September 3rd Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

School board endorsements

High-end cannabis beverages

SF STD cases, tests down

ARTS

Documenting Queer Lives

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

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Russell S. Roeca

Newsom names gay lawyer to SF court seat by Matthew S. Bajko

overnor Gavin Newsom on August 28 is believed to have named his first LGBTQ appointment to a Superior Court judgeship. Sixteen months after the retirement of lesbian San Francisco Superior Court Judge Carol C. Yaggy, Newsom has appointed a gay attorney and former board member of the Human Rights Campaign to her vacant seat on the local bench. See page 10 >>

LGBTQ leaders sign on to drag stamp campaign by Matthew S. Bajko

early two-dozen LGBTQ leaders and advocates have signed on to the campaign to see the U.S. Postal Service issue stamps honoring three deceased drag icons who have become heroic figures within the LGBTQ community. Helping to co-chair the effort is Rea Carey, the executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. The national campaign is pressing for the federal agency to create postage featuring José Julio Sarria, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera. They would be the first such stamps issued in honor of drag performers. Among those serving as honorary co-chairs

Vol. 50 • No. 36 • September 3-9, 2020

Thomas Haller Buchanan

An artist’s rendering of proposed postage stamps honoring drag icons José Julio Sarria, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera.

of the postal campaign are drag queens Sister Roma, with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence San Francisco chapter, Chad Michaels, who won the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars,” and CoCo LaChine, an empress with the Imperial Court of New York; Matthew Shepard Foundation founders Judy and Dennis Shepard; and Jack Thompson, the first trans person of color to be named International Mr. Leather. San Diego resident Nicole Murray Ramirez launched the campaign last month after the Bay Area Reporter contacted him for comment about several stamps issued to commemorate the 80th birthday of Bugs Bunny depicting the animated rabbit in drag. It is believed to be the first time drag has been featured on U.S. stamps.

Known as the Queen Mother I of the Americas and Nicole the Great within the Imperial Court System, Murray Ramirez leads the philanthropic organization within the drag community that Sarria launched 55 years ago. He shared an exclusive first look with the B.A.R. of mockups for what the trio of stamps could look like created by Denver-based artist and illustrator Thomas Haller Buchanan, a straight ally. Reaction to the drag stamp campaign has been “overwhelmingly positive,” said Murray Ramirez, a gay man who already had the Human Relations Commission of San Diego on which he serves vote in support of the drag stamps campaign. He expressed confidence the stamps See page 2 >>

Police clear gay man in viral video

Jane Philomen Cleland

Our Family Coalition marched in last year’s Oakland Pride parade.

Oakland readies for Pride week

by John Ferrannini

akland Pride is kicking off a week of virtual programming Sunday, September 6, consisting of over 32 total hours, according to Carlos Uribe, the co-chair of the organization’s board of directors. “We want to hit all the different areas of the community and have something for everyone,” Uribe said in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter August 31. As the B.A.R. previously reported, the in-person Oakland Pride parade and festival were to be held September 13 but went virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The full lineup of events has not been announced on Oakland Pride’s website or Facebook page as of press time, but Uribe said that original programming will stream from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 7, through Friday, September 11, and then from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, September 12-13, with all of Sunday being filled by main stage performances and DJ sets. The week will begin, however, with a stream of the final day of the Oaklash Bay Area All-Day Drag Festival from 12:30 to 10 p.m., inclusive. The events can be viewed mostly on Twitch, Uribe said, though there will be “community Zoom rooms for virtual hangouts, cruising, and community,” according to the Facebook page. “We’ll be highlighting different drag performers, doing interviews and content like that,” Uribe said. “A few of the highlights of each night will be hosted by a different drag performer each night. We have a variety of different performers on different stages all at once. We want to make sure we have something for everyone, just like with the physical vessel.” See page 2 >>

by John Ferrannini

gay man who became the unwitting star of a viral video last month before he was arrested for indecent exposure has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, Campbell police told the Bay Area Reporter September 1. Hayward resident Timothy Gaskin (who has legally changed his name to Arthur Master), 53, was placed under citizen’s arrest by Anthony Zamora, 39, of Pacific Grove, at a Campbell Marshalls last month for allegedly indecently exposing himself. However, when police reviewed closed circuit television from inside the Marshalls, they determined Zamora’s claims to be “unfounded.” “The supposed victim was placed under arrest for filing a false police report,” Captain Ian White, the public information officer for Campbell police, told the B.A.R. Zamora was cited and then released pending a court date. Zamora was arrested August 25. Eight days earlier, on August 17, Gaskin was videotaped by Zamora telling Marshalls employees that he couldn’t wear a mask because of an ear condition that prevents the mask string from going around his ear lobe. He used homophobic and racial language during the video, which prompted the online outcry that Gaskin was the equivalent of a “Karen,” a pejorative term for an entitled, demanding or racist white woman. But Gaskin told the B.A.R. September 1 that he was only repeating back the language used by an individual harassing him and his boyfriend in the store. It was that individual who Gaskin identified as the man taking the video. “I’ve realized that people could be hurt by what they were watching and people have taken it in many different ways,” Gaskin said. “I apologize for reacting like that if they saw it.” Gaskin said that the man who took the video had told people he wanted to make a “Karen” video and he feels he was targeted for his sexual orientation. He characterized the videographer’s actions as a “hate crime.” “If you accuse a man who is gay of pulling out his penis, it must be true,” Gaskin sardonically said. “I was unaware for 24 hours that this went

Courtesy Twitter

Tim Gaskin has been exonerated after a video of him at a South Bay Marshalls went viral last month.

viral and the calls I got were from personal family and friends who were convinced at what they saw. My godson called crying about my behavior.” Gaskin said he pulled his zipper up and down to demonstrate that it had been up when he was accused of it being down. “The person who called my boyfriend and I ‘faggots’ said, ‘You look like you need new clothes.’ He said my zipper was down and he was making fun of my clothes,” Gaskin said. “[The zipper] was up and I zipped it up and down to show him it was up.” Gaskin said individuals on the internet and social media have been demanding he be fired for his conduct in the viral video. “When people say something went viral, you’re never sure, but people stop me on the street now and it’s humiliating,” Gaskin said. Marshalls did not respond to a request for comment. Zamora could not be reached for comment after attempts were made to find his telephone number. San Jose DJ Eddie House tweeted the video on the evening of August 17, stating at the time, “Today at Marshalls in Campbell, Ca this ‘Kevin’ didn’t want to wear a mask. Hurled offensive comments to the workers, my friends, to customers while exposing gestures to the public. I’m reaching out to y’all in the ether to expose this m’fer to the world!”

He stated the videographer was his friend. House’s Twitter account did not respond to a request for comment September 1. Gaskin may be familiar to some from his days as the host of “Open House,” a radio and television show about San Francisco real estate, in the 2000s. In 2004, he hosted “OUT Spoken” for Comcast public access television, a show centered on the LGBTQ community. Gaskin started the magazine Benefit about San Francisco’s philanthropic community and claims to be a co-founder of the LGBTQ magazine Gloss along with Bevin Shamel. Gloss publisher Cecil Russell, however, said Gaskin did not co-found the magazine but did contribute content for it in the past. Gaskin was recommended for the San Francisco Arts Task Force in 2006 by thenMayor Gavin Newsom. In 2006, Gaskin hired Ruby Rippey-Tourk as a producer for Benefit’s television and radio auxiliaries. Several years after Rippey-Tourk – whom Gaskin described as his best friend – had an affair with Newsom, Gaskin left the city and changed his name. Gaskin told the B.A.R. on September 1 that he’d wanted to focus more on his identity as an artist. t

<< From the Cover

2 • Bay Area Reporter • September 3-9, 2020---

Oakland Pride

From page 1

2nd Oakland Trans March

Uribe said that Oakland Pride will also be livestreaming the Oakland Trans March, which will commence at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 5, at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (also known as Oscar Grant Plaza) at 14th Street at Broadway and will proceed on a twomile route west of Lake Merritt and north of the Nimitz Freeway before returning to the plaza. This will be an in-person event that marchers can join either on foot or in

a vehicle caravan. Masks and social distancing will be required, organizers stated. This is the second iteration of the Oakland Trans March, which as the B.A.R. reported began last September as a way to honor murdered trans women and create visibility for trans people of color. Socorro Moreland, a Black trans man, said that people in the East Bay wanted a trans march of their own after seeing the success of the San Francisco event. “This is the first thing we have in Oakland for trans people, specifically,”

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Moreland said. “We’re led by young, vibrant protesters but are continuing the legacy and work of Miss Major GriffinGracy, one of the matriarchs of the transgender revolution in the Bay Area.” Miss Major, as she is widely known, was the founding executive director of the TGI Justice Project. “She was with Marsha P. [Johnson] and did a lot of advocacy and activism,” Moreland said. “We look up to these folks because they’ve not just been phenomenal in the transgender movement, but also the HIV movement, spirituality, and lobbying the halls of Congress.”

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Moreland said that the increase in Black Lives Matter-related activism following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd in May underscores the importance of the event. Black Lives Matter very much comes out of the queer and trans Black experience, Moreland said, even as trans people continue to face discrimination by some people. “Black Lives Matter is not recent. It was created in Oakland not just by Alicia Garza but, as a Black trans man, Black Lives Matter resonates more with me and I know a lot of Black masculine

