San Francisco Bay Times April 7, 2016 by San Francisco Bay Times

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COURTESY OF CITY LIGHTS PUBLISHERS, INSET PHOTO BY IRENE YOUNG

April 7-20, 2016 | www.sfbaytimes.com /SFBayTimes

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C A L I F O R N I A ,

2015/16

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Lunar New Year Deserves Recognition

in gold mines and on the railroad, to share their culture.

B E R K E L E Y

Gil Shaham, violin

Today, over 2.5 million Asian and Pacific Islander Californians observe the same celebration under a common name: Lunar New Year. That is why I have introduced legislation— Assembly Bill (AB) 2598—to permanently recognize Lunar New Year in California.

with films by David Michalek Bach: Six Solos BACH Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001–1006 “One of today’s pre-eminent violinists” —The New York Times

Assemblymember Phil Ting

April 14

Next month, California celebrates Harvey Milk Day. The power of this observance lies in its capacity to teach an important lesson: in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

ZELLERBACH HALL Part of the Koret Recital Series

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Each year on May 22, Milk’s birthday, public schools and education institutions are encouraged to conduct suitable commemorative lessons about Milk’s life, his role in history as the first openly gay man to serve in public office in a major American City, and his contributions to LGBT rights.

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.

April 16

Emeline Michel

ZELLERBACH HALL

Murray Perahia, piano HAYDN MOZART BRAHMS

Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII:6 Sonata in A minor, K. 310 Late Piano Music Ballade in G minor, Op. 118, No. 3 Intermezzo in C Major, Op. 119, No. 3 Intermezzo in E minor, Op. 119, No. 2 Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2 Capriccio in D minor, Op. 116, No. 1 BEETHOVEN Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 106 Hammerklavier

My two girls are young enough to have never experienced the struggle for equality in their own lives. While they will never understand the obstacles overcome by the LGBT community, they must learn that our celebration of diversity is among our greatest areas of progress. This conclusion inspired me to commemorate another part of California’s rich cultural history. San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebration is the largest celebration of its kind in North America and outside of China. It originated in the 1860s as a way for Chinese immigrants, who came to the city to work

Potty Talk

April 17 ZELLERBACH HALL Part of the Koret Recital Series

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.

Out of the Closet and into City Hall Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan Recently, the forces that have fought for years against equal rights for LGBT people, changing their focus away from marriage, have been talking a lot about bathrooms. This potty talk is the latest attempt to smear queer people.

April 24 ZELLERBACH HALL

Edgar Oliver Helen and Edgar

Celebrated raconteur Edgar Oliver spins the hilarious and heartbreaking tale about his and his sister’s strange childhood in Savannah, Georgia. “Utterly absorbing and unexpectedly moving” —The New York Times

May 5–8 Z E L L E R B A C H P L AY H O U S E

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As a result, recent laws and campaigns have focused on making life harder for trans people and gender non-conforming people by insisting that everyone must use the bathroom of their “birth sex,” which isn’t actually a binary determination for everyone anyway. They seem to believe that heterosexual, gender-conforming people need to be terrif ied of LGBT people–especially trans people–in bathrooms. They have further stated that letting people of all genders have safe access to bathrooms would lead to straight people being assaulted. This claim is entirely unfounded. There is no connection whatsoever between assaults and equal rights for

California has worthy observances recognizing important people and issues. We celebrate John Muir Day on April 21 to acknowledge the need for harmony with the environment. We observe California Poppy Day on April 6 to commemorate the instruction and protection of native plants. The second Wednesday in May is the Day of the Teacher. As was done by the legislation creating Harvey Milk Day, my AB 2598 would designate Lunar New Year’s Day as having special significance to the State of California and would encourage schools to conduct culturally appropriate activities and exercises in observance of the occasion. It also directs the governor to annually proclaim the date corresponding with the lunar calendar as Lunar New Year’s Day. When it comes to Lunar New Year celebrations, we are not starved for choice in the Bay Area. Asian people constitute nearly a quarter of our residents who organize an extensive and impressive list of celebrations that extend well over a month. With millions of Californians celebrating Lunar New Year and many others participating in the festivities, it’s time for the state to recognize a tradition dating back over 3,000 years in China. (continued on page 30)

trans people. The overwhelming majority of assaults in the United States are committed by straight, usually gender-conforming men. Queer people, however, and especially those who do not appear to conform to traditional heterosexual gender norms, do experience high and disproportionate levels of violence, assaults, and harassment, including in bathrooms and elsewhere. In other words, the claims of those who oppose equal rights are not only untrue, but they are also the exact opposite of reality. There is no risk of assault to straight people caused by LGBT-rights laws, but there is, in fact, a significant and disproportionate risk of assault of LGBT people. Laws requiring people to use the bathroom of their “birth sex” actually increase these risks of harassment and assault, committed against LGBT people. Even without such laws, trans and gender-non-conforming people already can face problems using bathrooms, such as when bathrooms are labeled as giving the two choices of “ladies” and “gentlemen,” etc. Many of us cannot be certain that we won’t be harassed no matter which of those two choices we pick. We should work to expand the availability of bathrooms that provide for all genders, and whenever there are only the options of “women” and “men,” people should not be forced to use the one that is most wrong for them, or where they are most likely to be assaulted or harassed. If someone actually cares about minimizing the risk that people will suffer harassment or assault in bathrooms, they should support, not oppose, safe bathrooms being provided for people (continued on page 30)

In the News

Compiled by Dennis McMillan

Legislation Declaring State of Emergency on Homelessness Passes Supervisor David Campos’ legislation declaring a state of emergency on homelessness passed with a veto proof majority of 8–3. The ordinance allows the city to invoke a rarely used provision in state law usually reserved for floods and earthquakes that enables the City to declare a shelter crisis. The legislation will allow the city to circumvent red tape and therefore shorten the process to be able to quickly turn a building or site into a shelter space. “This legislation is a tool that will help us more nimbly respond to homelessness,” said Supervisor Campos. “It will help us more quickly put together temporary shelters— such as Navigation Centers, to address the specific issues of encampments and people living in our streets.” Governor Brown Signs Bill into Law Raising Minimum Wage On Monday, Governor Brown signed landmark legislation, Senate Bill 3, which will gradually raise California’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. A similar bill was signed in New York. Other states are expected to follow. CA State Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who co-authored SB 3 with Connie Leyva and Kevin de León, issued the following statement: “Today’s signing of the minimum wage bill is a tremendous victory for California workers whose tireless efforts, courage, conviction and determination made this possible. They are the heroes we celebrate today. SB 3 respects and rewards work, reduces turnover, and increases productivity and consumer spending, thereby stimulating economic growth while helping low-wage workers end their dependence on public assistance. The legislation will lift up 2.2 million minimum wage workers, about 60% of whom are women. I applaud Governor Brown for taking action on this critical economic justice issue.” All Gender Restroom Bill Passes First Vote in CA Legislature Legislation authored by San Francisco Bay Times columnist and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to establish the nation’s most progressive restroom access law among the states passed with unanimous support in the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions. Ting’s AB 1732 passed 14–0, with bipartisan support. It would require single-occupancy restrooms in California businesses, government buildings, and public spaces to be identified as “all gender.” Ting said, “The unanimous support for this bill shows California is ready to lead the nation in change. Restrooms access influences our ability to participate in public life. It defies common sense to restrict access to single-user restrooms by gender. ‘All gender’ signs will ensure that everyone’s rights are protected by ending problems of convenience, fairness, and safety.” Sponsored by Equality California, the Transgender Law Center and California NOW, AB 1732 would align state law with similar restroom access laws emerging in the cities of Berkeley, Philadelphia, and Seattle. San Francisco Becomes First U.S. City to Require Fully Paid Parental Leave for Workers On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Scott Wiener’s legislation making San Francisco the first city in the country to require fully paid parental leave for workers. Under current California law, employees taking parental leave receive up to 55% of their wages for six weeks through state disability. Supervisor Wiener’s ordinance requires that employers pay their employees the remaining balance of their income (45%), so that for up to six weeks of leave the employee will receive his or her full wages. The legislation applies to both parents and to both births and adoptions. “Our country’s parental leave policies are woefully behind the rest of the world, and today San Francisco has taken the lead in pushing for better family leave policies for our workers,” said Supervisor Wiener. “We shouldn’t be forcing new mothers and fathers to choose between spending precious bonding time with their children and putting food on the table.” World’s Largest Psychiatric Association Condemns Conversion Therapy The world’s largest organization of mental health professionals, World Psychiatric Association, has called for an end to the discredited practice of “conversion therapy,” which is linked to serious harms, including depression, substance abuse and suicide. The announcement comes less than a year after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a groundbreaking report calling for all member countries to end conversion therapy. nclrights.org

Research Provides Insight into Lives of Transgender People Living with HIV/AIDS San Francisco based Transgender Law Center released the first report of findings from the “Positively Trans” survey, a firstof-its-kind community-led project focused on the lives and experiences of transgender people in the U.S. living with HIV/ AIDS. Some of the starkest findings outlined in the report concern income, education and history of incarceration. While 64 percent of respondents had at least some college experience, a full 43 percent earn less than $12,000 a year. Additionally, 41 percent had some history of incarceration, and of those who had experienced incarceration, more than one in two had gone at least 6 months without medical care since their diagnosis. In addition to providing a richer picture of the realities of life for transgender people living with HIV, the research indicated paths for action. transgenderlawcenter.org AHF Honors Patty Duke as Heroic AIDS Advocate AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) mourned the passing of Academy Awardwinning actress Patty Duke, remembering her as an early and forceful advocate against discrimination toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Duke was among the first public figures to speak out—and show up—to protests against California’s Prop 64, a divisive 1986 ballot measure instigated by political activist and gadfly Lyndon LaRouche that could have required California to quarantine people with AIDS. California voters soundly defeated the ballot measure by a margin of 71% to 29% in November 1986. Duke was the only celebrity to attend and speak at the first major public demonstration against the ballot measure in front of LaRouche’s headquarters in Los Angeles on September 15, 1986. One of the groups organizing the protest, the ‘Stop the AIDS Quarantine Committee,’ was instrumental in the defeat of Prop. 64 and later gave rise to the Los Angeles AIDS Hospice Committee. This eventually led to the creation of the AIDS Hospice Foundation, the predecessor organization to today’s AIDS Healthcare Foundation. aidshealth.org GLBT Historical Society Archives Will be Temporarily Closed As of May 1, the GLBT Historical Society Archives will be temporarily closed in preparation for their move to a new location at 989 Market Street in San Francisco. As a result, researchers and guests will be unable to visit the archives, but can still access their online catalog as well as select research guides and digitized materials through their website, the Online Archive of California, and Calisphere. During this time, telephone and email responses will be extremely limited. Patron services, including reproduction requests, will also be suspended during this time. Watch their website for the reopening date and new contact information. glbthistory.org Openhouse Board and Executive Director Announce Leadership Transition Openhouse, San Francisco’s leading nonprofit agency serving LGBT seniors, announced that Seth Kilbourn is leaving the organization at the end of May after eight successful years as Executive Director. The Board will launch a national search for Kilbourn’s replacement. During Kilbourn’s tenure, the agency’s operating budget increased from $500,000 to $1.8 million. He led the Board and staff through a comprehensive strategic planning process in 2013, resulting in a fiveyear plan that continues to guide the agency’s growth and measure its progress. As a result of his commitment to the seniors of San Francisco, Openhouse served nearly 2,000 LGBT older adults in 2015—a 300% increase since completing the strategic plan. openhouse-sf.org San Francisco Coach Jennifer Azzi Comes Out as Gay University of San Francisco coach and former Stanford and U.S. star Jennifer Azzi has come out as gay, announcing she is married to her top assistant, Blair Hardiek. Azzi made the announcement when she introduced Golden State Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts at the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award ceremony in San Francisco. In 2011, Welts—then president and chief executive of the Phoenix Suns—became the first senior sports executive to openly acknowledge he was gay. edgemedianetwork.com

Oscar

de la Renta THE RETROSPECTIVE

M A R 1 2 – M A Y 3 0, 2 0 1 6 Oscar de la Renta’s designs celebrated the best in us — beauty, optimism, and confidence. See more than 130 ensembles in the first major retrospective to pay tribute to one of the most beloved and influential fashion icons of our time.

This exhibition is organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco with the collaboration of Oscar de la Renta LLC. Presenting Sponsors: Cynthia Fry Gunn and John A. Gunn. Director’s Circle: Diane B. Wilsey. Curator’s Circle: Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, The Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation, Marissa Mayer and Zachary Bogue, and Yurie and Carl Pascarella. Benefactor’s Circle: Paula and Bandel Carano, Stephanie and Jim Marver, Neiman Marcus, and Jennifer and Steven Walske. Patron’s Circle: Mrs. Carole McNeil, Mrs. Komal Shah and Mr. Gaurav Garg, Mary Beth and David Shimmon, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. Tobin II. Additional support is provided by Mrs. George Hopper Fitch, and Mr. and Mrs. William Hamilton. Photo: Arthur Elgort for Vogue US, March 1999

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Faggot that evening ( just as I appeared neither rich nor not rich). The man was clearly disturbed and in need.

