San Francisco Bay Times - February 21, 2019

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019) February 21–March 6, 2019 | http://sfbaytimes.com

Dan Ashley & Patti LaBelle

ROCK the CASA

SEE PAGES 14–15

Rock the CASA 2019 benefits these organizations:

The Sound, Fury and Future of Blackness in American Politics

Cross Currents Andrea Shorter It is Black History Month, and the politics of the politics of identity politics couldn’t be more intriguing, puzzling, absurd and predictable. Debates about how black is black enough for a presidential candidate to be an authentic representative of the African American experience suggest that the politics of race and power continue as the fifth rail in political discourse.

If we’ve learned anything at all in these troubling post-Obama years, we are nowhere near a once declared “post-racial” America. Post-racialism remains a wishful, childish and offensive dismissal mainly by those who don’t want to deal with the gravity and implications of race and power.

For African American candidates in the 2020 race (so far) for president, the question of authentic enough blackness has expectedly come to the fore.

The birther-ism cause was meant to derail and delegitimize the meteoric rise of candidate and eventual President Barack Obama—the biracial son of a white mother from Kansas and a black Kenyan father. Birtherism was purposefully replete with nativist, xenophobic code for “other.”

Oddly, black litmus testing functions as a similar type of codification.

There is no one or off icially sanctioned way to be black in America, no more than there is an official way to be LGBT. So, what is “black enough”? Black enough for whom?

Is there a measure for a “too black” to be president? Does black enough mean regularly listening to hip-hop?

Is it having marched for civil rights?

Do we really want to go there? Maybe

we don’t really want to go there, but we might have to, yet again, to keep moving forward.

The issue of a candidate’s contemporary blackness is something of a fallacy. At heart is whether or not a candidate is perceived and accepted by black folks to relate to, and authentically to represent, the complexities of the predominate African American journey: the ascension of those descendant from slavery.

The real uneasy question at play is: can a person of African descent, but not a descendant of American slavery, truly represent, advocate for and employ the powers of their office to help forge a progressive path forward for African Americans? History shows that we have had, in fact, many towering and able representatives in the halls of Congress of African and Afro-Caribbean descent, including the late Shirley Chisholm.

The next question is, will a voter majority ever elect a person who is a descendant of American slavery into the White House? Are black identified candidates sans the descendant heritage of American slavery perceived and accepted as some sort of fair compromise? Are such queries fair to black identified candidates themselves, no matter how qualified, capable, prepared and dedicated they might be to serve as president for all Americans?

Perhaps the answers lie in the not so distant future as our national demographics evolve into a majority minority populace, and the meaning of this historical heritage evolves along that platonic shift.

The particular journey of descendants of American slavery is a deep and tightly intertwined strand in the

American fabric. There is no running away from a not so distant history that all Americans are rooted in, share and continue to reap benefit from in one way or another. The strand is strong, and cannot be easily unraveled by any singular candidate, election cycle, legislation or administration.

African Americans have every right to expect that our elected black leaders will do their utmost to represent and address their interests, issues and challenges at every level of office. African American voters are not looking for a messiah, no more than they will vote for someone simply because he or she is black. For many, it’s clearly a start. Still, African American voters are as dimensional in their determinations as are many other voters. Records and platforms do count.

The quest for black authenticity in political leadership is the want for affirmation, and trusted representation against any attempts to dismiss, erase or forget the African American journey against political expediency. Ultimately, everyone has to determine for themselves if, how and why these queries really matter. Perhaps by next Black History Month, we will have it all figured out.

Andrea Shorter is a Commissioner and the former President of the historic San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. She is a longtime advocate for criminal and juvenile justice reform, voter rights and marriage equality. A Co-founder of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, she was a 2009 David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

COMING UP at Manny’s in February & Early March Issues to Be Addressed: Homelessness, Food Waste, the Labor Movement and Much More

Join Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge re. a briefing and discussion on using SOS Transitional Villages to provide an actionable alternative to sleeping in crisis on our streets and sidewalks.

Friday, February 22: YouthSpeakers Open Mic Night Join Youthspeaks on the last Friday of every month at Manny’s to highlight the talents of some amazing young Bay Area poets.

Sunday, February 24: Oscar Party at Manny’s!

Join Youthspeaks on the last Friday of every month at Manny’s to highlight the talents of some amazing young Bay Area poets!

Tuesday, February 26: The Story of Food Waste Screening and Panel Come watch “Wasted, The Story of Food Waste,” followed by a brief panel discussing food recovery featuring representatives from Doordash, Imperfect, and Replate. All proceeds go to benefit Farming Hope.

Wednesday, February 27: DeRay McKesson: A Case for Hope DeRay McKesson is the voice behind the popular podcast “Pod Save the People.” Join DeRay in a discussion and book signing!

Thursday, February 28: Full Circle Fund Nonprofit Capacity Building Workshop Kickoff Come join Full Circle Fund’s kickoff for their nonprofit capacity building workshop series.

Saturday, March 2: Activist Happy Hour

Special low-cost drinks will be available for those who work in advocacy.

Sunday, March 3: Michael Rios Art Opening at Manny’s!

Celebrate the life of famed Mission muralist Michael Rios and view his work on display at Manny’s.

Manny’s, located at 3092 16th Street, is a civic social gathering space in the heart of San Francisco. http://www.welcometomannys.com 2

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PHOTO BY RINK

Thursday, February 21: Ending Street Homelessness Crisis with Organized Spaces

Honoring the Oscar Grant Foundation and Love Not Blood Campaign

Out of the Closet and into City Hall Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan This year my off ice has chosen to honor the Oscar Grant Foundation and the Love Not Blood Campaign for Black History Month.

Oscar Grant III was fatally shot in the early morning of New Year’s Day 2009 and his death sparked an international movement. Oscar’s mother Rev. Wanda Johnson, his Uncle Cephus “Uncle Bobby X” Johnson and his Aunt Beatrice Johnson, through their personal journey of grief, founded the Oscar Grant foundation in August of 2010 to bridge the gap of distrust between at-risk individuals and law enforcement.

From that organization was born the Love Not Blood Campaign, a social justice organization that brings families united by police or communal violence together to experience healing and to build a powerful political

On January 22 at the Oakland City Council Meeting, the Resolution introduced by former Councilmember Desley Brooks, and co-authored by me, to rename the unnamed road adjacent to the west side of the Fruitvale BART Station to “Oscar Grant Way” was passed unan- Oscar Grant III imously.

CREDIT: OSCAR GRANT FOUNDATION

movement focused on police accountability and transparency.

On February 14, the BART Board voted unanimously to make this a reality. Soon we will have a visual reminder that we need to work tirelessly—as the family of Oscar Grant has since that fatal day—to assure that all of our communities are treated equitably.

As I stated in committee, in Council and to the BART Board: “We are here today to honor a life that was tragically cut short at the Fruitvale BART station. The activism of the family and the community sparked an international movement. We need to honor the life of Oscar Grant, the activism his death has sparked, and we need to continue to fight for a world where black men and boys are not targets of these types of killings.”

It is with gratitude and appreciation that I honor these organizations, which have brought international attention to the issues of police violence and accountability, and that are a source of great pride for the City of Oakland.

Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan was elected in 2008 to serve as Oakland’s citywide Councilmember; she was re-elected in 2016. She also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Follow Councilmember Kaplan on Twitter @Kaplan4Oakland ( https://twitter.com/Kaplan4Oakland ) and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Kaplan4Oakland/ ).

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Second Chances

Assemblymember Phil Ting California went through a decadeslong “tough-on-crime” period when the popular response to public safety concerns was to lock up criminals and throw away the key. But all that got us was an expensive, overcrowded prison system, costing taxpayers more than $12 billion a year. Our state has the second largest prison population in the nation and the highest proportion of inmates serving long-term sentences.

I don’t believe longer prison terms make communities safer. Emerging research builds a compelling case that supports making changes to these antiquated policies. A University of Chicago report, for instance, found longer prison sentences have marginal effects on reducing recidivism. A separate study by the Brennan Center for Justice concluded that prison terms could by shortened by 25% across the board without a negative effect on public safety.

That’s why I wrote Assembly Bill 2942, a new state law that went into effect at the beginning of the year. It

gives local district attorneys the power to revisit excessively long sentences and facilitate the release of inmates if their continued incarceration is no longer in the interest of justice.

mission has found that sentence enhancements, particularly related to drug offenses, disproportionately affect African Americans and other racial minorities.

Advocates say criminal justice reforms should be more inclusive, reaching often ignored portions of the prison population. Prior reform efforts have solely focused on low-level, non-violent crimes. It’s time we acknowledge that individuals convicted of more serious offenses can also turn their lives around and deserve a second chance. This is especially true for young offenders who are more susceptible to peer pressure, less aware of the consequences of their acts and lack impulse control. But there are also examples across other age groups.

Not every inmate, though, will qualify for a sentence review. Public safety remains a key priority. Before being considered, candidates must have completed rehabilitation, served at least half of his or her sentence and no longer pose a threat to society. Only then can a district attorney reevaluate the prison term and recommend re-sentencing that could lead to parole. The final step requires a court to approve the release.

Take the case of Arnulfo Garcia, who received a life sentence under California’s three-strikes law for burglary. After serving more than 16 years, Garcia, at age 64, was a model inmate, becoming a writer/editor of the San Quentin News, completing drug treatment and leading support groups for fellow prisoners. In 2017, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen was able to secure Garcia’s release, but only after what Rosen called “legal gymnastics.” It should be easier than that.

The people likely to benef it most from AB 2942 are those who received sentence enhancements, resulting in prison terms beyond the normal range. Judges may consider adding more years to one’s sentence based on certain circumstances, such as prior convictions or whether a weapon was used. The U.S. Sentencing Com-

District 7 Lunar New Year Kickoff

The Sentence Review Project was created to implement AB 2942, serving as the clearinghouse for people in prison who may be eligible for release and/or their family. The organization can help to gather the necessary facts and documentation. Once complete, staff can submit an application for the local district attorney to review and advocate on their clients’ behalf.

Everybody deserves an opportunity for redemption. If you know someone who could benefit from the new law, I encourage you to visit the Sentence Review website for more information: www.sentencereview.org Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the Westside of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City.

Photos by Bill Wilson

Assemblyman Phil Ting, Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee, Mayor London Breed and other civic and community leaders were on hand for the Lunar New Year Kickoff in District 7 on Ocean Avenue at Ingleside United Presbyterian Church. Also attending was a cute pig as a living symbol of the Year of the Pig. By all accounts, the youngsters who performed lion dances stole the show!

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Southern Baptist Church Abuse: From Anita Bryant to Today and listen to ministers condemn who they are and whom they love has devastating consequences on them.

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis The Houston Chronicle’s Feb 10, 2019, headline is unambiguous: “Abuse of Faith, 20 years, 700 victims: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders resist reforms.” Behind the headline are mug shots of some of the 220 Southern Baptist pastors, church workers and volunteers who were convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, sex crimes.

The paper reports that the sexual abuse victims included many adolescents and younger children as well: “Some victims as young as 3 were molested or raped inside pastors’ studies and Sunday school classrooms.”

The Southern Baptist church’s mistreatment of others is not confined to the Houston Chronicle’s recent revelations. The Southern Baptist Church’s abuse of LGBTIQ people in its preaching, theology and political organizing began decades ago. The now notorious Anita Bryant launched her anti-gay “Save the Children” campaign from her local Southern Baptist church back in 1977.

Bryant accused gay people not just of “recruitment” of children to “freshen their ranks” but also of child molestation—“outright seduction and molestation.” The Southern Baptist Convention praised Bryant’s “courageous stand against the evils inherent in homosexuality” to protect children from “devastating consequences.”

Over forty years later, we learn that the real danger of seduction and molestation children faced came from Baptist church leaders themselves.

And we know that LGBTIQ young people being forced to sit in pews

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In 2014, transgender youth Leelah Alcorn killed herself, in part, based on the callous treatment she experienced in her conservative Christian church community, according to the public suicide note she left.

Alcorn recounted how “[I] go to church each week and feel like s--t because everyone there is against everything I live for.” Upon coming out to her mother, Alcorn said her mother replied, “God doesn’t make mistakes, that I am wrong.” In her suicide note, Alcorn implored parents: “Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid. That won’t do anything but make them hate themself. That’s exactly what it did to me.”

With respect to sexual abuse, the Houston Chronicle reports that “[i]n 2008 Southern Baptist Convention leaders rejected reforms to curb sexual abuse.” Meanwhile, the church’s anti-gay attacks continued unabated. That year, the Southern Baptist Convention passed an explosive resolution “wholeheartedly” supporting backers of Proposition 8 in California, “encourag[ing] all Christian pastors in California and in every other state to speak strongly, prophetically, and redemptively concerning the sinful nature of homosexuality and the urgent need to protect biblical marriage.”

All the while, the Convention’s leaders ignored urgent pleas to try to stop the “sinful”—indeed criminal—acts of some of its leaders. Former Pastor Hezekiah Stallworth, now serving “a 20-year sentence for aggravated assault of a child and indecency with a child” told the Houston Chronicle: “It doesn’t matter how much spirituality we have or that I have or any other minister has. But we are still human f lesh. Flesh will do what f lesh will do.”

Ten years ago, former President Jimmy Carter decided after 60 years he had finally had enough with the Southern Baptist Convention. In his 2009 essay, “Losing My Religion for Equality,” Carter severed his ties with the Convention over its secondclass treatment of women. The subtitle for his essay declared that: “Wom-

Leelah Alcorn

en and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.” And now the Southern Baptist Convention, along with other conservative religious organizations, is engaged in a twisted campaign in the courts and legislatures to justify unlawful discrimination against LGBTIQ people and women under the guise of what they call “religious liberty.” In a recent legal brief pertaining to the matter, they state that not living “true” to one’s faith is “hypocritical and misleading” and “risks eternal consequences.” They quote a warning from the Old Testament God in the book of Ezekiel: “When ... you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.”

Southern Baptist pastors, church workers and volunteers perpetrating sexual abuse against hundreds of people and the Convention’s perpetuating the abuse through their inaction is hypocritical and misleading. Abiding by laws that protect the public against discrimination is not. It seems that the Southern Baptists should pay more attention to the teachings they cite in their own legal brief. Indeed, the Houston Chronicle’s revelations and the church’s past and present anti-LGBTIQ actions lead us to wonder: Exactly what “religious liberty” does the Southern Baptist Convention seek to protect?

John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

GLBT Fortnight in Review Help!

Before we start, I’ve basically given up reacting to Trump in every column, but I have to make one small exception. When will commentators, pundits and the press stop using euphemisms to describe Trump’s “speeches?” His emergency declaration presentation in the Rose Garden the other day was not “rambling.” It was incoherent. He doesn’t just stretch the truth. He garbles out half sentences and word salads. There’s plainly something wrong with him, mentally.

Forget the Russian collusion investigation. He should be forced headfirst into an MRI machine and the results made public at once.

