Out & About C

with Matt Burlingame

an you remember the exact moment when you fully embraced the letter in LGBTQ that represents who you were born to be?

I was watching the latest season of Queer Eye which has been released just in time to help psyche ourselves up for all the pride coming down the pike this next week and one episode had a lesbian looking into a mirror and learning to love herself. My self-acceptance also began in front of a mirror when at 16 years old I looked at myself and said aloud, “I’m gay.” Even though it was another 2 years before I came out it was the beginning of accepting and loving who I was. Take a few moments this pride season to honor he first steps you took toward being the fabulous human you are!

A huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who rode, volunteered and donated to the 2023 NorCal AIDS Cycle ride. What an amazing turn out of support! Though the event may be over it’s not too late to show a little love with a donation at Norcalaidscycle.

org

Jun. 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day which was created to raise awareness about the needs, issues, and journeys of those who were infected in the early days of the epidemic as well as celebrate their strength and resilience.

Don’t get B-10 to the good seats at June’s Drag Queen Bingo on Thursday, Jun. 1 at Mango’s, 1930 K St. Make sure you are there B-4 all the spaces are gone and you’re left out in the cold! Hosted by the fabulous DoMe Moore, this month’s event benefits the Sacramento SPCA. Admission will be first come, first served. Mangossac.com

With the state fair around the corner people often forget about the Sacramento County Fair which is a whole cauldron of awesome unto itself! This year’s County Fair returns May 25-29 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. It’s where tradition meets tomorrow… allegedly. Calexpostatefair.com

Are you ready to stand in love? You betta be! Sunday, Jun. 4 at 10 a.m. Davis Pride gets underway at Central Park in Davis. But apparently a group of anti-transgender and anti-drag protestors claim they will be present to disrupt the stage performances. The Love is Love Movement refuses to let hate win and welcomes those who wish to stand united in love at the Davis Pride stage. Be safe fam.

The Sacramento Pride March and Festival returns June 10-11 on Sacramento’s Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento. The two day festival brings community members together to celebrate our colorful and diverse LGBTQ culture and community. Even though the event doesn’t take place on a Friday, attendees will be getting down and having fun fun fun fun with Rebecca Black as she headlines the event. Saccenter.org

If you like Pink Floyd you are in for the trip of a lifetime! Paramount’s Laser spectacular “The Music of Pink Floyd” will alter your perception of these classic tunes! Check it out Friday, Jun. 9 at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K St. Crestsacramento.com

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 Takeover event continues on May 28 as Mistress Isabelle Brooks takes FACES Nightclub, 2000 K St., by storm! Come witness the fabulousness! Faces.net

Enjoy live music in a loose, easy-going atmosphere in Crocker Museum’s outdoor courtyard at 216 O St., on Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. Jazz Night at the Crocker will host the tribute band Sacred Fire as they bring the sound of Carlos Santana to life. Also enjoy food from Casa Tulum, drinks by Good News Wines and sweet treats from Hella Halo. Crockerart.org

Ready for some Queer+ Kickball this summer? Come get involved on Saturday, Jun. 3 at 9 a.m. at Roosevelt Park as they kick off their 9-week Saturday Summer 2023 Kickball League. Anyone is welcome to register at Outloudsports.com

Who is seeing Lizzo’s “Special 2our” on Sunday, May 28 at the Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk? I want a full report on the concert! If you aren’t able to go (like me) here’s a heads up on another awesome combo concert coming up that you need to grab tickets for! Bryan Adams—who wrote the music to The Pretty Woman Musical so don’t you dare say “that old singer”—is coming to the Chase Center in San Francisco Sunday, Jul. 30 with none other than the early lesbionic icon herself Joan Jett and the Blackhearts! There is no way you can miss this! Check for tickets online.

Events, birthdays, announcements? Send them to matthew@hengemedia.com.

Pride Sentiment Stronger Than Ever This Year Davis Festival Is June 4 In Central Park

by Wendy Weitzel

Members of the Davis Phoenix Coalition work to eliminate hate. That’s been a heavy lift this year, as organized groups have threatened trans youths, protested drag shows and boosted white supremacy. And that was all before the community was terrorized by what police say was a serial stabber who killed two and injured one in a six-day period this spring.