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I think that will hapHouseholds earn noeligible. more than the maximum at 55%income median levels 55% median income: Households must outlined earn no morebelow than theat maximum income Households levels must outlined earn below no more at 55% thanmedian the maximum income levels outlined below at 55% median pen and I think the possibilities are income: income: income: there,” said Murray Ramirez. He previously chaired the national BMR parkingHousehold space an additional $100 month on lottery ranking Size available 1 Person 2 Persons 3 Persons Household 4Size Persons 1 Person Persons 2 Personsbased 3 Persons 4 Persons 5 Persons and renter Household Size for 1 Person 2 Persons 3a5Persons 4 Persons 5 Persons Maximum $4,108 $4,700 $5,283Maximum$5,870 $4,108$6,341 $4,700 $5,283 $5,870 $6,341 campaign that saw a stamp honoring Maximum hoice. Applicants must not own a$4,108 housing unit, meet the Resident$5,870 Selection Criteria and be income $4,700 $5,283 $6,341 Monthly Income Monthly Income the late gay San Francisco supervisor Monthly Income igible. Harvey Milk be issued in 2014. Murray Applications due by 5PM on September 24, 2019 Applications due by 5PM on September 24, 2019 Ramirez has also led the effort to honor Applications due by 5PM on September 24, 2020. Applications must be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org Applications must be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org the late Black gay civil rights leader BaApplications must be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org Applications due by 5PM on September 24, 2019 ouseholds Formust earn no more than the maximum levels outlined below at 55% median more information contact TheMadelonBMR@Greystar.com For more (628) information 286-6006. contactincome TheMadelonBMR@Greystar.com (628) 286-6006. yard Rustin with his own stamp. Applications must be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org Sarria, who died in 2013 at the age of For more TheMadelonBMR@greystar.com 286-6006.Units available through Units available throughinformation the San Franciscocontact Mayor’s Office Units of Housing available andthrough Community the San Development Francisco(628) Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development come: and are subject to monitoring andMayor’s other restrictions. Visit and housing.sfgov.org are subjectand to monitoring for program andinformation. other restrictions. Visitand housing.sfgov.org forto program information. 90, was a legendary San Francisco-based themore San Francisco Office of Housing Community Development are subject moniFor information contact TheMadelonBMR@Greystar.com (628) 286-6006. toring and other restrictions. Visit housing.sfgov.org for program information. drag queen who founded the Imperial the San Francisco Mayor’s Office Housing and Community Development 5 Persons Court in 1965. 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people who helped with the creation of Black Lives Matter,” Moreland said. “We know Black trans people are deemed invisible; Brown trans people are deemed invisible. We’ve always been victims of police violence, even going back to the Compton’s Cafeteria riots, which were before Stonewall.” The Compton’s riots, in 1966 in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, saw trans people fight back against the police. Moreland said people need to talk about the case of Tony McDade, who See page 10 >> day, and officials in her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey just announced they would erect a monument to her. State officials said it would the first public monument in New Jersey honoring a LGBTQ+ person and transgender woman of color. Murray Ramirez is hopeful that California Governor Gavin Newsom will induct Sarria into the state’s Hall of Fame this year. He has been pushing for the honor for Sarria for years, dating back to the administration of former governor Jerry Brown. “I wrote a personal, handwritten letter both to Governor Newsom and his wife about José because it is the 55th anniversary of the Imperial Court,” said Murray Ramirez. “A seed planted in San Francisco and nurtured by the court of San Francisco resulted in a real strong royal oak tree with branches in three countries. There are now 70 city court chapters in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.” As for the issuance of commemorative stamps the U.S. Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee will recommend ideas for them, but it is up to the U.S. postmaster general to make a final determination. Because it usually takes three years from the time of their selection for the commemorative stamps to be issued, the soonest the trio of drag stamps could be released is 2024. Lesbians state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former Salt Lake City mayor Jackie Biskupski, and gay Assemblyman Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) are also signed on as honorary chairs of the drag stamp campaign. Also on the list are historian Lillian Faderman, the Rt. Reverend Troy Perry, and Galilea Avila, an empress in the San Francisco Imperial Court who is the executor of Sarria’s estate. Also signed on are civil rights advocates Stuart Milk, Robin Tyler, Mandy Carter, Bamby Salcedo, J. Miko Thomas, Jaylene Tyme, Sam Moehling, Bunnie Wells Cruse, and Karina Samala. t

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PSPS Updates

<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Reporter • September 3-9, 2020

Volume 50, Number 36 September 3-9, 2020 www.ebar.com

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SF school board recommendations T

here are four seats up for election in November for members of the San Francisco Board of Education. Two commissioners are not seeking reelection, meaning that voters will select at least two new members. We recommend incumbents Mark Sanchez and Jenny Lam, and candidates Michelle Parker and Kevine Boggess. All eligible candidates were asked to submit written answers to a questionnaire about their background and policy positions. Sanchez, a gay man, is the only LGBTQ commissioner on the seven-member body. It’s important to maintain diversity on the board, and Sanchez, a longtime teacher, has shown himself to be an excellent leader, especially during his current tenure as president and guiding the San Francisco Unified School District through COVID-19. The closure of school facilities this spring forced an abrupt shift to distance learning, creating challenges for teachers, staff, students, and parents. When the new academic year began last month with remote learning, Sanchez and the board were able to provide more resources to teachers and families for the transition. Sanchez noted in his questionnaire that the school district now provides meal distribution, technology, and learning material distribution to students. “We plan to continue in this mode until the relevant science and local health officials confirm it’s safe to do otherwise,” he wrote. “Then we will likely proceed with an abundance of caution to a phased-in hybrid approach to in-person instruction before a full return to the classroom.” He noted that while there wasn’t a large number of district students without access to laptops and/or Wi-Fi connectivity in the spring when remote learning started, those who struggled tended to be students from the most vulnerable communities. This school year, he wrote, the district is focusing on these communities by moving more resources to meet their needs. Lam wrote in her questionnaire that “flex-

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

Courtesy of the candidates

From left, Mark Sanchez, Jenny Lam, Michelle Parker, and Kevine Boggess

ibility is the order of the day” regarding remote learning. “We learned very quickly one size does not fit all,” she added. “We are still learning what works and what doesn’t with distance learning.” She said it’s important for students to have a range of opportunities to connect with their teachers, paraeducators, and other school staff, as well as their peers. “I support providing more resources to high-needs schools, which are often where our Black, Brown, and sociologically disadvantaged students attend,” she wrote. She is committed to closing the digital divide, providing expanded and extended learning opportunities for students, and supporting the city’s efforts to create learning hubs in libraries, rec centers, and community centers. Parker, a single mom of three children who have all attended SFUSD schools since kindergarten, came up short in her bid for school board two years ago. This time around, she is expanding her endorsements and connections with voters, she wrote in her questionnaire. She has long been a parent leader, advocate, and organizer. She served as co-chair of the SFUSD Parcel Tax Oversight

Committee, and that experience should serve her well if elected as the district faces budget shortfalls to make facilities safe for reopening. This includes installing partitions, sinks in classrooms that don’t have them, and upgrading ventilation, among many other items. In her response about making school buildings and facilities safe, she suggested that the board should check the voter-approved language from recent school bonds to see if any of the COVID-related building improvements would be an allowable expense. While Parker wrote that it’s unlikely that temporary or movable items would qualify, some partitions, ventilation, and sinks might. There may also be funds in the new city budget when it is approved. “Finally,” she wrote, “philanthropic donations can be solicited, and we can reasonably hope that wealthy San Franciscans will respond positively ...” Boggess, the longtime education policy director at Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, would be a strong addition to the board. At Coleman Advocates he has worked with hundreds of students and parents to improve public schools, and has co-led several local and state campaigns to change education policy and increase school funding. He supports the district’s See page 5 >>

6 questions to ask before having sex again by Alan Lessik

2. Have either of you had any symptoms in the last 14 days? Those [Editor’s note: This is an update to symptoms include, but are not limitthe Guest Opinion Mr. Lessik wrote ed to: fever, cough, sore throat, shortin April, “Sex in the time of COness of breath, and loss of smell or VID-19.”] taste. My seasonal allergies have some of the same symptoms, so I made f you were locked down over the last sure my partner knew about that in several months with your partner advance so my sniffles would not be or partners, intimacy has likely been off-putting. Courtesy Alan Lessik a key part of quarantine survival. 3. Have you been in direct contact Alan Lessik But for those of us who are single or and/or sex with someone diagnosed in non-monogamous relationships, with COVID-19 or someone who is our ability to attend to our emotional and sexundiagnosed but is symptomatic? While most ual health needs was severely diminished. Abstipeople with COVID-19 have symptoms, asympnence or pleasuring ourselves with video, chats, tomatic spread is possible. Generally, if you are sex toys, porn, and our own imaginations kept healthy after 14 days of any type of exposure or us safe and alive. Now many of us are wondering possible exposure (e.g., if you have been in any how to reconnect in real time. large protests recently), your chances are low that Over the last six months, we have been followyou carry the virus. ing public guidelines to reduce exposure. In June, 4. What masking, social distancing, and health the New York City Health Department issued protocols do each of you follow? People have wide recommendations on sex and the coronavirus variations in how they handle these basic prostating, “If you do have sex with others outside of tocols and you want to share how you attend to your household, have as few partners as possible them. While the guy I was talking to had similar and pick partners you trust.” standards, they were not exactly the same as mine. In these lockdown months, maybe you met We had to make sure each of was comfortable someone online or reconnected with a previous with the other. For example, my socially distanced sex partner. Or perhaps, you have chatted with participation in recent protests caused my folks about starting a pod for more safely manfriend to require that I get tested before aging sexual contact. After months of texting or we met up again. video chats, you are itching to meet in-person. 5. Have you been diagnosed with While you may have already figured out all of COVID-19 using a nasal swab or the things you want to do, before you can safely saliva PCR test or tested for COhookup, you need to have at least one more conVID antibodies? Testing is only versation. The following six questions will guide useful if you can get results back you and your potential partner(s) as you talk quickly. I was lucky to get my about consent and risk-taking. There are no right PCR test results in 24 hours, but or wrong answers. And as I was to find out, the if you have to wait a week or more honesty and openness of the conversation deepand you have been out and about, ened the real intimacy I was seeking. the results will not mean much. According to the 1. With whom, if anyone, have you been New York Public Health Department, “people sheltering-in place? Your interactions with any who have recovered from COVID-19 at least 10 household member mean being exposed to othdays from the day their symptoms started and ers or exposing them to you. Share information who have not had fever for at least three days are about your daily contacts with the people in your likely no longer infectious.” Currently, the length household, highlighting any of them more vuland type of immunity antibodies might confer nerable due to age, health, or other factors. And is unknown. With low reliability rates, antibody be aware that circumstances can change, as it did tests may be worthless. However, in the future we for me when a partner’s parent had emergency should know more. surgery, causing us to put a brake on meeting. 6. Given that a person could be asymptomatic

I Bay Area Reporter

and still infect others, how do you feel about that risk? This might be the toughest question, in that it addresses your risk-taking/adverseness. While attending to all of the health protocols above will significantly lower the possibility of infection, there is still some risk through asymptomatic exposure. My friend and I talked about our willingness to address this unknown exposure. Since both of us had been going shopping and cautiously participating in the outside world, we had already known that we were taking some chances that others did not. After this discussion, we felt a base for honesty and compassion had been established between us. Yet, one can hear all of the “right” answers and still decide that they are not ready. On the other hand, when desire takes over, data can be thrown out in the rush. We gave ourselves more time to ponder the risks and our desires before making a decision. When we decided to give it a shot, we went on to the bonus question: What types of sexual practices do you enjoy and what would be offlimits, at least in the beginning? Remember, the virus can only be passed if any of the participants are currently infected. For me, we knew enough to trust each other during this time. Honesty is hot. Our conversations about COVID-19 have not stopped but now they include much more. Sex, safety, and intimacy are still possible in our COVID-19 world. t Alan Lessik is a writer, Zen practitioner, amateur figure skater, LGBTQ activist, and former nonprofit leader. His debut novel, “The Troubleseeker” (Chelsea Station Editions), was short-listed for the Publishing Triangle’s 2017 Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBTQ Fiction. His nonfiction works and essays have been published by Lambda Literary, KQED, the Advocate, and San Francisco Bay Guardian. Lessik is on the board of the LGBTQ Writers Caucus of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs and has moderated panels about queer writing in the last three national conferences. He is a member of the National Writers Union. Follow him at http://www. alanlessik.com.