6/26 and Beyond John Lewis Last Sunday, our family had a wonderful dinner in the East Bay to celebrate Stuart’s mom’s 92nd birthday. On the way home from dinner, the three of us went to a small, quiet shopping center where I bought Stuart’s mom a new pill box at a drug store, while the two of them shopped at the grocery store. Buying the pillbox was fairly uneventful, although a somewhat mentally challenged man, who may also have been on drugs, harassed some of the other customers, telling them they were rich and they should give him money. As I left the drug store I passed the man, who told me I, too, was rich and should give him money. I walked on by, choosing not to engage with him. Seconds later, I heard him yell out at me, “Faggot!” I just kept on walking and joined Stuart and his mom at the grocery store. The man didn’t follow me and said nothing else to me. His remark had little immediate impact on me. I wondered if the man used the term “faggot” to some degree as a generic insult. I was neither dressed nor acting particularly “gay” or “not gay”

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Nevertheless, I told Stuart on our way home from his mom’s place that if felt bizarre being called a “faggot” out of the blue while doing the eminently mundane act of walking in a quiet shopping center with a pillbox in hand—indeed, especially while I was doing such an ordinary thing. I’ve been fortunate that I have relatively infrequently been called “faggot” or otherwise harassed or faced verbal insults as an LGBT person, although on occasion I have experienced significant threats. Several years ago, I was leaf leting and talking to students about marriage equality on the quad of a college campus when a large and intimidating student became enraged and called me a “f-ing faggot” more times than I could count. He stalked the two of us who were leafleting to the point that we called the police as he was screaming “f-ing faggot” at me with his tightly clenched fist inches away from my chin. We also feared he had a gun. The police arrested him, and I pressed criminal charges against him in court. That incident upset me greatly. Nothing resembling that happened in last week’s incident, but the experience of being called a “faggot” out of the blue stayed with me. I must admit that I have wondered whether I was giving off a “gay vibe” even doing such an innocuous thing as carrying a pillbox. But the fact that being called a “faggot” was the last thing I expected or was thinking about that night struck me most. It reminded me that LGBT people still today, even in the Bay Area, never know when they could face insults, either subtle or not so subtle. Some people feel a general-

ized license to make anti-gay insults as they wish. Although I could brush off the incident as an adult today, hearing people verbally abuse others who appeared LGBT when I was growing up was really damaging to me then. It greatly contributed to my denying who I was to myself in an effort to ensure that no one would say that about me, although sometimes they still did. It made coming out seem very risky and unattractive. And, of course, it silenced my ability to speak up for others and myself. Such insults, threats, and name-calling continue to seriously harm many LGBT youth today. Even casual name calling can be triggering or traumatizing for LGBT adults who have previously experienced substantial physical, verbal or emotional abuse. As a white cisgender-appearing male, the mundaneness of the circumstances of my being verbally gay bashed last Sunday night is an important reminder of how some LGBT people, women, people of color, and others experience this type of insult or scrutiny in myriad forms on a daily basis, simply living their lives as who they are. We are all in this together, and we must continue to tell our stories of what it feels like to be who we are. There’s nothing like getting a glimpse of what it feels like to walk in another’s shoes. John Lewis and his husband, Stuart Gaffney, 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 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

City College Pride

City College Alex Randolph, Trustee City College of San Francisco I take being a San Francisco City College Trustee very seriously. In addition to making important governance decisions, serving as a visible and accessible ambassador is crucial during this challenging time. I make sure to promote the incredible work our community college does every day for our 80,000 students at every event I attend. My husband rolls his eyes when I bring home yet another City College t-shirt, and my colleagues make fun of me for always wearing my Trustee lapel pin. For some it might seem a little too much, but showing my CCSF pride means more to me than just being an effective conversation starter. They say that 8 in 10 San Franciscans have had some sort of experience with City College. Either they took classes themselves, or have a Ram as a family member or friend.

As a Cal alum, I have a lot of experience showing pride in my educational institution. Whenever I see someone wearing Cal paraphernalia, I yell, “Go Bears!” It’s very exciting to see more and more CCSF clothing worn around town. Now I just as proudly proclaim, “Go Rams!” There is a lot to be proud of at City College these days. First, many members of our City College community work very hard every day to ensure we stay open and accredited. Second, a growing statewide coalition has been instrumental to drive accreditation reform and start the process of removing our current accreditor. Just last month, more than 90% of California Community College Chancellors and Presidents voted for a new and more transparent structure for the accreditation system, as well as for potentially switching the accreditation agency. Finally, the Giants and the Warriors are not the only champions in town. This year marks the tenth time our incredible football team, the Rams, won the national championship. Our men’s basketball team won the state championship, and our women’s basketball team made it to the Final Four. To top it off, the incredible Kelly Wong was awarded CCCAA Student Athlete Scholar of the year.

These are just three examples of the many positive stor ies that have happened this year. I consider myself lucky to be part of the City College community; I’m proud to serve with my fellow Trustees to make sure our students are able to live up to their full potential. I truly believe that we can’t have a great San Francisco without a great City College. I hope you can join me and keep supporting this incredible community asset. Show your pride and join us on April 17 for the 17th annual Wok on the Wild Side Fundraiser benefitting our world class Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies Department. Sip wine and sample goodies from talented chefs and restaurateurs–all assisted by our students and chef-instructors. Tickets can be purchased at www.wok2016.bpt.me In the meantime, when you see me out and about, feel free to come up and say, “Go Rams!” Alex Randolph is a Trustee for City College of San Francisco. He previously served in President Obama’s administration and as an LGBT advisor for Mayor Newsom. He lives in the Castro with his partner Trevor. Follow him on social media: www.twitter. com/adrandolph & www.facebook.com/ AlexDRandolph

My Life, My Choices: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions FREE SAN FRANCISCO SEMINAR

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

Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association Is a No Brainer

Aging in Community Marcy Adelman The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report was released just this week. The new edition of Facts and Figures provides the most up to date information on the escalating number of people living with some form of dementia. We must be pro-active, and ask our legislators at the state and local level to respond to these facts. Some of the important data points are as follows: An estimated 5.4 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. A combination of the longevity wave, more people living longer lives, and the outsized baby boom generation are projected to triple the number of people living with dementia by 2050. That is a projected 13.8 million people. In California, there are presently 610,00 people diagnosed with dementia. That number is expected to increase by over 37% to 840,000 people in just 9 years. One in nine seniors has Alzheimer’s, and nearly one-third of people aged 85 and older are living with some form of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the f ifth-leading cause among seniors. Notably, it is the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. More women than men have Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Na-

tionally, almost two thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. It isn’t clear why there are such wide gender differences. Some scientists suggest that gender differences can be explained by the fact that women live long than men and older age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Other researchers suggest that the APOE- e4 genotype may have a stronger association with Alzheimer’s in women than men, but these studies are not definitive. Older African-American and Hispanics are more likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias than older whites. The dif ferences in health are thought to be affected by lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors, but more research is needed to determine causality. Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers experience more emotional and financial distress than caregivers of loved ones without some form of dementia. Seventy-four percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers report they are concerned about their ability to maintain their own health while caring for their loved one. People living with Alzheimer’s become increasingly dependent on their caregivers. Consequently, Alzheimer’s is one of the costliest of chronic diseases. Currently, one in every five Medicare dollars (20%) is spent on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In 2050, that expense is projected to increase to one in every three dollars. The projected cost in 2050 is more than one trillion dollars along with a five-fold increase in out of pocket spending. The only way to reduce Medicare and Medicaid Alzheimer’s-related spending is to reduce the number of people living with the disease. Congress needs to increase research funding to find a cure and better treatments. You can help by supporting the Alzheimer’s Association in asking Congress to commit an additional $400 million in research dollars in fiscal year 2017. Write to your state legislator and member of Congress to express your opinion.

Doctors at present often fail to give a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s. It may be that doctors are reluctant to give a diagnosis for a disease that is highly stigmatized and for which there is no cure, but an early diagnosis provides people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers with the opportunity to make important care and financial planning for both of them. Plus, a diagnosis helps to ensure critical care coordination, smarter management of other chronic conditions, and more strategic and appropriate use of medication. The Alzheimer’s Associations strongly supports The Healthy Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, legislation introduced in Congress, which would ensure that an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis is documented in the individual’s medical record and that health care professionals have the time and resources to discuss treatment, care options and other planning. Support the Alzheimer’s Association work to increase research dollars and sponsored legislation by donating to the National Alzheimer’s Association. Join the fight! http:// www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp?type=alzFooter Marcy Adelman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in private practice, is co-founder of the non-profit organization Openhouse and was a leading member of the San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.

Alzheimer’s Association Programs and Services: • 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-2723900, www.alz.org/norcal/; Online Community: www.alzheimersblog.org/lgbt-forum • Memory Clinic, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center: 408-530-6900, mydoctor.kaiserpermanente. org/ncal/facilities/region/ santaclara/area_master/departments/memoryclinic/index.jsp

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Defying Racial Stigmas and Embracing True Cultural Identity

Curls Student, 12th Grade Caught in a tangled mess, the tiny monster with an elongated rubber body and spikes for legs tugged against the endless mass of black and brown wires. As a hand reached out to rip apart the spiky creature from the Velcro mess, it tore up the binding locks, splitting and stripping down each individual strand. This was when I realized that my soul mate, my one and only, the heart of my childhood— my hairbrush—had become my worst nightmare. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, I was the odd duckling with frizzy, tangled tresses. Everyone else– my family and my friends–had a variety of mildly wavy to pin-drop straight sticks. Just like them, I have always been taught to brush my hair everyday. Little did I know, brushing actually disassembled my loopy locks. In my earlier years, I never realized how different I was from everyone else. My unruly mane became the clay my mother would craft into all sorts of braids, pigtails, buns and ponytails. My world revolved around plastic colorful hairclips and hair ties. When middle school arrived, however, things took a turn. There was this sudden urge to fit in. Everyone had beautiful tresses that f lowed in the wind, while all I had was an old, ragged bush. I began to find myself in a confused loop of ideas, experimenting with interesting hairstyles. I tried everything from the “short-bob” to the “Amy Winehouse Beehive Bun.” Nothing felt comfortable, though. Growing insecure, I began to pull myself in. Timid and shy, I kept the wild wires in a low ponytail, never letting them down for two years. “Curly hair looks so messy and dirty!” “You should straighten your hair! It will look better!” “You’re Asian. Aren’t you supposed to have straight hair?” “Your hair is so...poofy.” “What are you? I know you’re Asian, but what kind?” The voices of society possessed my mind, pressuring me to kill the curls, and to suppress them with the extreme

heat and chemicals that would forever flatten their curves. As I conformed, as I camouflaged, I decided to permanently straighten my curls.

The glow of my new silky smooth mane awed people everywhere I went. I was afraid of their reactions. Even though I looked like everyone else, I never felt that way. It was an illusion to satisfy their blinding desires. The curls, however, started to seep out of my roots, a n d t he c o m p l i ments stopped rolling in. Half curly, ha l f st ra ight , t he strands began to look strange. At the same time my curls lurked back in, a revolution boiled up inside of me. Entering high school, I wiped out the quiet, insecure girl and introduced a new sense of pride, growing out my curls, snipping off the straightened hair. I was going to wear my natural hair everywhere and wear it proud. I went to swim practice more often to keep my mind at ease. The chlorine made my hair lighter and lighter. I felt weightless. I felt free. After studying numerous YouTube tutorials on how to tame the twisted twigs on my head—sleeping in braids with Argan oil, deep conditioning, detangling and never brushing my hair—I have finally achieved the art of maintaining and accepting my unruly locks. These are wild locks that will grow how they please. These are the twirly tresses that define who I am. Half and Half Student, 11th Grade My hair is blonde, my eyes are green, and my skin is light, but I have a white dad and a Latina mom, so I am biracial–half white, half Nicaraguan. No, I am not fluent in Spanish. Yes, I am white passing, which means that I can go out and enjoy white privilege despite my Latina heritage. No, I am not just a “white girl pretending to be Hispanic” when I call myself Nicaraguan, talk about Nicaraguan culture, or take pride in my Nicaraguan heritage. In a recent Ethnic Studies class, we discussed the disconnect many American racial and ethnic minorities feel from their cultures. What especially resonated for me was what a few students said about the mixed race experience and how it feels to look like one thing and yet to be another, to be constantly questioned and erased. I am tired of needing to explain myself or for feeling guilty for expressing an identity I’ve had since I was born. I am tired of the way people continue to deny the existence of gray areas in our

Student Voices

PHOTO BY HERY ZO

(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 officials. 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.)

world, whether they are erasing biracial people, bi or pansexual people, or nonbinary people. I am white. I am Nicaraguan. I am not gay or straight. Nonbinary people have the right to exist and feel validated for their existence. We live in a world of gray area, not a world of binary or black and white, and we need to learn to accept those of us who do not fit into one category or another. Second Generation Immigrant Challenges Student, 12th Grade My mother, born in the Philippines, moved when she was 12 to the United States. She eventually lost her accent, but was able to retain her native language. My father was born in Burlington, Washington, and never learned Tagalog because his father, who served in the Navy, wanted him to assimilate as much as possible with American culture. It seems that in almost all cultures, second generation immigrants feel a tremendous amount of guilt about not speaking a parent’s native language or about their unintentional ignorance concerning their people’s history and way of life. In a city such as San Francisco, cultural identity is muddled, which makes it hard to identify with a particular group. I personally have been in turmoil with my unclear cultural identity, wondering if I am Filipino enough or if I am whitewashed. Embracing American culture is difficult, because all I know and have ever known or learned from the culture I live in says that my skin color makes me less American. In addition, the lack of education about the histories of Filipinos has made it difficult to fully understand the culture my mother grew up in and, to some extent, my extended family. Another reason for the guilt that second generation immi(continued on page 30)

Lesbians for Hillary Watch Party

Adam commented, “We intend to create a model called a ‘Fun-Raiser’–not a $-oriented event–where lesbian feminists who recognize ourselves in Hillary can literally cheer her on with other supporters, while chatting it up with old friends and watching primary returns. Our party was organized in two weeks. It was very low tech, 10

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PHOTO BY IRENE YOUNG

Margie Adam and Barbara Bryant hosted a “Lesbians for Hillary” Watch party on a recent primary day. Attendees included Linda Scaparotti, Tara Flanagan, Susan Bender, Marcy Adelman and Karen Grassle, among others.

with personal invitations to our friendship circles and beyond: classic feminist organizing.” “For many of us who put our lives on the line to make a place of women’s concerns in public policy, Hillary Clinton’s election as president of the United States is ours to make happen. It’s time to step off the sidelines and back her up.”

Mademoiselle Lulu: The Wo/man on the Flying Trapeze door. Men of high position sent her love letters, expensive gifts, and the requisite offers of marriage. Demurely, Lulu declined them all.

