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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area
CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021) February 11–24, 2021 http://sfbaytimes.com
SF PRIDE 2021 Logo & Plans Revealed Exclusive Interview with SF Pride’s Fred Lopez Page 3
SF PRIDE History
Photos by Rink
Bobby Pace, who was a member of the Imperial Council of San Francisco, was the drummer who led friends marching in the parade and carrying signs depicting people or groups they considered to be tyrants: Adolph Hitler, Anita Bryant, the Klu Klux Klan and Idi Amin. (1977)
Sisters Sadie (Gil Block), Chanel (Gilbert Baker) and Salvation Army at a Lesbian/Gay Pride Parade Committee Disco Party (1982)
Lesbians marching in the 1978 Gay Parade, as the event was called at that time. In 1981 the name was changed to the Lesbian/ Gay Parade.
Let’s start with videos. Last time I implored you all to check out The West Wing-style credits featuring Joe Biden and his new staff. However, I then directed you through cyberspace with the name of some guy who had nothing to do with the video, but who had simply forwarded it around the internet. The video was actually made by Breeana Flannery, who deserves high praise and credit for her tour de force. Check it out at once! I also just watched the Saturday Night Live satiric take on “It Gets Better,” the campaign to fight school bullying by reminding tortured gay and trans kids that life improves after school days are done. Did you see it? It’s worth checking out the SNL team performing as gay adults looking back on their teenage years and telling the audience that it really does “get better.” Um, sort of. There’s no more high school trauma, but you will now have to deal with divorce, income tax, unruly pets, social media trolls, and all the pitfalls of the rat race down the time line. Tell us about it! Paperwork, bills, mystery water leaks, phone calls to large bureaucracies, vet visits, lost things, broken things, medical emergencies, fires, floods, bad sports outcomes—I’m looking at you, Mahomes—lawsuits, death. It all kind of puts one’s childhood dilemmas in perspective, doesn’t it? That said, adulthood has its charms, while middle school can be a period of unrelenting darkness. Impeachment? Meh Ever since January 20, I have strangely lost my interest in all things Trump and found a new appreciation for press conferences and legislative updates. To be honest, I had feared that I might find the Biden administration a little boring. I thought that, in a way, I might miss the nonstop drama of the last four years, as horrifying as it may have been. I confessed this fear to no one since it would not have reflected well on me as a human being. But, happily, I turned out to be more civic minded than I thought. I don’t 2
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By Ann Rostow
have the attention to spare for the impeachment hearings. I wish all manner of ill-fortune on Trump and company, and I agree that he should be held accountable in this manner, but still. Bring on the COVID-19 bill and the ones to follow. Bring on the $15 minimum wage, the immigration debate, and eventually, the Equality Act. Let’s put some new judges on the federal bench. Time’s a-wasting. Let’s flip the channel from MSNBC to CSpan. As I write, with MSNBC muted and the captions on (I haven’t flipped yet), the talking heads are repeating the same points about impeachment over and over again with a demeanor that suggests they are providing new and original comments. The same thing happens with COVID panels, who affect a serious air and remind us that the vaccine is not a guarantee against carrying the virus and we should all be sure to keep our masks on. Hello, TV doctors and scientists! You’ve said this before. We know all this. Tell us something new and take down those “Breaking News” chyrons. Tulips, Anyone? Meanwhile, I was transfixed for a while with the GameStop saga, and found myself rooting against the Reddit investors who helped the stock bubble up from around $40 a share to over $400 in just a few days before dropping back into the $50 range. I assume that some of them laughed all the way to the bank, but many others refused to cash in, imagining that they were part of a valiant quest to damage a few hedge funds that had sold short in a bet against the stock. (I loved the little boy who had been given ten GameStop shares as a birthday present back in 2019. His mother asked what he wanted to do and he sensibly sold them for a profit in the neighborhood of three grand.) As for the other guys, I guess I did not quite get it. From whence their abject hatred for short sellers and hedge funds? These weren’t regular investors from what I understood. Some of them put their savings or stimulus checks into the market, certainly not money you’d want to lose, right? It would make sense if they were trying to ride the GameStop FE B RUA RY 1 1 , 2 0 2 1
National Center of Lesbian Rights members, dressed as Supreme Court justices, marched ahead of the organization’s contingent during the 2017 Parade.
Soni Wolf, the longtime leader of the Dykes on Bikes contingent, was honored posthumously in the 2018 LGBT Pride Parade.
GLBT Fortnight in Review Breeana Flannery Is a Genius, Seriously!
Two friends enjoyed the Pride Celebration at San Francisco’s Civic Center. (1978)
wave to a quick profit, but it seems their main goal was to hurt short sellers, and many of them refused to sell their stock on principle, patting themselves on the back as their nest eggs dwindled into fractions of their original stake. What the hell, guys? (They were all guys.) If they had sold GameStop at $300 or $400 I would have tipped my hat to them. But they deliberately held on to “stick it” to the hedge funds that had already closed out their short positions, one assumes. I have no love lost for hedge funds, I suppose, but I really don’t care as Melania Trump might say. Why did these jokers give a damn? There’s something about them that reminds me, as well, of the Trumpsters in the Capitol. A boorish masculinity combined with a paucity of brain power. I’m also reminded of the research that clearly shows women are better individual investors than men. We don’t trade with testosterone and we don’t overreact to ups and downs in the market. Ka-ching. But She’s a Cheerleader! Forgive me for my lack of focus on GLBT news so far. Sometimes I’m just not inspired by the available material. I was going to look into Justice Barrett’s first comments on religious freedom, just expressed in the case that asked whether California could limit church attendance for public health reasons. (Bottom line answer, no.) But while I was checking my favorite appellate court website, I got lost in a story about lawyers suing food companies over false use of the term “vanilla.” Is “vanilla” an ingredient? Or is it a generic flavor? And is there a difference? Could I sell a strawberry soda that doesn’t have strawberries in it? Would I have to call it “strawberry flavored soda?” Would that protect me against liability, given the absence of strawberries? And who the heck is truly harmed by a soft-serve ice cream cone that does not use vanilla beans in the recipe, yet calls itself “vanilla?” Do people really go to law school in order to litigate such absurd objections? And yet, truth in advertising is an important issue. Ah, the complexity of it all. You can see why I was distracted.
