physicians and scientists to form amfAR. Since its formation, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. The San Francisco gala will be hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen. “It’s an honor to be able to travel to the Bay Area on behalf of amfAR to be
Rex Wockner
Actress Elizabeth Taylor, who died in March, will be remembered for her AIDS activism at amfAR’s San Francisco gala next week.
among the community that has been at the forefront of the fight against AIDS since day one,” the openly gay Cohen said in response to a question sent through amfAR. The evening will begin with an intimate dinner for 100 guests presented by Chef Gary Danko of San Francisco’s acclaimed Restaurant Gary Danko, Chris Borges, and openly gay pastry chef Yigit Pura, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts. Dinner guests will then be treated to a special performance by the outlandish, multiple awardwinning stage, television, and film star Alan Cumming. After dinner, the event will expand into a Moroccan-themed party for 500 guests with a special performance by legendary music performer Chaka Khan. When asked about the hosting gig, Cohen admitted, “I’m also dying to hear Chaka Kahn sing live.” Guests can also expect cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. VIP
bottle service, reserved lounge seating and a well-known DJ are also in the mix for the night. AmfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost told the Bay Area Reporter that the organization was, “thrilled to be able to return to San Francisco this year. The Bay Area has always been extremely supportive of amfAR and the fight against AIDS.” Bay Area residents have been committed advocates for AIDS research since the beginning of the epidemic. For more than 11 years, amfAR has held some of the most talked about events in the region, celebrating philanthropists and community leaders who have made key contributions to advancing the global battle against AIDS. The event takes place at Ken Fulk Studio, 310 7th Street. Tickets for the 6 p.m. Gary Danko dinner start at $2,500; tickets for the 9 p.m. tribute to Taylor start at $250. For more information, visit www.amfar.org.▼
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<< From the cover
16 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27-November 2, 2011
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Feinstein
From page 1
of married same-sex couples in the country, including the 18,000 in California.” To date, 30 of her colleagues have co-sponsored the bill. A companion bill in the House of Representatives recently got its first Republican co-sponsor. Since the introduction of the bill, the Department of Justice has announced it will no longer defend a section of the law in court cases. The Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Feinstein sits, held the first congressional hearing on repeal of DOMA in July and President Barack Obama has endorsed the bill. Next month, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, “and it will come out at committee,” said Feinstein. DOMA is both an “unprecedented and unjustified intervention by the federal government into family law,” she said. It specifically singles out gays and lesbians by denying them basic federal rights that every other married couple has. “We are exactly like the thousands of same-sex married couples in this country, who share financial expenses, who raise children together, who care for each other in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death they do part,” she said when comparing her 30-year marriage. “But DOMA denies samesex marriages all federal rights and benefits.” At the judiciary committee
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hearing, the senator said that she heard “compelling and really heartbreaking testimony about the pernicious effects of this law and how DOMA affects same-sex couples in ways that are intensely personal and very painful and often comes at that time in their lives when they are most vulnerable.” Proposition 8, California’s samesex marriage ban, was also a topic of the night. “The passage of Prop 8 was a setback for marriage equality,” said Feinstein, who appeared in one of the No on 8 campaign’s television ads three years ago and said that she supported marriage equality. “I believe it was a terrible mistake to write discrimination into the California Constitution,” she added. Even as a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Prop 8 winds its way through the courts, she remains an optimist and acknowledged all of her supporters and the work of the HRC with regards to Prop 8. “A decade ago, not a single state permitted same-sex couples to marry. Now D.C. and six states recognize same-sex marriage,” she said. In 2006, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 68 percent to 27 percent. Today, three separate polls between April and July of this year show that a majority of Americans are now in favor, Feinstein noted. Feinstein is a San Francisco native, having first run for the Board of Supervisors in 1969. She was the first candidate to seek public
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endorsement of the gay community and she got it. She has been an active supporter and defender since her start in government. She became mayor after the November 1978 assassinations of then-Mayor George Moscone and gay Supervisor Harvey Milk. “We are on the cusp of change,” said Feinstein, who so far is running unopposed next year for re-election. “I don’t know how long this battle for full equality will take, and I don’t know what will happen to Proposition 8 in the courts but I pledge to you tonight that this senator is in it for the long haul.”
Honorees Others who were recognized at the dinner included Ben Cohen, rugby champion and chairman of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, who was a special guest. A straight ally, his dedication to work on preventing bullying has made tremendous impact on the world of sport. The HRC Corporate Equality Award winner was Google. The company has groundbreaking policies on transgender health care coverage and domestic partner benefits tax equity. The 2011 Charles M. Holmes Community Service Award winner was Lea Militello. She was recently appointed as a commander in the San Francisco Police Department. An out lesbian, she is past president of the SF Police Officers Pride Alliance. Also honored was out MSNBC daytime anchor Thomas Roberts.▼
AIDS policy
From page 1
apology for not addressing AIDS policy sooner in the campaign. “We were not looking at this as an issue. We probably should have brought it up earlier in the campaign,” he said. State Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), the sole candidate to wear a red ribbon on his jacket lapel, acknowledged that growing up in San Francisco the issue of being gay or having HIV “was just absolutely foreign to me.” But his time working at a community clinic in Santa Clara County and serving on the city’s school board brought both issues home to him. During his time in Sacramento Yee said he has fought to maintain funding for HIV programs. “When I went to the state Legislature I said no, I will not vote for cuts into AIDS programs,” said Yee. Gay former Supervisor Bevan Dufty criticized the city’s past three mayors for submitting budgets to the Board of Supervisors with cuts in AIDS services knowing the board would add the money back. He said doing so, nonetheless, forces service providers and patients to waste time lobbying at City Hall to restore the money. “As mayor I will never submit a budget with cuts to HIV and AIDS services,” said Dufty. Herrera made a similar pledge. “I want to echo Bevan on this. You will never see any cuts to HIV funding in my administration,” he said. Board President David Chiu pointed out that he sought to bring in nonprofits and community leaders this year early on in the budgetmaking process. It led to mayoral town halls in all 11 supervisorial districts on the budget and other city issues, he said. “Like Bevan, I don’t want to go there with this Kabuki theater where the mayor cuts and the board restores,” said Chiu. He pledged to first look for efficiencies within city departments and streamlining oversight procedures before asking nonprofits to make further cutbacks in staffing and services. “It is pretty easy for folks to bash nonprofits by blaming nonprofits
Jane Philomen Cleland
Mayoral candidates Leland Yee, left, and Bevan Dufty, right, listen as Dennis Herrera responds to a question at a forum on HIV/AIDS policy.
for the problems. Most nonprofit workers are the least valued, are the most underpaid and are doing the most important work in this city,” he said. “There is hundreds of millions of dollars in city government that could be used to fund the social safety net for people with HIV and AIDS.” The candidates were less specific when it came to ideas on how to fund AIDS programs. Lesbian Green Party candidate Terry Baum said she wanted to explore imposing an income tax in San Francisco and would push to change state law barring such a revenue-generating scheme. “We have to demand the wealthy of our country pay their fare share,” said Baum. Herrera expressed support for moving away from a payroll tax to a gross receipts tax and pushing for a parcel tax to pay for city parks. “We can no longer have government we are unwilling to pay for,” he said. The October 19 forum drew 100 people to the auditorium at the state office building in the city’s Civic Center area. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in an online story last week, interim Mayor Ed Lee skipped the event and instead showed up at an AIDS agency’s fundraiser held a block away that night. (Supervisor John Avalos came to make introductory remarks but left soon after to attend two other events.) Lee did submit answers to a questionnaire that organizers had sent out to the candidates. He wrote that he has worked “to protect HIV/AIDS services and funding” and pledged to do so if elected to a full term. “I will continue to engage our communities and nonprofits to find ways to maintain and enhance
services given the new economic realities we now face,” stated Lee. When asked if he would maintain $3.5 million in city funding for housing vouchers for HIV positive people, Lee was vague in his response, writing he would “continue to build on our city’s safety net” and be “a strong ally for this cause.” He also was noncommittal when asked if he would hire an AIDS czar. Instead Lee wrote he would “commit senior level staff” from his office and the Department of Public Health and Human Services Agency to oversee programs for people living with HIV and AIDS. Apart from the mayor’s absence the other surprise was former Supervisor Tony Hall’s decision to take part. Even one of the other candidates asked him what he was doing there, said Hall, who is considered the most conservative of the main candidates in the race. Hall made a cringe-inducing mistake by using the term “sexual preference,” which implies being gay is a choice, rather than sexual orientation. But he also disclosed he has lost four close friends and family members to AIDS. He not only pledged to protect AIDS services if elected mayor, he also voiced support for creating a safe injection site for intravenous drug users. “As your mayor I will represent everyone regardless of race, creed, religion and sexual preference,” said Hall. Organizers plan to post the candidate questionnaires to the AIDS Housing Alliance’s website at www. ahasf.org. A video recording of the two-hour forum will be posted at www.youtube.com/HIVStoryProject - p/u.▼
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18 • Bay Area Reporter • October 27-November 2, 2011
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October 27-November 2, 2011 • Bay Area Reporter • 19
Legal Notices>> nOTICE OF APPLICATIoN to sell AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGEs Dated 10/0611 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are : DE PLACE INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 5700 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121. Type of license applied for:
41- On-sale beer and wineeating place Oct. 13,20,27,2011 nOTICE OF APPLICATIoN to sell AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGEs Dated 09/30/11 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are : MARTIN YAN NOODLES LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 865 Market St.,Suite 490,San Francisco, CA 94103-1900. Type of license applied for:
47- On-sale general eating place Oct. 13,20,27,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name: #A-0298818-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as INDIGO RESTAURANT,687 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94103.This business was conducted by a limited liability company, signed Greg Medow. The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/04/06.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033845200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SAN FRANCISCO BROCHETTE KING, 2227 33rd Ave.,SF,CA 94116.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Peng Qi.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/27/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/27/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033853900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as APARTMENT 24SF,440 Broadway St.,SF,CA 94133.This business is conducted by a limited liability company, signed Michael Lok.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/29/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/29/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033846600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FULLER SAFETY,182 Flood Ave.,SF,CA 94131.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Barbara Ann Fuller.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/27/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033802000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ASPIRE CONSULTING,1032 Irving St.,#312,SF,CA 94122.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Tom Hehir.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/09/96. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/06/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033849200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as REAL VOCAL STRING QUARTET, 1336 Carleton St.,Berkeley,CA 94702.This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Alisa Rose.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/28/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/28/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033822200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as VIBRANT REIKI,399 Arguello Blvd., SF,CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Anna Dorian.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/06. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033857600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SECURE WEALTH,960 Baker St.,#3,SF,CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Jason Walker.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/03/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/03/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033844100
statement file A-033859000
statement file A-033859400
The following person(s) is/are doing business as PAPI CHULO SALSA,999 Wisconsin St., #10, SF, CA 94107.This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Eleanore A, Biggs.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/03/11.