So, the nonprofit’s team is more determined than ever to bring a positive message to their biggest event of the year: the Davis Pride Festival. It’s all part of a weekend of activities in downtown Davis that celebrate June as International LGBTQ+ Month. After three years of COVID and the trauma of the stabbings, they want to offer positive ways for the community to come together for healing and joy – and to celebrate diversity.

Davis Pride is an all-inclusive celebration for members and supporters of the LGBTQ community. The community-focused, familyfriendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run, music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4. Proceeds from Davis Pride events support the coalition’s anti-racism and anti-bullying campaigns, support to LGBTQ+ youths and their families, and outreach with area police departments, churches and schools.

DPC organized a vigil to honor the first stabbing victim, David Breaux. Hundreds turned out on April 30 to pay tribute to Breaux, 50, known as the “Compassion Guy” for his study of compassion. It turned out to be a dedication to two people, as a second victim, 20-year-old UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm, was killed two days later.

The group stood firm against anti-trans protests in Davis schools, advocating for affirmation and support of trans and genderexpansive children. It noted a suicide rate of about a third more among children who lack such support.

The coalition showed up to defend drag queen events, including one at a Woodland bar in July that was disrupted by protesters who made derogatory comments about the LGBTQ community.

“Pride is our time to be positive in a world full of negativity,” said Davis Pride Director Sandré Henriquez Nelson.

Although police are convinced they have the stabber in custody, there will be plenty of security. Organizers are assuring participants that Central Park will be a safe space to gather. “We have been working with law enforcement agencies, community groups and a security team for several months to ensure the safety of Davis Pride,” Henriquez Nelson said. “In light of the recent crimes, we plan to add even more security. We look forward to coming together as a community.”

The events, produced by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, follow the theme “I am Davis Pride.” This year, Davis Pride’s presenting sponsor is BluPeak Credit Union.

Here’s what to look forward to for Davis Pride 2023:

- Those in Davis will notice the rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, painted early on the morning of Sunday, May 28. It sets the celebratory tone for the upcoming events, which include:

- Skate with Pride, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The free night will include a disc jockey, disco lights and food trucks. Skating will be under the Davis Farmers Market Pavilion in Central Park, Fourth and C streets, downtown. Bring your skates for family fun.

- Run for Equality at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 4. It includes a 5K and 1K run/walk from Central Park. Registration is $25 until May 28 and $30 after.

- Davis Pride Festival kicks off after the run, with a community fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Central Park. The fair portion includes educational booths, food, drink, and vendors coordinated with the assistance of Davis Craft and Vintage Market. There are even special activity zones for youths, teens and seniors. The highlight of Sunday’s festival is the entertainment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Headlining is 1980s tribute band Tainted Love, performing from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Second billing goes to the drag revue that starts at noon, hosted by Mercury Rising and featuring Nayasha Lopez, along with Shay D, Xena CyberGoth and Tilly Creams. The event will explain the importance and history of drag in the LGBTQ community, and will pay tribute to a drag icon. Other performers include Cheer Sacramento at 11:50 a.m., the Sacramento Women’s Chorus at 1 p.m. and Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus at 1:30 p.m.

- Later in the month, on Friday, June 23, there’s a Ride with Pride bike party excursion, with participants meeting at Central Park at 6 p.m. and leaving about 30 minutes later.

Davis Pride events are coordinated by an all-volunteer community formed by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, a nonprofit that works to foster diversity, eliminate intolerance, prevent hate-motivated violence, and support LGBTQ+ youths in Davis and surrounding communities. The coalition was founded in the aftermath of a 2013 anti-gay attack on Davis resident “Mikey” Partida. Proceeds from Davis Pride events support the coalition’s antiracism and anti-bullying campaigns, support to LGBTQ+ youths and their families, and outreach with area police departments, churches and schools. To donate, go to https:// davisphoenixco.org/donate.

For more information about the event, visit https://www.davispride.org/. To learn details as they unfold, follow Davis Pride on Facebook and Instagram.