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Building a Bright Future for Our Center

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ABBY ZIMBERG

See pages 14-16

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In the News

By Dennis McMillan

Bay Area on Heightened Alert After Terrorist Attacks in Belgium The deadly terrorist attacks on Tuesday at the Brussels airport in Belgium and at one of the city’s metro stations have put San Francisco and other Bay Area cities on heightened alert. Extra police officers have been deployed at SFO, the Port of San Francisco, and at San Francisco Municipal Railway stations, according to SFPD spokesperson Albie Esparza, who is a member of our LGBT community. Esparza asks that the public report any related problems. As Esparza said, “If you see something, say something.” Mayor Ed Lee shared the following via Twitter after the attacks: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with the people of Brussels. We stand in solidarity with Belgium and stand strong against intolerance.” LGBT-Owned Coffee & Tea Business Earns Both State and Local Honors Locally based Equator Coffees and Teas was recently named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s California Small Business of the Year 2016 and the San Francisco SBA District Office’s Small Business of the Year 2016. The Golden Gate Business Association, of which Equator is a member, hailed the honors as being “a huge milestone for the LGBT small business community” because it is the first time that an LGBT-owned business has been recognized with the distinctions. Equator has three retail stores in Northern California with two more on the way. Three of its wholesale customers include the prestigious French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, as well as the offices of LinkedIn and Google. The company was an early supporter of the Fair Trade Certified label and has been included in the San Francisco Business Times’ “Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses” 12 years in a row. Congratulations to Equator Co-founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell! White House Appoints First Transgender Person as LGBT Liaison The White House recently appointed Raffi Freedman-Gurspan as its main LGBT liaison, the first transgender person in the role. Last year, Freedman-Gurspan, who is both Latina and Jewish, was made the outreach and recruitment director in the presidential personnel office. Now, she’ll be the White House‘s primary contact point for LGBT groups across issues. Freedman-Gurspan was previously a policy adviser for the National Center for Transgender Equality. Freedman-Gurspan, whose work has been cited for connecting transgender issues to those of racial and economic justice, is the latest of several transgender people who have been appointed throughout the Obama administration. lgbtqnation.com Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Give $15,000 to Grassroots Organizations The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are giving $15,000 to grassroots organizations including LYRIC, SF Trans March, GLBT Historical Society, Marty’s Place Affordable Housing, Dyke March, Berkeley Needle Exchange, This Is What I Want, Sex Workers Outreach Project, Momma’s Boyz, Stonewall Youth, and 10 other groups working for change in our communities. Since their founding in 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have raised and distributed over one million dollars to non-

profit organizations that serve needy communities. Historically, The Sisters have given grants to under-funded, smaller organizations and projects providing direct services to our communities. The majority of these organizations and projects receive little, if any, government or mainstream funding and may be in the early stages of development. Grants are typically $250 to $1,000. They are especially attracted to progressive projects that promote wellness, identity, tolerance and diversity within our communities. thesisters.org Gay Congress Members Endorse Hillary Clinton The political action committee formed by leaders of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, Equality PAC, has formally endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Democrat presidential primary race. “For more than 20 years, Secretary Clinton has worked to break down barriers for LGBT Americans and our families,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). “In the Senate, she fought for employment nondiscrimination and increased funding to combat HIV/AIDS. She helped lead the successful efforts to block a federal amendment banning marriage equality. As Secretary of State, she led the most LGBT-friendly State Department in American history. She ensured that State Department employees in same-sex relationships received the same rights as their colleagues, and made it easier for transgender Americans to acquire passports reflecting their true gender.” lgbtqnation.com Pink Saturday Event in Question Organizers of the Pink Saturday official event held during San Francisco Pride Week have been unable to find a sponsor, according to multiple media reports. A similar situation happened last year, before the SF LGBT Community Center came in to host. In earlier years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence sponsored the event. A lot could happen over the next few months, but Supervisor Scott Wiener shared the following with NBC: “We will be very prepared in terms of security and other needs. It’ll be just a fun and festive night in the Castro, but it will no longer be a street closure or an official event.” nbcbayarea.com Dog Eared Books to Open in Castro The Mission’s Dog Eared Books has announced that it will be opening a second location in the Castro, at 489 Castro Street. The announcement comes just days after fellow independent bookstore Books Inc. announced that it has lost its lease in the Castro, and will close its 2275 Market Street location in June. 489 Castro has a long literary history: prior to the most recent tenant Citizen Clothing, another bookstore—the LGBTQ-centric A Different Light—operated at the address from 1986. Dog Eared Books intends to stock a wide selection of locally-based writers and LGBTQIA-centric titles, along with queer classics, best sellers and off-beat books. hoodline.com Supervisor Wiener Holds Hearing about Current Transgender Youth Issues Supervisor Scott Wiener held a hear(continued on page 26)

One Week Only! April 5–10, 2016 Peonies and Picasso. Hydrangeas and Hockney. Art and nature come together to spectacular effect during Bouquets to Art, on view in the de Young galleries.

de Young Floral display by Valerie Lee Ow; assistants: Robbin Lee and Morgan Carpenter of J. Miller Flowers & Gifts. Artwork: Richard Mayhew, Rhapsody (detail), 2002, © Richard Mayhew, Courtesy ACA Galleries, NY. Photograph by Douglas Sandberg

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music

dance

theater

Cal Performances U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

C A L I F O R N I A ,

Who Is Not Running for DCCC? 2015/16

S E A S O N

B E R K E L E Y

Montreal Symphony Orchestra Daniil Trifonov, piano Kent Nagano, conductor DEBUSSY PROKOFIEV STRAVINSKY

Do Ask, Do Tell

Jeux Piano Concerto No. 3 The Rite of Spring

Zoe Dunning T he Sa n Fra ncisco Democratic County Central Committee, or DCCC, has become the hottest ticket in town. The most down-ballot of races has suddenly become the most sought-after elected off ice in San Francisco. Just ask the 60 (yes, 60) candidates that have filed their paperwork to run in the June 7, 2016, election.

March 26 Z E L L E R B A C H HALL

Robert Battle, Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director Featuring four West Coast premieres, including new works by Robert Battle, Rennie Harris, and Ronald K. Brown; plus returning favorite Revelations

March 29–April 3 Z E L L E RB A C H HALL Corporate Sponsor: Mechanics Bank

Rachael McLaren Photo by Andrew Eccles

Gil Shaham, violin

with films by David Michalek Bach: Six Solos

It’s not just candidates. Current office holders who are not up for re-election this year also threw their names into the ring in an effort to help tip the balance of the committee to a progressive or moderate majority. D2 Supervisor Mark Farrell, Community College Board Trustee Brigitte Davila, and School Board Commissioner Emily Murase headline that list.

BACH Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001–1006 “One of today’s pre-eminent violinists” —The New York Times

Last but not least, we have former elected officials, most of whom have not been in elected office for years and have not attended a DCCC race since I’ve been a member: Former Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, CA Democratic Party Chair John Burton, and Former Supervisors Sophie Maxwell, Tom Hsieh Sr. and Angela Alioto have all come out of SF political retirement to run for this downticket office.

April 14 Z E L L E R B A C H HALL Part of the Koret Recital Series

globalFEST

Creole Carnival

Featuring Haitian vocalist Emeline Michel singing songs of love and hope in French; Rio de Janiero’s innovative samba masters, Casuarina; and Jamaica’s one-stringed guitar virtuoso Brushy One String.

All totaled, we have 21 current or former elected officials (including 9 current and 4 former supervisors) running for 24 seats. That does not leave much room for the grassroots activists to capture a seat. How do we solve that?

Further, she addressed concerns that high-visibility candidates who win might move to Ex-Officio or resign, thereby giving the Chair the power to appoint a new member to replace them. In her proposal, the next vote getter in the June election would fill any new vacancies, thereby respecting the voters’ wishes. In the end, though, the compromise was not enough. The DCCC’s Progressive minority garnered enough votes to block the bylaw change (which requires a 2/3 majority vote, and the proponents fell just shy with 62% of the vote). So much for the so-called Reform Slate, which in this case blocked reform. Alix will try again, as the matter was referred to the Bylaws Committee to develop a new recommendation to go before the DCCC at its April meeting. The bottom line is that the system is broken. The DCCC race has become the ultimate political namedropping game, and the voters of San Francisco need to look long and hard at what kind of a Democratic Party they want. Do we want the DCCC to be a campaign slush fund for candidates for fall elections? Do we want it to be a place for retired politicians who have already held office? Do we want it to be a second elected office for current office holders? Or, do we want it to be an opportunity for grassroots Democratic Party activists to participate in local politics and strengthen the party? As you listen to candidates and read campaign literature, I encourage you to ask how active they have been with the party and the DCCC before this campaign season. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and we need committed and active leaders for our party and our city. Too much is at stake. Zoe Dunning is a retired Navy Commander and was a lead activist in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She served as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club. She currently serves as the First Vice Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and as a San Francisco Library Commissioner.

San Francisco Democratic Party

April 16 ZELLERBAC H HALL

I’ve written previously in this column about the financing loophole that is a DCCC campaign—which has no limits on campaign contributions— and how candidates for other offices can also run for a seat on the DCCC and use the DCCC account as a general marketing slush fund. My prediction came all too true as fourteen candidates running for election or reelection this November are also running for a seat on the DCCC. Five are DCCC incumbents, and many like Scott Wiener and Rafael Mandelman have served on the DCCC for years. That still leaves nine who have seen the benefits of raising money that can be leveraged to increase name recognition in their district for the fall race.

At the last DCCC meeting, member Alix Rosenthal proposed a bylaw change that would move all Supervisors and the Mayor to ex-officio members of the DCCC, thereby freeing up seats for the worker-bees who want to be members. It would expand the body from 31 total members to 43, which some felt diluted the voice of the elected members. She addressed that by adding seven more elected seats, to enlarge the group to 50 total. She made compromises accounting for Supervisors currently elected to the committee, so that they could continue to serve on the DCCC after their Supervisor seats term out.

Emeline Michel

To learn more about the SF DCCC, including its purpose, current members and upcoming meetings, visit the website: sfdemocrats.org The San Francisco Democratic Party works with many Chartered Democratic Clubs representing communities that reflect the diversity of the Party. Among these are the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club. For a complete list of the chartered clubs: http://www.sfdemocrats.org/chartered_clubs

Billy Collins and Aimee Mann Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins and Indie rock singersongwriter Aimee Mann come together for a rare evening of poetry, acoustic music, and conversation about the creative process.

April 24 ZELLERBAC H HALL

calperformances.org 510.642.9988 4

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Season Sponsor:

LGBT activist Rebecca Prozan (center), who is a candidate for San Francisco DCCC, with volunteers helping new citizens register to vote.

Bearing Witness As I approached, I heard Morales repeatedly call Carson and Robinson “faggots.” I thought a fight might break out. So I passed them by on the left. As soon as I had gotten in front of them, though, I was frozen in place—paralyzed by the unmistakable crack of a gunshot behind me. While Ryan was able to choose to be a witness in the Prop. 8 trial, he had no choice in witnessing a hate crime and a murder. Mark Carson was dead, shot by Elliot Morales, and as fate would have it, Ryan was present for the whole thing:

6/26 and Beyond John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney Ryan Kendall was a star witness for marriage equality and against socalled “conversion therapy” when he took the stand in the Proposition 8 trial in San Francisco federal court six years ago. Ryan bravely recounted some of the most vulnerable moments of his life as he told the story of his parents’ horrendous reaction to learning he was gay and of his surviving forced conversion therapy as a youth.

In the moment after a gunshot, you don’t think, you just do. I didn’t even have time to be afraid. Once I could move again, I turned around to see what had happened. As I did, Morales walked by, brandishing his weapon and saying, “Don’t you look at me.”

Kaiser Permanente is now open in Mission Bay.

But I did look, and I f lagged down the responding police officers to tell them what I had seen. The images from that night remain with me. I will never forget the sight of Mark Carson dying at my feet—yet another young black man killed with a gun in the street.

Ryan’s testimony marked a key moment in the trial, because the immutability of sexual orientation is an important legal issue pertaining to constitutional rights of LGBT people. Ryan was in exactly the right place at the right time. Judge Vaughan Walker, who presided over the case and is gay, described Ryan’s testimony as “the most touching testimony of the trial,”—so powerful that it led Walker himself to reveal that he had undergone conversion therapy as well. Since the Prop. 8 trial, Ryan has gone on to testify before numerous state legislatures about the harms of conversion therapy.

Over three years later, Ryan, now a law student at the UCLA, recently returned to New York to testify at Morales’ murder trial. He told the courtroom exactly what he had witnessed, and the jury convicted Morales of hate crime murder. Ryan has never been a passive witness; he is perceptive, engaged, and circumspect. Ryan observed, “As Morales cross-examined me on the stand, I saw a broken man who could have been helped at so many turns.”

