The Stud’s new chapter began eight years ago when it was announced, on August 4, 2016, that a group consisting of drag queens, DJs, and performers formed a co-op and secured funding to purchase the historic queer bar. It will soon be transformed into the country’s first co-op nightclub.
“I’ve made the choice to move forward with transferring ownership of the bar to The Stud Collective based on the diverse, multitalented, qualified group that they represent. If these awesome folks can’t make it work, no one can,” said the former Stud owner Michael McElhaney, who sold the Stud after 25 years.
The Stud Collective formed quickly after news that the 50-year-old Legacy business was in danger of shuttering due to rent hikes.
“The real-estate market shows no signs of slowing down. If historic businesses are going to survive, our community will have to innovate,” co-op spokesperson and popular drag queen VivvyAnne Forevermore said at the time. “And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Working with then Supervisor Jane Kim, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, along with the support of then Supervisor David Campos, the co-op created a business model
that has taken them to the present planned grand reopening on April 20, 2024.
The following Stud Collective members were announced back in 2016:
• Jerry Lee Abram: Production and Technical;
• Nate Allbee: Government Relations and Operations;
• Siobhan Aluvalot: Performance and Operations;
• Marke Bieschke: Communication and Promotion;
• John Foster/F. Cartwright: Promotion & Nonprofit Arts;
• Paul Dillinger: Business and Finance;
• Houston Gilbert: Business and Finance;
During the Golden Age of queer San Francisco, when people went out to meet each other instead of simply ordering in, the city seemed to have a club for almost every taste and talent. There were leather and Levi’s bars South of Market, sweater bars in Polk Gulch and Pacific Heights, clone bars in Castro Village, and bars for free spirits in the Haight. Blessed were they who had cars to carry a large choice of wardrobe in their trunks that was appropriate for every opportunity.
In those long-ago days, one bar was different. People at the Stud could wear anything they wanted and still be dressed for the occasion. When it opened at 1535 Folsom in May 1966, it was another “western-oriented dance bar” on what was becoming San Francisco’s Miracle Mile— Fe-Be’s opened down the block the same year—but it welcomed everyone from leather men, jocks, women, and bears to drag queens, trans people, and disco bunnies of any size, background, or color.
Whatever the original plans of its founders, George Matson and Alexis Muir, then known as Richard Conroy, by 1970, according to QQ Magazine, the Stud was “a turned-on, spaced-out super groovy bar where heads meet.” Muir, a great-niece of naturalist John Muir and possibly the inspiration for Anna Madrigal in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, became sole owner a few years later; she also owned the No Name at 1347 Folsom and the Folsom Barracks two blocks away, but sold her interests in all three a few years later.
It may not have been the first club
• Terra Haywood: Operations and Art Direction;
• Kelly Lovemonster: Marketing and Promotion;
• Dottie Lux: Promotion and Performance;
• Meg Murray/Profundity: Production Design and Business Strategy;
• Alpha Mulugeta/Honey
Mahogany: Promotion and Performance;
• Mark O’Brien: Promotion and Performance;
• Rachel Ryan/Little Gem: Promotion and Performance;
• Neven Raja Samara: Design and Art Direction;
• David Schnur: Development and Construction;
• Mica Sigourney/VivvyAnne ForeverMORE!: Promotion and Performance.
Forevermore at the time of the coop’s purchase of The Stud said, “We have the funding, resources, and talent to make The Stud a profitable, successful business.” Soon that will come to the test, but given the dedication and varied talents of the collective, the Stud appears to be poised for countless more years of being, as Forevermore added, “a space where everyone is welcome.”
in the city to have bartenders with long hair and beards, but in 1972, the Stud became one of the first two to hire Black bartenders; not surprisingly, the No Name was the other. Even when it changed ownership several times during the decade, it remained true to its eclectic and embracing traditions, the “headquarters for the iconoclastic gays,” its devoted regulars known as Studettes. According to 1981’s Advocate Guide, it attracted “a little bit of everything: hippie, leather, punk, clone—and slumming heterosexuals.”
By then it was like no other dance club in the city—or anywhere else on planet Earth. Featuring a psychedelic black light mural created by legendary leather artist Chuck Arnett, it showcased music’s newest of the new. For pop chronicler Adam Block, it was where “the gutsy, rambunctious alternative flourishes.” Mondays at the Stud featured “the most radical and inventive playlist in the city.” Wednesdays and Sundays it was “rock spiked with disco.”
the Lester Chambers Group; Pearl Heart; Pristine Condition; Ways of Meringue; Sylvester; Jumpin’ Jupiter; and Etta James. For “Booze Bash” Tuesdays, well drinks were 50 cents from 9 pm to midnight. Wednesdays were “Cheap Beer Night.” The rest of the week was for “dancing, good music, and good vibes.”
Long before Rolling Stone included her at #22 on its list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” in 2008, James was a favorite at the Stud. In her autobiography, Rage To Survive (2003), she remembered it as “a gay dive so small that I had to dress across the street at Hamburger Mary’s.” (She also remembered that, in the bar’s restroom, “the urinals had mirrors for comparison shopping.”)
Even so, she performed there at least once every year, often for Valentine’s Day, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Even Mr. Marcus, first Emperor of San Francisco’s Imperial Court, proclaimed, “It rocks! It rolls! It sways.”
In additional to its famed playlists, the Stud also presented live entertainment on Sundays and Mondays, with performances beginning at 10 pm. Among the favorites were the all women rhythm and blues combo
Sweet Chariot, “the reigning funk band of the East Bay”;
James always had a great love for the city and its loyal following. She wrote in her autobiography that, during a time of personal and professional difficulties, “San Francisco was my only salvation. My strongest fans are there, many of them gay men and lesbians. I’m not sure how that happened.
I like to think they’re responding to my honest emotions. They know what bigotry is about. They understand hard times and heartache; they like it when someone lays it on the line.”
During the 1980s, the Stud became the first bar in San Francisco “to go Punk,” the first to play New Wave music, and certainly the first to have a Punk Night Monday. When puppeteer Wayland Flowers visited with his dear friend and very foul-mouthed alter ego Madame, she was dressed in the highest of punk fashion. Other visitors included Siouxsie Sioux of the British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, and even Mayor Dianne Feinstein, shaking hands with the regulars, now known as Punkettes, on a Monday before an election.
Around the time the Stud moved to the corner of 9th and Harrison Streets in August 1987, it began holding themed events and dance parties. Among the well-remembered were Frolic, which featured giant stuffed animals as decor and revelers wearing realistic fullbody faux fur and lifelike heads; Funk Night ; Girl Spot ; Junk ; Sexy Stepping ; Freak Show, which featured sideshow performances, exotic dancers, and “circus surprises”; Phat Phree ; and Drive, “a queer electrofunk breakbeat dance club.”
Possibly the Stud’s longest running and certainly the most influential club was Trannyshack, which began in 1996 when Heklina (né Stefan Grygelko), one of the Stud’s bartenders, was asked to create an entertainment for Tuesday nights. Challenging and often defying all concepts of what was drag, shows with themes that included “Weapons of Ass Destruction Night,” “Serial Killers Night,” and “When Nellies Attack” often featured some of the biggest stars in drag. It was staged every week for more than 12 years without ever losing its popularity.
est LGBTQ bar in San Francisco. Across its long, legendary history, the Stud had one guiding principle: everyone who went there, in whatever clothing they chose to wear— clone, hippie, glam, punk, drag or anything else—could be whoever they were or wanted to be, even their authentic, fabulous selves.
The Stud closed its 9th and Harrison Streets venue in 2020, but will return at 1123–1125 Folsom this month.
In two years, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary, making it the old-
Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “LGBTQ+ Trailblazers of San Francisco” (2023) and “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.
By Honey Mahogany
San Francisco’s oldest queer bar is ready for yet another act. The Stud has been a San Francisco staple since 1966, and after a fouryear-long IRL hiatus, the Stud is back, and it’s here to stay.
Anyone who’s lived in San Francisco for any significant amount of time has a Stud story: someone’s wildest night was at the Stud, another person’s first time in drag was at the Stud, a couple who’s been together for 30 years met at the Stud.
For me, my earliest memories of the Stud come from driving by the iconic venue located at the corner of 9th and Harrison as a child. The boldly painted sign that read STUD with a rainbow flag proudly flying above it left no question in my mind that this was somewhere I needed to be.
The Stud was the first gay bar I ever had a drink in—it was the place that made me realize I wanted to start doing drag—it was my home away from home.
Over the years, the Stud has been home to countless people, parties, and scenes. And while I only ever knew the Stud at its 399 9th Street location, many from the generation before me remember when it used to be located at 1535 Folsom Street. But good vibes, even better music, and incredibly wild parties could always
be found at the Stud, regardless of its location.
Sadly, the Stud was forced to close in 2020 due to the pressures of the pandemic, but the Stud Collective, a group of artists, bartenders, DJs, and nightlife aficionados have been keeping the dream of the Stud alive. It took the Stud Collective four years to find the perfect space in the Stud’s historic home of SOMA, but the Stud has finally found its new forever home at 1123 Folsom Street.
If that address sounds familiar, it’s because the Stud’s new location was once the home of Julie’s Supper Club. Some might also recall the urban legend that Patty Hearst was kept locked in the basement of this same building back in the 1970s. The space has played host to other venues and ventures, including the sports bar Trademark and the recent Golden Girls pop up.
The new venue will be double the size of the old Stud space with two separate bar areas, and an outdoor patio. While the Stud will be open this month, the Collective has plans to remodel the space—getting rid of the kitchen to expand the dance floor, install a stage in order to host its legendary drag shows, and build drag queen-sized dressing rooms. But the full remodel and realization for the space will take more money than the scrappy collective currently has on hand. Fundraising efforts for the remodel are ongoing.
The Stud Collective is planning a huge comeback party for Saturday, April 20, 2024, where DJs will be playing music spanning over the last six decades in honor of the Stud’s rich musical legacy.
For more information about the Stud, the grand opening party on April 20, and to contribute to fundraising efforts, make sure to visit https://www.studsf.com/
See you at the Stud!
Honey Mahogany, the first openly transgender person to serve on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, is a member of the Stud Collective. She is a Co-Founder of the Compton’s Transgender Cultural District, the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. Also a talented performer, she was a "RuPaul’s Drag Race" star and is now part of the queer metal band Commando.
Spring is here, baseball is back, and the air is rich with the new possibilities that spring promises. Get outside if you can—to catch a ballgame, or just to drink in the beauty of this spring season. Doomscrolling can wait; the wildflowers cannot.
If you have every attended a public gathering in the Castro—a rally, march, protest, vigil, or celebration—you have undoubtedly seen members of Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP), watching over the crowd to ensure everyone’s safety. From Heklina’s public memorial to the annual Christmas tree lighting, from the Orlando Pulse vigils to the massive celebrations following the Supreme Court rulings for same-sex marriage, CCOP is always there. What many people do not realize is that CCOP is an entirely volunteer-run organization. Founded in 2006 in response to a series of violent attacks on gay men in the Castro, and building upon the groundbreaking work of previous safety groups in
the neighborhood, CCOP has spent the past 18 years not only providing a watchful peacekeeping presence at public events, but also proactively educating and training the community to defend itself in case of personal or group attacks. By providing self-defense classes for individuals, and active-shooter trainings to local bars and businesses, CCOP has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between community groups and law enforcement professionals to enhance the safety of the community.
On March 18, a special ceremony was held in Mayor Breed’s office, as CCOP was awarded the FBI Community Leadership Award.
CCOP’s leadership team, Greg Carey and Ken Craig, received a certificate from Robert Tripp, special agent in charge at the FBI’s San Francisco office. They will be flying to Washington, D.C., soon to receive the award directly from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman quipped that “San Francisco’s public service glitterati” were all on hand to honor CCOP’s long history of prioritizing public safety for the community. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto paid tribute to CCOP’s dedication to public service, saying, “I’m elected to serve the community. You elect to serve the community.” Police Chief William Scott added, “They add value for the safety in our community.” Mayor London Breed presented Carey and Craig with her own certificate, and thanked them for all their group does, while acknowledging that their work is not done.
While acknowledging the awards and the thanks they received from the city’s leaders, CCOP’s Greg Carey reiterated the ever-growing
need for the community to learn to protect itself. He cited the fact that of 510 antiLGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures over the past year, 75% were signed into law. He emphasized that while, nationwide, antiLGBTQ+ hate crimes were up 162%, in states where hateful legislation had been introduced, hate crimes were up 352%. CCOP’s
Ken Craig, who designs their safety training programs, stressed the need for partnerships and collaboration between members of the community and public safety officials, adding that their group helps bridge the gap to help people trust local law enforcement, and to learn how to protect themselves in case of attack.
In a prior issue I wrote about the fact that CCOP recently lost their longtime fiscal sponsor when SF-SAFE suddenly ceased operations. This left the group with a pile of unpaid bills for such operating expenses as safety equipment and printed safety information for the public. A GoFundMe has been started to help them raise funds for their annual operating budget. We have all benefited from the work of these dedicated community volunteers, so please join me in pitching in to help them: https://tinyurl.com/HelpCCOP
Bayard Rustin: Gay & Quaker
For far too many people, the recent Oscar-nominated film Rustin was
their first introduction to Bayard Rustin, the queer Black man whose groundbreaking work helped shape the Black civil rights movement in the mid-twentieth century. Fortunately, the film has awakened renewed interest in his life and work.
On Thursday, April 4, at 5 pm, the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network will be hosting a webinar, “Gay & Quaker: The Shaping of Activist Bayard Rustin.” The webinar will explore the roots of his philosophy and his activism, especially as a man who was both queer, and rooted in his Quaker faith.
The webinar will be moderated by religious historian and Rustin scholar Quincy Rinehart, and will feature Black lesbian activist Mandy Carter, and Rustin’s long-time partner Walter Naegel. Naegel is also coauthor of Troublemaker for Justice - The Story of Bayard Rustin, The Man Behind the March on Washington, a young person’s biography published by City Lights. Register for the webinar here: https://tinyurl.com/Rustinweb
Spring Cleaning: Check your Voter Registration Now
We may be just barely into spring, but November elections are coming up sooner than you think, and while we are all already being deluged with texts and emails begging us to support candidates, don’t forget that there is something you can do right now to ensure that your voice will be heard in this crucial election: making sure your voter registration is in good order.
This can be an issue for anyone who has moved since they last voted, and particularly for anyone who has changed their name, because many states require that the name on their ID match the name on their voter registration. This can have an outsized impact on women, because 70% of women change their name when they get married. It is also, of course, a challenge for trans people, who often face daunting barriers to getting identification documents to
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Greene Estate, Probate, and Elder Law Firm provides tailored estate planning solutions for individuals and families in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founder Jay Greene is also a San Francisco Bay Times columnist! We are highlighting his firm now because, this year, his firm is celebrating ten years of practice in California (and 16 years nationally).
What sets the firm apart from others is Greene’s background. In addition to being an estate planning attorney, he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with significant experience working in the insurance and investment industry. This unique combination allows him to offer comprehensive approaches to estate planning, considering legal, financial, investment, and insurance aspects to ensure your assets are protected and your wishes are carried out effectively.
San Francisco Bay Times: What inspired you to go into law and start your own firm?
Jay Greene: I was motivated to help individuals and families after witnessing the challenges my own family faced when my grandparents did not properly plan. This wasn’t just the financial costs of extra work and complications from the lack of planning. There was a significant emotional cost of having to deal with conflict between siblings because nobody knew what mom and dad actually wanted.