Even more interesting was an update on a case out of Pennsylvania, where a school district disciplined a junior varsity cheerleader who missed out on making varsity and released her frustration in a brief snapchat screed that read: “F--k school. F softball. F cheer. F everything.” The girl, BL in court documents, posed with her middle finger in the post, which she issued while shopping on a Saturday with a friend. Yes, the sentiment violated school policy, but does the school have jurisdiction off campus and outside of school hours? All the lower courts have said no, but the school has relentlessly appealed and the High Court will hear the case shortly. I guess there’s a vague connection to our topic, because freedom of speech in the high school context is one of our core GLBT issues. You may remember the many situations that arose during the annual Day of Silence, when GLBT kids went quiet for a day and passed out notes explaining they were drawing attention to discrimination and bullying. Every year, some kids wore gay shirts and others wore anti-gay shirts and every year some school district got in trouble for mishandling these conflicts. In the words of the famous case, Tinker v Des Moines, students do not lose their First Amendment rights at the schoolyard gate. Schools cannot ban black armbands to protest a war (as was the case in Tinker), but they can protect the campus against disruption by, let’s say, forbidding gang attire or offensive language. As for off-campus activity, normally the school has no power. However, in 2007, Chief Justice Roberts authored a 5–4 decision in favor of a school that punished a student at a schoolsupervised activity. That student held up a sign that read, “Bong Hits for Jesus” during an Olympic torch relay. The Court majority decided that the school had some authority during a school trip, that the sign encouraged drug use, and that the state had an important public interest in tamping down on such a message in a school setting. But surely there’s no public interest in cleaning up BL’s language, and surely the school cannot extend
its reach into a shopping mall on a Saturday to impose some Puritanical viewpoints, right? I’m all in for BL. We’ll follow the case. Damn, Girl! I see on my news list that Iceland and Norway are pissed off at Poland over something gay. I’ll look into that in a second. (Or not.) I was also going to tell you that we can now hire a live goat to pop in on our company Zoom meetings to lighten up the atmosphere. The goat story is another sideshow that does not appear to be related to GLBT news, but that’s wrong. Because we are the type of people that would enjoy having a live goat on our Zoom calls. I hate to stereotype our community, but, as a rule, we are fun-loving. The goat’s a gay thing. And how about the latest cri de coeur from One Million Moms, who sent an alert to those of us on the mailing list: “Dear ANN,” they wrote, “Conservative parents are outraged! American Girl released its first doll with an accompanying book that has an LGBTQ storyline. This is unacceptable!” It turns out that a new Kira doll is a 10-year-old wildlife conservationist who visits her lesbian aunts in Australia. Sweet. In my day, dolls did not have back stories, let alone complicated families and political views. They just had clothes and one of them had hair you could pull to make it longer or shorter. Anyone remember “Tressy?” My Tressy had permanent long hair after I fooled with it and could not get the hair to go back, but you know what? I didn’t care because, oddly, I was more into sports than dolls. In another Million Mom meltdown, the group complained about a Super Bowl ad for General Motors, in which Will Ferrell “blurts out the d-word not once, but twice!” Million Moms found the ad “very offensive.” I’m sorry, but “the d-word?” I don’t even know what the d-word is, although I’m guessing it might be “damn.” One Million Moms is an arm of the American Family Association, and I’m sure it does not represent (continued on page 29)
SF PRIDE 2021: New Logo and Strategy Unveiled
PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS
SF Pride Logo and Plans for 2021 Revealed by Executive Director Fred Lopez
SF Pride’s contingent led the Parade (2019)
On that weekend, the Pink Triangle lit up the sky during the project’s own anniversary year (25). Creator Patrick Carney, the nonprofit Illuminate, Carney’s partner Hossein plus other members of his family, and numerous volunteers made that inspiring display possible. It was a bright note in an otherwise dark and concerning time facing challenges that remain to be fully met. So many of us have therefore been wondering about plans for SF Pride this year. While there is hope over the Biden-Harris administration, California’s gradual reopening, and vaccine rollouts to some groups, the pandemic is far from being over, especially with new and more contagious variants emerging. June Pride is such a major social event in the city, with participants in a typical year coming from all over the nation and world. Decisions regarding its planning therefore hold tremendous weight and influence given its effect on other local businesses and what planning for it might signal for the summer and even fall of this year. In an exclusive interview with the San Francisco Bay Times, SF Pride Executive Director Fred Lopez
recently took time to share his thoughts about SF Pride 2021 and more. San Francisco Bay Times: First off, congratulations on your first year as Executive Director. How has that gone? Fred Lopez: Thank you! Well, it has been quite a year for everyone. My job certainly hasn’t turned out to be how I initially thought it was going to be. I took the role in January of 2020, and almost immediately, we started facing the reality that Pride 50 would not look like the years before. It was a frightening time, remember, and during all of the change and upheaval of COVID-19, I held the importance of Pride up as a North Star. We tried our best to frame our challenges as opportunities as much as we could. We successfully pivoted to a mostly virtual celebration with amazing headliners like Big Freedia and plenty of performances and speeches representing the full diversity of LGBTQ+ culture in the Bay Area. Now, in 2021, we are approaching the future with optimism and applying the lessons of last year. We feel deeply that our communities seek connection and visibility, and the talented team at Pride are working very hard to find ways to meet those needs. We feel good about the possibilities! San Francisco Bay Times: Great. Can you tell us what we want to know? Fred Lopez: Is Pride happening this year? [laughs] We have some very big details still to be worked out just yet, but what I can say is that while it won’t look like 2019, it won’t look exactly like 2020, either. We’re keeping in touch with other
PHOTO BY RINK
Fred Lopez spoke on behalf of SF Pride at a rally memorializing the 4th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Massacre. (2020)
Pride organizations to see what they’re doing. Seattle Pride, for example, is staying with an all-virtual format this year. Many other Prides haven’t made their plans public yet, so we are not alone. What I have seen is that there is a desire from community members to experience Pride over more than just one weekend. So, we are working with longstanding partners like Frameline to create some fun, socially distanced Pride Month events. We had hoped to make one big announcement this month about all of our plans, but it looks like we will need to share with the community little by little, as more information is developed. It’s our hope that by June, the public health data and vaccination rollout will allow for some small-scale gatherings. Of course, it’s not just the speed of vaccinations or the levels of interaction that public health officials recommend, but how members of our community feel about large public gatherings. We know that human connection is the very root of Pride commemorations— the act of seeing and being with one another is why our communities attend every year, and it’s the one thing an incredible online lineup cannot fully provide. But we absolutely must prioritize health and safety above all else, and events must be accessible to all. That’s why we’re embarking on a new strategy called “Pride 365” to deliver fun and informative content and highlight achievements in our communities all year long, instead of just in June. San Francisco Bay Times: You just started rolling it out, right?