Moving right along, it looks as if the Supreme Court is continuing to kick the GLBT civil rights can down the road, declining to take action on our three main legal petitions during their February 15 meeting. I’m assuming these workplace discrimination cases will be re-listed for discussion at the February 22 conference. Hey, kicking the can down the road is fine by me. I’d be happy if they accidentally kicked it off a cliff and stared wistfully over the edge as it bounced and tumbled down the rocks on its way to being crushed by violent whitewater. Then in a few years, once a Democrat has replaced Thomas, we can produce a shiny new can with which to revisit the status of Title VII’s antidiscrimination language.

Alternatively, once the Democrats have taken back the Senate, we can pass the Equality Act, which will add sexual orientation and gender identity to the categories protected against bias under federal law.

I should add that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit just ruled against a transgender woman who was arguing that she was wrongfully denied a job in violation of Title VII. That was a tricky case, however, since the woman may have misrepresented her previous job status during her interviews, but it did include a gratuitous anti-trans concurrent opinion. That inspired our nemeses at the Alliance Defending Freedom to dash off a letter to the Supreme Court calling their attention to the decision like an eager little boy raising his hand for Teacher.

The Alliance was attempting to add weight to their petition in favor of an Ohio funeral home that fired a transitioning employee. That’s one of the three High Court petitions we’re watching, along with the Second Circuit gay case (Zarda!) and another gay case out of the Eleventh Circuit.

Wolf!

So, Jussie Smollett! WTF? The moral of this story seems to be that everyone should take a moment and find out the facts before they make critical comments about the news story du jour. And yet I have to point out that everyone is now assuming that the Empire star fabricated his highly publicized hate crime episode the other day. Shouldn’t we all wait to find out what exactly happened before we fall into another rush-to-judgment trap?

Nah. I think he faked it. Alert readers will notice that I didn’t cover it in the first place, which was because there were two weird things. First, the idea that homophobic people were walking the streets of Chicago carrying bleach in subzero weather at three in the morning. Second, the fact

By Ann Rostow that Jussie kept the rope on around his neck. That said, I did think he had been victimized in some way and now I really can’t imagine what’s actually going on.

I have little sympathy for false claims of this sort because obviously, they diminish the impact of real hate crimes.

But I feel badly for him anyway because whatever happened, the poor guy is troubled.

Empire is one of those shows that we watched for a season or two and then dropped. Mel and I have also given up on Billions, Outlander and the one where there are two Berlins with the same people in both versions of the city, many of them compromised in some fashion. Talk about being hard to follow. Advanced age, plus a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, and the two of us were spending more time trying to explain things to each other than we were watching the show.

Mel: “Wait. I thought she was dead.”

Me: “No. That’s in the other Berlin.”

Mel: “Isn’t this the good Berlin?”

Me: “No. This is the bad Berlin.”

Mel: “Then she should be dead.”

Me: “You’re right ... . I’m confused.”

My Own Private India Because I am on a deadline, I have been deliberately wasting time all day, beginning with a ritual perusal of the print The New York Times. For example, this morning I convinced myself that I needed to read every word of the obituary pages, starting with paperback publisher Betty Ballantine, aged 99, which is how I discovered that her father was “an assistant opi-

um dealer” based in Faizabad during the Raj. “He often traveled to remote farms to inspect crops and would take along his family, who would live in tents with full linen and silver service.” These details came compliments of Betty’s granddaughter.

bar to spend the other evening at the Trump rally rather than protesting with Beto. Say what?

Johnny Alcantar is one of five owners of the Old Plantation bar. (Paging the politically incorrect patrol.) He is also recognizable to his clientele, it seems, because a number of people objected when he Instagrammed himself posing with a few other guys, holding up a “Trump. Keep America Great 2020” banner with a big ole grin on his face.

Oh. My. God! I’m no fan of the British exploitation of India. But I wouldn’t mind just one evening as the guest of Betty’s parents, Norah and Hubert Jones, reclining on massive cushions with a glass of Champagne in hand and a silver tray of savories at the ready. “Ann, you must try Manesh’s latest blend,” says Norah, extending a small glass pipe in my direction. “Shanti! Another bottle of the Widow,” she calls to a small figure in the corner and claps her hands. The candles f licker as a shadow slips out to find another magnum of Champagne. It’s our third! Later, I wander out into an uncut field of poppies. The sky is black but thick with stars. In the distance near one of the sleeping tents, someone softly calls my name.

Shanti?

“What have you done for the community?” asked one observer. “‘Cause right about now, your position is looking pretty questionable. WATCH WHO THE F*** YOU SUPPORT!” “I ain’t walking in that regurgitated s***pool of a club anymore,” the same now-ex-customer announced pleasantly to the rainbow world, “and neither should you.”

Hold your horses, the bar pleaded.

“To all of our fellow patrons, and LGBT members. We apologize for any confusion going through your heads at this time,” said a Facebook post signed by Mark Adkins, CEO of The OP Nightclub. “We want to make one thing as clear as crystal: The Old Plantation Nightclub does NOT support Trump’s views or opinions ESPECI A L LY towards our LGBT community. The OP was built by and built for the LGBT community and everyone should already know that.”

And in unrelated news, Mike Pence’s youngest daughter is engaged, which is nice for her, of course. But what brings her to this column is that the nuptial news was announced via Instagram and close observers from our community noticed that Daniel popped the question to Audrey on the coast of Cape Cod ... in Provincetown! The gayest place in the U.S.A.!

Well, let’s hope the location gives the soon-to-be-weds some good luck as they start out together. Can’t hurt.

The bar described Johnny as a wellmeaning but clueless minority stakeholder, who has “expressed his regret for posting about the rally on social

Of All the Gin Joints Keeping it unrelated, we have another small item, the inexplicable decision by a part-owner of an El Paso gay

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Real Estate

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019)

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As is many times the case, SB 1 wasn’t enough, so on July 21, 2017, Governor Brown signed a budget trailer bill, SB 103, which required Caltrans to develop an outreach plan to increase procurement opportunities for small businesses associated with the $54 Billion that will be spent over the next ten years.

On February 11, 2019, Caltrans released to the public their report and within its pages outlines the historic inclusion of LGBT businesses! This marks the first time in the history of the United States that a State Department of Transportation has included LGBT businesses in its official procurement programs. This is no “Memorandum of Understanding” (known as an MOU that can be quickly rescinded when a new Governor comes into office). SB 103 mandates that Caltrans must report to the State Legislature on an annual basis the actual spending with, and activities related to, LGBT businesses.

The GGBA, and members of its leadership team, have been actively advocating for this level of inclusion for the past 23 years. Our leadership has steadfastly worked to showcase to Caltrans the economic benefits of working with LGBT businesses.

GGBA worked closely with, and wishes to thank, Dale Bonner, California Secretary of Business Transportation and Housing under Governor Schwarzenegger; Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty under Governor Jerry Brown; Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartippi; Deputy District Director Dan McElhinney; Janice Salais, Assistant Director of Caltrans Office of Business and Economic Opportunity; and Angel Carrera of the California DGS for their courage, vision and leadership.

GGBA is currently working with our State Senator, Scott Wiener, to produce a Press Conference on this historic achievement and we will let everyone know the details once everything is in place.

If your business would like to learn more about potential opportunities with Caltrans, its regional transportation authorities and related agencies, please contact Paul Pendergast at paul@pendergastconsultinggroup.com

Cash Flow Management Presented by: Moody’s Analytics, Finagraph and GGBA Tuesday, March 5, 3 pm–5 pm Moody’s Analytics 405 Howard Street (at First Street) San Francisco Free to GGBA Members/Non-Members: $25 RSVP: https://ggba.com/ GGBA is committed to the sustainable development of LGBTQ businesses and our allies. Technical Assistance workshops, such as Cash Flow Management, are led by subject matter experts who have a desire to “move the dial” for your business.

March Make Contact Celebrating National Women’s Month A Collaboration between GGBA and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco Tuesday, March 12 5 pm–7 pm Manny’s Cafe 3092 16th Street (at Valencia), San Francisco Free to GGBA and HCCSF Members/NonMembers: $25 RSVP: https://ggba.com/ Our signature monthly networking event is more than making business connections–it is about expanding your business and personal network in an atmosphere that is uplifting, fun and engaging. With the GGBA it’s never about standing on the sidelines; it’s about getting on the field and making a difference!

Stand Up, Speak Out! Series Office of the Small Business Administration 455 Market Street, San Francisco March: Stand Up and Speak Out: Do’s & Don’ts of the Media Interview March 6, 7:30am-8:45am & March 20, 3:15pm–4:45pm The Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) is proud to present “Stand Up, Speak Out!” This workshop series is designed to teach entrepreneurs, business professionals and community leaders to become more confident speakers and more effective communications. This workshop is free to all GGBA Members, Partners and their staff. Non-GGBA members can attend two (2) meetings for free as a guest of the GGBA.

For more information about these and all other GGBA events, please visit https://ggba.com/

PHOTO BY JP LOR

Friday, February 2

GGBA President Audry deLucia of ellaprint with honoree Juan Novello of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Cal Water’s Shannon McGovern (right) enjoyed networking with friends at Power Lunch V.

PHOTO BY JP LOR

PHOTO BY JP LOR

PHOTO BY JP LOR

Ricardo Lara, Insurance Commissioner of California, who is the first LGBT leader elected to statewide office, served as featured speaker at the sold-out luncheon.

Former GGBA President Jerry Becerra (second from right) hosted the Barbary Insurance table at Power Lunch V.

Representatives of Gap, Inc., a Chairperson Level Sponsor, at Power Lunch V

Representatives from Wells Fargo Bank, a Chairperson Level Sponsor, at Power Lunch V

Dawn Ackerman of OutSmart Office Solutions (second from left), Immediate Past President of GGBA, with volunteers who staffed the registration desk at Power Lunch V

PHOTO BY JP LOR

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PHOTO BY JP LOR

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (right) with GGBA Board Member Jay Greene of the Greene Law Firm

Western Business Alliance Annual LGBT Economic Summit & Conference March 14-16, Los Angeles - Hosted by the LAGLCC This year’s conference will focus attention on issues facing our business community and the LGBT community at large, including creating influence, working with the LGBT community, LGBT homelessness and housing, social and corporate responsibility, marketing to millennials, transgender entrepreneurship and freelance opportunities, and access to capital for LGBT businesses. http://www.wbasummit2019.com/

PHOTO BY JP LOR

On April 28, 2017, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) that was entitled the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

That established a $54 Billion fund over the next decade to improve and maintain California’s transportation infrastructure. Many of us know SB 1 as the “Gas Tax Measure.”

GGBA CALENDAR

PHOTO BY JP LOR

GGBA’s Statement on Caltrans’ Historic Inclusion of LGBT Businesses

San Francisco Federal Credit Union’s (left to right) Rob Seide, Ning Duong, Karen Johnson and Warren Alderson S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978

The Three Components of Self Compassion: 2 - Common Humanity vs. Isolation was sure that there must be some way of doing life so that (most of the time, at least) we don’t suffer, and that if life was so uniquely hard for me it must be because I just hadn’t figured out the secret yet.

Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men.

We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community.

The Bay Times is proud to be the only newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco that is 100% owned and operated by LGBT individuals.

Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors

Beth Greene Michael Delgado Abby Zimberg Design & Production

Kate Laws Business Manager Blake Dillon Calendar Editor

Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director Carla Ramos Web Coordinator

Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT Can we intentionally learn to be less self-critical and more self-compassionate? Psychologist Kristin Neff believes that we can. Based on her pioneering research, she has identified three basic elements of self-compassion: self-kindness vs. self-criticism, common humanity vs. isolation, and mindfulness vs. over-identification. She has developed techniques for strengthening each of them. This week’s subject is the second component.

When I was young, I was confused by the fact that my life was such a struggle. I thought that I must be doing something wrong, because when I compared my insides to other people’s outsides, it appeared that most other people had it easier than me. I

Mario Ordonez Juan Ordonez Distribution

CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Kate Kendell, Alex Randolph, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Tim Seelig, Cinder Ernst, John Chen Rafael Mandelman, Jewelle Gomez, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Kin Folkz, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Peter Gallotta, Bill Lipsky, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Michele Karlsberg Lyndsey Schlax, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Scott Tsui, Lou Fischer, Frankie Bashan, Karin Jaffie, Brett Andrews, Karen E. Bardsley, David Landis Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Morgan Shidler, JP Lor ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers.

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SF Sketch Randy Coleman Randy Coleman hails from New York, but has lived in San Francisco since 1975.

Coleman shares that before moving to the Bay Area, he studied Art History and Architecture at Boston University while working as a resident artist for architectural rendering at a Massachusetts historical society. “All of my life I’ve been an artist,” Coleman says. “To know me is to know that I have a passion for art and architecture. I love this project for the San Francisco Bay Times, and hope that you enjoy my sketches.” © Randy Coleman, 2019

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It wasn’t until I studied Buddhism that I began to understand how deluded my thinking was. The first of Buddhism’s four noble truths is that all sentient beings suffer. We’re all imperfect. We all experience pain, loss, disappointment, confusion and failure. If there is any secret to life, it surely has more to do with learning how to respond compassionately to the inevitable pain in our lives than with a vain quest to make it go away altogether.

Neff believes that a recognition of our common humanity is an essential foundation of a compassionate life. She writes: “The sense of common humanity central to self-compassion involves recognizing that everyone fails, makes mistakes and gets it wrong sometimes ... . We are not alone in our imperfection. Rather, our imperfections are what make us card-carrying members of the human race. Often, however, we feel isolated and cut off from others when considering our struggles and failures, irrationally feeling that it’s only ‘ME’ who is having such a hard time of it.

We think that somehow we are abnormal, that something has gone wrong,

and we forget that falling flat on our face now and then actually is normal.

This sort of tunnel vision makes us feel alone and isolated, making our suffering even worse.”

I’m reminded of a friend whose grandmother had the amazing good luck to live her entire life almost completely free of illness. But at the age of 91, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her response: “Why me?”

Somehow, apparently, she had managed to live a long life without noticing that sickness, old age and death are pervasive in human existence.

Her lack of wisdom meant that when her final days arrived, she couldn’t respond with compassion, but only self-pity.

Self-compassion means taking the stance of a compassionate “other” toward ourselves, allowing us to have a broader perspective on ourselves and our lives. Instead of feeling isolated when we suffer, we recognize our common humanity, which is a connected mindset that is inclusive of others.

Nef f shares: “One of the biggest myths about self-compassion is that it means feeling sorry for yourself. In fact, self-compassion is an antidote to self-pity and the tendency to whine about our bad luck ... . [I]t makes us more willing to accept, experience and acknowledge diff icult feelings with kindness—which paradoxical-

ly helps us process and let go of them more fully. That’s one of the reasons self-compassionate people have better mental health.”

Here’s a practice that helps to foster the sense of common humanity: Bring to mind any suffering you’re experiencing. It may be, for instance, that someone close to you has recently died, and you’re feeling intense grief.

Close your eyes, place your hand over your heart and let go of any resistance you might have to feeling your pain.

Next, think of all the other people in the world who, at this moment, are also mourning the loss of someone they love. From the center of your heart, radiate love in the form of compassion toward everyone who is grieving a loss right now, including yourself.

A practice like this will not make the pain of loss disappear, but it will help you to use your suffering to connect, rather than to isolate. Your anguish will likely decrease as you find an expanded sense of connection and openheartedness toward others through your shared suffering.

