2012 03 08 by San Francisco Bay Times

New Mr. SF Leather Crowned Page 2

Global Rainbow Laser Page 18

Outdoor Adventures Guide Pages 26-27

The LGBTQ Newspaper and Events Calendar for the San Francisco Bay Area | July 28 2011 www.sfbaytimes.com

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March 8-21, 2012 | www.sfbaytimes.com

PHOTO BY: JAN E PHILOM EN CL EL AN D

We’re All in This Together

/SFBayTimes

LGBT Community Center 10th Anniversary

By Dennis McMillan

Men and women standing together at a late 80’s protest

By Betty L. Sullivan and Jennifer L. Viegas Even as the Bay Times pauses to acknowledge today’s annual International Women’s Day and concurrent obser vances of Women’s History Month throughout March, we must consider the perennial questions around unity and separation among men and women in our LGBTQ community.

“We’re all in this together,” said longtime Castro resident Pam Davis. “Friends ask me why I choose to live in this neighborhood where they think men rule, and I just say that I’m here because I needed my gay men friends. We love, support and enjoy each other.” The idea of working together and seeking unity while supporting one and all harkens back to the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

“We were in there struggling with the guys,” said Leslie Ewing, Pacific Center Executive Director, who was among the first who volunteered for years at the original home of the Names Project, and served as a key leader of the AIDS Emergency Fund. “The tradition of women and men working together is certainly not new, and I believe the longstanding desire among men to give back in support of their lesbian friends continues,” Ewing said.

Below are just a few of the Bay Area’s many organizations that, with compassion, help to forge such togetherness in our community: Brothers for Sisters – An often cited example of men supporting women in the local LGBT community is the Brothers for Sisters initiative begun in the mid-1990s by men like Steven Sams, Hon. Mark Leno, Frank Woo, Jeffery Sterman and others. Receptions and other fundraising events have been held from (continued on page 24)

PHOTO SOUR CE: PACI FIC COAS T FAR MERS MA RKE T

Castro Farmers’ Market Returns

By Debra Morris The Castro Farmers’ Market will be back in action on Wednesday, March 14 with Northern Californ ia’s freshest fr u it s a nd veget ables and live music and activities to enter ta in patrons a l l summer lon g. T he m a rket w i l l r u n u n t i l D e c e m b e r 19 , o p e n e v e r y Wednesday, from 4pm to 8pm, on Noe St. between Market and Beaver St. The entire San Francisco com mun it y is i nv ited to joi n i n w it h a blessing by t he Sisters of Per petual Indulgence and a r ib bon cutting ceremony at 5:15pm with Supervisor Scott Wiener and

Donna Sachet. Market Manager Kelly Toomey says, “We’re looki n g for w a r d t o k ic k i n g of f t he sea son w it h a ba ng. We have a lot of g reat act iv it ies and events planned, and of course, a terrif ic selection of California produce.” The market, which is sponsored by the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro ( MUMC), will be a means for supporting local California farmers. This year we have several new producers including Main St. Fish with fresh seafood a nd Na na Joe’s ha nd made g r anola, whose proceeds go to breast cancer research. Scream Sorbet

will be here with non-dairy fruity sorbet , B er r yL ic ious w i l l br i ng plump organic strawberries, and A lpine Blue will have fresh juicy citrus and later in the season will br i n g s w e et l it t le b lu eb e r r i e s . Look for your other favorite producers returning this year. Whether you’re looking for earthy asparagus, f lowering orchids, f lavorful onions, juicy strawberries, A sia n g reens, f resh sea food, or any ot her spr ing produce items, you’ l l f i nd t hem at t he C a st r o Farmers’ Market. More than two d o z e n C a l i for n i a f a r me r s a nd other food producers are expect-

ed to be selling their products in the market on opening day. A nd throughout the year there will be a g reat select ion of musica l entertainment, children’s activ ities a nd cra f t s, cook i ng demonst rations by Chef Mario of PCFM A’s C ook i n’ t he M a rket , a nd ot her seasonal events. T he ma rket i s oper ated by Pa cif ic Coast Farmers’ Market A ssociat ion and is t he state’s largest operator of Certif ied Farmers’ Markets, w ith over 60 Cer t if ied Far mers’ Market s week ly in t he Bay A rea dur ing t he pea k sum(continued on page 24)

The San Francisco LGBT Commun it y Center w i l l hold it s 10 t h a n n i v e r s a r y c e lebr a t ion , “Soiree 10: a Decadent Celebrat ion of Av a nt- Ga rde Cu lt u re,” à l a mod e f ra n ça i se on Sat u rday, M a rch 24, when t he Sa n Fra nc i s c o D e s i g n C e nt e r G a l l e r i a becomes a decadent turn-of-thelast-centur y Parisian salon. Paris’s “Belle Époque,” or “ beaut iful era” pre-World War I, was a period of invention, optimism, style, rebellion and f lamboyance. “Soiree 10” will celebrate that spirit as the Center instantly transports at tendees f rom S oM a to Montmartre. Think peacock feathers, c lo c he h at s , c i g a r et t e holder s , Zelda Fitzgera ld, Coco Chanel, f lappers, the can-can and Moulin Rouge! Funds ra ised at “Soiree 10” d ir e c t ly b enef it t he C ent er ’s i n nov at ive ser v ices a nd fabu lou s cu lt ura l prog rams. People’s do nations help make a dif ference in the lives of tens of thousands of individuals each year. From newcomer s to long ter m res ident s , young people to senior cit izens, si ngle fol k to L GBTQ fa m i l ies, com mu n it y member s use t he Center to f ind the freedom to be fabulous. T he lead s pon sor i s Ca l i for n ia Pa c i f ic Me d ic a l C ent er Sut t er Hea lth. Sponsorship opportunit ies a re st i l l ava i lable. Cont act Devon Na nd ag i r i at (415) 8 65 5617 for more information. T he C enter, wh ich ser ves over 9, 0 0 0 v i s it or s a nd ho s t s mor e than 200 events, is asking friends and family, far and wide, to submit a video to wish this treasured p l a c e a h a p p y b i r t h d a y. J o i n them for their Free To Be Fabulous Video Project and share your v ision for a st rong a nd hea lt hy L G B T Q c o m m u n i t y. A l l y o u need is your fabulous face, your camera phone, and a boa! Record (continued on page 24)

Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith in Possokhov’s RAkU (© Erik Tomasson)

P H OTO B Y RIN K

Mr. SF Leather 2012 Crowned

Mr. Leather San Francisco winners Darren Bondy (2011) and Jessie VAnciel (2012) with runner-up Michael Gannetta at Hotel Whitcomb on March 3rd.

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Dur ing SF L eat her A l l iance weekend , a f ter t he a n nu a l M r. SF L eat her contest at Hotel W h it c omb, Je s s ie Va nc ie l w a s crow ned M r. SF L eat her 2012. M a ny awa rd s were g iven to i ndividuals and organizations, and leat her ma n/cop L en ny Broberg was roasted for “Twenty Years of Giv i ng ” i n a t r ibute a s a f u ndraiser for the A lliance and for Arc of San Francisco, where the roast took place. I n 1992, Broberg won t he t it les of M r. SF L eat her and I nter national Mr. Leather. Broberg is a proud, open ly gay SF pol ice off icer, Gay Softball League player, awesome auctioneer and excellent emcee. Two screens cont i nua l ly displayed a slide show of Broberg and his pals. A video was shown of SFPD of f icers participating in “It Gets Better” (the f irst cops in the nation to do so.) Act I of the roast had K itt y Glamour lip-synching and vamping to “Sway Me More.” D on n a S a c het a nd R ay T i lt on emceed as people both hailed and

Spectacular Dance in Excellent Company

Join us on Fri, Mar 23 for a dazzling performance and a post-performance reception.

More info at sfballet.org/niteout

razzed Broberg, including Police Ch ief Greg Su h r, Powerhouse’s Scott Peterson, and Sister Roma (with her witty, dirty ditty). Act 2 emcees were Entertainment Com m issioner Aud rey Joseph a n d lo n g t i me bu d d y f r o m t he East coast, Mr. Atlantic Leather 1992 Fra n k Now ick i. Act 3 was p r e c e d e d b y D o n n a S a c h e t ’s lovingly embarrassing home movies of Brober g (c aught i n sc a r y Donna drag). Since 2009, the Mr. San Francisco L eather contest has been ow ned and produced by the Leather A lliance as an outreach, education and community-building project. The contest is one component of Leather A lliance Weekend, along with the SF Leather Community Awards and the Victory Party. At the Awards, the contestants were i nt roduced: Stephen Cha rles, “Knotty Brent” Michael Gannetta, Will Swagger, Michael Zane, and Jessie Vanciel. Supervisor Scott Wiener presented a proclamation from the board of super v isors. Senator Mark

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2 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

L eno presented a not her proclamation to the A lliance and each awardee. Best Commun it y Educational Event was Leathermen’s D i s c u s s ion Gr oup, “ I s L e at her Dead? Does It Need to Die.” Best Organization A nniversar y Event was a t ie bet ween L eat her men’s D i s c u s s i o n G r o u p 15 t h A n n i versar y Party and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 32 nd Anniversary Party, Easter in the Park. Best Leather Contest was Ms. SF L eat her Contest . B est Com mun it y L eat her/Fet ish/Motorcycle Event was SF Citadel’s Wonderland. Best Communit y Weekend E v e n t w a s G e a r U p We e k e n d . Most V i sible Org a n i zat ion wa s SF Girls of Leather. M iss A lotta Boutté, 2010 Entertainer of the Year, sang live “Find Out What They Like” from Ain’t Mi sbehavin’ a nd d id a sex y st r ip tease. Awards continued with Best One Day R ide g iven to SF D ykes on Bikes Women’s Motorcycle Contingent. Best Overnight Run was Golden Gate Guards, Yosem ite. Best Traditional Run of the Year was GearUp Weekend. The A lden Spaf ford Most Participative Biker was Daddy Vick Germany. Joshua K l ipp sa ng t he hel l out t a “ T he L ad y I s a Tr a mp,” and many other awards were presented. “We are grateful for our commun it y’s cont inued suppor t of T he L e at her A l l i a nc e, ou r pr oje c t s and events, and the organizations w ithin the A lliance,” said President Van Laarz. “Our next major outreach and educat iona l event, L eat her A l ley at SF P r ide, a lso promises to be bigger and better this year.”

CASTRO

FARMERS’ MARKET FFAR WE’RE BACK! W

WEDNESDAY MARCH 14

4PM - 8PM Come celebrate the opening of the Castro Farmers’ Market, March 14, with live cooking demos by Cookin’ the Market Chef Mario, kid’s crafts, live music, and ceremonial ribbon cutting at 5 pm.

NOE ST. BETWEEN

MARKET ST. & BEAVER ST. 1.800.949.FARM • pcfma.com/castro

Advertise with

the Bay

Times.

Academy of Friends 2012 – “Scandalous!” was the theme of the 32nd Annual Academy of Friends Gala benef it for Bay Area HI V/A IDS organizations. Held this year at the SF Design Center Galleria on February 26th, selected benef iciaries included Huckleberry Youth Programs, Maitri, Shanti, Tenderloin Health and Women’s HIV Program at UCSF. In addition to viewing the Academy Awards ® program, the evening included an extensive Silent Auction, and food and beverages provided by an array of restaurants, wineries and others. Serving as production chair for the evening was board member David Miranda. Donna Sachet stepped up as emcee host, and a team of handsome fellows decked f inely in golden suits served as the “gilded Oscar boys,” maintaining the event’s favored tradition.

Dr. Tim Seelig conductor

Stephen Schwartz singer and pianist

The Choral Project Daniel Hughes conductor

P HOTO BY RIN K

P HOTO BY ST EVEN UN DERHIL L

P H OTO B Y ST E VE N UN DE R H I LL

Academy of Friends 2012

Cast members from the Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!” performed during the transition immediately prior to the dance party segment. Major sponsors included Nordstrom, AT&T Gold’s Gym, Blueprint Studios and Diageo Brands. Academy of Friends was founded in 1980 by Kile Ozier as a small, private Oscar Night party featuring twenty-f ive friends, some great food, lots of champagne and plenty of glamour. Over subsequent years, the party became an HIV/A IDS fundraiser with more than $8.5 million distributed in support of direct care and educational services agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. academyoffriends.org.

Melody Moore soprano

BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 3

4 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

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BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 7

HIV/AIDS News Fi r s t G u ide l i ne s I s s ue d fo r

nal Medic ine a nd t he publ ica-

a not her s y st em ne e d s t o b e i n

G et t i ng People Newly D ia g-

t ion was t imed to coincide w it h

place to follow up with them, keep

nosed with HIV Disease Into

t h e 19 t h a n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e

t hem “eng a g ed” (or per son a l ly

Ca r e a nd Keepi ng T he m on

on Ret rov ir uses and O ppor-

involved in their care) and make

Treatment

t u n i s t i c I n fe c t io n s i n S e a t t l e .

sure they never “lose touch” with

L ead i ng A I DS ex per t s at Joh ns

“We know that clinical care and

be as simple as periodic follow-up

a nt i ret rov i r a l t her apy a re ver y

ca l ls from a nurse or case man-

ef fect ive when we ca n conv ince

ager to direct questions from phy-

our patients to follow their treat-

sicians during clinic visits asking

ment plans and take their medica-

about ad herence to med icat ion.

Hopk i n s a nd ot her i n st it ut ion s around the world have issued new g uidelines to promote entr y into a nd r et ent ion i n H I V c a r e, a s wel l as adherence to HI V treatment, draw n from t he results of 325 studies conducted with tens of thousands of people infected with HIV, the virus that causes A IDS. The guidelines are believed to be the f irst ever to focus exclusively on how best to get those newly diagnosed with HIV into treatment plans and to help them adhere to lifelong drug and check-up reg imens.

their care team. He says this could

tions as prescribed, and much less ef fect ive when t hey don’t,” says

More elaborate tracking systems,

i nter nat iona l ly renow ned A I DS

Ch a ng add s , cou ld i nc lude au-

researcher and infectious disease

tomated dev ices or systems t hat

s pec i a l i st Joh n Ba r t let t , M . D.,

alert the pharmacist or physician

a n o t h e r g u i d e l i n e s c o - a ut h or.

to missed drug ref ills or to lapses longer than six months in book-

B a r t l e t t , a p r o fe s s or a n d for -

ing reg ular physician check-ups.

mer ch ief and d irector of infec-

What is key, he emphasizes, is that

t ious d iseases at Johns Hopk ins,

phy s ic ia n s t r ac k t hei r pat ient s’

points out that adherence to A RT

v isits and compliance w ith dr ug

is a key indicator of how well in-

t her apy a nd work more c losely

fected people w i l l suppres s t he

w it h pha r macies to keep t rack .

S o me 5 0 , 0 0 0 A me r i c a n s e a c h

v i r u s. Su f f ic ient suppres s ion i s

year are diag nosed w ith the po-

needed to reduce the r isk of de-

T he ex per t pa nel not ably c a l l s

tent i a l ly dead ly but now-t reat-

ve lopi n g d r u g r e s i st a nc e, s low disease progression, prevent pro-

for stopping pract ices t hat have

able infect ion, and more t han a m i l l ion A mer ic a n s a l rea d y a re

g r e s s ion t o d e at h f r om A I D S ,

known to be HIV positive.

and lessen t he l i kel ihood of

H o w e v e r, e x p e r t s w o r r y t h a t

transmitting the v irus to others.

ba rely t wo -t h i rd s of A mer ica ns

The

w it h H I V d isease, some 69 per-

t hat ma ke up t he g uidel ines

cent, have ever used potent anti-

were pulled together by an inter-

retroviral drug therapy, or A RT,

national team co-chaired by Jean

to keep v ira l levels in t he blood

B. Nachega, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.,

low. Still fewer, they say, 59 per-

senior author of the guidelines and

cent, continue their drug therapy,

an associate scientist at the Johns

and less than a third, or 28 per-

Hopk i n s Un iver s it y Bloomber g

cent, have achieved near total vi-

School of Public Health, as well

ral suppression to keep the disease

as a professor of medicine and di-

in check by careful ly comply ing

rector of the Center for Infectious

with treatment regimens and get-

d isea se at Stel lenbosch Un iver-

t ing reg ular tests for v ira l load.

sit y, Cape Tow n, S out h A fr ica.

