InsidePride | 2015

The official Guide to San Francisco Pride 2015

equality withouT EXCEPTION

• • ••• • SF PRIDE @ 45 JUNE 27-28, 2015

Enjoy Responsibly

©2014 A-B, Bud Light® Beer, St. Louis, MO

Welcome to San Francisco, Where every identity, gender, kink and kind is celebrated.

(Especially ones we haven’t heard of yet.)

Your Airbnb Hosts

HOW DO WE HELP STOP HIV? A. PREVENT IT. B. TEST FOR IT. C. TREAT IT. D. ALL OF THE ABOVE. Learn how it all works together at HelpStopTheVirus.com © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1856 03/15

WELCOMES 5 �����������Welcome from the Board President 9 �����������Welcome from the Governor of California 11 ����������Welcome from the Mayor of San Francisco 13 ���������Welcome from our Out Elected Officials

HONORS 14 ���������Community Grand Marshals 15 ���������Celebrity Grand Marshal 16 ���������Commemoration Awards 17 ���������Heritage of Pride Awards 19 ���������Mayoral Award 20 �������Organizational Grand Marshal 21 ���������Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshall 25 ��������Pink Brink Recipient

with

ou T

S FENTERTAINMENT PR Main Stage Performers 26I ��������Saturday D E

� �������VIP Party at City Hall 27 45

TION CEP E 2 7- 2 8 , 2 0 15 EX• J U N

@

28 �������Sunday Main Stage Performers 30 �������Community Stages

FEATURES

33 ��������The Right To Discriminate 35 ��������#blacklivesmatter 36 ��������#mypridesf 37 ��������A New Purpose For The Mirror 38 ��������Pride @ 45 39 ��������Marriage Equality Update 40 �������The Pink Triangle

INSIDE PRIDE

42 �������SF Pride Membership 43 ��������General Information 44 �������Travel Partners 46 �������Broadcast Information 47 ��������Community Partners 48 �������Society of Supporters

equality withouT EXCEPTION

• • • •• •

EQUALITY WITHOUT EXCEPTION We all deserve to be healthy and happy When you embrace equality, it helps lead to a healthier, happier community.

We want everyone to feel their best. That’s why we champion things that are good for you — like eating fruits and veggies and being active.

Kaiser Permanente is proud to have a long history as a major sponsor of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade. And we’re always proud to be your partner in health. Look for our float in the parade lineup on June 28.

kp.org

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

5

Greetings and welcome to the 45th anniversary of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade & Celebration! The entire city is electric with excitement as we roll out the rainbow carpet and line Market Street with 400 Pride flags to welcome more than a million revelers on June 27th and 28th.

ty li

with

ou E T

SF P RI D

image: rink foto

4

TION CEP E 2 7- 2 8 , 2 01 E5X• J U N 5

@

eq ua

Our LGBT movement has come far since the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district and the 1969 Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village. A year after Stonewall, Pride marches were held in San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. We’re indebted to those brave pioneers who fought back: drag queens, transgender individuals, effeminate young men, male prostitutes and homeless youth.

Forty-five years after arrests were made at our first “Christopher Street Liberation Day Gay-In” held in Golden Gate Park, we continue our fight with this year’s theme, Equality Without Exception. It was chosen by our members to draw attention to the growing “religious exemption” laws negatively impacting the liberties of women, LGBT people and other communities. On a brighter note, we hope to celebrate a victory for federal marriage equality after the Supreme Court rules this month.

Each victory is hard fought and deserves celebration, but it’s equally important to unite and fight when we lose. This year’s grand marshals and honorees evidence decades of such work. When you read their accomplishments herein, you will see the critical roles they played in the Compton riot, the #BlackLivesMatter movement, PFLAG, the blind and disabled communities, the annual Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks and the recording industry. They are major fundraisers, authors, artists, veterans, activists and community builders.

This year we also want to hear YOUR personal Pride moment by uploading your stories, videos and photos as part of our new #MyPride campaign! Sharing our stories can change minds. Now is the time to build allies and rally votes as the U.S. presidential election nears.

equality withouT EXCEPTION

equality withouT EXCEPTION

You can share our message of Equality Without Exception by picking up a souvenir hat, pin, shirt or cinch bag at the two-day festival, online, or at Hard Rock Cafe at Pier 39. Tickets for the Parade Grandstand and VIP Party at City Hall and the money-saving Pride Pass are available at sfpride.org along with an extensive community calendar of Pride month events.

••• •••

••• • • •

We’ve come a long way since those 20 “Hair Faeries” marched from Aquatic Park, down Polk Street to City Hall. SF Pride has blossomed into one of the largest parades and festivals in America with more than 300 exhibitor booths, 23 community stages and@ venues, contingents.

SF PRIDE 45and 220+ diverse, politically engaged SF parade PRIDE @ 45 In addition to being a world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride has granted nearly $2.4 million to local LGBT and charity organizations since 1997. Our event is JUNE 27-28, 2015 JUNE 27-28, 2015 also a huge economic driver for the Bay area with total visitor impact estimated to be $357.1 million.

If you’ve not been to San Francisco recently, check out the beautiful renovation of Castro Street including the Rainbow Honor Walk featuring LGBT historical figures, rainbow crosswalks, palm trees and more. The GLBT History Museum, Harvey Milk Plaza and Pink Triangle Park and Memorial also beckon you.

On behalf of our hard-working board, dedicated staff and contractors, engaged members and loyal volunteers, I wish you a safe, fun and empowering SF Pride experience!

equality withouT EXCEPTION

GARY VIRGINIA

President - San Francisco Pride Board of Directors

SF PRIDE @ 45

••••••

JUNE 27-28, 2015

equality withouT EXCEPTION SF PRIDE @ 45

• ••• • •

JUNE 27-28, 2015

6

PERSONNEL

CONTRACTORS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES John Anderson...........................................Production Assistant Andy Copperhall.........................................Consultant Jacob Dornan.............................................IDK Events / Exhibitor Relations Jim Gong.....................................................Bookkeeper Katie Harrar................................................Media Coordinator Jennifer Holmes.........................................Special Events Producer Marsha H. Levine........................................Parade Manager Julie Myers..................................................Volunteer Coordinator Brian Probst................................................Donations Manager Eddie Shapiro.............................................Celebrity Manager Scott Shuemake.........................................IDK Events / Event Director Matthew Smith...........................................Beverage Manager Jenn Stokes................................................Main Stage Producer Mike Taft......................................................Assistant Parade Manager Tony Thomas...............................................Recycling Coordinator Joe Wagenhofer.........................................Consultant Lisa Williams...............................................Sponsorship Sales Manager

Rock Medicine............................................Medical Sheppard Mullin ........................................Legal Services Waste Busters.............................................Waste Diversion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gary Virginia...............................................President Marsha H. Levine........................................Vice President Larry Crickenberger...................................Treasurer Justin Taylor................................................Secretary Joey Cain....................................................Member John Caldera..............................................Member José Cital....................................................Member David Currie................................................Member Veronika Fimbres.......................................Member Michelle Meow Sinbandith........................Member Xi’an Chandra Redack...............................Member Oliver Sanford.............................................Member

STAFF George Ridgely...........................................Executive Director Kent Anderson............................................Deputy Executive Director Alvaro Gonzalez..........................................Project Manager Lucky Gutierrez...........................................Office/IT Manager

VOLUNTEER STAFF Davace Chin................................................Hospitality Joan Curry...................................................Safety Mindie Dodson...........................................Dykes On Bikes Jay Gresham...............................................Hospitality Joseph (Joey) Jelincic................................Safety Enrique Perez.............................................Parade Registration Aidan Smith.................................................Main Stage Intern Jarno Stegeman.........................................Special Projects Freddy Teti..................................................Safety Cindy Toh....................................................Office Volunteer Soni Wolf.....................................................Dykes On Bikes Laura Wu.....................................................Office Intern

SF PRIDE, 1841 Market Street - Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-1112 • info@sfpride.org • 415.864.0831 • sfpride.org

Publisher ����������������������������������������������������Ron Willis Creative Director ����������������������������������������Robert Sokol Editorial Coordinator ���������������������������������Marsha H. Levine Design & Layout �����������������������������������������VIA MEDIA All content contributed/compiled by SF Pride staff, contractors, honorees and other participants unless specifically credited.

Opinions expressed by guest authors, contributors and commentators do not necessarily reflect the views of SF Pride or VIA MEDIA. All photos are provided by SF Pride or courtesy of the subjects. Photo credits are included as provided.

INSIDE PRIDE is published by VIA MEDIA • 415.552.8040 • advertise@via.media © Copyright 2015 VIA MEDIA, a division of Caselli Partners LLC • All Rights Reserved

image: dan nicoletta

CRICKENBERGER

image: duane cramer

CITAL

CALDERA

CURRIE

LEVINE

FIMBRES

REDACK

2015 SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAIN

COMMUNITY STAGE STAFF A&PI Pride Pavilion & Community Stage Nikki Calma *

Queer Youth Space Venue Travis Becker ** Jamie Fountain **

CHEER SF Stage Ryan Allen * Isaac Burrough *

SoberFest 2015 Terry Beswick **

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gathering Space DCARA ** Faerie Freedom Village Benjamin Patterson ** Gray Pride 60+ Space Andy Lee ** Homo Hip Hop Stage Erika Jones * Ronnie Jones * Indie Oasis Stage Dan Karasic * Rick Stone * International Stage Charles Bisbee *** Valentino Carrillo * Frank Ciglar *** Alex Loera *** Robert Munoz *** Leather Alley Rover Spotts ** LEFT Magazine Dance Music Celebration Stage David Helton ***

Sonic Reducer Stage Tony Bettini * Tim Keefe * Soul of Pride African American Village Christiana Remington * Lisa Williams * Steamworks Latin Stage Jamie Awad *** Milton Howard Gaines * Sundance Country-Western Dance Corral John Hoffman * Tantra Underground Dance Stage Liam Shy * Women’s Stage Christie James ***

Stage Managers * Venue Managers ** Producers ***

THE LGBTQ Family Garden Judy Appel ** Shareena Clark ** Kay Gordon ** Polly Pagenheart ** Main Stage Jenn Stokes *** Marriage Pavilion Dennis Veite **

SANFORD

SINBANDITH

DONATE!

A donation to SF Pride helps support dozens of diverse, nonprofit organizations in the community. Please join us, knowing you can give with Pride while supporting the critical work of building community and creating safe spaces for LGBT people. [ sfpride.org/donate ]

TAYLOR

VIRGINIA

8

2015 SPONSORS principal sponsors

GRAND sponsors

MAJOR sponsorS

SUPPORTING sponsors 速

速

ASSOCIATE sponsors

ADVOCATE SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORs

HOTEL SPONSORs

ARTICLE TITLE

9

Pride. People. Purpose.

Equality takes all of us working together to make it real. At Comcast, we’re proud of our longstanding commitment to the LGBT community. We’ve been recognized as one of the nation’s “Best Places To Work” for LGBT people, and have earned a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 201 5 Corporate Equality Index. It’s part of our dedication to diversity that began with our founding 50 years ago…and won’t end until equality is shared equally by everyone.

Proud Sponsor | SF Pride 2015 comcast.com/diversity

ARTICLE TITLE

11

GREETINGS FROM OUR LGBT

ELECTED OFFICIALS

13

MARK LENO

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR As the LGBT community continues to emerge victorious on many key fights across the nation, I am happy to welcome you to San Francisco’s 45th annual Pride Parade and Celebration: Equality Without Exception. While we gather to celebrate, let us remember that we must continue to speak out collectively and demand that we all have the justice and equality we deserve - without exception. Have a safe and happy Pride.

JOSÉ CISNEROS

LENO

CISNEROS

CAMPOS

WIENER

MANDELMAN

RANDOLPH

TREASURER, CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO Welcome to SF Pride 2015: Equality Without Exception. What an incredible year this has been for our community! I stand proud with each of you, your families and friends, and wish you a celebration filled with love, respect and justice.

DAVID CAMPOS

SAN FRANCISCO SUPERVISOR On behalf of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors I would like to welcome you to San Francisco Pride!

This year’s theme of Equality Without Exception reminds us all that the struggle for justice continues.

We must continue to fight for equality for all, and focus on lifting up and supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. This year, I look forward to honoring the legacy, celebrating the present and preparing for the future of our community and our movement. Happy Pride!

SCOTT WIENER

SAN FRANCISCO SUPERVISOR Welcome to the 45th Annual Pride Parade and Celebration. San Francisco truly embodies this year’s motto of Equality Without Exception, whether we are leading on civil rights issues like marriage equality or caring for our most vulnerable by backfilling HIV/AIDS cuts and leading the nation in the efforts to get to zero new HIV infections. As the representative of the district that includes the Castro and was once represented by Harvey Milk, I’m excited to help celebrate our community throughout this fantastic weekend.

RAFAEL MANDELMAN COLLEGE BOARD PRESIDENT

Greetings Queer San Franciscans and Friends! Another Pride season is upon us, and with it, another pending Supreme Court decision of import to our community. As we await - and (fingers crossed) celebrate - the Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, let us renew our commitment to fight on until we have achieved full equality not just for every member of our queer community but for every member of the human community. Many congratulations to our amazing Grand Marshals who have done so much to advance the cause we celebrate this Pride: Equality Without Exception!