Politics >>

September 3-9, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

San Mateo County LGBTQ Democratic club relaunches

s a gay Black Redwood City resident prepares to become the first out person to serve on his City Council, a new Democratic club has formed to help elect more LGBTQ people to public office throughout San Mateo County. The San Mateo County Stonewall Democrats formed in the spring and was officially sanctioned by the county’s Democratic Party in July, cochair Chris Sturken told the Bay Area Reporter in a recent interview. The 26-member political group elected Sturken, fellow co-chair Lexington Shimmers, and three other board members in August. “We want to increase our presence on the Peninsula so no one is wondering if are there any LGBTQ leaders on the Peninsula, or is there a community? Yes, there is,” said Sturken, 26, who grew up in Belmont and last weekend moved to Redwood City to live with his partner, Marcel Hite. Shimmers, 53, a transgender African American woman, moved to Redwood City four months ago from San Jose, where she had been living in a shelter for female veterans. A former U.S. Navy hospital corpsman and an Army nurse stationed in San Diego, Shimmers had lived in San Mateo from 2011 through 2019 until she became homeless. “If it was up to the current administration, they would have the right to say we don’t have room for you,” said Shimmers, referring to the Trump administration’s adoption of a policy allowing homeless shelters segregated by sex to discriminate against transgender individuals. A Peninsula Stonewall Democrats club for LGBTQ residents had formed in 2013 and was active until 2018, noted its former chair Jason Galisatus, who had been partners with Sturken. He told the B.A.R. it fizzled out that year when he ran for a Redwood City council seat and no one else stepped up to keep the club going. “I’m very supportive of this new club!!” said Galisatus, who is a member and advising its board. The other board members are communications director Steve Disselhorst, secretary Lelan Anders, and treasurer Krystle Cansino. They are also members of the county’s LGBTQ commission, which in June helped get every city and town in the jurisdiction to celebrate Pride Month for the first time. It was the countywide Pride Visibility campaign that partly inspired Sturken to relaunch the Democratic club for the county’s LGBTQ community, which has few communal spaces where it can gather. He had been living in Foster City, whose council initially rejected entreaties to fly the rainbow flag but later agreed to do so in a divided vote. “That initiative really lit a fire under me,” said Sturken, noting one of the Stonewall club’s first formal actions was sending a letter to Foster City officials asking them to reconsider flying the Pride flag. Shimmers and Sturken have known each other for several years, as they are both members of the advisory board for the San Mateo County Pride Cen-

Editorial

From page 4

COVID back-to-school plan, and agrees that schools cannot reopen until it is deemed safe to do so. He wrote in his questionnaire that he was impressed by the quick pivot to remote learning that occurred in the spring. “That said, distance learning is simply not as effective as in-person learning in the classroom,” he added. He wrote that the district needs to identify individual supports to help each student be successful. Regarding reopening,

Courtesy Chris Sturken

San Mateo County Stonewall Democrats Co-Chair Chris Sturken

ter, the area’s LGBTQ community center that also assisted with the Pride campaign. While Shimmers told the B.A.R. she had a lot of “trepidation” about leading the Stonewall club, she decided to become co-chair in order to help elect a “blue wave” of Democratic candidates in November, from president on down to local races. “I want us to right now focus on supporting our Democratic politicians running for office now, incumbents and also challengers. I think that is the most important thing right now,” said Shimmers, who is in the process of being hired as a scheduler for a local Veterans Affairs medical center. One such candidate is Stonewall club member Michael Smith, who is running unopposed for the newly created District 4 seat on the City Council in Redwood City. Although no one else filed to seek the seat, Smith argued for including it on the November ballot since it is the first time people in his Five Points neighborhood will be electing a district council person. “There was a consensus this election, even though in some ways it is symbolic, it is a good use of city funds to help bring that district together,” said Smith, 36, who relocated to the Bay Area in 2016 from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Smith earned a B.A. in political science at Yale and an MBA at New York University. At the invitation of a friend who was starting a marijuana delivery service, he moved to California to help launch the business. While no longer involved with that company, Smith continues to have a financial stake in another cannabis firm, several consulting companies, and is an adjunct professor of business at Canada College, a local community college. For the last two years he has served on the Redwood City Planning Commission. It was a policy fight – still ongoing – over allowing homeowners to build second story additional dwelling units that prompted him to run for the council seat. “I am a staunch advocate for housing, especially housing affordable in nature,” said Smith, who will be confronted with various housing is-

Boggess wrote that he thinks there will need to be regular testing and public health staff regularly onsite at school campuses, which will cost money. The candidates were generally in agreement to our question about what defunding the police means to them: reallocate resources from school policing to social service support for students. Sanchez, Lam, board member Alison Collins, and Boggess (in his capacity with Coleman Advocates) co-authored the board’s resolution “In Support of Black Lives in SFUSD and the Abolition of Armed Law Enforcement in Schools,” which effec-

sues once he takes his oath of office in December. “When I felt like there were factions in the city actively pushing against what I felt was reasonable land use policy, it really made me feel I wanted to have more of a voice on the council.” Aiming to join Smith on the council in the District 3 seat is Lissette Espinoza-Garnica, 24, a first-generation queer, nonbinary Chicanx who has lived in Redwood City their entire life. A graduate of Santa Clara University, where they earned an English degree, Espinoza-Garnica is one of two nonbinary local city council candidates running this fall. The other is San Ramon resident Sameera Rajwade, 21, who also happens to be seeking their city’s newly created District 3 council seat. Either would be the first known nonbinary person elected to a city council in the Bay Area. Unlike Smith, Espinoza-Garnica has two opponents, one of whom is current City Councilwoman Janet Borgens. But with half of the district’s 3,000 eligible voters under the age of 50 and many people of color, Espinoza-Garnica sees a path to winning the race. “I think it does work more on my behalf, having the district this year. Having to run citywide would have been a lot bigger challenge campaigning for,” said Espinoza-Garnica, who was laid off from their preschool job due to the health crisis and is now their grandmother’s caretaker. Active in local Black Lives Matter protests, Espinoza-Garnica was prompted to run for public office by the City Council’s response to demands it reduce the police department’s budget. “I started getting more involved to defund the police in my city. When that didn’t turn out the way we hoped at the final budget hearing, we decided to try to run someone,” said Espinoza-Garnica, who ended up being the candidate when no one else stepped forward. While a member of the Democratic Socialists of America Silicon Valley chapter, they are running as an independent candidate with no party preference. They aren’t sure if they will seek the new Stonewall club’s endorsement, since they are not a registered Democrat and were already turned down by a Latinx Democratic Club for that reason. Sturken told the B.A.R. the club is set to send out questionnaires to candidates who request one later this week and should be making endorsements this month. While Shimmers said she isn’t interested in seeking public office, Sturken didn’t rule it out at some point. They and the other board members will need to seek full one-year terms in their club positions in January. “This is one of the most important elections of our lifetime. Right now, we all need to come together, we need to be informed, and we need to act,” said Shimmers as for why she hopes people will join the Stonewall club. It costs $25 a year to be a member. tively severs the school district’s ties with the San Francisco Police Department. The resolution calls on the city to reinvest funds currently used for policing and investing those resources into youth development, mentoring, community-based violence prevention, and other social services. Parker wrote that she supports the district’s resolution. These four candidates all would bring their deep commitment to students, staff, and parents to the SFUSD board. All have a broad range of support, including LGBTQ electeds and organizations. t

It will hold its next meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 16. For more information about the club, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/SMCStonewallDems/ or email smcstonewalldemocrats@ gmail.com.

Correction

Last week’s column misstated the source of the funding the GLBT Historical Society will use to hire a major gifts and capital campaign director. It is a $50,000 San Francisco Arts Commission grant. The online version has been corrected.t

Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column reported on grants awarded to LGBTQ-serving cultural groups in San Francisco. Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/politicalnotes. Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 8298836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

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t Queer entrepreneurs launch high-end cannabis beverage by Sari Staver

t the same time Governor Gavin Newsom announced his COVID-related shutdown of many businesses in March, queer entrepreneurs Brandon Andrew and Ian Colon were planning to launch of a new cannabis-infused beverage. “We went ahead anyway,” Andrew, a gay man who lives in Los Angeles and is a founder and CEO of the new company, Calexo, said in a telephone interview with the Bay Area Reporter. Andrew, 30, a native Californian who produced dance parties in Boston, where he attended art school, is a newcomer to cannabis. “I preferred alcohol,” he explained, which fit in with his jobs in restaurants and bars. But several years ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer, Andrew’s physician suggested he stop drinking to keep his liver as healthy as possible. Colon, Andrew’s college friend, and co-producer of dance parties, was a heavy cannabis user and suggested Andrew try marijuana. “I really didn’t want to smoke,” he said, “and wondered if I could find a way to consume it in a beverage.” He tried a few products and wanted something better. Andrew and Colon, who is bisexual and lives in San Francisco, raised money from friends and family and began working with chemists to produce a natural drink that would appeal to “a certain segment” of the population who were willing to pay more for the best. When they told me that bottles of Calexo retail for $20-23, plus tax, for a 10 mg dose of THC, I mentioned

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Calexo offers high-end cannabis-infused beverages.

that the price was in the stratosphere, compared to the $14 bottles of cannabis-infused lemonade, which contains 100 mg of THC. “We know,” said Andrew, pointing out that many cannabis consumers are not as price conscious as I am. “Just try it and see how it compares,” said Colon, who is chief marketing officer of Calexo. He brought me both flavors of the new beverage, Citrus Rose and Cucumber Citron. “They are wonderful,” I said after testing them, but I just don’t think that a Grocery Outlet shopper like myself would spend $20 for a drink with 10 mg of THC, when I could buy something similar for $1.40 for a 10 mg dose. I should add that the Calexo is in a 22-ounce bottle and the lemonade concentrate is in an 8-ounce bottle. The men both believe that the demand for a high-end beverage will make their product a win. “We’re confident we will succeed,” said Andrew, who said that a wide range of people they know gave it a thumbs up after tasting it. “The brand is committed to always using carefully-selected, premium ingredients with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors, ever,” said Andrew. Each bottle of Calexo

contains all-natural juices, botanicals, sparkling water, and nano-emulsified THC, he said. As part of Andrew’s cancer treatment, physicians inject medicine into his eye once a month. “Cannabis really helps,” he said. “I’m a believer.” When pandemic-related restrictions are relaxed and parties and other socializing resume, Andrew hopes they will have the opportunity to share the sparkling beverages and explain the principles and goals of the company. “People are increasingly interested in respiratory health because of COVID,” said Colon. “We think our timing, in some ways, couldn’t be better. I still like to smoke a bowl, but most people who learn a beverage is available” would prefer it. The men want to participate in compassionate use programs to offer their product to indigent people who use cannabis for medical reasons. They also hope to support the arts and, if legally feasible, have their beverages available at gallery openings. As of now, Calexo is available for delivery in the Bay Area through https://www.ona.life/ and is sold at the Pharmacy, a Berkeley dispensary. The company plans to expand distribution to more dispensaries in the Bay Area. For more information, visit www. calexo.co.

SPARC gets retail license

And in news about other LGBTQowned companies in the Bay Area, SPARC, founded by Erich Pearson, a gay man, recently announced that it has been awarded the one and only cannabis retail license issued by the city of Sonoma. The company plans to open its sixth location there in early 2021 (other locations are in San Francisco and elsewhere in Sonoma County). SPARC has agreed to allocate 5% of its profits from the new dispensary to support the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, La Luz, and other local nonprofits. See page 7 >>

Obituaries >> Thomas Matthew Virgo

Bret Wright

March 14, 1960 – August 16, 2020

May 3, 1958 – August 23, 2020

Thomas Matthew Virgo, born March 14, 1960, passed into the next life in his beloved city of San Francisco on August 16, 2020. Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Jane (Schultz) and father, Samuel W. Virgo. He is survived by siblings Victoria Okuniewski (Paul), William Virgo (Shauna), Catherine Marshall, Mark Virgo (Rona), Seth Virgo (Marcie), and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces. Thomas was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, graduated from Portage Northern High School, and attended Western Michigan University. He traveled and lived in many other cities: Key West, Florida; Provincetown, Massachusetts; Sacramento, California; and finally, San Francisco. Throughout his life, Thomas worked in the hospitality industry, touching the hearts of all he knew with his sweet smile, charming looks, and gentle soul. His love of music, artwork, theater, Hollywood, geography, and karaoke permeated his life. His dear friends, Ed Nieto and Steve Bruce, were by his side when his spirit left this Earth. Cremation has taken place. Thomas will be missed by so many who loved him. A celebration of his life will take place as we navigate through this pandemic. Donations can be made in Thomas’ honor to amfAR and the World Wildlife Fund.