“Clearly, there is lots of room for

“These novel guidelines are time-

improvement in how we, as care

ly a nd overdue, es pec ia l ly now

prov ider s, ca n get new pat ient s

t h at suc c e s s f u l t r e at ment i s a s

into treatment and help them ad-

part of HI V prevention ef forts,”

here to the often strict drug regi-

says Nachega. “We anticipate that

mens needed to suppress the viral

t hey w i l l be welcomed by bot h

d isea se a nd prevent d r ug resis -

HIV care providers and patients,

tance,” says guidelines co-author

and that the guidelines will con-

and infect ious d isease specia l ist

tribute to save lives and decrease

L ar r y W. Chang, M.D., M.P.H.

t he l i ke l i ho o d of t r a n s m i s s ion

recommendations

of t he A I DS v i r us from mot her The need is urgent, he says, be-

to ch i ld or to sexua l pa r t ner s.”

cause ot her research has show n

Stories @sfbaytimes.com Twitter, and find us Facebook.

and follow us on on

8 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

that patients who miss follow-up

Ke y a mong t he g u idel i nes w a s

me d ic a l v i s it s w it h i n t he f i r s t

the need for systematic monitor-

year after t hey beg in out pat ient

ing and tracking of people newly

d r ug t r eat ment for H I V i n fec -

d ia g nosed w it h H I V a nd t hose

tion tend to be out of compliance

already under care to make sure

with regimens, and, over the long

they are actively involved in treat-

term, die at twice the rate of those

ment decisions and properly fol-

w ho k e e p t he i r a p p o i nt me nt s .

lowing their treatment regimens.

Chang, an assistant professor at

Possible strateg ies to help newly

t he J oh n s Ho p k i n s Un i v e r s it y

d iag nosed people i nclude usi ng

School of Med ici ne, was one of

p a t i e n t “ n a v i g a t o r s ,” o r p e r -

31 e x p e r t s wor ld w id e , i nc lud -

sona l g u ides, to help t hem sor t

i n g t h r e e f a c u lt y m e m b e r s a t

t hrough t he var ious hospit a l

Johns Hopk ins, who drafted t he

a nd com mu n it y s er v ic es av a i l -

g u idel i nes on beha l f of t he I n-

able, and to of fer assistance with

ternational Association of Physi-

f i l l i n g out pap er work for d r ug

cia n i n A I DS Ca re, or I A PAC .

d i s c o u nt s o r g o v e r n m e nt a i d .

T he g u idel i nes wer e publ i s hed

Chang says that once people have

o n l i n e i n t h e A n n a l s o f I n t e r-

kept their f irst clinic appointment,

proven inef fective or not feasible i n rout i ne cl i n ica l pract ice, i ncluding testing of hair and blood for drug levels, and counting pills to monitor compliance with drug prescr iptions. People can always f ind ways to dispose of their pills, Chang says, to game the system, especially if they are worried about or bothered by drug side ef fects. T he ex per t s say st rea m l in ing therapies wherever possible to include only drugs that need to be t a ken once da i ly, as opposed to t wo or three t imes a day, would help simplify drug-taking for people and improve A RT adherence. Patient counseling was found effec t ive i n kee pi n g pat ient s en g a g e d i n t he i r c a r e a n d A RT compliant, but such counseling is best delivered one-on-one instead of i n a g roup set t i ng. T h is wa s es pec i a l ly t he c a se i n teach i ng patients how to use a pill box to sort multiple medications, and in of fering helpful hints, such as taking medications all at once and at the same time of day, if possible. Ot her recommendat ions were s p e c i f ic t o p e o p le a nd g r ou p s d i s pr op or t ion at e l y a f fe c t e d by H I V, i nc lud i ng preg na nt wome n , c h i ld r e n , home le s s p e o p le a nd pr isoners. Met hadone or buprenor ph i ne t her apy, for example, was recommended jointly w it h H I V t r e at me nt for t ho s e dea l i ng w it h d r ug add ict ion to p a i n k i l le r s , e s p e c i a l l y he r o i n . Worldwide, an estimated 10 million of the 34 million people infected worldw ide w it h H I V re c e ive d r u g t r e at ment for t he i r infection. Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Women, You’ve Come a Long Way But the Journey Isn’t Over

PH OTO B Y: G E O R G LE ST E R O UR

policies are typically more af fordable to purchase while you’re relatively young and healthy.

Guest Column Joanne Jordan M a r c h i s Wo m e n’s H i s t o r y Mont h, and since women began of f icially celebrating their political, economic and social achievement s over a cent u r y ago, t hey have made sig nif icant str ides in t hese areas. A nd t hough women have overcome ma ny obst acles, they still face some unique f inancial and lifestyle challenges. Here a re four t ips for women to help overcome these challenges when work i ng towa rd t hei r f i n a nc i a l goals: P l a n t o l ive lon ger on you r ret irement sav ings. On average, women live longer than men. Living to an old age is a blessing, but it can also mean facing greater healthcare costs and the challenge to make retirement savings last. To avoid the future burden of long-ter m care costs on yourself and your family, consider including a long ter m care policy into you r f i na nc ia l pl a n s for ret i re ment. Do your resea rch beforehand, and keep in mind that these

C on s ider t he f i n a nc i a l i m pact of time out of the workforce. Taking on the role of caregiver for children or aging family member s is ad m i rable, but may place limits on one’s earning power and savings goals. Exiting the workforce for any period of time means leaving behind a paycheck, and often the ability to contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. To of f-set any loss of income from time spent out of the workforce, be sure to plan for the ef fect it may have on your longt e r m f i n a nc i a l g o a l s a nd s av e more while you’re able. P rac t ice sa l a r y negot iat ion at work. When it comes to equal pay, women h ave done a lot of catching up, however their salaries still tend to be less on average – about 75 percent of what men earn – and that can add up over time. One of the factors that may contribute to this discrepancy in income is that women tend to impair their ability to earn more by hesitat ing to ask for and negot iate promot ion or h igher sa la r y. Recognizing your worth and proactively seeking a salary increase c a n m a ke a d i f fer enc e i n you r ear n ing power, and your ret irement savings. Review your investment portfolio with a critical eye. Women tend to take a more conser vat ive approach t han men w h e n i n v e s t i n g t h e i r m o n e y.

T hough t h i s i sn’t a lway s neg a tive, def ining and taking the appr o pr i at e a mou nt of r i s k w it h your investment portfolio can be benef icial. L ike with any import a nt p er s on a l r e l at ion s h i p, a n emot iona l ly ba la nced approach to your investment portfolio can produce healthier exchanges and opportunities.

Professional Services

Women have made achievements that generations ago seemed impossible, and now have the abilit y – a nd somet i mes even a n advantage – when it comes to f inancial independence. They now hold public of f ice, occupy highrank ing positions in some of the largest global companies and run t heir ow n businesses. Recog nizi ng you r ow n f i na ncia l per sona l it y, and planning for bot h t he expected and unexpected events that life may throw your way, is the f irst step in taking control of your f inances. W hether you’re a man or woman, you’re likely busy w it h mu lt iple obl i g at ion s , a nd you may f ind yourself struggling to f ind t ime to spend w it h your f inances. Consider work ing with a professiona l f i na ncia l adv isor who can help you eva luate your cu r rent f i na nc i a l s it uat ion a nd help better prepare you for your long-term f inancial goals. Joanne Jordan , CF P i s a f inanc i al consultant at Jordan Miller & Associates, A Private Wealth Advisory Pract ice of Amer ipr i se F inanc ial Inc. in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their f inancial goals.

Sister Dana Sez

S i st e r D a n a Va n Iqu it y i s L ea p in g through the Year Krewe de Kinque held our annual Mardi Gras bus/ bar crawl on Fat Tuesday, produced by KdK King V I I Joh n Weber, a s a f u nd ra is er for A I D S Hou s i ng A l l i a nce. We s t a r t e d out at T he M i x i n the Castro w ith Queen I X Bebe Sweetbr ia r enter t a i n i ng w it h “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here” by Deborah Cox. At Trax in the Haight we dined on N’awlins cuisi ne such a s ja mba laya a nd red beans ‘n r ice whi le Kd K Queen VIII Garza lip-synched a Brazilian song and danced around the bar. KdK VII John John sang live “Night Time Is the Right Time.” Next we h it Marlena’s and t hen the Gang way. Then Powerhouse and eventually The Edge, where Kd K wa s fou nded yea r s ago by King I Gary Virginia. SFKinque. com. The 47th annual Imperial Coronation, “Every Day Is a Parade,” crow ned Emperor Brad ley Rob erts and Empress Sissy St. Clair, as Emperor 39 Fra n k ie Fer na ndez a nd E mpr es s 4 6 Sayb el i ne stepped dow n. I think it’s k inda sad that these new Imperials ran unopposed, but it sound s l i ke a fabulous idea for the Presidential e le c t ion : no R e pu g n ic a n c h a l lengers, just Obama.

The enter ta inment repor t from Ti n seltow n Nor t h: Ac ademy of Fr iend s held t hei r fabu lous Os car fundraiser, “Scandalous,” at the Gift Center for Huck leberr y Youth Programs, Maitri, Shanti, Tenderloin Health and Women’s H I V P r og r a m at UC SF. Si st er Hera Tique (as Liz Taylor) and I attended with paparazzi furiously snappi ng ca meras a long t he orange carpet. Donna Sachet greeted us in green (not red) gown in front of hunky, living, gold painted Oscar st at ue men. We posed for photos for fun Laugh Box f lipbooks. I enjoyed a delightfully rela x ing cha ir massage by Dar r yl Choy (925-487-6096) and Justine (925 -705 -3236). Mmmmm. Book them! Following the 84th annual Academy Awards telecast on big g i a nt s c r e e n s e v e r y w he r e , t he cast of the hit musical at the Orpheum, Mamma Mia!, performed t he M M t it le song, “ L ay A l l Your Love on Me” and “Dancing Queen.” Everyone is invited to the Sisters of Per petual Indulgence Softball Ga me celebrat i ng t he 4 0 t h A nniversar y of the SF Gay Softball League. The date is March 11th, Sunday on L ang Field in Jef ferson Square. Opening ceremonies st a r t at no on , a nd t he S i st er s’ softball game starts at 1pm. The Pol ic e D e pt w i l l fol low w it h a 2pm game, and at 4pm ever yone disperses to the Sponsor Bars to celebrate our victory or crushing defe at ! T he c he erle a der s qu a d will cheer on the nuns and get the crowd moving and interacting! W here else can you par t y w it h Mar i ly n Monroe, M ichael Jackson , E lv i s , M adon n a a nd Br a d Pitt but at “Gay Night at the Wax Museum” located in the heart of

t he tour ist d ist r ict, Fisher man’s Wharf, Saturday, March 10, 8pm – midnight, 145 Jef ferson Street. Ho st e d by A r m i st e a d M aupi n , Donna Sachet and Sister Roma, DJ Christopher will spin the beats in the Chamber of Horrors. Admission includes compl imentar y bar all night. Purchase VIP tickets and join Sisters Pat N Leather and Eve Volution in, where else, the Wax Hall of Religious Scenes, where t hey ’l l be happy to hea r your confession over complimentar y glasses of bubbly (and make it saucy, because they’ve heard it a l l). P roceed s benef it R a i nbow World Fund and the R ichmond/ Ermet A IDS Foundation. Tix and info: HelpIsOnTheWay.org. The play, 8, puts fear and prejudice on trial. Featuring an all-star cast i nclud i ng G eorge Clooney, Brad P it t, Ma r t i n Sheen, Ja m ie L ee Cu r t i s, Ja ne Ly nch, Kev i n Bacon and others, 8 is a play written by Academy Award w inning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and d irector Rob Reiner. It is a powerful account of the case f iled by t he A mer ican Federat ion for Equa l R ights (A F ER) in t he US District Court in 2010 to overturn P ropos it ion 8 , a con st it ut ion a l a mend ment t hat el i m i nated t he r i g ht s o f s a m e - s e x c o u p l e s t o marr y in the state of California. Fr a med a r ou nd t he t r i a l’s h i s tor ic closi ng a rg ument s i n June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marr iage was on tr ial. It is available on YouTube.com/ watch?V=qIUG8F9uVgM. Sister Dana is sorry he was unable to buy everyone Leap Year gifts and greeting cards.

Read more @www.sfbaytimes.com and check us out on Twitter and Facebook. BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 9

Good Vibrations Celebrates 35 Years of Pleasure Good Vibrations sounds the trumpets on their thirty-f ifth year with a mont h of pa r t ie s , work s hop s and promot ions. For the tr usted S a n Fr a nc i s c o - b a s e d c ompa ny that takes pride in providing accurate infor mat ion on sexua l it y and toys for grown-ups, time f lies when you are having fun. From it s hu mble beg i n n i ng s i n 1977 t o it s c u r r ent st at u s a s a thr iv ing business w ith six stores on t wo coasts, Good Vibrat ions h a s rem a i ned con s i stent to t he philosophy that “pleasure is your birthright.” Originally dismayed by the lack of resources for women seeking accurate sex informat ion a nd good qua l it y sex toy s, therapist Joani Blank opened the f irst Good Vibrations retail store in San Francisco’s M ission Dis trict. This was the f irst friendly, “clean, well-lighted” West Coast a lternat ive to convent iona l “adu lt ” book stores, a nd it s formula of education, a well-trained and sex positive staf f, and accessibility continues to be a winning formula to this day. The premise that pleasure is ever yone’s birthright gave rise to an often-imitated but never replicated business model, producing a major social shift toward healthy sexuality. The Good Vibrat ions model t r a n s for me d t he i n d u s t r y a n d brought about a profound philosophical shift together with major changes in product development, innovation, and safety. Good Vibrations was the f irst retail compa ny to desig n product s by a nd

for women, and introduced f loor d isplay models for customers to handle before buy ing. W hen the d a ng er of pht h a l ates (a pl a st ic sof tener t h at m ay be l i n ked to cancer) became known, Good Vibrations was the f irst adult company to remove items containing this ingredient from their inventory. More recently, the company went a step fur t her a nd created t he “ecorot ic” r at i ng s y stem so that customers could easily identify which products were the most sustainable, and why. T he jou r ne y b eg a n t h i r t y- f ive ye a r s a g o w it h on ly a h a nd f u l v ibrators and books sold behind a counter in the Mission District of San Francisco. “The or ig ina l concept was more like a univers it y b o ok st or e a nd c om mu n it y center where women wou ld feel comfortable in their explorat ion and education. I remember when people pl a ced t hei r order on a piece of paper, and a clerk would go to the back and retrieve it for them. It was a far cry from the elegant boutique branding we enjoy

today, but it established a unique feel i ng of sa fet y, welcome, a nd empowerment,” says COO Jackie Strano, who worked for Good Vibrations from 1992-1998. The original inventor y of 6 items has grown to over 2,000 carefully selected products. Good Vibrations took its responsibility of transforming the adult store model qu ite l iter a l ly, a nd had a ha nd in st ar t ing ma ny of t he women-fr iend ly adu lt stores t h at e x i st t o d ay. St a f f S e xolo g i st Dr. Ca rol Q ueen ex pla i ns, “ N ot m a n y p e o p l e k now t h i s , but over 15 years ago Good Vibrat ions t ra i ned people to st a r t t hei r ow n fema le-fr iend ly adu lt st or e s . T he y r e c e ive d t r a i n i n g a nd vendor c ont a c t s , a l low i n g them to open their own stores to s pread t he v i s ion, a nd some of those companies have thrived and become our colleagues and competitors. The idea, basically, was that a rising tide would f loat all the boats — which is exactly what has occurred.”

Taking Care of Our Own Gay Selves deal with money is very personal-

working for similar goals. Money

-hooked to all our beliefs, fears,

is simply a tool to create the life

needs, desires.”

you want.”

It turns out we a l l have “money

Ahhh. That’s a nice way to put it.

h i stor y ” a nd we need to s h a r e t hat w it h our par t ners. Accordi n g to Taylor, “ No t wo p eople grew up learning the same lessons about money. How we deal w ith

Love, Life, Sex Shar Rednour

money is rooted in those early bel iefs, our class backg rounds are d i f f icu lt to over r ide, espec ia l ly since for most people they are not

As we acknowledge International Women’s Day, I think about our ow n i nd e p end enc e, w h ic h c a n be f i na ncia l secur it y. You ca n’t read a straight wedding magazine w it hout not ici ng t he money adv isor’s column is fatter than the bride’s trousseau. Yet most f inancial advice to same sex couples is in essence legal advice about protecting our families in cases of deat h or d ismemberment. W hat about plain ‘ol protecting the family from D-I-V-OR-C-E because of money f ights? L i fe c oa c h Joa n L es l ie Taylor, E A , tells me of one lesbian couple that broke up after 13 years. “Facing their f inances ended up

10 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

conscious.”

I told Bump my frustration about t he lon n g g g le g a l l i s t (s e e m y eyes rolling back in my head) of what we must do to protect our families. Frankly it is overwhelming--not only f inancially (can we a l l af ford law yers & CPA s?) but a l so emot ion a l ly, a nd i n ter m s of t ime and energ y. It’s so overwhelming that many of us think,

What do you do to keep domestic

“ I c a n’t do all t h at ,” so we do

bliss -- at least in terms of f inance?

nothing at all.

Denise R. Bump, an A mer ipr ise F i n a nc i a l adv i sor, say s , “ Ta l k openly about f inancial goals and have a plan.”

“SH A R!” she excla imed, “T hat is the TRUEST statement yet!!” ( I s a id s omet h i n g s m a r t ab out money?) “Because we don’t have

T hat seems to have worked

Federal equal rights through legal

for Renee a nd A my, toget her 6

marr iage, there are extra f inan-

yea r s. Renee con f ides, “ Wit h i n

cial steps people in same sex re-

3 months together, A my learned

lationships must take. Protecting

of a bad debt that I’d let ride too

loved ones is extremely important

long. That’s when she became my

and unfortunately, we must do it

f i na nc ia l cou n selor a nd loa ned

ourselves.”

me the money to take care of the debt. I came clean and told her about a l l of my ot her debt a nd that is when she showed me how to do a budget.”