ALEX RANDOLPH COLLEGE BOARD MEMBER

Welcome to San Francisco as we celebrate 45 years of Pride and community! This year’s theme, Equality Without Exception, could not be timelier and should serve as a call to action for all of us. We have made a lot of gains in regards to our civil rights, but recent events in Indiana and the ongoing discrimination faced by our transgender brothers and sisters shows our fight is far from over. Pride has always been about building community, being visible and making our voices heard.

There is no doubt that together we can achieve full equality - without exception!

14

COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHALS BRIAN BASINGER

COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL | SF PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHOICE Brian Basinger is a leading voice for the LGBTQI and HIV communities facing poverty and homelessness.

Under his direction, the AIDS Housing Alliance/SF has prevented the eviction, or found housing for 2,700 households by providing financial assistance for back rent and deposits, providing affordable housing applications, educating tenants on their rights, and mediating landlord disputes. Policy achievements include: initiating the soon–to-open LGBTQ adult homeless shelter, inspiring the LGBTQ Project Homeless Connect, passing legislation to curb speculative evictions, passing legislation granting domestic partners the legal right to live together in rental housing, leading the efforts to secure funding to make the first LGBTQ senior housing in San Francisco 100% affordable, and recently worked on passing legislation with Supervisor David Campos requiring national housing developers to disclose if they provide consistent protections against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. [ ahasf.org ] BASINGER

I’m deeply grateful to the SF Pride Board of Directors for highlighting the critical importance of housing and homelessness services for the LGBTQ and allied communities by appointing me as Community Grand Marshal for 2015. I accept this honor with the desire to reflect it back to every single person who is struggling with keeping hope alive during this housing crisis. Together, we will make a difference.

BELO CIPRIANI COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL | SF PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHOICE

CIPRIANI

Belo Miguel Cipriani was born in Guatemala City to parents of Italian and Brazilian heritage and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English. He is an award-winning author, a staffing professional, a freelance journalist and a disabilities advocate. He is the career expert for The Ed Baxter Show on Talk Radio San Francisco 910AM, a spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the author of two books: Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams.

Additionally, he was the keynote speaker for the 2011 Americans with Disabilities Act celebration in San Francisco and for the 2012 Queer Conference at Skyline College. He was also invited to be a guest lecturer at both Yale University and the University of San Francisco. Belo currently lives in San Francisco with his guide dog, Oslo. [ belocipriani.com ]

I am so grateful to be chosen by the Pride board. This is one of the greatest moments of my life.

JUDY DLUGACZ COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL | PUBLIC POLL – COMMUNITY CHOICE image: irene young

Olivia has marched in the San Francisco Pride parade since 1977 and Olivia co-founder Judy Dlugacz has been fighting for equality and LGBT rights even longer. As co-founder of Olivia Records and Olivia Travel, Judy has been recognized by the GGBA of San Francisco and honored by Ernst and Young as its Northern California Entrepreneur of the Year. Just before Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and DOMA were overturned, Judy was the driving force behind six women’s roundtable discussions with Michelle Obama to create a voice on issues that impact LGBT women. Judy, through Olivia, is also one of the founding partners of the USAID LGBT Global Development Partnership. She has changed the course of lesbian history, not only in San Francisco, but around the world. [ olivia.com ] DLUGACZ

I am happy to accept this honor. The Parade has been such an important historic and affirming part of the lives of the LGBT community. My first SF Pride parade was back in 1978 when Olivia Records marched after releasing the album “Lesbian Concentrate” in response to Anita Bryant. I am so honored to be amongst such an extraordinary group of nominees and am so proud of our community as we begin to see the positive changes thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many. It is a great year to celebrate and to stay vigilant!

ALICIA GARZA COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL | SF PRIDE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP CHOICE

GARZA

Alicia Garza is a co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter which began as a hashtag and grew into a national organizing project that is an affirmation and embrace of the resistance and resilience of Black people. She is currently the Special Projects Director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance and previously served as Executive Director of People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) in San Francisco. She has been the recipient of multiple awards for her organizing work in Black and Latino communities throughout the Bay Area. [ blacklivesmatter.com ]

CELEBRITY GRAND MARSHAL RICK WELTS

PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS With over 39 years of experience in the league, Rick Welts is currently in his fourth season as president and chief operating officer of the Golden State Warriors where he oversees all business-related operations for the Warriors, including the team’s proposed development of a privately financed sports and entertainment center in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

A native of Seattle, Washington, Welts began his NBA career in 1969, at the age of 16, as a ball boy with the Seattle SuperSonics. He spent 10 years with his hometown team in a number of roles, including as the team’s director of public relations. Prior to joining the Warriors in October 2011, Welts spent nine years with the Phoenix Suns, serving the organization as president and chief executive officer for the last two seasons.

He enjoyed a successful 17-year (1982-1999) stint at the NBA league office in New York, where he ascended through the ranks to eventually become the league’s third-in-command as the executive vice president, chief marketing officer and president of NBA Properties. Along with Val Ackerman, Welts was named “Marketer of the Year” by Brandweek in 1998 for his role in launching the WNBA.

WELTS

In May of 2011, in a front-page story in the New York Times, Welts became the highest ranking executive in men’s professional team sports to publicly acknowledge he is gay. He was presented with a United States Tennis Association 2011 ICON Award at the US Open in New York City, an award that recognizes and celebrates those who have had a positive impact on diversity and inclusion in the sports industry and society. In October 2011, he was honored with GLSEN’s (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) Respect Award, which honors those who have made a difference in the areas of diversity and inclusion. In September, he was honored by GLAAD, the nation’s LGBT media advocacy organization, with the Davidson/Valentini Award, which is presented to an LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.

providing outstanding graphic design + publishing solutions [ including what you are holding right now ] to the lgbt, arts, business and hospitality communities since 1998 clients include

graphic design + publishing

415.552.8040

advertise@via.media a division of Caselli Partners LLC

castro street fair san francisco pride sonoma county pride best buck in the bay rodeo san francisco gay men’s chorus golden gate business association and the merchants associations of the

mission, noe valley, castro, potrero/dogpatch, bayview, soma/south beach-mission bay, and inner sunset neighborhoods

15

16

COMMEMORATION AWARDS PATRICK CARNEY

GILBERT BAKER PRIDE FOUNDER’S AWARD Patrick Carney, shown far left with Gilbert Baker, is the organizer and co-founder of the gigantic Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks, which will have its 20th display during Pride weekend 2015. He is also the sole founder of the annual commemoration ceremony and celebration which immediately follows the installation. The project is a “visible yet mute reminder of man’s inhumanity to man” as well as a reclamation of the pink triangle as a symbol of Pride. He works tirelessly year after year to make sure the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust and all throughout the world is never forgotten. He is a 34-year HIV/AIDS survivor and has volunteered for various AIDS fundraisers and support organizations over the decades. He has resided in San Francisco since 1979, where he now lives with his husband, Hossein. [ thepinktriangle.com ] CARNEY + BAKER

I am honored by this acknowledgement of nearly two decades of the Pink Triangle educational effort and hope it might remind others of the many struggles our forebears went through to get to where we are as a community today, but also hope it will shine a light on the hardships so many LGBTQIs around the world still face today in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Brunei, Yemen, Russia – unfortunately the list goes on and on. That giant one-acre Pink Triangle display isn’t up on Twin Peaks year after year just for decoration, it is there to educate people of the hatred of the past and to emphasize that such hatred still exists in many parts of the world today.

AUDREY JOSEPH

AUDREY JOSEPH ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

JOSEPH

Audrey has been a record executive, club manager, LGBT rights activist, former president and current member of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission. She started in the recording industry as a nightclub manager and later a record executive responsible for some disco-era dance hits. She relocated from New York to San Francisco and opened a popular club and event venue, 177 Townsend/174 King Street, and several gay clubs at those venues - including Pleasuredome, Club Universe and others - used for fundraising and events particular to the LGBT community. Joseph was appointed to the San Francisco Entertainment Commission by Mayor Willie L. Brown and took office in July, 2003. She has served as the commission’s vice president and president several times. She became involved with AIDS activist organizations, fighting the AIDS pandemic and hosting many fundraisers including the first leather subculture contests in San Francisco. Joseph produced the San Francisco Pride celebration main stage for many years.

JULIA & SAM THORON

JOSÉ JULIO SARRIA HISTORY MAKER AWARD

THE THORONS

Julia and Sam Thoron are the parents of two straight sons and a lesbian daughter who came out to them in January 1990. Their rich history of dedication to the LGBT communities began in the summer of 1990 when they became part of the steering committee of the San Francisco Chapter of PFLAG. Julia went on to become Chapter Chair and served in that capacity until she retired in December 2014. Sam joined the PFLAG National Board of Directors in 1992, serving for 9 years. In 2002 he was asked to rejoin the Board as National President for a 4-year term. He continued to serve on the Board until 2011. He now serves on the Board of Directors of Freedom to Marry. Julia and Sam were featured in the lead TV commercial for the campaign to defeat Proposition 8. Julia and Sam’s history of advocacy for LGBT equality springs from their sense of justice and fair play for all, and from their dedication to the principle that their daughter deserves to be treated with full and equal respect and dignity in every aspect of her life, enjoying all the rights, privileges and obligations of full citizenship.

We are honored to receive the José Julio Sarria History Maker Award recognizing our work toward full equality for the LGBT communities. The very name of this award reminds us that change and progress are always made on the shoulders of those who have gone before. We are deeply grateful for the examples and accomplishments of the pioneers like José Sarria and so many others.

HERITAGE OF PRIDE AWARDS JEROME GOLDSTEIN + TOM TAYLOR 10 YEARS OF SERVICE AWARD

Jerry Goldstein and Tom Taylor met at the Barracks Baths in 1973. There was no fanfare of personality, status or accomplishment, just the raw intimacy of male sexual bonding. After a tour around the world in 1983, they dedicated as much as they could to HIV and LGBTQ services including Project Open Hand and Ruth Brinker. Their home on 21st Street has been used for numerous events to benefit and promote the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, gay lawyers, gay veterinarians, the SF Freedom Day Marching Band and Tap Troupe, and the cause of the rainbow flag. Tom works selflessly for the flag on Market and Castro, the new lighting of the flag, and the annual Rainbow Flags that adorn Market and Castro Streets for Pride. They create an annual outdoor Christmas display and their amazingly-decorated tree has been suggested as a historic landmark for San Francisco.

Tom Taylor and I are humbled and honored by the proposed award. We do what we feel will have a lasting impact on our beloved LGBTQ community in San Francisco and around the world.

GOLDSTEIN + TAYLOR

MARY MIDGETT PRIDE FREEDOM AWARD

Mary is a first generation resident of West Indian heritage, having relocated to San Francisco by way of Boston, and New York. She arrived in the Bay Area in 1974 with her two wonderful children. Her gay and lesbian political work began in 1975 as a board member for a halfway house for lesbians and gay men. In 1979, she facilitated a women’s group meeting in the Women’s Building. An author, she wrote Brown on Brown, Black Lesbian Erotica.

Currently, she pens an inspirational column celebrating eight years at thewesternedition.com. Mary has also been a speaker at SFSU for 20 years on demystifying homosexuality, and she co-founded the NIA Collective in 1987.

I feel happy and surprised. I have put my energy in the community and to be rewarded is exciting. I appreciate everyone who participated and worked in the community during my 44 years of fun and politics. You all helped make this award happen. A big hug and thanks to all you San Franciscans!

MIDGETT

MONICA HELMS PRIDE CREATIVITY AWARD

Monica served in the Navy on two submarines from 1970 to 1978. She has two sons and three grandsons. he began her transition in 1997. She created the Transgender Pride Flag in 1999 and donated the original to the Smithsonian in 2014. In 2000, she moved from Arizona to Georgia and worked for Sprint for 25 years, retiring in January 2015. She co-founded the Transgender American Veterans Association in 2003 for better treatment for trans people in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2004, she attended the Democratic National Convention as the first trans delegate from Georgia.

I feel humbled to be honored with the Heritage of Pride - Pride Creativity Award for creating the Transgender Pride Flag. To see it being used all over the world is something I could have never expected when I held the first one in my hands in 1999.

HARRY LIT

HELMS

PRIDE COMMUNITY AWARD At the age of 12, Harry began helping in the publicity and promotions department for Warner Brothers by rolling movie posters. He moved to San Francisco in 1989 and began a career doing publicity and promotions for the motion picture industry. He met Allen Eggman, his husband of 22 years, in 1993. During the summer of 1995 they started Lazy Bear Weekend at the Russian River and have raised over $1.5 million dollars for various charities during its 19 year history. They have recently relocated to Florida.

I am honored that the SF Pride Committee feels that I am deserving of this recognition. Like everything in life, you get back what you put into it. Many people have contributed to my fundraising efforts. My efforts also saved my life. After years of fundraising for the community, I was in need myself. I had a stroke while in Cancun, and the Community raised enough money to fly me home. I am proud and thankful for this honor.

