San Francisco Bay Times - January 22, 2015

Fabulous at 50

January 22-February 4, 2015 | www.sfbaytimes.com /SF Bay Times

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PHOTOŠGARETH GOOCH PHOTOGRAPHY 2015

Imperial Council of San Francisco Reaches Half Century Mark

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Fabulous at 50

Celebrating the Imperial Council of San Francisco on Its 50th Anniversary At an event a few years ago, a member of our San Francisco Bay Times team accidentally tripped, sending a drink flying onto a small nearby table. Beautiful, elegant hands reached out to mop up the spill and to hug the apologizing, very embarrassed individual.

“It’s no trouble,” said the considerate rescuer, who completely turned the situation around with witty conversation and compliments, all while shaping the tongue-tied listener’s hair into a fashionable do. “I’m Nicole.”

The rest of that humble introduction could have been: “Empress Nicole the Great, Her Most Imperial Majesty, The Queen Mother I of the Americas.” But true greatness needs no introduction. It just is.

That has been our experience with the leaders of the International Imperial Court System. These remarkable individuals, such as San Francisco’s own Absolute Empress XXX & Heir Apparent Donna Sachet, are generous to a fault, charismatic, stylish and loving community leaders. As for Empress Nicole the Great’s mini rescue, it often starts with basic human kindness, which can grow and inspire others to be more, and to do more.

The results speak for themselves. The International Imperial Court System, which is the world’s oldest LGBT charity organization, has raised millions of dollars for the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the Harvey Milk Foundation, the Trevor Project,

and too many others here to name.

Suff ice it to say, if you have been helped by an LGBT organization over the years, there’s a good chance that the Imperial Courts and their members contributed in some way to that group’s strength.

The efforts all began right here in the Bay Area fifty years ago, when José Julio Sarria, Absolute Empress I, founded the first Imperial Court, now known as the Imperial Council of San Francisco. Although homosexuality was considered to be a felony then in most U.S. states, brilliant Sarria had already honed her skills as an LGBT political activist and grassroots organizer. Through the Imperial Council and later Courts, she used those skills to educate and cultivate a greater community sense of gay pride, identity and unity. Sarria, aka “The Widow Norton,” was also a talented singer and performer, whose undeni-

able warmth and wit did wonders in shifting public opinion about LGBT people.

Sarria passed away in 2013, but her incredible legacy lives on. That impressive legacy will be evident during this 50th anniversary year, when the Imperial Council of San Francisco, in partnership with the GLBT Historical Society, will present historic exhibits throughout the City at libraries, museums, and other public places. The exhibits will document the Council’s rich heritage with costumes, programs, audio and video recordings, letters and other items.

Speakers from the Council’s membership will be made available to organizations to present the Council’s long history and to shine new light on this extraordinary non-profit charitable and public service group.

Celebrations will take place in cities all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are now over 65

chapters of the International Court System that were inspired by the original Imperial Council of San Francisco. The anniversary year will culminate in the 50th Golden Jubilee State Dinner in Portland, Oregon, on Friday, October 23, 2015.

Coming up very soon, though, is the San Francisco 50th Gala Celebration, to be held on Sunday, February 15, at San Francisco’s City Hall. The event will include cocktails, a seated dinner, an extended trailer for the upcoming film 50 Years of Fabulous, a magnificent commemorative program, formal processional in the Rotunda of 50 years of Emperors and Empresses, and dessert afterwards. The Imperial Council of San Francisco has partnered with Project Open Hand, one of its longtime beneficiaries, to provide the evening’s sumptuous buffet. As the Council promises, “For one night, expect to experience all the pageantry for which the Imperial Court of San Francisco is known, including sumptuous gowns, decadent jewelry, and regal ceremonies, reflecting the best of European royalty right here in San Francisco.”

Emperor John Weber, Chairman of the Imperial Council of San Francisco, added, “For half a century, the Imperial Court of San Francisco has been on the forefront of raising needed funds for struggling non-profit charitable organizations. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, I’ve been entrusted with leading this historic, yet relevant, organization into its 50th year. My ultimate goal as Chairman is to ensure that our 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration is a world-class event like nothing you have ever seen.

City Hall will be transformed into an Imperial Palace of love, reflective of our unabashed generosity.”

We couldn’t agree more about the Imperial Court’s generosity and loving spirit. All of us here at the San Francisco Bay Times—including our legendary photographer Rink, who was named “Prince to the Council of Emperors” in 2009—wish the Imperial Council of San Francisco a happy 50th anniversary, and countless more years to come.

For additional information about the Imperial Council of San Francisco, and to buy tickets to the upcoming Gala Celebration, please visit www.imperialcouncilsf.org

Honoring Our Mother and Founding Court

By Nicole Murray Ramirez, Queen Mother I of the Americas

Donna, Coretta Scott King and so many others that will always bring me everlasting memories. Such memories as when the Council of Emperors proclaimed me a member of the Royal Family of San Francisco (Sister to the Council of Emperors), to Mayor Brown proclaiming a “Nicole Murray Ramirez Day” to leading with Supervisor Dufty and the International Court Council the successful campaign to get a street named after our founder: “José Sarria Court” in the Castro. I owe much to so many in this most majestic city.

San Francisco is the birthplace of the Gay Games, AIDS Name Project Quilt, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Harvey Milk’s gay activism and election and, yes, the birthplace of the International Court System of Canada, United States and Mexico.

From a seed planted in San Francisco by José Julio Sarria in 1965, and cultivated by the Imperial Council of San Francisco, that seed grew into a Royal Oak Tree with branches now stretching out over three nations with chapters in over 68 cities.

Above, Empress José (center) with debs at the Debutante Ball in 1969. Left, Empress Nicole the Great, Her Most Imperial Majesty. Below, Emperor Norton.

Now, fifty years later, we all are coming home to San Francisco to celebrate with, and to honor, our mother and founding court of the International Court System: the Imperial Court of San Francisco. We will make our annual royal pilgrimage to Colma, to the final resting place of our beloved founder Empress I José, the Widow Norton, and her Royal husband Emperor Joshua Norton, two San Francisco legends. We deeply wish to thank the Emperors of San Francisco and the chair of this annual pilgrimage,

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of when José named me her heir and successor during a ceremony in San Francisco. I will return to San Francisco on the historic weekend as the “Queen Mother of the Americas,” but I will come as a most grateful, humbled, and simple gay man who—without San Francisco’s GLBT Community, José or the Imperial Courts—would not have accomplished anything that I have as an activist these last decades. For like so many before me, I long ago left part of my heart in San Francisco.

Nicole Murray Ramirez is Queen Mother I of the Americas and Heir to Empress I José.

Ramirez is also a San Diego Commissioner.

Empress Donna Sachet, for continuing this most important tradition.

On a personal note, I like many other GLBT individuals from all over the world, have visited and stayed in San Francisco often in the 1960’s and 70’s.

We always felt free to be ourselves.

Nicole the Great is presented at the NYC Court.

Nicole the Great of San Diego and Empress Donna Sachet of San Francisco at an EQCA dinner

In San Francisco, I met José, Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones, Marcus Hernandez, Bob Cramer, Bob Ross, Sylvester, Willie Brown, Wayne Friday, Bevan Dufty, H.L. Perry, Mark Leno, BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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Fabulous at 50

Reflecting Upon Our Half Century

Anniversary Wishes

By John F. Weber, Emperor XXVI

Anne Kronenberg

On behalf of the Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. Board of Directors, it is with special honor that I congratulate Emperor John Paul Soto and Empress Misty Blue for a very successful reign this past year.

Together, members of the Legacy, Traditions and Shenanigans Court have redefined and committed themselves to the principles of charitable giving through fundraising and placing community first set forth by our Founder and Empress I, Mama José Sarria. This is also ref lective of the fact that Emperor John Paul Soto and Misty Blue have helped to raise valuable funds for very deserving local, charitable, non-profit organizations.

As the chair of the ICSF Inc. Board of Directors, I am honored to have been elected to lead our organization into its 50th anniversary year.

I also acknowledge each court and Imperial Family member for helping to graciously usher in our organization’s Golden Jubilee with grace and excellence.

As I reflect upon a half century of our Imperial organization, I recognize

Emperor John F. Weber

that we have overcome many challenges. However, one thing continually rings true: There is strength in our collective work towards a common goal. Let’s continue to re-commit and work even harder toward this guiding principle of collective teamwork.

Together, let’s celebrate our diversity and all that we have achieved as the Founding Mother Court of the International Court System.

John F. Weber is Chairman of the Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. Board of Directors. His Court title is Emperor XXVI After Norton of San Francisco.

José Sarria, a true gay rights pioneer, had the vision and t he i n s pi r a tion to found the first Court s y st em her e in San Francisco. The Imperial Court is an institution in San Francisco. I can’t imagine what our City and community would be like without the glamour, glitz and generosity of the Court System.

José was a friend and mentor of Harvey Milk’s. He was the first openly gay person to run for Supervisor in San Francisco in 1961. Subsequent to that run, José and the Court System enthusiastically backed Harvey’s campaigns from his first attempt at politics in 1973 to his successful Supervisorial Campaign in 1977. There were some who advised Harvey that he shouldn’t support the Courts or appear at any Court-sponsored events because it would alienate the straight community and he might lose votes because of this aff iliation. Harvey didn’t buy that argument. If people were small-minded and disapproved of the Imperial Court, then they sure

as hell were not going to support Harvey Milk anyway.

Over the years, the Court System has provided support to so many causes, charities and individuals in our community—celebrating diversity, and helping the disenfranchised in San Francisco and thousands internationally. I want to express my personal thanks to the Courts for everything you have done in the last 50 years to help the LGBTQ community, and for your support of the Harvey Milk Foundation.

Anne Kronenberg is the Co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation. She was Harvey Milk’s campaign manager for his successful, groundbreaking election to public office, and served as his primary political aide in City Hall.

Stuart Milk Har vey M ilk loved the Imperial Court and realized, as I do, all that you have done over the last 50 years of community ser v ice and fighting for LGBT equality.

Stuart Milk is the Founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation.

Judy Shepard Through your outstanding campaign, I am proud you have raised more than $100,000 toward t he cont i nued work to replace hate i n ever y corner of the nation with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

Judy Shepard is the Founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Neil Giuliano Since the beg i n n i n g, t he Imperial Court has been with us in the f ight against HIV/ AIDS. Its many char itable fundraising events have generously supported the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, our sexual health clinic Magnet, and many of our AIDS/LifeCycle participants over many, many years. We are tremendously grateful, and so pleased to congratulate all involved on the wonderful occasion of your 50th Anniversary. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you all very much and congratulations.

Neil Giuliano is the CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Rev. Lyle Beckman T he I mper ia l Court and San Francisco Night Ministr y have walked together for f ifty years seek i ng hea ling, wholeness, freedom, jus tice, and equal rights for all people.

We have celebrated many lives and events together, and Night Ministry is more visible and effective in our work because of the Imperial Court’s fundraising, generosity, and words of encouragement and support that you have offered to us for fifty years.

Rev. Lyle Beckman, a priest of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has served as Director of San Francisco Night Ministry since 2007.

Jose Cisneros campaign event with ImperialCourt members outside the Edge bar

Senator Mark Leno presents a proclamation to Emperor Jason Ladd and Empress Galilea at the 2007 Imperial Coronation.

Newly crowned Emperor John Carrillo and Empress Suzy Wong in 2000.

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Nicole the Great, Frankie Fernandez, Emperor Drew Cutler, Empress Donna Sachet, Empress Patty McGroin and Empress Cockatielia at the Imperial Coronation in SF’s Galleria.

PHOTOS BY RINK

Emperor John Carrillo and Empress Cher a Little at the 2011 Academy of Friends

Fabulous at 50

What’s Next?

If we take that subject off the table, where are our common interests? We were immensely proud to have successfully launched and achieved our goal of a U.S. Postage stamp honoring Harvey Milk; what did that mean to an urban 20-something New Yorker?

In many of our cities, our LGBT leaders have earned a place at the table, sometimes gaining access to highly placed elected officials and offered enviable positions of leadership; what does that mean to LGBT individuals under 30 who don’t even register to vote and can’t name the current Vice President of the United States?

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from a piece that is published in the January 2015 issue of “The Court Communique,” the official publication of the International Court System. http://www.impcourt.org/ news/the-court-communique As we begin the official celebration of the 50th anniversary of Empress José Sarria’s founding of the Imperial Court of San Francisco and ultimately the International Court System, some wonder where do we go from here?

Is this make-believe world, which so many of us enjoy, valid in today’s world? Sure, we hold an enviable record of longevity, but what’s next?

One of our honored Empresses, Chablis, is in the process of f ilming a documentary about the Court of San Francisco, titled 50 Years of Fabulous, a trailer of which will debut at our 50th Anniversary Gala in City Hall on Sunday, February 15, 2015! Everywhere we go, her film crew is there archiving our activities, interviewing our members, and asking some tough questions. Among those questions is, “What’s next?” What appeal would today’s LGBT members find in the Court System? Are we listening to those who identify as LGBT today and are we willing to adapt to their interests, or do we expect them to conform to our ways? Do new participants see viable role models in leadership positions? The answers are neither simple nor readily available.