But Ryan knows f irsthand that, at any point in life, one might be called upon to testify as a witness to love, or hate. A few years after his Prop. 8 testimony, Ryan found himself on the other side of the country and in exactly the wrong place at the wrong time. In the end, though, he may have been just the right person to be there.

Ryan had used the months and years since the murder took place to reflect more widely on what he had witnessed: In the first few months after the shooting, I was angry at Morales for stealing Carson’s life simply because he was gay. In the months and years that I’ve waited to testify against Morales, my anger at him receded.

After the Prop. 8 trial, Ryan, a former Republican, dedicated his life to becoming a civil rights lawyer. His pursuit of excellence led him to Columbia University in New York, but also happened to put him on a tragic collision course to witnessing a horrible hate crime. He recently recounted the experience in The Advocate:

Ryan found himself confronted with the question of whether “Carson’s death could have been prevented.” Along with countless other LGBT people, their friends, and their families, Ryan, has used his voice tirelessly to convey the humanity of LGBT people to the world so that crimes such as the one Morales committed might someday no longer occur. He has also worked to raise the self-esteem of LGBT people; indeed Morales at the trial claimed to be bisexual.

It was on a warm spring night in late May 2013. I was out celebrating the end of the semester and wanted to continue the festivities in the gayborhood after a Columbia University-sponsored event at the Delancey ended. I got something to eat, hopped in a cab, and headed to Greenwich Village.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBIA NEWS

Once there, I walked up the street, turning right on West Eighth Avenue, just in time to see Elliot Morales exchanging words with Mark Carson and his best friend, Danny Robinson.

Ryan Kendall

UNDER ONE ROOF, AND DOWN THE STREET.

Ryan examined what little he knew of Morales as a person. He noted that Morales, 33 years old at the time of committing the murder, “had already had been incarcerated for 11 years after committing an armed robbery during which two women were bound and beaten. When Morales was released from prison, he doubtlessly found himself cast out into a society with little support or chance at a decent life… Then it is no wonder that, as he testified in court, Morales was out of prison by May 2013 but staying on a friend’s couch, with little more than his clothes and a gun.” Ryan, who describes himself as perceiving “the world through a lens of policy and law,” observes how our prison system seeks “to punish, not (continued on page 26)

2016

kp.org/sanfrancisco BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

Our thanks go to Toder as well as to Margie Adam, Ph.D., for sharing the text with us. Adam was also at the memorial, and is an integrative counselor and a pioneer of the Women’s Music movement.) My recollections today are going to focus on…Jeanne as a young woman coming of age.

For those of you who have never experienced the joys of collective process, let me say that no decision was too small for every woman not to have her say. Repeatedly. You know the expression, herding cats? Child ‘s play compared to getting a women’s collective in the 1970’s to agree on anything, let alone reach consensus. None of this seemed to affect Jeanne. She was masterful in navigating collective process. Articulate, persuasive and most of all indefatigable, she would cajole until she changed our minds or simply exhausted us. She was an incredibly strong woman, not known for her tact, and she was often at the center of controversy.

The first time I saw Jeanne she was leaning against a brick wall, languidly smoking a cigarette. It was 1973 and women from around the country had gathered at UCLA for the first national lesbian conference.

We baby dykes were passionate about two things: our love for women and the central place of lesbian feminist theory in our movement. Conf lict in our relationships and our politics often rocked our friendships and collectives.

My first impression was that she was breathtakingly handsome. But once we started talking, I was even more drawn to her intelligence and her intensity. Jeanne brought a natural aptitude for leadership and a surprising political acumen to The Lesbian Tide. Surprising, as in 1973 we were both just 24. We worked together as editors and became good friends. Feminist principles dictated that we

Her and my biggest political fight occurred when Jeanne wanted to remove the word “lesbian” from The Lesbian Tide. Always pragmatic, she thought it would increase circulation. I objected on principle. She won that vote—but when the circulation didn’t increase, Jeanne was unafraid to admit she’d made a mistake, once again proudly spearheading “lesbian” back into The Tide.

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A lthough our friendship weathered political strife, when a l i ne wa s crossed in the personal realm, Jeanne and I hand led it with the emotional intelligence and maturity typical of that era—we didn’t talk for years. That hiatus in our friendship was a great loss for both of us, and the irony was that when we accidentally ran into one another at a party, we couldn’t stop talking and kept talking until she died. To say Jeanne was intelligent is wholly inadequate: her mind was iconoclastic in vision, and that propelled her to be the leader she was. Of course, the downside of arguable genius is often a certainty that one’s view of the world is correct. Never mind what we believed about selfdefinition, Jeanne thought she knew me better than myself. Who was I kidding when I labeled myself that wishy/washy construct, androgynous? Like her, I was butch. End of discussion.

Oddly, I was more amused than irritated by her proclamations. I knew that unwavering confidence in her perceptions was part of what made her an extraordinary activist. For to take on the patriarchy in the face of absolute negation and invisibility not only required courage and vision, but also a ferocious belief in oneself. L esbians often ta l k about t wo families: family of origin and family of choice. This is particularly true of our generation who came out before there was social recognition, let alone acceptance. There are dif ferent kinds of trenches, and the bonds forged between us were like what soldiers describe in wartime. Our lives, if not literally, depended on having each other’s back. Jeanne and I shared that bond. We arg ued and teased each other like siblings. Given my lens, I saw her as the sister I’d never had, and given her lens, she saw me as the brother she wished she’d had.

But what’s a little discrepancy in gender labeling between old friends and comrades? People are always reinventing themselves. But with Jeanne, one thing never changed—her dedication to the movement. She worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for lesbians and gay men, then queers of color, then butches and transpeople. She was a woman of action. In my lexicon, she was a lesbian feminist

THE LESBIAN TIDE

(Author’s Note: Nancy Toder recently gave the following talk at a memorial gathering for Jeanne Cordova (1948–2016), who founded the influential and groundbreaking newspaper The Lesbian Tide in 1971, and was a powerful local activist and national organizer. Cordova was one of the great leaders of the early lesbian feminist movement.

work collectively as hierarchy was a structure of oppression.

THE LESBIAN TIDE

By Nancy Toder, Ph.D.

PHOTO SOURCE: JEANNECORDOVA.COM

In Remembrance: Jeanne Cordova

action hero. The highest tribute I can pay her, and the one I think she would most value, is that she was truly a revolutionary till the day she died. Nancy Toder, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst specializing in therapy with lesbians. She is the author of the best-selling novel “Choices,” which explores relationships between women and the development of lesbian identity.

Brian had his HIV under control with medication. But smoking with HIV caused him to have serious health problems, including a stroke, a blood clot in his lungs and surgery on an artery in his neck. Smoking makes living with HIV much worse. You can quit.

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HIV alone didn’t cause the clogged artery in my neck. Smoking with HIV did. Brian, age 45, California

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Consider Donating Stock Instead of Cash to Charity APR 30 – MAY 08

Onegin

“Now that is a ballet…” – San Francisco Chronicle

Money Matters Brandon Miller Giving to charity is an important f inancial priority for many people. Most often this takes the form of donating cash or material goods to a favorite nonprofit. A less common strategy—but one that may be worth considering—is to give the gift of appreciated stock. When managed correctly, donating appreciated stock can be beneficial for the charity and the donor, allowing the donor to make a larger gift while potentially claiming a higher tax deduction. How it works

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Generally speaking, a contribution to a qualified charity allows you to claim a tax deduction if you itemize deductions. (See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions for additional information.) When a stock has increased in value over time and you intend to make a donation with the proceeds, you can approach it in two ways as illustrated by this example: A married couple holds a stock valued at $10,000. The stock was purchased five years earlier for $5,000. The couple would like to liquidate the stock as

a way to make a substantial gift to a local charity. They can either:

gain property for the scenarios listed above.

1. Sell the stock, generating $10,000 in proceeds and then make the gift. Assuming that they owe long-term capital gains taxes at a rate of 15 percent a on the $5,000 long-term capital gain, their net proceeds would be $4,250. (This does not assume any state taxes.) In this case, the total after-tax proceeds available for the charity would be $9,250. This is also the maximum value of the tax deduction they could claim (the actual deduction available will depend on their income level).

• The maximum amount you can deduct in a given year is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income (known as AGI, or your total gross income minus specific deductions), because it is appreciated capital gain propertyc. However, you can carry forward unused deductions for five years. You do have an option of deducting only the cost basis (purchase price adjusted for stock splits, dividends and return of capital distributions) of the security, which would raise your deductible limit to 50 percent of your AGI.

2. Give the shares of stock directly to the charity. By not selling the stock first, the couple would not have to recognize tax on the gain. Ownership would be transferred to the charity, which would generally be able to sell the stock at any time. Neither the couple nor the charity would be required to pay tax on the appreciated value when the sale occurs. The charity would receive a larger donation because the stock would be valued at $10,000. The couple would be able to claim up to a $10,000 tax deductionb based on the fair market value of the stock on the day the gift is made (based on the average of the high and low selling price of the security on the date of transfer). Keep in mind that the stock can move in value, and future gains for the charity after you gift the stock are not guaranteed. Other considerations If you have appreciated assets that might be appropriate to donate to charity, here are other factors to consider: • The stock must be held for more than one year to qualify as capital

• The total deductions you can claim in a year may be reduced if your income exceeds certain levels. • Consult with your tax advisor to make sure your gift is handled properly in order to claim your tax deduction. Additionally, talk to your financial professional to see how you can make donations that are aligned with your financial goals. a Assumes ordinary tax bracket of between 25–35 percent. b Deductions for charitable contributions may be limited based on the type of property donated, type of charity and the donor’s AGI. c Other limitations to the amount you can deduct in a given year may apply. Brandon Miller, CFP is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group, A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Inc. in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.

Appreciating the Young and the Mature the Encore’s 1.4-liter turbo four, was a delight in the cut-and-thrust of San Francisco traffic. The Encore sparkled, with its minimal turbo lag resulting in right-now thrust that shot this relative lightweight toward Trader Joe’s as if it were trying to beat us to the pesto pizza samples. Suspension and brakes were up to the hustle, and the Encore never seemed to break a sweat.

My Life, My Choices: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions F REE S A N FR ANCISCO SEMINA R

Thursday, April 14, 6–7:30 p.m. Ensure your health care wishes will be carried out, even if you can’t advocate for yourself. Learn how to document your choices, choose the right person to make decisions for you, and communicate your values and goals about medical treatment choices. Attendees receive an advance care planning packet.

Hospice by the Bay 180 Redwood St., Suite 350, San Francisco

Reservations are required, register at

www.hbtb.org • (415) 526.5580

“Like Us” on Facebook @facebook.com/ SanFranciscoBayTimes and Twitter @SFBayTimes 8

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Auto Philip Ruth Young and sparky versus mature and refined. If we’re lucky, we’ll get to experience both within ourselves. In the meantime, two recent and similarly sized test cars—the Audi Q3 2.0T quattro Tiptronic and Buick Encore AWD Sport Touring, both 2016 models—seem to represent both extremes. The Q3 and Encore are subcompact crossovers, so they have small-hatchback dimensions combined with a crossover’s higher seating position. Subcompact crossovers are hot sellers, and that’s highlighted by the fact that the Encore is Buick’s most popular model. The tested Encore was a mid-level trim listing at $31,565, and the Audi was a bit fancier at $42,750. Going back to the original analogy of youthful versus mature, it’s funny that the Buick is the one that feels like the little pip, while the Audi feels comparatively buttoned-up and rich. We tend to think of Buicks as the Electras in which our grandparents pulled up, but the Encore is something else. The tested Encore Sport Touring, the only Encore available with the more powerful, 153-horsepower version of

Meanwhile, the Q3 had the solid and satisfying response we’ve come to expect from Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter turbos: a hint of initial lag, and then a feeling that you could do pretty much whatever you wanted. The Q3 gives you 200 horses to work with, and they all seemed to have had a good night’s sleep. Ride and handling had the typical Audi response that can be clum-

Audi Q3

Buick Encore

sily described as disciplined creaminess—plenty of isolation from any harshness, coupled with the demonstrated evidence that the Q3 is ready to spring. It’s a more textured response than the Encore’s, which again fits into our experiential characterization. The interiors fall similarly in line. The Buick’s is ruled by extroverted shapes and plenty of plastic; the wood-toned accents are pulled into forms that couldn’t be wood, and there’s an overall impression of glossiness and showiness. Gen-Xers might think of the clothing store Merry-GoRound, the one that seemed to have a patent on parachute pants and mesh half-shirts, as akin to the trendy style the Encore displays. The Audi, on the other hand, would do Ralph Lauren’s Black Label proud. Audi interiors consistently demonstrate depth, both in subtlety of contour and complex it y of f in ishes, and the Q3 is no exception. Go ahead and have a bad day, and then climb into the Q3. Whump the door shut, and relax into its effortlessly upscale vibe. Now, isn’t that better? You expect that of a mature partner, such easy relief. The Encore, on the other hand, is puppy-like and ready to run. Which would be your preference? Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant at www.gaycarguy.com. Check out his automotive staging service at www.carstaging.com

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

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Weddings Reverend Elizabeth River In Jenner last October, Javier and Arthur Leddy were the photographers at Kim and Karen Huckaby’s wedding, which I officiated. I was quite impressed with these two young men. Watching them work, I noted how they each took different roles taking photos without any apparent direction of one by the other. I knew that Javier was the “official” photographer from the website, so I was impressed by their easy f low and egalitarian style. Now, after talking with them at length, I can see that this is just a natural process in their relationship.