LIT

17

MAYORAL AWARD TITA AIDA / NIKKI CALMA TEDDY WITHERINGTON AWARD

Tita Aida has been a familiar name to the Bay Area for the past twenty years, known as a tireless and proud transgender community leader in the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQI community and the greater LGBTQI of the Bay Area. Her grassroots activism and advocacy spearheaded initiatives and programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the A&PI LGBT community. Tita was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to be the first transgender member serving on the Commission on the Status of Women. She has also produced events that mobilized the transgender community and raised significant support for various organizations, including the Transgender Law Center, AIDS Housing Alliance and A&PI Wellness Center. Currently, Tita manages the A&PI Wellness Center’s TRANS:THRIVE Program, a drop-in center that is dedicated to helping the transgender community succeed in San Francisco. Awards received include the George Choy Community Award fom GAPA, KQED’s Pride Unsung Hero Award, the Transgender Law Center’s Vanguard Award, the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center’s Grassroots Award, and the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club’s Bill Krauss HIV/ AIDS Activism Award.

AIDA/CALMA

I have always admired Teddy Witherington! I am honored and excited to accept this recognition. It will serve as an inspiration to continue what I enjoy doing, working with the various communities I identify with.

MARGARITA WITH A TWIST

Enjoy Responsibly

TOTES DELISH!

© 2014 Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita® and Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita® Flavored Malt Beverages, St. Louis, MO

Brand: BLL RAZ

Closing Date: 6/4/14

Trim: 7.75" x 5"

19

20

ORGANIZATIONAL GRAND MARSHAL TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER PUBLIC POLL | COMMUNITY CHOICE

Transgender Law Center changes law, policy and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Since its founding in San Francisco in 2002, TLC has provided legal information to 17,000 transgender people and their families. As the Nation’s largest trans-led organization, TLC is a leading voice in national transgender advocacy. Rooted in racial and economic justice values, TLC secures groundbreaking victories in the Bay Area and beyond. [ transgenderlawcenter.org ]

Transgender Law Center is humbled and excited to represent the transgender and gender nonconforming community at SF Pride this year as the Organizational Grand Marshal. Our selection reflects the critical moment we are in: 2015 has been a year of unprecedented visibility for the transgender community in everything from media coverage to the President’s State of the Union address, and yet it has already been a year of epidemic levels of violence targeting our community and transgender women of color in particular. We are honored that, at this critical time, the community is recognizing our role and our work to create a world where all people can live as their authentic selves.

EVERY NIGHT HAS POTENTIAL

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

©2013 A-B, Bud Light® Platinum Lager (Ale in OR & TX), St. Louis, MO

Brand: Bud Light Platinum

Closing Date 6.4.14

Trim: 7.75x5

PA

AE

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT GRAND MARSHAL FELICIA ELIZONDO

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT GRAND MARSHAL Felicia A. Elizondo, also known as Felicia Flames, calls herself a Screaming Queen, pioneer, legend, icon and diva. A 28-year survivor of HIV, she is also a Vietnam veteran. Born July 23, 1946, in San Angelo, Texas, her activism started the day she was born, fighting all her life for who she was meant to be - from being harassed, having kids make fun of her, to being molested, beaten up, raped and thrown in jail. Felicia first came to San Francisco in 1963, changed her sex in 1974 and moved here in 1993. She worked for SF AIDS Foundation, Project Open Hand, Shanti and SF LGBT Community Center. Felicia started raising money for AIDS and organizations such as the Aris Project, the Names Project, Project Open Hand, Shanti, SF AIDS Walk, Tenderloin Tessie Dinners and a lot more.

I am excited, overwhelmed and especially honored, that I am go to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award 2015. I want to thank the SF Pride Board Directors. Wow! I have been waiting for years to get honored. I have arrived! Thank you to all. My life and my historic background has paid off. Making sure our LGBT history is never forgotten. To continue the fight, always.

To us, science is personal.

At Genentech, we’re passionate about finding solutions for people facing the world’s most difficultto-treat conditions. That’s why we use cutting-edge science to create and deliver innovative medicines around the globe. To us, science is personal.

ELIZONDO

Support equality

Find out more at gene.com

RecologySF.com

Dan, patient

Your local, employee-owned recycling company

21

Every year, another 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with HIV.

TOGETHER WE CAN HELP STOP THE VIRUS.

Gilead proudly supports San Francisco Pride 2015.

LET’S GET STARTED

HelpStopTheVirus.com

© 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1986 05/15

At Joie de Vivre Hotels, we believe in community shaped by diversity and unapologetic be-yourselfness. Hotels with a sense of place, places with a sense of pride, and a warm welcome for everyone who comes through our door.

Join us as Pride takes the West Coast this summer, and beyond.

jdvhotels.com |

@JDVHotels | #JDVHOTELS

PINK BRICK RECIPIENT

25

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION PUBLIC POLL | COMMUNITY CHOICE

The Pink Brick is symbolic of the first brick hurled in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. This faux award is an opportunity to highlight an individual or organization that has done significant harm to the LGBT community. It is also an opportunity to educate the community and the Pink Brick recipient about relevant issues.

Since 1977, the former National Federation of Decency has been on their self-determined “front lines of America’s culture war” as stated on the website of the American Family Association. “Her moral foundation is slipping,” they say, as they try to be the champions of Christian activism and fulfill the “Great Commission” in the world.

Though elected by the majority of over 7,000 community votes in SF Pride’s public poll for this dubious honor back in March, the AFA has recently become newsworthy for two issues. Their homegrown radio talk show host and sometimes Fox News Channel contributor, Sandy Rios, told the nation that the Amtrak engineer involved in the recent derailment accident outside Philadelphia was gay, which was a possible factor for the crash. She further suggests liberals and queers are all mired in darkness and evil, as we listen to the devil.

In mid-May, the AFA launched a petition to rescind the Girl Scouts of America’s four-year-old policy of welcoming transgender girls. Their fear is that the GSA’s admittance of “boys in make-up and skirts” will put innocent girls at risk. The rhetoric conveniently ignores the fact that not one single incident has arisen since the policy was put into place in 2011.

With about two million online supporters, 180,000 subscribers to its journal, and over 200 radio stations, the AFA’s reach is far. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a watchdog organization monitoring hate groups, listed them as a threat in November 2010 for demonizing propaganda against LGBTQI people. Rather than preach tolerance as a Christian organization, they preach intolerance and condemn homosexuality at every turn. [ afa.net ]

©2013 Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light Lime® Flavored Beer, St. Louis, MO

Brand: Bud Light Lime

Closing Date: 6/4/14

Trim: 7.75" x 5"

26

SATURDAY MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINERS Join us Saturday as we celebrate a diverse and colorful cross-section of parties, events and shows in San Francisco.

ASIASF • CABARET / CONTEMPORARY DANCE

MOONLIGHTING SF • VARIETY

The world famous ladies of AsiaSF are San Francisco icons. They have graced the Red Dragon Runway at AsiaSF’s cabaret dinnershow at the corner of 9th and Howard Streets for 17 years. These transgender superstars entertain thousands of guests from all over the world each year. They have been featured on MTV and Telemundo and they are set to star in their own docuseries, Transcendent, this fall on the Fuse Network. [ asiasf.com ]

Moonlighting SF is an antidote for the soul, a medicine created to instigate fun and feelgoodness. Moonlighting SF is a live variety show bringing you an outrageously hilarious and uplifting night out in San Francisco. Home of the :60 Dance Party and Just the Tip by Wells Day, we’re bringing back the old school variety show while adding a twist of modern edge, wit and glamour. Performances have included singing, dancing, comedy, belly dancing, beatboxing, burlesque, cooking demonstrations and more! [ moonlightingsf.com ]

GO BANG! • DISCO / HOUSE

ASIASF

Go BANG! has been discoing since November 2008! We are a queer-mixed disco party going on strong for over six years, with our home at the legendary Stud Bar in SOMA! We like to say that we’re all about atomic dancefloor disco action!! The goal of Go BANG! is to bring everyone together to dance, smile and hug in a mixed, diverse, sweaty, exciting environment with a nod to the freedom of the ‘70s and‘80s San Francisco-New York-Chicago disco nightlife. [ soundcloud.com/go-bang ]

SWITCH SF • NIGHTLIFE / QUEER DANCE DJ Jenna Riot and DJ Andre present Switch SF, a queer girl dance party every Tuesday at Qbar. [ switchtuesdayssf.com ] For more information on the Main Stage performers visit: sfpride.org/celebration/main-stage

photo: Brian Kitts

VISIT THE CASTRO Thanks to your tremendous support of HRC’s San Francisco store, we are proud to give back to our local community, The Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, The GLBT History Museum, LYRIC, Under One Roof and The Trevor Project.

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN SAN FRANCISCO

ACTION CENTER AND STORE

575 CASTRO STREET | 415-431-2200 AMERICA’S LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ACHIEVE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER EQUALITY

VIP PARTY AT CITY HALL ENTERTAINERS JASON BROCK Jason Brock is a television, film and stage star. He was seen in homes all over the world as a finalist on The X-Factor singing songs like “New York State of Mind.” Jason starred in the film Love is not Enough, and has played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Boxcar Theatre, a demented flower girl in Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge at Magic Theatre, and Frank ‘N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show with Peaches Christ. Jason began his San Francisco career singing jazz, pop and R&B tunes at Martuni’s Piano Bar. You can find his latest singles on iTunes. [ jasonbrock.info ]

DARK GARDEN UNIQUE CORSETRY Established in 1989, Dark Garden Unique Corsetry has been based in San Francisco since 1992. Whether sexy leather, sparkly drag, or classy wedding attire, Dark Garden has been cinching and supporting the LGBT community from the start. [ darkgarden.com ]

EXTRA ACTION MARCHING BAND Founded in 1999 by Simon Cheffens, this Bay Area institution has been crashing parties, invading bars and blowing minds with its signature punk-meets-Sousa bombast for years. [ extra-action.com ]

SERGIO FEDASZ + SYNTHETIGERS Sergio Fedasz started his Go BANG! party over six years ago. In 2015 Sergio was the Official Imperial DJ for the Imperial Court of San Francisco’s 50th Anniversary Gala events. Go BANG! was voted 2015’s Best Monthly Nightlife Event by the readers of the Bay Area Reporter/ BARtab. He presents the spectrum of dance music - disco, house, funk, jazz, boogie and more - while preserving and paying respect to the vibe of the legendary clubs of disco’s golden age. [ soundcloud.com/sergioaudio ]

27

MONIQUE JENKINSON Fauxnique is the drag queen alter-ego of artist Monique Jenkinson. Lauded for her “campy, intellectual juxtaposition of pop culture and high art,” she performs locally and internationally. She made herstory as the first cis-woman to win a major drag pageant, was a 2012 Fellow at the de Young, a GOLDIE winner, SF Weekly’s Best Performance Artist (2010) and one of 7X7’s Hot 20. [ fauxnique.net ]

THE MONSTER SHOW The Monster Show, founded by Cookie Dough and DJ MC2, continues every Thursday at the Edge with hostesses Sue Casa, Sugah Betes and Roxy Cotten Candy. A mix of punk rock aesthetics and pop music, the show has been a true staple of San Francisco for 10 years. [ cookievision.com ] Sunday, June 28, 2:00 to 5:00 PM at San Francisco City Hall Tickets and information: sfpride.org/vip

presented by

JUNE 26, 8 P.M. JUNE 27, 3 P.M. + 8 P.M. NOURSE THEATER

THE SING-ALONG

TICKETS: SFGMC.ORG OR (415) 392-4400 SEASON 37 SPONSORED BY

THE OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF SFGMC

28

SUNDAY MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINERS The Main Stage offers an exciting mix of world-renowned performers and the best of local Bay Area entertainment.

BAAITS • PERFORMANCE ART The Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits is a Native American society that promotes the artist expression of Two-Spirit (Native LBGTQI People).

BAAIT-S exists to restore and recover the role of Two-Spirit people within the Native American / First Nations community by creating a forum for the spiritual, cultural and artistic. [ baaits.org ]

BIG FREEDIA • BOUNCE / HIP-HOP BIG FREEDIA

Big Freedia, the Queen Diva, is a New Orleansbased emcee, performer, twerker extraordinaire and ambassador of bounce music. A vibrant twist on hip-hop, bounce is characterized by call-andresponse lyrics over hyper frenetic beats (usually over the “Triggerman” beat). Acts like DJ Jubilee, Katy Red and Big Freedia have been running the club scene in New Orleans for over two decades.

Now, Big Freedia - the Queen of Bounce - is bringing the movement worldwide. [ bigfreedia.com ]

CHEER SAN FRANCISCO • CHEER

ESG

CHEER San Francisco is celebrating 35 years of fabulousness and volunteerism! Since 1980, CHEER SF has been thrilling crowds around the world with its unique brand of high energy routines.

The have raised more than $300,000 to date, assisting people with life-challenging conditions such as HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Dedicated to a philanthropic mission, this all-volunteer squad appeared in the Top 48 on America’s Got Talent: Season 5 and also performed in last year’s SF Giants World Series Victory Parade. This year, in honor of SF Pride’s Equality Without Exception celebration, CHEER SF is joined by its network of charitable cheerleading squads in the Pride Cheerleading Association. [ cheersf.org ]

ESG • DANCE MUSIC

image: shawn adeli

STEVE GRAND

Hailing from the Bronx, ESG was formed at the start of hip-hop and became the most sampled group ever among contemporaries such as Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Marley Marl and Grandmaster Flash. ESG is the only group to play at the opening night of Manchester’s legendary Hacienda and the closing night of New York’s equally legendary Paradise Garage where they shared the night with Larry Levan! Their sparse, raw, percussion-led sound continues to inspire and influence new generations. ESG thanks their fans for 38 years of fantastic support.