The following person(s) is/are doing business as SHABU HOUSE,2608 Ocean Ave.,SF,CA 94132. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Louis Chang-Lo.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/03/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011 notice of petition to administer estate of : margaret rose marano Case Number: pes-11-295041 superior court of california county of san francisco 400 Mcallister, sf, ca 94102 petitioner: RUBY ALTAMIRANO
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033869400
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both of MARGARET ROSE MARANO A petition for probate has been filed by RUBY ALTAMIRANO in the Superior Court of California, San Francisco County. The petition for probate requests that RUBY ALTAMIRANO 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: October 24, 2011, 9:00 am Probate Department, RM 204, 400 McAllister Street, 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 a contingent creditor of the decendent, you must file with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code scetion 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above. 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 the petitioner:
CATHERINE A.TULLNER-SBN 253154,799 Castro Street,San Francisco, Ca 94114. 415-294-0829
oct.6,13,20,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548095 In the matter of the application of KAREN YUNGHWA BENE for change of name. The application of KAREN YUNG-HWA BENE for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that KAREN YUNG-HWA BENE filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to KAREN YUNG-HWA CHI BENE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 1st of December, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548053 In the matter of the application of ARDATH ALEXANDRIA JUDD for change of name and gender. The application of ARDATH ALEXANDRIA JUDD for change of name and gender having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that ARDATH ALEXANDRIA JUDD filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to ARI ALEXANDER ZADEL and his/ her gender be changed from female to male. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 17th of November, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033851000
The following person(s) is/are doing business as CITY KIDS DAY SCHOOL,1424 Vallejo St.,SF,CA 94109.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Lisa Baisman.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/27/11.
The following person(s) is/are doing business as BASHFORD AND DALE,1019 Church St.,SF,CA 94114.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Sarah Bashford.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/29/07. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/29/11.
oct.6,13,20,27,2011
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011
The
The following person(s) is/are doing business as PIG AND PIE,2962 24TH St.,SF,CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, signed Miles Pickering.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/06/11.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033866000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GUERRERO HILL MARKET,3398 22nd St.,SF,CA 94110.This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Chris Rantisi.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/05/11.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033863400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DAMON DOGG STUDIOS,20 Navajo Ave., SF,CA 94112.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Kacy French.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/04/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/04/11.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033866600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GIOVANNI’S PIZZA BISTRO,3839 Mission St., SF,CA 94110.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Eddy Sosa.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/06/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/05/11.
oct.13,20,27,2011 statement file A-033854000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as TRANSWAY,524 Union St., SF,CA 94133.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Vitaly Danekin.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/29/11.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033874000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as INDO BALI,343 Kearny St., SF,CA 94108. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, signed Vena Shotiveyaratana.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/11/11.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name: #A-0331087-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as GIOVANNI’S PIZZA BISTRO,3839 Mission St.,San Francisco, CA 94110.This business was conducted by a limited liability company, signed Maricela Perez. The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/27/10.
oct.13,20,27,nov 3,2011 statement file A-033905700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SO GOOD BAKING COMPANY,1078 Howard St.,#303, SF,CA 94103.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Leo D. Sheridan.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/24/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/24/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033886100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as QUINTEROS RESTAURANT MEXICAN FOOD, 393 Eddy St.,SF,CA 94102.This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Hermelinda Jaime.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/17/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/17/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033894600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CREATIVE B’STRO, 2325 Third St.,SF,CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Jill Bendziewicz.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 1/02/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/19/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033910100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as STROGANOFF RESTAURANT, 418 Beach St.,SF,CA 94133.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Alex Rabinovich.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/25/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/25/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011
nOTICE OF APPLICATIoN to sell AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGEs Dated 10/20/11 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are : PTE RESTAURANT INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1325 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122-2308. Type of license applied
41- On-sale beer and wineeating place Oct. 27,Nov.3,10,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548156 In the matter of the application of JOANNE MARGARET RISBERG for change of name. The application of JOANNE MARGARET RISBERG for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that JOANNE MARGARET RISBERG filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to JOANNE MARGARET WELSH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 1st of December, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548062 In the matter of the application of JENNIFER LAUREN ALESIO for change of name. The application of JENNIFER LAUREN ALESIO for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that JENNIFER LAUREN ALESIO filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to JENNIFER LAUREN ALESIO MALONEY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 17th of November, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548061 In the matter of the application of CAITLIN ANNE MALONEY for change of name. The application of CAITLIN ANNE MALONEY for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that CAITLIN ANNE MALONEY filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to CAITLIN ANNE ALESIO MALONEY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 17th of November, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-548167
In the matter of the application of PEDALIN NIKKIE SORIA for change of name. The application of PEDALIN NIKKIE SORIA for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that PEDALIN NIKKIE SORIA filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to SUNSET SORIA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 15th of December, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 statement file A-033867900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as BRAINCHILD CREATIVE,2001 California St., #103,SF,CA 94109.This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Deborah Loeb.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/22/01. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/06/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 statement file A-033852600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MOON GALLERY,1057 Howard St., SF,CA 94103.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Errol Matricia.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/29/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/29/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 statement file A-033880000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DULCE MARTIN, 50 Laguna St.,#608, SF,CA 94102.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Martin Fernandez.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/13/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 statement file A-033837600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as WAYFARER GENERAL,1552 Guerrero St., #4,SF,CA 94110.This business is conducted by an individual, signed Cassandra M.Anderson. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/22/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/22/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011
statement file A-033878800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ONE DOLLAR ONLY,4550 Mission St., SF,CA 94112.This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Hameed Aziz.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/12/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/12/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 statement file A-033884500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SEXYCLUBWEAR4ME.COM, 1247 Exposition Drive, St., #F,SF,CA 94130. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Asiana Chau Nguyen.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/14/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/14/11.
oct.20,27,Nov 3,10,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name: #A-0319415-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as CREATIVE B’STRO, 2325 Third St.,Ste 414,San Francisco, CA 94107.This business was conducted by an individual, signed Jill Bendziewicz. The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/22/09
oct.27,nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033894400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as YOSEMITE PROPERTIES,100 Winston Drive, SF,CA 94132.This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Warren Anderson. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/17/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/19/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033894100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as AZUCAR LOUNGE,299 Ninth St.,SF,CA 94103.This business is conducted by a limited liability company, signed Jonathan Ojinaga.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/30/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/19/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033865800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as NEW INCENTIVES, 625 Bush St.,Apt. 420,SF,CA 94108.This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Svetha Janumpalli.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/05/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/05/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033898200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FIRST CUT,813 Clay St.,SF,CA 94108.This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Dong Mei Li.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/20/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/20/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033891700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as RMB TRANSPORT,4430 Balboa St., SF,CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Robert M. Babick.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 1/15/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/18/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011 statement file A-033888300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE,155 Clifford Terrace , SF,CA 94117.This business is conducted by a corporations, signed Steven C.Jones.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/13/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/17/11.
oct.27,Nov 3,10,17,2011
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Vol. 41 • No. 43 • October 27-November 2, 2011
Baubles, bangles &beads
ndor of India’s ‘Maharaja: The SpeleAsian Art Museum Royal Courts’ at th
• by Sura Wood •
Procession of Ram Sing II of Kota and his son at Kota, about 1850, opaque watercolor on paper. V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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ust when belt-tightening has reached its apex and austerity threatens to be a longterm prospect rather than a temporary condition, here comes Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts, a glittering new show at the Asian Art Museum, where the overwhelming number of the exquisite 200 objects on display are gold, bejeweled or both. Outside of a high-end jewelry store, it’s difficult to imagine where one could see such a profusion of rubies, emeralds, sapphires,
diamonds and gold assembled in one place. The craftsmanship and opulence of the exhibition’s artworks represent the transcendental wealth and absolute power of India’s rajas, who ruled from the 1700s to the mid-20th century. Unashamed of conspicuous consumption, they prized beauty in all things, and surrounded themselves with aesthetic pleasures, ubiquitous in this extraordinary show. A red velvet game-board has pieces inlaid with gems; even an implement for
controlling elephants is made of sapphires and gold, and why not? Bling is good, as are royal pastimes of polo, hunting and elephant-riding during elaborate spectacles at the palaces. It’s a vicarious thrill to enter the lives of those the ancients revered as “kings above kings.” That reverence is expressed in the first object visitors see in the galleries, an unusually large, iconic portrait of Amar Singh II of Mewar (1700-50), a celestial vision of an ideal king, well-appointed and clasping the embellished
hilt of his sword, his head framed by a golden halo. Evidently, when you’re this close to the gods, you’re entitled to the best the material world has to offer. In photographic portraits of the maharajas in full regalia displayed here and taken by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton among others, the rulers are so laden with heavy jewels, ornate turban ornaments and splendid necklaces loaded with precious stones, it’s amazing they could sit or See page 26 >>
Chills & thrills: Halloween DVDs ~ by David-Elijah Nahmod ~ Island of Lost Souls (1933), Criterion Collection (71 min., b&w)
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harles Laughton (18991962) was one of the great actors from the first half of the 20th century. He lived his entire life in the closet. He was married for many years to actress Elsa Lanchester. Reportedly it was a happy union in spite of the actor’s sexuality. The two were close friends, and their lives were dedicated to their craft. After Laughton’s death from cancer, Lanchester was somewhat open about her husband’s sexual proclivities, and showed no bitterness or resentment. In our time they might have been best friends, and Laughton might have been able to come out. According to an interview with openly gay
horror film historian David J. Skal, Laughton lived his entire life in fear of being outed. Skal’s interview is included on Criterion Collection’s long-awaited DVD and Blu-Ray release of the pre-code horror classic Island of Lost Souls. Based on H.G. Wells’ 1896 novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, Lost Souls no doubt shocked 1930s audiences. As played by Laughton, Moreau is one of the more insane mad scientists in cinema history. Ensconced on a remote South Seas island, he’s conducting experiments in evolution. His butler, a bizarrelooking man if ever we saw one, is revealed to having once been a dog. “Are we not men?” cries the Sayer of the Law (Bela Lugosi) in the nearby village, which is entirely populated by Moreau’s experiments. They live in terror of the “House of Pain,” where
{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }
Moreau slices and dices his subjects without anesthesia, in shocking acts of vivisection disturbingly similar to those performed by Dr. Joseph Mengele in Hitler’s camps a few short years later. As the poor creatures cry out in agony, Moreau’s eyes light up with delight. Island of Lost Souls is strong stuff. Although no graphic cutting is shown, it is still not for the fainthearted. Laughton’s performance is magnificently over-the-top. At times his Moreau comes across as gay – in one scene, he hops on a table and crosses his legs provocatively as he taunts the horrified Edward Parker (Richard Arlen), a shipwrecked sailor who can barely believe what he’s stumbled upon. Sometimes effeminate in his role, it’s hard to tell if Laughton meant for Moreau to be perceived as gay, or if these See page 32 >>
<< Out There
22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
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Indian inked, organ master & others by Roberto Friedman
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ebar.com
ebar.com
he new YBCA exhibition The Matter Within: New Contemporary Art of India spotlights photography, sculpture and video created by artists from India, living there or abroad. According to The Matter Within’s curator, YBCA director of visual arts Betti-Sue Hertz, the show was planned to coincide with the Maharaja exhibition that opened last week at the Asian Art Museum, As in most group exhibits, the art on display is a mixed bag of tricks, which you will have to encounter on your own terms. Some work includes gay content, such as a suite of photographs by artist Sunil Gupta, based in London and New Delhi, who portrays gay fantasy and reality in the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the subcontinent. His series of staged photographs is set in what appears to be a bathhouse, and presents a narrative of burgeoning man-onman romance. Art photographer Tejal Shah, from Mumbai, offers portraits that explore alternative gender and sexual identities, such as the accompanying photo from her Women Like Us series. The opening-night party earlier this month was a vibrant affair, including performances and dancing lessons from the Non Stop Bhangra crew, whose infectious musical set induced our man Pepi and a roomful of others to get up and shake their groove thangs. The show remains up through Jan. 29, 2012, at YBCA in SF; find out more at www.ybca.org. More music: the outspoken, bisexual, fashion-centric musician Cameron Carpenter is heading back to the Bay Area on Oct. 30 to play the great Ruffatti organ at Davies Symphony Hall. He’ll showcase the results of his forays into expanding the organ’s repertoire with music from film, animé and popular culture as he performs his original score to the 1925 silent film Phantom of the Opera, accompanying a live screening of the classic horror film. Sounds boo-perfect for Halloween weekend. Of Carpenter’s last Davies Hall appearance in 2010, music scribe Allan Ulrich wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, “No other musician of Carpenter’s generation has more adeptly fused shrewd
Courtesy the artist and Project 88 Mumbai
Photograph by Tejal Shah, from her Women Like Us series.
showmanship, dazzling technique and profound thinking about his instrument and his place in the musical cosmos.” For tix, go to www. sfsymphony.org.