TREAT YOURSELF TO AN EXCITING C ULINARY ADVENTURE WITH M ICHELIN S TAR C HEF SRIJITH GOPINATHAN

Spice Pot — Chef’s interpretation of traditional Indian street food with vegetables, tamarind chutney, and chickpea crackers.

Journey along India’s Spice Route by way of California at six-time Michelin star winner Campton Place. Chef Srijith’s cuisine masterfully blends the finest local produce with the richness of the region’s seasonal bounty.

The couple first met back in 2002, and immediately felt totally at home with each other. They told me that they not only fell in love with each other, but also that they found in the other their best friend. From their first date, they discovered they shared many values, ideas, hopes and visions. They’ve never run out of things to talk about. You could call their relationship a 14-year conversation. They enjoy their lives and time together so completely. Humor and lots of laughter are a big part of being around them. They knew a long time ago that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, but did not want to marry until it was legal. They were patient. Arthur knew Javier loves ritual and so, on September 9, 2013, he concocted a surprise engagement party at a park in Chico with all of their families and friends there holding

up a huge long banner saying: “Will you marry me?” It was, of course, a fabulous party. They married a year later, on September 20, 2014. Arthur and Javier have immense gratitude at being legally married and the peace of mind that brings. They are looking forward to the whole great journey of their marriage and all of the new chapters that will unfold.

You could have a destination wedding as Kim and Karen Huckaby did, with these two cool guys taking the photos! I really loved working with them. Please check out Javier Leddy Photography at www. javierleddy.com Rev. Elizabeth River is an ordained interfaith minister and wedding officiant in the North Bay. Please visit www.marincoastweddings.com or look for Marin Coast Weddings on Facebook.

PHOTO BY JENN MARTIN

Javier effortlessly connects with people. He relates to others so easily, and is a natural at working with the clients. Arthur is a brilliant multitasker who carries many details in his head as they work, knowing just what to do next. This makes for a smooth working relationship behind the cameras, creating magical visuals for their clients.

PHOTO BY JENN MARTIN

Both Javier and Arthur have day jobs, but Javier started his photography business so the couple could save money. Their family goal? To raise children together! The money is being set aside for their children’s future.

2016 Michelin Guide Two Star Winner! camptonplacesf.com for reservations | 415.781.5555 340 Stockton San Francisco | Union Square Open daily for lunch and dinner 10

BAY TIM ES MARC H 2 4 , 2 0 1 6

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH RIVER

Enjoy a six-course Spice Route menu or indulge in our nine-course Degustation menu. For those with lighter appetites we offer a three-course Theatre Menu and Vegetarian Tasting menu.

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “I think the biggest APRIL FOOL’S joke of all would have to be Donald Trump as President. But if it’s a joke, why ain’t I laughin’?!” KREWE DE KINQUE, the Mardi Gras themed social club and fundraising organization, put on our magnificent BAL MASQUE XIII, SAINTS & SINNERS at Beatbox. The evening began (Laissez les bons temps rouler = “Let the good times roll” in French) with fantastic music spun by DJ Tweaka Turner and a VIP Southern Buffet by Krewe de Kinque members. Mistress of Ceremonies was illustrious KDK Member Donna Sachet who introduced King XII Gio Adame & Queen XII Cotton Candy, who were stepping down to make way for the newest royals. The National Anthem by KDK Member Aaron Priskorn on the horn, was followed by Mason Jeffrys, Associate Director, Dolores Street Community Services, on behalf of our beneficiary, JAZZIE’S PLACE - the first SF shelter for LGBTQ homeless people. Then Celebrity Grand Marshal Ethel Merman led the Second Line Parade all around the club - marching and dancing in a kinda conga line to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.” Fabulous entertainment ensued with KDK Queen X Kitty Tapata - “Blow Gabriel Blow;” KDK

Queen II Deana Dawn - “Go To Hell” by Dolly Parton; KDK Member Lady Cuki Couture & Ehra Amaya- “Do What You Want;” KDK Queen XII Cotton Candy - “When You’re Good to Mama” from Chicago; Ethel Merman - “Higher the Hair, Closer to Heaven,” a live rock singing set. INTERMISSION & DANCING was followed with ACT II: KDK King X Kippy Marks, Damien Alvarez & Rheo Tan - “The Devil Made Me an Angel” with Kippy on electric violin; The Rev. Diana Wheeler - “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” (where “the Boy” was Jesus Christ, of course); Grand Duke Aja MonetAshton & Grand Duchess Olivia Hart - “Mardi Gras Mambo;” KDK Member Nicole Monsoon - the iconic “Iko Iko;” and KDK Queen VIII Garza - “Fantasy.” Finally it was time for the Crowning of KDK King XIII & Queen XIII with congratulations to the new Queen XIII China Silk and the new King XIII Sergio. KDK King VII John Weber did a final number leading up to the KDK Tableaux Finale with the current and past royals (including Queen VII Sister Dana, the naughty nun in red, waving the official KDK flag). sfkinque.com Over 300 members and friends of CASTRO/UPPER MARKET COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT gathered at The Patio in the Castro for a TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION as a benefit for CASTRO CARES, a unique community collaborative effort addressing quality of life issues with compassion, outreach to the homeless, and added enforcement. A huge banner depicted photos of volunteers in the Castro, including Sister Kitty Catalyst and Sister Dana doing outreach as gay nuns. Emcee Donna Sachet welcomed the speakers. California State Senator Mark Leno

thanked the C/UMC for keeping the Castro district alive and well for a decade, and noted all the improvements made over the years. “It takes a village,” he said, “and a village is here tonight.” He presented a framed certificate of recognition from the Senate. Supervisor Scott Wiener, a Castro resident for 19 years, said, “The work the Community Benefit District does means the world to me.” He presented a certificate of recognition from the Board of Supervisors. State Assemblyman David Chiu also sent a certificate. Castro CBD Executive Director Andrea Aiello thanked event host Les Natali for donating the venue, and acknowledged all the restaurants that participated. She accredited former Supervisor Bevan Dufty for helping to create CBD when he was in office. Speaking of the non-glamorous duties, Aiello mentioned that CBD removes approximately 12,000 pounds of garbage every month. And as for the glamorous, she said Castro Ambassadors welcome approximately 10,000 visitors every month. Apothecarium SF co-founder and Castro Cares sponsor Ryan Hudson led us in a toast “to ten more years and more!” Among the event sponsorships and the donations received, we helped raise $20,447 for Castro Cares. castrocares.org PIANOFIGHT & DARK ROOM PRODUCTIONS presented BATMAN: THE TV SHOW LIVE as a brilliant parody of the classic - written and directed by Jim Fourniadis and starring Thomas Apley (as Batman), Tim Kay (Alfred the loyal butler), Eric Johnson (Robin his sappy sidekick), Lauren Davidson (Aunt Harriet), and evil villains Becky Hirschfeld (Catwoman), Christian Simonsen (The Riddler), Jim Jeske (The Penguin), Ira Emsig (Green Hornet, Commissioner Gor(continued on page 26)

18 Years Of

TODAYS This love story began eighteen years ago and continues to be written every day at San Francisco Towers, the city’s most appealing senior living community. Whether they’re cooking at home or joining friends in our dining room, Mike and Oren will be delighted to tell you about their love of healthy, nutritious cuisine, travel, and their friendships. To learn more, or for your personal visit, please call 415.447.5527.

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BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Badly meant admitting to the class that he didn’t know the answer. As an adult he sometimes forces himself to work eighteen hour days at his job because he feels driven to make sure he does everything thoroughly and without mistakes; and in his annual reviews, if he gets anything less than “exceeds expectations” on even one measure, he goes into a depression spiral and sees himself as a failure.

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ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards are available online at sfbaytimes.com or calling: 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Please inquire! The Bay Times reserves the right to reject any advertising at the discretion of the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only. CALENDAR Event listings for consideration to be included in the Bay Times online or print Calendar section should be sent by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com. © 2016 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas

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Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT Stan has come into therapy to decide whether or not to break up with his boyfriend, Michael. He loves Michael, and feels loved in return, but he’s finding so many imperfections in him that he is afraid that he is “settling.” Michael isn’t well read, he is politically naïve, his tastes in music are limited, and so on. Stan suspects that something is wrong with the way he is thinking, and that these supposed flaws matter too much to him, but he just can’t turn off his harsh judgments. He is even harder on himself. When he was in school, he felt ashamed and panicky whenever he had to raise his hand to ask a question, because it

Many people set high standards for themselves and strive to be successful, but Stan suffers from compulsive perfectionism. People with this issue demand from themselves completely unattainable levels of performance, chronically judge their efforts as insufficient, and believe that to make any mistakes at all is to fail. Compulsive perfectionism seems to be very widespread in our culture. Some research suggests that as many as 30 percent of the adult population are afflicted with it. Most psychologists understand it as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. But although OCD sufferers have compulsions that sometimes relieve their obsessions, they usually know that there is something irrational about what they’re doing. But compulsive perfectionists too often lack that insight. They may be aware of the pain they are caus-

ing themselves, but still believe that they need their perfectionism in order to ensure that they do not become total failures. Perfectionism tends to be associated with procrastination and postponement: “I cannot do this task until I know the ‘right’ way to do it.” Because perfectionists believe that they have to avoid any danger of failure, they tend to be risk-averse. Compulsive perfectionism is also associated with low productivity because people with this issue can get bogged down on small and irrelevant details of larger projects or daily activities. Ironically, then, perfectionists often bring about the very failure that they most fear. Compulsive perfectionists have a hard time getting close to other people because they are afraid that it is dangerous to let anyone know them. They typically feel that they have to be strong and in control of their emotions, and that they must never let anyone see their personal fears, inadequacies, or disappointments. This touches on the core issue in perfectionism: at bottom it is not really about high achievement at all. As Brené Brown writes in her excellent book, The Gifts of Imperfection, “Perfectionism is a self-destructive and

addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.” The deep, dark secret that Stan tries to hide, both from himself and from everyone who tries to know him, is that no one who actually does know him will ever love him. That is why I am not neutral on the question of whether he should break up with Michael. If he loves and feels loved in return, then his task is to make sure that he does not allow his terror of imperfection (his or his partner’s) to drive him away. The opposite of perfectionism isn’t “imperfectionism”–it is authenticity. If he can allow himself to love an imperfect person imperfectly, instead of thinking of that as “settling”—and if he can take the risk of letting his imperfect boyfriend love him in the midst of all of his own messiness and imperfections—then he will be well on his way to overcoming the core issue in his compulsive perfectionism. For a compulsive perfectionist, when it comes to love, if it is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. To learn more, please visit his website at tommoon.net

GLBT Fortnight in Review By Ann Rostow Don’t Let the Terrorists Win! It’s bizarre to evaluate my list of GLBT headlines in the middle of yet another ISIS attack on the West. I wonder, however, why terrorism in Turkey gets a couple of minutes on the news roundup, while a bomb in Brussels warrants nonstop coverage on cable. Close to a hundred people dead in Ankara last fall was business as usual. A dozen were killed in Istanbul at the start of the year, nearly 30 more in Ankara last month, and three dozen more in the capital city last week. I understand why our media does not highlight mass terrorist killings in Iraq or Syria. These are war zones. And I sort of see why an attack on Turkey, sitting on the edge of the Levant and immersed in religious politics, is less of a shock to the assignment editors at CNN than a bomb in the Brussels airport. But the hysteria gap is notable nonetheless. Plus, there’s nothing more irritating than the type of blanket TV news that features droning anchors and “experts” repeating the same information ad infinitum for hours. Finally, this is just what ISIS wants, isn’t it? It’s like featuring the biography of a deranged school shooter, which inspires some other loner nutcase to reach for posthumous fame in his own spectacular blaze of gunfire. But let’s move on to GLBT news before this column can be accused of the same overreaction. I have to say first that, as I write, I am experiencing the strange mental juxtaposition of watching alarmist TV with the sound off and hearing a song from a GE commercial that is sticking in my head for some reason: “I’m a wise elf from a far off Shire. Sanjee Patel is who you should hire…” It’s driving me nuts.

private businesses to discriminate as did the original Indiana measure. But it’s made of the same cloth, and it allows faith-based groups to turn down gay hires and reject gay use of facilities and services. Would that extend to companies who, like Hobby Lobby, are owned by Christian employers? Um, that’s not clear. Hushing Charlotte As we wait for Governor Deal to make his decision, we are watching a number of other states where bad things lurk in corners of committees and smoke-filled chambers. The most jarring state of affairs is to be found in North Carolina, where the legislature has called a special session to tell the city of Charlotte that it cannot let its new GLBT public accommodations ordinance go into effect next month as scheduled. The ordinance would protect the community against discrimination at restaurants, hotels and the like, and obviously would result in sexual predators being given free rein to stalk children in public restrooms. Well, that’s the justification that lawmakers are using to justify the emergency session, which was scheduled by the representatives themselves even after the governor declined to call them back. The vote, as we go to press, is expected to go against the city of Charlotte—and any other city in the state that might follow Charlotte’s lead. I’ve said it too many times, so I won’t go back into my full rant against bathroom bills. But I would like to see a small activist group made up of transmen, the scruffier the better, who are willing to stand in line at ladies rooms all over the country in front of the press until the public finally realizes exactly what this insanity is really advocating.