Next Time: Mindfulness vs. Overidentification Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please visit his website http://tommoon.net/

Two ‘Boston Marriages’: Katharine Lee Bates & Katharine Coman and Amy Lowell & Ada Dwyer Russell

2017 L A MBDA LITE R ARY AWARD W I N N E R

“Enlightening . . .

Powerful.”

— Booklist (starred review)

Available Now in Trade Paperback, Ebook

Faces from Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky Katharine Lee Bates and Katharine Coman In 1882, those who strove to keep the thoughts of other people pure finally succeeded in having Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass banned in Boston. Not all Bostonians were pleased, including a woman in her early 20s, a recent graduate of Wellesley College. Still an unknown voice for feminism and social activism, and not yet an influence on American culture, Katharine Lee Bates (1859–1929) joined with other progressive Bostonians to form a local chapter of the International Walt Whitman Fellowship.

Bates returned to Wellesley in 1885 as an Instructor of Katharine English. Across her Coman distinguished career, among other accomplishments, she created one of the nation’s first courses in American literature and was the first woman to write a textbook about it. A lifelong social activist and ardent feminist, she worked to improve the condition of women, workers, people of color and immigrants. Her lasting fame, however, was for an entirely different accomplishment.

In the summer of 1893, Bates traveled to Chicago to join her dearest Wellesley colleague, professor Katharine Coman (1857–1915). It was Coman who introduced the college’s first political economy course, became the first female statistics professor in America and later established Wellesley’s Department of Economics and Sociology. Also a passionate social ac-

and Audiobook

Amy Lowell

Ada Dwyer Russell

tivist, Coman had her students learn about applying economic theory to real economic and social problems by visiting Boston’s tenement houses, factories and sweatshops.

ems clearly and openly describe her feelings toward her life partner and their loving relationship. It is “one of the most anguished memorials to the love and comradeship between two women that has even been written,” wrote author Judith Schwartz, adding that “it is obvious from the yearning desire that glows throughout the poems” that they “were a devoted lesbian couple.”

In Chicago, The Two Katharines, as they were called, visited the great World’s Columbian Exposition. Its once gleaming white walls were turning a sooty gray, but Bates reKatharine membered it as the Lee Bates “alabaster city” of the future. The couple then traveled under “spacious skies” through “amber waves of grain” to Colorado Springs, where they taught for the summer at the new Colorado College and where Bates was greatly moved by the “purple mountain majesties” of the Rockies.

On their journey home, Bates began putting her thoughts and impressions into a poem she titled “America the Beautiful,” first published in 1895. With music by Samuel Ward, it almost became the country’s national anthem, but in 1931, Congress chose “The Star-Spangled Banner” instead. Its music came from a British drinking song, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a paean to the ancient Greek poet whose verse often praised the beauty of young men and the pleasures of same-sex lovemaking.

Back in Wellesley, Bates and Coman lived together in what some called a “romantic friendship” or a “Boston marriage,” an emotionally intimate relationship that endured for 25 years. Did they also share a physical affection? No one knows. Most of their personal correspondence was destroyed, although one letter that still exits from early in their affinity describes a deeply felt intimacy: “You are always in my heart and in my longings,” Bates wrote.

After Coman died in 1915, Bates began writing Yellow Clover: A Book of Remembrance, privately published in 1922.

She dedicated the book to Coman and its po-

Amy Lowell and Ada Dwyer Russell Where Bates led a life of quiet academia, Amy Lowell’s (1874–1925) was one of steadfast flamboyance.

She was one of the Lowells, as John Collins Bossidy toasted an alumni dinner in 1910, of “good old Boston/The home of the bean and the cod./Where the Lowells talk only to Cabots,/And the Cabots talk only to God.” Unlike Bates, she never attended college—her family considered it unsuitable for women—but she read widely and was a passionate book collector.

Despite her Brahmin background, Lowell defied almost every convention required by her high social position. She dressed in masculine clothes, wore her hair cropped short, used pince-nez glasses and smoked cigars constantly. Living as an aristocrat and traveling widely, she did not publish her first poetry collection until 1912, the year that she turned 38.

Lowell met Ada Dwyer Russell (1863– 1952) in 1912. They lived together as a couple from 1914 until Lowell’s death.

Lowell lovingly referred to Dwyer as “the lady of the moon,” although less romantically, she also called her “Pete.” Their so-called Boston marriage was intimate in all ways intellectual, emotional and physical.

One of the founders of the Imagist literary movement and an early adherent of free verse, Lowell eventually wrote more than 650 poems, often about women. Her early work used code words to communicate her sexual feelings and attractions, but over time she became bolder and more emotionally intense. The year after she died, she received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for a collection of her writing edited by Russell.

Russell inspired many of Lowell’s later poems. Often described as “the most explicit and elegant lesbian love poetry during the time between the ancient Sappho and poets of the 1970s,” many readers thanked her for capturing the desire, beauty and passion found in “a woman’s love for a woman.” She was “upon the surface of things a Lowell, a New Englander and a spinster,” her contemporary Heywood Broun wrote, but “given one more gram of emotion, Amy Lowell would have burst into flame and been consumed to cinders.”

Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.

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2019 Red Envelope Giving Circle Grant Ceremony Photos by Rink and Paul Margolis The Red Envelope Giving Circle (REGC) is committed to creating positive social change in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area through philanthropic support to Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ-led projects to improve the lives of API queer people and communities. The group’s founders include Crystal Jang, Koko Lin Pam Louie, Trinity Ordona, Desiree Thompson, Margot Yapp and Sydney Yeong.

REGC’s annual Grant Ceremony for 2019 was held on Sunday, February 10, at the GLBT History Museum. It was a celebration of this year’s beneficiaries: South Asian LGBTQ Domestic Violence Prevention Project, Creating Safety and Healing for API LGBTQ Immigrant Survivors, API TransFusion, Dragon Fruit Network: Home of the Aetas Documentary, Nenci Production of Tomorrow, For Sure, Love QTPOC Acupuncture & Sound Healing, Brothers: a film about being Asian American and gay in rural California, 2019 Q&A Artist Residency, and Queer and Asian Conference, 2019.

In Chinese and other East Asian and Southeast Asian societies, a red envelope or red packet is a monetary gift presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings, graduations, births or holidays including Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits.

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

PHOTO BY RINK

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PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

For more information: http://www.red-envelope-giving-circle.org

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Aging in Community Dr. Marcy Adelman Governor Newsom in his State of the State address on February 12 spoke to the issue of the graying of California. “We need to get ready ... for the first time in our history, older Californians will outnumber young children.” In fact, California’s population of older adults is projected to increase by four million people by 2030. The state’s newly elected governor announced his commitment to establish a Master Plan for Aging to meet the needs of California’s exploding population of older adults and people with disabilities.

In his speech, the Governor identified some of the pressing issues that will require attention: the need to coordinate the state’s “patchwork” of public services; the need for more affordable housing; a strategy to create a larger, better trained, culturally competent and appropriately compensated work force; and the need to make affordable in-home care more available to more people. The Governor’s commitment to older adults and people with disabilities is a welcome change from the previous administration that had made broad cuts in senior support services.

Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging will hopefully restore and expand senior services and services for adults with disabilities. The Plan will have to take into account that California is the state with the highest percentage of older adults and people with disabilities living in poverty (21%). This percentage does not include those seniors across the state who are just one incident away—a rent increase or an unexpected medical bill—from slipping into poverty.

The Aging in Justice 2018 report, Older Women and Poverty, points out: “Ever since the federal government began calculating the poverty rate in the 1960s, women have consistently experienced higher levels of poverty compared to men, with women of color, LGBTQ women and single women struggling most acutely.”

The majority of Californians living in poverty or on the brink of poverty are women. According to the policy brief, Aging Women and Poverty in California ( https://bit.ly/2XcVr8o), one in 5 single older women live below the federal poverty level, and another 30 plus percent are unable to meet their basic living expenses despite higher incomes. Older women of color are at even greater risk of poverty. The Master Plan will need to identify policy initiatives to improve the lives of older women and may find the policy recommendations from Aging Women and Poverty in California a useful resource.

The state will also need to develop a comprehensive, strategic and culturally competent plan that addresses the aging issues faced by the most diverse state population of older adults in the country. In less than 10 years, Latinos will comprise 26% of California’s senior population, and Asian elders are expected to increase to 16

percent. The California LGB older adult population, currently estimated to be 431,800 people over the age of 50, is projected to double by 2030 (California Department of Aging; there is no statewide data on transgender older adults).

The Master Plan for Aging can only be successful by having direct input from all of the diverse communities served, including older adult people of color, people with disabilities, older adult women and older adult LGBTQI people.

Last October, the San Francisco LGBTQ senior serving agency Openhouse and We Stand With Seniors, an advocacy campaign led by the Scan Foundation and San Diego’s West Health, co-hosted a panel discussion: Advocating for LGBTQ Seniors in the Master Plan for Aging in California.

Panelists and community participants expressed concerns about accessing services, senior homelessness, challenges associated with long-term care facilities and difficulty securing safe, affordable housing. One panelist suggested that the Master Plan on Aging could be modeled after the successful report issued by San Francisco’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force ( https://bit.ly/2S8qwGz ).

To read about implemented LGBTAPTF recommendations go to: https://bit.ly/2BCO4hm The Governor continued his State of the State address by speaking about the recent loss of his father with dementia and how, even with all of the advantages and privileges his father had, it was a challenge for him to meet his daily needs. In California, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase by almost 30%,

from 650,000 people in 2018 to 840,000 people by 2025. With this in mind, he introduced the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force (APPTF) to be led by Maria Shriver, for mer f i r st lady of California and longtime advocate for Alzheimer’s care and research.

The APPTF will focus on Alzheimer’s disease in women and communities of color. Women make up almost two Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his first State of the State thirds of older adults address on Tuesday, February 12, in Sacramento before a joint living with dementia. session of the California Legislature.

There has been a 241% ernor has set a thoughtful and meanincrease in Alzheimer’s deaths in Cal- ingful course. ifornia since 2000, with most of those lost to this disease being women. Re- Dr. Marcy Adelman, Co-founder search has yet to conclusively identify of the nonprofit Openhouse, overthe cause of higher risk in women or sees the Aging in Community colother at-risk populations, such as old- umn. She is a psychologist and LGBTQI longevity advocate and policy er adult people of color. advisor. She serves on the California Older adult African Americans are Commission on Aging, the Board two times more likely to develop Al- of the Alzheimer’s Association of zheimer’s disease and vascular de- Northern California and Northern mentia than older adult whites, but Nevada and the San Francisco Digare less likely to receive a diagnonity Fund Oversight and Advisory sis. Older adult Latinos are 1.5 times Committee. more likely than older whites to develop Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It is unknown if LGBTQ older adult are at particular risk to developing Alzheimer’s, but we do know that LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers are underrepresented in dementia care services.

Governor Newsom’s commitment to develop a Master Plan for Aging and the Alzheimer’s Task Force are opportunities to address and impact economic and health disparities in older adult Californians. The Gov-

Alegre Home Care is proud to support Dr. Marcy Adelman’s Aging in Community column in the San Francisco Bay Times.

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PHOTO CREDIT: YOUTUBE.COM

Older Californians and State of the State

Dan Ashley & Patti LaBelle

ROCK the CASA

Dan Ashley Spends Some Quality Time with Patti LaBelle

She and Ashley met at the Wynn Hotel & Casino a couple hours before her concert to sit down for an interview and a promo video shoot for her upcoming performance at Rock the CASA. A few of the promos are online, such as this one at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKqAHrqGj0g Rock the CASA has sold out four years in a row, and is expected to do so for 2019’s event as well.

Don’t miss out!

Cover of the 2017 New York City Pride Guide PHOTO BY RICK GERHARTER/MCC FOUNDATION

In November of last year, ABC7 News anchor Dan Ashley got to spend some time in Las Vegas with music superstar Patti LaBelle. She was performing nearby in Primm, Nevada.

Coretta Scott King and Patti Labelle shared a warm greeting at the 2002 MCC-SF Circles of Hope Award event at the San Francisco Fairmont where King was honored and Labelle performed.

Dan Ashley’s ROCK the CASA Five Years of Helping Bay Area Children in Need One of the most magical and memorable events of late winter is Dan Ashley’s Rock The CASA, an evening of music benefiting children in need. This year’s fundraiser, which will be held on March 2 at the Lesher Center for Performing Arts in Walnut Creek, will feature music legend Patti LaBelle!

Lesher’s intimate Hofmann Theatre has just 785 seats, and therefore allows for a more up close and personal experience for all attendees.

Consider that the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco has 2203 seats. The Castro Theatre has 1400 seats. Those are both beautiful venues that offer good views of the stage, so just imagine how amazingly intense it is to see world class performers at the Lesher, which is just an easy and short (about 9 minutes, no hills) walk from the Walnut Creek BART station.

History Now in its fifth year, Rock The CASA combines Ashley’s passions in music, philanthropy, community and helping children. We can vouch for Ashley’s love of family and music, as he and his talented band played in our 2018 San Francisco Bay Times”Betty’s List” Pride Parade contingent. At least one of his sons was there too, clearly proud of his dad and helping out in any way possible.

The inaugural Rock the CASA concert was held in June 2015 and was billed as “an evening of music to support children in need.” That night, before a capacity crowd,

legendary rocker Eddie Money took the stage. The night was an overwhelming success and set the groundwork for the next concert in March of 2016.

That night, multi-platinum band REO Speedwagon performed for a sold-out concert experience not typically seen in Walnut Creek. Together, those first two events raised over $150,000 for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Contra Costa County and Friends of Camp Concord (FOCC).

Purpose Rock The CASA is a California nonprofit public charity founded by Ashley for the purpose of benefiting charitable organizations that serve children in need.

Melissa Etheridge performed at Rock the CASA 2018

Beneficiaries

This year’s beneficiaries are the following: CASA of Contra Costa County

Lesher Center for the Performing Arts, Walnut Creek

CASA’s program recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interest of abused, neglected and abandoned youth in the foster care system. Each year, nearly 1,000 youth, from the ages 0–21, come into the foster care system and are under the court’s care because they are unable to live safely at home. On average, CASA serves 150 of the toughest cases or 15% of these youth at risk.

Since 1982, CASA volunteers have been the voice in court and represented the best interests of thousands of abused, neglected and abandoned youth. Most importantly, CASA volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the youth is placed in a safe, permanent home.

Friends of Camp Concord FOCC was established in 1983 and is dedicated to raising funds to give underprivileged youth one of the most meaningful camp experiences available and does so in one of the most beautiful settings in the world: Lake Tahoe. Through FOCC, kids get to spend a week in the wilderness, participate in activities that emphasize safety, health, education and character development.

Dan Ashley and his band on stage at the Hoffman Theater 14

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Some of the kids have never left their urban and suburban environments. Camp Concord opens a new world to them—swimming in the lake, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and boating. The activities are specially designed to provide challenges, promote teamwork and social skills, and build self-esteem. (continued on page 15)

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019)

Patti LaBelle’s Charity Work Over the Years

Music Legend Patti LaBelle Has Contributed to the Soundtrack of Our Lives

According to the nonprofit Look to the Stars, which tracks celebrity charitable efforts, “Patti LaBelle is strongly committed to peace by promoting access to education, access to healthcare, access to housing, access to employment and access to equality of justice.”

