San Francisco Bay Times - November 2, 2017 by San Francisco Bay Times

November 2 - 15, 2017 | sfbaytimes.com

In the News Compiled by Dennis McMillan NCLR and GLAD Win Preliminary Injunction Against Transgender Military Ban The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) filed the first lawsuit challenging Trump’s reckless, unconstitutional transgender military ban. This week, these organizations had a big win. A federal court in Washington, D.C., halted the ban, granting a motion for a preliminary injunction. According to NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq., the Court took aim at the government’s arguments, noting these “wither under scrutiny.” NCLR’s Legal Director Shannon Minter said: “This is a complete victory for our plaintiffs and all transgender service members, who are now once again able to serve on equal terms and without the threat of being discharged. We are grateful to the court for recognizing the gravity of these issues and putting a stop to this dangerous policy, which has wreaked havoc in the lives of transgender service members and their families.” nclrights.org Man Arrested for Burning Rainbow Flag, Punching Volunteer at Pacific Center An East Bay community has rallied around an LGBTQ community center, which suffered an apparent hate crime on October 20. Leslie Ewing, Executive Director of the Pacific Center for Human Growth on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, told Berkeleyside: “Someone came on our property and set our rainbow flag on fire.” She added that a volunteer receptionist, who tried to stop the arson, was then assaulted, but was not seriously injured. Berkeley police confirmed that the receptionist was punched in the face during the 11 am attack. Ewing suspects that the current political climate is at least partly to blame for the incident. She shared that since the presidential inauguration last November, there have been more than 200 crimes at community centers across the country. nbcbayarea.com and berkeleyside.com Michael Tilson Thomas Announces Plans to Retire as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Michael Tilson Thomas this week announced plans to conclude his distinguished tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) in June 2020. The 2019–2020 Season will mark both his 75th birthday and his 25th year leading the Symphony in what is widely considered one of the most productive musical partnerships in the orchestral world. Tilson Thomas’ legacy with the SF Symphony began in 1974 with his debut at age 29, conducting Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, and was solidified by his commencement as the Orchestra’s 11th Music Director in September 1995. “Looking back over these decades, I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary artistic partnership I have had with the members of the Orchestra and for the warm and generous style of music making we have shared with all of our audiences,” Tilson Thomas said in a statement. “Having been a Music Director of an orchestra for most of my adult life and as I approach my 75th birthday, I feel this is an appropriate moment to set aside some of my administrative responsibilities and begin a new period of creative possibilities. Fortunately, my new and unique relationship as Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony will allow me to continue to work with my esteemed colleagues for years to come on projects close to my heart.” Tilson Thomas has been out professionally for decades, and has been with husband Joshua Robison for over 40 years. We celebrated his life and work in the Jan-

uary 8, 2015, issue of the San Francisco Bay Times. sfsymphony.org Harvey Milk Plaza Redesign Has a Current Estimated Budget of $10 Million The San Francisco-based office of the architecture f irm Perkins Eastman has been selected to redesign Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro at 17th and Market. The competition attracted 33 entries before being narrowed down to three that, in addition to Perkins Eastman, included Groundworks Office and Kuth|Ranieri Architects. “Perkins Eastman had a big creative idea that we feel has the potential to have an iconic presence and become a destination,” Andrea Aiello, President of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, told the San Francisco Chronicle. The estimated $10 million required for the extensive work must be raised privately, and both Muni and the SF Department of Public Works must sign off on any desired changes to the plan. Perkins Eastman, for example, has envisioned tiered amphitheater-like seating ramps rising from Castro Street, to add visual drama. The amphitheater, at its summit, would form a glass portal to the entrance of the station. Aiello pointed out that relocating the subway entrance to the plaza’s east end could add to the walking distance of commuters, who might be in a hurry to catch their trains. Nevertheless, she said that “the Perkins Eastman team has shown an incredible flexibility in terms of refining their concepts and they’re very open to working with the public.” sfgate.com Lyon-Martin Health Services to Move to New Location Beginning November 7, Lyon-Martin Health Services will be located at 1735 Mission Street in San Francisco. They have been planning the move to their new clinic since their merge with HealthRIGHT 360 in 2015. The clinic will be briefly closed starting on November 2 and will reopen on November 7 at 11 am. Their new clinic is just three blocks away from their current location. The newly renovated clinic will offer all of the services their clients rely on, including primary medical, HIV, transgender, gynecologic, breast/chest, individual and group psychotherapy and integrated behavioral health services. lyon-martin.org Castro Merchants Announce Changes to Castro Police Force Castro Merchants, founded by the late Supervisor Harvey Milk and made up of merchants based in San Francisco’s iconic Castro neighborhood, welcome two new S.F. Police Department Captains, who came to the neighborhood in a round of routine reassignments. Captain Gaetano Caltagirone comes to command at Mission Station. Captain Una Bailey takes the helm of Park Station, which serves a northern part of the neighborhood. Castro Merchants thanked departing Captain Bill Griffin from Mission Station and Captain John Sanford from Park Station for their service to the Castro and gave best wishes as their SFPD service continues. castromerchants.com GMHC Concerned About Public Health Emergency Declaration Regarding Opioid Crisis Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) strongly opposes potential efforts under the Public Health Emergency Declaration to redirect funding from HIV/AIDS programs. By issuing an order for a Public Health Emergency Declaration rather than a Declaration (continued on page 22) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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5%, 36%, 60% age, hovering at approximately 12%. From the moment I moved here, I have paid attention to that growing delta. I often questioned why, in a world class liberal city, would there be such a low representation of African Americans? There are many contributing factors, theoretical and otherwise. Unfortunately, we will have to save that discussion for another time.

Moving People Forward Brett Andrews At first glance, it is almost impossible to find the relevance of—and correlation between—the percentages in the title of this piece unless, of course, you happened to be the person who recently attended three separate presentations: one on San Francisco’s changing demographics, one on homelessness and one on poverty. I am that person! I have had the fortune of living in a few of our esteemed American cities over the course of my life. I was raised in the Pittsburgh area, lived in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and for the past 15 years have called San Francisco my home. Each of these cities presents unique offerings that make them distinctive in their own way and abidingly similar in others. All of them are multi-cultural, and are teeming with educational and career opportunities. They also share one ubiquitous characteristic—they all have an underserved and underrepresented population. What does 5% represent? It’s the percent of African Americans that reside in the city and county of San Francisco, based on the most recent U.S. Census. The striking observation about this percent is that it is significantly lower than the national aver-

Let’s move onto 36%. Recently I attended a presentation on homelessness. Just about half way through, the presenter shared a statistic from San Francisco’s Point-in-Time Homeless Count as the percentage of homeless who are African American. I have to admit, if given a quiz on the presentation, I’m not sure I would pass. Once I heard this startling statistic, everything seemed to go quiet in my mind (and a bit dark). I now have two numbers, neither of which bode well for anyone who has cared about changing the ecology of disadvantaged individuals. Okay, so 5% of San Francisco’s residents make up 36% of the homeless population … . Finally, and arguably the most stunning statistic: 60%. Based on our City Performance Scorecard – Poverty in San Francisco, 12% of the San Francisco population lives in poverty, and African Americans make up over 60% of this poverty level. So, here’s what we have—a minority group, making up a minority portion of the San Francisco population, but a majority of the homeless and impoverished? And unfortunately, the picture doesn’t get much better when you look at all people of color. I don’t bring this to our attention to be a downer, but to raise awareness around the fact that we —all San Franciscans—have to address these historical, systemic and resistant issues that have stymied the progress and advancement of certain segments of our community for decades.

In my work I often get asked, “What can I do to help?” Of course, financial support is great, and volunteering your time is noble and needed. We can also do something that is equally as generous and profound, and well within our control: we can augment our view of the world to recognize and embrace the fact that everyone has value, and there should never be a discounting of anyone’s life. We must resist the urge to judge and compartmentalize others. As a 53-year-old gay African American man, I have been discounted, and I have also been celebrated and supported. I can tell you, the latter feels so much better. As a shining city on a hill—one that has led the way in developing innovative models of care and treatment— we must widen out our attention and bring into focus issues of inequity that surround financial stability and independence, access to quality education, job opportunities and homeownership, all of which are economic and social constructs that directly impact a person’s quality of life and overall wellbeing. Everyone should be able to experience the joy of being seen—respected, valued and loved. We can do better, and we will. Brett Andrews is the Chief Executive Director of PRC (http://positiveresource.org/Default.aspx), which is the only place for people living with HIV/AIDS or mental health disabilities to get comprehensive benefits counseling and employment services in San Francisco. Andrews is a member of the San Francisco HIV/ AIDS Provider Network, the San Francisco Human Services Network and the Mayor’s CBO Taskforce. He additionally serves on the Board of the National Working Positive Coalition.

Recognizing Unsung Heroes: Alice Awards Recap and Upcoming D8 Candidate Debate instrumental in expanding the footprint and volume of Alice’s campaign and GOTV (Get Out the Vote) activities while implementing new and innovative technologies. Leubitz is a diligent and hard-working team member who contributes immeasurable hours to the club and serves as a mentor, coach and guiding light to his fellow Board Members.

Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History Louise “Lou” Fischer Congratulations to Alice Award Honorees On October 16, the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club hosted its Fall Awards Ceremony, an annual tradition of honoring leadership in our community. The Alice Awards are given out to recognize excellence among activists, volunteers and organizations. Some of the awardees are “behind-the-scenes” folks who rarely get public recognition for their efforts, and they deserve to be acknowledged publicly. These remarkable recipients contribute greatly to the community and their contributions are worth celebrating. Brian Leubitz, Alice Leadership Award As a longtime Board Member of Alice, Leubitz has lent his talents as an attorney, educator, journalist and technologist to increase the club’s reach while building the now-recognizable Alice brand. In his nearly 10 years on the Alice Board, he has been 4

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Lisa L. Williams, Community Public Service Award Williams is an unsung hero who selflessly contributes her time and expertise without any fanfare or public recognition. In addition to her longtime service as a Board Member of Alice, she has served in leadership positions with many non-profit and community organizations including BWOPA (Black Women Organized for Political Action), Bayard Rustin Coalition and SF Pride. Her modesty and humility are striking, and this award was long overdue. Congratulations, Lisa, and thank you! Women’s March SF/Sophia Andary, Organizational Community Public Service Award When over half the country and most of the Bay Area went into full panic mode on Election Day in November 2016, a group of women said, “Hell, no!” and created a national resistance movement to stand up for women’s rights, civil liberties and social justice. In addition to the record-breaking national women’s marches held throughout the country in January, the organization has sponsored rallies and seminars to continue the movement throughout the year. Alice is proud to recognize and honor such a strong, up-and-coming organization.

Alex Randolph, Community College Trustee; Community Public Service Award Longtime Alice Board Member and current city-wide elected off icial, Randolph has served in many leadership roles. Through his committed efforts as a Trustee, City College was able not only to survive the accreditation crisis, but also has thrived with increased enrollment and innovative programs like free tuition that are eliminating financial barriers to higher education. Scott Nielsen and Coma Te, Volunteers of the Year Award Every member on the Alice Board is a volunteer and commits to participating in club-related activities, but there are some members who go above and beyond. Scott Nielsen’s tireless efforts and perseverance in his time-consuming obligations as Treasurer are crucial to Alice’s financial compliance. Coma Te has served as Co-Chair of Alice’s Events Committee for the past 5 years, and through his hard work, the Alice Pride Breakfast has annually broken attendance records and is recognized as the de facto kickoff to the Pride Parade. Owen Stephens, Volunteer of the Decade Former “Volunteer of the Year” award recipient and active contributor to Alice for over 10 years, Stephens is a leader in the club and a mentor to many Board Members. As Co-Chair of the Communications Committee, he reinstated the monthly “Alice Reports” newsletter, compiled content for and ensured that Membership emails were sent, oversaw the club’s (continued on page 22)

Gay Sports Fans Are Helping to Lead the Resistance act cost Kaepernick his job, and inspired dozens of other NFL players to take a knee in protest.

erywhere, especially here in the Bay Area. If you have any doubt, go to Hi Tops on a cheap wings night during a Warriors game!

The Warriors stood up for San Francisco values when, upon winning the NBA Championship back in April, they made clear they would not legitimize Trump’s presidency with the traditional visit to the White House.

Despite feeling increasingly comfortable as a gay sports fan, I still felt completely out of place as a gay sports fan in politics. Every fall, my enthusiasm for the baseball playoffs and beginning of the NBA season would seem completely alien to politicos who were single-mindedly focused on Election Day.

Tom Temprano I spent most of my adult life in the closet—secretively visiting bars in far flung neighborhoods, speaking about my forbidden love to only a few close friends and family members, and not believing there were other people like me. Finally, I gathered up the courage a few years ago to say it loud and proud: I am a gay sports fan. Like, a BIG gay sports fan. The kind who listens to podcasts, knows which college role player x went to, and who checks their Bleacher Report app before they’ve even left the bed every morning. The Giants’ World Series runs in the early twenty-teens helped me to begin to come out of my shell, but it was really the emergence of the ludicrously talented Warriors that showed me that there were gay basketball fans ev-

This past Saturday, I was proud to see a number of our City College of San Francisco student athletes take a knee during our football game against Santa Rosa Junior College. These young people used the pros as role models, and showed that their platform as athletes provides them an opportunity to do their duty as Americans and stand up to injustice in this country.

And then Trump happened and the intersection between pro athletes, politics and protest became the hottest headline in America. While mainstays of LGBT culture like pop singers and Hollywood stars have been vocal opponents of the president, no public figures have garnered as much attention for their protests as members of the sports world. Perhaps it is because he expected jocks to be his base, but the Orange Menace cannot stand being personanon-grata in the macho sports world, and his jilted tweets serve to further fuel athletes’ fire.

With the Warriors poised for another record-breaking season, and Trump’s Twitter fingers appearing as itchy as ever, this gay sports fan is ready for some epic showdowns. Go Dubs!

Of course, Bay Area athletes and teams have led the sports world’s resistance. Last year, the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality in communities of color. This year that

City College of San Francisco Trustee Tom Temprano and colleagues advocate for the College and celebrate the achievement of students at graduation ceremonies.

Tom Temprano was elected to the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees in 2016, making him the city’s youngest elected official. He also owns Virgil’s Sea Room, a small business in the Mission District, and is a member of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center Board of Directors. Follow him on social media at twitter.com/tomtemprano & facebook.com/tomtempranoSF

Students #TakeAKnee at Warriors LGBT Night By Lyndsey Schlax (Editor’s Note: Teacher Lyndsey Schlax of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts launched the nation’s first onsite high school LGBT course in 2015. She has resumed teaching that groundbreaking class. In this column, her students share their thoughts about LGBT-related matters, including their concerns, what they have learned in class and more. Schlax, as well as fellow teacher Carissa Jow, wrote the introduction that follows.) The Warriors held their first ever LGBTQ night on October 25, and the San Francisco Bay Times asked the “Student Voices” columnists, who are students in LGBTQ Studies at Asawa SOTA, to attend and represent them. It was a privilege to be at this event, in more ways than one.

We cheered the rainbow displays and the one lesbian couple featured on the kiss cam, watched the players warm up (and watched our students besides themselves with excitement over it), and—most powerfully for us as educators at their school—supported our students’ voices and empowerment as they chose to kneel during the national anthem. The two of us, one a queer educator of color and the other a lifelong shy activist woman, did not have the words in high school to name the injustices we saw in the world, or to understand the power of our voices. Our students’ choice to join in solidarity in an act of resistance on such a big stage represents the hope and empowerment we work hard to foster in our social justice minded community. Warriors LGBT Night By Four Students (three in Grade 12 and one in Grade 11) At the Warriors f irst ever LGBT night, the walls at Oracle A rena were plastered with rainbows, and shirts were handed out. We each received a replica of the Warriors NBA championship ring. A lesbian couple appeared on the jumbotron, and we even got the trans f lag on the jumbotron during halftime! When we received an invitation to be on the court during the national anthem, some of us instantly wondered whether we should kneel. In the end, nine of the twelve of us did. Taking a knee during the national anthem was absolutely thrilling. The act of kneeling was easy, but deciding whether or not to kneel was as complex as detangling a ball of earbuds. For the 48 hours leading up to the occasion, we mulled over what to do. Some of us only decided to kneel when our feet hit the court. In that moment, we realized that we

Photos courtesy of Lyndsey Schlax

STUDENT VOICES wanted to be brave enough to be a part of the movement, and not to be fearful of the reactions it may elicit from our community. Why Are Most Out Athletes Women? Student, Grade 12 Why are the majority of LGBTQ+ athletes females? Of the 64 out Olympians in Rio last year, only 11 were men. None of those men were from the United States. Why is this? Is it a reflection of the macho American culture towards men? Is it because gay men truly don’t like sports? (Editor’s Note: In answer to this question: No! See Tom Temprano’s story.) Or is it, perhaps, because being gay in the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL is still stigmatized? In 2013, Jason Collins of the NBA became the f irst male gay athlete of a major American sport to come out while still playing. This was just four years ago, and he has since retired from professional basketball. Although it is unlikely that Collins was the only professional male LGBTQ+ athlete in the NBA, he was the only one who was out. What can we do to help sports culture become more accepting? Injustice as a Whole Student, Grade 12 There are many aspects as to why civil rights concerning gender, sexual orientation, and racial justice are necessary in this world. They are all connected, since each of the respective underlying communities is oppressed and is still fighting for their rights as human beings. Each of these groups do compete, however. That is because every group has struggled in their own way and may sometimes compare what they

(Above and left) Student contributors to the “Student Voices” column from Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts were invited to represent the San Francisco Bay Times at the Warriors LGBT Night on Wednesday, October 25. Accompanied by their teacher Lyndsey Schlax and counselor Carissa Jow, the students participated in the Oracle Experience behind the scenes tour, courtside warm-up viewing and the national anthem ceremony with Warriors players and other team representatives.

have gone through with other communities. Each community can inform the other, but the situation now is far from perfect. For example, a gay person of color can experience discrimination in the gay community. The oppressed can still oppress the other oppressed. Due to this, each community fights for justice, but in order to do that, there has to be room for having empathy towards others whose struggles may differ from their own. Diversity: Where We Go from Here Student, Grade 12 What is injustice? Is it an inability to recognize the problems that are going on? Or is it the media’s unwillingness to own up to the issues they do not want to talk about? Regardless, injustice occurs every day, whether it concerns a woman getting catcalled on her walk home, or a gay teenager being called a fag down the hallway. It happens to all

of us, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. We are one people, and we should behave like it. For more information about the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, please visit http://www. sfsota.org/ Lyndsey Schlax has been a teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District since 2008. She is uniquely qualified to address multiple areas of LGBT studies, having also specialized in subjects such as Modern World History, Government, Economics and U.S. Politics. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and earned her M.A. in Teaching at the University of San Francisco.

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Justice and Desserts “Sorry guys, I don’t make cakes for same-sex weddings.” They did not even discuss the design of the cake, and according to the bakery owner, the entire “conversation was just about 20 seconds long.”