Faces of Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky Mademoiselle Lulu, aerialist extraordinaire, was the sensation of the season when she debuted in London in 1871. The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine proclaimed her “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” a “fearless and graceful” acrobat, “the very empress of gymnasts.” Other commentators– there were many–noted her exceptional poise, captivating appearance, and beauty. No one, of course, mentioned that Lulu had been born Samuel Wasgate (or Wasgatt), possibly in Hancock, Maine, in 1855. An orphan, Sam met acrobat and tightrope walker Guillermo Antonio Farini sometime around 1866. Despite Farini’s name, he was actually a Canadian born William Leonard Hunt. They soon began appearing together throughout Europe. Sam, now known as El Niño Farini, was just 11 at the time, so Farini installed a safety net to protect the boy wherever he performed. It was an innovation never before used in public by an aerialist. El Niño famously appeared as Le Tambour Aerial, The Aerial Drummer– balancing on his neck on a trapeze bar high in the air while playing a snare drum. Then in 1869, Farini carried Sam, now 14 years old, on his back along a tightrope 180 feet–about 15 stories–above the audience, attempting to emulate the great Blondin, the world’s foremost aerialist, who seven years earlier performed a similar feat with his daughter. Blondin’s exploit gave Farini another idea: do his act with a young woman. It would be easy to present small, slender Sam to the public as such, since one commentator later described him, “as a beautiful and shapely young girl.” El Niño was too well known in London, though, for Farini to showcase him there as a girl, so “The Beautiful Lulu, the girl Aerialist and Circassian Catapultist,” gave her premiere performance in Paris in 1870. The next year, her reputation preceding her, she returned, received top billing at her f irst London appearance, and became internationally famous. T here was some gossip early on that Lulu and El Niño actually were the same person, but almost nobody believed it. As a critic wrote in The Era ( London) in 1875, “If she is not ‘she,’ then I don’t know what a woman is at all. I must have grown up with very erroneous ideas respecting the natural distinctions of the sexes.” Besides, there was “much that is attractive in her personal appearance,” he continued, “effectively costumed in a rich crimson tunic and pink silk fleshings, her arms and neck being bare.” Who could resist so lovely a young woman? Mademoiselle Lulu captivated audiences in Europe and the United States. Other aerialists, male and female, emulated her appearance. Royalty applauded her. Beau Brummel ventured to meet her at the stage

The center piece of Lulu’s performance wa s t he s pect acular “Lulu Leap.” Def y i ng g r av it y, s he seemed to f ly from the stage straight up to a plank suspended between two trapeze bars 25 feet above her, then turned three full somersaults on her way from the platform and into a net below. Actually, Lulu was catapulted into the air from an eightfoot high mechanism i nvent e d by Fa r i ni that was built into the stage. Audiences, unaware of the device, remained both amazed and mystified by her feat. The truth came out in 1878. Performing in Dublin, Lulu’s catapult malfunctioned, injuring her legs. In fierce pain, she continued to f ly through the air, but could not reach the platform. Instead, she fell onto the edge of the safety net, causing her even more harm. Her attending physician discovered Lulu’s secret. Newspapers reported there was “much embarrassment amongst male admirers” when t he y le a r ne d t h at Lulu, in fact, was a man.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL LIPSKY

Meet Ruth Linden at The Art Of Aging Gracefully COLORS Resource Fair

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Sam eventually recovered and was once more into the breeches for El Niño Farini, again performing as a male. He continued to wear Lulu’s familiar costumes, however, until he retired a few years later. One commentator wrote: “Lulu, scented up to the eyebrows, looked very much like a German student– a pocket swell with long hair and pale features.” I n 18 8 5 , Fa r i n i set of f t o e xplore the Kalahari Desert. Sa m went w it h him as the expedition’s photographer. He took pictures not only of the Kalahari and its native peoples, but also of other parts of southern Africa. The images, which still exist, show that in addition to his other extraordinary talents, he had a superb eye for artistic content, composition, and beauty. In whatever guise El Niño and Lulu and Sam appeared, the public was delighted, charmed, and inspired. Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.

R. Ruth Linden, Ph.D.

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Research estimates that as many as one in five LGBT individuals struggle with alcohol abuse.1 When you find yourself reaching for the bottle, reach for the phone instead.

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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.

BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

National Poetry Month

Poet in Residence Kit Kennedy Editor’s Note: April is National Poetry Month, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers and poets themselves all honor this time by celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture. Here at the San Francisco Bay Times we are delighted to present a new work by our Poet-in-Residence, Kit Kennedy. Photographer Stacy Boorn took the beautiful accompanying images.

Nothing Consumes a Body More than love nor pen put more words to its prescription. Love: real, imagined rehearsed, reheated. Warm as cat complex as cloud, slippery as mercury, unfathomable yet familiar as socks. And, yes, sentimental–berries & cream. The tilt of mirror enlivens or frightens love. Sometimes love struts a saucy dahlia; other times demure as heirloom

TERRA GALLERY & EVENT VENUE Stacy Boorn, Photographer

In addition to her position at the San Francisco Bay Times, Kit Kennedy is the Poet-in-Residence for herchurch, http://herchurch.org To read more of Kennedy’s work, please visit http://www.poetrybites. blogspot.com Stacy Boorn’s work is featured at AWE Gallery, http://stacy.awegallery.com/

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Find out more about National Poetry Month 2016 at https://www.poets. org/national-poetry-month/home

rose. And love never stops talking, not even in the final silence. What is a body to do? To navigate love, it’s best to consult earth, sea & stars. To pick a lover simply indulge in chocolate & kissing. – Kit Kennedy

A MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR

Bouquets to Art 2016

Photos courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

More than 125 of the Bay Area’s most innovative and sought after floral designers have returned to the de Young for Bouquets to Art 2016, the annual week-long exhibition in which local designers create spectacular works of floral art in response to pieces in the museum’s permanent collection and the architecture of the building. Plan on seeing it soon, if you haven’t done so already, as the ephemeral event ends on April 10. This year’s guest speakers include: author India Hicks, Danielle Hahn of Rose Stor y Farm, Occasion! founder and CEO Annette Kunz, designer-author Carolyne Roehm and San Francisco Cottages & Gardens editor-in-chief Alisa Carroll-who will moderate a panel with Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers and Allison Futeral of Crimson Horticultural. Now in its 32nd year, Bouquets to Art opened on April 5.

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

Arrangements range from the strikingly simple to the elaborately intricate, including a large installation in Wilsey Court by Oakland’s Sharpstick Studios, who are celebrating their 7th year as participants. This year, floral designers will also draw inspiration from the special exhibition Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective, the world premiere survey of the late designer’s work on view at the de Young through May 30. Bouquets to Art 2016 launched on Monday with an opening night gala and preview. The evening, catered by McCalls Catering & Events, featured live music from Oyé Events and allowed for the f irst viewing of the f loral arrangements. Diane B. Wilsey served as the Grand Patron, Lorna Meyer Calas as Honorary Gala Chair, and Lonna Wais as Exhibit and Floral Fashions Partner. On gala night, models strolled through the museum wearing gowns and accessories created entirely from fresh f lowers and designed by students from City College of San Francisco. (See page 9 for more about City College.) Catered luncheons and pop-up discussions by floral designers are being held throughout the week, while an onsite raffle of luxury goods and services will conclude with a drawing on Saturday afternoon. All proceeds from Bouquets to Art 2016 benefit the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Members-only viewing hours are available tonight from 6–8 p.m. and photography-free hours will take place tomorrow, Friday, from 9:30 am–12 pm. In the 32 years since its inception, this popular and much anticipated event presented by the volunteer members of the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums has drawn nearly 750,000 visitors, with net proceeds nearing $6 million. Funds from Bouquets to Art help underwrite special exhibitions, conservation projects and educational programs at the Legion of Honor and the de Young. Schedule of Events Thursday, April 7 Floral Exhibits 9:30 am–5:15 pm Lecture: Capturing Beauty by Carolyne Roehm O ver fou r dec ades , C a roly ne Roehm’s career has spanned the worlds of fashion, gardening, entertaining, publishing and decorative arts. Mentored by Oscar de la Ren-

Floral display by Garden Party. Artwork: Thomas Westerman Wood, (L) Moses, the Baltimore News Vendor, 1858 (R) Market Woman, 1858. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Floral display by Marin Garden Club. Artwork: Henry Inman, Tshi-Zun-Hau-Kau ( He-WhoRuns-with-Deer), Winnebago, ca. 1832-1833. Photograph by Greg A. Lato

Floral display by Friends of Filoli. Artwork: William Joseph McCloskey, Oranges in Tissue Paper, ca. 1890. Photograph by Greg A. Lato

ta, she worked alongside the couture giant for ten years before launching her own fashion house. Roehm will speak on the latest of her twelve books, At Home in the Garden. A book signing of the newly launched, Carolyne Roehm at Home and in the Garden, will follow the lecture. Gallery admission included. 10:30 am | Tickets required | $45

of Crimson Horticulture, and Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers. The panel will explore how trendsetters and new techniques are redefining the future of floral design. Gallery admission included. 1:30 pm | Tickets required | $45 Member Viewing Hours 6:00 pm–8:00 pm

Elegant Catered Luncheon Guests will enjoy a luncheon catered by McCalls Catering & Events. Gallery admission included. 12:15 pm | Tickets required | $80

Friday, April 8

Conversation and Floral Display: The New Bloom, San Francisco’s Next Generation of Leading Florists by Alisa Carroll Member Viewing Hours San Francisco Cottages and Gardens Editor-in-Chief Alisa Carroll will lead a conversation with two next generation florists: Allison Futeral, founder

Floral Exhibits 9:30 am–5:15 pm Photography-Free Hours 9:30 am–12:00 pm Saturday, April 9 Floral Exhibits 9:30 am–5:15 pm Sunday, April 10 Floral Exhibits 9:30 am–5:15 pm

Floral display by Plumweed Floral and Event Design. Artwork: Robert Henri, Lady in Black with Spanish Scarf, 1910. Photograph by Greg A. Lato BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

Napa Valley Wine Train - Pride Ride 2016

PHOTO BY TOBE DARANOUVONG

PHOTO BY SKYE PATTERSON

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PHOTO BY SKYE PATTERSON

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOU FISCHER

PHOTO BY TOBE DARANOUVONG

PHOTO BY SKYE PATTERSON

PHOTO BY SKYE PATTERSON PHOTO BY TOBE DARANOUVONG

PHOTO BY TOBE DARANOUVONG

A train full of LGBT community members and friends boarded the famous Napa Valley Wine Train on Saturday, March 19, at the Wine Train station in Napa, CA, for an exclusive train ride featuring fine food, commentary on the delicious wines and a rocking After Party. Presented by the Wine Train as a benefit for the Richmond-Ermet Aid Foundation, the evening’s menu included four courses designed by Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald and an array of wines presented by wine experts from throughout wine country. Columnists Dennis McMillan and Cinder Ernst enjoyed the evening along with many other San Francisco Bay Times readers.

photos: Julie Milligan and Patrick T. Power Photography

Great Expectations ten offer a solution if a parent, relative, or friend demands (or strongly requests) that a ritual, reading, etc. be included that doesn’t feel right. I suggest couples blame me, the officiant! The couple can explain that I’ve said such and such can’t be done. No explanation necessary. Setting boundaries is difficult, and is especially complicated if someone else is helping to foot the bill.

Weddings Howard Steiermann Last week I was Skyping with a couple whose wedding is this upcoming Pride Weekend. They had initially contacted me in January, eager to start planning. Just one month later, I was surprised when I received a short, almost cryptic email from them stating they were canceling the wedding.

Prior to setting boundaries, it is helpful if you have an idea of the style or feel you would like for your wedding. Traditional or contemporary? How large? Having a vision in mind allows you to be more focused. Having a plan will also give parameters against which you can judge other’s suggestions. You will be able to see whether an idea helps to further your plan along its path, or takes it on an unwelcome tangent.

It turns out the couple was dealing with extra stress–so much stress that they contemplated canceling their wedding and eloping so as to avoid the demands their families were making. One parent was withholding further communication and another was holding the wedding hostage, threatening to stop financial support if their ‘requests’ were not met.

It is also helpful to consider what your expectations are of others. Does a parent have a history of taking control of your projects? Does a loved one offer too many ideas or unrealistic suggestions? Family and friends can be wonderful assets during wedding planning. They can also push your buttons or control the checkbook in ways that aren’t healthy, productive or beneficial.

My couples know that they are always my priority. I recognize that it can be uncomfortable for couples to set boundaries or to say no. I of-

In addition to thinking about how others act and react, it is beneficial to set, and then manage, others’ expectations of you. Perhaps

Websites like TheKnotShop.com and GayWeddings.com offer a number of gay wedding toppers.

you’ll need to declare your independence. Even if you and your beloved have been a couple forever, weddings tend to bring out less than stellar behavior in others. If you let your loved ones know the wedding is under your control, hopefully they will get the message that all of their helpful hints aren’t actually that helpful. When you ask for assistance, be specific. Ask yes/ no questions, or limit their responses to your top two or three options from which they can choose. Setting expectations–for yourself and for others–will allow for less stressful planning. There will undoubtedly be hurdles. Hopefully your friends and family will assist you in getting over and past them, rather than placing more in your path, thereby helping you to make your wedding vision a reality. Howard M. Steiermann is an Ordained Ritual Facilitator based in San Fran-

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BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

Lesbian Novel The Gilda Stories Turns 25 with Expanded Anniversary Edition Books by and for lesbians include certain classics that many of us, LGBT or not, treasure in our libraries. These include such works as Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Also on the top 10 list for many is The Gilda Stories by Bay Area-based Jewelle Gomez. It was an instant lesbian hit when it was first published in 1991, and the publisher—one of our San Francisco faves, City Lights—is now celebrating its release and evolution over the years in our culture with an expanded 25th anniversary edition. This remarkable novel begins in 1850s Louisiana, where Gilda escapes slavery and learns about freedom while working in a brothel. After being initiated into eternal life as one who

“shares the blood” by two women there, Gilda spends the next 200 years searching for a place to call home. The Gilda Stories has endured as an auspiciously prescient book in its explorations of blackness, radical ecology, redefinitions of family, and yes, the erotic potential of the vampire story. San Francisco Bay Times Co-Publisher and “Betty’s List” founder Dr. Betty Sullivan recently re-read the book and loved it, being transported into the sexy and thoughtprovoking world that it presents. We invite you not only to read, or revisit, the novel, but also to check out one of the many related events that will take place over the next several months.

It is also long overdue to honor its author, Gomez, who additionally is an LGBT activist. She wrote the books Forty-Three Septembers, Don’t Explain, The Lipstick Papers, Flamingoes and Bears, and Oral Tradition. She is now, among other projects, further developing a play about the internationally known African American jazz singer and songwriter Alberta Hunter. The Gilda Stories was the recipient of two Lambda Literary Awards, and was adapted for the stage by the Urban Bush Women Company in thirteen U.S. cities. To order a copy of your own, please go to https://secure.citylights.com/cart/?fa=additem&g coi=87286100095910&item_id=3_41223_34319

Interview with Jewelle Gomez, Author of The Gilda Stories writing speculative fiction. And, at the time, Gilda was the only Black, lesbian vampire. And it had the historical aspect to it, so it fit into other lit classes as well, like slave narratives and African American lit.

Our thanks go to Jewelle Gomez, for taking time out of her busy coastto-coast schedule for this recent interview. Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What led you to write a vampire novel?

Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What kinds of lectures and classes do you give when you travel with The Gilda Stories?

Jewelle Gomez: The first Gilda story was written as an angry response to being harassed on the street by a couple of guys. Instead of scurrying away, I screamed at them so hard they ran. They thought I was a mad woman, and I was. That led me to think about a character that people think is powerless and how she could turn the tables on them. Kind of a revenge story at first, but it developed into being more than that.

Jewelle Gomez: The most popular lecture has been how to reshape mythology and rid it of its exploitational aspects. I guess the discussion goes into the philosophy of Gilda and what we can learn from her about power and building community. I do some classes on writing speculative fiction from the different perspectives students have and how it can help us think about social change. I love doing sessions on the images of African American women and how they’ve been demeaned and what images we can develop in response to that.