Probate is a stressful process, because of navigating complex legal, tax, and financial issues. This doesn’t take into account all the personal costs and strained relationships that occur when people don’t have planning. I’m passionate about helping people plan for the future and achieve peace of mind knowing their loved ones will not experience those significant personal costs.
San Francisco Bay Times: What do you most enjoy about the location of your business?
San Francisco Bay Times: What are some of the specific services that your firm offers?
Jay Greene: Here are five areas of service that we provide:
• Living Trusts: We can help you establish a Living Trust to avoid probate and ensure your assets are distributed efficiently according to your wishes.
• Power of Attorney: We make sure disability planning is easy so that someone can manage your financial and legal decisions without court intervention.
• Asset Protection Trusts: We make sure business owners and property owners have asset protections so that, if something happens to their business, the rest of their assets are protected.
• Family Business Succession Planning: We craft strategies to ensure a smooth transition of your family business to future generations.
• Special Needs Planning: We develop comprehensive plans to safeguard the future of loved ones with special needs including seniors.
• Tax-Minimization Strategies: We leverage our combined legal and financial expertise to minimize your future tax burden.
San Francisco Bay Times: Is most of your clientele from San Francisco, other parts of the Bay Area, or even from more remote regions? And do most of your clients come for just a one-time need or do they return to your firm over time?
Jay Greene: San Francisco is welcoming, vibrant, and diverse. I enjoy serving clientele who reflect this rich tapestry of people and their unique needs. We are not all the same, so our planning shouldn’t all be the same. We don’t just throw everyone into the same box for planning. We tailor the planning to meet each person’s specific goals involving individuals and family. San Francisco’s sense of community aligns perfectly with our commitment to helping families.
Jay Greene: Our clientele is a mix of individuals and families in the Bay Area, although we are a national firm. We work with clients anywhere in the state of California. We also work with people in Florida and Alabama. We have great referrals in other states, so we always welcome initial assessments with potential clients to see if we can help them nationally. Initial assessments and initial consultations can be booked directly ( www. GreeneLawFirm.com ).
Some matters may be a onetime consultation, so we welcome the opportunity to schedule an informative discovery session to see if we need to move forward with planning in your fact pattern. Many clients return to us as their needs evolve throughout life stages.
San Francisco Bay Times: How does your business connect with the LGBTQ+ community?
Jay Greene: I have been actively involved in the Bay Area LGBTQ community for many
years. When I first moved to San Francisco in 2014, it was important to me that I connect to the historic LGBTQ organizations in this city. The Golden Gate Business Association, the first LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in the world, ( www.ggba.com ), celebrates 50 years this year. I was honored to serve as a board member for the organization and their foundation for combined service of 7 years. I served on the California Department of Insurance’s Diversity Task Force for a period of 6 years. I have actively engaged with Openhouse in my service as an Elder Law Attorney focusing on planning. My whole firm is committed to providing inclusive and comprehensive estate planning services for all individuals and families, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We understand the importance of creating estate plans that reflect the unique needs of LGBTQ individuals, including everything from pronouns to modern relationships.
San Francisco Bay Times: Please give a shout out to any members of your staff, repeat clients, mentors, or anyone else whom you wish to thank for their support.
Jay Greene: I’d like to express my gratitude to the dedicated team who works tirelessly to make sure our clients receive the highest level of service. The entire team (Rebeca, Obed, Ernest, and Baron) has done so much over the past decade, and we look forward to celebrating with all our clients, community relationships, and allied professionals at our 10 year anniversary party on Friday, April 26. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to all our valued clients who have placed their trust in us. Your referrals and positive feedback mean the world to us and allow us to continue the important work that we do.
San Francisco Bay Times: Outside of your own firm, what other businesses do you recommend?
Jay Greene: As a business focused on legal and financial matters, we work with many allied professionals like financial advisors, insurance agents, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, and tax professionals. With our work in the elder care space, we have existing relationships with senior placement professionals, assisted living facilities, home care companies, and moving professionals. We love to provide our clients referrals to professionals whom we believe can help them achieve their long-term goals. If you want to develop a comprehensive strategy for your future, we would welcome you scheduling an initial assessment with our office.
San Francisco Bay Times: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced, in terms of your work?
Jay Greene: The one constant in life is change: people are born, people die, our money goes up, our money goes down, laws change. You need to be reviewing estate planning to make sure that it is adapting to what is going on in your life and the world around
you. You don’t want to have a plan that worked 20 or 5 years ago, but doesn’t work today when you actually need it. We stay upto-date on the latest legal and financial developments to ensure our clients receive the most relevant and effective advice while they are creating their plans.
San Francisco Bay Times: What are your plans and goals for your law firm in the year ahead?
Jay Greene: The biggest plan for us this year is celebrating 10 years in California this year. We are starting off the celebration on Friday, April 26. This is a private event, but if you would like an invitation, reach out to my office for more information.
As always, we are also committed to leveraging technology to enhance communication and streamline the estate planning process for our clients. In the coming year, we plan to expand our technology suite within the office and continue providing educational outreach like workshops and seminars to community organizations.
Estate planning is often seen as an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right team, clear communication and personalized attention will ensure you understand your options and feel confident about your finalized estate plan. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you. You can schedule with us at
Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan
It is important to support Oakland’s many needs throughout the city, and one of the ways we can build a stronger future is by expanding development that generates housing, jobs, business opportunity, social equity, and expands tax revenue. There are some significant and important projects proposed that can strengthen our community and our economy, for which we want to share some information about the goals and vision.
The Black Arts Movement and Business District
Oakland has a strong history of Black businesses, leadership, and community that has also faced decades of disruption, displacement, and other challenges. The City Council has affirmed and designated the Black Arts Movement and Business District (BAMBD) to provide for recognition and revitalization efforts in this area. This is a project of citywide significance.
The types of facilities proposed to be transformed include those that will support and strengthen the BAMBD. They include:
1. a series of public streetscape improvements, including public banners along Oakland’s Fourteenth Street corridor to honor, uplift, commemorate, and increase public awareness of important Black cultural, sports, arts, and historical people and institutions, and to help identify and uplift the corridor being known and recognized as the BAMBD;
2. and publicly owned and privately-owned property transformed by actions including tenant improvements, facade improvements, placemaking improvements,
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Happy Earth Month! It’s a time to reflect on our relationship with our planet. Whether we see plastic bottles littering our oceans, storms getting more intense, or cars polluting our air, many of us are concerned about the impact our lives are having on the environment.
California resident Stephen Harris knows the feeling. The consequences of climate change were weighing on him; so much so, he decided to do something about it. He joined the California Climate Corps, focusing on food recovery during his elevenmonth commitment. The college graduate chose this area because composting is one of the most effective ways an individual can reduce carbon emissions—getting food waste out of landfills and creating soil. For his work, the 28-year-old earns a stipend for living expenses and money towards more schooling, while gaining valuable experience that will help his career.
While Stephen found new purpose in climate projects, he also easily connected with other members of the LGBTQ+ community. He has been able to nurture new friendships with like-minded gay people who share the same conviction for sustainability
and care for our natural resources. The work and relationships are so meaningful to him that he signed up for a second year, this time as a Team Leader.
The California Climate Corps Stephen joined is among the four service corps programs the state is recruiting for right now. Designed for emerging climate leaders 18 years old and up, this program provides nearly a year of hands-on experience in the climate sector. Opportunities are focused on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency. The three other service areas are:
• #CaliforniansForAll College Corps: Full-time students at participating colleges and universities serve with nonprofits, K-12 schools, and public agencies over the course of an academic year. They build new skills, gain confidence, and earn money for school while making a positive difference in the community by tutoring and mentoring, addressing food insecurity, and taking climate action. This program proudly includes eligible AB540 California Dream Act students.
• #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps: Members are 16 to 30 years old who are from underserved communities. They gain on-the-job experience with public agencies and nonprofits in participating cities and counties. Their focus is on projects that support COVID-19 recovery, address food insecurity, and tackle climate issues. Fellows receive a living wage, essential wrap-around services, and other benefits to help ensure both their short and long-term success, as they help the community.
• AmeriCorps California: Adults 18 and up from all backgrounds serve anywhere from two to 12 months in nonprofits, public agencies, and educational institutions. They set out to improve educational outcomes, protect the environment, prepare for and recover from disaster, and advance equitable health outcomes.
With all these programs combined, the California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation. A total of 10,000 fellowships slots for teenagers and young adults are available. Length of commitment, college stipends, and application deadlines vary. In return, participants can receive a monthly stipend, gain valuable work experience, help local communities, and earn money to advance their education.
In Stephen’s case, he plans to pursue law school and specialize in environmental law. His story shows that investing in young people can mean a brighter future not only for them, but also our state. Over the coming year, fellows across the four service corps will serve nearly five million hours! Plus, California communities will reap the benefits of their work.
If you know a young person who is looking to make a difference in our state while earning money to pursue a degree, tell them about the California Service Corps ( https://tinyurl.com/47czaww4 ). We need to prepare our leaders of tomorrow.
Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City, as well as part of South San Francisco and San Bruno.
Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis
The setting was a special service at the Upper Room Church of God, a Pentecostal church in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 4, 2021. At the pulpit was North Carolina
Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, whom Donald Trump described last month as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” declaring that Robinson was, in fact, “better than Martin Luther King.”
The Lieutenant Governor delivered a bombast, which included a sweeping broadside against the trans community: “If there’s a movement in this country that is demonic and that is full of ... the spirit of antichrist, it is the transgender movement.” The absurdity of Robinson’s scurrilous claim reminds us of Vladimir Putin’s adding the “international LGBT social movement and its structural units” to Russia’s list of extremist and terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda late last month.
The Lieutenant Governor also childishly mocked trans people, revealing his utter ignorance of their experience and evidencebased medicine and taunted the press to make sure they got down every word of it:
“Here’s something else I’m not supposed to say: Ain’t but two genders ... . You can go to the doctor and get cut up. You can go down to the dress shop and get made up. You can go down there and get drugged up. But at the end of the day, you are just a drugged up, dressed up, made up, cut up man or woman. You ain’t changed what God put in you, that DNA.”
Turning then to LGBTIQ education in schools, the Lieutenant Governor declared “two plus two don’t equal transgender,” and exhorted schools to stop teaching students “how to go to hell,” adding
for good measure, “yeah, I said it, and I mean it.”
Imagine a queer child, brought to church by their parents, sitting in the pews at the service. Not only would they hear the Lieutenant Governor’s condemnation of them from the pulpit, but the video reveals they would have seen church leaders behind him and to his side, smiling, laughing, applauding, gesturing, and raising their arms in endorsement of his words. What would that child think and feel? What do countless other LGBTIQ youth and adults think and feel when they hear similar attacks?
Sadly, we know all too well. In 2014, transgender youth Leelah Alcorn in her public suicide note calling for the world to stand up for transgender people recounted how “[I] go to church each week and feel like s--t because everyone there is against everything I live for.”
Referring to remarks akin to what Robinson said, Alcorn implored: “Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid. That won’t do anything but make them hate themself. That’s exactly what it did to me.”
Hard data documents the terrible toll that such harmful rhetoric and the slew of anti-LGBTIQ bills passed with lightning speed in Republican-controlled states is taking on LGBTIQ youth. Last month, The Washington Post released an in-depth analysis of FBI crime data that revealed that, in states
that have enacted anti-LGBTIQ legislation, “the number of hate crimes on K–12 [school] campuses has more than quadrupled” since the beginning of the onslaught.
North Carolina, with Robinson as Lieutenant Governor, is one of the states that has passed such laws.
The Post further described how calls to LGBTIQ crisis lines have skyrocketed. Tellingly, data from the Rainbow Youth Project reveals that the subject most discussed by callers was the effects of the anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric and legislation, followed by bullying, religious/church groups, and the archconservative organization Moms for Liberty, which advocates against LGBTIQ inclusion in education and in favor of banning books with LGBTIQ content.
The August 2021 Upper Room Church of God speech was not a one-off for Robinson. Speaking at another conservative church a cou-
ple months earlier, the Lieutenant Governor declared being LGBTIQ to be “filth,” reiterating in his next sentence to ensure no one missed it, “yes, I called it filth.”
In March 2023, as Robinson was preparing to announce his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, he doubled down again at yet another conservative church: “Yes, I said it. [It] makes me sick every time I see it— when I pass a church that flies that ... rainbow flag, which is a direct, a direct spit in the face to God almighty.” He then linked his views to the country as a whole: “If this nation does not stop it, this nation is going to be in trouble.” Later in the speech, the Lieutenant Governor claimed that he knew why the Christian god had put him personally into the world: “God formed
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Dr. Marcy Adelman
It is spring and time for the Openhouse annual Spring Fling event, and with it, the presentation of the Openhouse Adelman/ Gurevitch Founders Award to acknowledge individuals who have made a significant contribution to Openhouse’s mission and the lives of LGBTQ older adults.
The first awardee was Art Agnos in 2008; he had been a key advisor to Openhouse from its inception. Last year’s awardee was Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, for her work in advanc-
ing the rights of LGBTQ seniors and people living with HIV/AIDS.
This year it is my honor to present the Founders award to a friend and colleague who has dedicated his life to public service, Tom Nolan. Tom was one of the first openly LGBTQ+ elected officials in the country as a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. During the AIDS crisis, he led San Mateo County’s response to the crisis.
When Tom was sworn into office in January of 1985, San Mateo County had barely acknowledged that AIDS might be in the county. Despite intense resistance to addressing AIDS and the needs of LGBTQ+ county residents, Tom used the power of his position to make
the public and decision makers recognize and respond with compassion to the AIDS crisis.
He created the AIDS Task Force, and through that body, began an educational campaign including testing, information, and access to care. He brought panels of the AIDS Quilt to the San Mateo County Fair and held AIDS marches and vigils in the County Court House. He also helped establish an AIDS Hospice modeled after Coming Home Hospice in San Francisco.
After Tom termed off the San Mateo Board of Supervisors, he went on to succeed Ruth Brinker as the Executive Director of Project Open Hand (1994), a Bay Area nonprofit providing meals to persons living with HIV/ AIDS. Tom expanded and broadened Project Open Hand’s client base to include homebound older adults
By Jason D. Flatt, PhD, MPH
I first encountered the artist and now a trusted friend, L.A. Walker, at an LGBTQ+ business meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our connection was instantaneous, fueled by a shared passion for supporting LGBTQ+ community members grappling with dementia. L.A.’s story is not just one of personal triumph, but a testament to resilience, empathy, and unwavering dedication to fostering inclusion, promoting community connection, and supporting those who care for and are impacted by dementia.
The journey of Adlaidie Walker, affectionately known as L.A., is marked by service, creativity, and advocacy. A veteran of the Army and a graduate of the U.S. Defense Information School, L.A. transitioned from her role as a radio and television anchor with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) to become the News Director of Baltimore’s WBGR (now WFSI) radio. Her life’s path led her from the bustling streets of Chicago to the vibrant community of Las Vegas, where she has resided for over two decades.
Beyond her illustrious career in media, L.A. is a prolific playwright and author, using her creative talents to spark conversations about social issues and promote community connection. Her theatrical productions, such as Ten Minutes of Truth on Racism and The MAM Show, delved deep into the complexities of our society, challenging stereotypes and inspiring dialogue. In No Labels she tells a story about a homophobic dog who gets adopted by a gay couple and freaks out. L.A. wrote a song in No Labels, “I’m a Man Who Loves a Man,” sung and performed by country artist Chase Brown. Her latest project, The Wonderful World of Was, sheds light on the journey of dementia caregivers in a poignant and humorous narra-
and people living with a critical illness.