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Cousin Lisa and her fiancé Mike’s engagement party last month was a delightful affair. We’ve known Lisa since the day she was adopted 30 years ago, and she and Mike make a great couple. One of the joys of our participation in the marriage equality movement is that we now perform weddings for other couples. When Lisa and Mike slipped us a handwritten note at the party asking, “Will you and the love of your life help me marry mine?” we, of course, replied with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” And we marveled at the “save the date” cookies Lisa and Mike bought at a local bakery that were topped with an icing calendar showing their upcoming wedding day in July 2018. As we admired the cookies, however, we found that our thoughts soon turned to another couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, who were engaged a few years ago and had gone to a bakery in suburban Denver, Colorado, with Charlie’s mom to order a wedding cake for their upcoming nuptials. The bakery told Charlie and David point blank that it would not bake them a wedding cake because they were gay. As reported in The Denver Post, the bakery owner simply told Charlie and David:

Charlie and David were stunned. Colorado law prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry. The bakery’s denying Charlie and David service because of their sexual orientation was a clear violation of the law. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Colorado Court of Appeals agreed, and the Colorado Supreme Court saw no need to review the case. But earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court took the case to decide whether the bakery could claim rights to freedom of speech and religion that could permit it to ignore the state’s anti-discrimination law when it comes to LGBT couples like Charlie and David. The Court will hear oral argument in the case on December 5, 2017, and will likely rule by the end of June 2018. It then occurred to us that if the Supreme Court permits the Colorado bakery to discriminate, the local bakery that baked Lisa and Mike’s engagement cookies could conceivably refuse to provide services to us and other LGBT couples if it were our engagement party. We soon realized the bakery might also be able to refuse to make the same cookies or a wedding cake for Lisa and Mike themselves. Lisa is a person of color, and a bakery that wanted to discriminate against her on that basis could assert that the laws prohibiting race discrimination did not apply to them because of freedom of religion or speech. And further, Lisa was born overseas and adopted when she was a few weeks old, so the bakery could try to ignore the laws prohibiting national origin and ancestry discrimination. It doesn’t stop there. Lisa and Mike are an

interracial couple, and the bakery could try to deny them service on that ground as well. After all, if a business owner’s personal religious beliefs allow the business to ignore antidiscrimination laws, still more injustice is possible. Consider that the trial court judge in the U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down laws banning interracial marriage, Loving v. Virginia, stated: “Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents … . The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.” If the Supreme Court rules against LGBT people like Charlie and David, the decision could have implications for many businesses, and not just bakeries. The Denver Post reports that the bakery owner has often been asked, “What would Jesus do?” His response, “Well, you know, in my opinion—Jesus was a carpenter. I don’t think he would have made a bed for their wedding … .” Putting aside the fact that the emphasis of Jesus’ teachings is love and that he never addressed homosexuality, much less marriage for LGBT people, the bakery owner’s answer illuminates how sweeping a negative decision from the U.S. Supreme Court could be. It could open the door not only for businesses to refuse to sell beds or, for that matter, anything else to LGBT couples, but also for restaurants to turn away LGBT diners. Myriad other businesses could refuse to serve LGBT people, and all based on claims that doing so violated the owners’ religious beliefs. The marriage equality movement is about our common humanity, our common need for dignity and respect, and our common inclination to love. Discrimination demeans and stigmatizes those people who are its objects. But it ultimately harms those who practice it, too, because it deprives them and those around

them of the opportunity to understand and appreciate diversity and to recognize our common humanity. An unusually large number of high profile mass tragedies have taken place in our county over the last few months. Amidst the human suffering, stories emerge of people instinctively and spontaneously helping strangers—from rescuing them from flood waters to covering their bodies to protect them from bullets to helping them escape approaching flames—and all before their minds had a chance to categorize the stranger and to evaluate whether or not they wanted to help them. Our laws against discrimination are a vehicle for people to act everyday with those highest intentions—for jobs, housing, and businesses to be open to everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. We look to the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2018 to affirm our laws against discrimination—just in time to celebrate at Lisa and Mike’s wedding. 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.

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Men Ending Violence Against Women Is the Watershed Moment We Need contract renewal at Fox to the tune of $100 million.

Since my last column entry concerning the nation’s reactions to the decades of sexual assault allegations against Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, pubic response blossomed with more women coming forward. They not only included those who had personal unwelcome encounters with Mr. Weinstein, but also legions more—famous and not famous—who shared their own stories as survivors of sexual harassment, assault and rape. The now famous #MeToo campaign ignited a firestorm across Twitter, Facebook, and other media platforms, inspiring tens of thousands of women—and some men—to raise their digital hands and voices concerning their own accounts in all manner of workplace, industry and social setting. Women U.S. Senators and Congressional Members shared their own stories of sexual harassment at the hands of former employers and colleagues. A survivor of now President Trump’s many reported incidents of sexual assault has pressed for the release of campaign records thatsuppress numerous accounts against him. And Oprah has declared this outpouring of outrage, shock and personal revelations and empowerment as a critical “watershed” moment that begs for change. It has been suggested that the outrage directed at Weinstein’s particular actions are a de facto proxy, a substitute for the outrage that was directed at candidate Trump, but failed to prevent him from ascending to becoming the leader of the free world. Perhaps that is debatable. Nonetheless, it remains clear that the very serious series of allegations against Weinstein merit their own hell-raising fury. The same could be said of the equally gross, expectedly unapologetic defensive posture taken by Fox Media’s own native self-serving spin-master Bill O’Reilly, after his $32 million settlement for workplace sexual misconduct at his creepy simultaneous

Some shared that until #MeToo reveals on Facebook, they didn’t know that a close friend or co-worker or relative—women and men—were subjected to sexual harassment or assault earlier, or either quite recently, in their lives. As one woman put it, people were beginning to realize it isn’t a matter of “if” for many women, but more so a matter of “when.” She also expressed doubt that this would, in fact, yet again—as it was with Bill Cosby or Donald Trump or so on and so on— be that declared “watershed” moment that would finally change things. Whether or not we are in a watershed moment remains to be seen, at least until the next time another or series of similar accounts are brought to public attention. The very thought induces a collective déjà vu cringe all over again. One thing that’s been noticeably different about this particular rendezvous with a watershed moment, however, is the considerable presence of cisgender identified and gay men who responded to #MeToo as survivors of sexual harassment and/or assault in the workplace or business-related settings.

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PHOTO BY RINK

The Seed

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If more men commit to engaging and taking critically needed leadership to end all forms of violence against women, we would have that very possible watershed moment, which we all need beyond #MeToo. Andrea Shorter is 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.

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Our remodeled showroom features displays including Hubbardton Forge, Visual Comfort, Arteriors, Tech Lighting, Currey & Co., Robert Abbey and more!

Ahead of the curb, Futures Without Violence provides an array of resources and support to engage men and boys to end violence against women. Through webinar series, Coaching Boys into Men tools, the YFactor, and other dynamic resources, Futures Without Violence (futureswithoutviolence.org) has proven to be a premier leader in helping to reshape frameworks that reinforce violence against women as a women’s issue by supporting men’s engagement as personally and societal transformative agents for change.

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

Eichen’s Lighting, established in 1957, is a family-owned and operated lighting center showcasing a broad selection of designer styles for all your lighting needs. With a refreshed look and modern merchandise, Eichen's Lighting offers quality customer service with competitive prices.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Aguilar Tarchi and Commissioner Andrea Shorter at the Domestic Violence Rally at City Hall on October 3.

As fathers, brothers, uncles, and more, grown men do have a great responsibility for actively engaging their sons, brothers, nephews, and other male friends, relatives and co-workers in conversations and guidance that can end sexual violation and violence against women, and men.

The new public art installation at Jane Warner Plaza known as “The Seed” was unveiled on Friday evening, October 27. Hosted by the Castro Community Business District (CBD), the new art display uses light and structure to present a work designed to inspire and beautify the location at the intersection of Castro and 17th Streets.

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

Andrea Shorter

To openly discuss the importance, responsibility and need for actively teaching boys and young men goes well beyond equally unacceptable male bashing. As the overwhelming perpetrators of sexual misconduct and violence against women, men should be held accountable to help prevent violence against women, and this is not about denigrating, emasculation, or bashing. Just like all forms of violence against women, sexual misconduct is not singularly a women’s issue. Changing the frameworks and dynamics that appear to foster or reinforce this wayward notion requires support for men to step up.

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Cross Currents

I’ve appreciated the folks who have approached me on the street, at the grocery store and gas station to share their ref lections on my previous entry expressing their shared concerns, including promoting the value of diversity—gender, gender identity, ethnic, LGBT—on male dominated, or exclusive, boards and executive staff to potentially impact the policies, accountability, and sanctions against sexual misconduct in the workplace, and especially concerning chief executives and operators whose delusions of exemption all too often prove to be true.

Yet, by and large, what remains disappointingly absent at the height and ebb of this latest public upset and discourse amplifying women’s majority #MeToo experiences? A serious discussion and movement concerning violence prevention by educating and guiding boys about unacceptable forms of violence against women.

Rafael Mandelman and Jeff Sheehy Answer Questions Ah As columnist Lou Fischer wrote earlier in this issue, The Harvey Milk and Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Clubs are partnering to co-host the first District 8 debate between Rafael Mandelman and Jeff Sheehy, who are candidates vying to represent this important San Francisco district. Sheehy was appointed to the position in January by Mayor Ed Lee to succeed and fill out the remainder of the term of Supervisor Scott Wiener, who resigned his seat to take office as a member of the California State Senate. Both Sheehy and Mandelman have a long history with our local LGBT community, and they have each served as a board member or chair of Alice or Milk in their respective careers.

1. Several San Francisco neighborhoods comprise District 8, such as Th and Noe Valley. What do you believe are the most pressing issues facin these neighborhoods, and how might the issues overlap or, conversely, b to each location?

Ahead of the debate, which will happen on November 13 from 6:30 pm–8 pm at the SF LGBT Center’s Rainbow Room, we asked both candidates to answer questions concerning a variety of issues, from LGBT youth homelessness to crime in the Castro. We hope that this Q&A, plus the upcoming debate, will help to inform you about the candidates and—if you live in San Francisco—will encourage you to vote in next year’s important election.

3. Please elaborate on your response to the prior question, mentioning believe you are uniquely qualified to be Supervisor of District 8.

We could have asked many more questions, taking up this entire issue of the paper! You likely have many more as well, so we again urge you to attend the November 13 debate, which will be moderated by Marisa Lago, the state political reporter for KQED.

2. As an out gay man, how do you believe that your life experiences help and benefit your political work in San Francisco?

4. The North Bay fires remind us how devastating natural disasters ca you believe that District 8 is adequately prepared for natural disaster potential future fires and earthquakes? If not, what should be done to the preparedness?

5. Cleve Jones told us that he believes housing is the LGBTQ communi pressing need now in San Francisco. What do you specifically plan to

Jeff Sheehy SF. In 1996, I was elected president of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club for the first of two terms. That year, Geoff Kors, Carol Stuart and I created San Francisco’s Equal Benefits Ordinance (Geoff’s brilliant idea, one of many over the years), which required companies doing business with the city to provide the same benefits to domestic partners as they did to married couples. We pushed it through the Board of Supervisors using the considerable clout of the Milk Club and Mayor Brown signed it. Crucially, companies were required to offer benefits everywhere and we were able to expand health coverage and pension benefits across the country. Hundreds of thousands of LGBT folks had access at the height of the AIDS epidemic. There was resistance: immediately upon the law coming into effect June 1, 1997, United Airlines sued to block the law. I led the national boycott of UA, which included numerous civil disobedience actions, including the takeover of UA’s downtown SF ticket office by a crew of Tinky-Winkys. In 1999, UA caved and offered domestic partner benefits worldwide. The rest of the industry followed. To date, over 8,000 companies have complied. 1. I am honored to represent District 8, and have worked to respond to the unique needs in each neighborhood. In Mission Dolores and Dolores Heights, we convened the Recreation and Park Department, Police Department, Public Works and Public Utilities Commission to improve the area around Dolores Park. In the Castro, we’ve partnered with the Castro Merchants, Community Benefit District and local realtors to fill retail vacancies and improve public spaces. We’ve helped to deliver pedestrian improvements in Diamond Heights, increase safety at Twin Peaks and bring the quality-of-life Fix-It team to Glen Park, the Castro and Duboce Triangle. Yet the neighborhoods share common challenges that hurt our middle class. Lack of affordable housing, ever-present homelessness, property crimes such as auto break-ins and home burglaries, and under-resourced public transportation are all linked. That’s why, in addition to solving local neighborhood concerns, I bring a Citywide focus to create the systemic changes that will benefit all San Franciscans.

I was diagnosed with HIV in 1997, and joined ACT-UP Golden Gate. We obtained the first funding for people with HIV needing organ transplants, with the help of Assemblywoman Carole Migden in 1999, along with scholarships for people with HIV to allow them to continue with their education after the life-saving introduction of anti-retroviral therapy.

I moved to San Francisco because the community I grew up in Texas wasn’t safe for LGBT people. Many young people face that same experience today, which is why we’re seeing an influx of LGBT youth, and we must continue to welcome them into our City.

After this early activism, I decided to make a difference in public service. In 1998, I was hired by the District Attorney and trained as a victim advocate assigned to assist same-sex victims of domestic violence and hate crimes. In 2000, I joined UCSF as the communications director of the AIDS Research Institute, where I remained until appointment this year to the SF Board of Supervisors and also won the first of two terms on the DCCC in SF.

In the early 90s, I became involved in politics and activism in San Francisco—first canvassing for Greenpeace and joining Kathleen Brown’s 1994 gubernatorial campaign. In 1995, I worked on Roberta Achtenberg’s campaign for Mayor in

In 2003, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom asked me to be SF’s AIDS Czar, which I did on a volunteer basis since we were facing cuts in services. In the role, I did

2. With Donald Trump as president, our community faces tremendous challenges. We’ve also seen these challenges before, as Ronald Reagan ignored the AIDS crisis in our country. Our community rallied then, and I know we can rally now, to protect and expand the critical gains the LGBT community deserves.

3. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Mayor Lee, Senator Wiener and former Supervisors Roberta Achtenberg, Leslie Katz and Susan Leal are supporting my campaign to retain this seat and become the first openly HIVpositive person elected to the Board of Supervisors.

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everything I could to stave off cuts and protect vital services.

ly qualified in this uniquely dangerous time.

In 2004, Californians passed Proposition 71, a measure to provide $3 billion for stem cell research and respond to the Bush Administration’s flawed decision to defund science. I was appointed to the HIV advocate seat on its governing board by Senate President Pro Tem, John Burton, and reappointed in 2012 by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. As a treatment activist, I have been forceful in advocating for HIV cure research, and became a subject matter expert on cell/gene therapy cure approaches. Through this agency, called the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, I have led the agency to fund close to $100 million in HIV/AIDS related research and CIRM currently has three clinical trials underway attempting to cure HIV using cell/ gene therapy. In addition, I have been a leader on the CIRM board as chair of its science subcommittee and vice-chair of its peer review committee. CIRM is working towards cures across a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions using regenerative medicine, which is on the path to be one of the technologies that is transforming healthcare. At CIRM, we are starting to see our funding produce cures, including a gene and cell therapy cure for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency—more familiarly “bubble baby” disease—because these children born without immune systems can have virtually zero contact with the outside world. Thirty plus children have been cured at UCLA and now live normal lives.

As a husband of 19 years and father of a middle-school student, I remain focused on keeping San Francisco’s future bright for all of us and generations to come.

In 2013, Dr. Diane Havlir, chief of the HIV/AIDS Division at SF General Hospital (includes historic Ward 86) and I launched San Francisco’s Getting to Zero Consortium, a multi-sector, independent consortium operating under the principles of collective impact and which seeks to make SF the first municipality to achieve UNAIDS goals of zero new HIV infections, zero HIV related deaths, and zero HIV stigma. We just announced the surveillance data from 2016 and we have reduced new infections by 50% since the Consortium started, mainly through sophisticated implementation of initiatives to uptake PrEP, aggressively increase testing, immediate linkage to care, initiation of therapy and retention and re-engagement in care. We are on track to reduce new transmissions to 20–30 in 2020 from the peak of 2300 in 1992. As Donald Trump tries to repeal the Affordable Care Act, cuts vital HIV services and threatens the very lives of our community, my experience and proven track record make me especial-

4. My heart goes out to those impacted by the North Bay fires. This tragic event reminds us of the dangers of climate change. Early in my term, I spoke at San Francisco’s March for Science to make certain our City is on record in support of the evidence-based approaches we need to prevent natural disasters. At the local level, I am impressed by the work of the volunteers in the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team and the Office of Resilience. We must be prepared for disasters, and that’s why I worked through the budget process for the 911 call center under the leadership of Director of Emergency Management, Anne Kronenberg. Residents should be prepared with water, f lashlights, batteries and all of the other essentials to survive for 72 hours. More information can be found at SF72.org We are planning to address climate change that is a significant threat to San Francisco, with the Central Waterfront specifically at risk. The sea wall would collapse in an earthquake, for instance, but rising sea levels present another threat. I am working with the Port and the Office of Resilience to support bond measures to rebuild the sea wall and to take other measures to strengthen the City to overcome these challenges. 5. The first and most important thing we need to do is to protect people in existing housing and preserve rent-controlled housing. I worked to pass crucial legislation to reduce fraudulent ownermove in (OMI) evictions and strongly support our City’s small sites program, which buys properties to protect existing tenants. In the budget, I secured millions to fund housing subsidies for seniors, people with disabilities and people with HIV/AIDS. We also have to build more in neighborhoods that have the infrastructure to support this growth and I will never support a moratorium on building new housing. I strongly backed HOME-SF, the recently enacted housing density bonus law. HOME-SF is an optional program for homebuilders constructing mixed-income in certain areas of San Francisco. Under HOME-SF (http:// sf-planning.org/home-sf-affordabilityrequirements), 30 percent of the units in a new housing project must be afford(continued on page 14)

head of District 8 Debate

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dress that need, while also maintaining quality of life, giving attention to environmental concerns and keeping reasonable levels of density?

tries—where they felt threatened. How can the city best help LGBT homeless youths?

6. As Cleve Jones also told us, there is a need for individuals within the HIV/ AIDS+ community to be close to life-saving medical and other services. Many of these individuals, however, have had to move out of the Bay Area due to the rising cost of living here. What can be done to help resolve the problem?

10. The Castro feels less safe to us lately. Members of our team have experienced multiple instances of theft, expensive-to-repair car window breakages and intimidating encounters with mentally ill people. Discussions with store owners reveal that many share our concerns. In fact, while we were having one such discussion, a store owner had to stop a gang of shoplifters. To what do you attribute the perceived increase in crime, and what steps do you plant to take to make The Castro and other neighborhoods within District 8 safer for residents and visitors?

7. Most Ellis Act evictions are used to convert rental units to condominiums or single-family homes. They have led to so many long-time, law-abiding San Francisco residents losing their homes. What can be done to help protect these residents, while also keeping the system fair to landlords? 8. There is concern that San Francisco is losing its diversity in all respects: racial, economic, age-related, LGBT and more. What specifically can be done to help improve overall diversity within District 8 and the city as a whole? 9. A large percentage of homeless individuals in San Francisco are LGBT youths, many of whom have escaped places—be they their families, other states or coun-

11. Per the previous question, many chronically mentally ill people and substance abusers are living on the streets of District 8. What can be done to humanely help them, while also keeping the district safe for residents, business owners and visitors? 12. Please mention anything else that you would like our readers to know.

