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In the News Compiled by Dennis McMillan SF Election Results for June 7 Consolidated Presidential Primary With 597 of 597 precincts in, the San Francisco Department of Elections has, as of this writing, released the following unofficial results: President, Democratic Party- Hillary Clinton (55.46% of votes); President, Republican Party- Donald Trump (57.54% of votes); U.S. SenatorKamala Harris; U.S. Representative, District 12- Nancy Pelosi; U.S. Representative, District 14, Jackie Speier; State Senate, District 11- Scott Wiener; State Assembly, District 17David Chiu; State Assembly, District 19- Phil Ting (see Ting’s column on page 8); Superior Court Judge, Seat 7Victor Hwang; State Proposition 50Yes; Local Measure A, Public Health and Safety Bond- Yes; Local Measure B- Park, Recreation and Open Space Fund- Yes; Local Measure C, Affordable Housing RequirementsYes; Local Measure D, Office of Citizen Complaints InvestigationsYes; Local Measure E, Paid Sick Leave- Yes; District Measure AA- Yes; DCCC, District 17, Top 10 recipients of votes in order: Scott Wiener, Tom Ammiano, Jane Kim, David Campos, Bevan Dufty, Aaron Peskin, London Breed, Sophie Maxwell, Malia Cohen and John Burton; DCCC, District 19, Top 10 recipients of votes in order: Angela Alioto, Norman Yee, Eric Mar, Sandra Lee Fewer, Mark Farrell, Tom Hsieh, Mary Jung, Keith Baraka, Kat Anderson and Rachel Norton. For additional results and updates, go to http://sfgov.org/elections/department-elections Rainbow Banners Are Back in the Castro On Harvey Milk’s Birthday, Castro Merchants Inc. unveiled new Rainbow Banners in the gay neighborhood. “Now, as part of the new streetscape design for Castro Street, the banners are doubles on most poles—twice as bright, twice as colorful and twice as proud,” says Castro Merchants President Daniel Bergerac. “This has been a long, difficult project with many pieces and parts all needing to come together. These beautiful new banners would not have happened without the hard work of our awesome Administrator Richard Magary; help from Supervisor Scott Wiener and his amazing Aide, Adam Taylor; and support from the S.F. Department of Public Works leadership and staff.” castromerchants.com Latest Study Shows Same-sex Experiences Are on the Rise A rise in bisexuality is driving a sharp increase in same-sex experiences in the United States, according to a new study, and Americans are increasingly open to the shift. Using data from the General Social Survey (GSS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted since 1972 including a total of 33,728 participants, a team of social scientists found that the percentage of men reporting male sexual partners had nearly doubled from 1990 to 2014, and the percentage of women reporting same-sex experiences had more than doubled during the same period. Their study, published in the journal, Archives of Sexual Behavior, also shows a dramatic increase in the percentage of Americans who find these sexual interactions acceptable. washingtonpost.com Mayor Lee Announces $6 Million Investment to Support SF Nonprofits Mayor Ed Lee announced that the City will invest $6 million in programs over the next two years to strengthen the nonprofit sector in San Francisco. 6

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This investment includes an unprecedented $4.25 million to create a Nonprofit Space Investment Fund for the acquisition of permanent affordable space, $1.45 million to launch a Nonprofit Space Stabilization Program to address nonprofit sustainability, and $295,000 to support planning and evaluation for long-term partnerships such as program expansions or shared administrative staff. sfgov.org Number of Burglaries in the Castro Continues to Rise Crime is up in the Castro, with burglars particularly targeting small businesses. One location alone, Smoke Plus ((4059 18th Street), has been hit three times in just a month. “Same guy, three times, within a month,” confirmed Gary, who works behind the counter at Smoke Plus. Jeffrey’s Natural Pet Foods was also burglarized for the second time in five months. Of the Smoke Plus thefts, surveillance cameras show that the burglar “comes in at 5 am every time. He just grabs his stuff and then leaves.” If someone has any information on these or other burglaries in the Castro, contact SFPD Mission Station at 415-553-0123. hoodline.com Free Self-Defense Workshop Offered in the Castro Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) in association with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) and Community Patrol Service USA (CP-USA) invites interested people to pre-register for their very popular Beginners Community Self-Defense class. The workshop will take place on Monday, June 13, at 7 pm at STRUT, 470 Castro Street. The class is a very low impact presentation of some very basic, but extremely useful and valuable self-defense concepts taught by Grand Master Ken Craig. They have presented this class on many occasions in the past to packed classes and rave reviews. The class occurs just weeks before the SF Pride festivities get into full swing, so it could not be timed any better. castropatrol.org HIV Health Services Planning Council and HIV Prevention Planning Council Merge The HIV Health Services Planning Council (HHSPC) and the HIV Prevention Planning Council (HPPC) have dissolved and integrated in planning efforts. As of earlier this month, the new local effort providing HIV prevention recommendations and guidance regarding allocation of funding for Care services is referred to as the HIV Community Planning Council (HCPC). The Council has several major duties, including: determining the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, especially those not in care; setting priorities for the allocation of funds; and developing a comprehensive plan for the organization. The Full Council meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 25 Van Ness on the 6th floor. sfcarecouncil.org Seven Colleges in California Discriminate Against LGBT People Seven religiously-oriented colleges and universities up and down the state have obtained waivers under the federal Title IX, which bans discrimination based on gender—including against LGBT people—at academic institutions that receive federal government funding. The waivers allow these schools to discriminate against (continued on page 26)

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Marching Toward Equality with Pride

universally accessible and designated as “all gender.” If enacted, it would establish the most progressive restroom access law in the country. The bill passed the State Assembly last month and will receive a hearing in the State Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing later this month.

Assemblymember Phil Ting This month marks the Third Anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act. It is also the 47th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of New York City, which kick-started the LGBT rights movement. So, it is fitting that we celebrate San Francisco’s LGBT Pride Celebration in June. Although many exciting changes have advanced LGBT rights, the fight for equality continues. These struggles remind us why Pride is so important to foster acceptance and celebration of diversity as a basis for ensuring that everyone’s rights are respected and protected. Many of the fights raging in other states have been settled in California. In 2013, we created the transgender student bill of rights, which allows students at public schools to fully participate in activities and have access to school restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. In 2012, we banned youth “conversion therapy,” a harmful and homophobic practice that punishes young LGBT people by trying to change their sexual orientation. We have also passed laws that establish LGBT cultural competency in health care and that require death certificates to ref lect the deceased’s gender identity. California continues to lead on equality. I introduced Assembly Bill 1732 this year, which requires all single-occupancy restrooms to be

Restroom access has long been a source of contention for those opposed to transgender rights. Subsequently, the threat that transgender people face when using the restroom is very real. A study from the Williams Institute at UCLA found that 70 percent of transgender people have been verbally harassed, denied access or physically assaulted in association with the use of gender restricted public restrooms. As states enact discriminatory restroom access laws targeting transgender Americans, all of us should take heart in the prompt action taken by our leaders to confront and condemn this hate. Following the enactment of such a law in North Carolina, many prominent businesses have called for a repeal of the law. Others banned travel to the state. The Obama Administration also announced that laws prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs and activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance apply to discrimination based on a student’s gender identity. It laid out the law quite simply in saying, “…a school must not treat a transgender student differently from the way it treats other students of the same gender identity.” All of us have a part in the fight for equality. The shrill debate we see today about restrooms, a basic need of life, shows us the need to keep speaking out. In this fight, I am inspired to see how quickly the LGBT community and its allies have taken action. That solidarity is something in which all of us can take pride in as we celebrate Pride Month. Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the Westside of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, Daly City, and South San Francisco.

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Call for State Legislators to Repeal Costa-Hawkins

and then re-control of rents, exempting certain units from rent control, including single family homes, condominiums, and Oakland homes constructed after 1983. There is a significant demand for rental housing, and inadequate supply, especially for affordable housing. This leads to rising rents and increased housing pressures for residents across a range of lower and middle income levels, warranting improvement in rent stabilization and tenant protection policies.

Out of the Closet and into City Hall Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan Recently I introduced a resolution urging the State of California to repeal the CostaHawkins Rental Housing Act. Oakland and the Bay Area are suffering from a rising housing crisis in which many residents are being displaced by skyrocketing rents, and where our vital workers cannot find homes they can afford in our communities. This affordable housing crisis not only causes hardship to the people displaced as well as to their families; it also undermines the connections of our neighborhoods and makes it hard to recruit and retain people for vital jobs, such as our teachers. As rents continue to rise and the negative impacts on our communities expand, it is important to recognize, and fix, one of the sources of this problem. In 1995, the California State Legislature adopted the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (California Civil Code Sections 1954.501954.535), allowing a property owner to establish a new rental rate for each new tenancy, allowing unlimited increases upon vacancy

Our city of Oakland, and many others, has passed laws to protect tenants from excessive rent increases, but the state law, CostaHawkins, gives exemptions to these laws to many properties, especially those built after 1983. These exemptions deny many tenants the protection of the laws, and result in inadequate protection from excessive rent increases. In this unprecedented housing crisis, it is important that we explore all options to preserve affordability and prevent displacement. The Bay Area needs to take significant action to improve our housing situation. We need to build more housing, especially affordable housing, throughout our region; make it easier and faster to build; and implement a regional jobs-housing impact fee to support affordable housing. Further, we must fight to restore the State affordable housing fund that was recently cut, and remove the exemptions in State law that deny so many tenants protections from excessive rent increases. By repealing Costa-Hawkins, we would be improving rent stabilization and have stronger tenant protection policies. The Rules and Legislation Committee of the Oakland City Council will take up this Resolution on Thursday June 16, 2016. 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.

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All the Marbles

cent history. She is also a longtime champion of human and civil rights, with a record to prove it, and was an early champion of healthcare reform. Remember that before Obamacare there was Hillarycare.

Ready for Her Leslie R. Katz By the time this column comes out, we will have the all of the party nominees in place for November. As was recently stated at an LGBT fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, “This one is for all the marbles.” Sadly, too true and too frightening. The Republican nominee seeks to turn back so many of the social, and economic, gains made under the past two Democratic administrations. Yes, there are still more to make, but let’s not turn back. Certainly, the LGBTQ community has much to fear—from the potential Supreme Court nominees, to reversal of human and civil rights protections, and don’t even think about preserving a woman’s right to choose. We are faced with a very bright line come November. The differences between Secretary Hillary Clinton and “the Donald” are stark indeed. I have been dismayed over the course of this election that more has not been made of how truly progressive a candidacy Hillary Clinton offers. She would be the first female President and one of, if not the, most qualified candidates for this office in re-

I am still confounded that people say Hillary is the “establishment” candidate. A progressive, outspoken woman with a history of fighting for good causes, speaking truth to power, and someone who, if elected, will let every young girl know that she can aspire to whatever she wishes, just doesn’t seem “establishment.” It appears that the tens of millions of dollars spent on denigrating her over the years have somehow successfully taken hold in the minds of far too many. Thus, it seems only fitting to use this column to point out what kind of leader Hillary has been for our community. Recently Lieutenant Governor Newsom posted his recollection of the time he courageously came out in favor of same sex marriage: “In 2004, after I ordered the city clerk to give same-sex couples marriage licenses, I quickly became a pariah in the Democratic Party. I was accused of endangering Sen. Kerry’s campaign for president, my speech at the national convention was cancelled, and most hurtful, major Democratic candidates and elected officials— some of whom were my friends—refused to be photographed with me or even be in the same room with me. I was being demonized by the left and the right. Only one major figure in the Dem party was willing to be photographed with me: Hillary Clinton. In 2004, we did an event together (continued on page 26)

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton was introduced by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom at campaign events in San Jose and San Francisco on May 26.

Reading the Tee Leaves

Facebook page over Snoozegate 2016. In our nation’s capital, though, with its own Democratic primary, the final Democratic primary of the election, still two weeks away, the t-shirt vendors had already called it.

East Side Stories Heidi Beeler The Tuesday after Memorial Day, I dragged a roller bag through the flood of humanity at Washington National Airport. Leaping past strollers, dodging glassy-eyed travelers as they picked through sandwiches and perfumes and electronics, I hoofed it toward the Metro station to hop a train to my conference hotel. There at the throat of Terminal A, the world went calm. Just where the crowds thinned, across the gray Astroturf from the Dunkin Donuts, the window of the news stand/gift shop was plastered with two t-shirts with block red-white-and-blue letters: “Hillary for President,” “Trump for President.” The simplicity of this stopped me in my tracks, and I scanned the store for any sign of The Bern. Nada. I couldn’t believe it. It was the day after Memorial Day. On the left coast, artillery was still being launched, Democrat on Democrat, across Zoe Dunning’s 10

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“It’s over,” I thought, and sighed in relief. Then I checked over my shoulder for any sign that I’d moved my lips or anyone had read my mind and quickly moved on. Okay, so a t-shirt display is not exactly scientific proof that the Democratic primary contest is over. When the guys who stake their livelihood on memorabilia start cutting merchandise, though, that’s gotta be an indication of demand, right? If t-shirt stock levels don’t impress, maybe statistical analysis will. Senior political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight, the statistical analysis site famous for its accuracy in pre-election picks, correctly predicted that Hillary would wrap up the nomination before the California Primary on June 7. AP, the New York Times and other media outlets did the same. It looks like D.C.’s tshirt hawkers got it right, and there’s relief in the clarity of that tee dichotomy: “Hillary for President.” “Trump for President.” It’s not that I disagree with Senator Sanders’ ideas and think he deserves to get the boot. He’s leaned the Democratic Party back in a more progressive direction, and I’m glad for that. It’s not that I relish a political battle against a reality TV bully. (continued on page 26)

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Coming Out

Alex Randolph, Trustee City College of San Francisco Coming out is a very personal process. Some, like my husband, did it during high school. Some wait until college or later, while others might choose to stay in the closet their entire life for various reasons. I always knew that there was something unique about me. Paying more attention to my sister’s handsome boyfriends than my female friends was probably a big fabulous clue. For some reason, though, I didn’t feel ready yet to come out to the whole world as “gay” until Trevor, my college sweetheart of 11 years, and I started dating in 2005.

speakers shared that, even though she came out a long time ago, starting a new job or internship made her worry about the way she dressed, talked, or behaved. What would her colleagues think? Would she fit in? What is the appropriate dress code? This point of her story was very powerful and stayed with me for a while. Do we ever really stop coming out, or are we kind of like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, perpetually having to let people know who we are? A week doesn’t go by without someone asking about my wife after seeing my wedding ring. Do I correct them or should I play along not to embarrass them? Last month I travelled to the East Coast to attend my father’s funeral. This would be the first time in almost 20 years that I would see some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Here I am, a 33-year-old proud gay man, and yet I was nervous about seeing my Black family and introducing my Vietnamese husband. How would they react? Would I cause a scene at the memorial? Would Trevor be ok?

It is wonderful how much American society has grown over the last couple of decades, where queer people are starting to come out much earlier. In some areas of the country, being an openly LGBT candidate for public office is now seen as an asset, rather than a liability. That being said, there are still many who struggle to openly live their gender identity or sexual orientation.

I quickly realized that those concerns were more a reflection of my own insecurities. From my 80+-year-old aunt down, my family was so happy to meet Trevor. He was even acknowledged during the ceremony and my relatives did everything to make him feel part of the team. I guess part of coming out is also coming out to yourself and accepting the person we are meant to be.

One of the most surprising parts of serving as an openly gay elected official is how people come up to me and share how inspirational it is to see me living my life openly. It is an incredibly humbling experience, especially being able to show young kids of color, that you can be Black, Asian, Latino—and, yes, gay—and have a rewarding career.

This year marks the 47th Pride Parade. Let’s all come out together and celebrate how fabulous our diverse community is. Stop worrying about what others might think and just be. Happy Pride!

In April I was able to share my story as a keynote speaker with LGBTQ students at UC Berkeley’s 2016 Lavender Graduation. One of the other

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

GGBA’s MEGA Make Contact 2016 Photos by Rink The Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) held its annual MEGA Make Contact at The Market, 1355 Market Street on Tuesday, May 23. San Francisco Bay Times was honored to be a co-sponsor once again this year. Celebrating San Francisco Small Business Week (SFSBW), the event brought together representatives of “small businesses” of all sizes from sole proprietors to multi-person staffs. Learn more about GGBA and its upcoming events and services: ggba.com

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Dog Eared Books Opening on Castro Street Many Castro residents have responded favorably and with happy anticipation to the arrival of the new Dog Eared Books store located at 489 Castro Street, the former location of A Different Light Bookstore which closed in 2011. With it’s original location on Valencia Street in the Mission District, Dog Eared Books offers new, used and discounted books along with numerous other products. Dog Eared Books was selected by the popular blog The Culture Trip as one of San Francisco’s 10 Coolest Bookstores You Should Visit, alongside iconic bookstores such as City Lights Bookstore, Modern Times Bookstore, Green Apple Books and others. Its owner, Kate Rosenberger, who is noted for her abilities to adapt the

Photos by Rink

business with the changing times, also owns Alley Cat Books on 24th Street in Noe Valley. The Dog Eared Books Facebook page statement about the new Castro store says, “Like our original location at 20th and Valencia, our Castro location will sell new, used, and discount books, along with stationery, posters, cards, and maps. As a neighborhoodoriented business, we intend to stock both a wide selection of locally based writers and LGBTQIA titles, along with classics, best sellers, and off-beat books we wish were best sellers.” A grand opening party is scheduled for Monday, June 20. Visit the Facebook page: facebook.com/DogEaredBooksSF/

PAWS Annual Fundraiser - Petchitecture 2016

Photos by Rink

San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel welcomed the annual gala supporting PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) held this year on Wednesday, May 25. Featuring a silent auction, reception and awards program, the evening marked the 21st Anniversary of this popular benefit. With presentations by former mayor Willie Brown, Jr. and singer Paula West, the program honored longtime supporter Dede Wilsey with inaugural Champion of the Human Animal Bond Award. There was a special tribute to recently passed supporter Wilkes Bashford.