Having been elected Empress of San Francisco 20 years ago, I am often surprised to be the first monarch to walk at an event since there are more living SF Empresses after me than before me. My social circle tends to consist of those around my age with similar court experiences. How do I hear what today’s concerns and interests are?

ing LGBT community in a relatively small town in the Midwest. Excuse me? Who among us can claim any of those situations for ourselves? We remember parents tossing their kids out of the house, fellow students bullying and ostracizing us, and the LGBT community to be in some place very far away that we could only dream of.

I often tell the story of passing by Harvey’s restaurant on Castro Street and overhearing 2 young guys discussing the origin of the Harvey’s name. “I think Harvey Fierstein has something to do with it,” said one. The other responded, “I saw an old black and white movie about a guy who had an invisible friend, a human-sized rabbit nobody could see, named Harvey…or was it Harry?” I could not stay silent!

I gave them a quick lesson about Gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk, trying my best not to sound too much like a school teacher or an old fogie. How could Gay guys in San Francisco in the heart of the Castro not know our basic history? But, on the f lip side, what place does our history have in their day-to-day lives?

Call me a dinosaur, but I have never used any of the many social applications geared to Gay hook-ups, eg.

M4M, Grindr, Adam4Adam, etc. I come from a generation where Gay bars were the place to meet potential partners, requiring basic social skills, conversation aptitude, and realistic expectations. There were well known signals within our clan, code words and even wardrobe hints…

We all know that being a part of the vital LGBT community is about much more than simple sexual episodes.

We are tremendously proud of our 50 years of charitable activities as the International Court System; will that become merely a historic record, fading from memory and relegated to the dusty pages of a history book? Rather than merely posing cryptic questions, I offer a few ideas with the hopes of keeping our International Court System relevant and thriving. Part of the answer is finding ways to converse more seriously and substantively between generations. We need more events that are designed to improve communication, not simply to drink and party. While I never want to lose sight of the fun side of the Court System, I also never want to lose sight of José Sarria’s commitment to addressing the issues of the day. I often watched José actively engaged in conversation with younger people, happy to share stories of her colorful past, but equally anxious to hear what was happening in the lives of others with a whole different perspective.

Changing attitudes and visibility in popular media, including RuPaul’s Drag Race, have given the current crop of drag queens an entirely new purpose for their craft—earning viable income. The inf luence of drag has shifted, and for the ICSF—an organization focused mainly on creating community and utilizing drag performances to fundraise for social causes—is having diff iculty recruiting new members and maintaining their own commitments.

… Survey after survey says that the number one reason people stay involved in the Court System is because of friends who become an extended family. That value goes beyond history, beyond sexcapades, and beyond dress-up.

If we can maximize that potential, reach out to another generation, whether behind us or in front, and realistically research our activities with an eye ready for change and updating, then the International Court System and the relationships it encourages will thrive well into the next era.

Despite these cha l lenges, the Council moves forward with preparations for their 50th Year Anniversary Celebration and 50th Coronation, complete with electing the new Emperor and Empress. During this historic year in the documentary 50 Years of Fabulous, we meet Chablis, the 36th Absolute Empress of the Imperial Council of San Francisco (aka David Lassman), who takes us behind the glittered Imperial façade to document the ICSF’s ebb and flow.

Donna Sachet, Absolute Empress XXX, is an actor, singer, community activist, fundraiser, spokesmodel, and writer based in San Francisco. For more information about Donna, please visit http://www.donnasachet.com/index.html Far left: The Widow Norton speaking at the grave site of the Emperor in Colma. Middle: Iconic photo of young José Sarria in his military uniform. Left: Empress I The Widow Norton José Sarria.

Nurturing the commitment to ICSF’s legacy of charity, Chablis mentors the candidates, empowering them to think creatively about

their campaigns and fundraising efforts, including fresh ways to redefine and invigorate the aging organization. Chablis then broadens the conversation to engage the entire organization. In interviews with Council stakeholders, Chablis confronts the Board of Directors and many past Emperors a nd E mpres ses , pressing them to consider the organization’s role and positioning amidst current cultural changes. LGBT rights’ advances, the very freedoms and protections the Council has long championed, ironically have rendered the Council vulnerable. Both internal and external conflicts now threaten the Council’s function and community standing as they uncover less need for this type of social club.

This film celebrates The Imperial Council of San Francisco and recognizes 50 years of significant contributions. Whether they are still relevant today is for their audience to decide, yet one thing is certain: ICSF camp, drag, and community has left its high-heeled mark—and will continue to dazzle and enchant audiences on or off the silver screen.

This film is being made through generous donations of time and money. Fundraising efforts, headed by Executive Producer David Lassman aka Chablis, include many creative ways for the community to get involved. Jethro Patalinghug, the film’s writer and director, works in collaboration with Chablis and the ICSF to capture the Court in all its glory. Says Patalinghug, “Contributing to this project will teach future generations about this groundbreaking organization that paved the way for other organizations and affiliates. Let us value and preserve our individual oral histories as we continually evolve.”

To view a trailer for the documentary, clips and more, please visit www.facebook.com/SFICDocumentary

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY STEVEN UNDERHILL

While working on a f ilm project recently, I started chatting with a young actor who seemed fascinated with me, having heard me described in the press. Gradually, I turned the conversation to him and his life experience. Remarkably, he related that his parents had both been very supportive of his coming out, his friends from school treated him no differently, encouraging him to run for class president, and he found a welcom-

Empress XXX Donna Sachet

Being homosexual was still illegal in the U.S., yet José Sarria introduced the Imperial Council of San Francisco (ICSF) as a campy social club governed by drag queens and open to gay men, lesbians, transgendered people, bisexuals and all allies. Sprouting in 1965, the Council has f lourished as a pioneer ing g rassroots organization passionately improving the LGBT communit y. HI V and the AIDS epidemic brought heartbreaking change, but the Council blossomed into a fundraising organization, benefitting innumerable charities and positively influencing lives. A mature cultural force with 70 branches worldwide, this Imperial Council, most worthy of a lasting legacy, now is struggling to achieve sustainable existence in today’s fast-changing culture. In a world dominated by social media and technology, as event attendance dwindles and funding sources trickle, the Imperial Council has begun to question its relevance.

PHOTO BY RINK

By Donna Sachet, Heir Apparent 4th in Line of Succession to Queen Mother I Nicole the Great

50 Years of Fabulous Documentary Reveals the Successes and Struggles of the Imperial Court

Candidate Kippy Marks and Emperor John Weber at the Grand Ducal 40th Anniversary party

PHOTO BY RINK

The Carol Channing Look-a-Like Contest during the 1980 Imperial Coronation at the Hilton Hotel, with “the real” Carol Channing second from the left

José Sarria’s birthday party at Hotel Whitcomb BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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Good News for City College, District 3 Blues, Changing of the Guard at Alice and Milk

A San Francisco Kind of Democrat Rafael Mandelman

Department of Education, City College would not have been given this opportunity.

Welcome as the Commission’s announcement was, serious challenges for City College remain, with the continuing decline in enrollment perhaps being among the most serious.

An institution that once boasted more than 100,000 students annually now appears to be on its way to a number closer to half that. Most of the problems identified by the Commission in 2012 have by now been addressed, but surely there should have been a better way.

A New Supervisor for District 3

Restoration Granted to City College The new year has brought good news for City College of San Francisco. On January 14, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges announced that it was granting the College two additional years to come into compliance with accreditation standards. The timing of the Commission’s announcement, nearly a month earlier than expected, led some to speculate that the Commission was trying to inf luence Judge Karnow’s decision in the lawsuit brought against the Commission by the City Attorney. “Judge Karnow,” the Commission seemed to be saying, “no need to trouble yourself; we have this City College thing under control.”

Whatever the motivation, the announcement was cause for celebration at an institution that has not been doing much celebrating of late. And whatever Judge Karnow’s ultimate decision, it is clear to me that without the intervention of the City Attorney and heavy pressure from others including Congresswomen Pelosi and Speier, the State Chancellor, and the

The Mayor’s decision to appoint Julie Christensen to the District 3 Supervisor seat was disappointing to me. I know Planning Commission President Cindy Wu and I thought she would have been a fine Supervisor, with the right politics for a relatively progressive district like D3.

Rose Pak apparently agreed, but the Mayor and some of his supporters in the business community felt that she would be too liberal. Still, by appointing Christensen, who supported the 8 Washington project (you remember, the Wall on the Waterfront) and opposed Proposition G (the anti-speculation tax on November’s ballot), the Mayor all but ensured a strong progressive challenge to his appointee.

Former D3 Supe Aaron Peskin has not filed yet, but all indications are that he will, and Pak, peeved that the Mayor passed over Wu, has indicated she just might support him. This just might be a fight the Left could win.

And how sweet to do it in coalition with Ed Lee’s base.

New Leadership for the Clubs Congratulations to the new leadership of our LGBT Democratic Clubs.

At Alice, the position of male co-chair has passed from one very good guy, Deputy City Attorney Ron Flynn, to another very good guy, attorney and self-described politics nerd Brian Leubitz. Leubitz will join returning female co-chair and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Zoe Dunning in leading a Club celebrating the recent election of its endorsed Assembly candidate David Chiu and gearing up for the 2016 Senate candidacy of former Co-Chair and current Supervisor Scott Wiener.

Meanwhile over at Milk, incoming male Co-President Peter Gallotta will be joining returning female CoPresident Laura Thomas. I first met Peter during my race for D8 Supervisor in 2010. He became one of the campaign’s best volunteers, and it has been a special treat to watch him deepen his involvement in local queer politics. I look forward to seeing what wonderful mischief he and Laura can get the Milk Club into during the coming year.

Finally, a word of praise for outgoing Milk Co-Prez Tom Temprano. This is unquestionably a dark time for progressives in San Francisco. But for the last two years, Tom has helped make the Milk Club a light in the darkness.

Tom, Laura and their team have attracted talent, run the most robust programs Milk has put out in years, and generally kicked ass, even if their strong efforts have not always translated into electoral wins. Eventually, the tide will turn, and when it does, I have every hope and expectation Tom will be there to ride the wave.

Many thanks for a great two years, Mr. Temprano.

Rafael Mandelman was elected to the San Francisco Community College Board of Trustees in 2012. He is a partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP.

Sweat and Glitter

Do Ask, Do Tell Zoe Dunning Happy New Year to our faithful San Francisco Bay Times readers! I hope your year is off to a good start. How many New Year’s resolutions have you made? How many have you kept, and how many have fallen by the wayside?

Conventional wisdom is that only 10% of New Year’s resolutions are successfully kept. Some of the challenges include the fact they are often too ambitious, they span a long period of time (a year, or a lifetime), you try to do it alone, or you try to stop something cold turkey and beat yourself up when you relapse.

I myself have a long wish list of things I’d like to accomplish in 2015. A recurring theme each year is my wish to live a healthy lifestyle: exercise more consistently, eat better, lose that extra weight I’ve slowly gained in the past 10 years, and get more sleep. I’m sure this sounds familiar to many of you.

Not to fulfill every lesbian stereotype, but I have always been a Sporty Girl.

I was a multiple varsity letter winner 6

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in track & field, basketball and tennis through high school and college.

I have run a marathon, competed in the Gay Games and even completed a sprint triathlon. So it pains me a little (figuratively and literally) to slow down a bit over the years. I can still do most things. I just do them a little more slowly, and it takes me longer to recover. For me, it’s not about personal bests any more; it’s about consistency. It’s about prioritizing my exercise and doing it early in the morning before other demands squeeze it out. I’ve probably even seen some of you at Fitness SF SOMA bright and early at 5:30 am!

One technology that has really helped motivate me is my Fitbit Flex, the bracelet device that tracks my movement all day and night. It gives me immediate feedback on how I am doing—how many steps have I taken today? How many active minutes? How many calories have I burned (and consumed, if I log my food)? How long did I sleep last night, and was it restful or fitful? This kind of immediate feedback helps me set goals (10K steps and 30 active minutes a day), measure my progress against them, and even stir up a little competition with my friends who also have Fitbit devices. If one of your goals this year is to be more active, I highly recommend investing in one of these products. You may be surprised at how much they can help you achieve your activity and exercise goals.

Switching gears from sweat to glitter, I am excited about this year’s Imperial Court elections and, in particular, one candidate for Empress, Khmera Rouge. To many, that name may sound

a bit shocking. I remember myself being a little taken aback when I first heard it. But when you ask her, or go to her website, www.khmerarouge.com, you will get an explanation on why she chose this name. You see, Khmera is a Cambodian and Chinese-American drag queen who is using her name to help educate. As she explains on her Facebook page: “Recently, some have asked me about why I chose the stage name, ‘Khmera Rouge.’ Isn’t that something bad? Well yes, yes it was. My stage name is in direct reference to the Khmer Rouge, a communist group, which in the 1970’s, forever changed the history of Cambodia and my family. This is the group responsible for the Cambodian Genocide. Simply put, they imposed a radical regime and eradicated all forms of class, culture and education. They forced all civilians into an agrarian social experiment that, as a result, killed over 2 million people and displaced countless millions more. As a result, my family became refugees and were sent off to refugee camps, first in Thailand and then the Philippines, where my mother met my father, before finally being resettled in Washington State, where I was later born…It has always been my goal that, after someone heard my name, if just one person asked a question about it and learned something new or took time to look up what exactly the Khmer Rouge was or did, then it served its purpose.”