Rafael Mandelman 1. District 8’s neighborhoods are distinct and have different concerns. For example, vacant storefronts are especially vexing concerns in the Castro and Noe Valley, but other issues are higher priorities for folks living in other parts of the District. Still, there are also issues that cut across neighborhoods. Homelessness and mental illness are more apparent in the Castro, but no one living in San Francisco can escape these problems. Similarly, concerns around property crime, traffic congestion and unreliable public transit cut across the District’s neighborhoods. And parents in every neighborhood want to be able to send their children to a great school that is close by. 2. I love our queer community. One of the things that led me to get involved in the SF LGBT Center Board, which I co-chaired for five years, was the Center’s commitment to the idea of a queer community that takes care of each other and leaves no one behind. I had a relatively easy coming-out experience. I had grown up in San Francisco, knew gay teachers at my high school, had seen gay characters in movies and on TV, and I was at the time studying at Yale College, known at the time as the gayest of the Ivies. My friends and family were mostly fine with it (although as my grandmother’s memory failed, I found myself having to come out to her over and over again), but all in all, going gay was pretty darned easy for me. I have always been profoundly aware, however, that my path out of the closet was only so easy for me because so many people—in San Francisco, at Yale, throughout the world—had suffered and struggled and sometimes died to clear a path for young queer kids like me. My deep appreciation of the many ways in which I have benef itted from others’ work and struggles makes me feel a deep sense of obligation to in turn “pay it forward” in our LGBT community and in our broader community. 3. I am proud of my nearly two-decadelong history of engagement around issues and causes that matter to District 8 residents. As President of the City College Board, I fought to keep the College open, while at the same time working tirelessly to fix the administrative and financial problems that had made the school vulnerable. Today, City College is open, accredited for seven years and free for all San Franciscans. As Co-Chair of the SF LGBT Center’s Board, I worked with the Center Board, staff and supporters to set the Center on a path of fiscal stability for the foreseeable future through a remodel of the building that added approximately ten thousand square feet of badly needed non-profit office space. Over the last two decades,

I have served our city and our community as a Democratic Party activist and longtime member of our Democratic County Central Committee, member of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Commissioner on the San Francisco Board of Appeals, and Board President of Livable City. Professionally, I have worked for seventeen years as a lawyer for local governments and affordable housing developers around the Bay Area, revitalizing neighborhoods and building much-needed housing. The challenges facing our City are significant, but so are the opportunities, and I believe my track record of working on issues of neighborhood livability, housing and homelessness, transportation and public education make me uniquely qualified to help restore San Francisco’s reputation as “the City that knows how.” 4. The wave of natural disasters experienced across the globe this year has been absolutely heart-breaking. Many of us have friends or family who were directly impacted by the North Bay fires or other of these horrific events, and we all know that San Francisco’s day is coming. I remember the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989, and we know that it is only a matter of time before a far worse earthquake strikes. The Board of Supervisors can play an important oversight role in ensuring that the City is prepared to respond effectively when a disaster strikes. News stories from earlier this year, about poor communication among city agencies during April’s PG&E power outage and the City’s failure to establish cooling stations during the record-breaking Labor Day heat wave, suggest that we have some work to do on that front. Of course, a critical part of any emergency response will come from neighbors, and in that regard, I believe District 8 is in good shape. The District is blessed to have extraordinarily engaged official and unofficial neighborhood organizations; many of our residents have had Neighborhood Emergency Response Team program training (and more of us should); and events like our ubiquitous street fairs and block parties provide an opportunity to build community and meet each other in good times that may prove life-saving and essential in the inevitable event of a natural or manmade disaster. 5. I agree with Cleve. Too many LGBT seniors live in fear of eviction and too many LGBT youth come to San Francisco seeking refuge, only to find themselves living on the streets. I believe we can and must increase the City’s housing supply for all income levels, but I believe

we need to dramatically increase the City’s production of affordable housing for middle and lower income folks. I have worked for nearly two decades on creating housing, and especially affordable housing, in communities around the Bay Area, and will bring that real-world, practical experience to the policy debates at City Hall. Building affordable housing is not easy, but the elements are pretty simple: it’s really all about land and dollars. We need to identify as many potential sites as possible that the City or another public agency already owns or could acquire for affordable housing, and we need to identify more revenue to use for land acquisition and construction costs. I have worked on multiple housing bond campaigns over the years and will continue to advocate for the City to find more money in its $10 billion budget for affordable housing development, as well, of course, as maximally leveraging State, Federal and private funding. 6. When Openhouse and Mercy Housing complete their work at 55 Laguna, they will have created 110 units of LGBT-friendly affordable senior housing with a 40% neighborhood preference. It is a terrific development, but the reality is that we need a dozen more such developments to begin to meet the need. Happily, Openhouse has shown us a model, but now we need to take that model to scale, and as Supervisor for District 8, I will work tirelessly to find the land and funding to build the permanently affordable housing seniors, people with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable folks in our community need to survive in San Francisco. 7. District 8 saw 262 Ellis Act evictions between 2007 and 2016. That’s in addition to the 331 owner move-in evictions in District 8 during the same period. When a tenant who has lived in a rentcontrolled apartment for decades is evicted, we all know the odds are slim of that tenant finding another unit in San Francisco he or she can afford. The displacement of these long-term residents from the neighborhoods they helped re-create and re-vital-

ize is among the saddest and most troubling realities of contemporary San Francisco. I support, and have worked for, reform of the Ellis Act to prevent its use by speculators looking to make a quick return by f lipping and converting rental housing units. I also support local efforts to protect tenants at risk of eviction, such as the City’s small sites acquisition program, which acquires rental buildings that are going on the market and are at high risk of conversion. However, I would be interested in looking at more cost-efficient ways to incentivize property owners to maintain the affordability of units over time. For example, I would like to see the City explore the potential acquisition of covenants over units occupied by long-term tenants to ensure the continued affordability of those units. I also would like to see the City start more strategically funding the acquisition of buildings that are not currently on the market, but have a high proportion of long-term tenants and may be at risk of conversion in the future. 8. Housing unaffordability is the greatest threat to diversity in District 8, the city and indeed the region. As I have said, we need to build more housing affordable to folks at all income levels. But we also need to ensure that all San Franciscans are in a position to benefit from the economic opportunities being created in our midst. That’s why I want to see the City work with the Unified School District to ensure that every public school in San Francisco is a great school, and it’s why I am so proud of my work to save City College and make it free for San Francisco residents. As a Supervisor, I will continue to work with the School District, the College, great non-profits like JVS (which works with unemployed people to help them find them meaningful and sustaining work) and our local employers to ensure that the incredible economic opportunities being created in our city and our region reach the greatest number of our people.

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able to low, middle and moderate-income families. To provide more family friendly housing, 40 percent of the total units in the building must be two bedrooms or larger (with an additional option of providing 50% of all bedrooms in the project in units with 2 or more bedrooms). In return, density bonuses and zoning modifications are provided, adding more affordable units. San Francisco’s Planning Department projects HOME-SF could result in up to 5,000 new affordable units over the next 20 years.

9. San Francisco has earned a reputation as a city of refuge for LGBT people, but, as we have discussed, the reality of the housing crisis means that too many LGBT youth arrive here to find a much harder and less welcoming place than their forebears in decades past. We are lucky to have a set of amazing non-profits working with this population, from Larkin Street to LYRIC to the LGBT Community Center, but we need to do much much more to create pathways off the streets for youth.

I also support housing development in the City’s pipeline that will add thousands of units at Pier 70, Mission Rock and right on Market Street where the Plumbers’ union hall current sits next to an underused parking lot. Mayor Lee’s Executive Directive to build at least 5,000 units per year and accelerate bringing these units to market is a great first step and I wholeheartedly support that approach. 6. San Francisco remains one of the best regions in the world for high-quality healthcare, with innovative research, world class hospitals and talented doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. We must ensure people with HIV/ AIDS can benefit from these services by using funding from the federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program and bringing more local resources to bear for housing specifically dedicated to people with HIV. HIV-specific housing subsidies also help and I supported budget add-backs last summer specifically for seniors and people with disabilities. Our fantastic AIDS Legal Referral Panel, under the leadership of Bill Hirsh, is keeping people in their homes by successfully fighting illegal evictions. I will always be committed to looking out for the HIV/AIDS community—and that has been the cause of my life. 7. My office works every day to address individual cases and we are working on a couple right now. Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymembers David Chiu and Phil Ting are working at the state level since the Ellis Act is a state law that cannot be overturned by the City. Most, if not all, of the Board is actively seeking ways to address this. However, perhaps more significant are OMI evictions, which I addressed a bit in an earlier response. With new legislation that has strong enforcement mechanisms, we are trying to stem the tide of OMI evictions. 8. We are working with the Human Rights Commission to convene a community meeting to address issues of racial and socio-economic diversity in District 8 and welcome ideas from the community. More affordable housing is essential for addressing economic diversity and I am supporting efforts to increase specifically targeted housing for seniors and [housing for] people with disabilities is also needed. 9. Youth homelessness is one of my top priorities considering that one in five people in the City is a young person and of that population, half identify as LGBTQ and 13% are HIV positive, yet this population was receiving only 7% of homelessness funding. I held a hearing on youth homelessness, declared 2017 the year of Transitional Age Youth and worked with the Mayor to include a $1.54 proposal for young people in last year’s budget. The proposal allocated $289,000 for the San Francisco LGBT Center to extend its drop-in hours to six days a week and provide meals 5 days a week. An additional $350,000 would be put toward funding a new outreach coordinator at Larkin Street Youth Services, which works with homeless youth. And $906,000 goes to housing subsidies for young adults. More needs to be done. I support additional supportive housing for youth in D8 and have had discussions with Tipping Point. I support a navigation center for youth in D8 and have made it clear I would welcome it to D8. I believe we need a robust system that includes multiple types of housing and educational, vocational, employment and health program[s] that address this internal refugee problem. 10. Multiple factors drive the increase in crime. One is what you mention, people in acute states of behavioral health distress, which can include severe, chronic mental illness and substance use, especially crystal meth. One need is for additional behavioral health beds, which are coming online. We also need more cooperation from the conservator and judges in assisting those with severe chronic mental illness to stay on their medications. The increase in property crime is real, not perceived. Part of it is driven by reduced penalties for property crime. Part of it is due to the fact that SFPD receives 5–6,000 homelessness related calls a month. That diverts a significant amount of resources from a department that I believe needs more officers. The increased foot patrols, including patrols in the Castro and Dolores Park, are reducing car break-ins where they have been introduced. I was the only member of the Finance Committee to ask for more officers during last summer’s budget negotiations. More officers on the street will decrease property crime. In addition, Chief Scott is providing additional support by establishing the Strategic Operations Section, which will investigate and prevent property crime. This section will include centralized investigators who will share crime information with the District Attorney to enhance prosecutions and also place investigators in stations to specialize in neighborhood crime issues. A specific focus will be on known repeat offenders. I support the Adult Probation Department in their pilot to intensely monitor repeat offenders out on probation. This program is so far trending positively in reducing incidents of re-offending. I also strongly support community organizing via neighborhood watches (SF SAFE groups) to enhance prevention. I have worked with several SF SAFE groups in District 8 and I included an SFPD community liaison position to work with SAFE groups and help establish new ones and also coordinate with SFPD. 11. Working with Department of Public Health Director Barbara Garcia, I supported the City’s budget, approved last summer, which increased mental health and substance use beds by providing funds for the Hummingbird Navigation Center at San Francisco General and to lease and staff a floor at St. Mary’s Hospital with approximately 55 beds. While this increase in capacity is a good first step, I support more funding until we can show we have the ability to provide the needed services. I also support the DPH/SFPD LEAD (law enforcement assisted diversion) pilot program. This program has just started and is based on a successful program in Seattle. It offers users at risk for arrest the opportunity to choose treatment instead. I also support safe injection programs. This should be coming before myself and my colleagues in the coming months. A well-run program as envisioned by SFDPH envisions comprehensive services being delivered that will include linkages to housing; treatment programs; opioid substitution programs using methadone, buprenorphine and naloxone; Hepatitis C and HIV treatment and other needed healthcare. http://jeffsheehy.org/

Rafael Mandelman

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We need to move forward with the creation of a Navigation Center specifically focused on moving youth out of homelessness, and we need to work with non-profits like Larkin Street to create more long-term housing for formerly homeless youth. Next month, I will be introducing a resolution at the City College Board of Trustees directing our administration to explore options for the creation of housing for our homeless and at-risk students, and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I will continue to be a strong champion for this cause. 10. The Castro is a neighborhood in need of some serious love and attention. I have been spending time in the Castro since I was in College, and I share the sense that all is not well in the neighborhood. Mentally ill and drug addicted folks are being left to rot on our sidewalks, petty property crime is on the rise, and I am hearing too frequently about friends and acquaintances getting assaulted. Better policing is only part of the solution, but it is an essential part. Although groups like Castro Community on Patrol do great work, we need actual police officers walking a beat in the neighborhood, and I am pleased that the new police chief has expressed a commitment to increasing neighborhood foot patrols. We also need the police to prioritize investigation of property crimes, and again I am pleased that the new police chief, with some prodding from the Board of Supervisors and outraged neighbors, is committing more resources to that effort. Part of improving safety also involves getting mentally ill and drug addicted folks into the care they need (more on that below), which will free up our police to do more of the traditional police work we expect them to do. 11. My mother struggled with mental illness for much of her life and was homeless when I was younger, so addressing homelessness and mental illness are personal and particular priorities for me. We do not currently have the facilities we need to compassionately care for the mentally ill, so instead we do something much more expensive over the long term: we just leave them to cycle from street to hospital to jail and back again. We need many more psychiatric beds at SF General and elsewhere for folks in immediate crisis, and we need to establish longer term facilities for folks who may be stabilized, but will not remain stable if released to fend for themselves. We need to significantly beef up our public guardian office so that we can pursue conservatorships over folks who cannot care for themselves, and I believe San Francisco needs to initiate a conversation among doctors, lawyers and civil libertarians about changing the State law standards for involuntary commitment to allow us to more easily get folks into care who clearly cannot care for themselves, but may not meet current standards for a 5150 hold or a conservatorship. 12. One of the few things I regret about running for Supervisor is that the demands of the campaign have required me to step back from regularly writing for the paper, but it is a treat to be back for this issue at least. My great thanks to the publishers, staff and contributors for the labor of love that is this publication and the opportunities it has afforded me to communicate with our community over the years. http://www.rafaelmandelman.com/

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN DAVILA

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN DAVILA

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Our Town SF Nonprofit Expo 2017 The second annual Our Town SF Non-Profit Expo, held on Saturday, October 14, attracted hundreds of participants from throughout the Bay Area along with non-profit representatives, volunteers and entertainers. Congratulations to Paul Margolis and the Our Town SF team on another great event that is sure to grow every year!

Openhouse Groundbreaking and Naming Ceremony

Photos by Paul Margolis

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL KERNER

On Tuesday, October 17, a special groundbreaking event was held at 95 Laguna Street to announce that construction has begun on the new building to be named, in honor of the organization’s co-founders, the Marcy Adelman and Jeanette Gurevitch Openhouse Community. Among those handling the ceremonial shovels were Assemblyman Scott Wiener; Greg Morgan, Wells Fargo; Doug Shoemaker, Mercy Housing; Hon. Mark Leno; Dr. Marcy Adelman; Karyn Skultety, Openhouse; Scott Smith, James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corp (construction contractors); Stan Watson, Openhouse Board of Directors; and Bruce Prescott, Santos Prescott and Associates (architects).

San Francisco’s LGBT Welcoming Senior Housing and A Longevity Center house Community in recognition of our visioning and founding of the organization. At the groundbreaking event on October 17, I spoke about Jeanette, my late partner who died in 2003. I knew there would be few people at the event who would have known or met her. I wanted to share Jeanette with everyone there, to bring her alive in our hearts and minds.

Aging in Community Dr. Marcy Adelman Construction has begun adjacent to the Openhouse Community at 55 Laguna on what will be the center of the Openhouse hub of LGBT welcoming affordable senior housing and community services. The new Openhouse building at 95 Laguna will be home to 79 apartments and an activity center of 7000 square feet welcoming to San Francisco's LGBT older adults and people living with disabilities. The new activity center will be used for senior and inter-generational events and a wide array of what I call longevity enhancing classes and activities that will enhance health and wellness and facilitate engagement in community. I am both humbled and honored that the Openhouse board and staff and project partner Mercy Housing have named 95 Laguna the Marcy Adelman and Jeanette Gurevitch Open-

I said, “Jeanette was a woman of extraordinary spirit, boundless energy and irrepressible humor. She was a psychotherapist in private practice. A trained social worker who understood how to effect change on both an individual and organizational level. She had a lifelong commitment to social justice issues and social change. In the 1960s she was a member of the radical psychology movement.” “Jeanette’s contribution to Openhouse spanned every facet of the organization. Together we wrote grants, advocated at City Hall, at affordable housing conferences, in the community, [and we] worked closely with the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, with housing developers and senior housing and senior service providers. To everything Jeanette did she brought her spirit and her humor.” “Jeanette was a natural extrovert. I mean when you saw her, and you were about to greet each other, you knew she was going to greet you with a hug. But not just any hug. No, not just any hug at all. You would set yourself to receive her, plant your feet and then there it was, that huge hug, an embrace of genuine warmth and joy that

brought a most beautiful smile to your face. That was Jeanette.” When the housing and activity center are completed in the fall of 2018, it will be a new beginning for Openhouse and San Francisco’s LGBT community. Today there are four generations of out and aging LGBT people: the silent generation, the boomers, generation X and the millennials. We are better together—stronger, wiser and more innovative. Together, we can better support and take care of each other. But this multi-generational experience is so new that we will need to learn how to work together and how to build community together. The richness of the experience is such that each one of us, whatever age we are at, at any one time and in any one relationship, can be mentor, teacher, student, caregiver and care receiver. The beauty of longevity, as well as of healthy, purposeful aging all along the lifecycle, is the interconnectedness that it brings. Together, we will co-create a dazzling new future. Marcy Adelman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in private practice, is co-founder of the non-profit organization Openhouse. She is also a leading advocate and educator in LGBT affirming dementia care and a member of the Advisory Council to the Aging and Adult Services Commission.

Openhouse Groundbreaking and Naming Ceremony (more photos!)

Photos by Paul Margolis

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Honoring Harvey Milk Flag flying on the pole along Market Street; that curve was the area he chose for the new art pieces.

He looked at the façade of the existing building and noticed the missing tooth in the cornice where the former Bank of America sign used to be. He determined that it is large enough for what he called a new “permanent message of community hope,” which will act as a “neighborhood greeting” for locals and tourists alike. This message will draw attention back to Harvey Milk himself and will be a way to honor one of the most important civil rights heroes to come out of not only San Francisco or California, but also of the nation itself. Davis studied Harvey Milk’s writings and multiple pieces written about Milk. After all of that research, five words resonated with Davis: “Hope will never be silent.”