Alpha mules From the Department of “Why do they have to broadcast their sexual orientation all the time?” we present the clueless press release of the week, to wit: “Subject: Maximus Cruz Launches STRAIGHT®, the Original, Official Premium Brand of the Straight Guy. “William Eric Rec, the founder of Maximus Cruz, saw many brands created and marketed exclusively and directly to the gay community. After some research it became apparent to William Eric, a straight designer, that not one designer on the planet had the stones to create a brand exclusively for the straight community – until now.” (Really? As if 99% of all marketing is not intended for the straight community?) “Finally, there is a men’s clothing brand that supports those who support the straight lifestyle: STRAIGHT®. Maximus Cruz is a leading premium lifestyle brand that delivers superior quality and styling for the straight, hyper-masculine alpha male.” (They forgot to add “insecure.”) From the Department of Way Too Much Information: In this New York Times review of Rosie O’ Donnell’s new talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, we find this extreme example of the dreaded TMI: “Ms. O’Donnell always makes a lot of Spanx jokes, but even she seemed a little taken aback by the singer Gloria Estefen, who confided that she wears Spanx with a crotch opening, and thus doesn’t need to use paper seat covers in public toilets.” Um, thanks for the visual image. Now make it go away.
San Francisco treats Out There’s perambulations around town last week included two separate passes through the VIP party at the W San Francisco hotel during its unveiling of newly renovated spaces including the Living Room Bar and Upstairs Bar, and the launch of its signature restaurant Trace. The transformation, created by SFbased interior designer and architect Stanley Saitowitz, includes a large three-dimensional map installation above the Welcome Desk (a.k.a.
check-in), a topographical rendering of San Francisco at night, with streets and landmark buildings outlined in patterns of light. It’s pretty SF cool. After more than 11 years and 40 different theatrical productions, Teatro ZinZanni will offer its final performance in its antique Spiegeltent on New Year’s Eve 2011. Teatro’s current perch on Pier 29 is scheduled to become a part of the playing grounds for the rich in the upcoming America’s Cup, so TZ is currently working with City Hall to locate a new permanent home. OT attended press night for On the Air, the final TZ production on Pier 29, starring Bay Area icon Geoff Hoyle and blues singer Duffy Bishop (through Dec. 31). The show’s storyline involves the struggle to keep a local radio station on the air, echoing TZ’s own challenge to remain in SF. It made us hope that the dazzling theatre company finds its footing at a new waterfront locale once the yachting party packs up its expensive toys and goes home. Meanwhile, Teatro tix are still available at love.zinzanni.org.
Fashion forward Going beyond Lady Gaga and her famous meat dress, we found a few bizarre fashion stories trumpeted in the new edition of a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! tome called Strikingly True. Phone Dress: “A London fashion company has introduced the M-Dress, a little black dress that also serves as a mobile phone. The dress, which has a tiny antenna in its hem, allows wearers to make and receive calls by putting their SIM card under the label. To take a call, they raise their hand to their ear; to end it, they let it fall to their side.” Poo Shoes: “British artist INSA created a pair of 10-in.-high stiletto shoes with platforms made from elephant dung. He sourced the waste from the same family of elephants that provided the material for a famous series of elephant-dung collage paintings by Turner Prize-winning British artist Chris Ofili in the 1990s.” Tasty Shoes: “Israeli designer Koby Levi has crafted shoes in the shapes of bananas, cats, shopping baskets, dogs, rocking chairs, and one pair with a pink stiletto heel that makes it look as though the wearer has stepped in a piece of chewing gum.” But that’s tame compared to what we’re likely to step into on the fabled streets of SF.▼
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Read more online at www.ebar.com
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23
Theatre >>
Tricky Dicky by Richard Dodds
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hank you, Kevin Spacey. Any filaments of the dream my teenage self once had of being an actor were finally severed after seeing Spacey in Richard III. It’s not that the scope of his performance went beyond whatever talents I selfperceived – though surely they do – but rather the bloody hard work that Spacey puts into his interpretation of Shakespeare’s best villain. Who the hell wants to go through that eight times a week? I had imagined making every entrance sliding down a banister with a bugle like Angela Lansbury at the opening of Mame. The Spacey kind of sweat equity was never in my playbook. Teasing us with sarcasm, smug asides, and comic double takes, Spacey tempers the character’s evil deeds, and with a slick charm, he manages to admit to crimes while gaining sympathy from those left without husbands or friends. Spacey may at times reach too deeply into
the bag of sitcom shtick – a Groucho impersonation, for example – to grab some of these laughs, but it all adds up to a character with simmering contempt for the human species amplified by his own self-loathing for his misshapen body. He will be bad, he says, until he is best. Amidst the quips, asides, and eyerolling, Spacey’s Richard can explode in fearsome fury and then easily suggest in casual tones that it’s time to prepare to have his queen eliminated to make way for a bride of better political connections. He could just as easily be fussing with a loose button as he plots a series of executions. The intermission comes about twothirds into the three-and-a-half-hour production at the Curran Theatre, and then comes the explosion of acting power that can push you into the back of your seat with its g-force. Thrashing madly about the stage as his last stand crumbles on Bosworth Field, declaiming his lines in a brutal roar, while sadly realizing the utter failure of all the choices he has ever
Manuel Harland
Kevin Spacey plays the newly crowned king who finds no allegiance from Haydn Gwynne’s Queen Elizabeth in the Bridge Project’s production of Shakespeare’s Richard III now at the Curran Theatre.
made, Spacey becomes a Richard III for the ages. This, however, doesn’t leave much room for bravura work from other sources, and when Spacey leaves the stage, director Sam Mendes’ clear, efficient, and often-playful production can drag. This is the final collaboration of the Bridge Project, which involves three companies on both sides of the Atlantic, including London’s Old Vic, where Spacey is artistic director, and which employs a crossbreeding of British and American actors. There is fleeting disappointment
Music >>
Sacred & profane by Philip Campbell
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he immense Verdi Requiem of 1875 brought guest conductor James Conlon’s recent fortnight at Davies Symphony Hall to an electrifying and substantial close. He last conducted the work with the San Francisco Symphony and SFS Chorus a mere five years ago in a memorably fine performance, but his masterful interpretation of the score has since matured to a point of exquisite
sophistication. There are some pieces of music that follow us throughout our lives, and if we were lucky enough to hear them first in a performance that gave a sense of their greatness, every new encounter becomes an event. It can also raise expectations and even invite unfair comparisons, but that is part of their importance. A masterpiece can take the scrutiny, good, bad or indifferent. Conlon’s latest re-creation was
Courtesy Ravinia Festival
Guest conductor James Conlon.
when several supporting players don’t rise to the level of excellence established early on, but among those who have the stage presence and specificity of character to occasionally pull the spotlight are Haydn Gwynne as King Edward IV’s regal widow Elizabeth, whose hatred of the usurping Richard runs deep, and Gemma Jones as the mad Margaret, the soothsaying widow of Henry VI. As Richard’s loyal lieutenant Buckingham, Chuk Iwuji becomes a polished manipulator with a spiel and a toothy smile just made for photo ops.
blessed (no pun intended) by a quartet of good (and in two cases, superb) soloists, a well-drilled Chorus (Ragnar Bohlin, director) and an orchestra that responded to his leadership sympathetically, playing with weight, sweetness and intensity. It took an agnostic opera composer to put a palpable sense of terror into a religious text, dragging the Dies irae (Day of Wrath) from the cathedral to the concert hall. If some of the composer’s settings are unashamedly theatrical, we understand his motives, and the bulk of the work is both deeply spiritual and warmly human. Conductor and pianist Hans von Bülow called it “Verdi’s latest opera, in church vestments,” but the Requiem
Mendes has set the production in a vaguely 1930s England, a fact more established in Catherine Zuber’s costumes than in Tom Piper’s simple but effective set constructed of shopworn doors. Unlike Ian McKellan’s 1930s-set Richard III, which used its setting to draw on Nazi parallels, Mendes doesn’t try to squeeze out contemporary relevance beyond what endures in the script. But make no mistake. This is first and foremost a Kevin Spacey vehicle from top to bottom, side to side, and even on the diagonal. His presence is designed with considerable calculation to upstage any other character who may be sharing a scene. Not to give away the final image, but even in death, Spacey’s Richard draws more attention than the heroic Richmond’s victory speech. “Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace, with smiling plenty and fair prosperous days,” says Richmond, which become platitudes of convenience as the corpse of Spacey’s defeated king still has the power to pierce the hypocrisy.▼ Richard III will run at the Curran Theatre through Oct. 29. Tickets are $35-$175. Call (888) SHN-1799 or go to www.shnsf.com.
is actually a hybrid of the sacred and profane. The composer may have been a doubter, but he was not a naysayer. He also believed in the ultimate mystery of death and final judgment. Tenor Frank Lopardo returned from the 2006 Conlon interpretation to repeat his arduous role. He is in the autumn of a fine career, but his voice remains sweet and pure. There were moments late in the evening when his constant use of head voice became trying and he did sound tired. He still finished strong. Returning to the SFS after his debut in Beethoven’s Missas solemnis, Estonian bass Ain Anger started a See page 31 >>
<< Film
24 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
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Toxic paper boys by David Lamble
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argin Call is a disturbing drama about the recent collapse of values in our bedrock financial institutions, a film Occupy Wall St.’s growing army should see without delay. In its opening moments, stock analyst Eric Dale is tossed from his
cubicle. Before smashing his nowdisabled company phone on a Sixth Ave. sidewalk, Dale (resignation and barely suppressed rage from reliable Stanley Tucci) whispers to a bright young aide, Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto), that there’s something on his office PC that requires immediate attention. Sullivan, an engineering
school prodigy who’s slumming at the Firm because the money for recent grads is unbelievable, discovers that the Firm is teetering on the brink of a total meltdown. His report to the Big Boss, John Tuld (genial if totally menacing Jeremy Irons), feels lifted straight out of Paddy Chayefsky. “Speak as if you were addressing a small child or a golden retriever.” “The potential losses are greater than the total value of the company.” The only clunky part of J.C. Chandor’s satire is its pedestrian title. The film quickly cuts to the chase of what’s at stake for this Wall St. colossus, possibly a fictionalized Lehman Brothers. It’s a carefully constructed dramatic X-ray of the sudden implosion of a piranha-like brokerage outfit. Like other great films detailing how absolute power is exercised in capitalism (Executive Suite, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Apartment), Margin Call has its own coded language: no one actually names the “toxic” assets the Firm’s traders will projectile vomit out into the marketplace, at a velocity that will catch customers and competitors off-guard and prevent the Feds from minimizing damage to innocent bystanders. The movie gets under our skin by allowing voyeuristic access, and by suggesting that we’re all somehow complicit in these crimes. All this is transmitted through harangues, soliloquies, and mea culpas among frightened employees, some of whom are meeting their real boss for the first time. The velvet-throated Tuld arrives stealthily in the middle of the night in a Blackhawk-like company chopper. Tuld coldly informs his minions that not only must they sell ruinously bad paper, causing other firms to default, but some will need to walk the plank and take public responsibility for the Firm’s crimes, for which they will be richly rewarded. Unlike Charles Ferguson’s excoriating financial-meltdown doc Inside Job,
Zachary Quinto in J.C. Chandor’s Margin Call, now in theaters.