Jewelle Gomez: I developed Gilda over time thinking about how a woman with power might act differently from those who’d abused the power they had over her. I wanted a kind of lesbian feminist hero rather than a serial killer. So the book is focused on how Gilda learns to restrain herself and use her power. She’s not wracked with guilt like some literary vampires because she finds her place among mortals without exploiting them. How we create families is always a central ingredient in vampire stories, and that’s something Gilda has in common with others. She has to learn what’s the safe way to create family around you. San Francisco Bay Times: How did you find a publisher for such a non-traditional character as Gilda?

CITYLIGHTS>COM

Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What makes Gilda different from other vampires?

San Francisco Bay Times: Were you always interested in science fiction or horror? Jewelle Gomez: As a kid I always watched things like Twilight Zone and Outer Limits on TV, then Star Trek, and in college I was a fanatic about the novel Dune. I loved the idea of new worlds and how they might develop differently from our world. Then in the 1970s I read the feminist speculative fiction writers who were blossoming; Joanna Russ was especially a writing role model for me. Her language and humor were fabulist and fabulous.

Jewelle Gomez: I was fortunate to be writing during the height of San Francisco Bay Times: How the women’s press movement. Un- does it fit in with your other writing, like today there were so many wom- such as essays, fiction or poetry? en’s bookstores across the country, Jewelle Gomez: In my fiction I and lesbian feminist magazines, like get to put into practice the lesbiConditions, and presses, like Kitchen an/feminism that I write about in Table: Women of Color Press, were my essays. I can create a character going strong. None of the mainwho acts from the principles I think stream publishare vital to huers were interest- “When I started writing Gilda, man survival and ed in Gilda, but she was more like the tradition- try to make it fun. Nancy Bereano al vampire; that is, taking blood That’s why genre was enthusiastic and leaving a trail of dead bodies. fiction is so great: about the book people read along from the begin- Then I realized I didn’t want to easily and the ‘lesning. She foundwrite about a serial killer.” son’ or ‘mora l’ ed Firebra nd isn’t heavy handBooks, one of the premiere lesbian ed…if one does it well. Same with feminist presses—it published Dor- writing poetry: I’m looking at topothy Allison, Cheryl Clarke, Audre ics and ideas that touch me as a femLorde, and Leslie Feinberg, so I felt inist again—family, power, cultural lucky to land there. She guided me change, etc. In poetry I’m trying to through the yearlong editing process, evoke an emotional response from which is so important for a first nov- the reader through word images el. We only took a break during the rather than reasoned arguments or Clarence Thomas hearings because characters. it was so upsetting listening to his inept ignorance and hearing how the San Francisco Bay Times: How white men on the committee tried does your social consciousness into discredit Anita Hill. We couldn’t form or inhibit your writing? concentrate! We just needed to vent! Jewelle Gomez: When I startIf I could have worked that into the ed writing Gilda, she was more like Gilda narrative I would have. Maybe the traditional vampire; that is, takthey’ll show up in the sequel! ing blood and leaving a trail of dead 16

BAY TIM ES APRIL 7 , 2 0 1 6

bodies. Then I realized I didn’t want to write about a serial killer. I was more interested in the philosophical meaning of living forever. Having made that decision for her not to kill every time she took blood, I then had to stretch myself to find a way to make her vampirism interesting. That led me to the idea of exchange that is part of a larger philosophical core I have that comes out of feminism and Native A merican beliefs. It feels good to me as a writer to be challenged not to fall into the t rad it iona l ways of viewing a character or a mytholog y. I think that cha l lenge ma kes for better writing. When I teach I try to get students to insert twists and turns in their characters and plots so they are forced to think differently. Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What has made The Gila Stories stay in print for 25 years? Jewelle Gomez: When I started writing the book I had no idea who would read it. I had some fans in New York City from readings I’d done, but I had no idea that vampire fans can be so devoted. If someone is into vampire lore they look for new and different interpretations all the time. So, while it took a while for the book to have an audience outside the lesbian community, when it broke through it might show up anywhere. The Internet definitely helped because online discussions about vampires are ubiquitous. The other benefit was that colleges started teaching classes in reading and

Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What are some of the changes Gilda has seen since she first emerged? Jewelle Gomez: When Gilda first emerged I think there was still a sense of hope; that there were still possibilities of turning the culture around so that exploitation of marginalized people could be seen as the negative thing it is. Instead, times seem to have regressed to the Stone Age so that whoever has the biggest stick or largest bank roll gets the respect. People are more easily swayed to vote against their own interested for the easy satisfaction of supporting someone’s swagger. When a segment of the population decides it’s great to kill off health care that’s benefiting them specifically or that they cheer on retro racism from a millionaire like Trump, we have what I call the ‘John Wayne affect.’ No one really cares about his substance; it’s just about the image of the big daddy who comes in to solve all your problems with a rude quip that makes you laugh. Nobody pays attention to the results. Or maybe life was always like this and we just didn’t notice.

faced when transforming the novel into a staged musical How did that affect your writing the James Baldwin or the Alberta Hunter plays? Jewelle Gomez: Once I realized we couldn’t do the full novel on stage, I started to relax. At first I imagined something like Nicholas Nickleby, which lasted seven hours; that was a daunting prospect! But deciding to rewrite just two chapters made things work. The language of the novel presented other challenges. It’s somewhat based in the periods of each chapter, so using older language idioms from the 1800s without making the actors sound too stiff was a real challenge. I have to say that the Urban Bush Women Company made my work easy! The performers each embraced the characters and language and made them their own. Working on the play version of Gilda, Bones and Ash, helped me understand how much I enjoy the collaborative aspect of doing theatre. Since then I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by people whose work I admire and respect who can help me with my process. And I learned where music and dance could speak for the characters and I could be quiet! Of course the James Baldwin play, Waiting for Giovanni, was a delight because he was such a lover of words so I could revel in his language and feel like I was writing poetry. And my collaborator, Harry Waters Jr, encouraged me to make Baldwin live through the style of language. With the Alberta Hunter piece, Leaving the Blues, it’s much more a case of what she doesn’t say. She’s older, living in a time when being black, lesbian, and a singer is near to impossible for her. So it is, again, like poetry: what’s not there is as significant as what’s said.

San Francisco Bay Times: For those of us who have loved Gilda for years, what is new/added in the expanded 25th anniversary edition? Jewelle Gomez: More than anything it’s the context that my essay and that of Alexis Pauline Gumbs provides that expands this edition. Gilda was the product of a very specific time and, as Alexis writes about the current affect the book has on contemporary readers, they get a stronger historical context. Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What was the biggest challenge you

While serving as President of the San Francisco Library Commission, Jewelle was featured in the Library’s popular READ poster series.

Sa n Fra ncisco Bay Ti mes: What other types of speculative fiction do you write? Jewelle Gomez: I’m not into the science part of the fiction as much as (continued on next page)

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez, Excerpt One of Three

From Chapter 3 Yerba Buena 1890 Wherein Gilda travels to the ‘big city’ and meets new members of her family, Anthony and his lover, Sorel who will continue her training; and the dangerous Eleanor who has lessons of her own. Gilda hurriedly locked the door to her room with the key Sorel had given her so ceremoniously then slowed her steps as she descended the stairs to the public rooms of the establishment. She took the seemingly endless time of the descent to listen to the sounds coming from the rooms to the right and left of the stairway and wide foyer. And to watch the workers who only glanced at her casually as they moved briskly past the stairs to their destinations: one room with a grand piano and singer of some note who held a small audience enthralled; two other rooms with gaming tables and people, mostly men, bent over them furiously winning nor losing. And the main salon, its perimeter outfitted with plush settees and small tables so that anyone, even women alone, would feel comfortable. The long shining wood bar with its equally polished brass foot rail was lined with men talking in low tones. The electric lights blazing from the wall sconces made everyone’s face seem unnaturally pale. She was certain that few, if any, of those gathered here were as she was, but they looked unlike people she’d ever seen before. She hesitated inside the door to the salon deciding whether to sit on one of the settees as all of women seemed to have done, or to follow her impulse and stand at the bar with the men. She stiffened as she heard: Perhaps you’ll allow me to show you to Monsieur Sorel’s table.

well.” His disapproval was barely concealed. Anthony’s soothing tone made Gilda forget the people gawking at her. She gazed into his immense deep blue eyes and was taken by the very slight smile that lurked behind them. He himself was slight although his hands were quite large, imposing and solid with stout veins running their length. She wondered at all the things those eyes had seen, those hands had done. Before she could speak, Sorel’s voice boomed out from halfway across the room: “The champagne, of course, Anthony. What else do we serve when family returns home?” “Of course,” Anthony said, the hinted smile still curving his lips, as if a full smile would be too ostentatious. As Anthony receded from the room the space was filled to overflowing with Sorel. He wore a finely tailed waist coat and blue suit with brightly embroidered shoes made from some soft material and at his neck was a f lurry of silk. There was a slight scent of Arabian musk about him that was mesmerizing. People shifted in their seats, most simply curious, others plotting their exit carefully not wanting Sorel to interpret their departure as an insult to the women he’d named as his family. But we shall know, will we not? Gilda heard Sorel speak in her mind. She smiled and Sorel laughed so loudly the drapes at the large window beside his table rippled. He reached across the table and took her hand in his and they both continued to laugh until Anthony appeared with the bottle of champagne. “As usual, Anthony, you have quite a sobering effect on me. He serves each meal as if it were the last supper,” Sorel said of his partner of more than 100 years, barely retraining another outburst of laughter.

Anthony had spoken without speaking, which unnerved Gilda when done among others. Yet she followed him as he directed her to a slightly larger table.

Anthony opened the bottle with an appropriate pop of the cork. As he was about to pour he stopped and said to Gilda, “I believe that in the homeland of your mother’s people the first libation is poured into the ground in honor of the ancestors.”

“May I bring you something?” Anthony said in his soft, low-pitched voice. He felt her hesitation and gave her time to orient her thoughts in this new environ.

Anthony held the bottle away from the table above the shining wood f loor. “I honor all our ancestors.” He said as he poured sparkling wine onto the floor.

Gilda sensed several people in the salon turning to stare at her, some discreetly, some not. She was abruptly aware of the darkness of her skin; Anthony seemed to take note of nothing except her.

“You welcome me with great humanity,” Gilda said.

“I would be impolite to boast but Monsieur Sorel has his own vineyards in Europe, vinted by monks with impeccable taste. We have the most excellent red known to the palate. Of course if you’re fond of this champagne that seems to have taken everyone’s fancy, we have that as the social aspects. I write some ghost stories. I have a novella that’s about a woman getting a full body tattoo of her lover, which is meant to bind them together and it has unexpected consequences. I’m working on another story called “The Automat,” where people can go there and download memories, like we used to be able to put in a quarter and pull a sandwich out of a dispenser. But there, again, are unexpected consequences to revisiting one’s past. San Francisco Bay Times: How does your writing connect with the Queer community?

Jewelle reading the children’s book U Is for Ursula at City Lights Bookstore youtube.com/watch?v=1Pyr39jsOXI

“Let us hope that it is great wine!” “You continue to be gracious to me, Sorel, even though I arrive unannounced, muddy and...” Sorel cut her off. “Please, as I’ve said we’re family here. Your arrival could never be unannounced. Wherever we are we must expect each other. This is a family lesson we’ve learned well. You too have learned it or you would not have come to us.” Jewelle Gomez: I had the good fortune of coming into my writing life when queer movements were exploding. ACT UP was emerging, and I was on the founding board of GLAAD, so I got to participate in a lot of local activism. I also got to write for lesbian feminist publications, and to work with lesbian writers who were formative to the movement and to literature, like Audre and Cherrie Moraga, so I was shaped by that which added on to my cultural experiences as a woman of color raised poor in this society. I bring all those things to my work, and I think readers feel connected to what I have to

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEWELLE GOMEZ

(Editor’s Note: Over the course of three issues, we will be presenting excerpts from Jewelle Gomez’s novel, The Gilda Stories. This is the first. Please be sure not to miss our second issue for April, as well as our first issue of May, to read the second and final entries in the series.)

Jewelle visiting Mesa Verde National Park

“I came to...” Gilda stopped uncertain of the result of her coming to Sorel and Anthony as she’d been instructed. Left alone with eternal life she’d travelled north then west to find those who would continue her instruction in the way of eternal life; their ways, which did not include killing and brutality. What did she need to know from this man who’d been like a myth as she was coming of age? “I need to know much. Where the questions begin though is a question itself. I would ask where I go now. Or I could ask what I need to ask.”

Nancy Bereano, founder of Firebrand Books (second from left), and her spouse, Elisabeth Nonas, with Jewelle Gomez and her partner Diane Sabin

“Betraying our shared life, our shared humanity makes one unworthy of sharing, unworthy of life.” Gilda spoke easily, but the depth of her feeling surprised her.

kling in unnatural competition with the champagne on their table. Her full, wide mouth was painted a shade of red that perfectly matched her hair.

“You are a most accomplished student!” Sorel sat back on the settee with a look of satisfaction on his round face. Soon, however, a shadow settled on his forehead. His gaze slowly scanned the room. When it stopped at the door the shadow descended over the rest of his face and his brow tightened as the woman who stood poised in the doorway made her way toward their table.

Sorel rose nimbly and took the woman’s hand pressing it gently to his lips. Anthony appeared behind them, his mouth set grimly and the knuckles of his large hands almost white as they gripped the new champagne glass. “Gilda, may I present Eleanor.” Eleanor slipped in beside Gilda and seemed to consume her in one glance.

The red of her hair was a beacon superior to the electric candles lining the walls. Gilda felt Sorel’s reaction—he was both annoyed and pleased to see this striking figure. Gilda turned to the woman, whose russet curls cascaded onto her shoulders which were draped in deep blue satin. Although covered from neck to toe she managed to be more provocative than anyone Gilda had ever seen even at Woodard’s Bordello where she’d been raised.

“Eleanor has the distinction of being homegrown royalty; her family has lived here by the Bay longer than perhaps any other. Alas they have all died out except Eleanor and her uncle Alfred.”

