Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies Friday, February 21, 6–10 pm @ The Academy For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/3PJhlfU
Nadirah Shakoor
DJ Black
Khilynn Fowler
Mary Midgett
Ramona Laughing Brook Webb
Rev. Angela Brown
Kamika Dunlap
Alex U. Inn
Lisbet Tellefsen
Brendalynn Goodall
Aarin Burch
Honey Mahogany
Judy Young
Carolyn Wysinger
Lisa WIlliams
Jewelle Gomez
Erica Huggins
Imani RupertGordon
Angela Berry
Empowering LGBTQ+ Black Women & Allies
Business Grants and More to Empower LGBTQ+ Black Women
“In our world, divide and conquer must become define and empower.”
—Audre Lorde
The great poet and activist Audre Lorde (1934–1992) often spoke about the importance of self-definition and self-empowerment. Regarding the former, she said, “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.”
In her case, she did not just identify with one group, but instead described herself as a Black, lesbian, political activist, feminist, poet, mother, and more. As many of us know, this takes courage, work, and self-confidence because one group—let’s say, a church that you were raised in, or even your relatives—might not always fully embrace all of your identities. Even LGBTQ+ social groups might not always be the most welcoming, depending on the other members. As Lorde also indicates, there are sadly a lot of users out there—often individuals who grew up with advantages, have big egos and believe they are superior to others, are narcissistic, and lack empathy. If you don’t conform yourself to their vision of you that meets their needs, you might be labeled a “perpetual victim” and dismissed. Because such individuals often have “charisma” and exude confidence, at least according to some, they can remain in positions of influence. This is even being evidenced now at the federal level, with the new presidential administration seemingly doing everything possible to roll back the clock on racial justice gains
over the past decades.
With many of us pushed to our raw limits for various reasons, it is time to heed Lorde’s well-earned advice to better define and empower ourselves as much as possible.
Strengthen Your Network
No one can do it alone, and often self-definition gains clarity from social experiences. Here in the Bay Area, we are at least lucky to have numerous well-established organizations with a strong Black LGBTQ+ women presence. The East Bay Community Foundation has a Directory of Black-led Organizations that can be searched by keywords, city, county, and even budget size. Check it out at: https://bit.ly/4jTdGKg
Another recommendation is to join the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA), the world’s first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce. The board emphasizes diversity, and current President Nancy Geenen is a very skilled leader with an impressive background. Her business Flexability is one of the most respected in terms of DEI strategy and implementation. To learn more about the GGBA and to join: https://www.ggba.com
Better yet, consider joining the board of a favorite nonprofit. Many leaders, such as El Cerrito Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, got their start on boards. Wysinger was the President of SF Pride, which is often seeking new board members. The GGBA also has had openings on their board. Follow the DJ
A frequent question heard around the Bay Area is: Where can I meet other Black queer women? Often the response is to go to Mango at El Rio. The legendary party with a strong queer women of color draw has been going on for decades and happens every 4th Saturday from 2–8 pm. The next one will be
on February 22. Lead DJ Olga T also has a new monthly event called EUPHORIA at The Academy SF. The next one will be on March 7 ( https://bit.ly/4hqZUwX ).
Mark your calendar for Soul of Pride events taking place this June. Consider signing up to volunteer, perform, or become a sponsor.
https://www.soulofpride.com/
The San Francisco Bay Times is co-presenting a new event at Catch French Bistro in the Castro called Mimosa that highlights musician and DJ Dr. Dee Spencer, who among her many achievements founded the Jazz Studies program at San Francisco State University. The next Mimosa will take place on March 9 ( https://catchfrenchbistro.com/ ).
To find out about other new or existing parties and other social events that might be of interest, it helps to follow popular DJs such as:
DJs Kim & Black: https://bit.ly/4gwA5u3
DJ Emancipation: https://bit.ly/4jMIwnP
DJ Christie James: https://bit.ly/4gEB2jT
DJ Lady Ryan: https://bit.ly/4gxU6jS Performer and DJ Aima the Dreamer: https://bit.ly/40THTjG and too many others to mention here!
For more of a splurge, consider going on an Olivia trip. The Coral Jubilee Caribbean Cruise next month, for example, has a great lineup of DJs and performers. This special cruise will be celebrating 35 years of Olivia Travel. For more information on this and other Olivia cruises: https://www.olivia.com/
Apply for a Business Grant
Getting back to business, entrepreneurs will find that there are dozens of grants offering free money and that are geared toward Black women and those in the LGBTQ+ community. Fundera compiled an extensive list that includes:
HerRise Microgrant Program: A program of the Yva Jourdan Foundation,
HerRise Microgrants awards $1000 per month to a woman-owned business, with many awardees being women of color.
Wish Local Empowerment Program Grant: Black business owners can receive grants of $500–$2000, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Amber Grant Foundation: $10,000 is awarded three times monthly to female entrepreneurs by this foundation.
The National Association for the SelfEmployed (NASE) Growth Grants: Up to $4000 is awarded to entrepreneurs and microbusinesses.
Santander’s Cultivate Small Business: Specifically for early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, this program focuses on women, immigrant, and BIPOC-owned businesses.
Feed the Soul’s Restaurant Business Development Program: Another program for food businesses, this one targets people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, seniors, and additional marginalized groups. The awards include not only a financial stipend but also six months of consultations and educational training. The application cycle is now open and runs through April 15, 2025.
For the complete list of business grants for Black women, go to: https://bit.ly/4jSi5Nv
LGBTQ+ Certification
Did you know that more than 160 corporations, including Wells Fargo, PG&E, and
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DJ Black DJ Christie DJ Dee Spencer
DJ Lady Ryan
DJ Emancipation DJ Olga T
PHOTO BY ROBERT ALEXANDER
Audre Lorde
Carolyn Wysinger
Iowayna Peña Advances Equity and Inclusion in San Francisco Empowering LGBTQ+ Black Women & Allies
On January 15, 2025, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) Executive Director Sarah Dennis Phillips announced the appointment of Iowayna Peña as San Francisco Workforce Development Director. A division of OEWD, Workforce Development trains and connects unemployed, underemployed, and hard-to-employ residents to sustainable job opportunities in a variety of industries. Peña officially started her new role on January 6 of this year.
Many of you might already know her because Peña is an active leader in the LGBTQ community. She previously served as co-chair of The Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and has worked closely with organizations that support communities of color and LGBTQ youth, such as LYRIC and the 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic.
“Iowayna brings exactly the right mix of public-sector passion and private-sector know-how to supercharge our work creating pathways to good paying jobs while advancing equity and inclusion. Her expertise is bolstered by her ability to listen to stakeholders and partners across our employer and labor communities, and her collaborative approach will ensure our city’s economic growth reaches the resi dents and workers of San Francisco.” said Phillips. “We are thrilled to have Iowayna join the city’s leadership team.”
“I am deeply honored and excited to join this incredible team,” said Peña. “I look forward to collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and our community partners as we create and implement targeted, evidence-based programs that address the specific needs of our diverse labor market. My goal is to empower and support San
Franciscans through innovative programs that ensure our workforce attains the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy, while driving sustainable growth and prosperity for the city as a whole. Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient workforce, ready to meet the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Prior to joining OEWD, Peña was the Director of Government Affairs & Real Estate Development for the San Francisco Giants. During her 5 seasons with the Giants, she played an integral role in delivering phase one of the Mission Rock development project, a new mixed-use neighborhood along the city’s southern waterfront that added 537 units of housing,
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Iowayna Peña speaking at the September 2024 Divas & Drinks event honoring SFFD Chief Jeanine Nicholson (retired)
Iowayna Peña at the Mission Bay development site
Iowayna and and Naomi Fierro Peña
Iowayna Peña in costume (2013)
Iowayna Peña on her graduation day at California State Fullerton
Iowayna Peña with Megan Hugel in Oakland at a march for women’s rights (2017)
Iowayna Peña with women from African nations at the march for women’s rights in Oakland (2017)
Empowering LGBTQ+ Black Women & Allies
(continued from page 4)
30% of which are below market rate, and created over 8,500 new jobs for local residents. She led the launch and implementation of Mission Rock Academy, an apprenticeship program focused on training and placing residents from underrepresented communities in the building trades—and more notably recognized for its women’s construction training cohort. In 2023, the San Francisco Business Times named her one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business.” The San Francisco Bay Times has also honored her at its annual event celebrating Black LGBTQ+ women leaders and allies, held during Black History Month.
Peña was a Legislative Aide and District Director for Supervisor Malia Cohen in 2018 and worked at OEWD as a development project manager before transitioning to the San Francisco Giants in 2020. Before her recent appointment at OEWD, she served on the City’s Workforce Investment San
Francisco Board, a body of diverse business, community-based service providers, labor, government, and education stakeholders who are responsible for developing the City’s Workforce Development Plan.
“Having worked closely with Iowayna, I can attest to her brilliance and her commitment to improving the lives of all San Francisco residents,” stated State Controller Malia Cohen. “I can think of no better person to lead the City’s Workforce Development division. She has what it takes to ensure that underserved communities have access to opportunities to enhance their skills and to good-paying jobs and to meet the demands of our employers so that they can remain competitive and strong.”
According to Meg Anne Pryor, Apprenticeship Coordinator for Local 3,
District, “Iowayna is a great person for this job. She has always been a fighter and advocate for women in the working industry, supporting them any way she can. She is going to do great things for the City of San Francisco.”
https://bit.ly/4hwm1C0
Iowayna Peña (center) with Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club members and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff (2024)
Iowayna Peña, with Lisa Wiilliams, was honored by the Bayard Rustin Coalition (2023)
Iowayna Peña
Empowering LGBTQ+ Black Women & Allies
Grammy Nominee Nadirah Shakoor: ‘Walking in the Light of Grace, Gratitude, and Endless Possibilities’
Janet Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, and Jimmy Buffett all have one powerhouse artist in common, Nadirah Shakoor. This unforgettably soulful and sultry singer performed with these memorable greats and is a shining star in her own right. The recipient of a Grammy Nomination, an MTV Video Award, the 2005 Artist for a Better World award, and the 2006 “Spirit of Youth” award, Shakoor is perhaps best known as the former lead female vocalist of the acclaimed hip hop group Arrested Development and, for nearly 30 years, as the featured female vocalist of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.
On February 21, 2025, Shakoor will be the featured artist at the San Francisco Bay Times-produced Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Women Leaders and Allies event at The Academy SF. She is traveling across the country for this special evening, which will provide a rare chance to see an artist of her caliber in the intimate setting of The Academy in the Castro. She is a seasoned professional who has performed for thousands at stadiums, and at such mega concert events as Lalapalooza, Womad, and Woodstock II, not to mention for the millions who have enjoyed her many performances on television.
way, and the like were my earliest musical influences.
When I was 5 years old, I made the declaration to my mother that I wanted to be just like Diana Ross. I now know how blessed I am to have parents who supported and encouraged my musical interest from the very beginning. I also realize the significance of knowing at such a young age what I wanted. Of course, I have had many other jobs since then, but I have never veered too far off my musical path.
In the early eighties I was working as a loan processor; I was also recently divorced with a
When Buffett passed, she shared a beautiful, heartfelt message ( https://bit.ly/40PzEFy ). It ends: “Walking in the light of grace, gratitude, and endless possibilities!” The empowering, inspirational energy of these words of hope comes through her life story, which she shares with us here:
“I was born in San Antonio, raised in Los Angeles, and I now reside in Atlanta. My maternal grandfather was a singer as was my own father, so music has always been a big part of my life. When I was a little girl, my parents would have me sing for their friends who would pay me a dime or sometimes even a quarter. I absolutely loved to sing and having others to sing for thrilled me to no end.
In our home on any given day, music could be heard. If it wasn’t the radio, or the record player, one of my father’s singing groups would be rehearsing in the living room. The voices and music of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dionne Warwick, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hatha-
young child. One fateful day I received an offer to go on the road with a major recording artist for 3 months. I was excited, but I was reluctant to quit my job for something that would only last 3 months. This was a defining moment in my life. No longer could I continue to treat music as a hobby, only doing it part time.
I made the decision to step out on faith and use my God-given talent to make a living for me and my son. It hasn’t always been easy, but I am very grateful that, to this day, I have not had to look back. I have been earning a living with music only for over twenty years now. I encourage anyone reading these words to go after your dreams with all your heart and never ever, ever give up!
After that first tour, I continued to audition around Los Angeles and do studio sessions. My résumé soon included tours with Howard Hewet, Paula Abdul, Al Jarreau, Janet Jackson, and others as a back-up vocalist. At the same time, I was involved with various bands of my own many times with other family members. We did shows around town, recorded demos, and set our sights on the ever-elusive major record deal.
In 1992 while working outdoors, my father was shot and killed by a stray bullet. I was devastated; we all were. About two weeks later, I dreamed that I was out with friends and needed to stop home to check my answering machine. On it was a
Nadirah Shakoor and Choral Reefer bandmate Tina Gullickson, Tampa, FL (2025)
Snaphot by Nadirah Shakoor in St. Louis (2023)
Dancing at L’Olympia Hall, Paris (2010)
Nadirah Shakoor on stage with Jimmy Buffett
Empowering LGBTQ+ Black Women & Allies
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message to me from my father, letting me know that he was okay and reminding me that I had work to do—another defining moment for me.
I shook off the depression and wrapped myself in a cloak of my father’s love and belief in me and continued my journey.
Three months later, I auditioned for the hip hop group Arrested Development, and after working with them a year while still living in Los Angeles, they asked me to relocate to their base, Atlanta. That was a wonderful time in my career. I loved the positive messages in their music and the way they related to our African heritage. I loved the fact that the group consisted of young men, women, and an elder working side by side to bring a spiritual message to the day’s youth. I loved working barefoot too, and I knew my daddy would be proud.