Bret Wright passed unexpectedly in the early hours of Sunday, August 23, 2020. Bret was a generous loving soul. He contributed to many charities and never passed up a chance to support a friend or stranger. He gave selflessly with his congenial smile and naturally charismatic personality. His heart belonged to dogs. Animal charities were some of his favorites. He was also a big San Francisco Giants fan and could often be found at the neighborhood bars taking in a game. Professionally, Bret’s career took him from Manhattan to San Francisco, where he thrived in the corporate event sector. He was a key player for Jack Morton Worldwide before starting up his own company, Wright On Solutions. In recent years he ran the digital signage for Dreamforce, the annual Salesforce conference. Bret loved to travel. Be it Hong Kong, London, Vietnam, or Italy, he had been and loved to share the experience with others. He made an annual pilgrimage to the islands of Hawaii. He said it recharged his batteries and refreshed his soul. His ashes will be scattered on Maui. Bret is survived by his husband, Bill Elias; married since legal and together 24 years.

Community News>>

September 3-9, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

2020 STD rates drop, but so do tests, from ’19 numbers by John Ferrannini

eported rates of some sexually transmitted diseases dropped precipitously from last year’s numbers as of the end of June, according to statistics released by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, a side-effect of less testing and changed sexual habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report, which was released August 11, year-to-date reported cases of gonorrhea declined from 2,524 in 2019 to 2,063 in 2020. Year-to-date reported cases of chlamydia declined from 4,775 in 2019 to 3,053 in 2020. Reported syphilis cases were down slightly, from 914 to 826 in the same timeframe, but 2020 has seen a rise in cases of primary and secondary syphilis, unknown latent syphilis, and cases among women. Janessa Broussard, the senior director of clinical services for Magnet, the sexual health clinic located at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s Strut health center in the Castro, told the Bay Area Reporter that people should be cautious about what the numbers represent. “I think we can’t really say for sure if there has been less community spread,” Broussard said. “Within our PrEP program we have had a subset of clients saying they are not [sexually] active during shelter-in-place outside their primary relationship, but there are others who are continuing their normal patterns. Some have transitioned from daily PrEP to 2-1-1 PrEP. What I can

Bay Area Cannasseur

From page 6

The dispensary will also donate $4,000 per month in cannabis to support low-income medical patients

Rick Gerharter

Dr. Stephanie Cohen is the medical director at San Francisco’s City Clinic.

say for certain is that the access to STI testing really dramatically decreased during shelter-in-place.” Magnet used to see 100 clients per day and allowed walk-in appointments, Broussard said. Now, all appointments have to be scheduled in advance. For a time the clinic was only seeing 25 clients per day but it is now around 60-70 appointments per day. Broussard said that some people are understandably nervous about entering a clinic at all, considering the COVID-19 virus, but explained that people are screened for symptoms when they arrive. Dr. Stephanie Cohen, the medical director of the Department of Public Health’s City Clinic in the South of Market neighborhood, was less willing to speculate on the meaning of the numbers. This was the first time someand those needing palliative care, Pearson said.

Update on Apothecarium compassionate program

Low-income San Francisco resi-

one from DPH was able to talk to the B.A.R. about STD rates since before the pandemic. “I think that the numbers we report reflect the number of cases diagnosed. They are subject to the same limitations they have always been subject to,” Cohen said. “Case counts are a proxy for rates, but they are not themselves rates.” Cohen and Broussard said that sexual health workers are attempting to find better ways to diagnose and treat STDs with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind. “The COVID pandemic has made us innovate in many ways and I think that will be long-lasting,” Cohen said. “Home testing is one of the very important technologies we are scaling up.” “There are a number of projects that offer home testing,” Cohen added. “We are partnering with Take Me Home. Take Me Home currently has only HIV testing but they will be adding STD testing to their platform. We want folks to be made aware of that option.” Another thing Cohen said can be done is to have people being tested take their own swab samples at a clinic instead of having medical staff do it for patients. Broussard said that there is not a plan at the moment for Strut to return to normalcy, as little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic will play out. “We are definitely trying to hone in on the ways to increase access now,” she said.

Youth Risk Behavior survey

and high schools,” Martinez stated in an email to the B.A.R. “Under the umbrella of wellness centers, school social workers, and school district nurse services, we have a long-standing condom availability program in secondary schools. “Middle school students can access condoms with an after assessment and educational session with a school social worker or district nurse,” he added. “High school students can access condoms in wellness centers. Wellness center staff, school district nurses, and school social workers also refer students to community clinics for sexual health services. Wellness center staff help facilitate appointments to clinics as much as possible to make sure students make appointments and can arrive at the appointment.” Martinez stated that the public health department offers some services at select high schools. “In addition, there is an active partnership between SFDPH and SFUSD to offer some sexual health services at the wellness centers located at Willie Brown Middle School, Burton High School and Balboa High School,” he stated. “During shelter in place and distance learning, wellness center staff, school social workers, and school district nurses continue to connect with students and refer students to sexual health services available at New Generation Health Center and the Michael Baxter Clinic at Larkin Street Youth Services.”t

dents with medical cannabis cards are eligible to apply for the new compassion program sponsored by the Apothecarium. Applications for the program are on the Apothecarium website; questions about the program

should be directed to Eliot@Apothecarium.com. The program will initially supply products to 30 patients and will be expanded in the future. The deadline is September 18. t

Bay Area Cannasseur runs monthly. To send column ideas or tips, email Sari Staver at sfsari@ gmail.com.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results of its 2019 Youth Risk Behavior survey on August 20. A website breaks down the results county-bycounty. The survey of the nation’s youth asks questions about sexual behavior; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; dietary behaviors and physical activity; and behaviors that contribute to physical injury and violence. The data for San Francisco included answers from 2,165 students. It showed youth in the city were statistically more likely than youth in the nation at-large to have been tested for STDs (other than HIV), but were not more or less statistically likely to have been tested for HIV. All told, 11.6% of San Francisco high school students who participated in the survey had been tested for HIV, a decrease from 14.2% in 2013; 27.7% of those of both sexes with same-sex-only contacts had been tested. Twelve percent of San Francisco high school students had been tested for sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV. That figure was 18.7% for those who’d only had same-sex contacts. Erik Martinez, a queer man who serves as San Francisco Unified School District LGBTQ programs coordinator, told the B.A.R. about some of the services the district provides. “SFUSD provides comprehensive sexual health education in all middle

with DESCOVY for PrEP® DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: • It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. • You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP.

DESCOVY® is the smallest pill approved for PrEP. Actual size: 13mm x 6mm

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DESCOVY (des-KOH-vee) This is only a brief summary of important information about taking DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine. MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY FOR PrEP Before starting and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP: • You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested for HIV immediately before and at least every 3 months while taking DESCOVY. If you think you were exposed to HIV, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to confirm that you are still HIV-negative. • Many HIV tests can miss HIV infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or while taking DESCOVY. • DESCOVY does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting STIs. • DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. Do not take DESCOVY for PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV negative. DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check or give you HBV medicine.

Ask a healthcare provider if DESCOVY for PrEP is right for you. To learn more, visit AboutDescovy.com.

ABOUT DESCOVY FOR PrEP DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV who weigh at least 77 pounds. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: • It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. • You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take DESCOVY for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV infection or if you do not know your HIV status. If you have HIV-1, you need more medicine than DESCOVY alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only DESCOVY, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat now and in the future.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY FOR PrEP DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with DESCOVY. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

Eligible patients may pay as little as a $0 co-pay.*

Actor portrayals

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY FOR PrEP POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY FOR PrEP (cont’d) Common side effects in people taking DESCOVY for PrEP include diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY for PrEP.

• Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking DESCOVY for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. If your partner is living with HIV, your risk of getting HIV is lower if your partner consistently takes HIV treatment every day. • Get tested for other STIs. Some STIs make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Practice safer sex by using latex or polyurethane condoms. • Talk to your healthcare provider about all the ways to help reduce HIV risk.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com/prep or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com/prep for program information.

*Advancing Access® co-pay support is available for commercially insured eligible patients only. Subject to change; for full terms and conditions, visit GileadAdvancingAccess.com.

DESCOVY FOR PrEP, the DESCOVY FOR PrEP Logo, the DESCOVY Blue Pill Design, DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, STEP UP. PrEP UP., ADVANCING ACCESS, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ©2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0244 02/20

<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Reporter • September 3-9, 2020

All-star lineup for Horizons’ virtual 40th gala compiled by Cynthia Laird

orizons Foundation has lined up national and local celebrities and LGBTQ leaders for its 40th anniversary gala, which will be held virtually Saturday, September 12, at 6 p.m. Bowen Yang, a gay cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” will appear, as will performer Sandra Bernhard, and lesbian poet and city resident Jewelle Gomez. Other special guests include trans leaders Miss Major Griffin-Gracy; Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center; and Cecilia Chung, director of strategic partnerships and evaluation at TLC. They will be joined by gay former state senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), out comedian Marga Gomez, and Kris Perry and Sandra Stier, who were plaintiffs in the Proposition 8 case that ultimately returned samesex marriage to the Golden State.

Additionally, San Francisco Mayor London Breed will make an appearance, as will Imani Rupert-Gordon, a queer woman who’s executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and drag performer Donna Sachet. Performances will be given by trans operatic soprano Breanna Sinclairé and KB “Tuffy” Bruce of Drag Kings of the Blues. Horizons, which raises and distributes funds to LGBTQ nonprofits and other LGBTQ programing, said that a donation of any amount will enable people to access the private broadcast. Since 1980, Horizons has awarded over $49.2 million to over 2,100 organizations, including $641,500 in emergency grants to Bay Area LGBTQ organizations in response to the pandemic, according to its website. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/2GfDamV.

Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Units Available

Alta Potrero,1301 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

4 Studio units at $1,182 a month 13 One Bedroom units at $1,339 a month 11 Two Bedroom units at $1,494 a month 1 Three Bedroom unit at $1,649 a month Applicants must not own a housing unit, meet the "Resident Selection Criteria" and be income eligible. Households must earn no more than the maximum income levels outlined below at 55% area median income: HOUSEHOLD SIZE

Max. Annual Income

1 Person $49,300

2 Persons $56,400

3 Persons $63,400

4 Persons $70,450

5 Persons $76,100

Applications available from Friday September 4th, 2020 and due by 5PM Friday October 2nd, 2020. Applications must be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org For more information contact Brian Minall (415) 647 7191 ext. 127. brian.minall@caritasmanagement.com

Units available through the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development and are subject to monitoring and other restrictions.

Visit housing.sfgov.org for an application and further program information.