Margin Call subversively humanizes its stock-trading pirates, allowing us to feel their pain and momentarily value it above our own. The long night of the soul experienced by Sam Rogers – normally a ruthless trading-room floor boss, presently spending $1,000 a day to keep alive a pooch with a malignant tumor – is the film’s emotional Waterloo. Tuld, “the golden retriever,” desperately needs Rogers’ skills at rallying the 20something boy-wonder traders to push the garbage out the door before the smell alerts other dogs on the Street. Here, Kevin Spacey improves on his patented cynical everyman (his turns for Mamet in Glengarry Glen Ross, for Alan Ball in American Beauty), drawing on his hero Jack Lemmon’s luster as the last American Mensch to deliver a reformed cynic’s last gasp at some tattered integrity. Margin Call derives real power from the epiphanies of its boy wonders, the youthful, ambitious little shits who do the dirty work of sweet-talking friends and acquaintances around the Street into swallowing toxic paper. A babyfaced trader is seen sobbing in the
men’s room at the prospect of losing his purchase on the Street’s sweet life. Earlier, Seth (shaggy-haired Penn Badgley) confesses his lust for the bucks to two fellow-trader drinking buddies. One of them, an impetuous Brit, mimes the act of jumping off their 50-story perch, a moment of vertigo that Chandor’s cameras capture with a unsettling jolt. “I’m 23. Last year, I made $250,000 just for pushing numbers around, something a glorified crack addict could do.” Seth turns to the fiery Brit, Will (Paul Bettany), with a mix of fear and envy. “Is it true you made 2.5 million last year? Where does it go?” “The Feds take half right off the top; there’s 350 for the condo, 75 for restaurants, 50 for clothes, 175 for my folks, 125 for the car, 75 for hookers, dancers, booze. Holy shit, I could write that off as entertainment!” “That leaves 400,000 unaccounted for.” “That’s for a rainy day, and it looks like it’s about to pour.” Later, a broken man will bury a dog with more feeling than his accomplices have mustered for burying a whole economy.▼
Read more online at www.ebar.com
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 25
<< Fine Art
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V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
26 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
Turban ornament, 1730-55, gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphire, pearl.
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Maharaja
From page 21
stand up. An emerald ring carved with the royal seal belonging to Ram Singh II of Amber, a square emerald chunk as big as a doorstop and the luminous green of the Indian Ocean, and a ceremonial gold belt with enormous cut and polished diamonds are just a few of the magnificent specimens on exhibit that once belonged to the rajas. Beauty and grandeur weren’t limited to jewels. There were ceremonial costumes and weaponry
brought to teeming life in exquisite paintings done in watercolors whose pigments were made from ground lapis and gold. They chronicle processions with rajas atop lavishly adorned pachyderms and flanked by a retinue of courtiers, performers and followers participating in festivities. If traveling by elephant was too cumbersome, rajas toured in style inside silver horse-drawn carriages like the gilded “landau” vehicle owned by Maharaja Bhavsinhji II, ruler of Bhavnagar, which is decorated with delicate enamel birds, flowers,
“Beauty and grandeur weren’t limited to jewels. There were ceremonial costumes and weaponry too gorgeous to fire.” too gorgeous to fire, such as guns detailed in gold and decorated with incongruous pink enamel flowers or forged from rosewood with rich patina and intricate gold trim. Suffice it to say, the Asian has once again hit it out of the park. Exotic and beautifully showcased, this voyage into untold luxury is also informative in terms of its historical underpinnings and the background provided for many of the uniformly high-quality objects. Set against a backdrop of historical events and turbulent politics during a period of seismic change spanning Great Britain’s rise as a global power through the region’s independence from colonial rule in 1947, Maharaja follows two thematic arcs: the religious and secular duties of India’s rulers, who hailed from separate and competing fiefdoms; and the worlds of the maharajas themselves as they evolved from autonomous leaders to “native princes” under British control after 1858. Although for many, India is either frozen in a distant mythical past envisioned by production designers – think Masterpiece Theater’s Jewel in the Crown and David Lean epics – or known for spawning Bollywood extravaganzas and outsourcing, the exhibition addresses the 1800s and 1900s, a colorful if less familiar era. The pageantry of the court is
butterflies and Art Nouveau motifs. Rulers sat on red velvet cushions on the floor, or crossed-legged in golden thrones, while an attendant stood holding peacock feathers in the shape of a quiver (peacocks were a symbol of royalty). A red canopy overhead, which represented divine sanction, provided protection, and an exquisitely painted, peacockshaped stringed instrument, carved out of wood, was a source of musical accompaniment. Fast-forward to the 20th century, where the modern, forward-thinking patron of the arts Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore outfitted his residence with the latest technology and works by avant-garde European designers such as Le Corbusier. He relaxed in a red vinyl library chair with built-in headlamps, like one seen here from German architect Eckart Muthesius, who also designed the raja’s modernist palace, and conducted business at Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann’s macassar ebony, glass and chrome desk that sweeps around in a half-moon configuration. Seated in a sheepskin chair at his dressing table and gazing at his reflection in a three-way “Psyche” mirror, he must have thought to himself: “Ah, it’s good to be king.”▼ Through April 8. www.asianart.org
Read more online at www.ebar.com
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27
<< Out&About
28 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
Halloween: The Ballad of Michele Myers @ CounterPulse
Mountain View Cemetery
Raya Light and Todd Pickering’s drag musical parody of slasher movies, with a hint of Heathers and a dash of The Facts of Life, includes a cast of local luminous talents. $15-$20. 8pm. Thru Oct. 30. 1310 Mission St. at 9th. (800) 350-8850. www.counterpulse.org
Kevin Smith’s Halloween Extravaganza @ Castro Theatre 7pm Jay & Silent Bob Get Old, and at 9:30pm, the horror parody of rightwing politics, Red State. Live Q&A w/ the director after screening. Costumes encouraged. $55. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.smodcast. com/castro www.castrotheatre.com
Ofrenda by Jim Provenzano
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n Mexico, an “ofrenda” is an offering, a gift, at this time of year, to the dead, on Día de los Muertos. Halloween, originally a Celtic ritual, is about more than grabbing a bagged Slutty Nurse costume and smearing on lipstick, kids. It’s about the planetary shifts, about spirits and harvest and pre-Christian spooky stuff nobody seems to care about anymore. Oh, well. I offered it up. Get your silly costumes out, and in some cases, enjoy unusual cultural (even cycling) events, all with a nod to the holidays, and/or the impending zombie apocalypse. Here are a few highlights. For more nightclubbery, go to BARtab at www.BARtabSF.com
Thursday, Oct. 27>>
Friday, Oct. 28 >>
Unmasked @ the Green Room
Club Dragon @ Club Eight
The GLBT Historical Society’s annual masked gala includes food, drinks, wonderful people and a fabulous view. $60-$100 and up. 6pm9pm. War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Ave. 777-5455. www.unmaskedgala.org
Weekly Asian gay dance club with frequent themed nights goes Halloweeny, with cash prizes in the costume contest, and DJs PK and Kevin Lee. . 1151 Folsom St. at 7th. 431-1151. www.clubdragonsf.com
Zombie Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences
Fear Over Frisco @ Hypnodrome Theatre
Peaches Christ hosts a night of the living dead at the fascinating museum, with a dead drag queen revue, zombie costume contest and zombie prom dance. $10-$12; $59 VIP with tour. 6pm-11pm. 21+. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.peacheschrist.com www.calacademy.org
Thrillpeddlers’ new trio of Noir-Horror one-act plays, penned by “Czar of Noir” Eddie Muller offers a thrill. Prepare to be shockingly entertained. $25-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 19. 575 10th St. at Division/Bryant. 377-4202. www.thrillpeddlers.com
Fri 28 >>
AstroZombies @ El Rio Misfits tribute band performs. Sean Smith and 3 Leafs (psychedelic rock covers) also perform. $7. 9pm. 21+. 3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.elriosf.com
Building Our Own White Picket Fences @ Michelle O’Connor Gallery Interactive exhibit-performance by artists Midori, Monica Canilao, Harrison Bartlett and others, exploring remaking family traditions from a queer perspective. 7:30pm. 2111 Mission St. www.bluestudio-sf.com
Cirque du Soleil @ AT&T Park The Montreal circus spectacular returns with Totem, a visually striking exploration of human evolution, from amphibians to those who seek to fly. Look for the big tents across the bridge and east of the AT&T Park. $55-$360. Thru Dec. 11. (800) 450-1480. www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem
Desdemona @ Boxcar Theatre A play about a handkerchief, Paula Vogel’s comic romp plays on the backstage drama of three women in Shakespeare’s Othello. $15-$35. Mon-Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Nov 5. 505 Natoma St. www.boxcartheatre.org
Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Midnight Sun A toast! To Rocky! Screening of the classic camp musical film. Do the Time Warp, prizes for best costumes, with performances, too. No cover. Movie 11pm. 4067 18th St. www.midnightsunsf.com
SF Hiking Club @ Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland Enjoy a three-mile walk with LGBT hikers through the beautiful scenic and only slightly spooky cemetery, with mausoleums and graves of the rich, famous and dead. Meet at the Piedmon St. entrance at 6pm. www.sfhiking.com
Trick or Treat @ Castro Country Club The Laybelline Show goes Halloweeny at the sober LGBT space. Wear costumes, please! $5. 11pm. 4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org
Saturday, Oct. 29 >> Duro @ Club Eight
It’s a Party Monster night, so come as your favorite 80s NYC club kid, or other creature of the night. DJs Micha Skye and Joseph Lee. Gogo guys, drag acts and fun. $5-$10. 9pm3am. 1151 Folsom st. www.eightsf.com
Go Boo! @ Deco Lounge
with a retro super disco sound set by DJs Glenn Rivera, Mattski, Emils, and residents Sergio, and Steve Fabus. Retro costumes everso welcome. $5. 9pm-3am. 510 Larkin St. at Turk. www.decosf.com www.gobangsf.com
Halloween Freakout @ Café du Nord Planet Booty headlines a groovy live music night, with Hot Tub DJs, Easy Street, and The Glowing Stars. Dance-able costumes encouraged. $12. 8:30pm-1:30am. 2170 Market St. www.cafedunord.com
HipHop Halloween @ Bench and Bar, Oakland Club Rimshot’s spooky sexy night, with $1000 cash prize costume contest. $15. 9pm-4am. 21+. 510 17th St. (510) 444-2266. www.clubrimshot.com www.benchandbar.com
Hollywood Heroes & Villians @ RF80 GLAAD’s 25th anniversary party promises to be the most superheroic and elegant party of the Halloween season, with complimentary wine, beer, vodka cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, DJ Christopher B, and host Donna Sachet and a costume contest. $30-$40. 7pm-12am. Robert Fountain Studio, 80 Missouri St. www.glaad.org
Masquerade @ Shine BibiSF’s Halloween party welcomes Middle Eastern LGBTQs and their friends. Enjoy great dancebeats with a Persian flair from DJs Raffy and Mona G. Hawd. Costume contest with prizes. $10. 9pm-2am. 1337 Mission St. at 10th. www.bibisf.org
Red Carpet Runway Massacre @ Jones Juanita More’s fashion-freaky Halloween party with a murderous red carpet, hosted bar and nibbly things. $35-$40. 9pm-2am. 620 Jones St. www.juanitamore.com www.620-jones.com
Trannyshack @ DNA Lounge Heklina and Peaches Christ host the dragtastic Halloween edition of the famed show, with special surprise rock star guest judge with a big …talent. $20-$25. 11pm show. 9pm-3am. 375 11th Street. 626-1049. www.trannyshack.com www.dnalounge.com
The Go Bang guys and gals go Halloween all the way,
The Desdemona Project @ Zellerbach Playhouse,
Making Porn @ Box Car Theatre
Richard III @ Curran Theatre
Cal Performances presents a collaborative theatre written by acclaimed writer Toni Morrison, singer-composer Rokia Traoré and director Peter Sellars. $100. 8pm. Thru Oct 29. UC Berkeley campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org
Ronnie Larsen returns with a new production of his popular play about, well, making porn, starring muscle stud Matthew Rush, with guaranteed male nudity; adults only! $25-$50. Thu 8pm. Fri & Sat 7pm & 10pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Oct. 29. 125A Hyde St. www.ronnielarsen.com
Sam Mendes directed this eye-catching touring production, and Kevin Spacey stars in the title role of the Shakespeare play about a corrupt king. $35-$150. Wed-Fri 7:30pm. Sat 2pm & 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Oct. 29. 445 Geary St. www.shnsf.com
Doubt: A Parable @ Live Oak Theatre
Marga Gomez @ The Marsh
Sticky Time @ Brava Theater
John Patrick Shanley’s award-winning play about faith and the search for truth gets a local production by Actors Ensemble. $12$15. Fri & Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 19. Shattuck St. at Berryman, North Berkeley. www.aeofberkeley.org
Hair @ Golden Gate Theatre Touring company of the Broadway revival of the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. $31-$95. Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Nov. 20. 1 Golden Gate St. at Market. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com
Life Gone Viral @ The Marsh Charlie Varon and Jeri Lynn Cohen perform and co-wrote (with director David Ford) this comic show about the hazards of Internet exhibitionism. $20-$50. Thu 8pm. Sat 8:30pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Dec. 4. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org
Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, Fri.