San Francisco Pride Board President Carolyn Wysinger
Fred Lopez: Yeah, [SF Pride Board President] Carolyn [Wysinger] and I sat down for a ten-minute video chat that we uploaded to YouTube. The next one is Carolyn and Honey Mahogany, who almost everyone knows is a rock star trans advocate. That series is called Inside Pride, which was (and still is) the name of the magazine we publish every Pride Month. But we wanted to grow Inside Pride along with the rest of our events, into the future. We’re also profiling longtime San Francisco Pride volunteers, leaders of other LGBTQ+ nonprofits, lots of people. We completely redesigned our website. There’s a podcast coming out later this month. Since February is Black History Month, we’re acknowledging the work of Black LGBTQ+ heroes and sheroes, starting with Ken Jones, who was the first Black President of the Pride Board and who passed away in January. KOFY and the wonderful Michelle Meow helped us put together a 10-minute video tribute ( https://bit.ly/2OoFaNK ) including a message from the Mayor. I hope everyone can watch it. San Francisco Bay Times: Tell us more about this year’s theme, “All in This Together.” Fred Lopez: It’s a longstanding tradition that the membership helps to choose our theme. Our member
PHOTO BY RINK
SF Pride Executive Director Fred Lopez
PHOTO BY MATT L. WONG
The celebrations were, of course, canceled, but there was high-quality virtual programming and people did fill the streets—instead, in largely somber gatherings calling for LGBTQ rights and police reforms in the wake of the then recent death of George Floyd, as well as others who had died. A large group gathered at Polk and Washington streets, the site of San Francisco’s first Pride march, while a second group gathered at Dolores Park.
Carolyn Wysinger joined the Mayor and other officials at City Hall for the Mayor’s Flag Raising Ceremony and Kickoff of the 50th Anniversary of SF Pride. The event was held on February 7, 2020, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO BY RINK
Here is what they had originally envisioned: “The 50th anniversary Celebration and Parade, with the theme ‘Generations of Hope,’ will fill the streets of downtown San Francisco from the Embarcadero to City Hall on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, 2020.”
PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS
Nearly a year ago today, San Francisco Mayor London Breed along with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco Pride, the Office of Transgender Initiatives, and other city officials kicked off what they anticipated would be a year of major festivities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of SF Pride. Little did they know that just a month later the city would be sheltering-in-place due to a deadly new pandemic.
Carolyn Wysinger, recipient of the Heritage of Pride Creativity Award, rode in the 2018 Pride Parade as an honoree.
David Hyman suggested this year’s and it went to vote with our community. It actually took two ballots, because we had a tie on the first one, but that turned out to be great because so many people voted in the second round. And it’s such a great message, one that encapsulates everything we’ve been through this past year. I like that it subtly reinforces the need to wear a mask and be responsible, because yeah, we’re only going to get through this if we help each other. And if you’re not a member yet, consider joining SF Pride today! We are also asking our communities to help Pride with our fundraising efforts—without the donations we accept at our gates, and the proceeds from beverage sales and the like, we are digging into our savings to get through this rainy day. It will take the support of all of you who visit and enjoy our annual event to stay financially healthy for the future. We are, quite literally, All in This Together. For more information: https://sfpride.org/
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Pete Buttigieg and the ‘Damned Lesbian’
6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis When Pete Buttigieg won Senate confirmation last week becoming the first openly gay member of the Cabinet, our thoughts immediately turned to the first openly LGBTIQ person ever to receive Senate confirmation: San Francisco’s own Roberta Achtenberg. In 1993, Achtenberg was nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to be the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. However, unlike today, it was a bruising battle back then. The Christian Right launched a virulently homophobic campaign to fight Achtenberg’s nomination. The notorious former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms famously denounced Achtenberg as a “damn lesbian.” Achtenberg and many others would later claim the title “damned lesbian” as a badge of honor. But Linda Rapp in the glbtq Encyclopedia recalls a “long and grueling” confirmation process in which several conservative Senators attempted to block her nomination. Helms also attacked Achtenberg as an “intolerant radical.” At the time of her nom-
ination, Achtenberg had been an LGBTIQ rights activist for years. She was one of the co-founders of the Lesbian Rights Project (later renamed the National Center for Lesbian Rights), and she and Carole Migden in 1989 became the first lesbians elected to the San Francisco Board of Pete Buttigieg Roberta Achtenberg Supervisors. will be good to have a Hoosier” as Achtenberg and her then-partTransportation Secretary. ner Judge Mary Morgan were one of the most visible lesbian After Buttigieg’s committee hearcouples to have a child at a time ing, Democratic Senator John Testor of Montana lauded him for when such role models were having “put on a clinic for how rare, and their family was an a nominee should ... act.” Part of inspiration to many. But Helms Buttigieg’s presentation included accused Achtenberg of launchintroducing his husband Chasten ing an “insane assault on famto the committee and having him ily values.” He also decried her at this side throughout. as a “mean person” who “tried to bully the Boy Scouts.” Achtenberg The road to LGBTIQ people as a board member of the San being able to win Senate confirFrancisco United Way had voted mation based on their qualificaalong with all of her over 50 coltions has not been easy, and the leagues to deny funding to the struggle continues. Four years Boy Scouts because of their antiafter Achtenberg’s confirmation, gay policies. Achtenberg ultithe Christian Right successfully mately won Senate confirmation blocked gay philanthropist and by a 58–31 margin. activist James Hormel’s nomination to become the first openly By contrast, 28 years later Pete gay ambassador—even to the tiny Buttigieg won Senate confircountry of Luxembourg. Clinton mation by a 86–13 vote without was only able to appoint Hormel even a whisp of anti-gay rhetoas acting ambassador through a ric from opponents. The primary recess appointment that required stated reasons the 13 Republican no Senate approval. Senators voted against Buttigieg were his opposition to the Keystone Pipeline and his support for Green New Deal policies. Far from opposing Buttigieg, one of his home state senators, Indiana Republican Todd Young, declared he had “a great deal of respect” for Buttigieg and that “it
Now, a number of openly queer people have won Senate confirmation as important government officials, federal judges, and ambassadors, but adequate representation is still lacking. No (continued on page 28)
The Profits of Poverty
Social Philanthropreneur Derek Barnes Many acknowledge that America is the wealthiest nation, but we are failing miserably in eradicating poverty on our own shores. Why haven’t we made more progress in eliminating this ailment? In a State of the Union address in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.” He set out to “not only relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it,” as he expressed in a later 1965 statement. Like so many political leaders, President Johnson was forced into glory by the courage and influence of Black leaders of the time. Johnson set out on a bold political and economic campaign of sweeping changes, including the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), Medicaid, Medicare, urban development and agricultural programs, and a slate of other social justice policy changes—voting, civil rights, desegregation, affirmative action, immigration, education, food programs, and more. 6
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In the early 1960s, leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy, and Malcolm X launched their campaigns against poverty because they saw the intrinsic link between poor economic conditions (including white people), social injustice, and racial inequality. But they all met their untimely fate promoting these radical ideas of fairness, equality, and justice for all. Since then, we’ve been tethered to a complicated history. In many ways, the ‘60s mirrored the post-Civil War era in America (100 years earlier) for many of its citizens. When evaluating the last 55 years, there has been a slow and steady movement to dismantle many of the programs that the Johnson administration put into motion. The question now is why and who should we blame for these lingering issues of poverty. While thinking about the various drivers that are dismantling these social programs and policies, I was particularly triggered by a recent Op-ed piece by Bret Stephens of The New York Times. In the article, he casts some inditement towards progressive policies in “liberal” cities like San Francisco—contributing to CA’s mass exodus to other states as an outcome of bad legislation. One conclusion in reading the piece is that raising taxes alone can’t resolve longstanding systemic issues and imbalances in our profit-driven economy. In his analysis, Stephens fails to mention that about 70% of the poorest 15 states are Republican led. So, his argument that liberal policies are to blame for these looming conditions isn’t entirely valid.