Three years later, the group disbanded. I found myself away from my family with a mortgage, a 10-year-old son, and no job. I made some calls and got 3 leads: The first was another popular hip hop group looking to replace their singer temporarily for an Australian tour leaving in 2 weeks. The second was to go on the road with Yanni to sing one song per show. The third was to go on the road with a jazz singer named Jimmy Buffett. I knew the hip hop gig was only temporary so that was out. The Yanni gig was paying really well, but I knew I would have been bored out of my mind doing just one song a night. I’d had some jazz experience with Al Jarreau, so I turned down two and went for the jazz gig. Imagine my surprise when I received the collection of Jimmy Buffett CDs and discovered it was not what I thought! Talk about a culture shock. I was actually scared.
Crying, I called my mother and said, “I don’t know if I can do this. I am an R & B singer with dreadlocks and two rings in my nose who likes to perform barefoot! I won’t fit in!” She calmly reminded me that I needed a job and that if it wasn’t meant to be, I would find out soon enough.
I worked through my fear and commenced to learning my parts. As I got more familiar with Jimmy’s music I heard Caribbean influences, some pop, folk, country, rock, and even a couple jazzy ballads. I paid attention to his lyrics and found myself thoroughly entertained and impressed by his storytelling. I got a call from Jimmy’s Saxophonist, Amy Lee, also an Atlanta resident. She’d called to welcome me to the Coral Reefer Band of which she had been a member for some time. Amy was so nice and reassuring I knew it would be okay. Thirty years later and counting, I now consider The Coral Reefer Band to be my family and I am proud to be a member. I have the utmost respect and love for each and every one of the CRB as multi-talented artists and as really good people.”
The Coral Reefer Band carries on the tradition of Buffett’s music and will be performing on March 14 and March 15 in Florida—worth the trip! In the meantime, though, catch Shakoor right here in San Francisco on February 21. For reservations: https://bit.ly/3PJhlfU
Coral Reefer Band
https://bit.ly/42PmCKO
Nadirah Shakoor
https://bit.ly/42Nvu3y
The Soul Circle Jewelry Collection by Nadirah Shakoor
In addition to her storied career as a recording artist and live performer, Nadirah Shakoor has developed a popular line of original jewelry. Her works combine beads, charms, and other items to create colorful bracelets that are especially popular with her fans and Buffett followers.
In December, at the Key West Collective in Key West, Florida, she introduced two new limited series, themed “Bubbles Up” and “Keep the Party Going,” in the Soul Circle collection. To find out more, visit Nadirah Shakoor on Facebook or email soulcircles4U@gmail.com
Watch her performance at the Key West Collective with musician Jockey Jord: https://bit.ly/3EAxXUT
To learn more about Nadirah Shakoor’s music, visit https://bit.ly/41aCmqy Shakoor is also the author of a children’s book, Homecoming: A Journey to Ghana, a story about one family’s adventures as they move from Georgia to Ghana. Published in March of 2024, the book is available at Amazon and may be previewed at https://bit.ly/4gBZNxa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BOQBkaYdb0
Listen to Nadirah Shakoor’s original song “Pride”
Biker Blood Runs Through My Veins
Dykes on Bikes ®
Tales From Two Wheels
I was born and raised in San Francisco— some might say hatched; some might say I sprouted. It kind of depends on whom you talk to. The City of San Francisco is part of my existence. Everything about the city feels like home.
As far back as I can recall, I have always been drawn to motorcycles. I remember that, when I was younger, my friends and I had a broken Moped, and you had to keep your finger on the choke to make it run while you were riding it. Those were good days. I reached a four-way intersection, and I remember this truly cool biker letting me cross on my Moped before
him. All I could think was that I would be on the motorcycle one day.
My Pop had bikes during my childhood. You could catch him on Indian Scouts and Harleys. To this day, I still have some old 8mm films of him riding his motorcycle on Ocean Beach in San Francisco. He still talks about how great his motorcycle felt. I completely understand how he feels; if it’s in you, it’s in you. There is no mistake about it.
The San Francisco Dykes On Bikes® mission statement is “to support philanthropic endeavors in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and women’s communities, and to reach out to empower a community of diverse women through rides, charity events, Pride events, and education.”
By T-Bone
and dedication to becoming a member.
Well, there is so much more to this. As with most motorcycle organizations, there are steps and levels. A participant is one step above the crowd and one step closer to getting into the club. They learn, watch, and decide the next step, whether upwards or downwards.
Prospect is the growing phase; the learning, participating, and watching phase. It usually
involves saying yes more than no. Depending on the organization, prospects typically wear a patch or pin to show the world they are a part of that group. Wearing this item shows others where you stand; it is a great moment of acceptance. Life changes when you are accepted as a Prospect. When someone from the outside looks at you, they know you are a growing member. It separates you from the members, but still allows one to represent the club. It recognizes your work to support the club and shows your goals to move up the ladder. It is a proud step of the channels
Myself, I’m a Patch. I say Proud Patch because it resonates inside of me. This member has made it in. A Patch member has made it in. Their patch represents hard work and success. It shows they deserve the respect they receive. They are out in the community to help and strive. This respect should flow like a river through the club. Everyone is responsible to themselves to make the right decisions and always to remember to treat each other with the utmost respect off and on the road. We show up in unison and glide down the road with all types of motorcycles and riders.
Members are a collaboration of bikers, motorcyclists, and motorcycle enthusiasts, all with the same mission. We produce the largest roar at Pride events to stimulate the crowd and let everyone know we are here. We support you; we support the LGBTQ+ community. We will carry on a tradition that has been leading the Pride Parade on the streets of San Francisco since 1976 with our founding members.
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Dykes on Bikes leaders (left to right) Melissa Cherry, Dora Dome, and T-Bone
San Francisco Bay Times Front Pages Featuring Black Women Leaders
Consequences
My friend Sharon is one of the best aunties I know. Whenever her nephew would act irresponsibly, she would give him a stern look and say just one word: consequences. He got the message.
Millions of voters in the United States chose one presidential candidate over the other because he had promised them prosperity. His promises were amplified by certain news media that enjoy widespread coverage. And if some of his promises seemed unrealistic, or even a bit unhinged, his followers still bought into the fantasy he promoted.
In the short time since that candidate became president, it is clear that those promises meant nothing. Rather than doing anything to help Americans, he has focused on seeking retribution against anyone who has ever had the gumption to oppose him, and on dismantling our government for the enrichment of himself and his billionaire cronies. Instead of helping Americans, he and his minions, led by a certain South African oligarch, have shredded our government, our Constitution, our laws, and inflicted untold harm upon millions of people worldwide.
Consequences.
As his people run roughshod through our government agencies and financial systems, people who may not have been paying close attention will start feeling the consequences of their votes. Ripple effects will be felt from Maine to Hawaii as hundreds of thousands of government employees suddenly lose their jobs, countless people who are part of the fabric of our communities are suddenly deported, and the clear messages from the White House embolden homophobes and bigots to unleash their hate upon our most marginalized communities.
Sadly, things are going to get worse before they get better. What can we do?
Look for the Helpers
You may already know this quote from one of the great spiritual leaders of our time, Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
Mr. Rogers’ advice is particularly timely now. While attacks on our country and its people are coming from all sides, if you look, you will see helpers everywhere. There are elected officials and government workers doing everything they can to save the very structure and spirit of our government. There are law-
yers and judges battling mightily in our courts against the barrage of illegal executive orders and actions that are attacking the very fabric of our democracy. There are school teachers, and clergy, and many others standing up to ICE agents in order to protect immigrants from deportation.
And there are countless others—your neighbors, friends, and so many others you will never meet—who are helping in ways large and small. Some are providing concrete aid: financial support to resistance movements, or to organizations and groups that help the most vulnerable among us. Some are out in the streets protesting, or organizing resistance movements. Some are providing emotional support, inspiration, and solidarity, either one-on-one, or amplified through social media, to keep us going when we feel overwhelmed. And some simply make our lives better with small, daily acts of kindness. I remember all too well the overwhelming fear and despair of the early AIDS years. This new disease was devastating our communities, and there didn’t seem to be any hope in sight. But people like Ed Wolf, and millions more like him, stepped up to help. And their acts of courage and kindness changed the world. Please read Ed’s wise words in this issue. And you can learn more about how Ed and others in our community helped during difficult times by watching David Weissman and Bill Weber’s powerful documentary, We Were Here. May it inspire you to act during this current crisis. https://wewereherefilm.com/
Focus on Our Local Communities
You and I have little control over what happens in Washington, D.C. (besides relentlessly calling our elected officials to demand they take action). But we do have power within our own communities. We can use our power locally to organize, and resist together. We can support our local organizations, businesses, and neighbors. We can speak out on behalf of those who are most at risk, both publicly and privately. We can amplify the voices of those providing reliable information, and wisdom. By building strong communities locally, we are in a better position to resist whatever comes at us from Washington.
Be Prepared
As both the new administration and state legislatures around the country are waging all-out war upon trans people, it is essential to know your rights and be prepared. Many thanks to Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) for publishing their “Trans Legal Survival Guide,” which provides steps to protect yourself by doing a legal “checkup,” and learning about terminology, issues, and
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Organizations on the Frontlines Fighting to Protect Us
By Joanie Juster
Here are just a few suggestions where your contributions of money or volunteer time can help. Right now, major battles are being fought and won in courtrooms, and it’s worth supporting national organizations that are best equipped to fight the big fights. It is also important to support local organizations—especially those whose funding is threatened by orders from Washington.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive; it’s just a starting point. These organizations are all on the frontlines, fighting to protect all of us.
ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty for almost 100 years, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guaranteed to everyone in this country. https://www.aclu.org/
Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform that tracks voting rights and election litigation. Their daily email report provides critical updates on major court cases defending the constitution, voting rights, and our civil rights.
https://www.democracydocket.com/
Lambda Legal works for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
https://tinyurl.com/LambdaOrg
Advocates for Trans Equality, (Formerly National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund) and also known as A4TE, fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America.
https://transequality.org/
Planned Parenthood directly provides reproductive health services and sexual education, contributes to research in reproductive technology, and advocates for the protection and expansion of reproductive rights. https://tinyurl.com/PPHorg
Faithful America is the largest online community of Christians who are fighting for social justice and combating Christian Nationalism. https://tinyurl.com/FFAorg
The San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives, at the local level, provides a resource page with a variety of critical resources for TGNCI people.
https://tinyurl.com/SFOTIS
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
When All the News Was Awful and Spring Felt So Far Away
It’s dark and it’s cold and spring feels so far away and the news is awful, and we’re wondering what’s gonna happen and how will we get through and why, why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
I felt this way during many years of the AIDS epidemic and even when groups of us in San Francisco figured out ways to come together and help the living and the dying, when it was dark and cold and spring felt so far away. I’d wonder, where is everyone, why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
By Ed Wolf
And then, years later, I had the honor of being involved with David Weissman’s film, We Were Here, and I attended over a hundred screenings, at the end of which I’d ask audience members who’d helped people with AIDS to stand up. Everywhere we went, from Utah to New York, to Oklahoma to Florida, to Texas and Washington, D.C., to Canada, to Ukraine, to Russia—everywhere, people stood up. How could I have known, back in the 1980s, when all the news was awful, and spring felt so far away, that countless people had been quietly finding ways to survive and comfort and support each other? How could I have known?
Educator, writer, and activist Ed Wolf formerly worked in San Francisco General Hospital’s Ward 5A, where patients came when the HIV/AIDS epidemic first hit. Recordings of Wolf are featured at “Storied: San Francisco.” https://bit.ly/3CLrNR9
In Case You Missed It
Joanie Juster
strategies for protecting yourself. You can download their guide at https://tinyurl.com/A4TEGuide
Meanwhile, Life Goes On
The news cycle is spinning so rapidly that it’s hard to keep up—a tactic that is being deliberately used to keep us all off-balance and overwhelmed. But, at least for the time being, life still goes on, and there are occasions for gathering together and sharing joy. Here are just a few:
February 20 at 6 pm: Paris Is Burning SF AIDS Foundation is celebrating Black History Month and the 35th anniversary of this classic documentary by hosting a free screening at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. https://tinyurl.com/BHMPIB
February 22: Coronation
The Imperial Council of San Francisco will host a full week of events commemorating its 60th year of doing good deeds while being fabulous. Don’t miss the biggest event, Coronation, where the new Empress and Emperor will be crowned.
https://tinyurl.com/SFCorLX
February 24–25 at 7 pm: Spectrum
These will be evenings of queer variety performances benefiting El/La Para Translatinas.
https://tinyurl.com/ElLaPT25
February 27 at 5 pm: Self Defense
Training
The Transgender District, LYRIC, and My Occupational Defense are co-sponsoring a self-defense training class for the TNGC community from 5–7 pm at 1067 Market Street. RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/SDTNGC
March 6 at 6 pm: Tongues Untied
Never pass up an opportunity to see Marlon Riggs’ groundbreaking documentary on Black gay life. It will be shown at the SF Arts Commission Main Gallery. Free. \https://tinyurl.com/TURiggs
Don’t Despair!
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally. (continued
Yes, it’s rocky now, and it will get rockier. But remember that you are not alone. We will stand together to protect each other, and we will not be intimidated. This is what community is for: standing with each other in solidarity and love.
The Triumph of Love in Thailand
6/26 and Beyond
Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis
I still remember the first time I visited Thailand, now over 40 years ago. I was on my way back to the U.S. after working as a teacher in a camp in the rural Philippines for refugees from the wars in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. After spending a few days in Bangkok, a fellow teacher and I visited the Ban Vanai camp for Hmong refugees, who had to flee neighboring Laos. It was one of a number of camps in Thailand that housed refugees from the wars. The trip took us to the remote village of Chiang Khan, located along the banks of the Mekong in Loei province in Northeast Thailand. It was there that I fell in love with Thai culture and people.