SF Pride annual meeting coming up

The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee will hold its annual general meeting Saturday, September 12, at noon via Zoom. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from board candidates, who will deliver statements and make themselves available for questions. Related to that, SF Pride officials announced that this year’s board elections will be conducted via the mail. Members should have already received their ballots, which include detailed instructions. The voting period is open until September 18, meaning members can attend the virtual meeting before casting their ballots. For more information, go to the member portal at https://members. sfpride.org/election/. In other SF Pride news, the organization announced that it is soliciting themes for Pride 2021. After three years of using “Generations of…,” which was created by Larry Nelson,

San Francisco resident Russell S. Roeca, 66, received the phone call Thursday, August 27, that he had been appointed to the court vacancy. He told the Bay Area Reporter last Friday, after the governor’s office officially announced the news that he expects to take his judicial oath of office by the end of September. “I am very happy about that,” Roeca said of his appointment, as he had earlier applied to be named a judge by former governor Jerry Brown. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Joseph Quinn, a gay jurist tapped by Newsom last year as one of the people advising him on filling judicial vacancies, told the B.A.R. he was fairly certain that Roeca is the first LGBTQ person to be named a judge by the governor. “Definitely the first in Northern California, but as far as I know the first in the state,” said Quinn, specifying he was speaking on his own and not on behalf of the governor or the advisory committee. Roeca was encouraged to reapply with Newsom, whom he had only met briefly when Newsom served as a San Francisco supervisor and then mayor. Roeca’s nearly nine-year term as a city fire commissioner came to an end when Newsom became mayor in 2004. He and his husband, Rich Vernon, were married that winter following Newsom’s decision to buck state law and order city officials to marry samesex couples. Their officiant turned out to be the wife of a city firefighter; the couple of 38 years had exchanged vows in a private ceremony they held in the 1980s with family and friends. With that marriage later annulled by the state Supreme Court, Roeca and Vernon married a third time in the summer of 2008 following the California high court’s ruling that same-sex couples had a legal right to marry. Roeca that year also chaired the Marriage Fairness Task Force that formed to oppose Proposition 8 on the November ballot and donated to the campaign to defeat the anti-marriage equality measure.

Who says masks aren’t FABULOUS? Wearing a mask protects yourself and others. Let’s flatten the curve. We did it once. Together, we can do it again.

SF court seat

From page 1

Oakland Pride

From page 2

as the B.A.R. previously reported was a Black trans man who was killed by police in Tallahassee, Florida on May 27 – two days after Floyd. (Police said McDade aimed a gun at them, though some witnesses say that is not true.) “We also lost someone,” Moreland said. “Tony McDade was a Black trans man shot and killed by police – a victim of violence and police never did anything. They shot him mind-blowingly.” The first week of September is officially designated by the city

the board wants to hear from people for the new tagline. To submit a theme suggestion, go to https://sfpride.wufoo.com/forms/z1nf025w15pk9t9/.

Ayala to depart MPact global group

The board of directors of MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights has announced that cofounder and Executive Director George Ayala, PsyD, will depart September 30. In an email to supporters, the board noted that Ayala built MPact from the ground up. “His accomplishments go all the way back to the very first MSM PreConference at the 2004 International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, where the idea for a global network of gay and bisexual men was first explored,” the board wrote. Ayala was able to secure funding from a variety of sources, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which helped it open its first

office and hire staff in 2009. MPact became an independently operated, legally registered nonprofit organization in 2014. MPact does advocacy work, and has established collaborations with a number of global organizations working in HIV, sex work, and trans equality. In his own message, Ayala thanked his partner, Tri Do, and wrote that there is much to do to end health disparities experienced by gay and bi men. “Heteronormativity and homophobia toxically pervade and distort the global HIV response both in blatant and subtle ways,” he wrote. He noted he is hopeful because “gay and bi men refuse to be silenced or rendered invisible in the global HIV response.” “Gay and bisexual men are building communities amongst ourselves where we can find haven, love, support, safety, connection, and comradery,” he added. For more information, go to www.mpactglobal.org. t

Following the passage of Prop 8, which overruled the state court and banned same-sex marriage in the Golden State, Roeca played a public role in the legal fight to overturn the voter-approved measure. At the time he was president of the Bar Association of San Francisco, which in 2009 filed a friend of the court brief in opposition to Prop 8. And when the State Bar of California announced it would hold its convention that fall at a San Diego hotel owned by a major Prop 8 backer, Roeca announced he would not stay at the hotel or spend any money there, as the B.A.R. reported at the time. It was par for the course for Roeca, who in 1996 was serving on the board of governors for the national LGBTQ rights group the Human Rights Campaign when it disinvited George Stephanopoulos, then an adviser to President Bill Clinton, to speak at its San Francisco fundraiser. The action was prompted by Clinton’s announcement that May that he would sign federal legislation restricting same-sex marriage. “I have no choice but to support Clinton for president, but we certainly don’t need to have him send one of his people to dinner,” Roeca told the San Francisco Chronicle. “San Francisco is a city where we had Willie Brown conducting a gay and lesbian marriage. We want someone who supports and respects us 100 percent.” Roeca told the B.A.R. Friday that he would leave his history of activism at the courthouse steps in order to be a fair and impartial jurist. “I actually debated some of the antigay marriage folks on the radio. Now I have to be an independent jury and impartial and follow the rule of law,” said Roeca. “I also bring who I am to the bench. It is a wonderful thing.” Roeca grew up in Hollywood, with a father who was a screenwriter and a mother who was an attorney. “My parents threw me out of the closet. They wanted to make sure I lived a happy life,” he recalled. After he graduated UCLA in 1976, Roeca earned his J.D. in 1980 from UC

Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. He worked as an associate at a number of law firms in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in 1998. In 2000 he opened his own firm, Roeca Haas Montes De Oca LLP, with several other partners. He is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in legal malpractice law and is also a certified mediator. According to his bio on his firm’s website, Roeca’s “practice principally focuses upon professional liability of attorneys, real estate and healthcare professionals, as well as related commercial and business litigation.” He represents attorneys in their efforts to recover fees or defend against liability lawsuits, and those facing disciplinary investigations and trials before the State Bar of California. In addition to his one-year term as president of the Bar Association of San Francisco, Roeca served as a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California from 2001 to 2004. He was also a member of the State Bar Committee on Professional Liability Insurance and served as co-chair from 2010 through 2012. He is a longtime supporter of the AIDS Legal Referral Panel and the Volunteer Legal Services Program of BASF. His term on the HRC board spanned from 1994 until 1998, and Roeca is a long-standing member of Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, the local LGBTQ bar association. The State Bar of California named Roeca the 2010 Myer J. Sankary Lawyer of the Year, Small & Solo Firms. In 2011 the Bench Bar Coalition named Roeca Bar Leader of the Year. A Democrat, Roeca will earn $214,601 as a judge. He will be the seventh out member of the local bench, based on the latest LGBTQ demographic data on judges released earlier this year. “It is something I have always wanted to do,” said Roeca. “It is a wonderful way to take me to the end of my career. I imagine I will be a judge for the next 10 to 15 years; I am very young, so to speak.” t

of Oakland as Transgender Pride Week, according to a copy of the proclamation signed by Mayor Libby Schaaf and provided by Moreland.

Richard Fuentes, said the bar is going to add extra tables and chairs outside before Pride week. “We’re just happy people are turning out and we hope people can make the most of Oakland Pride, indoors or outdoors, in a safe and positive way,” Sullivan said. Currently, the bar’s outdoor capacity is 32 people – and that number has turned out for drag shows and trivia nights, according to Sullivan. That number will expand to 38 soon and “we’ll see how that goes,” Sullivan said. “Of course we keep people spaced six feet apart,” he added. t

Drag at Oakland LGBTQ bar

Following the closure of Club 21 and BNB, the Port Bar at 2023 Broadway is one of the last LGBTQidentified bars left in the city. Port Bar has been open in recent months and even holding events, outdoors and with masks of course, and featuring food from Shiloh Cuisine. Sean Sullivan, a gay man who co-owns Port Bar with his partner,

Legals & Classifieds>>

September 3-9, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555823

In the matter of the application of YIRONG ZHEN, 542 MASON ST #60, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner YIRONG ZHEN is requesting that the name YIRONG ZHEN be changed to JOHN Z MARTINEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 17th of September 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 13, 20, 27, SEP 03, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555821

In the matter of the application of SOPHIA DIANE PETRUCCI, 1514 PERSHING DR C, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94129, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner SOPHIA DIANE PETRUCCI is requesting that the name SOPHIA DIANE PETRUCCI AKA SOPHIA DIANE TRUMBAUER AKA SOPHIA DIANE TRUMBAUER PETRUCCI AKA SOPHIA D. PETRUCCI be changed to SOPHIA ARTEMIS LENNOX. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 15th of September 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 13, 20, 27, SEP 03, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039120900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAMITH, 36 FORD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JEFFREY SMITH. 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 08/05/20.

AUG 13, 20, 27, SEP 03, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039116600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PHILTRE; HEROIC; 121 BANKS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed PHILTRE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on PHILTRE 07/16/15; HEROIC N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/30/20.

AUG 13, 20, 27, SEP 03, 2020 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-036514800

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as SAGEKAT, THE SAGE REVIEW; 121 BANKS ST, SAN FRACISCO, CA 94110. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by PHILTRE LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/02/15.

AUG 13, 20, 27, SEP 03, 2020 STATEMENT OF DAMAGES (PERSONAL INJURY OR WRONGFUL DEATH) IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CGC-18-570359

To Defendant: MATINA ELAINE MCDANIEL AKA TINA MCDANIEL, Plaintiff: JANET TAPIA seeks damages in the above-entitled action, in Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102, as follows: 1. General Damages: a. Pain, suffering, and inconvenience $300,000; b. Emotional distress $300,000. 2. Special Damages: a. Medical expenses (to date) $200,000; b. Future medical expenses (present value) $100,000; i. Other, Wrongful eviction $600,000; j. Other, Loss of normal use of my legs physical and emotional scaring $900,000. 3. Punitive damages: Plaintiff reserves the right to seek punitive damages in the amount of $150,000 when pursuing a judgment in the suit filed against you. August 17, 2020, signed Janet Tapia (Party without Attorney), 237 Kearny St. #237, San Francisco, CA 94108

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555832

In the matter of the application of JOHN RICHARD DANIEL, 1547 SHAFTER AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JOHN RICHARD DANIEL is requesting that the name JOHN RICHARD DANIEL be changed to JOHN RICHARD BAIRD. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103 on the 24th of September 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555836

In the matter of the application of WILLIAM ERIK BLAKEMAN, 1077 MCALLISTER ST #E, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner WILLIAM ERIK BLAKEMAN is requesting that the name WILLIAM ERIK BLAKEMAN AKA ERIK WILLIAM BLAKEMAN be changed to ERIK WILLIAM BLAKEMAN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 29th of September 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555838

In the matter of the application of DOROTHY ELIZABETH PAUTZ, 237 GRATTAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DOROTHY ELIZABETH PAUTZ is requesting that the name DOROTHY ELIZABETH PAUTZ AKA DOROTHY E. PAUTZ AKA DOROTHY PAUTZ AKA DORTHY ELIZBETH PAUTZ AKA DORTHY E. PAUTZ AKA DORTHY PAUTZ be changed to DORTHY ELIZABETH PAUTZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 29th of September 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039124500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HENRY TRUCKING, 207 PERU AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LEONARDO RODRIGUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/06. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/08/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039126900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LEGENDS MAMA BOUTIQUE, 70 BAYVIEW ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAGGIE PASIGAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/28/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/10/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039123800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE BLUE BUDDHA, 1122A SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ERIK EVERTS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/14/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/08/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039128900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BUILDNG GREEN PROJECTS, 605 ARGUELLO BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIEL MARTINEZ MEDELLIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/12/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039132100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PLYWOOD PROS, 1770 ARMSTRONG AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DONALD DARRELL JORDAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/14/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039124900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FRESH VICTOR, 1935 LAWTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed NINE COUNTY BRANDS, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/08/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039112200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KIRBY ARCHITECTURE, 311 POTRERO AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KIRBY LEE ARCHITECTS, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/24/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039120800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as AL’S PLACE, 1499 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TATR LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/22/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/07/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039124600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ENTELLA HOTEL, 905 COLUMBUS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 905 COLUMBUS AVENUE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/08/20.