Geographic, economic conditions are nuanced and layered. Conclusions aren’t always derived by binary comparisons—left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican. One could argue that all are accountable when examining the political systems that actually support our economic policies. Wealth redistribution alone (higher taxes), which is often the playbook of liberals, doesn’t work in isolation because it rarely gets to the root cause of a systemic problem. Why? The tendency to rid ourselves of the pain, trauma, or failures is mired in immediate gratification to “fix” without doing the real work to evaluate and repair deeply flawed structures. We’re fixated on the immediate needs of the most vocal constituents, who may seem to be the most impacted. In parallel, there’s not enough focus on other constituents in need, and we ignore nodes in power structures that benefit from the inefficiencies, imbalance, and division. On the other side of the spectrum, different flavors of conservative trickle-down economics or market equilibrium models aren’t sufficient either. Unregulated or extreme forms of capitalism rely too heavily on individuals and businesses doing what’s right and fair to redistribute gains equitably and to reinvest in and replenish areas of (continued on page 28)
Leave Signs Jewelle Gomez (Editor’s Note: We are proud to welcome to the San Francisco Bay Times renowned author, poet, critic, and playwright Jewelle Gomez. She is the author of eight books, including the double Lambda Literary Awardwinning novel, The Gilda Stories (Firebrand Books, 1991). Her personal involvement in Black and feminist political and social movements is often reflected in her works, such as her remarkable plays that include Waiting for Giovanni (about James Baldwin) and Leaving the Blues (about Alberta Hunter). She was on the original staff of WGBH’s Say Brother (later titled Basic Black), one of the world’s first weekly Black television shows. Former president of the San Francisco Library Commission, Gomez additionally previously served as the director of Cultural Equity Grants at the San
“Black Lives Matter” painted on a street in Oakland
The section from a poem by Black Lesbian writer Cheryl Clarke is one of the calls to arms that circles in my mind when I sit down to write. We all have our stories but historically those stories have been deliberately hidden or discounted. I’ll never forget the adventure faced by the Lesbian Herstory Archives in New York City in the 1980s when they received a desperate call from a woman in the Midwest. All the memorabilia of her lesbian aunt was being sent to the dump by relatives anxious not to have the “shameful” secret discovered. But one young woman relative knew whom to call so Archives volunteers hopped in a van and drove hours to rescue the letters and photographs from a fate worse than death. Even though today the times seem more sophisticated and open, for those of us living in any of the “bubbles” we, as a community, are still isolated and invisible to a large part
As a Lesbian/Feminist I want to leave signs so that those who are uncertain of their significance or who feel invisible or don’t see their political resonance can find themselves in my writing and go on to express themselves independently. My great grandmother who raised me used to say there was nothing new under the sun. But we also know that often in order to be it we need to see it. Repressive forces have always understood that, which is why representation of lesbians was banned for a long time on Broadway or why Georgia just elected its first African American representative ever.
Seeing the words “Black Lives Matter” stenciled on an Oakland city Photo of Jewelle at cabin: street made me teary. To me it was as archives, which make powerful as the photo of history come alive. the young woman refusing to back down in I value the way we front of Chinese tanks can reveal ourselves in Tiananmen Square not just to the world in 1989. Say what you in general but also to will, but sharing phoeach other. Whether tos of distant friends has Photo of Cheryl Clarke: they are snapshots, been moving for me: snatches of poetry, or The snapshot of Sandra, one of my films; those of us who have the privibest friends back in New York City, lege of recording the world can make using a snowblower to dig herself out sure we don’t disappear as some of a blizzard! The posting of a forwould like us to. mer neighbor’s kids growing faster There is enough ignorance and fear than 12 months would account for! out there to make every one of us The photos a dear friend took of the treasures left behind when his mother angry or full of despair. So, in this space I’d like to share some of the passed away, leaving him in isolaideas, information, and images that tion in more ways than one, were have made my days both challengboth heartbreaking and heartwarming and exciting and that make us all ing. All of these made me feel closer resilient. to them as I took advantage of trans-
This has been an extraordinary time in U.S. history: those who would like to be sure that not all voices are heard and not all people are seen have been emboldened by too many in the previous administration. Which means that we need to hear even more voices and see even more of our faces. Gay Pride was online, Frameline Film Festival was virtual (do I miss those Hot Cookies!), along with almost everything else. Most of us did not buy stock in Zoom, so we just have to set our lighting and backdrops carefully to grin and bear it!
missions arriving through whatever mystical invention it is that carries the internet email!
Cheryl Clarke’s poems are just one of the things we should never forget. https://www.cherylclarkepoet.com/
Many of my friends who aren’t on Instagram (and there are still a bunch of them) have started including pictures of themselves whenever they email. There is something comforting about seeing and being seen. I keep finding articles online that specialize in photographs like the AP site’s prize-winning photographs that bring the lives of others up close. Or the Library of Congress digital
Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ VampyreVamp
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PHOTO COURTESY OF JEWELLE GOMEZ
“So ... don’t be taken in your sleep now./Call your assailant’s name now./ ... Leave signs of struggle./Leave signs of triumph./ And leave signs.”
But pictures have made this one of the most interesting years ever.
PHOTO BY NIVEA CASTRO
This issue marks the launch of Gomez’s new column for the Bay Times, Leave Signs, a powerful and thought-provoking title that she explains in her first article.)
of the population and to each other. And our history remains spotty. How many potential lesbian hip hop artists languished in the closet waiting for Queen Latifah to come out?