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The Black Sheep in the Blue Book

Faces of Our LGBT Past

Bunny Breckinridge

Dr. Bill Lipsky Create a mental image of San Francisco during the socially and sexually conformist 1950s. A middle aged man is taken into custody, charged with wearing a “woman’s hairdo” and “flamboyant clothing” in public. It is a mundane police action, enforcing an ordinance passed in 1863 that made it a criminal act for anyone to appear on a public street in the City wearing “dress not belonging to his or her sex.” This time, however, the charges were soon dismissed because of the man’s wealth and ancestry. The man put under arrest was John Cabell Breckinridge III, whose paternal great-grandfather and namesake was Vice President of the United States during the administration of James Buchanan, and whose maternal great-grandfather, Lloyd Tevis, was founder and president of Wells Fargo Bank from 1872 to 1892. “Bunny” to his friends, he was born in Paris in 1902, where he grew up surrounded by luxury. A fter studying at E t on a nd O xford University, Breckinridge retur ned to Paris, appearing in revues as Jacques S o l a n g e fo r si x yea r s. I n 1927 he married the daughter of a French noble; they divorced two years later. He then moved to San Francisco, where he intended to live a private life, as quietly and unassumingly as any openly gay man known for his flamboyant appearance, fondness for costume jewelry, drag performance, and outrageous comments.

Bunny Breckinridge in Plan 9 From Outer Space

entations, each corresponding to a sign of the zodiac. During an era when homosexuality was illegal in all 50 states, Bunny refused to be closeted, as fabulous as his closets were. He made headlines in 1954 when he announced plans to undergo sex reassignment surgery; for numerous reasons, the procedure never took place. Reporters filed stories about “The He-She Millionaire,” cataloged his “pinkie rings” and other “feminine accoutrements” for their readers, and even descr ibed his home, with its “pale blue frills a nd f lou nc Gavin es” and a bedArthur room where “pink and yellow bu n n ie s nestle in … the bed.” An article in the Los Angeles Mirror was a typical one about Breckinridge. Under the headline “Well-Known Visitor Flies in Fluttering,” the newspaper reported that Breckinridge arrived “wearing a pink ribbon in his hat, women’s shoes, and a quart of perfume.” He was delayed leaving

the plane, went the account, because “he had paused to dab some ‘My Sin’ perfume behind his ears.” Bunny embraced the notoriety. In 1956, Breckinridge made his film debut in Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space, one of the most thoroughly analyzed motion pictures produced in Hollywood between Citizen Kane and The Godfather. With less than five minutes of screen time, he makes a memorable, lasting impression, displaying more ham than a state fair. Wood offered him a part in his next film, The Dead Never Die, but the project was not completed.

A lifelong activist, Arthur founded an artists’ commune near San Luis Obispo. In 1934 he joined the Utopian Society of America. He married three times. Openly bisexual, he also was a key link in what Allen Ginsberg termed “The Gay Succession” from Walt Whitman to the present: Walt Whitman slept with Edward Carpenter who slept with Gavin Arthur who slept with Dean Moriarty who slept with Allen Ginsberg who slept with… .

Arthur was deeply involved with the Beat Generation and active in the early gay rights movement. Using astrology, he set the date for the first Human Be-In in 1967, the event that made San Francisco’s hippie scene world famous and led to the City’s transformative “Summer of Love.” He died in 1972. Both he and Bunny surely would be gladdened by the City of today. Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.

Bunny apparently knew everyone. His home in San Francisco was filled with photographs of the many celebrities he met and knew, including Princess Margaret, Noël Coward, Elvis Presley, Ed Sullivan, J. Edgar Hoover, of all people, and closeted Hollywood stars. None of them helped him in 1959, however, when he was convicted on ten counts of “sex perversion” for going to Las Vegas with two underage boys. He faced two possibilities at his sentencing. Because all homosexual relations were criminal acts, he might spend time in a state prison. Homosexuality itself, however, was a recognized mental illness, so he was sent instead to the state hospital for the criminally insane in Atascadero, California. Over the years, thousands of homosexuals received “medical cures” for their “condition” there, including electroshock treatments, aversion therapy, castration or clitoridectomy, hormone injection, and “ice pick” lobotomies; all were legal and no patient consent was necessary. His stay lasted a year. Bunny survived both the scandal and his “rehabilitation.” He turned to acting on stage, appearing in small, local theater productions throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He died in 1996. “I was a little bit wild when I was young, darling, but I lived my life grandly,” he said. It may have been his only understatement.

Gavin Arthur ca.-1934, photo by Brett-Weston

Breckenridge was not the only San Franciscan with famous political forebears. One year older, Chester Alan Arthur III, known to everyone as Gavin, was the grandson and namesake of the twenty-first president of the United States. Well known as an astrologer, he published The Circle of Sex in 1962, where he explained that sexuality was a circle with twelve oriS AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

Pride

think it is important to do what feels right for you. I would also advise people getting married or coming out that they don’t need to face this life transition alone. There are plenty of professional resources offering support: a wedding planner, therapist, as well as a multitude of books and websites.

Weddings Howard Steiermann In addition to being Pride month, June is also the most popular month for weddings. The recent wedding of two friends got me thinking about what advice I might offer as they embark on wedded life. I came to realize my advice would be similar to what I might give someone coming out of the closet. The first thing I would share: Be yourself. Ref lect yourself. We all know many people who have gotten married and/or come out. Everyone who goes through these life passages has their own experience and therefore their own perspective. While it can be helpful to learn from others, I

As tumultuous as a wedding or coming out can be, I highly recommend that people strive to be in the moment. This is helpful during the process, as well as at any event or ritual. Individual days, and particularly special ones, f ly by and will soon only be a memory. Don’t try to think of what’s coming next. You can’t come up with contingencies for everything that might happen. Life unfolds and happens in ways we can’t imagine. When I came out, it was a relief realizing I could remain the same khaki and polo shirt wearing real estate appraiser I’d always been. The only thing that was changing for me was searching for a male rather than a female life partner. I didn’t have to become any of the stereotypes I had internalized about gay men.

Similarly, individuals who get married remain fundamentally the same as they were prior to their wedding. After the wedding is past and all the out of town guests have gone home, the couple will go about most of the same daily routines they performed prior to getting married. Whenever someone shares the news they are getting married, my automatic response is “Best Wishes!” And when someone honors me by sharing they are coming out, I always respond, “Congratulations.” It is a personal pleasure sharing in people’s joy, due to getting married or coming out. Life’s transitions can seem overwhelming in the moment. By staying true to who we are and using the resources available to us, we help ourselves to live authentically. Best wishes and congratulations for all the special times in your life. Happy June! Howard M. Steiermann is an Ordained Ritual Facilitator based in San Francisco. For more information, please visit www. SFHoward.com

Pride and Presidents

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis “Building a Society of Rights means there is no room for first- and second-class citizens. It means choosing inclusion over discrimination. It means creating unity from diversity.” These words sound as if they could have easily come from President Barack Obama’s eighth and final Pride Proclamation, marking June 2016 as LGBT Pride month. However, these words came from a different president: President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico in his June 2, 2016, Huffington Post essay explaining why he introduced legislation in the Mexican Congress to amend Mexico’s Constitution to make marriage equality the law of the nation. Currently, marriage equality is the law in 9 of Mexico’s 31 states and the federal district of Mexico City. The marriage equality movement in Mexico has been building quickly and steadily in the last several years. In late 2009, Mexico City passed legislation allowing LGBT couples to wed, and in 2010 the Mexican Supreme Court upheld the law and ruled that such marriages were valid throughout the nation. Progress continued in subsequent years. Then last June, just days before the U.S. Supreme Court decided Obergefell, the Mexican Supreme Court is18

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sued its own marriage equality opinion. Unlike the U.S., the Mexican Supreme Court lacks the authority to issue one decision that directly and immediately invalidates all state marriage bans throughout the country. However, the Court held that any same-sex couple refused a marriage license anywhere in the country could seek a federal court injunction ordering that the couple be married and that granting the injunction was mandatory. The Court stated, “there is no justified reason that the matrimonial union be heterosexual, nor that it be stated as between only a man and only a woman… . Such a statement turns out to be discriminatory in its mere expression.” In early 2016, the Mexican Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state of Jalisco’s marriage ban in its entirety, stating that it “undermined” people’s “self-determination” and violated “the principle of equality.” Guadalajara, Mexico’s second most populous city after Mexico City, is located in Jalisco. However, to have true nationwide marriage equality–where LGBT couples can simply marry without having to undertake the expensive and degrading process of obtaining a federal injunction–each Mexican state that currently lacks equality would need to enact its own legislation or the Supreme Court would need to invalidate each state’s law in separate challenges. In an interview, Supreme Court Justice Olga Sanchez Cordero urged states to adjust their rules to avoid the Court declaring their laws unconstitutional. President Peña Nieto, though, wants to cut through this cumbersome process and “guarantee every person’s full marriage rights” once and for all through a constitutional amendment. The process of amending the Mexican Constitution is dif-

ficult, requiring 2/3 votes of both houses of Congress and ratification by a simple majority of the states. The President, however, noted that May 2016 polling showed that “66 percent of people fully or partially agree that same-sex marriage should be allowed under our Constitution.” While acknowledging some resistance, he stated that “as President, it is my duty to ensure that the personal beliefs and customs of some do not limit the human rights of others.” Neither did President Peña Nieto limit his actions to marriage equality. He launched “an initiative to revise [the country’s] entire legal framework” and “identify any and all laws that go against equality and propose the necessary changes to improve them.” He also announced in May that Mexico will join the United Nation’s LGBTI Core Group formed to promote LGBTI rights internationally. We applaud President Peña Neito’s initiatives and the Mexican Supreme Court’s unanimous support for marriage equality. We look for nationwide marriage equality to come to Mexico soon. And we are reminded that when we go to the polls in November, we will have a stark choice as to whether the U.S. continues to have a President that embraces LGBT pride and acts on it, and a Supreme Court that protects the constitutional rights of LGBT Americans. John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

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Harvey Milk’s Birthday Observed

Photos by Rink

Both formal and informal observations are held annually on May 22 at Castro landmarks by civic and community leaders, merchants, residents and visitors. This year’s, held on the day Harvey would have turned 86, included postings in storefront windows, a ceremony at Harvey Milk Plaza, a performance by the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band near the location that housed Harvey’s camera shop, Castro Camera, and a special screening of the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk, hosted by the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, at the Castro Theatre.

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We Can Do This

Aging in Community Marcy Adelman The Dignity Fund legislation is on the move and needs your help. The Dignity Fund would establish a set-aside from 2% of property taxes to meet the needs of San Francisco’s most vulnerable elders—veterans, elders living with chronic illness such as HIV and Alzheimer’s disease, homeless seniors and isolated LGBT seniors. Supervisor Malia Cohen introduced the Dignity Fund legislation at the Board of Supervisors on May 24. Next steps: the legislation goes before the Rules Committee and then the full Board for a vote to be put on the November ballot. You can help stabilize funding for San Francisco’s growing elder population and ensure that the city has the financial resources to support the most vulnerable elders with health care services, in-home support service, home delivered meals, the programs and services provided by scores of contract agencies, home modifications and protection from homelessness by sending an email to the city’s Supervisors urging them to support the Dignity Fund legislation. The increased funding would go beyond what the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) receives each year. DAAS resources have not been able to keep pace with popula-

tion growth and the ever increasing cost of living in San Francisco. Stable funding would help non-profit senior serving organizations and community agencies to better plan for, and better meet, the needs of a rapidly growing and longer living population of elders. By 2030 the city’s elder population is expected to grow by an additional 100,000 San Franciscans. With the resources from the Dignity Fund, we can keep vulnerable and frail elders in their homes for as long as possible and as well as possible. This is a huge opportunity to make San Francisco a truly age friendly city. The Dignity Fund legislation needs the support of at least six of the eleven members of the Board of Supervisor to place it on the November, 2016 ballot. The deadline to place it on the ballot is July 26. Thanks to Supervisors Malia Cohen and Eric Mar, Norman Yee, David Campos and John Avalos for co-sponsoring the legislation. Please email the following Supervisors today to join in supporting the Dignity Fund to ensure that elders, adults with disabilities, veterans and those living with chronic illnesses are able to receive critical services and support. Together we can do this. District 2 - Mark.Farrell@sfgov.org District 3 - Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org District 4 - Katy.Tang@sfgov.org District 5 - London.Breed@sfgov.org District 6 - Jane.Kim@sfgov.org District 8 - Scott.Wiener@sfgov.org Go to the Dignity Fund website to receive updates, volunteer or donate. http://www.sfdignityfund.org/ 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.

Coffee & Conversation with Cops

Castro Community on Patrol, in conjunction with the SFPD Chief’s LGBT Community Advisory Forum and Espressemente Illy Cafe, hosted Coffee & Conversation with the Cops, on Tuesday, May 31, at Illy’s Castro location. Among those representing SFPD were Acting Chief Toney Chaplin, Mission Station Captain Dan Perea, Tenderloin Station Captain Teresa Ewans, and Officer Candace Lewis. Among the community leaders welcoming SFPD officers were Castro on Patrol’s Ken Craig, Castro Merchants president Dan Bergerac, activist Trey Allen, Pride Grand Marshall Joanie Jester and others

PHOTOS BY RINK

A percentage of coffee sales was sent to the Chief’s LGBT Community Advisory Fund.

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Choosing Optimism fective problem solving, to achievement in a variety of domains, to good health, to longer life and to freedom from trauma. It is positively correlated with life satisfaction and happiness, and it is negatively correlated with depression and anxiety.

Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

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The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men. We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community. The Bay Times is proud to be the only 100% LGBT funded and owned newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco. Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors

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Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence

Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT It probably won’t surprise anyone that an optimistic outlook is good for your physical and emotional well-being. Optimists react to problems with a sense of confidence in their ability to respond effectively to the challenges in their lives. They are hopeful about the future, and believe that their personal problems, as well as those of the world, can be met successfully. As a result, they respond better to stress. Research shows that pessimists have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and have a harder time regulating this hormone in response to stressors. Optimism, on the other hand, is linked to positive mood and good morale, to perseverance and ef-

Most of us tend to think that our basic outlook on life is fate—that our level of optimism or pessimism is just “how we are” and that we can’t do anything about it. But one of the most important findings in psychology in the past 30 years is that we do have the capacity to choose the way we think about our situations, and in so doing alter our fundamental outlook on life. According to Martin Seligman, one of the most respected modern psychologists, pessimists can deliberately acquire the skill of optimism by consciously doing what an optimist does intuitively. In his book, Learned Optimism, Seligman summarizes research that shows pessimists tend to think in identifiable and predictable patterns. They see difficulties as personal (“It’s my fault”), permanent (“It’s always going to be like this”), and pervasive (“It’s going to ruin my life”). The result is a sense of learned helplessness, which tends to characterize pessimists.

But Sel ig man found t hat t hese thought patterns are just habits, and any habit can be unlearned. By noticing the subtle differences in how optimists and pessimists think and describe things, and by deliberately adopting the optimist’s thinking patterns, pessimists can begin to challenge the sweeping statements they make about the bad things that happen in their lives. Over time, and with practice, they can weaken the habit of pessimism and learn to think more like an optimist. But we’re not going to try to learn optimism if we believe that it’s just about fooling ourselves. Can an optimistic attitude be defended as realistic, or is it just a Pollyannaish perkiness based on denial of the grim realities of real life? When we look at the many daunting problems facing the world and the horrible political situation in our own country at this time in history, it is easy to conclude that optimism is delusional, but I’m encouraged by the perspective of one of my personal heroes, Howard Zinn. Zinn was a lifelong political activist and the author of A People’s History of the United States, a book that chronicles in excruciating detail the suffering and oppression, which is often swept under the rug in conventional histo-

ries of the U.S. But after spending a lifetime looking the reality of evil in the face, he still came down on the side of optimism. His personal conclusion is worth remembering: “An optimist isn’t necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please visit his website http://tommoon.net/ or phone him directly at 415-626-1346.

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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

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

Randy Coleman hails from New York, but has lived in San Francisco since 1975. Coleman shares that before moving to the Bay Area, he studied Art History and Architecture at Boston University while working as a resident artist for architectural

SF Sketch Randy Coleman 24

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rendering at a Massachusetts historical society. “All of my life I’ve been an artist,” Coleman says. “To know me is to know that I have a passion for art and architecture. I love this project for the San Francisco Bay Times, and hope that you enjoy my sketches.”