For more than 50 years, Patti LaBelle has enriched our lives with soulful music that goes beyond entertainment. Often her work has accompanied iconic moments in history. Depending on your age, you might remember all or some of these moments.

She received GLAAD’s (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Excellent in Media Award in 2007. That same year, she also sang at the 2007 Fort Lauderdale AIDS Walk in South Florida, but this is just one of numerous events that she has donated either or both of her time and money to over the decades.

1960s Women’s Liberation During the 1960s, “girl groups” rose to the top of the music charts, often showcasing powerful voices with themes evidencing women’s growing independence.

LaBelle, born in 1944, had a head start. In 1959, at age 15, she won a talent competition.

Here are just some of the charities that she has supported:

A year later, full of promise and ambition, she formed her first singing group: the Ordettes, which would evolve to include Nona Hendryx (later of Labelle fame), future member of The Supremes Cindy Birdsong, and future star Sarah Dash, who would later perform with the Rolling Stones and carve out her own impressive career. The Ordettes were renamed as the Bluebelles, with LaBelle’s mezzo-soprano becoming a distinctive force in the group that gained a following for their passionate live performances.

American Foundation for AIDS Research Bells for Peace Carma Foundation Clothes Off Our Back Elevate Hope Foundation Elton John AIDS Foundation

1970s LGBTQ Pride

First Book PHOTO CREDIT: GLAAD.ORG

Lisa Lopes Foundation Red Cross The HollyRod Foundation United Negro College Fund Women Alive Coalition

Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2007

Now Dan Ashley’s Rock the CASA fundraiser for children can be added to her already lengthy list. Go Patti!

(continued from page 14) One of the best things about Camp Concord is that no one—not even the counselors—knows which kids are on FOCC scholarship.

They are simply “campers” for the week. FOCC believes every child in our community, regardless of financial ability, should have the opportunity to spend a week at a camp like this.

Boys & Girls Club of Contra Costa County Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s research shows that young people who attend a Club regularly tend to do better than their peers nationally. For instance: • 68% of Club 12th graders volunteer at least once per month, while 39% of 12th graders nationally do so.

• 27% of Club girls in middle school are physically active each day, compared with 23% of middle-school girls nationally. 42% of Club boys in middle school exercise daily, while 37% of middle-school boys nationally do so.

In 1971, the group moved to England and were managed by Vicki Wickham, who became the partner of Hendryx. Wickham also managed Dusty Springfield (1939–1999), who spoke about her bisexuality in 1970, long before Elton John and others publicly came out.

The group changed their name to Labelle and ditched their bouffant wigs and dresses at first for Afros and jeans and then later for a glam look that at times included space suits, feathers and studs. They outdragged drag!

Steve Ostrow, famed producer of entertainment at The Continental Baths in New York City, brought Labelle in for a New Year’s Eve show that blew away the mostly LGBTQ clientele. Ostrow famously also helped to promote other future superstars like Bette Midler, Peter Allen, The Pointer Sisters and Barry Manilow.

By the time “Lady Marmalade” was released in August 1974, the group Labelle was already well-known to the gay community, but this song’s satisfying rocksoul mixture rocketed the band to mass appeal and international fame.

1980s Activism Labelle, after 14 years together, formally announced in 1976 that they had split up. Such a disbandment can be like a divorce that leads to both personal and financial problems. LaBelle as an individual more than rose to the challenges, becoming an even bigger international star with her solo career. Songs such as “New Attitude,” “Stir It Up,” and perhaps most tellingly, “On My Own,” soared up the charts.

zAs all of this was going on, however, the HIV/AIDS crisis happened. LaBelle was one of the few performers who immediately did all that she could to help: volunteering her time and money in the fight against the virus and associated stigma. We believe that she deserves more credit for her groundbreaking work in this area that influenced other performers to step up and help.

1990s Healing In 1991, LaBelle reunited with Hendryx and Dash for a track, “Release Yourself,” from her Grammy-winning album Burnin. That same year, the trio reunited onstage at the Apollo Theater to major acclaim. Hendryx and LaBelle composed the gospel-flavored ballad “When You’ve Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven).”

In 1995, the trio again reunited for the hit dance single “Turn It Out” for the soundtrack to the LGBTQthemed film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. The song resonated with everyone from overworked mothers to frustrated drag queens with lyrics like: I’m tellin’ you children, I’m looking too fierce My hair’s nappy, my gown is drenched, honey, My pumps are broken, my lashes are falling off my face My nails are cracking ‘cause I was frying some chicken And lost my nails in the chicken pot My mascara is drippin’ all down my face I’m tired, honey but let me tell you somethin’ Ms. Thang will carry on ‘cause I’m a true diva So don’t you even go there with me Just stay where you are and turn it out 2000s–Present: Advocate for Social Justice On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was inaugurated as our 44th President. He and First Lady Michelle Obama, like many of us, have both gained inspiration from LaBelle’s music over the years. She therefore has performed at his request several times, from her heartfelt rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at Obama’s second inaugural in 2013 to a performance in 2014 that got both Obamas out of their seats and dancing. You can watch it here: https://bit.ly/2GAeu7t “Intersectionality” has become a buzzword in recent years. Long before this concept became fashionable, LaBelle was working to build bridges across communities through her music, interviews and personal example. She does this all in such a joyous way too, bringing people together over coveted experiences like a great concert or even a meal. We haven’t mentioned her cooking skills until now, but wow, is she a culinary master. Those in the entertainment industry have long known of her ability to whip up a healthy gourmet meal in a hotel room in mere minutes and then generously share it with others.

• 73% of low-income Club members ages 12 to 17 who attend the Club regularly report receiving mostly As and Bs, compared to 69% of their peers nationally.

• 12th-grade Club members are more than twice as likely to express an interest in a STEM career as 12th graders nationally (56% of 12th-grade Club members vs. 25% of 12th graders nationally).

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes and monitors meaningful matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country.

Big Brothers Big Sisters develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Now she is bringing her community-building skills to the Lesher Center for the Arts on behalf of children in need. We join Rock the CASA creator Dan Ashley in celebrating LaBelle’s achievements, which include Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, The New York Times bestsellers and the 2016 Marian Anderson Award.

As Ashley says, “A lot of people do well; the truly fortunate do good.”

We all have a chance to give back to the community by helping some of the most vulnerable among us, and while also enjoying a great evening of music.

For more information about Dan Ashley’s Rock The CASA and to purchase tickets: http://rockthecasa.org/ Promo Code: SFBTRTC

Labelle in 1974 when their recording of "Lady Marmalade" became their first #1 hit

New York City's Continental Bath's announced Labelle as their headline entertainment for New Year's Eve.

She has always been there for us, her audiences, heart and soul. Please consider attending this year’s Rock the CASA: to enjoy a memorable evening of music, to help the nonprofit beneficiaries and also to join us in showering LaBelle with much deserved love and gratitude.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR Monet: The Late Years, now at the de Young, is the first exhibition in more than 20 years dedicated to the final phase of Claude Monet’s (1840–1926) career. Consisting of about 60 exquisite paintings, the exhibition traces the evolution of Monet’s practice from 1913, when he embarked on a reinvention of his painting style that led to increasingly bold and abstract works, up to his death in 1926.

Assembled from major public and private collections in Europe, the U.S. and Asia, including the holdings of the Fine Arts Museums and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, Monet: The Late Years includes more than 20 examples of Monet’s beloved water lily paintings. It is breathtaking to view so many of these beautiful works together, and you must see then in person to fully appreciate the artist’s representations of light, color and more.

In addition, the exhibition showcases many other extraordinary and unfamiliar works from the artist’s final years, several of which are on display for the first time in the U.S. Majestic panoramas are featured alongside late easel paintings, demonstrating Monet’s continued vitality and variety as a painter. This exhibition redefines Monet—widely known as the greatest landscape painter of the Impressionists—as one of the most original artists of the modern age.

“Building on the strong history of partnership between our institutions, Monet: The Late Years was inspired by seminal paintings by Monet in the collections of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) and the Kimbell Art Museum,” said Melissa Buron, director of the art division at FAMSF, and Eric M. Lee, director of the Kimbell. “Together, we are delighted to reveal a newly considered Monet in this thrilling exploration of his last works.”

Monet: The Late Years focuses on the period when the artist, his life marked by personal loss, deteriorating eyesight and the threat of surrounding war, remained close to home to paint the varied elements of his garden at Giverny, France. His worsening vision and a new ambition to paint on a large scale stimulated fundamental changes in the tonality and intensity of his palette, toward vivid color combinations and broader, more apparent, application of paint.

The complex surfaces of his canvases reveal layers of activity spread out over the course of days, months and years. The result was a remarkable new body of work with increasingly feverish, dramatic brushwork. Far removed from his earlier, more representational production, the artist’s late paintings close in on a stylistic threshold into abstraction.

“The last dozen years of Monet’s life were a challenging time for the painter, who contended with personal loss and the afflictions of old age in his 70s and 80s,” said exhibition curator George T. M. Shackelford, deputy director of the Kimbell Art Museum. “But they were also among the most triumphant of his long career—because in his mid-70s, Monet decided to reinvent himself, mining his past, yet creating works that looked like nothing he had ever done before.”

Thematically arranged, the exhibition opens with a prologue concentrating on scenery from Monet’s outdoor studio at Giverny.

Paintings from the late 1890s and early 1900s include depictions of the Japanese footbridge over the newly created lily pond, and the artist’s house as seen from the rose garden—all sources of inspiration that he would revisit in his late career.

Next, the exhibition enters the period between 1914 and 1919, when Monet returned to painting anew after a hiatus in work prompted by the loss of his second wife, Alice, and his eldest son, Jean. Opening with the vibrant 1914–1917 Water Lilies from the FAMSF collection, the section features a number of the dynamically rendered water lily paintings from this period, juxtaposed with audacious large-scale floral studies from the evolving scenery of his garden.

Anonymous "Monet in His Garden at Giverny", 1921. Autochrome 7 x 9 1/2 in. (17.8 x 24.1 cm) Collection of the Troob Family Foundation. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Continuing to study natural phenomena, the artist focused on elements that had been relegated to the fringes in earlier works, such as Day Lilies, Agapanthus and Yellow Iris, in addition to Water Lilies, among the 20 paintings on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.

Monet’s ambitions as a muralist, in contrast with his renewed activity as an easel painter, are explored next. With the completion of a vast studio building on his property in 1916, Monet was able to undertake significantly larger canvases, measuring between 14 and 20 feet wide, forming a series of mural-style paintings now known as the Grandes Décorations. In such immersive, panoramic paintings as Agapanthus from the Saint Louis Art Museum, more than 6 x 14 feet in size—the artist paralleled themes undertaken in an important series of paintings of his water lily pond, each about 3 x 6 feet, their number rivaling the scale and ambition of his mural project.

Groups of paintings from his late garden series—several on view in the U.S. for the first time—conclude the exhibition.

During his final years, while continuing to perfect his largest panels, Monet returned to working in smaller-format paintings, on the scale of his famous series paintings of the 1890s and early 1900s. Working again in his classic serial method, he revisited familiar motifs on his property, such as the Japanese bridge and the rose-covered trellises over the path leading from his house to the edge of his flower garden. The exhibition showcases these works in greater numbers than ever before attempted: in addition to seven studies of the Japanese bridge at Giverny, six compelling portrayals of a tree with a twisting trunk and craggy outreaching branches are shown.

Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926) "Water Lily Pond (Japanese Bridge)",1899 Oil on canvas. 32 x 40 in. (81.3 x 101.6 cm) National Gallery of Art, Washington Gift of Victoria Nebeker Coberly, in memory of her son John W. Mudd, and Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg 1992.9.1 Image Courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 16

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Among these is Weeping Willow, a masterwork from the Kimbell Art Museum’s collection, painted in 1918–1919 in mournful response to the tragedies of World War I. By his final years, Monet’s cataracts had affected the tonal balance of his perception. Nonetheless, as seen in Path Under the Rose Arches and The Artist’s House Seen from the Rose Garden, both on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet, the artist triumphed over this adversity by producing his most radical works yet. The expressive style of these paintings, with a complex layering of gestural strokes in red and yellow hues over blue and green, affirms Monet’s continued vitality as a painter and redefines him, in the near abandonment of subject matter in favor of increasingly rapturous execution, as a pioneer of abstraction.

Monet: The Late Years is a sequel to Monet: The Early Years, which focused on the artist’s youthful pre-Impressionist years—from ages 17 to 31—when he developed his unique visual language and technique, on view in Fort Worth and San Francisco in 2017.

Organized by George T. M. Shackelford, deputy director of the Kimbell Art Museum, and installed in San Francisco by Melissa Buron, director of the art division at the Fine Arts Museums. Monet: The Late Years is on view at the de Young museum through May 27 and then at the Kimbell Art Museum from June 16 through September 15.

For more information: https://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/late-monet

Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926) "Weeping Willow", 1918–1919. Oil on canvas. 39 1/2 x 47 1/4 in. (100 x 120 cm) AP 1996.02 Photograph: Robert LaPrelle Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

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Monet: The Late Years Through May 27 at the de Young

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019)

Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) "Water Lilies (Agapanthus)" c.1915-26. Oil on canvas, 200 x 426.1 cm; (Right panel of the Agapanthus Triptych.) Collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri, USA; Image provided courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Installation photography of "Monet: The Late Years". Photography by Drew Altizer. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

hotography of "Monet: The Late Years". Photography by Drew Altizer. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926), “Water Lilies,” ca. 1914-1917. Oil on canvas, 65 3/8 x 56 in. (166.1 x 142.2 cm). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum purchase, Mildred Anne Williams Collection, 1973.3 Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Weddings, Occasions & Relationships Eight Ways to Fortify Your Long-term Relationship

The Lesbian Love Doctor Dr. Frankie Bashan Considered experts in couples’ therapy, marriage and divorce, John Gottman and Julie SchwartzGottman have been studying relationships for over 25 years. The Gottmans have discovered that each relationship, broadly speaking, exists in a state of Positive Sentiment Override (PSO) or Negative Sentiment Override (NSO).

A healthy relationship in a state of PSO is one where positive comments and behaviors outweigh negative ones about 20 to 1. It’s almost as if there is a positive filter that alters how couples remember past events and view new issues.

Following the below eight tips will help you to achieve PSO. 1. Create a love map.

A “love map” refers to knowing your partner’s world and showing an interest in her life whether it be work, family or self. Love maps are especially important to learn in times of little or no conflict in the relationship. Fortify your ship in calm waters for future rough seas.

Some dating TV shows reflect this concept by quizzing the couples on how well they know his/her partner. The more intimate your knowledge of each other is, the more defined your love map will be.

2. Promote fondness and admiration.

A couple that is affectionate and clear about what they value and ad-

mire in each other increases PSO. Many recommend a daily “thankfulness” journal to list attributes of your partner or elements of your life that you appreciate. A key here is also sharing what you appreciate about your partner. If you’re single, then write about what you want in a partner. This will help you to gauge what you value in others and to better identify those traits once you meet that special someone.