I recall staying at the town’s sole guest house, which was rumored to be haunted; I found it, as well as the entire region and its people, to be quite the opposite: magical. I spent a couple days cycling to nearby towns, Buddhist temples, and monasteries, some of which were partially housed in caves. I was struck by the grace and ease with which people seemed to be living with few material comforts. I remember coming upon a verdant rice field where four family members were engaged in the back-breaking work of planting rice by hand in flooded paddies on their small farm. When they saw me, they looked up, and the smiles on their welcoming faces exuded genuine joy.
Of course, the lives of people in Loei entailed pain and suffering, but the manner in which they lived life was some-
thing to treasure. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Ajahn Chah, the renowned Buddhist monk of the minimalist Thai Forest tradition, established his monastery in another remote part of Northeast Thailand. Many of Ajahn Chah’s students were instrumental in bringing the practice of mindfulness to the West and other parts of the world. After leaving Loei, I traveled to the ruins of Sukhothai, the 13th century capital of the Kingdom of Siam, with its monumental Buddha statutes still standing in silhouette against the sky. In the Thai language, Sukhothai means “the dawn of happiness.”
Pure joy and happiness dawned again in Thailand some 800 years later on January 23, 2025, the first day of marriage equality across the country. Over 1,800 LGBTIQ couples wed that day nationwide, with 185 couples tying the knot over the course of the day at a euphoric community celebration at the aptly named Siam Paragon shopping mall in the heart of the city. Thai megastars Arm Sappanyoo and Porsch Apiwat, famed actors in popular Boys Love films, wed after over a decade together. Sappanyoo exclaimed that now “we can love, we love equally, legally,” and Apiwat declared that “every kind of love, every kind of family, is beautiful as it is.”
Political leaders echoed the sentiments of LGBTIQ couples. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greeted those gathered at Siam Paragon from overseas via video, and later exulted on Facebook: “The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand.” Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who played a pivotal role in achieving the legislative victories that made the day possible, led an exuberant parade of newlyweds.
Without mentioning the American president by name, Srettha contrasted the love that was radiating throughout Thailand with Trump’s narrow-minded “two genders only” policy, observing simply: “I believe our heart is bigger.”
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt echoed the former Prime Minister’s sentiments. He conveyed the broader positive implications of ending marriage discrimination against LGBTIQ couples in the country, telling the BBC that “it reflects an inclusive society, not just in terms of marriage, but also in our beliefs, cultures, and religions.”
Our deepest bows go to all the LGBTIQ Thai activists, advocates, and allies who for decades undertook the social and political equivalent of the backbreaking work of the rice farmers in Loei. Like the farmers who carefully planted the rice in the soil so that it could grow into sources of sustenance, these activists built and sustained a movement that has improved the lives of countless people and continues the struggle for full LGBTIQ
equality and acceptance in Thailand today.
Fifteen years after my first trip to Thailand, Stuart and I visited the country as part of an 8-month backpacking trip across Asia. Bangkok had changed dramatically over the previous decade and a half. We stayed at a concrete guest house in Bang Lamphu. It was 1998, the year that the movie Titanic was a global cinematic sensation. With our hotel windows wide open to try to get relief from the muggy Bangkok heat, we were jarred awake at the crack of dawn one morning by the booming voice of Celine Dion belting out My Heart Will Go On, blasting from a nearby speaker somewhere outside our guest house. Dion’s singing at the top of her lungs reverberated against the surrounding buildings, amplifying the volume even more. In our early morning stupor, it seemed as if Dion’s voice would go on and on and on.
And now, over a quarter century later, we celebrate the depth, breadth, and enduring nature of the Thai heart. As LGBTIQ Americans facing the adversity of the second Trump administration, we must take time to savor victories for queer love, not just as a salve for our troubles, but as a victory in its own right for the people of Thailand and the global movement. John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
Sukhothai Historical Park
Ajahn Chah
Famed actors Porsch Apiwat and Arm Sappanyoo married after 10 years together
Announcements of the first day of marriage equality: January 23, 2025
Celine Dion
Plans for Increasing Security at 2025 SF Pride Events in Response to Heightened Threats
San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford and her team are reviewing security measures for Pride in the city for 2025 due to greater threats to the LGBTQ+ community, and especially to transgender individuals, resulting after the executive orders and rhetoric of the Trump administration so far this year.
In the prior issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, Ford, who identifies as transgender, shared: “Our trans community faces 4 years of persecution. No one is coming to rescue us. Many people have contacted me over the last week to ask if we are ok. Hell, no, we are not ok! It feels like we have nowhere to turn. Just walking through an airport this week felt unsafe. The normal glares are enough, however, now they seem to carry more malice. Will trans women be dragged out of bathrooms as people stand by quietly? Will politicians stop supporting us when faced with a federal government that holds the purse strings? Will the media tell our stories, or just sensationalize the victimhood?”
In recent days, she has done interviews with other media outlets and has mentioned the need to review SF Pride’s security measures. For example, she told Tara Campbell of ABC7 News, “I expect people are going to be emboldened and we are going to encounter more threats this year. We are going to take out our security plans and make sure there aren’t some things we need to tighten up a bit and also we’re going to look at increasing costs because we will have to be looking at increased security at these events.”
She added, “I think for the two days (for the 2024 Pride Parade and Festival) we spent $3.2 million and $635,000 of that last year was for security.”
The increased hostility fueled by antiLGBTQ+ actions and statements by President Trump and some of his followers is not limited to Republican strongholds. As Ford said, “I’ve done several interviews in the past weeks and the comments are really running badly against us, even in the Bay Area.” This sentiment was also reflected in a statement by Jorge Reyes Salinas, Communications
He told ABC7, “Everyone unfortunately feels like they have a target on their back,” adding that some members of his team received death threats last year. “It’s scary at times, we do have higher demands of ensuring security that our staff is also safe, ensuring that our information is safe.”
Ford has also received death threats, but is characteristically stoic and determined. Her wife and son, however, remain worried. Ford is still forging ahead with plans for this year’s Pride Parade and Festival. She said, “I’m going to walk down Market Street in the front of the parade and make every appearance I can so that people put a face to trans people.”
As it stands, here are the security policies of SF Pride: https://sfpride.org/safety/
The San Francisco Police Department also has a page on its website for Pride Safety Tips: https://bit.ly/40SnsUv
When information is clarified about the changes to SF Pride security measures, we will share that news in the San Francisco Bay Times
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The best article I’ve read lately is titled “Don’t Believe Him,” by Ezra Klein in The New York Times. The barrage of gasp-inducing headlines, the firehose of astounding maneuvers, the shredding of the Constitution or so it seems—this “flooding the zone,” Klein writes, disguises the incompetence of the nascent Trump administration.
Some of what Trump has actually done is within his executive power; nominating whack jobs to his cabinet, removing security teams from former military aides and so forth. But many of his pronouncements are so much hot air. Some of Trump’s critics are so demoralized that they underestimate the power of the federal courts. But they shouldn’t do that. Already the courts have stopped or paused a lot of crazy stuff. Musk’s “fork in the road” memo, Trump’s birthright citizenship order, the weird spending freeze, the removal of medical care from transgender inmates, and more. Yes, some courts will side with the President. But blatant violations of constitutional law based on Trump’s whims won’t survive review.
The courts, as Klein points out, would have a harder time overturning an act of Congress. But Trump and his hapless crew lack the political ability to draft complicated new law or win legislative battles. “This is the tension at the heart of Trump’s whole strategy,” Klein explains. “He is acting like a king because he is too weak to govern like a president. He is trying to substitute perception for reality. He is hoping that perception then becomes reality. That can only happen if we believe him.” I added the emphasis because I love that line.
A few days after reading this piece, I noticed a weird story in The Guardian. The paper reported that numerous accounts of ICE activity from several years ago or more had been given current datelines by ICE and were therefore reposted as recent news. I can’t find any evidence of this phenomenon now, although my search was cursory. But I trust the Guardian and assume Google fixed the flaw.
“News of mass immigration arrests has swept across the U.S. over the past couple of weeks,” The Guardian wrote. “Reports from Massachusetts to Idaho have described agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spreading through communities and rounding people up.
Quick Google searches for ICE operations, raids, and arrests return a deluge of government press releases. Headlines include “ICE arrests 85 during 4-day Colorado operation,” “New Orleans focuses targeted operations on 123 criminal non-citizens,” and, in Wisconsin, “ICE arrests 83 criminal aliens.”
But, the story went on, the Colorado operation was in November of 2010, the New Orleans arrests were a year ago, and Wisconsin’s roundup was in 2018. The Guardian found “thousands of examples of this throughout all 50 states–ICE press releases that have reached the first page of Google search results, making it seem like enforcement actions just happened, when in actuality they occurred months or years ago.”
Considering the many accurate stories of
By Ann Rostow
ICE activities, migrants being chained and giant military transport jets being used to fly them out of the country, why should we care about a few errant datelines? Because the lawyer who discovered the phenomenon and the reporters who chased it confirmed that no other government agency revised their archives and spat them out in this fashion; it was a deliberate attempt to fool the media. Another reason is that this whole story slipped under the radar, or drowned in the daily flood before it could swim, if you will. And that’s part of the same pattern identified by Ezra Klein. We are being played. And we can’t let it overwhelm us. Don’t believe the hype. Drill down.
Not Too Super Bowl
According to One Million Moms, some of their supporters are now avoiding NFL games due to the offensive commercials sprinkled through the telecast. Say what? Are these football fans who would happily watch if only the ads were family friendly? By implication, these “supporters” once watched the NFL but decided to abandon their rooting interests in view of the shocking promotions.
This year, the Moms alerted us before the Super Bowl, that not only would the half time show be “vulgar,” but “parents should be forewarned that ads can ruin family time once again.” Why? Because of the Hellmann’s mayonnaise commercial in which Meg Ryan reprises her classic orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally, this time thanks to the delicious Hellman’s spread.
There’s a reason this scene immediately became part of Hollywood lore. Every woman at some point in her life has done this. It’s not hard. You don’t need to be a great actress. You do it when you lack the maturity and the experience to just tell your partner that everything is fine, but it’s just not working for you at the moment. Also, from what I gather, men seem to believe it without question. The movie came out in 1989, in the midst of a shift in gender roles that continues to this day.
The Moms called the ad a “reenactment of an inappropriate deli scene from the movie … in which Ryan verbally implied an orgasm while simulating the emotions of a sex act.”
The fact that this group reduces a piece of cinematic history to an “inappropriate deli scene” displays the superficial posturing that they pass off as a moral code. But they also have a tendency to get into graphic details for no reason that I can see. “Simulating the emotions of a sex act?” For a group that seems so sensitive to the slightest erotic nuance, they don’t censor their own press releases as one might expect. They even had a photo of Meg Ryan “enjoying her Hellmann’s” on the front of the notice!
Also, I must add that my wife has recently decided that we will be using Duke’s mayonnaise from now on. This is fine with me, I suppose. I can’t really tell the difference between Duke’s and Hellmann’s, the brand I used for years. But I feel a twinge of guilt for abandoning my hitherto seamless relationship with Hellmann’s so carelessly after such a long time.
And before we go, you heard the one about
the last supper, right? Jesus pours the wine and says: “Drink of this wine, it is my blood.” He breaks the bread and passes it around. “Eat of this bread, it is my body.” He raises a bowl and asks the apostles, “Who wants mayonnaise?”
Courts To the Rescue, We Hope Moving right along, let’s revisit our big GLBT Supreme Court case, U.S. v Skrmetti, which pits the United States Department of Justice against Tennessee’s ban on health care for transgender minors. The case was appealed to the High Court after the Sixth Circuit ruled that the Volunteer State’s thumbs down on everything from puberty blockers to hormones was just fine.
Originally, the plaintiffs also included parents of transgender youths, but the Court only accepted review of the (Biden) Justice Department’s petition. While the parents argued that their constitutional right to determine their kids’ health care was violated, the government made a separate case that puberty blockers remained legal for nontrans kids who needed the drugs, but were banned for transgender kids—an Equal Protection no-no.
Fast forward to the Trump administration, when Bay Times legal experts have been wondering what the MAGA types will do to this case. On the one hand, they’re not going to take the trans-friendly Biden line. On the other hand, since the High Court seems poised to back Tennessee, the Trumpies
probably don’t want the Court to simply drop the challenge. Sure enough, the new Justice Department recently informed the Court that the government’s position has changed, but at the same time urged the justices to proceed to a decision.
Normally, this case would demand our highest scrutiny, to borrow a legal term of art. But these days, it’s almost an afterthought. I’ve stopped reading all the details of the war on transgender men and women, but we’ve had a ban on military service reinstated by executive order, we’ve seen another order stating that Americans must stick with male or female from birth, and we’ve had an order banning trans women and girls from playing sports on female teams.
All these and others are stalled under court review, as are most if not all of Trump’s executive pronouncements. But the damage remains. The new Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, just announced an end to new transgender recruits and new medical treatments. By implication, current service members can remain on duty and continue hormone treatments, but hell if I know what will actually happen. Hegseth’s policy seems to recognize that Trump’s ban on everything remotely transgender will not pass legal muster. But it leaves transgender men and women who are just trying to serve their country in limbo, and marks them as a pariah class. I assume it too will be examined by (continued on page 16)
(continued from pg 3)
BART, now recognize certified LGBT-owned businesses as part of their diverse and inclusive supply chains? With a membership tailored to Bay Area LGBTQ+ business owners, the GGBA has guided over 100 members to national certification as NGLCC LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE).