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Francisco Arts Commission. Her diverse background is extraordinary. More about it and her works is at https://bit.ly/3tIqYiL
Jewelle Gomez
Local Businesses Persevere Despite Pandemic, Crime, and Chainstores
Out of Left Field Robert Holgate & Jennifer Kroot Hayes Valley is one of the last independent shopping neighborhoods in San Francisco. The uniqueness, vibrance, and charm of Hayes Valley is largely due to its restriction on formula retail (aka chain stores). The iconic neighborhood draws tourists and locals alike for shopping, eating, and hanging out. Sadly, the pandemic has caused several independent stores that defined the neighborhood to close, including Dish Boutique, Ver Unica, and Gimme Shoes. Similar to other retail neighborhoods, Hayes Street feels post-apocalyptic these days, with few stores open, many empty and boarded up to protect themselves from the incessant break-ins and vandalism that have plagued the area since the lockdown began. As supporters of unique, local businesses, we decided to check in with some of our favorite shops: Modern Appealing Clothing (MAC), Alla Prima Lingerie & Swim, and Metier. All of these shops are women and/or LGBTQ owned. MAC is a family business that opened in 1980 on Post Street. They’ve been in Hayes Valley since 2002. Sister and brother Chris and Ben Ospital started the store with their mother, Jeri (now 92). According to Ben, “MAC offers clothing from new, emerging, local
and international designers.” Ben describes MAC’s values: “We vet all labor and environmental impact of everything we buy. We always have the contact info for every vendor, to insure fairness and equity.” Ben affirms the pandemic has only reinforced their “commitment to small companies, and we all hold hands together to continue. It’s a struggle.” MAC has deep roots in San Francisco and a passion for Hayes Valley. Ben observes, “The neighborhood is the neighbors.” In prepandemic times, MAC hosted art shows, soirées, and creative, sometimes political, antics. Their current community-based labor of love is a collaboration with the legendary LGBTQ nightclub The Stud. At only 250 square feet, Metier is a tiny jewel box of a jewelry store. Sheri Evans and Trina Papini are newer to Hayes Valley, opening in 2014. However, originally Metier opened in 1991 downtown “as a coveted clothing and jewelry store,” describes Trina, who worked for Sheri at the first store. In 2012 they lost their lease, then reopened as partners in Hayes Valley. “My biggest struggle is ‘the juggle,’” Trina explains. “My husband is an essential healthcare worker, so I’m either at the store, or moonlighting as a teacher for our kids, ages 10 and 12—not my best hat.” Pre-pandemic, Metier had two full-time employees and one part-time. Trina and Sheri now share all responsibilities, which Sheris calls, “an enormous amount of work, because it is two stores, online and brick and mortar.” In addition, their shop is so small that they can only allow one customer in at a time,
or two from the same pod. Trina speaks fondly of the old days: “Our clients and employees were happily shoved in the shop like sardines.” She misses working with customers face to face. “With minimal, shelter-inplace foot traffic and the door locked for our safety, we’re mostly online.” Alla Prima is owned by two women (a married couple), Magie Crystal and Yolaida Duran. They pride themselves on their feminist philosophy of “creating a safe and respectful environment in which all women can feel empowered by the many forms of beauty.” They sell cutting edge, European lingerie and swimwear. Sadly, Alla Prima was robbed the day that our conversation was scheduled. And the owners have been busy picking up the pieces since then. Sheri describes what happened: “The front window was smashed and merchandise stolen.” She sighs, “They’ve worked so hard to be open during the pandemic, following all the rules, and now this.” Ben was heartbroken by the news. “I know how much of their lives go into that store,” he says. “All our shops hurt when one is vandalized. Our city leaders must make it a priority to keep the community safe and thriving.” If worrying about crime isn’t enough, small merchants are also concerned by murmurings that commercial realtors wish to leverage the pandemic to allow chain stores into Hayes Valley, in an opportunist attempt to profit from the pandemic. An SF Business Times article from (continued on page 29)
New Public Safety Initiative Launches in the Castro/Upper Market District Castro Cares ( https://bit.ly/3p9DWlX), a unique community collaborative managed by the Castro Community Benefit District (CBD), on February 4 launched a comprehensive, three-pronged program dedicated to i mprov i ng publ ic sa fet y, eco nomic vitality, and quality of life in San Francisco’s iconic Castro/ Upper Market area. The CBD was awarded a $413,245 grant from the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) to fund the new initiative. The innovative Castro Cares initiative has three main components that operate within the CBD geographical footprint seven days a week:
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ance to visitors, residents and merchants that there is a visible public safety component in the district in close communication with the SFPD, the Healthy Streets Operations Center, and CBD’s other city partners. • Downtown Streets Team (DST) empowers unhoused individuals to be part of the solution. DST Team Members participate in a volunteer work-experience program, Monday–Friday afternoons, beautifying and cleaning the district while receiving basic needs stipends to cover food, hygiene, bills, etc. Additionally, team members receive services to help them achieve full employment and housing. This service is in addition to the Castro CBD’s standard cleaning services which operate across the district 7 days a week from 7 am to 7:30 pm.
• San Francisco Patrol Special Police provides foot and vehicle patrols by armed officers in uniform, and has direct cooperation and contact with SFPD. The Patrol Special Police works overnight Friday and Saturday from 9 pm to 9 am and Sunday and Monday from 9 am to 5 pm.
The safety and cleaning services can be contacted by calling/texting 415471-7536.
• Public Safety Ambassadors offer foot and bicycle patrols by unarmed security guards Tuesday– Saturday, 7 am to 3:30 pm. Foot patrols are a uniformed presence in the district acting to deter crime, address quality of life issues, and serve as an extra set of eyes and ears in the neighborhood during the day. They also provide assur-
District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman ahead of the launch said, “The Castro Public Safety Ambassadors will provide a rapid non-police response for the neighborhood and will help make it safer and more welcoming for everyone. I was glad to work with the Castro CBD to secure the funding for this pilot program in the City budget and
am eager to see the Public Safety Ambassadors on the streets of the Castro.” “This generous grant from OEWD allows us to supplement the great work the City does with resources dedicated specifically to the Castro to address the needs of our residents, business owners and visitors. Castro Cares is just one more step the Castro CBD is taking to improve the neighborhood for everyone and help us recover as quickly as possible from this devastating pandemic. The extra set of eyes, ears and boots on the ground will help assure visitors using the shared spaces and outdoor dining that the Castro is clean and safe,” said Andrea Aiello, Executive Director, Castro CBD. Castro Cares, a program of the Castro Community Benefit District, is made up of a number of Castro-based neighborhood groups, including the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association, St. Francis Lutheran Church, Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and the Castro Merchants. Castro Cares depends on continued support by neighbors, merchants, and City grants. More information is available on the Castro CBD website: http://castrocbd.org/castro-cares/
Message from Leadership
Power Lunch 2021: Resilient Businesses, Strong Community
By Krystal Drwencke The GGBA’s annual signature event, the Power Lunch, is ramping up for 2021. Last year we brought you a more fun, intimate setting at the W Hotel with more opportunities for networking and member Power Pitches in front of a panel of esteemed judges. We also heard LGBTQ+ leaders talk about the ways in which diversity in any business setting is essential. This year we’re keeping the intimacy and using the event to build the community. Power Lunch 2021 will take place virtually with a platform that will allow attendees to create a profile, develop their own agendas for the day, see who is attending what sessions, and celebrate the resiliency that makes our community so strong. Power of Connection and Power Expo The morning will start with member-driven networking sessions on the topics of building business, developing leaders, and advocating for our members. The Power Expo will be open and exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet attendees and set up one-to-one meeting for later in the afternoon or the next day. Power Pitches The Power Pitches are never to miss. This year we are working with a local member production company to record member business pitches. Participants will also receive presentation coaching. These pitches will be showcased at the Power Lunch and attendees will be able to pick which ones they would like to view. Afterwards, the pitches will be posted on the GGBA Power Pitch Platform at https://ggba.com/ Look for more member pitch content to be added to our website throughout the year. Power Lunch and Afternoon of One-on-Ones After hearing from LGBTQ+ leaders in a fireside chat, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one in meetings booked through the platform. Follow up is key! I hope you will join us and block your schedule for a day that will allow you to connect and further your business community. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date on the Power Lunch programming and announcements regarding speakers.