AUG 20, 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ZETHER MCGRIGER IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-20-303828

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ZETHER MCGRIGER. A Petition for Probate has been filed by CECILEY MCGRIGER in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that CECILEY MCGRIGER 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: September 16, 2020, 9:00 am, Dept. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you

are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: DAE HEE KIM, 605 MARKET ST. #605, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105; Ph. (415) 974-5336.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF TAMIKO MOORE IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-20-303833

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of TAMIKO MOORE. A Petition for Probate has been filed by POCO YOUNG in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that POCO YOUNG be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: September 14, 2020, 9:00 am, Dept. 204, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: NICOLE C. KELLY, ESQ. (SBN 320379), THE KELLY LAW FIRM, 345 FRANKLIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102; Ph. (415) 552-0059.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555845

In the matter of the application of NEIL LICK & BRUCE SPANO, C/O ALEXANDER TOTTO, THE WALD LAW GROUP, PC, 88 KEARNY ST #1475, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner NEIL LICK & BRUCE SPANO is requesting that the name AUGUST HOLDEN CALIFORNIA SPANOLICK be changed to HOLDEN CALIFORNIA SPANOLICK. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 6th of October 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-20-555841

In the matter of the application of ANNETTE CERDAS, 1739 PINE ST #25, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ANNETTE CERDAS is requesting that the name ANNETTE CERDAS be changed to ANNETTE LOYNAZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 1st of October 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039133600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as POCKET, 41 MARS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EMILY FARMER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/07/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/17/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039135700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAKE THERAPY, 2600 HARRISON ST #303, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANDREW TOLENTINO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/03/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/18/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039132200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as APEX CONSULTING, 330 CONNECTICUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CHELSEA GODDARD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/14/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039133700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MARLEY’S PLANTLY THINGS, 600 PORTOLA DR #10, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SHERRY SPENCER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/17/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039129800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOTTIE DRIP LASHES, 3850 18TH ST #400, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HOTTIE DRIP LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/13/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039138100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as UNEXPECTEDERA CAFÉ, 614 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GOMEZ LINAJE ESCOGIDO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/24/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039136500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CRYSTALS SCENT, 410 BAYVIEW CIRCLE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CRYSTALS SCENT LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/18/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039141300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TS4 SECURITY SERVICE, 239 SADOWA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DILLI P. SHARMA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/13/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/24/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039146900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as 2332-2336 STEINER ST APARTMENTS, 2332-2336 STEINER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a trust, and is signed EDMOND BEDROSSIAN TRUSTEE & JASMINE BEDROSSIAN TRUSTEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/18/04. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039147900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PLAZA CERVANTES, 98 CERVANTES BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a trust, and is signed EDMOND BEDROSSIAN TRUSTEE & JASMINE BEDROSSIAN TRUSTEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039148000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CHESTNUT STREET PROPERTIES, 2423 CHESTNUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed EDMOND BEDROSSIAN, JASMINE BEDROSSIAN, TIGRAN DAYANS & ODETTE DAYANS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/02/05. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039138000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAROLINE WATSON CONSULTING, 2043 PINE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CAROLINE LISA WATSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039146700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BIG STICK ARTS, 10 FUNSTON AVE #6, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by in individual, and is signed JOHN LEHNUS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/31/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039126400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MAINLAND MARKET & PRODUCE, 5601 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DAKHAZ INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/22/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/10/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039144400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOUSE OF BEAUTY SF, 1847 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JENNIFER MARIE ALLIVATO-SANDHOLM. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/20.

AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS GENERAL INFORMATION The SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California, is advertising for proposals to provide Legislative Advocacy Services, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 6M7297, on or about September 1, 2020, with proposals due by 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the District Secretary’s Office, 23rd floor, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612. DESCRIPTION OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED The District intends to engage the services of a firm (Consultant) to provide Legislative Advocacy Services and enter into a five (5)-year Agreement with the firm selected, more particularly described in the Scope of Services, Exhibit 1 Sample Form of Agreement, Attachment A of the RFP. A Pre-Proposal Conference Call will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 via WebEx or Zoom. The Pre-Proposal Conference Call will convene at 1:00 P.M., via WebEx or Zoom. At the Pre-Proposal Conference Call, the District’s Non-Discrimination Program for Subcontracting policy will be explained. All questions regarding MBE/ WBE participation should be directed to Mr. Javieree Pruitt-Hill, Office of Civil Rights at (510) 464-7534 – FAX (510) 464-7587. Prospective proposers are requested to make every effort to call in for this only scheduled Pre-Proposal Conference Call and to confirm their attendance by contacting the District’s Contract Administrator, Rhonda Lockhart, telephone (510) 874-7318 or email at Rlockh2@bart.gov, prior to the date of the Pre-Proposal Conference Call. REQUIRED REGISTRATION ON BART PROCUREMENT PORTAL In order for prospective Proposers to be eligible for award of an Agreement being solicited on the BART Procurement Portal, such Proposers are required to be currently registered to do business with BART on the BART Procurement Portal on line at https:// suppliers.bart.gov and have obtained Solicitation Documents, updates, and any Addenda issued on line so as to be added to the On-Line Planholders List for this solicitation. If a prospective Proposer is a joint venture or partnership, such entity may register on the BART Procurement Portal with the entity’s tax identification number (“TIN”) and download the Solicitation Documents so as to be listed as an on-line planholder under the entity’s name prior to submitting its Proposal. If such entity has not registered on BART Procurement Portal in the name of the joint venture or partnership prior to submitting its Proposal, provided that at least one of the joint venturers or partners registered on line on the BART Procurement Portal and downloaded the Solicitation Documents so as to be added to the OnLine Planholders List for this solicitation, such entity will be required to register with the entity’s TIN as an on-line planholder following the submittal of Proposals, in order for the entity to be eligible for award of this Agreement. PROPOSERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED ON THE BART PROCUREMENT PORTAL PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL, (OR FOR A JOINT VENTURE OR PARTNERSHIP AS DESCRIBED ABOVE PRIOR TO AWARD) AND DID NOT DOWNLOAD THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS FOR THIS SOLICITATION ON LINE SO AS TO BE LISTED AS AN ONLINE PLANHOLDER FOR THIS SOLICITATION, WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD OF THIS AGREEMENT. Any questions regarding this Notice to Proposers should be directed to the BART Procurement Department, Attention: Rhonda Lockhart, 300 Lakeside Drive, 17th Floor, Oakland, CA. 94612, email address: Rlockh2@bart.gov, telephone (510) 8747318. Dated at Oakland, California this 21 day of August 2020. /s/ Gloria Abdullah-Lewis Gloria Abdullah-Lewis Acting Manager Contracts Administration San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 9/3/20 CNS-3392769# BAY AREA REPORTER

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picture

by Brian Bromberger

oth the 19th Annual San Francisco DocFest (September 3-20) and OutFest (the Los Angeles version of Frameline) are offering several excellent LGBTQ documentaries, available for streaming at home, since the pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of theatrical screenings.

Sing out

Featured at both DocFest and OutFest as well as the upcoming Frameline 44 is Out Loud, which chronicles the initial 2015/2016 season of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles (TCLA), the first and largest choir of transgender and gender nonconforming people singing together. We follow their journey from the chorus’ inception to its public concert debut at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall, co-performing with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, providing some tutelage and guidance. The chorus was founded by Lindsey Deaton, also the initial artistic director. Deaton had her beginnings leading church choirs and uses similar discipline and training techniques to help the choristers (many of whom have no musical backgrounds) find their groove. TCLA was challenged by member’s vocal range changing as they transitioned, so it took awhile for the chorus to find its voice. While initially their sound was not very good, they rapidly improve the more they practiced.

I am Legend

DocFest is also presenting the 19-minute short, Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom, the POC trans dance/fashion competition, made popular by the film Paris is Burning and today through the Pose and My House

Cured

Documenting queer lives

Outfest & Docfest’s LGBT selections

television series. As quoted by some of its participants, ballroom is “gay Hollywood...feeling fabulous for one night by forgetting all the troubles in your life...it acts as therapy.” This documentary using archival footage traces the founding of the city’s scene from its first Onyx Ball in 1989 as well as its major players such as creator Michael Gaskins and shining star Renee Karan (“the mother of all mothers”). The film works best as a primer of the movement, explaining its terminology and how competitions are judged, useful to the uninitiated/those newly interested due to media exposure or celebrity involvement in the once underground movement.

The Cure

By far the best documentary at OutFest (and which will be included at Frameline 44) is Cured, the story of activists who fomented a pivotal 1973 victory of the American Psychiatric Association removing homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. This event is arguably the most important one in the LG-

Freedia Got a Gun

Screen Savor: playing it straight

Katie Findlay and James Sweeney in Straight Up.

by Gregg Shapiro

ames Sweeney’s queer rom-com Straight Up (Strand), now available on DVD, has more in common with Woody Allen’s Annie Hall than you might expect. Like Allen did for Annie Hall, Sweeney wrote, directed and stars in Straight Up. Like Allen’s Annie Hall character Alvy, Sweeney’s Todd is a nerdy, obsessive compulsive, in therapy, who is in search of companionship.

Similarities between the two probably end there. In Straight Up, gay millennial Todd is undergoing a severe sexual identity crisis, or so he tells friends Ryder (James Scully) and Meg (Dana Drori) in an L.A. diner. He believes he could statistically improve his love life if he started dating woman. Todd thinks he was conditioned to be gay since being called a faggot in grade school. Even though Todd has never had gay sex, his friends disagree with him, pointing out that women aren’t “gay blind” anymore. He also

Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of José Sarria

BTQ equality movement, which made possible future successes such as the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and marriage equality. Cured reveals that the sickness model of homosexuality, prevalent after World War II, was based on prejudice, not science, and led to such barbaric remedies as electroshock therapy and lobotomies to treat LGBTQ “patients.” Producers/Directors Bennett Singer (Brother Outsider) and Patrick Sammon (Codebreaker) rushed to interview key players before they died, such as activist Ron Gold. However, it was Frank Kameny, the irascible astronomer fired by the federal government in 1957 for being gay and head of the Washington, D.C. Mattachine Society chapter, who recognized the importance of winning this battle. Along with his friend, lesbian activist Barbara Gittings, Kameny formulated the strategy to confront the APA. The most electrifying turning point occurred at the 1972 Dallas APA

convention when an anonymous masked gay psychiatrist testified about his agonizing experiences living as a closeted therapist.