Not only is Khmera Rouge beautiful, and not only has she helped raise over $20,000 for organizations that support (continued on page 26)

In the News

By Dennis McMillan Political Arm of the Statewide Tenant Movement Launched 2015 marks the launch of the Tenants Together Action Fund. TT Action Fund will work to hold legislators accountable, promote tenant-friendly candidates, and pass legislation. TT Action Fund is the first group of its kind for tenants at the state level in California.

Welcoming a New Generation of Leadership to Transgender Law Center The Transgender Law Center Board of Directors announced Kris Hayashi as the next executive director of TLC. He brings more than twenty years of experience as a leader in movements for social justice and LGBTQ rights, and more than thirteen years as an executive director.

Prior to joining TLC as Deputy Director in June 2013, he served for nine years as co-executive director at Audre Lorde Project (ALP), a New York City-based center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people of color.

Senator Dianne Feinstein Leads Fight to Repeal Anti-Gay Defense of Marriage Act The US Supreme Court may have gutted the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, but they didn’t kill it. California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein is leading an effort to completely repeal the anti-gay law, which was enacted in 1996. Feinstein has introduced the Respect For Marriage Act that would ensure all legally-married, same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law.

Senator Barbara Boxer to Retire Next Year California Senator Barbara Boxer announced she will retire after finishing her current term in Congress, saying she wants to come home to this state that she loves so much. The senator’s decision to retire ends a threedecade congressional career and leaves the Senate without one of its strongest liberal voices on environmental issues. Her decision will also open up the top Democratic spot on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which she chaired last Congress. Kamala Harris, California attorney general and former two-term San Francisco district attorney, announced her run a day after California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom said he would not join the race.

NCLR’s #BornPerfect Campaign Hosts Twitter Town Hall on Conversion Therapy The San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) hosted a Twitter town hall to discuss the dangers of conversion therapy, the efforts to stop these practices once and for all, and what the community can do. The town hall was organized days after the tragic death of Leelah Alcorn, who took her life after facing years of rejection and enduring conversion therapy. Earlier this year, NCLR launched its #BornPerfect campaign to stop conversion therapy across the country over the next five years by passing laws, fighting in courtrooms, and raising awareness about the serious harms caused by attempts to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Rebecca Kaplan’s Colleagues Have Elected Her as Vice Mayor of Oakland As vice mayor, Kaplan congratulates and looks forward to working with Mayor Schaaf and the new councilmembers: Abel Guillen, who represents District 2, and Anne Campbell-Washington, who represents District 4. Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney (District 3) was elected Council President, and Councilmember Larry Reid (District 7) will serve as President Pro Tempore. In addition to serving as vice mayor, Kaplan will also chair the Council’s Public Works Committee and joins the Council’s Community & Economic Development Committee.

Assemblymember Tom Ammiano Joins Palm Center Former Assemblymember Tom Ammiano from San Francisco, a long-standing and nationally distinguished leader of the LGBTQ community and a graduate of San Francisco State University, has joined the Palm Center as a government relations consultant. Ammiano, who served as School Board President, San Francisco City Supervisor, and Assembly Member of the California State Assembly, has had a 25-year career in public service. He will assist the Palm Center in its relations with the administration of San Francisco State University, the Board of Trustees of the California State University, and the California State Assembly Committee on Higher Education.

Housing Progress in Market & Octavia Neighborhood Strengthens Neighborhoods; Adds Permanently Affordable Housing Mayor Edwin M. Lee has highlighted progress in the Market and Octavia neighborhood, in Hayes Valley along the former Central Freeway right-of-way. In 2014, 30 housing development projects, totaling 1,300 units, were completed, generating nearly $12 million for infrastructure improvements that have, in turn, helped revitalize the neighborhood.

When the Central Freeway was damaged by the 1989 earthquake and ultimately removed, the neighborhood worked with the City to design a reuse plan dedicating the newly available spaces to parks, pedestrian connections, and developable lots, including half of which developed as affordable housing. The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors adopted the Market and Octavia Plan, the City’s first Better Neighborhoods Plan, in early 2008 at the beginning of the economic downturn, and little development occurred in the early years. Now, with many new projects being built or recently finished, its vision is becoming reality. sfmayor.org President Obama Makes History with State of the Union Address For the first time in American history, a U.S. president used the terms “lesbian,” “bisexual” and “transgender” in a State of the Union address. On Tuesday evening, President Obama’s State of the Union address included the following: “That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us safer.”

PrEP Forum for Trans Folks to be Offered Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV, but who are at substantial risk of getting it, to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, these medicines can work to keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection. When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92%. David Evans, Jae Sevelius and Oliver Bacon MD will discuss the medical aspects, access and social implications of PrEP, with a Q&A and community sharing about personal experiences with PrEP. The hour and a half to two-hour forum will be held at Project Inform, 273 9th Street, on Wednesday, January 28, at 6pm.

GGBA Board Replacement Elections Taking Place The GGBA (Golden Gate Business

Association) Board of Directors invites you to consider submitting your nomination for one of four replacement Board of Directors positions they will elect at their “Make Contact” on Tuesday, March 10, at Recology. Deadline to declare candidacy: February 13.

Declarations may be submitted via email: info@ggba.com or mail: 584 Castro Street #528, SF, CA 94114. For any questions about the process, contact Nominating Committee Chair JP Leddy, nominations@ggba.com Mayor Delivers Shared Prosperity Agenda in State of the City Address Mayor Edwin M. Lee delivered his 2015 State of the City address at the recently completed Phase One expansion site of the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market—the first new Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) space in San Francisco in more than a decade— in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Joined by civic, labor, business and community leaders, Mayor Lee outlined his goal of shared prosperity through his Affordability Directives with the City’s investments in housing, education, transportation, women’s empowerment and anti-poverty in what was his third State of the City address.

EQCA to Host Town Hall Meeting On Thursday evening, January 22, 6:30pm, Equality California is hosting a very special Town Hall in the Castro at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 100 Diamond Street, where we can learn about EQCA’s expanded mission and new goals. These include advancing equality both in and outside our state, and improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ Californians. Under this umbrella, they have several trailblazing initiatives, which will address LGBTQ youth homelessness, bullying in our schools, the needs of LGBTQ seniors and people living with HIV, and the myriad hurdles faced by LGBTQ immigrants.

Castro Patrol Volunteer Training Offered Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP) will hold its next free training event for new volunteers on Saturday, January 24.

The link below will take you to some Q&A about patrol activity. Then reserve your spot for the training event. The training will give you great information about how to identify crime and how to work with the police when needed. This will help you with your day-to-day activities living in the City, and also gives you the opportunity to become a CCOP volunteer if you want to contribute to a safer neighborhood. Link for details on what CCOP volunteers do: castropatrol.org Supervisor London Breed Announces Board Committee Assignments President of the Board of Supervisors London Breed has announced the Board’s committee assignments, providing a broad diversity of committee chairs, with Supervisors Cohen, Mar, Farrell, Kim, Avalos and Yee all in leadership positions. The 2015 committees are as follows. Budget & Finance: Mark Farrell, Chair; Katy Tang, Vice Chair; Eric Mar, Member; Norman Yee, Temporary Member; Scott Wiener, Temporary Member.

City & School District Select: Jane Kim, Chair; Norman Yee, Vice Chair; David Campos, Member. Government Audit & Oversight: Norman Yee, Chair; Julie Christensen, Vice Chair; London Breed, Member. Public Safety & Neighborhood Services: Eric Mar, Chair; David Campos, Vice Chair; Julie Christensen, Member. Land Use & Transportation: Malia Cohen, Chair; Scott Wiener, Vice Chair; Jane Kim, Member. Rules: John Avalos, Chair; Katy Tang, Vice Chair; Malia Cohen, Member.

EQUALITY = HEALTHY We all bring something unique to the world, something for which we are proud.

For the 5th year in a row, Kaiser Permanente has been recognized as a leader in health care equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations in the Healthcare Equality Index 2014 report.

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BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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Jim and Fred: A Love Story, Part 2

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Les 7 Doigts de la Main Circus Sequence 8 “Cool and sexy” —Evening Standard

Aging in Community

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Jim and Fred’s story in the previous “Aging in Community” column poignantly revealed some of the unique challenges faced by LGBT caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia. Like so many LGBT older adults and seniors, Jim and Fred could not rely on their families for support, and did not feel comfortable disclosing their relationship to service providers.

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support group in the Bay Area. It’s co-facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Association and an Openhouse volunteer.

Openhouse volunteers also facilitate a national, online LGBT caregiver support group in partnership with the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA). In addition, Openhouse partners with FCA to offer a friendly visitor program that matches LGBT volunteer caregivers and LGBT seniors in the community. In addition, we are available to provide referrals to senior facilities, memory clinics, in-home service providers, and elder law practitioners that have been the recipient of Openhouse’s cultural competency training, or that we know to be LGBT sensitive.”

She continued, “And I would direct them to the important upcoming San Francisco February 20th dementia awareness and education event, Prepare for the Changing Horizon: Dementia Awareness and Caregiving for LGBT Older Adults in Diverse Communities.”

As Jim informed me, “If I had known I asked her what is important about there was a resource available for this event. Alcedo said that the unique dementia education event is important LGBT people, I would have because it brings together sought it out. That would have researchers, community been a great help. Sometimes providers, caregivers, and the sadness was overwhelmallies working to support ing. It would have made a LGBT seniors impacted by huge difference to have had dementia and its effect on an early diagnosis to underqueer support networks and stand what was happening families of choice. She said to Fred, and to know what to we know that existing sysexpect and make a plan. And Michele Alcedo tems are set up for caregivthere would have been someers who are biologically related to the one for me to talk to. I wouldn’t have person they’re caring for. been so alone.”

In light of such concerns, I recently spoke with Michelle Alcedo, Director of Programs for Openhouse—the Bay Area’s LGBT senior service and housing organization. I asked her, “If a couple like Jim and Fred called you for assistance, what LGBT sensitive dementia-related services could you direct them to?”

She responded, “They would have a few choices. Openhouse hosts the only LGBT-specific, dementia caregiver

“What about the partners, families of choice, neighbors, coworkers and others who step-up when families of origin are absent?” she then asked. “Caregivers of people with dementia are at an increased risk for significant health issues, and between 30–40% of dementia caregivers experience depression, high levels of stress, or burnout. Caregivers of people with dementia versus noncaregivers of the same age are more likely to pass away before the loved one they are caring for. It’s clear that as

caregivers, we simply cannot manage alone. But what are the implications for a community comprised of fiercely independent people, like Jim and Fred, who have difficulty asking for help, have been rejected by homo/trans/bi/ queer/phobic service providers in the past, and are not ready to fully accept what is really happening?”

“Let’s face it,” she continued, “while things may not always get better, bringing dementia out into the open does offer a critical opportunity for both the caregiver and the person with dementia to plan and prepare for changes. The earlier you discuss your wishes and expectations, the more the care receiver is able to participate in the decisionmaking process.”

Today, there still is no cure for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

Frightening as an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be, an early diagnosis provides a person with dementia the opportunity to be proactive by preparing legal documents, such as health directives, and by taking medication and implementing a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutrition to slow down the progression of the disease. It also gives caregivers valuable time to educate themselves about the course of the disease, best interventions for the person with dementia, and available resources and supports.

The San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force estimates that in just 15 years, there will be over 3000 LGBT older adults and seniors living with some form of dementia. These estimates were extrapolated from the Department of Aging and Adult Services expectation of a 49% increase in dementia-related illnesses by 2020. This sizable in-need population is predicated on the graying of San Francisco’s general and LGBT population.

Hopefully the programs and services offered through Openhouse, Alzheimer’s Association and Family Caregivers Alliance are just the beginning of an ever-expanding network of LGBT (continued on page 26)

Two Muscular Cars to Rev Up Your 2015 roids. Everything this 300S gave back felt beefy and strong. A feeling of invincibility occasionally crept in.

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nterfaith minister Elizabeth River leads a class based on the book From Age-ing to Sage-ing by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi who shows readers how to create an aging process for themselves that is full of adventure, passion, mystery, and fulfillment, rather than anxiety. We will share our journeys and deepen the community of wise elders through writing, meditating, and reflection.

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BAY TIMES JANUARY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

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Auto Philip Ruth Work out more: that’s a common New Year’s resolution. Even if you’re off your routine, your car could feel like it’s been doing squats while you sleep.

Two cars I drove recently, the Chrysler 300S and Nissan 370Z Nismo, had that kind of burly strength.

Both the Chrysler and Nissan start at around $30K in their cheapest trims, and options can take them both well into the $40K range. The tested Chrysler 300S was just under $41K, and the Nissan was mid-$46K. The Chrysler is a large four-door sedan; the Nissan is a purposeful two-seat sports car.

Both cars trace their basic designs to the previous decade, and have been upgraded over time. The Chrysler 300 debuted in 2005 and was refreshed for 2010. In 2015, it gets another round of refinements, like electric power steering, although the John Varvatos de-

signer edition disappears. The 370Z enters 2015 with minimal changes, like standard Bluetooth and a new Sport trim level.

Driving the 2014 Chrysler 300S shows why this car has the staying power of Neil Patrick Harris. I was impressed with the first 300C and its 363-horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine.

That setup is still available, but this 300S, with its 292-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, was plenty powerful with a quick fire off the line, and swift shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is worth exploring, especially since the 2015 models post a four-mpg overall gain over the V8. And unlike the larger engine, it does not specify mid-grade gas.