Despite the rhetoric emanating from The White House, there are still many benefits to LGBTQ+ business certification. If you are a business owner and are not yet certified, learn more and consider applying at https://bit.ly/4hsL2hH
Pay It Forward and Gain Inspiration From Others
This Black History Month, take time to learn about Black LGBTQ trailblazers, past and present, such as Lorde, Wysinger, Marsha P. Johnson, Barbara Smith, Alice Walker, Imani Rupert-Gordon, Brittney Griner, and many more. The organization Sister-to-Sister has an inspiring series of archived TED Talks and other free resources: https://bit.ly/4hwjUhy
Finally, we invite you to the annual San Francisco Bay Times-produced event at The Academy SF honoring Black LGBTQ+ women leaders and allies. This year’s celebration will take place on February 21 from 6–10 pm. We hope to see you there! To reserve your spot, go to: https://bit.ly/3PJhlfU
DYKES ON BIKES® (continued from pg 8)
Dykes on Bikes, to me, is a symbol of strength and character. It causes you to be greater than you were before you joined. It makes you kinder and empowered to help; we jump into action when a community member needs you. Know that when your eye catches another member, you instantly know they have got you. Put aside any restrictions on ideology and embrace your fellow members and prospects with grace and respect. Let them know we are here to represent; they are not alone.
I will do my best with these amazing Dykes to always keep them by my wings ... and fly in if they need anything.
Biker blood runs through my veins.
T-Bone was patched into Dykes on Bikes in 2024. She rides a Harley Davidson FXR Trike Conversion. https://www.dykesonbikes.org/
ROSTOW (continued from pg 15)
the courts.
Legal Eagle Behind Bars
Speaking of the Supreme Court, I have long followed “SCOTUS Blog,” the High Court website founded by Tom Goldstein and his wife Amy Howe to keep track of news and cases. In fact, the update on Skrmetti that I relied on for the previous section was written by Howe on SCOTUS Blog. Goldstein, in turn, has argued forty cases before the nine justices, making him one of the Court’s most familiar lawyers.
So, imagine my surprise when Goldstein was arrested for tax evasion after failing to declare millions of dollars in high stakes poker and other winnings. Goldstein reportedly bet like a madman, winning and losing vast amounts, borrowing more money, traveling the world, buying sports cars, chasing women, and, well, you name it. And there’s more! Just the other day, he was arrested again and charged with hiding two seven-figure bitcoin wallets and lying to the court. He was deemed a flight risk and will stay in jail until his trial. I’ve been trying to find out what Howe thinks of all this, but it’s difficult.
It’s as if my best friend’s good-natured Dad, who went to work at an insurance company every morning and helped coach the high school softball team, was suddenly exposed as a cat burglar having stolen hundreds of thousands in gold and jewelry. Tom Goldstein? Really?
Oh, he now claims to be destitute and will represent himself in court, so what happened to the millions of bitcoins? Whatever. I have little
patience for this philandering egomaniac.
Anti-Trans Congresswomen Turns Truly Weird
And speaking of nutcases, thanks to my dear cousin (who also alerted me to Goldstein’s double life) I can report that South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace seems to have gone ballistic on the floor of the House, accusing her ex-fiancee and his buddies of a range of violent sexual assaults on women as well as a bunch of other crimes like taking photos up women’s skirts.
Mace first rose to my attention when she spoke at a prayer breakfast a couple of years ago, telling the churchy crowd that she had to avoid the sexual advances of her fiancée (same guy as mentioned above) in order to be on time for the event.
“When I woke up this morning at seven—I was getting picked up at 7:45—Patrick, my fiancée, tried to pull me by my waist over this morning in bed,” she confided (to a public audience at a prayer breakfast!). “And I was like, ‘No, baby, we don’t got time for that this morning.’ I gotta get to the prayer breakfast, and I gotta be on time.” Mace then added: “A little TMI. He can wait. I’ll see him later tonight.”
Those bizarrely inappropriate comments, combined with Mace’s sexual poses and outfits, made me think of her as, um, a strange person with some deep insecurity or sexual quirks. Why the provocative demeanor and gratuitous confessions?
And, what’s going on with her mentally at this point? Yes, it could be true that Patrick Whoever has raped a dozen women and taken photographs of unconscious victims. But then again, why wait until now to report these discoveries (from Patrick’s phone) and why present the accusations in a speech to Congress rather than an affidavit to the police?
Of course, I will follow up!
arostow@aol.com
Castro Night Markets
3rd Fridays (select months), 5-10pm, 18th & Castro 2025 Dates: March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19
The Castro Night Markets, which began in October 2024, are a series of recurring public events featuring local food vendors, merchants, and live entertainment on the 3rd Friday of select months. The events are free and open to the public, and are non-alcoholic events.
Queer-owned and Castro-based businesses have priority to be included among the various types of vendors: food, retail, non-profit information, community engagement, and more.
ABy Donna Sachet
s promised, this is your resource for all things Imperial! The past few weeks have seen fundraisers and other events hosted by the official candidates, Afrika America for Empress and Ashle Blow and Todd Hotty for Emperor, campaigning all over the city for your support.
As you may know, the Imperial Court of San Francisco was started by José Sarria, when he was proclaimed Empress of San Francisco way back in the 1960s. He was already well known as a popular performer at the Black Cat in North Beach, but with the support of the Tavern Guild, representing many of the gay bars in town, he rallied the community with his humor and diplomacy, bringing to light the blatant homophobia that jeopardized so many lives. As a year drew to a close, it was his express wish that a new Empress be elected each year, surprising many, but providing others a chance to demonstrate leadership and further ignite and unite the burgeoning gay community.
After seven years and much conversation, it was decided that an Empress needed an Emperor and so a parallel annual election began. The first duly elected Emperor was Marcus Hernandez, a name familiar to many of you as an early leader in the Leather community.
Eventually, the two elections were scheduled for the same weekend, fully unifying the tradition of annually electing Monarchs. For 59 years, San Francisco has observed this tradition, forming one of the oldest continuously operating charitable organizations in the country. Through good times and bad, police harassment and the advent of AIDS, political upheavals and joyous celebrations, changing attitudes and legal victories, the Imperial Court of San Francisco has raised money for a variety of charitable causes, produced many popular events, and developed generations of leadership. Along the way, some of the Emperor and Empress names became widely recognized, others worked with less publicity, but each contributed in a unique way, many going on to become civic leaders and local champions.
Valid photo ID for SF, Marin, or San Mateo County www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Thursday, February 20
Anniversary Monarchs Reception Celebrate milestone anniversaries Hosted by John Carrillo & Misty Blue HaRa Club, 875 Geary Street 6:30–8 pm Free! www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Friday, February 21
Divas & Drinks Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women and Allies
Presented by the SF Bay Times & The Academy Music by Nadirah Shakoor DJ Lady Ryan
As the reputation of the Imperial Court of San Francisco grew, other cities formed their own courts, starting in California and spreading across the continent, often started by former San Franciscans, until the International Court System came to represent courts in over 70 places throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Today’s Emperors and Empresses continue the original vision of José Sarria, combining a serious mission of community service with glamor, drama, and humor.
Theopolis Vineyards wines The Academy SF, 2166 Market Street 6–10 pm $20 www.academy-sf.com
“Why become a Queen when you can become an Empress?”
—José Sarria, Founder of the Imperial Court
Friday, February 21
60th Anniversary
Imperial State Dinner Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 6 pm $125
Friday, February 21
Out-of-Town Show
The best of Court performers Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 9 pm $25 www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Saturday, February 22
Imperial Coronation 60: Neon Tropical Crowning of new Emperor & Empress Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 5 pm $70 www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Sunday, February 23
Annual Pilgrimage to Colma
Visit the gravesites of Joshua Norton & José Sarria Emceed by Donna Sachet Bus departs Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 8 am Free! www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Sunday, February 23
Victory Brunch
End of one reign, start of another Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 11 am $30 www.imperialcouncilsf.org
We have been featured in many publications, including a brand-new photography book, Noble Deeds by Ben Fink, news stories, and even a film documentary, 50 Years of Fabulous by David Lassman The International Court played a major role in the U.S. Postal stamp and the U.S. Naval ship honoring Harvey Milk and in renaming a San Francisco street after José Sarria, as well as his inclusion in the California Hall of Fame. We work regularly with other similarly minded national organizations, like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and respected leaders, like Stuart Milk, Dustin Lance Black, Toni Atkins, and Reverend Troy Perry, to collaborate on important issues and projects.
San Francisco has regularly elected a new Emperor and Empress, for 59 years, each completing their full year, never repeating the same individuals, and never lacking at least one candidate for each title. This year presented a new challenge, however, when the elected Emperor was unable to fulfill his role and Empress Linda Summers reigned alone. She quickly laid any concerns to rest, representing the Imperial Court with pride, raising significant funds, and appearing all over the city. We all look forward to joining her as she completes her year of service on Saturday, February 22; don’t miss Neon Tropical: A Radiant Legacy!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT
The Simple Joys of Elderhood
TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation
Dr. Tim Seelig
We spend our lives dreaming about this thing called retirement. All those years, we make an uninformed assumption we will retire with all the faculties and facilities we have while we are dreaming about it. Sometimes, this is not the case.
January was a birthday month for me. I began my 75th year on the planet (turned 74). I am so tired of hearing “age is just a number.” It’s true. It’s a really big number! I know they mean well. I’m also not fond of, “You don’t look a year over 73!” But here we are. There are most certainly some simple joys of elderhood. George Bernard Shaw once said, “Wisdom is wasted on the old and youth is wasted on the young.”
One of the things that happens as we age is eliminating things we did before. These include both physical and mental. In my day, I could high kick like a Rockette. I always dreamed of being one. It just wasn’t something a little Baptist boy in Fort Worth, Texas, was supposed to do. Alas, my high kicks are now more like leg stretches, which are often accompanied by a groan.
Some of our paring down of previous activities is born out of fear of failure. “I won’t be as good as I was in my prime.”
Singing is one of those. The aging voice has a name: presbyphonia. Sounds like talking out in church. People’s voices simply change as they age. They feel different, don’t respond the same, and are often lower in pitch. People stop singing and drop out of choirs. There are also the challenges of memorization and occasional choreography that become more challenging as we age. Well, gay singers in Portland don’t have to quit singing anymore. There’s a new choir for Q+ Elders and Allies in town. Here’s how it happened.
This past summer, when seemingly all the queer choir singers in the world gathered in Minneapolis for the GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) Festival, one chorus took the convention by storm. It was the first LGBTQ+ choir for “people of a certain age” from Denver, Colorado. Instead of using senior, aging, old, or over-the-hill for their name, they
used sage. Ah, there is that wisdom thing again.
A former member of the Portland Lesbian Choir, Cin Bowman, came home from the festival with a dream: create this in Portland. From August until February, she and a group of people dug in and worked tirelessly to get ready. They got their 501c3 status, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, bank account, website, logo, and, yes, even t-shirts. They created a board with Michael McDonald as its first President. All this usually takes more than a year to accomplish. They were focused and knocked it out of the park. Time is not exactly the friend of our age group.
before. Long before there was a movie or a Kelly Clarkson, there was a code used by us queer folk: PLU (People Like Us). When we joined choirs filled with what would become our chosen family, the experience was overwhelming. Being in a choir of PLU doing the same thing we love is indescribable. Now, Sage Singers takes PLU to a new level. It’s now filled with people sharing the same joys and sorrows, aches and pains, and (hopefully) Social Security!
In early December, they announced the position of founding artistic director. I applied and was thrilled to be offered the position. My work began. I found myself selecting music for an unknown number of people with completely unknown skills. I chose pieces with texts that described the simple joys of elderhood. At our first rehearsal, we were over the moon when 70 wonderful people showed up to sing. The balance of voices was great. The age limit is 55. That is the minimum age, not the maximum. There is no upper limit on membership. Allow me to tell you a bit about how the first Sage Singers in Denver began. Carol White is a legend among LGBTQ+ choruses. She founded the Denver Women’s Chorus in 1984 and Harmony, a mixed chorus, in 1991. The entire landscape of music in Denver was changed by the things she has done for decades. In 2018, it was her wife Judith’s turn. They’ve been together over 40 years. As she and Carol looked around, they were seeing more and more of the friends who had stopped singing and missed it. Judith got some folks together, chose the name Sage Singers, and hired a conductor. The rest was, well, you know. Judith tells a story familiar to all of us who have become a part of any LGBTQ+ chorus over the last 4 decades. We have immediately felt something very different than groups or choirs we had been a part of
We are all members of the presbyphonia church! Most of all, we are still here; we are still making a difference with our voices and living life to the fullest. This is from one of our songs, “It’s so strange being the same age as old people.” I feel this every day. Age is just a number (oops). We had auditions on February 9 and will begin our brandnew chorus with 70 singers. That’s perfect, since it is right in the middle of our demographic age.
The amazing Holly Near penned the iconic song “Singing for our Lives.” We are respectfully tweaking that to “Singing for the Rest of our Lives!” She recently sent this note to me to share:
“Dear Singers and Supporters, I hear from Tim Seelig that you are Singing for the Rest of our Lives! This makes me so very happy and reassured.
Sending you all best wishes and the best notes.
Holly Near”
Holly Near
Who knows? A Sage Singers chorus may be coming to a city near you!
Dr. Tim Seelig is the Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. http://www.timseelig.com/
AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibit Now at SFO
An exhibition raising AIDS awareness and presenting panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt is now on display at the pre-security area of the International Terminal at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Departures - Level 3, Galleries 4B and 4C.