From 2009 to 2017, Tom chaired the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency where he was a champion of affordable, sustainable, and safe public transit.
After retiring from Project Open Hand in 2012, Tom served as the Manager of Special Projects for the SF Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS), where he was the department’s liaison on all proj-
tive with music and involving actors impacted by dementia. A clip from this work is at YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yx74jmat
The Wonderful World of Was was inspired by her personal experiences with caregiving for her wife of 30 years, Terry, who battled Lewy body dementia. L.A. has become a beacon of hope and support for those navigating similar challenges. Through workshops, podcasts, and her role as Co-Executive Director of Social Issues Theatre, L.A. provides vital resources and platforms for individuals to share their stories and connect with others in the community.
Another one of L.A.’s notable contributions is her 7-part podcast series, Dementia Caregiving: The Land of I Don’t Know ( https://tinyurl.com/5fbs9atb), which offers invaluable insights and support for caregivers in need of respite and self-care. In a society where caregiving can often be isolating and overwhelming, L.A.’s podcast serves as an important resource, reminding dementia caregivers of the importance of prioritizing their own health and well-being.
In addition to her artistic and advocacy endeavors, L.A. is an incredible advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in dementia research. As a member of the Community Advisory Board for the RISE Registry, L.A. works tirelessly to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals with dementia and their caregivers are represented in clinical research and learn about community resources. By bridging the gap between the LGBTQ+ community and research initiatives, L.A. is helping us to pave the way for more inclusive and effective treatments for dementia and programs and services for caregivers.
To learn more about how you can support LGBTQ+ inclusion in dementia research and care, visit https://www.theriseregistry.org/
Together, let us honor L.A.’s legacy of compassion and advocacy as we strive to create a more inclusive and supportive world for all communities impacted by dementia.
Jason D. Flatt, PhD, MPH (Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
ects related to the city’s LGBTQ+ older adults.
For more than a decade, Tom was the DAS liaison to LGBTQ+ older adults projects. When a project was bogged down by a difficult issue, Tom’s trusted leadership brought people back together to keep projects and programs moving forward. He is strategic, kind, respectful, funny, and soft-spoken; time and again I witnessed Tom solving problems and moving projects forward
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Alegre Home Care is proud to support Dr. Marcy Adelman’s Aging in Community column in the San Francisco Bay Times
School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Health. His $5+ million-funded National Institutes of Health research portfolio works to better understand health concerns and needs of diverse sexual and gender minorities living with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers, and their care providers. Flatt co-leads the first federally funded research registry, the RISE Registry, which is promoting research inclusion and additional opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people living with dementia and/or memory loss and their care partners.
Dr. Marcy Adelman oversees the A ging in Community column. For her summary of current LGBT senior challenges and opportunities, please go to: http://sfbaytimes.com/challenges-and-opportunties/
Women’s History Month wrapped up with “A and Phyllis Lyon,” held as part of the Divas & Francisco Bay Times and The Academy SF. It Came Down, a documentary in production concerning ist Phyllis Lyon and her team of queer caregivers. Academy SF, raised thousands of dollars to help Svoboda complete the project.
Svoboda was in the house, along with Producer California Endowment and former Executive Rights hosted with emcee Donna Sachet. Activist Lyon and Martin and is an inductee of the International LGBT Hall of Fame, traveled across the country Carter is an internationally known leader in continues through her heavy schedule of appearances her strong connection to Lyon and Martin and ries, including how Carter influenced her work the first same-sex couple to legally wed tal in making their marriage possible. Martin’s passing.)
The mighty GLIDE Ensemble, with ing in, performed “Love Train” and dreds of guests in attendance singing with GLIDE and were life-long supporters A poignant moment during the program acknowledgement of members of the dance: Carrie Schell, JerryLee Abram, Nik Kurtz, Dottie Lux, Elena Selk, their experience and received presentation rounds of applause. Maryam Eljauouhari, Maria Sofia were also on the caregiving the March 29 event that included a progress.
Denise Heitzenroder spoke on behalf on the Status of Women and shared ing “Shift Happens” Women’s Policy GLBT Historical Society Museum the museum’s extensive collection of The Sarah Bush Dance Project’s Sarah awed the crowd with their beautiful Lyon and Martin’s favorite song, “Tenderly” DJ Rockaway, presented by Olivia several members of the Dykes on Bikes® ous other LGBTQ community leaders.
Fundraising to support the documentary spurred by the Divas & Drinks event link: https://tinyurl.com/yntkxrw4
Or write to the San Francisco Bay Times publisher@sfbaytimes.com
Special thanks to our matching donor, We wish to thank all those who helped including Juan R. Davila who appeared prize salesman, and Warren Alderson longstanding assistance is vital to the
Thank you also to the Divas & Drinks Extreme Pizza, Bacardí, the San Francisco aprint, and the Dykes on Bikes® San to photographers Rink, Patrick Carney, Edwards.
And finally, special thanks to the Presenting event—Comcast/Xfinity, and Alex made his debut appearance at Divas
Mark your calendar for Thursday, April return to The Academy SF with another https://www.academy-sf.com/
Empower the Legacies of Phyllis Lyon’ Raises
“A Night to Empower the Legacies of Del Martin & Drinks event series co-presented by the San served as a fundraiser for The Day the Curtains concerning the last years of LGBTQ+ activcaregivers. The event, held on March 29 at The help Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Deborah
Producer Susan Berston. Kate Kendell of The Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Activist Mandy Carter, who worked closely with International Federation of Black Prides’ Black country for this event. civil rights and social justice work, which she appearances throughout the U.S. She recounted and their legacy. Kendell also shared memowork and about when Lyon and Martin became wed in San Francisco. (Kendell was instrumenpossible. The wedding took place six months before
with Minister Marvin K. White joinand “Unspeakable Joy,” with the hunsinging along. Lyon and Martin worked supporters of the organization.
program was the introduction and the Lyon caregiving team in attenAbram, Lacey Johnson, Tomi Knutson, and Svoboda. Each spoke about presentation bouquets in addition to Eljauouhari, Mel Buslach, and Els di caregiving team, but could not attend first look at the documentary-in-
behalf of the San Francisco Commission shared information about the upcomPolicy Summit. Andrew Shaffer of the & Archives also spoke, mentioning of Lyon and Martin artifacts.
Sarah Bush and Frances Sedayao beautiful and romantic dance rendition to “Tenderly” by Rosemary Clooney. Travel, led the After Party, with Bikes® attending along with numerleaders.
documentary continues with contributions still coming in. Use the donation
Times for more information: donor, philanthropist Anne Dorman. helped with the event as volunteers, appeared as “The Bunny” and egg Alderson and Steve Scheitlin, whose the success of Divas & Drinks
Drinks ongoing sponsors: Olivia Travel, Francisco Federal Credit Union, ellSan Francisco Chapter. Thanks also Carney, Debra Reabock, and Amaya
Presenting Sponsor for the March Yeon of the Comcast team. He Divas & Drinks April 25, when Divas & Drinks will another fabulous evening.
Divas & Drinks
Sponsors: Olivia Travel, Extreme Pizza, Bacardí, San Francisco Federal Credit Union, and ellaprint
Photos by Leticia Lopezz
San Francisco Bay Times team member Juan R. Davila, appearing as “The Bunny,” was very busy on Saturday, March 31, 2024. In addition to visiting with local kids plus their parents, The Bunny was called on to pose and interact with puppies, big dogs, and dignitaries.
Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, and District 8 City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman were all caught on camera with The Bunny. Also appearing were drag queens Per Sia and Mary Vice along with drag king Fudgie Frottage and DJ Sergio Fedasz. A series of costume contests was held throughout the day with cash prizes.
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 first and only LGBTQ newspaper in San Francisco to be named a Legacy Business, recognizing that it is a longstanding, community-serving business that is a valuable cultural asset to the city. dr. Betty l. SullivaN JeNNiFer l viegaS co-PuBliSherS & co-editorS Beth greeNe, Michael delgado, JohN SigNer, aBBy ZiMBerg deSigN & ProductioN kate lawS BuSiNeSS MaNager Blake dilloN caleNdar editor kit keNNedy Poet-iN-reSideNce J.h herreN techNology director carla raMoS weB coordiNator Mario ordoNeZ diStriButioN JuaN r davila voluNteer coordiNator
CONTRIBUTORS
WRITeRS
Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Carolyn Wysinger, Leslie Sbrocco, Heather Freyer, Kate Kendell, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Joanie Juster, Julie Peri, Jennifer Kroot, Robert Holgate, Eduardo Morales, Dennis McMillan, Tim Seelig, John Chen, Rafael Mandelman, Tabitha Parent, Jewelle Gomez, Phil
As the block party drew to a close, The Bunny was a bit tired, having assisted at numerous other local events, but there was one more that couldn’t be missed: Tenderloin Tessie’s annual Easter Dinner.
The EggStravangza held in the Castro is sponsored by the Castro Merchants Association and cohosted by Duboce Triangle Neighborhood and ArtyHood SF.
Transgender Bunnies Unite Here’s an odd one that I somehow missed earlier. In late February, a divided three judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reinstated Indiana’s ban on transgender youth healthcare on its own initiative with no appeal from the state. The ban had never been enforced, since a lower court had issued a preliminary injunction against the law a few weeks before it was to go into effect last summer, thus allowing a challenge to the law to proceed. The State of Indiana appealed that injunction, but did not ask the higher court to reverse the injunction while that appeal was litigated. Then, out of the blue, the panel hopped up to the plate and allowed the law to go into effect with no apparent analysis that made any sense to legal eagle Chris Geidner, reporting on his Law Dork blog. And so it continues, our country’s all or nothing fight for transgender rights, featuring insane hostility from the right against passionate advocacy from the left with zero space for debate or discussion between them. On Easter, I’m sure you read that the date fell on March 31, the Transgender Day of Visibility. The Biden administration issued a standard (Democratic) statement of support, triggering a huge backlash as the other side accused it of deliberately undermining the Holy Day with a gratuitous heretical slap in the face to devout trans-hating Christians.
Hello, people! Haven’t we all figured out by now that no one knows when the hell Easter arrives from year to year because it seems to drop randomly into our calendars sometime in the spring? I just checked, and it comes on the first Sunday after the
first full moon following the equinox. There’s astronomical Easter, Julian Easter (for our Greek friends and family), and our regular one, Gregorian Easter. It’s been in April going back to 2016, when it was in late March. Whatever! Transgender Day of Visibility, by contrast, is always on March 31, so it was not a nefarious plot by Biden to mark the date.
But who cares about facts or reality these days? No one. I read that Trump is considered a “savior” figure by many of his acolytes and that obviously false news reports proliferate on websites operated by the Trumppushing foreign governments we know and love. That’s not new, but I guess they are exploding online, complete with legitimate sounding media names like “DC Weekly” and others that I can’t be bothered to track down this minute.
Cue: Recitation of the “Second Coming.”
Rocky Road to Perdition
Well, that’s a depressing start. I’ll continue the negative trend by pointing out something that I just reported elsewhere, even though it has nothing to do with GLBT news. It’s the declining sales of chocolate chip ice cream, my favorite, which was first demoted to a seasonal variety, and now seems to be vanishing from the shelves, replaced by ridiculous cookie and candy nonsense on one hand, and jarring things like pickle spice gelato on the other.
Why? Is ice cream now reserved for small children? Are gelato manufacturers aiming for the pretentious idiot market? Chocolate chip is unique, dear readers. Transcending the combination of vanilla and chocolate
By Ann Rostowbits, it forms its own unparalleled flavor. There’s nothing particularly seasonal about it, unlike let’s say peach ice cream or some pumpkin experiment. Winter, spring, summer, and fall, it is a delicious treat for all ages and all tastes. For God’s sake, bring it back. I just had to get that off my chest, again.
Boycott Alert!
Meanwhile, here’s a nice catch from my wife Mel, who sent me an NBC report about Best Buy. Network news hounds sniffed out an SEC filing that contained an email exchange between the electronics retailer and the National Center for Public Policy Research, one of those innocuous sounding organizations whose generic name hides a far right “think” tank. Apparently, the aforementioned tank holds shares in Best Buy and insisted the company start monitoring their employees’ charitable donations.
Like many big companies, Best Buy has one of those matching employee giving deals, which includes some GLBT groups in their funding. “Best Buy has partnerships with and contributes to organizations and activists that promote the practice of gender transition surgeries on minors and evangelize gender theory to minors,” wrote a tank staffer, Ethan Peck, in January. “Why are Best Buy shareholders funding the proliferation of an ideology seeking to mutilate the reproductive organs of children before they finish puberty?”
He continued, “ This contentious and vast disagreement between radical gender theory activists and the general public has nothing to do with Best Buy selling electronics.”
The tank identified eight gay operations, which Peck described as “predatory butchers,” including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and the GLBT seniors’ advocates, SAGE, demanding that Best Buy stop any employee contributions.
In response, Best Buy lawyer Marina Rizzo wrote: “As discussed during our call, we do allow our individual employee organizations, including our Military ERG, Conservative employee interest group, and our PRIDE group, among many other groups, some discretion to directly support organizations of their choosing. That said, any such contributions would be screened to ensure they do not advocate or support the causes or agendas you have identified as concerning. We hope this addresses the concerns.”
Given NBC’s report, we can presume that the “causes and agendas ... identified as concerning” include those of “predatory butchers, [who seek] to mutilate the reproductive organs of children before they finish puberty.”
Long gone, it seems, are the days when corporate policy makers championed equality and rose to our defense when the far right raised these issues. I suppose I would understand it if Best Buy lawyers dribbled out some platitudes to assuage a big shareholder. But these aren’t platitudes. This is the full-blown pandering of a puppy looking to please. And since it took place under the radar, it just goes to show how easily Best Buy will throw us under the bus when it thinks no one is paying attention.
According to NBC, Peck was pleased with Rizzo’s reply, but managed to squeal about some statements on the company’s website. Links to Best
Buy’s GLBT page have been severed, as was a page titled “Our Gay History in Fifty States.” I’m not sure when that took place, but you can draw your own conclusions.
When contacted by NBC, Best Buy spokeswoman Carly Charlson noted that the Human Rights Campaign has recognized the big box retailer as one of the best places to work for 18 years. At that, HRC’s Vice President of Programs and Corporate Advocacy, Eric Bloem, replied: “Any company that uses their Corporate Equality Index distinction as cover while working with fringe groups and bad actors does not reflect true LGBTQ+ allyship in the corporate space.”
Trump Judge Takes Our Side
Now, here’s a switch up for us.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has unanimously ruled in favor of Tyler Copeland, a transgender prison guard who sued the Georgia Department of Corrections for allowing a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The panel, which included an anti-gay Trump appointee, sent the matter back to the District Court, where a judge had previously tossed Copeland’s case.
I hear you! Ann, are you sure this was the Eleventh Circuit? One of the most conservative appellate courts in the country? Did you say one of the judges was Andrew Brasher, a man who was universally opposed by GLBT and civil rights advocates, and described as an extremist ideologue when he came before the Senate in
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For the first time, the USNS Harvey Milk sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the port of San Francisco and we were there! But as with many things, the story of this amazing event started many years ago.
The International Court System has often been mentioned in this publication, having been started right here in San Francisco by local legend José Sarria and now spreading across over 70 chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is one of the oldest and largest charitable organizations in the world, currently overseen by Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole MurrayRamirez, a friend of José’s for many years.
raise money for a host of important LGBTQ+ related causes.