GLBT Fortnight in Review By Ann Rostow Slouching Towards Sacramento I don’t imagine any of us are particularly sympathetic to “faith-based” hostility towards gays and lesbians, right? That said, you can somewhat understand why an older generation of traditional Christians came to the conclusion that homosexuality was against church law. After all, they grew up in a world where everyone thought gays and lesbians were deviants. Second, they grew up in a church that restricted all things sexual to the marriage bed. Third, they bolstered these ideas by cherry picking bits and pieces of scripture that backed them up. That explains a religious opposition to gay people, but why are transgender people, by their very existence, a threat to Christian faith? They are not defined by a naughty sexual act. They are not associated with criminal or unethical behavior. There is no mention of transgender men and women in the Bible (that I know of ). So, on what basis are Christian schools and colleges suddenly requesting “faithbased” exemptions to Title IX’s effective ban on trans discrimination? They don’t have a religious basis at all. Instead, they are lumping transgender rights in with gay rights and civil rights and all the progressive causes that they oppose based on their conservative political principles. That’s fine. But while there is indeed a loophole to allow religious exemptions to Title IX, there is no exemption for right wing ideology. You can’t simply opt out of Title IX because transgender people are strange and you don’t like them. You have to have a religious reason for your request. Title IX must violate your spiritual convictions, not your politics. My question is why religious loopholes in general are opened wide, allowing anyone to waltz through without being required to make a faith-based case for themselves. This is true not only for loopholes and exemptions, but also for constitutional claims of religious freedom. Just read, for example, Justice Alito’s opinion in the Hobby Lobby case, where he explains that courts are not in a position to judge whether or not a religious feeling is legitimate, or whether or not it conforms to the general tenets of one faith or another. It’s enough that a First Amendment plaintiff presents himself as a religious actor. Don’t you find this infuriating? I do. I support religious freedom and religious exemptions in theory, because religious freedom is a core American value and making allowances for deep spiritual beliefs is the decent thing to do. But when hatred parades as faith and gets away with it, that undermines the entire system. The California legislature has been working on a couple of bills that address the issue of these Title IX exemptions. One bill (now dead) would have barred these oh so religious schools from receiving certain state funds. Another will require that schools that go out of their way to obtain the right to discriminate must make their status public. In other words, such schools should not be able to hide their anti-trans positions. Sound innocuous? Here’s the reaction of the rightwing “Advocates for Faith and Freedom,” as reported in the Christian Times: “The punitive laws would undermine federal protections that have long exempted religious colleges from adopting anti-discrimination laws that violate the tenets of their faith. The consequences of these bills are so dire that one pro-family watchdog group

has warned that their passage would usher in Armageddon for those seeking higher education from a biblical perspective.” Armageddon? Really? Gender Rules Oh, can I just point out that eleven people were just killed by a car bomb in the middle of Istanbul and none of the cable news channels have said one word about it? This is not some scary place in Syria. It’s a major tourist destination. Yet you know that if one nutcase in downtown Des Moines were to fire off a round or two while yelling, “Allah Akbar!” we’d be in for a ten-hour barrage of non-stop media hysteria. Moving on, I imagine you noticed that a dozen states filed suit against the Obama administration a week or so ago, accusing the government of wrongly threatening their access to federal education funds based on the official interpretation of Title IX. Since no federal funds have actually been withheld, there’s an argument to be made that this case is premature and that these states lack standing to sue. Some of you may remember this argument was used against us when we were challenging various state’s sodomy laws. Well, our opponents said, unless you’ve been charged with violating the sodomy law, you’re not in a position to sue. After all, our legal system requires that lawsuits be based on actual cases, not legal theories. In our case, we were able to convince courts that statutes effectively criminalizing being gay are damaging simply by being on the books, even when the threat of enforcement is low. But will the plaintiff states in this new lawsuit be able to make a similar claim? After all, the Obama administration sent around a letter of “significant guidance,” warning that schools that discriminate against transgender students run the risk of losing their federal funds. Could that threat alone meet the threshold for litigation? Maybe. I don’t know. What seems clear is that one or more of the six or seven lawsuits that now contest the definition of “sex” in federal civil rights statutes will eventually coalesce into a clean case for High Court review. The Supreme Court has already said that workplace discrimination “because of…sex” in the Civil Rights Law of 1964 implicitly includes discrimination based on sexual stereotyping. Firing or harassing a masculine woman or an effeminate man based on her or his gender presentation is illegal, period. Does that mean that transgender bias is illegal as well? What about gay bias? What about bias directed at a lipstick lesbian, or a gay man who appears classically straight? Piggy backing on these questions is the fact that charges of sex discrimination currently require courts to examine cases with extra legal scrutiny. As you know, our legal eagles have long called for courts to treat GLBT bias with a high level of legal review as well, a goal that remains elusive. Although some appellate courts have agreed that gays should be treated as a protected minority class, the High Court has sidestepped the question. But if sexual orientation and gender identity were to be subsumed in the class of “sex,” we would automatically become a protected category throughout our nation’s legal system. The bottom line is that we are headed towards the Supreme Court once more, slowly but surely, and once again we have everything on the line. Hodgepodge Ahead I read the other day that the word “moist” is considered the most dis-

gusting word in the English language. Interesting, n’est-ce pas? I’ve never had anything against the word “moist,” and I also wonder how such a generalized distaste for specific vocabulary can be identified, let alone quantified and ranked. But once I thought about it, I detected something misogynistic in this alleged mass disgust. Men aren’t “moist.” There’s something intrinsically female in the adjective and, by extension, something in its popular rejection that harkens back to a fear of women’s sexuality, and women’s physical energies in general. I won’t belabor the point. And here’s a nice item. Last fall, we reported on the story of two lesbians from L.A. who were on vacation in Hawaii. They were holding hands in a Honolulu convenience store and kissed one or two times, drawing outrage from a cop who told them to “take it somewhere else.” Officer Bobby Harrison, who was also shopping in the store, was not satisfied with the response to his gratuitous “order,” and he arrested the women for “felony assault on an officer.” Courtney Wilson and Taylor Guerrero spent three days—count them, three days—in jail, before the charges were investigated and thrown out. They sued, and the city has now settled for $80,000. Wilson returned to L.A. during the process, but Guerrero wound up staying in Honolulu and liked it. The two are no longer a couple, but remain friends and will split the money after their lawyers get their cut. As part of the settlement, Officer Harrison was dropped from the suit.

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Speaking of Hawaii, I just read the strangest article about a 37-year-old woman who deliberately drove her car over a steep cliff in Maui, surviving the crash but killing her twin sister who was in the passenger seat. Witnesses saw the two of them arguing, with the soon-to-be-dead twin trying to grab her sister’s hair. Then, the car took a sharp left and accelerated over the edge onto the rocks below. The surviving sister was rescued and sent to the hospital, where she recovered within a week or so. She tried to leave, but police stopped her and charged her with murder. That story is dramatic enough but what caught my eye was the fact that the sisters, Alison and Ann Dadow, changed their names to Alexandra and Anastasia Duval, for reasons unknown. Then they started a yoga business, went bankrupt and moved to Hawaii, where they were both arrested at some point for public intoxication. I know it’s not gay related. But why change their names? Why select such absurdly pretentious alternatives? Why move to Hawaii? And what could possibly have led Alison/Alexandra to drive over that cliff? Was she drunk? Why were they fighting? And what went through her mind when she woke up in that hospital?

Can you keep your lifestyle in retirement?

Gay Man Wins Forty-Year Fight For Recognition Finally, here’s a story that represents a remarkable set of bookends on each end of our fight for marriage equality. Those of you who followed the marriage movement in detail may remember that a Boulder clerk issued a handful of marriage licenses to samesex couples back in 1975. One of those licenses went to Richard Adams and his Australian husband-to-be, Anthony Sullivan. At a time when homosexuals were considered mentally ill and not allowed to enter the U.S., Adams and Sullivan had been driving from their home in L.A. to Mexico to renew Sullivan’s visa every 90 days. Now, they thought, Adams could apply for a spousal green card.

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BEELER (continued from page 10)

NEWS (continued from page 6) students, faculty and staff for being LGBT despite federal law that prohibits such discrimination. While California law prohibits funding or financial assistance to schools that discriminate, these seven colleges and universities are still receiving Cal Grant funding. Assembly Bill 1888, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low and sponsored by NCLR and Equality California, would prohibit Cal Grant funding to institutions that have obtained a license to discriminate from the federal government. It is currently facing a critical vote in the California Assembly Appropriations Committee. nclrights.org Lawsuit Filed to Shut Down LGBT Pride Party at Civic Center Because of Shootings A Beverly Hills-based law firm has filed an injunction on behalf of two individuals who were shot in 2013, aiming to prevent the 2016 celebration—but not the parade—from happening. A release went out about the injunction from the firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer, and Susman, the same firm that represented Trevor Gardner, an L.A. man shot in the leg as the Pride celebration was winding down on June 30, 2013. In November 2015, SF Pride reached an undisclosed settlement with Gardner in that case, but other lawsuits are still pending. The text of the complaint filed recently in SF Superior Court refers to shots fired during or after Pride festivities in 2011 and 2012 as well as the past three years. sfist.com SF Police Department and Police Officers Association Reach Agreement on Body Worn Cameras On May 31, Mayor Ed Lee announced an agreement with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) on the use of body worn cameras. The deployment of the devices is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in officers’ engagement with the public and to help rebuild trust with the community. The proposed two-year budget submitted at the same time as the announcement includes $6.2 million to implement the Body Camera Program. Castro Station’s LED Rainbow Escalators Launched The much-discussed rainbow escalators at Castro station began operating at the official unveiling on May 20. The unveiling comes nearly a month

after SFMTA originally reported it would have the escalators up and running. This is after months and months of not being operational. At the official kickoff, District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener and SFMTA officials turned on the rainbow escalator lights for the first time. “During the process of testing escalator capabilities and the new lights, staff liked what they saw and made the decision to keep the lights in place for the launch of the new system,” said SFMTA in a press release. hoodline.com ‘When We Rise’ to Replace Damaged Castro Rainbow Crosswalks Before Pride The rainbow crosswalks at Castro and 18th Street remain damaged after multiple cleaning attempts from being covered up for the filming of the ABC miniseries When We Rise. After the material covering all four crosswalks was pulled up after filming, black residue remained on the two crosswalks that had been covered up the longest, the east and north crosswalks. Castro/ Upper Market Community Benefit District’s (CBD) Executive Director Andrea Aiello says that the two most damaged crosswalks, the east and north ones, will be replaced. The costs associated with replacing the crosswalks will be paid for by ABC and the production company. The plan is to have the sidewalks replaced in time for the Pride Parade. hoodline.com Family Is Still Family: Bilingual PSAs Bring Support, Community to LGBT Families The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) has launched a three-part family acceptance campaign. The “Family Is Still Family” campaign hopes to address the cultural divide between many LGBTQ children and parents of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Glenn Magapanty, executive director of NQAPIA, said the organization “just [wants] to create a little more family acceptance of LGBT people.” He added, “This is about telling the message that we are lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, and we can still achieve all the hopes and dreams that our parents wanted for us.” The campaign includes a video PSA series, which was first launched on a few Asian television stations late last year. They will continue to air on American television stations, as well as on international channels, in June 2016, LGBTQ Pride Month. nbcnews.com

Ronald Reagan showed the world that factual accuracy isn’t as important as entertaining TV, and every day, Trump is demonstrating how far you can push that envelope. That scares me. What I can’t wait to move past are the Democrat on Democrat attacks. For a couple months now, it’s looked likely that the Super Bowl lineup would run Clinton against Trump, and I for one am anxious to get on with it please. It’s like we’re so busy trying to win slap bets against our little brother that we’ve forgotten to pay attention to the armed kidnapper standing at the back of the room. The overriding comment to come out of the first Democratic debate—other than how remarkably civil and unconcerned with genitalia the Democratic candidates seemed after the Republican debate—was that they demonstrated they had more goals in common than not: to fight climate change, raise taxes on the wealthy, reduce mass incarceration, promote higher education and sensible gun control legislation and access to KATZ (continued from page 10) down at Delancey Street in San Francisco. I’ll never forget that moment— that when I was being attacked for my position on same-sex marriage and what we did in San Francisco, she was willing to stand with me in public when no one else was. #ImWithHer” Hillary Clinton’s response: “Thank you for this, Gavin. It’s a funny thing about progress: the fight can feel hardest in the loneliest moments, but you’ll never be alone on the right side of history. We still have so much work to do, and so many more victories to win—from ending discrimination to eradicating transphobic violence to ensuring every young LGBT person can live out the bright future they deserve. I was proud to stand with you then, and I’m even prouder to have you with me now.” That is the definition of leadership. We all need to stand with her now. Trump has been doing what is commonly referred to as “projection” and has called Hillary a “liar” and “unqualif ied.” Say no more—really? From a reality TV star?

health care. The differences came in how they would take us there. Despite the increasingly inflammatory campaign rhetoric, the goals of Hillary Clinton’s campaign are not diametrically opposed to those of Senator Sanders. Sanders makes excellent points about the corrupting influence of money in elections, for example, but the first candidate to send me a call for a constitutional amendment reversing the Citizen’s United decision was Secretary Clinton. That’s just one example. Her approach is pragmatic. “Pragmatism!” is not as sexy a rallying cry as “Revolution!” I, for one, though, believe you need pragmatism to herd all the cats in our political system and on the international stage. With the last of the primaries winding down, the 2016 presidential race moves into a new phase. To mark this occasion, I’d like to remember another moment in history. In 2000, Ralph Nader, another good man who built his career on progressive activism, declared repeatedly that there was no difference between the Democratic and Republican parties. It was one

So come November, regardless of where one stands during this Primary season, we cannot hold back. We must participate and vote, for too much is at stake. For those Sanders supporters who are disappointed, recall the early days of collegiality between Hillary and Bernie, how she contributed to his Senate races, how each has highlighted that they are far more similar to each other and are diametrically the opposites of Trump. Let’s go forward to November united in the goal of safeguarding our rights yet still working to improve our system: to fighting/overturning Citizens United, to protecting our immigrants, preserving the Supreme Court, supporting our children—and creating a brighter future for all of them—and putting the U.S. in a position of respect throughout the world. I am stunned that “mainstream” Republican leadership has united behind Trump without much questioning. There is not enough room in this column to address the frightening specter of a Trump Presidency. Dan Rath-

of the most colossally false and irresponsible claims I’ve ever seen in the media. Imagine what the presidency of Al Gore, an advocate for climate change awareness, would have been compared to the unmitigated disaster—economically, educationally, environmentally, ethically—that the George W. Bush presidency was for our country. There is no doubt there was a difference between the Democratic and Republican candidates. Senator Sanders said he entered the presidential race to move the country in a more progressive direction, and he’s succeeded there. I hope he remembers his goal and recognizes that a President Trump would set a torch to any gains his campaign has achieved. This fall, we won’t have the luxury of running against a candidate who holds our same values. You can print that on a D.C. t-shirt. Musician and longtime LGBT community activist Heidi Beeler has been a member of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band since 1991. She is also a founding member of the Dixieland Dykes +3. For more infor-

er offered a brilliant analysis following Trump’s recent attacks on the press— not a partisan issue, but one of protecting and supporting a free and critical press. Hillary nailed it when she warned against Trump not only being unprepared, but also “temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability and immense responsibility.” The list goes on and on. Democrats and Independents must unite behind our nominee. We must come together to make history by electing Hillary Clinton. The bottom line is good, decent people cannot sit back on this one. Indeed, it is “for all the marbles.” Leslie R. Katz is a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was the co-author of the City’s Equal Benefits Ordinance, has served on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (as Chair, and as a general member), and serves on the California Democratic Party’s Executive Board. She is an attorney with a government law, policy and strateg y practice, with a focus on emerging technologies.

ROSTOW (continued from page 25) The reply from the Immigration and Naturalization office was terse: “You have failed to establish that a bona fide marital relationship can exist between two faggots.” In a second letter, the Justice Department noted that “neither party can perform the female functions in the marriage.” The publicity led Adams to lose his job, while Sullivan’s mother in Australia disinherited her son and never spoke to him again. The men appealed the denial of marriage recognition, losing in the federal courts and unable to convince the Supreme Court to hear the case. They then filed another immigration appeal, ending up arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth

Circuit. In an extraordinary irony, their case was dismissed by none other than future justice Anthony Kennedy, who found that Adams would suffer no great hardship if Sullivan were to be deported, because they were not related. Faced with exile, both men left Los Angeles, spending a period of time wandering abroad before deciding to take their chances and return to L.A. in secret. For many years Sullivan kept a low profile, living illegally while progress in gay civil rights gradually improved his prospects. In late 2012, Adams and Sullivan prepared to re-marry in Washington State, but Adams died of cancer before they could make the trip.