Deal Breaker

That’s What She Said

In the midst of numerous state legislative battles over religion and GLBT civil rights, the state of Georgia is leading the news. There, Governor Nathan Deal, a term-limited Republican who does not have voters to face in the future, has until May 3 to veto a “religious freedom” bill that could possibly give businesses a free pass to discriminate. I say “possibly” because the bill has been rewritten and tweaked several times along its twisted path through the Georgian legislature. The previous version was so horrendous that I think a veto would have been automatic. But the final effort, though somewhat improved, is still pretty bad.

Did Hillary just say what we thought she said? Oh, I know it’s old news by now, but I can’t ignore it completely, even though she recovered at once. You’ve read, of course, that Clinton praised Nancy Reagan (and her husband!) for speaking up about AIDS at a time when few people were discussing the epidemic. Needless to say she was lambasted for this completely erroneous compliment, and as said, she quickly reversed herself, said she “misspoke” and called for renewed energy in the fight against HIV.

It’s bad enough that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has warned the Peach Tree State that it might lose the 2019 or 2020 Superbowl if the bill is signed. The Atlanta Braves, the Falcons and the Hawks have also come out against the measure. And the NCAA says it could reconsider holding the 2018 football championship and the 2020 Final Four in Atlanta. Dozens of corporations have rallied against the bill, including Coke, Marriott, Salesforce, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Virgin and the list goes on. Still, it’s probably the Big Sports FOMO that could uncap Governor Deal’s veto pen. Forgive me if I stereotype Georgia and its political leaders. We are seeing in Georg ia a repeat of what we saw in Indiana last year, when American corporations and sports institutions led a backlash against the Hoosiers’ antigay law. Within a couple of days of signing that bill, Indiana Governor Mike Pence was forced to send the bill back to lawmakers for a significant modification. Since then, other states have been reluctant to test the limits of antigay language, and indeed, even this Georgia bill does not explicitly allow

But I still have to wonder where the hell this notion came from. How on Earth could anyone associate Nancy Reagan with AIDS in the first place? Did Hillary have some private conversations over a few tequila shots in the East Room? Was she confusing Nancy with some other leading lady of the 1980s? Is she simply that clueless? Enquiring minds want to know! Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on the story with the online headline: “Hillary Clinton Lauds Reagans on AIDS; Gay Twitter Erupts.” Gay Twitter? What’s that, tweeted keyboards of both gay and straight commentators alike? Some objected to the implication that only gay people would be upset by the gaffe. Others found the concept of Gay Twitter annoying on principle. As “The Wrap” put it: “New York Times Invents Gay Twitter; Gay Twitter Erupts.” I’d give the headline writers a break. We all know what was meant by “Gay Twitter.” It’s a thing. It’s Madness I just wasted some time watching three lion cubs lying lazily on their sides passing a rubber ball from one cub to the next with their adorable little paws. They were really involved in the game.

Oh. Are any of you college basketball fans? If not, skip ahead two paragraphs. My home team, the University of Texas, lost its game on a last-second shot from beyond half-court, a one in a thousand lucky break which was then replayed over and over again on TV for three straight days. To make matters worse, the lucky team subsequently went down in history by losing a 13-point lead in the last 30 seconds of their next contest. (The other guys kept stealing the ball and scoring when Team Lucky tried to put the ball in play.) Beyond irritating. To make matters worse, I am a Yale grad, but I picked Baylor to win because everyone says you should fill out your bracket from “your head not your heart.” Yale won. I also picked Baylor for the following round so I was doubly screwed. Fortunately I am married to a Kansas Jayhawk, as loyal readers know, so I have two victories under my belt and a national championship within my grasp. It’s happening again. “I’m a wise elf from a far off Shire.” Make. It. Stop. So here’s a frustrating piece of news from an obstinate judge in Puerto Rico. You may recall that Puerto Rico was the scene of one of a tiny handful of anti-marriage rulings back in 2014—the year we won virtually everything. Then, of course, we won marriage at the Supreme Court, which when last we checked, covers the entire country and all its citizens.

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Well, not according to Judge Argle Bargle who ruled that marriage equality only applies to states, and that Puerto Rico was somehow exempt. The decision has obliged Lambda Legal to ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for a writ of mandamus—basically Lambda has asked the presiding court to enforce settled law in this case. And yes, Puerto Rico’s courts are part of the federal court system of the United States and governed by the First Circuit. In other marriage news, I think Columbia is going to rule in favor of marriage equality in the next week or so. Personally, I’m waiting for the shoe to drop in Australia, where they’ve been dilly-dallying about marriage for long enough. The definition of marriage Down Under is governed by federal law, so the individual territories are hamstrung until the whole country overturns the Australian version of DOMA. And when will that be? According to the current government, there will be a single-issue national election on the topic at some point after the next election. The next election, in turn, will be held at some point between this summer and next January. You do the math. Meanwhile, the Labor Party, which is currently not in power, says they will send a marriage bill to Parliament within 100 days if they are elected. Finally, it’s not clear to me that a “yes” vote on a marriage election would be binding in Parliament, which as I understand it, will be required to cast the definitive vote one way or another. One commentator called the entire process “shambolic,” a beautiful word that I think we should all use more often. By the way, I think I’ve said this before, but in the Donald Trump era, everyone’s falling back on “bombast” and “bombastic,” and as usual, employing the term incorrectly. This misuse of “bombast,” which means pedantic blather, was one of my mother’s linguistic pet peeves. It does not mean “loud incendiary talk,” and indeed Trump is anything but bombastic since his speech does not rise beyond a fourth grade level. My mother’s other big peeve was casual use of the word “enormity,” which re-

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(continued on page 27) BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

A Bright Future for Our Center: Let’s Celebrate!

Photos by Abby Zimberg

By Rafael Mandelman It is hard to believe that San Francisco’s LGBT Community Center is fourteen years old this year! It’s no secret that there have been difficult times along the way, times when folks in the broader community, and even at the Center itself, have questioned the viability of the institution. Today, though, the Center stands on firmer financial ground than ever, and has embarked on a building remodel that should ensure its sustainability well into the future.

I started attending Center fundraisers and learning more about the extraordinary work the Center does for so many, from new arrivals to San Francisco looking to connect with resources, to transgender folks looking for a job, to wannabe entrepreneurs looking to start a business, to homeless and other at-risk queer youth, to folks struggling to find housing in San Francisco’s increasingly brutal housing market. And I got to know the Center’s extraordinary Executive Director, Rebecca Rolfe. Rebecca’s steady competence and determined persistence have served the Center well through its challenging childhood and pre-adolescence. But what I have valued most about Rebecca is her vision of the Center as an institution that binds our entire community together, that connects people with needs and people with means and works to ensure that, at least in San Francisco, the queers move forward together, with no one left behind. Serving on the Center’s Board, which I joined in 2011, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my adult life. Like a lot of nonprofits, the Center’s fundraising had taken a serious hit during the Great Recession, and even as we began to emerge from that challenging period, we knew the Center was laboring under a structural problem that had plagued it from the beginning. Building operations—primarily the renting out of office space to tenants and meeting and event spaces for community use—simply were not sufficient to cover the building’s costs, especially factoring in the $3 million debt remaining from the original construction project. The Center’s Board and staff were on a hamster wheel of perpetual fundraising simply to cover that structural gap, with Board members and other supporters regularly being asked to provide short-term loans to keep the operation going. This was not sustainable. We knew we needed a “game-changer,” and thus began a series of conversations, first among Board members and Center staff and gradually

PHOTO BY RINK

Like a lot of people, following the initial excitement of the building’s opening back in 2002, my primary exposure to the Center consisted of attending events or meetings that happened to be located in the building. My campaign for District 8 Supervisor in 2010 gave me a reason to go a little deeper. From Mark Leno to Bevan Dufty to Scott Wiener, the D8 Supes have all been Center champions, and Bevan signed the 2010 candidates up as monthly sustaining contributors.

at 5:00 pm, and the party will begin at 8:30 pm. Join us! You can sign up to sponsor the event or purchase tickets at www.sfcenter.org/soiree2016 “San Francisco Bay Times” columnist Rafael Mandelman is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. He is an attorney for the City of Oakland, and is also President of the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees. Board member Rafael Mandelman with a papier maché Q from Page Hodel’s Club Q

with friends outside the Center, including Supervisors Wiener and Campos, Amy Cohen in the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Kate Howard, the Mayor’s budget director. City Hall stepped in with additional resources to stabilize the situation and help the Center explore a reconfiguration of the building layout to solve two problems at once: resolving the structural imbalance between building operations and revenue, and at the same time creating new much-needed office space for community-serving nonprofits at risk of displacement from San Francisco. Working with our enormously talented development consultant, John Clawson at Equity Community Builders, Rebecca and her team developed a $6.5 million renovation plan, primarily funded by New Market Tax Credits, which will achieve both of those goals. Within the next several weeks, we will close on the financing—special recognition is due to Capital One, our major investor, which has gone above and beyond to make the renovation possible— and construction will begin shortly thereafter. As we proceed with this remodel and see our fifteenth anniversary year coming into view, I feel more optimistic about the Center’s future than ever, and am incredibly grateful to all those Center founders, Board members and other donors who have sustained the Center to this point. It’s a good time for a celebration. The theme of this year’s Soiree, the Center’s big annual fundraising event, is “The Imaginarium,” and its organizers promise it will be a celebration of “the creative power of our community’s imaginative minds.” The event will be held on Saturday, April 9, at Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street, and will again consist of two parts: a sit-down dinner followed by a fabulous party, with Juanita MORE! curating the entertainment. Doors for the dinner will open

Studying the architect’s plans for the 2016 renovation of The Center’s interior, (left to right) Roberto Ordeñana, Emilia Quiñone

(Back Row L to R): Bri Barnett, Development Associate; Nathan Harris, Board of Directors; Felipe Flores, Community Programs Coordinator State Senator Mark Leno with Jody Cole 14

BAY TIM ES MARC H 2 4 , 2 0 1 6

PHOTO BY RINK

Front Row L to R): Roberto Ordeñana, Director of Development and Marketing; Rafael Mandelman, Board of Directors Chair; Clair Farley, Director of Economic Development; Rebecca Rolfe, Executive Director; Lauren Dvorak, Employment Services Associate; Regina Benson, Facilities Assistant; Ariel Koren, Board of Directors; Emilia Quiñones, Director of Operations.

Rafael Mandelman with Mayor Ed Lee

Renovation Will Bring New and Expanded Services to the SF LGBT Center By Rebecca Rolfe Imagine the SF LGBT Center–a hub of connection, resources, and opportunity–with even greater vibrancy. Our building renovation will create longterm sustainability for generations to come. We are designing a more efficient f loor plan, transforming our lobby to make it more inviting, and are creating new community meeting spaces. We are also tripling the amount of affordable nonprofit office space available. Our nonprofit partners will provide even more resources for the clients and visitors who are participating in our cutting edge programs today. We are thrilled to announce that API Wellness Center will open a primary care clinic and offer behavioral health and prevention services on site.

UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health will provide counseling, HIV testing, and wellness services. Bay Area Legal Aid will open their San Francisco off ices at the Center, and will provide legal services to the most vulnerable among us. Their broad range of focus includes domestic violence, housing, and employment support. Aguilas, a current tenant, will continue to provide HIV prevention programs, counseling, and support services for gay and bi- Latino men. We are excited to expand our offerings to the community by partnering with these dynamic organizations. What is equally exciting is this renovation will be fully funded by a new federal financing vehicle: New Market Tax Credits. San Francisco is currently experiencing a significant affordability crisis that is hugely impacting

the most vulnerable in our community: youth and transgender community members, and those with low to moderate income. The Center’s work is more important today than ever before. We are helping people f ind jobs, affordable housing, and providing support to homeless LGBT youth. The demand for our services grows every day, and we will continue to operate our programs throughout the renovation and beyond. We ask you to join us in investing in the Center so that we can continue to support tens of thousands of community members this year. Please join us for our annual fundraising Soiree, celebrating our 14th anniversary, on Saturday, April 9, at the Terra Art Gallery. Our theme, “The Imaginarium,” will unleash the creative power of our community. The soiree will include a fabulous party with music, dancing, live entertainment, hosted bar, and hors d’oeuvres. Party tickets are still available at $95 each. Purchase tickets today at sfcenter.org and join us as we imagine together the possibilities for a stronger and healthier community!