Bump hits it: “People spend more time surf ing random websites onl i ne t h roughout t he day t ha n it would take to call a trusted f inancia l adv isor a nd set a f i na ncia l

le a d i n g t o f a c i n g ot her i s s ue s .

Bump agrees. “Financial harmo-

plan in place.” Point taken. Find

Frankly there are very few purely

ny happens when two people want

a cash counselor and maybe you

f inancia l issues because how we

the same type of lifestyle and are

won’t need a couples one!

National News Briefs compiled by Dennis McMillan

Bent, Alaska - Episcopal Bishop of Alaska Endorses Prop 5, Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative – 3.1

Upstate New York- American Family Association Attacks Archie- 2.28 After failing to convince JC Penney to f ire Ellen DeGeneres as their spokesperson because she is openly gay, the American Family Association’s group, One Million Moms, is putting Toys R Us in its crosshairs for selling an “Archie” comic book that features a gay marriage. Select Toys R Us stores are now selling “Archie” comic books with a same-sex wedding displayed on the front cover, which reads “Just Marr ied” w ith t wo men marr y ing and one is wearing a service uniform. This comic book is being sold in select stores across the country.

The Right Rev. Mark Lattime, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of A laska, is endorsing Proposition 5, the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative, which will appear on the April 3 Anchorage municipal ballot. With 50 Episcopal congregations from tiny subsistence villages to major metropolitan centers, the Diocese of A laska encompasses the entire state of A laska. There was disapproval from some Catholics over Lattime’s commitment to LGBT ministry. While at Rochester, Lattime had been a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester’s Committee for Gay and Lesbian Ministr y. He is married with three children. Bishop Lattime af f irmed his commitment to LGBTQ equality in a letter to Rev. Michael Burke, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and convener of Christians for Equality.

The homophobic group demands that Toys R Us “remove all the same-sex ‘Just Married – Archie’ comic books immediately from your shelves” before children are “exposed to same-sex marriage.” They rant on, “These comic books are displayed at the front checkout counters so they are highly visible to employees, managers, customers and children.” The One Million Moms sample letter to the company ends with the line, “My decision to shop in your stores depends on it.”

The Episcopal Church is one of four mainline Christian denominations — the others being the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church ( USA) — which have opened opportunities for full membership, leadership, and service to LGBTQ persons. The Episcopal Church’s 2009 General Convention af f irmed that “gays and lesbians (that are) in lifelong committed relationships,” may be ordained, saying that “God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.”

Fight on for the “family,” you fools! Source: People for the American Way

Source: Alaska GLBT News and Events

Brownsville, Tennessee - HRC Calls on Tennessee School District to Take Action against Anti-LGBTQ Principal -3.1 Los Angeles, CA- Chad Griffin Becomes Next President of Human Rights Campaign- 3.2 Chad Grif f in, founding board member of the American Foundat ion for Equa l R ights (A F E R), w i l l become the next president of Human Rights Campaign. A FER is the sole sponsor of Perry v. Brown, the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. After bringing together Theodore B. Olson and David Boies to lead its legal team, A F ER successfully advanced the Perry case through Federal District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Foundation is committed to achieving full federal marriage equality for all Americans. “I cannot think of anyone better to take the helm of t he Human R ights Campa ig n t han my dear fr iend and colleague Chad Grif f in,” said Olson. “There is no one more passionate, more resourcefu l or more ef fective than Chad. His brilliant and visionary leadership makes me conf ident that one day, ver y soon, ever y A mer ica n w i l l be t reated equa l ly u nder t he law. HRC is extraordinarily lucky to have him.”

The Human R ights Campaign is calling on the Hay wood Count y School Board to immed iately look into reports that Hay wood High School pr incipal Dorothy Bond has made a number of of fensive anti-LGBTQ statements, including telling a lesbian student she was going to hell because of her sexual orientation. HRC launched a petition calling on members and supporters to speak out against the incident, and within the f irst four hours the action garnered 5,000 signatures. A c c or d i n g t o t he AC LU -Ten ne s s e e, mu lt iple compla ints came in fol low ing a Febr uar y 9 assembly during which Bond reportedly said LG BTQ st udents were “r uin ing t heir l ives” wh i le discussing the school’s public display of af fection policy. Other reports indicate this isn’t the f irst t ime Bond has extolled ant i-LGBTQ sent iment – one parent told a local media outlet that Bond once said any boy who had his hair braided must be gay.

“Time after time over the past several years, Chad has proven that he is easily one of the most sk illed strategists and tacticians in American politics today,” said Boies. “I cannot think of a better person to lead HRC into the future.”

This is also not the f irst anti-LGBTQ incident in a Tennessee school this year. In the fall, the principal at Sequoyah High School in Madisonv ille shoved a straight ally student who was advocating for the formation of a gay-straight alliance in the school. Faculty members at the school had been intimidated against sponsoring the club, thus obstructing its formation.

Source: Human Rights Campaign

Washington, D.C.- Senators Join Growing Group Sponsoring Marriage in Democratic Plank- 3.2 Now 19 senators have joined a growing number of politicians and advocates who have endorsed including a freedom to marry plank in the Democratic Party’s 2012 national platform. They include Senators Michael Bennet ( D-CO), R ichard Blumenthal ( D-CT ), Barbara Boxer ( D-CA), Sherrod Brown ( D-OH), Ben Cardin ( DMD), Chris Coons ( D-DE), Dianne Feinstein ( D-CA), A l Franken ( D -M N ), K irsten Gillibrand ( D-N Y ), Tom Harkin ( D-I A), John Kerr y ( D -M A), Carl L ev in ( D -M I ), Jef f Merk ley ( D - OR), Barbara Mikulski ( D-MD), Patty Murray ( D-WA), Charles Schumer ( D-N Y ), Jeanne Shaheen ( D-NH), Mark Udall ( D-CO), and Ron Wyden ( D-OR). Those endorsements follow earlier news that Senator Michael Bennet ( D-CO), California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Represent at ive Ja n Scha kowsk y ( D -I L), a nd Represent at ive Cha rles Gonzalez ( D-TX), all co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, endorsed a freedom to marr y plank in the Democratic Party’s 2012 national platform and the announcement that New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman voiced his support for the plank in a letter to the Democratic Party Platform Drafting Committee. Earlier this week, Senator Jeanne Shaheen ( D -N H ) became the f irst Senator to endorse the lang uage, followed by former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold. Additionally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Young Democrats of A merica Execut ive Director Emily Sussman, and Representat ives Raúl M. Gr ija lva and Keith El lison, the co-chairs of the Cong ressiona l Progressive Caucus, have all endorsed the proposed plank. Source: Freedom to Marry Foundation

Local News Briefs CA Voters Support Marriage Equality by 25% Margin- 3.1

Senate Bill 1140 Separates Church from State in Same-Sex Marriage- 2.28

Californians now support the freedom to marry for lesbian and gay couples by a 59% - 34% margin, according to a new California Field Poll. “Today’s poll results mark a turning point in public opinion in favor of the freedom to marry for all loving, committed same-sex couples in California,” said John Lewis, Marriage Equality USA’s legal director. “Coupled with the Ninth Circuit’s opinion striking down Proposition 8 earlier this month and legislative victories in the states of Washington, New Jersey and Maryland, the momentum in favor of marriage equality has never been stronger,” said Lewis.

Senator Mark Leno introduced legislation that clarif ies the religious freedom of clerg y members in California. Senate Bill 1140 reaf f irms the separation of church and state and clarif ies under state law that no member of clerg y will be required to perform a marriage that is contrary to his or her faith. SB 1140 also protects churches from losing their tax-exempt status if they refuse to perform a marriage that is contrar y to their faith. The bill is sponsored by Equality California and California Council of Churches IMPACT.

However, despite a substantial majority of Californians now in favor of marriage, committed same-sex couples are still prohibited from marrying because the Ninth Circuit’s decision invalidating Proposition 8 is currently stayed as the opponents of equality attempt to appeal it further. “Every day that Prop 8’s political backers continue this litigation, lesbian and gay couples and their families are being hurt,” said Stuart Gaf fney, Marriage Equality USA’s media director. “Today’s Field Poll shows that a clear majority of Californians now believe that it’s time for Prop 8 to go, and for all Californians once again to be able to marry the person they love,” said Gaf fney. Source: Marriage Equality USA

“With the recent appellate court decision on Proposition 8, we know that it is only a matter of time before same-sex couples in California will again have the freedom to marry,” said Senator Leno, D-San Francisco. “Under SB 1140, churches and clerg y members who fear their religious views are threatened by allowing marriage for same-sex couples will have clear and solid protections under state law. Similarly, churches that welcome same-sex couples will be able to fully recognize those families within their faith.” SB 1140 is expected to be heard in Senate policy committees this spring. Source: Senator Mark Leno

BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 11

Getting Outdoors and Loving Nature other’s eyes while standing shoulder to shoulder in a circle during a pre hike talk. With all these nature trails leading towards such happy, happy times, it’s hard to realize that you are part of a mission, a mission started by our founders 25 years ago who wanted the LGBT community to have a greater voice in the environmental movement in general, because their voices and contributions were being overlooked in the larger chapter membership. Through the years, the GLS has strived to involve non- Sier ra Club members, w it h t he hope t hat t hey too w i l l embrace what the Sierra Club stands for and become mem-

Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

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Guest Editorial

Barbara Brust / Lucille Design Webmaster & Technology Director

Russ Hartman & Deb Riat Gay and Lesbian Sierrans

Kate Laws Business Manager

Juan Ordonez

It’s a lifestyle, f itness and nature. A very posit ive l ifest yle t hat contr ibutes g reat ly to an indiv idual’s health and well-being. Shar ing t hat l i fest yle w it h ot her LGBT people is a meaning ful and sat isf y ing exper ience. A nd unlike many of the f iner things in life, it is dirt cheap by comparison. The Gay and Lesbian Sier rans (GL S), an act iv it y sect ion of the San Francisco Bay chapter of the Sierra Club, has been br ing ing f itness and nature lovers together for more than 25 years. Many a fr iendship has been built step by step on that beautiful latticework of trails that lace these dazzling gems of natural beauty in our Bay A rea toget her. Many passionate lovers and long time couples f irst glanced into each

Distribution

ADVISORY BOARD Tracy Gary Nanette Lee Miller, CPA James C. Freeman Judy Young, MPH Gary Virginia CONTRIBUTORS Writers

Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Melissa Myers, Linda Ayres-Frederick, Annette Lust, Kirsten Kruse, Natalia Cornett, Teddy Witherington, Kim Corsaro, Lori Major, Christine Dumke, Alexandra Bringer, David Grabstald, Kate Kendell, Pollo del Mar, Linda Kay Silva, Albert Goodwyn, Tom W. Kelly, Heidi Beeler, Lynn Ruth Miller, Jeanie Smith, K. Cole, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Kelly Fondow, RoiAnn Phillips, Paul E. Pratt, Terry Baum Dayna Verstegen, Liz Bell.

bers themselves. You can’t preserve what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know. GLS provides the f irst step to help the LGBT communit y get to k now our natura l world a nd to con nect i nd iv idua ls w it h t he environmental movement, to help them f ind their own place in that movement. A long the way you learn about, explore and experience places you might never experience otherwise. You meet like-minded people you might not meet otherwise. You learn about local history and the local f lora and fauna and how they

all inter-relate. And, as a bonus, you get some healthy exercise. The SF Bay Chapter of the national Sierra Club serves A lameda, Contra Costa, Mar in and San Francisco count ies. There are 30,0 0 0 chapter members. There are 39 0 ind iv idua ls on t he GLS ema i l l ist, of whom approximately 130 are Sierra Club members. Our members are varied and come from all walks of life. They are adults from all age groups and genders. We of fer something for most f itness levels. Our act iv it ies are rated w it h a sca le for exer t ion. We offer city walks, day hikes, backpacking trips, car camping trips, biking trips, habitat restoration work, trail maintenance and other conser vat ion related work, as wel l as v isits to nature centers/preserves, public gardens, and museums. We have outings all year long. So, come play w it h us! A nd bond w it h us! I ncrease your f it ness level and get awe inspired by a large and ever f lowing helping of the fabulous natural beaut y that surrounds us here in the Bay A rea. Meet lots of nice, new folks along the way. Whether it is playing “two truths and a lie” around a crackling f ire on a camping trip high in the Sierra, or pausing w ith your new found friends at the top of Mt. Tamalpais to take in the astoundi ng, gl i sten i ng beaut y of t he bay a nd t he Pacif ic Ocean a l l sprawled out before you, both visible at the same time, these memories w ill stay w ith you for life. You do not have to be a member to come on our outings. You can test dr ive us for free. So what are you waiting for? To v i e w a cal e ndar of upcomin g out in gs a nd t o l ea r n more abo ut o u r orga nizat i on , pl ea se v i s it www.glshikes.org.

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PHOTO SOUR CE: SF BAY AR EA GAY & L es bi an Sierrans

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12 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

San Francisco Bay Area Gay & Lesbian Sierrans at play.

Person of the Week: Commander Zoe Dunning To d a y t h e 2 012 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Wo m e n’s D a y S u m m i t a n d Aw a r d s L u nc he on i s honor i n g Com ma nder Zoe Dun n i ng w it h it s Sue Bier ma n E x t r aord i na r y P ubl ic S er v ice awa rd. T he B ay Times applauds this decision, and h a s c ho s en t h i s e x t r a or d i n a r y woman as the Person of the Week. Commander Dunning, SC, U S N R ( R et .), i s a U. S . Nav a l Academy g raduate a nd a gay r ights act iv ist. In Januar y 1993, she publicly came out as a lesbian while ser ving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Nav y Reser ves. This brave decision resulted in a t wo and a half year legal battle, which she won, allow ing her to remain in the Nav y Reserves. Commander Dunning at that point became the f irst and only openly gay per-

son allowed to remain on act ive dut y in the militar y prior to the end of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. She subsequently was promoted twice, receiv ing the Nav y & M a r i ne C or p s A c h ie v e ment Meda l a nd t he Nav y & M a r i ne Corps Commendation Medal. Commander Dunn ing ret ired from t he m i l it ar y in June 20 07, but that led to a new beg inning. She received her MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and present ly ser ves a s C o - C h a i r of t he G over n i n g B o a r d o f t he S e r v ic e me m b e r s Legal Defense Network (SL DN ). In December 2010, Commander Dunn ing stood beside President Oba ma as he sig ned t he DA DT repea l. She now res ides i n Sa n Francisco with her wife Pam, and

is a principal at Quintas Associates , L L C , wher e s he pa r t ner s w it h execut ives and t heir teams to lead major change initiatives. She has been a tremendous supporter of countless local LGBTQ e f for t s , i nc lud i n g t he “ B et t y ’s List” Smart Women Network, for wh ich she frequent ly ta kes t ime out of her incredibly busy schedule to advise, mentor and inspire others. She does so with both humor a nd he a r t fe lt c ompa s s ion , m a k i ng ot her s feel goo d about t hemselves and g iv ing t hem t he con f idence to pur sue t hei r personal and career dreams. We are lucky to have her here in the Bay Area, where she will soon be announcing her campaign for a seat on the Democratic Count y Central Committee.