Veteran lesbian comic performs Not Getting Any Younger, a new solo show about her ‘coming of middle age.’ $15-$50. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 8:30pm. Sun 3pm. Extended thru Dec 17. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org
Night Falls @ ODC Theater Choreographer Deborah Slater and writer Julie Hébert’s theatre-dance work about the dream states of an older woman questioning her life’s accomplishments. $17-$20. 8pm. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Oct. 30. 3153 17th St. 863-9834. www.odctheater.org
Pelleas & Melisande @ Exit Theatre Cutting Ball Theater company’s production of French symbolist Maurice Maeterlinck’s drama about forbidden love between straight in-law royals. $10-$50. Thu 7:30pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 2pm, Sun 5pm. Thru Nov 27. 277 Taylor St. (800) 8383006. www.cuttingball.com
Queer Open Mic @ Modern Times Bookstore Baruch Porras-Hernandez host the open mic reading event, with special guest Daphne Gottleib. Free. 7:30-9pm. 2919 24th St. www.mtbs.com
Race @ A.C.T. David Mamet’s scathing courtroom comedy about a white man accused of assaulting a black woman. Special events include LGBT “Night Out” after-party Nov. 2. $10-$82. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Nov. 13. American Conservatory Theatre, 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org
Crowded Fire Theatre’s prodcution of Marilee Talkington’s multimedia scifiinspired woman’s journey through time. 255-7846. $10-$30. Thru Nov. 18. 2781 24th St. www.brava.org
The Understudies @ The Garage Jeff Bedillion’s darkly comic take on Genet’s The Maids ; two understudies plot to kill the actress whose role they want. $10-$20. 8pm. Also Oct 22 & 23. 975 Howard St. www.975howard.com
Sat 29 >>
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True Blood Halloween @ Harry Denton’s Starlight Room DJ Page Hodel spins old school classics, Sunday’s a Drag queens perform, and you enjoy a fabulous view of Bon Temps, er, San Francisco. $500 cash prize for best True Blood-themed costume. $20. 8:30pm-2am. Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 21st floor, 450 Powell St. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com
Sunday, Oct. 30 >> Bike Tour @ Colma Cemeteries
See the deadest town in the Bay, on a scenic tour of the South Bay’s popular graveyards. Meet at BART station. $15-$50. 12pm. 608-9035. www.counterpulse.org
Mattachine Dance Party @ El Rio Director John Cameron Mitchell returns with his NYC-based touring club event, with pals Amber Martin, Paul Dawson, PJ Deboy and local queen Carnita all DJing. It’s queer, it’s costumey. $5-$7. 3pm-9pm. 3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com
Phantom of the Opera @ Davies Hall Screening fo the classic silent Lon Chaney film, with live organ accompaniment by the fabulous Cameron Carpenter. $20-$60. 8pm. 201 Van Ness Ave. www.sfsymphony.org
Monday, Oct. 31>>
Inanna’s Descent @ Codornices Park, Berkeley Interactive art installations and ritual performances celebrating myths and the darkening of days. Free. Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm thru Oct 30. Special Halloween night show Oct 31, 5pm-8pm. 1201 Euclid Ave. Berkeley. www.raggedwing.org
Heroes and Villains @ The Lookout Haute Toddy’s Halloween superhero (and villain) costume party, with DJs Guy Ruben and JoJo Lanz. 6pm-2am. 3600 16th St. at Market. www.lookoutsf.com
How to Write a New Book for the Bible @ Berkeley Rep World premiere of Bill Cain’s new play about religion, and how parents’ sins ruin their children’s lives. $14-$81. Wed & Sun 7pm. Tue, Thu Fri Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Nov. 28. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. at Shattuck. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org
Keith Jarrett @ Zellerbach Hall Legendary jazz pianist performs with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette. $30-$90. 8pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org
Maharaja @ Asian Art Museum The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts, an expansive exhibit showcasing textiles, jewels and items from the heyday of the early Indian empires. Special events thru exhibit run. $7-$17. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thu til 9pm. Thru April 8, 2012. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org
Cabaret @ The Stage, San Jose
Master Harold and the Boys @ Phoenix Theatre
Kander & Ebb’s Tony Award-winning musical based on the Christopher Isherwood novel gets a local staging, based on the cabaret-style Broadway revival. $20-$45. Wed & Thu 7:30pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Extended thru Nov 6. 490 South First St., San Jose. (408) 283-7142. www.thestage.org
The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus @ Castro Theatre
Come Out & Play @ Various Locations Real-world game-playing, with clues, plots, and adventures all over the city. Headquarter at The Go Game, 400 Treat Ave. Special Halloween event Oct. 29, 7pm, starting at Justin Herman Plaza. Thru Nov. 7. www.comeoutandplaysf.org
Cut @ Ninth Street Film Center Screening of Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon’s film Cut: Slicing Through the Myths of Circumcision, with a post-screening Q&A. $6-$20. 7pm. 145 Ninth St. www.cutthefilm.com
Athol Fugard’s comic drama about British school boys and their gay professor gets a local production. $20-$40. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 19. 414 414 Mason St. #601. (800) 838-3006. www.offbroadwaywest.org
Two glorious Technicolor classics by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Shoes, 2:30, 7pm. Black, 4:55, 9:30pm. $10. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com
Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup @ Berkeley Rep Tony Taccone and Rita Moreno’s must-see solo show about the award-winning actress’s life and times; with music, two very handsome back-up dancers, and a four-piece band. $14-50-$73. Tue, Fri-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Thu, Sat, Sun 2pm. Extended thru Nov. 12. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org
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Out&About >>
Scott Alan @ The Rrazz Room New York composer-singer performs his original music. $30. 3pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.therrazzroom.com
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 29
Nicholas Ray Films @ Castro Theatre
Joan Rivers, Tuesday.