GGBA Member Spotlight
Luis A. Zamora Entrepreneur
GGBA CALENDAR February Make Contact: What Is B Corp Certification? Learn to Grow Your Business for Good Tuesday, February 9 5:30 pm–6:30 pm Are you B Corp curious? Do you care about people and the planet along with profit? Join the GGBA as we dive into B Corp certification with Carolina Miranda of Cultivating Capital. Carolina helps businesses like yours bring best practices for sustainability and social impact to your company at each stage of your journey.
Be sure to fill out your own assessment before the event and come ready with questions! Photos courtesy of Luis Zamora
I feel proud to follow in the footsteps of members like iconic business owner and first openly gay elected official in California, Harvey Milk, and immediate past President and first openly trans President of the GGBA, Gina Grahame. These trailblazers and countless others have broken and continue to break down barriers of entry for LGBTQ owned businesses every day. As someone who still hopes to one day own and operate Luis A. Zamora their own business, I joined the GGBA in 2018 with hopes of learning how to lay the foundation for entrepreneurship and to navigate the many obstacles that currently exist for potential and current small business owners. As a civically engaged community leader with an interest in furthering our LGBTQ community’s goals, I joined the board in late 2020 as Chair of Public Policy in hopes of working closely with our small businesses to communicate the needs and struggles that they face, pre- and post-pandemic. I believe that supporting our small businesses directly translates to sought after neighborhoods, strong communities, and a thriving economy.
Luis Zamora with Vice President Kamala Harris at the San FraIn the past I’ve had the privilege of working for an LGBT nonprofit that nicsco Pride Parade (2019)
assisted LGBT refugees in the Middle East and North African regions. I’ve held various board positions in a number of professional and political organizations, and most recently concluded my 2-year term as President of one of the largest Democratic clubs in San Francisco, the San Francisco Young Democrats. As Chair of Public Policy, I hope to utilize the skills and contacts I’ve acquired in order to bridge our small businesses and our elected officials while working towards policies and legislation that will benefit our LGBTQ and allied business community. My goal is to lift the veil on local government by bringing officials to you, the members, so that your voices are heard; to show how small business owners can organize and work with stakeholders to pass legislation; and to work on the issues that are closest to you. To that end, the GGBA is excited to announce the formation of the Small Business Advocacy Subcommittee and is looking for members who may be interested in joining. For more information or to get involved, please email policy@ggba.com Now more than ever do our businesses need our help. I am thrilled to be a part of the effort to save our small businesses and to continue to provide resources for them to grow.
Luis Zamora (second from right) with (left to right) Han Zou, Alex Barrett-Shorter, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mitch Enfinger at the San Francsico Young Democrats Leadership Conference (2020)
Krystal Drwencke is the Vice President of the Golden Gate Business Association. She is also the founder of Ascent Sports Chiropractic: http://www.ascentsportschiro.com/
There will be networking and even a live assessment of a member business to determine if B Corp certification is a good fit.
To say that I’m honored to be a board member of the Golden Gate Business Association would be an understatement. When I think about the GGBA’s humble beginnings in 1974, when a small group of gay bar owners in the Castro collaborated to create the nation’s first LGBT Chamber of Commerce, I feel deeply moved to be a part of their legacy.
Luis Zamora testified in support of renaming the Central Subway Station in Chinatown as the Rose Pak Station.
Save the Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Questions? Interested in attending or sponsorships? Reach out to vp@ggba.com
Luis A. Zamora is a board member of the Golden Gate Business Association and an entrepreneur who hopes to one day own his own business.
To do so, and to register, go to: https://tinyurl.com/yyq36k57 GGBA Legislative Update Wednesday, February 17 6:30 pm–7:30 pm Navigating resources and keeping up with small business legislation can be a daunting task for many of us, especially right now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join the GGBA for our first ever Legislative Update, hosted by our Chair of Public Policy Luis Zamora, as we hear directly from our local and state representatives. We’ll be joined by Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember David Chiu, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman for a night of updates and a look ahead at small business legislation on the horizon. Be sure to fill out any questions you might have for our elected officials before the event https://tinyurl.com/jz1dmmg6 March Make Contact: Zoom Makeover: Uplevel Your Online Screen Presence Tuesday, March 9 5:30 pm–6:30 pm Join us for this special Zoom makeover event and for some networking with GGBA members! As more and more people work from home as a result of COVID-19, Shelley created the Zoom Makeover to help companies, professionals, and speakers transform and improve your online screen presence by increasing trustworthiness, improving engagement, and elevating your personal brand. As an International Personal Branding Image Consultant for 20+ years, she created this timely and innovative 5 step Zoom Makeover process to improve your online screen presence for business, speaking, or videos by aligning the all the visual aspects in the Zoom “box” to match your brand and your message. Register: https://tinyurl.com/5823kxhw GGBA New Member Orientation Wednesday, April 7 Noon–12:45 pm Whether you’re a brand-new member or a seasoned networker, you may attend this event! This session will help you: • Learn more about the history of the GGBA; • Introduce you to new members in your cohort; • Learn simple ways to get involved to grow your business and relationships. Register: https://tinyurl.com/2zwnkdcp
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Don’t Miss These Benefits in Stimulus 2.0 family. And you don’t have to pay taxes on any amount you receive. Eligibility is based on your 2019 tax return. Don’t worry if you earned too much in 2019 to qualify for a payment, but your 2020 adjusted gross income dropped off greatly. Instead of a check, you’ll get a credit on your 2020 tax return to compensate.