Handling is a longtime favorite aspect of the 300. Even the skinny-tired rental versions have a responsiveness that’s a cut above. The tested 300S felt like a guy you aren’t quite sure is doing ste-

The Nismo is the top 370Z, but it is not necessary. Its engine has only 18 more horses than the standard 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. The Nismo’s handling tweaks extend the 370Z’s bleeding edge, but I wouldn’t find myself out there much, and most other drivers won’t either. The Nismo has its fans, but for me, it reinforces the standard Z’s intrinsic worth. I did like the Nismo’s grippy Recaro sport seats, though.

If I bought either car and drove it in SF, I wouldn’t kid myself that it would get anything close to the EPA city mileage rating. Moving the 300S’s two tons up the hills drives the numbers down, and my inability to keep the boot out the Nismo’s accelerator did the same. I’d expect to get 10–15 mpg under those conditions, and go higher for more reasonable highway consumption, with the Chrysler claiming 31 mpg.

Both cars have distinct identities with their own definitions of American and Japanese muscularity. And both are exhilarating, like a good workout. The 300S and 370Z Nismo make you feel capable and strong, which are desired feelings, however they come.

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

It’s Queer, Eccentric and Delicious: The Winter Fancy Food Show

By Elaine Viegas

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER L. VIEGAS

San Francisco’s Winter Fancy Food Show is to food what the Olympics are to sports. Representatives from countless countries all descend upon the city and wind up under one roof with shared goals. Where else can you find a guy wearing an American flag shirt offering “Jesus Lives” chocolates talking shop with a rainbow-shirted gay woman from Germany hawking f lavored vinegars? Tasty food can work wonders in breaking the ice over personal differences.

Tea’s Time Tea is getting the highend treatment from ingredient upgrades to elegant cafe experiences.

The Downton Abbey display

Sweetener High More shopper s a re swapping added sugars for alternative natural sweeteners, from stevia to re-imaginings of honey and maple syrup.

Packaging Revolution School friends joined forces to start the company that makes Transparent labeling is Ladera granola. a boon for business and sustainable packaging gives producers another badge of pride.

The Food Show, which took place January 11–13 at the Moscone Center, was full of fun surprises. For example, casually standing in a corner handing out new “SexyPop” popcorn was Robert Ehrlich, the creator of Pirate’s Booty and other well-known snacks. He was surrounded by a bunch of hippy-looking fellows who made shy Ehrlich blush every so often when they pointed at him and said, “He’s famous!”

Culinary Cannabis Marijuana is the latest herb to grace baked goods and candies for that extra punch.

The Republic of Tea, which always has a fantastic display, had a Downton Abbey section where visitors could sip drinks like “Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea” and “Bates’ Brambleberry Tea.” Nearby was friendly Eddie Mullen of “Burt’s British Potato Chips,” which feature photos of their workers on each bag, so you know who made your particular bag full and where the potatoes were farmed. A team from the Philippines-based “Agrinurture” offered a fitness bar and juice afterward.

event was also well attended by people who flew in from all over the U.S. and other countries. According to the Specialty Food Association, which does an amazing job in organizing the Food Show, nationwide we can expect to see more foods in markets with stronger f lavors, alternative sweeteners, and snacks made with everything from plant-based meat to even marijuana.

San Francisco Bay Times readers were in force, as we ran into many local friends who are caterers, chefs, restaurant owners and just plain foodies. But the

“Food producers are tapping into the growing sophistication and buying power of today’s consumers,” said Denise Purcell, editor of Specialty Food

Generation Z Raises Its Voice Its elders (born in 1995) have reached the age of influence, and their purchasing power will only grow from here.

James and jellies glisten like jewels at the Winter Fancy Food Show.

News. “They are catering to new demands for better ingredients, sustainable packaging, and more convenient ways to shop and eat.”

Every year, Purcell’s publication puts out “The List,” which highlights upcoming food trends in the U.S. Here’s what they came up with: Asian Food Roots American consumers reach beyond Chinese, Japanese, and Thai to discover new regional foods, from Vietnamese to upscale ramen.

Icing for baked goods was a hit at the food show.

Fresh Food Delivery Arrives Grocery delivery tests will give way to far improved services.

Super Bowls Superfood mania, on-the-go convenience, and healthful fast-casual dining make bowls the go-to vessel.

Embracing Alternative Proteins Cricket f lour, and meat and cheese made from plants, will gain more fans.

Bonus: Other Trends to Watch Small-batch, local yogurt; the next superfood contenders: kaniwa, baobab, soursop; the next kale: seaweed, cauliflower.

Snack Bar Stampede Bolder flavors and ingredients mean a whole new image—and opportunity —for snack bars.

Elaine Viegas, the mother of “San Francisco Bay Times” co-publisher Jennifer Viegas, grew up on a small farm in Appalachia and trained as a chef.

Preparing for the Changing Horizon: Dementia Awareness and Caregiving for LGBT Older Adults from Diverse Communities Keynote Speakers: Karen Fredricksen-Goldsen, PhD and David Coon, PhD. Information and registration: http://bit.ly/LGBT_ChangingHorizons_SF2015

Friday, February 20th, 2015 8:30am - 4pm Milton Marks Conference Center 455 Golden Gate Ave., SF, CA This event is sponsored by a partnership of SF Bay Area nonprofits; for generous advertising support, we collectively thank:

LGBT older adults face unique barriers to accessing info and services for Alzheimer's and dementia care. Join us to learn more. For you, your partner, your patient or client.

Questions: Marian Tzuang: (650) 721-1023 mtzuang@stanford.edu

BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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Managing Your Taxes in 2015 surance, or be subject to a fee. In 2015, the fee has increased to the higher of: • 2% of your yearly household income (capped at a certain level); or • $325 per person ($162.50 for a child under 18), with a family maximum of $975

Money Matters Brandon Miller, CFP There’s one thing you can count on as we kick off a new year—changes to the tax code. While there are few major new laws affecting taxpayers in 2015, it is important to understand how any adjustments to tax rules or your income might affect your tax liability. It is a critical aspect of your overall financial plan, and can help you avoid any surprises when you file your 2015 tax return next year.

Be aware that new laws can be implemented during the year. Congress has the ability to adjust tax laws, and even to do so retroactively. The tax code in place at the start of 2015 could be altered before year’s end, with those changes being made effective for the whole year.

Here are some important tax considerations for the New Year: Get health insurance or pay The individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act that took effect January 1, 2014, requires most individuals to obtain a qualifying level of health in-

10

If your employer provides health coverage, you do not have to purchase additional insurance on your own.

Those who don’t have employer coverage can review options available from the health insurance exchanges. Visit www.healthcare.gov for more information.

Take advantage of tax savings by deferring income If you typically “max out” your workplace retirement plan contributions, you are able to adjust those deferral amounts to a higher level in 2015. The elective deferral limit for employees has risen to $18,000, $500 more than in 2014. Those who are 50 and older can make an additional $6,000 in contributions ($500 more than 2014) to their 401(k), 403(b) or federal government Thrift Savings Plan. Remember that for every dollar of income you defer into your retirement plan on a pre-tax basis, you reduce your current tax liability.

Pay attention to a new limit on IRA rollovers IRA contribution limits remain the same for 2015, but there is an important rule change for IRAs. Now, tax laws allow only one rollover from an IRA to a different IRA in a 12-month period. The “one rollover per year” limit applies in circumstances where you withdraw money from an IRA,

BAY TIMES JANUA RY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

but then roll it to another IRA within 60 days to avoid any current tax or penalty consequences. Direct transfers from an IRA with one trustee to an IRA with another can happen as often as you wish. Unless it is absolutely necessary, you want to avoid taking IRA distributions prior to age 591/2 to eliminate the risk of incurring a penalty. It’s best to talk with a tax professional before doing an indirect rollover to make sure you understand all the rules.

Account for inflation in tax rates and your income Tax brackets are adjusted yearly for inflation. In 2015, the income thresholds for each bracket were raised by about 1.5%. The standard deduction amount (used if you don’t itemize deductions) and the personal exemption amount are also adjusted for inflation.

It is important to be aware of how all of these factors might affect your tax liability. On the other side of the coin, if you receive a salary increase and/or bonus in 2015, it could impact your tax bill. Work with your tax advisor to help determine if the amount of tax withheld from each paycheck is sufficient to avoid an under withholding penalty.

Brandon Miller, CFP, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group, A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Inc. in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.

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JANUARY 17—JULY 19, 2015

Janet Delaney: South of Market relates the complex history of a changing San Francisco neighborhood through an exhibition of more than 40 photographs from the 1970s and 1980s.

This exhibition is organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in collaboration with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Image: Janet Delaney, Second at Market Street, 1986. Archival pigment print. Image courtesy of the artist. © 2014 Janet Delaney

See Our Progress

Michael Kaufmann Business Analyst

“

castro resident

I work every day to help businesses and residents save. I’m proud to work at a company like PG&e, which invests so much into our local communities and is committed to expanding California’s economic prosperity.

”

At PG&E, our customers are our neighbors. The communities we serve as PG&E employees are where we live and work too.

That’s why we’re investing $4.5 billion every year to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure across northern and central California. It’s why we’re helping people and businesses gain energy efficiencies to help reduce their bills. It’s why we’re focused on developing the next generation of clean, renewable energy systems. together, we are working to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure—for your family and ours.

Together, Building a Better California PGE_Q4_10.25x16_BayTimes_Michael_1121.indd 1

“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2014 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. Paid for by PG&E shareholders.

in the Bay Area

See The FACTS IN The BAy AreA Replaced approximately 15 miles of gas transmission pipeline Invested more than $1 billion into electrical improvements Connected more than 62,000 rooftop solar installations

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1:22 PM11 BAY T IM ES JANUARY11/21/14 22, 2015

YOUR WEDDING YOUR WAY Anniversaries and Renewing Your Vows

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Weddings Reverend Elizabeth River For those of you in committed relationships, how long have you been with your partner? Has it been 20 years, 30 years, or just a year? No matter how long you have been together, there’s always room to celebrate your anniversary, including wedding anniversaries. A special way to celebrate wedding anniversaries is to renew vows.

For extroverts, it’s easy. This is another opportunity for a party—yippee! You can go whole hog and put

on the entire whang-do, just like you did with your wedding! But, for you introverts, that may not be your idea of a good time, especially not for something that’s this personal and private in front of a whole bunch of other folks, even if they are your best friends. So, when a couple asks me for advice on how they can do this without a “party,” and even without an officiant, I offer the following suggestion: Plan this special event with the same care and focus as you did your wedding.

Choose the day, or the special weekend getaway, and time and location.

It could be the place one of you proposed to the other, or where you went on a wedding trip. Or it could be to somewhere you’ve never been, but have been longing to visit.

Get out your wedding vows (if you have them, or remember them!) and take time to read them. See if you have any new ones you would like to add. These might be based on events, or surprises, that have shown up during the first years of your life together. This is quite different from when you made vows before you were married, as now you have lived this marriage and life has handed you all that life has a way of handing out. Look at even the difficult or painful times.

And now look at how you have grown through them together, and what strengths each of you has brought to these experiences. See if you can

During their European vacation, Michael Sam proposed to his boyfriend Vito Cammisano. Sam posted a photo of the couple snapped atop St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

PHOTO SOURCE: MICHAEL SAM ON FACEBOOK

AT THE JCCSF

translate some of these discoveries into promises, or vows you want to make for the future together. These may be your new vows to add to the ones you will “renew.”

Also think of what you have learned from your mate. How have you changed because of him or her?

What is new and wonderful in your life because of these years of togetherness? What are some of the things that you are grateful for as a result of your spouse? Write those thoughts down.

When you arrive at your special location, set up a little ritual space with perhaps a candle, some flowers, a terrific photo of the two of you that’s recent, plus, of course, a wedding picture. You could also include icons of people, experiences, and memories that you’ve shared, or those you have yet to create. Oh, and don’t forget the music! You will know what’s right.

Then, standing facing one another, each of you will take turns reciting your old vows, and the new ones. Say them slowly, with meaning and purpose. Hear each other with your heart and mind, along with your ears. Then, read the other things you’ve written, and listen to what your spouse has to say to you. Thank one another for your years together, and look forward to the years to come.

An occasion like this might become something you decide to celebrate every year, rather than just having a great meal in a terrific restaurant.

Well, in addition to the great meal! As I often say, we are a bit short on ritual in our culture; we just don’t set aside sacred time and space often enough for all the important moments—transitions, wins, losses, changes—that happen in our everyday lives.

Newly married Chris Tateyma and Mitsu Otake, who met during Chris’s visit to Japan three years ago, were married at SF City Hall.

Reverend Elizabeth River is an ordained Int er faith Mini st er based in the North Bay. For more information, please visit marincoastweddings.com

PHOTO SOURCE: JAMIE ZIMRON ON FACEBOOK

Michael and Vito at the Roman Coliseum.

PHOTO BY RINK

Celebrate, yet again, this important relationship— and keep on celebrating it!

View from the top of St. Peter’s. Sam posted: “Suddenly 25 doesn’t feel so old!”

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SF Bay Times columnist Jamie Leno Zimron and Tamar Lavi are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their marriage.

The Supreme Court and the Power of Windsor the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.”

With the Supreme Court’s announcing it will review marriage discrimination laws in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, we look to the Court to apply United States v. Windsor, its powerful 2013 decision striking down Section 3 of DOMA, to establish marriage equality nationwide.