James Dean’s classic Rebel Without a Cause (3pm, 7pm) and James Mason’s unusual emotional drama Bigger Than Life (5pm, 9pm). Nov. 3, Bogart’s In a Lonely Place (3:10, 7pm) and Cyd Charisse in Party Girl. (4:55, 8:55). $10. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.smodcast.com/castro www.castrotheatre.com
Teatro ZinZombie @ Pier 29 Special Halloween edition of the new show Up in the Air, about a struggling radio station, stars Geoff Hoyle, blues musician Duffy Bishop, and a slew of amazingly talented acrobats, singers, musicians, a five-course dinner, and a lot of fun. $117-$145. Saturday 11:30am “Breve” show $63-$78. Wed-Sat 6pm (Sun 5pm) Thru Dec 31, when the show goes on hiatus for World Cup Sailing pier renovations. Pier 29 at Embarcadero Ave. 438-2668. www.teatrozinzanni.com
The Rover @ Hastings Studio Theater American Conservatory Theatre students perform Aphra Behn’s 1677 bawdy comedy of mistaken identities, sex and politics, set in Naples during the Carnival. $10. 7pm. Wed Thu Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm Sat 5pm Thru Nov 5. 77 Geary St. at Grant. 6th floor. www.act-sf.org
When I Grow Up @ LGBT Center Group exhibit of mixed media art by local LGBT elders. Thru Nov. 16. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org
Sun 30 >>
Berkeley Pride Day @ David Brower Center Marga Gomez, films, music, food, theater and dancing at this local LGBT party. 5pm10pm. 2150 Allston Way. www.rainbowberkeley.org
Fear No Art @ Mark I. Chester Studio Closing party for the exhibit of multilayered male and female erotic imagery by several artists. Free/donations. Art for sale. 2pm-5pm. 1229 Folsom St. 621-6294. www.markichester.com
Love & Loss: Dias de los Muertos @ Oakland Museum Annual group exhibition of Day of the Dead altars created by artists, school kids and community groups. Thru Dec. 11. Also, 1991: Oakland-Berkeley Fire Aftermath, a new exhibit of Richard Misrach’s rarely viewed large-format photographs of the devastating fires 20 years ago. Thru Feb 12, 2010. Also, A Walk in the Wild, Continuing John Muir’s Journey, Bay Area figurative art, Dorothea Lange archive, Early landscape paintings. $6-$12. 1000 Oak St. Oakland. (510) 318-8400. www.museumca.org
The Matter Within @ YBCA Fascinating new exhibit of contemporary Indian art. Exhibit thru Jan 29. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 978-2787. www.ybca.org
Philip Jaroussky @ Hertz Hall, Berkeley Acclaimed French countertenor makes his Bay Area debut in a concert of orchestral and aria pieces by Handel and Vivaldi. $60. 3pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org
Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the fabulous weekly brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com
Mon 31 >>
Marga’s Funny Mondays @ The Marsh, Berkeley Marga Gomez brings her comic talents and special guests to a weekly cabaret show. This week, a special closing night Halloween laughtacular, with Pippi Lovestocking
and surprise guests. $10. 8pm. Thru Oct. 31. 2120 Allston Way. (800) 838-3006. www.margagomez.com www.themarsh.org
Maude Maggart @ The Rrazz Room Acclaimed New York cabaret singer brings her act to the intimate lightclub. $35. 8pm. Thru Nov. 2. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.therrazzroom.com
The Penis Show @ Good Vibrations Exhibit of artist Jack Davis’s crocheted penis sculptures. Thru Nov. 5. 1620 Polk St. at Sacramento. 345-0400. www.goodvibes.com
Tue 1 >>
Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey’s Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gayfriendly comedy night. One drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com
Illuminations: Dia de los Muertos @ SOMArts Cultural Center Exhibit of Day of the Dead altars and installations. Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm. Sat 12pm5pm. Thru Nov. 5. 934 Brannan St. www.somarts.org
Joan Rivers @ Kanbar Hall Iconic celebrity, comic, author, etc, performs her one-woman show, My Life in Show Business: 135 Years and Counting. $25-$40. 7pm. Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. at Presidio. 292-1233. www.jccsf.org/arts
Wed 2 >>
Day of the Dead Procession @ Mission District Annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos, with a procession leading to outdoor altars. 7pm. 22nd & Bryant streets. Altars at Garfield Park, 6pm-11pm, 26th & Bryant. www.dayofthedeadsf.org
Death in Parallel/ Muerte Paralela @ Mission Cultural Center Day of the Dead group exhibit. 2868 Mission St. 821-1155. www.missionculturalcenter.org
Lang Lang @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Chinese pianist performs music by Bach, Schubert and Chopin. $30-$100. 8pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org
Thu 3 >> In the Wrong Body @ Knuth Hall
Documentary film about Mabi Susel, the first person to get a sex reassignment operation in Cuba in 1988. Filmmakers and subjects will be at screening. $5-$20. 7pm. SF State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. 821-6545. www.freethefive.org
Margaret Jenkins Dance Company @ Novellus Theater Light Moves, the company’s multimedia dance work with live music and poetry, is performed. $20-$30. 8pm. Thru Nov. 5. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St. www.ybca.org
Our Vast Queer Past @ GLBT History Museum See the fascinating exhibit from the GLBT Historical Society, with a wide array of rare historic items on display. New mini-exhibit focuses on the legacy of activist and performer Jose Sarria. Free for members-$5. Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Rachelle Ferrell @ The Rrazz Room Singer-composer, whose jazz-R&B music defies categorization performs live. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.therrazzroom.com
Sam’s Enchanted Evening @ The Marsh, Berkeley Randy Rose vocalist for the enigmatic band The Residents, performs an unusual solo show abut a fictional man named Sam, with piano accompaniment by Joshua Raoul Brody. $15-$50. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 8:30pm. Thru Nov. 26. Theater Stage, 2120 Allston Way, near Shattuck. 2823055. www.themarsh.org
Transgender Film Festival @ CounterPulse 10th annual celebration of cinema shorts by and about transpersons from around the world. Nov 3 live acts with Annie Danger, Natasha Muse, Storm Miguel Florez, Butch Tap, Kentucky Fried Woman, Shawna Virago, Eli Conley; hosted by Fairy Butch. $12-$15. 8pm. Films Nov. 4 & 5. 1310 Mission St. www.sftff.org
Two Dead Clowns @ Box Car Theatre Ronnie Larsen performs two one-act plays about serial killer John Wayne Gacy, and John Waters’ film actor Divine. $25-$30. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Nov. 27. 125A Hyde St. www.RonnieLarsen.com
To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com. Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.
Transgender Film Festival, Thursday
For bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com
www.ebar.com
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30 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
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Decked out in SF by Donna Sachet
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s this the season for large-scale annual fundraisers, or what? We’ve found ourselves decked out in some of the city’s most elegant venues night after night, but always smiling at the incredible generosity that our LGBT community continues to demonstrate! That zaniest of fundraisers, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp.’s Celebrity Pool Toss, again delighted a packed house last week, raising over $300,000. Celebrity emcees included Jan Wahl, Yigit Pura, Cheryl Jennings, Chip Conley, and MC Hammer, while those getting wet included Drew Altizer, Don Falk, Charles Zukow, Supervisor Jane Kim, and Team Twitter from the company of the same name. Bud E. Luv and his band provided perfect music, Bay Area restaurants served up delicious samples, and many cocktails flowed. This is one of the most organized and successful annual events we’ve seen, taking full advantage of the unique Hotel Phoenix poolside setting with full audio/visual coverage, even stationing Gold’s Gym volunteers in the water to scoop up celebrities and wrap them in a cozy terrycloth robe. If you haven’t been by to see the recently completed remodeling of the restaurant and interior, make a plan to do so. Think quiet, luxurious warmth! Next, Shanti celebrated 37 years of service at Hotel Nikko with its annual Compassion is Universal, honoring John Weatherman, Renee Heidtman, and Randy Allgaier posthumously. The speeches were brief but pointed and poignant. This is one of those gala dinners where you never forget the cause. The big surprise of the night was musical entertainment from singer and community figure Michael Nguyen. We were seated with Wells Fargo friends Alex Hughes and Mario Diaz, Rebecca Rolfe, and Ron Willis, and spotted among the crowd were James Hormel, Kate Kendall, Betty Sullivan, Gus & Bahya Murad, Jerry Goldstein &
Steven Underhill
Donna with emcee Ms. Anita Cocktail at Positively Touching 7, a musical cabaret produced by Sean Ray benefiting Positive Resource.
Tommy Tayor, Stu Smith, Xavier Barrera, Tom Horn, and State Senator Mark Leno. The Academy of Friends held a kick-off party at Hotel Monaco for next year’s Academy Awards event, clarifying their current financial situation, revealing some new strategies, and announcing the 2012 theme and beneficiaries. While much has been written about the significant difficulties of the last couple of years, we favor giving this 32-year-old organization a chance to regroup, correct mistakes, and move forward. Founder Kile Ozier was there to lend his support, as were many loyal, longtime attendees. We encourage you to join us next Feb. 26 at the SF Design Center for another fabulous Academy of Friends evening. The Rrazz Room hosted Positively Touching 7, a musical cabaret produced by Sean Ray
and delightfully emceed by Ms. Anita Cocktail benefiting Positive Resource last Monday night. Sean gathered a talented group of friends for a rousing night of solos and harmonic group numbers, all full of energy and heart. In the audience were Joe Mac, Richard Sablatura, Jeff Doney, and Neil Giuliano. We were honored to moderate the HIV/AIDS Community Mayoral Forum at the State of California Building, with seven mayoral candidates facing an eminent panel of AIDS experts, including Jeff Sheehy, Cecilia Chung, Brian Basinger, and Jason Riggs. It was not an easy job to balance fairness and finesse with time restrictions and civility, but the public was wellserved by this unique focus on the city’s future strategy. Afterwards, Supervisor Scott Wiener served as special host for AIDS Legal Referral Panel’s From the Heart 28th annual reception at the Green Room of the War Memorial Building. Thomas See page 31 >>
Coming up in leather and kink Thu., Oct. 27: Hot Draw! at the Mark Chester Gallery (1229 Folsom), drawing group for gay male artists of all levels interested in erotic drawing. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Go to: www.markichester.com/hotdraw. Thu., Oct. 27: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse (1347 Folsom). Show off your undies for drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com. Thu., Oct. 27: Things To Do To Reinforce a 24/7 Relationship with Domina at the SF Citadel (1277 Mission). 8-10 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org. Fri., Oct. 28: Truck Wash at Truck (1900 Folsom). 10 p.m.-close. Live shower boys, drink specials. Go to: www.trucksf.com. Fri., Oct. 28: One-Year Anniversary of the Monthly Steam Party at The Powerhouse. Power Shower, Towel Dancers, $1 per minute massage. $8 donation to the LGBT Center. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com. Sat., Oct. 29: All Beef Saturday Nights at The Lone Star (1354 Harrison). 100% SoMa Beef & Co. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.facebook.com/lonestarsf. Sat., Oct. 29: Boot Lickin’ at the Powerhouse. Enjoy those boots! 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.beatpigsf.com. Sat., Oct. 29: Open Play Party at the SF Citadel. 8 p.m.1 a.m. $25 plus membership. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org. Sun., Oct. 30: Jock Off Beer Bust at Kok Bar. 4-7 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com. Sun., Oct. 30: Night Cruise Sundays at Kok Bar. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com. Sun., Oct. 30: Fear No Art Closing Party at the Mark Chester Gallery. 2-5 p.m. Go to: www.markichester.com.