Patrick Carney Two new art pieces are coming to Harvey Milk Plaza on November 8, which is the 40th anniversary of the election of Harvey Milk as California’s first openly gay elected official: Harvey’s Halo will raise a colorful beacon of equality into the sky; Hope Will Never Be Silent will be a permanent display in neon, offering a welcoming message to The Castro at Harvey Milk Plaza. The visionary behind the two illuminated art pieces is Ben Davis, founder of Illuminate. Illuminate is a small, but mighty, non-profit organization behind The Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge, the Summer of Love lighting on the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, and other wondrous light installations. Illuminate operates with a deep love and commitment to San Francisco and its history. According to their Mission Statement, Illuminate rallies large groups of people together to create impossible works of public art that, through awe, free humanity’s better nature: “Through public art, we reaffirm our commitment to equality for all.” Davis has lived in San Francisco for 25 years, but had only experienced Harvey Milk Plaza in passing when he was approached by the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza to create a display within the context of the plaza’s upcoming redo. He quickly observed that the plaza is not an inspiring place to honor one of our important historical figures. He understands that there is a competition in progress to redesign the space, but he was surprised that the plaza is merely a transit station where a few plaques were added later mentioning Harvey Milk and outlining his story. “The plaza is not up to the measure of the man,” according to Davis. “The challenge of Harvey Milk Plaza isn’t just a redesign. It needs a re-imagination and rebuilding that honors Harvey Milk. We must set our sights higher in this important neighborhood and on this important corner.”

Hope Will Never Be Silent Davis was honored to be asked by Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza to help bring some art and pizazz to the plaza until the redesign competition is completed, funded and finally constructed—which could be years. He studied the plaza and the larger area around it. The energy that kept coming to him was located at the small upper portion of Harvey Milk Plaza and the curve of the historic commercial building (former Bank of America). There are five small flags along the curve of the parapet juxtaposed to the large Gilbert Baker Rainbow

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After selecting the phrase, Davis personally liked the idea of neon to convey Milk’s important and simple message, because it was used for middle-American messaging for generations. Neon was very common in the era of Milk. It is a material of the masses, plus he said, “Neon is made of glass, it is vulnerable, [and] it reminds me of the man.” When asked why he chose white as the color for the neon Milkquote, Davis responded that the understated nature of white allows Milk’s words to stand out. He wanted to emphasize Milk’s “somber, steady and enduring message,” he added. The medium therefore will remain neutral, so it won’t compete or distract from the message itself. “It is to remain in its own universe,” Davis said. “Harvey’s simple message must be what people take in and remember. The nearby large rainbow flag is beautiful and certainly colorful, but an unflinching steadiness for Harvey’s words is needed to reflect the clarity of his message. The white neon will allow Milk’s words to remain prominent.” Andrea Aiello of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza remarked: “Personally, the first time I saw the concept for the white neon quote, ‘Hope Will Never Be Silent,’ it took my breath away. I literally gasped. The simplicity and the pure message of Harvey’s was stunning.” Through a friend, Davis was put in contact with a neon signage expert named Bill Concannon of Aargon Neon located in Crocket, CA. By chance, Concannon was in Milk’s camera store in 1975 and met him there. Ironically, years later when the movie Milk was being filmed in San Francisco, the producers approached Concannon to recreate neon signage of the 1970s on Castro, so the street would look how it appeared when Milk was politically on the rise. A coincidental historic link therefore exists between Concannon, Milk, and the Castro neighborhood; a connection that will be further strengthened when Concannon’s neon implementation of Davis’ and Illuminate’s “message from Harvey” is unveiled on November 8. Neon maker Concannon’s website explains: “Neon signs transform and decorate buildings, and form our image of the urban night. But what does all this have to do with art? Actually quite a bit. From the 19th century beginnings of gas discharge tubing known as Geissler tubes, ‘neon-like’ tubes have been used to depict images and text. Light has long been used by artists to graphically depict the metaphysical. As Lili Lakich observes, ‘Neon makes the metaphor real.’ The neon tubes found in signs are the last hand-made electric lights in common usage, and almost all neon tubes are made to human scale; all but a very few are made by hand and all have a maximum overall dimension of no more than 8’ in length and weigh no more than two pounds. This is true even on huge Las Vegas displays. The author Tom Wolfe in his article about neon signs in Las Vegas observed that neon signs were a 20th century form of folk art.” Aiello knew the building’s landlord and introduced the owner to Davis. The landlord liked the idea. SoulCycle, the tenant in the building, also joined with enthusiastic support. Davis remarked: “Everyone came together for this project: the building owner, the building’s tenant, and the neon maker.” Aiello predicts that “Harvey’s message on the building will become a beacon for all those who come to the Castro searching for strength, freedom and equality.” Davis believes that Harvey’s memory fills us with joy and sorrow. He explained that this is because of “the joy of his 1977 election on November 8 and the sorrow of his tragic 1978 assassination a little over a year later on November 27.” Rather than dedicate this important artwork on the anniversary of Milk’s death, the date of November 8 was selected as a time to reflect on the “ joy” of Milk. Davis said, “On November 8, let us honor Harvey Milk with our joy, [and] our reaffirmation to the values for which he dedicated his life. Sorrow will know where to find us on November 27. On the evening of November 8, let us fill the Castro and the sky with the truest, most beautiful and loving story of who we are.”

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The November 8 dedication ceremony will include several prominent speakers and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing. It will be a community event. According to Davis, the new art pieces are meant “to shine the spotlight on love, unity and equality.” The neon message Hope Will Never Be Silent will be a permanent greeting to the larger community right next to Gilbert Baker’s giant Rainbow Flag. November 8 is a double anniversary: the 40th anniversary of the election of Harvey Milk and the 20th anniversary of the installation of Gilbert’s jumbo Rainbow Flag and flagpole.

Harvey’s Halo Davis said that “the Halo of colored lights above the Milk neon quote is a beacon to remember the joy brought about by Harvey’s vision.” If atmospheric conditions are right, it will rise into the night sky and should be visible as far as the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street. Regarding the word halo, Davis was asked what its connotations are. “It is intentionally honorific, suggesting sainthood and the acknowledgment of hallowed ground,” he replied. “This place is a mecca to millions after all. People’s personal journey of self-discovery leads them here from all over the world. To hoist a halo over Harvey Milk feels appropriate in this context.” Some might find the word halo to be controversial. Davis, however, quoting Oscar Wilde said that “an idea that is not dangerous or controversial is unworthy of being called an idea at all.” Davis reminded that Milk came from New York to San Francisco to live his true self. He rose to prominence along Castro Street and gave some of his important bullhorn speeches right at what is now Harvey Milk Plaza, so this is indeed hallowed ground! Harvey’s Halo will include 15 vertical light bands matching the colors used by Baker in his iconic Rainbow Flag. Davis came up with the number working with the architectural vocabulary of the building’s curve. Harvey’s Halo for now is to be a temporary display for seven nights spread over two weekends after its initial debut November 8. Perhaps in the future it will become permanent.

Interactive Poster of Harvey Milk In addition to the two art pieces, Illuminate worked with the Haight Street Art Center and artist John Mavroudis to create a beautiful, clever, intricate and educational poster. The interactive poster is an invitation for the public to learn about our history. Davis said, “We honor Harvey Milk’s memory by honoring the lives of over 140 other historic and contemporary LGBTQ activists.” A link to the poster can be found on the IIluminate.org website and honors not just Milk, but also the entire LGBTQ community worldwide. The facial image of Milk on the poster is made up of tiny colored names of activists that form the contours and features of Milk’s face and clothing.

The Rage Within After a discussion of many of Davis’ and Illuminate’s beautiful works, he was asked why a straight man has such passion for this project and so many other LGBTQ issues. “I’m known as a promoter of peace and love,” he said, “but some fundamental part of me burns with rage. Injustice boils my blood. In those moments, I strive to stay calm, look within and find the love in my rage.” Davis grew up in a diverse neighborhood of Boston. He started high school in 1974, the first year of “forced busing” when Boston’s racism flared. “Violence, intolerance, ignorance, hatred, and fear filled our

PHOTO BY RINK

Honor Harvey Milk: 40th Anniversary Celebration November 8 6:00 pm–7:00 pm At the corner of Market & Castro Streets Planned Program

(in planned order of appearance):

DJ Jacatak as attendees arrive Kate Kendell and Gregg Cassin Anne Kronenberg, Allan Baird, Danny Nicoletta and Gwenn Craig Tom Ammiano Lighting of Harvey’s Halo and a performance by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus daily lives. Empathy for ‘the other’ is easy to come by when it’s your best friends who are ‘the others’ and they are under verbal and physical attack.” Later, Davis—who says he has always been attracted to the innate beauty of marginalized people—developed many gay friendships, and then watched in horror as HIV/AIDS started claiming lives and once again unleashed gross social prejudices. “An injustice against one is an injustice against all,” he said. “How we look and whom we love should not be the determinant of opportunity in our lives.” Davis takes his role in the plaza upgrade seriously. He said, “This plaza redesign is an opportunity bordering on responsibility to put our best foot forward; finding the love in our rage.” Illuminate’s highly aspirational mission of changing humanity’s future for the better via public art is a reflection of the organization’s core belief. Davis said, “The art is designed to honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk through light’s power of attraction.” He added that “passion” and “community” set the tone. “We are going deep on this project; out of love for the city of San Francisco and Harvey Milk,” he continued. “We have

a true sense of commitment of passion and community; otherwise it is just a light show!” According to Davis, “1977 was tumultuous, moving and welcoming to Harvey Milk,” who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that historic year. His election’s 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony and art illumination dedication on November 8 are a re-affirmation to California’s commitment to equality. It is intended to be a one-day holiday from the “T-word”— Trump—and a renewed call to live our lives as our true selves as Milk urged us to do. Davis said that “the antidote for the current chaos and division in our nation is living our true lives.” As Davis read The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts, he was amazed by the part about how quickly things changed in 1933 Berlin. Davis said, thinking of that history: “We have to continue to take charge and control of our lives.” Times and circumstances can indeed change quickly. According to Aiello, “The goal of this [November 8] event is to honor Harvey Milk and his vision for equality and hope. The art amplifies this and is meant to further

inspire the community.” She added, “We are awed by the art Ben Davis and Illuminate have created.”

Dedication of Harvey’s Halo and the Neon Quote ‘Hope Will Never Be Silent’ November 8 at 6pm @ Harvey Milk Plaza #HonorHarveyMilk

To Donate Non-prof it Illuminate.org and Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza invite you to honor Harvey Milk’s life and legacy by helping fund the cost of installing the artwork. More than half of the $60K has been raised so far. https://www.youcaring.com/illuminatefriendsofharveymilkplaza-962369 Patrick Carney is a Co-Founder of The Friends of the Pink Triangle. The group, with the help of many dedicated volunteers, constructs a gigantic pink triangle on Twin Peaks each year during the last weekend in June. Carney, who worked on the restoration of San Francisco City Hall, was appointed to the City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission in 2013.

Tribute to Gilbert Baker by Supervisor Jeff Sheehy Jan Mirikitani and Ramona Webb to present a poem/Spoken Word performance Harvey Milk speech remix Ben Davis to unveil Hope Will Never Be Silent in neon San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus DJ Jacatak to close the event

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NOVEM BER 2, 2017

Tez Anderson Kicks ASS Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 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

Examined Life 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 100% LGBT funded and owned newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco. Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors

Beth Greene Abby Zimberg

Design & Production

Kate Laws

Business Manager

Blake Dillon Calendar Editor

Tom Moon, MFT When Tez Anderson learned that he was HIV-positive in 1986, the doctor told him that he could expect to live for about two more years. He lost any sense of a future orientation, and fell into a deep depression. He continued to survive beyond his predicted deadline, but in the absence of any effective treatments at the time that might have given him hope, he came to see himself as someone who had very little time to live. He told people that he was a person living with AIDS, but in his heart, he experienced himself as someone who was dying of it.

Over the years he saw a number of competent therapists who treated individual symptoms—the loss of ability to enjoy life, social isolation, emotional numbness, and so on—but both they and he missed the big picture: how the history of surviving a unique epidemic was causing the turmoil in his life. It was only gradually, through his own self-exploration, and after half a lifetime of living with HIV, that he began to understand that bigger picture and to develop a conceptual framework to describe it. He called what he was discovering AIDS Survivor Syndrome, or ASS for short. In 2013, he went public with what he had realized by organizing the first West Coast town hall by, for, and about long-term survivors of HIV. He expected that about thirty people would show up, but the event was packed with over two hundred, confirming that he was on to something that described the experience of many. AIDS Survivor Syndrome is a spectrum of sustained trauma survivorship resulting from living through the pandemic. The most vulnerable seem to be those who became HIV-positive in the 1980s and 90s, when the

diagnosis was considered terminal. But since ASS describes both those who are infected and those who are affected, many other people, including many HIV negative gay men and heterosexual women, find their own experiences described and ref lected in the description of the syndrome. What distinguishes ASS from the more commonly known and related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the ongoing accumulation of repeated and sustained trauma through decades of the epidemic. It also includes other numerous unique challenges to survival, often including persistent behavioral health issues such as substance abuse, inadequate social supports, barriers to accessing community-based services, and truncated opportunities for employment and participation in society that result in insufficient financial resources and poor quality of life. Other common symptoms include chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, irritability, insomnia, suicidal feelings, self-destructive behavior, and chronic low self-esteem. Anderson is the founder of Let’s Kick ASS, a grassroots organization of HIV long-term survivors focused on empowering other survivors to reclaim their lives, end isolation, and

envision a future for themselves. They are powerful advocates for changing the mindset of such individuals from merely surviving to thriving in meaningful, productive, independent and connected lives. Based in San Francisco, they are rapidly expanding and now have chapters in Portland, Oregon; Palm Springs, California; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C. They can be reached at LetsKickAss.hiv The reality of ASS is now being conf irmed by empirical research. On November 3, Ron Stall, Ph.D. (Associate Chair for Science in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh), will present his findings on the subject in San Francisco at a provider and community town hall entitled Research on the AIDS Survivor Syndrome: New Data from The Multi-Center AIDS Cohort Study and Voices of Survivors Themselves. If you would like to attend, you can RSVP at http://bit.ly/ ASSStudyEvent Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please visit his website http:// tommoon.net/

Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director Carla Ramos Web Coordinator 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, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Bill Lipsky, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Thom Watson, Michele Karlsberg Lyndsey Schlax, Elisa Quinzi, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Wendy Ross, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Tom Temprano, Lou Fischer, Karin Jaffie Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards are available online at sfbaytimes.com or calling: 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Please inquire! The Bay Times reserves the right to reject any advertising at the discretion of the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only. CALENDAR Event listings for consideration to be included in the Bay Times online or print Calendar section should be sent by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com.

In Memoriam Stephen Parr of Oddball Films Captured San Francisco’s Free and Quirky Spirit Tributes for legendary producer and archivist Stephen Parr, the Director of Oddball Films, continue to pour in after his passing late last month. As fellow producer Marc Huestis wrote, “His archive at Oddball is a San Francisco treasure, contributing incredible footage to countless docs and features.” The Harvard Film Archive also issued this statement: “RIP the amazing Stephen Parr—film/art programmer & curator & all around amazing soul.” The Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA), Screen Slate, KQED and countless others also mourned his passing, while celebrating his contributions to the Bay Area film community and beyond. Parr described his work in a different way, though. “I’m really in the memory business,” he said in a compelling short documentary called Oddball (https://vimeo.com/175884766). Parr had a long history in presenting and archiving the unusual. In addition to promoting outrageous local theater, he produced and videotaped live performance in the seventies, including everyone from John Cage to The Ramones. In the eighties, he screened his signature pop culture montages in venues across the U.S. and Europe. From Danceteria in New York to the Moscow Cinematheque, Parr’s burlesque dancers and female contortionists gyrated over teeming tornadoes and atomic disasters. Combining his skills as a producer with his ability to procure footage representative of an atmosphere, event or an era, Parr moved into the realm of stock footage. He had an uncanny ability to translate artistic concepts into specific visual images, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of film and media production. His extensive background enabled him to create a fo-

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Some of the biggest names in the media business took notice, as his clients included ABC News, Amazon, the BBC, CBS News, National Geographic and many more. If you take a look at his digitized archive alone, you will see why (https://www.oddballfilms.com/search). Since 1984, he saved footage on everything from mushrooms growing to historic films of the LGBT community dating from the 1960s to the present. His museum-like collection of artifacts also includes enormous old business signs, mannequins, beauty shop chairs and even a human-sized doghouse. As Parr said at the close of Oddball, “We look at things differently. We have a different take on things.” By “we” he meant himself and his colleagues, but our city has a longstanding tradition of challenging the conventional. Parr, a self-described oddball, therefore will be remembered as having been one of the great creative, unique and free spirits of San Francisco. The ongoing legacy of his work will continue to tap into the curious, playful and “odd” natures within all of us.

Memorial for Officer John Fitzinger Photos by Rink

Family, friends, officers and law enforcement allies gathered on October 19 at the Patio Cafe to fondly remember the life of San Francisco Patrol Special Officer John Fitzinger. A memorial service was held and a cake from Officer Fitzinger’s favorite bakery, Dianda’s Italian Baker, was shared. A ceremonial motorcade followed through the streets of the Castro and Noe Valley.

cused, valuable archive of ideas and films, and brought a unique perspective to the realm of stock footage.

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GLBT Fortnight in Review

By Ann Rostow Disgusted

I was just watching Paul Manafort’s lawyer sputtering and posturing in front of TV cameras, a pompous white middle-aged chinless conservative with a surprised look on his fat face—Whaaa? What about the Clinton administration? No collusion! Have another ribeye, buddy. Have another pile of pancakes, another glass of single malt, another cigar, pack another piece of pie into that paunch and tell us what’s what, why dontcha? Odd that the man talked more about Trump than he did about his own client, a greed machine who never thought authorities would bother to unravel his various financial machinations. Tell us, Paulie, how much did you need to make yourself “whole?” Did you get it? Oh, I detest the whole bunch of them with their incompetent heads full of unearned power, the self-dealers, the toadies, the players—as the old metaphor goes—who were born on third and thought they hit a triple. There’s a clip of Trump at some event looking down from the stage and announcing that there are so many winners in the audience, people he knew, people he had hired, people who worked for him, winners all. And we have to assume they are winners by virtue of their bank accounts. Never mind that most of them were given their cash or fell into it, much as Trump himself inherited and borrowed millions from his shady father at a fairly young age. Winners indeed! Winners at what, you might ask? Can you believe these bozos are running our country? Saved by the Judiciary We should be talking about the federal judge who seems to have saved us from Trump’s spur of the moment ban on transgender service members. In a 76-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly totally demolished Trump’s spontaneous late July decision, ruling that Trump had no legitimate rationale for his attack on transgender troops and that his gratuitous trans bashing would not likely survive court scrutiny. The government had not really come up with a defense for the lawsuit, which was brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Advocates and Defenders. Instead, the Justice Department tried to argue that the plaintiffs had nothing to complain about because the Trump policy had yet to go into effect, but the judge wasn’t buying it. In theory, Trump could appeal, but smart lawyers would tell him not to bother. The D.C. appellate court is not about to overturn Judge KollarKotelly. Hey, it’s a victory, but it’s a victory in a war we shouldn’t even be obliged to fight. I suppose it’s the looming one-year anniversary of that dreadful election night that’s making me both mad and depressed, but I can’t shake the mood. I’m pleased that Trump is getting into trouble, but really. This is my country dropping the ball in foreign affairs, my country turning into a world class klutz, my Supreme Court turning to the right, my government scheming to cut Medicare and undermine our nation’s health insurance systems. This is my country being run by a lumbering oaf and a bunch of sycophantic dimwits. I was just reminded of the origami animals on the VOYA commercials, for some reason. Mel and I had a whole argument of sorts about whether the VOYA animals were rabbits or squirrels. I had been sure they were squirrels, but we had the commercial in front of us and they were clearly rabbits, so I had to admit I was wrong.