Money Matters Brandon Miller I haven’t seen the new Wonder Woman movie, but I hear it’s not as good as the first one. At least you still get to see Gal Gadot in her What-aWoman! wardrobe and Chris Pine looking soulfully into the camera. (Didn’t his character die at the end of the first movie?) Sequels rarely live up to the original. But Stimulus, The Sequel is both worse and better than the first Stimulus. Since you likely don’t want to read the whopping 5,500+ pages of legislation yourself, let me run through the major plot lines for you. Stimulus Check. This is probably the sequel’s biggest disappointment. It offers only $600 maximum per eligible person versus the $2,000 provided in the first package. Like the original, if you are single and make more than $75,000 or part of a jointfiling couple that earns over $150k, you will get a reduced amount or nothing at all if your income is over the cutoff threshold. If you are eligible for a payment, so are your dependent children under 17. Very good news for Octomom’s
Unemployment Extension. Benefits have been extended through the middle of March this year and provide for an extra $300 on top of the usual unemployment amount. Independent contractors can potentially receive these benefits as well. Medical Expenses and FSA Changes. You can deduct medical expenses when they exceed a certain percentage of your income. The rate used to fluctuate, but this law fixes it at 7.5%. Also, Flexible Spending Account funds that you used to lose if you didn’t use them within the calendar year can now be carried over for one year. Tuition Assistance. The Tuition and Related Expenses deduction is disappearing after 2020, but more people will be able to quality for the Lifetime Learning Credit. Credits are better than deductions, so this is a win for many people. Since this benefit can be used for continuing education expenses for adults, you may be able to afford that Road Scholar learning adventure in the Azores after all. Charitable Deduction. You can write off up to $600 in charitable deductions for 2020 and 2021, even if you don’t itemize your taxes and take the standard deduction instead. Earned Income Tax Credit. Did you get laid off, retire, or even intentionally cut back on your work
in 2020? You might qualify for this credit. Your 2019 income will determine the amount of your benefit. If you own a small business or earn 1099 income from self-employment, independent contracting, or gig work, the Stimulus sequel gives you another take on the Paycheck Protection Program. Your business may be eligible for PPP2 money if your revenue dropped 25% or more in any one quarter of 2020 versus that same quarter in 2019. At least 60% of the money you receive has to be used for payroll expenses if you want the loan to be forgivable. Loan amounts are based on your monthly payroll, including what you pay yourself if self-employed. You can apply for 2.5x your monthly payroll. Chalk up another improvement for the sequel—Congress threw a bone to the restaurants and hotels that have been particularly hard hit by pandemic lockdowns. If you own a food or accommodation business, including Airbnb rentals, you can apply for 3.5x monthly payroll. The Employee Retention Credit also makes an appearance in Stimulus 2. It has been bumped up considerably so that eligible businesses can now get a tax credit of up to $7,000 per quarter. Plus, you can qualify for both a PPP loan and the Employee Retention Credit (it was either/or in the first stimulus package), though you can’t use the same wages for both programs. Sequels are big business, whether the drama comes out of Washington or Hollywood. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. has already fasttracked the third Wonder Woman (continued on page 29)
Sport Coupe or Crossover? Prices on these Escape and Mustang testers were closely matched. Escape Titanium AWD is the premium trim, with the biggest engine and the most equipment. The EcoBoost Coupe Premium is about midlevel for the Mustang, which climbs upward with the Bullitt on up to the Shelby entries.
Auto Philip Ruth Got $39,000? Then you can buy the average new car. “Sticker shock” comes to mind, which is ironic when you consider that phrase was first coined in the 1970s, and a 1980model average new car would cost only $24,000 in today’s dollars. Back then, prices were hiked after conforming to new safety and emissions standards, while today it’s techdriven features and prestige-truck ambitions that are inflating the costs. Modern longer car loans would have been absurd back then, considering the intrinsic futility of an eightyear term on a 1980 Pinto. Here in 2021, the extra debt time helps buyers rationalize specifying extras that, in their best light, will future-proof the purchase. But let’s say you’d like to hold close to the average price, and you’re not really sure what you want. All your friends have some kind of SUV or crossover, but perhaps practicality isn’t first on your list. If you stop by a Ford dealer with this thinking, then these two testers, an Escape Titanium AWD and Mustang EcoBoost Coupe Premium, would directly compete for your attention. 10
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The tested Escape was $37,125, the Mustang $38,615—similar prices for very different vehicles. The Escape is a compact crossover that was newly re-thought for 2020, while the Mustang’s sport-coupe platform is tried and true, with an attitude rooted in American-car mythology. Open the doors, and both are quintessential Ford, albeit in its various forms. The Escape’s interior reflects the modern interpretation, which frustratingly favors styling over material finish. There’s some softness in the plastics surrounding you, and there’s also some hardness. After the Escape, the Mustang feels as cushy as your Grandmother Margaret’s Torino Brougham, with cushy seats and padded door panels. You sit low and long in the Mustang, and dialing up the thigh support makes you feel clamped in. No crossover can replicate that. Some crossovers do seem to replicate the Mustang’s limited rear visibility, and the unexpected gift of the Escape’s 2020 redesign is its low beltline, which is essentially the level of the windowsill. Crossovers are notorious for their high beltlines, but the new Escape deflates that bloat with
Ford Escape Titanium AWD
Mustang EcoBoost Coupe Premium
lower sills and taller windows. It’s worthy of consideration for city-driving visibility alone. Over the road, the Escape Titanium AWD felt agile with its 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and eight-speed automatic. The Mustang went beyond that for access to sheer speed, with its 2.3-liter High Performance EcoBoost engine and ten-speed automatic. Skip the automatic for the standard six-speed manual—on San Francisco’s hills, the ten-speed was busier than an ensemble cast 10 minutes before curtain. Comparable pricing on such different vehicles can challenge the assumptions of your own needs. It might come down to which one you like best. Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
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Supporting Small Businesses in the Castro & Beyond
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area
CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)
Le Marais Bakery 8am-3pm Thursday-Sunday 498 Sanchez Street 415-316-5430 Contact: Annie Mulowayi patrick@lemarisbakey.com http://www.lemaraisbakery.com “This might very well be the best French bakery in San Francisco,” is the review we’ve heard by the grapevine. But see for yourself. The bakery is a favorite source of chocolate croissants and so much more for some San Francisco Bay Times team members who stop by as often as possible. Bakery items, a yummy pastry selection, a tasty brunch, and specialty coffee are just some of the offerings on the surprisingly large menu. On top of that, a delicious Valentine’s Day tart with strawberry and raspberry dragée almond filling and heart-shaped shell will be available in a limited number from February 12– 15. Le Maris has a delightfully decorated parklet for you to use during pandemic-restricted dining. Pick-up and delivery orders can be placed online. Masks, social distancing, occupancy, and sanitization requirements apply.