SFO shared the following history of the quilt, a project that was first envisioned by activist and San Francisco Bay Times founding contributor Cleve Jones and that is now the heart of the National AIDS Memorial:
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a powerful and heartfelt reminder of the ongoing epidemic. Guided by its foundational message of love and compassion, the Quilt raises awareness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Through panel making and public displays, the Quilt promotes education to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide and encourages emotional healing for those affected by the disease. With nearly fifty thousand panels dedicated to more than 110,000 people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses, the Quilt is also the world’s largest community art project.
The Quilt was born out of frustration and anger over the inadequate government response to the initial AIDS crisis. In the early 1980s, AIDS was mysteriously killing gay men at an alarming rate, leading to stigma, prejudice, and widespread misinformation. Human rights activist Cleve Jones (b. 1954) envisioned the Quilt in 1985 when he realized that more than one thousand San Franciscans had died of AIDS-related illnesses with little acknowledgement from outside their community. In June 1987, Jones founded the NAMES Project with Mike Smith (b. 1960) to illustrate the humanity behind AIDS statistics, to provide a means of expression, and to support people living with the disease.
That summer, a small group of volunteers gathered day and night at the NAMES Project headquarters on Market Street in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, furiously making and sewing individual three-by-six-foot panels into twelve-foot-square Quilt blocks. Jones recalled, “The workshop was magical and at the same time devastating. Every day someone would walk in and recognize a name on a panel, learning for the first time that a friend had died ... . There wasn’t a day that I didn’t cry, but the miracle of it was that over the sound of the sewing machines you’d hear laughter.”
The NAMES Project held their first large-scale display on October 11, 1987, in Washington, D.C. Volunteers ceremoniously unfolded the Quilt on the National Mall as friends, lovers, and family members of those memorialized read the names on its 1,920 panels. During a national tour in 1988, the NAMES Project fundraised for local AIDS support groups and shipped new panels back to San Francisco. When the Quilt returned to Washington, D.C, that October, it had quickly grown to 8,288 panels. The Quilt was displayed internationally to mark the inaugural World AIDS Day on December 1, 1988, and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize the following year.
The entire Quilt was last shown on October 11–13, 1996, in an astonishing thirty-acre display on the National Mall of more than forty-one thousand panels that memorialized people from all walks of life. After the NAMES Project relocated the Quilt to Atlanta in 2002, they created the panel-making program “Call My Name” to represent the disproportionate number of people of color who have died of AIDS-related illnesses.
The Quilt returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2020 under stewardship of the National AIDS Memorial, and on World AIDS Day 2024, it was displayed on the White House lawn for the first time. With new panels received almost daily and hundreds of displays every year, the AIDS Memorial Quilt continues to grow and evolve in the hope of ending the epidemic.
In addition to Jones, the San Francisco Bay Times would also like to acknowledge the dedication of Gert McMullin, aka the Mother of the AIDs Quilt. She is, according to the National AIDS Memorial, “the only person who has caressed and/or had a hand in sewing each and every panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.”
The AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibit at SFO will be on display through January 25, 2026. https://www.sfomuseum.org/
Gert McMullin, working at her sewing stand, is known affectionately as “Mother of the AIDS Quilt.”
For Women & Their Friends in the Castro ...
Introducing
Mimosa
The San Francisco Bay Times and Catch French Bistro are presenting a new monthly brunch and party series in the Castro for women and their friends.
Dates for the next two in the series: Sundays: March 9, April 13
Event Schedule
12 noon–2 pm Brunch with Live Music
3 pm–5 pm
DJ Spotlight and Happy Hour
6 pm onwards Optional Dinner
A New Sunday Brunch & Party for Women in the Castro
Acclaimed musician Dr. Dee Spencer, founder of the Jazz Studies program at SFSU and an LGBTQ+ community favorite, will be playing her iconic “Red Piano” during brunch.
At 3 pm, guests can enjoy cocktail specials, mingling, and dancing to beats by the Catch house DJ.
Along with special brunch menu items, guests can indulge in the Catch French Bistro Bottomless Mimosa service. A full bar will also be available at all times. Members of the San Francisco Bay Times team are especially fond of the Bloody Marys, Margaritas with or without jalapeños (petit piment piquant in French), Martinis, and much more. Oysters on the half shell with champagne is yet another bar service favorite, along with fritto misto, beet salad, and many other select offerings.
Catch French Bistro, at 2362 Market Street, near the intersection of Castro and Market, is located in an historic building that originally housed the Jose Theater, which opened in 1912. Films such as A Wild Ride made it a welcoming community destination, and it has retained that quality ever since. Later it became the original home of The Names Project workshop where thousands of panels were created for the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Following the March 2024 closure of the original Catch that had been in business since 2002, a Grand Reopening Party was held in September of last year to introduce, under new ownership, the venue’s French-themed menu and décor. Catch in the Castro has for over two decades been a neighborhood beacon, especially for weekend brunches, and Mimosa will enrich that tradition on select Sundays in the months to come.
Dr. Dee Spencer
Gay Teens Featured in Two New Films
Two films about gay teenagers are now available for home viewing.
The sweet but slight romcom, Bonus Track , now on demand, is notable for having its story cowritten by actor Josh O’Connor, who was in the queer-tinged Challengers, and who previously starred in the 2017 gay romance, God’s Own Country. This new film, which lacks some of the sexiness of O’Connor’s work, is geared for younger viewers.
George Bobbin (Joe Anders) is in his last year of high school. He is uncool, except in his head, where he performs music to a crowd of adoring fans. He is also close to failing school, much to the chagrin of his supportive mother Julia (Alison Sudol) and negative father Jeffrey (Jack Davenport). While his music teacher, Mr. Zeppelin (Ray Panthaki), has little hope for George, one of his teachers, Andi Anderson (Susan Wokoma), sees George’s potential.
When a new student, Max Marvin (Samuel Smith), arrives at school, George undergoes a bit of a sea change. Max, whose parents are famous—and divorcing—needs a friend, and he cozies up to George, by asking for help with math. George is a bit surprised by Max’s interest in him, and while far from being a math scholar, he reluctantly agrees to help Max if Max will help George with his music for the school’s end of the year talent show. George sees the performance as his best opportunity to show his teachers and classmates he is not a loser. Max agrees, in part, in order to have a distraction from his homelife and to feel less isolated.
Bonus Track, which unfolds in various chapters named after song titles, depicts the friendship between these two very different teens. George secretly hopes that some of the handsome Max’s charm, sophistication, and cool will rub off on him. But as George waits for that to happen, he has to endure an awkward double date Max has with the classmate Molly (Elle McCloskey), who can be a bully, and also grapple with the journalists tracking Max, hoping to capture a scandalous exclusive.
The film is best when the boys are alone together, developing their bromance. A scene where they go get piercings—O’Connor has a fun cameo as the piercer—shows how George learns to self-actualize. And a scene of Max climbing into George’s bed to share music is wonderfully intimate.
If the film has a drawback, however, it is that George’s character is largely inexpressive and underdeveloped. Sure, he is shy, and certainly his unspoken affection for Max is palpable—what gay teen wouldn’t be crushed on this handsome and confident guy who coaxes him out of his shell?—but George needs to register more strongly for Max’s interest in him to be credible. This is not a fault of Anders’ fine performance, which is pitched at the right level of angst and anxiety. It is more that the film fails to show George’s appeal for Max. That said, when the guys share a kiss during a school trip, it is highly satisfying.
The ramifications of that kiss throw a curveball into George’s life, as well as his relationship with Max, who may leave to go live with his father in London. Bonus Track
generates its drama mostly from this scenario, and viewers will be rooting for the young lovers to stay together.
The film is certainly buoyed by Smith’s smooth performance as Max. He has such an effortless appeal that he makes even the cringiest moments work—like his subpar performance of a song in Mr. Zeppelin’s class. And give the film, which is set in 2006, credit for not making an issue out of Max’s race.
Bonus Track is a chaste romance that will enchant viewers of shows like Heartstopper, which it vaguely resembles. The film’s lessons about finding—and going—your own way will resonate with young and old alike. And the soundtrack, which includes catchy songs like “A Very Bad Fun Idea,” is fabulous.
Now available on DVD is Riley, the debut feature by writer/director Benjamin Howard. It is a well-intentioned story of closeted high school football player Dakota Riley (Jake Holley), who is trying to live up to his dad Carson’s (Rib Hillis) legacy as an athlete. The film plays up the homoeroticism between Riley and his best friend and teammate Jaeden (Colin McCalla), who lives with Riley’s family after being kicked out of his home. The chemistry between the guys is strong, but their dialogues about sex feel forced, not authentic. Likewise, Howard too often overplays things to make his points; Riley’s silently accepting a
The film is better when it depicts its protagonist’s awkward moments with Riley and his girlfriend Skylar (Riley Quinn Scott), or scenes of him being intimate with Liam (Connor Storrie), an out classmate, or a hookup (J.B. Waterman). Ultimately, however, Riley, which is inspired by the director’s own experiences, feels like a not-sospecial After School Special.
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
teammate’s homophobia mirrors his own internal homophobia.
Film
Gary M. Kramer
Bonus Track
How to Brighten Up Oscar
Off the Wahl
Jan Wahl
It is a most particular American phenomena. It can be a giddy social history of our times. It’s a grand, grotesque Hollywood party with a good guest list. At its best, it reminds people of films that have little promotion but deserve to be seen. Welcome to the Oscars.
Sometimes we get a moment of profound beauty in an acceptance speech, before awardees begin to read from a folded piece of paper. That should not be allowed. But when the words come from the heart, they are worth remembering. The Imitation Game about Alan Turing (included in the Rainbow Honor
Walk) won in 2015 for Best Adapted Screenplay. Writer Graham Moore said, “I tried to kill myself at 16 because I felt weird and different. Now I tell you: stay weird, stay different.” When Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress in 2023 for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, she gave us this: “Ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you are past your prime.”
Sometimes it’s a presenter who adlibs something to remember. Back in 1954, Stella Adler reminded folks, “Life beats you down and crushes the soul ... art reminds you that you have one.” Sometimes it is even the host, as when Oscarless Bob Hope said, “Welcome to the Oscars. Or as it’s known in my house, Passover.”
What a weird year this 97th Oscars is. Usually, we get laughter or tears. This year it is more about thought and insight. Even Wicked stresses racism and power
dynamics. I missed the laughs from Glinda and the full dance numbers. The feisty character played by Kieran Culkin in one of my three favorite movies nominated, A Real Pain, has comic moments, but nothing like the wit of earlier comic nominations like American Fiction, Barbie, and going back to the first movie to win all the big ones:
It Happened One Night
This year I get most of my chuckles from imagining the pitch meetings with the studios or investors. “The head of a drug cartel decides to transition.” “A sex worker puts it over on Russian thugs.” “How did Trump learn evil as a young man?”
Emilia Perez, Anora, and The Apprentice turned out to be well worth producing, though Trump tried his best to stop his story. Emilia Perez turns a spotlight on trans, marking the first time an out trans performer has been nominated as Best Actress. I hope Karla Sofia Gascón takes home the gold.
My three favorites this year are A Complete Unknown, A Real Pain, and The Apprentice. I disliked The Substance, finding it a cheesy horror flick. As usual, I have my disappointments. Will & Harper should have been up for Best Documentary Feature, and Kate Winslet was all courage in Lee. But I’m still getting over Gloria Swanson and Judy Garland losing for Sunset Blvd and A Star is Born, so I hold a grudge! I am hoping the nominations for The Apprentice will drive people to rent it, as the nominations often do with lesser-known films. That is a real value of Oscar.
For fun, another positive is the fashion. Billy Porter opened the closet with a custom Christian Siriano gown in 2019. Julia Roberts wore vintage Valentino, Celine Dion rocked a backward Dior tuxedo, Bjork captured attention in a swan dress, Streisand wore a sheer Scassi jumpsuit, Sharon Stone mixed Vera Wang with a Gap men’s shirt, and Grace Kelly glided with elegance in celadon Edith Head satin. And, of course, there was the Cher in Bob Mackie moment. (There is a terrific Bob Mackie feature documentary, Naked Illusion, now steaming. Do not miss it!) Fashion at the Oscars influences worldwide looks. I cannot wait to see menswear icon Colman Domingo this year.
This year’s show will convey compassion about the horror of the SoCal fires and hopefully will strengthen the fight for trans rights and maybe even give us some showbiz glitz too. A girl can hope, right?.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Michelle Yeoh
Leave Signs
More than thirty years ago, Curve Magazine (then called Deneuve) did a Valentine’s Day issue for the month of February. The editor invited me to have my photograph taken with my Valentine. I, as lesbians occasionally do, found myself between U-Haul truck destinations—that is, loverless.
However, it took only a moment to realize I wanted my picture taken with my two best friends, Marianne and Sandra. The Hallmark holiday is about love, not necessarily about coupledom, and we don’t tell our pals how much we love them often enough.
Jewelle Gomez
My Valentines
There was little reason for us three to end up bound together: Sandra was born in Brooklyn to an Italian/Puerto Rican family that had traveled around the country before settling in Vermont. Marianne was born in New York City to an African American family; both working class with lots of siblings. I had no parallel experience in my welfare poor, Boston upbringing as an only child raised by my Native American/Black great grandmother.
Little in our initial meeting would indicate we’d be like sisters to each other for more than thirty-five years. Here’s The L Word diagram: I was starting to date Marianne (circa 1979) after we met at one of those legendary, NYC, colored girl party/art salons. I heard she was seeing someone else, but few of us were about exclusivity back then.
and only 30, so I wasn’t planning mayhem. I just needed to see the competition. Still surprised I’d managed to make the subway journey at 11 pm and not be killed, I pushed open the door of the flat that was thumping with the bass of R & B records. Fewer than ten feet from me was Marianne with her dreadlocks and in a sharp, tailored shirt; she was dancing with an equally attractive curly-haired woman who was bare-breasted! The only explosion was in my heart as I realized these were my people. I can’t recall the rest of the night, except for the furtive looks aimed at the three of us dancing together.