And then days later I saw another VOYA advertisement with squirrels, so I had been right! And yes, it gave me some satisfaction, but I then had to wonder why VOYA would confuse the television audience by contriving two separate spokes-animals. Wouldn’t it be cleaner to pick one? In the future, will we be seeing kittens or birds? I’ll never keep them straight! Do We Protest Too Much? So, what do you make of Kevin Spacey? Everyone is pissed at him for coming out of the closet in what appears to be an attempt to distract from allegations of sexual harassment. Actor Anthony Rapp revealed that Spacey came on to him at a party over 30 years ago when he, Rapp, was 14 and Spacey was 26. After the other guests had left, Rapp said Spacey lifted him in his arms, put him down on a bed and lay on top of him. Rapp then pushed him off and left the apartment. Spacey said he didn’t remember the incident and apologized to Rapp, using the occasion to announce his gay sexual orientation, at which point the social media universe screamed foul. As for me, I’m waiting to see a pattern before I condemn Mr. Spacey. Many men may have unbecoming episodes in their past. Very few of them have a running tally of victims like Cosby and Weinstein. I’m not excusing a sexual advance on a teenager, but it serves no purpose to throw every aggressive man into the same category. Surely on a scale of one to ten, where one is Ward Cleaver and ten is Bill Cosby, we can find a place for Kevin Spacey somewhere in between. I say this only because Netf lix immediately canceled House of Cards as if Spacey’s offense was on par with the serial offenders. Hey, maybe we’ll soon learn of other Spacey attacks, but until then it seems like an overreaction. Friend Requests October 30 was the deadline for friend of the court briefs in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case now pending before the Supreme Court. I just counted over thirty briefs on our side, although I have to say there are just as many briefs filed on behalf of Colorado baker, Jack Phillips. Phillips, as you probably know, feels that he should be able to ignore Colorado state anti-discrimination law based on his faith and his right to express himself. I think I should be able to ignore traffic regulations based on my constitutionally protected need for speed. Oh, my analogy is pretty close. Jack Phillips is making some ridiculous claims before the justices, including the argument that selling a cake to a gay couple would be tantamount to making a public statement in favor of same-sex marriage. Since speech may not be compelled by the government under the First Amendment, Phillips insists that Colorado cannot force him to sell a wedding cake to two men. Um, except for the small fact that selling someone a cake is not “speech,” and the fact that the cake might wind up at a wedding does not mean that the cake baker is “participating” in said wedding! Handsome civil rights law professor Dale Carpenter joined his colleague Eugene Volokh (from WaPo’s Volokh Conspiracy) in making this point in one of the aforementioned friend of the court briefs. Interestingly, Carpenter took the opposite view in the earlier case of a New Mexico wedding photographer, arguing that a photographer does, in fact, have an expressive right to re(continued on page 22) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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NEWS (continued from page 3) of Emergency, GMHC says the Administration has essentially ensured that no new funding would be available from the federal government for the opioid crisis, and created a possibility that funding could be repurposed and taken away from other health emergencies, including HIV and Hepatitis C. “If the President is truly concerned about the opioid crisis, he should issue a Declaration of Emergency,” said GMHC CEO Kelsey Louie. gmhc.org Folsom Street Events Names Patrick Finger as Executive Director The Folsom Street Events Board of Directors has unanimously approved the promotion of Interim Managing Director, Patrick Finger, to the position of Executive Director. FSE is responsible for the fundraisers during leather fair months. The organization assumed an extensive executive search in late 2016, and early 2017, which led the Board of Directors to the appointment of Finger as Interim Managing Director. The Board says it gave an opportunity to lead the organization, and “he did so with flying colors,” according to many inside and outside of the agency. Edwin Morales, President of the Board of Directors, said, “With over 10 years of experience with the organization, Patrick has proven himself a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable leader, whose dedication and support of not only the community at large, but those without a voice, is unquestionable.” folsomstreetevents.org Plaque to be Installed in Castro Station in Honor of Tom Nolan Openly gay Tom Nolan has spent many years dedicating himself to public service. Now he will be awarded with a plaque from the San Francisco Municipa l Transpor tat ion

LOU FISHER (continued from page 4) Agency. Nolan was one the first openly gay elected officials in the country, and first gay president on a board of supervisors in California (San Mateo County), advocating tirelessly for issues ranging from transportation to the environment to gay rights. In 1994, he became Executive Director of Project Open Hand. In 2016, the American Public Transportation Association announced that one of their most noteworthy honors—Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award—was bestowed upon Nolan, who has been the chairman of the SFMTA Board of Directors for 10 years. Now SFMTA will soon install a plaque in the Castro Street Station to commemorate and honor Nolan’s significant and lasting contributions to public transportation in San Francisco and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. sfmta.com SF Human Rights Commission Seeks New Members for Agency’s LGBT Advisory Committee The San Francisco Human Rights Commission is seeking new members for the Agency’s LGBT Community Advisory Committee, “LGBTAC.” The LGBTAC identifies and addresses the issues and concerns of the LGBT and HIV-affected communities in San Francisco and advises the full Commission on policy recommendations aimed at improving the quality of life for these communities. LGBTAC is looking for members who are active in the community and who possess demonstrated experience and knowledge in subject matter areas dealing with racism, youth issues, aging, AIDS/HIV, anti-bullying and anti-violence, civil rights, class, disability, women’s rights, gender identity, bisexual visibility, faithbased advocacy, education, intersex and health issues. sf-hrc.org

social media (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @alicelgbtdems) and kept the Alice website updated (visit us at www.alicebtoklas.org). More importantly, he trained his team so that Alice will have consistency and continuity for years to come. David Fujimoto, Emeritus Member of the Year Alice has a vibrant and active Emeritus program composed of Board Members who have made extraordinary contributions to the Club for at least 7 years. Generally, “Em Board” members act in an advisory capacity and do not take on major timeconsuming roles. David Fujimoto, a former “Volunteer of the Year” recipient, did the exact opposite. He led the Policy Committee in drafting and ratifying a comprehensive policy platform, and mentored new leaders that will serve Alice well into the future. In addition to the unsung “citizen” awards, Alice bestowed the following awards on 2 San Francisco elected officials: Supervisor Katy Tang, Legislator of the Year One of the 4 policy planks ratified by Alice this year is pursuit of a balanced approach to safe, stable, and affordable housing. For her work on the recent HomeSF legislation to efficiently increase its stock of affordable housing and make the city more affordable for working families, we awarded Supervisor Katy Tang the “Legislator of the Year” award. We look forward to working with Supervisor Tang on other important pieces of legislation. Senator Mark Leno, Robert Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award For the readers of the San Francisco Bay Times, Senator Leno does not need much of an introduction. Al-

fuse a gay wedding gig. I’m not sure I agree, although I do think a wedding singer can decline to perform at a wedding he or she does not support. But then again, many civil rights laws exclude individual actors and freelancers, don’t they? So, unless you’re working for an agency, your professional assignments are up to you regardless of anti-discrimination law.

Catholic Tastes Oh, and what the Hell is wrong with John Kelly? I’m not sure why I thought he might be sort of okay, a thoughtful check on presidential craziness. But the man is straight out of the 19th Century. First, his rambling talk about a time when “women were sacred.” Then, the attack on Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. After that, his inability to apologize to Wilson after telling an anecdote that was completely disproven by video evidence. And now he’s telling the press that the Civil War had good people on both sides and resulted from an inability to compromise. Say what? This is sick stuff. I don’t know how else to put it. The guy is a dinosaur. He also had high praise for Robert E. Lee. Really? What next? Slavery was not all bad? Some of the slaves had a pretty good life? Anyway, I’m not sure why I had a vaguely positive impression of this guy, but I’m sure over it now. Meanwhile, some Catholic mucky muck in Madison, Wisconsin, has just issued guidelines for how to handle a funeral service for someone in a homosexual or “notorious” relationship. Among the considerations: “Was the deceased or the ‘partner’ a promoter of the ‘gay’ lifestyle? What is the attitude of the deceased’s family members, especially towards the

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Congratulations to all award winners and thank you for your service! Upcoming District 8 Candidate Debate, Sponsored by Alice and Milk The Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club are proud to be co-sponsoring the first District 8 debate between Supervisor Jeff Sheehy and City College Trustee Rafael Mandelman. Both candidates have a long history with the San Francisco LGBT community and each has served as Board Member or President of Alice or Milk. The debate will be moderated by Marisa Lagos, the state political reporter for KQED. The event is free to attend. Date: Monday, November 13, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm Location: Rainbow Room, SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco See pages 12–14 of this issue for a Q&A with these two candidates. We hope to see you at the debate! Louise “Lou” Fischer is the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and has served as an appointed and elected Delegate for the State Democratic Party. She is a San Francisco Commissioner and has served in leadership positions in multiple nonprofit and community based organizations.

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The justices will hear oral arguments December 5 and we’re still waiting to see if the Court will accept any of the other gay-related petitions on their conference sheet.

ice honored his lifetime of commitment and many years of public service to the LGBT community and all residents of San Francisco in his roles as Supervisor, Assemblymember and State Senator. He has been a tireless advocate for combating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for all of his constituents.

Church? Did the deceased give some signs of repentance before death?” To “minimize scandal,” the directive continues, “should there merely be a short scripture service at the funeral home? Or maybe merely a graveside service? Maybe a later ‘Mass for the Dead’ with or without explicit mention of the name of the deceased or ‘partner’ could alternatively or in addition be offered at the parish or even at another parish (to avoid scandal), with or without family members present.” Finally, “any surviving ‘partner’ should not have any public or prominent role at any ecclesiastical funeral rite or service,” and “there should be no mention of the ‘partner’ either by name or by other reference (nor reference to the unnatural union) in any liturgical booklet, prayer card, homily, sermon, talk by the priest, deacon, etc.” The cruel presentation came compliments of the Vicar General of the diocese, one James Bartylla. Thanks for that, James. You dog! I see that I have harsh words for everyone in my orbit this afternoon, save Kevin Spacey, for whatever reason. I did a search for something else, by the way, and stumbled on another dozen Bad Spacey headlines—a shot of peer pressure that almost made me rethink my generous position. I’m just not in a good mood, folks. You know what I’d like? A little laudanum. I want a blue glass bottle of it on my bedside table, and I’d like a big tablespoon sitting next to it. Then I could get under the covers and drift away, far from Trump and Kelly and Manafort and Manafort’s lawyer. Free Hillary Australians must fill out their nonbinding marriage equality postal ballots by November 7, so we will soon know—well, we’ll know something. Folks, this is why I’ve vowed not to cover the insanity that is Australia’s circular non-progress on marriage equality. Despite my

pledge, I’m sort of obliged by circumstance to deliver an update now and then, when push comes to shove. So, this is my update. In theory, assuming Australians vote in favor of same-sex marriage, the Australian parliament will go ahead and pass a law to make it legal. That said, lawmakers don’t have to do a damn thing, so we’ll see what happens. Among the possibilities, parliament could pass a marriage equality bill that contains all sorts of religious exemptions and discr iminator y loopholes. I’m not holding my breath. Damned Aussies. Didn’t they throw a bunch of gay men over a cliff a few decades back? Where’s my laudanum? It’s time for my next spoonful. Before I go, I’d like to make one more expression of annoyance, this time targeting the mainstream media, who constantly make casual references to Hillary Clinton’s “emails” without ever clarifying some important facts: Clinton released tens of thousands of emails, of which none were embarrassing. Zillions of emails from Podesta and the DNC were released. None were embarrassing. The emails that Clinton “destroyed” were personal emails. Is there any reason why she should have been obliged to make those public? Are we allowed to see personal emails from members of the Trump administration? Have any of them “destroyed” any of their emails? What exactly do people think is a) wrong, b) illegal, c) damaging about any of Hillary Clinton’s emails? And finally, even given that it might have been sloppy to use a non-governmental email server, the misstep is irrelevant given that no classified information was ever shared on this system. Why do we still hear references to Clinton emails as if they hide a scandal? arostow@aol.com

Professional Services

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 40 Friday, November 3, Chris Mann @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason. Classically trained singer-songwriter Chris Mann is best known for his two year run in “The Phantom of the Opera” and two seasons on “The Voice.” 8pm. Continues Nov 4. feinsteinsatthenikko.com

Thursday, November 9, Donna Brazile: The Hacking of an American Election @ Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street. Brazile is speaking out about her time as the leader of the Democratic Party. 6:30pm. marinesmemorialtheatre.com

San Francisco Transgender Film Festival to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Photos courtesy of the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival

The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) was the first festival of its kind in North America. This landmark festival—which promotes transgender and gendervariant visibility, culture and community through its quality films—has been educating and engaging audiences for two decades. Recently, the San Francisco Bay Times sat down with SFTFF Artistic Director Shawna Virago to discuss the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the groundbreaking festival, November 10–12 at the Roxie Theater. San Francisco Bay Times: Congratulations! This is the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival 20th Anniversary, which is quite an accomplishment. What can we expect this year? Shawna Virago: This November 10–12, SFTFF celebrates its 20th Anniversary festival with three days and nights of transgender and gender non-conforming films at the Roxie Theater. The festival will feature inspiring documentaries, jaw dropping animation, hard hitting short films, and gender and genre-busting experimental films. As always, all genders are welcome! San Francisco Bay Times: What will be some of the highlights for you at this year’s festival?

CREDIT: YOUTUBE STILL

Shawna Virago: I’m proud that we’re still here and more vibrant than ever. SFTFF is the world’s first and longest-running international Transgender film festival. We were founded in 1997, and so for years, we have had to survive and thrive on our transgender smarts, sweat and love from the community. I’m proud of all our programs this year, especially our closed-captionedfor-Deaf-and-hard-of hearing audiences program on Saturday, November 11, at 9 pm, which I think is a very strong program.

Last Night’s Sugar screens Saturday, November 11 @ 9pm

This year we’re thrilled to screen a new Macy Gray music video, Stop Drop Roll. It stars gender-f luid choreographer Jenzi Russell and (continued on page 38) Stop Drop Roll screens Friday, November 10 @ 8pm

CREDIT: TURBID LAKE PICTURES

Socorro screens Saturday, November 11 @7pm

The Goldfish Casino screens Friday, November 10 @ 8pm

KIT’N KITTY’S

QUEER POP QUIZ

Limina screens Friday November 10 @ 8pm

MANLY MUSES Who was the author of the homoerotic Leaves of Grass, which later inspired numerous gay poets? A) Tennessee Williams B) E.M. Forster C) James Baldwin D) Walt Whitman ANSWER ON PAGE 38

Karin Jaffie as Kitty Tapata hosts Miss Kitty’s Original Trivia Nights at The Wild Side West on Wednesday nights from 8 pm–11 pm, 424 Cortland Avenue in San Francisco. As Tapata says, “It’s free, fun and friendly! To play is to win!”

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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “Presi-dense Trump has made over 1,320 false or misleading claims over 265 days. Rhymes with peach?! Do it, already!” TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER celebrated 15 years of igniting change and doing what it takes to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. They have grown to a staff of 31 people. The event, SPARK!, was held at the Bently Reserve on Spirit Day—when activists were asked to wear purple and turn our social media into purple backgrounds. “With the continuous attempts to roll back protections, it can be hard to remember we’ve come a long way—and that we know how to survive, no matter what comes our way in the future,” said TLC Executive Director Kris Hayashi. He said TLC has become “the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people.” The emcee was Ivory Aquino, who was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. As a child, she dreamed of one day being an actress in New York City and playing Shakespeare’s great heroines. She now lives in New York and has starred as Juliet and

PHOTOS BY RINK

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“Project Runway Sinfinity” was the theme for the 2017 edition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s popular Project Nunway fashion show. Held at SOMAR Gallery on August 19, this year’s event was a benefit for the EI/LA Para Trans Latinas organization. To much applause from their audience, Sister Dana appeared on the red carpet accompanied by his designer Bridget McCracken. Both the model and the maker were caught up in the moment of strutting their eye-catching bling and attire. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Strapping Romanian Farmhand Melts Cold British Heart in God’s Own Country

Film Gary M. Kramer Alec Secăreanu makes an indelible impression as Gheorghe, a strapping Romanian farmhand, in the gay romantic drama God’s Own Country, opening November 10 at the Opera Plaza. Out writer/director Francis Lee’s striking film is set mostly on a Yorkshire farm where Johnny ( Josh O’Connor) ekes out a hardscrabble life with his ailing father ( Ian Hart) and Deidre (Gemma Jones), his nan. Johnny is not an especially likeable character, drinki ng h i msel f sick most nights as a way to numb the pain of hard farm work and his closeted desires. When Gheorghe arrives to assist with lambing season, Johnny is initially wary of him. However, the immigrant proves himself adept at fa r m work , a nd shows tenderness to the prickly Johnny. The two young men get romantically involved. Secăreanu gives a riveting performance. He generates a strong erotic charge just in licking Johnny’s injured palm. And he conveys deep emotions with the slightest expressions. The actor imbues Gheorghe with a confidence that makes him incredibly sexy. He spoke with me via Skype from Bucharest, about the making of God’s Own Country. Gary M. Kramer: Your character is into farming. Are you outdoorsy? Do you like to camp and can you build a fire? A lec Secăreanu: I had literally no experience on a farm. It’s demanding work. Farmers don’t have any free days, weekends, or holidays. They are not just farmers, but carpenters, doctors, and it is hard work. I am outdoorsy. I can build a fire from scratch, and I go for long walks in nature. But I’m not keen on farming. It’s hard physical work, and it’s a lot of responsibility. You have lives on your hands and have to take care of them. You have to switch attention to the quality of the animals’ lives. Gary M. Kramer: What do you think Gheorghe sees in Johnny? The guy is really unlikable and self-destructive, yet Gheorghe provides a catalyst for Johnny’s change. Alec Secăreanu: I think Johnny is very attractive, and Gheorghe is confident with his sexuality. Gheorghe develops some kind of mother/father figure and makes Johnny a project. He shows Johnny a different way of relating to the environment he works in, and the people, and what tenderness is. 30

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gration—the film became much more political than we intended. Brexit hadn’t happened when Fr a ncis wrote the film. During editing, Brexit happened, and it became a period piece.