Re-

bec-

PHOTO BY RINK

es, Rebecca Rolfe and Rafael Mandelman.

The Center’s donor wall located in the lobby, acknowledging supporters from the initial capital campaign

The famous “Q” from DJ Page Hodel’s historic Club Q

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANE ZALDIVAR

PHOTO BY RINK

Frank H. Woo:

Jody Cole:

Shane Zaldivar:

In about 1992, I was working for then Supervisor Carole Migden. I had been thinking for a time about some of the causes of continuing high rates of HIV and their possible psychosocial origins. Dr. Sandra Hernandez, then the City’s Health Director, agreed to fund a series of focus groups to explore these issues. A theme that boldly stood out from conversations with over 100 gay men was the significant lack of acceptance and community gay men felt, not just from larger society, but from their own community, and how this could lead to health and mental health challenges.

I got involved with the Center in 1998, even before there was a Center. Mark Leno of the then named Community Center Project was a Board member and the Capital Campaign Co-chair, responsible for raising the needed funds to build the first LGBT Center from the ground up. He was appointed to the Board of Supervisors and he had to step down from the Center Board. He asked me to succeed him, and after he told me it was just a “few hours” time commitment, I interviewed and was elected to take over as Capital Campaign Co-chair. It was far more than a few hours time commitment!

I am very excited about the renovations at the Center. When we were going through the original design phase of the Center, we specifically designed it so that it could be easily transformable. We were aware that our community grows and changes, so with that in mind, we wanted the Center to grow and change with our community.

At 22, I moved to San Francisco to escape a very troubled life in Florida. I had hope. My passion was to study alternative medicine at my dream university in the Bay Area, but when I arrived two years ago, I had no housing and no job. I felt desperate and alone until I found the San Francisco LGBT Center.

The data from the focus groups were given to queer health agencies to help inform their programs. But a small group consisting of Carole, Jeff Henne (who had led the focus groups), Mark Cloutier, Dick Pabich and I met to discuss what might be done at the political level to address what we had learned. Dick had worked to elect Harvey Milk, and later worked for him at City Hall. He reminded us that Harvey had attempted to secure funds for a Center, an effort that Dan White thwarted. Harvey died with the dream of a space that could help lesbians and gay men find and build community very much in mind. Our small group decided that it was time to make Harvey’s vision reality, in this new context.

I agreed with the Center’s notion that San Francisco, the Gay Mecca, was not always the most welcoming City to all members of our community, and especially to the younger generation who may have just moved here after coming out. The Center would be a welcoming space, a space to gather, a space for non-profits at under-market rate, and a space for community celebrations.

Dana Van Gorder is a Founder of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center and is the Executive Director of Project Inform, www.projectinform.org

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I still believe the Center is meeting those needs and that’s why I’ve remained a Major Donor to this day. With the Center’s upcoming renovation, I’m thrilled to see that the Center’s leadership has identified tax incentives and smart ways of f inancing what I consider a remodel to our community’s home. Frank Woo served both on the Board of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center and on the Capital Campaign, for which he was Co-chair. He retired after 13 years on the HRC’s Nat’l Board of Governors and Nat’l Board of Directors.

While I’m bummed to be losing the awesome “Mighty Real” staircase in honor of Sylvester, I know we will have a more functional building to serve the needs of the San Francisco LGBT community, something I think Sylvester would heartily approve of as well. Jody Cole is a former member of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center Board of Directors and served as Capital Campaign Co-Chair. She is also the Founder of Wild Rainbow African Safaris, LLC. For more information, please go to: www.wildrainbowsafaris.com

Through the Center I was able to find a job and housing. Most importantly, I made great friends and created a sense of stability. The Center helped me to avoid becoming one of the estimated 1,500 LGBT youth that are homeless in San Francisco. In San Francisco, it is becoming increasingly impossible to survive or make it on your own. As I walk along Market Street, I see a lot of pain. I see many homeless people, some dealing with mental health issues and drug addiction. Forty percent of homeless youth in San Francisco identify as LGBT. We need to make sure that as our City reaches new heights, those most vulnerable among us do not fall through the cracks. This is why the Center is so critical to San Francisco. The Center is a home where people connect with one another, f ind resources, and gain opportunities. Shane Zaldivar has worked with the San Francisco LGBT Community Center’s Youth Council and has served as a dedicated volunteer for many events, such as the Transgender Day of Visibility, the Janet Mock Reading, the Center’s Soirées over the years, and the Spring LGBT Career Fair.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SFCENTER.ORG

I still very much believe in the need for a Center as a place that welcomes new LGBTQQ people to the City and helps them to build their lives here, and that is a vibrant reflection of our history and culture. I commend those who still work to assure that Harvey’s vision is a reality—not for nostalgic purposes—but because the Center is still needed to support our brothers and sisters and to herald our place in the social fabric of the City.

PHOTO BY RINK

Dana Van Gorder:

20I6

SOIREE

BENEFITING THE SF LGBT CENTER

THE IMAGINARIUM SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2016

UNLEASHING THE CREATIVE POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 28 Friday, March 25 - Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures. 6:00-11:00 PM. 432 Octavia Blvd. (Octavia and Linden Streets) Free. Also Saturday, March 26, 6-10:00 PM

Saturday, April 2 - Oakland Ballet Company Spring Gala. 6:30 PM. The Bellevue Club. (525 Bellevue Ave., Oakland) $20-$200. oaklandballet.org/ wp/events/springgala

WOMEN: New Portraits Annie Leibovitz at Her Intimate, Perceptive Best Layer upon layer of lush, intimate meaning was evident at Tuesday’s press preview of WOMEN: New Portraits by Annie Leibovitz at The Presidio, which opens to the public tomorrow, March 25. In attendance was San Francisco Bay Times designer and photographer Abby Zimberg, who—like Leibovitz herself—comes from a family that includes talented professional artists. In Leibovitz’s case, her mother was a modern dance instructor, perhaps helping to explain the fluidity and revealing visual language of the images selected for the powerful exhibit, which was commissioned by the global financial services firm UBS. The new photographs included in the exhibit continue a project that began over fifteen years ago when Annie Leibovitz’s most enduringly popular series of images, Women, was published in 1999. The late great writer and essayist Susan Sontag, who was her lover and who collaborated with Leibovitz on the project, called it “a work in progress.” Sontag’s assessment proved to be correct. WOMEN: New Portraits has indeed evolved over the years, and continues to do so, reflecting the changing roles of women today. The timing could not be more perfect, given that it is Women’s History Month and that we are on the threshold of what we hope will be the first woman presidency in U.S. history. The new portraits, unveiled in London in January and in Tokyo in February, feature women of outstanding achievement including artists, musicians, CEOs, politicians, writers and philanthropists. In addition to the new photographs, the exhibition includes works from the original series, as well as other unpublished photographs taken since. Annie Leibovitz, who was in San Francisco for the press event, said, “It is extraordinary to do this work for UBS on a subject that I really care about. It is such a big undertaking and a broad subject, it is like going out and photographing the ocean.” Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer, UBS, said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with Annie on this project, which celebrates women, their strength and their role in bringing about positive change in the world. She is the best in her field and the tour builds on our long-standing support of initiatives which help shape contemporary culture.” Aligned with the focus UBS places on education, a series of free learning programs will accompany the exhibition, presented in partnership with cultural organizations around the world. These initiatives will explore ways of seeing through photography, and working with young people in local schools and communities. In San Francisco, UBS will be closely partnering with the Presidio Trust to present family workshops and activities for the duration of the exhibition run. A Teachers’ Guide produced in partnership with the International Center of Photography in New York and a Children’s Activity Guide are available to teachers and the public on the exhibition website.

Annie Leibovitz, New York City, 2012 © Annie Leibovitz. The image was taken by Leibovitz’s photo assistant, Nick Rogers.

PHOTOS BY ABBY ZIMBERG

UBS will also present a speakers’ program, “Women for Women,” through 2016. Launching in March in San Francisco, these events will accompany the exhibition tour, and will address topics of global relevance to women and women’s rights.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz and feminist writer and political activist Gloria Steinem were joined on March 22 by UBS Americas Bank’s Tom Naratil and Johan Jervøe at The Presidio’s Crissy Field (649 Old Mason Street) where the exhibit, WOMEN: New Portraits, will open on March 25. 18

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Misty Copeland, New York City, 2015 © Annie Leibovitz from WOMEN: New Portraits

About Annie Leibovitz Annie Leibovitz (b. 1949) has been making powerful images documenting popular culture since the early 1970s, when she began working as a photojournalist for Rolling Stone. She became the magazine’s chief photographer in 1973, and ten years later began working for Vanity Fair and then Vogue. Her large and distinguished body of work encompasses some of the bestknown portraits of our time. Exhibitions of Leibovitz’s work have been shown at museums and galleries around the world, including the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.; the International Center of Photography in New York; the Brooklyn Museum; the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam; the National Portrait Gallery in London; and the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. We are truly honored to have her work now at our very own historic Presidio! Her work is held in museum collections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. to the National Portrait Gallery in London. She has published several collections of photographs and is the recipient of many honors. In 2006, she was made a ‘Commandeur’ in the ‘Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French government. In 2009, she received the International Center of Photography’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the first Creative Excellence Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors, and the Centenary Medal of the Royal Photographic Society in London. In 2012, she was the recipient of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts and the Wexner Prize. In 2013 she received the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities. In 2015 she received SFMoMA’s Contemporary Vision Award. Last but certainly not least, she has been designated a Living Legend by the Library of Congress.

Gloria Steinem, New York City, 2015 © Annie Leibovitz from WOMEN: New Portraits

A set of the new photographs will enter the UBS Art Collection—one of the world’s most important corporate collections of contemporary art, comprising more than 30,000 works.

After leaving San Francisco, the exhibition will travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Istanbul, Frankfurt, New York, and Zurich.

WOMEN: New Portraits will be at The Presidio’s Crissy Field, 649 Old Mason Street, San Francisco, from March 25 through April 17, so be sure to see it soon. It is a rare, free chance to see several important and deeply meaningful works from one of the most talented and highly regarded members of our LGBT community. The viewing hours are as follows: Monday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm, and Friday until 8 pm.

Join the Conversation #WOMENxUBS by #AnnieLeibovitz www.twitter.com @ UBSglobalart @AnnieLeibovitz www.facebook.com/UBSart https://instagram.com/ubsglobalart/ And, for more information, please visit: www.ubs.com/annieleibovitz

San Francisco Bay Times wishes to thank Rachel Rees for her support and assistance.

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

A MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR

Enormous Vase at de Young Is an Ode to Wine In front of the de Young sits Poème de la vigne aka “Poem of the vine” (1877–1878, cast in 1882), a monumental bronze vase by Gustave Doré (French, 1832–1883) that has been a feature of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s two institutions since 1895. Doré was one of the most prodigious artists of the 19th century, and few works illustrate the depth of his creative vision as well as this colossal ode to French winemakers, which, appropriately, has found its home in our state, well known for its viticulture. Measuring about 11 feet high and weighing nearly three tons, the work is one of the largest bronze castings of its time.

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At the time he made this vase, Doré was well known as an illustrator for such books and poems as Cervantes’s Don Quixote, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” and Dante’s Inferno, as well as for works by Balzac, Byron, Milton, Shakespeare, and Tennyson. Doré primarily worked in the medium of wood engraving, but when he finally turned to sculpture in the 1870s, he approached it with the same originality he brought to his book illustrations. Poème de la vigne, originally intended to be the centerpiece of a display on winemaking at the Exposition Universelle of 1878 in Paris, was a major artistic and technical undertaking. Its allegorical narrative depicts mythological figures associated with the rites of Bacchus

Gentrification

(Editor’s Note: Teacher Lyndsey Schlax of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts recently taught the nation’s first on-site high school LGBT course, according to district off icials. She will resume teaching that groundbreaking class next fall. This semester, she is teaching a new Ethnic Studies course. It is a popular elective among the school’s Social Science offerings. In this column, students from her class will be anonymously sharing with the San Francisco Bay Times their thoughts about related matters, and what they are learning.) Student, 12th Grade San Francisco has been my home for almost eighteen years and, over this time, I have had the ability to see its growth in full force. This “progress” has had its pros and its cons, creating beauty and destruction all throughout the Bay Area.