In June of 2014, Sullivan wrote to President Obama, asking him to apologize for the ugly language issued by the U.S. government four decades earlier. Obama’s Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wrote back, apologizing and offering sympathy for Sullivan’s loss. On April 21 of this year, the government issued a green card to Anthony Sullivan, making him a permanent resident of the United States and recognizing his 1975 marriage to Richard Adams, 41 years after the fact. This story was reported by Troy Masters in the latest issue of The Pride, and it’s worth reading the entire touching article. (http://thepridela.com/2016/06/ united-states-government-says-gaycouples-1975-marriage-is-valid/) arostow@aol.com

The Castro’s popular Lookout Bar, located at Market and Noe, hosted San Francisco Pride’s Kickoff Party on Tuesday, May 17. Among VIPs attending were SF Pride’s vice president Gary Virginia and consultant Lisa Williams and Grand Marshals Fresh White and Deana Dawn. Members of SF Cheer were on hand to perform and assist with the raffle that benefited SF Pride.

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PHOTOS BY RINK

Pride Kickoff Party

San Francisco Lesbian / Gay Freedom Band’s Spotlight on Broadway Photos by Rink

A standing room only audience filled the Sir Frances Drake Hotel’s Empire Ballroom on Saturday, May 14, for the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band’s first ever Spotlight on Broadway Sing-Along Concert Fundraiser. The Band’s artistic directors Pete Nowlen (Concert Band) and Mike Wong (Marching & Pep) led the program featuring tunes from favorite Broadway shows performed by the band and others by guest artists Donna Sachet and Leanne Borghesi. Band president Moira Wilmes presented a slide show overview of the Band’s history, including its founding in 1978 by Jon Sims. Sing-along segments included selections from Grease, Cabaret, La Cage Aux Folles, and The Sound of Music. Dancing to “Time Warp” from Rocky Horror Picture Show proved to be a crowd pleaser and a high point of the evening.

12th Annual Openhouse Spring Fling

Photos by Rink

Openhouse supporters, volunteers and staff enjoyed the 12th Annual Spring Fling fundraiser held on Sunday, May 15, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, San Francisco. Featuring wines courtesy of Hafner Vineyard and La Crema along with lunch from the Hyatt Regency chefs, the event honored Horizons Foundation’s Roger Doughty (Adelman/Gurevitch Founders Award) and Den and Molly Reno (Eva Lily Service Award). Openhouse’s Trailblazer Award was presented to swimmer Diana Nyad, author of Going the Last Mile. Vince Edd served as Master of Ceremonies, and co-chairing the event were Tracy Gary and David Wabel.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 40th Anniversary

Welcome to Frameline40! Frameline40: The King of Queer Film Festivals, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival, celebrates its 40th anniversary from June 16–26 with a new look and 11 days of groundbreaking films that reflect the

diversity of queer stories from across the globe. Frameline, the world’s longest-running and largest LGBTQ film festival, will showcase lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer cinema in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland.

On behalf of Frameline, we are thrilled to introduce San Francisco Bay Times readers, both new and longtime, to our organization’s signature annual event, as we continue to demonstrate the strength of LGBTQ f i lmma k ing, with compelling content that expands the canon of queer film. We know that you will be surprised, educated, motivated and entertained. Frameline is a dynamic, yearround portal that continues

to discover, exhibit and distribute LGBTQ content. Our festival has become increasingly diverse–in our audiences, filmmakers and the images we present–since its beginnings in 1977, and Frameline happily embraces an ever broader demographic in the Bay Area, nation and across the globe. We wonder if the founding fathers (and it was ‘fathers’!) could have ever imagined what the organization would grow into and how important its role would become in building and changing queer culture over the decades and around the world. This year’s festival features big themes like social justice and youth/teen perspectives, an increased presence in the East Bay, record-breaking numbers of films by women, and exciting statements of fashion, identity, and first-feature filmmakers. With an expected attendance of 65,000, Frameline40 will draw film lovers, media artists, and LG-

Photos courtesy of Frameline

Frameline’s Frances Wallace, Des Buford and Peter Stein

BTQ communities to discover 155 stories that shed light on queer lives in 24 countries, including Ecuador, Cuba, China, Myanmar, The Philippines, Sweden, and Chile. We are so proud to be able to serve as the world’s largest queer exhibition program with content that continues to stretch us all! Executive Director Frances Wallace Dir. of Exhibition & Programming Des Buford Senior Programmer Peter L. Stein

The Year’s Best Queer Cinema at Frameline40 Frameline’s mission–to change the world through the power of queer cinema–was born out of a political climate that demanded visibility during a time when the LGBTQ community was actively made invisible. It is as strong and relevant in today’s contentious social and political climate as it was in the past. Social Justice & Identity As part of a special initiative supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Frameline40 presents In Whose Image? LGBTQ Storytelling 1977–Today, a series of film screenings and panel discussions that ref lect upon and contextualize a powerful body of filmmaking from the founding year of the festival through today. Highly anticipated new films in the social justice category include the Opening Night Film Kiki; Centerpiece Documentary Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four; The Trans List; Out Run; and Treasure: From Tragedy to Trans Justice, Mapping a Detroit Story. Retrospective screenings include landmark documentaries from the 70s (Gay USA), 80s (Tongues Untied), and 90s (Living with Pride: Ruth C. Ellis@100 and The Celluloid Closet), while two panel discussions dive into current topics energizing LGBTQ filmmaking today. Fresh Perspectives on Youth & Teens Frameline40 includes a look at a beautiful spectrum of teen and youth-driven depictions that go beyond coming-of-age stories or opposition from parents or society. These fully-fleshed depictions of youth allow for complex and nuanced storytelling. Highlights include Opening Night Kiki; Centerpiece World Cinema Being 17; Showcases Rara and Growing Up Coy; and World Cinema selections Closet Monster and I Promise You Anarchy. A Flourishing of New Filmmakers The festival prides itself on introducing audiences to remarkable new talent and filmmaking artists, serving as both an incubator for emerging artists and as a platform for fostering dynamic storytelling. For Frameline40, 21 first feature filmmakers are stepping into the spotlight, showcasing their evolving voices and stories. Most of those films will be contenders for Frameline40’s First Feature Award, a

$7,500 juried award proudly underwritten by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which will be announced at the Closing Night Party on June 26. Diverse Black Stories & Experiences Frameline continues to highlight outstanding Black films and filmmakers with numerous remarkable and often untold stories. As a world-renowned stage for the newest and most exciting voices in independent cinema, Frameline40 features 26 films created by, for, or about Black, African, and/or African American LGBTQ communities. Featuring stories of expression through both community and individuality (Kiki, Tongues Untied, The Trans List), lives examined over decades (Living with Pride: Ruth C. Ellis@100, Strike a Pose), sobering examinations of oppression and criminalization of Black and trans bodies (Check It, Treasure: From Tragedy to Trans Justice, Mapping a Detroit Story), desire and friction (Her Story: Season One) and dark comedy featuring Bay Area characters (Pushing Dead), Frameline40 continues to highlight the breadth of Black LGBTQ movements and ideas. Expanding Latino/Latina Voices at Frameline This year’s festival unveils an impressive slate of films that highlight Latino/Latina stories and filmmakers. As a worldrenowned stage for the newest and most exciting voices in independent cinema, Frameline40 features 29 films created by, for or about the Latino and Latin American LGBTQ communities. Overflowing with stories of dangerous passions (Bruising for Besos, From Afar, I Promise You Anarchy), family struggles and manifestations (Daddy’s Boy, Kiki, Rara, You’ll Never Be Alone), tragic and unjust consequences (Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four) and fresh voices from Cuba (Horses), Frameline40 provides a sensational feast of Latino/Latina experiences for every palate. Endearing & Powerful Asian Films Frameline40 explores a collection of phenomenal Asian and Asian American films. As a world-renowned stage for the newest and most exciting voices in independent cinema, Frameline40 features 19 films created by, for, or about the Asian, Pacif ic Islander, South Asian, Middle

Eastern and Asian American LGBTQ communities. Flourishing with moments of passion and discovery versus cultural traditions (Front Cover, Loev, Spa Night), individuals challenging mainstream and political norms (Inside the Chinese Closet, Irrawaddy Mon Amour, Out Run) and the wax and wane of celebrity (Strike a Pose), Frameline40’s impressive slate continues to celebrate Asian and Asian American stories. Women Filmmakers Showcase Their Craft Frameline continues to explore and highlight f ilms from women mediamakers. As a world-renowned stage for the newest and most exciting voices in independent cinema, Frameline40 features 59 films created by women filmmakers–including 50 percent of this year’s featurelength documentaries and 42 percent of narrative features in the program–representing a continuing growth trend from Frameline39, and percentages greatly exceeding mainstream industry standards of women represented in f ilmmaking. With stories of family dysfunction (The Intervention, Rara), desire versus conf lict (Summertime, Her Story: Season One, Women Who Kill), Hollywood glamour (Women He’s Undressed) and proudly having “KickAss” ovaries (Ovarian Psycos), phenomenal women, both Frameline veterans and fresh faces, have crafted an extraordinary range of films at Frameline40. East Bay Programming Sees Robust Increase Frameline40 has announced a longer festival run in the East Bay with seven days of screenings at the Rialto Cinemas® Elmwood (Sunday, June 19–Thursday, June 23) and the Landmark Theatres Piedmont (Thursday, June 23–Saturday, June 25). The Elmwood will now open on the Festival’s first Sunday night and the Piedmont will feature a full day of Saturday screenings during the festival’s second weekend. Frameline’s programming team has bolstered the East Bay schedule with repeat screenings of signature programming including Centerpieces, Showcases, and Opening Night film selection Kiki. With the palpable migratory shift of LGBTQ community members residing in the East Bay, Frameline is thrilled to reconf ig-

ure its East Bay offerings and to provide weekend screening options to cinephiles on both sides of the Bay Bridge. 2016 Frameline Award Goes to Robert Hawk Robert “Bob” Hawk is the recipient of the 2016 Frameline Award. In Frameline’s 40th year of recognizing and celebrating pioneers in the film and LGBTQ communities, Bob Hawk shines as a curator, consultant, mentor, producer and independent film guru. The award will be presented to Hawk by acclaimed filmmaker Cheryl Dunye at the June 18 screening of Film Hawk, a new documentary about Hawk’s life by JJ Garvine and Tai Parquet. Hawk’s credits run long, and his career accomplishments run deep. He fell in love with the arts through theater at a young age, when he also embraced and celebrated his sexuality with the support of his family and minister father, despite their conservative community. His activism in the gay community drew him from theater to film when he arrived to San Francisco in the 70s. A work-in-progress screening of the seminal gay documentary, Word Is Out, propelled him to consult on the production with filmmaker Rob Epstein, and then to assist him with fundraising and the development of the Oscarwinning The Times of Harvey Milk. In 1985, he founded San Francisco’s Film Arts Festival, a showcase for local independent filmmakers. He worked as a researcher on acclaimed documentary The Celluloid Closet (Frameline40 retrospective screening). He has been attending and supporting Frameline since the second festival in 1978, serving on Frameline’s Board of Directors and Screening Committee, and helping establish the festival as it is known today. He was on the Advisory Selection Committee of the Sundance Film Festival for over a decade, and currently serves on the advisory boards of Independent Film Week (IFP/NY) and The Legacy Project (a collaboration of Outfest and the UCLA Film and Television Archives). At 78, Hawk’s pace has not slowed. He recently made his directorial debut with the short film, Home from the Gym (Frameline38), for which he received Outfest’s Emerging Talent Award in 2014.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 40th Anniversary

Hits and Misses at Frameline40

Film Gary M. Kramer It’s that special time of year, The Frameline Film Festival! Featuring hundreds of LGBTQ features, documentaries and shorts, this year’s festival–the 40th!–offers a terrific program of independent and international voices showcasing queer lives and issues. Here are reviews of more than a dozen films screening at the fest. Akron, a modest low-budget indie set in the Midwest, has college students Benny (Matthew Frias) and Christopher (Edmund Donovan) falling in love. Akron is enjoyable during its first act when the guys get to know one another as they date, kiss, and have a chastely-filmed sleepover. However, writer/co-director Brian O’Donnell telegraphs the central conflict–a tragedy the boys shared from their childhood–that generates too much emotion for the characters and too little for viewers. While the performers are affable, and often better than their material, this well-meaning effort about love conquering all is ultimately too amateurish.

Daddy’s Boy

A romantic melodrama, based on Deb Shoval’s 2010 short f ilm of the same name, AWOL is a gritty little indie about Joey (Lola Kirke), who is looking to join the army, in part, to get money for college. But when she falls for the marriedwith-children Rayna (Breeda Wool), Joey’s priorities change. She only wants to be with Rayna, a “bad influence,” who talks about moving to Vermont where they will be able to live together and more freely. AWOL builds its romance from the young women sneaking around, trying to hide their affair in a small town. The drama stems from the push-pull relationship that develops between the two women as they struggle with issues of money and obligations until they make a risky decision that may alter their lives and fates forever (the title is a bit of a spoiler). Kirke gives a fantastic performance as Joey, capturing her emotional cadences as she grapples with pangs of the heart and the consequences of her actions. Moreover, AWOL portrays rural queer life in a sensitive way not usually seen on screen, which also makes it worthwhile despite some narrative contrivances. The hate crime rate for LGBTQ youth in Washington, D.C., is alarmingly high, so a gang called Check It was created to (literally) combat bullying. With 200+ members, this group has fought, rather than run, when faced with adversity. By standing up for themselves, they serve as role models for other queer youth of color. But as this inspiring documentary shows, there are still problems, ranging from violence and rape to prostitution and more as the young African American men and women try to survive, often on the streets. Check It chronicles several key members of the gang, including Trey, who is more comfortable as a woman than a man; Alton, who is trying to overcome a troubled childhood; and Skittles, a wiry, talented young man who could have success on the boxing circuit. In addition, Ron, a mentor to the gang, helps get Trey and Alton involved with a Fashion Camp that might help them find some direction. The episodes that comprise this film are engaging, but also frustrating, as when Skittles does not show up for a meeting with his trainer, Duke. What comes across is the resilience of these members who must fight for what they have. As filmmakers Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer show, they do it passionately and with style. Daniel Armando (What It Was) returns to Frameline with his ambitious Daddy’s Boy, a luminous-

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Girls Lost

Check It ly shot black and white drama that depicts various father/son dramas. The film is episodic, even experimental, as vignettes depict a father talking to his son about a same-sex experience in his past; a gay photographer talking with his handsome models about how to pose; and Jorge ( James Koroni), a dancer, performing in his studio. The most involving story, however, features two straight men, Max (Al Miro) and Manuel ( Jonathan Iglesias), who meet and spend some time together in New York City before shooting a gay porn scene in a hotel room. Armando concentrates more on mood—the tactile feel of a body, or the masks that various characters wear–than plot. That may be enough for some view-

ers looking to sink into the dreamy landscape of the city and stylized bodies on display, but for others, it won’t be nearly enough. Alexandra-Therese Keining’s engaging drama Girls Lost is a curious gender-bender about three teenage girls, Kim (Tuva Jagell), Bella (Wilma Holmén), and Momo (Louise Nyvall), who are bullied in school. All this changes when the girls discover a magic female flower that transforms them overnight into boys. Kim (Emrik Öhlander) Bella (Vilgot Ostwald Vesterlund) and Momo (Alexander Gustavsson) soon enjoy male privilege, and the girls are emboldened by the physical changes they experience, however briefly. Girls Lost is intriguing as it focus-

Retake

Holding the Man

Women Who Kill

es on the characters’ emotions as they grapple with same-sex or trans-sexual desire vs. physical gender. But while the points Keining makes about gender identity and sexuality are interesting—would Bella, who prefers being female, become male to be with the male Kim?—the film never sufficiently explores these ideas it raises. Moreover, Girls Lost closes with a scene that is meant to be open-ended, but it is really more of a cop out or a compromise. The ambitious Australian import, Holding the Man, based on Timothy Conigrave’s celebrated memoir, recounts the relationship between two classmates, Tim (Ryan Corr) and John (Craig Stott). The film toggles back and forth over 15 years starting in 1976, to chart the relationship’s key moments. Director Neil Armfield leaves some points for viewers to piece together, which dilutes the film’s dramatic tension, and Tim is rather selfish and unlikable in the first half, but Holding the Man does have some strong emotional moments. The best scene may be the subtlest: Tim dancing with his dad (Guy Pearce) at a wedding. The film makes points about pride and activism without hectoring about gay rights and homophobia during the early days of AIDS, which is both a benefit and a drawback. Corr and Stott are fine leads (though they don’t pass for teenagers), however, Anthony LaPaglia gives the best performance as John’s disapproving father. I Promise You Anarchy This promising, but ultimately disappointing, Mexican drama has Miguel (Diego Calva Hernández) sexually involved with Johnny (Eduardo Eliseo Martinez), the straight-ish son of his family’s housekeeper. The guys have a mostly aimless life, skateboarding through the streets, hanging out and procuring blood donors for gangsters, which is how Miguel earns money. With Johnny’s help, Miguel rounds up 50 folks to be “milked,” but then a situation develops that changes things. I Promise You Anarchy makes Miguel’s personal and professional situations interesting enough, but the film is too slightly plotted and its tone is too casual to deliver enough drama for viewers to become suitably invested in Miguel’s and Johnny’s fates and their relationship. Hernández has a charismatic screen presence, but Martinez’s Johnny is underdeveloped, even though he does get to skateboard naked. Ovarian Psycos is the name of a feminist, women of color and women-identified collective. This warm documentary about rebellious spirits profiles several members of this bicycle brigade in East L.A. that have been victims of abuse and/or empowered by their commitment to their community. The film shows the backlash and difficulties the Ovarian