I was determined not to be left behind, so one Saturday night I dressed for success and put myself on a Bronx-bound subway train (never having been to the Bronx) to find the party where they’d be. One of their envious friends gave me the information just to see what kind of blowup there’d be. I was shy
Top of your stack
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK PASSAGE
Aflame: Learning from Silence (non-fiction - hardcover) by Pico Iyer
For the past three decades, Pico Iyer has been exploring the space of silence in more than 100 retreats to a small Benedictine seminary perched high above Big Sur. In Aflame, he shares the wisdom and understanding he has gathered across these many retreats. The joy, inner stillness, and connection he has found in this practice has helped him to confront and heal in the face of life’s many changes; a house burns down, a parent dies, and a daughter is diagnosed with cancer.
Source Code: My Beginnings (non-fiction - hardcover) by Bill Gates
Few individuals have had a greater influence in shaping our modern era than Bill Gates. While we are all familiar with the billionaire titan’s business, and his efforts as an innovator and philanthropist, this remarkably candid and personal memoir shares the human behind these achievements, chronicling Gates’ childhood, friendships, and passions.
Dead Money: A Novel (non-fiction - hardcover) by Jakob Kerr
This twisting psychological thriller hits close to home. A murdered tech startup CEO, an unforgettable venture capitalist turned detective, astronomical mortgages, hidden agendas, and a surprise visit to Burning Man are just a few of the elements comprising this stunning debut thriller from Jakob Kerr.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, February 15 @ 1 pm (non-ticketed - Corte Madera store) Elizabeth A. Tucker, author of The Pale Flesh of Wood: A Novel
This is a gorgeously lyrical and heartrending fiction debut set here in Northern California, The Pale Flesh of Wood is a multigenerational braided narrative about the interconnections of family, loss, and grief. A sudden tragedy sends the protagonist, Lyla, spiraling through her own guilt and the generational traumas of her family. Ultimately, they find forgiveness and strength amongst the grief and pain.
Wednesday, February 19 @ 7 pm (non-ticketed - Calvary Presbyterian San Francisco) Loretta J. Ross, author of Calling In: How to Start Making Change With Those You’d Rather Cancel
From a pioneering Black feminist and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow comes this urgent and exhilarating memoir-manifesto-handbook about how to rein in the excesses of cancel culture so we can truly communicate and solve problems together.
(continued on page 36)
What I do remember is whenever I had a heartbreak I could show up at their house and stay for days. When I had no money, Sandra would feed me. Once I was on my way to do a reading gig in Queens and was so nervous that I left my folder on the train. It was Marianne whom I called from the station and who read my poems to me as I wrote them down while standing in a phone booth.
(continued on page 36)
is a
about a pair of two very different sisters living in contemporary, ravaged small town America.
Read all about Edmund White’s thousands of sex partners. Yes, we said thousands.
https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith Wolfgang-Smith delivers an epic tale of sapphic romance and financial scheming set in Gilded Age New York.
The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir by Edmund White
Jewelle Gomez
We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin
This
darkly humorous story
Jewelle Gomez with her friends Marianne and Sandra
Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “May I be the first to wish you a Happy VALENTINE’S DAY, although this is really just a Hallmark Greeting Cards way of exploiting a monk who was tortured, beheaded, martyred, and buried on February 14! But Happy V.D., everyone!”
VALENTINE’S DAY is February 14. Who is this Saint Valentine anyway? Apparently, Emperor Claudius II of Rome executed two different men named Valentine on February 14 (in two different years) during the third century. One account of St. Valentine says that he was a priest who was arrested for defying a Roman decree that forbade soldiers from marrying. Was that possibly a precursor to the concept of gay marriage? Anywaaay, both Valentines were martyred—one was brutally beheaded. Sister
Dana sez, “So this year, don’t lose your HEAD over trying to find the perfect Valentine’s gift. Martyrdom is no longer chic, my dear!”
Juanita MORE! wants you to be her Valentine! Are you single, married, or in a relationship? Juanita doesn’t care. Spend your Valentines evening at LOADS OF LOVE on February 14, 5–10 pm, 620 Jones Street, surrounded by our chosen family and those you love. Hosted by Juanita, Mr. David Glamamore, Sister Roma , and Dulce De Leche with dinner, dance, music, and entertainment by a cavalcade of artists. https://bit.ly/42PyZ9s
The Valentine’s Day grand opening of KNK CONTEMPORARY ’s first show of the new gallery BLACK HEARTS is happening. Discover artwork from 38 amazing artists, each sharing their unique views on love. The opening reception is on February 14 from 6–9 pm. The exhibition remains for viewing until March 9 at 1920 Polk Street. https://knkcontemporary.com/
This year’s spectacular SF CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL AND PARADE is on February 15—starting at 5:15 pm with Joan Chen as Parade Grand Marshal, and Mayor Daniel Lurie as Honorary Marshal. The Parade begins at 2nd and Market Street, around Union Square, and heads towards Chinatown on Kearny Street. The opening
act, Huaxing Arts Group, will delight the audience with a vibrant dance performance followed by Grand Marshal Chen, who will light the opening firecrackers. Unfortunately, we have received word that Carrie Ann Inaba will no longer be able to attend the parade this year due to the devastating Southern California wildfires. She hopes to return and participate in the future and wishes everyone “Gung Hay Fat Choy!” The SF Chinese New Year Parade and Festival Committee extends heartfelt sympathies to all of the individuals and communities impacted by the wildfires. They say, “Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we send our warmest wishes for strength and healing on their journey to recovery.” The televised broadcast will start at 6 pm on ABC7/ KGO-TV and across all ABC7 streaming platforms, the 24/7 streaming news channel ABC News Live, Hulu, and KTSF 26. On February 15 and 16, the Committee will hold their two-day COMMUNITY STREET FAIR . Over 100 vendor booths will line the streets of Chinatown to become a shopper’s paradise. There will be activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Saturday, February 15, from 10 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday, February 16, from 9 am to 5 pm at San Francisco Chinatown on Grant Avenue, from California Street to Broadway Avenue. Sister Dana sez, “Wishing You Prosperity and Gung Hay Fat Choy!”
The 67th annual GRAMMY AWARDS show that was aired on February 2 on TV and the internet was so gay—and that was a good thing! It made my gay heart all warm and fuzzy for so many reasons.
Sister Dana sez, “Congratulations to openly, proudly lesbian CHAPPELL ROAN for taking home the golden gramophone as Grammy winner Best New Artist! The Pink Pony Club couldn’t be prouder!”
Sister Dana sez, “After she accepted the Grammy’s Best Pop Duo award with Bruno Mars for their ‘Die With a Smile,’ LADY GAGA deserves so much gratitude and love for boldly saying: ‘Trans people are not invisible; trans people deserve love; and
the queer community deserves to be lifted up!’”
On February 3, during her MSNBC-TV Deadline Whitehouse recurring politics program, journalist and host Nicole Wallace summed it all up perfectly and so sweetly sarcastically: “Welcome to Monday! The acting U.S. Attorney, who’s a ‘stop the steal’ guy, has threatened to use the FBI—which is functionally decapitated—to enforce the rights of DOGE, which isn’t a thing, against people protecting the classified information at USAID.” Sister Dana sez, “I utterly agree with Wallace, and try to imagine this news being reported regarding a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY’s chaos and autocratic control. Would we not be absolutely appalled?”
VOTING DAY for the Next Emperor and Empress of San Francisco is February 15 at Castro Muni Station from noon to 6 pm; or The Cinch, 1723 Polk Street from 11 am to 4 pm; or Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street from 1 pm to 5 pm; one vote per person and you must have a valid photo ID and residency in San Francisco, Marin, or San Mateo County. The candidate for Empress is Afrika America, and candidates for Emperor are Ashle Blow or Todd Hotty. Sister Dana knows Ashle (aka Sister Bella Donna Summer) quite well, because she has been ceaselessly serving the community with us SF Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence since 2017, and he has been with the Imperial Court since 2020. “The reason I’m running is because I think we need to keep our LGBTQ organizations running, and the only way to do that is to have people participate and lead the effort,” Ashle told me. “Especially with everything happening already in 2025, I think we’re gonna need all of our groups, and all of our organizations to come together; and I think I’m in a unique position to do that; and hopefully I’m successful at that if I’m elected.” This columnist will comment that we have never had a Black Emperor and Empress serving together, and though Afrika America is running unopposed, she still needs your vote for Empress. Let’s let Ashle and Afrika rule The City! Now go vote!
(continued on page 34)
Katie Gilmartin, Founder of the Queer Ancestors Project, welcomed Dennis McMillan (aka Sister Dana) to the opening party held at Strut on Saturday, February 8.
PHOTO BY RINK
Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
Photos by Rink
The Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair, which takes place annually on the weekend before Chinese New Year Day, was again for 2025 held in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Grant, Clay, and Broadway Streets. It is always a welcoming place to come purchase fresh flowers, fruits, candies, and brand-new supplies for the home to begin the new lunar year.
Thousands of participants did just that this year, while also delighting in performances of traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers and opera as they took in the beautiful fragrances of the flowers that are considered symbols of growth and prosperity. Oranges, tangerines, and certain other fruits are symbols of abundant happiness. Abundance was evident at the fair, as there were over 120 booths and concessions, making this a shopper’s paradise.
Celebrating the Year of the Snake, the annual Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025. https://chineseparade.com/
Mimosa Brunch & Super Bowl Party
Welcoming hugs, big smiles, and conversation backed by live music by Dr. Dee Spencer combined to create a reunion vibe at the first Mimosa Brunch at Catch French Bistro on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Guests arrived from multiple East Bay towns, Petaluma and Mill Valley in the North Bay, South Bay’s San Mateo, and others, as well as from the Castro and nearby neighborhoods.
Veteran bartender Antonio and General Manager Amy served up cocktail orders including bloody marys, margaritas, cosmos, martinis, manhattans, and, of course, mimosas, in addition to a selection of beers, wines, and mocktails. The eggs benedict received rave reviews along with other brunch specialties. Super Bowl watchers sounded out with cheers, groans, and every sound in between with the consensus being that neither the game nor the half time show lived up to expectations. Moderators were periodically at a loss for words as the Eagles put a definitive stop to the Chiefs’ dreams of a “three-peat.”
“We may have lost the game but we always win the party,” shouted one fan shaking her head at superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Legendary coach Andy Reid had what will no doubt be recalled as a “worst day” among his and Mahomes’ in their seasoned careers.
The Mimosa Sunday Brunch, co-hosted by the San Francisco Bay Times and Catch French Bistro, will return on “second Sundays” on March 9 and April 13, 2025, with a promise of no football game distractions.
https://catchfrenchbistro.com/
Bay Times Dines
DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inebriation
Cocktails With Dina by Dina Novarr
Imagine walking into a bar where every bottle containing ingredients from outside America has been mysteriously removed. No tequila born from ancient Aztec traditions. No sake crafted through centuries of Japanese expertise. No pisco carrying the spirit of the Andes. No Caribbean rum that changed the course of history for America. What remains would be about as exciting as tap water.
The irony of attempting to erase diversity from our institutions is that diversity is the very foundation they’re built upon. Our most “traditional” spirits are themselves products of cultural fusion. Gin, that most “English” of spirits? It evolved from Dutch genever. Scotch whisky? Its distillation techniques were likely learned from Irish monks. Even the concept of distillation itself traveled from ancient Arab alchemists through medieval European monasteries before reaching the broader world.
Attempting to minimize diversity reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how culture actually works. It’s like trying to make a Manhattan without vermouth—technically possible, but missing the point entirely. Our strength has always come from the blend, not from artificial separation. Our bars are living museums of human
migration, innovation, and cultural exchange. Each bottle tells a story of knowledge passed down through generations, of techniques refined by countless hands, of flavors born from necessity and celebration. When we shake a cocktail, we’re not just mixing spirits; we’re blending histories.
The global spirits industry thrives on innovation born from cultural fusion. Some of the most successful new products in recent years have come from blending traditions: Japanese whisky aged in American oak, Mexican spirits finished in French wine barrels, American craft distillers incorporating Asian botanicals.
You can’t separate American culture from the contributions of its diverse populations any more than you can separate bourbon from corn, or tequila from agave. These aren’t just ingredients—they’re the foundational elements of who we are. Every bottle on our shelves is a testament to cultural exchange, immigration, and the power of different perspectives coming together to create something new. The modern craft cocktail renaissance has been powered by bartenders of all backgrounds, bringing their cultural heritage to every shake and stir.
To celebrate American diversity, I want to focus on the humble High Ball, first published by C.F. Lawlor in Cincinnati in 1895, the most democratic of mixed drinks. It’s the perfect metaphor for America in action: a marriage of foreign spirits with soda water served over ice. When European immigrants brought their scotch, Caribbean traders brought their rum, and British colonists brought their gin, they found these spirits transformed by soda water—a uniquely homegrown invention. The highball is cultural fusion in a glass and demonstrates how our culture doesn’t weaken when it absorbs foreign elements; it becomes distinctively American precisely because of these combinations. It’s a lesson in a glass: sometimes the simplest combinations can yield the most profound truths about who we are.
And I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the High Ball than with Raj Bhakta’s Hogsworth, a spirit that marries the finest American bourbons with decades-old French Armagnac to create something entirely new. Hogsworth represents a kind of cross-cultural alchemy that refuses to be confined by borders, just like its American creator’s own half-Indian, half-Irish heritage. It’s a lesson in a glass: sometimes the simplest combinations can yield the most profound truths about who we are and what we can become when we embrace the full spectrum of our cultural heritage.