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Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2001). A provider’s introduction to substance abuse treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals (DHHS Publication No. SMA 01-3498). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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Thousands of families have been displaced from our metropolis, and what is to blame? There are many factors that have contributed to forcing citizens out of the homes they grew up in, but gentrification can be used as a broad term to describe this situation. Gentrification occurs in urban neighborhoods where lower income families or business owners lose their homes and establishments because they can no longer compete with their city’s rising property values. Numerous neighborhood mom-andpop stores have been bought out by the tech industry or by young, rich millennials who are looking to start their own venture capital efforts. Gentrification is not a new problem of the city, but this issue has become extremely prevalent in the past several decades in relation to the closing of the International Hotel on Ke-

(the Roman god of wine), including Silenus (Bacchus’s drunken attendant) and Diana (goddess of the hunt, associated with woodlands and wild animals). It further employs an abundance of smaller putti, satyrs, bacchantes, and creatures that menace the precious grapes, including a giant spider, a rat, several snakes, and a horde of insects. Michael H. de Young, publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle, saw the bronze cast at the Wo r l d ’s C o l u m b i an Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, and, enchanted by the piece, ensured that it would be on display for the 1894 California Midwinter Exposition (located on the site of today’s de Young). After the fair, he purchased the piece for approximately $10,000.

Gustave Doré, “The Vintage Vase (Poeme de la Vigne),” 18771882. Bronze. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Gift of M.H. de Young. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Over the years, finding the most suitable venue for this massive work proved to be a challenge. It was relocated several times, and museum off icials also considered turning it into a fountain. After being displayed at the Legion of Honor for

some time, the vase was returned to the de Young when the museum was rebuilt in 2005. During your next visit to the de Young, see Poème de la vigne situated between Arthur Putman’s two sphinxes (ca. 1910) alongside the Pool of Enchantment at the eastern end of the museum.

arny Street, the Occupy movement in the fall of 2011, the current problem of mass evictions in the San Francisco Mission District, and much more. Thousands of families are facing eviction notices, displacement and, in some cases, homelessness. Although homelessness caused by gentrification might not have long lasting effects on every victim, no one should experience homelessness, regardless of income status. Vacant houses, empty apartments, and tent cities have been increasing in number, but San Francisco keeps raising property taxes. Is anyone noticing a trend? Our great city is facing tremendous change because of the lack of affordable housing, and this change isn’t good. Inf lation in housing costs has made living in the Bay Area almost impossible for low-to-middle income families. Close friends and families share their stories of having to move out of San Francisco completely in order to receive decent living conditions. An old classmate of mine also shared that his family of five was asked to give up half of their apartment space in order to compensate for the rise in their rent, leaving a closet-sized bedroom for five people to share. Recently I discovered that my teacher/mentor was evicted from his home. He has a doctorate in music, teaches at universities, is a vital part of the Latin American and Filipino culture in the Bay Area, and has been lifelong resident of San Francisco. He had to permanently move back into his parent’s house because housing prices were completely unrealistic for a musician/teacher to afford. The situation for him has not changed in the past year, although this amazing educator has contributed so much to San Francisco.

Student Voices Until this year, I had never considered the importance of discussing gentrification. This notion changed during my time in Ms. Schlax’s class. I have learned that we as humans need to remember to be empathetic toward others because the struggles of others are just as important and valid as yours. Although you may not be experiencing a similar situation, take other people’s experiences and thoughts into consideration. Gentrification affects us all, as well as the communities that we thrive in. We are losing the artistic souls of San Francisco. What can you do to make a difference? For more information about the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, please visit http://www.sfsota.org/ Lyndsey Schlax has been a teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District since 2008. She is uniquely qualified to address multiple areas of LGBT studies, having also specialized in subjects such as Modern World History, Government, Economics and U.S. Politics. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and earned her M.A. in Teaching at the University of San Francisco.

Tension-filled Take Me to the River Marks Masterful Debut for Filmmaker

Film Gary M. Kramer Take Me to the River is straight writer/ director Matt Sobel’s auspicious debut feature about California teen Ryder’s (Logan Miller) awkward family reunion in Nebraska. Ryder wants to announce he is gay to his extended family, but his parents Cindy (Robin Weigert) and Don (Richard Schiff) express their concerns. They think it’s best Ryder does not out himself to the conservative family members on the farm. However, Ryder gets into other trouble when an unseen incident with his cousin Molly (Ursula Parker) escalates family tensions, particularly with his uncle, Keith ( Josh Hamilton). Sobel ratchets up the tension as his film unfolds, becoming wonderfully discomfiting. The filmmaker spoke with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about making Take Me to the River. Gary M. Kramer: Take Me to the River is not autobiographical. How did you come to tell this story? Matt Sobel: I have been going to a version of that family reunion for the past 20 some years. That farmhouse is where my mother grew up and my grandmother lived until recently. It was an environment and setting I was familiar with. None of the drama was real nor were the characters based on

real people, but it was triggered by a nightmare I had—being at these reunions and being accused of something inappropriate. I remember very strongly these feelings of anxiety and being unable to exonerate myself. I wanted to experiment with writing a film not so much as a metaphor of the human condition, but to capture that feeling. Gary M. Kramer: Can you talk about how you created Ryder’s character? Matt Sobel: Ryder is a 17-year-old who is still searching for the person he wants to be and is learning how he fits into the adult world. He’s more interested in speaking about his sexuality than living it. It was more of him on the precipice of not knowing nearly as much as he thought about himself and the world, rather than asserting his identity on the family. We set it up in a clichéd opening that would hopefully get the audience to telegraph a different film than they are in store for. He is begrudgingly agreeing not to come out, but every point he gets the opportunity to and he backs away from it. Those situations articulate how insecure he is under the veneer of his loudmouth liberal attitude. Gary M. Kramer: How did you work on creating the film’s visual style? You move effortless-

Poetry in Motion

Words Michele Karlsberg Michele Karlsberg: How does a poem begin for you? Is it with an idea, a form, or an image? Why is poetry important? Michael Broder: A poem usually begins for me with a thought in response to an experience, perhaps a momentary experience like seeing a beautiful boy on the subway, or a memory of a sexual encounter in my bedroom, or an ongoing experience like having ulcerative proctitis secondary to an outbreak of genital herpes. Notice there is a recurring theme here of desire, sex, and their consequences, sometimes negative or destructive consequences. It is difficult to speak of the importance of poetry because poetry is not one thing. Different poetries are important for different reasons. And some poetry perhaps may not really be important at all. What is important to me, in general, in terms of my values, is making a difference–in society, in communities, in the lives of individual people. I believe poetry can be a means to, and a medium for,

making that kind of difference. That’s why I started the HIV Here & Now Project, which started as a poetry anthology, and then became an online poem-a-day countdown to 35 years of AIDS in 2016, and now threatens to live on as a literary and artistic production company with an ongoing HIV/AIDS advocacy agenda. Michael Broder is the author of “Drug and Disease Free” (Indolent Books, 2016) and “This Life Now” (A Midsummer Night’s Press). He is a finalist for the 2015 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry, and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his husband, the poet Jason Schneiderman, and a backyard colony of stray and feral cats.

ly from intimate scenes to intense ones and often create an ambiguous dreamscape. Matt Sobel: It’s almost surreal, but a more accurate word is “uncanny.” I tried to put that in the writing, but I couldn’t see if it worked until we cut it together. The goal was to create a very strong and increasingly stronger dissonance between the way the film looked and the way it felt. Uncanny is familiar, but strange at the same time. This makes us uncomfortable because we’re not sure how to respond to it. It starts naturalistic and as we get more insidious and darker, it becomes more like a children’s coloring book: the color gets more primary, subtly so. By the time we get to the river, which is bucolic and pastoral and pleasant looking, the tone is ambiguous and dark. Gary M. Kramer: How did you create the awkward pauses and silences in the film? Matt Sobel: In the editing I realized how much more they needed to be sculpted than I anticipated. I thought it would be pause heavy, and awkward. But if you keep that rhythm consistently, people would tire of it. You feel them because we cut out the air in the moment. The lunch ta(continued on page 26)

if I just play around with language, an image, a fragment of an incident that bugs me, then line by line I’ll figure out what it is I must say–and the light of the poem will break through the clouds. In my poems for (the book) Clay, I knew I wanted to explore my bond with my husband, who lent his name to my book. My relationship with Clay animated everything I wanted to explore about love, life, death, and how we connect in our bodies and over time. But all that is enormous. I knew I had to start with our specifics. I wrote a poem about how we got attacked by biting flies on Fire Island. In another poem I just depict Clay’s face; in one more, I describe the music that plays as we make love. Finally, I was able to complete the book with a poem explaining all the big, lovely reasons I had to marry him. A lot of us–including many poets–resist poetry, because we felt we never got issued the decoder ring required to understand it. But if we patiently read a poem the way we look at a painting or listen to music–being radically open to its pleasures without judgment–then we can experience sensations so resonant that they vibrate deep inside us. David Groff is a New York-based poet and editor. His book “Clay” was selected for the Louise Bogan Award and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.

David Groff: I have to surprise myself into writing a poem. If I sit down and grit my teeth and announce, “I’m creating verses,” the blank page will just lie there like a beached shark. But

QUIT SMOKING WITH GROUP SUPPORT NEXT CLASS BEGINS ON April 6th FREE!

Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity for the LGBT community. This year, Karlsberg celebrates twenty-seven years of successful book campaigns.

Read more online at

sfbaytimes.com and SF Bay Times on Facebook and Twitter

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

Hello in There

Take Me Home with You!

Inside Out Fitness Cinder Ernst We’re talking about Inside Out Fitness. That means your exercise routine is internally motivated and directed. That means you can feel your body’s desire to move, and it tells you what to do. But, many of you have spent too much time listening to “the experts,” so you can’t begin to hear your own body’s wisdom. Well-meaning people are often telling you what they think you should be doing. What to eat. What is required to get fit. What you “should” do. Thirty minutes at such and such a heart rate. This form of training is best… no wait…this is best…no wait…now this…yikes! Traditional f itness programing often pits you against your body. I think your exercise reluctance is an appropriate response to all of that noise. The climate in the health and fitness field can be off-putting. It’s no wonder you and so many others get stuck in that awful rut of wanting to exercise, but not doing it. In contrast, Inside Out Fitness helps you to build a partnership with your body so that your well-being increases. I tell my clients: “You are the expert on your body. I am your guide,

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Wiggles

and together we will find what works best for your body.” Inside Out Fitness is not a quick fix; it helps you to find your own rhythm so that you can keep moving for the rest of your life. Imagine that, being a lifelong exerciser and feeling great about it! The approach draws from your body’s own wisdom, but how do you find it? How do you hear it? And how do you follow it? The first step is to realize that your body does know what it needs, even if you can’t hear it just yet. Next, begin with a friendly-feeling small exercise step. The best way to learn something new is to start small, and that’s what we’re going to do together. I have built my business and my reputation on the power of small steps. I have a whole catalog of small step exercises that specifically help you to reduce pain while you improve your strength, stamina and/or f lexibility. (Search for me on YouTube for the exercise videos). Friendly-feeling small steps are the best because they are not intimidating. They take very little time, and you are not likely to injure yourself.

For the purpose of this column, we are starting out with a small exercise that works for most people. It can be done anywhere, and is useful and appropriate for most bodies. Today we will do the shoulder roll. At this point you might be thinking, “OMG, I can’t believe she wants us to do a shoulder roll and call it exercise or fitness.” Those thoughts would be a natural response to all of the fitness conditioning that you have been subjected to over the years. Just relax and give this new way a try. The purpose at this point is for you to move your body and hear its response. You are developing a skill to listen to your body when it comes to exercise. So take a deep breath, let it out and then roll your shoulders back and around, gently and slowly. How does that feel? Do you get a sense of relief, or well-being? Does it feel nice on your body? Is your body asking for another one? Practice this deep breath and shoulder roll combo and see what you notice. I’ll see you in 2 weeks. Until then: No shame, no blame, just your next small step.