Beneath her unfashionably full brows were deep-green eyes spar-

For the first time in many years Gilda felt deep desire and profound fear.

say. I’m not preaching or lecturing; I’m just telling a story.

reflected in my writing and I think people love seeing themselves.

chapters in the original novel. The

I also think my lesbian feminist consciousness leads me to be inclusive in my writing. In my ‘Automat’ story, I’m struggling with pronouns, trying to imagine what they might be a hundred years from now and that ref lects what Transpeople are going through right now. My secondary characters in Gilda are Native American and South American and more. Being Queer means we interact with more different kinds of people than we would if we stayed in a straight world. I love seeing that

San Francisco Bay Times: So many of us look forward to catching up with you at the upcoming Gilda anniversary events. If not previously mentioned, what other projects do you have in the works now?

maybe somewhat less upbeat. It

Jewelle Gomez: I am trying to write more short stories like “The Automat” and get them out into the world. I haven’t done much of that lately. And I am working on a second Gilda novel; its chapters will take place alternating with the

more into the life of Anthony and

“And I would answer: there is nothing to ask. You’ll stay here with us to continue your lessons as it was meant to be.” Anthony returned, filled their glasses silently then leaned down to whisper in Sorel’s ear, so softly that even Gilda could not hear what was said. “I’m afraid we shall be joined shortly by another. We’ll continue our talk later, Sorel said, then asked: “If you were to succinctly sum up what you’ve learned, what few words would you employ?”

“And he is probably seeing his last years, even as we speak,” Eleanor said with no trace of sorrow. “But let’s not talk of the old and dying, rather the fresh and vital. You my dear...” And she turned the fire of her gaze toward Gilda.

new book will be a bit denser and keeps its humanist perspective, but it will show more of the down side of being a vampire. Responding to popular demand, it will also delve Sorel, two favorite characters. We’ll see them more in action. The new novel will also show more of how Gilda develops her sense of power and her sense of humor! BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

The Very Expressive and Beloved Face of Jewelle Gomez Author, Speaker, Activist, Educator, Civic and Community Leader, Cultural Worker, Colleague and Friend

BAY TIM ES APRIL 7 , 2 0 1 6

PHOTO BY GRETA SCHILLER

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Jewelle with Dorothy Allison (1980s)

With Audre Lourde, 1980s

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEWELLE GOMEZ

Jewelle with her grandmother

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The Gilda Stories 25th Anniversary

Jewelle and Diane Sabin were married in 2008. They were one of the original couples in 2004 represented in the historic Woo v Lockyer lawsuit against the State of California seeking the right to marry.

Upcoming Events Featuring Jewelle Gomez City Lights Bookstore, Wednesday, April 13th, 7pm http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100095910&fa=ev ents Release Party and Celebration for The Gilda Stories: Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition. Co-sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Times. Friday, April 22nd, 8:00pm Los Angeles, CA: Beyond Baroque https://www.facebook.com/events/122078018187761/ Jewelle Gomez reads from The Gilda Stories and is joined by writer Veronica Reyes. Beyond Baroque is located at 681 N. Venice Blvd. Venice, CA 90291. For more information please call 310-822-3006 or contact Richard at richard@beyondbaroque.org Saturday, April 23rd, 11:00am-3:00pm Los Angeles, CA: Beyond Baroque http://www.eventbrite.com/o/beyond-baroque-literary-arts-center-1685240682 Workshop description: Among the things we’ll work on are: extrapolating how the world changes with a single altered element; how to develop ‘alien’ characters and cultures; creating metaphors for social change ideals; how to use language to embody difference. If participants have material they’ve already developed please bring samples, no longer than two pages. And writing materials, of course. 681 N. Venice Blvd. Venice, CA 90291 For more information: specialevents@beyondbaroque.org Tuition: $50 Members, $35 General (class limit 15) $20 Audit (audit limit 5) Saturday, April 30th, 7:00pm Oakland, CA: Laurel Books http://www.laurelbookstore.com/ Join Jewelle Gomez at Laurel Books on Independent Bookstore Day! Laurel Books is located at 1423 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612. For more information please contact Luan at laurelbookstore@att.net or call 510-452-9232 Saturday, June 4th—Sunday, June 5th Berkeley, CA: Bay Area Book Festival http://www.baybookfest.org/ Held in downtown Berkeley, CA. More info TBA Sunday, October 30th, 3pm San Francisco, CA: Borderlands Books https://borderlands-books.com/ 866 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110. Come in costume! For more information please contact Jude Feldman at jfeldman@borderlands-books.com BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

Overcoming Chronic Resentment want us to separate, but I’m wondering: are we just too different to be able to live together, or is there some way we can work this out?

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Consider this. When we resent other people for not filling our expectations, we are essentially acting on the assumption that we deserve to have whatever we want. This isn’t an uncommon assumption in our culture, but it isn’t a very mature perspective, and it’s a guaranteed setup for constant emotional turmoil, because the people around us probably don’t believe that it is their duty to change in order to live up to our expectations. What is more likely to bring you happiness and contentment: to go through your life with the mission of collecting what is owed to you, or

The practice always involves focusing sustained attention on three basic questions. To do this work, I suggest that every day for the next week, you find a quiet place to sit for 20 or 30 minutes without distraction, and spend that time with these questions: What have I received from my partner [both today and in the past]? What have I given to him?

If you do this practice conscientiously for seven consecutive days, my guess is that you’ll be amazed at how much happier you’ll feel at home. By using this simple technique, you may find yourself moving from a self-centered perspective to one that focuses more on your partner; and from a perspective that emphasizes what is lacking in your life to the abundance that is actually there. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. To learn more, please visit his website at tommoon.net

Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District More than 300 guests joined Executive Director Andrea Aiello and numerous community and civic leaders on Sunday, March 13, at the longstanding location known as “The Patio” on Castro Street. Emcee Donna Sachet and event manager Larry Metzger joined Aiello in creating a spirited and welcoming atmosphere enjoyed by the crowd. Local restaurants including Café Flore and Sweet Inspiration Bakery & Café provided tasty samplings. More than $20,000 was raised to support Castro Cares and it’s not too late to donate now at castrocares.org

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CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Kirsten Kruse, Kate Kendell, Alex Randolph, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Tim Seelig, Cinder Ernst. John Chen Rafael Mandelman, Kit Kennedy, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Bill Lipsky, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Rebecca Kaplan, Thom Watson, Courtney Lake, Michele Karlsberg Photographers Rink, Steven Underhill, Phyllis Costa, Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg

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

Tom Moon, MFT Q: I’ve been with my husband for almost fifteen years. We don’t have any major problems like physical abuse, or cheating, or drugs. I really love him and I know he loves me, but I keep wishing he would be different than he is. I find myself resenting him all the time for little ways in which he disappoints me. I’m a neat freak and he’s completely messy. I’m an introvert; he’s an extrovert. He wants us to hang out with several of his close friends, and they bore me to death. I like to watch sports and he doesn’t. Nothing more significant than that. I know that I’m lucky to have such a great guy in my life, but the fact is I’m irritated by him way too much. I don’t

Meditate carefully on each question, and when you’re finished, write down your answers to each one. Try to be specif ic rather than general. Don’t leave items off your list because they seem trivial, or because you receive them every day. If your partner brought you coffee in bed this morning, for instance, put that on your list. The natural fourth question, “What troubles and difficulties has my partner caused me?” is deliberately ignored in this process because most of us are naturally good at seeing answers to this question, and because too much focus on it is the cause of much of our suffering in daily life.

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Examined Life

In Japan there is a popular form of psychotherapy that aims at both reducing chronic resentment and fostering the habit of gratitude. It consists of structured processes for introspection and self-examination. Instead of concentrating on the wrongs that others have done to us—a focus that is all-too-easy for most of us—in this process, we step back from our own resentments, and practice paying attention to what we habitually ignore about ourselves. We squarely face our own mistakes, failures and weaknesses. The process requires us to stop blaming others and instead to focus on what we’ve done to cause difficulty for others.

What troubles and difficulties have I caused him?

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A: After f ifteen years together, it sounds as if you have been working things out, but maybe you can learn to be a little more comfortable with the decision you seem to have made. You seem to assume that if you don’t like something about your husband, then he’s wrong and should change. Why not assume, instead, that the problem is yours? If you have a habit of nursing small, chronic resentments, then maybe it is your own mind that is creating your suffering.

to go through life with the mission of acting from gratitude toward the people around you?

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GLBT Fortnight in Review By Ann Rostow Tobacco Roadtrip As our last issue went to press, the big question was whether or not Georgia Governor Nathan Deal would sign a law that could open the doors to wide discrimination throughout the Peach State. Then, in the course of a day, North Carolina’s legislature went into special session, introduced a horrendous Frankenstein monster of a bill, passed the thing, and got it signed that same night by Governor Pat McCrory. By the time Governor Deal vetoed his state’s antigay bill a few days later, he was already old news. Not really, by the way. Nathan Deal deserves credit as do the many activists and corporations and others who rallied for his veto. A week after Deal took out the red pen, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe struck a “religious liberty” bill that would have allowed service providers in the Loving State to nix gays. A Democrat and a friend to our community, we expected no less. But these vetoes, along with an earlier “no” on an anti-trans bill from South Dakota’s Governor Dennis Daugaard, merely put the despicable Tar Heel Chief Executive into a hotter spotlight. Keep in mind that no one had even seen the text of the North Carolina bill until it was presented on March 23, and according to reports, even some of the lawmakers voted without having read the damn thing. (Note that in the state senate, all of the Democrats walked out of the session, leaving the GOP to pass the bill on their own.) The bill is not only the worst of its kind to pass any state legislature, it’s the most convoluted. First, it requires bathrooms and locker facilities in state institutions, including public schools and universities, to be restricted by birth certificate gender. Second, it limits the categories of people protected by local nondiscrimination policies to those identified under state law, which does not include the GLBT community (and some others like veterans). Third, it prohibits raising the minimum wage or adjusting workplace benefits beyond state-level standards. Fourth, I forget the other features. but I think it bans the sale of Compari-based cocktails in metropolitan areas with populations over 100,000. It’s just beyond bizarre. But here’s the good news in my view. Let me take a step back and point out that several states have passed less dramatic antigay laws over the last year, laws that have not been able to trigger the massive backlash that we saw in Indiana and that we are now seeing in North Carolina. I’m thinking, for example, of the (voter ratified) law in Arkansas that—like part of the North Carolina bill—prohibits local entities from passing anti bias ordinances inconsistent with the state. (There’s news about that law this week, and the governor of Mississippi just signed an Okay to Discriminate measure, but let’s remain in North Carolina for the moment.) A steady progression of these lowerradar piecemeal attacks could have left us sputtering in frustration, but not doing much more than that. Now, however, the Tobacco State overreach has created a firestorm of corporate activism and incited a fervor in a GLBT community that many feared was becoming complacent. Importantly, the law has been met with a federal lawsuit by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union that could theoretically bring us yet another major court victory. And f inally, no less than f ive U.S. cabinet departments are evaluating whether or not North Carolina has

made itself ineligible for certain federal funds. The fight is on! Does Mississippi Even Count? So, as mentioned above, on Tuesday, Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi signed a law that will allow businesses and organizations to deny service based on religious faith, a law that is phrased in a way that gives a green light to bias against same-sex couples and that allows (but does not compel) schools and employers to regulate bathrooms. To say that this measure is not quite as bad as the North Carolina effort is to say that thirty lashes are not as bad as having boiling water poured on your head (something, by the way, that happened to two sleeping gay men in Georgia a few weeks ago). Clearly, Governor Bryant was not dissuaded by the growing backlash against North Carolina, and it remains to be seen if corporate activists add Mississippi to their boycotts and threats or if they keep the focus on Tobacco Road. It’s worth pointing out as well that states like Mississippi don’t carry protections against gay bias to begin with, ergo businesses are already perfectly free to kick gay customers to the curb under current state law. That said, they are still subject to federal law (such as it is) and they are also vulnerable to the public outrage and loss of revenue that usually greets these types of shenanigans. Finally, before we return to Raleigh, it’s worth mentioning that every state seems to have discovered its own version or combination of anti-GLBT legislation. Trans-bashing here, “protecting” religious organizations there, letting businesses discriminate over yonder, or mixing and matching as you will. That’s another reason why North Carolina, in its panoply of hateful machinations, has made itself the perfect target. Nice Job, Villanova Let’s talk law. I know how you love that. But first, let’s venture into the side street of college basketball. I was once, like many of you, bored stiff by the whole March madness phenomenon and tired of switching from channel to channel only to stumble on one game after another as if in a bad dream. Marriage to a Jayhawk changed me, but this year, our beloved team lost tragically in the round of sixteen, and I was ready to forget the whole damn business for another year. But then North Carolina passed its nasty law and Pat McCrory even quipped that he would be looking forward to watching the University of North Carolina’s basketball team play for the national championship in a city (Houston) where voters recently repealed an LGBT civil rights bill that protected people against discrimination in public accommodation. Suddenly, my passion returned, this time as an ardent foe of the Blue and White. How satisfying it was to watch the favorites, not just lose, but lose at the buzzer after seemingly sending the game to overtime with a basket of their own with four seconds left. I don’t really believe God interferes in humanity’s sports contests, but there just might have been a little divine intervention at work in this case. Rule of Law At present, it is sort of against federal law to discriminate in the workplace or in public educational settings on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity—emphasis on “sort of.” Federal courts are increasingly interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Law (workplace bias) and Title IX of the Education Amendments to cover our community. Further, the (Obama run) government agencies

that set standards for litigation under these two half-century old statutes have determined that gender presentation and sexual orientation are both protected categories. And yet other courts have come to different conclusions, pointing out that nowhere in the text of these laws do the terms “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” appear. It’s an interpretation, not a dictate. But the interpretations did not come out of nowhere. Nor are they simply a sign of the times. They are rooted in what is now becoming settled GLBT rights law, and if tested by the appellate courts, or by the Clinton-era Supreme Court, we could finally see our protections guaranteed by Constitutional precedent. That’s why the suit against North Carolina is so promising. A victory, which of course could take a few years, would bring down not just the Carolina statute, but its buddies in Arkansas, Mississippi and wherever else. And here’s a word on Arkansas and other bills that purport to pre-empt nondiscrimination laws. You remember that, in Romer v Evans, the Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s Amendment II, a law that explicitly banned gay rights bills. Well part of the reason that law got its just desserts was that it specif ically mentioned gays and lesbians. Arkansas and North Carolina avoided a direct violation by simply limiting bias laws to categories covered by the state without naming names.

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In Arkansas, a state judge recently ruled that Fayetteville’s GLBT rights law was perfectly fine because, in fact, sexual orientation and gender identity were indeed protected in various state statutes, albeit not the formal state anti-discrimination laws. Now, the Attorney General has asked the state supreme court to review that ruling, so we’ll see how it ends up. It’s hard to imagine that any of these Romer laws would stand up to scrutiny anywhere but the most conservative federal court, let alone before a High Court with a ninth Clinton justice. But in confirming the implications of Romer, and/or articulating the jurisprudence that supports including GLBTs in current federal law, the Court would finally be in a position to rule that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected classes like race and religion. This is a step that our Court champion, Justice Kennedy, has deliberately danced around in his valiant efforts to support our humanity without actually pronouncing us truly equal.