Windsor articulates incisively how DOMA’s denying federal rights and recognition to married same-sex couples was an affront to the dignity of same-sex couples and their families. The Court recognized that the decision of the state of New York (Edie Windsor’s home state) to legalize marriage for same-sex couples enabled LGBT couples to “live with pride in themselves and their union and in a status of equality with all other married persons.” The Court explained that “[t]he avowed purpose and practical effect of” DOMA was “to impose a disadvantage, a separate status, and so a stigma upon all who enter into same-sex marriages…” It stated that DOMA treated marriages of same-sex couples as “second-class marriages” that are “less respected” than everyone else’s marriages.

DOMA’s purpose was to “injure” and “disparage” married same-sex couples and to make them “unequal” to everyone else.

The Court set forth extensively the harm this second-class status caused same-sex couples and their families.

The Court explained how DOMA put same-sex couples in an “unsta-

Marriage Equality Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis Marriage Equality USA ble position” in society by telling the “couples, and all the world, that their otherwise valid marriages [were] unworthy of federal recognition.” Further, “DOMA instruct[ed] all federal officials, and indeed all persons with whom same-sex couples interact, including their own children, that their marriage [was] less worthy than the marriages of others…Under DOMA, same-sex married couples [had] their lives burdened, by reason of government decree, in visible and public ways. By its great reach, DOMA [touched] many aspects of married and family life, from the mundane to the profound.”

In particular, the Court noted how section 3 of DOMA hurt same-sex couples’ children: DOMA “humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same-sex couples.

[DOMA]…makes it even more difficult for the children to understand

Justice Scalia’s Windsor dissent decries the Court’s decision but, in the process, states that the opinion’s language makes the Court’s striking down state bans on marriage for same-sex couples “inevitable.” He even demonstrates how “easy” the process would be by using track changes to show how the Court can adapt Windsor’s language to rule in favor of marriage equality nationwide.

We couldn’t agree more that Windsor’s language should compel the Court to strike down all remaining state marriage bans. We hope the result is indeed “inevitable” this Supreme Court term. Same-sex couples in states without marriage equality still suffer overt discrimination. All LGBT couples live with uncertainty and vulnerability when they travel to states without equality. We look to the Court to recognize that we are not just Californians, Minnesotans, Texans, New Yorkers, or residents of any of our home states. We are Americans, and we deserve full equality wherever we live or travel to in our home country.

John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008.

They are leaders in the nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA.

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Filthy Lucre Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman Co-Founders in 1978 Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 Phone: 510-504-9255 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com

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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.

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Tom Moon, MFT I’m often surprised at how many people have a deeply ambivalent relationship to money. On the one hand, we spend most of our waking hours trying to earn it. We think we don’t have enough and believe (usually erroneously) that we’d be a lot happier if we had more. But, on the other hand, we’re also contemptuous of it. We may wish we were more affluent, we may harbor secret get-rich-quick schemes or fantasies of winning the lottery, but many of us also believe that chasing the buck is shallow, and a sign of how greedy and un-evolved we are.

Calendar Editor

Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director

Some of us attribute magic powers to money, imagining that it can protect us from all of the suffering and

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CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Kirsten Kruse, Kate Kendell, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Terry Baum, Gypsy Love, Rafael Mandelman, Kit Kennedy, David Campos, Leslie Katz, 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, America Foy, Philip Ruth, Courtney Lake, Michele Karlsberg Photographers Rink, Steven Underhill, Phyllis Costa, Cathy Blackstone, Robert Fuggiti, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR If you would like to write a letter to the editor with comment on an article or suggestions for the Bay Times, email us at editor@sfbaytimes.com. © 2015 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas Reprints by permission only.

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loss inherent in being human, or that it can transform us into lovable, fulfilled, and contented people. Some of us are amoral and relentless in pursuit of money, in complete disregard of our other needs, our health, or any consideration of what constitutes the right livelihood. At the other extreme are the chronic under-earners, who seem to have an allergy to money. Committed to the popular delusion of the superior virtue of the impoverished, they safeguard their moral purity by keeping themselves destitute.

Some people are afraid of money. In my work, I speak with many who can discuss their darkest family secrets or the most intimate details of their sexual lives with complete candor; but become evasive, ashamed, and anxious when asked to talk about their personal finances. Typically, such people protect themselves from their anxiety by living in a state of perpetual vagueness about their money. They may have gotten A’s in math in school, but they seem unable to keep track of their bank balances. Often, they don’t have the vaguest idea about how much they actually have, or where it goes. When I ask them how much they spend each month for food, clothes, entertainment, etc., they can’t say.

Every system of spiritual and psychological development emphasizes be-

coming conscious as being crucial to growth. This seems obvious, but many people don’t believe it where money is concerned. When I recommend to clients that they make sure they always know exactly how much money they have, eyebrows are invariably raised.

But becoming conscious in any area of life affects all of the other areas as well.

When people come out of vagueness, face their fears, and commit to paying conscious attention to their money, focus and courage begin to come into other areas of life as well, and patterns of avoidance begin to weaken everywhere in their lives.

For similar reasons, some people find it useful to take on the exercise of keeping a record of every expenditure that they make for a period of at least one month. I often recommend that clients keep a notebook with them at all times so that they can make a note of each expenditure. The clarity that emerges from such an exercise can yield surprising discoveries. One man discovered that he had the habit of spending an average of seven dollars per day on coffee and pastries at Starbucks.

Not an uncommon habit—but that’s $2,555 per year. He had been complaining that he could never afford to take a vacation.

The information gleaned from such an exercise can provide the raw data

to develop a deliberate spending plan.

The basic idea is that, instead of spending on whim and impulse, we develop an overall, year-long plan for spending our money on our needs and wants, as well as for savings and investments.

People who develop such a plan regularly discover that their money seems magically to go a lot farther than it did before they had a plan, even when the overall income remains the same.

Some people find these recommendations too daunting or anxiety provoking, and the terror of establishing a conscious relationship to money too strong to overcome. In such cases, consultation with a professional financial planner can often be of help. For those who have difficulty getting their finances under control on their own, support form the fellowship of Debtor’s Anonymous can also be of great help.

If we want to overcome financial insecurity, we need to learn to avoid the childish extremes of either worshipping money or demonizing it. When we develop a realistic and conscious relationship with it, money reveals itself as a kind of congealed energy, which we can use both to our benefit and to contribute to the lives of others.

Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please visit his website: tommoon.net

Round About - Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s Inaugural Photos by Sandy Morris As part of her inaugural, Oakland’s 50th Mayor Libby Schaaf invited the public to a community festival, celebrating the diversity, creativity and maker spirit of Oakland. Among the VIPs on hand were Governor Jerry Brown and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Held at the huge American Steel Studios makerspace, the festival’s activities included displays by local artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, craftspeople and fire art. Performing artists included musicians Kev Choice and Bay Area Blues Society, and vertical dance pioneers BANDALOOP. Also available were Oakland-made samplings by speciality food, wine and beer vendors. An interactive kids’ zone and a community conversations section were provided. “This is not your Daddy’s inaugural ball!” Schaaf told the crowd gathered for the celebration.

GLBT Fortnight in Review

By Ann Rostow We’re on the Docket On Friday, January 16, the Supreme Court announced that it will review the Sixth Circuit marriage cases, scheduling briefs by mid-April, with a decision ( presumably) expected by the end of this term, late June. I say presumably, because you never know what this Court might do, and perhaps some of you legal scholars recall that the Brown Court sent the famed desegregation case back for additional briefing, delaying its resolution by a year.

So, two of the bad things that could have happened didn’t happen. The Court did not delay the question of marriage equality, pushing the cases to next year and freezing the issue for 18 months. Nor did they reject the cases, a far-fetched prospect that would have left in place a constitutionally chaotic mix of policies that varied from state to state. (No one seriously expected the justices to duck the cases. That said, very few people expected them to duck the marriage cases last October either.)

In its announcement, the Court said it would address two questions: First, are states constitutionally required to marry same-sex couples? Second, are states constitutionally required to recognize legally married same-sex couples who got married outside their borders?

Clearly, a “yes” to the first question makes the second question moot, so why not just focus on one issue? Given the two-pronged instructions, some analysts jumped to the (erroneous) conclusion that the Court might be setting the stage for a nifty compromise. Why not just rule that states can set their own licensing policies but, in turn, they cannot ignore those couples who married legally in other states? Such a ruling would maintain state authority, but it would also effectively legalize marriage throughout the country.

Actually, when the Windsor opinion was first released, it seemed possible that the High Court might end up with exactly this position. Windsor, you remember, concerned marriage recognition, not marriage equality. The most obvious stepping stone from Windsor to full marriage equality would indeed have been a ruling that mandated marriage recognition by conservative states without necessarily forcing the states to conduct gay weddings on their territory.

But that was back in June of 2013, when Windsor was fresh of f the presses. Since then, dozens of federal courts have ruled, not just in favor of marriage recognition, but also in favor of marriage equality. The “compromise,” so nice in theory, would now have the effect of overturning four federal appellate courts, and a raft of lower court decisions. Do you think Idaho or South Carolina would continue to issue marriage licenses once the High Court said they didn’t have to? Answer: no. Do you think the Court wants to trigger a massive roll back of marriage policies in a dozen states? Answer: no.

Moreover, there’s a reason the Court asked for arguments on both questions. Two of the cases under review involve marriage recognition only.

The Court has also told litigants in those cases that they may not delve into the pros and cons of marriage equality, but they must limit their briefs to what I’ll call the side issue of why a state cannot ignore another state’s same-sex marriage. The justices have also split the oral arguments between the two issues, allocating ninety minutes to marriage equality and sixty to recognition. In

other words, the Court raised two issues, not for strategic purposes, but simply because the cases under review dealt with both issues separately.

What Will Roberts Do? So now what? Are we home free, or are there more hypothetical stumbling blocks on our path to equality?

One thing I think we know is that this Court, which (through inaction) deliberately legalized marriage in nearly 20 states, is not going to rule against marriage equality. And although I’m not sure I’d call it a stumbling block, the most worrisome outcome might be this: What if Chief Justice Roberts decides that he does not want to ally himself with those on the Court who would flatly oppose the right to marry? What if he then assigns himself the opinion? What if he then goes on to write that opinion in the narrowest possible terms, creating no significant legal precedent for the gay rights movement going forward?

True, the Chief might not be able to get away with a really bad opinion, since the other f ive members of the majority would not sign on.

But he could water it down quite a bit, perhaps forcing the more liberal justices into concurrences, separate statements that say they agree with the majority’s result, but would have gone further. Unfortunately, concurrences don’t advance constitutional law, and the last thing we want is a messy conglomeration of individual essays on the constitutional status of gays in society.

Desperately Seeking Scrutiny And why does this matter so much?

Surely a national victory for marriage equality would be enough of a triumph, regardless of the underlying legal mechanics.

To some extent that’s true. But although the right to marry might be the ultimate institutional expression of gay equality, it’s not the only one. Discrimination won’t end with marriage equality, and indeed conservatives are avidly plotting to use “religious freedom” as a hook for discriminating against gays and gay couples once the marriage battles are over.

Those tactics simply won’t work if the Supreme Court rules that bans on gay marriage violate the right to Equal Protection, and that sexual orientation discrimination is inherently suspicious. Policies that have a disproportionate impact on a particular race or religion or gender are automatically scrutinized, and are rarely left intact by federal courts. Why? Because even if it’s not spelled out, there’s a possibility that bias is at their root, ergo the expression “suspect class.” Our lawyers have long insisted that antigay laws should be given similar treatment by the courts, and if the Court agrees next June, such an opinion would neutralize any effort to enact loopholes for faith-based discrimination.

Unfortunately, that’s a long shot.

Chief Roberts would never write such an opinion, and Justice Kennedy is well known for his vague, albeit welcome, gay rights rulings. And surely, if Roberts stayed in the minority, he would never assign a gay opinion to anyone but Kennedy, right? Justice Kennedy, who authored the decisions in Romer v Evans, Lawrence v Texas and USA v Windsor, is the gay rights justice, period.

The next best thing would be an Equal Protection ruling that heavily implies the suspect status of sexual orientation without coming right and saying so. Indeed, last year the Ninth Circuit ruled that gay bias de-

Professional Services serves heightened scrutiny based on a between-the-lines reading of Justice Kennedy’s mysterious opinion in Windsor. A stretch perhaps, but at least the happy conclusion was within stretching distance of Kennedy’s opaque rationales.

But perhaps the most direct legal route to a gay marriage victory is the simple argument that marriage is a fundamental right, and that gay couples are not excluded. Fundamental rights like marriage, parenting, the right to vote, and others, are given preferred treatment under constitutional law, but conservative courts have long argued that while “marriage” is indeed fundamental, “samesex marriage” is somehow different.

The trick of limiting a fundamental right by messing with its definition has been used in other contexts, but it doesn’t really work. Do you have a “fundamental right” to sit around naked drinking scotch and watching porn in the middle of the night? Put that way, it hardly sounds like a timehonored mandate of liberty but, in fact, it is.

Likewise, marriage rights have been upheld for mixed-race unions, for prisoners, for deadbeat dads, and a host of other heterosexual challengers. No one ever asked if there was a “fundamental right to marry an incarcerated felon.” The Court just looked at the right to marry on its own.