I Promise You Anarchy Psycos experience as well as their family-like bond. However, this documentary is best at illustrating the power these women feel when they have control in their lives, families, and society, rather than being victims of sexual and/or physical violence and discrimination. In Retake Jonathan (Tuc Watkins) hires prostitutes to relive his experiences and recreate his memories with Brandon, his boyfriend of three years. When Evan (Devon Graye) agrees to “be Brandon” to go on a road trip to the Grand Canyon with Jonathan, the role playing involves dressing like Jonathan’s lover, and doing whatever Jonathan says. The dynamic between the men is forced at first, but it shifts periodically when Evan as Brandon tries to get Jonathan to let go, taking time to watch a sunset, or coping with the fact that a wine Jonathan favors is not available at a recreated dinner. Retake is a bit contrived in its plotting as Evan will undoubtedly help Jonathan cope with the loss from his past, but the actors have chemistry when they play a truth game poolside, or dance together in a bar. Watkins is appropriately stiff as the heartbroken Jonathan, but the pain in his every expression is palpable and heartbreaking. Graye is looser as Evan, which keeps the film from being a total bummer. Retake is poignant an affecting, and while this two hander takes a not unexpected trip, the ending is highly satisfying and earned. Southwest of Salem is a heart-wrenching documentary that recounts the agonizing story of four lesbian women, Anna, Cassie, Liz and Kristie, who were wrongly convicted of sexually abusing two young girls in 1994. Maintaining their innocence, the San Antonio Four, as they are known, were falsely accused of Satanic sexual abuse even though there were inconsistencies and errors made in court testimony. Homophobia, by the police, in their trial, and in the town and media, played a strong factor in why the women were sentenced for 15–37½ years. Their story is clearly recounted here, using interviews with the women in prison to explain how the truth was ignored until the Innocence Project of Texas took on their case and fought for the Four’s exoneration. It’s best for the facts that come to light to be revealed to viewers in the film, but Southwest of Salem is sure to outrage viewers as it raises questions about the kind of crimes it depicts. Summertime, is a beautiful and moving lesbian romantic drama about living one’s truth in a rural environment. In 1971, Delphine (Izïa Higelin) works on her family farm near Limoges. When she moves

to Paris, and becomes involved in a woman’s group. Delphine not only becomes empowered by this, but she also becomes smitten with Carole (Cécile De France). Before long, the women embark on a passionate affair. When a family matter forces Delphine to return to the farm, Carole soon follows. On the surface, Summertime may follow the standard coming out tale trajectory, but this lovely period film is much deeper. More deadpan than screwball, Women Who Kill is a comedy thriller about two exes, Morgan (writer/director Ingrid Jungermann) and Jean (Ann Carr), who run a podcast on female serial killers. What starts out in a quirky, amiable low key mode shifts gears when it introduces Simone (Sheila Vand), a mysterious beauty who becomes Morgan’s new girlfriend. While themes of jealousy play out in not unpredictable ways, and there are a few chuckles and wry observations about friendship and relationships along the way, Women Who Kill never generates enough dramatic tension to sustain its central question: Is Simone a murderer? Alas, this means the film boxes itself into a corner from which it never escapes. While the red herrings are more pinkish, and the performances are affable, Women Who Kill is ultimately too mild to be truly thrilling. You’ll Never Be Alone is an intense Chilean drama. Pablo (Andrew Bargsted) is a young gay teen who lives with his accepting father Juan (Sergio Hernández). Juan may not be aware that Pablo likes to dress up in women’s clothing, or that he is having sex with Félix ( Jaime Leiva), their neighbor. When Pablo is beaten up by Martin (Benjamin Westfall) and two others and left for dead, Juan must grapple with his son’s condition. However, Juan is stymied at every turn, which prompts him to take some drastic actions. You’ll Never Be Alone is a powerful film told in an intimate style that magnifies the emotions. Both Bargsted and Hernández’s expressions reveal what their characters are thinking at every moment, and it is impossible not to be moved by their moments of happiness, frustration, and pain. This may be a tough film, but it is rewarding nonetheless. For showtimes and tickets, visit: https://ticketing. frameline.org/festival/index.aspx © 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

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 40th Anniversary

Frameline40 Local Filmmakers & Ties Bernal Heights Freedom to Marry Producer Jenni Olson lives in the Bernal Heights, Glen Park area. The Presidio also gets a mention, as funding for the film came from the Catapult Film Fund in the Presidio.

The film was shot in San Francisco at the Castro Theatre, Victoria Theatre, Oasis and Glamarama Salon. Hayes Valley also gets a shout out, as filming occurred in Peaches Christ’s ( Joshua Grannell’s) house in Hayes Valley. Filming also took place in the Mission.

Castro/Duboce Triangle/Corona Heights Looking The movie was filmed in the Castro and at other San Francisco locations with local crew and extras.

Do Not Think for a Moment This short was filmed in the Castro district and in other parts of San Francisco.

Swirl Director Lance McDaniel lived in San Francisco for 8 years and worked in the Castro at Wild Wild West.

Civic Center Last Men Standing Subject Mick Robinson lives in Mid-Market. Hayes Valley is also included, as subject Jesus Heberto lives there. Subject Peter Greene (deceased) lived in Noe Valley. Subject Kevin VandenBergh lives in Noe Valley/Twin Peaks.

Out Run Co-Director and longtime Bay Area filmmaker Leo Chiang lives in Duboce Triangle. Vegas in Space Parts of the movie were filmed at Corona Heights Park. Much of the film was also shot in Doris Fish’s flat at 422 Oak Street in Hayes Valley. Miniatures and other scenes were shot in the Mission at the home of cast member Miss X and director Phillip R. Ford (3567 18th Street). Wig and a Prayer – The Peaches Christ Story

Cole Valley How to Kiss in Paris Director April Hirschman Lives in Cole Valley. Noe Valley Strike a Pose Sue Trupin, mother of one of the late subjects, Gabriel, lives in Noe Valley and scenes of the film were shot at her house.

The movie is also connected to the Richmond district, as scenes were filmed at the AIDS Memorial Grove. Park Merced Persistence of Memory The film was made as a thesis film for SFSU’s Cinema MFA Program. It was shot in Oakland and San Francisco, including using twenty camera operators for bullet-time cinematography. SoMa Folsom Street The move was filmed at locations on SoMa’s Folsom Street with Bay Area locals, such as drag performer Grace Towers. Upstairs Inferno The GLBT Historical Society contributed archival footage to the film. Numerous other films at Frameline40 have ties to San Francisco in general, as well as to the East Bay cities of Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward and Oakland; to Vallejo in the North Bay; and to La Honda, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Santa Cruz in the South Bay.

Changing the World Through the Power of Queer Cinema As a media arts non-profit, Frameline’s programs connect filmmakers and audiences in the Bay Area and around the world. The festival’s integrated programs provide critical funding for emerging LGBTQ filmmakers; reach hundreds of thousands with a collection of more than 250 films distributed nationally; inspire thousands of students through Youth In Motion, which sends free films and curricula to schools across the nation; and creates an international stage for the world’s best queer film through The San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival and additional year-round screenings and cinematic events. Completion Fund Six of the films playing at Frameline40, including Opening Night f ilm Kiki and U.S. Center piece AWOL, were supported by Frameline’s Completion Fund. Since 1990, 136 films have been awarded over $460,000, a much-needed source of f inancial assistance to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Frameline will be accepting applications for the 2017 round of funding in late 2016. Other festival films supported by Completion Fund are Growing Up Coy, Out Run, The Joneses and Her Story. Youth in Motion Frameline’s Youth in Motion program distributes free LGBTQ films, along with professionally-created curriculum, to nearly 900 K–12 institutions. This program supports over 25,000 students across all 50 states. During the festival, Youth in Motion also provides free tickets to youth and youth-serving organizations for two programs. On Friday, June 17, at 4 pm, students and their allies will receive free tickets to

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a Castro Theatre screening of U.S. teen romance Akron, directed by Brian O’Donnell, in a giveaway underwritten by a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. On Sunday, June 19, the Coming Up Queer shorts program at the Roxie Theatre at 1 pm, featuring teen and youth stories, will be admission free. This program is supported by The Bob Ross Foundation and an anonymous donor. Distribution As part of the Retrospective series for Frameline40, three Frameline Distribution titles will be showcased during the festival, including Arthur Bressan’s seminal Gay USA as part of the Flashback 1977 program. In addition, Marlon Riggs’ masterpiece Tongues Untied will screen, preceded by Voguing: The Message, adding up to one showcase on two very different experiences of queer Black life in 1989. Frameline Distribution is the only LGBTQ non-profit distributor in the U.S., with over 250 titles in the robust collection. Frameline Voices Frameline Voices hosts over 100 films free online on YouTube and Vimeo highlighting those underrepresented in mainstream cinema– youth, elders, people of color, and gender-variant individuals. Titles from the past 40 years have garnered over 3,000,000 hits on this platform, which features ever ything from queer short film classics by Ira Sachs and Jenni Olson to recent titles by emerging filmmakers. Through Frameline Voices, film-lovers are able to experience the best of the past 40 years of LGBTQ cinema year-round and across the globe. Continuing Impact Post Festival

In the fall, Frameline Encore will continue in San Francisco at the Roxie Theatre and in Oakland at the Piedmont Theatre. This free series of screenings and discussions for the queer community emphasizes underrepresented experiences, and for the coming season, Frameline will continue to highlight meaningful retrospectives from the organization’s history. This program is supported by Folsom Street Events and the National Endowment for the Arts. Join the Frameline Family: Membership Frameline members are vital to the festival’s year-round work in creating

change for LGBTQ people everywhere. When you join as a member, your generous gift supports emerging filmmakers, Frameline’s youth programs to create safer and more accepting communities, and the exhibition of thought-provoking films documenting LGBTQ lives and experiences both online and at the Festival. By joining the most respected LGBTQ media arts organization in the nation, you invest in Frameline’s future and also receive an array of exciting benefits. For more information about how you can be a part of the Frameline family, please visit: www.frameline.org/join

Frameline40 Fast Facts Frameline has definitely earned its title as The King of Queer Film Festivals. This year’s offerings alone include: 155 festival films,121 programs, 72 feature films, 83 short films, 24 countries represented, 9 world premieres, 2 international premieres, 1 North American premiere, 7 West Coast premieres, 27 Bay Area premieres, 21 first-time feature filmmakers, 59 films directed by women, 31 feature films directed by women, 19 Asian films, 26 Black films, 29 Latino/Latina films, 22 social justice films, 2 interactive panels, 7 days of East Bay programming and 6 Frameline Completion Fund grantees! Venues Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco The Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street, San Francisco Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street, San Francisco Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Avenue, Berkeley Landmark Piedmont Theater, 4186 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland Box Office Online: 24-hour access at www.frameline.org In Person: 1:00 pm–7:00 pm daily at Frameline40 Box Office, located at Strut, 470 Castro Street, San Francisco Via Fax: 24-hour access at 415-861-1404, download order forms at www.frameline.org

Frameline Film Festival 40th Anniversary Launch Party Photos by Rink

The Launch Party for Frameline40, held at Oasis Lounge on Monday, May 23, included a discussion with Frameline leaders Frances Wallace, executive director; Des Buford, director of exhibition and programming; and Peter Stein, senior programmer. Frameline’s Kevin Schaub, program and hospitality manager, and Brian Ray, outreach coordinator, joined Karen Larsen and Vince Johnson of Larsen Associates in welcoming guests. Press representatives attending included Outlook Video’s Raymond Donald Hong and Roberta Gonzalez, cable star Rahn Fudge, publicist Charles Zukow and others. Roxie Theatre programmer Jennifer Morris, Wells Fargo Foundation’s Mario Diaz, and Frameline volunteer Penni Kimmel as well as others also attended.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

THEATRE

Leave Your Troubles Outside, Life Is Beautiful at the Cabaret Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed masterpiece Cabaret returns to San Francisco for performances June 21–July 17 at SHN Golden Gate Theatre. It is part of the 50th Anniversary Season of the award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company. Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall (the film adaptations of Into the Woods and Chicago) present this incredible Tony Award winner just as June Pride is moving into high gear. You will be welcomed into the world of the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd—and to leave their troubles outside. But as life in pre-WWII Germany grows more and more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through their dangerous times? We urge you to come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s musical, given these songs and more, is ultimately about following your heart while the world loses its way. Roundabout’s production of Cabaret opened on Broadway on March 19, 1998, and starred A lan Cumming and Natasha Richardson (1963–2009). It won four Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. Alan Cumming received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Cabaret went on to play on Broadway for six years and 2,378 performances before finishing its run on January 4, 2004. Cabaret premiered on Broadway in 1966 and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in addition to the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, the Outer Critics’ Circle Award, the Variety Poll of New York Critics, and London’s Evening Standard Award. The original Broadway production played 1166 performances. You will likely recognize the “Emcee” in this latest production, Randy Harrison. He appeared in five seasons of “Queer as Folk” on TV and was in the film Gayby. Harrison has also been in numerous hit theater productions and other movies over the years. Andrea Goss (Sally Bowles) is another favorite, having appeared in the film version of Rent and several other theater productions as well.

(left) Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles in the 2016 National Touring cast of of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret. (above) Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret. Photos by Joan Marcus

As the memorable song “Willkommen” goes, “…life is disappointing, forget it! In here life is beautiful. The girls are beautiful. Even the orchestra is beautiful.” Harrsison is beautiful as well, with his fit physique emphasized all the more in the show’s ultra sexy costumes. Such decadence provides a poignant reminder of the times in which the show was set, and how resilient life can be even when facing unimaginable challenges. For more information about “Cabaret,” visit www.cabaretmusical.com

Sarah Bishop as Helga, Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles, and Alison Ewing as Fritzie in the 2016 National Tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret. Photo by Joan Marcus 34

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Shannon Cochran as Fräulein Schneider, Mark Nelson as Herr Schultz. Photo by Joan Marcus

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Looking Back on a HistoryMaking School Year, and Looking Forward to the Fall Semester ( 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. She has just f inished teaching a new Ethnic Studies course. It was a popular elective among the school’s Social Science offerings. Schlax, as well as one of her students, share their thoughts as the spring school season ends and the summer break begins.)

Student Voices

Dear San Francisco Bay Times Readers, Over the course of this year, you have been witness to one of the most profound experiences of my life, and one of the top 3 accomplishments of my career. This year, I taught LGBTQ Studies and Ethnic Studies to an amazing, inquisitive, artistic group of students at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. I don’t think I realized how powerful this class would be, or how much it would mean to my students, or to this community, but I do now. To those students–you inspire me. You are about to change the world. I am so thankful to have been your teacher this year. This would not have been possible without the outpouring of support from outside our school. Professors from City College and San Francisco State provided syllabi and feedback; guest speakers Felicia Elizondo, Tom Ammiano, Kate Kendell, and fellow San Francisco Bay Times columnists John Lewis & Stuart Gaffney (dubbed “the cute married guys” by my class) spoke with us and shared their powerful stories. DonorsChoose helped us get MP3 players; The San Francisco Film Society and the Castro Theatre hosted us for films; FOSOTA gave picture frames and prints for our art show; Erik Martinez guided us through the entire semester; Matt Haney, Sandra Fewer, and the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club championed our cause and broke down barriers for us. The San Francisco Bay Times gave us a column! I am in awe of what we can do for education when we work together, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year when this class is at not one, but four Bay Area schools! My students have been given the opportunity to share their learning with you here, in a column, throughout the school year, and wanted to leave a message to those who will follow in their footsteps and take this class next year. The words of one student follow. With sincere gratitude, and excitement to see you again in the fall, Lyndsey Schlax

Dear Future Ethnic Studies and LGBTQ Studies Students, I want you to know that your life is about to change. You are about to experience the most adventurous class of your high school career. Be prepared to be wrong. However, do not be afraid to be wrong. Part of the learning process is to learn from your mistakes because naturally, we do not know what we don’t know. You’ll wish that this class was more available to high school students everywhere. You are about to be in a class that has made history as the first LGBTQ Studies class to be offered by a public high school, in the nation. Trust your teacher as she has dedicated her pioneer heart and passion into creating this wonderful course. How many people can actually say that their history teacher actually made history? I hope that you stay open and eager to learn with a constant lingering curiosity. You should definitely ask questions, but don’t forget to step back, listen and not get in the way. Remember that the content of this class will be about untold stories and histories. With this, you will learn how to become a good ally. Please don’t, and I urge you not to, take the time and resources you have in this class for granted. Also do not be late. This class is too valuable to miss out on and I regret not being there for every single second of this class that I missed because I was late. The best part of this class is most definitely the interactiveness, the opportunities, the active activism and flexibility of this course that is so relevant to the current events going on right now. It is also amazing to be in a class surrounded by students who actively want and chose to be in the class. It creates a very engaging and progressive environment, making it more fun to learn. When the semester, when the year is over, you will most definitely miss this class. However, it will stick with you forever. You will be enriched with a better, well-rounded knowledge of the history of the world and all of the the people who inhabit it. For more information about the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, please visit http://www.sfsota.org/ 36

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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.