3. Reduce physiological arousal.

Avoid getting emotionally heated by maintaining a soothed physiology during arguments. This means that when conf lict occurs, you should try to address it in a way that does not promote a rapid heart rate, raised voice or the development of a fiery red face. Speak calmly, avoid name-calling, and take a break (address the issue later) if things are getting too emotionally driven.

4. Be diplomatic.

Do your best to try and approach a problem diplomatically. When there is ample time, properly address it. Don’t initiate a conversation about a heated topic ten minutes before your in-laws arrive for dinner. This is also referred to as a “softened startup.” An example of this would be: “You mean a lot to me and I was wondering what you think about (whatever the issue is); I think (opinion about the issue).”

5. Accept desires and wishes.

Learn what your partner wants and help her to obtain it. Ladies, we may be in luck as women are typically nurturers and better at giving in this department. Think of these as “acts of love.”

6. De-escalate “hot” emotions.

Hot emotions occur when you feel an increase in physiological arousal. Breathing slowly—deep in your belly—and creating a “serene face” where you relax your facial muscles and create a neutral to slight smile will help to reduce this state. De-escalation techniques and efforts to

compromise also mean admitting to the “seed of truth” in what your partner is saying.

7. Bid for affection.

Bidding for affection means connecting through a shared joke, wink, kiss or a mutually shared smile. Think of this as self-esteem for a relationship.

Making a point to connect in even these simple, but meaningful, ways greatly increases positive feelings towards each other.

8. Really address issues.

Find out the underlying reason for the conflict and how to meet both your and your partner’s needs. The goal here is to avoid gridlock when addressing problems. During conflict resolution, it is crucial to understand your partner’s goal in the matter. We commonly make assumptions about what our partner wants and why she wants it, often missing what she really wants and the reasons for it.

Remember, it is not advised to confront Negative Sentiment Override directly. Instead, you have to build the infrastructure for Positive Sentiment Override first, and slowly shift to building it further. The idea is to replace the negative with positive acts over time.

I hope these tips find you well and that you can keep them in the forefront of your mind while enjoying time with your partner or when thinking of a new potential partner.

Dr. Frankie Bashan is a psychologist, matchmaker and relationship guru who has been using her psycholog y background combined with technolog y and personalized algorithms to successfully match lesbian couples nationwide. As the founder of Little Gay Book, the only exclusively lesbian/bi matchmaking agency in the U.S., she helps women in every state to find authentic, healthy, righteous, full-blown love and she knows what makes relationships tick. For more info: https://www.littlegaybook.com/

SF Eagle’s Monthly Benefit for Aguilas Photos courtesy of Juan Davila

Every third Saturday, 9pm-2am, The Eagle hosts the Macho Macho XL Latinx and Leather Night event which supports the Augilas El Amente Program. The nonprofit Aguilas is dedicated to helping gay/bisexual Latinos.

Held on February 16, this month’s event was hosted by Mr SF Eagle 2019, Manny Ojeda, and Dulce de Leche.

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SF Gay Flag Football Becomes More Inclusive as More Women Discover the Sport few differences between men and women players, one being that men tend to possess more in-depth knowledge of the game and implement more complex schemes or plays like a form of art.

Sports John Chen Football historically is a man’s sport where strength, toughness, physicality and athletic prowess are the foundations for success. The sheer brutality of head on collisions, take downs and blindsides is cringeworthy for those merely watching on the sidelines and at home. So why do women play football? Because it’s an art form, an adrenaline rush and an addiction!

Here in the Bay Area, men and women oftentimes compete against one another playing f lag football in the San Francisco Gay Flag Football League (SFGFFL), a no tackling but still physical variation of football. To the untrained eye and those armchair quarterbacks, f lag football is just a handsy version of the “real” game, until they get hit hard without any protection. Man or woman, it doesn’t matter. Everyone and anyone playing is fair game as long as it’s within the rules and code of conduct.

So, what are the dif ferences between men and women football players? What is it like for women playing against men? Michele Ta-a has been playing football with the San Francisco Womxn’s Flag Football League (SFWFFL) since 2014 and absolutely loves the sport. Recently, Ta-a joined SFGFFL and has been competing with and against men because she wanted to continue to progress her own skills such as “moves” as well as increasing her football IQ. According to Ta-a, there are only a

Nate Torrance, a tall and strong strapping young man, played football for as long as he can remember because football is an adrenaline rush and a way of life. When he first competed against women in SFGFFL, Torrance was somewhat tentative, but he quickly found out that many of the women were not tentative and were just as aggressive and physical, if not more so, than some of the guys playing. On the field, once the center hikes the ball, it’s on! There’s no holding back, man or woman.

Juliet Rubio started playing football in SFWFFL only a couple of years ago and is now addicted. Petite in physical stature, Rubio learned to use her size to her advantage, navigating through much larger and taller men in SFGFFL. She told me for the San Francisco Bay Times: “Although some men are faster and stronger, women sometimes are more aggressive and fearless, but that may be due to the differences in the blocking rules for the leagues. SFWFFL allows more physical play.”

Current SFGFFL Commissioner and quarterback, Billy Paiz, Jr., agrees that many women players are more fearless, especially when they charge at him hard, often forcing him into a mad scramble. Paiz believes that having women in SFGFFL is good for the league and the game because women bring a different perspective to football. Although recruiting women to play with men has been challenging over the years, Paiz says their current partnership with the women’s league has helped with breaking down some of the barriers and myths that women can’t compete with men.

Take Me Home with You! Teddy

Current SF WFFL Commissioner Scheherazade Hill is an aggressive rusher, charging the quarterbacks without abandon. In fact, not even halfway through the SFGFFL season, she has already recorded more sacks than any of her male counterparts. Hill plays an integral part in recruiting women to play alongside and against men, a challenge she is more than willing to take on.

As her women’s league continues to grow (a whopping 170+ players have registered for this upcoming season), Hill believes that working with the guys can only strengthen both leagues and bring a new level of passion to football. At the end of the day, it’s not about who is better, faster, smarter or stronger. It’s about building a diverse and cohesive LGBT football community where both men and women come together to play and share the game they love.

For More Information San Francisco Gay Flag Football League on Facebook Online at http://www.sfgffl.org/ San Francisco Womxn’s Flag Football League https://www.sfwffl.org/ SFWFFL on Facebook @sf_wffl on Instagram Contact: commissioner.sfwffl@gmail.com John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball and football teams.

Fitness SF Trainer Tip of the Month Zeek Mulbah, Fitness SF Oakland “For the more advanced gym members, try this ‘Superman’ move! It’s an incredible test of your abdominal strength & overall flexibility.

The trick is to lift your hips up first, then extend your arms and legs. The flatter your body becomes, the more impressive the move is!”

“My name is Teddy! I’m only 15 pounds, about the size of a Teddy Bear. I’m an easy-going fella who enjoys hanging out with my best friends and snuggling up at night. I also have a strong appreciation for delicious treats. There’s nothing that gets me quite as excited!! If you’ve got some yummy treats in your pocket, you and I will be fast friends. Come visit me at the shelter and see for yourself!”

Teddy is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Teddy.

To meet Teddy, as well as other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus 250 Florida Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415-522-3500 Aside from major holidays, the Mission Campus adoption Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup center is open Mon–Fri: 1–6 pm and Sat–Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Free parking is available for those wishing to adopt!

Tore Kelly, Director of Creative & Social Media for Fitness SF, provides monthly tips that he has learned from professional trainers. For more information: https://fitnesssf.com/

For more information: https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Donna’s Chronicles

By Donna Sachet

e were pleased to serve as emcee for the San Francisco Public Relations Round Table recently in the Penthouse of the Westin St. Francis Hotel, where the décor that used to be ornate, but frankly gaudy and overwhelming, has been redesigned with cool gray tones, pleated fabric and soft textures, perfectly silhouetting the amazing views of the city. Other than obviously promoting the image of this incredible city far and wide, this group has a scholarship program that supports future leaders in the public relations profession. The revenue from that day’s silent and live auction went to that cause. Co-chairs Brenda Kahn and Molly Walker presided over a gregarious group of members and well-known SF Chronicle columnist Phil Matier was the featured speaker, offering sage prognostications on political and other matters. Even the weather cooperated as the sun broke through and a rainbow appeared over Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill!

Last Saturday, we joined a diverse and lively crowd at Noe’s Cantina for the birthday party of Liam Mayclem, popular media personality, successful auctioneer, food specialist and beloved local figure. The guest list was extensive and astounding, including celebrity chef Hubert Keller, Rolling Stone magazine co-founder and radio columnist Ben Fong Torres & Diane, Sister Roma, Richard Sablatura, Richard Costello & Margaret Ross-Costello, Brooks & Sarah Lundy, Raghu Shivaram & Beth Schnitzer, chef Jim Modesitt, Liam’s brother Rory O’Mara, and, of course, Liam’s partner Rick Camargo. This was a memorable event with free-flowing drinks, copious food, and even a whole roasted pig on display. This guy has given so much to San Francisco over the years and it was good to see him surrounded by so much love!

Imperial Coronation week has arrived! In our last column, we provided a very brief history of the Imperial Court, but for those who wonder, we would like to offer a glimpse inside this Saturday night’s Coronation. Doors open at 5 pm at the Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street, and guests from all over the continent begin to arrive decked out in their finest. You’ll see magnificent crowns, encrusted jewelry and elaborate costumes ... and that’s just on the men in the crowd! Longtime members of various chapters of the International Court System mix with newer title-holders and those simply curious or supportive of this longstanding philanthropic organization, often rekindling old friendships or forming new ones. The lights dim promptly at 6 pm, as the formal Color Guard assembles on stage and the national anthems of Mexico, Canada and the Unit- Birthday boy Liam Mayclem surrounded by Donna ed States and a brief invocation Sachet and Sister Roma are presented. The current Court of Tamales Con Pollo then entertains, attendants to the thrones gather, and Their Most Imperial Majesties Leandro Gonzales and Pollo Del Mar enter with all of the pomp and circumstance you expect. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence then offer their blessing and local businesses and organizations offer their greetings in a formal parade across the stage. It is then time for the introduction of the Imperial Family of San Francisco, all of those with permanent titles bestowed over the past 53 years, including the Emperors and Empresses present. No matter how many times we witness this ceremony, we still stand in awe at this beautiful representation of over five decades of community service, fund-raising, and leadership. What José Sarria created so long ago continues to evolve, addressing new priorities and welcoming new participants. How proud she would be!

During the extensive evening, Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole the Great will greet the audience, various entertainers requested by the Reigning Monarchs will perform, the Brotherhood of Emperors and Sisterhood of Empresses will complete official acts, and the candidates for Emperor and Empress will entertain.

Members of visiting Courts will promenade across the stage in recognition of the Imperial Court of San Francisco, the Founding Mother Court of the International Court System. You’ll be amazed at the pageantry and the surprising location of some of these Courts, including Alaska, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Hawaii, Boise, Chicago, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Reno, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, D.C., Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Tijuana. In addition, we offer those Monarchs celebrating special anniversaries of their Reigns the opportunity to present a musical number and this year is full of such presentations. Don’t miss Emperor XVII, After Norton, Jerry Coletti (30 years), Absolute Empress XXIX Anita Martini (25 years), Absolute Empress XXXIV Sheba (20 years), Absolute Empress XXXIX China Silk (15 years), and Absolute Empress XLIV Angelina Josephina Manicotti (10 years), as they remember their year on the throne and thank their many supporters.

In the final act of Coronation, the Reigning Monarchs perform one last time, often an emotionally charged moment for them and many in the room, ending their official Reign, but joining the very special group who have shared their journey. Then, the candidates are sequestered as the results of the previous Saturday’s election are announced and the new Emperor and Empress of San Francisco are crowned in a formal ceremony steeped in tradition, opulence and camp. This is just a taste of what awaits you at Imperial Coronation this Saturday!

As you’ll see from the nearby calendar of events, you could stay quite busy attending all of the related events, leading up to Imperial Coronation itself. Voting was last week and improved weather surely increased the turnout.

Both candidate for Emperor Terrill Grimes and candidate for Empress Baby Shaques ran spirited campaigns and we anticipate them joining the ranks of San Francisco Monarchs this weekend. Join us for all or some of the events, but we want to emphasize the unique early morning Pilgrimage to Colma. With nearly 70 Court chapters across Canada, the United States and Mexico, only San Fran-

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

–Oscar Wilde

Calendar a/la Sachet Every Sunday Sunday’s a Drag!

10:30 am Brunch, 11:30 am Show The Starlight Room Sir Francis Drake Hotel $75 inclusive https://bit.ly/2OB4Gur Thursday, February 21 Anniversary Monarchs’ Reception 6 pm–8 pm HA-RA Club 875 Geary Street Free Friday, February 22 Imperial Out of Town Show Calle 11 1501 Folsom Street Followed by Monarchs’ Bus Tour $20 https://bit.ly/2Bjl26q Saturday, February 23 Imperial Coronation 54: Under the Sea 6 pm SF Design Center Galleria 101 Henry Adams Street $70 https://bit.ly/2Bjl26q Sunday, February 24 Annual Pilgrimage to Colma Cemetery Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma Host Hotel Bus: 8 am José Sarria Plaque at Castro & Market: 8:30 am Free https://bit.ly/2Bjl26q Sunday, February 24 Victory Brunch 11:30 am Holiday Inn Golden Gateway 1500 Van Ness Avenue $30 https://bit.ly/2Bjl26q Sunday, February 24 Academy of Friends presents Neptune’s Fantasy Academy Awards Night and Gala Fundraiser 5 pm–10 pm City View at Metreon $300 & up https://bit.ly/2SJTOAu Saturday, March 2 Krewe de Kinque presents Bohemian Royalty: A GlamRock Revolution Benefiting the LGBT Asylum Project The Café 2369 Market Street $40 & up https://bit.ly/2SJyECx Sunday, March 3 REAF presents One Night Only Cabaret with cast of Hello Dolly 8 pm Hosted by Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy Brava Theater Center 2781 24th Street $35 & up https://bit.ly/2GzSs4U Saturday, March 9 Stand Out, Stand Up – Jennie McNulty Comedy showcase Manny’s 3092 16th Street $15 & up https://welcometomannys.com/#events

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 28

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019)

Thursday, February 21 - When ‘POC’ Is Not Enough: AntiBlackness in LGBTQ Communities @ Strut, 470 Castro Street.

A panel discussion on how anti-Blackness shapes queer and trans experience. 5-8pm. http://www.strutsf.org

Thursday, February 28 - Carnaval Brasilerio Celebration @ Aguilas El Ambiente, 1800 Market Street, 4th Floor. Games, prizes, live show, food, free HIV testing and more. 4-8:30pm. http://www.sfaguilas.org

Sean Dorsey Dance Celebrates 15 Years of Trailblazing Dance Company celebrates in San Francisco March 14–16

Photos courtesy of Sean Dorsey Dance

Over the past 15 years, trailblazing transgender choreographer, dancer, writer and advocate Sean Dorsey has had a profound impact on audiences, communities and the performing arts across the U.S. As a choreographer, Dorsey has shattered cisgender and heterosexual limitations in dance; as an activist, he has championed transgender creativity and brought (literally) hundreds of other gender-nonconforming artists to the stage.