Nelly best

Another winning documentary at OutFest is Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of José Sarria, the first film to explore the inimitable SF gay Latino drag performer. Produced and directed by Joe Castel, this is an intimate portrait of the milestone contributions made by Sarria towards LGBTQ equality. Castel, as a graduate student, read about Sarria’s inspiring activism in historian John D’Emilio’s book, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities, so when he moved to California in 1991, he befriended Sarria who also became his mentor. He began to tape Sarria’s cabaret performances, political theatrics, and informal interviews at the kitchen table beginning in 1992 until Jose’s death in 2013 (his glittering funeral was held at Grace Cathedral). See page 13 >>

Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom

shares this revelation, as well as his fear of being alone for the rest of his life, with Frances (Tracie Thoms), his psychoanalyst paid for by his parents. Not far away, Rory (Katie Findlay), a struggling actress balances a life of auditions, waitressing, improv classes and leaving rambling voice mail messages for her itinerant mother. She’s also making an effort to be less negative with varying degrees of success. In modern rom-com style, Todd and Rory meet cute in the self-help section of a library where she mistakes him for an employee because he’s shelving books. As he explains to her, it’s his “legit OCD” that drives him to correct the out of order books, and that his job is in software coding. After an awkward start to the conversation, they discover that they have things in common. He invites her to the house where he is also a part-time house-sitter and they drink wine, eat cake and talk non-stop for eight hours. Before you know it, Todd and Rory are inseparable. Rory joins Todd at a housesitting gig in Monterey. The pair has dinner with Meg and her new model boyfriend Zane (Joshua Diaz). They attend Ryder’s birthday party together. It’s there that Rory begins to have an epiphany about Todd after Meg accidentally outs him and Rory sees him interacting with Ryder and his other gay friends. Of course, the fact they’ve been dating for six months and haven’t had sex yet, also plays a part. After a failed sexual intimacy attempt, Todd and Rory decide it’s best not to ruin their relationship with sex.

Thanksgiving with Todd’s parents Topanga (Betsy Brandt) and Wallace (Randall Park) is both hilarious and poignant. But the Christmas party at Meg’s, including Charades and Truth or Dare, couldn’t possibly have gone worse. The tension increases after Rory has a bad day at improv class and Todd and Ryder have it out. Todd, on an increasingly downward OCD spiral due to emotional stress, returns to therapy, and begins to make progress. Meanwhile, Rory, fed up with her lack of professional and romantic achievement, tells Todd she’s moving to Seattle, which brings him to the brink of a breakdown. At her new office job, Rory meets Craig (Ken Kirby), who may or may not be the Seattle version of Todd. Leaving the office for lunch, Rory is surprised by Todd who has organized a flash mob as part of his marriage proposal to her. He even goes so far as to say, “If Helen Keller can learn to talk, I can learn to eat you out.” If that’s not a declaration of love, what is? However, it’s not enough for Rory and she turns him down. In the next scene, the sudden, unexplained presence of Darien (Logan Huffman), in a room where Todd and Rory, unexpectedly together, prepare to play their favorite word game, leads to a conclusion as ambiguous as Todd’s sexuality. Confusing finale aside, “Straight Up” is funny and touching, often in the same scene. Sweeney deserves to be commended for creating an admirable and entertaining feature-length debut. DVD bonus features include outtakes and a deleted scene. Rating: Bt

Music>>

September 3-9, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

Q-Music: The present is female

by Gregg Shapiro

t’s been almost 15 years since Diana Ross released a new full-length album. Mostly the subsequent releases have been the product of the kind of vault-raiding at which the vultures at Universal and Motown are so good. Supertonic Mixes (Motown/UMe) is not the first time that the dance diva aspect of Ross’ lengthy career has been given a fresh coat of paint. Remember 1994’s Diana Extended: The Remixes? Even the Supertonic cover art – a magnificent photo by the late, gay photographer Victor Skrebneski – is recycled.

Outfest/Docfest

From page 12

Nelly Queen charts Sarria’s rise as a drag entertainer at the Black Cat Cafe/bar during the 1950s, where he built a supportive community of gay patrons with the slogan, “United we stand, divided they will catch us one by one.” Courageously he stood up to the corrupt police and vice squad, summoning patrons to defend their rights by teaching them how to defy unjust laws, such as when undercover officers entered the cafe to entrap people he had customers stand up and sing with him, “God, Save Us Nelly Queens,” a raucous variant of Britain’s national anthem.

Burning love

Briefly, four other notable, bingeworthy OutFest documentaries include P.S. Burn this Letter Please, a glimpse at pre-Stonewall gay culture through letters discovered in the storage locker of LA talent agent Reno Martin to several NYC drag queens during the 1950s/60s, told through vintage home movies, photos and interviews; The Truman Capote Tapes features recently disOut Loud

So, what’s new about Supertonic Mixes? Producer Eric Kupper got his paws on a set of Ross standards and, like every remixer, attempted to improve on perfection. Complaint number one has to do with the

covered unreleased George Plimpton interviews with the writer’s friends, colleagues, celebrities, and socialite “swans,” charting his life and times (complete with salacious gossip). Freedia Got A Gun follows the career and public crusade of New Orleans’s Queen of Bounce (a genre of hip hop with the gay charismatic Big Freedia, who identifies as she, having sung on Beyonce’s and Drake’s albums) to raise awareness around gun violence after her brother was murdered in 2018. Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story, profiles the effervescent black, trans musician whose 1986 forgotten self-released cassette tape Keyboard Fanta- sies (which defies categorization with singing and space music soundscapes) was redis- covered by a Japanese fan in 2016, reissued as a CD, leading to a resurrection of Glenn-Copeland’s career, with the film following him in his seventies, as he performs with a young diverse band while touring Europe.t

Read the full article on www.ebar.com

length of the songs. Remixes are traditionally also extended versions, but the longest cut here is “No One Gets the Prize” at 5:20. Most of the rest clock in at just over three or well under five minutes. But wait, it’s not all bad! The remixes of “The Boss” (bossy!), “Surrender” (fresh!) and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (soaring!) equally enhance, and are respectful of, the original material. The real surprise is the transformation of dramatic ballad “Touch Me In the Morning” into a fullfledged classic dance number with all the feels. Tanya Donelly has worn many hats over the years, not just the wide-brimmed one on the cover of her new album of cover tunes credited to Tanya Donelly and the Parkington Sisters on American Laundromat Records. Donelly was a co-founding member of such important bands as Throwing Muses (with stepsister Kristin Hersh), The Breeders (with Kim Deal of The Pixies) and her own signature musical unit, Belly. She also enjoyed a career as a solo artist. The nine songs on Tanya Donelly and the Parkington Sisters, on

which she is supported musically by the four siblings (Rose, Sarah, Ariel and Lydia) are not the kind you usually find being covered by others. But Donelly and company make Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Ocean Rain,” Wings’ “Let Me Roll It,” the Pretenders’ “Kid,” Split Enz’s “Devil You Know” and even Michael Nesmith’s “Different Drum” (originally a hit for Linda Ronstadt) all their own. Brava, divas! Jonatha Brooke, like Tanya Donelly, originally got her musical start in the fruitful New England music scene, originally as one half of the duo The Story (with Jennifer Kimball). At this point in time, however, Brooke has been a solo act longer than part of a group. On her new full-length release The Sweetwater Sessions (Bad Dog/PRA), songs from previous albums including The Works, My Mother Has 4 Noses, Careful What You Wish For, Plumb, 10 Cent Wings, Back in the Circus, The Angel in the House and Midnight. Hallelujah are freshened up with “live, in the studio” sound on this retrospective. The sweetest thing about the album is the way it reminds us of Brooke’s underappreciated brilliance as a singer and songwriter. New Zealand’s The Beths, fea-

turing Elizabeth Stokes on lead vocals, didn’t waste too much time in following up it’s lauded 2018 Future Me Hates Me debut record with the follow-up album Jump Rope Gazers (Carpark). The album features a pleasing balance of pop numbers such as “Just Shy of Sure,” “Out of Sight,” “Do You Want Me Now” and “You Are A Beam of Light” with full-on rockers including “I’m Not Getting Excited,” “Dying to Believe,” “Acrid” and “Don’t Go Away.” Would there be a Beths if not for PJ Harvey? Maybe, maybe not. One thing for certain is that Polly Jean Harvey inspired countless women of all ages to rock like there’s no tomorrow. Newly reissued on vinyl, Harvey’s highly praised 1992 debut album Dry (Too Pure/Island/UMe) is an example of how music can be raw and polished at the same time. Harvey’s punk blues amalgam fits the material like custom-made clothing, especially on “Dress” (of course!), “Happy and Bleeding,” “Sheela-Na-Gig,” “O Stella,” “Plants and Rags” and “Joe.” Completing the package, bowing on vinyl for the first time since 1992, is Dry: The Demos (Island/UMe), offering listeners an intimate look into what would become Harvey’s groundbreaking debut.t

Help write the first draft of LGBTQ history 1991

1971

2011 40th anniv., readers'

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REPORT CITES HEALTH GAPS by Bob Roehr

report released last week detailed the need for more federal and research data collection on the health of LGBT people. Bob Roehr “Lesbian, bisexual, Dr. Robert Graham gay, and transgender individuals health disparities. experience unique LGBT is used as an Although the acronym health needs of this umbrella term, and the grouped together, community are often a distinct each of these letters represents concerns,” health population with its own the report, written stated the summary of of Medicine. by the prestigious Institute lesbians, gay men, “Furthermore, among and transgender bisexual men and women, based people, there are subpopulations status, on race, ethnicity, socioeconomicfactors,” and other geographic location, age, the report continued. statement is not summary that While with the LGBT news to anyone familiar it was made in the community, the fact that commissioned by IOM report, which was of Health, adds new the National Institutes to shaping health meaning and credibility had been policy, which that heretofore lacking. are asked Traditionally, IOM committees priorities gaps and to identify research paradigm does not within a field. “But that Dr. Robert Graham fit for this area,” chair news conference said at the March 31 releasing the report. See page 24 >>

Our new look

decided The Bay Area Reporter that we’re 40. to update its look now slight design So we’ve made some of the paper, changes in both sections the case of the with new fonts, and in a new name. Arts and Culture section, website has Most significantly, our for video with been updated to allow now comment stories, and readers can if they directly on our online content are friends on Facebook.▼

1981

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Vol. 41 • No. 14 • April

communities since 1971

7-13, 2011

by Seth Hemmelgarn the Bay Area or 40 years now, entertained, Reporter has informed, people in San and frequently miffed Francisco and beyond. Bob Ross – chef, The paper started when and bar culture Tavern Guild president, with business partner insider – launched it was dated April 1, Paul Bentley. The first issue on April 2, Ross’s 37th 1971 but hit the streets all the pages by hand, birthday. Ross pasted up them to local bars. copied them, and delivered the paper took nobody In the beginning, too seriously. he had an “up and Cleve Jones, who said Ross and who was down” relationship with gay icon Harvey Milk, a close friend of slain after his arrival to started reading the paper San Francisco in 1972. sort of a silly “To be honest, it was who now works with publication,” said Jones, “Most of the other the Courage Campaign. use for much have young people didn’t really about it. It was basically just announcements going on at whatever whatever specials were bar.” many early 1970s The front covers of the Imperial Court’s issues were dedicated to See page 23 >>

F Community looks back at 40 years of the B.A.R . Founding publisher Bob Ross

Despite setbacks, LGBT nt’ ‘vibra scene in San Jose is by Seth Hemmelgarn

several setbacks he past year has seen even in San Jose’s LGBT community, census recently as data from the 2010 Bay berg is now the revealed that the South 10th largest city in the country. have made it Recent events, however, with almost 1 million seem that for a city strength in the gay people, there’s not much community there. DeFrank LGBT Last month, the Billy canceled its 30th Community Center for planned had been anniversary party, which tickets had been sold. March 26. Only about 40 Silicon Valley AIDS Last November, the had organized the Leadership Center, which announced its closure. annual Walk for AIDS, before that, in And about three months Committee August, the Gay Pride Celebrationa parade. to hold of San Jose Inc. opted not LGBT organizations Of course, problems at Several San Francisco aren’t unique to San Jose. financially. And agencies have been struggling the DeFrank center people with Pride and indicate they’re all right. and when “We have a vibrant community, that they’re there,” we can engage them, I think San Jose Pride’s joined said Ray Mueller, who board earlier this year. LGBT night One example is last Thursday’steam. Tickets hockey with the San Jose Sharks sold out in 10 days.

marched The Pro-Latino contingent Parade; Pride in the 2008 San Jose sure if there will be officials are not yet year, although the a Pride Parade this for August. festival is scheduled

Rick Gerharter

will generate about Mueller said the event which is August 20$1,000 for this year’s Pride, tickets, ranging from 21. A block of about 300 for the hockey night. $36 to $73, were reserved proves there are “I think the Sharks event to something that isn’t people out there to go a gay bar and have a the usual ‘Let’s go to fundraiser,’” said Mueller.