Served Up Fresh:

Fresh Meat Festival of Transgender & Queer Performance Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Bay Area audiences look forward to it all year long. We plan outfits around it, line up dates for it, and buy our tickets early (because it always sells out). San Francisco’s annual Fresh Meat Festival of transgender and queer performance is an award-winning audience favorite–and the only event of its kind in the U.S. And this year is extra-special: June 16–18, the Fresh Meat Festival celebrates its 15th Anniversary with a star-studded lineup of opera, hip-hop, hula, live music, modern dance, circus, theater and voguing. “We wanted to go all out for our 15th Anniversary,” explained Artistic Director Sean Dorsey, “so we’ve got a lineup of worldclass artists, plus lobby after-parties every night with DJs, go-go dancers, drinks, dancing and our popular Fresh Meat photo booth.” The 2016 Festival features three jampacked nights of transgender opera stars, North America’s same-sex ballroom champions, a gender-bending boy band, gay hula, queer bachata, voguing, mixed abilities dance, and some of the nation’s most innovative LGBT artists. Friday features ASL interpretation and Saturday is a “15th Anniversary Gala” performance and reception. We sat down with Artistic Director Sean Dorsey and talked about milestones, bathroom bills and solidarity. San Francisco Bay Times: 15 years! Congratulations. Sean Dorsey: Thank you! We’re thrilled to be celebrating this milestone, and we can’t wait for our audiences to experience the performers we’re presenting this year. It’s definitely the place to be this Pride season. San Francisco Bay Times: Why, and when, did you start the Fresh Meat Festival? Sean Dorsey: In 2002, literally no one was putting transgender artists onstage. No one. So I brought a group of artists and activists together for what we thought would be a one-time trans and queer performance event. Well, the shows were standing-room only and the community response was so huge that we decided to transform into an annual festival and a year-round organization. San Francisco Bay Times: And so that’s how “Fresh Meat Productions” was born? Sean Dorsey: Exactly. Fresh Meat Productions grew from one single event into the nation’s first and only organization creating, presenting and touring year-round arts programs! We’ve supported and presented over 900 transgender and queer artists since 2002. And we’ve brought transgender and queer dance, theater, music and arts to more than 125,000 people across the U.S.

San Francisco Bay Times: Members of our team have been to the Fresh Meat Festival and can attest to the fact that there really is nothing else like it in the country. The quality of the artistry, the warmth and power of the audiences, the after-parties, and the diversity of the audiences are extraordinary.

AXIS Dance Company, photo by Dariel Sneed

Sean Dorsey: We are really proud of all of those things. Fresh Meat is about good art, relevant art, important art, empowering audiences, celebrating each other. Lifting each other up in solidarity and celebration! San Francisco Bay Times: What are some highlights of the 15th Anniversary Festival? Sean Dorsey: Oh, wow–It is a smorgasbord of goodness! This year, we’re presenting world-class artists who are on the very cutting edge of American performance. We have Na Lei Hulu per for ming an a l lmale hula piece celebrating a Hawaii a n k i n g ’s m a l e lover (yes!); A XIS Da nce C ompa ny changing the face of dance and disability; queer bachata champions Jahaira Fajardo and Angelica Medina; whip-smart, insightful singer-songwriter Shawna Virago; powerful wordsmith mestiza Elena Rose; same-sex ballroom champs Robbie Tristan and Ernesto Palma… .

ErnestoPalma and RobbieTristan, photo by Kegan Marling (inset left) India Davis

San Francisco Bay Times: And you’ve got one of the world’s first transgender opera stars Breanna Sinclaire and soul-stirring singer-songwriter StormMiguel Florez … two of our faves! Sean Dorsey: And brilliant queer circus artists India Davis and Toni Cannon; Star Amerasu is back from Canada and France with her beautiful songs; Karen Anzoategui’s gorgeous storytelling/theater, and Jocquese Whitfield and Saturn Rising are going to bring the house down with their epic voguing and performance! 15th Anniversary Fresh Meat Festival of transgender and queer performance June 16–18, 2016 (all shows 8 pm) Friday: ASL interpretation Saturday: Gala Performance & Reception Z Space (450 Florida Street between 17th Street & Mariposa, San Francisco) Tickets: $15+ sliding scale Info/Tix: www.freshmeatproductions.org Advance tickets are recommended for this highly-anticipated 3-nights-only event.

San Francisco Bay Times: We’ve really seen the landscape change since that time. Sean Dorsey: Yes. Transgender visibility has obviously skyrocketed, and so has the number of incredibly talented trans and queer artists. But at the same time, transgender people are under attack all across the U.S. right now, with anti-transgender bathroom bills and hate-fueled campaigns. San Francisco Bay Times: Does the festival respond to that? Sean Dorsey: Yes! The Fresh Meat Festival is a joyful call to action, a celebration of our community. The festival affirms that we are powerful, we are beautiful and we are this nation’s future, not the smallminded hatred of a small minority. Join us and transform the world!

Star Amerasu, photo by KeganMarling

NaLeiHuluIKaWekiu

Storm Miguel Florez, photo by Sarah Deragon

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LGBTQ Chronicled: 1933–2016 A n extensive new photo exhibit celebrating our community and with a focus on Gay Pride opens June 18 at the Harvey Milk Photo Center. The exhibit, which launches with a party hosted by Peaches Christ, includes images from several noted photographers, including members of the San Francisco Bay Times team.

Image courtesy of Tim Wilson, librarian and processing archivist for the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

The imagery vividly captures many emotion-f illed moments, from an ecstatic dykes on bikes rider to retro intimate group shots of gay men and lesbians from years when a person could be arrested just for being LGBT. Highlights also include selections from Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover Photography, the San Francisco Public Library and the library’s James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center. Saul Bromberger and Sandra Hoover are a local photography team who have worked together for over 25 years. They have a collaborative approach that combines their portrait and photo-journalistic skills to convey unforgettable stories. Back in the 80s they produced photos essays about the Pride Parade. They also created the series “Portrait of Caring: Living with AIDS at the Bailey-Boushay House” about the first AIDS hospice in the nation, and have created the photo essay “Long Term HIV Survivors.” They additionally have taken portraits of LGBTQ teens at the Hayward Gay Prom, and have worked on numerous other projects. Photographs selected from the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center came from the following archival treasures: the Rikki Streicher and Mary Sager Photograph Albums, the Cliff Anchor Papers, the Harry Hay Papers, the John Gruber Papers, the Harvey Milk

Archives-Scott Smith Collection, and the Peter Adair Papers. • Rikki Streicher (1925–1994) was the owner of Maud’s and Amelia’s, two lesbian bars that were vital community gathering spaces from the 1960s through the 80s. • Cliff Anchor (1936–2000) was a gay rights activist, military man and radio broadcaster who had a long term relationship with Leonard Matlovich, a United States Air Force Sergeant who was expelled from service with a general discharge after he disclosed his homosexuality in 1975. • Harry Hay (1912–2002) was a political activist, labor advocate, and teacher. He was a founder of several homophile organizations: the Mattachine Society, the Circle of Loving Companions, and the Radical Faeries. James (later John) Gruber was also a member of the Mattachine Society. • Harvey Milk (1930–1978) was the first openly gay candidate elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Castro Camera was his photo business. • Peter Adair (1944–1996) was a documentary filmmaker who is best known for Word Is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives: Conversations with 26 Gay Men and Women (1977). Sally Gearhart, a teacher, feminist, political activist, and science fiction writer, is one of the 26 people interviewed in the film.

Courtesy David Ayllon

For many of us, these names bring to mind of flood of memories, often personal ones. For younger generations, the images will help to convey–in very strong, compelling visuals–several important moments from our not-so-distant past. It is overwhelming to see how much has changed in the span of a human lifetime. We hope that you will attend this new photo exhibit, which runs through July 16. For more information about the June 18 Opening & Reception, as well as the exhibit, please v isit http:// har ve ymilkphotocenter.org/ exhibits/lgbt-chronicled-1945-2015-celebrating-pride-616-716/

Image courtesy of Tim Wilson, librarian and processing archivist for the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

Wishing You a Happy and Safe Pride 2016 38

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S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR

Wild West: Plains to the Pacific

June 18–September 11, 2016, at the Legion of Honor, Rosenkrans Court, Special Exhibition Galleries 20B–E

Mined from the wide-ranging collections of the Fine Arts Museums, Wild West explores artistic responses to the natural and cultivated landscapes of the western United States from the frontier era to the present. The exhibition features paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, historical artifacts, and ephemera in a thematic presentation that celebrates the abundance and diversity within the region’s physical environment. This is a companion exhibition to Ed Ruscha and the Great American West. The American frontier has long existed in the popular imagination as a land of unlimited promise and potential. As the landscape has been reshaped throughout history by prospectors, loggers, farmers, and urban developers, generations of artists have also invented and re-envisioned it in their works to fit the preoccupations of their times. Images of the land’s exploitation contrast with those that document the natural beauty and unique geological features of the region, including depictions of the western national parks. Included in Wild West are works by Albert Bierstadt, Maynard Dixon, William Keith, Thomas Moran, Eadweard Muybridge, Chiura Obata, Bill Owens, Frederic Remington, Ed Ruscha, Fritz Scholder, Michael Schwab, Wayne Thiebaud, Carleton Watkins, and other artists, whose diverse range of approaches to the theme contribute to a multifaceted picture of the American West. For additional information and to purchase tickets: http://legionofhonor.famsf. org/exhibitions/wild-west Fritz Scholder, “The Blind Medicine Man,” 1974. Acrylic on canvas, 30 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. FAMSF, Gift of David and Mrs. Martin Lebowitz. © Estate of Fritz Scholder

Eadweard Muybridge, “Wm. H Seward, 85 Feet in Circumference. Mariposa Grove of Mammoth Trees, No. 51,” 1872. Albumen silver print mounted to card stock, 16 15/16 x 21 9/16 in. (image) FAMSF, Gift of Mrs. Raymond Perkins

Chiura Obata, “Setting Sun on Sacramento Valley, California,” 1930. Color woodcut, 15 5/8 x 10 15/16 in. FAMSF, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts

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Anonymous, “Sutro Baths,” ca. 1896. Color lithograph poster mounted to linen with wood roller at each end, 72 1/16 x 79 1/8 in. FAMSF, Gift of George Hopper Fitch

Michael Schwab, “Muir Woods,” from a series of posters for the Golden Gate National Parks, 1995. Color screenprint poster printed In four colors, 73 x 56 cm. FAMSF, Gift of the artist in memory of Paul and Ellie Traugh

Anonymous, “Gold Buckle Brand”, ca. 1930-1940. Color offset lithograph, 25.2 x 27.9 cm. FAMSF

Sanctuary

TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation Dr. Tim Seelig Sing along: “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.” I sang along to that catchy tune in 1972, but little did I know the lyrics were foreshadowing my life four decades later. I had no idea I would be teaching harmony to three gay asylees from opposite sides of the globe!

Alejandro, Igor, Oky, and Tim, photos courtesy of Tim Seelig

San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city is quite a hot topic these days. For most of us, it is difficult to grasp the concept of “sanctuary” when it comes to a city. But, according to Abraham Maslow, we need that “place of safety” in our lives where we can be ourselves without fear. But what happens when your home or your homeland is no longer safe? Answer: political asylum. Since arriving in San Francisco five years ago, I have been struck by this city’s collective openness to embracing all things unique. I moved from a place where difference is reluctantly tolerated to a place where it is joyfully celebrated. Our perfectly imperfect city is a magnet that attracts gloriously unique, creative souls from far and wide–all mixing into this fabulous Cioppino by the Bay. That celebration of diversity thrives inside a community within the community that is the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, a magnet for many. The stories of the 300 singers in the Chorus are wildly fascinating and come from almost every continent on this planet (we’re waiting on Antarctica). Now, please meet Alejandro, Oky, and Igor. While these three men have traveled different paths on their way to the Chorus family, there is much they have in common. All three have: • discovered living openly gay lives in their country of origin was simply not possible; • suffered discrimination, rejection, and even violence; • sought, or are seeking, asylum based on sexual orientation; • spent tens of thousands of dollars navigating the complicated immigration system; • found sanctuary singing in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. A ll three are gifted singers with hearts of gold. Recently my husband and I sat down with them for a two-hour brunch in the Castro–a fabulous mix of tears, mimosas and sexy accents! It was an avalanche of emotions all around. The brunch entrée du jour was Gratitude Benedict. Where to start? I can’t begin to tell their stories in a brief article, so you’ll only get the Cliffs Notes. Alejandro, 53 Colombia It was the early 1990s. A handsome young Alejandro discovered his part-

Oky, center, performing with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

ner was HI V+. Colombia of fered poor health care, even less information, and being gay and H I V+ carried a huge stigma. Heartbroken, they left their homes and families to literally save their lives. Alejandro says, “What started as a quest for information on HIV became a journey to a new life.” Upon arrival in San Francisco, they realized treatment information was not available in Spanish here either, so they volunteered at Project Inform and the S.F. AIDS Foundation, helping to translate critical information, for themselves and others. Returning to Colombia was not an option—a life or death proposition. They began the arduous process of gaining asylum, which was granted on December 1, 1994, signed by then Attorney General Janet Reno. Oky, 44 Indonesia In 2002, after suffering a serious head injury at the hands of a family member because of his sexual orientation, Oky left home to escape further persecution and headed for the United States on a student visa to pursue his MBA. In 2006, the unthinkable happened. Oky lost his entire family in an earthquake that wiped out his city of 6,000 inhabitants. “I knew my life would be totally changed,” Oky says. “I carry survivor’s guilt. Why them? Why not me, since I am the ‘sinner?’ I wish I had better communication when I lost them. What hurt the most—the sense of losing your home, your family and part of your identity.” There was no longer a home or family to return to. In 2008, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency detained and jailed Oky, one of the worst experiences of his life. Upon his release, he began the asylum process. In 2010, with the pro-

cess dragging on, the judge advised him that a few letters of recommendation might help. Oky asked the chorus if some members would write a note in his support. The judge received 80 letters from Oky’s SFGMC singing brothers. In 2015, Oky finally received his green card. He will be eligible for citizenship in 2018, after 16 years of struggle and staggering financial investment. Igor, 23 Russia Igor came out to his friends in his teens, thinking they would be cool. The novelty soon wore off and t h ings t ur ned ver y dark, with Igor fearing for his safety. In July 2014, Igor came to the United States for a visit. Over the next few months, he realized there would be no going home. He applied for asylum in December 2014. He arrived in San Francisco in 2015. Many have helped him along his journey. Igor says, “When I arrived I was lucky to meet Pat N Leather. He and his husband, Scott, let me stay with them. Now we are family. Pat is a huge activist and knows everyone in San Francisco and sent me directly to the gay men’s chorus. I did not know one member.” But he found an immediate, huge family. Now it is about waiting, and being ready, waiting, and paying. He did crowd-funding to assist with the extraordinarily high costs associated with asylum. Igor’s path to gaining asylum will be a long one, a prospect to which he reacts with his beautiful smile and determination. In their own words, when they sing with the Chorus, there is no fear or shame. The Chorus is their sanctuary, a place of protection and peace– and hope. It’s a “sanctuary” choir in a “sanctuary” city. They even call it a little slice of heaven and a big slice of home! These are true profiles in courage. (continued on page 50) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

Sister Dana sez, “June 19th is Father’s Day, so I want to be the first to wish all you fathers a very happy day! And that includes you leather daddies!” In celebration of Harvey Milk’s 86th birthday, the HARVEY MILK LGBT DEMOCRATIC CLUB hosted a special matinee screening of the Oscar-winning documentary film, THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, at the Castro Theater on national Harvey Milk Day, May 22. The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club was founded by namesake Harvey Milk in 1976. Today the Club continues Harvey’s legacy through political activism, electoral organizing, and building progressive power across communities and issues in San Francisco. This event was a rare opportunity to see the restored version of the film on the big screen in 35mm. The Times of Harvey Milk, which premiered at the Castro Theatre in 1984, chronicles the political career of San Francisco’s first openly gay elected official from his rise as a neighborhood activist to a symbol of gay political achievement until his assassination in November 1978. Receiving international acclaim, in-

KREWE DE KINQUE, the Mardi Gras-themed social and fundraising club, held its regular third Saturday beer bust fundraiser for JAZZIE’S PLACE, the LGBTQ homeless shelter, at The Edge bar. Queen VII Sister Dana was the door ‘ho’ collecting donations. Reigning King Sergio & Queen China Silk were hosts. King VII John Weber emceed the performers—including himself, China Silk, Queen IX BeBe Sweetbriar, Lady Cuki Couture, Piper Angelique, Christina Lady Bug, and Empress 42 Chika. Carrying on the tradition of Gertrude Stein’s famed artist salons, Seth Eisen’s Eye Zen presented THE AIR MAIL SALON—uniting live performance and spectac-