Fifteen years ago, Dorsey founded his namesake company Sean Dorsey Dance, an ensemble known as much for their beautiful dancing as for their groundbreaking content. “In a field filled with heterosexual pas-de-deux and rigidly enforced gender roles, Dorsey’s work arrived as more than just a breath of fresh air,” explains Sean Dorsey Dance’s Production Coordinator Eric Garcia. “It was a revolution!”

Today, when the dance field boasts a dynamic variety of talented trans and non-binary dance artists (Leiomy Maldonado, NIC Kay, Chase Johnsey, Ashley R.T. Yergens, IMMA, Jayna Ledford), it would be easy to forget how different things were only a few years ago ... or the fact that Dorsey’s artistry and activism opened the door for countless trans dancers today.

“Fifteen or twenty years ago,” recalls Dorsey, “nobody would present us transgender artists.

It was a very lonely and overwhelming experience.”

Dorsey therefore decided to take matters into his own hands. In 2002, Dorsey brought together a group of trans, gender-nonconforming and queer artist-activists to put on the first annual FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL at San Francisco’s ODC Theater.

“That first FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of trans and queer performance was absolutely historic,” says transgender singer-songwriter and Dorsey’s partner of 17 years Shawna Virago. “It was the first event of its kind in the U.S.” The annual festival, which centers the work of trans/gender-nonconforming/queer artists of color, has become a Bay Area favorite. Each year, the event features new work by local and national LGBTQ artists performing everything from vogue to opera, hip hop to taiko, bachata to bomba, spoken word to folk, comedy to modern dance. (The 2019 FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL takes place June 20–22 at Z Space, SF.) Fresh Meat grew from that first event put on by volunteers 17 years ago into a thriving yearround arts organization that creates, presents and tours award-winning transgender arts programs.

Today, Fresh Meat Productions invests in the creative expression and cultural leadership of transgender and gender-nonconforming communities through year-round programs including the FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL, resident company Sean Dorsey Dance and the groundbreaking program TR A NSform Dance—

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which conducts national education, engagement and advocacy to promote trans equity in dance.

As Dorsey’s artistic success has grown, so has his commitment to supporting other trans and nonbinary performing artists.

“I am in love with the power of trans and gender-nonconforming artists who are at the forefront of creating gorgeous work that also fights white supremacy, racism, ableism, homophobia, anti-immigrant-hatred and transphobia,” he says.

San Francisco’s Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny has high praise for Dorsey, saying, “Sean Dorsey is a visionary whose leadership in promoting and uplifting transgender and gender non-binary artists has left an indelible mark on San Francisco and the country.”

“I started creating dances because I didn’t see myself reflected anywhere in modern dance,” says Dorsey, who grew up in Vancouver, Canada. “I grew up without seeing a single trans person in dance. The world told me that people like me didn’t belong in dance; that our bodies and our stories would never belong. I somehow had the courage—or audacity—to decide otherwise.”

Unlike many cisgender dancers, who are supported to begin their training at a young age, Dorsey started his professional training at the age of 25. “People should know it’s never too late to start!” Dorsey exclaims.

Dorsey started creating choreography at his dance school. “There was no one like me in my program,” says Dorsey, “and pretty early on, I got chastised by the director of the school. She claimed I made people ‘uncomfortable’ by choreographing openly and unapologetically queer work.”

This admonishment only emboldened Dorsey in his quest to “queer” modern dance.

“So many marginalized communities get told to hush up, to make ourselves small, to metaphorically sit down and shut up,” Dorsey says, “And I was determined to find a way to stay standing.”

More than just stand tall, Dorsey has achieved a legacy by becoming the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer. Dorsey has been awarded four Isadora Duncan Dance Awards, awarded support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Dance Project, and had his work commissioned by theaters across the U.S. Last summer he became the first U.S. trans artist ever presented by The Joyce Theater in New York.

Dorsey’s choreography is highly physical, accessible, rooted in story, and danced with precision and guts and deep humanity. Over the last 8 years, Dorsey created a trilogy of powerful full-evening works exploring censored, buried or forgotten parts of LGBTQ history: THE MISSING GENER ATION (2015), The Secret History Of Love (2013), and Uncovered: The Diary Project (2010).

THE MISSING GENER ATION gives voice to LGBTQ longtime survivors of the early AIDS epidemic. Dorsey created the work over a 2-year period after recording 75 hours of oral history interviews with transgender and LGBTQ longtime survivors. These survivors’ voices and remarkable real-life stories are featured in the work’s Izzie Award-winning soundscore.

And this March 14–16, Sean Dorsey Dance celebrates its 15th Anniversary Season with a special homecoming treat for Bay Area audiences: for one weekend only, the company will perform a return engagement of BOYS IN TROUBLE at San Francisco’s Z Space theater.

BOYS IN TROUBLE is a timely and urgent commentary on contemporary masculinity that places a trans and queer lens onto intersectional questions of embodiment, violence, Black queer love, whiteness, shame and posturing. The show

RENAISSANCE WOMAN

ANSWER ON PAGE 26

Along with bridging the marketing, production, music and art worlds, this woman also serves as President of Local 1000, The Traveling Musicians Association.

A) Tret Fure B) Janelle Monáe C) Amy Ray D) kd lang

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features Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature fusion of full-throttle dance, exquisite queer partnering, intimate storytelling, highly-physical theater and irreverent queer humor.

“Performing the show is truly a marathon,” explains Dorsey. “It’s incredibly physically demanding and also emotionally intense for us.

We dance hard but we also have a blast—there is a lot of humor in the show. Not to mention 125 costume pieces!”

BOYS IN TROUBLE returns to San Francisco as part of a 20-city international tour that is bringing the company from Stockholm to Sheboygan, from Maui to Los Angeles. The work is performed by Sean Dorsey, Brian Fisher, ArVejon Jones, Nol Simonse and Will Woodward, (continued on page 26)

Karin Jaffie, aka Kit/Kitty Tapata, won the title of Mr. Gay San Francisco in 2011 and has earned many other honors since.

Connect with Jaffie via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ktapata

Out SF Filmmakers Compete for Another Oscar with End Game Actor for his performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Film Gary M. Kramer At the Academy Awards this year, there are a number of LGBTQthemed features and performances in competition.

In the Best Picture category, Green Book, The Favorite, A Star Is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody all feature queer characters. Prognosticators, however, are expecting Roma to win.

Olivia Colman and Melissa McCarthy were nominated in the Best Actress category for playing lesbians in The Favorite and Can You Ever Forgive Me? respectively (though Glenn Close is expected to win for her role in The Wife). Meanwhile Rami Malek is favored to win Best

In the Supporting Actress category, both Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone were nominated for their Sapphic parts in The Favorite, while Mahershala Ali is predicted to win Best Supporting Actor for playing the gay Don Shirley in Green Book— unless Richard E. Grant, nominated for his turn as the gay Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, pulls an upset.

Even a Live Action short film nominee, Marguerite, depicts a lesbian caregiver and her relationship with an aging female patient. The film is a favorite to win in its category.

One category where two Bay Area gay men are nominated is the Best Documentary Short. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, who have previously won an Oscar for Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt— Epstein also won one for the documentary feature The Times of Harvey Milk—are competing this year with End Game.

This life-affirming film, set in San Francisco, is available on Netflix. It (continued on page 24)

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(continued from page 23) depicts the doctors and patients at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center and the Zen Hospice Project guest house to examine end of life and related palliative care issues. This intimate documentary profiles a handful of people who work in this industry—Zen Hospice doctor B.J. Miller is a rock star—as well as the process of making decisions about end of life care and treatment while emphasizing that dying is a part of life.

In a recent interview, Epstein and Friedman spoke about their inspiring film.

Gary M. Kramer: How did you come to make a film on this subject?

Rob Epstein: We’ve taken on the subject before with Common Threads, where the issue was in the midst of a crisis when we personally lost many dear, close friends. We saw it as an opportunity to revisit the topic in a more matter-of-fact, everyday way, rather than in a crisis. We came upon these palliative care practices and hospices and had the opportunity to shadow them. We were impressed with what they can do for people faced with serious illness and having to make decisions about quality of life.

Gary M. Kramer: What can you say about the access you had to patients, doctors, families and caregivers, as well as to your approach toward filming them?

Jeffrey Friedman: This film is the first really almost purely observational film we’ve done. There is only one interview, B.J. Miller, who provides heart and context for what we are seeing. We were filming people who were open to being filmed. These were our first encounters with them and being in the extreme situation they were in and agreeing to be filmed gave us a great opportunity to know people at their most vulnerable.

Gary M. Kramer: What criteria did you use to find the stories you did?

Rob Epstein: Other than the practitioners, we didn’t know what stories we’d find. It was the whim and mercy of our production schedule. We spent a long time shadowing the practitioners and getting a rhythm of what they do day in and day out, but once we walked into a room, we didn’t know whom we were meeting. Once we met the patients, we determined which ones we’d be following. That was arbitrary. A few died quickly, so we didn’t have time to follow them after the first or second encounter. One patient’s mother agreed to participate because she valued the palliative care team and the help her daughter was getting and saw the opportunity to share that with the world.

Jeffrey Friedman: It was really the interactions between the patients and hospice residents and their families and caregivers that we were interested in capturing. There was so much empathetic give and take in those interactions that it made a difficult situation (easier) and gave it depth and beauty.

Gary M. Kramer: B.J. Miller’s comments about having a relationship with death are particularly affecting. How did you develop his profile in the film?

Rob Epstein: I like what he says: Dying is not a medical issue, it’s a human issue. That’s what he reminds us of in his work. In the end, it’s about compassion, empathy, kindness, human touch; and it comes down to the best of our human attributes.

Jeffrey Friedman: It’s about seeing clearly what actually is, and accepting it, and dealing with it; not looking away, or pushing away suffering or any unpleasant thing you don’t want to deal with.

Gary M. Kramer: Many people may be uncomfortable watching End Game, but it is life affirming. How do you get people to watch your short?

Rob Epstein: It’s hard. When you say what the film is about, people are understandably resistant. It’s the ultimate existential dilemma. We’re here, then we’re not here. But it is part of life. Who wants to think about it? But being around the subjects in the film, it makes it less taboo. When people do see the film, it’s not a depressing film, even though it can be hard to watch. It shows the best of human nature in the hardest moment, and that’s inspiring.

Jeffrey Friedman: Going into the hospice the first time, we had a sense of trepidation. But there was such an overwhelming feeling of warmth, caring, and love that developed in a very short time, I didn’t want to leave. It was very beautiful being there in spite of, or because of, what was happening there. At some point we started to think of it as a love story—a very sad love story—but a story about love and caring and empathy expressed in their most distilled form. It’s something we should be thinking about as a culture—how we want our lives to play out in the end—if we want to have any control about our last days.

Gary M. Kramer: What are your thoughts about being nominated (again) for the Oscars?

Rob Epstein: It’s been 30 years since our last nomination. It’s a nice surprise, and at this point the nominations happen in the documentary branch, so it’s recognition from our peers, and that’s a great honor.

Jeffrey Friedman: It helps get the film out to a wider audience. The more folks see it there’s a better chance this necessary conversation will happen. © 2019 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer 24

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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun of Michelle Obama). A special treat at the reception was rapper Dante aka Taydamada raising the roof.

Kanoff said he was her Uber driver who gives rap performances to his clients, so naturally she begged him to come and perform for us. DJ Courtney Helms was spinning lively tunes as we danced for hours. All these venues, plus those listed at the end here are showing art all February. https://www.castroartwalk.com/

Sister Dana sez, “So we suffered through T-rump’s State of the Union speech. More like ‘State of the Onion’—because we had to peel away the layers of reality from rhetoric, lies from truisms and pomposity from policy. Also, because peeling onions makes us cry, and I was shedding tears of sadness and anger. I needed more than my usual dose of medicinal cabernet sauvignon to ease the pain!”

Senator Scott Wiener speaks out against Trump’s made-up emergency.

“The President’s declaration of a nonexistent ‘state of emergency’ is illegal and an abuse of power. This action is nothing more than a temper tantrum by the President due to his failure to persuade Congress to fund his useless and immoral border wall. The only state of emergency at the border is the human rights violations the Administration is committing against refugees seeking asylum. This unconstitutional abuse of power reflects a President trying to be an autocrat. We live in a constitutional democracy, and this illegal appropriation of funds will not stand.

There will be no border wall—period.” Right on, Senator Scott!

PLAYING DETECTIVE was the stage reading of a new play by Jerry Metzker, directed by Kieran Beccia, at Sparks Art Gallery on February 5. Joey had a one-night stand with a man he met through an app. Then the police showed up, because Joey’s mysterious date, who has vanished into thin air, might be connected to a homicide. Against the advice of his gal pal, Sukie, and hunky roommate, Buck, Joey couldn’t help investigating.

STRUT is now exhibiting through the month the series of linocuts by LGBTQ youth entitled QUEER ANCESTORS PROJECT. Strut held a reception on February 9 at their HQ at 470 Castro Street, 3rd floor. Queer and trans emerging artists are Christine Abiba, Samantha Espinoza, Benny Gordon-Murer, Lia, Maya, Fernando Miguel, Sho Nakashima, Nidhi Patel, Shannon Prasad and Queen Sen Sen. Strut Community Organizer Baruch Porras-Hernandez introduced artistic director Katie Gilmartin, who spoke about the Project and how ancestors could be actual people in their lives or famous queer deceased people they identified with or perhaps a cultural influence. Gilmartin then let each artist give a short explanation of their work. My three favorites are “Let Me Be Me,” “Read My Lips,” and “Get the F*** Out!”—and the latter I am pleased to say I got to take home as a print. Live entertainment was provided by Miguel giving a dramatic dance interpretation. https://www.queerancestorsproject.org/ RAINBOW WORLD FUND, the LGBTQ Humanitarian Aid organization, gave its annual volunteer/donor/supporter party on February 10 at Gough House, a beautiful 1889 Victorian Mansion in Pacific Heights, for libations and hors d’oeuvres. This was an opportunity to meet new people and for RWF Executive Director Jeff Cotter to thank the incredible volunteers, friends, and supporters who have given so freely of their time, energy and financial support this year and in years past. http://www.rainbowworldfund.org A new exhibition opened February 15 with a reception at the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM highlighting the extraordinary vitality of queer nightlife in San Francisco’s South of Market district during the darkest years of the AIDS crisis, an era that simultaneously marked the peak of AIDS activism and queer militant organizing in the City. “SOMA NIGHTS: THE QUEER CLUB PHOTOGRAPHY OF MELISSA HAWKINS” focuses on the work of Melissa Hawkins, a young photographer for the San Francisco gay weekly The Sentinel (where I was a staff journalist back in the day) and other publications from 1986 to 1994. Her black-and-white images vividly capture the scene with a combination of frankness and intimacy reflecting her dual roles as journalist and nightlife participant. There are powerful images documenting parties at 177 Townsend, 1015 Folsom, The Eagle, The End Up, The Rawhide (continued on page 26)

Every Thursday of the month we get to step through the creativity of THE CASTRO ART WALK on a self-guided tour. February 7 was delightful because it featured my three favorite venues. ART ATTACK, at 2358 Market Street Suite 1, had two of my fave artists’ paintings in grand array. Tracy Piper displayed her loud and proud figures in head shots of vibrant, striking, anything but pastel pieces. Her show, WORTHY, will happen on March 7 there as well. Also at Art Attack is VALID, the imaginative works of Serge Gay, Jr., with the dramatic use of black and grey and just a touch of gold. My second stop was at DOG EARED BOOKS, 489 Castro, where I saw my dear friend and Cockette star Bill Bowers, with his lovely, unusual mixed media jackets and hangings and such in buttons and beads and feathers (one of which I wished I had been carrying—the handmade purse he made for me with porn stars, Sister Dana, and other nuns in patchwork photos). My last stop was SPARK ARTS, 4229 18th Street, where the theme reflects Black History Month. I especially enjoyed the owner/curator, Aviva Kanoff, with her not quite dry paintings and the amusing warning: “Careful! Wet Paintings!