Gary M. Kramer: Yes, he cares for Johnny, and for the animals. Can you talk about this quality of his? Alec Secăreanu: I think Gheorghe needs this kind of interacting with other people because he’s been on his own for some time in a foreign country. It’s the first time he connects with someone in the U.K. He and Johnny get off on the wrong foot, but in time, they find common ground. Gary M. Kramer What are your thoughts about the film’s depiction of an immigrant in the U.K.? Gheorghe has a hard life in England, but he says his country is dead, so this is his best opportunity. What observations do you have about his experiences in the U.K. with xenophobia, for example? Alec Secăreanu: Francis [Lee, the director] knew he wanted an outsider for the character. He met a Romanian guy and was impressed by his story. I think this inspired him to choose this character to be Romanian. I think Gheorghe adapted to this kind of environment and it is why he’s keeping his head down and working, and not engaging in unnecessary fights or arguments. He only does that when he needs to stand his ground or impose a position. The xenophobia and immi-

Gary M. Kramer: How has this film raised your visibility as an actor? Do you think it will hurt your career to play a gay role? Alec Secăreanu: Hopefully not. I do hope that the people who see the f ilm are open-minded and understand what the film is about. It is a privilege to play this role—not only the sexuality, but also the story itself. I think it will help my career. I now have an agent in London and a manager in Los Angeles. If someone told me that would happen … . The film gathered attention and momentum. We didn’t expect the film would go this big. It’s huge for us, and it has done amazing things for our careers. I’d love to play something in Romania, but it’s frustrating to be a young actor and see filmmakers work with the same actors in the 8–9 films made each year. I do want to make English language films (too). Gary M. Kramer: One last question: Gheorghe cooks for Johnny and even makes cheese. Are you good in the kitchen? Alec Secăreanu: Yes, I am good in the kitchen! I like to improvise. © 2017 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the coeditor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer

A Different Kind of Chick Lit spiration. These womancentric books about women’s emotional lives were smart, harsh, honest, intimate, and unabashedly political in their critique of sexism and misogyny. They were, and are, wonderful books. I wanted to create something similar that would reflect my Gen-X world of queer women, and, in particular, femmes who fuse feminine style and feminist consciousness.

Words Michele Karlsberg Michele Karlsberg: For this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, I present a guest article written by acclaimed novelist Nairne Holtz. My new novel Femme Conf idential, about queer women’s lives, is an Anti-Lesbian Romance. I don’t mean it is about nihilistic punks. I don’t mean it isn’t about romance, because it is. What I mean is that this is not a Lesbian Romance about f inding The One; having perfect, transcendent sex; and living happily ever after. The One could refer to a super-privileged professional who has reached their mid to late 30s without ever having had a serious relationship (bad sign). Or they could have had a significant relationship with a cheating tramp whom they can’t stop spewing bile about with no reflection on what part they might have played in the situation (also a bad sign). The nature of genre fiction is not realism; I get that. I don’t watch James Bond movies to understand the nature of intelligence operations. But James Bond movies have a light, campy touch and they don’t take themselves seriously, whereas Lesbian Romance takes its idealized world quite seriously. That’s a problem, because it says love looks like this when it doesn’t, in the same way that mainstream porn says sex looks like this when it (mostly) doesn’t. Literarily speaking, the popular novels and memoirs of second-wave feminism—Mary McCarthy’s The Group, Marge Piercy’s Braided Lives, and Sara Davidson’s Loose Change—were my in-

I wanted to create a novel where: • men are peripheral, and sexism sometimes occurs within the dyke community;

Nairne Holtz

• queer women are outsiders, not just due to their sexuality, but because they maybe aren’t white or middle class, or their parents are freaks or messed up, or English isn’t their first language, or they aren’t thin or cis-gender. (A main character is a trans woman, a decision I made years ago because, in part, I felt that the dyke community was focused on trans men and trans women weren’t getting their due. That situation, needless to say, has changed.) • queer women think of themselves as outlaws and respond to harassment and discrimination with a raised eyebrow, raised finger and raised fist; • queer women find themselves, find each other, and find love. (In the book, the love looks like the love I see around me: families that aren’t nuclear, families made up of exes, couples that aren’t necessarily monogamous, couples that live apart, relationships that are tested by, but survive, rotten things and horrible mistakes.) • sex that’s weird, messy, awkward, sublime, tender, and dirty because we often learn how to have good sex by having bad sex. Because an Anti-Romance is still shaped by the contours of Romance, it is also a novel with a (kind of) happy ending.

Nairne Holtz is the author of “This One’s Going to Last Forever” (Insomniac, 2009), a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and “The Skin Beneath” (Insomniac, 2007), which was shortlisted for Quebec’s McAuslan Prize. Her new novel, “Femme Confidential,” will be released in the fall of 2017—see www.femmeconfidential.com Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity for the LGBT community. This year, Karlsberg celebrates twentynine years of successful book campaigns.

Aguilas Fiesta de Halloween Party Photos by Rink and Paul Margolis

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

PHOTO BY RINK

Spooky and hilarious costumes added to the fun at Aguilas’ annual Halloween party held on Thursday, October 26, at the San Francisco LGBT Center. The party included abundant food, talented entertainers, health testing and music for dancing with tunes spun by the Evolution DJ Group. Aguilas provides on-going services and support for gay/bisexual Latinos.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR

Honor through January 7, 2018

PHOTO BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Gods in Color: Polychromy in the Ancient World At the Legion of

Installation view of "Gods in Color: Polychromy in the Ancient World" at the Legion of Honor. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) is hosting Gods in Color: Polychromy in the Ancient World, an exhibition that presents ancient sculpture to Bay Area audiences as never before: in vibrant color. The exhibition reintroduces “polychromy”—the painting of sculpture to dazzling and powerful effect. Defying the idea of the stark white marble of antiquity, the installation is the result of over 30 years of groundbreaking research in pigmentation of ancient sculpture by international scientists and archaeologists. On view at the Legion of Honor are nearly 40 reproductions of well-known Greek and Roman artworks painted in brightly colored authentic pigments, uniquely juxtaposed with 30 statues and carved reliefs from ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, and Rome from FAMSF’s’ own holdings, supplemented with magnificent loans from Californian and European collections. “Our visitors who imagine the classical world as stark and white will be shocked and startled to see antique sculpture in such bright and vivid colors,” said Max Hollein, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “Gods in Color explains how ancient art and architecture is incomplete without color. White or monochrome sculpture would have been as strange to the ancients as the color reproductions in this exhibition might seem to us.” When the idea of classicism took hold during the Renaissance, artists like Michelangelo and other masters hailed form and composition, instead of color, as the most prominent and venerable features of ancient sculpture. Over time, knowledge of color in ancient sculpture became all but forgotten, and any evidence of polychromy was ignored. But even today, after millennia of burial and exposure to the elements, faint traces of color pigments on an-

cient sculptures can sometimes be detected with the naked eye. Additionally, advances in technology and research have allowed for an understanding of the evolution and extent of ancient polychromy. Techniques such as ultraviolet f luorescence photography and the examination of ancient pigments via ultra-violet-visible (UVVIS) absorption spectroscopy have allowed an international team of archaeologists and scholars to create astonishing color reproductions. “This exhibition reveals the power of color to enliven art. It is a meeting of the oldest objects in our collection, some over four millennia old, with the latest, state-of-the-art technology,” explained Dr. Renée Dreyfus, curator in charge of ancient art and interpretation for FAMSF. “Through cutting-edge scientific investigation, ancient sculpture is brought back to its surprising splendor. This is a truly unique way to showcase FAMSF’s antiquity collection.” This exhibition not only challenges the widely accepted ideal of achromatic ancient sculpture, but it also addresses how this misconception has inf luenced the history of sculpture. Works from ancient Greece and Rome are also joined by sculptures from Egypt and the Near East to reveal a fuller range of polychromy from across the ancient Mediterranean world.

Gods in Color: Polychromy in the Ancient World is the result of decades of research by Dr. Vinzenz Brinkmann and Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann together with a group of archaeologists and natural scientists. Brinkmann is the original curator of the traveling Gods in Color exhibition and is head of antiquities at the Liebieghaus Sculpture Collection in Frankfurt where he worked with Hollein during Hollein’s ten-year tenure as director of the Liebieghaus Sculpture Collection. The exhibition has traveled to some of the leading museums in the world, including the Vatican Museums, Rome; National Archaeological Museum, Athens; Pergamonmuseum, Berlin; KunsthistoReconstruction of a lion, 2005/2012. Original: Greek, Loutraki, ca. 550 BC; Ny risches Museum, Vienna; Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen. Reconstruction: plaster cast with natural and most recently to the pigments in egg tempera, 23 5/8 in. (60 cm) height. Liebieghaus Sculpture Collection Museo del Palacio de Bel(Polychromy Research Project), Frankfurt, inv. no. ST.P688. Image courtesy of the las Artes, Mexico City. In Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 32

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Simone Pomardi, "Western end of the Erechtheion from the Southwest," 1805. Watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

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Installation view of "Gods in Color: Polychromy in the Ancient World" at the Legion of Honor. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

San Francisco, it is being presented in its most recent version, based on new research and reproductions. “Today, a viewer sees classical European art in museums, but in antiquity these sculptures were placed in temples, public squares and necropolises where color was critical for understanding or ‘reading’ these sculptures,” said Brinkmann. “We have been researching these phenomena for 35 years and have found a tremendous amount of traces of original colors. Our reproductions have created a very lively public debate worldwide.” The exhibition is organized by FAMSF in collaboration with the Liebieghaus Sculpture Collection, Frankfurt. The curator of the exhibition is Dr. Renée Dreyfus, Curator in Charge of Ancient Art and Interpretation at FAMSF, in collaboration with Brinkmann. For more information about this exhibit and others at the Legion of Honor, visit: https://legionofhonor.famsf.org/

Stress Less—It’s Important! and how does this affect the environment in your company, your home, and inside your body?

The KiAi Way Jamie Leno Zimron Stress is a word bandied about all of the time that bears looking at more closely. Most everyone talks about “stressing” and being “stressed out.” We think of the classic fight-f lightfreeze response to facing a lion or tiger or bear. Or we associate it with all of the demands of family, work, relationships, and the constant pressures of this modern, increasingly technological, and often scary life. Our bodies are hard-wired so that we can automatically meet pressure and danger with heightened alertness, strength and stamina. We get big surges of adrenaline, and our systems are f looded with stress hormones. Neural activity moves instantly from our higher-reasoning prefrontal cortex to limbic-lizard brain, so that we can be pumped and in gear fast! “Good stress” definitely exists, and it’s a great thing. It gives us supercharged motivation and power to do extra-ordinary things. We’re able to face fear, meet deadlines, accomplish, compete, and can even save our own and others’ lives. On the other hand, most of us are living every day with the effects of what I’ve come to call “The Stress Mess.” There seems to be a tipping point where the extra energy of good stress starts taking a negative toll, zapping our clarity, and negatively impacting our health and productivity. We lose rational thinking, better judgment and good decision-making. Emotional intelligence and patience go down, causing anxiety and reactivity, with dramatic consequences in our communication and relationships. Healthy eating, exercise and sleep all suffer. Blood pressure goes up and physical symptoms set in—fatigue, headaches, backaches, rashes, hypertension and even killer diseases.

Within 10 minutes, the whiteboard fills up with words like: tense, curt, loud, critical, irritable, impatient, no empathy, bossy, pessimistic, tunnel vision, lose weight, gain weight, eat junk, drink, smoke, swear, go silent, unavailable, sleep more, can’t sleep, wake up, ruminate, they know, they steer clear, they get stressed, etc. If it’s hard to pay attention to your own signals, try getting feedback from your partner or kids or co-workers. They can tell when you’re stressed out, and it’s not a pretty or constructive thing, or any fun for anyone. Now, here’s the good news: Stress is a response—and you can respond differently! Here’s a list of familiar, doable and enjoyable ways to stress less: Breathe! Find your center and balance. Eat healthier—more protein, fruits and vegetables, and less sugar, carbs, artificial additives & preservatives. Drink more water and less alcohol and sugary drinks.

R = Relentlessly E = Eating up & Exhausting S = Sanity, Serenity & S = Success Take breaks & vacations. Limit time on electronics, devices, social media and the news. Meditate. Get a massage. Immerse in water. Listen to music. Move, dance and sing! Let go and lighten up. Physical affection—give it and get it!

Do things every day that make you laugh, smile and feel happy.

What’s not to like about doctor’s orders to take more healthy, happy breaks, and to do things daily that refresh and renew you? What wouldn’t work about enjoying more re-creation, knowing that it clears the way to greater productivity and creation?!

Practice kindness. Make your vocabulary positive! Surround yourself with beautiful people and things. Rest & sleep! Relax.

While stressing is nothing new, you may be feeling especially anxious, fearful, exhausted and even traumatized these days. Please know that you’re not crazy and not alone. We’re in very weird times, and 2017 has been an especially unkind year: massive natural disasters, hurricanes, f loods, earthquakes, tornadoes, shootings, fires and dysfunctional government. The unimaginably foul social and political climate is being led by a chaotic, clinically deranged president who directly threatens the well-being and very lives of immigrants, people of color, women, our LGBTQ community, refugees, differently-abled people and the planet itself. The national atmosphere of stress is so pervasive that Thomas Plante, Ph.D, adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry at (my alma mater) Stanford University, is suggesting a new diagnosis: AAA/ Acute American Anxiety Disorder.

Stress is a biochemical, neuro-physiological happening in your body. Too much, or prolonged, stress taxes and breaks down your immune system. Addictive behaviors increase under stress. If you don’t take action, you’ll get caught up in a destructive Stress Syndrome, which can be very costly.

When I conduct stress management trainings for business leaders, I ask them: How do you look, sound and feel when you’re in your bad stress;

T = Tension

Have fun!

So, it’s not enough just to toss the word around and think it’s “normal,” or “not so bad.” We really need to know when we’re heading down the slippery slope of bad stress, and how to stress less! First, keep these essentials in mind:

Remember that the constant release of stress bio-chemicals means that you are literally operating under the influence, just like on drugs, and your nervous system is on high alert. You may feel like you’re always in some state of emergency. The adrenaline (speed) is addicting. It becomes more and more difficult to slow down, sleep properly, think clearly, break the cycle and clear up the messes of stress.

S = Somatic

Get support. Take action. Exercise. Help somebody else. Spend time with friends, family, kids and pets. Go outside and be in nature. Pursue a hobby you love.

With this proliferation of stress, and the holidays almost here, I suggest taking a regular read of your “StressO-Meter.” Watch for the next articles in this series, where I’ll provide some specif ic exercises to quickly tame those crazy-making bio-chemicals. Please remind yourself and everyone in your life that it’s more important than ever to take steps to stress less, every day. We’ll all feel better, and have our good mojo to do what needs to be done to take back our country from the stress monsters running rampant over our lives and well-being! Jamie Leno Zimron is a Business Development Consultant with iMap Strategic Solutions and is the CoFounder of Every BusinessWoman Golf. She is also an LPGA Pro, Aikido 5th Degree Black Belt, and Corporate Speaker-Trainer. Please check out her website: http://www.thekiaiway.com S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 2, 2017

Photos by Jane Higgins and Lyndsey Schlax

Warriors Head on LGBT Pride ‘We’re All in Th

uring a pregame news conference at Ora ning of the Golden State Warriors LGB riors head coach Steve Kerr expressed hi and encouraged others to follow suit. The mome portant when compared to how other profession ers speak of LGBT issues, often calling them a comments have been made about the #TakeAK

It goes beyond distraction, however, to consider out LGBT basketball players in the NBA. Jason out after the 2012–2013 NBA season conclude Nets in March 2014, but retired from profess months later. There are up and coming stars, li Dalton Maldonado, but the lack of representati considering the social, financial and other press

While the sports world has been slow to evolve, Golden State Warriors President Rick Welts pub ident of the Phoenix Suns. He has since become

Then came the team’s decision to hold an LGBT more than one hundred fans representing us, inc cisco School for the Arts. We were honored to h which Kerr spoke the following words:

“I want to acknowledge that tonight is LG want to say first of all that I’m proud to be embrace diversity, and there’s never bee country to respect the person next to you sexual preference, sexual identity.

I’m really encouraged by my kids’ experi up, just in terms of acceptance. It seems li ing more and more about [how] we all just individuals and what makes our country g

The fact that we can respect each other a other, I think it’s an important night for from the LGBTQ community.

Maybe, if you’re coming to the game tonig that mean, explain it to them, explain to ward] the person next to you, respecting where they come from. They’re human b we’re all in this together.”

The recent Warriors LGBT Pride Night made h riors are the first defending NBA champions to an annual tradition. Go Dubs!

Students and teachers from Ruth Asawa San Francisco School for the Arts represented San Francisco Bay Times at the Oracle event.

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NOVE MB E R 2 , 2 0 1 7

d Coach Steve Kerr e Night: his Together’

acle Arena, on the eveBTQ Pride Night, Waris support for gay rights ent was all the more imnal coaches and managa “distraction.” Similar Knee movement.

r that there are now no n Collins notably came ed. He signed with the ional basketball just 7 ike LGBT rights activist and University of Louisville athlete ion from our community in the NBA is troubling, especially sures many still feel to stay in the closet.

Warriors President and COO Rick Welts presented the Walmart Community Playmarker Award to LGBT community leader Gary Virginia.

the Warriors are helping to break down barriers to equality. blicly came out as gay several years ago when he was the Prese one of the most successful management leaders of all time.

T Night. San Francisco Bay Times was at the packed arena with cluding teachers and students from the Ruth Asawa San Franhave been part of that successful event on October 25, before

GBTQ night here at Oracle, which is an important night. I e part of an organization and with a region and area that en a more important time in our u regardless of race, creed, color,

ience here in California growing ike the young generation is learnt are who we are and we’re all just great is our diversity.

and work together, embrace each r us, and we welcome everybody

ght and your child says what does them the importance of love [tog them no matter who they are, beings; we’re all human beings;

"...there’s never been a more important time in our country to respect the person next to you regardless of race, creed, color, sexual preference, sexual identity."

history, according to Outsports, which reported that the Warhold such an event. We hope that the LGBT Night becomes

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Good Pain, Bad Pain

Take Me Home with You!

If a reasonable amount of pain shows up the next day or two in the muscle that you were targeting, you’re on the right track. But how do you know if there’s actually something wrong?