The Week in Review By Ann Rostow Arcane Tax Ruling Typical of Boring News Week I’ve been procrastinating for the last hour and a half. So far, I have made myself a steak sandwich, played with the dogs, read two newspapers and finished a crossword puzzle. I made more coffee and drank two cups. Then I watched part of an old episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” on the television machine. Now, having exhausted the most obvious delaying tactics, I have no choice but to start this column. And yet I greet you with a certain lack of enthusiasm. There’s not a ton of news. My computer is acting up. I’m also wearing a fuzzy bathrobe that makes me feel uncomfortably hot. Finally, I’m using eyeglasses that oblige me to lean into the screen or else read through a slight blur. Under the circumstances, I’d say my continued effort is nothing short of heroic. Just to give you some sense of what I’m up against, content wise, the lead article on my favorite GLBT legal blog (Leonard Link) is headlined: “Tax Court Affirms IRS Ruling Limiting Mortgage Interest Deductions for Unmarried Couples.” Really, Art? If you insist, the case is about two rich guys who jointly own two houses and are trying to maximize their tax breaks based on the fact that they’re not married. Sing it with me! We’re here! We’re Queer! And we both want to take the maximum mortgage deduction even though the IRS caps deductions on the first $1 million of debt per property, not per individual! To be fair, New York law professor Art Leonard has also posted an article about an interesting new federal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act filed by a bi-national couple in Illinois. And the District of Columbia City Council has voted to let married gay couples get a DC divorce even if they don’t live in the city. Normally, I’d launch into the DOMA case, pointing out perhaps that our several federal cases bring a variety of situations to the attention of our nation’s courts. Estate tax, immigration status, spousal benefits, military wives and husbands, the list goes on and it perfectly illustrates the wide range of DOMA’s discriminatory effects. However, I’m a little burned out on marriage, and DOMA in particular, so I’ll spare you. My email box is also full of news about another person I’ve never heard of who said mean things about our community on Piers Morgan’s show. Then I’ve got a couple stories on bullying, as well as some news about the head of New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda who got tossed out on his bum for reasons unclear. Oh, and Barack Obama’s nanny was a transwoman who now lives in a slum and turns tricks in Indonesia. So, shall we begin? Tuesdays with Mittens But first, how about those Republican candidates? Mitt Romney looks like an 85-year-old trapped in a 60-yearold body. His stiff, halting walk. The feeling you get that if he ever had to throw out the first pitch at a major league park he’d toss it underhand. His relaxed-fit jeans and the way he sort of giggles instead of laughs. Santorum has managed to reverse his momentum with Rick Perry-like alacrity, transforming himself from handsome conservative former Senator to creepy moralizing snipe in a matter of days. There was that nasty edge to his

voice when he called Obama a “snob” for encouraging kids to go to college. And what exactly was his point? No one says college is for everyone, but Santorum almost suggested that a university education was a bad temptation to be resisted. And as for Newt, well what can I say? Did the man not notice that he came in a distant third in virtually every primary save his home state on Super Tuesday? Is he so egotistical that he believes he can lumber down the slow road to Tampa like a “tortoise” while the “bunnies” hop all the way to Tallahassee and pause for a carrot break? What’s he talking about? Tortoises and bunnies, indeed. New York Activist Unplugged My trenchant campaign analysis was interrupted by a computer black out, engineered by a pug who tripped over an essential wire and turned off the machine. Not only did I lose my train of thought, but I was forced to spend many long minutes participating in the irritating start-up process. After six or seven years, this device has collected more junk than a hoarder, and when you turn it on, it takes forever to sort itself into a productive state. For some reason, I have to wait for “Skype” to assemble, even though I don’t use Skype, because I have no webcam on this computer. The important thing, of course, is that I’m back. While I was waiting for the useless Skype program, I learned that a symposium on Ancestral Health is scheduled for later this month in Austin. Among the topics are “running barefoot” and a diet that does not include grains, dairy, legumes or “refined oils.” You may know that our city motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” and I believe the organizers of the Ancestral Health conference are living up to our eccentric standards. Bring on the raw bison, by all means. So as I told you earlier, the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda has fired Executive Director Ross Levi after nearly two years and placed his deputy in the top job for the time being. I gather that Levi was given the opportunity to resign quietly, presumably with one of those suspicious press releases about “new directions” or “personal reasons.” But Levi refused to accept a confidentiality agreement, so the news of his departure made clear that the decision was not his. No one has coughed up the dirt as yet, but it seems as if the board thought Levi allowed New York’s leading gay rights group to take a back seat to the Human Rights Campaign and other agencies in the state’s successful fight for marriage equality. Further, Levi was reportedly a weak fundraiser and short on the vision thing, as George H. W. Bush calls it. Before taking over the ED post in May of 2010, Levi spent a decade working for ESPA in other capacities. With nothing else to go on, I harken back to the Peter Principle, the idea that people climb the ladder of success until they reach their level of incompetence, where they either stick around ineffectively or get fired. The theory is simple. When people are competent and good at their jobs, they will win promotions. Eventually, they will rise to a position that they can’t handle, at which point the promotions will stop. Maybe Levi was a great legislative director but couldn’t rise to the demands of the corner office. After all, there’s a big difference between arguing policy and drafting legislation on one hand, and sweet-talking big donors and planning black tie dinners on the other.

Bully by the Horns Grinding along, it’s time to talk about bullies. Actually, this is a major story, a settlement between the Anoka-Hennepin district just north of Minneapolis, and several student plaintiffs. I confess I’ve given these lawsuits a short shrift in the past, in part based on my inability to remember the name “Anoka-Hennepin.” Unlike many of my other recurring stories, I am unable to write about the AnokaHennepin school district off the top of my head and must pause to look up the correct spelling, a time-consuming extra step that is easily avoided by writing about something else. Oh, I’m just kidding. You may remember this district from a period about a year or so ago when everyone in the country suddenly noticed that gay kids commit suicide, particularly when bullied. Although stories of suicides came from around the country, this particular district saw six kids kill themselves in the space of just two years, most of them gay or seemingly so. Last summer, with the help of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center, six students challenged the district’s laissez faire attitude, exemplified by a counterproductive Don’t Say Gay policy that required teachers and administrators to “remain neutral” on sexual orientation by never mentioning the subject. Obviously, such a policy is anything but neutral, and instead nurtures fertile ground for antigay hostility. The previous November, the Justice Department’s civil rights unit launched an investigation into the district’s response to antigay bullying and sexual harassment, concluding this week that the district had allowed a hostile environment to emerge in its schools that contributed to the bullying of 10 students, two of whom committed suicide. On Tuesday, the district settled the two student lawsuits and adopted farreaching standards in a consent decree to satisfy the Justice Department. In addition to a money settlement of $270,000 to the student plaintiffs, the district will also put into place a proactive program to target hot spots, create an anti-bullying committee of parents, students and teachers, institute training and improve supervision. The Don’t Say Gay policy was reversed earlier this year. This was not the first school district to face a federal lawsuit for its indifference to peer sexual harassment or gay bashing on its campuses. But the participation of the Justice Department was a novelty we haven’t seen in past administrations. Announcing the consent decree that codified the district’s anti-bullying program, Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez gave a conference call audience a rundown of the Department’s several interventions in pursuit of safe schools, and called the Anoka-Hennepin program a cost effective model for other districts around the country. The other bullying story on my list was one you’ve probably encountered by now, the trial of the slug in New Jersey who drove his gay roommate to suicide by videotaping his intimate moments. I don’t see why we care about the details of his date with justice. Just put a camera in his cell, take away all his clothes and throw away the key. The Moving Keyboard Writes and Having Writ, Moves On Our weekly journey is almost at an end, but my mind is attempting to (continued on page 23)

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HIV-RELATED EXCESS BELLY FAT. In two separate clinical trials of HIV-infected people with lipodystrophy, each lasting 6 months, EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for injection) reduced HIV-related excess belly fat by an average of 18% in the first trial, and 14% in the second trial. This reduction in excess belly fat resulted in an approximate 1-inch reduction in waist size. Individual results may vary. On average, patients on EGRIFTA® did not lose weight. Like HIV, HIV-related excess belly fat is a chronic condition. In clinical studies: • People who used EGRIFTA® continuously for 1 year maintained their results over this time period • People who stopped taking EGRIFTA® after 6 months had their HIV-related excess belly fat come back EGRIFTA® is believed to work with your own body to produce natural growth hormone to reduce your excess belly fat.

Indication: EGRIFTA® is a daily injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Limitations of use: • The impact and safety of EGRIFTA® on cardiovascular health has not been studied • EGRIFTA® is not indicated for weight-loss management • It’s not known whether taking EGRIFTA® helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications • EGRIFTA® is not recommended to be used in children Important Risk Information Do not use EGRIFTA® if you: • Have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland • Have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer • Are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA®, including mannitol or sterile water • Are pregnant or become pregnant

bleeding, rash, and swelling. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions The most common side effects of EGRIFTA® include: • joint pain • numbness and pricking • pain in legs and arms • nausea • swelling in your legs • vomiting • muscle soreness • rash • tingling • itching

Before using EGRIFTA®, tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had cancer • Have diabetes • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed • Have kidney or liver problems • Have any other medical condition • Take prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements

EGRIFTA® will NOT cure HIV or lower your chance of passing HIV to others.

EGRIFTA® may cause serious side effects, including: • Serious allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA® and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: rash over your body, hives, swelling of your face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling of faintness or fainting • Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA® can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) • Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes • Injection-site reactions, such as redness, itching, pain, irritation,

Ask your healthcare provider if EGRIFTA®, the first and only FDA-approved medicine for HIV-related excess belly fat, may be right for you. For more information, visit www.egrifta.com or call the AXIS Center at 1-877-714-AXIS (2947).

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BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 15

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Consumer Brief Summary for EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for injection) EGRIFTA® (eh-GRIF-tuh) (tesamorelin for injection) for subcutaneous use Read the Patient Information that comes with EGRIFTA® before you start to take it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. What is EGRIFTA®? • EGRIFTA® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA® contains a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) • The impact and safety of EGRIFTA® on cardiovascular health has not been studied • EGRIFTA® is not indicated for weight-loss management • It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA® helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications • It is not known if EGRIFTA® is safe and effective in children. EGRIFTA® is not recommended to be used in children Who should not use EGRIFTA®? Do not use EGRIFTA® if you: • have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland • have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer • are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA®. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in EGRIFTA® • are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA® and talk with your healthcare provider. See “What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA®?”

What are the possible side effects of EGRIFTA®? EGRIFTA® may cause serious side effects including: • Serious allergic reaction. Some people taking EGRIFTA® may have an allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA® and get emergency help right

16 BAY TIMES MARCH 8, 2012

Keep EGRIFTA® and all medicines out of the reach of children. General information about the safe and effective use of EGRIFTA®: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use EGRIFTA® for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give EGRIFTA® to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. Do not share your EGRIFTA® syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed. Do not share your EGRIFTA® needles with another person. This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about EGRIFTA®. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about EGRIFTA® that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information about EGRIFTA®, go to www.EGRIFTA.com or contact the AXIS Center toll-free at 1-877-714-2947. What are the ingredients in EGRIFTA®? Active ingredient: tesamorelin Inactive ingredients: mannitol and Sterile Water for Injection

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How should I use EGRIFTA®? • Read the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with EGRIFTA® before you start using EGRIFTA®. Your healthcare provider will show you how to inject EGRIFTA® • Use EGRIFTA® exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider • Inject EGRIFTA® under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area (abdomen) • Change (rotate) the injection site on your stomach area (abdomen) with each dose. Do not inject EGRIFTA® into scar tissue, bruises, or your navel • Do not share needles or syringes with other people. Sharing of needles can result in the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA® include: – joint pain – nausea – pain in legs and arms – vomiting – swelling in your legs – rash – muscle soreness – itching – tingling, numbness, and pricking Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of EGRIFTA®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects, contact EMD Serono toll-free at 1-800-283-8088, ext. 5563. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

T:16 in

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA®? Before using EGRIFTA®, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have or have had cancer • have diabetes • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EGRIFTA® passes into your breast milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking EGRIFTA® • have kidney or liver problems • have any other medical condition Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. EGRIFTA® may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how EGRIFTA® works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

away if you have any of the following symptoms: – a rash over your body – hives – swelling of your face or throat – shortness of breath or trouble breathing – fast heartbeat – feeling of faintness or fainting • Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA® can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) • Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes. Your healthcare provider will measure your blood sugar periodically • Injection-site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have the following symptoms around the area of the injection site: – redness – bleeding – rash – itching – pain – swelling – irritation

Arts&Entertainment Genesis and Lady Jaye Beguile in New Documentary Film

Gary Kramer T he Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye is a beguiling documentary of musician/per formance artist Genesis P-Orridge and his life with his love, the late Lady Jaye. As if creating a mix-tape, f ilmmaker Marie Losier produces an extremely intimate portrait of the artists by selecting highlights from Genesis’ childhood, concerts by his band Psychic TV, and his everyday life with Lady Jaye. Much of the f ilm is focused on Genesis and L ady Jaye’s Pandrog yne project, which involved t he couple hav ing surger ies to more closely resemble one another. On t he phone from his home in New York’s Lower East Side, Genesis ta l ked about Ballad and t he impetus to record his life, work, and relationship with Lady Jaye. “It was Lady Jaye’s idea, rea l ly. T he pro c es s of b ec om i n g ea c h other was an instinct from the beg inning [1993]. Luck ily we both wore size 7 1/2 women’s shoes. In 2003, when we wanted to take it further with surger y, we thought it would be great to have someone f ilming and documenting this entire process. We met Marie in this concert we were doing. A lthough we’d not seen a ny of her f i l ms, a n d k n e w n o t h i n g a b o u t h e r, we felt it wa s r ight. She be ga n f i l m ing chun k s of our l ives

with her Bolex, and we gave her total access.”  Losier, who toured w ith Psychic T V, a nd s pent cou nt les s hou r s going t hrough home v ideos and photographs, also had total cont rol over ed it i ng t he f i l m. “ She had all of our archives at her f ingertips,” Genesis recalled. “How she managed to memorize it and t ur n it into a stor y is m indboggl i ng. A voice over na r rat ion is col laged toget her from hours of t a l k i ng a nd sou nd. It feel s a nd f lows as if scripted, but it wasn’t. It was uncanny.” T he f i l m def t ly uses foot age of G enesis a nd L ady Jaye to i l lus trate their unconvent ional lives, a nd t he tex t u r es of i m a g e a nd sound are fascinat ing. One section in the f ilm describes the concept of “cut ups”—reassembling text and/or image to create new me a n i n g s . W i l l i a m B u r r ou g h s a n d B r io n G y s i n t a u g ht G e n esis t h is tech n ique i n t he ea rly 1970s, and the musician used the idea in his life and in his surgerie s — l it er a l “c ut- u p s”— t o lo ok more like Lady Jaye, Genesis got breast implants. He also reveals that he had a vasectomy “to deny t he DNA from bei ng repl icated fur t her.” T he concept of cut-up extended to his body in an ef fort to “suppor t a ny t h i ng t hat goes against the tyranny of DNA.” G enes i s quotes L a d y Jaye a s a w ay of e x pl a i n i n g t he pr oje c t further. He said, “Some feel they a re a m a n t r apped i n women’s

body. Some feel they are women t r app e d i n a m a n’s b o d y. T he Pandrog yne just feels trapped by the body.”

other —that we were so close that we merged. We were t wo ha lves of a whole. We blended ourselves into one entity.”

W h i le G enesis is ver y proud of his breasts—and f lashes them in Ballad at a l most ever y oppor t unity—he expressed that his trans appea ra nce “ ha s not h i ng to do w ith gender. We blur our inherent character ist ics of gender. At t he beg inning it was an ex pres sion of our absolute love of each

However, a s t he y b eg a n to re semble each ot her more closely, t he d i men s ion of t hei r pr oje c t grew deeper. G enesis cla r i f ied, “Our surgeries are a way of refuting the DNA and the physical realities. We are creating a third being, a positive

androg yne. The ultimate perfect st ate is ma le a nd fema le reconciling and becoming one. We became spiritually involved as well as conceptua l ly. The f ina l coming together of male and female as a beaut iful fusion sy mbolizes evolut iona r y cha nge where t he human species can move into the next level.” T he Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye charts these transformations, but t he f i l m is a lso a power f u l love (continued on page 24)

SF Gay Men's Chorus Is Enchantingly Wicked By Sister Van Iquity

We lear ned t hat in t h is musica l extravaganza, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chor us w i l l per for m t he w or l d pr e m i e r e of “ Te s t i mony,” w r it t en e xc lu s i ve l y for SFGMC by Schwar t z. Schwar t z

P H OTO SO U RC E : W W W. ST E PH E N SC H WART Z. C O M

T he S a n Fr a nc i s c o G ay Men’s Chor us, under t he baton of A rtistic Director and Conductor Dr. Ti mot hy S eel ig, w i l l be joi ned by legendar y Broadway and f i l m composer a nd ly r ic ist Ste phen Schwartz, soprano Melody Moore and The Choral Project in Enchantingly Wicked, two unforgettable evenings in Davies Symphony Hall. Longtime supporters of

SFGMC were recently invited to a special Director’s Prelude at the Old Fi r st P resby ter ia n Church, ex per iencing a snea k peek of just some of the glorious tunes to come.