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ular food to support the upcoming premiere of THE CHARLIP PROJECT, unearthing and elevating the legacy of beloved artist, author and choreographer Remy Charlip. We gathered at the home of renowned classical pianist Garrick Ohlsson and author Bob Guter, a stunning 19th Century Victorian in the Castro. Inspired by Remy’s famed “Air Mail Dances,” (choreography illustrated and sent to artists around the world to interpret) the salon spotlighted whimsical works by Remy’s friends and collaborators with artists working on “The Charlip Project.” The salon displayed a unique exhibit of Remy’s books, photos, memorabilia, and artwork. Promoting the legacy of Remy Charlip (1929–2012), sourced from a series of interviews conducted with Remy’s friends, family, and collaborators and over a year spent doing research in Remy’s archives, this work is unearthing his enchanting life story and artistic vision. Bringing together dance, live-drawing, puppetry, physical theater, and original music, “The Charlip Project” will elevate Remy’s story as an influential dancer, choreographer, theater director, picture book author, and artist who mentored numerous artists in New York, the Bay Area and beyond. eyezen.org Frameline40 held a festive press party at Oasis to introduce THE KING OF QUEER FILM FESTIVALS, THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL, celebrating its 40th anniversary from June 16– 26 with a new look and 11 days of groundbreaking films that reflect the diversity of queer stories from across the globe. (See cover and special section of this issue.) The sleek new logo design, through the phenomenal work

of Premier Creative Sponsor Mucho, reflects the tone for Frameline as it forges ahead in a time of evolving media landscapes, larger political and social discussions about identity and expression, and emerging voices and stories still unseen by the mainstream. A new trailer debuted at the party. It will be shown on TV during the coming days. It’s a diverse bunch of queers putting on safety goggles and getting sloshed with various colors of paint and powders. SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE and ASIASF hosted a meet-n-greet with the cast of the trailblazing Fuse TV docu-series TRANSCENDENT. The TV show features a group of talented trans women from San Francisco, Bambiana, Bionka, L.A., Nya, and Xristina, as they navigate their professional, personal, and romantic lives while performing at the award-winning AsiaSF. Bambiana, Bionka, LA, Nya, and Xristina will be Grand Marshals at the upcoming 46th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26. TRANSCENDENT was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in 2016 for Outstanding Reality Program and is produced by the creators of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce. Season 2 of TRANSCENDENT premiered last night. “San Francisco Pride is at its best when we celebrate and honor our local heroes,” said Executive Director George Ridgely, “and we are incredibly lucky to have the Ladies of Transcendent as our Celebrity Grand Marshals this year.” The evening was a fabulous fundraiser for SF Pride, and featured performances by the Ladies of Transcendent. We all wore our Classy Cat and Top Dog attire to the 21st annual Petchi-

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

dustry awards, and selection for the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress, Rob Epstein’s documentary later became inspiration for Gus Van Sant’s 2008 Oscar-winning biopic, Milk. “At first, Harvey Bernard Milk showed few signs he would make history,” narrates Harvey Fierstein in the opening of the film. “Eighty-five years later, it’s hard to conceive what LGBTQ history, much less life in San Francisco, would be without him.” Amidst the mourning of the recent loss of many LGBTQ-centric social spaces and progressive cultural touchstones in San Francisco, this Harvey Milk Day was a crucial moment to celebrate one of the community’s most galvanizing leaders. Peter Gallotta, Co-President of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, emceed the program and pointed out all the many important politicos in the audience. We closed the celebration singing the traditional “Happy Birthday Song” to Harvey.

Sister Dana with community activist and Academy of Friends board member Beth Feingold at the Fairmont Hotel attending the annual PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) Petchitecture Gala on Wednesday, May 25.

tecture gala at the Fairmont Hotel. Executive Director Kaushik Roy reminded us, “Shanti Project exists to enhance the health, quality of life and wellbeing of people with terminal, life-threatening or disabling illnesses or conditions. Through a continuum of services, including in-home and onsite patient and care navigation, emotional and practical support and preserving the human-animal bond, Shanti strives to achieve the highest (continued on page 50)

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

Easy as 1-2-3

Inside Out Fitness Cinder Ernst Inside Out Fitness is a whole new way of looking at fitness. You determine what’s best for you and your body and then you actually do that with ease and grace. You develop the skills to allow beneficial behavior–exercise– to f low easily. With Inside Out Fitness we define success in this way: Doing what I said I would do about exercise consistently and without struggle. Today we are going to take a deeper look at the system that allows the “without struggle” aspect. This system is what brings balance to your self-care decisions. It is what allows you to no longer be worried or anxious about your exercise practice. It’s as easy as 1-2-3! First let’s look at how most people do fitness. There are the driven or obsessed people who get it done no matter what … even when resting would be better. These folks do not always live a balanced life, and yet society gives them the moral high ground. You might hear someone say, “Well, at least it’s a healthy obsession.” When you are doing such driven behavior you often feel pretty tight

Take Me Home with You!

about it; there’s no breathing room. Stress is high. Most of us get a little driven about something in life, so you might know what I’m talking about. This way of getting exercise done does, in fact, get it done, but there is no ease or grace. People often fear that if they don’t exercise they will get fat or will never get started again. Injuries are prevalent in the exercise obsessed. Then there are some people who get a certain amount of exercise done with regularity and feel pretty good about it. They have a routine and they can stick to it, mostly. There is sometimes a good feeling about it and, at times, the feeling of taking medicine. There is some struggle if they get knocked off the routine to get back on. This more relaxed approach is pretty good. Inside Out Fitness can help these folks become more reliable and happy with their fitness routine. Then there are people who start and stop routinely, or who can’t get started and feel frustrated about that. If you want, or know you need, to be exercising and you are not doing it, then you have split energy. Split energy is a big drain and often makes you feel lousy about yourself. The only option is to figure a way to do what you want to do, or stop wanting to do it.

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Inside Out Fitness has a system that helps you to exercise consistently and without struggle. This system is what smooths out any f itness path. It’s called AAA: Alignment-Action-Appreciation (easy as 1-2-3). Alignment always comes first before any action. You find Alignment in the moment by thinking a good feeling thought. Try it now. Find someone (a pet is good) who is easy to love and think about them, ahh. You can also use the thought of a recent vacation, great sex or a really good moment. It can be anything that brings a smile or that relaxes you. Doesn’t that feel nice? Action comes next. This can be a small step, as we discussed in the last column, or you can be walking into the gym or starting your morning walk. Any action you take will be leveraged if you get into Alignment first. Appreciation is the icing on the cake in AAA. It sweetens the whole deal. When you appreciate yourself and every accomplishment, no matter how small, you are setting yourself up to feel good. When you feel good, beneficial behavior comes naturally. AAA helps you to set up an easy flow of beneficial behavior. You are allowing, instead of pushing. You

“Let’s face it, you have to be a pretty special dog to rock a name like ‘Papa Pooch!’ That’s the title I’ve earned at the local dog park, and I do my best to live up to it. I love looking after my doggie friends and making sure that my favorite humans are getting lots of extra TLC. Although my name is bold, I’m really just a little pooch in the big city, looking for a mellow home with adopters who want to chill out with me.” Papa Pooch is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Papa Pooch. To see Papa Pooch and other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus 250 Florida St. San Francisco, CA 94103 415-522-3500

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

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 Papa Pooch: http://bit.ly/AdoptPapaPooch make good decisions for yourself and then accomplish them. It’s easy as 1-2-3: Alignment-Action-Appreciation! The next time we will talk more about Action and finding the next best step for you. If you have questions, feel free to email coach@cinderernst.com. 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

The Ultimate Team Sport: Hockey recreational hockey players here in the Bay Area, reiterated this point. “I’ve found the hockey community to be incredibly supportive,” she said, “especially [for] a beginner. Everyone is so kind and helpful!”

Sports John Chen “Hockey is all about the team. Hockey culture hates individualism,” said Patrick Burke, Co-Founder of You Can Play in an ESPN interview in 2015. The Burke clan is an inf luential and passionate hockey family with deep roots in the NHL (National Hockey League). Burke, whose brother Brendan was gay, has been at the forefront of LGBT sports advocacy since Brendon’s tragic passing in 2010. In founding You Can Play, Burke hopes to “change the way” people perceive LGBT athletes and see them for their “talent, work ethic, and character.” According to Burke, a hockey player should not stand out from his/her teammates or make him/herself “different from the team [and] if you can play, you can play.” For this reason, hockey is extremely welcoming and supportive of team members regardless of gender, gender identification, age, physical size, race, etc. Mengju (MJ) Wu, one of the many women

“I absolutely love the hockey culture! Players check their egos at the door,” exclaimed Dan Hagerty, a Boston transplant to the San Francisco Bay Area and a proud straight member of the LGBT Goaldigger ice hockey team. Founded by Don Otvos in 2007, the Goaldigger ice hockey teams fielded many LGBT men and women, especially hockey enthusiasts like Dan. From a humble beginning of new players wanting to learn and try ice hockey, Goaldigger now supports several novice and advance teams and is in the process of becoming a formal sports organization serving the Bay Area LGBT community. “I love hockey because I am an adrenaline junkie!” Michael Promes, a Goaldigger member since 2011, said with great excitement. “When I play hockey, I can be physical and aggressive; and I find solace on ice,” said Gunner Webster, who came here from Calgary, Canada. “I enjoy disappointing people by stealing the puck from them,” added Spencer Dixon with a sly and mischievous smile. Dixon has a roller hockey background. “There’s simply no other feeling that compares to the rush and exhilaration of gliding down the ice at speeds,” chimed in fearless MJ. Whatever their reason for the love of hockey, Goaldigger players are grateful to Don for affording them the opportunity to play.

“Ice hockey wasn’t always this accessible to players, LGBT or not,” explained Don. For the longest time, there were few ice rinks in the San Francisco Bay Area, and being in California, people didn’t take hockey seriously. Then things changed in 1991 when the San Jose Sharks pro hockey team was established. According to Don and Michael, the Sharks organization took over and greatly expanded the management and the facilitation of ice rinks all over Northern California, thereby generating tremendous interest in the sport of hockey. The Sharks lowered the barrier to entry by making learning, clinics, leagues and equipment very accessible. This author thinks the Sharks have some brilliant marketing minds. Go Sharks! Make history and bring home the team’s first ever Stanley Cup! (Note: As of this writing, the Sharks were behind but still in the running.) Should you decide to give ice hockey the good ‘ol college try (and you should), Dan will welcome you to his team with open arms. He, Don, Michael, Spencer, and Gunner, along with the rest of the team, will expect nothing short of you being yourself, and being a great teammate. In the immortal words of MJ, “Do it!” For more information on Goaldigger Hockey Club: contact don@otvos.com or San Francisco Goaldigger on Facebook. John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball and football teams.

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

FONTS

Julius Sans One

R. Ruth Linden, Ph.D.

Quattrocento Thursday, April 7, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Jewish Community Center Francisco PMS 7533 U PMSof 557San U PMS 660 U PMS 652 U 3200 California Street, San Francisco

This free event will feature lectures by UCSF experts, informational booths, yoga, meditation, chair Pilates, mindfulness-based stress reduction, Brain Boot Camp and more! Learn more: jccsf.org/aginggracefully

Call Today for Your Free Consultation (415) 776-5901 www.treeoflifehealthadvocates.com

Goaldigger Ice Hockey Team

LGBT Night at AT&T Park Friday, June 24th The San Francisco Bay Times / “Betty’s List” group invites you to come and join the fun. This year’s special package includes your ticket to the game, admission to the pregame LGBT Night Party in Seals Plaza from 5-7 PM, and a special LGBT-themed Giants baseball cap. For ticket information, send your e-mail with “Giants Tickets’ in the subject line and your name and phone number in the body of your message to: Publisher@ sfbaytimes.com. Photos courtesy of “Betty’s List” S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

Speaking to Your Soul

Astrology Elisa Quinzi

This precursor to summer is meant to feel light and romantic. We can all use some youthful innocence and joy in our lives right now.

sponsibly than whimsically for the time being. That doesn’t mean say no in every case. It means be choosy with your yes.

ARIES (March 21–April 19) While it might feel like your life is still in a holding pattern, the energy is ripe for networking and connecting. Build relations and pathways that support your upcoming endeavors.

CANCER ( June 21–July 22) You are naturally attuned to divine forces. Are you utilizing this power to the fullest in your life? Consider directly communicating with this higher intelligence in conversation or a letter within the next week.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Your voice is highlighted now. Use it! Whether teaching, speaking, or writing, you have a story to share and there are people who are ready to hear it. Give your gift as a way of serving the greater good. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your charm and wit are turbo-charged right now. You will undoubtedly attract. Be discerning and grounded in your choices. It serves you to act more re-

new goals and specialized areas of interest. As you dialogue with colleagues about your ideas, the universe will move the right people into place for you. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is an excellent time to sign up for further education or to explore a brand new perspective. Be open to opposing viewpoints. Stretch beyond your comfort zone. Say yes more than no.

LEO ( July 23–August 22) A great way to find and build community is by following your curiosities. Taking a class or joining a group can lead you to your people. You likely have something to teach or offer them while you’re there.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) While you might usually be the strong silent type, right now you bond with others through conversation. A meeting of the minds could unveil an important and deep realization.

VIRGO (August 23–Sept. 22) Keep your m ind and senses open now for allies in your field who can help you step toward

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Partnership or a new love reflects missing pieces you need to integrate to become more

whole. Be listening. Be willing to learn. And, as always, have fun. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan.19) A mental housecleaning is the order of the day. You might need to declutter, schedule a therapy appointment, or improve your time-management, all of which are forms of self-care. AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20–Feb. 18) June is for playtime. You have permission to be as a child and marvel at the creation that is you. Allow for wonderment. See with fresh eyes. PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20) Light and lively banter with your loved ones can refresh the energy at home. Humor and spontaneity can do wonders for reinvigorating a bond.

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

As Heard on the Street . . . What do you think is the best and worst LGBT film? compiled by Rink

Lenore Chin

Christopher Wiseman

Peter Wong

Corey Tong

“The best ones are ‘Saving Face,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘When Night is Falling.’ The worst is ‘Basic Instinct.’”

“The best one is ‘Those People’ and the worst is the one about the French film industry.”

“The best ones are ‘Keep the Light On’ and ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch,’ and the worst is ‘Cthulhu.’”

“A favorite is ‘Happy Together.’”

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Professional Services 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

Member National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

LAW OFFICES OF MILES & TORRES 1393 Noe Street, San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 308-2307 www.milestorreslaw.com

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

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

compiled by Jennifer Mullen

• 9 : T HURSDAY

Uncorked with Friends of Larkin Street – Bluxome Street Winery. $75-$90. 6-9:30 pm. Supports Larkin Street Youth Services. facebook.com/ events/849284615199756 LGBTIQ Realities in the Age of Isis – Private Home. Free. 6:30 pm. Special guest, a gay Iraqi refugee, will discuss challenges facing LGBTIQ people in the Middle East. facebook.com/ events/1016788665073574 Mark Abramson Book Signing - Books Inc in the Castro. Free. 7pm. (2275 Market St.) The final event before the store closes. facebook.com/ events/1782548165312319

• 10 : F RIDAY

Mighty Reels – Pride in the ‘70s – GLBT Historical Society. $5. 7 pm. (4127 18th St.) Media preservationist John Raines’ “Mighty Reels” series looks back at 1970s Pride. facebook.com/ events/1717672241846720 12th Annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival – Brava Theater. Free. 3 pm. Filmmaker Roundtable. Queer, gender nonconforming, and transgender filmmakers in conversation about film. Centerpiece Screening on June 12. qwocmap.org/festival2016/donate/ SF Gaymer Night – The Eagle. 8 pm. (398 12th St.) Fan-favorite video games on the big screen. facebook.com/ events/619507901535347

• 11 : S ATURDAY

From Piss to Bliss – The Marsh. $20-$100. 5 pm. (1062 Valencia St.) Ady Lady performs her new show – a voyage through San Francisco. facebook.com/events/ 619507901535347 Works In Progress – An Open Mic for Women - Fireside Room, Plymouth United Church of Christ. $7-$10. 6:30-10:15 pm. (424 Monte Vista, Oakland). Celebrating WIP’s 12th anniversary and hosted by Linda Zeiser. A women-only event. Drag Extravaganza: Event Supporting Latina Lesbians – East Side Arts Alliance. 7 pm. (2277 International Blvd.) Benefits Somos familia. “Teens and Queens” - James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library. The 20th Anniversary of the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center Exhibition. Through Aug. 7. facebook.com/James-C-Hormellgbtqia-Center-of-San-FranciscoPublic-Library-146487331384/

• 12 : S UNDAY

The 2016 Mr. and Miss Gay SF – Oasis. (298 11th Street). $25. 3 pm. Emperor Salvador Tovar and Empress Emma Peel and the Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. eventbrite.com/e/the-2016-mrmiss-gay-san-francisco-pageant-theimperial-council-of-sf-tickets-25185885662 Extra Performance of Chester Bailey- A.C.T.’s Strand Theater. $25-$80. 7 pm. (1127 Market St.) Joseph Dougherty’s Chester Bailey one night extra performance at A.C.T.’s Strand Theater. 48

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www.act-sf.org

• 13 : M ONDAY

Self Defense Class by Castro Community on Patrol – Strut. (470 Castro St.) 7 pm. Strut, Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) and Community Patrol Service USA bring LGBTQ self defense to the public. facebook. com/events/180252135703327/ Conversation with the Queer Tribe with HR Bremner – Flesh and Spirit Community. 5 pm. (924 Valencia St.) Panel on sexual development and trauma counseling. qt.fleshandspirit.org/index.php/12-series3/39h-r-bremner

• 14 : T UESDAY

How Has Hollywood (Mis) Represented Homosexuality? – Potrero Meeting Room, San Francisco Public Library. 6 pm. (1616 20th St.) Lively discussion of sexuality and gender issues. sfpl.org/index. php?pg=1023433201 Oakland A’s Pride Night $5-$25. 7:05 pm. Join LGBTQ friends, family, and allies watch the A’s take on the Texas Rangers. purchase.tickets.com/buy/MLBEventInf o?agency=MLBTGS249ATH&pid=8 122616&tfl=Oakland_AthleticsTickets-Tickets_Info_Pride-na-x0

• 15 : W EDNESDAY

Ten Percent, Episode 314: LGBT-TV for Northern California - On Comcast Hometown Network Channel 104 in Northern California. Free. 7 pm. Nicole Ferrara, executive director of WalkSF, talks about making streets safer for pedestrians. Host David Perry also talks to Madeleine Lim, ex dir of the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, about images of diversity in film. comcasthometown.com The Pride Show – El Rio. $20 9 pm. (3158 Mission St.) 30 plays focused on sexuality, identity, community, and living in San Francisco in 60 hot and sweaty minutes. facebook.com/ events/135033493573635 Floor 21: More and RudyPresent a New Downtown Happy Hour Starlight Room. Free. 5 pm. (450 Powell St.) Every Wednesday.