It’s an easy step to add same-sex couples to the list, but it’s a move that does not necessarily create a precedent that will translate to discrimination cases down the line. It could, if it were written to do so. But it doesn’t have to. I mean, think about it. Mixed race couples are fine. But convicted felons and deadbeat dads? If you wanted to limit the opinion, you could just imply that even the most morally suspect individuals have the right to marry, so why not gays and lesbians? No one would put that in writing, but that sort of underlying impression would hardly carry over to the religious freedom battles that likely lie ahead.

Thirteen States Left I was just checking my last column to make sure I have already covered the news that Florida became the first state to legalize marriage without an appellate court order. Yes, indeed I wrote about it, but it seems I wrote that Florida became the 36th marriage state, when in fact it’s the 37th.

I love getting to the point where I lose track of the number of states that allow marriage equality.

Meanwhile, on January 9, a threejudge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard arguments on marriage cases from Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Normally we write off the highly conservative Fifth Circuit as an automatic loss, but this time we may have lucked into a fairly decent trio of judges; one Obama appointee and two Reagan picks who all seemed highly skeptical of the tired arguments from our adversaries.

Now, the question becomes: Will the Fifth Circuit just freeze its cases in deference to the High Court, or will the panel go ahead and rule? If it does rule, and if it rules for us, will the other side appeal to the full Fifth Circuit?

If they do that, will the Fifth Circuit issue a stay on marriages pending High Court action? I’m guessing that the panel will want to go on record in favor of equality, and that the ruling will be stayed.

Does it really matter? Not to you, but I live in Texas, I’m married, and I’m the one writing this column. For most of the country, amazingly, the issue of (continued on page 26)

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BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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Each of Us Is Born with a Seeded Soul

Astrology Gypsy Love Renowned author and mythologist Michael Meade has made it his life’s mission to elicit the inner genius in others. He believes that provoking people’s unique potential is critical to combatting mass culture’s perilous predisposition toward collective conformity.

Meade maintains that each of us is born with a “seeded soul” and a “story within us that’s waiting to be lived.” The cosmos concurs.

Astrologically, we’re asked to reawaken our inherent wisdom now. Release whatever prevents you from sowing soulful seeds.

What’s your story?

ARIES (March 21–April 19)Lighten up, Aries.

Indulge every desire to ditch has-been hang-ups now.

The Universe is conspiring to create ideal circumstances for your lasting liberation. Let it go.

CANCER (June 21– July 22) Refresh your finances, Cancer. Cosmic currents bestow an added boost when you balance bills and settle debt in the coming weeks. Undercover assets could reveal themselves.

TAURUS (April 20– May 20) As your professional persona sparkles in the spotlight, it’s tempting to promise all things to all people. This will come back to bite, Taurus. Be impeccable with your commitments.

LEO (July 23–August 22) Love is in the air, Leo...and not just the kissy-kissy business. When it comes to intimacy, you’re getting to know the good, the bad, and the ugly. Lead with your lion heart.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) R e m e m b e r, Gemini—the big picture wouldn’t exist without little details. Where have you cut corners in your quest for higher learning? It’s time to fill in the gap.

VIRGO (August 23– September 22) Let’s be honest, Virgo—you love a lofty “to-do” list. That said, you’re astrally advised to refine existing projects before tackling new ones now. Divine ideas are still developing.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22) Certain setbacks at the office could steer you in a surprising direction now. Don’t dodge the detour, Libra.

Herein lies your opportunity to unveil important truths and dispel delusive fears.

CA PR ICOR N ( December 22–January 19) What’s the rush, Capricorn? Sure, your state of mind is swimming, but this doesn’t mean you must hurry to shore.

Don’t drop anchor until you’ve explored all your options.

SCORPIO (October 23–Zoom out, Scorpio.

It won’t serve you to fixate on precise expectations now. Your creative potential is infinite. Prioritize simple pleasures, and let that magic mojo flow.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18) Money can be funny, honey. Fluctuating f inances are likely symptomatic of an unstable center. A wobbly self-esteem will warp your outlook and your pocketbook. Walk tall, Aquarius.

S AG I T TA R I U S (November 22– December 21) Retrace your steps, Sagittarius. The stars insist you flesh out big plans before making them public. It’s probable you’ve passed over a few facts that are crucial to your cause.

PISCES (February 19– March 20) Logic is futile, Pisces. You’re experiencing a spiritual awakening that outranks rationale. Schedule a sacred date with your subconscious instead. The answers you seek speak in stillness.

Gypsy Love Productions is dedicated to inspiring love and unity with music, dance, and astrology. www.GypsyLoveProductions.com

As Heard on the Street . . . What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this year?

compiled by Rink

John Weber

Kerri Hanna

Ben Leong

Jezebel Patel

Paloma Volare

“As Chair of the Imperial Council of SF, I am proud to be planning the 50th anniversary of the one of the oldest gay organizatons in the world.”

“Going on the Atlantis Cruise to Down Under with my husband”

“The planning of all of my vacations for the year. It started out with NYC last week.”

“Reconnecting with great friends.

Rebuilding connections with past organizations and maximizing every day for the better”

“Realizing that I am thankful and grateful for the last year ”

Steven Underhill

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WEDDINGS, HEADSHOTS, PORTRAITS

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#KateClinton2015 I’ve always thought being accused of being ‘politically correct’ is just another way of saying, “Shut up.”

Arts & Entertainment

Acclaimed Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical Comes to SF for Limited Run

Sylvester’s music and inner light were so powerful that we have yet to come down from the natural highs he generated with song hits like “Do Ya Wanna Funk” and “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” He was so much of his time, living in—and helping to create—the disco era, celebrating free love, challenging gender norms and more. And yet he was so much ahead of his time, through his own life’s explorations and honesty, that he is timeless and still so relevant today. At the very least, we dare you not to dance to Sylvester’s music!

Our music collections here at the venerable San Francisco Bay Times include worn LP’s, long-playing disco singles, cassette tapes, CDs and iTunes versions of Sylvester’s music, which lives on and on. Yet, it seems like he hasn’t received his full due in popular culture, not to mention LGBT culture. Younger generations need to become more familiar with his life and recordings. And we older folks could use welcome reminders about all that Sylvester accomplished in his short life. (Sylvester was just 41 when he succumbed to HIV/AIDS in 1988.)

We were therefore beyond thrilled to hear that the critically acclaimed Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical is coming to San Francisco for a limited run. Based on what we’ve seen and heard, it is beyond spectacular. The clips alone are giving us ecstatic chills, given the soaring voices, staging and soulful grooves.

The show was written by, and stars, phenomenal Anthony Wayne. He

has been on Broadway in the musicals Pippin, Anything Goes, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Co-directing with Wayne is Kendrell Bowman, who also serves as the show’s costume designer.

The talented cast includes Anastacia McCleskey (Violet, The Book of Mormon) as Izora Rhodes Armstead, and Jacqueline B. Arnold (We Will Rock You, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Martha Wash—a.k.a. the Weather Girls (Two Tons of Fun); as well as DeAnne Stewart and Rahmel McDade.

The show has a set and lighting design by two-time Tony-nominee David Lander (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, 33 Variations), costume design by Kendrell Bowman, and sound design

by Rafe Carlotto/Sound Associates.

The choreography is by McCleskey.

Wayne and Bowman, life partners, were inspired to create the musical after seeing the “Unsung” documentary about the artist in 2010. Moved by his story—by Sylvester’s bravery to openly be who he was in an era in which that was not supported or encouraged by society—Wayne sought out his music. Hooked, he discussed Sylvester’s music and inf luence with Bowman, and they both put their talents together with determination to bring the icon’s story to the stage.

The first incarnation of the show was a series of concerts at le poisson rouge in New York City in 2012, which were followed by sold-out performances in Washington, D.C. and Miami in 2013.

Sylvester is synonymous with San Francisco, though, so it’s about time that the show comes to the Bay Area! Sylvester James, Jr., was actually born in the Watts district of Los Angeles, but he later moved to San Francisco and joined The Cockettes.

It was in San Francisco that Sylvester really came into his own, eventually producing solo shows that led to his hit album Step II that spawned disco classics. In 2004, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

One year later, in 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical will be at The Brava Theater Center in San Francisco from February 11 to March 1. Tickets range from $30 –$100 and are now available online at www.brava.org/currentshows/current-shows/mighty-realfabulous-sylvester-musical We also encourage you to check out the live original cast recording of the show, which is available online on iTunes and CD Baby. As Milo Miles of NPR wrote, Sylvester “deserves a modern spotlight.” Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical goes a long way in helping with that effort. Our thanks go to Wayne and Bowman, and the rest of their inspired team, for putting together this electrifying show. See it!

BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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The Duke of Burgandy Drips with Dreamy, Kinky Romanticism

Film Gary Kramer The Venn diagrams of lesbians, S&M practitioners, and lepidopterists overlap in The Duke of Burgandy, writer/director Peter Strickland’s distinctive, ecstatic, and arch romantic drama. The film takes its visual cues from 1960s and 1970s European arthouse softcore—think Radley Metzgar—and its aural cues from butterfly sounds to soap bubbles popping.

The film opens with Evelyn (Chiara D’Anna) bicycling to the home of Cynthia (Sidse Babett Knudsen). After Evelyn rings the doorbell and waits two minutes, Cynthia answers.

“You’re late,” she scowls, and brings her maid into the living room.

“Did I say you could sit?” Cynthia asks, when Evelyn positions herself on the couch.

“You can start by cleaning the study,” the mistress commands, adding, “And don’t take all day this time.”

The scene is, it is revealed, a master/ slave routine—there is even a notecard detailing these precise dialogue and instructions—that the women perform for their erotic pleasures. Their role playing additionally involves Cynthia denying Evelyn the opportunity to go to the toilet, as well as a “punishment” that takes place behind the closed bathroom door when Evelyn fails to hand-wash Cynthia’s panties properly.

Hint: it explains why the mistress is always drinking large glasses of water.

The Duke of Burgandy plays out this and other S&M scenarios several times, and not just for the dark amusement it gives the characters and the audience.

Strickland is emphasizing the power positions of the two lovers. Evelyn admits how grateful she is to be “used” by Cynthia, a woman who is all she ever dreamed about, but never thought she would find. While Cynthia is anxious to please her lover, the film shows her veneer is starting to crack.

Evelyn’s happiness is dependent upon Cynthia being unhappy about her maid skills at boot polishing, panties laundering, and house cleaning, and then chastising her for it. In bed together, Evelyn is aroused not by her lover whispering sweet nothings to her, but by Cynthia giving her a verbal spanking. When she pleads to Cynthia to use “more conviction” in her stern reprobation, it is both funny and telling. A discussion of when Cynthia can surprise Evelyn is equally comical: It should be within the next 24 hours, but not in the first hour or the last hour, Evelyn explains. So, within the next 22 hours, Cynthia inquires, drolly.

One of the film’s best sequences involves Evelyn’s meeting with a female carpenter (Fatma Mohamed). The

carpenter describes a bed that allows the lovers to sleep on top of one another, noting that takes eight weeks to construct. Evelyn is disappointed at having to wait, but when the carpenter tells her about another product, a human toilet, she becomes more enthusiastic. Such moments are among the film’s charms.

That Strickland has his lovely actresses give such superb, controlled performances is what makes the film so captivating. That they rarely break character is part of the film’s fun. When Evelyn expresses disapproval about Cynthia wearing comfortable clothes, or an act of betrayal is discussed, these moments are likely a lover’s spat. However, they may be part of the couple’s role-playing. The ambiguity is quite delicious. Likewise, the film’s narrative, which repeats scenes and images and includes several hypnotic sequences—such as a one that begins and ends with the camera zooming into Cynthia’s privates—suggests various interpretations.

The Duke of Burgandy is a film is about precision that is itself precisely made.

The shots of pinned butterflies under(continued on page 26)

To Outline or Not to Outline

Words Michele Karlsberg

M ichele K a rlsberg: Do you work to an outline or plot, or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?

So, after I get that messy page of notes, or after I get 20 or 50 messy pages of nonlinear notes, I start writing. The scenes lead me forward.

Lucy Jane Bledsoe: I wish I could work from an outline. I often try. I put a big roman numeral I, followed by a period at the top of a yellow, lined legal pad. I write, “Protagonist confronts tormenter.”

Scene is the key word. A novel is a set of linked scenes. They can be linked in many ways, but they must be linked.

Often character motivation is what links them; one scene follows another because of what is motivating a character to act. I repeat this process of listing my scenes, and finding the relationship among them, time and again as I work through drafts of a novel.

Then all hell breaks loose. I think of an image I want to include. I think of what ot her c h a r a c ter s are doing. Crucial scraps of dialogue whisper, or maybe shout, in my ear. I have to write all this down, of course. A few minutes later, that first page of the yellow, lined legal pad is a mish-mash of notes in no particular order.

The problem is that the structure of a novel is three-dimensional, not linear.

There is no point A and point B and point C, as much as I want there to be.

Every idea, image, and action circles back on previous ones and future ones.

Ideally, all the bits in a novel come together in an organic whole. The meaning and heart and ideas of the story resonate on every page. Ideally, I say.

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BAY TIMES JANUA RY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

Lucy Jane Bledsoe is the author of a story collection and four novels, the most recent of which is “The Big Bang Symphony.” Her website is www.lucyjanebledsoe.com Eric Andrews-Katz: Although I do not write for the theatre, it is evident in its inf luence on my writing process.