Easy Fitness Cinder Ernst

Daytona

“Hi there, my name is Daytona! I’m originally from Florida, but am looking forward to a new life in the Bay Area. My favorite pastimes include hiking, swimming, running, meeting new doggie friends, and fetching tennis balls! I’m looking for an energetic, outdoorsy buddy who likes to go on lots of adventures. Let’s go explore together!” Daytona 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 Daytona. To meet Daytona, as well as other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus 250 Florida Street San Francisco 94103 415-522-3500 Aside from major holidays, the adoption center is open Mon–Fri: 1–6 pm and Sat–Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Free parking is available for those wishing to adopt! For more information: sfspca.org/adopt

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

Today you will learn the difference between good (expected or acceptable) pain and bad (a warning sign) pain. Knowing your body’s pain signals will help you to answer this question: Am I partnering with my body or ignoring my body’s needs? We’ll start by looking at Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS. DOMS is a principle in strength training. When you work to strengthen a muscle, you actually break down your muscle tissue. Your body then repairs the affected tissue and the muscle becomes stronger than before you began. This breakdown/repair cycle can create muscle soreness that shows up in the next day or so. Technically, DOMS occurs 24–48 hours after your workout. Have you ever heard anyone comment that they feel sore after a workout and that they like it? I consider this good pain, as long as it is reasonable. There are more factors that contribute to muscle pain, but this simple tip can be useful for you so you can know when you’re on the right track:

The firing of a muscle, in an appropriate range of motion and with the right amount of resistance, should feel kind of good. The working muscle gets more blood f low during the exercise. This is where the expression “I’ve got a good pump” is from. My experience of feeling the pump is that it’s empowering; I like it. The actual moment of performing the exercise should feel good. If you feel a sharp pain, stop. Pain— sharp or intense—is always an indicator to do something different. Pause, make an adjustment, and see if it improves. If not, just plain stop. Sometimes you might have overworked that muscle or hit it at a wrong angle. If you stop right away, without pushing through the pain, and take measures to minimize the situation—such as rest or applying ice—you will make a quick comeback and be back at your workout sooner rather than later. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I usedt to push through pain because I hated not to complete my workout. A moment of pain that indicated my body needed something different would turn into a much more miserable situation. By knowing the difference between okay pain and notokay pain, you have the opportunity to partner with your body. Pay attention. Be kind to yourself. The question again to ask yourself is, “Am I partnering with my body right now or ignoring my body’s needs?” Think of this: If you came across

someone hurting on the side of the road, would you say, “Get up, you idiot?” Of course not. Know yourself. Treat yourself well. Partner with your body. I have also found that if muscle pain or cramping develops shortly after your workout is complete, you might have overdone it. Take measures to soothe your body in this instance. Some folks swear by a hot bath; others prefer ice treatments. Massage or rest can be helpful. Knowing what soothes you is important. I usually choose ice. I rest. I don’t like massages. I’m willing to take an anti-inf lammatory when indicated. The more you pay attention, the quicker you can adjust when something is out of whack. Make a note of what caused this reaction, and adjust your future workout. Knowing the dif ference between good pain and bad pain while you’re working out can not only prevent you from sustaining an injury, but it can also help to promote good exercise practices that result in you feeling strong and empowered. Cinder Ernst, Medical Exercise Specialist and Life Coach Extraordinaire, helps reluctant exercisers get moving with safe, effective and fun

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.”

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Event Lighting Can Transform a Space from Ordinary to Extraordinary By Lawrence Arevalo Event lighting could very well be the hidden gem that turns beautiful events into stunning events. Color and patterns in events are no longer just confined to the look of florals, table linens and rental furniture. Clients are increasingly using lighting to add the extra touch of ambience to their events. When combined with stunning florals, linens, furniture, and scenic props, event lighting can be the “it factor” that transforms a space from ordinary to extraordinary. The base of all event lighting starts with uplighting. Uplighting is like the base coat of paint in a home. You can use it to color your space and even to add accent walls, columns, or nooks of different colors. Do not be afraid to step away from the monochromatic room look and explore colors with your Event Specialist or Lighting Designer. Your event may have some colors or a theme chosen for it already—think wedding linens, or corporate logo colors—which will make your base color easy to choose. Accent colors can be chosen by looking at f loral accents, complimentary colors and even personal preference. Once the base coat and accents have been chosen, the world of lighting possibilities opens up. As for quality interior design, texture and patterns are important factors in the overall look of a room. Similarly, lighting can be used to add texture to large, or even small, swaths of space in your venue that could use more spark. For example, a big open wall that would normally be a plain sight for your guests would look good with some uplighting. But it could look truly amazing when covered with a textured lighting pattern of leaves, scrolling elements, or even monograms or logos. Lighting patterns can be used to cover the entire floor or ceiling of a venue—even to the outside—to give guests a real wow factor when they walk up. Be advised, however, that more patterns require greater energy to run, so you might have to supplement the venue’s power with a generator to make your look happen. Adding moving lights and/or projection to your venue space are the ultimate uses of lighting to create a whole new atmosphere. The same patterns that we discussed earlier could slowly scan around the room, changing colors and patterns to create a dynamic look that changes throughout the night and makes your guests feel like the venue is alive with energy and excitement. Projection can also be used to immerse your guests in another world by filling large parts of your venue with video that fits your theme and is transformative for the space. Both of these possible additions will be found on the higher end of the cost scale because they require significant planning, pre-installation design and on-site staff to accomplish. Lighting may not be the first thing you think about when designing the event of your dreams. But as event lighting continues to grow in popularity, you may find yourself looking at events you attend in a whole new light! Lawrence Arevalo is the President of Verducci Event Productions, which has a goal of using technology, talent and customer service to create environments that transport people to another place where they can create lasting memories, inspire positive change in the world and achieve their dreams. For more information: https://www.verduccies.com/ Frederick Sullivan and Jaime Botello, who oversee the Weddings & Occasions page for the San Francisco Bay Times, are the talented wizards behind Sullivan-Botello Events (http://sullivanbotelloevents.com) and SnB Party Rentals (650-877-0840, www.snbpartyrentals.com). Both are Certified Wedding Planners with extensive experience in creating memorable, personalized events for special occasions. Their rental service is incredible, offering everything from beautiful gold Chiavari chairs to LED dance floors, and all at competitive prices. They are the creators of the Gay Vanity Wedding Show and are longstanding members of the Golden Gate Business Association, which is the nation’s first LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT (continued from page 25)

SISTER DANA (continued from page 29)

is part of our opening night screening, Friday, November 10, at 8 pm. Also, part of our opening night screening is The Goldfish Casino, a queer musical that tells the story of a plucky salmon forced by a lack of water to gamble her eggs to get upstream. It’s a timely statement about the ongoing destruction of the environment and is directed by Sarolta Jane Vay, whose work exemplifies a commitment to social justice. But all of the programs are strong, and people should come out and see them!

Isabella in Bryant Park Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Measure for Measure. Most recently, Ivory portrayed Transgender Law Center’s very own Cecilia Chung in the ABC miniseries When We Rise and will next be seen on HBO’s High Maintenance. She gave a shoutout to Chung in the audience. “My deepest thanks to Transgender Law Center for having me and for making it their mission to make lives like mine possible,” she said. “To Cecilia, who has become a dear friend and provides inspiration for so many of us, and all my love to my dearest friends and family. And for anyone out there who feels different but is truly special.” Representative Nancy Pelosi and the State Senate sent certificates of recognition to TLC.

San Francisco Bay Times: Were there any unique challenges this year? Shawna Virago: We had a record number of strong submissions. It was hard for the team to select only a fraction of them. San Francisco Bay Times: What motivates you and your team to do this film festival? Shawna Virago: We were founded in DIY and anti-oppression principals, and we are committed to have SFTFF provide a counter-narrative to the increasingly assimilationist world of transgender reality stars and celebrities. Hollywood gets it wrong—very wrong. Come see trans and gendervariant people telling our own stories. Come see trans characters played by trans actors. San Francisco Bay Times: Just for you personally, what needs to happen this year for you to consider this experience a success? Shawna Virago: I want to share our great programs with our communi-

ties. I believe gathering in community and sharing art and supporting each other are very important right now, given the ongoing attacks against our rights from the overt supporters of white supremacy, transphobia and racism that are running the national government. San Francisco Bay Times: How has SFTFF changed from its inception? Shawna Virago: We were started in 1997 by two friends of mine, Christopher Lee and Alex Austin. I was brought in as part of the team in 2003. When we started, funders and most film festivals would not support transgender film festivals or filmmakers, so I am very proud of our history of advocating for the rights of trans and gender non-conforming f ilm makers. San Francisco Bay Times: Anything you’d like to add? Shawna Virago: Although I look forward to the next twenty years for SFTFF, I want people to come out November 10–12 and help us celebrate our milestone 20th Anniversary! The entire SFTFF lineup can be found at www.SFTFF.com 20th Anniversary San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) November 10–12 Roxie Theater at 3117 16th Street @ Valencia, San Francisco Tickets: $12–15 sliding scale www.SFTFF.com

KIT’N KITTY’S

QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on page 25) D) Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1860. The “Calamus” poems within it celebrate and promote “the manly love of comrades,” which many interpret as Whitman’s clearest expressions in print of his ideas about homosexual love.

UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT presented at Metreon Cityview ART FOR AIDS, a yearly art for auction fundraiser with Patrick Walsh as energetic auctioneer. Executive Director James Dilley and Director Lori Thoemmes spoke about AHP. Founded as the AIDS Health Project in 1984, AHP is one of the longest-running mental health organizations in the world for people with HIV- and LGBTQrelated concerns. As one of the best medical schools in the world, AHP also engages in innovative mental health care research and equips providers in the field with continuing education. Senator Scott Wiener, who was in attendance, said he was “looking to take this model statewide.” My absolute favorite piece of art—selling for $2,400—was “Doesn’t She” by Jack Fulton from his B&W photo portfolio, Nellies (K) Night San Francisco Halloween, 1968. Why? Because Halloween was the only period in which cross-dressing was permissible and legal at that time. He looked so stylish in that dress! The most humorous to me was Sean O’Donnell’s found vintage and reclaimed objects piece, “Jesus Gave Up Art School for Your Sins”—a crucifix mounted on a cutting board. Joseph Abbati gets a mention from me because his “Sister Roma” is my dear fellow nun. She is portrayed in a 36” x 36” cotton jacquard tapestry and jute. Huge. My complaint: Why can’t he do a “Sister Dana” on a lousy little cocktail napkin?! I don’t ask much. ucsf-ahp.org KREWE DE KINQUE, San Francisco’s charitable Mardi Gras Club, held our monthly fundraiser at The Edge in the Castro with proceeds going towards our Bal Masque VX fund benefiting LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES. KdK Queen VII Sister Dana worked the door and collected donations from many lovely giving folks. The event was femceed by the fabulous Cruzin D’Loo—crackin’ us up nonstop. There were delightful lip-synch performances by Miss Chief and WooWoo Monroe, former Krewe de Kinque King Kippy Marks on the electric violin, and live singing by former KdK King Mark Paladini. DJ Jack Rojo got us grooving and dancing. Be sure to mark your calendars for the next every-thirdSaturday KdK pre-Thanksgiving at The Edge on November 18th! Sister Dana sez, “Trump & Repugnicans’ tax cut bill for the rich is a real turkey that cannot be pardoned on Thanksgiving or any other time.” COMFORT AND JOY brought some radical queer fashion realness back into the heart of the Castro with FREAK CHIC at the ArtSavesLives Gallery. This one-of-a-kind fashion show featured jaw-dropping, freaky looks by designers like Kaleidascope, Jacob Perkins and his crocheted aliens, and Salamander

with his erotic, sensual poetry and phallic-centered fashion, as well as divine dance and drag performances by Larissa De La Playa and Grace Towers, not to mention the C&J-supported art projections on the wall. And we wannabee models got to get photographed by Dot. Check out the fierce models at PhotobyDot.com/FreakChic2017 Sister Dana was snapped wearing a “red wine bottle” gown by Thomasina de Maio. Chic? Maybe. Freak? Mos’ def’! Topping off our Halloween/Samhain weekend, Comfort & Joy served up a very special Castro block party on Noe Street between Market and Beaver. For nearly two decades, GAYGLO GUERRILLA THEATER was an infamous hallmark of the Castro’s radical queer culture, shutting down streets and delighting thousands of spectators with its amazing black-light performances and saucy commentary. The evening’s finale featured a spectacular GayGlo Guerrilla Theater performance led by original organizers Chickpea, Frieda Lay, and Sandy Shorts. Sister Dana sez, “Can’t you just smell the Thanksgiving turkey in the air? Too soon? Okay, then why not enjoy these non-Thanksgiving events?” THE SAN FRANCISCO TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL (see page 25 for an interview with SFTFF Artistic Director Shawna Virago) announces its 20th Anniversary festival: a stellar collection of transgender films from around the globe. This year’s festival takes place at The Roxie Theater, 3125 16th Street, November 10–12. Buy a festival pass and get access to all programs. Festival passes available for purchase every day online and at the door. sftff.org/calendar THEATRE RHINOCEROS presents THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer, directed by John Fisher at The Gateway Theatre (formerly The Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson Street & Battery, playing November 3–25. This is a searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man’s lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Produced to acclaim in NYC, London, and Los Angeles. therhino.org PROJECT INFORM offers AN EVENING OF HOPE for a festive evening of cocktails, delicious food, music, education and inspiration on Saturday, November 11, 7–10 pm at The Lodge at the Regency Center, 1290 Sutter Street (between Van Ness and Polk). This year they will be featuring stories from around the country about the many ways in which Project Inform’s leadership in the HIV and hepatitis C epidemics has touched and transformed peoples’ lives. Featured guests are Senator Scott Wiener, comedian Casey Ley, Kitten on the Keys, aerialist Gemiah Kurzfeld and Synchronicity Strings. projectinform.org Sister Dana sez, “Thank you so much Senators McCain, Corker, and Flake for standing up against narcissistic, fascistic man-child Trump! When will the cowardly sycophants in the Repugnican Congress grow a pair and tell it like it is regarding the White House and the debasing of our nation?!”

San Francisco Bay Times wishes you a Happy Fall Holiday Season! Like us on Facebook: @SanFranciscoBayTimes Check out our online Calendar: sfbaytimes.com/events/

Sister Dana, dressed in red, and entertainer Kippy Marks were volunteers on October 23 at the Edge bar for Krewe de Kinque’s benefit for Larkin Street Youth Center. 38

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Defying Expectations with Crossovers T hose m idd l i ng ex pect ations can work their way into shopping for a compact crossover, if you value driving fun. For many buyers, the crossover’s high seating position and shorter length is enough to make it more appealing than larger SUVs. As a result, most crossovers layer trendy styling over disappointingly pedestrian mechanicals.

Auto Philip Ruth My fellow LGBTs in their forties can relate to the extra effort that is required to keep a fit body as the years progress. Slowed metabolism requires unprecedented diet discipline, and regular activity is needed to keep muscles warm and the injuries low. Illustrating this point was a lunch I had recently with a college buddy who doesn’t exercise much, but he showed me a shoulder stretch you could do sitting down—and then he promptly tweaked his shoulder. That contrasts with a fitness-model friend who has finally landed his first photobook. It is the result of decades of toil, with rarely-missed daily workouts since his teen years. And so he ends up fiercely bucking the trend of middle age equaling middling expectations.

Two crossovers I drove recently—the Ford Escape SE and Nissan Rogue Sport SV—offer the hope of something more engaging. My SE test car included the $1,295 “SE Sport Appearance Package,” with its dramatic, black-painted 19inch wheels. Add to this Escape SE’s “Canyon Ridge Metallic” paint, and you have a vehicle that turns heads, even though the Escape’s look has become ubiquitous. If the Escape’s promise is increased curb appeal, then the Rogue Sport’s hope is in the driving. It’s the smaller and shorter version of the Nissan Rogue that competes directly with the Escape. The Rogue Sport lops off two inches of wheelbase and more than a foot of overall length. The Rogue needs that larger footprint to accommodate an optional third row, but the Rogue Sport seems ready to mix it up with a package that, for many buyers, would be just enough.

The tested Escape SE felt caffeinated by comparison. While the Rogue Sport trundles along with a nondescript 2.0-liter four-cylinder running through a sleepy CVT transmission, the Escape SE turbocharges its smaller 1.5 liters and clicks out firm shifts with its six-speed transmission. So much for how they’d appear to be—the spry-looking Rogue Sport feels settled in for Netflix and chill, while the mature Escape seems ready to tackle a climbing wall, proving that expectations are made to be challenged, with both middle age and crossovers. Ford Escape SE

Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant at www.gaycarguy.com. Check out his automotive staging service at www. carstaging.com

Nissan Rogue Sport SV

But climbing behind the wheels of the Escape SE and the Rogue Sport SV reveals that these expectations are reversed: the Escape is more fun, while the Rogue Sport settles quickly into stylish-cruiser mode. Having Sport in its name cues this Nissan’s driver to visualize nipping around slower traffic and cleanly clipping through curves, but neither scenario is on the Rogue Sport’s menu. It drives very much like its larger and comfort-oriented Rogue progenitor—the Rogue Sport is lighter, but it has a smaller engine with less power, so it doesn’t move the inspiration needle much.

As Heard on the Street . . .

Harvey Milk was elected supervisor 40 years ago. What does he mean to you?

compiled by Rink

Terry Beswick

Lee Leibreck

Andrea Aiello

“Milk is defined by his assasination and represents the persecution and murder of LGBT people throughout history.”

“Harvey is as relevant today as he was 40 years ago. Bravery is required.”

“Harvey Milk still stands as a beacon for disenfranchised populations to hope for a better future, to believe that their struggle will bring equality. His understanding that hope is critical, that without hope there really is no movement, was important in the 70s and still rings true today.”

Speaking to Your Soul

Astrology Elisa Quinzi Against the backdrop of a seemingly unending year of chaos and struggle, the universe offers us a reprieve for the moment. While we should exercise caution against overly excessive behaviors, we can at the same time be on the lookout for big magic, mystical love, and far more substantial life experiences than Netflix and staring at our screens. Our souls are thirsty, and the urn is pouring toward us now. It’s up to us to drink and dance. Life is our creation.

ARIES (March 21–April 19) The yearning for soulful connection deepens and intensifies. Opportunities for mystical transformation lie waiting in the dark. Assume your greater value and you will manifest your match.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22) To the degree that you feel safe and deeply connected to your intimate partners do you feel safe in the world. There are treasures to be discovered at deeper levels of your own vulnerability. Mystical moments are more common now.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Opportunities for contact are all around you. As you feel the fullness of your worth, you manifest allies of significance now. At best, these relationships will be both grounded and infused with mystical purpose.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21) This is a transformative time for you. Be willing to expose yourself more in order to fulfill your deepest potential of this lifetime. Take up more space. Break free from playing small. Believe in your dreams, in love and in magic. You feel most grounded in the arms of a true soulmate.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You find comfort in some solitude now—all the better if nature is involved. Resolutions to daily challenges come with trust in your own inner guidance. Keep your eye on your ideal as you fully inhabit this moment. CANCER ( June 21–July 22) Take comfort in the natural process of the unfoldment of life. Have faith in yourself and in your desires. As you express more of your true nature, natural helpers show up in your life. Your intuition is heightened now. LEO ( July 23–August 22) When you imagine yourself shining brightest, what are you doing while you shine? Is it for the greater good of the collective? Your natural gifts are meant to benefit others. Discoveries about your past or your patterns offer opportunities for greater freedom and joy. VIRGO (August 23–September 22) Your penetrating reach extends further and more deeply around you now. You feel good when you keep your mind open and curious. Be on the lookout for fresh and direct glimpses of the meaning of your quest.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21) A phrase worth repeating here is “God is in the details.” Pay close attention to our body, your health, and how wisely you spend your time daily. The energy is ripe for breakthroughs and revelations. CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19) Your confidence is high and this attracts potential romantic interests. Speak your truth, use your voice and enjoy spontaneity. Dream a bigger dream of what’s possible. AQUARIUS ( January 20–February 18) You feel good at home, so be at home right now. You’re in touch with the roots you’ve been growing. The stronger the roots, the further toward your zenith you can reach—and further reach you shall. PISCES (February 19–March 20) You find pleasure and ease in communicating right now, especially as you keep a curious, open mind. Significant clues and connections can be made that widen your scope of life, and give meaning to your quest.