They didn’t wanna miss the party!” Also on display are acrylic on can- Bal Masque XV King Gareth Gooch, Sister Dana and host Gary Virginia vas painted head shots welcomed guests to The Edge bar on February 16 for the Krewe de Kinque benefit supporting the LGBT Asylum Project. Bal Masque XVI,

by Kate Razo (my pick being “Becoming” with the theme “Bohemian Royalty Glamrock Revolution,” will be held

PHOTO BY RINK

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

Get 20% OFF when you use the code BayTimes on GA tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/academy-of-friends-2019-gala-tickets-54074033891

by 2/13/2019

on March 2, 6-9:30pm at The Café in the Castro.

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ROSTOW (continued from page 7) media and his fundamental lack of knowledge about the ways in which Trump’s administration is working to stifle the rights of the LGBTQ community.

“It’s very easy to forget how to express and show love and respect when politicians, including our own president, are spreading division through their words and policies,” the statement went on. “We have faith, however, that love will always win.”

True that, bar owners.

Birds Do It Did any of you catch the reports of a rare cardinal, half vibrant red male and half brownish female, sighted in Erie, Pennsylvania, and reported in the Times? The gender bending flyer is called a “gynandromorph,” an unusual mix of male and female that has been observed in birds, reptiles, butterflies and crustaceans. One piece of good news: If ever a human gynandromorph emerges from the research files, we can add him and her to our community acronym without tacking on a new letter, because the G is already in place.

I think I’ve already mentioned that four letters are my limit. If people are questioning, they can answer the question before joining the GLBT firmament. As for queer, that could describe too many people, don’t you think? And don’t get me started on adding a brown stripe to the rainbow flag in order to represent GLBT people of color. Guys! The rainbow is all colors! Gilbert Baker would turn over in his grave.

SISTER DANA (continued from page 25) Speaking of gender and sex, Andrew Sullivan wrote a long essay on “The Nature of Sex” for New York Magazine earlier this month, conflating one of our core legal strategies with various straw men and straw women that he then proceeds to blow away. He notes that the proposed Equality Act defines “sex” to include “gender identity,” and then defines “gender identity” to encompass “gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or characteristics, regardless of the individual’s designated sex at birth.”

Hey, Guys and Dolls, Sullivan puffs: “If you abandon biology in the matter of sex and gender altogether, you may help trans people live fuller, less conflicted lives; but you also undermine the very meaning of homosexuality.

If you follow the current ideology of gender as entirely f luid, you actually subvert and undermine core arguments in defense of gay rights.”

But unless you’re a gynandromorph, no one is suggesting gender is f luid.

What people are suggesting, in law and legislation, is that discrimination because of “sex” encompasses discrimination because of gender stereotyping. When Price Waterhouse famously refused to promote a qualified but masculine woman back in the 1980s, the High Court ruled that forcing a woman into a stereotypically feminine role was sex discrimination in one of its many disguises.

Likewise, bias against a gay man or a gay woman is yet another aspect of this same kind of sex discrimination (our lawyers and lawmakers argue) because gay men and lesbians don’t fit stereotypical gender roles. Ditto transgender people.

This expansive definition of “sex” in law already encompasses sexual harassment on the job and in education under Title VII and Title IX. We are simply trying to use the logic of existing jurisprudence to advance our gay and trans civil rights here, and a David Brooks-esque polemic on the intrinsic link between gender and sexual orientation is, in this context, a non-sequitur.

You’re Bad I’ve reached the end of my column without saying a word about all of those gay priests, let alone the priests who have children stashed away.

Come on, Fathers! I know the vast majority of you are fine, celibate men of God, but. Hmm. Actually, I’m not sure I know that. I’m sure most of you try your best.

Without conf lating gay priests with pedophile priests, it was hard not to notice the connection between said pedophile priests and reports of abuse

by Southern Baptist ministers, who were accused of hundreds of assaults by two Texas newspapers last week.

There’s something about the holierthan-thou postures of some of these deviant church leaders that makes you question the very nature of strict religious orders, Catholic, Protestant and others of this ilk.

It’s not healthy to impose a rigid ideology on your fellow human beings. We are a complicated and nuanced species, seeking mystery, not dogmatism.

Insist on joyless rules and regulations at your own peril, gentlemen. arostow@aol.com

SACHET (continued from page 21)

DORSEY DANCE (continued from page 22)

cisco hosts this special visit to the gravesites of Emperor Joshua Norton and Empress José Sarria at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma.

It is quite early, but well worth the effort to hop on the bus at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or at Castro and Market Streets. José put her indelible stamp on the Pilgrimage, achieving a perfect blend of tradition, whimsy and camp, always accompanied by the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. Many will dress in mourning attire, but don’t expect it to be too serious! Humor and revelry will rule the day!

with original music composed by Alex Kelly, Anomie Belle, LD Brown, Jesse Olsen Bay and Ben Kessler.

And right on the heels of Imperial Coronation comes the Academy of Friends Gala, the perfect way to view the Oscar Awards ceremony, mingle with charitable members of our community and dazzle them with your glamour!

This year’s theme Neptune’s Fantasy, the spectacular City View at Metreon location and a competitive lineup of nominees combine to guarantee a fun-filled night! The Academy of Friends has been throwing these elaborate parties and raising thousands of dollars for worthy charitable organizations for nearly 40 years. We assure you, this is not a party that you will want to miss!

Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com

BOYS IN TROUBLE was recently nominated for two Isadora Duncan Dance Awards: Best Company Performance and Best Music/ Sound/Text.

There is more good news to report. Dorsey is also the subject of an upcoming full-length documentary. Currently in production, this Sean Dorsey doc is directed by Annalise Ophelian and StormMiguel Florez—whose previous documentary MAJOR!, about pioneering Black transwoman elder and activist Miss Major, was an official selection at 60 festivals worldwide and garnered more than 20 awards for best documentary.

Today, Sean Dorsey Dance can be found on stages from coast to coast ... and beyond. Colleen Furukawa, Vice President of Programming at Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) says, “Sean Dorsey is an innovator, a trailblazer and a bridge-builder. At this moment when transgender communities are under attack, Sean offers us beauty, truth and joy—the antidotes to hate and fear.” MACC is bringing BOYS IN TROUBLE to Maui audiences on April 11 http://www.mauiarts.org/event-detail.php?id=722 7 Stages in Atlanta has commissioned and presented Dorsey’s work multiple times. Artistic Director Heidi Howard says, “Sean’s work is not only gorgeous: it’s important, trailblazing and history-making.”

Acclaimed transgender author/performer/playwright Kate Bornstein says, “At this 15th anniversary milestone, I applaud Sean Dorsey as a love warrior whose tireless activism has opened the door for thousands more. Sean Dorsey is a national treasure.”

Congratulations from all of us at the San Francisco Bay Times to Sean Dorsey Dance as they continue to TRANSform dance.

KIT’N KITTY’S

QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on page 22)

A) Tret Fure In addition to her own label, Tomboy Girl Records, women’s music legend Tret Fure teaches guitar and songwriting individually and in workshop settings, paints pet portraits on commission and has also published a cookbook, Tret’s Kitchen, featuring her own recipes.

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Sean Dorsey Dance’s 15th Anniversary Home Season: BOYS IN TROUBLE 4 shows only Thursday–Saturday: March 14–16 (Thursday 8 pm, Friday 8 pm, Saturday 4 pm with ASL interpretation + Saturday 8 pm with Gala Reception) Z Space 450 Florida Street @ 17th Street, San Francisco Tickets: $15–30 at http://www.zspace.org/boys-in-trouble For More Information Sean Dorsey Dance http://seandorseydance.com/ Shawna Virago http://shawnavirago.com/ FRESH MEAT Productions http://freshmeatproductions.org/ FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL 2019 https://bit.ly/2GAjlFT

and The Stud in SoMa, as well as The Box in the Western Addition. All of which were and are my stomping grounds. Senior Advisor for Public History Gerard Koskovich remarked to me, “This crowd tonight is larger than some of those clubs in the ‘90s!” Executive Director Terry Beswick spoke about the museum and its need to expand into larger quarters, and then introduced Hawkins. Co-curated by Hawkins and nightlife historian Marke B., the GLBT Historical Society Museum show features dozens of these never-before-displayed photos, along with memorabilia including flyers, posters and decorative artifacts selected to recreate an indelible moment in San Francisco and queer nightlife history. I did have to offer a correction: the nun in the club was not Sister BoomBoom but rather Sister Luscious Lashes (both of whom are now deceased). This fascinating exhibit will run through May 27. https://www.glbthistory.org/ “We like BIG BALLS & we cannot lie!” was the theme of KREWE DE KINQUE—bringing Bourbon Street to The Edge for our monthly Beer Bust benefit on February 16. The theme referred to both the big ball necklaces we wear for Mardi Gras and also the big ball we are producing March 2nd. We joined King & Queen XV Gareth Gooch & Miss Chief for a fun show with live and lip-sync entertainment. We raised funds for THE LGBT ASYLUM PROJECT. It was also Voting Day for the next Emperor & Empress of the Imperial Court of SF with a poll in the Castro, which we happily took advantage of. Raffle prizes included tickets to the BAL MASQUE XVI at The Cafe, Saturday, March 2, 6–9:30 pm.

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” No cover, 21 + https://bit.ly/2SJyECx Celebrate FAT TUESDAY on Tuesday, February 28, with SF’s Krewe de Kinque! This annual bar crawl aboard the KDK Party Bus is always a night to remember with elaborate costumes, masks, beads, hurricanes (or a vodka cocktail) on the bus, yummy snacks, Jell-O Shots, authentic music and fun bar stops with photo taking and other shenanigans. (BYOB is allowable; no host at visiting bars.) https://www.facebook.com/events/697037377135022/ Sister Dana sez, “Happy Lunar New Year: the Year of the Pig! But you don’t have to be a pig to enjoy these upcoming events.”

THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO, INC., with TMIM Emperor Leandro Gonzales and Empress Pollo Del Mar, invite one and all to CORONATION 54 “UNDER THE SEA” on Saturday, February 23, 5–11 pm at San Francisco Design Center Galleria, 101 Henry Adams Street. Doors at 5 pm and Coronation starts promptly at 6 pm. Tickets and more info available at the Imperial Council SF website: www.imperialcouncilsf.org Join ACADEMY OF FRIENDS for their 39TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS NIGHT GALA with funds raised benefiting HIV/AIDS services in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year’s Neptune’s Fantasy theme will delight all in typical Academy of Friends’ fashion, and offer a fun way to watch the 2019 Oscars. The venue is the City View Metreon on Oscar Night, Sunday February 24. http://www.academyoffriends.org/ THE BOYS OF BEARLESQUE & MR. FRIENDLY SF present THE WIZARD OF POZ, a theatrical benefit for Mr. Friendly on Tuesday, February 26, at SF Eagle, 398 12th Street. Doors: 7 pm, curtain: 8 pm. 21+, $5–10 sliding donation. Somewhere over the rainbow is a magical place filled with flying puppies, queer nuns, leather lions, bearded queens and unconditional love. We just have to believe that this place exists. This exciting production blurs the lines of theatre, cabaret, drag and burlesque. The night’s events will benefit the Mr. Friendly organization, an international, yet grassroots movement to reduce the stigma of HIV, encourage testing for HIV and improve the quality of life in friendly ways for those living with HIV. https://www.facebook.com/events/780709572274461/ Senator Scott Wiener and Joseph Abbati (curator) will showcase 27 San Francisco Bay Area artists who identify themselves as part of the Asian diaspora for “EAST ON WEST,” with a reception of the exhibit on March 1, 5–7 pm, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14800, State of California Building. The artwork displayed at “East on West” reflects how artists of Asian origin from the Far East, Southeast Asia, South Asia or the Pacific Islands contribute to enrich the arts and cultural diversity on the West Coast. The work will include painting, mixed media, video, photography, drawing and ceramics. Exhibition dates: March 1–April 26.

For those who did not catch it the first time, there will be an added screening of sing-along BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY on February 25 at Castro Theatre. They will rock you! Now my two favorite musicals up for Oscar grabs are Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born, which I recently viewed also at the Castro Theatre. I go gaga over Gaga! And I really love how the Castro has been showing Oscar-nominated films! http://www.castrotheatre.com/p-list.html Meet the artist at this opening reception for the exhibition, “IN SEARCH OF THE GLASS SLIPPER: SAN FRANCISCO, 1974,” with amazing photographs by Perci Chester focusing on the pre-AIDS era of laissezfaire. Chester is a visual artist known for dynamic sculpture, painting, prints and photographs. Her work explores notions of identity, play and freedom. Reception is Thursday, February 28, 6–7:30 pm, at the Hormel LGBTQIA Center of the Main Library, 100 Larkin Street. The exhibit will be viewable through May 16. www.percichester.com THE RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presents a special One Night Only Benefit Cabaret featuring cast members from the touring cast of the Tony Award-winning musical, HELLO, DOLLY! AN EVENING OF BROADWAY & MORE, with special guest emcee EssEff drag personality Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, on Sunday, March 3, 8 pm at Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street (at York Street). https://www.reaf-sf.org/one-night-only-with-hello-dolly-.html Sister Dana sez, “We should still be shuddering upon hearing criminal Trump’s Shame of The Union statement: ‘If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation.’ And he added the frightening phrase: ‘ridiculous partisan investigations.’ There is nothing ‘ridiculous’ about the Mueller Investigations, you ignorant thug!”

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CHINESENEWYEAR.COM

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2019)

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Gum Lung, the 288-foot Grand Dragon, will be the finale of the annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade through Chinatown and Union Square, Saturday, February 23, 5-9pm. http://www.chineseparade.com

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS http://sfbaytimes.com/

21 Thursday When ‘POC’ is not Enough: Anti-Blackness in LGBTQ Communities @ Strut, 470 Castro Street. A panel discussion will discuss the threats faced by Black queer and trans people and how anti-Blackness shapes these queer and trans experiences. 5-8pm. http://www.strutsf.org Lunar New Year NightLife @ California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive. The NightLife series rings in the Year of the Pig with a night devoted to Lunar New Year traditions, including a power lion dance and discussions with experts about the cultural meanings of symbols, tea ceremonies and more. Check the website for info on this fascinating ongoing series on Thursday nights. 6pm. ://www.calacademy.org Anniversary Monarchs Reception @ Ha-Ra Club, 875 Geary Street. Emperor John Carrillo and Empress Misty Blue will host this anniversary champagne toast among members and friends of the Imperial Council of San Francisco.