THE GLAMAZONS • POP The Glamazons - Tina Jensen, Megan Allen, Emma Craig and Kenya Morris - are strong, sexy, MIKE MUNICH

curvaceous songstresses traveling the world promoting body positivity while busting out their signature dance moves. Featured on Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and PIX11, highlights include headlining The 40th Annual NYC Village Halloween Parade (PIX11), Full Figured Fashion Week, the original LGBT EXPO in NYC, and recording the original song “Hot Mess” with Sherry Vine and Bianca Del Rio. You can now hear The Glamazons on the radio with their first single, “Movie Star.” [ theglamazons.com ]

GLIDE ENSEMBLE & CHANGE BAND • GOSPEL The GLIDE Ensemble was started by Reverend Cecil Williams in the mid-1960s with only ten singers and band members, and today has grown to include more than 100 voices and eight musicians. For nearly 50 years the GLIDE Ensemble has brought audiences to their feet with a powerful, unique and inspiring mix of spiritual, gospel, jazz, blues, pop and soul. The GLIDE Ensemble continues to uplift standing room only audiences every Sunday at GLIDE Memorial Church, 330 Ellis Street. [ glide.org ]

STEVE GRAND • POP / ROCK Not long ago, Steve Grand was a little-known Chicago singer-songwriter. That changed when his “All-American Boy” video posted to YouTube.

The song - about unrequited love between two men - went viral, accumulating four million views, and led to his first full-length album All American Boy, released in March, 2015. It hit #3 on the Independent Artist Chart and reached #5 on the iTunes Pop Chart. Steve is touring across the country in support of his album. [ stevegrand.com ]

LADY BUNNY • MUSIC / COMEDY Best known for organizing NYC’s legendary Wigstock Festival of Drag, Bunny has also appeared as the Dean Of Drag on RuPaul’s Drag U and on Sex and The City, Bravo’s Watch What Happens, HBO’s The Out List and movies like To Wong Foo. Her mouth is as big as her giant wigs and she performs raunchy comedy like no other!

LIAM MAYCLEM • EMCEE Liam is an out and proud Emmy Award-winning host and a producer for CBS5’s Eye on The Bay, Saturdays at 7:00 PM on CBS Bay Area, and is the Foodie Chap on KCBS radio. A pioneer of LGBT broadcasting, Liam produced LIVE105’s Hibernia Beach radio show (1994/5) and produced QTV (1995-1998). Liam’s other main passion is

Morning Gloryville is an immersive morning dance experience for those who dare to challenge morning culture and start their day in style! They are on a soul-shaking mission to turn clubbing upside down and transform mornings into something truly remarkable and you’re invited. Join this global rave-olution and boogie with us first thing in the morning! [ morninggloryville.com ]

MIKE MUNICH • POP / DANCE Mike Munich’s talents as a singer, dancer and model make him a triple threat to watch in the pop music world. He moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a dance career, but it wasn’t long before his curiosity and talents led him to modeling, acting and, his true passion, music. Mike has shared the stage with some of today’s biggest superstars including Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Christina Aguilera, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Beyonce, and even a Spice Girl. Mike’s sound has been described as a “delicious slice of catchy electro pop ... think a male Robyn meets Natalia Kills” (GayTimes UK). [ mikemunich.com ]

DJ MYSTIC BILL & NOEL LEON • HOUSE / TECHNO Mystic Bill & Noel Leon DJ and host some of the most underground events and gay happenings in Miami, with parties like Fresh Meat Miami and places like The Palace, to a new venture called “The Rear.” They are bringing the heat to this year’s SF Pride main stage so get ready for this special performance. [ soundcloud.com/mysticbill ]

KAT ROBICHAUD • ROCK / GLAM As great as her songs about love and heartbreak are, Kat is at her best when railing against gender inequality, tackling pervasive double-standards and archaic perceptions of beauty. “[Her latest album is] vitriolic, cathartic and funny and just one reason among many why you need to listen to Kat Robichaud.” (Nicholas Schneider, The Bay Bridged) A San Francisco native, Kat has had the pleasure of performing with Sara Bareilles, Ceelo Green, Postmodern Jukebox and Amanda Palmer. [ katrobichaud.com ]

Sexitude™ is a body-positive, age-positive, sexpositive dance experience, created by D’Arcy Drollinger. Sexitude combines elements of street jazz, funk, hip-hop, video dance and classic bump-n-grind – wowing audiences throughout the Bay Area with their sex appeal, attitude and rag-tag brand of dirty dancing. Werk a look!

Break a sweat! Be fabulous! That is how we can change the world! [ sexitude.com ]

SIYA • RAP / HIP-HOP In 2014, Siya became the breakout star of Sisterhood of Hip-Hop, an American reality television series on Oxygen, starring five female rappers who “navigate their way through the male-dominated music industry.” The show is executive produced by rapper, T.I. and Cris Abrego. Most recently, Siya was cast by Flavor Unit Entertainment, founded by Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere, for a role in their upcoming movie starring Larenz Tate, Meagan Good and Lance Gross. [ damnsiya.com ]

image: petersamuels.com

MORNING GLORYVILLE • DANCE

SEXITUDE • DANCE

KAT ROBICHAUD

KRYSTLE WARREN • SOUL / FOLK Whether it’s performing with her ever-growing ensemble (The Faculty), touring with and opening up for her buddy Rufus Wainwright, or collaborating with the dance movement of Hercules and Love Affair, Krystle Warren is a force to be reckoned with. This year sees the U.S. release of her double-album-opus-to-love, “Love Songs,” a live recording featuring twenty-eight musicians. [ krystlewarren.com ]

SEXITUDE

WELL-STRUNG • POP / CLASSICAL Well-Strung has quickly gained international attention for their unique mash-up of string quartet and boy band. The quartet features classical musicians who sing putting their own spin on the music of Mozart, Beethoven, U2, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Madonna and more. Well-Strung stars Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (viola). The group was conceived

by Mark Cortale and Christopher Marchant. Their new show Summer Lovin, directed by Richard JayAlexander, will premiere in Provincetown at The Art House this summer. Their second CD entitled “POPssical” is scheduled for an early fall release. [ well-strung.com ]

SIYA

image: manu noyon

fundraising. As a benefit auctioneer and emcee for more than 300 events, Liam has helped raise millions of dollars for many organizations.

(GLAAD, SF CASA, SF AIDS Foundation). He will be seen as a correspondent on World Access on Travel Channel beginning September, 2015. [ facebook.com/foodiechap ]

For more information on the Main Stage performers visit: sfpride.org/celebration/main-stage KRYSTLE WARREN

30

COMMUNITY STAGES

SATURDAY ONLY: BENCH AND BAR & CLUB 21 INTERNATIONAL STAGE The International Stage at the corner of Grove Street and Van Ness Avenue is produced by the team at the Club 21 and Club BNB, both of which are located in Oakland just 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco by car or a quick ten minute BART ride (19th Street Station). They are two of the largest Latin & hip-hop nightclubs in Northern California, which makes them a perfect fit to produce one of the most visited stages on Pride weekend. The stage features some of the sexiest go-go dancers, performances, contest and DJs. Interested in go-go dancing or performing on the stage? Contact our stage manager Valentino of Valentino Presents, marketing director for both Clubs at valentine@bench-and-bar. com for more information. Download the Club 21 Oakland app in the iTunes app store under Club 21 Oakland or text the word partyboy to 46786. [ bench-and-bar.com | club21oakland.com ]

SATURDAY | SUNDAY:

and enjoy the amazing Pride celebration. Rapid, confidential HIV testing will be available again this year. jfountain@larkinstreetyouth.org AFZ

SOBERFEST 2015: KEEPIN’ SOBER SEXY Soberfest 2015 is produced by Castro Country Club at UN Plaza in the middle of the Pride festival on both Saturday and Sunday. Join the fun and fellowship at Soberfest (formerly Sober Stage) with DJ dancing, go-go dancers, live performance and a 12-Step Picnic Meeting on both days. With support from lead sponsor Foundations/San Francisco and from Event Magic, Saturday’s Soberfest will feature an afternoon T-Dance and Sunday’s Soberfest will include the Mascara Show hosted by Somoa That, Miss Castro Country Club 2015. Watch for the Castro Country Club contingent in the Parade! Bring a newcomer! Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, the Castro Country Club is a clean and sober gathering place for all people and a home for the queer recovery community. We endeavor to be a space where all can seek wisdom, serenity, courage and joy. Since April 1983, the Castro Country Club has been a safe haven for LGBT people in recovery from drugs and alcohol. [ castrocountryclub.org ]

CHEER SF STAGE Are you looking to be wowed by high-flying stunts and high-energy dance routines? Then the fifth annual CHEER SF Stage is the place for you! CHEER San Francisco, along with fellow squads in the philanthropic Pride Cheerleading Association, will be performing all weekend for your entertainment.

Donations will benefit the AIDS Housing Alliance/SF. [ cheersf.org ]

DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING GATHERING SPACE We offer deaf, deafened, deaf-blind and hard-ofhearing attendees a chance to celebrate their Pride together. Our tent is located near the Main Stage and provides a place to socialize, enjoy the entertainment and exchange information regarding accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. SLI

THE MARRIAGE PAVILION Get engaged for marriage equality with Marriage Equality USA. Discover what you can do in your local area to make marriage equality a reality in all 50 states and learn more about how together we can win full equality nationwide. Couples can get married, publicly pledge your love and renew your vows, or simply take a picture together with San Francisco City Hall - where marriages were first performed 10 years ago - as the historic backdrop. [ marriageequality.org ]

QUEER YOUTH SPACE Hosted by Larkin Street Youth Services and located on Civic Center Plaza, the Queer Youth Space is a drug-alcohol-smoke-free area where all queer youth and their allies can grab a snack, a drink, play games and win prizes, or just hang out in a safe space

SUNDAY ONLY: GRAY PRIDE: 60+ SPACE Presented by Institute on Aging (IOA) and On Lok Lifeways. Partnering to serve LGBT seniors and older adults. IOA and On Lok are dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique issues facing the LGBT community. IOA’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for adults as they age by enabling them to maintain their health, well-being, independence and participation in the community. IOA fulfills this mission for a diverse community by developing and providing innovative programs in health, social sciences, creative arts and community and professional education. On Lok Lifeways is a fully-integrated and licensed health plan celebrating over forty years of service to Bay Area seniors. On Lok Lifeways helps older adults maintain their independence, providing all necessary primary and specialty medical care, adult day health care, in-home health and personal care, transportation, physical rehabilitation, recreation therapy, case management and social work services so seniors can continue to live in the communities they know and love. [ ioaging.org | onlok.org ]

ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY PRIDE STAGE & PAVILION A&PI Wellness Center and the A&PI LGBT Pride Council are proud to present the Asian & Pacific Islander Stage & Pavilion. This venue serves as home to A&PI LGBTs, performers and artists, and has been billed as one of the “most anticipated venues during SF Pride.” The A&PI Pavilion is anchor to various A&PI LGBT organizations such as GAPA, A&PI Equality and others. HIV Testing will be available throughout the

day (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and results will be ready in twenty minutes. For trans folks, you may qualify to get a $20.00 VISA Gift Card. Come check it out! Located at Polk and Golden Gate Streets. Performances run 12:00 to 6:00 PM. [ apiwellness.org | apilgbtpride.com ]

ACCESSIBILITY PAVILION The Accessibility Pavilion is place to escape the madness of the day and rejuvenate. Volunteers will mange this area, which offers some much needed rest and relaxation inside. The Accessibility Pavilion provides shade, rest, friendship and more to people with accessibility needs.

LEFT MAGAZINE DANCE MUSIC CELEBRATION AREA A floor-stomping, hand-clapping, house music celebration featuring some of San Francisco’s most recognizable names and guests from around the world.

DJ Hawthorne serves up an unforgettable afternoon of music and fun! [ facebook.com/djhawthorne ]

THE LGBTQ FAMILY GARDEN The LGBTQ Family Garden is a fun and safe space for LGBTQ families to gather and relax. Activities in the Family Garden will include an arts & crafts building project led by the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a family martial arts demonstration by Heart of San Francisco Aikido, face painting, fresh juice drinks, healthy snacks and prizes! The Family Garden is sponsored by Our Family Coalition, a local organization on a mission to advance equity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer families with children through support, education and advocacy. You can march with our contingent in the parade, or you can join us at the Family Garden at the playground on the corner of Larkin and Grove. [ shareena@ourfamily.org ]

FAERIE FREEDOM VILLAGE The Radical Faeries offer an oasis of spirituality, art, music and love. A commercial-free, chill-out zone with live cabaret, performance art, deejays, visual art, magic, rituals, transformations and transfigurations.

Relax and connect with one another and with nature, in the special ways of faeries. Bring things to share: food, drink, art, drums, drag, an open heart and an open mind.

HOMO HIP-HOP STAGE The summer is here so come show your pride with us at the Homo Hip-Hop Stage. This stage brings everyone together in celebration with pride, respect, full of peace, love, happiness and joy. Produced by DJ Rapture/Get Ur Life Productions you are expected to receive live, raw talent from the Get Ur Life Productions DJs, along with Jason Mitchell, Casablanca and many more. They will bring your experience to life, helping you dance in celebration will be the Get Ur Life Dance Team and Unique Diversity. Come and embrace this experience with us.