“My name is Wiggles…and I’ve been told that I have the cutest, most wiggly bum in all of San Francisco! I know there’s some stiff competition for that title, but come take me out for a stroll and see for yourself. Or better yet, can we go for a run? I’m a jock, lady, and tomboy all rolled into one. I love sports and I’m looking for a companion who does too! Let’s go wiggle together!” Wiggles is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Wiggles. To see Wiggles and other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

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BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

See many more Calendar items @ www.sfbaytimes.com

compiled by Jennifer Mullen

• 24 : T HURSDAY

Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters - The Marsh, Berkeley. $20-$35 sliding scale/$55-$100 reserved. 8 pm Thursdays, 8:30 pm Saturdays. (2120 Allston Way) Echo Brown’s solo show is a love story and snapshot of 21st century culture. Through April 23. marsh.org Sex and Dating Book Club Strut. Free. 6-7:30 pm. (470 Castro St., 3rd floor group room 2). The Stonewall Project’s walk-in book club for gay/bi/heteroflexible men who want to maintain their substance use goals. strutsf.org/event/ sex-and-dating-book-club/?instance_ id=4741

• 25 : F RIDAY

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures - PROXY. Free. 6–11 pm. (Octavia St and Linden St.) Famous works by Mapplethorpe projected onto the side of shipping containers, plus a digital gallery of his personal works. Also Saturday, March 26 from 6–10 pm. Fifth Annual Sing Along Jesus Christ Superstar -The Victoria Theater. $15-35 sliding scale. 7 pm. (2961 16th St.) Hosted by StormMiguel Florez and Sister Phyliss Litaday, feature a costume contest featuring a prize for Best Chunky Jesus. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2511040 Queer Words: LGBT Authors Cliché Noe Gifts + Home. 7 pm. Free. (4175 24th St..) Writers Wilfredo Pascual, Anne Raeff and Roberto F. Santiago read from their works.

• 26 : S ATURDAY

Opening Night of The Boys

Echo Brown in “Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters,” on March 24 from Syracuse - Eureka Theatre.$25–$75.7 pm. (215 Jackson St.) A musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors set in ancient Ephesus, where two sets of twins face mistaken identities. Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 6 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Through April 17. 42ndStMoon.org Chris Webster, Nina Gerber, and Glass House Peformance - TMS Performing Arts Center. $25. 8 pm. (150 N San Pedro Rd., San Rafael) 415-924-4848 Barge Dance Party - Sausalito Cruising Club. 8–11 pm. Stephanie Teel Band plays to women on a barge. Email stephanieteelmusic@ gmail.com.

• 27 : S UNDAY

Adjacent Shores: Hughen/ Starkweather - Thacher Gallery, Gleeson Library. Free. Noon-6 pm. (2130 Fulton Ave.) Artist team Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather present mixed media works on wood panels and paper that map the Pacific Ocean and the forces that shape the Bay Area’s ever-changing shorelines. Through April 24.

• 28 : M ONDAY

Karaoke Night - SF Eagle. Free. 8 pm–12 am. (398 12th St.) This week’s special guest host is DJ Sav Blanc. Every Monday. facebook.com/ events/981253571966284/ Monday Night Marsh - The Marsh. $8. 7:30 pm. (1062 Valencia St.) An ongoing works-in-progress series, featuring local emerging solo performers. Happening every Monday. themarsh.org

• 29 : T UESDAY

Queer Youth Meal Night LGBT Center, Rainbow Room. Free. 5–7 pm. (1300 Market St.) Youth Meal Night is a safe space to meet with your LGBTQIA friends, have a free dinner and more. facebook. com/sfcenteryouth?_rdr=p

• 30 : W EDNESDAY

Smack Dab featuring Avery Cassell and StormMiguel Florez - Strut. (470 Castro St., 2nd fl.) Free. 8 pm. Smack Dab open mic featuring Avery Cassell and StormMiguel Florez. strtsf.org/ Floor 21: More and Rudy Valdez Present a New Downtown Happy Hour Starlight Room. Free. 5 pm. (450 Powell St.) Every Wednesday.

• 31 : T HURSDAY

Women in Comedy Month Christela Alonzo- The Punchline. $23.50. 8 pm and 10 pm. (444 Battery St.) - First Latina to create,

BAY TIM ES MARC H 2 4 , 2 0 1 6

produce, write, and star in her own U.S. network show. Also Friday and Saturday. punchlinecomedyclub.com/ Reading and Signing by Queer Clout’s Author Timothy Stewart-Winter GLBT Historical Society. $5 donation. 7 pm. The gay movement’s path since the 1950s, Queer Clout focusing on a midwestern metropolis. https://www.facebook.com/ events/184471048596197/ Lesbians of Color Discussion Group at Pacific Center Pacific Center (Berkeley). Free. 7 pm. (2712 Telegraph Ave.) Racially diverse group discusses anything and everything.

• 1 : F RIDAY

Opening Night Party for Dancers We Lost: Honoring Performers Lost to HIV/AIDS Photo Exhibitit - GLBT History Museum. $5 donation. 7–9 pm. (4127 18th St.) Photographs and more presented in a dance-history project honoring performers who died due to complications of HIV/ AIDS. dancerswelost.org/exhibit/ Through August 7. facebook.com/ events/570571539782901/ Polyglamorous - SF Oasis. $7-$10. 9 pm. (298 11th St.) CarrieOnDisco (Pound Puppy) will be playing disco. facebook.com/ events/1107925769240339/ The How and the Why- Aurora Theatre Company. $35-45. 8 pm. (2081 Addison St., Berkeley). Two women of different generations clash over what it means to be female. Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm; Through May 8. auroratheatre.org

• 2 : S ATURDAY

Oakland Ballet Company Spring Gala -The Bellevue Club. $20-$200. 6:30 pm. (525 Bellevue Ave., Oakland) Black tie event with cocktail reception, silent auction, spring season highlights and dinner overlooking Lake Merritt. oaklandballet.org/wp/events/springgala/ SF Equality Awards to

Honor Nancy Pelosi, George Takei, Kathy Levinson and Bevan Dufty- Westin St. Francis. $350+. 6 pm. (335 Powell St.) Equality California recognizes individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact towards equality for LGBT people at its annual Equality Awards. eqca.org/ equality-awards/san-francisco/ Pansy Division Live - SF Eagle. $10. 8 pm. (398 12th St.) facebook. com/events/1233485353347296/

• 3 : S UNDAY

Friends and Family Reception for Dancers We Lost: Honoring Performers Lost to HIV/AIDS Photo Exhibit - GLBT History Museum. $5 donation. 3–5 pm. (4127 18th St.) Photographs and more make up this dance-history project honoring performers who died due to complications of HIV/AIDS. dancerswelost.org/exhibit/ Through August 7. facebook.com/ events/1686819444926063/ Comedy Benefit Featuring Josh Kornbluth - First Congregational Church in Berkeley. 3:30 pm reception, 4:30 pm performance. $25–$100. (2345 Channing Way) Josh explains how he found happiness in hospice work. Proceeds to benefit Psychotherapy Institute in Berkeley. tpi-berkeley. org/get-involved/josh-kornbluth Absolute Beginning Taiko Workshop with Bruce Ghent - Dance Mission Theater. $99. 10:30am–12pm. (3316 24th St.) Learn the ancient art of Japanese Taiko drumming with Sensei Bruce ‘Mui’ Ghent. Covers basic fundamental skills and history. mindbodyonline.com. Sundays through April 10. maikazedaiko.com

• 4 : M ONDAY

Bay Area Young Positives Drop-In Group - Free. 7 pm. (701 Market St.) Drop-in support for young HIV positive people. baypositives.org

“Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures” at PROXY March 25 and 26

• 5 : T UESDAY

Book Discussion - The Cosmopolitans and A Thin Bright Line - Laurel Book Store. Free. 7 pm. (1423 Broadway Ave., Oakland) Lucy Jane Bledsoe and Sarah Schulman discuss queer life in midcentury Greenwich Village through the eyes of their new novels’ characters. laurelbookstore. com/event/sarah-schulman-andlucy-jane-bledsoe-conversation

PHOTO PHOTO BY BY MICHAEL CHARLES RAVENEY MARTIN, 2014.

“WINE WEDNESDAY” Every third week of the month starting in April, there will be local wine vendors offering tastings, along with seasonal recipes that pair with the featured wine. Visit our chocolate, cheese, macaroon, and artisan bread vendors to complete your wine night experience!

PRIZE DRAWING EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH! Win gift certificates to local businesses and events. Enjoy family-friendly activities or a night on the town, on us! Throughout the month, use Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to post photos geotagged at the market, or use the hashtag #castrofarmersmarket to enter.

Hysteria Feminist and Queer-Friendly Comedy Martini’s. Free. 6 pm. (4 Valenica St.) Hysteria feminist and queer-friendly open mic. facebook.com/hysteriacomedy

PCFMA.ORG

1.800.949.FARM

DESIGN : LOGOMAN : logomantotherescue.com

“The Boys from Syracuse” March 26, at the eureka theatre

THIS APRIL AT THE MARKET

fb.com/castrofarmersmarket

• 6 : W EDNESDAY Sisters Spaghetti Supper Sweet Inspirations Bakery. $15. 6 pm . (2239 Market St.) Fundraiser with some proceeds going to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. facebook.com/ events/1291863247495716

Outdoor Adventures for Women Ano Nuevo Elephant Seals & Tidepooling Saturday, April 16 Hosted by “Betty’s List” and Guide Kim Powell of Blue Water Ventures http://bluewaterventures.org/ BWVhikeforwomen.htm

Wishing You a Safe and Happy Easter! As Heard on the Street . . .What kind of business or service would you like to see in the Castro that is not available there now? compiled by Rink

Natasha Dennerstein

Bevan Dufty

Katy Birnbaum

Larry Nelson

Robert Sokol

“an artistic upscale florist’”

“a veterinarian”

“a copy center/computer center that is inexpensive and not fancy”

“a veterans outreach center”

“a performance space”

BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

NEWS (continued from page 3) ing on transgender youth issues, including their health needs, the current state of the research in the area, and what the City of San Francisco can do to support these youth. At the hearing, representatives from the Department of Public Health, the San Francisco Unified School District and UCSF’s Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic spoke on these issues and explored areas of policy and budget need. San Francisco remains on the cutting edge of progressive approaches to the needs of the LGBT community, including the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming youth. sfgov.org Pope Fires Vatican Ambassador to U.S. over Kim Davis Homophobia After Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Vatican ambassador to the United States, invited homophobic renegade Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis to his residence for an audience with the Pope, many progressives and LGBTQ people reacted with outrage. Pope Francis, known for his softer stance on LGBTQ rights and outreach to the less fortunate, came under fire for associating with the reviled government official who went to jail rather than issue a marriage license to same-sex couples. Viganò will be replaced by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who currently serves as the Vatican‘s ambassador to Mexico and has served as a diplomat at various posts around the world. lgbtqnation.com Progress Is Social Security Administration Using Photo of Gay Couple on Social Media The Social Security Administration (SSA) has shared what looks to be a stock photo of a young gay couple on

social media in a post intended to help people locate their nearest Social Security office. What’s remarkable about the photo is not only that it features a gay couple, but also that the couple being gay has nothing to do with the content of the post. In other words, it’s not an instance of “gay advertising,” but rather simply “advertising.” The SSA has previously shared photos of gay couples twice before, though in both instances they were related to educating same-sex couples on how to claim federal benefits finally afforded to them in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark marriage equality cases, United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges. towleroad.com New Federal Report Shows Increasing Support of Same-Sex Adoptions A new report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows increasing national support for adoptions by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents. “The National Survey on Family Growth,” which studies attitudes toward a broad range of social issues, including those impacting the LGBT community, shows support for adoption by same-sex parents is up from 55 to 75 percent among women and from 47 to 68 percent among men. “The Department of Health and Human Services report reflects the growing support for the LGBT community that we have seen over the last decade,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Family Law Director Cathy Sakimura. “As more people learn about LGBT families, they have learned about loving families and that same-sex parents and their children deserve dignity and respect, just like any family.” NCLR made history

when the United States Supreme Court unanimously reversed Alabama’s refusal to recognize a lesbian mother’s prior adoption of her three children in Georgia. nclrights.org LGBTQ Groups Included in NYC’s St. Patrick’s Parade For years, NYC St. Patrick’s Parade organizers said gay people could participate, but couldn’t carry signs or buttons celebrating their sexual identities. Irish gay advocates sued in the early 1990s, but judges said the parade organizers had a First Amendment right to choose participants in their event. But this year, the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade kicked off in New York City, and for the first time in decades, gay activists did not decry it as an exercise in exclusion. This year’s parade closed a long chapter of controversy. A year after a limited easing of the parade’s prohibition on gay groups, organizers opened the lineup more broadly to include activists who protested the ban for years. lgbtqnation.com Senate Panel Confirms Eric Fanning as Secretary of the Army The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender military families, praised the news that the Senate Armed Services Committee has confirmed the first openly gay secretary of one of the U.S. military services, Eric Fanning. Fanning has served at senior levels in the Navy, the Air Force and the Army. President Obama’s historic nomination of Fanning to serve as Secretary of the Army now heads to the full Senate for a final vote. militarypartners.org

6/26 (continued from page 5)

KRAMER (continued from page 21)

to rehabilitate,” how our society lacks sufficient “mental health and social services,” and how easy it is to obtain firearms. He notes how difficult it is for a person convicted of such a felony to find a job. He urges us to consider candidates’ positions on these issues as we make “crucial decision[s]” in the 2016 elections. In Ryan’s words:

ble scene [with Ryder and his uncle’s family] moves quickly, and my editor took the last beat off the sentences. That made the silence in Molly’s room afterwards feel more awkward. When Ryder sings at the table, we originally had an awkward conversation about the song. But instead, we had the family change the topic of conversation, which is more awkward. You never get how the family feels about the song. He pours his heart out, and no one comments on it.