SFGMC’s Enchantingly Wicked, An Evening with Stephen Schwartz, March 20-21, Davies Symphony Hall

has worked closely with Dan Savage, t he founder of t he “It Gets Better” project, in selecting texts from those who have shared their l ife jour neys and weav ing t hose into the resulting breathtak ingly poignant work. “ It G et s Bet ter” is a n I nter netbased project founded in the US by Savage and his husband Terry Miller on September 21, 2010, in response to the suicides of teenagers who were bu l l ied because t hey were g ay or bec ause t hei r peer s su s pected t h at t hey were gay. Its goal is to prevent suicide a mon g L GB T Q yout h by h avi ng g ay adu lt s convey t he mes sage t hat t hese teens’ l ives w i l l i mpr ove. T he pr oje c t i nc lude s more t ha n 30,0 0 0 ent r ies, w it h more than 40 million views, from people of all sexual orientations, including many celebrities. Nearly 100 men tried out for the solo pa r t s i n “ Test i mony,” w it h only 15 snagging the roles of act ua l word s t a ken from “ It G et s Better” v ideos. The Chor us w ill back them up as they sing the lyrics t hat have been set to music by Schwartz. One week after the

Prelude, the Chorus assembled in the prestigious Sky walker Ranch sound stage to video the piece for use on YouTube a nd ot her venues, most likely including Davies Hall. Leslie Ann Jones, a multiple Grammy Award-winning recording engineer is helping to produce it. “Testimony” will have universal appeal - not just LGBTQ related. It starts out rather depressi ng but bu i ld s i nto a proact ive, progressive, positive piece that is sure to bring a tear to ever y eye in the house. S pec i a l g uest s on t he prog r a m w i l l feature San Jose-based The Chor a l P roject , a n awa rd w i n ning ensemble conducted by Daniel Hughes, as well as acclaimed opera soprano, Melody Moore. T he C h or u s , a c c o m p a n i e d b y Schwartz on piano, will sing gorgeous movie music from Enchanted, T he Prince of Eg ypt, T he Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas, plus Broadway hits from Wicked, Godspell , P ippin , T he Baker’s W ife a nd more. A nd you c a n ex pect plent y of t hei r t r adem a rk cho r eog r aphy w it h c l appi n g, k nee s l appi n g a nd to e t appi n g, plu s

jazz hands and spins. I imag ine there w il l be plent y of costumes and props, which are anticipated at almost ever y SFGMC appearance. And the sound of the acoustically perfect Davies auditorium will blow everyone away. The Chorus, which has grown in size and professionalism, had just ret ur ned from a n i ntense weekend ret reat up Nor t h. I n just a few hours later at the Prelude, we heard tidbits from Godspell including “Prepare Ye t he Way of t he Lord” (beginning with the sounding of a shofar), “Day by Day,” the h i l a r ious ly c y n ic a l “A l l for t he Best” with counterpoint melodies, a nd “A l l G ood Gi f t s.” G od spell, t he second musica l of t he ea rly '70s to be based on the life of Jesus Chr ist (follow ing Jesus Chr ist S u p e rs t a r, wh ic h h it t he r e c or d racks, but not the stage, f irst), was somet h ing of a sleeper, open ing of f- of f-Broadw ay i n M ay 1971, with an orig inal cast album that belatedly became a big success in 1972 after “Day By Day” was released as a single and hit the Top Ten. By then, the show had moved to of f-Broadway and was well on (continued on page 23) BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 17

Photos of The Week

POP ROX By K. Cole

POLLO DEL MAR “How Embarrassing” (Single) Just when you thought you were the only one, Pollo del Mar comes out with the confessional “How Embarrassing”, graphically detailing that gauntlet of Castro Street the morning of the night after. Clever and funny and even though you know where all this is going, you’ll laugh with recognition just the same. Best Cut: “How Embarrassing” Location: Trying to get past 18th & Castro, 7am, Sunday morning.

PHOTO SOUR CE: FRE ESTYL E M AGAZIN E

LMFAO “Sorry for Party Rocking – Remixes” Beat your Santorum blues with this remix album from LMFAO that will take you right back to homopolitical outa da closet bliss. So not politically correct and every explicit mix brings something new to the table. If you like your extended play, snaredrum rattlin’ intros, or just jumping right into the synthesized bliss, this is for you. Best Cut: “Sorry for Party Rocking – Nash & Silcox Remix Location: Let’s see, which dance floor has the loudest system…?

Global Rainbow is an outdoor art laser installation by artist Yvete Mattern (ymattern:wordpress.com). Standing for “diversity and peace” the Rainbow is showing now in England to celebrate London's Cultural Olympiad in conjunction with the upcoming Olympic Games. YouTube: youtube.com/watch?y=crRlzbiMS41

LANA DEL REY “Born to Die” Europe is gulping for air after the release of the single from this album “Video Games,” catapulting Del Rey to sadcore superstardom (and it doesn’t hurt she looks right at home on Vogue’s cover). Del Rey is sultry, pop and beautiful, and yet to receive acclaim here in the States. Take a listen yourself and see if this doesn’t become the soundtrack to your life. Best Cut: “Video Games” Location: Home couch with a martini in hand.

FANFARLO “Rooms Filled with Light” Roxy Music fans have found a new idol. Fanfarlo’s second release keeps this artsy, alternative world-class band rolling forward into your psyche. Mixes are brilliant. Strings and electronic voices with a lush lyric overlay make for smooth, classy and otherworldly pop. Just what the doctor ordered. Best Cut: “Replicate” Location: Noise cancelling headphones, pillows and wine. 18 BAY TIMES MARC H 8, 2012

Magnet Presents Daniel Dallabrida By Dennis McMillan The exhibition, “In Now’s Waters Burn the Stars of Then,” features new works by Daniel Dallabrida at M a g net , t he C a s t r o hub of health and wellbeing. Later in the mont h, Da l labr ida host s a pa ngenerat iona l even i ng of per formance, poetry and video. For the Magnet exhibition, Dallabr ida i nt roduces a new ser ies subt it led “Memento Mor i.” The phrase, which dates to antiquity, t r a n s l a t e s om i nou s l y a s , “ R e member you w i l l d ie.” But Da llabrida, a 28 -year A IDS survivor, sees this as an af f irming reminder to focus on the treasure of life and the embrace of community. Us i n g c e r a m ic a n d d é c o l l a g e , Dallabrida blends personal photographs with contemporar y gay club and party posters. He weaves together his 35 years in queer and A I DS com mun it y act iv ism, ob ser vat ion s on leg ac y a nd ques t ions about t he role of elders in today’s community. I n e a c h wor k , you n g g ay men from the ‘80s and ‘90s share what Walt Whitman called “the love of comrades.” They play unaware of our obser vation. They gaze with curiosity out into our world. P r ior to t he ex h ibit ion at M agnet, Dallabrida posted “Memento Mori” images on bulletin boards and lampposts in the Castro. “Before I conf ined them to a gallery setting, I wanted my guys to have a look a rou nd,” sa id Da llabrida. “How would they see our time, I wonder? How would they

react to queer-teen romance on Glee? To an openly gay militar y? To online cruising?” On M a rch 26 at M ag net , 4122 18 t h S t r e e t , D a l l a b r i d a h o s t s “ Yo u n g e r T h e n J e s u s ; O l d e r Than A IDS,” a pan-generational evening of per formance, poetr y, a nd v ideo. Pa r t icipa nt s w i l l i nclude writer/poet/historian Kevin Killian, artist Andrew Painter, poets Ryan Funk and Tom Comitta and more. “Plan for an evening where artists who were born after the advent of A IDS can trade experiences with t ho s e who k ne w a world w it hout HI V,” says Dallabr ida. “ We will explore what was, what happened, what was lost and what we want for our future.” “I am a stor y teller. Stories help us understand the world and our experience in it. Stories calm the c yclones i n ou r head s a nd hea l our hearts. Good stories maintain t heir releva nce because t hey i l-

luminate patterns of civ ilization and time.” He adds, “I make art to tell my stor ies, to tel l ou r stor ies. T he med iu m i s les s i mpor t a nt t h a n what I a m t r y i ng to sha re.” He prefers working with earthen mater ia ls - clay, water, iron, wood and the body. His inspiration? “In Rome, posters for movies, concerts and clubs a re pa sted onto bu i ld i ng wa l ls, layer upon layer, unt i l t hey get severa l i nches t h ick…T he wa l ls b e c ome a r e c or d of t i me.” He continues, “I see the legacy of the gay community like those Roman walls. Our political and societal successes a re bu i lt upon t he efforts of those who came before us. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that they have left us that we are alone. We look to the future, to the new.” H i s ph i lo s ophy i n l i fe? “ C e le brate t he moment. Treasure t he past. Build the future. Above all, be curious.”

GAPA Celebrates 25th Anniversary By Dennis McMillan

Senators Ma rk L eno a nd L el a nd Yee presented cer t i f ic ates of recognition. The George Choy Awa rd of Recog n it ion wa s g iven to Ken Ha ma i, who sa id he was dazzled when he d iscovered GAPA and attended his f irst banquet a nd f i r st r u nw ay Pa g ea nt over 25 years ago. He is happy to have been the Runway reception cha ir for over ten years. Hama i a nd h is husba nd, Jack Henyon, have been together for over forty yea r s a nd were leg a l ly ma r r ied four years ago in SF City Hall, off iciated by good friend Lawrence Wong (an early GA PA co-chair). Together they “ love and support the arts, design, A PI community/ culture, marriage equality and all great parties.” The Douglas Yaranon Community A lly Award was given to Bevan Duft y, who ser ved as super v isor for the Castro for eight years in t he seat t hat Ha r vey M i l k once held. He ran for mayor last year

Sweet Inspiration Bakery Cafe

P HOTO BY R I NK

G A PA (G a y A s i a n P a c i f i c A l l i a nce) held a fest ive aw a rd s banquet and celebration, “ M a s quer a de,” at t he Swe d i s h A mer ic a n H a l l . Tit a A id a a nd E stee L on g a h wer e co - emc ees . T he event opened w it h t he jazz s ou nd s of Fr om a g ique, a br a s s and drum band. GA PA Co-chairs Ben Leong and M ichael Ng uyen welcomed ever yone. M r. GA PA Michael Nguyen and Miss GA PA Lychee Minelli, their royal court, and the Rice Rockettes danced to “Masquerade” from Phantom of the Opera and “Sweet Dreams” by the E u r y t h m ic s . T he GA PA Men’s Chorus also performed.

Miss GAPA Lychee Minnelli, personal trainer Peter Lee, honoree Bevan Dufty, Mr GAPA Mike Nguyen, and co-chair Ben Leong at the March 3 GAPA Banquet.

and was endorsed by GA PA and Sing Tao. During his time at City Ha l l he wa s a st rong cha mpion of the LGBTQ and API Commun it y. More i mpor t a nt ly, he ha s been a f ixture at GA PA Runway for at least 10 years. The mayor ju st r ec ent ly app oi nted h i m a s t h e d i r e c t or o f HOP E ( Hou s i n g , O p p or t u n it y, Pa r t ner s h i p a nd E mpower ment). Ever y d ay he championed funding for v ital H I V/A I DS ser v ices and prov ided support for initiatives such as the Castro Youth Housing Initiative, Needle Exchange, the A IDS Housing Plan and Magnet by empha si zi ng t hat H I V/A I DS must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, combining both a vigorous prevention strateg y, access to substance abuse treatment, housi ng, ment a l hea lt h ser v ices a nd treatment.

pet it ioned the W hite House and Depa r t ment of St ate on beh a l f of a gay Malawi couple that was or ig ina l ly sentenced to 14 years h a r d l a b or a f t er publ ic l y pr o fessing their love for each other. He has mentored and supported scores of young LGBTs that have gone on to become civic leaders, comm issioners and elected of f icials. He has been a strong suppor ter of L GBTQ fa m i l ies a nd seniors by creating a partnership between Family Builders and the City to f ind loving LGBTQ families for k ids in t he foster system a nd he lp e d s e c u r e f u nd i n g for Openhouse to build independent living for LGBT seniors.

Duft y advocated and lobbied on beha l f of nu merous bi-nat iona l gay and lesbian couples in t heir f ight for immig rat ion r ights. He

The “Godzy” (Godzil la) Award, picked by GA PA members, went to B en L eong for h i s cont i nua l service to GAPA and its board.

2239 Market Street www.sweetinspirationbakery.com coltercakes@gmail.com 415.621.8664

T he George Choy Memor ia l GAPA Scholarship was presented to Jovel Queirolo, majoring in biolog y at Stanford.

BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 19

Do Just One Thing erything you pay attention to, everything you think, feel and want, every time you react to what happens to you – all of these things scu lpt your bra i n. Busy reg ions of the brain get more blood f low, and little-used neural connections w it her away. “Neurons t hat f ire toget her w ire toget her” – ever y time you repeat any mental activity, you strengthen it and make it easier to become a habit.

Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT I ’ve sa id before i n t h i s colu m n that most psycholog ical self-help b o o k s a r e n’t w o r t h t h e p a p e r they’re printed on. But once in a while a book comes along that really has the power to change our lives for the better. Such a book is Just One T hing , by R ick Hanson. R ic k i s b ot h a neu r op s yc holo g i st a nd a me d it at ion t e a c her, and he uses t he new f ind ings of neu rosc ience to show how ver y simple mind-training techniques, pract iced for just a few m inutes daily, can radically improve our well being. The science behind the practices involves a simple principle: Every time you use your mind you alter t he st r uct ure of your bra in. Ev-

WINNER

BEST ACTRESS TILDA SWINTON

W hat t h is mea ns is t hat i f your m i nd reg u la rly focuses on worries, anger, or self-criticism, then your brain develops neural struct u r e s s u p p o r t i n g a n x i e t y, l o w self-esteem, and impatience with others. But if you regularly focus you r at tent ion on not ic i ng t hat you’re a l l r ight now, not t a k i ng life personally, cultivating gratitude, or letting go – then gradually your brain re-shapes itself to support calm strength, self-conf idence, and inner peace. So, for instance, regularly taking the time for mindfulness pauses activates the pa r t of t he br a i n t h at put s t he brakes on negat ive feelings, and thus lifts mood. Other practices, such as tak ing in the good, feeling safer, relaxing anxiety about imperfection, or f illing the hole in your heart, support and increase your sense of security and worth, resi l ience, ef fect iveness, a nd well being.

T h is book is ver y user-fr iend ly. Each chapter t it le na mes a specif ic practice, and the rest of the chapter, which is never more than a few pages, tells you why to do it, and then how to do it. The pract ices t hemselves usua l ly i nvolve act ion s you t a ke i n you r m i nd , such as ref lecting, concentrating, or focusi ng you r at tent ion, a nd they only take a few minutes to do per day. But doing them regularly gradually re-shapes the brain to reduce st res s a nd u n happi nes s , a nd t o de ve lop p o s it i ve qu a l i ties. They’re exactly like physical exercise; a ny single t ime you w o r k o u t , n o t mu c h c h a n g e s , but over t i me you r he a lt h a nd strength improve. We a l l understand t hat we have to make ef fort regularly over time to do t h i ng s l i ke lea r n i ng how to drive a car or play basketball, but we t y pica l ly t hin k t he mind should just work f ine on its own, w it hout any ef for t or d iscipl ine. Rick Hanson shows us how some ver y dow n-to - ea r t h act ions ca n turn an unruly mind into one that i s fo c u s e d , s t r on g , a nd h a ppy. I recommend this book highly. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. His website is tommoon.net.

Organ Music That'll Turn You On

SAN FRANCISCO FILM CRITICS

NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW s ONLINE FILM CRITICS SOCIETY

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FILM CRITIC’S PICK

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FILM CRITIC’S PICK

TILDA SWINTON

JOHN C. REILLY

EZRA MILLER

A film by LYNNE RAMSAY

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P HOTO BY HE IDI BEEL ER

Brass Tacks

W hen org a n ist Ga r y Spon holt z t r ies out new s p e a ker s , t her e’s a C D he’s used for t he pa st 25 yea rs. It’s a record i ng of Sa i ntSaëns’ Symphony No. 3, the “Organ Sy mphony.” Conducted by E do de Waart, the San Francisco Symphony pulls out all the stops – literally – for its 1984 debut performance of its prize Ruf fatti organ, st i l l t he la rgest org a n i n Nor t h America today. Gary said the perfor mance has such a n extensive range of dy namics and st yles, it af fects the slightest distortion in any speaker. It’s his gold test. “Fi rst you hea r t he pret t y l it t le strings and the f lutes,” Gary told me la st Sat u rday. “ Under neat h that, a 30 -foot-long wooden pipe starts playing C and G chords. It starts so low you almost can’t hear it, but it builds and starts rocking the room. It’s such a turn on!” Now Gar y h i msel f w i l l per for m t he f i na le from t he Sa i nt- Saëns with the San Francisco Lesbian/ Gay Freedom Band at its spr ing concert, T he Big Blow, on two different organs: Fr iday, March 16 at Ebenezer/herchurch Lutheran i n S a n Fr a nc i s c o a nd S u nd ay,

Organist Gary Sponholtz

M a r c h 18 a t Pe a c e L u t h e r a n Church in Danville. Gary has been a church organist for over 40 years, and his passion for the organ is infectious. Raised on a far m in Water ford, W I, he was 8 when he snuck his f irst notes behind the backs of the nuns who were teaching him piano. Waiting for his dad to f inish choir practice after a Cub Scout meeting, he slipped into t he dark sanctuar y. He found the power switch on the organ console and played 2 notes that thrummed through the sanct ua r y. He was too a fra id of t he nuns to play more that night, but the huge sound had him hooked. He t h rew h i m sel f i nto h i s mus ic a nd by t he t i me he wa s 12, t h e nu n s c h o s e h i m a s mu s i c director for one of the church’s six services. Since his childhood in Wisconsin, play ing organ has been t he pr imary constant in Gary’s life. He’s played for a Cat hol ic-sponsored Pea ce C or ps - st yle prog r a m , a s a ser v iceman for Nava l bases in

Guam and Hawaii, as a Franciscan Fr iar who sent him to study w it h Ja mes Welch at UC Sa nt a B a r aba r a , a nd a s mu s ic d i r ec tor for a n assor t ment of Cat ho lic churches in the East Bay when he decided to come out. Just recently, he resigned from his most recent post, in part over frustrat ion w it h a nt i-g ay sent i ment i n the Church. He was immediately scooped up by Pea ce L ut her a n Church as their new music director. He sounded a tad wistful over h is f i r st st i nt a s music d i rector outside the Catholic Church, “but then Lutherans have always been radical Catholics.” Though the Saint-Saens is originally scored for string orchestra, Gary is excited to be playing the piece w ith a w ind ensemble and t h in k s T he B ig Blow is a per fect concert title. After all, he said, an organ is a wind instrument too. “I’m just thrilled to pieces to get to play this piece here. I’ve been in the Band 17 years. It’s my longest relationship.”