INDIE OASIS STAGE Come together as one! Pride’s Indie Oasis returns.

It’s the place at Pride for indie kids of all genders, orientations (musical and otherwise) and ages. [ indieoasis.org ]

CLUB PAPI LATIN STAGE AT STEAMWORKS PAVILION PRESENTED BY MUNDO FOXS Club Papi, Faces Nightclub and Steamworks are excited to present the 18th Annual MundoFox 38 Latin Stage at SF Pride. This year, we are pleased to announce headline acts Los Horoscopos De Durango (see bottom right photo) direct from Chicago and the amazing cumbia band Sonora Tropicana from Los Angeles! Join this caliente Latin fiesta at Pride with America’s hottest Latin go-go boyz and girlz, along with the West Coast’s top DJs. Ain’t no party like a Papi party at Pride!! [ clubpapi.com ]

LEATHER ALLEY Does leather, BDSM, kink, fetish, gear, or motorcycles get you hot or entice you? Want to learn more and connect with others like you? Join us at Leather Alley for kink, leather, fetish, gear and motorcycle enthusiasts. See hands-on demonstrations. Talk with experienced players. Discover yourself. Have fun.

Find clubs and events to continue the adventure. A Leather Alliance project. [ leatheralliance.org ] SLI

SONIC REDUCER STAGE The Sonic Reducer Stage is Pride’s venue for cutting edge electro and new wave, featuring DJs Donimo and Tomas Diablo.

THE TANTRA UNDERGROUND DANCE MUSIC STAGE A showcase of San Francisco underground dance music is brought to you by the same crew who rock Pink Saturday, the How Weird Street Faire and Lovevolution. Tantra stage will bring you banging house and electro, building up to a peak of high energy trance. If you are looking for the tribal trance dance experience, check us out.

TRANSGENDER PAVILION The Trangender Pavilion is a wonderful venue for the transgender community located in the northwest quad of Civic Center Plaza. A welcoming space for FTMs, MTFs, genderqueer/variant folks to come together and celebrate Pride.

D. WOODS

WOMEN’S STAGE The Women’s Stage, formerly NectArena, is the evolution and celebration of lesbian-focused entertainment at SF Pride. Join us for a dynamic arena of fun, games and sexy performances all designed to entertain, build community and empower all who come out to join the festivities. McAllister Street (between Hyde and Leavenworth). SLI

SLI = SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AFZ = ALCOHOL FREE ZONEº

JULIAN WALKER

SUNDANCE COUNTRY-WESTERN DANCE CORRAL Whether it’s two-step, line dance, waltz or swing, country-western dancing is popular in the queer community all around the world. Today’s country dancing is fun, romantic, wild, sexy and free-spirited.

The country-western dance floor is produced by the Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing, an all volunteer, nonprofit organization that promotes country-western dancing in the gay and lesbian community. [ sundancesaloon.org ]

SOUL OF PRIDE The Soul of Pride Stage and Village will host many amazing artists, legendary DJs, dancers, MCs and local vendors as we celebrate 15 years of Pride! This year we have the pleasure of featuring performances

by D. Woods and Julian Walker (see top and center right photos), two stars from the feature film Blackbird, a Black gay-themed film directed

by Patrik-Ian Polk and based on Larry Duplechan’s iconic novel. Big Freedia, Princeton, Nina Ross, Momma’s Boyz, Ms. Lana, Mario B and more close out our stage party in colorful style. Come join our global community of Pride! Please join us at our stage located at the corner of Polk and Goodlett Streets. [ soulofpride.com ]

LOS HOROSCOPOS DE DURANGO

ESCAPE TO A TIME OF GRACIOUS SERVICE AND CHARM HOTEL WHITCOMB is a masterpiece of early 20th-century architecture and decor

located in the heart of the theater and arts district and only minutes from some of San Francisco’s most famous attractions. Amenities include: • 448 guestrooms and 12 themed suites • Free Wi-Fi in guest rooms and public space

• Convenient access to Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Asian Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Ballet, Symphony and Opera, Orpheum Theater, Moscone Center and Union Square • BART/Muni and historic F-Line trolley at the front steps of the hotel

1231 MARKET STREET ★ ★ ★ SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 GROUP SALES: 415-487-4460 ★ ★ ★ RESERVATIONS: 800-227-4747

WWW. HOTELWHITCOMB. COM

THE NEW WAVE OF ANTI-LGBT “RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE” LAWS

33

image: greg kendall-ball

BY CHRISTOPHER STOLL, ESQ., NCLR SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY

Even as we anticipate a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could bring the freedom to marry to same-sex couples across the country, already we are seeing the right wing’s latest tactic in their never-ending battle to hold back the tide of progress and overturn the LGBT movement’s hard-fought victories.

Strong majorities from across the political spectrum and in every region of the country support marriage for same-sex couples and oppose discrimination against LGBT people, but too many politicians don’t seem to have gotten the message. In state after state, right-wing state legislators and governors are lashing back at our success by trying to pass controversial “right-todiscriminate” laws that would erode protections against discrimination for LGBT people.

This year alone, hundreds of anti-LGBT bills have been introduced in over a dozen state legislatures, from California to Florida to Michigan. The bills cover a broad range of issues. Some would allow county clerks and other government officials to refuse to issue marriage licenses or perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. Others would allow adoption agencies to refuse to place children with LGBT people. Still others would allow businesses or religious organizations to refuse to sell goods and services to same-sex couples celebrating a wedding, or even to refuse to recognize such couples as legally married for purposes of spousal employment benefits.

The new bills also include state legislation that would permit any business or employer to discriminate against LGBT people for religious reasons. Although these so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts” are modeled in part on a federal law protecting religious believers, they differ from the federal law in important ways that show their true purpose is to permit employers, landlords, and merchants to discriminate against LGBT people, as well as women, AfricanAmericans, Latinos and others. Unlike the federal law, these new bills are not limited to preventing the government from trampling on the religious liberty of individuals, such as by denying prisoners the right to worship. Rather, for the first time in our nation’s history, these laws would apply to private lawsuits seeking to enforce anti-discrimination laws.

Under the guise of religious freedom, these laws would leave LGBT people vulnerable to losing their jobs or being kicked out of their homes if their boss or landlord claims his religious beliefs do not permit him to employ or rent to a gay or transgender person.

Earlier this year, this new wave of “religious freedom” laws drew a national spotlight when Republican Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed into law a bill that would have permitted businesses to use religion as a weapon to discriminate. The law inspired a national outcry that united the business community, LGBT leaders and organizations, and grassroots activists inside and outside the state. The new law made Indiana a national symbol of antiLGBT discrimination. Under intense pressure, Governor Pence was forced to sign additional legislation stating that the religious freedom act could not be used to justify discrimination.

The Indiana controversy propelled the LGBT movement to further success fighting anti-LGBT bills in other states. Republican Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that he would sign that state’s proposed religious freedom law only if it mirrored federal law and did not permit the law to be used to defend discrimination. Anti-LGBT bills died in Florida, Oklahoma, and Mississippi.

Despite these successes, anti-LGBT bills continue to advance in many states, and anti-LGBT politicians and their allies at right-wing organizations continue to push for them. Just weeks before the Indiana controversy, Arkansas joined Tennessee in sneaking through the legislature a law that forbids local governments from establishing antidiscrimination protections for LGBT people. Not long after, Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal vocally reaffirmed his commitment to sign anti-LGBT “religious freedom” legislation being considered by the legislature in that state. And despite the success in Indiana, LGBT people in that state and 27 others still have no explicit statewide legal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations.

The experience in Indiana shows that we can defeat the new wave of antiLGBT legislation if we remain united and committed to exposing these “right to discriminate” bills. We know that when ordinary, fair-minded people are told what these bills really do, they don’t support them. But our far-right opponents are not going away, and we can be sure to see anti-LGBT bills introduced year after year in an effort to chip away at our equality. Securing the freedoms we have won and advancing equality across the country will require unwavering vigilance and dogged commitment from all of us.

10 years of “I Do�

Vancouver proudly celebrates marriage equality in Canada.

tourismvancouver.com/lgbt

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

BY ALICIA GARZA, 2015 COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL

35

#BlackLivesMatter is an organizing network, comprised of more than 23 chapters internationally, dedicated to the eradication of anti-black state sanctioned violence. We bring together all Black lives — Black immigrant lives, Black queer lives, Black transgendered lives, Black incarcerated and formerly incarcerated lives, Black women’s lives, Black poor lives, Black disabled lives — to work together across issues and ideologies to build a new freedom movement for the 21st century and beyond.

physical violence at Toad Hall, a popular nightclub, where they’d gone to protest the establishment’s racist practices, which include requiring Black patrons, particularly Black men, to have multiple forms of identification in order to gain entry. Though our City’s queer community embraces the popularity and widespread appeal of #BlackLivesMatter, do we also embrace the politics?

Do we fight to make sure that Black lives matter in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our homes, our schools and our entertainment venues?

If we want to create a world where Black lives matter, it means that we have to address the sanctity and quality of Black life in all aspects of our economy, democracy and society. #BlackLivesMatter is not solely focused on police violence, though this is an epidemic that is impacting our communities in tragic ways. Jobs and unemployment, education, health care, housing, HIV / AIDS, prisons and jails, and immigration reform are just a few of the areas we hope to impact.

My first Pride was in 2004, here in San Francisco. I remember asking myself where all the Black folks were. Not very many people looked like me. The following year, I moved to Oakland because I could no longer afford the cost of living in the City my father was raised in. San Francisco is losing Black families faster than any other major U.S. city outside of post-Katrina New Orleans, mostly due to the skyrocketing cost of living that has now surpassed Manhattan.

On the 45th anniversary of Pride in San Francisco, I am hopeful and I know we still have a long way to go. I’m hopeful in that this movement is showing the potential to transform the very landscape of this country. #BlackLivesMatter has become a kitchen table conversation, and tens of thousands of people around the world take action each day to rid ourselves of structural racism, once and for all. However, we still have a long way to go to eradicate structural racism and state sanctioned violence.

We must continue to do more to ensure that we eradicate racism, and that includes within the queer community. We cannot be complacent now that the Supreme Court may be set to recognize all families and all love as legitimate.

We have more work to do to ensure that all families, that all people, have the right to live a dignified life, free of poverty and oppression. We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.

After the non-indictments of Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Daniel Pantaleo for the murder of Eric Garner in New York City, a group of queer #BlackLivesMatter demonstrators took to the streets in San Francisco’s Castro district. They were harassed and endured

COME Hear ALICIA GARZA speak ON THE Main Stage AT PRIDE ON SUNDAY, June 28.

36

#MYPRIDE

BY MICHELLE MEOW SINBANDITH

The #MyPride video campaign was launched by the Development Committee (co-chaired by Michelle Meow Sinbandith and Justin Taylor) of San Francisco Pride.

We wanted to tell our Pride stories to the community at large through a viral video campaign in hopes it will reach anyone around the world. #MyPride features short videos of members, board members, and staff of San Francisco Pride, plus grand marshals and honorees of this year’s celebration. When an LGBTQI person tells you what Pride means to them, you can’t help but cry and get emotional.

San Francisco Pride is celebrating its 45th anniversary. Every year, we see and meet people from around the world and it is incredible that so many more new friends join us to celebrate Pride. While this progress is amazing, it is still important to remind the world why we celebrate Pride.

Pride didn’t start as a celebration, though it might be easy to look at it that way. In fact, it started as a march in order to protest the injustice and police brutality our community faced, which most people know as the Stonewall Riots. San Francisco’s first march was in the Summer of 1970 on Polk Street and the “Hair Faeries,” led the way. Today, Pride has grown to include a parade of over 200 contingents, top main stage performances, over a dozen community stages, several independent events, and over 1.2 million participants. It is easy to get carried away and forget about why we’re celebrating! Pride is not just a party to us. It is our history, a symbol of our movement, a tradition, and a commemoration of our legacy. We should never forget that despite the outcome of the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges - a case that may find state bans on marriage equality to be unconstitutional - we are where we are today is because of how we lived yesterday.

Today, we are proud to stand with so many others on the right side of history as we celebrate significant progress in our work. As we continue to experience the rapid gains of equality and our movement, we also must still be vigilant in maintaining and retaining those gains. Telling our stories, talking about ourselves authentically, being out and proud — this will help fight against hate. I am very happy and honored to launch #MyPride in hopes that we can continue to share our stories and our authentic lives with everyone. We may be celebrating 45 years in San Francisco, but somewhere around the world, someone is celebrating their first Pride ever.

Please join us and share your story by uploading a video to #MyPride. Visit sfpride.org to view videos produced for the project.

Ad Size: 3.75”

Ad Size: 5”

Stream loud.

Watch proud.

Be an original. #SeeWhatsNext

FINDING A NEW PURPOSE FOR THE MIRROR

37

BY BELO CIPRIANI, 2015 COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL

Looking good is all about feeling good, and I was feeling great one San Francisco night when I ran into some childhood friends. My enthusiastic greetings were met with icy glances and cold words. Our meeting quickly went sour and they began to beat me. My face was their primary target, and each strike left me more hurt and confused. Bleeding and blinded, I was abandoned on the cement.