The event will honor the memory of Empress Reba. 6-8pm. http://imperialcouncilsf.org

Typography & Neon: Tenderloin Historical Ephemera Project @ Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy Street. The event will explore typography used on matchbooks featured in the Museum’s new book The Match Book:Vintage Matchbooks from San Francisco’s Tenderloin and The Matchbook Exhibit. 7-9pm. http://wwwtenderloinmuseum.org Susana Baca @ Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison, Berkeley. Two-time winner of the Latin American Grammy Award for Best Folk album for Lamento Negro, Baca brings her Afro-Peruvian music to the East Bay. 8pm. http://www.thefreight.org

22 Friday Our Love Is Here to Stay with Holly Near, Jan Martinelli and Friends @ Ner Shalom’s New Cotati Cabaret, 85 LaPlaza, Cotati. A lineup of performers will join Near, including Linda Hirschhorn, Francisco Herrera, Nancy Vogl and more, who will present an evening of standards and show tunes. 5:30-7pm. http://www.nershalom.org Friday Nights at The Ho’ @ WhiteHorse Bar, 6551 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. All are welcome at this landmark gay and lesbian bar.

9pm-2am. http://www.whitehorsebar.com

23 Saturday Chinese Community Street Fair @ Grant Avenue from California to Broadway. The 29th annual two-day festival is held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year Parade. 10am-4pm. Continues on February 24. http://www.chineseparade.com Coronation 54 “Under the Sea” @ San Francisco Design Center Galleria, 101 Henry Adams Street. Emperor Leandro Gonzales and Empress Pollo Del Mar and the Imperial Council will hold the annual Coronation. 5-11pm. http://imperialcouncilsf.org Mark Abramson Book Event @ Strut, 470 Castro Street. The author will read from his new work Farm Boy, A Memoir with Recipes. 7pm. http://www.strutsf.org Cris Williamson - The Valentine Show @ Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley. Cris will perform new and classic songs with her band of friends, including Vicki Randle, Shelley Doty, Zachary Ostroff, Julie Wolf and Scott Amendola. 8pm. http://www.thefreight.org

24 Sunday Annual Cemetery Pilgrimage @ Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1000 El Camino Real, Colma. The Imperial Council of San Francisco hosts this annual visit to the graves of Emperor Norton and Empress José.

Bus departs at 8am and returns at 11am. http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org Takács Quartet @ Cal Performances, Hertz Hall, 101 Cross-Sproul Path, University of California, Berkeley. This renowned quartet will perform a program including works by Haydn, Bartók and Greig. 3pm and also on March 3.at 3pm. http://www.calperformances.org Academy of Friends 39th Academy Awards Night Gala @ City View at Metreon, 135 4th Street. “Neptune’s Fantasy” is the theme of this year’s benefit gala where the Golden Boys & Girls rule.

Don’t miss it! 5-10pm. http://www.academyoffriendsf.org

25 Monday Robyn @ Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. Swedish recording artist Robyn performs at The Fox for two nights, also appear28

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Compiled by Blake Dillon ing on Tuesday, February 26. 7pm. http://www.robyn.com Magnificent Magnolias @ San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Avenue. Nearly 100 magnolias, many rare and historic, will be featured at this annual budding of pink and white blossoms.Visitors can take a docent-led tour. 7:30am4pm through March 7. http://www.sfbg.org

26 Tuesday Hello, Dolly! @ SHN Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor Street. Tony Award-winning Broadway star Betty Buckley appears in the revival of this classic musical. Multiple times and dates through March 17. http://www.bit.ly/HelloDolly-SF Grand Opening - Museum of 3D Illusions @ Museum of 3D Illusions, 55-61 Jefferson Street.

Visit the new interactive museum featuring more than 40 exhibits where optical illusions rule. 10am. http://www.sfillusions.com

27 Wednesday Creating The L Word @ SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street.

The event is a Team Q hosted by the United Democratic Club, featuring Kate Kendell, Christine Sun, Angelic Williams and moderator Lou Fischer, San Francisco Bay Times columnist. 6-8pm. http://www.uniteddems.org

28 Thursday Carnaval Brasileiro Celebration @ Aguilas El Ambiente, 1800 Market Street, 4th Floor. Free HIV and STD testing, food, games, prizes, entertainment and more will be included in this event sponsored by the nonprofit supporting gay men of Latino heritage. 4-8:30pm. http://www.sfaguilas.org Fighting Back | Love, Marriage and Queers: 15 Years of Bliss? @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. The latest in the “Fighting Back” series, the event will include a panel discussion on the history and outcomes of the marriage equality movement in San Francisco and nationally. 7–9pm. http://www.glbthistory.com

MARCH

1 Friday Holly Near - Singing for Our Lives @ American Masters Series on PBS. This documentary by Jim

Brown premieres bringing the story of Holly Near’s career spanning five decades on feminist peace and justice issues. Check listings for airtimes. http://www.kqed.org Bad Ass Boots @ The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley.

The group presents its Americana and rockin’ soul program with guest comedienne Karen Ripley. 7-10pm. http://www.badassboots.com Lana and Lilly Wachowski: Sensing Transgender @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street.

Author Cáel Keegan will discuss the new work that explores the Wachowski’s films and their role in transgender art as well as the relationship between identity and coding, gender, the senses and more.

7-9pm. http://www.glbthsitory.org

2 Saturday Bal Masque XVI - Bohemian Royalty: A Glam Rock Revolution @ The Café, 2369 Market Street. Hosted by Krewe de Kinque, this annual event celebrates Mardi Gras traditions with traditional cuisine, costumes, performances plus the crowing of a king and queen and more. 6-9:30pm. https://bpt.me/4078612 Mamma Mia! @ Notre Dame de Namur University Theatre, 1540 Ralston Avenue, Belmont. LGBT community favorite Amy Meyers performs as “Donna” in this musical based on the legendary music of ABBA. 7:30pm. Also on March 3.https://bit.ly/2V5L0Sf

3 Sunday Sunday’s A Drag @ The Starlight Room, Powell Street. Hosted by Donna Sachet, the event features a brunch and a troupe of entertainers.

Described as “The Greatest Drag Show in San Francisco,” we agree that it is great! Two shows every Sunday at 11am. http://www.startlightroomsf.com The Girls Film Screening @ Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street. The screening is the West Coast debut of the documentary exploring the lives of young women in post-revolution Iran by award-winning filmmaker Fery Malek-Madani. 4-6pm. http://www.roxie.com Reading and Release Party for Creative Trespassing @ Dog Eared Books Castro, 489 Castro Street. Author Tania Katan will be on hand to read from and to sign her new book. 5pm. http://www.dogearedbooks.com REAF’s One Night Only @ Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street.

This benefit cabaret, supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF) features cast members from Broadway’s Hello Dolly! with guest emcee Katya Smirnoff-Skyy. 8pm. http://www.reaf.org

4 Monday Holy Divers Karaoke @ Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany.

The weekly queer karaoke show for queer, trans and non-binary folks at this LGBT-owned location. 8pm. http://www.ivyroom.com

5 Tuesday 2019 Carnaval SF Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday @ Mission District Locations. This annual celebration includes samba drummers, dancers and lively music from salsa and soca to cumbia and rumba plus costumes, masks, beads and more. 6-10pm. http://www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org

6 Wednesday Companions of Dorothy the Worker: Ashes to Go! @ Castro and 18th Street. The event will launch Holy Lent at this gathering hosted by the ecumenical Christian group supporting the Queer community. 6:30-7:30pm. http://www. companionsofdorothy.org Dykes with Drills Get Wild @ Wild Side West, 424 Cortland Avenue. An evening of community for women, trans and gender nonconforming where no tools are used but connections are made with those who do. 7pm. http://www.dykeswithdrills.com

7 Thursday Rainbow Toastmasters @ St Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church Street. This every Thursday event is the Bay Area’s largest communications skills training resource for the LGBT community. Dinner follows at a local restaurant.

6-7:30pm. http://bit.ly/2P7Y7mC Flashing After Dark: Queer Nightlife Photography Then and Now @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. A panel of photographers and writers will join Melissa Hawkins to share photos and discuss their methods.

7-9pm. http://www.glbthistory.org

8 Friday International Women’s Day Dance with Stephanie Teel @ Sausalito Cruising Club, 300 Napa Street. Sausalito. 6pm. http://www.stephanieteel.com JAZZphoria @ Rendon Hall, California Jazz Conservatory, 2040 Additon Street, Berkeley. Jean Fineberg leads the group with their original Groove Beat Music (funk, bebop, swing, blues, reggae, bossa, salsa) in this International Women’s Day performance. 8pm.

510-845-5373

Check Out the View! http://sfbaytimes.com/castro-street-cam/

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or this issue’s Throwback we go back only two years, but we love this sweet photo, which has many layers of meaning.

Round About - All Over Town Happy Chinese New Year!

Photos by Rink

First, it shows (left) former San Francisco Police Commissioner Julius Turman (1965–2018), who was a co-chair of the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club. He was also a lawyer for the nonprofit And Castro For All, and was someone who dedicated significant time and resources toward helping our local LGBT community and particularly gay African Americans.

Growing up in Alabama, he had experienced homophobia and racism. Overcoming many of his life’s challenges, he developed great empathy for others. We miss him—his considerate nature, generosity, intellect, wit and so much more.

On February 14th, decorations were out on the counter at Starbucks on Van Ness Avenue and California near the Cable Car turnaround.

2017

Turman was named “Prince Esquire to the Imperial Family of San Francisco” in 2015. Rink took this photo two years later, capturing an intimate moment with Turman and John Weber, who was crowned as “Emperor 36” of the Imperial Court in 2008. Weber remains an active member of the Imperial Council of San Francisco. With Coronation now on the horizon, we desire to honor both past and present titleholders of this esteemed organization. (See Donna Sachet’s page, 21, in this issue for more information about Coronation-related events.)

Many of our readers have purchase flowers for numerous occasions at the Flower Corner stand on the corner of Market and 16th. Rink photographed attendant Juan Reynoso on Valentine’s Day.

A unique wedding party gathered at San Francisco City Hall on Valentine’s Day for the marriage of makeup and costuming specialist Mikal Sky and Christopher Beall (5th and 4th from the right).

The GLBT History Museum’s Jeremy Prince, second from left, and other servers welcomed guests at the GLBT History Museum’s reception for the new exhibit of work by photographer Melissa Hawkins held on February 15.

Rink snapped Turman and Weber at The Edge bar on April 15, 2017, where they attended the Krewe de Kinque Mardi Gras party that honored Homobiles taxi service. Homobiles, a volunteer organization started and run by musician Lynnee Breedlove, provides secure and reliable transit to the SF Bay Area LGBTIQQ community and its allies. https://homobiles.org/ This photo also reminds us that Krewe de Kinque, founded by former San Francisco Pride President Gary Virginia, will soon be holding its Mardi Gras party. Entitled Bal Masque XVI – Bohemian Royalty: A Glam Rock Revolution, the event will be at The Café on Saturday, March 2, from 6 pm–9:30 pm. The proceeds will benefit The LGBT Asylum Project. For more information: https://bit.ly/2SJyECx

Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee’s office door at City Hall was decorated for Valentine’s Day on February 14.

On February 13, Bolerium Books’ John Durham welcomed customers to the store on Mission Street that was recently honored by the City of San Francisco as an archival treasure of LGBT and other social movement books and memorabilia.

Co-curators Marke Bieschke and Melissa Hawkins were on hand for the opening reception, held on February 15, of the new GLBT Historical Society Museum exhibit “The Queer Club Photography of Melissa Hawkins.”

Popular DJ Jennifer Morris was spinning tunes for the opening reception of Melissa Hawkins’ photography exhibit at the GLBT Historical Society.

Roland and Kyle enjoyed the Jock Sunday Party at the Lookout bar on February 10 where hundred of athletes attended and CHEER SF members performed.

Featured photographer Melissa Hawkins (second from left) welcomed friends to the new exhibit of her work at the GBLT History Museum.

As Heard on the Street . . . Which movie do you hope will win at the Academy Awards this year? compiled by Rink

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Amy Tan

Brendon Metcalf

Mason J

Richard Milat

Tina Valentin Aguirre

“Black Panther”

“Get Out”

“BlacKkKlansman”

“A Star Is Born”

“RBG”

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A Valentine’s Day banner at PO Plus on Castro Street

Rain heightened the colors of the rainbow striped crosswalk outside Harvey’s Bar at Castro and 18th on February 13.

Roku Smiljank III packaged a giant heartshaped donut at the famous Bob’s Donuts on Polk Street where customers have been welcomed 24/7 since 1960.

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A floral display welcomed people of all genders and orientations arriving on Valentine’s Day at the San Francisco City Hall County Clerk’s office and Marriage Bureau.

items of the week

Aja Monet, Sergio Fedasz and host Gary Virginia shared a hug at Krewe de Kinque’s benefit for the LGBT Asylum Project held at The Edge bar on February 16.

UCSF’s Duane Quintana with his friend Nick were on Castro Street on February 7 to conduct interviews and provide safe sex information.

RBG Tote Fight for the things you care about and carry your things in this Supreme tote bag from The Found.

$29.99

Goethe Institute’s Sigrid Savelsberg, festival director Sophoan Sorn along with Larsen Associate’s Karen Larsen, Corey Tong and Will Zang were on hand at the press conference held on February 5 to promote the upcoming Berlin & Beyond Film Festival coming up on March 8-14.

Find out more at http://www.berlinbeyond.com

A Mardi Gras banner decorated a wall at The Edge bar on February 16 during the Krewe de Kinque beneift for the LGBT Asylum Project.

Pearl Pink Globe

Election workers welcomed voters at the Harvey Milk Plaza voting site during the annual Imperial Court of San Francisco election.

Act local, think pink!

This 12” pearl pink globe from Wild and Wolf is illuminated from within by an energy efficient LED.

$129.99

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Attending the Imperial Court of San Francisco’s benefit for the SF AIDS Foundation at The Edge bar on February 10 were Terrill Grimes-Munro (center) who is a candidate for Emperor, and Frankie Fernandez and Jouke Lanning.

Sadyst Payne was among those voting at the Harvey Milk Plaza polling place on February 16.

Win Pham and Khmera Rouge voted at the Harvey Milk Plaza polling place on February 16.

Members and friends of the Imperial Court of San Francisco, who served as polling place volunteers for the election of the next Empress and Emperor, surrounded candidates (center front) Baby Shaques Munro and Terrill Grimes Munro at Harvey Milk Plaza on February 16.

anuary was a very busy month for our buyers. We have been to Atlanta to buy Christmas (yes, Christmas!), to Phoenix to find fun new crafting items, to New Orleans for Halloween and to Las Vegas for toys and gifts. We hope you will enjoy some of the treasures we found.

Brie Smith (left) and other members of CHEER San Francisco campaigned for candidate Baby Shaques Munro on February 16 on Castro Street.

Candidate for Emepror Terrill Grimes-Munro (third from left) with friends who voted at the Harvey Milk Plaza polling site on February 16.

Do Ho Tse voted at the Harvey Milk Plaza polling location on February 16.

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