The campaign to get a U.S. Navy ship named after Harvey Milk started in 2012, bolstered by Harvey’s service in the U.S. Navy. Many of us thought this was a wonderfully appropriate honor, but questioned its concrete feasibility.
Nevertheless, in July of 2016, United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the creation of a series of oil refueling tankers named after prominent civil and human rights leaders; Harvey Milk was among them.
Nicole has used her decades of experience in the civil rights movement, her broad grassroots skills, and her many contacts throughout the continent to publicize the work of this organization and to build coalitions with similarly minded groups.
The Imperial Court System can claim credit for kicking off and following through on campaigns to get a U.S. Postage stamp with Harvey Milk’s image, to install Sarria in the California Hall of Fame, and to
The formal announcement took place in August of 2016 on Treasure Island on a beautiful day with stunning views of the San Francisco skyline. As a row of U.S. flags waved in the background, Secretary Mabus welcomed a crowd, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Ed Lee, Nancy Brinker, Stuart Milk, Anne Kronenberg, and Imperial Court members Murray-Ramirez, Coco LaChine, Jacques Michaels, and this lucky writer. In his remarks, the Secretary even made a direct appeal to those who had received a less than honorable discharge from Navy service because they were LGBTQ+
to appeal that decision, promising prompt attention and reversal. What a rare and historic occasion!
Members of the Imperial Court were also present at the official christening of the ship in San Diego in 2021. Yes, many others played important roles in the process leading to that important day, most notably the Harvey Milk Foundation, led by his nephew Stuart Milk, but the years of letter-writing, canvasing of elected officials, and determination of the Imperial Court were indispensable. Having tirelessly participated in this campaign, we were determined to be there as the USNS Harvey Milk was unveiled in San Francisco last week.
Thursday night, we joined a small group for a personal tour of the ship, led by Captain James White, who was quite ready to answer all questions. Thirty minutes was an impossibly short time to see the inner workings of this massive ship, but we climbed many staircases and saw the dining hall, kitchen, staff cabins, various staging areas, and even the captain’s quarters. Throughout the ship were photographs of Harvey Milk. Our final stop was the bridge, where we asked permission and were allowed to touch the steering wheel and even sit in the captain’s chair for a moment. It was remarkable to take in the sweeping views of the bay and our beautiful skyline.
On Friday, despite dreary weather, we joined a moving ceremony aboard the USNS Harvey Milk. It is impossible to describe the sense of history we felt as hundreds of friends of Harvey, elected officials, Navy personnel, and a spectrum of San Francisco’s rich diversity gathered on board to salute this ship on its maiden voyage. Speakers included Mayor London Breed, Rear Admiral Richard Meyer, Anne Kronenberg, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Stuart Milk, who brought Nicole forward for recognition.
This quote from the Rear Admiral will amaze you: “We are so proud this ship carries the name Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk the man spent a good portion of his life as a champion of equality and universal rights.” We share that pride and applaud the efforts of so many to make this day possible. Especially as so many of the advances of our community face new challenges, this day will stand as a triumph for the LGBTQ+ Community, for Harvey Milk himself, and for the City of San Francisco.
By Donna Sachet
We heard the news of the closing of AsiaSF with sadness, but determined to experience the magic at least one more time. Founder Larry Hashbarger made sure we were included in the VIP Finale last Wednesday. The evening began with cocktails in the downstairs lounge where we caught up with Lance Toma, Erik Webb, Rafael Mandelman, Fiona Ma, and others, as well as making new friends among the crowd. Upstairs in the showroom, we sat with Gary Virginia, Suzanne Ford, Win Pham, and Mark Leno to enjoy a three-course dinner and the spectacular show. What great company! The cast pulled out all the stops with dynamic performances, splendid costumes, and careful choreography, leaving little wonder why AsiaSF leaves an unforgettable mark on San Francisco nightlife. In their closing comments, Larry and his partners left the door open to future iterations, perhaps pop-up appearances and special events. Something tells us that we have not seen the last of the fabulous AsiaSF.
Last Friday’s Divas & Drinks at The Academy wrapped up Women’s History Month with an enthusiastic group in support of the legacy and memory of Phyllis Lyon. The inclement weather forced us inside, but didn’t dampen spirits or generosity. Loyal sponsors Olivia Travel, Extreme Pizza, Bacardí, ellaprint, and SF Federal Credit Union were joined by presenting sponsor Comcast. We shared emcee responsibilities with the dynamic Kate Kendell, who led NCLR through so many years of accomplishments and
“Character is doing what’s right when nobody’s looking.”
—J.C. Wattsnow adds her talents to the California Endowment. She added so much to the event with her personal memories, fundraising skills, and crowd-pleasing demeanor.
Marvin K. White kicked things off with a rousing musical number by the GLIDE Memorial Church Ensemble, followed by brief comments from Mandy Carter, one of Lyon’s best friends. Filmmaker Deborah Svobada and Producer Susan Berston spoke about their upcoming documentary The Day the Curtains Came Down and treated the audience to some advance clips. This promises to be a fitting tribute to Lyon, filmed during the last chapter of her life, surrounded by caretakers and supporters, determined to keep her in her home of so many years with proper and respectful comfort and dignity. Many of those caretakers were present for the event and appropriately recognized. Throughout the evening, we coordinated with Kate a variety of raffle prize drawings and live auctions, most notably a lunch with the two of us that went for $1000 and was then honored for the 3 top bidders, raising $3000 in a matter of minutes. We can’t wait to dine with Kate and some lucky and supportive bidders. The final part of the program was a beautiful dance performance by Sarah Bush and Frances Sedayao, adding an unforgettable dimension to the East Wing of The Academy. Finally, DJ Rockaway offered perfect music for the crowd to dance into the night.
Once again, Joe Mac offered his wild Easter hats for sale at 440 Castro the day before Easter, but this time we had a little surprise for him. Joe recently announced his retirement from his many theatrical projects and employment with the SF Giants, so Gary Virginia invited his many friends to a retirement party that afternoon. The bar was decorated with Easter colors, lush florals, and an extensive buffet of delicious edibles, including luscious desserts. We joined Gary and Kelly Houston on stage to salute our friend Joe, who has brought so much joy and laughter to those around him for many years. Although he may not be as actively involved in the theatre and sports he so loves, we know he will continue to embrace the community that loves him back!
Easter Sunday defied all predictions and banished the rainy weather for a glorious sunny day, summoning thousands to Easter in the Park with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. We joined San Francisco’s most generous and magnetic hostess Suzan Revah and her considerable entourage smack dab in the middle of everything. Much loved Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany skillfully emceed, guiding the crowd through all the requisite elements, e.g. colorfully dressed Sisters, skimpily dressed attendees, Easter bonnets galore, laughter, and sunbathing. The highlight of the day for many came with the Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contests. After the largest number of competitors ever gave it their all, Puta Mary (Celestina Pearl ) and Ken Jesus ( Ken Ferraris) emerged as winners, much to the delight of the cheering crowd. It was not possible to escape the joy and abandon of this annual event!
We hope this respite from dreary weather is a harbinger of the spring to come, lifting us out of the winter doldrums and renewing our energy and optimism. We’ll be watching for you out and about in this glorious San Francisco!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Thursday, April 4
Academy East Wing Naming Ceremony
Long-awaited East Wing naming
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
7 pm Free!
Thursday, April 11
City Treasurer José Cisneros election fundraiser
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
5:30–7 pm
Donations welcome
Saturday, April 13
25th Annual EQCA Gala
Awards, dinner, dancing
The Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street
6–10 pm
$250 & up
www.eqca.org
Sunday, April 14
Imperial Investiture LIX, Sunglasses On!
Emperor Bob Glas & Empress Linda Summers
Court formation and title awards
Oasis, 298 11th Street
5 pm
$30 & up
www.imperialcouncilsf.org
KAPLAN (continued from pg 9)
space activation improvements, and accessibility improvements, among others, in the BAMBD for the purpose of providing support for arts, music, comedy, and cultural institutions in the BAMBD, to ensure the ongoing viability of historic, cornerstone African American institutions, and provide support to remedy impacted facilities.
Coliseum City
The Coliseum project will include housing, including substantial affordable housing, as well as commercial, hospitality, sports, entertainment, and other development, along with public sector facilities for public and governmental needs. This includes developing Oakland’s “City Hall East” project, to enable residents and businesses in East Oakland to have easy access to permits and other supports to advance community and business needs.
It is also intended to include safety and training facilities, such as a CORE training space, and a state-of-theart 360 virtual training range. This also accommodates Alameda County’s needs for new space, to replace the older facilities in downtown.
In addition, the Coliseum development will include upgrades to the underlying infrastructure, including to remedy the impacts of sea level rise, to strengthen transit-oriented development, connectivity, new streetscape and pedestrian safety, and ease of access. This will help expand local jobs and business opportunity and provide for the activation of an area that is an adopted Priority Development Area in a heavily impacted community in the center of the greater region with strong transit access.
West Oakland BART Area Mixed Use Revitalization
ROSTOW (continued from pg 17)
2020? Did you say the ruling in favor of a transgender man was unanimous?
Yes, so make of this what you will. In my view, it’s an instance of a judge who applied clearcut legal analysis and joined his more liberal colleagues perhaps despite his personal feelings. I don’t know. Maybe Judge Brasher has changed in four years. Inquiring minds are, um, inquiring.
Tyler Copeland spent about four of his ten years as a prison guard as a man, transitioning in spite of the widespread and continual ridicule he received from his peers, supervisors, and even from inmates. He repeatedly documented his harassment and brought it to the attention of Human Resources and bosses. He was called “ma’am” and “baby girl” on the radio, pushed around, chased by a car in the parking lot, and laughed at. He was denied promotion until after his complaint was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Finally, he sued the Department under Title VII, alleging a hostile environment, a denial of promotion, and retaliation. The District Court denied all three claims on summary judgement, and Copeland appealed to the Eleventh Circuit (joined by the United States Justice Department).
The panel, which included an Obama nominee and a Clinton judge, agreed with the lower court that Copeland could not sue for denial of promotion or retaliation. However, the court overruled the District Court when it came to the hostile environment claim, in a strongly worded 32-page opinion by Judge Jill Pryor. The opinion held that Copeland had met every element of a hostile environment claim, and that the District Court erred by taking sides in various debates that belonged before a jury. (In summary judgement, a court is not supposed to be drawing any factual conclusions.)
Bottom line: you never know.
Only In Knutsford!
So, I was scanning some twitter/X comments about Biden’s controversial respect for the Transgender Day of Visibility when I noticed a clickbait headline about a woman who saved a baby hedgehog. The headline implied that the story had a most amusing denouement, and it was datelined “Knutsford, England.” Bring it on, mates!
Our unidentified heroine, an animal lover in her late sixties, found the injured hedgehog on the sidewalk
The West Oakland BART station area has easy access throughout the Bay Area and serves a community that, for decades, has been undermined by projects that demolished long-standing homes and businesses—disproportionately taking away Black-owned and operated businesses, and neighborhoods cut apart from one another.
The area around this centrally located BART station has been primarily parking lots, with lack of access to community-serving needs. Now there is an opportunity to reconnect and support the community, with a project by the West Oakland BART Station, named Mandela Station, which will bring jobs and affordable housing and expanded economic opportunity and racial equity and access to vital needs for the surrounding community, including the West Oakland Health Center.
The community of Oakland and surroundings can also be well-served by including an up-to-date evidence lab and 911 communications dispatch center, which would provide improved environment and space for essential workers who handle these vital safety tasks, provide access to high-speed fiber optic data lines and with uninterruptable power supply, for more effective service, and help ensure that our community has effective and reliable safety service.
Councilmember At-Large and Council President Rebecca Kaplan, who is the Vice Mayor of Oakland, was elected in 2008 to serve as Oakland’s citywide Councilmember; she was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Follow Councilmember Kaplan on Twitter @ Kaplan4Oakland ( https://tinyurl.com/2dtjmazc ) and Facebook ( https://tinyurl.com/2p9dd5ta ).
and called the Lower Moss Wood Educational Nature Reserve & Wildlife Hospital for advice. She was told to keep the creature warm and bring it in the next day since hedgehogs are nocturnal and finding one during the day would indicate there was something amiss. Dutifully, she put it in a box with some kibble and a little blanket and brought it to the hospital the following day. There, the triage nurse examined the lifeless body, which turned out to be the bobble head from a ski hat.
Are you laughing? What on Earth was this woman thinking? How could you pick up the thing, handle it, put it in a box with kibble, notice that it isn’t moving, call the wildlife center, and actually go over there with part of a hat?
And what else is new, you ask? Well, DeSantis and Disney have settled their fight over Disney’s tax abatement zone or whatever it was. I used to know all the details, but I tired of the subject so I’ve forgotten. Both sides claimed victory. DeSantis and our advocates have also come to a deal on the famous “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which Florida now admits will, in fact, allow everyone to say “gay,” and discuss sexual orientation and what have you, except in formal classroom instruction.
I don’t know about you, and I know I’m part of an older generation, but I don’t recall much formal classroom instruction on anything sexy with the possible exception of the menstruation lecture in middle school. That involved a pamphlet with cartoon illustrations of fallopian tubes and such, which we all found hilarious for reasons unclear.
It turned out there was nothing very funny about menstruation when push came to shove, and I had to get the skinny from my mother when the time came. I also had to use Kotex and a strap to hold it in place, which I could never get the hang of, leading to a number of humiliating “accidents.” At the time, I was distressed that I was the only girl who was incapable of coping with this routine phenomenon, and to top it off, my mother slapped me without warning the morning after my period arrived, which she then explained was a superstitious but friendly gesture. Hello, womanhood! After a while I asked her how long this was going to continue, and she said every month for most of my adult life. I was appalled. Guys, you really missed the boat. Not. arostow@aol.com
JUSTER (continued from pg 6)
reflect their name and gender identity. Making sure that your driver’s license, Social Security card, insurance cards, passport, and voter registration cards not only match, but also reflect your current legal name and gender identity can be time-consuming and challenging.
Fortunately, there are resources available to help. The League of Women Voters is partnering with organizations like VoteRiders to ensure that everyone has the proper identification needed to vote, wherever they live. Take the time now, months before the election, to make sure your voice can be heard at election time. For more info:
https://www.voteriders.org/
Farewell to AsiaSF? Not Quite Yet
Good news! If you hadn’t quite booked your visit to AsiaSF, you still have time. It was announced on March 22 that the closing of AsiaSF would be pushed back one month, to April 28. “Our reservation phones and emails have been exploding,” said founder and CEO Larry Hashbarger. In order to give more people an opportunity to experience AsiaSF’s world-famous transgender performers, the decision was made to stick around one more month. But don’t wait—book your reservations now: https://asiasf.com/
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
LEWIS/GAFFNEY (continued from pg 10)
me because he knew there was going to be a time when God’s learning was going to be intolerable to the wicked.”
Since Robinson chose not to be a minister but a politician, and an ambitious one at that, he surely conceives his political career to be part of his divine life purpose. That directly belies the claim he made at an October 2021 press conference that he keeps his “spiritual beliefs about transgenderism and homosexuality ... completely separate from” his duties as lieutenant governor.
A reporter at the press conference challenged him on this: “But how can that possibly be? You don’t stop being the lieutenant governor when you walk out of the door here. You are who you are wherever you are talking.” Another reminded Robinson that he had been introduced as the lieutenant governor at the churches.
Online viewers of Robinson’s church speeches understood their political nature as well. For example, one viewer commented just last month: “Congratulations on winning the 2024 Primary! Hopefully we will have you as Governor of North Carolina. We need strong moral leadership so we can be proud of ou[r] state again. You will have my vote a[s] long as you need it!!”