I went through numerous surgeries and even temporarily gained my vision back, but blindness won the battle. I spent the first couple of months questioning everything I knew, including my looks. It’s a sad state of affairs that Hollywood never portrays the blind as being beautiful. Thus, I assumed I had become ugly as well.

THE END OF THE LOOKING GLASS’S POWER Mirrors really started to drive me nuts after I’d been blind for about a year; their cold glass mocking me each time I ran my fingers over the smooth surface. I felt their presence everywhere. For twenty-six years, mirrors had taught me how to pose for pictures, smile, and style my hair. Now their lack of utility made me feel incredibly insecure. Eventually, I did learn how to groom myself without the aid of the unreliable glass villain, but my insecurity about my appearance was still an issue.

The turning point came after a night of dancing. I patted my freshly washed face dry and then positioned my head toward where I knew the large mounted mirror floated above the sink. It occurred to me that I had the power to get rid of every last mirror in my home. But, I quickly realized how inconvenient that would be for my friends and family. So instead, I decided to recondition how I use mirrors by giving them a new purpose — one that would erase my negative feelings. I would compliment myself whenever I knew I was near a mirror.

I use mirrors to remind myself of the qualities that exist within me. People who are blind may not make it on to the covers of mainstream magazines, but my constant affirmations have helped me ditch my feelings of inadequacy.

A REMINDER OF YOUR AFFIRMATIONS It’s important to unplug from our visual-centric world every now and then. I’m not saying you should ignore the desire to glance at yourself in the mirror, but you also need to remind yourself of the non-visual qualities you possess. For the sake of balance, the best antidote for fighting low self-esteem is a compliment that’s made up of both physical and personality traits.

Here are some tips I’ve found helpful: 1.

CLOSE YOUR EYES. Sometimes, judging your image doesn’t stop when you step away from the mirror. You might continue to contrast your appearance with people you encounter throughout the day. If this happens, just close your eyes for a few seconds, and remind yourself of the qualities you possess.

2.

CONQUER ALL SCREENS. Televisions, phones, and computer monitors are all just as bad as mirrors because, apart from their powers of reflection, they all show beautiful people that we admire. Don’t let feelings of inferiority well up around screens. Instead, opt to focus on things people have complimented you on.

3.

BEAT THE BATHROOM. Bathrooms are places where feelings of ugliness can creep up because our attention tends to veer towards our bodies, leading to instant judgment. If you feel this is about to happen, recite those positive things and compliments back to yourself.

4.

KEEP IT VARIED. Sometimes it helps to do three physical affirmations, compliment three things about your personality, or remember three good things you have done lately. Changing the pattern keeps you on your toes and constantly reminds you of who you are.

5.

COMPLIMENT YOURSELF, RAIN OR SHINE. Don’t just compliment yourself when you feel down. Focusing on positive attributes even on good days will really make you beam. And if somebody’s having a bad day and decides to take it out on you with a put-down, build yourself up again with an affirmation.

HELP YOURSELF, HELP A FRIEND This is something beautiful about everyone, whether it’s their shade of skin, hair color, the way they laugh, or how they knit a scarf. Helping a friend recognize his or her unique beauty will boost your confidence, too.

Because I know how critical people tend to be towards themselves when they’re around mirrors, I tend to give my friends compliments whenever I know we’re by one. And don’t worry about repeating a compliment; the repetition has an even stronger impact as it takes the shape of an affirmation.

Ultimately, if you don’t cheer for yourself, no one else will. We humans are social creatures and we feed off of others’ feelings and energy. If you commit to giving yourself at least one compliment per day, the people around you will start seeing the real you.

38

THE SPARKS THAT IGNITED 45 YEARS OF SF LGBT PRIDE

COMPILED BY MARSHA H. LEVINE, INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Three years before the catalyst ignited what many commonly refer to as the birth of the modern day LGBT rights movement, a revolution was sparked in San Francisco. Tired of the nightly police harassment they had been subjected to, a group of the young and marginalized put a call out to unite in the summer of 1966, and aided with big brooms, as the Vanguard, did a “clean sweep” protest of the Tenderloin.

Stating it was a “…demonstration indicating the willingness of society’s outcasts to work openly for an improvement in their own social-economic power…” they chanted as they swept, speaking out against discrimination. The Vanguard is considered to be the first gay liberation organization in the country.

JAMES BROUGHTON + HOLLY NEAR

As was happening in many major metropolitan cities nationwide, the police were actively targeting queers and queens that frequented Compton’s Cafeteria at 101 Taylor Street, originally open at all hours and the only place where transgender and transsexual people could congregate, due to being unwelcome at gay bars.

With cross-dressing being illegal at the time, police (and Compton staff) would use that as a pretext for raids, closing establishments, and making arrests.

Angry picketing against the restaurant began, and when an officer well known for his mistreatment of them attempted the arrest of a trans woman, she threw her cup of coffee in his face. A full-scale riot broke out, dishes and chairs were thrown about, and the huge window fronting the restaurant was smashed. The next night, more transgender people, hustlers, Tenderloin street people, and other members of the LGBT community joined in the picketing and the newly replaced window was broken again.

This revolution continued, and on June 28, 1969, when riots broke out at the Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village, patrons also fed up with police harassment - activists and the organizations they had formed - came together more cohesively and more vocally to promote the need for LGBT rights and equality.

One year later, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles commemorated that riot with “gay pride” marches and rallies which continue worldwide to this day. The inaugural event in San Francisco was a small 20- to 30-person march of “hair faeries” followed by a “gay-in” in Golden Gate Park in the summer of 1970.

HARVEY MILK

THE VANGUARD

San Francisco Pride celebrates its colorful past and the changing face reflected by our struggles, the victories that have been won, and the transformation of our local community. According to the GLBT Historical Society, every San Francisco Pride parade has had at least one first, including: 1972

First politician to participate in the parade, San Francisco County Sheriff Richard Hongisto, the first sheriff to hire lesbian and gay deputies.

1973

First community banners

1974

First empress (Empress Doris) to ride in the parade on an elephant

1975

First time the parade was the largest in the United States

1976

First mayoral proclamation, issued by George Moscone

1978

First appearances of Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Dykes on Bikes at the head the parade

1979

First time rainbow banners lined Market Street

1984

First nationwide theme

1985

First time a United States senator, Alan Cranston, spoke at a Pride celebration anywhere in the country

1988

First time a San Francisco Mayor (Art Agnos) rode in the parade

1996

First time a Catholic church (Most Holy Redeemer) participated in a Pride parade anywhere in the world

2001

First time a Muslim contingent participated in any pride parade

The history continues 45 years later and will do so until the need to fight for our freedoms cease.

PHOTOGRAPHS (from top to bottom): Poet James Broughton and singer Holly Near, grand marshals of the 1988 parade, by Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover Photography. Supervisor Harvey Milk in the San Francisco LGBT Freedom Day Parade, June 25, 1978, photo ©1978 by dannynicoletta.com.

Vanguard courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society. Dykes on Bikes at the start of the 1990 Parade by Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover Photography.

DYKES ON BIKES

AN UPDATE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

39

image: greg kendall-ball

BY KATE KENDELL, ESQ., NCLR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

By all indications our 2015 PRIDE Celebration will be more celebratory than usual. If, as many others and I expect, we win the freedom to marry nationwide in June, we will all be in for one heck of a party. And deservedly so. The modern struggle to win the freedom to marry has required commitment and sacrifice, patience and courage. This current chapter in the fight to win marriage was launched with the victory in Hawaii in 1993.

In the intervening 21 years we have been on a roller coaster. Let’s re-cap: Congress passed and then President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, 34 states passed their own mini-DOMA’s, there were 30 successful measures to deny same-sex couples the right to marry at the ballot box. These soul-crushing votes included our own infamous Prop 8 which voters approved six-months AFTER we had won the freedom to marry in California in a challenge led by NCLR along with our legal colleagues at Lambda Legal, the ACLU and the City and County of San Francisco.

The California litigation was ignited in 2004 when former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the City to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. For weeks in February and early March couples ringed San Francisco City Hall to get married. The City was electric. It was a catalytic moment. The California Supreme Court voided those marriages on August 12, 2004, when the Court held that Mayor Newson did not have the authority to ignore state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. The Court also invited a legal challenge to these laws. An invitation we were happy to accept. Our lawsuit was filed the next day.

In May 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry the person they loved violated the California Constitution. Marriage was back for real--but not for good. In November 2008 Prop 8 passed by 2% and our right to marry vanished. The American Foundation for Equal Rights filed a federal challenge to Prop 8 under the U.S. Constitution, led by the legal duo of Ted Olson and David Boies. In 2013 the U.S. Supreme Court (on technical standing grounds) killed Prop 8 for good, restoring the California Supreme Court’s pre-Prop 8 ruling as the law of the land. Marriage in California was back… forever.

But the death of Prop. 8 was in some ways overshadowed by the second LGBT related case the Court decided the same day—the challenge to section 2 of DOMA. In that case, Windsor v. U.S., the Court ruled that denying federal recognition to legally married same-sex couples violated key principles of equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. With these victories we reached a high-water mark in the arc of our struggle to win marriage equality. Now, two short years later that mark is likely to be surpassed.

While every civil rights struggle is always two steps forward, one step back, over the past two years it has been almost only steps forward in ending our exclusion from the freedom to marry. Just last year at this same time 19 states recognized our marriages. Today, that number is at 37, and by the time PRIDE rolls around on June 29, we may have a ruling from the nation’s highest Court ending discrimination in marriage everywhere in this country, once and for all.

That will be certain cause for celebration. So many, worked so hard to get to this moment. What a special thing it is for us to be witnesses to our own history — as it is happening! Wow. So have a great PRIDE and by all means cherish this very special moment. And after a few days of celebrating let’s get back to work to further bend that arc of history. Finishing the chapter on marriage is critical and vital, but it is not the end of our fight for LGBT equality and justice.

Winning marriage does not repair or solve the very real ways in which so many are denied dignity and security both in our own community and in our larger human family, but it gives us huge momentum to press on to the next chapters.

Racism, economic inequality, discrimination in employment, violence against men of color and trans women of color, mass incarceration, a broken immigration system all require immediate, passionate attention. But we just won marriage — a fantastical idea only 20 years ago. With that in our back pocket, there’s nothing we can’t do.

COME Hear KATE KENDELL speak ON THE Main Stage AT PRIDE ON SUNDAY, June 28.

40

THE PINK TRIANGLE

BY PATRICK CARNEY, 2015 GILBERT BAKER PRIDE FOUNDER’S AWARD RECIPIENT

On June 27th, the colorful display of a pink triangle which can be seen for nearly 20 miles will return for its 20th appearance. It began as a renegade crafts project that went up in the dark of night so we wouldn’t get arrested. Though started in an attempt to add a little extra color (pink it turns out) to the Pride Parade, it also is intended as a history lesson. The local LGBTQ community, and city officials have embraced it as well. A permit is now obtained, insurance as well, even porta potties, pink balloons, and a ceremony full of politicos and celebrities are part of the event. It is now legal and multi-faceted while still adding color and a festive atmosphere to the city - and it offers an education to those who don’t know how the pink triangle originated.

For those visiting San Francisco for Pride Weekend (and any locals who have not yet noticed), a gigantic pink triangle has appeared atop Twin Peaks on the last weekend of June since the mid-1990’s. Measuring 200 feet across and close to an acre in size, the triangle is a visible yet mute reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. It’s not subtle. There’s no room for subtlety on Pride Weekend. An acre of pink fabric is a very in-your-face thing, but it will hopefully inspire others to try to find out what the display means.

SEEN FOR MILES AROUND

The giant Pink Triangle doesn’t just float up onto Twin Peaks each year, it takes over 100 volunteers to make the display possible by climbing the hill and installing over 175 bright pink canvasses and hammering them to the hill with thousands of 12” long steel spikes. This is a true “community-building project.” Furthermore, it isn’t there just for decoration, it is installed each year to educate people about the hatred of the past to help prevent it from happening again.

To many, the pink triangle is a brightly colored, graphic symbol, which has come to represent the LGBTQ movement, and there is often not a connection to the tragic history of how the symbol came about. The Nazis in concentration camps to identify and shame homosexual prisoners used the pink triangle. This symbol, which was used to differentiate one “undesirable group” from another “undesirable group”, has been embraced by the LGBTQ community as a symbol of pride. Once we learned many people didn’t know the story of how pink triangles were used in Nazi concentration camps, annual commemoration ceremonies were established.

It is great to live in a city where one can not only put an enormous pink triangle on a hill in the middle of the town, but the mayor, supervisors, senators, assemblypersons, and our congressperson show up to celebrate.

VOLUNTEER LABOR OF LOVE

A big inspiration for keeping the annual San Francisco Pink Triangle display and ceremony going was learning that after the camps were liberated, and all of the other prisoners were let go, gays were put back in prison under the existing Paragraph 175 statute. The discrimination and dehumanization continued — simply because they were homosexual. It was amazing that after all of the carnage and horror of the camps was revealed to the world via newsreels, and people around the globe were unified in shock and disbelief, somehow it was still okay to throw the gays back in prison. While that kind of hatred and discrimination certainly doesn’t exist here today, there are still plenty of places in the world where it is not only alright to discriminate against homosexuals, some even look the other way when we are killed.