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Let’s Do This Had enough? There’s actually one more important topic swirling around the tornadic winds of North Carolina. It seems obvious that the most compelling response to the bathroom bills would be personified by a parade of transmen standing in line at the ladies room as required by law. I saw a conservative on TV the other day actually defending North Carolina by remarking that obviously, we can’t have masculine looking transwomen in the bathroom with girls. Masculine transwomen? How about masculine transmen? And why don’t moderators, I think it was Chris Cuomo, ask these fools about forcing bearded men into the facilities against their will? No wait, I’m not just repeating the rant, because I’ve been reading that some trans activists believe that this line of attack should be avoided because it glamorizes transgender people who can easily pass as male or female, and leaves in the dust those who can’t. I agree that this is a problem, but I also think that it’s far more important to pound this nail into the

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 28 Saturday, April 16 - Come Together! A Day of Drumming and Chanting - Jennifer Berezan and Barbara Borden. 10 AM-4 PM. TMS Performing Arts Center. $125. (140 N. Pedro Road, San Rafael) 415-924-4848

Saturday, April 9 thru April 17 The Boys from Syracuse. 8 PM Fri, 6 PM Sat., 3 PM Sun. Eureka Theatre. $25-$75. (215 Jackson St.) 42ndstmoon.org

Tales of Our City: Our Lives, Our Heroes Takes SFGMC and the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony to a Whole New Level of Excellence

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PHOTO BY GARETH GOOCH

Sometimes, we get caught “telling tales out of school.” For you youngsters, that means to gossip or throw shade. Well, there will be none of that “out of school” business when the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus tells the tales of our city. And, of course, we are singing these stories through iconic music composed for SFGMC at our spring concert “Tales of Our City: Our Lives, Our Heroes” next week. Each of us has different reasons for inhabiting our fair city. Filled with dramatic and often startling contrasts, it can be a difficult place in which to live. At the same time, it is also one of the most enchanting, intoxicating, and exciting places on earth. It has birthed an astounding array of sociopolitical movements, heroes and general fabulousness unlike no other city in the world.

In the second book in the series, More Tales of The City, Armistead penned a coming out letter from Michael “Mouse” Tolliver to his fundamentalist mother. That letter has been read, copied, shared and sung by countless people around the world, including, most recently, Sir Ian McKellen! We are honored to perform this incredible piece. It is moving beyond words. But not all of the heroes among us are famous or have written multiple books that have been made into a mini-series. Heroes walk among us every single day. In fact, you are most likely a hero to someone you may or may not even know. Thus was

the concept of the commission that SFGMC created 20 years ago titled NakedMan. This was the first major LGBT choral work based on the lives and stories of actual singing members at the time. It has now been performed all over the world. It was another instance where San Francisco has touched the lives and hearts of people everywhere. Finally, we turn our attention to another true San Francisco hero, Harvey Milk, with excerpts from the stunning musical I Am Harvey Milk, composed for SFGMC by Broadway star Andrew Lippa. There are several thrilling moments in store. The first is “You Are Here.” It is sung by Harvey Milk and describes the thrill he experienced standing in San Francisco’s City Hall, bringing his mes-

sage of hope and inclusion and pride. The second highlight is “San Francisco,” a piece as beautiful as any you have ever heard. Yet another memorable moment is “Tired of the Silence,” with Harvey exhorting every one of us to come out.

USED BY PERMISSION

Photos from previous SFGMC concerts conducted by Dr. Timothy Seelig

The concert is power packed to say the least. Expect the usual roller coaster of emotions and some of the most glorious music you have ever heard. This is the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at its best. A concert such as this will not come around again—well, at least not for another 40 years! See you there. For more information, please visit http:// www.sfgmc.org/ Dr. Tim Seelig is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

USED BY PERMISSION

We start with 300 handsome men and the 65-piece Bay Area Rainbow Symphony singing and playing their hearts out. But the jaw-dropping experience of 365 musicians on stage will be taken to a whole new level the moment local icon and hero Armistead Maupin steps onto the stage! Exactly forty years ago, he introduced the bodacious drama of life in San Francisco to the entire world. Millions lived vicariously through the cast of characters who passed through 28 Barbary Lane.

USED BY PERMISSION

We are going to celebrate all of that in two very special concerts on April 14 and 15 at Davies Symphony Hall.

BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

My Big Night Is a Party Worth Attending

Film Gary M. Kramer The new comedy My Big Night, directed by Spanish enfant terrible Álex de la Iglesia, has all the manic energy of a Pedro Almodóvar farce. This bubbly, champagne-infused piffle, which opens April 15 at the Roxie, begins with a high-energy dance number. The performers are staging a New Year’s Eve 2016 party two months early. The music is loud, the gowned and tuxedoed audience of extras are having a good time, and then, all of a sudden, a crane drops and kills a man at one of the tables. The unfortunate incident is the first of many problems in this blackly comic film that the producers and performers encounter. The cast and crew have been stuck in the studio for ten straight days, pretending to have fun, and everyone’s nerves are getting frayed. Outside the studio, an angry mob of striking workers are creating a war zone, even targeting the lesbians who are housed outside in the station’s control van. Inside, the evening’s presenters, Roberto (Hugo Silva) and Cristina (Carolina Bang), are lovers who are fighting to upstage one another. Their mischief and put-downs are amusing as they get nastier and nastier towards one another.

Their behavior is tame compared to Yuri’s (Carlos Areces). He is planning to have his adoptive father, Alphonso (Spanish musical legend Raphael), bumped off by Oscar ( Jaime Ordonez). Unfortunately, Oscar is easily distracted, and, it turns out, he is a big fan of Alphonso’s, which complicates his mission. Alphonso is not on his best behavior, either. He has it in for Adanne (Mario Casas), a much younger, pretty boy singer who may steal his headliner spot. A hilarious exchange between the rivals involves Alphonso helping– or is it torturing?–Adanne to get something out of the younger man’s eye. Adanne, however, has other troubles. A female extra is planning to blackmail him, having orally procured a vial of his semen in his dressing room. When other extras in the production get wind of her plan, they conspire to get in on the semen stealing. One of the few happy people is José (Pepón Nieto), an unemployed man who is excited to get a job as an extra in the New Year’s Eve party audience following the death of the man hit by the crane. He is seated at a table with Paloma (Blanca Súarez), a funloving party girl who is turned on by scars. She sports a few herself, and as José learns more about Paloma, he realizes she may be bad luck; everyone

around her suffers an unpleasant fate. It may be a total coincidence that Roberto, the host, is hit in the face with a rubber ball (shot into the studio by the strikers outside), but it does not bode well for José, who may be falling in love with this attractive stranger he is forced to kiss on cue. De la Iglesia’s effervescent film zips back and forth between these various characters, who interrupt their mini-dramas from time to time to applaud, dance a conga, or act happy. The storylines generate several comic moments as secrets and lies are told and characters exhibit some larger than life egos. That said, if viewers find some of the segments growing tiresome, or strained, it is only a matter of time before the next fabulous dance number featuring bright, vivid costumes begins. Adanne’s song “Firefighter” is a particular highlight, with the swoon-inducing Casas gyrating his hips erotically to the point of parody in a camp as all get out production number. Not to be outdone, Raphael playfully sends-up his self-image as the fragile, ego-centric Alphonso, such as when he prepares to perform by sealing himself in a beauty machine, or during his solo on stage. (continued on page 30)

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “April 22nd is Earth Day. Be sure to hug your Mother (Earth).” THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE held our 37th Anniversary party in the very spacious Hellman Hollow in beautiful Golden Gate Park. It was entitled: JESUS H. CHRIST: EL NIÑO AGAIN?! and marked the Sisters’ Easter 2016. The day started at 11 am with the Children’s Easter Egg Hunt with Sister Betty Tasteswell. Clever coemcees Kit Tapata, Mutha Chucka & introducing, for her first time on our stage, Cruzin D’Loo, started the adult portion of the day. Live entertainment ensued from noon on with B-52’s cover band Private Idaho. Carly Ozard gave us a rockin’ set of Queen hits. There were three contests judged by Sister Roma & Sister Dana, and ultimately elected by crowd participation. The Easter Bonnet Contest resulted in Amber Alert aka Brian Busta winning. Grants to the total of $15,501.40 were ceremoniously given to many various LGBTQ/HIV/ AIDS charities. The hard rock band Epiqe played. The Foxy Mary Contest was won by a very Pregnant Mary drinking champagne. Dottie Lux & Red Hots Burlesque performed, followed by the fabulous Bebe Sweetbriar singing her Pussycat Dolls 24

BAY TIM ES APRIL 7 , 2 0 1 6

hit, “Dontcha.” Momma’s Boyz, a drag king duo, rapped and hip-hopped to die for. Grammy nominated DJ Chris Cox spun some very danceable tunes as we nuns twirled and twerked onstage. Sisters from all over the world took our vows to continue serving the community in a truly moving ceremony. The Hunky Jesus Contest resulted in Cheer Jesus winning everyone over with his vivacious cheerleading in full-on cheer gear including pom poms. The day ended with the Trashkan Marchink Band urging the crowd to “Leave No Trace” as they say in the well known Burning Man slogan. We “sainted” several deserving individuals for their contributions to the community. Saintings that weekend included: Jose Guzman Colon who became Saint Jose of the Bigger Picture and Protector of the Puta; Soni Wolfe, a founding member of Dykes on Bikes became - Saint Soni Oh So Bright, Dyke on a Bike and Leader of Lesbians, Movements, and Parades; Miss Major became Saint Majorious the Glorious, Universal Trans Mother, Beacon of Light, Laughter, and Love; Brian Basinger is now Saint Ruby Slippers: There’s no Place Like a Home; and Frank E Capley Alfano shall hereafter known as Saint Fox Likea Bunny. TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY – EMBRACING OUR LEGACY was a time set aside at SOMArts to honor and encourage transgender people. The International TDoV is an annual holiday celebrated around the world, dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender & gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save trans lives. The holiday was founded in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBT holidays celebrating transgender people’s successes. Event emcees were Lex Adsit,

Dennis McMillan, aka Sister Dana, in a dining car on board the Napa Valley Wine Train for the Pride Ride on Saturday, March 19

Mia “Tu Mutch” Satya, Shawn Demmons, and Nya (from Transcendent). There were video presentations, comedy, and musical performances. Lively entertainment was provided by The Fresh Meat Experience; The Singing Bois (three trans men singing with one playing guitar); opera coloratura singer Breanna Sinclairé (the first trans woman to sing the national anthem at a professional sports event); and Our Lady J (the first openly transgender writer for Transparent) singing and playing keyboards). Awardees for 2016 were presented to the Fresh Meat Festival, Ms. Billie Cooper, St. James Infirmary Clinic, Annalise Ophelian and StormMiguel Florez for the documentary film MAJOR!, and a special surprise award to HIV/AIDS awareness activist Tita Aida, who for a change was not out front onstage but behind the scenes as stage manager. MOMENTUM is OUT & EQUAL’s annual celebration and gala dinner including top entertainment, thrilling auctions, a cocktail reception and inspirational speakers. Held at The Palace Hotel, we celebrated advances in workplace equality and the individuals and organizations who take the lead on fundamental issues of equal rights,

(continued on page 30)

PHOTO BY SKYE PATTERSON

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN CHEN

Grappling: Ground Zero Defense

Sports John Chen You’ve just said goodbye to your friends after a fantastic night out. You don’t have a care in the world and nothing can get you down. It’s the best feeling ever! Without warning, something or someone strikes you from behind and you are down. What do you do? Your self-defense class taught you how to defend against attackers from the front and from the back, but not from the ground. You think to yourself, “Now what do I do?” M ichael Fuhrman, who teaches the art of ground combat, explains, “Most fights end on the ground; that’s why self defense’s most useful application is on the ground.” Grappling or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is based on the premise that fights are rarely confronted standing up 100% of the time. More often than not, at some point, the fight will be on the ground, and the person who knows how to defend and attack from the ground is usually the winner. Michael illustrates this point poignantly: “The victim (or you) usually ends up on the ground first. The attacker, however, has to come closer to the ground towards you, and that’s when you can go on the offense using grappling techniques to disable or even cause great damage to the attacker.” He added, “When on the ground grapplers use all five appendages (in-

Grappling Team

cluding the head) and the body to attack, that’s a major advantage.” Another important attribute of grappling according to Gene Folgo, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, is the practicality of the art. “Grappling is live,” he said. “When you are engaged with an opponent, anything–including new movements–can happen.” In other words, opponents don’t necessarily fall, roll and attack in a manner that is expected based on your own moves. John Wenstrand, a former wrestler, added that “grappling is very pensive or thoughtful, and requires patience as well as being meticulous.” In fact, every grappler interviewed for this article expounded on these same principles regarding grappling. Bjorn Stade, a newcomer to the sport, enthusiastically explained how he’s always thinking and looking for opportunities while grappling an opponent. Although a thoughtful sport, grappling is still a very aggressive endeavor without specific safety or fail-safe rules used in wrestling and other martial arts. Grapplers must display great sportsmanship and know when to stop and when to start, based on the opponent’s reaction. Thomas Boyer, an avid grappler, explained, “In wrestling, a wrestler is on his back (a very

vulnerable position) for a few seconds, then the referee would reset the wrestlers. In a grappling bout, a grappler may spend the entire time on his back trying to get to a winning position.” “Grappling is also a great form of exercise while building strength, stamina and skill,” said David Reuchelle. Given that he’s 6’3” and 270 pounds, grappling David is no easy task. Many men can attest to that. Because grappling is a ground art, the ground neutralizes some of David’s size and strength that would enable smaller and less strong opponents to compete and defeat him. For this reason, and the thoughtfulness of the sport, Michael Fuhrman stresses how grappling skills can save lives. In real life, there is no reset. There will be no referee telling the attacker to stop. For more information regarding grappling: https://www.facebook.com/groups/warriorbarotherssf/ http://www.meetup.com/Warrior-Brothers-San-Francisco/members/5873177/ John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball and football teams.

I Said That? Fitness SF Trainer Tip of the Month Alexandra Fitzgibbon, Fitness SF Fillmore

For the more intermediate/advanced g ym goer, the Hanging Hip Extension is a full body exercise targeting abs, glutes and back. Pike your legs up, shoot your toes to the ceiling, and thrust your hips while you extend your head to the floor.