I don’t pinpoint each chapter, nor do I sit down and wing it when I write. Before I start, I like to have a tentative beginning, midd le and ending in mind; an Overture, Entr’acte and eleven o’clock number, if you will.

I never know what will kick off my latest (continued on page 26)

Round About - Elephant Walk 40th Anniversary Photos by Rink

An enthusiastic crowd was on hand Wednesday, January 14, at Harvey’s, 18th and Castro, to enjoy a special program commemorating the 40th Anniversary of The Elephant Walk at its original site. A panel discussion, featuring San Francisco Bay Times photographer Rink and former Elephant Walk staffers John Coffman, Fred Rogers, Jan Drew and Paula Morrison, was included. Entertainers for the evening included host Bebe Sweetbriar, Amoray appearing as Sylvester, dancer Elise Evans, comedienne Marga Gomez and more.

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “After the horrible Charlie Hebdo massacre, I need to quote from Salman Rushdie, who wrote “Satanic Verses:” “Religion, a medieval form of unreason, when combined with modern weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms. This religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam, and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today. I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty, and stupidity. ‘Respect for religion’ has become a code phrase meaning ‘fear of religion.’ Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect.”

The 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR ELEPHANT WALK was hosted by Elephant Walk Founder Fred Rogers and Harvey’s General Manager Steve Porter in the former Elephant Walk Space, now Harvey’s. Rogers opened the Elephant Walk at 500 Castro Street on November 27, 1974. The event commemorated the 40th anniversary of the famous bar with a presentation of photographs and video from back in the ‘70s and ‘80s narrated by San Francisco Bay Times photographer Rink, Fred Rogers, and several former Elephant Walk employees. Cleve Jones was scheduled to speak, but was down with that awful winter cold we are all trying to battle. Among the notable photos were the old Star Pharmacy now Walgreens across the street from the Elephant Walk - where

the first notice of a strange disease ravaging gay men was called GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency) later named AIDS; disco diva Sylvester performing for free on Sundays at the Elephant Walk in elegant female attire; lesbian performer/activist Pat Bond; Cleve Jones’ birthday party with Harvey Milk and friends; and the utter destruction of the bar (both inside and out) smashed by riot cops after the White Night Riots brought angry protesters to the Castro. Scrawled on the boarded-up windows was: “Remember May 22, 1979. Never Again!”

On May 21, 1979, disgraced Supervisor Dan White was convicted of assassinating Supervisor Harvey Milk but only charged with manslaughter. Outraged by the verdict, the community numbering in the thousands marched to City Hall in protest.

During the march, some isolated groups smashed windows, set trash cans ablaze, hurled bottles and rocks through windows, and set fire to several police cars. In response to the riots, the San Francisco police started one of their own. They targeted The Elephant Walk and began breaking the windows, damaging the property, and beating the patrons inside the bar in rebuttal to the downtown riots.

While the district mourned the loss of their “heart,” they drew on strength from one another to cope with the blow to the community.

The 40th anniversary festivities were incorporated into a special edition of “Play With Bebe,” the Castro’s longest running trivia night, hosted by local celebrity drag star Bebe Sweetbriar.

Bebe’s trivia program for the night was specially 70’s and 80’s themed. My team, Krewe de Kinque, with Gary Virginia scored a miserable five out of ten correct answers. But we still had

fun. One of the reasons the Elephant Walk is considered historic is because disco sensation Sylvester used to perform there before becoming an international star in the late 70’s. Therefore, the anniversary celebration included a musical performance by Sylvester cover artist Amoray singing live the diva’s classic “Do You Wanna Funk?” and “(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real.” Stunning! Comic Marga Gomez reminisced of the old days when her friends used to take acid and enjoy Sylvester’s lively performances.

The whole evening was an awesome trip down memory lane!

ACADEMY OF FRIENDS (AOF) presented their annual TOAST THE NOMINEES AND SHOPPING PARTY sponsored by Sui Generis.

This enjoyable evening was hosted by Sui Generis clothiers, 2231 Market & 2265 Market, who generously provided the venue, and is giving back 15% of all sales from now to February 22nd to Academy of Friends. AOF Board Chair Gil Padia told me about the gala theme, A CENTURY OF RADIANCE: CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAN PACIFIC EXPOSITION AND THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACADEMY OF FRIENDS on February 22nd at the SF Design Center Galleria. Vice Chair Matthew Denckla spoke about continued efforts to raise monies for HIV/AIDS services in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year’s beneficiaries include AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP), Huckleberry Youth Programs, HIV/ AIDS Nightline, HIV Story Project, LGBTQ Connection, Positive Resource Center (PRC), and Project Open Hand.

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Check out this rental at: www.vacationrentals.com/listing/p7116764

It's Ski Season!!

And now for my scathing commentary (continued on page 26) BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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See many more Calendar items @ www.sfbaytimes.com

compiled by Robert Fuggiti

Luis Valverde, “Dance in Revolt(ing)Times” (D.I.R.T.) comes to Dance Mission Theater January 23 through February 1.

• 22 : T HURSDAY

2015 Opening Night Gala – San Francisco Ballet. $275. 6:15 pm.

(301 Van Ness Ave.) Enjoy an opening night gala with cocktail reception and light buffet, followed by performance, and after party. sfopera.com 3rd Annual Grantee Partnership Event – SF LGBT Community Center. Free. 6:30 pm.

(1800 Market St.) A celebration and opportunity to showcase the work

of grantee’s within the LGBT community. sfcenter.org Bubble Limelight – SF Underground. Free. 9 pm. (424 Haight St.) Enjoy a live DJ set and drink specials, with donations benefitting Aim High. undergroundsf.com

• 23 : F RIDAY

Keith Haring: The Political Line – de Young. $15. 5:30 pm to 9

pm. (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.) Now open late for the final five Fridays. Through February 13. deyoung.famsf.org Hardly Strictly Hip Hop – Lookout Bar. Donation. 9 pm. (3600 16th St.) Enjoy hip-hop music from 3 DJs and drag performances. lookoutsf.com Riot Grrr – Lone Star Saloon.

Free. 8 pm. (1354 Harrison St.) A Sleater-Kinney tribute and one year anniversary party. lonestarsf.com

• 24 : S ATURDAY

11th Annual Beats for Boobs – Mezzanine. $50. 7 pm.

(444 Jessie St.) Join Beats for Boobs and get rowdy while honoring and remembering those impacted by breast cancer. facebook.com/events/ 7456267721 92037 Improvised Downton Abbey – BATS Improv. $17. 7:30 pm. (19501 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley) Watch as San Francisco’s top improv group spins a hilarious off-the-cuff tale of Downton Abbey’s aristocracy and servants. cvartsfoundation.org Pretty in Ink – Powerhouse.

Donation. 9 pm. (1347 Folsom St.) A benefit party to raise awareness and funds for the Behind Closed Drawers Anal Cancer Campaign. powerhouse-sf.com

• 25 : S UNDAY

Annual Pat Parker Tribute – La Peña Cultural Center. $10. 7 pm.

(3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley) A tribute to Bay Area political and social activist Pat Parker.

Anna@lapena.org Chamber Concert Soiree – Piedmont Center for the Arts. $30.

3 pm to 6 pm. (801 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont) Enjoy chamber music performed by the talented 24

BAY TIMES JANUA RY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

Community Women’s Orchestra. communitywomensorchestra.org Adore Delano – DNA Lounge. 8 pm. $22.50. (375 11th St.) The queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race gives an unforgettable performance. www.dnalounge.com

• 26 : M ONDAY

Monday Night Bluegrass – Amnesia. Free. 6 pm. (853 Valencia St.) Enjoy a night of Bluegrass music at this cozy mission bar. www.amnesiathebar.com Wanted – Q Bar. Free. 10 pm to 2 am. (456 Castro St.) Enjoy a night of dance and electronic music along with $2 drink specials. sfwanted.com Opulence – Beaux. Free. 9 pm.

(2344 Market St.) A hip-hop night with happy hour drink specials all night long. beauxsf.com

• 27 : T UESDAY

Exhibit: Imogen Cunningham Photography – Harvey Milk Photo Center. Free. 4 pm to 8:30 pm. (50 Scott St.) The Harvey Milk Photo Center presents a stunning exhibit of Imogen Cunningham’s work during the 1960’s. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org GLBT Caregivers Group– SFSU Campus. Free. 1:30 pm. (1600 Holloway St.) A support group to discuss issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s. sfsu.edu

• 28 : W EDNESDAY

Last Drag: Quit Smoking Class – SF LGBT Community Center. Free. 7 pm. (1800 Market St.) The Last Drag is a free quit smoking class for LGBT and HIV positive smokers who are ready to become nonsmokers.

sfcenter.org Lex Final Art Show – The Lexington Club. Free. 7 pm. (3464 19th St.) A retrospective of photography from years of art shows in the past. www.lexingtonclub.com Go Deep Returns – Red Hots Burlesque. $10. 8 pm. (1661 Tennessee St.) Go Deep returns with an all girl wresting party. www. redhotsburlesque.com

• 27 : T HURSDAY

Berlin and Beyond Film Festival – Castro Theatre. $13+.

Various Times. (429 Castro St.) Goethe-Institut San Francisco presents America’s largest festival of new cinema from Germany, Austria and Switzerland at the Castro for the 19th year. castrotheatre.com Lesbians of Color Discussion Group – Pacific Center. Free. 7 pm to 9 pm. (2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley) Network and social with women discussing a range of various topics. pacificcenter.org LGBT Two-Step – Sundance Saloon. $5. 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

(550 Barneveld Ave.) Enjoy San Francisco very on LGBT countywestern dance night. sundancesaloon.org

• 30 : F RIDAY

SF Restaurant Week – Golden Gate Restaurant Association. (220 Montgomery St.) Enjoy the last night of the 10-day, city-wide celebration of San Francisco’s unparalleled restaurant community. sfrestaurantweek.com Swagger Like Us – Elbo Room. $10. 10 pm. (647 Valencia) A queer hip-hop dance party. elbo.com

Cubscout SF – Lookout. $6. 9 pm to 2 am. (3600 16th St.) A fun party with hosts Ra Punzel and Blake Cedric. lookoutsf.com

• 31 : S ATURDAY

Fool La La – The Marsh. $15$100. 2 pm. (2120 Allston Way, Berkeley) The Marsh Berkeley announces the zany extravaganza Fool La La from Bay Area’s beloved clown Unique Derique. Extended through February 28. themarsh.org Chinese New Year Celebration – Aunt Charlie’s Lounge. Donation. 4 pm. (133 Turk St.) Celebrate the year of the Ram and help raise funds for the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center. www.auntcharlieslounge.com To Diana Ross, With Love – Balancoire. $25+. 7:30 pm. (2565 Mission St.) Bebe Sweetbriar presents a tribute to legend, Diana Ross. Also January 29. bebesweetbriar.com

• 1 : S UNDAY

D.I.R.T – Dance Mission Theater. $20. 7 pm. (3316 24th St.) Dance Mission Theater presents sixteen choreographers in three distinct programs over two riveting weekends in, Dance in Revolt(ing) Times (D.I.R.T.). January 23 through February 1. dancemission.com Monkey Business T-Dance Party – The Stud. $5. 7 pm. (399 9th St.) Dance the evening away to top hits and hip-hop music. studsf.com Drinks with Deena Cartier – Oasis. Free. 5 pm. (298 11th St.) www. Enjoy a cabaret drag performance at San Francisco’s newest performance venue. facebook.com/sfoasis

• 2 : M ONDAY

LGBT Sangha – SF LGBT Center. Free. 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

(1800 Market St.) All are welcome to join for a mindful meditation and spiritual practice. sfcenter.org Musical Sing-along – The Edge.

Free. 9 pm. (4149 18th St.) qbar.com/edge

LGBTQ Support Group – Petaluma Health Center. Free. 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. (1179 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma) A positive support group for the LGBTQ community in Petaluma. phealthcenter.org

• 3 : T UESDAY

The News – SomArts. $5. 7:30 pm to 9 pm. (934 Brannan St.) A spotlight of queer performances and artists. somarts.org Queer Youth Meal Night – SF LGBT Center. Free. 5 pm. (1800 Market St.) Queer Youth Meal Night is a safe space to meet with trans/queer/ally friends and enjoy a warm meal. sfcenter.org Mr. Burns – American Conservatory Theater. $25-$120. 7 pm. (415 Geary St.) In a post-apoca-

lyptic Bay Area, a group of strangers comes together by recreating the infamous “Cape Feare” episode of The Simpsons. Through March 15. act-sf.org

• 4 : W EDNESDAY

Tree – San Francisco Playhouse. $20+. 7 pm. (450 Post St.) A story of love and betrayal, with three generations that twist and grow in astonishing ways. Through March 7. sfplayhouse.com Block Party – Midnight Sun. Free. 9 pm. (4067 18th St.) Enjoy weekly screenings of your favorite music videos. midnightsunsf.com.

Ladies Happy Hour – Beaux.