Elisa has been enjoying the art of astrological counseling since earning professional certification many years ago. In addition to astrological knowledge, she brings a high degree of conscious presence to her work, and creates a safe, comfortable atmosphere for sessions to unfold organically. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com or 818-530-3366 or visit www.ElisaQuinzi.com S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 2, 2017

PHOTO COURTESY THE DAILY BEAST.COM

COMING UP

Compiled by Blake Dillon

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS sfbaytimes.com

2 : Thursday

3 : Friday

OUTwatch Wine Country’s LGBTQI Film Festival and Fire Relief Fundraiser @ Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma (Nov 2) and 3rd Street Cinema, Santa Rosa (Nov 3-5). outwatchfilmfest.org

EBabes Social & Ruby’s in Town Band @ Terrace Room, Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison Street. The longstanding social mixer welcomes Charlotte Maxwell Clinic staff and the band Ruby’s in Town for dancing to oldies, funk, R&B, Motown and more. 6pm Social/7:30pm Dancing. Ebabes TGIF on meetup.com

Gordan Parks: Legacy @ Jenkins Johnson Gallery, 464 Sutter Street. A multi-media exhibition exploring the relationship between the works of Gordon Parks and those of artists he inspired, collaborated with and drew inspiration from. 10am-6pm, Tuesday through Saturdays. jenkinsjohnsongallery.com Game Changers Book Launch Party @ El Rio, 3158 Mission Street. The evening features entertainment, dancing and guacamole, plus a presentation by Epocalips’ Robin Lowey on her book about noteworthy lesbians. 5-8pm. elriosf.com Queer History Places Happy Hour at the Paper Doll @ Former Paper Doll Space, 524 Union Street. The Historic Places Working Group of the GLBT History Museum hosts a mingle, including free drinks and a tour focusing on ghosts of the LGBTQ past at the North Beach location of San Francisco’s first queer restaurant (1944-1948). 5:30-8pm. glbthistory.org Castro Art Walk @ Castro District Locations. A neighborhood art walk held monthly on the first Thursday of each month at multiple hosting locations. 6-9pm. Castro Art Walk on Facebook.com The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler @ Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway Street, Redwood City. Authored by Avenue Q playwright Jeff Whitty, the comedy presents Hedda of the Ibsen classic who finds herself in an adventure with child-murdering Medea and Mammy (from Gone With the Wind). 8pm. Continues Thursdays-Sundays through November 19. dragonproductions.net

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The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink 10th Year Birthday Celebration @ Union Square. An all-day birthday celebration where the community is invited to skate free of charge and enjoy performances and birthday treats. 10am-1:30pm. unionsquareicerink.com Words, Women and Wisdom Book Salon @ Berkeley location provided with RSVP. A gathering of women and men who seek intelligent conversation and stimulating ideas, hosted by Bev Scott, Jan Schmuckler and B. Kim Barnes. 4-7pm. bit.ly/2x2gehp Film Showing: From Trauma to Activism @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. A new documentary with first-person narratives from pathfinders, gay liberationists, dykes and lesbian separatists. 7-9pm. glbthistory.org Chris Mann @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason. Classically trained singer-songwriter Chris Mann is best known for his two year run as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and his two seasons as a finalist on The Voice. 8pm. Continues Nov 4. feinsteinsatthenikko.com Imperial Silence: Una Ópera Muerta @ Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Street. A Day of the Dead opera from the other side using multimedia folk-opera to explore cultural norms of silence and death. 8pm. brava.org “Vulnerable, unguarded unbounded” Opening Reception @ Strut, 470 Castro. Reception opening the exhibit by artist Joe Mazza presenting a photo series about the inner struggles NOVE MB E R 2 , 2 0 1 7

of the human condition. 8-10pm. strutsf.org Chicago @ Novato Theater Company Playhouse, 4320 Nave Drive, Novato. Favorably reviewed community theater production of Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse’s 40-yearold classic. Friday, Saturdays and Sundays through November 12. novatotheatercompany.org

4 : Saturday SF Open Studios 2017 Weekend Two: West Side @ Multiple locations including Ft. Mason, Marina, North Beach, Pacific Heights and more. The nation’s oldest and largest open studios program continues its month-long art event showcasing established SF artists in their studios. 11am. Also on Sunday, Nov 5. artspan.org Laurel Bookstore Book Events @ Laurel Bookstore, 1423 Broadway, Oakland. Featuring authors Gayle Pitman (Feminism From A to Z) 2pm; and Donna Levin (There’s More Than One Way Home) and Linda Atwell (Loving Lindsey) 5pm. laurelbookstore.com Superfest 31 International Disability Film Festival @ The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art & Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. The longest running disability film festival in the world presenting cutting-edge cinema portraying disability through a diverse and complex lens. 2-9pm. filmfreeway.com/festival/superfest Future Fires Art & Technology Festival @ The Midway Creative Complex, 900 Marin Street. The second Future Fires brings together local and international artists to creative oneof-a-kind immersive environments, including the human body. 7pm-2am. futurefires.com/luminary.

5 : Sunday Imperial Proud @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk Street. A benefit featuring food, raffles and entertainers plus open show supporting the Imperial Council of San Francisco. 4pm. imperialcouncilsf.org

Anthony de Mare, Piano Recital @ Hertz Hall, 101 Cross-Sproul Path, Berkeley. Cal Performances presents the pianist and new music champion performing a program of commissioned works based on Sondheim classics reimagined by prominent composers. 7pm. calperformances.org

“Photosynthesis”: Transforming the Conservatory of Flowers into a Canvas of Light @ Conservatory of Flowers, 100 JF Kennedy Drive. Final days for the public display of a light art installation every night through November 30 at approximately 9:15pm. conservatoryofflowers.org

Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers @ Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell Streets. Emily Saliers’ first solo record, Murmuration Nation, is featured. 8pm. indigogirls.com

7 : Tuesday

Klimt & Rodin: An Artistic Encounter @ Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, 100 34th Avenue. The exhibit pairs selections from the Legion of Honor’s Rodin collection with signature pieces by Klimt. Many are making their first visit to the U.S. 9:30am-5:15pm, Tuesday-Sunday through January 28. legionofhonor.famsf.org

6 : Monday 40 Plus Men’s Group @ Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, 3207 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland. A new monthly (1st Monday) multiethnic support group for men 40 and over. 7-8:30pm. oaklandlgbtqcenter.org Staged Reading of Wolves by Steve Yockey @ Strut, 470 Castro. Theatre Rhino joins Strut in present the play about a young city-dweller and his roommate. 7-10pm. strutsf.org Sacred Cocktails @ The Lookout bar 16th and Market Streets. This month’s First Monday conversation topic will be racism and DACA with guest speakers. 6:308pm. lookoutsf.com Stonewall Project: Abstinence Skills Enhancement @ Strut, Room 1, 470 Castro Street. A support group helping participants remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol with a non-judgmental approach to relapse or slips. 7:30-9pm. strutsf.org

Queer Youth Meal Night @ San Francisco LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street. Dinner is served every Tuesday evening for LGBTQ youth ages 18-24 with drop-in mental health and HIV Testing services available and opportunities to connect with community service providers from LYRIC, Larkin Street, HRTC and Street Soccer USA. 5-7pm. sfcenter.org Grab ‘Em By The Songs @ The Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. The monthly first Tuesday event features women songwriters from the Bay Area preforming songs in the round and featuring for November Willa Mamet, Eileen Torez, Suzanne Yada and host Emily Zisman. 7:30pm. uptownnightclub.com

8 : Wednesday Election Anniversary Candlelight Vigil @ Noe Valley Town Square, 24th Street. Bring a candle and join the vigil marking the one-year anniversary of the disastrous 2016 election and subsequent continuing efforts to resist Trumpism. 5:30-6:30pm. actionsfsolidarity@gmail.com New Italian Cinema Festival Opening Night @ The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street. The Stuff of Dreams screening. 6:30pm followed by an After Party. Festival continues November 9-11 @ Vogue Theatre. newitaliancinema.org Castro Farmers’ Market @ Noe & Market Streets. Ongoing outdoor market in the Castro featuring fresh and organic foods from local vendors. 4pm-8pm, every

Wednesday through Nov. 4-8pm. pcfma.org Harvey’s Halo Grand Lighting @ Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro & Market Streets. A celebration Grand Lighting of the new Harvey’s Halo public art exhibit and the unveiling of the Hope Will Never Be Silent presentation by Illuminate, the team that created the Bay Lights and the Conservatory of Flowers’ “the Photosynthesis” light show. 6pm. illuminate.org Laurel Bookstore Book Events @ Laurel Bookstore, 1423 Broad Way, Oakland. Featuring author Micheline Marcom (The Brick House) in conversation with Carolina de Robertis. 7pm. laurelbookstore.com “She Made My Daughter Do It”: Lesbian Inheritance & Family Conflict @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. Featured guests Paula Lichtenberg and Michael Helquist will discuss the story of two well-known West Coast lesbian couples: Marie Equi and Harriet Speckart, and Gail Laughlina and Mary A. Sperry. 7-9pm. glbthistoryorg

9 : Thursday Donna Brazile: The Hacking of an American Election @ Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street. Brazile is speaking out about her time as the leader of the Democratic Party in an unfiltered conversation on the 2016 election and the chaotic battlefield of American politics. 6:30pm. marinesmemorialtheatre.com Dark + Light Exhibit Opening Reception @ 50 Scott Street. Reception opening the new exhibit of rock & roll photography by Jay Blakesberg featuring iconic images of The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones and more. 5:30-9pm. harveymilkphotocenter.org

10 : Friday San Francisco Transgender Film Festival @ Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street. Celebrating the 10th year of the first of its kind event, the three-day festival presents a program of films promoting transgender and gender-variant visibility, culture and community. Continues November 11 & 12. sftff.org Game Night @ Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, 3207 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland. Free night every Friday for older teens and adults in the common ground community room. 7:30-10:30pm. oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

11 : Saturday

documentary providing a look at same-sex desire from antiquity to the 19th Century. 4-5:30pm. glbthistory.org An Evening of Hope @ The Lodge at Regency Center, 1290 Sutter Street. Project Inform’s festive evening of cocktails, food, music, education and inspiration featuring stories from around the U.S. about the ways Project Inform’s leadership has transformed lives. 7-10pm. projectinform.com

12 : Sunday Sunday’s A Drag @ The Starlight Room, Powell Street. Hosted by Donna Sachet, the event features a brunch and a troupe of entertainers. The event is described as “The Greatest Drag Show in San Francisco.” Two shows every Sunday at 11am and 2pm. starlightroomsf.com Chili Cook Off @ Cinch Saloon, 1723 Polk Street. Benefitting San Francisco Night Ministries, the cookoff is hosted by Imperial Majesties Emperor Nic Hunter and Empress Mercedes Munro, the Imperial Council and more. 2-6pm. imperialcouncilsf.org Wine Country Rising North Bay Fire Victims Benefit @ 2004 Gough Street. An evening of great wine, food and entertainment, hosted by Rainbow World Fund and Out in the Vineyard, benefiting North Bay Fire Victims. 4-7pm. rainboworldfund.org Perfectly Queer Book Club Presents Non-Fiction @ Dog Eared Books, 489. Featuring authors Lucy Jane Bledsoe (Thin Bright Line), Peter Gajdics (Inheritance of Shame) and Julia Serano (Outspoken). 7pm. dogearedbooks.com

The Seen: What You Would Have Seen on Haight Street in 1967 @ SF Public Library Park Branch, 1833 Page Street. An exhibit of then and now photos providing a walk down memory lane of the Haight-Ashbury scene from 1967. Through December 7. sfpl.org

14 : Tuesday Rebels, Gender Rebels Outsiders @ San Francisco Public Library, Latino/Hispanic Rms, 100 Larkin Street. An audio visual book presentation with authors Renate Stendhal, Meg Allen and Lucy Gray about women breaking expectations and defying convention. 6-7:30pm. sfpl.org Queer and Trans Open Mic @ Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, 3207 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland. Presented by Spectrum Queer Media and hosted by Kin Folkz and Blackberri, the event provides a safe space for transformative collective self-care with the LGBTQIA2S and Authentic Ally community. 7pm. oaklandlgbtqcenter.org Velvet Rage Book Club @ Strut, 470 Castro Street. The weekly Tuesday book club of the SF AIDS Foundation’s Stonewall Project, with facilitators Wade Smith and Christopher Zepeda, explores the complexity of gay identity and culture, HIV, substance use, healing relationships and more. 4-5:30pm. strutsf.org

15 : Wednesday

13 : Monday

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnel: Playing with Fire @ Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street. As a pioneer in the field of political commentary, O’Donnel will talk about his new book telling the story of a country coming apart at the seams and the electioneering that took advantage of the chaos. 7pm. marinesmemorialtheatre.com

Debate - District 8 @ San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street. The Harvey Milk and Alice B. Toklas Democratic Clubs are hosting the first District 8 debate between candidates Rafael Mandelman and Jeff Sheehy. 6:30pm. lgbtcenter.org

Tapata Trivia Round UP! @ Wild Side West, 424 Courtland Avenue. Kit Tapata hosts the weekly on Wednesdays trivia competition mixed with music and live improv at the popular Bernal Heights location. 7-9pm. tapatatwins.com

Question Bridge: Black Males @ Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. A selection of videos featuring more than 160 black men from across the U.S., answering each other’s questions on family, love, interracial relationships, community, education and wisdom. Wednesdays through Sundays through February 25. museumca.org

Wednesdays at Feinstein’s @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason. A rotating series of events presented each month on Wednesdays, including Broadway Bingo at the Nikko with host Katya Smirnoff-Skyy and musical director Joe Wicht. 7pm. feinsteinsatthenikko.com

Light + Dark Exhibit Slideshow Lecture @ Harvey Milk Photography Center, 50 Scott Street. RSVP is required for the event featuring curators Dave Christensen and photographer Jay Blakesberg. 11:30am-1pm. harvemilkphotocenter.org Laurel Bookstore Book Events @ Laurel Bookstore, 1423 Broad Way, Oakland. What If You Could Fly a Magic Carpet featuring author Ilona Bray (Mossby’s Magic Carpet Handbook: A Flyer’s Guide). 2-4pm. laurelbookstore.com got milf? @ Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany. The lesbianowned bar announces a new afternoon event with the band know as milf. 4pm. ivyroom.com Before Homosexuals: From Ancient Times to Victorian Crimes @ Roxie Theater 3117 16th Street. A San Francisco premiere of Emmy Award-winning director John Scagliotti’s new S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 2, 2017

Round About - All Over Town

Photos by Rink

Be sure to check out the extensive collection of photos on these pages by our legendary photographer Rink, who really does get around all over town. Do you recognize any of the faces in this week’s Round About? Please be sure to tell Rink "Hello!" when you see him!

The Critical Mass ride, held on the final Friday each month going up Market Street and into the Castro, features Halloween attire each year in October.

Don Ho Tse and a friend were having fun at the Krewe De Kinque benefit for Larkin Street Youth Center held at the Edge bar on October 23.

Maestro Kippy Marks was among the entertainers performing at the Krewe De Kinque party at Edge bar.

Krewe De Kinque’s benefit for Larkin Street Youth Center included popular raffle prizes, such as the potted chrysanthemum on display at Edge bar.

The traditional pre-Halloween costume ride of Critical Mass included an array of characters.

The Passport Scavenger Hunt sign at the table of artist Miriam Klein Stahl in front of Bob’s Donuts on October 22

Artist Miriam Klein Stahl greeted a participant, who signed in for the Passport Scavenger Hunt on October 22 at Klein’s table in front of Bob’s Donuts on Polk Street.

Designer Bruce Beaudette (left) joined models wearing his fashions on the runway at the Comfort & Joy Fashion Show at Art Saves Lives Gallery.

A Critical Mass rider stands out in his yellow costume riding just outside of Orphan Andy’s on Friday, October 27.

The Day of the Dead Altar, installed on October 26 in the children’s section of the Harvey Milk / Eureka Valley Library Branch, invited observers to add family photos.

An art installation included a skull placed in the hand of an angel on the wall at Weavers Coffee on Market Street in the Castro.

A dancer sporting a Jack-o-Lantern headdress at the Comfort & Joy Freak Chic Fashion Show held at Art Saves Lives Gallery on October 21

A couple dressed for Halloween just outside of the Cinch bar on October 28 A sign announcing the Help Northern California Fire Victims fund outside the offices of Rainbow World Fund

Filmmaker David Weissman, interviewer Bob Dockendorff and editor Alex Bohs presented the Conversations with Elders program held on October 5 at the San Francisco Public Library. 42

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Eric Berchtold (right) manager of the Cinch bar, hosted a packed Halloween Party on October 28.

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A reveler on Polk Street just outside of the Cinch bar wore an inventive homemade costume.

Guests inside the Cinch bar on October 28 were dressed for Halloween.

Panelists Sean Dorsey, Juliana Delgado Lopera, Brontez Purnell, Leo Herrera and E.G. Crichton at the GLBT History Museum’s event, Fighting Back: Art as Resistance, in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the AIDS Quilt.

Newly elected Grand Duchess Miss Shugana and Grand Duke Madd-Dogg 20/20 greeted the crowd attending the Grand Ducal Investiture at Oasis on October 22. TJ Wilkinson and Jim Strano at the Ducal Investiture on October 22.

GLBT Historical Society’s Terry Beswick was the moderator of the panel discussion Fighting Back: Art as Resistance held on October 24 at the GLBT History Museum.

San Francisco Bay Times columnist Tom Temprano and former Supervisor Bevan Dufty spoke at the fundraiser held for candidate Rafael Mandelman on October 19.

Panelist Sean Dorsey with wife Shawna Virago at the Fighting Back: Art as Resistance panel discussion event held at the GLBT History Museum in observance of the AIDS Quilt’s 30th Anniversary.

Tab Buckner, candidate Rafael Mandelman and Esther Marks at the fundraiser/birthday party held for Mandelman at Blackbird lounge on October 19.

AIDS Legal Referral Panel's (ALRP) Bill Hirsh spoke to more than 400 guests attending the organization's From the Heart event at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in the Merchants Exchange building on October 18.

Donna Sachet (center standing) visited with honorees Frank and Liza Bizzarro and their family at the ALRP event on October 18.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen, candidate Rafael Mandelman and Hon. Tom Ammiano at a fundraising and birthday party for Mandelman held at Blackbird lounge on October 19.

Applauding guests cheered for candidate Rafael Mandelman at the fundraising birthday party at Blackbird lounge.

David Thurman and Charis Redmond enjoyed the Golnazar Artisan Ice Cream served at the ALRP event on October 18.

Attorney of the Year honoree Sharon Dulberg (left), her wife Ilana Drummund and filmmaker Nancy Kates (Brother Outsider) at the ALRP event on October 18

Lu Read aka Drag King contestant Fudgie Frottage with Alex U Inn at the Grand Ducal Investiture at Oasis on October 22.

Honoree Yvette McGee (center) of the Jones Day Law firm with friends at ALRP’s event on October 18

ALRP’s Bill Hirsh, event emcee Supervisor Jeff Sheehy and honorees John Rosenzweig, Sharon Dulberg, Yvette McGee Brown and Brian McDonald at the ALRP event on October 18 S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 2, 2017