Nourish Your Glow from Within

Astrology

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Some attachments aren't meant to live forever, Taurus. Abundance surrounds you, but you must move forward to enjoy the feast. Release unhealthy habits that bind you to the past.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) Emotions are heightened as you work to balance personal needs with the needs of others. Have faith in your soul's purpose, Virgo. Thrive on the warmth of your inner glow.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Emotions could be at odds with career ambitions. Surrender your ego, Gemini. Burn restless energy by deflecting attention off the self and onto tasks that support your home and/or community.

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) You're emotionally craving a little solitude, Libra. Allow yourself space to withdraw peacefully in order to get the spiritual perspective you need. Life at home will benefit from this practice.

Gypsy Love

The special beauty of your inner light is unique to your personal vocation on Earth. When it shines brightly, you enrich the world and feel exhilarated. When it dims, you doubt yourself and feel invisible. Cosmically, we're being summoned to nurture our internal radiance now. Feed instincts with faith. Invest in your passions. Nourish your glow from within until it spills over and brightens the lives of everyone around you. ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Your bold individuality may shock the public sometimes, but that's part of your allure, Aries. Career and finances are primed for healthy expansion. Manage successes responsibly, and they will last.

CANCER (June 21 – July 22) You're attracting like-minded, uplifting people who could be powerful catalysts for transformation. Refine communication tactics when conveying new ideas to your social network. Your leadership skills are on fire now.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) Brave new ideas will clash with your existing work and/or health situation, drawing attention to systems you've outgrown and new adventures that beckon you. Re-align your priorities, Leo.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) Now's the time to nurture strong bonds. Whether deepening social connections or taking the leap with that special someone, you'll gain more by focusing on “we” versus “me.”

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) Everyone knows you're the master of “working a room.” This talent proves useful as new pathways to profits are brewing, Sagittarius. Rewards are greater if you respect your roots.

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) It's important to balance logical and emotional components of “truth.” If it looks good on paper but your feelings beg otherwise, it's best to create a new system entirely.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) An emotional crisis – perhaps involving finances – may have thwarted your plans, ultimately helping you regenerate outdated feelings. Repeat after me, Aquarius: “I. Am. Worthy.”

PISCES (February 19 – March 20) The comforts you crave in your relationship may be challenged by a need to claim your own identity. Feed personal ambitions by supporting community projects that expand your consciousness. www.AstrologyByGypsyLove.com

Gypsy Love’s astrology readings have helped 1000’s of people attract what they authentically desire.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway your passion, a l ig n i ng your l i fe w ith your deepest desires, trusti ng your i nst i nct s a nd i nt u it ion as you travel along life’s journey, and living with purpose.

Speak Up! Speak Out! Laugh Often! Karen Williams Fear can keep you from living out your dreams, taking a chance on

“Feel The Fear A nd Do It A nyway ” is t he t it le of a n awesome book by Dr. Susan Jef fers. It litera l ly changed my life. I was in my early thirties, w ith two children, living in a tiny apartment in South Berkeley, across the street from two crack houses, chanting and meditating, when a voice rose up inside of me that said, “I have got to get my k id s out t a here… and I want to see the world!” I prayed and read and ref lected, aware that speak ing in public is

almost everyone’s greatest fear. I determined not only to speak in publ ic, but a lso to ma ke people laugh. Wr it i ng a nd per for m i ng comedy was my ticket out of my sit uat ion a nd I da red mysel f to cash in. The f irst comedy routine I wrote was about riding the 57M bus that ran from Oakland to Emer y ville -- one of three buses I took each morning to take my infant son to child care, my other son to junior h igh school, t hen on to my secretar ial job downtown. I set out at 7 a.m. with k ids in tow to arr ive at work by 9, and repeated the three-bus escapade again after work.

The 57M was a trip. Folks smoked weed in the back of the bus; my comedy r if fs cla imed t hat I forgot where I was going, missed my stop, or was laugh i ng so ha rd I chose to r ide to t he end of t he l i ne. My debut wa s i n t he sleaz y ba r of t he Hegenberger I nn, out by t he Oa k l a nd A i r por t . I dressed up like I was going to the Grammys, in a silver Senegalese dance pants outf it, with my hair br a ided h igh, l a ced w it h roy a l purple and gold threads. Though I was scheduled to go on at 8, I hit the stage area at almost midnight and got laughs from the six people who were still lucid. I was hooked. It’s been 29 years since then. I’ve totally changed my life and the lives of my children, I’ve

traveled the world, I ow n a car, and I live with the slogan, “Your dreams are your reality.” On my desk, I stare at a photo of one of my sheroes, Aud re L orde, w ith her arms outstretched, and the saying above her head: “ W hen I da re to be power f u l – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Fe e l t he fe a r, t a k e s ome d e e p breaths, hug a tree, meditate, go for a walk, chant, pray for courage, and do it anyway! Live with passion. You’ll be glad you did. Contact: karen@sf baytimes.com

As Heard on the Street . . . by Rink

A L L P H OTO S B Y RI NK

Where do you go in the Bay Area to feel in touch with nature?

Albert Cromedy

Ava Schmidt

Trinity

Vick Germany

Mark Paladini

“I like he beauty and fun of Santa Cruz Beach.”

“My partner and I like to go to the East Bay's wilderness.”

“The wilds of Santa Rosa does it for me.”

“I have had a wonderful three weeks in Madagascar.”

“I love the Marina Green for the fantastic views.”

BAY T IM ES M ARCH 8, 2012 21

CALENDAR

See many more Calendar items @ www.sfbaytimes.com

compiled by Robert Fuggiti

Lawrence LaFlamme Ensemble will perform on March 9th at the Sunnyside Conservatory

8 Thursday Sundance Saloon – Space 550. The popular country western LGBT dance night. $5. 6:30pm10:30pm; lessons from 7-8pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. www.sundancesaloon.org Allison Weiss and Rachael Cantu Live – Amoeba Records. Two special performances by female vocalists Allison Weiss and Rachael Cantu. One night only. FREE. 6pm. 2455 Telegraph Ave., Berkley. www.amoeba.com Asian American Film Festival – The Castro Theatre. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is proud to present the 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Thru March 18. Films and prices vary. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre. com

9 Friday

yoshis.com Smuin Ballet Choreography Showcase – ODC Theater. The eagerly anticipated Smuin ballet returns for its third production. $28. 8pm. Also March 10, 2pm & 8pm. 3153 17th St. www.odctheater.org Cubcake – The Lone Star Saloon. A party with bears, beer and cupcakes; second Fridays. 9pm-2am. 1354 Harrison St. 863-9999. www. lonestarsf.com Hexenfest – Oakland Metro Operahouse. Gothy Magick-based night of music and dance, with Pandemonaeon, Razor Skyline, DJ Jason Pitzl-Waters, belly dancers, fashion show. Costumes encouraged. $20. 9pm-1am. 630 Third St., Oakland. www.pandemonaeon.net Lip Service West: Reading. Writing. Rock ‘n’ Roll – 50 Mason House.

An annual fundraising event to support the non-profit literary arts organization, Lip Service West, with an all-star celebration of literature and rock music. $10-$25. 7:30pm-1am. 50 Mason St. www. lipservicewest.com

2 2 BAY TIM ES M ARCH 8 , 2 0 1 2

12 Monday

10 Saturday A (Gay) Night at the Museum – The Wax Museum on Fisherman’s Wharf.Proceeds benefiting Rainbow World Fun. Enjoy an open bar, and dancing all night, with special performances by Donna Sachet, Bebe Sweetbriar and more. Hosted by Sister Roma. $50 VIP/$30 General. 8pm. 145 Jefferson St. www.reaf.org Chaos – Beatbox. DJ Tristan Jaxx’s popular new dance night; International DJ Ranny makes his Chaos premier. Free before 11pm. $15 after. 10pm-4am. 314 11th St. www.beatboxsf.com

Lawrence-LaFlamme: It’s a Beautiful Day – Sunnyside Conservatory. Legendary Rock violinist David LaFlamme, and vocalist, Linda, from the ‘60’s iconic It’s a Beautiful Day band, with mandolin virtuoso Phil Lawrence and his sidemen. Benefits free community programs. $20 donation. 8-10pm. 236 Monterey Blvd. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225321. www. sunnysideconservatory.com Patricia Barber & Nat King Cole Trio – Yoshi’s Oakland. Featuring Patricia Barber’s Nat King Cole Trio with Larry Kohut on bass & Neal Alger on guitar. $25. “Betty’s List” group discount 25% off general admission. 8pm. 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland. www.

Ryan Cronin as they welcome a variety of stand-up comedians to the stage. Special appearances by Mike Spiegelman, Kelly Anneken and Brian Fields. $10. 7pm. 855 Bush St. www.nastashamuse.com

Peaches Christ will perform on March 19 at Elbo Room First Annual Women’s Jazz Festival – The Jazz School. These young jazzwomen are some of the best new performers in the Bay Area! $12, $15. 8pm. 2087 Addison St. www.jazzschool. com

11 Sunday Becoming Britney – The Retro Dome. A caustic (but loving) exploration of the rise, dip and salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenomenon. $33, $44. 2pm. 1694 Saratoga Ave., San Jose. www. theretrodome.com Running to Save Lives 5k – Sports Basement. Ladies for a Cure presents a special 5k race benefiting blood cancer research. $25. 8:30-11am. 610 Old Mason. www.ladiesforacure.com Shatner’s World – Orpheum Theatre. William Shatner performs his wacky one-man show It’s Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It. $40, $90, $300. 7pm. 1192 Market St. www.shnsf.com

The Smuin Ballet will perform on March 9 at the ODC Theater

A Funny Night for Comedy – Actor’s Theatre SF. Join Host Natasha Muse and her side-kick

Best of B.O.O.B.S. – Martuni’s. Time to get your sing on! Drink, sing and get merry with San Francisco’s comic trio: Busty, Outrageous, Over-the-Top, Broads Singin! Leanne Borghesi, Jessica Coker and Soila Hughes. $10. 7-8:30pm. 4 Valencia. www. boobs-cabaret.com Wallin & Barretta – The Rrazz Room. Vocal duo, with the Kelly Park Quartet, performs a tribute to Italian singers. 8pm. 2-drink min. 222 Mason St. www. TheRrazzRoom.com

13 Tuesday Peggy Ford Benefit – Z Space. This show is a benefit for, and celebration of, Peggy Ford. Peggy was a major figure in Bay Area and National Circus Community for almost 40 years. $50, $75, $100. 7pm. 450 Florida St. www. zpace.org Linda Purl – The Rrazz Room. Actress-singer (The Office, Homeland) performs songs from The Great American Songbook with a splash of jazz. $35. 8pm. Also March 14. 222 Mason St. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

14 Wednesday Blue Room Comedy – The Stud. Comic David Hawkins has moved his popular bawdy laughfest to a

CLASSIFIEDS

Business Opportunities Graphic & Web Designer www.imagineit-design.com lori.au3@gmail.com

Catering Gloria Swanson- Personal Chef, Cooking Demonstrations. Call 415.552.3232 to discuss your next menu! www.chefforhiresf.com, glofriasws@aol.com

Gay Man Looking to be a Known Donor for a Lesbian/Couple. 5’10’’, excellent health, HIV neg., with high fertility numbers, educated (Masters), athletic, attractive, and descend from two loving and long-lived Spanish families. www.gayfamilyoptions.com item /221

Pets SURF DOG large dog boarding at Ocean Beach. Queer Owned. sfsurfdogs.com. (415) 637-7717

William Shatner, March 11.

Dating Service

roomy nightclub. FREE. 8pm. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

New Free Dating Website. SameSexConnections.com

DOG TRAINING in Your Home Cindy Gehring, Dog Trainer 408-238-1540, DogHelpNow@gmail.com, www.cindygehring.com

Financing

Self Defense

Dream Queens Revue – Aunt Charlie’s Lounge. Retro-classic drag show (2nd and 4th Wednesday) at the classic Tenderloin bar, featuring Collette Ashton, Ruby Slippers, Sophilya Leggz, Bobby Ashton, Sheena Rose, Davida Ashton and Joie de Vivre!. FREE. 10pm. 133 Turk St. www.dreamqueensrevue.com

Is a Reverse Mortgage for You? Are you at least 62 years of age and own your home? Get paid a monthly amount, line of credit or a lump sum payment. You always retain full ownership. Call Lauren Dunlap, Nova Mortgage. (510) 540-7911 / (415) 753-2272.

Insurance COVER YOUR ASSETS: Insurance for YOUR community. Life, Disability, Final Expense. Aaron Van Arsdale 415-717-4984. aaron. insure@gmail.com. Life Agent Lic # 0G10774

15 Thursday Women’s Open Mic Night – Montclair Women’s Cultural Art Building. All women are welcome to an upbeat community gathering to connect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy fantastic entertainment. $7-10. 7:30pm. 1650 Mountainview Blvd., Oakland. www.montclairartsclub.com

Azucar Con Aché will perform March 18 at Yoshi’s, Oakland. ite movie musicals and Broadway shows and stay for this week’s special live performances by cabaret star Jason Brock and nationally acclaimed musical theatre sensation Leanne Borghesi. 2-4-1 Stoli cocktails. 7pm. 4149 18th St. www.edgesf.com

Comedy Bodega – Esta Nocha. The new weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up nights hosted by “Mr. Gomez” (retired Telemundo extra and “associate” of comic Marga Gomez). 8-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. www.comedybodega.com RADAR Book Club: Justin Bond & Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore – Viracocha. Special guests Justin Bond (Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels) and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?). $15. 2:30pm. 938 Valencia. www. radarproductions.org.

16 Friday Saint Patrick’s Day Party – The Sequoias Auditorium. Join Openhouse, Bread & Roses and The Sequoias for a St. Patrick’s Day Party Featuring The Gas Men “The Gas Men” play Irish Traditional music (jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas) and the singers in the band perform a wide variety of songs. FREE. 1:30pm. 1400 Geary Blvd. Launch Party – Nob Hill Theatre. AdamRusso.com launch party, with host Michael Brandon, and Phillip Aubrey. $25. 8pm & 10pm. Also March 17. 729 Bush St. www. thenobhilltheatre.com

17 Saturday Pam Grier – Castro Theatre. Peaches Christ welcomes the iconic actress at a double-feature screening of the action-packed Blaxploitation classic Coffy and the recent Jackie Brown. $20-$25. 8pm. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Café du Nord. Enjoy live Irish music from folk violinist-vocalist Lucia Comnes, The Gas Men and The Jaunting Martyrs. $4 pints all night long. $17-$20. 9pm show. 2170 Market St. www.cafedunord. com

18 Sunday Daytime Realness – El Rio. The fun open-air drag show returns, with hostess Heklina, DJ Carnita, Stanley Frank, and drag acts, plus chicken and waffles! 3rd Sundays.

Rainbows & Leprechauns – Martuni’s. Join the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco to pay (semi-reverent) homage to rainbows, the emerald isle and all things Irish! $8. 7:30pm. Also March 20. 4 Valencia St.

20 Tuesday

Peggy Ford: Benefit Memorial to be held on March 13 3pm-8pm. 3158 Mission St. www. elriosf.com Sunday’s a Drag – Starlight Room. Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon. 450 Powell St. www.harrydenton.com Sunday School – The EndUp. New T-dance and beer bust at the famed disco. Enjoy the sunny patio and grooves by DJ Hawthorne and the Ghetto Disco crew. $5 cover. $3 drinks. 3pm8pm. 401 6th St. www.theendup. com A Sumptuous Puja for Women – Love Journey. A playful day of celebrating Oneness & building ecstatic connections with experienced Tantrikas. $95. 1-9pm. Exact location disclosed with confirmed ticket. Sebastopol, CA. www.tantraforwomen.com Azúcar con Aché – Yoshi’s Oakland. A mesmerizing multicultural ensemble of women based in the San Francisco Bay Area who play Salsa and Latin Jazz style music. $15. 7pm. 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland. www. yoshis.com

19 Monday Yep, They Said It – Elbo Room. A night of tacky autobiography excerpts read by local writers and celebs: Heklina, Joshua Grannell aka Peaches Christ, James Brian Judd, Donna Sachet, Lewis DeSimone, and more. Proceeds benefit Guy Writers. $20. 7pm. 647 Valencia St. www.elbo.com Monday Musicals – The Edge. The return of Monday Musicals! Come enjoy clips from your favor-

Enchantingly Wicked – Davies Symphony Hall. Presented by San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Stephen Schwartz. 8pm. Also March 21. $15-$75. 201 Van Ness. www.SFGMC.org Pit Stop – Kok. Hamisi DJs the popular happy hour! 6pm-9pm. FREE. 1225 Folsom St. www.kokbarsf.com

21 Wednesday Rrazziversary Gala – The Rrazz Room. Sharon McNight hosts the four-year anniversary of the classy nightclub, with guest stars Natalie Douglas, Edwin Hawkins, Linda Lavin and more. $75, $125, $175. 8pm. 222 Mason St. www. TheRrazzRoom.com CONTEXT – The Garage. Jenni Bregman presents Context, a new dance piece inspired by the writing of Oliver Sacks that explores what it might be like to navigate the stimulating physical world with impaired senses. Featuring a live electronic score by Sunshine Jones. $15. 8pm. 975 Howard St. www.975howard.com

Lots more Calendar items await you

online

Legal Services B. Scott Levine 510-763-2300 bscottlevine@gmail.com

Massage El Cerrito Hills-I80-Men: Info: www.rickoz2.com

Parenting You want children, so do I. Let’s talk. For more information about me, visit http://sites.google. com/site/mike949h/

Soko Joshi Judo & Self Defense Club for Women. 415-821-0303 phdshelley@sbcglobal.net

Tax Preparation The Lesbian Tax Mom 510-653-4323 taxmomsusan@yahoo.com

Therapy

Experienced Psychologist - LGBTQ Issues Castro - Sliding Scale - Diana Gray, PhD (PSY10607) 415-309-4729 Barbara A. Adler, LMFT. PsychotherapyConsultation- Education- Training. barbaraadlerLMFT.com, 415-990-9137.