Free. 5 pm. (2344 Market St.) Enjoy drink specials for women. beauxsf.com

The Community Women’s Orchestra Cordially Invites You to Our

CHAMBER CONCERT SOIRÉE Sunday, January 25, 2015 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Piedmont Center for the Arts 801 Magnolia Avenue Piedmont, CA 94611 Convenient Parking TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, children under 12 admitted free ENJOY - CHAMBER MUSIC performed by Community Women’s Orchestra - SPECTACULAR VENUE – the first-ever arts institution in the very center of Piedmont - SELECTION OF FINE WINES AND HORS D’OEUVRES - SILENT AND LIVE AUCTIONS led by Jennifer Fisher LIVE AUCTION ITEMS -

AFRICAN SAFARI by Zula Nyala DAY TRIP TO CATALINA ISLAND BY PRIVATE PLANE PRIVATE CRUISE OF SF BAY by SailNOW! WALL OF WINE – Supplement or start your own wine cellar!

CONDUCTOR FOR A DAY – Take the podium at a CWO concert Buy your tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 (Or at the door) More info at www.communitywomensorchestra.org

BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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(DUNNING continued from page 6)

Zoe Dunning is a retired Navy Commander and was a lead activist in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She currently serves as the 1st Vice Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party, as a San Francisco Library Commissioner, and as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club.

(ADELMAN continued from page 8) sensitive and client-centered dementia resources.

http://app.certain.com/profile/form/ index.cfm?PKformID=0x19153538ef8

Please save the date for the following event:

For further information, please also see my earlier articles on dementia care for the San Francisco Bay Times:

Prepare for the Changing Horizon: Dementia Awareness and Caregiving for LGBT Older Adults in Diverse Communities Friday, February 20, 8:30am–4:00pm The Milton Marks Conference Center Hiram W. Johnson State Office Building, Lower level 455 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, Heklina (top), Sister Roma and friend (above) on stage at the newly renovated nightclub Oasis, 298 11th Street, SF. sfoasis.com

Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom St. (11AM5pm); or Castro Muni Station (126pm). Hope to see you there!

Registration is required, so please go to the following website if you wish to attend:

“Jim and Fred: A Love Story” http:// sfbaytimes.com/jimandfred/ and “Taking Alzheimer’s/Dementia Out of the Closet” http://sfbaytimes. com/taking-alzheimersdementia-outof-the-closet/ Dr. Marcy Adelman, 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.

CHLOE JACKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS BY PAUL MARGOLIS

her campaign for Empress 2015 to help educate us about a terrible stain on our world history that impacted her and her family. I hope you consider joining me and voting for her on February 7.

Anyone 18 or older with ID showing residency in Marin, San Francisco or San Mateo counties can vote at the following locations and times: Project Open Hand, 730 Polk St. (10am-4pm);

(KRAMER continued from page 22)

(KARLSBERG continued from page 22) writing jag, but these points need to be in order before it happens.jag, but these points need to be in order before it happens.

The Overture is what excites both writer and reader, seducing them into the storyline. It needs to be simultaneously rousing and enticing. The curtain has risen and there’s no turning back.

The Entr’acte is the conflict point that keeps the people’s interest. In a short story or novel, all primary characters need to have been introduced or referenced to by this point, and the plot needs to have been established.

Development, progress, and conflict are all busily paving the scribal way to the grand finale.

The eleven o’clock number is the climax bringing the audience to their feet.

The reader needs to be so hooked that

they will finish reading or die trying.

The climax needs to be tersely written, once again leaving both writer and reader finishing the last word contented, and eager to recommend.

Once these points are in place, my characters are free to develop, grow, and even go in directions I never thought. Anything may change as the creative process unfolds, but without these points in mind, I cannot begin.

Eric Andrews-Katz’s work has appeared in numerous award-winning anthologies. His first novel, “The Jesus Injection,” was released in 2012. For more information, please visit: http://ericandrewskatz.com/ Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity for the LGBT community. This year, Karlsberg celebrates twenty-six years of successful book campaigns.

butterflies underscore the dominant/ submissive relationship between the women, who are often ref lected in glass and mirrors. There are voyeuristic scenes of Evelyn looking through a keyhole to see Cynthia getting dressed, which mirror Evelyn looking at a specimen under a microscope. (The title “The Duke of Burgandy” is the name of a species of butterfly). And there are shots, both discrete and explicit, of the women’s lovemaking.

Strickland’s off beat cues to viewers not to take things too seriously.

There are also several episodes in which various women, Cynthia included, lecture about butterflies. The audience at these seminars consists entirely of women, and includes a mannequin or two, in another of

© 2015 Gary M. Kramer

As the film builds to its dramatic climax, the lovers start to discuss their relationship more honestly. “It would be nice if you did it without having to be asked,” each of them says to the other. Cynthia is talking about getting a massage for her injured back, while Evelyn wants her lover to lock her in the trunk at night.

The Duke of Burgandy yields considerable sensual pleasures.

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

Visit us online at sfbaytimes.com

SISTER DANA (continued from page 23) about the 2015 Oscars: I would call the theme “White Gold” for the mass of white nominees - yet miserably, shockingly lack of black nominees. Go ahead and count ‘em. All I see is for best film, “Selma,” which is my appropriate push on this MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY week.

(Frankie J. Alvarez), 31, is questioning the idea of monogamy amid a move to domesticate with his boyfriend; and the group’s oldest member - longtime waiter Dom (Murray Bartlett), 39 - is facing middle age with romantic and professional dreams still unfulfilled.

However, big congratz for GOLDEN GLOBES giving three teevee series awards of queer importance: Transparent, the show about having a M-T-F father, to the writer whose real life parent is “Fa-Ma,” her father turned mother; also to Transparent to Jeffrey Tambor for his excellent portrayal of same; and to my favorite out and proud actor, Matt Bomer, receiving his riveting supporting actor prize for the ‘80s AIDS docu-drama, The Normal Heart, exposing the truth about the emerging AIDs crisis to both the government and the gay community.

The trio’s stories intertwine and unspool dramatically as they search for happiness and intimacy in an age of unparalleled choices - and rights for gay men. Actual EssEff locations serve as a realistic backdrop for the group’s lives. Rounding out the cast are a bevy of dynamic gay men including Kevin (Russell Tovey), Lynn (Scott Bakula), and Richie (Raul Castillo), as well as a widerange of supporting characters like Dom’s roommate Doris (Lauren Weedman), Agustín’s boyfriend Frank (O.T. Fagbenle), and Patrick’s co-worker Owen (Andrew Law).

HBO presented a red carpet sneak peek at the Castro Theatre of the world premiere of season 2 of LOOKING. Looking offers up the unfiltered experiences of three close friends living and loving in modernday San Francisco. Friendship may bind them, but each is at a markedly different point in his journey: Patrick (Jonathan Groff) is the 29-year-old video game designer getting back into the dating world in the wake of his ex’s engagement; aspiring artist Agustín

The IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO, INC., Reigning Emperor John Paul Soto & Reigning Empress Misty Blue proudly present the ANNUAL IMPERIAL GALA AND P R E S E N TA T I O N S OF CANDIDATES. Campaign season for the offices of Emperor & Empress Of San Francisco has officially begun. The ICSF Board of Directors is proud to announce the three candidates vying for your vote

26

BAY TIMES JANUA RY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

on February 7th. The two candidates for Empress are Deena Cartier and Khmera Rouge. The candidate for Emperor is Kevin Lisle. Meet & Greet at Balançoire, 2565 Mission Street. Congratulations, candidates!

History in the making: SCOTUS to decide on Marriage once and for all!

Following its decision last fall to effectively green light same-sex marriage in 11 states, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear six consolidated marriage cases out of Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky this term, with a ruling potentially by June. The Court’s review will take place on a transformed legal landscape, with gay couples being able to marry in 36 states, covering two-thirds of the American people, and with nearly 60 federal and state courts having struck down discriminatory marriage bans in the past two years.

Virtually every court up until this point, including the 4th, 7th, 9th, and 10th Circuits and a 59% majority of the American people, including Republicans under age 45, support the freedom to marry. Briefs will now be filed on both sides, oral argument will be scheduled, and the Court will likely hand down a decision by this summer, potentially bringing an end to marriage discrimination in the United States. Victory!!!

MAGNET, the health and wellbeing hub in the Castro, is currently showing

WE BLAZE AWAY, which is the art of Felix D’Eon, a series of giclee prints. He is enraptured by various arthistorical styles, such as Edwardian fashion and children’s book illustration, golden-era American comics, and Japanese Edo printmaking. In his work, he attempts to make the illusion of antiquity complete, using antique papers and careful research as to costume, set, and style. His goal is perfect verisimilitude. He subverts their “wholesome” image and harnesses their style to a vision of gay love and sensibility. My personal faves are “Love Rocket,” a takeoff on the classic bullet shaped rocket giving the moon a black eye; but we see through a window two men kissing inside with the moon looking on in approval; and “Moon Baby,” with a crescent moon with face making love to an ecstatic man. Check out his full gallery at felixdeon.com Pornucopia: this week’s flick pick is In the Shadows, titanmen.com Sister Dana sez, “The Repugnican attack on Social Security keeps heating up. The new House Budget chair announced that he will propose cuts to Social Security. Then Senator Rand Paul attacked Americans who rely on Social Security disability benefits, many of whom are veterans. Chairman Tom Price, Senator Paul, and everyone they represent should be ashamed of themselves.”

San Francisco Bay Times says “THANK YOU!” to our Readers, Advertisers, and Supporters!

ROSTOW (continued from page 19) marriage equality has become a matter of principle only. But, for some of us, it remains a personal challenge.

I buy my own exorbitant health insurance. If I keeled over tomorrow, Mel would not receive my social security benefits. If she got hit by a truck, I would not receive her pension. I still don’t trust that the Emergency Room staff would let either of us in during a medical crisis. In fact, I’m confident that a rightwing nut on duty would insist on “family members only,” even though there’s an executive order mandating hospital access for same-sex partners.

One of the most annoying setbacks to an unrecognized marriage is trying to settle some business issue involving our house (in her name) or some other thing. I either have to pretend to be her, and hope that no one asks me an arcane personal question, or I have to wait for her to get home from work and force her into an unpleasant telephone session when all she wants to do is crash and have a cocktail. I feel more married since Windsor, but in Texas I still don’t feel married enough. Let’s just say that late June can’t come fast enough for me.

I’m almost out of space, but after feasting on the poached lobster and caviar of SCOTUS speculation, I haven’t the mindset for gay news tidbits. Plus, there’s not that much out there because the prospect of imminent marriage equality has sucked up all the GLBT oxygen out there.

By the way, I’ll be interested to see who goes forward on our behalf before the High Court. Surely we won’t have five or six different advocates from Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky, all seeking their f ifteen minutes of fame? Oh, and the Justice Department will be filing a brief too, so would the Court give them some minutes in deference to the executive branch? We could have quite the zoo.

Oral arguments have not been scheduled, but people are guessing they’ll be held in late April.

We live in interesting times. arostow@aol.com

Round About - All Over Town

Photos by Rink

Servers Albert Que and Bonnie McGarrity offered desserts and salads at the newly opened Hearth Coffee Roasters, located at 3985 17th Street near Market, during the Happy Hour Wine Special.

Guys featured in the 2015 Men of Cheer SF Calendar selling copies at the 18th and Castro “Hibernia Beach” location

Celebrated artist Felix d’Eon (left), wearing original fashions he designed and sewed, was introduced at the opening of his exhibit at Magnet.

Movie critic Jan Wahl and Sister Roma served as questioners during the Q&A session with the audience at HBO’s premiere of the Looking second season held at the Castro Theatre.

Programmer Mike Keegan and director Jeff Ross at the Independent Film Festival’s (February 5-19) press conference held at the Roxie Theatre.

Supervisor Scott Wiener was joined by his parents and other family members for his swearing in ceremony for a second term at City Hall.

Emperor candidate Kevin Lisle (center) with Sean Kline and Philip Beers, at 440 Bar selling raffle tickets for a benefit supporting the Monarch’s Charity Fund

Newly re-elected Supervisor Malia Cohen with Paul Henderson, the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, at City Hall on Inauguration Day. Empress candidate Khmera Rouge with supporters from the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club at The Edge

Supporters Kerri Hanna, Kylie Minono and Jezebel Patel surround empress candidate Khmera Rouge (2nd from left) at The Edgej2 Actress Lauren Weedman (4th from left) entertained the cast and HBO staff during the discussion session at HBO’s Looking second season premiere at the Castro Theatre.

Actress Lauren Weedman and actor Raul Castillo on stage at the Castro Theatre at the second season premiere of HBO’s Looking.

Eve Volution, empress candidate Deana Cartier, and emperor candidate Kevin Lisle outside 440 Bar where Kevin’s candidate’s party was held.

Women from UCSF’s 545 Team, who will be riding in the AIDS/ LifeCycle, promoted their team and raised supporting funds at the 18th and Castro “Hibernia Beach.”

David Frederickson, Jorg Fockele and Adam Ouderkik, from the HIV Story Project, with Academy of Friends board chair Gil Padia (right) at the AOF Toast the Oscar Nominees party held at Sui Generis.

Sui Generis co-owner Miguel Lopez with Academy of Friends board member Beth Feingold at the AOF Toast the Oscars Nominees party at Sui Generis

Academy of Friends board chair Gil Padia spoke at Sui Generis, accompanied by vice chair Matthew Denckla who served as an advocate for sales of Raffle tickets.

Academy of Friends board chair Gil Padia was fitted with a leather jacket by salesman Brian Cunningham during the AOF Toast the Oscars Nominees party held at Sui Generis.

BAY T IM ES JANUARY 22, 2015

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San Francisco Bay Times Congratulates the Imperial Council of San Francisco on Its 50th Anniversary