Enjoy Hogsworth in the original High Ball recipe as printed in 1895 by C.J. Lawlor in his book titled The Mixicologist, and raise your glass to the beautiful complexity of our drinking culture. After all, a well-stocked bar, like a well-functioning democracy, works best when everyone has a seat at the table and their contributions are recognized. Anything less is just watered-down.
Raise your glass to the beautiful complexity of our drinking culture with the simplicity of the High Ball. Serve them a cocktail that crosses continents in a single glass. Let them taste the undeniable truth that our differences don’t divide us; they make us delicious. In the end, the attempt to remove diversity from any space isn’t just wrong—it just makes it bland. And in a world rich with flavors, traditions, and possibilities, bland is the one thing we can’t afford to be. After all, a well-stocked bar, like a well-functioning democracy, works best when everyone has a seat at the table and their contributions are recognized. Anything less is just watereddown thinking.
San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.
The Original High Ball From C.F. Lawlor
Put in thin ale-glass one lump of ice; fill with syphon seltzer to within an inch of the top, then float one half jigger brandy or whiskey.
Last Minute Valentine’s? You’re Covered Bay Times Dines
The Gay Gourmet
David Landis
It’s the day before Valentine’s, and even though you love your spouse, you’ve forgotten to make a reservation a month in advance. You’re in trouble ... or maybe not? The Gay Gourmet has a host of options for the procrastinators out there. I’m not saying that all these restaurants are still available, but at least it’s a start. If they’re not available, make a reservation for February 15, and start your mea culpas early. And, even if you can’t get in for Valentine’s (or the day after), these restaurants are still open for business whenever you and your spouse decide to have a romantic date-night out.
Open Table is a great resource for those last-minute (or anytime)
reservation finds. As of press time, Open Table had Valentine’s reservations available at the following (but do check again): Le Parc Bistrobar, Perry’s, Bon Delire, Anzu, Chouquet’s, Palm House, Scoma’s Fisherman’s Wharf, Fable, FANG, Starbelly, John’s Grill, Elephant Sushi Hayes Valley, Greens, Che Fico, Spruce, The Trident, The Vault Garden, Hayes Street Grill, Florio, La Mar, Poggio, The Anchovy Bar, Ristobar, Blue Whale, Montesacro (SOMA and Marina), Mastro’s, Mua, Casa Orinda, Yoshi’s Oakland, Farmhouse Kitchen Oakland, Burdell (Oakland), The Tailor’s Son, Villon, Canela, Catch French Bistro, A16, Perbacco, Coqueta, Prelude, The Post Room, Sushi Ran, Itria, Bota Tapas, A Mano, Okane, Tartine Manufactory, Monk’s Kettle (Oakland), Little Shucker, PINTOH Thai (Oakland), Evvia, Rose’s Café, Ozumo, Revival Bar+Kitchen (Berkeley), ACRE Kitchen + Bar (Oakland), North Beach Restaurant, Chapeau, Beretta, Fluid 510 (Oakland), Altamirano, Perle Wine Bar (Oakland), Roka Akor, Bodega SF, Marlowe, Bouche, Flores, Skates on the Bay (Berkeley), Frascati, Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club, Fior d’Italia, Aquitaine, Yokai, Alley & Vine (Alameda), Alora, BaseCamp, Isa, Piglet & Co., Abaca, Barberio Osteria, Harborview Restaurant and Bar, 54 Mint, Fogo de Chao, alaMar,
Ethel’s Fancy, DACHA Kitchen + Bar, Astra, Le Central, Novy, Sens, Amarena, Piqueos, Burma Love Downtown, Café Zoetrope, Pasta Moon, The Bungalow by Michael Mina, Lark, Jackson Fillmore, and Wildseed
Many Bay Area restaurants are offering some great specials and promotions both around Valentine’s Day and throughout the month to celebrate as well. Some of my favorites include the following:
Dirty Habit is offering “The Courtship” special during February for $85/person, which includes three courses: a selection of starters; a main of lobster risotto, roasted cauliflower steak, or grilled beef bavette; and a dessert of passionfruit panna cotta or dark chocolate mousse.
New York Steak Oscar, and a sweet potato stuffed with butternut squash hash.
International Smoke is having a private party on the 14th, but they have a special Valentine’s menu on February 15 and 16 that includes their famous ribs, jerk chicken, or NY strip for a reasonable $85/ person.
Staying home? The Butchershop by Niku Steakhouse has you covered with a Valentine’s Day A5 Wagyu Gift Set, featuring three prefectures of Japanese A5 Wagyu, one ounce of Tsar Nicoulai Reserve Grade caviar, and a mother-ofpearl caviar spoon. You can purchase your
Valentine’s gift box online, and it’s available through Feb 14.
Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill in Oakland celebrates on February 14 by serving an all-day $75/person threecourse prix fixe menu with choices in dining rooms that afford guests a view of Lake Merritt. The prix fixe features elegant flavors with luxurious ingredients and is preceded by an amuse-bouche. Main course choices are: seared Day Boat scallops,
Love is in the air—and on the plate—this Valentine’s Day with the IMPASTIAMO V-Day Pasta Tour, sponsored by Birra Peroni Nastro Azzurro. For the first time, IMPASTIAMO is bringing its renowned pasta-making classes to San Francisco and three other cities. Designed for couples, friends, or anyone with a passion for good food, these intimate classes will teach participants how to create delicious, fresh pasta while celebrating the joy of coming together over a shared meal. In San Francisco, the class focuses on making pappardelle with chef Maria Luisa Manca
The $169/person ticket includes a beer open bar and wine pairing, along with a complimentary set of premium Italian products. 10% of all proceeds will support a fire relief fund benefiting the Los Angeles community.
One Market Restaurant has a delicious three-course Valentine’s Day menu for $75 per person on February 13th and 14th. The meal includes carrot soup or shrimp cocktail, choice of entrée (grilled filet mignon or baked American red snapper), and a delicious chocolate cake with raspberry sauce to finish the evening. To gild the lily, one can add optional Osetra caviar or Dungeness crabcakes as extra indulgences.
Canela is hosting a Valentine’s Day Emporium through February 14th from 2 pm to 5 pm. Located outside at Canela’s parklet, it will feature Valentine gifts, curated chocolate and candy boxes, fresh flowers, and more. The emporium is free to attend.
How about a romantic four-course Caribbean-style surf & turf dinner for two? It’s only at Chao Pescao, and it’s only $120
One Market Chef Mark Dommen
IMPASTIAMO x SF (Pasta Tour)
A Dirty Habit bartender adds the final touch to a cocktail
Lake Chalet aerial view
Bay Times Dines
per couple. The menu includes a gluten-free pan de bono; two Colombian-style empanadas (choice of beef, pork, or chicken); mojo butter poached lobster tails with Bistec de Palomilla, thin cut marinated sirloin steak with black beans, rice, and plantains; tembleque, a gluten-free coconut custard with Grand Marnier and cinnamon; and two alfajores. Diners can also add two cocktails, including the signature daiquiri with 12-year aged rum, for $18.
Art lovers can experience the perfect blend of art, nature, and wine at The Donum Estate. The winery’s Discovery Experience offers an exploration of award-winning pinot noirs and chardonnays paired with breathtaking outdoor sculptures.
Surrounded by breathtaking vineyard views, Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley Winery offers an exclusive Silver Tour featuring their iconic cabernet sauvignon wines in a Platinum LEED Certified, Living Building, where sustainability is paramount.
Throughout February, Staypineapple, the national boutique hotel brand, is celebrating the genuine love between guests and their pets in honor of Valentine’s Day. The return of its Pineapple Pup Plus One promotion includes waiving pet fees
all month long, along with special surprises and Staypineapple’s signature pet amenities, such as collapsible water bowls and dog waste bag dispensers, which make perfect mementos for guests to take home after their stay.
Bits and Bites
Condolences to all those who loved Charles Phan , the celebrity chef whose Slanted Door restaurant redefined Vietnamese cooking and created a sensation. The 62-year-old died suddenly in January of cardiac arrest. Lucky for his fans, he had just opened his new restaurant in Napa. We can all pay tribute to him by visiting the new venue and toasting his memory.
Stella, the beloved winery dog at Flambeaux, a boutique winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, is more than just a pet—she’s a family member and Flambeaux’s ambassador. This stunning Italian Maremma greets visitors, patrols the estate vineyard, and has gained fame as a cover star for the “Wine Dogs” books and the “Wine Dogs” calendar, as well as a featured canine in Decanter magazine. Recently voted Healdsburg’s “Best Winery Dog,” Stella faced a challenge when her breeder ceased operations, making her lineage unavailable. Out of love for Stella, vintner Art Murray decided to clone her. In November 2024, Stella’s genetic twin, Mella (short for Gemella, Italian for “twin”), was born at ViaGen in Texas. Mella will grow up alongside Stella at the winery, learning to carry on her important role as the cherished winery dog.
Taj, a part of Indian Hotels Company, on February 10 debuted a fresh look of Taj Campton Place located in the heart of San Francisco. The multi-million-dollar redesign reflects the hotel’s unique blend of neoclassical California charm and subtle Indian-inspired expressions.
Pulkesin Mohan, General Manager at Taj Campton Place said, “The transformation of Taj Campton Place crafts an elevated guest experience. Every detail of the redesign has been thoughtfully curated to honor the hotel’s
(continued on page 36)
Chef Kathy Fang and Smitten’s Vanilla Black Sesame Mochi Staypineapple
And mark your calendars to see voting results and more fun for CORONATION 60 on February 22, Hyatt Regency SF, 50 Third Street, 5 pm.
https://www.sfimperialcouncil.org/
It feels like King Trump has not stopped announcing executive orders since taking office—many of which are either blocked by judges or will be tied up in legal battles. But sneakily released late on February 7 was an executive order “to dismantle gun control.” All of the President Biden administration’s consequential actions to address the nation’s gun violence epidemic— like cracking down on rogue gun traffickers and expanding Brady Background Checks, which led to the steepest decline in gun homicides in history—will be under scrutiny. It should be pointed out that none of the accomplishments of the past four years are inconsistent with the Second Amendment. These policies are common sense, bipartisan, and supported by the majority of Americans across party lines, and they are already reducing gun violence across the country.
Sister Dana sez, “Doesn’t the 2nd Amendment write about a ‘well-regulated militia’? So, what the hell is wrong with well-regulated, sensible gun laws?!”
I was thrilled to attend the reception presented by the emerging artists of the QUEER ANCESTORS PROJECT on February 8 at Strut. This group art exhibition showcases art from an incredible program that teaches queer youth vital queer
history, art making workshops, and so much more. Anyone visiting Strut at 470 Castro Street can view this awesome exhibition on the third floor all through the month of March. After working hard for the past 7 months, 10 queer and trans artists have a total of 43 original linocut prints on display. That night offered a free button-making station featuring the art, and Queer Ancestors Project Creative Director Katie Gilmartin made a special neon green “Sister Dana” button for me. Katie is a dear friend and is also a fellow Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. She gathered all the artists for a group photo and short speech before the adoring crowd. “No one can take away our joy,” she emphasized. “Our joy is vast, ancient, sacred, and incendiary—and by that, I mean our joy ignites love and incites resistance!”
Also, save the date on March 8, 7–9 pm at Strut, for the upcoming artist panel with Queer Ancestors Project artists sharing more information about the histories, research, and experiences that inspired their prints.
Here is an historic opportunity to hear from NCLR’s leadership! On February 19, the NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS (NCLR) will gather in San Francisco with their founder, Donna Hitchens, former Executive Directors Roberta Achtenberg and Kate Kendell , and current NCLR President Imani Rupert-Gordon as they reflect on their work at NCLR. For the first time, we will
have NCLR’s past and present leadership together! They will share perspectives about the role NCLR has played in the mission to achieve full LGBTQ equality and thoughts on the LGBTQ movement currently. This panel will be moderated by Olga Talamante, former NCLR board member and noted civil rights activist. This is a hybrid event. The panel will be held at the Chan National Queer Arts Center in San Francisco with a short wine and cheese reception to follow. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the panel discussion will begin at 6 pm. You can also register for a virtual Zoom meeting. https://www.nclrights.org/
On the campaign trail, Trump said, “I know nothing about Project 2025.” He promised, “I have nothing to do with Project 2025.” He lied. Shortly after the election, Liar-in-Cheat Trump has made one of Project 2025’s chief architects, Russ Vought—for whom we did not vote oversee the government’s entire budget office. Do we remember the nightmare when Vought was Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director for T-rump’s first term? Sister Dana sez, “That old nightmare is now happening again! Are we fully awakened to real life reality? Vought is AGAIN in charge of the Federal Budget! We must fight and overcome!!!”
During all the continuing chaos of the Trump obfuscation & confiscation administration taking away democracy and replacing it with oligarchic autocracy, their big plan is to seize power and just DARE Congress and the courts to stop them. Sister Dana sez, “When will feckless, inept Repugnican Congressmen wake up, realize that their jobs are in jeopardy because of this evil plan, and STOP the maniacal MAGA manipulation?!”
At the direction of the Trump administration, the federal Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies have been purging their websites of information and
data on a broad array of topics, from adolescent health to LGBTQ rights to HIV. Several web pages from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with references to LGBTQ health are no longer available. A page from the HHS Office for Civil Rights outlining the rights of LGBTQ people in healthcare settings is also gone. The website of the National Institutes of Health’s Office for Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office has completely disappeared.