Sun., Oct. 30: Halloween Edition of Sunday Furry Sunday by Castro Bear Presents, at 440 Castro. 4-10 p.m. Go to: www.castrobear.com. Sun., Oct. 30: PoHo Sundays at The Powerhouse. DJ Keith, Dollar Drafts all day. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com. Mon., Oct. 31: Happy Hour After Gym at Kok Bar SF. All-day happy hour Mon.; Tue.-Thurs. 6-9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 4-9 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com. Tue., Nov. 1: 12-Step Kink Recovery Group at the SF Citadel. 6:30 p.m. Open to all kink-identified people in recovery. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org. Tue., Nov. 1: Pup Training 101 presented by Liliane Hunt at the SF Citadel. Getting your paws wet! $20. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org. Tue., Nov. 1: Busted at Truck. $5 beer bust 9 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com. Tue., Nov. 1: Ink & Metal at The Powerhouse. 9 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com. Tue., Nov. 1: Wolf! Night at the Baths at The Watergarden (1010 Alameda, San Jose). For furry men on the prowl. Lockers half-off. 4 p.m.-Midnight. Go to: www.thewatergarden.com. Wed., Nov. 2: Naked Buddies at Blow Buddies, a male-only club. Doors open 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Play till late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com. Wed., Nov. 2: Nipple Play at The Powerhouse. Specials for shirtless guys. 10 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com. Wed., Nov. 2: Dominant Discussion Group at the SF Citadel. 7:30 p.m. $5-$15. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
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Karrnal >>
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 31
Rising sons by John F. Karr
A
lthough I appreciate that Sir turns off the fuck machine for a couple hours each day, He generally keeps me in lock-down over the weekend. Recently, however, He let me out for a porn symposium, where I met a Constant Reader who suggested gently that the movies I reviewed were all pretty much the same. I agreed. Representing different types of porn and, more important, different types of performers is becoming more and more of a challenge. It’s hard to get my hands on the stuff. Constant Reader wants to see more Japanese performers. Not Japanese-made porn, mind you, with its pixelated privates. He wanted something more American in style, but with an Asian cast. There’s not much of that stuff around. It’s a niche market. But after some diligent digging, I found two different series that may fulfill CR’s need. Hit Man is Volume 1 in the Pacific Sun Entertainment series called Erotic Ninja. It’s subtitled, Extreme Japanese Hardcore. The only true words here are “Japanese” and “Hardcore.” The kids are Japanese, and there is penetrative sex, of a mild sort. But “Extreme?” Hah. And there’s neither Hit Man nor Ninja to be seen. These false leading titles suggest both plot and more heroically natured performers than what’s delivered. Which is admittedly nice-looking youths in a hotel room barely wide enough to contain a single-width bed. The cast speak Japanese, and there are no subtitles. Not that any are needed. The scenes are filmed with handheld camera in prosaic amateur style, and the action is formulaic. The first youth is attractive. He’s got a nice build, with a sparse goatee and long sideburns. He exchanges
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hair, which is interesting. Still, the action remains sorta indifferent, but with some French kissing, and some beginner’s toys, which the bottom struggles to take. Then a fatter chrome baton goes all the way into his ass – much to his dismay. Despite his protestations, it’s surprising how easily it goes in and out. A final scene is a threeway. Two kids in bikinis each work a nipple of inertly passive Faceless Host (is it still the same Faceless Host?), and then they share his cock and the resultant cum. The sex scenes of Hit Man are followed by its performers’ modeling sessions. These are nicely done, displaying the slim, smooth bodies and lingering on cute bums that are dressed and undressed in a variety of briefs, thongs, and such. Then there’s some contemplative sphinctergazing. The majority are immobile, though one of them winks. If any of this is erotic, someone should let me know. Yes, you get unpixelated Japanese boys. No, the action isn’t Western mainstream porn. Perhaps it’s culturally reflective of Japanese sex. Comments would be appreciated; you can rent it at Superstar.▼
On the Town
From page 30
Burns, Austin Schwing, and Saveri & Saveri, Inc. received special recognition, and an auction raised funds as happy attendees snapped classic photos from the balcony. Be sure to include GLAAD’s Superheroes & Villains party in your Halloween plans this Saturday. Robert Fountain’s former studio, RF30, serves as the headquarters for an upscale celebration and costume contest from 7 p.m. until Midnight. Play the game and get into a costume for Halloween! Next Wed. night, Nov. 2, is LGBT night at the new home of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, featuring two very different one-act plays, bound to stimulate thought and evoke conversation. We are so glad that this rich theatrical story will continue in its new home. One Night Only with the cast of Hair on Mon., Nov. 7, at the
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a few sentences with an unseen Host, who easily coaxes him out of his clothes. The lad’s modest, and giggles. We never see Host’s face, but we know he’s Japanese by the quality of his pubic hair. He laps at the lad’s nipples, sucks his cock. The kid half undresses Host, licks Host’s nipples and sucks his cock. After Host cums, kid grabs some tissues and cleans him up. This is followed by a sequence of the lad jacking off, with Host licking up the cum. In the second scene, a youth with a narrow face goes through much the same routine, though he adds at the end some momentary cum-kink. Hands behind his back, Narrow Face stands still for the caresses of Faceless Host, of his cock and slim torso, but mostly of his cock, which is hard within a blue Speedo. When Narrow Face sucks off Faceless Host, he takes a mouthful of cum, and dribbles it back out into a big blotch on Faceless Host’s stomach. Then he grabs some tissue and cleans it up. Later on, a masked man pleasures a youth rather well – blowing, rimming, finger-fucking, then fucking with a thin vibrator, followed by a slightly wider, bulbed butt-plug. It’s not particularly erotic (like most of the movie), and the bottom evinces nothing that I recognize as enjoyment. He submits, making effortful little ahk ahk noises. Like he’s clearing his throat. The pair 69. And so it goes. Generously, but generically. Though one of the tops wears a mask, he has longer
Verdi Requiem
From page 23
bit unsurely, but soon focused. His rich tone and intensity matched his imposing stage presence. Veteran mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick (everybody’s favorite Amneris in contemporary productions of Aida) is no stranger to Verdi, and she essayed her part with appropriately restrained emotion from beginning to end. The steadiness of her tone is light enough to remain pliant, but it never recedes, and she has a pleasing edge that adds even more authority.
Suliman Nawid stole the show with his expert makeup at Masquerotica 2011 last weekend. Steven Underhill
Marines Memorial Theatre benefits Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and includes guests Bruce Vilanch, Jai Rodriguez, and Jeannie Tracy. Don’t miss it! Finally, yes, the rumors are true!
Dancing with the Drag Stars returns, this time at Ruby Skye on Sun., Nov. 13! Once again, the competition will be intense for the tiara-topped mirrored ball trophy. More details coming soon.▼
Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky had me a little concerned early on. Her entry was marked by some shrillness and swooping that seemed to spell problems. Not to worry, her performance steadily improved in strength and confidence. When she finally closed her score, standing squarely and facing the audience proudly with the final words of the taxing Libera me (Deliver me), I actually had to catch my own breath. If critics find her a bit cool onstage in opera, I have a feeling they will agree she is ideal for the concert hall and the Verdi Requiem.
James Conlon was substituting for the originally scheduled Fabio Luisi, who withdrew after being named Principal Conductor of the Metropolitan Opera (assuming duties for the ailing maestro James Levine). It was a logical choice and a lucky stroke of fate for lovers of the Requiem. When he held his hand aloft at the conclusion, demanding a moment of silence, it could only restrain the listeners for so long. One audience member finally squealed out with what sounded like an anguished cry. It started a tumultuous and welldeserved ovation.▼
Serving the LGBT communities since 1971
32 • BAY AREA REPORTER • October 27- November 2, 2011
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Film >>
Singing provocateur by David Lamble
I
n a Wikipedia entry on French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, his second wife, the English actress Jane Birkin, recalls a first date where he “took [her] to a nightclub, then to a transvestite club, and afterwards to the Hilton Hotel, where he passed out in a drunken stupor.” Nothing succeeds like excess, but I don’t recall that particular scene in Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, comic-book artist Joann Sfar’s imaginative, carnal memoir of the fabled eccentric’s relationship pratfalls, opening Friday. But it does feel a whole lot like the stuff I do remember. Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian/ Jewish émigré parents – he seems to have dropped the first name because it was a bit too faggy, while the altered surname reflects the lingering hangover of French anti-Semitism – Gainsbourg must have emerged from the womb with a cigarette in his puss.
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DVDs for Halloween
From page 21
were his own natural mannerisms as a closeted gay man. Supporting actor honors go to Kathleen Burke’s Lota, the island’s
Gainsbourg ties the unofficial record for most smoking by a biographical subject in the most number of improbable places, a record first set by Roy Scheider playing directorchoreographer Bob Fosse lighting up in the shower in a sublime moment from the Fosse bio-pic All That Jazz. “It’s show time!” Actor Eric Elmosnino, portraying the adult Gainsbourg through a failed stab at painting and an improbable but wildly popular career as France’s favorite X-rated song guy, has the countenance that wags in the papers used to call a “mug.” It’s a weathered, big-nosed mug that, if it had stayed in the oven a bit longer, might have emerged as Jean-Paul Belmondo. It’s almost as if Sfar were uncertain as to whether to turn the whole film into one of those stylized French adult animations – then, when she found the actor, realized she could achieve the same surreal effect for far fewer euros. Queer fans will find Gainsbourg
explicit enough, if resolutely hetero. This is one of those film worlds that doesn’t even admit to the possibility of homo sex, aside from a passing drag number. Boozing, shagging interludes between Gainsbourg and Juliette Greco (Anna Mouglais), Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) and Jane Birkin (Lucy Gordon) pass by in an alcohol and ciggy haze. Many of us in the Lumiere preview audience were awoken from a sensual cinematic stupor by an aftershock from the recent Berkeley quake. The musical highlight for your critic was the bathtub staging of Gainsbourg’s 1969 scandale d’estime, “Je t’aime – moi non plus,” which combined explicit lyrics with sounds simulating the female orgasm. Predictably condemned by the Pope and banned from many European airwaves, the song was a pop hit, performed on an LP by Gainsbourg and Birkin. I recall first hearing it as background to a 1970s Firesign Theatre radio broadcast of a skit
lone female. Burke made her film debut in Island, winning the role in a contest at 19. For someone with no prior experience, she’s quite effective as a lovesick, sensual woman who lusts after Parker (Lota was once a panther). The story takes an even
more disturbing turn when a gleeful Moreau tries to get Parker and Lota to mate, so he can see what the results might be. The acting and production values are top-notch all around. Directed by Erle C. Kenton, Island of Lost Souls is genuinely frightening from its story and cast. It’s also a wonderful tribute to Laughton, whose unique ability to chew the scenery is exciting to watch. Criterion’s release includes the original theatrical trailer from the 1930s, as well as interviews with a variety of film historians. Baby Jane? (2010), Ariztical Entertainment (95 min., color) Watching this drag tribute/sendup of the 1962 Davis/Crawford shocker brings up a few practical questions. How did director William Clift circumvent copyright laws when he shot this nearly scene-forscene remake of a film still under strict copyright to Warner Bros.? But that’s the auteur’s issue, not ours. Our job is to bask in a memorable performance by local drag superstar Mathew Martin, who channels Bette Davis in a way that’s both a spoof of Davis’ Baby Jane, and a serious recreation of Davis’ interpretation of the role. Martin shines as he torments Blanche (J. Conrad Frank), who looks somewhat like Crawford’s Blanche. Frank is quite good, but like everyone else in the film, he’s overshadowed by Martin’s theatrics. Martin also appears briefly as the movie studio executive who pulls the plug on Jane’s film career. Out of drag,
Eric Elmosnino plays Serge Gainsbourg in a new bio-pic.