Ironically, Robinson’s inflammatory words could provide very useful evidence in court cases seeking to strike down anti-LGBTIQ legislation, such as those regarding gender-affirming care that the U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding whether to take. Among matters at stake in those cases is the circuit court’s claims that mistreatment of transgender people is a thing of the past and that lawmakers today are not driven by anti-trans “animus” but are “fair-minded” and “review the evidence” in making their decisions on LGBTIQ issues. Lieutenant Governor Robinson’s words and attitudes show that nothing could be farther from the truth.
As Leelah Alcorn departed the world ten years ago, she expressed her deep wish for transgender people to be “treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights.” For Leelah, for Nex Benedict, for all at-risk LGBTIQ people, we must all work together until her wish is fulfilled.
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.
ADELMAN (continued from pg 20)
to successful completion. He is a man of grace and compassion who has made a difference in all our lives.
Tom Nolan is a pioneer in gay rights, a lifetime leader in HIV/AIDS advocacy, and a champion of LGBTQ+ older adults. His leadership has been pivotal in helping create San Francisco’s infrastructure of services and programs for our aging LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. Marcy Adelman, a psychologist and LGBTQ+ longevity advocate and policy adviser, oversees the Aging in Community column. She serves on the California Commission on Aging, the California Behavioral Health Task Force, the Board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California, and the San Francisco Dignity Fund Oversight and San Francisco Advisory Committees. She also serves as a Senior Advisor to the LGBTQIA+ Older Adults in California survey and is the Co-Founder of Openhouse, the only San Francisco nonprofit exclusively focused on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ older adults.
Dr. Tim Seelig
“We are not expendable.”
—F. Ross WoodallIn the beloved musical Wicked we hear these words, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
Those words could be sung by anyone who met Ross Woodall. He was a hero to all, and deliciously wicked. Ross had way more than nine lives. They ran out this past December 1, 2023, on World AIDS Day. He had lived with AIDS and been an activist for others with HIV/AIDS for more than four decades.
There are way too many facets of Ross’ many lives to cover in one article. He would want me to skim over his beginning as an accomplished church organist in Texas. I won’t skim over the love of his life, Danny, and their 32-year relationship. It’s the thing of romance novels. Thank you, Danny, for the honor to write this story.
We had a lot in common: we both escaped the great state of Texas and the church, and we had a shared love of music and activism. He joined the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) in 2003, and we met six years later. We just loved each other from the get-go and shared more laughs “than Carter has Little Liver Pills.” (Ross is getting a huge laugh out of that!)
Ross had a beautiful voice and perfect pitch, which drove him crazy when his beloved 2nd tenors wandered a little. For my second concert with SFGMC, I wanted to show off the roots Ross and I shared. The concert was titled Hootenanny His favorite song was, “There’ll Be No Bad Days in Heaven.” Neither of us had any. Ross auditioned for the solo in “Home on the Range.” He stunned us all when moved to the microphone with the help of his cane and sang, “How often at night when the heavens are bright with the light of the glittering stars, I stand there amazed and I ask as I gaze, does their glory exceed that of ours?” Not a dry eye. That was Ross. Not an ounce of self-pity. His challenges never caused him to miss the beauty in the world around him. He met Danny in Austin, Texas, in 1988. They dated for a bit, but decided their baggage didn’t match and went their own ways.
At Thanksgiving of 1990, they each had terrible family dinners and escaped to an Austin gay bar to decompress. As fate would have it, they ran into each other in the parking lot, hugged, locked lips, and stayed locked for the next 32 years! They moved to San Francisco in 1992 and had a commitment ceremony at the Unitarian Church in 1995.
The year after Danny and Ross’ ceremony, 1996, Ross’ health chal-
lenges began. He was declared legally blind. His medical charts were staggering. Here are just some of the things from the 80 diagnoses and procedures from 1996 to 2015: diabetes (type 2), glaucoma, cirrhosis, esophageal varices, thyroid cancer, liver thrombosis, chronic kidney disease, knee replacement,
hernia, aortic stenosis, cornea transplant, and sepsis.
In 2012, when exiting Muni at the gay Safeway on Market, he stumbled and fell, fracturing his left and right humerus (upper arm). It’s impossible to imagine being blind and not having use of either arm!
Danny was there to make things work and, instead of wallowing, Ross adopted the drag persona Miss DeCurb. He would not allow anything to get in the way of cracking a joke at his own expense to make others feel better!
Then the big one. In 2015, Ross’ health took a downward spiral. He needed a liver transplant. He was put on the list to wait. He finally turned to his chosen, logical family: the chorus. He shared the fact that he would most surely die without a transplant. Quite a few tested but none were a match. A new member, Dave Andrade, had just joined the chorus when Ross made a second appeal. Dave tested. He was a match. On January 27, 2016, he gave Ross part of his liver. They became what we call a bonded pair from that moment—laughing, loving, and singing together. It was selfless love on both sides.
Now for “wicked” Ross! This story is from a chorus member. He first met Ross at a welcome event. They talked about music and HIV activism. The newbie, weighing 350 pounds at that time, thought he would pull one off on Ross. He told
him he was a 154 pound, 6’ 3” twink. Ross quipped, “Honey, I can see shapes.”
A few years ago, Ross and Danny relocated to Palm Springs, as gays are wont to do. Ross’ favorite bar was The Tool Shed. His bestie Jeff would take him to underwear contests on Thursdays. Jeff’s job as the wingman was to bring contestants over saying, “My friend is blind. Would you come over and meet him?” Ross would offer to “judge contestants” using Braille since he couldn’t see. No one turned him down. I mean, how could they with that charming smile of his?
Ross used his health challenges to tirelessly help others. Ross was honored for his work with the SF AIDS Foundation, AIDS Legal Referral Group, Human Rights Foundation, SFMTA, Lighthouse for the Blind, the Mayor’s Office on Disability, GALA Choruses, and many more.
In 2011, he was honored by the Mayor’s Disability Council of San Francisco for what was, at that point, 17 years of service. The speeches in his honor were deeply moving. He was described as a role model of leadership, selfless, and so much fun to work with. “He brought grace, charm, discipline, and humor to the job. He brought his own high expectations and his whole self to the work at hand.” Again, there was not a dry eye in the council chambers that day. Everyone got a good laugh when selfdeprecating Ross pretended to “read” the certificate they gave him!
At the podium, Ross quipped, “Not too bad for a guy who was supposed to be dead in 1987. People with disabilities who are considered to be less than whole ... they just don’t know us. They miss out on how much we can and do contribute. We do it quietly with great passion. I’m just a small cog in what is a much larger movement and is going to need to be much larger in the days to come. We are not expendable. We are integral.”
Ross was integral to our lives. We missed him terribly when he had to be gone for medical reasons. We all celebrated every time he walked into rehearsal returning to his passion— activism through music. He did not enter quietly. He made sure we knew he was there as he took his rightful and hard-earned place on the front row of the second tenors. He also never hesitated to literally holler out hilarious comments about my conducting, the music, or whatever came to mind. Not only was his singing beautiful, but also his musicianship was impeccable. Best of all, he learned the choreography as well or better than the rest of the chorus. It did help that he sat in the front row next to our amazing choreographer, Steve Valdez.
We have been changed for good by this man with a cane and a smile. Dr.
“Some people leave their broken pieces scattered on the floor. Bobby Jo Valentine has picked his up, found new and creative ways to piece them together, and then held them up to the light. This poetic stained glass window into his soul is a sacred piece of literary art for the rest of us. Don’t just read it. Sit with it. Gaze at it. Enjoy the beauty.”
–Dr. Jim Dant, Co-Pastor of the 19th Avenue Baptist Church, San Francisco Purchase at https://bobbyjovalentine.com/ Available on Amazon
Maya Angelou often reminded us, “There is a rainbow in every cloud.” Ross was that rainbow for all of us lucky enough to have known him.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, April 27, at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.
Dr. Tim Seelig is the Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. http://www.timseelig.com/
On Thursday, March 28, The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) wowed the audiences at Davies Symphony Hall with Drag Me to The Movies, a celebration of Tinsel Town’s magic and music.
Featured guest star Lady Camden (RuPaul Drag Race Season 14 finalist) brought the house down with her tributes to Titanic, Moulin Rouge, and her impeccable Nicole Kidman impersonation.
SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg led the 280+ member Chorus, its troupe of can-can dancers, its two ensembles, and the 9-piece band in more than 15 numbers that ranged from crowd favorites from The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Harriet, The Greatest Showman, and in a tribute to classical music that has been used (and overused) in Hollywood from Grieg’s “The Haul of the Mountain King” to Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” and Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” all interpreted wildly by Lady Camden and her back-up dancers.
Next up in Season 46 at SFGMC is All We Need Is Love, in collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony, on June 18 at Davies Symphony Hall. https://www.sfgmc.org/
Scott Walton is a member of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ famed Lollipop Guild and has been singing with the Chorus for four seasons. He has also sung with the Seattle Gay Men’s Chorus and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, as well as the Seattle Opera Chorus and in principal roles with Cleveland Opera and others.
Each of the last two years has set a record for the number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the U.S. This year is likely to smash these records yet again.
Some bills would prohibit trans kids from accessing vital healthcare services, team sports, or even using the bathroom. Others ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ history in schools, or force them to out students against their will. Still others remove pride flags and drag performances from public display. All of them seek to disconnect LGBTQ people—from each other, from history, and even from ourselves. This is not the first time we have seen these anti-LGBTQ crusaders. The bills being introduced today echo movements from years past, when figures like John Briggs and Anita Bryant argued that “saving the children” required pushing LGBTQ people and our history back into the closet.
Proposition 6, also known as the Briggs Initiative, was a failed California ballot proposition that would have banned gay and lesbian people from working in California schools. Although it was spearheaded by state legislator Briggs, the public face was Bryant, a singer and former beauty queen who was the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission. Bryant’s successful efforts to repeal a Dade County ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation had galvanized oppo -
Tales From Two Wheels
name
I
I grew up in rural Canada, near Niagara Falls. I loved everything two wheels and I would take off on my bicycle that looked a lot like a dirt bike without the engine for hours
sition to LGBTQ rights in several states, including Oklahoma and Arkansas, which banned queer people from teaching in public schools.
The defeat of the Briggs Initiative was a significant turning point in queer history. Opposition to the proposition was swift, passionate, and creative. Queer people canvassed, wrote letters to the editors, and came out to loved ones and neighbors to teach the public that they were already a part of civic and professional life. In the end, the Briggs Initiative became the first anti-LGBTQ bill defeated in the voting booth.
The GLBT Historical Society’s archives are full of stories of both repression and resistance, of joys and struggles. The latest exhibition in our museum, You Are Here: Claiming Your Place in History, offers an invitation to connect to this history, from 1950s gender-bending performers, to the movements for marriage equality today. This interactive exhibition is an invitation to find where you belong in history, and to understand how your own life is shaped by the movements and struggles of the past. You Are Here: Claiming Your Place in History opens on Thursday, April 11, at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro district. Learn more at https://www.glbthistory.org/museu m
and not come home until sunset. Two wheels were my ticket to freedom and autonomy. My parents wouldn’t let me have a motorcycle of my own, but I secretly would ride all my guy friends’ dirt bikes whenever we hung out on their farms. I came to California in 2014 to compete in Ironman Lake Tahoe®. I spent a week after the event being a tourist in San Francisco, spending a lot of time at the infamous Lexington bar and falling in love with the Bay Area, which drove me to move here permanently the following year. I marched in the 2015 Pride Parade and immediately noticed the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® (SFDOB). It brought me back to when I was 19 years old, attending the Toronto Pride Parade as a curious closet case, and seeing dykes riding bikes there. I remember being struck by how cool they looked, and a seed was planted that day that maybe I was a dyke myself, since all I could dream about was joining these intriguing women on a motorcycle of my own.
I was living in Alameda and commuting to San Francisco on a 2012 Yamaha FZ-6R. Splitting lanes on the Bay Bridge every day was not for the faint of heart.
I wanted to make sure that I had all the skills to be as safe as possible on the road, so I took some courses from a former MotoGP racer. I learned that the skills necessary for motorcycle racing transfer over to street riding perfectly. I also
learned that riding your motorcycle as fast as you can on a closed track that was built for racing with all the safety equipment is really fun! I do 5–10 “track days” a year, but it’s probably no surprise to readers that it’s a very straight, cis, male environment.
I wanted to find a community of riders like me to go on cruises with, but I really struggled to find a fit.
My first ride with DOB was with two Harley riders, one with a passenger. Being on bikes that would traditionally be considered “slow” did not stop these badass dykes from absolutely hauling through the Oakland hills, scraping their pipes on the sharp curves. I knew I had found my people.
I started attending the DOB meetings in Spring of 2022 and rode
with the SFDOB contingent in the SF Pride Parade that June. The feeling was amazing—the roaring exhausts, the cheers from the crowd—and I was hooked. I officially declared my intent to Prospect later that year and was voted into full Patch-holder status and elected to be a member of the Board of Directors for SFDOB in Autumn 2023. I had the privilege of representing SFDOB at the Honolulu LGBTQ+ Pride Parade shortly thereafter. It means the world to me to be part of this historic organization that has been leading the SF Pride Parade and holding a strong presence in queer spaces to support our LGBTQ+ community for almost 50 years.
A while back, we Dykes were on a multi-day ride outside of the Bay
Area. There were numerous times when queer folks spotted us in conservative, non-queer spaces, and they came running over to take photos with us and tell us how they excited they were to see us. It struck me that it was just as important to show up in places where queer folks aren’t very visible as it is to lead the SF Pride Parade. Now more than ever, there are queer kids out there who are isolated and marginalized. If we can show up with our “Big Dyke Energy” and provide resistance through existence to the evil forces bubbling under the surface and give folks a glimpse of the happiness living your true self can bring, I know I’ll be doing right by that 19-year-old baby dyke back in Toronto many moons ago.
https://www.dykesonbikes.org/
Grammy-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram—one of the favorite musicians of Sir Elton John and the musical heir apparent of soulful stars of the Mississippi Delta—will be this year’s headliner at the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience (HWFE) Concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards. The outdoor concert will take place on Friday, May 17, from 5:30–8 pm as part of the four-day festival. It promises to be the perfect pairing of music, food, wine, and atmosphere at one of the most beautiful locations in Sonoma County.
From the heart of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Kingfish has risen as the reigning blues sensation of our time, earning accolades from music critics worldwide. Rolling Stone describes his sound as a fusion of B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, making him one of the most thrilling guitarists in recent memory. He has a mesmerizing stage presence.
Sir Elton John has been a fan of Ingram’s since he first heard his music. John even featured him on his
Apple Music Show Rocket Hour ( https://tinyurl.com/5n6sdaj3 ).
Here at the San Francisco Bay Times, we admire Ingram for many different reasons. The first and obvious one is his musical talent. The second is that he forged a successful path both in and out of Mississippi, the home state of San Francisco Bay Times co-publisher Dr. Betty Sullivan. Another is that Ingram has been open about being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. As his mother Princess told Blues Blast Magazine : “Anything he hears in music is in his head all the time. It’s music all the time, It’s like his comfort zone. Music is his escape where he can go and hide and be himself because sometimes he’s been in that position where some people don’t like him and that’s his (right) to go into that zone and be himself and escape.”