Gay-Latino Fiction

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(ROSTOW continued from page 13) depart prematurely, wandering off on its own like a bored toddler in a grocery store. As soon as I compose the basic structure of a short final section on, I don’t know, a gay bashing in Chile or the latest big name to sign on to the marriage plank in the Democratic party platform, I look around, and there’s my mind, pulling a box of Captain Crunch off the bottom shelf, and stuffing a fistful of empty calories into its mouth. Did you hear about the Florida husband and wife who beat up the man’s mother for using “his” taco sauce at dinner? The woman escaped from the house, walked to her husband’s workplace and called police. Her son was arrested for domestic battery. Have you seen the “ATM machine” that dispenses cupcakes? I don’t get it. I’ve seen this thing presented on various cable news shows as if it’s somehow bizarre or surrealistic, but basically, it’s a vending machine of sorts that sells cupcakes, right? Why does this contraption merit repeated national television coverage?

nard’s Dumb, Man-Stealing, Lesbian Sluts.” What could possibly have provoked such a tempestuous response? Here’s the deal. President Obama has decided to give the commencement address at Barnard, and now, Columbia students are all bent out of shape and complaining on the university’s message board. I always thought that Barnard was the women’s side of Columbia, but since women can apply directly to Columbia, I just learned through this article that the Columbia students have developed a superiority complex vis-a-vis the scholars at their sister school, and the adjectives in the headline are typical expressions of their ill will. I suppose the Columbia students will grow out of this childish competition for elite status in due time. Those that can’t achieve this level of maturity should keep in mind that Yale is, and will always remain, the top college in the Ivy League. -Ann’s column is available every week at sfbaytimes.com. You can reach her at arostow@aol.com.

And here’s a headline to take us to the finish line: “Columbia Decries Bar-

(WICKED continued from page 17) its way to a run that would eventually exceed 2,500 performances (and eventua l ly reach Broadway it sel f ). C omposer S chw a r t z re t a i ned musica l cont rol, a nd t he f ilm, other than using various deserted New York City locations as it s set, was qu ite fa it h fu l to t he stage version. We heard one of the most popular pieces from Wicked, which is “Popular,” of course. It was delightful. Dr. Seel ig t hen teased us by revea l ing t hat Schwar t z wou ld be

singing a duet with soprano Melody Moore, but refused to say what song or songs they would perform. We just have to wait for that treat! E nchantingly W icked plays March 20 & 21, 8 P M at Dav ies Sy mphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Street. Ticket s r a nge f rom $15 to $75, City Box Of f ice at 180 Redwood Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, (415) 392- 4 40 0. If YOU want to be popu l a r, t a ke someone w it h you!

Advertise in our CLASSIFIEDS Email us at ads@sfbaytimes or call 415-577-6422 BAY T IM ES M ARC H 8, 2012

ONGOING EVENTS - NEW & UPDATED Thursdays The East Bay Butch Group - Meets the 1st Thursday of every month in Berkeley, 7-9pm, to discuss and explore butch identity, to honor and preserve butch culture, and to share our common experiences. There’s a topic for each meeting that acts as a starting point or catalyst for our conversation. Meet at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists (1924 Cedar Street (at Bonita), Berkeley, CA) at 7 pm. The entrance to meeting space is on Bonita - come in through the gate and go to the second floor. Unfortunately, there is no elevator. Generations: A ‘20s to ‘80s Salon A group of men who enjoy each other’s company, discuss ideas about life, literature, art and culture, and share their insights and experiences with one another. Generations takes place the 3rd Thursday of each month, 7-9pm at The Center, 1800 Market at Octavia, Room Q11, SF. Positive Force Adventure Group Program by and for HIV positive bi-, gay and transgender men. Its Urban Adventures program meets once a month to keep you connected with the poz community. See http://stopaids. org/programs/positive-force for more details..

Sundance Saloon Thursdays - The fun is on THURSDAYS! Line-dancing and two-steppin twice a week, every Sunday and Thursday for the queer communities! Every Thursday 6:3010:30 pm $5 at 550 Barneveld Ave, SF.

Last Word Poetry Series - On the 2nd Friday of the month at Nefeli Café, join hosts Dale Jensen, Tim Donnelly and Diana Q at 1854 Euclid @ Hearst, Berkeley. 7-9pm. Info: 510-841-6374. Lavender Seniors Lunch Bunch Lavender Seniors of the East Bay holds a catered lunch every 3rd Friday of the month featuring presentations on topics pertinent to LGBT seniors. FREE. 12:30-2:30pm at North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 58th St, Oakland. Info: 510667-9655. WTF? - WTF is open to all women & transfolks, Genderqueer folk, femmes, and other people who have had gender bias, homophobia, or transphobia keep them away from the wrenches! The Bike Kitchen is a do-it-yourself bicycle resource run by volunteers where you can get help to fix your bike, use tools, find used parts, or build up a bike from scratch! 6-9pm at the Bike Kitchen’s new home at 650H Florida St, SF. Now on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. www.bikekitchen.org.

Transgender Support Group - For anyone who is transgendered, transsexual, or has gender issues. Beginners welcome. Fridays from 8-9:30pm Pacific Center, Berkeley. Info: 510-5488283. Shake: America’s LGBTQ Talk Show - a live weekly call in show about the LGBTQ community. 9-11pm on Green 960 AM (The Quake) This used to be known as Queer Channel Radio. Info and podcasts at www.queerchannelradio.com.

Third Thursday Open Mic - 3rd Thursday of the Month. Women’s Open Mic. Call Janet Rachel 510654-4088. Email Janet at janetrac@ berkeley.edu to sign up in advance for open mic. Doors 7pm, Show 7:30 pm. September - June. Out In The Bay and This Way Out Weekly program of LGBTQ issues, includes a weekly AIDS update. Every Thursday, 7:30p on KALW, 91.7. Followed by This Way Out, the international lesbian and gay newsmagazine. Info: www.kalw.org. Blur - Transgender & Gender-Variant Support Group Every Thursday 6:30p-7:30p Free food! Come and chat with other trans & gv people, facilitated by trans counselors. For 18-25 y.o. youth. At Dimensions Clinic, 3850 17th St. SF. www.dimensionsclinic.org. SNAP Talk! - A free group every Thursday where young gay and bi men who are new to San Francisco can talk about sex, jobs, boyfriends, roommates, STDs, and anything else about getting settled in S.F. SNAP Talk! is a drop-in group specifically for gay and bi men in their 20s and 30s who are new to San Francisco. Come to get support, some to talk, come to just meet people. The group is facilitated by David Gonzalez of SNAP!, and Ryan Horvath, a counselor from the REACH Program of the UCSF AIDS Health Project. Show up at The LGBT Center (1800 Market at Octavia, SF) and look for the sign for the SNAP Talk! group, or, call 415-865-5614 to learn more. L.O.C. (lesbians of color) - A peersupport group for women 21 years of age and older. L.O.C meets every Thursday at Pacific Center 7p-8:30p. Join them to carry on the tradition of providing a positive space for women of color to engage in pertinent lively discussions, exchange support and information, and to have fun and celebrate each other! Info: contact Randy Page, L.O.C. primary facilitator, at rap1on1@sbcglobal.net, or leave a message for her at (510) 595-8294. Out of respect for people with environmental illnesses, please do not wear fragrance or scented products of any kind at L.O.C. See you there! One Struggle, One Fight General Meeting - One Struggle, One Fight is an anti-oppression direct action group with two missions: Organize peaceful escalation of the LGBTQ movement by participating in and supporting direct action and civil disobedience. And to raise awareness of where our struggles intersect within the LGBTQ community and other oppressed groups. http://onestruggleonefight. com. Every week at the Unitarian Church at 1187 Franklin at Geary, SF. 7-9 pm. 2 4 BAY TIM ES M ARCH 8 , 2 0 1 2

Writing Group for Senior Women All women are invited to join an ongo-

Fridays

The Exiles - Workshops and events for women interested in S&M between women. Meets the 3rd Friday of every month at the Women’s Building Auditorium, 3543 18th St., SF. Donation requested. 8-10pm. Latecomers are only admitted at the break, around 9pm. Info: 835-4739.

Same Sex Ballroom Dance 8-9.30pm Ballroom Dance Variety (No partner/experience needed). Varying monthly with different Ballroom & Social dance each month. Enter through Live Art Gallery, 151 Potrero Ave. at 15th St. SF, CA 94104.

information contact Mark Matthews at (415) 615-9945, ext. 115.

ing writers group presented by New Leaf Outreach to Elders for self-expression, creativity, supportive feedback and great company. Drop-ins welcome. The group meets every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 11am-1pm at the LGBT Center, 1800 Market St., Rm 305, SF. Info: newleafservices.org or ligaletto@ earthlink.net. Faerie Coffee East Bay - Every Saturday from 12 PM - 2:30 PM. Casa Vesperus hosts East Bay Faerie Coffee, a drop in community for fae in the East Bay and beyond! Just getting into town and wanna meet more Fae kin? Come by to meet and greet! Where We Meet: Revolution Café, 1612 Seventh Street, Oakland, CA, 94607. Faerie Coffee - Radical Faeries get together for a nice brunch and delightful conversation. Around noon every Saturday and Sunday at the Celtic Coffee Company, 142 McAllister btw Leavenworth and Hyde. Info: www. radfae.org. Cockfight at Underground SF – First and third Sat. DJs Earworm, MyKill, and DCNSTRCT. $7,9p-2a. Underground SF, 424 Haight Street, SF, (415) 864-7386. Same-Sex Ballroom Dance - 4:305:30pm mixed level Salsa. 5:30p-6:30p beginning American Rumba. At Cheryl Burke Dance, 1830 17th St. @ De Haro, SF. $15 per person drop-in, cheaper when you buy in bulk! Instructor: Emily Coles, www.emilycolesdance.com. These classes are geared toward the LGBTQ community. No partner or experience needed! A variety of ongoing classes. 415-3058242 balboabattle.com. Saturday Dance & Weekly Classes Dance is 1st & 3rd Saturday at ODC 351 Shotwell Street in the Mission between 17th/18th and Folsom/South Van Ness. Jam Dance (bi-weekly) & Series Class (weekly).

LGBTQ Self Protection classes for the LGBTQ community - Gain survival skills, security, confidence and peace of mind in a supportive learning environment for people of all sexual orientations, genders, ethnicities, and nationalities. Ju Trap Boxing is an effective blend of Small Circle Jujitsu, boxing, Contemporary Jeet Kune Do, and Filipino martial arts. Rapid Assault Tactics is a no nonsense approach to street survival. Every 4th Friday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm UMAA Defensive Tactics Training Academy 4348 Third St., SF, (415) 671-2055, umaacademy. info/content/lgbt-self-protection. Free Your Mind - Queer Youth Arts and Crafts Fridays from 4pm - 7pm The Center’s Youth Program fosters a weekly arts and crafts night for LGBTQ youth ages 24 and under. Come and get involved in planning our “Free Your Mind” art exhibit that aims to deconstruct stigmas around homeless and transient LGBTQ youth. Oil painting, wood burning, origami, stenciling and spray painting, jewelry making, stitch ‘n’ bitch, screen printing and fashion fun! Free pizza and snacks provided. Earn $150 stipend for your time (space is limited). If you are interested please feel free to drop in and should you have any questions, contact Beck at 415.865.5560 or beck@sfcenter.org. The Center, 1800 Market at Octavia, SF. Pledge: Fraternal Fridays at LOOKOUT - The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT and questioning young people. With this event, Pledge continues to encourage the spirit of camaraderie with which the Castro has long been associated, while bringing attention to important issues challenging the LBGT community. Funds will be raised through a raffle, offering bottomless draft “Kegger Cups,” and Pledge paddle photo ops. Pledge parties are held on the 3rd Friday of each month at LOOKOUT. 9pm to 2am. LOOKOUT, 3600 16th Street, SF. Info: lookout. com.

Saturdays

The Audre and Langston Salon First Saturday Health Party. A neighborhood health party that’s good for the Mind, Body and Soul. 9 a.m. to Lunch (lunch provided) BCA – 2800 Third Street @24th, SF, CA 94107. For more

Hayes Valley Follies - Marlena’s hosts a weekly revue of the most titillating Bay Area talent featuring drag, singers, syncers, dancers, impersonators and more. 10p at 488 Hayes St., SF. Info: marlenasbarsf.com or 864- 6672.

Wilde Chats – A loosely structured community-driven group get together every Saturday morning to discuss specific issues affecting us as gay men and our gay community. The group is lead following a “Socratic” model; rather than talk about solutions and answers to problems, the idea is to expand on the days topic by analyzing it and breaking it up into other questions. The discussions typically focus on the hidden/unspoken assumptions, generalities and concepts that we as gay men make, and the differences that our various points of reference imply. Every Saturday 10.30am- 12pm at Sweet Inspirations, 2239 Market St. between Sanchez and Noe.

Sundays

Bad Movie Night - Every Sunday, come on out to The Dark Room in the Mission to see a crummy movie, scarf down popcorn, and listen to the hilarious ravings of special rotating hosts chosen from the brilliant comedic flock of freaks circling our fair city. $5, 8p at The Dark Room Theatre, 2263 Mission St., SF. Info: darkroomsf.com.

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(CASTRO FARMERS MARKET continued from page 1) mer months. Certif ied Farmers’ Markets are locat ions t hat of fer on ly Ca l i for n ia-g row n product s s o ld d i r e c t l y t o c on s u me r s b y t he far mers t hat g rew, nur tured a nd h a r v e s t e d t he c r o p s . A l l PCF M A markets accept W IC FMNP ( Woman Infant and Children Far mers’ Market Nutr it ion Program coupons) and EBT (the G o l d e n S t a t e a d v a n t a g e fo o d stamp cards). Fo r m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n o n t h e C a st r o Fa r mer s’ M a rket , or to f ind anot her far mers’ market in your area, please contact Kelley Toomey, Market Manager at the Pa c i f ic C oa st Fa r mer s’ M a rket A ssociat ion at (80 0) 949 -FA R M or go to www.pcfma.com. (TOGETHER continued from page 1) time to time to garner funds for women’s health services provided by the legendary Lyon-Marin Clinic. (lyonmartin.org) Breast Cancer Emergency Fund To honor the strong commitment of caregivers in the women’s community who came to the aid of gay men in the early years of the AIDS pandemic, leaders of the AIDS Emergency Fund in April of 2001 launched a new initiative: The Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (BCEF). AEF executive director Mike Smith advises that BCEF established its own non-profit tax status, but the two agencies continue to share operations and staff. (bcef-sf.org) Academy of Friends Since the early 1980s, Academy of Friends has raised more than $8.5 million in support of organizations serving men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Beneficiaries for 2012 including groups providing services to those in need regardless of gender, and also the Women’s HIV Program at UCSF in particular. (academyoffriends.org) The Shanti ProjectShanti is well known for its HIV/ AIDS services, but since 2001, this organization has provided both practical assistance and emotional support to underserved San Franciscans with breast cancer. Shanti has long held that its members and volunteers “believe no one should have to face a lifethreatening illness alone.” Shanti’s services for women include providing help going to medical appointments, financial assistance, delivered meals, in-home peer support and more. (shanti.org) The list goes on and on. Bay Times wishes to continue to acknowledge the ways that men and women together enjoy and serve our entire Bay Area’s LGBTQ community. Please send your comments to: editor@sfbaytimes.com.