But. fortunately, Trump’s agenda has been hitting legal roadblocks. A federal judge has issued a 30-day restraining order on Trump’s attempt to ignore federal law and freeze trillions in federal funding to alleged DEI and accessibility initiatives. When Trump issued the freeze to stop funding initiatives that “advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies,” that freeze has thereby prevented numerous social service organizations from accessing pre-allotted funds for various programs—including healthcare, childcare, emergency shelters, food assistance, scientific research, workforce trainings, and more. The judge’s order came in response to a multi-party lawsuit filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD on behalf of several organizations including SAGE , a national organization advocating for LGBTQ elders. And, thankfully, Democratic Attorneys General in 22 states have filed lawsuits against DOGE and the “Doge-bags” trying to gather personal ID information.
Trump’s new cabinet currently blames anything going wrong with our country as the fault of DEI, and the need to therefore completely eradicate DEI. Sister Dana sez, “Did we think DEI stood for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion? Nope! With this new autocracy, DEI is obviously Donald’s Ego Inflation! There is no one but us to save the Country from Trump and Musk!”
Astrology
Elisa Quinzi
The planet Mars is beaming at extra wattage now, activating our inner warrior. We are being prodded to take a stand for something. Pioneering astrologer Dane Rudhyar suggested that we are each born from perfect intelligence to answer a specific need with our specific wiring. In 2025, and amplified right now, we can either react to current events, or we can tune into our soul’s code—our specific blueprint—and take responsibility for the power granted us while we are here. The longer we gaze at the mirror, the more hypnotized we are into believing that the reflection is all that exists. We therefore greatly benefit from giving our own inner warrior a higher vision to carry out. It’s time to step out with all the eagerness that comes from answering the call of one’s destiny. A paradigm shift is imminent. Mars doesn’t wait for permission, nor for a vote. It thrusts its sword and pierces the veil.
Speaking to Your Soul
ARIES (March 21–April 19)
Notice the openings around you. Consider that there are times to act and times to hold back. Adapt to your surroundings while you channel your fire toward a worthy creative vision. The whole of the universe is holding you up.
TAURUS (April 20–May 20)
You are a master manifester. Physical reality is your medium. You’ve been around long enough now to see how it works, so it is time to get cooking. Come show us what’s good.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
To avoid spreading yourself too thin, commit to your values and engage only with those activities and projects that align with your ideal vision. You can make real progress now.
CANCER (June 21–July 22)
As a custodian of the new earth, you have a special sense for the love and care that are needed. People are drawn to you and what you offer. Healthy boundaries allow the right people into your inner circle. Then you can love without risk of draining your life energy.
LEO (July 23–August 22)
Your light reaches across the universe. Your focus cuts away everything that isn’t pure essence. Do not censor yourself to be accepted or validated. The world desperately needs your authentic innocence and genuine joy.
VIRGO (August 23–September 22)
The stories about what you can’t do have grown tiresome. Give voice to what you can do. You bring order to your corner of the great chaos. The degree your vessel is clear, a great power flows through you, directing your every move.
LIBRA (September 23–October 22)
Your soul’s intention in this lifetime is to bring harmony to your surroundings. Don’t confuse harmonizing with settling. What you have to offer the collective needs bold decisive action behind it. So, put on your cape and trust in the power you have to make a difference.
SCORPIO (October 23–November 21)
Your perspective of the world has become far too narrow. No one is better equipped for breaking through layers of illusion than you, Scorpio. Keep your laser-strength focus on stripping away your own blinders and the universe will open up for you beyond your expectations.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21)
You best utilize your inner warrior now by courageously facing your fears. Doing so will uncover clues that help you find the meaning you seek on your quest. Deep diving will strengthen your ability to see in the dark.
CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19)
Lessons arise around independence and freedom of spirit within the context of relationship. How are you separate from the reflection? What can you bring in the spirit of unity?
AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18)
Assert yourself around sculpting your day according to your wants and your higher truth. As your day unfoldds, so shall your life be. There is power available for you to start new routines that are in closer alignment with your ideals.
PISCES (February 19–March 20)
At this stage of the journey, what’s needed is a fuller embodiment of the Great Spirit that sent you. Life lived as such is no longer lived in fear, but in a strength of trust that inspires bold action.
Elisa Quinzi is a certified professional astrologer who brings a strong spiritual perspective, as well as over 20 years of experience, to her work with clients. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com or at 818-530-3366 with your exact birth time to schedule or to ask questions. For more information: www.elisaquinzi.com
Take Me Home with You!
Find Your Heart in San Francisco: SF SPCA Waives
Adoption Fees Through the Month of February
San Francisco animal lovers have a special opportunity this month.
Adoption fees for animals five months and older are waived, thanks to the generosity of local donors. The SF SPCA is making it easier than ever to bring home a new furry family member, and one special pup is hoping to find her forever home.
Meet Joy, a 1.5-year-old Doberman Pinscher mix with a heart as big as the city itself. Recently transferred from Stockton, Joy is still adjusting to her new surroundings and learning to trust people. She can be a bit nervous with handling and unfamiliar faces, but with patience and kindness, her sweet, playful personality shines through. Once comfortable, Joy eagerly seeks affection, playtime, and plenty of tail-wagging fun.
She’s looking for an adopter who can help build her confidence through positive reinforcement and encouragement. If you’re ready to add a little extra love and energy to your life, Joy might be the perfect match.
Come meet Joy and other adoptable pets at the SF SPCA Mission Campus, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, and Tuesday, 1 to 6 pm. https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/
Let’s Go Home!
Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS):
Meet Beret , a 6-month-old sweetheart with a heart full of love! At 31 pounds, she’s the perfect size for both cuddles and adventures. She is a little shy at first, but once Beret feels safe, her playful and affectionate side shines. Beret enjoys doggy playgroups, loves respectful chase games, and would thrive with a well-matched dog friend or as a solo pup with playdates. She is treat-motivated and eager to please, already knows “sit,” and stays close to her humans. With patience and love, Beret will blossom into your perfect companion!
Adoptable Sally is the sweetest! If you’re looking for a playful and affectionate bun to love and care for, she’s your gal. Come meet her at OAS this week!
The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org
Beret
Sally
Joy
Thursday, February 20 @ 5:30 pm (non-ticketed - SF Ferry Building store) Stephanie Gorton, author of The Icon and the Idealist: Margaret Sanger, Mary Ware Dennett, and the Rivalry That Brought Birth Control to America
This is a riveting history about the little-known rivalry between reproductive rights activists Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett, who had a profound impact on the lives of American women. Emerging in the 1910s, these two vanguard advocates held surprisingly conflicting visions for what reproductive autonomy would look like and they battled across decades. This nuanced and deeply researched book probes into their conflict, history, psyches, achievements, and pitfalls as they pursued the cause.
https://www.bookpassage.com/
(continued from pg 33)
storied heritage while meeting the expectations of today’s travelers. Guided by the spirit of Tajness, our commitment to authentic service and timeless hospitality, we look forward to welcoming guests to this renewed sanctuary in the heart of San Francisco.” The newly renovated lobby and meeting rooms promise to redefine the guest experience with elegance and sophistication. The redesigned lobby space features a reimagined reception area, a contemporary layout with communal tables, decorative metal panels, a new breakfast room, and elegant decorative mirrors to enhance the sense of light and space.
As part of the extensive renovation, Taj Campton Place also has unveiled a refreshed design for its dining and drinking den the Campton Bar + Bistro. It now features a refined design inspired by the blues of the Pacific Ocean, complemented by silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and cozy leather seating. The menu, Taj shares, “showcases an eclectic mix of American bistro options, as well as Indian classics, alongside a cocktail menu featuring classic cocktails and specialty cocktails such as the Bombay Spritz and the Chai Paloma.”
Taj Campton Place recently welcomed the opening of Bombay Brasserie in August 2024, a dining destination helmed by South Indian native Chef Thomas George whose cuisine reflects the aromatic spices of the North, the coastal flavors of the South, and all with a French twist.
Gung Hay Fat Choy! It’s not just Valentine’s, it’s the Lunar New Year. To usher in the Year of the Snake, celebrity chef Kathy Fang is teaming up with Smitten Ice Cream for a Tangyuan-inspired treat to celebrate. The exclusive new flavor, Vanilla Black Sesame Mochi, features a vanilla base swirled with sweet black sesame and covered with chewy mochi. It’s the perfect twist on traditional Chinese flavors that bridges East and West cultures. This limited-edition ice cream will be available in scoops and pints at Smitten’s San Francisco and San Jose locations through February 20. FANG and House of Nanking will serve traditional Lunar New Year desserts that highlight the rich flavors of the season, such as Tangyuan, rice balls filled with black sesame, served in a sweet ginger soup and representing family unity.
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF or email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
from pg 24)
When I needed to move out of a lover’s house—U-Haul was a theme in mid-20th century lesbian life—I rented a flat within ten blocks of their home. I went to Brooklyn Bombers softball games because Marianne was the coach and Sandra played first base. And the team always went out for margaritas after. When they both went to work for the telephone company, our psychic connection became more apparent. Any time either one of us called, soon the other would also call. Then one would loop us all together for a midday chat as if the universe was waiting for our news.
We partied, buried friends, read the same books, went to movies, were the subject of gossip, and offered refreshments to runners passing our corner in the NYC marathon. We also served on the board of a lesbian foundation together. We’ve had surgeries, illnesses, falling outs, rapprochements, and always the key to each other’s places. When I decided to move to San Francisco to live with Diane, shock reverberated through Brooklyn, but Marianne and Sandra got on the plane with me to “see me home to my door.”
We should all cultivate friends with whom we can unhesitatingly pick up a conversation with, whether it’s been five days or five months. I mailed their Valentine’s Day card to Marianne and Sandra last week.
Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @VampyreVamp
LANDIS
JEWELLE GOMEZ (continued
Chris Kline
“I like the big menu and good food at The Cove on Castro”
compiled by Rink
Ruth Villasenor
“Thai House in the Castro, where my wife and I had our first date, and we go back for anniversaries and delicious food.”
Raoul Thomas
“The diner restaurant, which is fun and affordable for breakfast and lunch”
William Coghill “Bix is a favorite”
Sister Dharma Gettin’ “Kasa Indian Eatery in the Castro”
14th Annual Two-Spirit Powwow
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) held their 14th annual TwoSpirit Powwow on February 1, 2025, at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion. The always powerful and uplifting Grand Entry took place at 1 pm, with participants arriving from all over the nation. The powwow was the memorable finale of a series of events that included a Welcome Dinner, Two-Spirits & Indigiqueers in Ceremonial Spaces, a potluck, drumming contest, and much more.
The co-chairs of the powwow, Tzapotl and Cody, shared, in part, “Returning back to the prayer in which the powwow was formed, we strongly believed in the vision of the original founders and the changing times of 2025. We understand and feel the turmoil of the political world deeply, and also recognize that this is nothing new for Two Spirit and indigiqueer people. As always, we will rely on one another in love and resilience.”
They added, “This powwow has been an incredibly powerful web of networks and community, continuing to branch out with the great efforts of the powwow committee; we thank them all for their energy, knowledge, and hard work. Thank you for all of your beautiful energy, to our incredible committee and all our supporting relations and community. Until next year!”
The 2025 powwow was livestreamed and archived. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/40VA1OE https://www.baaits.org/
Photos by Rink
http://sfbaytimes.com/
Recycled Cotton Woven Throws
Feel like staying home and hiding under a blanket? Get cozy with our selection of woven throws made from recycled cotton.
We have assorted colors and styles for $34.99 each.
Zafferano America
Cordless Lighting
The Theta Pro lamp is made from durable die-cast aluminum with a painted finish suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Offering 9 hours of cordless illumination and a dimmable and tunable LED light, the Theta lamp is perfect for placing bedside or on a dining table. An induction charging base and power cord are included. It is available in matte black or matte white for $144.99.
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Photos by Rink
SF AIDS Foundation Strut Building
Mollie Stone’s Castro
Marcello’s Pizza
Cliff’s Variety
Cliff’s Variety
Girl Scout Cookie Sales at Harvey Milk Plaza Super
San Francisco Bay Times & The Academy SF Invite You!
Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies
Friday, February 21, 6–10 pm (program at 7pm)
@ The Academy, 2166 Market Street (between Sanchez & Church)
A Black History Month Event in the Castro
The San Francisco Bay Times annual Black History Month celebration of LGBTQ+ Black women leaders and allies returns to the Divas & Drinks @ The Academy series for 2025.
This will be the third year of the February soirée where acclaimed honorees are introduced by featured emcees, including Former Mayor London Breed; Dr. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; Judy Young, Executive Director, UCSF National Center of Excellence for Women’s Health; and more to be announced.
Additionally, this year’s event will include a remembrance of Hope Action Change leader and dedicated Bay Times supporter Peggy Moore and her wife Hope Wood, who were tragically killed in a car accident in May 2024, just a few
Remembering Peggy Moore & Hope Wood
months after Moore attended this event last year and celebrated with her own close friends. Plans were underway to name her as an honoree this year. Both Moore and Wood will long be remembered for their devotion to community, insatiable fostering of hope, and actions for positive change.
Also special for this year’s event will be a performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist Nadirah Shakoor! Her multi-genre career began in gospel and with the band Arrested Development, before she was recruited to tour internationally as a member of the Coral Reefer Band led by Jimmy Buffett. She has also toured or recorded with Madonna, Quincy Jones, Paula Abdul, and numerous others, and is a standout star in her own right. She has not performed in the Bay Area for quite a while, so this will be a rare chance to see her in person in the intimate setting of The Academy.
For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/3PJhlfU
Presenting sponsors (partial list): SF AIDS Foundation, SF Pride, The Transgender District, UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, Soul of Pride, Bayard Rustin Foundation. Thanks also to our ongoing sponsors Olivia Travel, SF Federal Credit Union, The Academy SF