As a youth, Ingram stood out from the other kids. Big in every respect, he even embraced the nickname “Kingfish,” a character on the old Amos ‘n’ Andy Black situation comedy that was popular from the 1920s (as
a radio show) to the 1950s (on television). “Kingfish” in the series was the leader of the “Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge,” and Ingram’s instructor and bluesman Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry bestowed the name on Ingram. Whenever anyone doubted Ingram’s talent, Perry fired back: “Let me say something. Now, while the rest of y’all are gonna be here playing basketball, listening to rap or whatever, Kingfish is gonna be all over the world.”
He was right. Kingfish’s journey from small-town Mississippi to global stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has rocked stages across the United States and Europe, captivating audiences from Sydney to Stockholm. Collaborating with icons like Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell, and Buddy Guy, Kingfish has cemented his status as a true luminary in the world of blues music.
His latest masterpiece, Live in London, recorded in front of a raucous soldout crowd at The Garage, is a testament to his raw talent and infectious
energy. The HWFE concert offers a rare chance in California to witness history in the making as Kingfish takes center stage at Rodney Strong Vineyards.
“We cannot wait to experience the hottest blues musician in the country at our winery in Healdsburg, where guests will enjoy amazing wine and music nestled among the vines of the Russian River Valley,” said Rodney Strong Vice President Global Marketing, Dan Wildermuth.
proceeds will support Farm to Pantry ( https://www.farmtopantry.org/ ), a noble cause dedicated to ending food injustice and promoting sustainability.
There will also be a variety of food trucks at the concert, with dishes paired to go with Rodney Strong wines available for purchase. And here’s the best part: a portion of the
The San Francisco Bay Times is proud to be a Local Media Partner of the concert and the HWFE. For tickets to the concert, visit: https://tinyurl.com/44zexhs4
HWFE will showcase the region’s makers—farmers, growers, winemakers, and chefs—alongside globally recognized wines from other great wine regions of the world, as it seeks to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices, and deep connection to agriculture that Sonoma County offers.
The four day-long HWFE, which kicks off with an evening celebration on May 16 at Montage Healdsburg, will include special wine tastings and seminar discussions, exceptional lunches, dinners, celebrity chef demonstrations, cocktail experiences, and an expansive Grand Tasting. As featured in this issue of the Bay Times, there will also be a live outdoor concert featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at Rodney Strong on Friday, May 17.
New highlights this year include J Vineyards’ “Shifting the Lens”
exclusive experience with Tu David Phu, who is a James Beard Award nominee, Top Chef contestant, and a San Francisco Chronicle “Rising Star Chef”; a Bollywood Culinary Dance Celebration at La Crema Winery; and a Wine-Down Pool Party at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. This year’s event will also feature a Culinary Demonstration at Little Saint Healdsburg with celebrity chef and cookbook author Amanda Freitag and a special Hawai ʻ i themed dinner party at The Matheson with local star Dustin Valette and Hawai ʻ i Chef Lee Anne Wong raising awareness that Maui is open for business and welcomes mindful travelers back to the island.
globe. Our event pillars remain celebrating the talented makers, honoring our agricultural roots, culinary diversity, and sustainability, while pairing local talent with top chefs nationwide. Get ready for an incredible weekend packed with fun, surprises, music, and, of course, the finest wine and food!”
“We’re thrilled for our third annual event in May,” exclaimed Steve Dveris, founder and CEO of the festival. “In just a short time, we’ve made a national impact as the first international wine and food festival in Sonoma County and Napa Valley, showcasing wines from around the
Chefs who are participating in the event include some returning favorites and new faces. Joining HWFE for the first time will be Kelsey Barnard Clark, season 16 Bravo’s Top Chef winner; Freitag of Food Network’s Chopped and an Iron Chef America regular; Jeffrey Lunak, Chef/ Owner of Sumo Dog; Michael Reed,
who is a James Beard Best Chef: California semifinalist; and Lee
Anne Wong, who is an author and the Chef/Owner of Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu as well as a contestant and Culinary Consultant on Top Chef
Back this year will be local chef Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner of The Matheson; and 2021 Food & Wine’s Best New Chef Matt Horn. Also back will be Food Network star Maneet Chauhan; Top Chef season four winner Stephanie Izard; Food Network’s Chopped star and 2011 Food & Wine’s Best New Chef and Iron Chef America winner Viet Pham; and Food & Wine’s Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle. Local participating chefs will include Domenica Catelli, Duskie Estes, Crista Leudtke, Tracey Shepos Cenami, Leah Scurto, and Ari Weiswasser.
Events will be held around Healdsburg, including at The
Matheson, Sushi by Scratch: Healdsburg, Montage Healdsburg, Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen, and Little Saint, along with wineries including Bacchus Landing, Bricoleur Vineyards, Chalk Hill Estate, J Vineyards & Winery, KendallJackson Estate and Gardens, Marine Layer, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Dutton Ranch, and more.
The event strives to give back to the local community. The outdoor concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards on Friday evening with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram will benefit Farm to Pantry, whose goal is to bring together communities to end food injustice and reverse global warming by rescuing and sharing locally grown food with those who have been marginalized. HWFE will contribute to the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. The organization’s mission is to raise funds that support the Leadership Academy, workforce development, and other resources that elevate local vineyard employees and their families. This year’s event will also support Healdsburg Future Farmers of America (FFA). Sponsored by Foley Family Foundation, a significant
Here’s a basic tip: If you are ever seeking a recommendation for a hotel, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, winery, museum, or more, ask a musician friend. Since musicians are on the road so much, eat out a lot, and know venues from the inside out, they usually have a lot of opinions about where to go, and what to skip, in any given location.
We therefore reached out to two of our favorite local musicians, Renée Lubin and Dr. Dee Spencer, to learn about places in and around Healdsburg for this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times featuring the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience (HWFE).
Singer, actress, and educator Lubin lives in the Wine Country (where her son now works) and is a former leading performer of Beach Blanket Babylon. Dr. Spencer is a professor of music at San Francisco State University, where she founded the university’s Jazz Studies program. The two often perform together, including at Divas & Drinks @ The Academy SF events co-presented by the San Francisco Bay Times, and at venues ranging from Davies Symphony Hall to stages at top wineries.
Dr. Spencer shared the following recommendations for those going to the HWFE or to the overall region for a day trip, longer road trip, or an extended vacation:
Downtown Napa
1. Be Bubbly Lounge & Bistro - “Great champagne bar with yummy small plates and live music.”
https://www.bebubblynapa.com/
2. Blue Note Napa - “Intimate and elegant room that features live jazz. Good food and full bar also.”
https://ww w.bluenotejazz com/napa/
Yountville
1. Handwritten Wines - “I love this winery. Great selection.”
https://handwrittenwines.com/
2. Jessup Cellars - “The tasting service is excellent.”
https://jessupcellars.com/
Guerneville
1. Rainbow Cattle Company - “Popular gay bar on Main Street. All the locals hang out at this friendly, cheerful room. It’s huge and has pool tables and a back patio.”
https://www.queersteer.com/
2. R3 Hotel - “Historic gay hotel that is an entertainment center for the community. It has a pool and offers drag shows occasionally. The restaurant serves great food with huge portions.”
https://ther3hotel.com/
3. boon hotel + spa - “Amazing food and great service.”
https://boonhotels.com/
4. Piknik Town Market - “Perfect for a quick sandwich.”
https://ww w.pikniktownmarket com/
Healdsburg
Costeaux French Bakery - “Eat your way to paradise.”
https://www.costeaux.com/
Lubin added:
Napa
1. Brix - “Consistently good, with beautiful gardens and outdoor seating.”
https://www.brix.com/
2. Fumé Bistro & Bar - “Home-style comfort with great, tasty dishes in a very casual setting.”
https://www.fumebistro.com/
Rutherford
Rutherford Grill - “Good food and service.”
https://www.rutherfordgrill.com/
Yountville
R+D Kitchen - “Like Rutherford Grill, it is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group and has good food and service.”
https://www.rutherfordgrill.com/
Ciccio - “Best pizza in the valley, hands down. It’s a cute, small restaurant with other offerings that keep folks packing the place.”
https://www.ciccionapavalley.com/
St. Helena
Brasswood Bar + Bakery - “Never disappoints and has excellent service. Be sure to ask for the house-made cheese appetizer.”
https://tinyurl.com/4rvy69vy
For more recommendations, including how to enjoy a 48-hour dream trip to Healdsburg, go to:
https://tinyurl.com/2snxcx8p
Jan Wahl
Do you have an actor or actress whom you just don’t turn off whenever you catch them on screen?
From Monroe to Depp, Garbo to Gosling, we all have these celluloid dreams that draw us in. I go nuts for Clark Gable, Tyrone Power, and Errol Flynn, and also Robert Mitchum. On the female side, give me Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Roz Russell, Gloria Grahame, and Susan Hayward (the only woman friend the late Ross Hunter said he would temporarily turn straight to be with). OK, they are all dead. That’s showbiz. Alive? Hugh Jackman comes to mind, along with many others I have mentioned in this column over the years.
One from classic Hollywood whom I never miss didn’t become a major Hollywood player until his fifties. His first sound movie was 1944’s Laura, and his bitchy, snide character of critic Waldo Lydecker had me at hello. His beloved mother Maybelle had him on the stage at age five, and he eventually became a huge dancing and acting star, with his name in lights. He was great, intimate pals with Cole Porter, Libby Holman, Noel Coward, and Tallulah Bankhead. He was nominated for three Oscars (for The Razor’s Edge, Laura, and Sitting Pretty) but should have won for playing a heterosexual of sorts in Three Coins in the Fountain
time, ‘It mut be devastating to be an orphan in your seventies.”
He lived the life of a discreet gay man, something everyone knew and nobody cared. He couldn’t have been more popular on or off stage. The one difference is that he only would be seen and photographed with Maybelle, never another man. He bought her clothes and amazing jewels, He always made sure she was ready for her closeup at parties, nightclubs, and elegant restaurants.
As Joan Crawford told everyone: “Maybelle and Clifton had the happiest marriage in Hollywood.”
His name was Clifton Webb.
At a time of virile, often macho leading men, there was snobbish, effete, sophisticated Webb. He relished the millions he made as one of Hollywood’s top stars, living a long and glamorous life with Maybelle in their fabulous Beverly Hills mansion. They gave incredible parties and went nightclubbing. He shared the mansion with Maybelle until she died in her nineties. Webb was so inconsolable after her death that he became a recluse. His best friend Noel Coward said at the
At long last, there is a biography of Webb often using his own words. It is Sitting Pretty; The Life and Times of Clifton Webb, by Webb and David L. Smith, with an introduction by Robert Wagner. Wagner was a costar with Webb and, yes, I believe they had a most private affair. Webb’s acerbic arrogance and flip wisecracks appear everywhere. He turns name dropping into social sport. I wish the book even went deeper, but I’m glad it is here at all.
If you don’t know Webb, begin with Laura. See it again; it is that wonderful. Move on to The Razor’s Edge, which provides a chance to see both Webb and Tyrone Power in heat. I truly love Three Coins in the Fountain; it’s corny but oh so continental, having been filmed in the Eternal City itself. When Dorothy McGuire fell in love with Webb in the film, I felt the sting of unrequited love. All of us gals who have fallen deeply for our gay men friends have felt it. But I still love Clifton Webb, and always will.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Out gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski (Of an Age) returns to his native Macedonia for his warm “hangout” film Housekeeping for Beginners. Dita (Anamaria Marinca) reluctantly agrees to care for her lover Suada’s (Alina Sebran) children, the teenage Vanesa (Mia Mustafi) and the preteen Mia (Dzada Selim). She also lives with Toni (Vladimir Tintor), a gay man, whose current boyfriend, Ali (Samson Selim), also seems to have moved in. As they form a makeshift family—Dita and Toni get married—legal and other forces threaten to upend things.
Stolevski’s film deals with serious issues involving queer people and ethnic minorities in Eastern Europe, but he films it all with a light touch that immerses viewers in the lives of the characters. The filmmaker spoke with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about his warm and engaging new film.
Gary M. Kramer: Housekeeping for Beginners features several gay or lesbian characters, but they are not always able to live authentically. What can you say about the film’s idea of a “chosen family”?
Goran Stolevski: It is a family imposed by circumstances. Most of the household were kicked out of their homes. This house presents itself as a possible sanctuary. I’m drawn to stories with characters that are in a position they cannot escape from and have to figure out how to live their best possible lives given that. That is very common for queer people in these places, where your choices are limited and made for you.
Gary M. Kramer: The film is very intimate and episodic. Can you talk about your approach to storytelling and creating the film’s tone? It’s really a fun hangout film.
Goran Stolevski: “Hangout film” is a good phrase—I didn’t think of that, but that’s the feeling I was working towards. I wanted the story to keep catching you by surprise. Things are percolating underneath all along. I assume the viewer knows an Eastern European gay person’s life is going to be difficult and we don’t have to explain why. Taking that for granted, as a storyteller, you look for fun bits. No one’s life is a morose social drama every hour of every single day.
Because there was so much darkness and heaviness shaping these lives, I felt my job was to look for lighter moments, and the fun in it, and mess with the perception that things may be socio-politically dire. There is hope; it’s not all doom and gloom. In the same way is the color spectrum in the film—I never wanted to use a filter. I wanted every color to be available. If there is a tone of colors not prominent in the backdrop, we’ll find it in the costumes. In the same way I want to experience joy and sadness, fun and pain, romance, and everything in the story.
Gary M. Kramer: There are discussions about race, ethnicity, legal issues raised, and other topics. What prompted you to cram all these issues into one story?
Goran Stolevski: I wanted that story to percolate. I don’t set out with here’s an issue, and I’ll include it. It’s more: what does day-to-day life feel like, and how do we capture those facets for these people in that time and place? The [presentation of] ethnicity and race is reality. A small percentage of the population is Roma, but growing up, a quarter of the kids I knew were Roma, and a quarter of the country is Albanian, which is Dita’s ethnicity. It wasn’t an ideological statement, it is more, “This is what life feels like.” The more variety you have, the more richness and situational conflict emerges from that.
Gary M. Kramer: Housekeeping for Beginners is a film about healing. It shows how this makeshift family can get through crises big and small together by leaning on each other. What observations do you have about the film’s message?
Goran Stolevski: Healing and grief need to take place, but life doesn’t stop for you to be able to do that. I wanted to stay with them through that process and honor the
reality of what that would be like; it would not be easy. I wanted to honor that on screen. When life is difficult for someone, and you adapt that into a story and make it simpler, I find it a little offensive. I wanted to be realistic. I didn’t want it to be too bleak. I am very emotionally attached to these characters, and I don’t want them to suffer unnecessarily. I want people to feel connected to this group of people who feel real, and detailed, and three-dimensional despite their minority statuses. They are a stand in for something that is universal. You are not less universal because you happen to belong to a minority.
Your feelings are not minority or niche. They are as intense as anyone’s.
© 2024 Gary M. Kramer
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “April showers bring May flowers—but enough already with the damn (dam?) floods!”
PERVERTS PUT OUT! is San Francisco’s longest-running queer sexuality literary and performance art cabaret. PPO! is BACK after a several year hiatus, and is currently co-curated by my dear friend Carol Queen and her associate Gina Stella dell’Assunta. Thanks go to the Center for Sex and Culture, the Horizons Foundation , and Strut/SF AIDS Foundation for supporting this local queer and trans artistic & cultural work. The Center for Sex and Culture is an online community center and IRL reading room and archive providing judgment-free education and exploring and preserving knowledge and materials about sex and gender. Sister Dana has been attending many of the Center’s events for decades, and has been a proud recipient of quite a few gay adult videos from them. I was privileged to be among PPO! fans and newbies at Strut in the heart of the Castro on March 22 to enjoy lively readings by fellow pervy poets and audacious authors StormMiguel Florez, Juba Kalamka, Charlie Jane Anders, Gina Stella dell’Assunta, and so many more.
“ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS AGO?” Trump recently posted in all caps on his (Un)Truth (Anti) Social site. Are we better off than we were four years ago? When we had empty shelves in supermarkets? The massive toilet paper and mask shortages? Locked down with constant fear? President Biden on X site snapped back at Trump: “Donald, I’m glad you asked. They are dying.” Sister Dana sez, “Or dead. Over a thousand people were reported dead every day, while T-rump and his MAGA minions were suggesting that drinking bleach and horse medicine were medical solutions to COVID-19. Reprehensible!”
Asked GOP Senator Thom Tillis on March 20 about Trump defending
the January 6 prisoners, he boldly said, “Folks, I was the last Senate member out of the chamber on January 6th. I saw Capitol police officers bleeding, bruised, and I saw damage to a certain extent as we were exiting. To call those people patriots is not in my lexicon.”
But minutes later, timid Tillis continued, calling it a “respectful disagreement,” and added, “I’ve made a statement that I think the president’s the presumptive nominee, and we need to get behind him and support him.” Sister Dana sez, “Whaaat? And furthermore: WTF?!”
Sister Dana sez, “Before reading the next paragraph, please take whatever relaxes you: a cocktail(s), a pill(s), an app that plays soothing sounds”: The election is less than 7 months away and President Biden and DarnOld Trump are NECK-AND-NECK in the polls. If Democrats lose in November, T-rump and his cronies could start SLASHING Social Security, voting rights, AND abortion rights on DAY ONE.
The Death Toll has risen to 139 and counting in the horrendous March 22 Moscow Crocus City Concert Hall Attack. And over 100 victims were hospitalized with injuries from the attack. Our hearts go out to the families and friends who are grieving. But Putin has to stop blaming the Ukraine—when there exists no such evidence. In fact, four of the terrorists claim to be from ISIS. Why can’t anyone “remove” this lying, murderous, autocrat Putin?
Another reason NOT to reelect Trump: Dozens of conservative organizations have banded together to provide Trump a road map— known as Project 2025—to boost fossil fuels and limit government climate science. Climate Changedenying Trump has already said that boosting fossil fuels would be one of his top priorities. A proposed executive order in Project 2025 offers Trump-tator a path for that goal, laying out a total restructuring of the U.S. Global Change Research Program to diminish its role across more than a dozen federal agencies.
On January 7, 2021, then ex-president Trump—for once in his life— spoke the truth about the January 6 insurrection: “Like all Americans, I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness, and mayhem. America is and must always be a nation of law and order.” He continued, “The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engage in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will
pay.” Sister Dana sez, “And yet suddenly these violent, destructive, lawless rioters are called by that very same Trump as ‘hostages’ and ‘patriots’ who will be completely pardoned and free to commit more violence under the Trump dictatorship!”
And speaking of hypocrites (weren’t we?), unholy Donald the grifter is now hawking “God Bless the USA” BIBLES for 60 bucks. Sister Dana sez, “And this coming from the idiot who doesn’t even know how to HOLD a Bible right-side up!”
CASTRO MERCHANTS has replaced the RAINBOW FLAG to welcome the new season. The old, retired flag joined the Castro Merchants Flag Donation Program and headed to the Hand Bookbinders of California. “A great group of people who stuck around helped us unravel a knotty situation,” Castro Merchants President Terry Asten-Bennett commented.
In other rainbow news, District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has introduced a resolution initiating landmark designation for the RAINBOW FLAG and flagpole. The resolution officially titles the flag as “Gilbert Baker’s Rainbow Flag Installation at Harvey Milk Plaza.”
On March 29, Mayor London Breed joined the San Francisco Fleet Week Association, U.S. Navy leadership, and other civic leaders to welcome the USNS HARVEY
MILK Ship and to pay tribute to local veterans to observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day at Pier 30–32. Sister Dana sez, “Ahoy, matey!”
Mayor Breed announced on March 29 that San Francisco has received an $8.1 million federal grant that will be dedicated to the renovation of three of five blocks of the BUCHANAN STREET MALL PROJECT in the Western Addition neighborhood. The funding will allow for the addition of many amenities including a performance stage and seating areas, a picnic and barbecue area, multiple playgrounds, an adult exercise area, and a half court for multi-sports. Construction on this project is scheduled to begin this fall.
In more “WTF?” updates: jail-worthy, unworthy candidate Trump has attacked our President Joe Biden for having officially recognized March 31 as the annual (and ALWAYS March 31, since 2009—and every year since Biden was elected) NATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY—because it coincidentally fell on the same day as Easter??! Huh? Note to ex-prez Chump: The calendar for Easter day varies year to year; whereas NTDOV never varies: it’s the same DAY every year, you bombastic Bozo bigot, you!
(continued on page 36)
Judith Butler, the academic superstar who came up with the idea of gender as performance, has written a highly accessible book about the current political situation in which gender freedom is being targeted by the retrograde forces of patriarchy and fascism.
Set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Idlewild is a (Quaker!) campus novel and queer coming-of-age story at its ugliest, complete with codependent friendships, the wicked spiral of gay fanfiction, and the icky feeling of knowing you’re different before you have the language to understand why.
https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
Warhol superstar Candy Darling died half a century ago, but lives on as a legend. Carr’s biography dishes up not only a compelling account of her astounding life, but also recreates New York’s vibrant bohemia New York of the 1960s and ‘70s.
Pritty (fiction - hardbound) by Keith F. Miller
Pritty, is a debut coming-of-age YA novel and the inspiration behind the forthcoming short film of Kickstarter fame that follows two boys who get caught in the crossfire of a sinister plot that not only threatens everything they love but also may cost them their own chance at love.
Red Queen (fictionpaperback) by Juan Gomez-Jurado
Now available in paperback, this gripping mystery based in Spain features an interesting and disgraced detective, Jon Gutierrez, who is unabashedly gay, but ridiculed by his colleagues for it. He is offered a chance to salvage his career by a secretive organization that works in the shadows to direct criminal investigations of a highly sensitive nature. Follow him through his first case with this organization, along with his reluctant assistant, as they uncover a ritualistic murder.
The Riders Come Out at Night (nonfiction- paperback) by Ali Winston & Darwin BondGraham Now in paperback, The Riders Come Out at Night is the culmination of over twentyone years of fearless reporting. Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham shine a light on the jackbooted and sadistic cops known as “The Riders,” and the lack of political will and misguided leadership that has conspired to stymie meaningful reform. The authors trace the history of Oakland since its inception through the lens of the city’s police department, through the Palmer Raids, McCarthyism, the Civil Rights struggle, the Black Panthers, and crack eras, to Oakland’s present-day revival.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 7 @ 1 pm (free - Corte Madera store) Greg Sarris, author of The Forgetters
Perched atop Gravity Hill, two crow sisters— Question Woman and Answer Woman—recall stories from dawn to dusk. Question Woman cannot remember a single story except by asking to hear it again, and Answer Woman can tell all the stories but cannot think of them unless she is asked. Together, they recount the journeys of the Forgetters, so that we may all remember. Told in the classic style of Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok creation stories, this book vaults from the sacred time before this time to the recent present and even the near future. The author, who is also the Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancharia, will read from this his latest book, and discuss the story’s unforgettable characters with the help of event moderator Jane Ciabattari. She is the author of the short story collection Stealing the Fire.
Saturday, April 13 @ 12 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Linda Shiue, MD, author of Spicebox Kitchen
A renowned chef and physician shares her secrets to a healthy life in this cookbook filled with healthy recipes that will fuel and energize your body and mind. The event will include a meet & greet book signing with renowned Chef Shiue that will accompany her Foodwise demo at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market. Spicebox Kitchen is a culinary wellness trip you can take in your own kitchen.
Sunday, April 14 @ 2 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Jonah Newman, author of Out of Left Field
A nerdy gay teenager jumps headfirst into the bro-y world of high school baseball in this semi-autobiographical LGBTQ+ graphic novel. Based on debut author-illustrator Jonah Newman’s coming-of-age experiences, Out of Left Field is a big-hearted and funny YA graphic novel about learning to be yourself. The author will read excerpts from the book, which will delight and inspire audience members of all ages. He will also answer questions and sign and personalize all purchased books.
https://www.bookpassage.com/
like to highlight a couple of amazing and fun experiences: 1) boat tour, and 2) river hike and eco park.
Jet’s Naked Boat Tour
(Editor’s Note: San Francisco Bay Times sports columnist John Chen is an avid traveler. This year he has been looking back on some of the places he visited last year. See the February 8, 2024, and February 22, 2024, issues of the Bay Times for parts one and two, and look for the final installment of this series later this month.)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
It is no secret that Puerto Vallarta has become the preferred LGBTQ+ travel destination in Mexico. With welcoming locals and culture, stunning beaches and sunsets, high energy nightlife, authentic cuisine and sweet tropical fruits aplenty, beautiful waterfalls and adventurous water sports, as well as natural eco parks and botanical gardens, Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone. At the heart of this amazing coastal city is Zona Romantica, an old town district proud of its heritage, history, acceptance, expression, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Although 2023 wasn’t our first-time visiting Puerto Vallarta, it was the first time we explored the nature side of this exciting destination. I would
While thumbing through potential adventurous things to do in Puerto Vallarta, I stumbled upon Jet’s Naked Boat Tour. Yes, you read that correctly; it is a real strip down, bare-all, near seven-hour boat tour of Southern Banderas Bay eventually docking at a secluded beach where all the passengers including the tour guides frolic in crystal clear, turquoise blue water in the buff. On this amazing excursion, we met fun loving gay men from all over including Mexico, Sweden, Minnesota, Canada, and, of course, California. Nothing bonds men together more than being completely naked out in one of the most picturesque destinations. Activities on this tour included snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, massage on the beach, exploring a “Lover’s Cave,” and light rock climbing.
Waterfall Hike and Nogalito Eco Park
In Puerto Vallarta, we hired a private gay local tour guide because we wanted to see, feel, learn, and taste what the area has to offer, especially hidden gems. Our guide, Ulises Mata, introduced several local favorites and took us on a hidden waterfall hike that followed a fast-running creek upstream through a fairly dense tropical jungle. Due to recent storms, the hiking trail upstream was partially washed out, so we decided to hike alongside the babbling creek, often times scaling large rocks and boulders as well as treading through waist-deep, cool, clear, and fastmoving water. The
hike was definitely challenging and such an adrenaline rush!
After the hike, Ulises took us to Nogalito Eco Park for a stroll and a much-needed, delicious Mexican lunch. Although tabbed as an amusement park, Nogalito Eco Park is more of a lush tropical nature park with a zipline and a restaurant. Walking through the jungle and listening to the songs and rustling of native wildlife gave us a great sense of awe and wonder.
Old Québec City, Québec, Canada
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Québec City, according to UNESCO, “was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century ... [and] is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts ... with numerous bastions, gates, and defensive works. The Upper Town, built on
the cliff, has remained the religious and administrative [center], with its churches, convents, and other monuments like ... the Citadel and Château Frontenac. Together with the Lower Town and its ancient districts, it forms an urban ensemble which is one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city.”
In the fall of 2023, I took the opportunity to immerse in the historic and charming French-Canadian treasure, Old Québec City, which came highly recommended by my FrenchCanadian friends. Upon entering the old walled city from the western side, or the Upper Town, the architecture immediately showcased French colonial design of yesteryear lining the narrow cobblestone streets. At the eastern end of Upper Town lies the Citadel and the famed Chateau Frontenac, perched atop Cap Diamant, 333 feet above the Lower Town and Saint Lawrence River. A few locals shared with us that the natural cliff barrier, which separates the upper and lower Old Québec City, became the best defense against any potential intruders and attacks from the Saint Lawrence River to the east. Scaling the vertical cliff (333 feet) was nearly impossible with 17th–19th century technologies. Nothing invented at the time could conquer the sheer height. And if, somehow, the enemy reached the top, they would be met instantly with strategically positioned cannons and waiting military at the Citadel.
While the Upper Town housed museums, architecture tour de force, government, and clergy, the Lower Town displayed and preserved an old world where the people lived, thrived, socialized, and conducted trade. Together, the two towns form a unique geography and feel for this world heritage site that is well worth the visit.
Fall Foliage, Jackman, Maine
Last fall my buddy Thom Johnson invited me to visit his family cabin in
Jackman, a small town of 700 people in the North Western Mountains of Maine. Thom really wanted me to experience the natural beauty of his home state and live the way people did a couple of hundred years ago. Always ready for any adventure (plus, I’ve always wanted to see amazing fall colors in Northern New England), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
I flew into Portland, Maine, and got into my rental minivan. I originally reserved an SUV, but the rental agency offered a free tank of gas and a few other minor perks if I took the minivan. So, my inner soccer mom got into my Chrysler Pacifica, and headed up I-95 and U.S. Hwy 201 north to Jackman. According to the town’s website, “US Route 201 is also known as ‘Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway.’ It winds right alongside the Kennebec River, Wyman Lake, the Dead River, and vast forests.”
In addition, “Jackman is ... the midpoint of the Kennebec-Chaudiere International Scenic Corridor. A journey through the KennebecChaudiere International Scenic Corridor rewards the visitor with a wealth of historic attractions, scenic drives, and outstanding outdoor recreation.”
Arriving in Jackman, Thom greeted me with open arms and great enthusiasm. He gave me a tour of his family property and proudly showed me the second cabin he manually built, where we would be staying. I admire Thom’s perseverance. Whatever he sets his mind to, he will find a way to get it done. My only question at the time was, “Where’s the bathroom and running water?” Apparently, those things don’t exist on his property, at least not yet. We pretty much used the great outdoors and “showered” in the buff with all the animals watching. A very interesting anecdote I learned was that many people in Jackman and the
“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
By Debra MorrisBlueberry Lemonade With Mint
2 cups blueberries (plus a small handful for garnish)
1 mint sprig (plus 4 more for garnish)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup lemon juice (juice from 3–4 small lemons)
3 cups water or sparkling water
A generous pinch of salt
Muddle berries, honey, salt, and mint until all the blueberries are squashed. Scrape the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer with a rubber spatula, leaving only the skins and mint sprig. Be sure to scrape the underside of the strainer. Combine the blueberry juice mixture, lemon juice, and water and stir. Serve over ice and garnish with a mint sprig and some frozen blueberries in each of four glasses. For an adult beverage, add 1 jigger of gin or vodka per glass. Serves 4
To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb, Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!” —”Blueberries” by Robert Frost
For centuries, blueberries were gathered from the forests and bogs by Native Americans and consumed fresh and also preserved. The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries and much folklore developed around them.
Commercial development of blueberries really didn’t begin until the early 20th century when they were successfully cultivated. Blueberries’ ever-growing popularity in the marketplace is due to a list of health
benefits, including reduced risk of cancer, prevention of urinary tract infections, and improved eyesight.
Blueberry production in California is estimated at around 1,500 acres and is rapidly increasing. More producers are trying blueberries because they are easy to grow and are very popular. Highland blueberries are the most commonly cultivated forms and the type we see most often in the markets; and cultivated high bush blueberries have often been hybridized to produce larger size berries.