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(GENESIS continued from page 17) stor y. G enes i s fel l i n love w it h Lady Jaye at f irst sight when she was work ing as a dom inatr i x in a dungeon. W hen they got married, as the f ilm shows, Jaye wore pa nt s a nd a vest (a nd no sh i r t) while Genesis wore a dress. Such is their non-conformity to gender roles. Through their relationship, they created music a nd a r t a nd love and memories. And Genesis fondly recalled his favorite memory of his late wife. “ It w a s t he ver y f i r st t i me we made love. It was in a sma l l apa r t ment i n t he E a st V i l l a ge, She had a bunk bed. We were lovers for a year before we had intercourse. A nd a l l of a sudden she said, ‘Don’t move,’ and made love to me. And it was the most incredible, myst ica l orgasm ic moment we’d ever ex per ienced. It made ever ything we’d ever felt and explored pale in comparison. It was religious and beyond human, inexpl icably beaut iful and per fect outside time and space.”  Genesis is st i l l g r ief-st r icken by L ady Jaye’s deat h. W hen a sked how she af fected his life during a Q& A at a f ilm festival last year, he broke down crying. “It opened a big hole of emotion,” Genesis admitted. “Her dropping her body was painful, and still is painful.” But Ballad st a nds as a test ament to t heir intense and mag ical romance. “From the moment we were toget her a nd u nt i l she passed, it was Jaye’s desire to be remembered as one of t he g reat love af fairs,” he insisted. It also justif ied making the f ilm. “It was all for Jaye. Thank goodness that we did that.” © 2012 Gary M. Kramer (LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER continued from page 1) a 10 -15 second v ideo of yourself wishing the Center a happy birthday. Contact sfcenter.org or ca l l (415) 865-5555. In honor of the art ists that have s how n t her e ov er t he p a s t t en yea r s , t he C enter i s c a l l i ng for artwork for their 10th anniversary show. They are asking all the artists that have shown at the Center to subm it bet ween 1-3 pieces of art for a building-wide show. This show will coincide with their 10th anniversar y party, and is sure to get a lot of attention. Please contact them at milap@sfcenter.org. . T he Center’s Bienn ia l Repor t is now ava i lable. Cover ing t he per io d of Ju ly 20 0 8 t h rough Ju ly 2010, it of fers a new “Center by the Numbers” section where you c a n f i n d i n fo r m a t i o n r a n g i n g f rom how ma ny hot mea l s t hey ser ved to L GBT yout h , to jobs secured by transgender workers, to the amount of energ y saved by use of their solar panels and more. Copies are ava i lable in t he Center’s lobby. “ Soi ree 10 ” w i l l feat ure specia l g uest MC , M a r g a G omez, SF ’s hottest dance par t y DJs and t he best of the Bay Area’s queer perfor mer s. E njoy t he ent i re s pect acle wh i le sippi ng from a f u l ly stoc ked ba r a nd a s pec i a l w i ne bar while eating sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres from more than a dozen of Sa n Fr a nc i sco’s f i nest rest aura nt s. Ticket s at soiree10. com/tickets/ are $95 in advance and $125 at the door of SF Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street.

Around About in Photos

Former emperors John Carrillo and John Weber served as crown bearers during the coronation ceremony of newly elected Emperor Bradley Roberts and Empress Sissy St. Clair at the 2012 Imperial Coronation. Photo by Rink

James Riess, James Holloway, Rebecca Rolfe and Terry Micheau at the LGBT Center’s Kickoff Party for Soiree 10 Anniversary Gala to be held on March 24 at the Gallaria. Photo by Rink

“Luscious Live!” featured artist Stephanie Teel who led a long conga line of dancers through Bench & Bar in Oakland on Sunday, March 4th. Photo by Phyllis Costa

Empress Donna Sachet, Nicole the Great of San Diego and honoree Lenny Broberg enjoying the Jose Honors Dinner at the Kabuki Hotel on February 24th. Photo by Rink

Above, dancers at “Luscious Live!” share a happy moment on the dance floor at Bench & Bar. Photo by Phyllis Costa Left, artist Lauren Quock with board members Blyth Barnow and Ryan Li Dahlstrom at the Community United Against Violence (CUAV) open house Photo by Rink Left, Mamma Mia’s Ethan Le Phong @ Badlands with Brazilian posse Junior Silveria, Brenner De Inacio and Jonas Janez – Photo by Stephen Underhill

Executive director Teddy Witherington, board president Michael Tate and “Wicked” singer Brian Jung at the SF Gay Men’s Chorus Director’s Prelude on February 27th. Photo by Rink

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 8, 2012

Outdoor Adventure Guide Visiting Africa with Jody Cole Bay Times called upon certified trail guide and LGBTQ community leader Jody Cole to learn about visiting Africa. Jody has led numerous adventurers to subSaharan Africa. Wild Rainbow African Safaris is a boutique adventure travel compa-

ny specializing in safaris to subSaharan Africa. The company’s mission is to provide guests with comfort, style and fun, resulting in life changing experiences. www.wildrainbowsafaris.com www.youtube.com/ watch?v=F5jZJyks9hg

Top Ten Things to Love about Africa

7. The Lilac Breasted Roller - seemingly the most abundant bird in all of Africa. Dazzling with its brilliant lilac and neon blue color.

By Jody Cole

8. Elephants. So huge and so quiet! How do they do that? A whole breeding herd can pass by without a sound.

1. Marveling at the vision out my airplane window as Mt. Kilimanjaro comes into view above the clouds. 2. Waking up in the African bush to the call of the Cape Turtle Dove. 3. The pot of hot African coffee set on its tray, carefully carried to my tent first thing in the morning.

9. That first hot bush shower with its slightly sweet wood smoke smell. It’s this campfire luxury Hemingway surely longed for. 10. “Bush TV”: seated around a blazing campfire reviewing the day with a Sundowner in hand and the sounds of Africa all around.

4. That first game drive of the safari - the excitement and anticipation is palpable – then suddenly someone spots the first animal. 5. Walking in the bush. There is nothing more exhilarating than treading on the same soil as the rhino or sneaking up on a bull elephant. 6. The first time I hear a lion roar. Oh, what a frightening and humbling sound.

Gay For Good with Don Spradlin Longtime Bay Area community leader Don Spradlin tells the Bay Times about a group that gets members out and about for activities that do some good. Imagine the idea of helping others while getting that important and muchneeded exercise. “Gay For Good – San Francisco” aims to energize and mobilize the LGBTQ community to interact

with the greater San Francisco Bay Area by volunteering our time to various social welfare and environmental service projects. Each month, the group selects a different non-profit to donate time for a community service project. No money involved - just donating time - doing something valuable for the city while meeting other great members of the

Top Ten Projects of Gay for Good in the Bay Area By Don Spradlin 1. Ocean Beach Cleanup – It was our first service project and we repeated the event in 2010 to celebrate our anniversary. The rangers made special arrangements for our large group, but the National Park Service is out there every Saturday in case anyone wants to help out on their own. 2. Duboce Park Maintenance Project – San Francisco’s City Parks Department folks met us there and provided the tools and instruction for doing minor repairs and garden cleanup for this popular park. 3. Lands End Restoration Project – We have worked at this National Park Service area twice. It is at the Sutro Baths/Cliff House (Point Lobos Ave & 48th Ave) and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area rangers assigned to this area were especially enthusiastic and fun. They made this scenic service day a popular one. 4. Mountain Lake Reclamation Project – We had a great day clearing brush along the shoreline of this less well known lake on the south edge of the Presidio. It’s at 116 11th Avenue in San Francisco. 5. Storrie/Ord Park – We helped beautify a small neighborhood park by spreading granite and drain rock for path material, painting benches, installing an erosion barrier and preparing an area for a raised “feature garden.” The terrific neighbors brought us homemade lemonade, cookies and scones. It couldn’t have been more enjoyable. 6. Golden Gate Bridge Bluffs – As part of a larger restoration effort, we planted hundreds of rare

California Men’s Gatherings LGBT community and the community at large.

Building Community One Man At A Time

Visit the Facebook page Gay for Good - San Francisco and find out about the seven national G4G chapters that have grown from the first service projects started by the Los Angeles founders.

The California Men’s Gatherings (CMG) is a California community of thousands of men who get together for all sorts of events – from the healing to the hilarious and the sacred to the silly – from personal growth workshops to pool parties to theater outings to heart circles, and our very own trademark puppy piles. Plus our weekends and Gatherings that some call “summer camp for men” are held five times a year. We hold a local CMG event almost every week somewhere in the state… with no membership dues at all.

gayforgood.org/groups/san-francisco/

native plant species near the coastal bluffs to restore habitat with the goal of enhancing important wildlife corridors. Once again, the locale and views were spectacular. 7. Quesada Gardens Initiative – We worked with a wonderful group of residents of Bayview to reclaim an unused 1/2 acre lot over the Caltrain tunnel that locals wanted to use for an open space community area. After we helped clear and mulch the lot, the neighbors treated us to a fantastic barbecue! 8. Muir Woods – This was one of the rare service projects outside of San Francisco. Our group of volunteers participated in Earth Day activities and we were part of over 200 volunteers guided by National Park Service rangers on a cold and cloudy day. We worked through the morning and it started to mist when the Park staff served us all lunch, reported on the accomplishments of the day and thanked the various groups that had participated. The G4G contingent was one of the largest groups there.

Since 1978, our organization has been a place where all men – gay, bi, transgender and straight, from 18-80+ can find a different way to connect – a little more openly… a little more honestly… and with a little less fear… with some truly unique and supportive men. CMG is a statewide organization in California that holds annually

three events in Northern California, two in Southern California and other occasional events in Sacramento, Palm Springs, San Diego, Los Angeles and desert area locations in addition to the Bay Area. To find out more, contact Michaiel: michaiel@me.com or 415-794-0884 The Top 10 Things about CMG: 1. Upcoming Harbin Gathering (March 23-25) 2. Building Community 3. Malibu Gathering (May 25-28) 4. Men Mentoring Men 5. Pool Parties 6. Brotherhood 7. Santa Rosa Gathering 8. Puppy Piles 9. Heart Circles 10. Potlucks

9. Presidio Native Plant Nursery – Is a great place to help out as a volunteer. It’s hard to find, but the extensive greenhouses and the facility at 1249 Appleton Avenue in the Presidio is operated by a dedicated staff from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy who coordinate projects yearround that benefit the entire GGNRA. 10. Crissy Field – This was my favorite G4G service project. We worked on native plant restoration, meaning we picked non-native weeds! We had the best luck with a sparkling clear day and the Golden Gate Bridge as our backdrop. It was stunningly scenic. Doing good and having fun works for me - and the great crew of volunteers who turn out creates a very special bond in the process of doing good.

Betty’s 10 Favorite Outdoor Activities Our “Betty’s List” Outdoor Adventures are fun, so come and join us. Contact: bettyeventinfo@aol.com Website: www.bettyslist.com 1. Walking around Lake Merritt with Jen 2. Sailing San Francisco Bay on the Freda B classic schooner (Next Group Event: Saturday, April 28 – Betty’s Birthday Sail – Open to Men & Women) 3. Año Nuevo Elephant Seal & Tidepooling (Next Group Event: Saturday, April 10th)

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Tidepooling with Kim Powell First hand experience has taught us there’s no better way to explore the beach, learn to kayak or meet the elephant seals at Año Nuevo than under the careful leadership of a skilled naturalist. Owner of Blue Water Ventures based in Santa Cruz, guide Kim Powell has led tens of thousands on outings suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced outdoor adventure goers. Kim Powell is owner, operator and head naturalist at Blue Water Ventures in Santa Cruz, CA. She offers naturalist-led field trips for students and adventurous vacations for adults designed to be relaxing with an educational component. Kim leads tidepooling excursions and is well known in the world of “Extreme Tidepooling” (Google it and you will see!). Kim has been organizing single and multiple day excursions to extraordinarily beautiful places since 1985. Find out more at www.bluewaterventures.org You can also visit Extreme Tidepooling online, which includes a video: bluewaterven-

Ten Favorite Creatures on the Beach By Kim Powell 1. Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus) in search of its favorite meal, The California Mussel (Mytilus californianus). 2. Goose Barnacles (Pollicipes polymerus) clinging to rocks. Visit Blue Water News at www.bluewaterventures.org to find the reproductive claim to fame of the barnacle. 3. Black Turban Snails (Tegula funebralis) grazing on algae covered rocks. 4. Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) crawling along looking for food such as the purple sea urchin. 5. Tidepool Sculpin (Oligocottus maculosus) cryptically hiding among the rocks.

tures.wordpress.com/2012/ 01/12/extreme-tidepooling-withblue-water-ventures/ Tidepools The Central California Coast offers some of the richest intertidal areas in the world. As the tide recedes, pools of seawater form along our rocky shores, creating special habitats collectively known as a tidepool. Colorful sea stars, sea anemones, barnacles and sculpins are among the animals uniquely adapted for life in the harsh envi-

ronment of the intertidal world. Tidepools offer a rich ecosystem of complex interrelationships and tremendous biodiversity. Exploring a tidepool requires an understanding of how tides work and a respect for the natural world from slimy rocks to rogue waves. As the saying goes, “Never turn your back on the ocean,” and remember to stay low as the rocks can be slippery. Exploring a tidepool can be an enriching and educational experience especially when joined by a naturalist.

6. Sea Lemon (Anisodoris nobilis) hiding within a rocky crevice. Try gently licking this lovely nudibranch. 7. Giant Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) with its tentacles armed for defense. 8. Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) clinging to kelp. 9. Rock Weed (Fucus distichus) Feeling a bit hungry by now? 10. Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens) is a rare and special find!

Ladies Go Biking with Adrienne Miller Bay Times talked with Adrienne Miller, co-chair of the Ladies Go Biking group organized by “Betty’s List,” to find out about LGBTQ groups offering cycling activities for those who enjoy riding a bicycle. Bay Area Cycling Groups By Adrienne Miller Why is cycling America’s fastest growing sport? It might be best answered by this poem entitled “If I Ride by People for Bikes”: “If I ride, I will know the way the trees smell after the rain. I will grow a heart so strong that hospitals will take Tuesday’s off. If I ride up hill, I will eventually get to ride downhill and will experience that welcomed exhilaration when the air touches my face. If I ride, my breath will fill the air instead of smoke from car exhaust, and the earth will cool down and thank me for riding with the flowers and glaciers.”

ational bicycling club for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. Founded in 1982, the club is open to all members of the LGBTQ community and its friends who have a shared interest in bicycling. We offer a variety of cycling rides and social events throughout the year. The club currently has 155 members, 26% of them are female. For more info visit www. dssf.org/. Gay Sacramento Cyclists Our primary goal is to create a space for gay cyclists in the Sacramento/N CA region to meet and ride together. We do rides of varying length and speed during the weekend, weeknights and occasionally weekdays. In addition to training rides, we may post century or other special

event rides as well. If you don’t see a ride posted that interests you, please suggest one. Let’s get out and ride! The group is co-ed and currently has 90 members and was founded in September 2010. Contact info: http://www. meetup.com/Gay-SacramentoCyclists/. Betty’s List- Ladies Go Biking LGB is an all Women Cycling Group formed in 2005 with 180+ members. We are a nice mix of serious and casual cyclists. Group rides are planned throughout the Bay Area for beginner to experienced road cyclists as well as cruiser rides. Rides are held at least monthly and more often as requested. For more info, go to Ladies Go Biking on Facebook.

The San Francisco Bay Area Gay & Lesbian Sierrans is an outings and conservation club for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, and our friends. The group is an official activities section of the Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club. Founded in 1986, the Bay Chapter GLS was the Sierra Club’s first gay and lesbian activities section. It is still one of the largest of a growing number of GLS chapters around the country. Throughout the year, the group sponsors a variety of activities that offer something for almost everyone who enjoys the outdoors. GLS outings run the gamut from easy urban strolls to vigorous peak hikes, relaxed car camping to demanding wilderness backpacks and naturalist-led walks, to hands-on restoration and trail maintenance projects. Everyone is welcome, whether or not they

There are at least three organized groups in Northern California that specifically cater to the LGBTQ cyclist. They included Different Spokes, Gay Sacramento Cyclists and “Betty’s List”- Ladies Go Biking. These groups collaborate with each other in order to grow the LGBTQ cycling community. Different Spokes San Francisco Different Spokes is the San Francisco Bay Area’s oldest recre-

Gay & Lesbian Sierrans – San Francisco Bay Chapter have joined GLS. Contact Information: www. glshikes.org/ Chair: Russ Hartman: chair@ glshikes.org Co-chair/Outings: Deb Riat cochair2@glshikes.org and outings@glshikes.org Ten Favorite Places to Hike 1. Marin Headlands 2. Mount Tamalpais 3. Point Reyes National Seashore 4. Bernal Hill 5. Presidio of San Francisco 6. Coastal Trail Lands End 7. Redwood Regional Park 8. Briones Regional Park 9. Mount Diablo State Park 10. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

Photo by Cathy Blackstone

4. Whitewater Rafting – South Fork American River (Next Group Event: To Be Announced) 5. Hiking the Bear Valley Trail at Point Reyes 6. Visiting the Point Benita Lighthouse 7. Biking and Hiking Angel Island – (Next Ladies Go Biking Event: Early October) 8. Walking or Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge 9. Hiking at the Cliff House / Lands End 10. Hiking in the Marin Headlands Photo by Phyllis Costa

Photo by Phyllis Costa

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 8, 2012