In fact, unfortunately, there are 77 countries where homosexuality is illegal. There are 38 African countries, which criminalize homosexuality. Sadly, the punishment is death in four of those: Mauritania, northern Nigeria, southern Somalia and Sudan. While it is not illegal in Russia anymore, President Putin signed an anti-gay propaganda law. There is still much discrimination toward the LGBTQ community.

POPPING THE CORKS

The test of any democracy is how well it treats its minorities. The Third Reich demonstrated how easily a government can devise minority scapegoats. During the Holocaust, the Nazi’s devised a whole array of colored triangles to label and distinguish their “undesirables”. Branding homosexuals as criminals let most Germans feel comfortable looking the other way, while the Nazis went about their persecution. This diversionary tactic is now being used in several countries again.

The Twin Peaks Pink Triangle itself was set on fire in 2009 in an arson hate-crime. If arson of the pink triangle can take place in gay-friendly San Francisco, one can only imagine the discrimination and hatred some face in less accepting areas.

At the ceremony each year, nearly everyone including the elected officials wear one of our signature pink triangle t-shirts out of solidarity and camaraderie for those who wore a pink triangle in concentrations camps. However, we wear our pink triangles by choice; they had no choice in the concentration camps. We have to remember the past or it will happen again... and sooner than we think! As Shakespeare wrote, “What’s past is prologue.”

The display has doubled in size many times requiring five painting parties. Though now large, perhaps the most gigantic aspect of the display is not its size, but how many people it has hopefully educated and inspired.

We install numerous placards along the edge of the Twin Peaks vista-point, which is a few feet above the top edge of the pink triangle. We like to stay back and observe tourists and others reading the signs that describe the history of the symbol and hear how they all universally seem to say: “I didn’t know that.”

POLITICAL SPEAKERS

A wide spectrum of the population helps install the display each year: gay, straight, all races, young and old. Every year it is inspiring that there are many families who participate so their children may learn about respecting others at an early age. The youngest installer (with a tiny hammer) is usually around 3 years old.

The oldest is usually my mother, Edith Carney; she will soon turn 92 and greets the volunteers, passes out coffee and donuts, and chats with everyone. The main workers and support for the past 18 years are my spouse Hossein Sepas Carney, my sister Colleen Hodgkins, and my mother. Without them, the display simply would not still be happening as the project has grown not only in size but also in logistics.

In summation, as the 20th display approaches, it seems the lessons of the Holocaust and the Pink Triangle have been lost on many. Once the lessons of history are forgotten, they are often repeated. That is why we have our display. It is important to keep alive the memory of all of the Holocaust victims to help educate people to what can happen when hatred and bigotry become law as they did under the Nazis in the 1930s and ‘40s.

As the project has grown it has become more complex. This year’s Pink Triangle display will cost thousands of dollars for supplies, rental truck, lectern and sound system for the commemoration ceremony, insurance, balloons, t-shirts, nighttime lighting equipment and tech, security, and many other things including the annual storage of the multi-ton display itself. The funds for 2015 have been raised due to the generous contributions of SF PRIDE, Toad Hall, Badlands, The Apothecarium, The Castro Lion’s Club Charities, which is paying for all the Pink Triangle t-shirts again this year, The Steamworks, Hodgkins Jewelers, Haus of Starfish, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. [ thepinktriangle.com ]

JOSÉ SARRIA

When the time is right, keep us in mind.

Country’s largest selection of “willing to be known” donors Founded in 1984 to serve the lesbian community Video interviews and adult photos of selected donors Ongoing, supportive service The leader in sperm donor screening & testing

www.PacRepro.com | 888.469.5800 Insemination Services in San Francisco and Pasadena

We Ship Anywhere in the U.S.

42

2015 SF PRIDE MEMBERSHIP

San Francisco Pride is a member-based 501(c)3 organization. Our members elect directors, set priorities, select our annual theme, and ensure the celebration reflects our communities’ values. The 2015 SF Pride Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, September 12. In order to vote at our AGM you must register as a member no less than 60 days prior to the meeting. More information on how to become a San Francisco Pride member can be found at members.sfpride.org.

Marion Abdullah Polina Abramson Larry Ackerman Kaleem Ali Forrest Ryan Allen John Anderson Mariva Aviram Jamie Awad Cesar Ayala Donald Bachmam Shelly Bailes Jon Baltycki Mark Barnes Celeste Barron Lyn Batia William Beasley Bruce Beaudette Lyle Beckman Angelo Belaro Jerry Berbiar Robert Bernardo Shanna Bertain Gene Bidwell Alan Biser Victor Bishop-Williams Kathryn Blethrow Will Bondurant Brian Bonnie Marcus Borgman Thomas Boyer Thomas Boyer Michael Boylan Nita Bradley Matthew Branagan Caleiph Brewer Imani Brown Laura Bryant Tab Buckner Isaac Burrough Jaime Cader Tristian Caid Joey Cain John Caldera Howard Callejas Edelman Nikki Calma Bobby Cammileri Victoria Campisi Alyxander Canlas Jo Carlson

Hossein Carney Patrick Carney Maria Caruana Dolores Caruthers Freddie Castaneda Wayne Chen Ruth Chimowitz Tamara Ching Jose Cital Thomas Cocuzzi Patrick Connors Lawrence Crickenberger Nicole Crist David Currie Anna Damiani Denise D’Anne Deana Dawn Luis De La Garza Bob Dockendorff Jacob Dornan Dustin Durham Felicia Flames Elizondo Susan Englander Laura Espinosa Adele Failes-Carpenter Sergio Fedasz Veronika Fimbres Lou Fischer Peter Fiske Thomas Forbes Jonathan Foulk James Fountain Terence Fowler Eade Frazier Terrie Frye Peter Gallota Angela Galvan Lisa Geduldig Jasmine Gee Rick Gerharter Kevin Goebel Jennay Golden James Gong Joel Gonzales Pam Grey Kaye Griffin Hector Guillen Leah Guillermo Shaun Haines

Matthew Hall Terrence Hargens Jay Hemphill Esperanza Herrera Robert Hill Jr. Charlie Hinton Dewitt Hoard Colleen Hodgkins Michael Holeman Caleb Hsiang Wei Hong Kernan Jang Kashif Javed Joseph Jelincic Reggie Johnson Charles Johnson Jr Xan Joi Susie Kameny Farhan Khan Nicole Kim Ryan Kimsey Jeremy Koo Lawrence Lacko Richard Landry Jennifer Lane Catarino Leon Benjamin Leong Marsha H. Levine Chia-Hsiu Li William Lipsky Richard Lubetzky William Lucero Justin Matthews Sean Maulding Lin Mayr Frank McGinness Leatha McGirt Carlos Medina Loren Meissner Jr David Meregillano Amy Meyers Colby Michaels William Michels Vaughn Miller Aja Monet Jacqueline Morris Susan Mortell Bruce Muncil Arthur (Marilyn) Murrillo Michael Myrick

Lori Nairne Melanie Nathan Leslie Neely Larry Lare Nelson Trevor Nguyen Michael Nulty Jim Oerther Stephanie Okada Brooke Oliver Juanita Oliver Christine Oswan-Tigerman Ronda Pacheco Jeffrey Palma Nicholas Parker Jeffrey Pekrul Enrique Perez Michael Petrelis Nguyen ‘Win’ Pham Thomas Plagemann Ellen Pontac Donald Price Brian Probst Anthony Pulidio Rocio Quijano Lane Raleigh Alexander Randolph Ghulam Raza Chandra Redack Amos Robinson Tania Rodriguez Wilfredo Rodriguez Keri Ross Donna Sachet Sue Saiz Brigitte Sylveth Sanchez Jennifer Sanders Jesse Sanford Chris Saul Lloyd Schofield Malcom Scott David Senk Uriel Serrano Richard Shadoian Lawrence Shine Scott Shuemake Alexandra Sigillo Fr. River Damien Sims Harjit Singh Michelle Sinhbandith

Erik Slayton Felix Smith Joshua Smith Ken Smith Kimberly Smith Robert Sokol Arakita Staubitz Jarno Stegeman Jason Steinard Abby Stewart Jeff Stiarwalt Rose Stubberfield Jon Sugar Nathan Svoboda Atefeh Taheri Nathan Tatterson Debbie Taylor Jason Taylor Jonathan Taylor Justin Taylor Coma Te David Tejeda Frederick Teti Keith Thomas Nyx Tian Larry Tlascala Brittany Trammell Bill Travis Keith Truitt Matt Vandeberg Rafael Venegas Gary Virginia Donald Wagda Joe Wagenhofer David Waggoner Eric Wagner Chaneice Washington Jenean Watson Elisa Welch Joe Wicht Lisa Williams Myra Williams Patrice Williams Jokie Wilson Ronald Wong Franklin Wright Rasha Wyndsong Claude Wynne Oksana Zakorko

GENERAL INFORMATION

SMOKE-FREE EVENT The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade is a smoke free event per San Francisco Health Code, Article 19L. SAFETY & WELLNESS SF Pride cares deeply about the safety, security and health of all visitors to the annual celebration and parade. That’s why our volunteer safety monitors work hard to provide a safe Pride event.

We recommend that you bring a friend with you when traveling to new and unfamiliar places. Report suspicious activity or unattended packages to the nearest member of the Safety Team or at the nearest information booth. June can be hot, so please stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Please make sure that your valuables and effects are secure by not leaving bags or personal items unattended. We also encourage that you protect yourself and your sexual partners by using safer sex practices.

INFORMATION BOOTHS At the information booths you will find the most upto-date information on the celebration. Volunteers dedicated to helping you get the most out of SF Pride will staff each booth where you can pick up a copy of PocketPride. This handy guide contains an event map and information about the parade and the talent performing on the main stage as well as information about the 23 community-run stages and venues throughout the Pride celebration area.

EXHIBITORS & FOOD With close to 350 exhibitors, SF Pride offers a wide variety of artists, local and national businesses, nonprofits, artisans, food and beverages. SF Pride makes a special effort to make booths affordable to local nonprofits that often use their spaces to educate, raise much-needed funds and connect with the community. There’s something for almost everyone at Pride.

BEVERAGES You can enjoy beverage discounts all day at Pride by making a minimum donation of $5 at the

43

event entrance gates. In return for your generous support, you will get a donation sticker that earns you discounts on beverages at SF Pride-designated beverage booths all day long! Throughout the site you’ll find a variety of Official Beverage Booths featuring beer, wine and mixed drinks, as well as water and other nonalcoholic beverages. If you choose to enjoy alcohol at the event, please drink responsibly. Alcohol not purchased from one of our Official Beverage Booths is not permitted. Please remember to stay hydrated. Clean and sober visitors can enjoy an alcohol-free environment at the separate soda and water booths and at the Clean and Sober Space located on U.N. Plaza.

CHILDCARE & ACCESSIBILITY Free childcare and accessibility services are available. Accessibility seating and ASL interpretation are provided at the Parade Grandstands. ASL interpreters are also provided at the Pride Main Stage and other stages throughout the event. For more information about accessibility, visit sfpride.org/access.

RECYCLING & COMPOSTING In an effort to be environmentally responsible as we continue to pioneer green event practices, SF Pride provides disposal areas for garbage, recycling and compost. Signs will be posted at these areas. All cups, plates and utensils used at our event are 100% compostable and made from natural derivatives.

GRANDSTAND TICKETS & ACCESSIBILITY SEATING The grandstands, located on the north side of Market Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets at U.N. Plaza, are the perfect place to enjoy the SF Pride Parade. The Civic Center Muni/BART station is right next to the entrance to the grandstands. Grandstand tickets are $40 in advance at sfpride.org or $45 at the entrance on the morning of the parade. Tickets are provided on a sliding scale to those with accessibility needs and their partners. Accessibility seating is also provided for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

GETTING TO PRIDE SF Pride is one of the largest outdoor events in the nation in the heart of a major metropolitan area.

You can avoid traffic and scarce parking by taking public transportation. Both BART and Muni transit systems serve the Civic Center station near both the celebration and parade, making access to Pride easy. The Embarcadero, Montgomery Street and Powell Street stations also serve the Parade route.

43

proud sponsor of

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE FESTIVITIES

44

TRAVEL PARTNERS VIRGIN AMERICA

PRIDE PASS JUNE 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA ENJOY THE BEST OF THE CITY DURING PRIDE SF Pride is partnering with some of the best parties to give you free entry or front of the line access and discounts at local businesses

PR

JU

SA N

NE

FR AN

C

ID

E

As the Bay Area’s hometown airline, Virgin America is proud to support the San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration for the seventh year in a row. Grab a seat and fly with WiFi, mood lighting and an interactive touch screen bringing you food and drinks on demand, live TV, movies, music and more with a few light taps. [ virginamerica.com ]

JOIE DE VIVRE HOTELS Sleep with us and discover what makes Joie de Vivre Hotels special. Whether you’re chasing Pride parties in San Francisco or getting a honeymoon suite in Waikiki, you can join us as we celebrate diversity 365 days a year. [ jdvhotels.com ]

AIRBNB Airbnb is proud to be the Official Alternative Accommodations Partner of SF Pride. If you’re a San Francisco local, we invite you to #HostWithPride and discover how you can make money and meet new people by sharing your space. If you’re visiting San Francisco, there is no better way to experience the city, whether you’re looking for just a room, or a large home. Book your next trip today on Airbnb! [ airbnb.com ]

PA SS

20

15

IS C O ,C A

SUNDAY JUNE 28

Make SF Pride 2015 “A Day to Remember”

9:30 AM Parade Grandstands View the Parade on Market Street

2-5 PM SF Pride Official VIP Party City Hall Rotunda

11-6 PM $1 off drinks at our beverage booths

$125 | 2 for $225 sfpride.org/pride-pass

SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT MARQUIS 780 Mission Street, San Francisco • 415-896-1600 Just south of Market Street, the San Francisco Marriott Marquis is steps away from what you’re looking for – the historical cable cars, Chinatown, world class shopping at Macy’s on Union Square, Westfield’s San Francisco Centre featuring Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, the SFMOMA, AT&T Park (home of the MLB 2014 Champion San Francisco Giants) and a diverse selection of your favorite restaurants and bars. Enjoy magnificent views of downtown San Francisco from a number of the 1,500 guest rooms, including 138 suites. Experience San Francisco at the San Francisco Marriott where you’re sure to “leave your heart.”