I can imagine a world where we choose to break the vicious cycle of imprisonment and recidivism and replace it with a virtuous cycle of education, job training, and hope. In the end, maybe this murder couldn’t have been prevented. Maybe Morales would have been impervious to help. Maybe he would have found one way or another to kill someone. But to honor Mark Carson’s life, we should at least try to make tragic outcomes like this less common. We should try to build a world with more love and less violence, with more opportunity and less suffering, with more hope and less hate. Ryan’s essay regarding his experience, What Happens After You Witness a Hate Crime, is published here: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/3/16/what-happens-after-you-witness-hate-crime 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 nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

Gary M. Kramer: Can you talk about the symbols in the film: the gun, the sunglasses, and the shorts? Matt Sobel: I find it funny when an article of clothing is wholly symbolic for the audience, but the characters never realize they are wearing a metaphor. When we edged toward that, we wanted Ryder to realize his shorts are symbolic. His wearing the shorts over to his uncle’s house, after being made fun of for wearing them, keeps it from being heavy-handed. Writing the story, I felt that it was kind of like a fable. The sparseness of the location, and that we don’t go back to any one of the places again, makes it picaresque and episodic. These objects– the gun, the glasses, the shorts–help me reach that tone. The river is in the title, and it is mentioned in the film, but we don’t see it until the end. It was a ring of fire he has to walk through before he finished his journey. © 2016 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer

SISTER DANA (continued from page 11)

CASTRO THEATRE shows the best movies, and is a real bargain during matinees. I viewed two Oscar-nominated films, Spotlight and The Big Short with a very small audience each time, so we had our choice of great seats. castrotheatre.com The fabulous WINE TRAIN PRIDE RIDE was a uniquely spectacular event on the historic NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN supporting Bay Area LGBTQ communities by benefiting the groundbreaking RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION. REAF Executive Director Ken Henderson spoke about all the charitable organizations that REAF serves. The event began with a chorus of popped corks – a delightful tasting of JCB’s outstanding No. 69 Crémant de Bourgogne with pianist Andrew Moore setting the intimate mood. We sipped the pink-hued bubbles while mingling with prominent Napa Valley LGBT wine professionals Cezanne Hendricks, Christopher Barefoot, Eric Murray, Ryan Graham, David Mahaffey, and Theresa Heredia. I was most fortunate to be seated with Eric Murray, who schooled me all about wines, and we also shared our deepest, darkest secrets. Scandalous! We enjoyed an exquisite multi-course culinary experience created by executive chef Kelly Macdonald. Eric and I did swordfish in coconut sauce. Yummy. As we traveled the picturesque Napa Valley on a three-hour excursion combining the very best in dining and wining, we rode along the historic rail corridor on board perfectly appointed and lovingly restored antique Pullman cars more than 100 years old. It felt like a modernized Orient Express. We explored all the trains from caboose to engine, and even got to wit26

BAY TIM ES MARC H 2 4 , 2 0 1 6

ness the coupling of two trains. Sexy! winetrain.com, reaf-sf.org COMING UP! BAD FLOWER PRODUCTIONS and THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE will help kick off The Sisters’ Annual Easter Weekend with the wildly fun and outrageous 5th annual SING-ALONG JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at San Francisco’s oldest operating theater, The Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street, $15-35 sliding scale. The Good Friday event will be hosted on March 25th, 7pm, by local transgender musician, StormMiguel Florez and Sister Phyliss Withe Litaday, and will feature a costume contest including a prize for Best Chunky Jesus! There may even be free palm fronds. The event is a benefit for THE SAN FRANCISCO TRANS MARCH, one of the largest transgender events in the world, which happens annually on the Friday before SF Pride. Each year thousands come to Trans March to connect with the larger transgender community. badflower.com, thesisters.org THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, INC. will once again present our glorious annual EASTER SUNDAY IN THE PARK noon on March 27 in Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park. If you are taking the bus, take the 5 Fulton and get off at 25th Avenue and walk west two blocks once inside the park and on JFK Drive. Free, but we always encourage donations to help our many charities. There will be lots of live entertainment, and attendees are encouraged to enter the Easter Bonnet Contest, Hunky Jesus Contest, and Foxy Mary Contest, to be judged by Sister Roma and Sister Dana on stage for prizes. Bring a picnic! If it is predicting rain, we will move it nearby to an indoor facility in the park. Pray for a nice day! Watch the website at thesisters.org for updates.

A magical evening of celebrating community is TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY on Thursday, March 31, 5 pm at SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street. Across the country and internationally there has been an increased visibility of our transgender and GNC communities. Despite increased national media visibility, 2015 goes on record as one of the most dangerous years for transgender and gender non-conforming people, with alarming rates of violence, homicides, and suicides – specifically impacting trans women of color and youth. Trans Day of Visibility is an International annual holiday celebrated around the world. The day is dedicated honoring our community leaders while raising awareness of victories and work that is still needed to save trans lives. Get your tickets: https://tdov2016.eventbrite.com THE GLBT HISTORY MUSEUM is pleased to present a special traveling exhibit beginning April 1, DANCERS WE LOST: HONORING PERFORMERS LOST TO HIV/AIDS, featuring beautiful photographs and other documentation. This is a comprehensive dance history project honoring performers who died due to complications of HIV/ AIDS. This truly significant exhibit runs through August 7 at the GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th & Castro Streets. There will be two opening receptions: Opening reception April 1, 7-9 pm, $5 donation; Second opening reception April 3, 2-5 pm, $5 donation. glbthistory.org Join EQUALITY CALIFORNIA and this year’s co-chairs, the Honorable David Campos, Andrea Casalett, the Honorable Mark Farrell, Boe Hayward and the Honorable Ricardo Lara for an inspirational evening honoring and celebrating the heroes and allies of the LGBT community, EQUALITY AWARDS. Saturday, April 2, 6-11 pm at Westin St. Francis on Union Square, 335 Powell Street. Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Repre-

sentatives, Representative Nancy Pelosi, former San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, businessperson and philanthropist Kathy Levinson, and actor and activist George Takei (“Ohh myyy”) are this year’s honorees. For more information or to sign on as a sponsor or host committee member, contact Scott Gizicki at scott@eqca.org. Tickets and info at eqca.org/ equality-awards MAPPLETHORPE: LOOK AT THE PICTURES is on HBO and a pop-up installation arrives in San Francisco at PROXY (Octavia and Linden Streets), Friday, March 25 (6 pm-11 pm) and Saturday, March 26 (6 pm -10 pm). The installation features larger-than-life projections, a stunning array of famous and more personal works, and rare, revealing commentary from Robert Mapplethorpe himself. This is a very special chance for guests to experience first-hand the magnitude of Mapplethorpe’s legacy. This popup arrives prior to the premiere of HBO’s upcoming documentary Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, which will debut on Monday, April 4, 9 pm exclusively on HBO. Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/ gkNCITzUA3U. #LookAtThePictures #MapplethorpeDoc. instagram.com/HBO If you want to enjoy what old time art openings used to be like in San Francisco, then do drop by ARTSAVESLIVES STUDIO, an unusual gallery in the heart of the Castro, 518 Castro Street on Friday night April 8, 6-10 pm and meet the artists involved with this magnificent exhibit, EIGHT MALE ARTISTS. SF artist Thomasina De Maio has curated this spectacular show. Expect several short pop-up performances delivered by local talent and always an abundance of food and drink. 120 feet of wall space featuring some local men that have been in the Castro when it all began: Tim Burns, Michael Levin, Renato

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

don), Charles Young (Kato), and Sean McGinn (The Joker). Props to Erin Ohanneson for props facilitator and costumer. Dark Room always produces hilarious parodies. Don’t miss ‘em! pianofight.com

Sister Dana was decked out in red for the Saints & Sinners Bal Masque XIII at Beatbox on Saturday, March 12.

Robles, Jack Stelnikki, Henry Martinez, Jack Mattingly, Larry Bruderer, and Ara Bedoyan with photos, painting, ceramics, and assemblage. COMFORT & JOY presents another adventure for the curious queer citizens of the night, TOUCH IT! Saturday, April 9, 10 pm-5 am at Club Six, 60 6th Street. A thousand gorgeous images compressed to a strong glance. As this is a Comfort & Joy scenario, get ready for splendorous decor, alluring entertainments, dreamy danceability, palatial playspaces, and most importantly, a menagerie of guests from all four corners of our funky town. At 11:30 pm, be dazzled by a special performance, starring and curated by community activist, nightlife impresario, and style icon Grace Towers. On the main floor, they present Adam Kraft, resident mix master for the Haus of Towers, the legendary DJ Jim Hopkins, Robin Malone Simmons, creator of Odysseys, Moulton Music’s Allen Craig, and Electronic artist Grisecon. Sister Dana sez, “I agree - we must build a wall ... around Donald Trump! Meanwhile, go Hillary go!!!”

Round About - All Over Town

Photos by RINK

Castro Farmers Market’s Spring Season Opener - March 16

Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association staffers (left to right) Phil Tuazon, Brian Roberts, Alyssia Plata and Michael Peterson welcomed vendors and neighborhood customers to the first day of the new season.

Robert MacKimmie at the City Bees honey booth

Michelle Livingston of Rainbow Orchards with displays of wine, syrups and jams

Musician Jimmy Narducci performing on Opening Day 2016

Krewe de Kinque’s “Saints & Sinners” Bal Masque XIII - March 12

Cody Elkin, Mr. SF Leather, with emcee Donna Sachet at the Krewe de Kinque Saints and Sinners Bal Masque XIII at Beatbox

Coco Butter, Miguel Gutierrez and Garza Peru

Donald Grant, Deana Dawn and Paul Margolis

Performers Cuki Couture and Ehra Amaya

Green Film Festival Press Meeting - March 16

Filmmaker Mark Decena (Not Without Us), Festival Founder and CEO Rachel Caplan, and filmmaker Mischa Hedges (Of The Sea) at the Green Film Festival’s press conference promoting the upcoming festival, themed “Keep It Wild,” which will feature 70 films, with 40% being directed by women. The festival will take place at eight venues April 14-20.

Celebrating a New U.S. Citizen

Green Film Festival’s Dimitri Moore, operations and tech manager; and Gemma Bradshaw, COO of strategy and operations, welcomed press representatives

Filmmaker Mark Decena spoke about his film, Not Without Us, at the press conference held at the Roxie Theatre

CAAMFEST (Asian American Film Festival) Art Party Honoring H.P. Mendoza - March 17 Gay filmmaker and musician H.P. Mendoza, the event’s honoree, with CAAMFEST director Masashi Niwanno at the multi-media party, “Takeover,” promoting the festival

Some of the large crowd at the Asian Art Museum on March 17 for “Takeover”

ROSTOW (continued from page 13) fers to a great evil. It does not mean that something is merely enormous. It must also be horribly bad. Wow! And what else is new, you ask? I gather the GLBT scientists at the Large Hadron Collider are pissed because people keep defacing their club posters. I include this item because I don’t picture gay activism in this venue, let alone antigay vandalism. It reminds me of the old truism: We’re Here, We’re Queer, We Found the Higgs Boson. Also, a gay man has set a Guinness world record for the fastest half-marathon run in a business suit. Is there

a world record for everything? Have I just set the record for fastest 2000word gay news column ever written from a South Austin couch? I think I have. And here’s something else–some news you can use. A week or so I noticed an article about an Icelandic discount carrier that just named the call letters on one of its jets: “TF-GAY” to celebrate new routes from San Francisco and LA to Europe. The airline, called WOW Air, sounded very gay friendly indeed. So I booked f lights for Mel and me from Boston to Amsterdam this summer on WOW and I figure I saved us $1,000. I paid extra for bags and nice

Jouke Lanning, Kevin Lisle and Aja Monet

seats, but even with that it was very cheap. Check it out yourself. And finally, as we go to press comes news that an anti-trans student bill has been shelved in a Tennessee house committee after several members actually met with some of the students who would have been affected. This is a few weeks after South Dakota Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed a similar bill after he as well met with transgender activists who explained the pernicious impact of such legislation. It just goes to show that there is hope for the political system after all. arostow@aol.com

Popular bartender Irwan Iskak of the Last Call bar and a crowd of his friends celebrated his new status as a U.S. citizen.

Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club Meeting - March 15

Supervisor David Campos with Harvey Milk Club president Peter Gallotta at the Women’s Building

“Teaching Our Queer History: LGBT Studies in SFUSD and Beyond” panelists Sandra Lee Fewer, parent; teacher and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Lyndsey Schlax; student Jamie Zimmer, former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and School Board president Matt Haney led a discussion. BAY T IM ES M ARC H 24, 2016

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DR. TIMOTHY SEELIG, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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