Blueberries should arrive in mid-April. Your farmers’ market will have some of the best blueberries you can find. They are hand-picked and harvested right before their delivery to you. Why trust blueberries from anywhere else? They’re as fresh as you can get, grown
(continued on page 36)
Randy Coleman, an artist and columnist for the San Francisco Bay Times, recently died after a long illness. In an era of computer-generated drawings, Coleman handcrafted each of the pieces for his “SF Sketch” column, often using just a sketchpad and pencil. He would sometimes even present the art directly to the Bay Times for publication, as he favored a personal approach. The images frequently highlighted San Francisco landmarks and popular LGBTQ events, such as well-known buildings in the Castro or moments from the San Francisco Pride Parade.
Born and raised in New York, Coleman studied art history and architecture at Boston University while working as a resident artist for architectural rendering at a Massachusetts historical society. He moved to San Francisco in 1975, making the city his home from then on.
For many years he worked as a waiter and was a proud member of UNITE HERE Local 2, the hospitality workers’ union in San Francisco. The arts remained his passion, though, as anyone who met Coleman could attest. He would often gift friends and colleagues packages full of his incredible sketches, and some members
of our San Francisco Bay Times team were grateful recipients of these heartfelt collections.
Coleman took pride in his work for the Bay Times, so much so that he decorated the door to his apartment with published artwork from his column. Neighbors tell us that he enjoyed spending time with his cats, traveling, and collecting handcrafted items—furniture, glasswork, paintings, and more—from other fellow artists.
He is survived by his brother Chris. The two were very close and attended some Bay Times holiday parties together. Additional champions of his art included attorney Nancy Conway and her partner and business manager Mischelle Mandel. The couple, friends of the Bay Times publishers, first introduced our team to Coleman.
Coleman was a generous and considerate colleague who touched many lives and will be greatly missed. Friends are hoping to present an exhibit of the work of this prolific and gifted artist in future.
SISTER
(continued from pg 31)
But thank Jesus (on His day of resurrection), the White House clapped back: “As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American.”
Sister Dana sez, “Look THAT up in your stinking sixty-dollar MAGA bible, Biblical whoremonger Trump!”
Just a reminder for us fellow art appreciators: this Friday, April 5, 5–8 pm is the monthly CASTRO ART WALK This self-guided hike through the “gayborhood” features more than 15 venues displaying their gorgeous artworks. Many times the featured artists are present for us connoisseurs to speak with. Many times there is wine! And if you’re lucky, there’s cheese too! https://www.castroartwalk.com/
A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding ( Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged
with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. The film opens in theatres April 5. Sister Dana sez, “I have never laughed and cried so much—especially with the delicious overuse of the Effwords! Swearing was never such fun before this funny flamboyant flick!”
Lucas Kunce in Missouri is Democrats’ best shot to EXPAND our Senate map—winning back a seat from Josh Hawley that Democrats had just six years ago. Lucas told supporters, “Josh Hawley has spent his career crusading against reproductive rights. He led the charge to overturn Roe v. Wade, co-sponsored a national abortion ban, fought to restrict access to contraceptives, and even orchestrated judicial corruption to ban the most commonly used abortion pill, Mifepristone, in all 50 states. Now, his crusade is putting the future of families in jeopardy all across this country.”
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MUSEUM presents YOU ARE
HERE: CLAIMING YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY at the Museum, 4127 18th Street on April 11, 6–8:30 pm. For hundreds of years, small-minded groups have sought to erase LGBTQ people from the landscape and to
WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL (continued from pg 25)
donation will go towards the HWFE Future Farmers Scholarship, created by HWFE for students from the local Healdsburg High School FFA chapter.
“As co-founders and partners in this remarkable endeavor, we are deeply committed to our dual mission: showcasing Sonoma County’s extraordinary wine, agriculture, and commitment to sustainability on a global platform, while simultaneously raising vital funds to uplift and honor our local vineyard workforce. This mission permeates every aspect of our events and messaging through-
out the entire weekend. What could be more fulfilling than enjoying oneself while also making a positive impact?” remarked Karissa Kruse, CEO & President of Sonoma County Winegrowers and Executive Director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.
Partners of the HWFE include Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, Foley Food & Wine Society, FOOD & WINE, The Hawaiian Islands, and the Sonoma County Winegrowers.
write us out of history. At the same time as our enemies have sought to erase us, we have kept our stories alive for each other. Shared through oral traditions, hidden in plain sight through codes and secret languages, and carefully passed down from generation-to-generation, LGBTQ people have kept our stories alive for centuries. You Are Here is an intentionally incomplete exhibition, offering a timeline of some important moments in LGBTQ history. The Museum invites visitors to learn about the people and moments that have shaped the world they inhabit today, and to consider how their life will be remembered in the future. Visitors are invited to share a memory they want to live on by adding it to the timeline, and to help us imagine what comes next by declaring a hope for the future.
https://www.glbthistory.org/
Lisa Geduldig Presents ... Eclectic Comedy (not on Zoom for a change). It will be live at Eclectic Box, 446 Valencia Street (between 15th & 16th Streets) on April 14, 7 pm. This will be an eclectic night of comedy presented and MC’ed by Lisa Geduldig (of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy), featuring Bay Area heavy hitter comedians Diane Amos (“The Pine Sol Lady”), Shanti Charan, Abhay Nadkarni, and
FARMERS’
Bob McIntyre. https://www.koshercomedy.com/
Alas, I have reached my word limit, but I’ve just enough column space to congratulate the three wonderful winners at our Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 45th Anniversary on Easter Sunday in Dolores Park (all three by audience acclamation). Easter Bonnet Contest Winner Miguel (who has won that title so many different years, he should be lovingly retired to the Bonnet Hall of Fame); Foxy Mary Winner Nuestra Señora de las Putas (holding a sign boldly affirming: “Sex Worker Rights Are Human Rights”); and Hunky Jesus Winner Ken Jesus (totally Barbie pink, inside his official Barbie’s Ken doll living display box—”miracles not included.” What a glorious Easter that was!!!
The judge in Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial had imposed a gag order that prohibited the criminal from attacking witnesses and prosecutors in the case. So, what does the Orange Ogre do? He immediately attacks the JUDGE and his daughter. And T-rump CONTINUES to give oral and written attacks against them. Sister Dana sez, “I don’t know about YOU, but I am personally positively salivating at the thought of the upcoming April 15 trial! Lock him up!”
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locally, and from those who love to talk about their crop.
Select berries that are completely blue, with no tinge of red. That natural shimmery silver coating you see on blueberries is desirable as it is a natural protectant. Blueberries that are too large tend to be watery. Purchase smaller blueberries and they will have more intense flavor. Keep blueberries refrigerated, unwashed, in a rigid container covered with clear wrap. They should last up to a week if they are freshly-picked. Blueberries are highly perishable, so do try to use them as soon as possible.
You’ll find blueberries at the farmers’ market from Alpine Blue out of Stockton. Get enough to make some blueberry muffins or a pie! Then try this refreshing lemonade.
For more recipes, information about additional local farmers’ markets, and more, visit the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association website: https://www.pcfma.org/
Debra Morris is a spokesperson for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association.
surrounding mountains rely on natural spring water for drinking and consumption. In fact, there is a designated area off Highway 201, in the mountains, where people go to fill jugs of pure and delicious spring water.
After I got acclimated, Thom took me on the backroads to be one with nature where mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls are nearly as pure and untouched as freshly fallen show. We saw stunning fall colors, although my trip turned out to be just one week ahead of full color foliage. Nevertheless, I did get to see first-hand an amazing canvas of bright red, orange, and yellow mixed with green covering the Northwest Mountains and valleys. Our road trip concluded at the beautiful Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in Maine shaped like, you guessed it, a moose head complete with antlers.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Out here on the West Coast, we have the iconic, seemingly inescapable, bloody, and paradoxically scenic maximum security prison Alcatraz. On the East Coast, the Eastern State Penitentiary has struck fear, terror, insanity, and madness for all those incarcerated. Although both prisons are now defunct, the intrigue of their unforgiving past lures millions of visitors to each attraction every year. From the Travel to the History Channels, virtually every America’s “most haunted, scariest, creepiest” show at one time or another featured the Eastern State Penitentiary due to its “menacing, medieval façade built to intimidate,” and the dark penal reform philosophy of incarceration that drove prisoners mad. When it opened in 1829, the prison implemented the most progressive deterrent for criminals, solitary confinement with only a small skylight to penitent, giving birth to the name penitentiary. For those unwilling or resisting, they were punished with suffocating restraint, causing mutilation and sometimes blunt force trauma. Back then, it was dubbed “the radical nineteenth-century prison designed to create social change.”
Today, Eastern State Penitentiary stands in partial ruin; it is a historic landmark and a reminder of a reform philosophy gone very wrong. Every October, the penitentiary hosts the highly anticipated and immensely popular Terror Behind the Walls haunted house-style scare fest welcoming Halloween. Last year, while visiting Philadelphia in October, fortuitously, I got to attend this horror festival with my brother-in-law, Steve Maylath. Although we had an amazing time, let me tell you, the Eastern Penitentiary is as advertised and extremely chilling, creepy, and haunting, especially after dark.
John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball, and football teams.
Poetic and pioneering astrologer Dane Rudhyar wrote, half a century ago, “The victory over the night is celebrated on the nineteenth degree of Aries.” The highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8 of this year occurs exactly at that degree. Victory over the night is at hand! The life force triumphs over death! We are gifted a fresh start with all the vigor and vitality of youth. And the rite of passage required for us to enter the gates of this new life is the rooting out and release of victim consciousness from our personal and collective identity. Suffering is the ground of our shared humanity, which means none of us is special, nor alone, in our pain. This realization is a sign of maturity, and the healing antidote to what divides and isolates us. Our vulnerability, as well as empathy, are what allow us to connect with each other and help each other navigate. We can, in fact, all be on the same team. There is a higher than usual electric charge around the potential for bringing that into fruition now.
ARIES (March 21–April 19)
If you haven’t quite reached the heights you’ve dreamt of yet, an opportunity opens up to help you understand more clearly what about you has blocked you. Your great gift to the world is your willingness to follow your impulses and trust where they lead.
TAURUS (April 20–May 20)
Change holds enormous benefit for you. Your horizon expands in multidimensional ways now, revealing new creative pathways previously not thought of. A quantum leap is possible.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
When you resurrect from the ashes your vision of the future changes. You might experience flashes of higher frequency thinking and creative ideas now. Trust your impulses to share your story with right community
CANCER (June 21–July 22)
It could be time to leave your old shell and expose your vulnerabilities at the group level. Your sense of belonging increases as you do so. The right people will be drawn to want to help you achieve your aim
LEO (July 23–August 22)
You can wake up into a whole new paradigm when you reframe your life experiences to support you. Pieces of the puzzle come together, revealing a picture of a greater reality.
VIRGO (August 23–September 22)
An inherited wound can easily be triggered now, but can also be transformed and made fuel for the fire of your passion. The purpose of your pain is connection with others.
LIBRA (September 23–October 22)
There could be breakups at this time. But breakthroughs that shift behavior in one partner can just as often restore the relationship altogether. Vulnerability is the truest act of faith, and the straightest path to the connection that you desire.
SCORPIO (October 23–November 21)
Humility is rarely a choice, rather it floods us without warning as a result of a gained perspective on ourself. Welcome it as a sign that you’re moving in the right direction as well as closer to the deep connection your soul craves
SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21)
Perhaps your routines need interruption. Structure your days around what you most value. Make peace with your perfect imperfection and express yourself exactly as you are. Humanity relates
CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19)
Mercy is the healer of all ailments. Show it to yourself. Show it to all others. This is why you are here. Earth has precious joys for you yet. Look up
AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18)
Changes to the landscape of your life reveal fresh perspective that deepens your direct engagement with life and with others. You are ready to know the essence of what matters
PISCES (February 19–March 20)
As you surrender self-pity and take bold imperfect action that is in alignment with your raw gifts, you are led by, and learn to trust, your instincts
Elisa Quinzi is a certified professional astrologer who brings a strong spiritual perspective, as well as over 20 years of experience, to her work with clients. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com or at 818-530-3366 with your exact birth time to schedule or to ask questions. For more information: www.elisaquinzi.com
Introducing Angel, your future Pittie Pup companion with an infectious zest for life!
At a mere 25 pounds, she’s a bundle of joy and boundless energy, ready to infuse your days with love and excitement. Angel is currently the star pupil at our puppy academy, where she’s enthusiastically learning the ropes of being the perfect canine companion. She’s mastering essential skills like patience, obedience, and the art of giving unconditional love.
As a gesture of our commitment to finding Angel the loving home she deserves, we’re waiving her adoption fee. We believe it’s time for her to start a new chapter with a family eager to guide her through her puppyhood adventures and beyond.
Angel embodies her name in every way, with a golden heart and a readiness to spread her wings and soar into your life. If you’re prepared for a journey filled with joy, companionship, and a touch of puppy mischief, Angel is waiting to fill your days with unforgettable moments.
Discover the delight of having Angel in your life by visiting us at the SF SPCA Mission Campus, 201 Alabama Street. Visitors are welcome from 11 am–6 pm (Wednesday–Sunday) and 1 pm–6 pm on Tuesdays. The SF SPCA is closed on Mondays.
https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/
Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS):
Sorrell is a 1-year-old boy who will mesmerize you with his loving and mellow disposition. He purrs, makes biscuits, and soaks up all the love you can offer, returning it with a sweet kiss or two in between gentle head bonks.
Bono will steal your heart the moment you meet him. He is an affectionate boy who just can’t get enough pets and cuddles. He is always up for fun and adventure and has enjoyed playing with his doggie friends at the shelter.
The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/ Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org
Thousands turned out to join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Dolores Park on Sunday, March 31, 2024, for the annual not-to-be-missed contest where a new Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary are chosen based on audience response.
“Ken Jesus” (Ken Ferraris, who has an impressive arts and fashion background) was selected as this year’s Hunky Jesus. Ferraris was the longtime Visual Director for Barneys New York. He was also “Mr. February” for the 2022 Bare Chest Calendar ( https://tinyurl.com/ynah8aeb ). “Golden Jesus” was the runner up.
Puta Mary (Celestina Pearl), holding a “Sex Worker Rights Are Human Rights” sign, won the Foxy Mary contest, edging out other competitors such as Extra Virgin Mary and Immaculate Confection Mary.
Sister Roma, Honey Mahogany, and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Sister Dana shared the on-stage emcee/host roles. Entertainment was provided by invited artists including Kat Robichaud, Sister Phyllis, Sugar Bear, and more.
Additional activities included the Bonnet Contest for adults and the Children’s Easter held separately with the Easter Bunny on hand to oversee fun games and story time.
Easter in the Park, held annually, is free and open to all. The Sisters collect donations to help cover expenses and support the organization’s grant fund.
https://www.thesisters.org/
The cobalt blue Fish & Fish carafe by Paola Navone for Serax is a veritable work of art.
Inspired by 1930s American glassware, it has a striking color, unique shape, and functional design that make it a must-have item for any design lover. $48.99
This fragrance-free organic sunscreen is a new take on Coola’s award-winning classic—designed for long, active days in the sun but light enough for everyday use. Spray on this ultra-sheer formula for water-resistant broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection anytime, anywhere! 6 ounces for $28
ince our founding in 1936, Cliff’s Variety has been constantly growing and evolving in response to the needs of our customers. Our buyers strive to keep our selection fresh, on-trend, and competitive. We carry the best of everything from hardware & tools to cookware, garden supplies, toys, crafts, and gifts. We also offer re-keying and lock repair, knife sharpening, glass, acrylic & wood cutting. Light fabrication, pipe threading, and cable crimping are among the many other services we offer at Cliff’s Variety. If your project has gone a little beyond your abilities, we’re here to help.
https://cliffsvariety.com/