The San Francisco Marriott is a proud sponsor of the 45th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade 2015. The hotel is pleased to offer a special Pride room rate. Reservations are based on availability.

VIP Party Ad.pdf

1

6/3/15

45

HOTEL WHITCOMB 1231 Market Street, San Francisco • 415-626-8000

OFFICIAL GRANDSTAND SEATING

The Hotel Whitcomb is centrally located in the heart of San Francisco, literally steps away from Pride festivities, with easy access to the Castro and SoMa districts, making us an ideal place to stay for this exciting annual event. The hotel features recently renovated rooms, a perfect view of the parade, and an on-site restaurant featuring California cuisine. Hotel Whitcomb is just a block away from City Hall where Pride concerts, booths and parties are held after the parade. Enjoy convenient public transportation, including BART, Muni and the Historic F-Line right outside our doors to take you all over the city. We also have 24hour valet parking. [ hotelwhitcomb.com ]

For the 45th annual SF Lgbt Pride Parade

Sunday, JUNE 28 GATES OPEN AT 9:30AM PARADE AT 10:30AM

United Nations Plaza Market Street between 7th and 8th Streets

HOTEL ZETTA 55 5th Street, San Francisco • 415-543-8555 Effortlessly fusing sophisticated and cutting-edge aesthetics with state-of-the-art amenities, Hotel Zetta is an urban retreat ideally located for connecting authentically with San Francisco’s diverse cultural community. Hotel Zetta offers a high level of sophistication and service without taking itself too seriously. Come visit us to connect, work, play and get inspired. [ viceroyhotelgroup.com/zetta ]

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

BART BART is a proud sponsor of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The Pride celebration on June 28 and 29 will be held at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, one short block from Civic Center Station. On June 29, BART will provide longer trains to accommodate crowds for the annual Pride parade. Access the parade from any of the downtown San Francisco stations. BART is a reliable, costeffective and environmentally-friendly way to get around and BART is proud to serve the Bay Area. To plan your trip to the Pride celebration, use the BART QuickPlanner tool available at our website. [ bart.gov ]

SFMTA Wherever you want to go in San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency gets you there. The SFMTA celebrates the diversity of our community and recognizes the importance of equality for all people. Muni’s diversity of transit options includes world famous cable cars, historic streetcars, electric buses and light rail. Other convenient and sustainable options are biking, walking and taking taxis. At the SFMTA, we connect San Francisco with PRIDE! [ sfmta.com ]

$40 Advance Purchase $45 At The Gate

O VIP l

a ici

f

of

PARTY

JUNE 28 | 2 PM - 5 PM

CITY HALL ROTUNDA TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR $50 IN ADVANCE

Hosted Bar

Courtesy of Bud Light, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan's White Rum, Menage a Trois Wineries and Korbel Russian River Valley Natural Champagne

Nibbles and such Catered by Whole Foods Market

ENTERTAINMENT

Featuring three floors of DJs and live performances sfpride.org

8:38

46

BROADCAST INFORMATION SUNDAY, JUNE 28 LIVE Broadcast Comcast Hometown Network Channel 104

LIVE Webcast PrideRadio.com - Unedited coverage from 10:00 AM to the end!

Prime Time KOFY TV20-Cable 713 • Starting at 7:00 PM Full Parade Coverage Also: Watch XFINITY® TV with On Demand Starting June 29th at 7:00 PM

HOSTED BY

One of Human Rights Campaign’s Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality

MICHELLE MEOW

DONNA SACHET

Coverage of the 2015 SF Pride parade made possible by Clear Channel Radio SF and KOFY TV20-Cable 713

salesforce.com/dreamjob

hn comcast hometown network

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

47

47

SF Pride believes strongly in community reinvestment and that is what our Community Partners program exemplifies. The Community Partners program is a beneficiary program open to Bay Area non-profit organizations. Since 1997, SF Pride has been able to grant nearly $2.3M to our beneficiaries thanks to donations made at our event gates and beverage purchases.

These community organizations provide Pride with volunteers the weekend of the event and, in return, Pride awards the organizations with a grant based on our partner’s support. When you donate at the gate or purchase a beverage at Pride, you provide critical support to local charities, including LGBT organizations and those organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness and animal welfare. SF Pride’s Community Partners program is one of the many ways in which Pride is working to strengthen our communities and build a strong future for the celebration and parade.

2015 COMMUNITY PARTNERS AIDS Housing Alliance AIDS Project of the East Bay Alameda County Leather Corps Bay Area Derby Girls Bay Area Women’s and Children’s Center

Immune Enhancement Project The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc Imperial San Joaquin Delta Empire Imperial Star Empire Inc Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco

Bay Area Young Positives

Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco

Bay Area Young Survivors

Northern California Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Berkeley Free Health Clinic Berkeley Humane The Billys California Men’s Gathering California Prostitutes and Education Project Castro Country Club Castro Lions Club Charities CelebrateLife Progressive Spiritualist Community CHEER For Life Foundation, Inc. City of Refuge United Church of Christ Copper’s Dream Rescue

Oakland Pride Pagan Alliance Pets Are Wonderful Support Pride Law Fund Project Inform Project MORE Foundation Rainbow Community Center Rocket Dog Rescue San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club San Francisco Gay Basketball Association San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Council of Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of San Francisco, Inc.

San Francisco Gay Softball League

Court of the Great Northwest Imperial Empire

San Francisco Schoolhouse

Foggy City Dancers Folsom Street Events Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church G.S.G.R.A. - BAY AREA CHAPTER Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Gay Pride Celebration Committee of San Jose The Green Door Healing Waters Wilderness Adventures Homeless Children’s Network

San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band San Francisco Sex Information San Francisco Track & Field Club JOB #: GRT-113798 JOB TITLE: Best Days PUBLICATION: Inside SF Pride INSERTION DATE: COLOR INFO: 4C

El/La Para TransLatinas

Best Days Happen Here.

Openhouse

LIVE: 2” x 4.75” BLEED: .125”

Berkeley All Blues Rugby

©2015 Ménage à Trois Winery, St. Helena, CA 94574

San Francisco Tsunami Water Polo

SF Inferno Softball Teams of PASS, Inc. SF Pride SF Spikes

Temenos Catholic Worker

Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners

SIZE: 2.25” x 5”

Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition

OFFICIAL WINE OF

Variety Children’s Charity of Northern California Westside Community Services

FROM BAY TO PLAY IN 43 MINUTES. ROHNERT PARK @ 101 EXIT 484

PLAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM, CALL 1-800-GAMBLER FOR HELP. ROHNERT PARK, CA. © 2015 GRATON RESORT & CASINO

48

SOCIETY OF SUPPORTERS

With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors and 20+ community-produced stages and venues, the San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade is the largest gathering of LGBTQ people and allies in the United States. Last year 1.8 million people participated and 400,000 viewers enjoyed the parade online. In 2014, our Board of Directors launched the Society of Supporters donor program to support the significant operational needs of this event and to support our mission to educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture and liberate our people. [ sfpride.org/donate ]

FOUNDING FLAGGER H&R Block Michelle Meow Pacific Fertility Center

LEAD CONTINGENTS DIAGEO / Smirnoff * Korbel* Olivia* VIA MEDIA / Robert Sokol + Ron Willis

PLATINUM DRUM MAJOR Apple, Inc.* Robert + Teddy Basham-Witherington Sharon Boggs + Leanne Borghesi Gina Grahame KOFY-TV Levi Strauss & Co. James Moschella Welk Resort Palm Springs*

GOLD GRANDSTAND Joey Cain George Carter & Michael Kinsley Celebrity Cruises* Cheer San Francisco Keith Chisolm Larry Crickenberger David Currie Robert Dockendorff Josh Friedman* Russell Gaspard Goldenvoice Ticket Services* Kalani Resorts Hawaii* Kessler Hotel Group* Marsha H. Levine* Out in the Vineyard* Ronda Pacheco Ratna Ling Retreat Center* Ritz Carlton San Francisco* Jesse Oliver Sanford Arup Sarkar David Waggoner

SILVER COLOR GUARD Jacob Angel Troy Anicete* Dean Bellerby* Boon Hotel & Spa* Morrison Browne Barry Cardoza Chaps on 18th Street*

Commonwealth Club* Evolve NYE–Las Vegas* Good Vibrations* Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery* Frameline Film Festival* Ken Henderson Hot Cookie* Magnitude* Law Offices of Okan Sengun* Liam Mayclem* Michael Bruno* Michael Myers Monsieur Benjamin* Naked Sword* New Conservatory Theater SF* Nob Hill Theater* Oswego Hotel Victoria, BC* Pier 39* r3 Resort & Betty Spaghetti* Ravenswood Winery* Rio Nido Lodge* Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation* San Francisco Symphony* SHN Theatre SF* Sal Tovar Three Sticks Wines* Blake Weber Jeff Waldon

BRONZE BAND MEMBER Stephen Adams Ryan Allen Asia SF* Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Reno* Gilbert Baker* Base Entertainment* Beach Blanket Babylon* Shanna Bertain Gene Bidwell Natalie Bonnepart M. (Morrison) Browne John Caldera Barry Cardoza Patrick Carney Cindy Chan Jackie Chiang Clift Hotel Redwood Room* Cruisin’ the Castro Walking Tours* D&H Sustainable Jewelers* Rufus Dickinson Diva Hair by David Carver* Dustin Durham Electronic Arts* Eros SF* Patrik Gallineaux The Girl & The Fig Restaurant* Golden Haven Hot Springs* Marvin Halpern Douglas Hanlin Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco* Harris’ Restaurant* Hawker Fare* Golden Haven Hot Springs* Ken Henderson

David Herrera Chris Hollar Krewe de Kinque* Jan Koehler Tanya Kureishi Richard Landry Belinda Lau Gregory Marks Lauren Massa-Lochridge Vaughn Miller Jens Noffke Skye Paterson Ronda Pacheco Ronna Perrin Malcom Scott San Francisco Ballet* SF Bay Adventures* SF on the Bay Sailing Tours* Sparky’s Fun & Joy* Cameron Stiehl Sunday’s A Drag at the Starlight Room* Jackie Tillett Gary Virginia Debra Walker Blake Weber Lisa Williams Ron Wong Worn Out West* Ingu Yun

RAINBOW CHEER TEAM Mark Abramson Big Bottom Market* Michael Blair Body* Books Inc.* Phillip Brettschneider Bryan Harrelson Massage* Gilbert Coloa Zacarias Cometa Charles de Bourcy Cove on Castro* Dick Blomster’s Korean Diner* Lynne Eggers Jeffrey Erickson Michael Frannea Eade Frazier James Gazaway Global Village Stage GoCar Tours SF* Carlos Gonzalez Richard Hamer Peter Kilgallen La Mediterranee* Sean Maulding Poesia Slick & Dapper Barber Shops* Sonoma Nesting Company* George Ridgely Stephen Simko Joshua Smith Keith Truitt Matt Vandeberg Yerba Buena Center for the Arts* * Denotes Gift In-Kind

COMPLIMENTARY

HARD ROCK GIFT WITH $20 PURCHASE

GET YOUR OFFICIAL SF PRIDE MERCHANDISE TODAY!

Present this ad and receive a complimentary Hard Rock Gift with a $20 purchase. Not valid on limited edition pins, sale items, alcoholic beverages or tax. Must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid with any other offers. One person per visit. Valid at San Francisco Cafe only (Pier 39, or our Pride Festival locations at Larkin/Fulton or Hyde/Fulton. Offer expires 12/31/15.

SAN FRANCISCO | AT THE ENTRANCE OF PIER 39 | BEACH AND EMBARCADERO STREETS | +1-415-956-2013 join hardrockrewards.com

HARDROCK.COM

#THISISHARDROCK

Š2015 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

The Lawn Lawn Club Club

Where you go is important.

How you go makes all the difference.

Come with us and discover the world—literally. Our 10 ships visit all 7 continents, 80 countries, and more than 290 ports of call. Unwind in world-class accommodations.

Savor globally inspired cuisine. Be pampered with intuitive service.

Experience a vacation that ensures no matter where you go, getting there will be every bit as unforgettable.

That’s modern luxury.SM Celebrity Cruises supports equality and celebrates 45 years of San Francisco Pride.

Visit celebritycruises.com, call 1-877-297-6143, or contact your travel agent. ©2015 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.