Inside Out Fitness Cinder Ernst Inside Out Fitness is an intuitive, internally directed approach to exercise. Previously, we looked at the benefits of being internally directed about fitness. The best benefit is that you end up with a clear, safe, easy and effective pathway to improved mobility and energy. Ah, doesn’t that sound nice? We’ve also looked at how being able to “hear” your body is a key to Inside Out Fitness. You can begin to “hear” your body by doing a small gentle exercise; and then, listening to your body’s response. These are skills you will develop with practice, over time. If this approach sounds interesting or good to you, feel free to find past columns at sfbaytimes.com Today we will explore how you decide what you are going to do about exercise, and why that decision is important. Here is how we define being successful at Inside Out Fitness: Doing what I said I would do about exercise consistently and without struggle. Read that line again. You might even write it down. “Doing what I said I would do.” The first step is deciding what you are going to say that you are

going to do. This is you making an exercise promise. Then, you do it!

then give up. I don’t want that to happen to you.

How many times have you resolved to exercise and then not followed through? Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the advice from your doctor or other professionals? Have you felt frustrated with yourself? Maybe you feel defeated because it seems like your family or friends have figured this fitness thing out and it just eludes you.

Make your decision about what you’re going to do, and make this, your exercise promise, a small step. Really small. Smaller than you can even imagine.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone. There are so many people in a constant state of self-blame and frustration because they can’t seem to get over the exercise hump. There’s nothing wrong. You just haven’t found the right approach for you. That’s where Inside Out Fitness comes in.

I just started a new client who is getting over a long illness and she’s starting with a 1-minute exercise promise consisting of shoulder rolls and butt squeezes. Another client got started by walking 4 driveways down and back because a whole block was too much. Another client walked around her tiny backyard 4 times because she didn’t want to be in public early in the morning. Another client started by walking 1 time around her car. I have lots of small step exercise videos on YouTube. Just search for Cinder Ernst.

Keep in mind that there is no quick fix when it comes to fitness, no matter what bill of goods anyone tries to sell you. It all comes down to just the next step. When a client first comes to me, I help them decide what the best next step is because most people bite off more than they can chew and

Begin with a small promise, one you can keep easily. Pay no mind to fitness guidelines or exercise prescriptions. You’re not going to run a marathon tomorrow anyway, so just chill and keep it simple and easy. Make it just right for your body and your schedule. If your brain starts driving you crazy

Troy Macfarland of Fitness SF provides monthly tips he’s learned from his colleagues who are professional trainers at local gyms. He can be reached at tmacfarland@fitnesssf.com

by saying it’s not enough, just say to yourself, “Relax, we’re trying something new here.” It’s going to be easier than you think. I promise! Cinder Ernst, Medical Exercise Specialist and Life Coach Extraordinaire, helps reluctant exercisers get moving with safe, effective and fun programs. Find out more at http://cinderernst.com BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

Speaking to Your Soul Happy astrological New Year, everyone! We start spring with a bang, the hero’s journey being one of daring forth on an even more authentic path now. As we are willing to slay our inner dragons, we move forward toward our ideals, and are better suited to serve the planet.

Astrology Elisa Quinzi

ARIES (March 21–April 19) You are in a moment of rebirth. It’s time to bust the inner shackles and live an even deeper truth. You best serve the world by being fiercely true to yourself. This might hurt people around you, so be loving as you express your authenticy. TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Sudden awakenings come from out of the blue. Your inner warrior wants in on the action. Your comfort zone has become too small. Take an uncharacteristic risk on your soul’s behalf. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The seeds of your future have just been planted in

fertile ground. Water your highest creative vision with courage, dedication, and circles of real support. CANCER ( June 21–July 22) Power struggles with others, while painful, can purposefully reposition you into alignment with your true purpose now. You might either begin something totally new, or lead now with fresh eyes, taking an unconventional approach. LEO ( July 23–August 22) You’re being called to e x p a n d y ou r w or l d view. Break with routine patterns of thought by saying yes to a sudden adventure. The point is to expose yourself to bold new experiences and ideas. VIRGO (August 23–Sept. 22) Considering that ayahuasca retreat? If ingesting plant psychedelics is too much for your sense of control, then find another way to take the shamanic journey. But face your fears you

must. Seeds of renewal lie waiting in the dark. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Relat ionsh ips a re on fire. That which does not work burns away. But the phoenix rises from f lames. As you bravely express your deepest truth, you pull in partners with whom you experience intimacy at a whole new level. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Use crises or challenges that arise as opportunities to perfect your game. Humility opens you up to grow in ways necessary for you to fulfill the greater purpose you have come here for. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You are in a period of heightened aliveness now. Exposure to new intimate allies can refresh and reboot an old identity gone stale. Take that welding class and fulfill multiple needs you didn’t know you had.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan.19) You are being called to individuate further now. You might not realize how you’ve still been operating under the influence of family. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s time to take that stand for who you really are. As you do so, power of immense proportions arises within you. AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Allow yourself to follow seeds of curiosity now. The time is ripe for updating your otherwise fixed body of knowledge. Change up your routines. Drive a new way to work and make a stop somewhere new. Talk to strangers at the grocery store, and listen. PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20) Prioritizing what you truly value, and boldly stepping out to offer your gifts and talents, can suddenly increase not only income, but also your sense of self worth.

Elisa Quinzi has been honing the art of astrological counseling since earning professional certification many years ago. In addition to astrological knowledge, she brings a high degree of conscious presence to her work, and creates a safe, easy atmosphere for her client sessions, which come together and unfold organically. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com, 818-530-3366, or visit www.ElisaQuinzi.com

As Heard on the Street . . .What is your favorite book of all time? compiled by Rink

Franci Hsieh

Fresh White

James Lovette-Black

Keith Baraka

Lee Ann Drifti

“The Birth of the Pill”

“The Color Purple”

“The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Assimov”

“Dark Moon by Jane Mayer”

“The Ava Gardner autobiography”

Take Me Home with You! Taco & Bell

“My name is Taco, and I want to introduce you to my sister, Bell. I’m the spicier, more outgoing one. Bell is sweet and more reserved. Together, we’re the delicious Taco Bell duo and we’re looking for a home we can share! We’ve spent our lives together–all two years–and we’re ready to welcome some new human friends into our sisterhood. If your life could use a bit more spiciness, and a little more sweetness, please come introduce yourself!” Taco and Bell are 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 the Taco Bell duo. To see Taco, Bell and other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Pacific Heights Campus

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

2343 Fillmore Street 415-522-3500 Aside from major holidays, the adoption center is open Mon–Fri: 1–6 pm and Sat–Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Free parking is available for those wishing to adopt! For more info about Taco: https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/pet-details/31043750 For more info about Bell: https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/pet-details/31043733 26

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Professional Services Your Ad Could Be Here!

Planning Ahead is an Act of Love › Wills and Living Trusts › Medi-Cal › Durable Powers of Attorney › Incapacity and Conservatorships 415-359-0223 www.caelderlaw.com wenzellaw@sbcglobal.net

Call 415-601-2113

Member National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Astrological Counseling speaking to your soul

Elisa Quinzi (818) 530-3366 www.ElisaQuinzi.com futureselfnow@gmail.com

N ewPer spec ti ves Center for Counseling

Ramida Residential Cleaning 415-913-8404

ramida.andrade@gmail.com References Available

BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

See many more Calendar items @ www.sfbaytimes.com

compiled by Jennifer Mullen

• 7 : T HURSDAY

Shopping Day at Bloomingdale’s to Benefit REAF - Men’s Store on Level 4. Free. 6-8 pm Attendees get 25% off throughout the store, and 10% of sales go directly to REAF. RSVP here eventbrite.com/e/bloomingdalesshopping-event-for-reaf-tickets-23207282607 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

• 8 : F RIDAY

Book Discussion Group of World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down Point Reyes Presbyterian Church in Point Reyes Station. $15-$20 sliding scale. (11445 State Route 1) The event features the author and is hosted by Rev. Elizabeth River. Baloney Male Revue - Oasis. $25-$50 6:30 pm. (298 11th St.) Allmale adult entertainment for all genders and sexual orientations; it’s a mix of theater, dance, and peep show. FIve shows only. sfoasis.com/Baloney Nine Male Artists - Castro Street ArtSavesLives Studio and Gallery. Free. 6-10 pm (618 Castro St.). Artist. Tim Burns, Martin

COURTESY OF UBS BANK

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

Annie Leibovitz’s show WOMEN: New Portraits, through April 17 at Crissy Field Freeman, Michael Levin, Renato Robles, Jack Stelnikki, Henry Martinez, Jack Mattingly, Larry Bruderer and Ara Bedoyan show their photos, painting,ceramics and assemblage art. facebook.com/ events/451326675058843

• 9 : S ATURDAY

San Francisco LGBT Center’s 2016 Soiree - Terra Gallery & Event Venue. $95-$225. 5 pm. (511 Harrison St.) Entertainment curated by our Juanita MORE, food from local restaurants and drinks served by Castro bartenders. sfcenter.org/soiree2016

The Boys 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

• 10 : S UNDAY

Therianthropy - SF Eagle. $5. 7 pm. Join the Eagle for a Sunday evening party. (398 12th St.) facebook. com/events/448104175381086 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.

• 11 : 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

• 12 : T UESDAY

April Queer Reading Series SF Public Library (Latino/Hispanic Room ). Free. 5:45 pm.(100 Larkin St.) Hosted by Juliana Delgado Lopera and featuring Gabriel García Román, Ajuan M. Mance, Mira Gonzalez, and Faith Adiele. facebook.com/events/ 75016841841 7657/ Queer Youth Meal Night LGBT Center, Rainbow Room. Free. 5–7 pm. (1300 Market St.) Youth

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Meal Night is a safe space to meet with your LGBTQIA friends, have a free dinner and more. facebook. com/sfcenteryouth?_rdr=p

• 13 : W EDNESDAY

The 25th Anniversary of The Gilda Stories Launch Party City Lights Bookstore. Free. 7 pm. (261 Columbus Ave.) Author Jewelle Gomez wrote the original vampire novel 25 years ago. citylights.com/info/?fa=event&event_ id=2565 Floor 21: More and Rudy Valdez Present a New Downtown Happy Hour Starlight Room. Free. 5 pm. (450 Powell St.) Every Wednesday.

Performers Lost to HIV/ AIDS Photo Exhibit - 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. Through August 7. dancerswelost.org/exhibit/ facebook.com/events/ 570571539782901/ 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 7 pm; Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm; Sunday at 2pm; Through May 8. auroratheatre.org.

• 14 : T HURSDAY • 16 : S ATURDAY Howard Brenton’s Anne Boleyn - Marin Theater Company. (397 Miller Ave, Mill Valley) $10-$58. 7:30 pm.This play catalogs the downfall of King Henry VIII’s second wife Anne Boleyn and her rise into the household of the King of England during the reformation of the Catholic Church. Through May 8. marintheatre.org San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Presents Tales of Our City: Our Lives, Our Heroes Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. $25-$75. 8 pm. (201 Van Ness Ave.) The event features guest artists Armistead Maupin and the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. Second performance on Friday night at 8 pm. SFGMC.org Lysistrata - Saint Mary’s College. $8-$12. 8 pm. The Performing Arts Department at Saint Mary’s College of California presents Lysistrata, a Greek comedy by Aristophanes, in a contemporary adaptation by Ellen McLaughlin. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, through April 23. stmarys-ca.edu/Lysistrata.

• 15 : F RIDAY

Dancers We Lost: Honoring

Año Nuevo Elephant Seals and Tidepooling - Año Nuevo State Reserve & Davenport Landing on Highway 1. $75. 9:30 am. Register with Kim Powell at bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com. The group is led by naturalist Kim Powell of Blue Water Ventures and visits Año Nuevo State Reserve and Davenport Landing. Jennifer Berezan and Barbara Borden, Together for A Day or Drumming and Chanting - TMS Performing Arts Center. $125. 10 am-4 pm. (150 N. Pedro Road, San Rafael) A full day of restorative drumming and chanting. Call 415-924-4848 to purchase tickets.

• 17 : S UNDAY

Team 2017 Meet N’ Greet Beer Bust - SF Eagle. 3 pm. (398 12th St. )Meet the twelve people who are fighting to keep the Bare Chest Calendar going strong. Around The World In 80 Gays - El RIo. $10. 2 pm. (3158 Mission St. Spend your Sunday afternoon with music and fun in the sunny Mission. facebook.com/events/ 942053005910291

• 19 : T UESDAY

OutLoud Storytelling, Teenage Lust - Oasis. $10. 7 pm. (298 11th St.) Host Joshua Grannell (aka “Peaches Christ”) invites you to get OutLoud at a brand new storytelling series featuring true tales by the Bay. sfoasis.com/event. cfm?cart&id=164047

Trans-Utopic/Dystopic Visions/FriendshipMasculinity - Periwinkle Cinema, ATA. $7-$10. 8 pm. (992 Valencia St.) Queer makers explore presents, futures and friendship through gazes of trans masculinity via three films. facebook.com/events/ 157042 873273248

Blur: Transgender and Gender-Variant Support Group - Dimensions Clinic. Free. 6:30 pm. (3850 17th St.) Facilitated chat with other trans and gv people. For 18-25 year old youth. Every Thursday at Dimensions Clinic. dimensionsclinic.org

Outdoor Adventures for Women Año 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

Happy Spring!

THIS APRIL AT THE MARKET “WINE WEDNESDAY” - April 20th Every third week of the month starting in April, there will be local estate wineries 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! This month’s featured wine is Reserve Cabernet from Rainbow Orchard.

PRIZE DRAWING 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. April’s prize is a $40 gift certificate to La Mediterranee Restaurant and a bag of seasonal produce! PCFMA.ORG

1.800.949.FARM

fb.com/castrofarmersmarket

BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

DESIGN : LOGOMAN : logomantotherescue.com

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

• 20 : W EDNESDAY

PHOTO BY CHARLES MARTIN, 2014.

Trans Voices - Strut. 8-10 pm. (470 Castro St.) Trans Voices is the first of a performance series at Strut whose mission is to celebrate Transgender artists.

TING (continued from page 6)

ROSTOW (continued from page 21)

The more we celebrate each other and take pride in each other’s traditions, the more tolerant and successful we will become as a society. That makes cultural competence and celebrating diversity a critical part of our children’s education.

general public’s clueless thick skull with a sledgehammer. Have you read the comment boards? Every third maniac is squealing about “men” in the ladies room, apparently without the slightest awareness that transmen exist, let alone any the recognition that they are men and look like men and should remain in the men’s room where they have been doing their business without adverse consequences for years. I’ve seen a few posts and tweets by transman making this point, but it hasn’t caught on for some reason and the “debate” continues when it seems as if we could put an end to it in short order. Am I missing something?