• 16 : T HURSDAY

Queer as F*ck – Bindlestiff. (185 6th St.) $12-$25. 7:30 pm. June 16-18 and 23-25. A theatrical engagement of gay proportions. facebook.com/ events/1062279540510239. Fresh Meat Festival of Transgender and Queer Performance – Z Space. $15. 8 pm. (450 Florida St.) June 16-18. Celebrating 15 years of award-winning transgender and queer artistry. facebook.com/events/ 517320971803045

• 17 : F RIDAY

Vibe – Strut. 7 pm. (470 Castro St.) A mixer for young queer men. facebook.com/events/ 1237480946282948 Noël Coward’s Present Laughter - Eureka Theater (215

Jackson St.) $15 - $35. 3 pm. Garry Essendine thinks the world of himself, and so do his girlfriends and boyfriends. brownpapertickets. com/event/2524729

Make America Proud Again – Mighty. $10-$45. (119 Utah St.) A Pride celebration party. eventbrite. com/e/mystopia-presents-makeamerica-proud-again-tickets-25530447255 Queer Comics Expo – SOMArts Cultural Center. $8-$10. 11 am-5 pm. (934 Brannan St.) The third annual Queer Comics Expo – June 18 and 19. facebook.com/ events/170524947968737

PHOTO BY CHARLES MARTIN, 2014.

• 18 : S ATURDAY

Last Night of Geoff Hoyle’s newest solo show Lear’s Shadow - The Marsh. $25-35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved. 5 pm. (2120 Allston Way, Berkeley). Lear’s Shadow tells a fool’s story in a solo performance. themarsh.org

• 19 : S UNDAY

Fingerbang: Make Daddy Proud – Oasis. $8-$10. 2-7 pm. (298 11th St.) Dancing and music by DJ Campbell. facebook.com/ events/726203830749413 Over the Rainbow: Pride Edition – Mix. 3 pm. (4086 18th St.) Pride kickoff supporting Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation and independent community filmmakers.

• 20 : M ONDAY

Gala Opening Party – Dog Eared Books Castro. Free. 6-10 pm. (489 Castro St.) New store opening in the Castro. For more info, contact alvin@dogearedbooks.com. Annie Proulx Reading From Barkskins - Osher Marin JCC. $45-65. 7:30 pm. (200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael) Annie Proulx reads from her latest novel. marinjcc.org/arts LGBTQ Intro to Urban Biking – Strut. 6:30 pm. (470 Castro St.) Learn the basics of biking. facebook.com/events/ 503110199876253

• 21 : T UESDAY

Love Wins: A Conversation with Jim Obergefell – The GLBT Historical Society. $20-$100. 6 pm. (4127 18th St.) The lead plaintiff in the 2015 United State Supreme Court case talks about his new book. eventbrite.com/e/ love-wins-meet-the-man-who-wonmarriage-equality-tickets-25535674891 The Doctor is In: CROI Update - Strut. Free. 6:30-8:30 pm. (470 Castro St.) a twicemonthly opportunities to ask for guidance from HIV specialist Dr. Joanna Eveland of Mission Neighborhood Health Center, the Positive Force co-facilitator, and members of your community. Email pforce@sfaf.org to RSVP. strutsf.org/event/

• 22 : W EDNESDAY Queer Comix Night - Comix Experience. 8-10 pm. (305 Divisadero St.) Special guest Kevin Wada will be by with prints. facebook.com/events/ 191561401238168

Partytime Lovers Pride – Make-Out Room. 9 pm. (3225 22nd St.) A Pride party. facebook.com/ S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES BAY T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016

SEELIG (continued from page 41) Together, we are teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony.

Not Makin’ Nice with The Donald

These three incredibly wonderful men represent the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of men and women–our brothers and sisters–need our help.

Final verse: “I’d like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand and hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land.”

The Dixie Chicks (left to right: Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and Emily Robison) began their first North American tour, DCX MMXVI World Tour, since 2006 with a concert on Wednesday, June 1, at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati. Fans were delighted during the performance of the group’s hit song “Goodbye, Earl” when the huge screen on stage presented a giant image of Donald Trump with devil horns, a mustache and goatee. San Francisco Bay Times team members look forward to attending when the group appears on July 12 at Shoreline Ampitheatre in Mountain View. Check out the tour sites: http://www.dixiechicks.com/tour/

We can all make a difference.

Photo Source: YouTube.com

What can you do? Decide to help. Open and educate yourself to this huge community and need. Find out more at the Center for Immigrant Protection (cipsf.org). Engage with the exciting new organization, The LGBT Asylum Project. It is the only Bay Area nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to providing pro-bono legal representation for LGBT immigrants who are fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in the United States. The organization is throwing its Official Launch Party on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at OASIS. https://www.facebook.com/ events/1594710087486928/

Dr. Tim Seelig is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. SISTER DANA (continued from page 42) medical and quality of life outcomes for San Francisco’s most vulnerable.” The evening raised approximately $200,000 in support of PAWS’ mission to maintain the human-animal bond. Shanti and PAWS have recently merged to provide services for both categories of people with life-threatening illnesses and those whose pets serve as their animal support. The honorable Nancy Pelosi sent a video to welcome everyone and to speak of the blessed offerings of PWA through the years. The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr., spoke of the honorees and presented plaques. PAWS’ inaugural Champion of the Human-Animal Bond Award was presented to longtime friend and supporter, Dede Wilsey, and he offered a special tribute to the recently-passed Wilkes Bashford, who will always hold a special place in our hearts. John Lipp, former PAWS executive director, gave a moving speech, including a heart-rendering story of his initial scary diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and how his pet dog kept him going through hard times. Live entertainment was provided by our lovely friend Paula West, who opened the show and closed it flawlessly–alongside her pet bulldog–with beautiful bossa nova numbers. SASHA SOPRANO presented The DRAG QUEENS OF COMEDY 2016 at the Castro Theatre, featuring ten of the Most Outrageous & Hilarious Drag Artistes, hosted by BIANCA DEL RIO—RuPaul’s Drag Race winner—Season 6. Four hunky guys in their skivvies go-go danced as a pre-show teaser. LADY RED COUTURE sang live an uproarious ode to the Grindr app for gay sex to the tune of “Hello” by Adele. Bianca worked the crowd mercilessly with her usual politically-incorrect barbs. Sasha informed us of the trials and tribulations of being raised a Catholic Jew. COCO PERU (Girls Will Be Girls/Trick) sang live all about karma and what goes around comes around. VARLA JEAN MERMAN (Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte) sang live to Mariah Carey’s “I Need a Hero” song, but changed lyrics about her need in her contract to have her wig hair blown with an electric fan for effect, and a “Mexican laborer” onstage with a leaf blower–eventually blowing her wig off. LADY BUNNY (founder of WIGSTOCK, DJ, 50

icon) sang her medley of hysterical, naughty parodies, followed by a filthy dirty version of the old comedy show, Laugh-In, as hosted by “Oldie Hawn.” ALYSSA EDWARDS (RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5) showed a “poppin’” video of herself in a drag montage, and then gave us Texas pageant realness. TRIXIE MATTEL (RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 6) tried out her fanciest material about the trauma of breaking up. HEKLINA & PEACHES CHRIST (SF’s legendary drag stars) were a two-for-one special of the 2 DQs (lovingly) giving each other major shade with drag tips, followed by teaching two straight men how to fellate a banana without leaving any lipstick traces. Closing the show was the always entertaining BOB THE DRAG QUEEN (RuPaul’s Drag Race winner on Season 8) calling herself an SLW (Seriously Large Woman) and got crazy “racist” with the audience, kidding everyone about how fearful she was “to the white folks” as a black drag queen–including my delighted BF Kevin, and then woke up a startled sleeping guy in the front row. She was absolutely fierce! The entire show was nothing less than flawless! SF AIDS FOUNDATION threw a small party at Strut in the Castro to celebrate their thousandth enrollment in the SF AIDS Foundation PrEP clinic. PrEP is taking the HIV pill Truvada every day in case of an exposure to HIV. It is highly protective, FDA-approved, and recommended by the CDC. Staff and friends gathered around a blue Truvada pillshaped cake for the occasion. SFAF Director of Nursing Pierre-Cedric Crouch thanked the staff and volunteers, adding it was actually the 1,100th enrollment that day. sfaf.org PRIDE ART SHOW, sponsored by Scissors & Cloth of San Francisco, is now open at the tiny little studio at 611 Hyde through June 30th. Artwork by Andrew Fisher, Thomasina DeMaio, Brian Moore, Matt Pipes, Morris Taylor, Elliott C Nathan, Rene Capone, and James Swainson is on display Tuesdays - Saturdays 1 pm–7 pm, open during Pride weekend and the GLBT Pride Parade special screening of Rumi Missabu’s 1972 Cockettes Cult Classic Elevator Girls in Bondage ( James Bartlett). Curated by René Capone & presented by Miss Karen Imperial of The Bry-

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ant Street Gallery in Palo Alto, the gallery is showcasing world-class artists who reflect their vision of “Pride: Ritual, Independence, Determination & Endurance.” Among my favorites are DeMaio’s oils series, “Westlake Joes,” portraying the classic building, staff, and clientele of the famous restaurant, as well as depicting “Candlestick” Park; Taylor’s watercolors (especially the Monet-inspired gardens); Capone’s untitled Zebra boy, and Pipes’ series of bare-chested men, including “Our Time Is Now,” “Butterfly Effect,” and “Little Kiss.” And “doughnut” miss Moore’s sweet “Donut” series! 611hyde.net Hurry! You only have a few more days to see Noël Coward’s PRESENT LAUGHTER - Part 2 of THEATRE RHINO’s Noël Coward Celebration on stage NOW at Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street at Battery. Garry Essendine thinks the world of himself. And so do all his girlfriends and boyfriends. Present Laughter is one of Coward’s most personal and wittiest comedies. This semi-autobiographical comedy follows a self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis who freely indulges his considerable appetite for wine, wickedness, and sleeping late. The best of Bay Area talent hams it up: Carlos Barrera (Henry), Tina D’Elia (Liz), Adrienne Dolan (Daphne), Ryan Engstrom (Fred, who also plays Coward tunes on piano during acts), Amanda Farbstein ( Joanna), John Fisher (Garry & show director), Adrienne Krug (Erikson/Saltburn), Marvin Peterle Rocha (Rolland), Adam Simpson (Morris), Kathryn Wood (Monica). Must end June 18, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 pm; Saturday Matinees – 3 pm. The first act takes a bit getting used to, but the second act roars and rolls ahead with gay gusto! therhino.org WHAT’S UP, SISTER DANA? Sister Dana sez, “It’s Pride Month, so show yer pride and don’t miss these fun events!” THE LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO presents the 38TH ANNUAL PRIDE CONCERT with special guests Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, and small ensembles from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus on Saturday, June 11, 7–9:30 pm, First Unitarian Univer-

salist Society of San Francisco, 1187 Franklin Street. That’s a helluva lotta music, folks! facebook.com/lgcsfsings HEATHER JACKS, an award-winning writer and bold expressionist, will be hosting an intimate speaking series from June until August in support of her current writing venture: a book about The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a leading edge Order of queer nuns. Held at the beautiful Spark Arts Gallery on June 16, 7–9 pm and in July and August, SISTERS SPEAK! will acquaint all attendees with the activism and dedicated work the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence perform on a daily basis. For more information, or to buy event tickets, visit sisterspeak.eventbrite.com PRIDE IN TECH RECEPTION is Monday, June 13, 6-8pm at WeWork TransBay - 535 Mission Street, 14th Floor. Hosted by Orkut Buyukkokten, Kenzi Connor, David Currie, Lee Edwards and Rebecca Prozan. It’s a special after work reception and wine tasting with San Francisco as a welcome to SF’s LGBT tech community. eventbrite. com/e/pride-in-tech-reception

The $10 Beer Bust includes unlimited beer/soda refills 4–7 pm. Jell-O Shots made by Sergio (You’ve been warned!). Enjoy the painful pleasure of SPANKS for Charity by King XII Joe Prince Wolf (OUCH! May I have one more, Sir?). No cover, 21+ ~ Let the GOOD TIMES ROLL with KDK! FRAMELINE40: The King of Queer Film Festivals, the SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL, celebrates its 40th anniversary with opening night film, KIKI. More than two decades after Paris Is Burning, filmmakers Sara Jordenö and Twiggy Pucci Garçon’s vibrant documentary fast-forwards to the ballroom scene of today: an unapologetically flamboyant and political subculture centered on LGBTQ youth of color, for whom dance is far more than performance. Castro Theatre, 7 pm, followed by big gay party at Oasis. SISTER SAYS: INDULGE and come celebrate Pride month with a beer bust thrown by your favorite leading-edge Order of queer nuns, THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE! If you dropped by for our May beer bust, then you already know the drill. Raffle Prizes! Jell-O Shots! Beer! FOOOOD! Put the FUN in FUNDRAISING with us! SF Eagle, 3–6 pm.

FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL 2016 is the 15th Anniversary Transgender and Queer Performance Festival at Z Space, 450 Florida Street (between 17th Street and Mariposa), Thursday–Saturday June 16–18, 8 pm (GALA! 15th Anniversary Gala Performance & Reception June 18). Transgender opera stars, North America’s same-sex ballroom champions, a gender-bending boy band, trans modern dance, gay hula, voguing, queer bachata dance and more celebrate 15 years of transforming culture, empowering audiences, award-winning transgender and queer artistry, fighting for justice, and building community. (See interview with Sean Dorsey in this issue for more info.) freshmeatproductions.org

D’Arcy Drollinger presents: SEX AND THE CITY LIVE! every Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7 pm, with special 9:30 shows added on Thursdays at Oasis—298 Eleventh Street @Folsom, now through July 2. Relive some of your favorite Sex and the City moments during this loving tribute to the iconic show, which finds four “young” “women” in search of the perfect relationship while looking gorgeous and knocking back plenty of Cosmopolitans. It’s dragalicious! sfoasis.com

Have a BALL with KREWE DE KINQUE Mardi Gras club every Third Saturday at the Edge, 4–7 pm! On June 18 at 4149 18th Street, King XIII Sergio Fedasz will be hosting while Queen XIII China Silk is away! Come catch the SWIMSUIT/UNDERWEAR CONTEST at 5:30 pm with prizes & Head Judge Queen VIISister Dana Van Iquity! Special Guest Performances with open show and DJ Jimmy Strano.

Sister Dana sez, “The unthinkable is happening: Dangerous Donald Trump is surging in major new national polls. Now that he’s the GOP nominee, Trump is polling within the margin of error in a matchups against Hillary Clinton. Her (as well as that of Bernie Sanders, before her) once substantial leads over Trump are gone. We simply cannot indulge in the fantasy that Democrats have this election in the bag. We cannot be complacent–or terrible Trump will triumph!”

Gay Vanity Wedding Expo Photos by Rink

Hosts Jaime Botello and Frederick Sullivan of Sullivan Botello Events welcomed participants, exhibitors, models, press, family and friends to the third annual Gay Vanity Wedding Show at the elegant Bentley Reserve on Sunday, June 5. Attendees enjoyed an elegant fashion show, champagne and gourmet samplings, and displays and information from numerous providers including florists, caterers, jewelry, event furnishings, photography, venues, beauty products, dental services, real estate and more.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY â&#x20AC;&#x2C6; T IM ES BAY â&#x20AC;&#x2C6; T IM ES JUNE 9, 2016