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Center official appears

hopeful

been hobbled by The DeFrank center has problems in recent financial and leadership no full-time executive years and currently has Flood, the DeFrank’s director. However, Chris that the center’s board president, indicated appear. He was at a doing better than it might

See page 22 >>

<< Books

14 • Bay Area Reporter • September 3-9, 2020

Orange you glad I asked? an interview with St. Sukie de la Croix by Gregg Shapiro

ay historian and writer St. Sukie de la Croix’s new novel, The Orange Spong And Storytelling at the Vamp-Art Café (Rattling Good Yarns, 2020), more or less picks up where its predecessor, 2017’s The Blue Spong and the Flight From Mediocrity left off. By that I mean, it returns readers to the Bohemian neighborhood of Chicago’s Towertown during the roaring `20s. This time, however, the denizens are the habitué of the titular VampArt Café, who are, as you may have surmised, vampires. Not just any vampires, mind you, but the kind who enjoy a “rattling good yarn.”

Anything, that is, except for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which, according to the Orange spong (aka Ra aka the sun) worshipping vampires, got it all wrong. Sukie was kind enough to answer a few questions about the book around the time of its publication. Gregg Shapiro: I would describe The Orange Spong And Storytelling at the Vamp-Art Café as a set of stories within the framework of a larger story. Which came first — the concept or the stories? St. Sukie de la Croix: [Laughs] I wish I was that organized. I tend to start fiction with a vague idea. Af-

ter The Blue Spong and the Flight from Mediocrity, I knew I wanted to write another spong book, but a different spong. I knew that the spong was going to be orange. So, I typed “Orange Spong” at the top of the page and sat back and waited. Without wishing to sound spiritual, I open up my mind to any possibility, I dispense with logic and common sense and at some point, it flows out of me. My fingers start typing. I didn’t know it was a book about vampires telling their stories, until a vampire stood up in the VampArt Café and started telling a story. I call it trance-writing. I let the characters form and write themselves. Did any of the stories in The Orange Spong… start there? I seem to remember I read an early version of “Who Was Jane Dalotz?” at Twilight Tales while I was there. That’s the only story in the book that existed before. Looking at the stories after they were finished, I think I based Charles Weymouth in “The Woman in the Puddle” on my grandfather returning from fighting in the Boar War. I see my influences after it’s finished, rather than thinking about something, then writing about it. Jane Dalotz was a name scribbled onto an old photograph I found in somebody’s trash years ago

Author St. Sukie de la Croix

in England. I imagined the woman in the photograph to be one Lewis Carroll’s little girls all grown up. In the novel, you wrote about the vampires’ dislike of the book Dracula, and also included details about Bram Stoker’s homosexuality. Bram Stoker’s day job was at London’s Lyceum Theatre looking after the actor, Henry Irving – a big Mary Queen. They were very close. Stoker was what we would now call a “bear.” Prior to Stoker’s marriage to Florence Anne Lemon Balcombe, she dated Oscar Wilde. She loved the gays … a Victorian Liza Minnelli [laughs]. Stoker’s marriage was famously sexless.

You have written about the past in both your fiction and nonfiction. Could you ever imagine writing about your vision of the future? No, I can’t speculate on the future. Although I enjoy the silliness of Victorian sci-fi, it’s not a genre I’m interested in writing myself. Not good at guessing games. I was listening to the guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar answering questions from an audience. One asked, “Does reincarnation really exist?” The guru answered, “Why do you need to know, why can’t you enjoy the mystery of it?” That’s where I stand. There are unknowns and the future is one of them. I prefer not to speculate but enjoy it as it unfolds before my eyes.t

Read the full interview on www.ebar.com

Bodies and Barriers by David-Elijah Nahmod

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here are few topics that aren’t included in the new anthology book Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health. Edited by Adrian Shanker, a Pennsylvania-based queer activist, Shanker was inspired to put the book together because of his own experiences with seeking out health care as a queer man living in a largely straight world. As Shanker writes in the book’s forward, he visited a dermatologist’s office for a skin cancer screening and found himself in a clinic that made him wonder if he should be there at all. “The intake forms were unnecessarily restrictive,” he writes. “Biased news programming was on full display in the waiting room, magazines in the waiting room did not cater to patients like me, and comments from the clinic staff displayed brazen cultural incompetence.” Shanker did not return for the recommended follow-up appointment, but instead found an LGBTinclusive dermatologist an hour away. But he realized that not everyone in the LGBT community who needed access to health care would have the means to travel out of town for a doctor’s appointment. Many in the community do not have health insurance. When he was a student at George Washington University in their LGBT Health Policy and Practice program, he was struck by the fact that there was

no literature written by health care consumers and activists to inform health care professionals and policy makers as to the needs of LGBT patients. And so the seeds were planted for Bodies and Barriers. The book begins with an insightful introduction by Rachel L. Levine, who writes eloquently of the disparities that LGBT people face, and of the importance of creating policies that address the needs of LGBT patients. The book is divided into four sections, youth, young adults, middleaged adults and older adults. Each section is divided into chapters in which a different author addresses a specific health issue as it relates to the LGBT community. Topics include providing proper care and support to transgender youth, creat-

ing tobacco-free spaces in the LGBT community, (tobacco is the leading cause of death among LGBT people, according to Shanker) HIV stigma, caregiving for older LGBT adults, giving intersex youth autonomy over their own bodies, breast cancer and gender, and even little discussed issues such as anal health. “I came up with the title Bodies and Barriers because our queer bodies deserve health equity,” Shanker tells Bay Area Reporter. “Health equity being the dream that all people have the ability to attain the highest level of health care. Our queer bodies are often left behind because of barriers to care, literal stumbling blocks that keep us from achieving the dream of health equity.”t

Read the full article on www.ebar.com

Meg Keller

Bodies and Barriers Editor Adrian Shanker

Nightlife>>

September 3-9, 2020 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

What’s the future of Bay Area nightlife?

Gooch

Masks and Mascara, an outdoor drag show on 18th Street.

by Jim Provenzano

hat is the future of local LGBT nightlife and how can businesses, employees and patrons continue to stay active in pandemic times? This and other questions were discussed in the first Queer Nightlife Fund talks series, held online, of course. As the first Bay Area organization to assemble, raise funds and host online events, members of the group, with 48Hills as a sponsor, hosted an

August 11 forum to share ideas. In a lengthy web page written by former Bay Area Reporter leather columnist Race Bannon, questions, problems and numerous suggestions were shared after the talk. A public Google document continues to provide a place for shared ideas. Having raised nearly $300,000 for Bay Area nightlife workers, the prospect of ‘donor fatigue’ was raised, giving members the idea of adjusting the QNF to shift focus to more ideas beyond fundraisers.

While events ranging from drag shows to DJ sets have proven popular, some in the discussion noted aspects of censorship in now-common platforms like Zoom, Facebook, Twitch and YouTube. The good points included, as Bannon, reported, “The most mentioned benefit of online events was accessibility and ease of access. For those with a disability or who are unable to afford more expensive queer events and venues, online events offer a welcome ease of entry. More than one person

joked that it was nice not having to get dressed or put many clothes on to attend.” Online access has grown wider audiences for performers. Also, “Online events can provide access for the more introverted or those dealing with social anxiety, and could serve as a bridge to eventually make them feel more comfortable coming to in-person events they might not otherwise attend,” Bannon wrote. The downside of our current situation included the ‘novelty’ of online events having run its course. Some critiques included the technological limitations. Other cited the various ways to produce income. Electronic tip jars via Venmo, Paypal and other sources were cited. As for now-semi-opened bars and nightclubs, city restrictions demanding that food be served with alcohol have led to innovative collaborations between food service businesses and venues. Safety issues, particularly table and chair placement, have some concerned, while others have happily attended the ‘new format’ simply to be in company with others. Outdoor dining and imbibing have been added to 18th Street in the Castro, as well as Beaux on Market Streeet, Oasis’ rooftop, and other venues that have built parklets outside their bars. “Safety protocols such as at the door rapid testing, presenting test results for entry, door temperature checks, drawing circles or designating spaces on the ground, creating physical barriers between pods of attendees, and creating physical barriers people wear like makeshift hoop skirts or certain types of costumes were echoed throughout the event. Mask usage could be encouraged by having a best mask contest.” But while outdoor events are add-

ed, online events remain numerous. But will they retain patronage? “A lot of people are on Zoom events but not using their cameras, and that decreases the sense of communal engagement. While it is understood some are not comfortable on camera, increasing face time can increase a sense of community,” wrote Bannon. “The stress of online production is a different ballgame from real life production. Everything goes through one single conduit and if anything goes wrong with the stream the whole event is over.” Among plans for the future, the idea of hybrid events was brought up. Some aspects could be in-person, while streaming online for those who don’t want to attend. Innovation, adaptation and endurance seem to be the keys to keep local nightlife going. To add your voice to the discussions, visit sfqueernightlifefund.orgt

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Essentially Wear a mask Maintain social distancing

Oaklash delivers deliciously deviant drag by Jim Provenzano

nspired by Wigstock, but with a decidedly East Bay edge, the third annual Oaklash Drag Festival goes online September 4 through 6 with more than 100 performers. With pandemic pivoting in place, the drag performers have turned to streaming services like Instagram, Zoom, and Twitch to create a whole new renaissance of innovative and boundary pushing performances. “Even if the bars have closed, drag culture hasn’t gone anywhere!” said co-organizer Mama Celeste in a press statement. “It’s time for a long overdue celebration of the local queer culture that can only be found in the Bay. Dragula Season 2 Winner Biqtch Pudding’s Digital Drag, The Stud Bar’s Drag Alive, and on Sunday will kick-off Oakland Pride with livestreamed performances from San Francisco and Oakland.

The weekend will also feature panel discussions on race, disability, and how drag performers are adapting in the time of COVID-19. As always, Oaklash features a sick-ning lineup of Bay Area favorites including Peaches Christ, Honey Mahogany (Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 5), Hollow Eve (Dragula Season 3), Nicki Jizz, Dulce De Leche, VivvyAnne ForeverMore, Jillian Gnarling, Jota Mercury, Vera, Amoura Teese, Bebe Sweetbriar and many more. One advantage of this year’s virtual format is the addition of performers from around the world joining in. Yvie Oddly (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11), Angele Anang (Drag Race Thailand Season 2), Landon Cider (Dragula Season 3), Vander Von Odd (Dragula Season 1), Meatball (Dragula Season 1), Horrorchata (Founder of Bushwig) and many others are on the lineup.t Tune in at www.twitch.tv/oaklash2020 www.oaklash.com

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