In my hometown of San Francisco, schools already celebrate Lunar New Year as a cultural and educational opportunity for our children. California’s other children should benefit from Lunar New Year as well. Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the Westside of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City. KAPLAN (continued from page 6) of all genders, and the right to use the “right one” for each person. Additionally, if what they are worried about is heterosexual men assaulting women in the women’s bathroom, then they could decide to support work to end rape, rather than pretend that making life worse for LGBT people would solve that problem. Yes, there is a real problem of women being raped by (straight) men in this country, and it deserves more serious attention to solve. Those who are claiming that the reason they are spending time, money, and resources fighting trans bathroom access is to reduce the rape of straight women should instead put those resources into programs and organizations that actually work to prevent rape. To pretend that making life less safe for trans people would somehow reduce

the incidence of straight women being raped is an insult to trans and queer people, and also shows they don’t really care about stopping the rape of straight women either. It turns out, the way to reduce the suffering of some is not by increasing the suffering of others. A world in which more trans people get harassed and assaulted because they are denied safe bathroom access is not something that anyone who claims to care about a better, safer society should be supporting. Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan was elected in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. She is working for safe neighborhoods, for local jobs and for a fresh start for Oakland. Councilmember Kaplan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Massachusetts Institute of Technolog y, obtained a master’s degree from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.

SISTER DANA (continued from page 24) both in and out of the workplace. They ney talked about the growing future of raised more than $300,000 for LGBT the museum and the expected visitaworkplace equality. The fabulous and tions of schools during April field trips hilarious Kate Clinton returned as there. She introduced Senator Mark the official emcee. The LGBT Ally Leno, saying, “We have lost so many award is presented to individuals that to AIDS who have added so much valdemonstrate long-standing support ue to our culture.” dancerswelost.org, for inclusion and equality for all. Out glbthistory.org and Equal was honored to recognize Judy and Dennis Shepard of THE EQUALITY CALIFORNIA held their annual EQUALITY AWARDS MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNBANQUET at Westin St. Francis. DATION for their commitment to diEQCA’s mission is to achieve and versity through outreach, advocacy and resource programs. Judy and Den- maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance, and social justice for all peonis Shepard, founders of the Matthew ple in our diverse LGBTQ communiShepard Foundation, have committed ties, inside and outside of California. their lives to combating LGBT bullyEQCA honored U.S. House Deming and violence following the murder ocratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, acof their son in 1998. The Foundation tor and activist George Takei, busihas been pivotal for bringing faminessperson and philanthropist Kathy lies together and has inspired life-savLevinson, and former San Francising federal hate crime legislation that co Supervisor and civic leader Bevan has shaped our nation’s dialogue on Dufty at the 2016 SAN FRANCISLGBT violence and acceptance. UnCO EQUALITY AWARDS for their fortunately they could not accept in extraordinary service to the LGBTQ person, stuck in an airport. community. Co-chairs of the event DANCERS WE LOST: HONORwere San Francisco Supervisor DaING PERFORMERS LOST TO vid Campos, San Francisco SuperHIV/AIDS is a project at the GLBT visor Mark Farrell, and Equality HISTORY MUSEUM including an California Board Members Sen. arts and public-history exhibition now Ricardo Lara, Andrea Casalett, through August 7 at 4127 18th Street and Boe Hayward. and Castro showing the dancers in their prime performing in myriad ven- COMING UP! All are welcome to come celebrate the ues including Broadway and Las Vework of Marvin Werlin in his curgas shows, dance concerts, TV variety rent exhibition, INTERLUDES, oil shows, films, ballet, music videos, and paintings that explore the complexities commercials. A searchable database and ambiguities of human relationand biography file of each of the dancships, on display all April at STRUT, ers also is in the works. The AIDS 470 Castro Street. Strut is the home pandemic struck the performing arts for health and wellness in the heart of particularly hard. “Dancers We Lost” the Castro, a program of San Francisis an important step in documentco AIDS Foundation with the threeing and bringing to light the lives and fold mission to promote the health contributions of performers, most of and wellness of gay, bi, and trans men, whom tragically died young. With an to strengthen our diverse communiexhibition about their work and a daties, and to reduce the impact of HIV tabase providing accurate information in San Francisco. Werlin’s paintings about their lives and careers, “Dancare done in narrative realist style that ers We Lost” ensures that these virtudraws thematic inspiration from Greek osos will not be forgotten. At the VIP opening party, executive director Ter- myths and incorporates film noir imagery and classical art allusions. His ry Beswick said it was important to work has been featured with many of acknowledge these performers in their the best-known contemporary realprime and their art cut off too soon. ist painters in the book 100 Artists of the He introduced exhibition coordinator Male Figure, 2011. Werlin had a long Elisabeth Cornu who spoke more career as an advertising artist in Holabout the importance of the exhibit lywood for the film and television inand how it would be expanding. Curadustry before moving to San Frantor and producer Glenne McElhin30

BAY TIM ES APRIL 7 , 2 0 1 6

Schocking! I don’t really have enough room for a new subject, so I’ll just vent about unrelated aspects of life. For example, there’s an insipid Panera Bread commercial going around that makes me want to put my fist through the TV screen for reasons unclear. And I’m not a violent person, my friends. It’s narrated by a nasal female who repeats the phrase “soup and sandwich” as if in a trance, and tells us that Panera is offering “good clean VOICES (continued from page 10) grants often have are the extreme disparities in socio-economic class that can make one feel undeserving of their life in the first world. We are stuck in an in-between space, a gray area. We may never understand the struggles out parents faced when uprooting their entire lives and immigrating to a different country. On the other hand, we have not yet been fully integrated into American culture. This sometimes results in being left out of conversations during family gatherings because I don’t speak the language, and being teased by my parents for not having a larger group of friends who are Filipino. They grew up in a time that was less accepting of people with colored skin, so they were forced to come together for support. Although racism is nowhere near close to being eradicated from our culture, my generation and future generations, especially in culturally diverse cities, are raised in a more accepting environment. In no way are my parents trying to make me feel bad. They just don’t want the Filipino culture to be lost, and neither do I.

cisco in 1995. Here in San Francisco he taught drawing at the Academy of Art University for many years. He lives near San Francisco and currently teaches a drawing and painting class in San Francisco’s Richmond District. At the opening reception, Werlin aptly quoted Oscar Wilde: “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,” and noted that gay humanity is surely looking at the stars. When he announced he will soon be celebrating his 87th birthday, Sister Dana felt we just had to sing him the “Happy Birthday Song,” and we did so with gusto! I have to say my two faves at the gallery are “Homage to Wilhelm Von Gloeden,” as a still life with flowers and more with many photographs by Von Gloeden painted in oils. Fabulous! My 2nd fave is “Model Resting” that captures a Renaissance era light & shadow effect of a tasteful nude male, which could easily be in a late 14th century museum display. Join the SAN FRANCISCO LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER at their epic 2016 annual citywide Soiree! for THE IMAGINARIUM: The queers and allies of San Francisco celebrate the creative power of our community’s imaginative minds. Ours is a flourishing, growing community that has a visionary and revolutionary pulse. At the Center, we know that the collective power of our queer community to imagine and create is immeasurable. Soiree 2016 summons us to unleash our creative powers. To imagine a better future for rising generations. THE IMAGINARIUM comes to life on April 9th with dinner at 5 pm and party at 8:30 pm, Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street. Entertainment curated by the Entertainment Director, Juanita MORE!, music, dancing, food from your favorite SF restaurants, and bars helmed by some of our beloved Castro bartenders. sfcenter.org TALES OF OUR CITY: OUR LIVES, OUR HEROES is being presented by the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS at Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, Thursday April 14th and Friday April 15th, 8 pm. It was 40 years ago when author Armistead Maupin penned the very first article that became the international phenome-

food.” What? Clean food? There’s just something off about it. Something vaguely repellent. And does it bother you that Secretary of State John Kerry insists on calling ISIS “Daesh” as if he’s from Europe? I know that ISIS does not like the name “Daesh,” so there’s a good reason to use it. But when Kerry’s talking on TV to an American host, why confuse everyone? We get that “ISIL” and “ISIS” are the same. “Daesh” is just pretentious.

It is a difficult task for second generation immigrants to juggle, looking to their past histories and cultures while forging a new one. Hopefully there will be more ethnic studies classes such as this to help us find a good balance. 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. For more information about the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, please visit http://www.sfsota.org/

non of Tales Of The City, bringing the colorful life and times of San Francisco to the entire world. Maupin joins SFGMC for an evening full of stories and music about our home and its heroes, while revisiting this magical work of literature, including “Michael’s Letter to Mama.” Act I includes excerpts from NakedMan, the groundbreaking multi-movement piece originally commissioned and performed by the Chorus in 1996, which chronicled the lives and loves of the men of SFGMC against the backdrop of the AIDS pandemic. Act II includes excerpts from the wildly popular commissioned work I Am Harvey Milk by composer Andrew Lippa, which SFGMC premiered in 2013. Tales Of Our City: Our Lives, Our Heroes also presents a world premiere by SFGMC Composer-InResidence James Eakin. Accompanying the Chorus for the entire evening will be the 60-piece Bay Area Rainbow Symphony with guest artist: Armistead Maupin. sfgmc.org KREWE DE KINQUE, the Mardi Gras themed social club and charitable fundraising organization, is holding our MONTHLY BEER BUST FUNDRAISER FOR CHARITY at The Edge, 4149 18th Street, Saturday, April 16th, 4-7 pm. Special hosts & emcee’s will be Krewe de Kinque King 7 John Weber & Krewe de Kinque Queen 7 Dana Van Iquity. Always free entertainment, but tips appreciated. COMFORT & JOY presents another adventure for the curious queer citizens of the night, TOUCH IT! Get ready for splendorous decor, alluring entertainments, dreamy dance ability, 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. Saturday, April 9th, 10 pm - Sunday, 5 am, Club Six - 60 6th Street. playajoy.org BALONEY: San Francisco’s Gay AllMale Revue Returns! Choreographed by Rory Davis and directed by Michael Phillis, Friday April 8th, Saturday April 9th, Thursday April 14th, Friday April 15th, Saturday April

Oh, and what’s the story with former Congressman Republican Aaron Schock? I think he’s on trial for some kind of money juggling, but recently his lawyers asked the judge to seal the trial records that could otherwise damage Schock’s reputation. Hmmm. Really? The man set off gaydars everywhere by decorating his office á la Downton Abbey and wearing a pink checked shirt and turquoise belt to a D.C. event. Unseal the records! annrostow@gmail.com Read Ann Rostow online at sf baytimes.com KRAMER (continued from page 24) If My Big Night is aggressively mocking its show-biz types, it is not as if the selfinf lated singers, and career-hungry presenters are not already prime targets for satire. The whole ersatz nature of the production–from the fake smiles on the guests to the fake food on the table–suggest forced fun. But de la Iglesia seems to be having a grand time creating this wild spectacle, even if some of it seems, well, forced. Audiences will enjoy My Big Night too, especially when the film launches its secret comic weapon: José’s mother (Terele Pavez). Carrying a large cross (taken from her husband’s coffin), this crazy lady provides much of the film’s heart and wisdom. She makes this party worth attending. © 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

16th, Oasis (298 11th Street at Folsom Street), Doors 6:30 pm, show 7 pm. Tickets at sfoasis.com/Baloney If you want to enjoy what old time art openings used to be like in San Francisco, then do drop by this unusual gallery in the heart of the Castro, Friday night, April 8th between 6 and 10 pm and meet the artists involved with this exhibit, NINE MALE ARTISTS, at Castro Street ArtSavesLives Studio and Gallery, 518 Castro Street. 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.” Photos, paintings, ceramics. Curated and hosted by Thomasina DeMaio. THRILLPEDDLERS presents THE UNTAMED STAGE: Weimar Berlin Kabarett, a new musical by Scrumbly Koldewyn at The Hypnodrome, 575 10th Street, April 14 – May 28, (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8:00 pm. Opening Night Thursday, April 21st, 8 pm. hypnodrome.org It didn’t take long for the folks at Funny or Die to skewer North Carolina’s new anti-LGBT law. Less than 24 hours after Republican Governor Pat McCrory signed the sweeping homophobic legislation into law, the comedy website published a faux commercial from North Carolina’s tourism board that reminds potential travelers of “all the fun straight things you can do in their beautiful, intolerant state.” “Now you can experience the beautiful outdoors, cityscapes, and incredible ignorance by hang-gliding backwards in time, racing to the wrong side of history in a kayak, teaching your children to judge others while frolicking in the waves and enjoying our waterfalls without fear of gay people falling on you,” says a voice over the requisite video montage of the Tar Heel state’s natural landscapes. Hysterical! Sister Dana sez, “A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Donald Trump’s overall 67 percent unfavorable rating - making him less popular than any major-party nominee in the 32 years the survey has been tracking candidates. As Donald would say, ‘This is huuuuge!’”

Round About - All Over Town

Photos by RINK

Campaign Party - Rafael Mandelman for DCCC - March 30

Rafael Mandelman

DCCC candidates Francis Tsang and Steve Ngo who are supporting Rafeal

DCCC candidates Alex Randloph and Francis Hsieh

Supervisor Jane Kim with Rafael

Out & Equal Momentum 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration - Palace Hotel

Roberta Achtenberg, Susan Shain, Executive Director/Founder Selisse Berry and Cynthia Martin

An employee group for Deloitte

GGBA’s Make Contact at Wells Fargo’s Penthouse - March 7

John Lake and Ethan Stein

John Eric Henry and a friend

A standing ovation for Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Board member Reza Rahaman, honorees Carl Liebert Matthew Shepard Foundation and Mick Murray, Selisse Berry, honorees Matt Lively and Erby Foster, and board member George Kalogridis

Openhouse’s Castro Office Warming Party - April 1

Openhouse Development Director Joel Evans welcoming a guest

Marvin Werlin Art Exhibit Opening Reception - Strut - April 1

Transgender Day of Visibility Party SOMARTS Gallery - March 31

Claude Boser, Troy Weakley and Aaron Baldwin

Emcee Jared Hemming, program manager of Bridgemen, artist Marvin Werlin and his daughter

Executive Director Seth Kilbourn, Program Direcgtor Michelle Alcedo, Housing Coordinator Abby Krumbein and Senior Development Officer Gayle Roberts

SF Pride’s George Ridgely with honorees “Major” StormMiguel Florez and Analise Ophelian, filmmakers

Dancers We Lost: Honoring Performers Lost to HIV/AIDS Exhibit Opening Reception - GLBT Historical Society Museum

Terry Beswick, executive director; Glenne Elhinney, curator; Daniel Baio, deputy executive director; and Ruth Mahaney, co-founder

Images on the wall in the Dancers We Lost exhibit

Honorees Stephany Ashley, St James Infirmary Director; and Miss Billie Cooper BAY T IM ES APR IL 7, 2016

IF YOU WANT A SINGING CAREER, STAY AWAY FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE. Ellieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s severe asthma attacks were triggered by secondhand smoke at work. She and her partner have to live with its effects forever. If you or someone you know wants free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. #CDCTips

Ellie, Age 57 Her partner, Karen Florida