called “The Fresh Chef.” Because this unrepentant rebel is known here more by reputation than for his eclectic body of work, I suggest you brush up on your Gainsbourg before sampling what could prove to be a musically adventurous evening. The movie’s engaging prelude, the childhood of Lucien Ginsburg, played with an impudent fairytale sweetness by the adolescent breakout performer Kacey Mottet
Klein, is like a self-contained animated short, with the precocious, uninhibited child/adult shadowed by a cartoon alter-ego companion, “the Jew in France” standing in for the vicious anti-Semitism of Naziera occupied France. Sfar’s candid approach might be the basis for a long-overdue honest account of those shameful days, often passed over in big bios like the recent Piaf film La Vie en Rose.▼
Martin is revealed to be quite handsome, and shows his ability to pull back and deliver a restrained performance. The script follows the original quite closely, peppered with in-joke references to other Davis/ Crawford films. Set primarily in 1962 Hollywood, the nobudget production is impressive. Like the 1962 film, Baby Jane? opens in a vaudeville house, circa 1917. This sequence was shot in the Victoria Theater in SF, and is quite authentic-looking. The monstrously creepy Victorian home where Jane and Blanche reside is the abode of co-star Mike Finn, who plays Edwin, the role originally played by the late Victor Buono. Director Clift and his friends got together and put on quite a show. Some of the one-liners, like a comical reference to our Castro Theatre, might not make sense in Omaha, but there’s no denying the love and care that went into the making of this re-imagined camp classic. Unhappy Birthday (2010), Wolfe Video (95 min., color) Billed as a “deviant thriller,” Unhappy Birthday is creepy, scary, and sometimes unpleasant. Rick (David Paisley) and Sadie (Christina De Vallee) are officially a straight couple, but he’s impotent with her, and enjoys regular sexual encounters with their best friend, Jonny (Jonathan Keane). This strange triumvirate come to the isolated, fogbound island of Amen in search of Sadie’s long-lost sister Corinne (Rosie O’Donnell look-alike Jill Riddiford). Like everyone else on Amen, Corinne is a sexually repressed, homophobic Bible-thumper. The three visitors soon find themselves caught in the middle of a bizarre plot to bump off the guys and keep Sadie on the island as a child-bearer – all of Amen’s male residents are infertile. Inspired in part by the cult horror classic The Wicker Man (1973), also set on a British isle where strange religious customs were the norm,
Unhappy Birthday is creepy enough to satisfy genre aficionados. The acting is superb. Ridiford’s seemingly kind, polite demeanor as Corinne is an unnerving mask for the sociopathic evil that lurks within her. The movie is shot with shaky, handheld cameras that damage the mood. The scenes involving the homophobic hate of the townspeople are difficult to watch. In one particularly disturbing scene, two men in the local pub urinate on Jonny. It’s not something we enjoy seeing, but the scene effectively underscores the homophobic hatred of religious fanaticism. There’s no indication that the filmmakers share the homophobia of the characters: Unhappy Birthday is distributed by Wolfe Video, a lesbianowned company.▼
▼
Read more online at www.ebar.com
October 27- November 2, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 33
Books >>
Town & country by Jim Piechota At Home with Myself: Stories from the Hills of Turkey Hollow by David Mixner; Magnus Books, $18 hardcover, $9.99 kindle
O
ne of the first books to emerge from new Manhattan gay publisher Magnus Books is At Home with Myself, the vibrant, beautifully written second autobiography (after 1996’s Stranger Among Friends) from civil rights activist and political leader David Mixner, a man whom Newsweek called “the most powerful gay man in America.” A lovely introduction from seasoned actress and AIDS awareness ally Judith Light describes Mixner as both a friend and “an enduring source of inspiration.” While he has garnered accolades for his pioneering political work and outspoken activism, in 2007, Mixner, in his 60s (“the mind was sharp, but the body
complained”), admitted that “a new awareness of time came over me.” He left his 2,000-sq.-ft. New York City apartment overlooking the East River. He blazed an outwardbound trail toward a brand-new, bright yellow, two-bedroom house in Turkey Hollow, a remote part of the Catskill Mountains in southern New York State. Devoid of mail service and cell phone reception, the area boasts only 10 fulltime residents. Mixner soon found himself surrounded by deer (primarily an eight-point buck he named Attila), bears, bald eagles, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, porcupines, hawks – all viewed from a prized front-row seat, captivated by the splendors of the four seasons, which make up each section of the book. Spring brings enlightened essays on Mixner’s coming-out process, his interpretations of God and sex, and solemn reflections of his partner Peter’s death from AIDS. Elsewhere,
fond recollections of trips to San Francisco dot his lifetime landscape alongside thoughts on transgender inclusion in the LGBTQ community, and remembrances on the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr., Princess Diana, and Robert Kennedy. He also includes a touching eulogy to Paul Newman, whom he considers “one of Hollywood’s greatest legends.” Mixner writes gorgeously of a bucolic life in Turkey Hollow, yet amidst all the wildflowers and wonderment breathes the omnipresent pain of having survived so many friends’ deaths from AIDS (“I have had to grow old without my peers”) and the intermittent loneliness of country living. Interspersed among passages
extolling the beauty of nature’s bounty are many stories of his childhood and a colorful resume describing Mixner’s
4 40-year career navigating V Vietnam War protests, t tirelessly promoting AIDS a awareness, and helping t thwart anti-gay initiatives l like California Proposition 6 and the military’s “Don’t A Don’t Tell” policy (he Ask, c chained himself to the White H House fence in opposition). There is something to b said of country living, be M Mixner notes. He writes w fluidity of the wonders with o the pastoral world and of o his private space within of it At the conclusion of his it. m memoir, Mixner sighs with d disappointment at having to ab abandon his Earthy reverie du to health concerns and due th need to be in closer the pr proximity to the big bad city. In the final pages, however, he admits, “In the Hollow, I actually felt less alone than I do in Manhattan.”▼
TV >>
Coming out television by Victoria A. Brownworth
W
e like those weeks when we see a lot of queers on TV. This was one of those weeks. Back when we watched Heroes religiously, we loved Zachary Quinto as the Epitome of Evil. When his character Sylar traced his finger over the skulls of his victims and stole their brains, it was awesomely horrifying. He was so good in Heroes that it was difficult to imagine him as anything but evil. Especially since his Heroes role followed one in 24, the show which became zeitgeist support of American torture during the Bush years. Turns out Quinto is not evil in real life. He’s really pretty fabulous. Last week, Quinto came out for Spirit Day. He said that after the suicide of gay teenager Jamey Rodemeyer, he realized that “living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.” Awesome. In other words, say it loud. Quinto has long been a supporter of queer causes like the Trevor Project. He played a queer character on Tori Spelling’s VH1 series So NoTorious, and appeared in the play about Matthew Shepard, The Laramie Project. Last year Quinto did a video for Dan Savage’s It Gets Better project. He’s currently playing the role of Chad in the creepy new series American Horror Story, bound to be an Emmy winner this year (if not for Quinto, then for Jessica Lange, who is totally amazing). Did we mention that we love him? We love him. We also love Carson Kressley, who has been out since before they called it being out. Kressley is currently flaming it over on the Oprah network and flouncing it up on Dancing with the Stars – until he was voted off the parquet last week. We feel the LGBT viewing audience really failed Kressley. Remember, this isn’t a show that is just about who is the best dancer. The judges are only part of the story. The rest is about audience support. We get that Kressley isn’t the son of Cher. We also get that he’s actually worked for a living his entire adult life, after having graduated magna cum laude with a degree in fine art and working his way up through the ranks at Ralph Lauren. He’s been an out queer since
he figured it out at six. He grew up a flaming queen in the Lehigh Valley in small-town PA, never able to pass for anything but screaming queen. So why the lack of support for the gayest man on TV, who makes even Chris Colfer look butch? How many words have been given over to Chaz Bono’s appearance on DWTS this season? We’ve written a gazillion ourselves. But Kressley, who has won an Emmy, had hit TV shows and is an actual star (as opposed to child of a star) has gotten zero press. This isn’t about slamming Chaz. One makes a living as one can in this crap economy, and Chaz makes his being Chaz Bono. Carson makes his living in the fields he trained for, interior design and fashion. Neither can dance their way out of a dark disco, so it’s not like Chaz has dancing feet and Kressley does not. Plus Chaz has a good 75 lbs. on Kressley; the fact that he’s been able to get sevens from the judges has been miraculous. But Chaz has had endless press. Kressley was only the second out gay man (Lance Bass, the first) to appear on the show in its 13 seasons. Didn’t that deserve some attention? Seriously, if the issue is personality, not dancing talent, doesn’t Kressley beat out Chaz, Nancy Grace, and the endlessly sour David Arquette? If we’re actually going to bet on who should win the mirror ball this season, the winner should be J.R. Martinez, late of All My Children, a spectacular dancer. His only competition is Ricki Lake, who has trimmed down and gotten better each week. Martinez isn’t just a stunner on the dance floor, he exudes passion. Plus his personal story is amazing. He survived a Humvee explosion in Iraq in 2003. He had third and fourth degree burns over 40% of his body, spent 34 months in the hospital and had 33 surgeries. His agility (despite his permanent injuries) is amazing. We hope he wins. This is actually one of the most compelling seasons of DWTS. While we appreciate Chaz speaking out for the trans community, we think the LGBT community could easily have split their votes to keep Kressley in the running. Queer visibility on the tube is at an all-time low. Every time we lose a queer presence, it’s bad for all of us.
Heroes and American Horror Story star Zachary Quinto: now out!
Rosie window Speaking of queer presence on the tube, Rosie O’Donnell is back. The Rosie Show debuted Oct. 10. The good news is that the show has gotten uniformly good reviews, unlike a lot of the programming on Oprah’s network, which has been deemed
mother died of the disease when the comedian was 10. This is what Rosie does best, talking in an earnest way with her guests, eliciting revelations. She has added some bits she used to do on her old show, like song-anddance routines and a game-show segment. It’s reminiscent of shows
“Seriously, if the issue is personality, not dancing talent, doesn’t Kressley beat out Chaz, Nancy Grace, and the endlessly sour David Arquette?” too serious yet not Oprah-y enough. Rosie has toned down the freefloating anger she exhibited on The View, gone back to her stand-up roots and embraced the talk-show host role that has won her Emmys. One of her first guests was lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes, with whom she discussed breast cancer. Sykes caught her own disease early; Rosie’s
like The Carol Burnett Show or the underrated Jimmy Fallon Show. One of Rosie’s longtime idols is Susan Lucci, late of All My Children. La Lucci has been rumored to be going here, there and everywhere since AMC closed up shop in Sept. (replaced by the god-awful The Chew, the most annoying foodie show ever. We wonder what ABC was thinking
trashing a 41-year iconic soap opera for a can of chickpeas, some fennel and a new brunch drink, a Bloody Mary made with beer. Ew.) La Lucci has landed: it’s Army Wives for her. She’s been signed to an extended run as the wife of a general, giving advice to Kim Delaney’s character. Rumors persist that she will eventually make her way to Wisteria Lane, but Marc Cherry has been mum on what surprises he has in store for Desperate Housewives’ final season. Sara Ramirez kissed Jessica Capshaw so passionately this week on Grey’s Anatomy that every budding lesbian in America who was watching knew exactly how kissing a girl is supposed to be done. Move over Papi, La Ramirez has finally knocked you off your pedestal as hottest lesbian character ever on the tube. Now if only we could get Ramirez to take a page from Zach Quinto’s book. Last week we watched a mesmerizing hour of Anderson Cooper and his mother Gloria Vanderbilt engaging with John Edwards, the psychic who sees dead people. We don’t know what happened between 360 and Anderson, perhaps it’s the difference between cable and network, but good golly Anderson, you are the journalist who got the crap beaten out of him by an Egyptian mob in Tahrir Square, who called out then-FEMA director Michael Brown during Katrina, who screamed in the face of lying politicians. What are you doing interviewing your own mother about the suicide of your brother 23 years ago with a psychic, and not coming out? Someone should print out Quinto’s quote and send it viral. Each week as we watch actors we know are queer continue to hide, as we wait for a glimpse of a queer character on the tube, we are reminded just how marginalized we still are. We can’t even keep two of our own people on a talent show for more than five weeks. We get that some people want privacy. That’s what Anderson Cooper and Sara Ramirez say when asked about their personal lives. But straight people never have to be that private. Over on The X Factor there’s still blatant homophobia, as there always has been on American Idol. If it really did get better, all these grown-ups wouldn’t still be in the closet, would they? For now, the only way to catch glimpses of people like us that mean so much to our identity as queers is to stay tuned.▼
Serving the LGBT communities since 1971
34 • Bay Area Reporter • October 27-November 2, 2011
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