Photos courtesy of Le Marais Bakery
MX3 Fitness By Appointment - Check Website 2336 Market Street 415-577-4307 Contact: Glenn Shope glenn@mx3fitness.com http://www.mx3fitness.com An outdoor gym in a parklet is waiting for you on Market Street. Equipment and trainers ... it’s all there right where you would never have dreamed a year ago that anyone would be working out. MX3 has made a major commitment to helping plan nutrition as well as workouts. Coaches are available to assist in creating a proper diet with weekly sessions available. Sessions can be reserved online. Certified trainers offering package fitness plans are available for in person and virtual sessions. In addition to its Castro location, MX3 operates a second gym in the lower Haight at 520 Waller Street.
Photos by Juan R. Davila
Giddy Candy 11am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Monday 2299 Market Street on Noe 415-857-4198 Contact: Kenzie info@giddycandy.com http://www.giddycandy.com Stop by the convenient Castro location of Giddy Candy at Noe and Market and you’ll be invited to: “Have a sweet day!” This one-of-a-kind candy shop was founded by a woman, Mary, who has a passion for candy. Available onsite is a selection of “wacky” sweets (and very sours), some exotic and some comfortingly familiar—crunchy, chewable, and suckable for guilty pleasure. Giddy Candy is ready made for anyone who loves to give a sweet gift any time of year. “Work at Home Candy Care” gift boxes have become very popular since the onset of COVID-19 and will no doubt continue post-pandemic. In store shopping is available and ordering online for curbside pickup is encouraged. Be sure to mention seeing this in the San Francisco Bay Times for a 15% discount. Photos by Juan R. Davila
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In Memoriam
525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men. We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community. The Bay Times is proud to be the only newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco that is 100% owned and operated by LGBT individuals. Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors
Beth Greene, Michael Delgado, John Signer, Abby Zimberg Design & Production
Kate Laws Business Manager Blake Dillon Calendar Editor
Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren
Technology Director
Carla Ramos Web Coordinator Mario Ordonez Distribution
CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Kate Kendell, Alex Randolph, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Jennifer Kroot, Robert Holgate, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Tim Seelig, Cinder Ernst, John Chen Rafael Mandelman, Jewelle Gomez, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Kin Folkz, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Peter Gallotta, Bill Lipsky, Elisa Quinzi, Liam Mayclem, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Derek Barnes, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Michele Karlsberg Lyndsey Schlax, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Lou Fischer, Karin Jaffie, Brett Andrews, Karen E. Bardsley, David Landis, Jan Wahl Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Deborah Svoboda, Devlin Shand, Kristopher Acevedo, Morgan Shidler, JP Lor ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only. CALENDAR Submit events for consideration by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com © 2021 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas
Carmen Vàzquez, a longtime LGBTQ+ and social justice activist, died on January 27, 2021, of COVID-19 related complications. She was 72.
Patrick H. York died unexpectedly on December 17 at the age of 35. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman adjourned the February 2 San Francisco Board of Supervisors memory in York’s honor and stated: “Patrick was born in Wheatland, Wyoming, and raised in Glendo, Wyoming, where his grandmother Kathy Damrow and grandfather Neil Damrow raised him.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Harlem, New York, Vàzquez loved the Bay Area and moved here after earning a master’s degree in education from City University of New York. She became the Founding Director of the Women’s Building in San Francisco, helped found the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center in San Francisco, and the LGBT Health & Human Services Network. She was also a founder and principal author of Causes in Common (a national coalition of reproductive justice and LGBT liberation activists). Her essays have been published in several anthologies and she made scores of keynote presentations at conferences and college Carmen Vàzquez with Olga Talamante at the campuses across the United States. 45th Anniversary of the Women’s Building. (2016) Vàzquez was the Co-Chair of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation Board of Directors and the former Director of LGBT Health and Human Services. Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director, said, “The loss of Carmen tears open a hole in the heart of the LGBTQ+, social justice, immigration, reproductive justice, and sexual freedom movements. And in mine. I’m deeply sad that one of our movement’s most brilliant activists is no longer with us. I’ve never known this movement without Carmen in it. A fierce, Puerto Rican butch, who spoke, wrote, organized, mobilized, and willed with her small but powerful body justice and liberation into this world.” Carey added, “Carmen was Task Force family, having served on our board of directors, and as a colleague, advisor, and friend to a long line of executive directors. That laugh. Those cowboy boots. The ties. I never thought I’d say this, but part of me is glad we aren’t in person for Creating Change this year because I don’t think I could bear not seeing her there. And yet, the cruelty of having to mourn her loss, while not being together as a community she loved so much, is overwhelming. Rest in power, Carmen. We will continue your work for liberation.”
He attended the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in anthropology with a minor in geography. Patrick was politically active as a college student, and after graduating he moved to the Bay Area in 2008 where he joined the ‘No on Prop 8’ campaign to fight for marriage equality. He loved to attend rallies and protests, and was always eager to support his community. During his time living in San Francisco, Patrick worked as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker for over eight years, as a personal trainer with Fitness SF for more than two years, and was owner of a boutique underwear company called Yorkies. I first met Patrick when he was working at Mr. S Leather. Gearing up for my ill-fated 2010 run for Supervisor, I knew that any gay Supervisor wannabe worth his salt needed a pair of leather pants. Patrick took great care of me, and those pants have stood me in good stead through a decades’ worth of queer and leather pride events. Patrick was a fundraiser for various charities including the Positive Resource Center’s famed annual Bare Chest Calendar, where he won Mr. July 2012 and raised money for people living with HIV/AIDS. He donated his time and money to Habitat for Humanity, AIDS/LifeCycle, and organizations dedicated to children and youth and ending hunger. Patrick loved to gather with friends over games, regularly organizing game nights with his community of fellow Dungeons and Dragons fans prior to the pandemic. He was also known and loved by many San Franciscans as drag performer Cheron Dippity, and in 2018 won the Bare Chest Calendar’s ‘Queen of the Calendar.’ Patrick is survived by his brother, Stephen York, his grandmother, Kathy Damrow, and his best friends Ed Mathews and Matt Karabaic whom he considered his adopted family. Rest in power Patrick. May your memory be a blessing.”
At the 2020 Creating Change conference in Dallas, TX, she was awarded the SAGE Award for Excellence in Leadership on Aging Issues. In her acceptance speech she said, “Change is never about one person alone, there are countless others who paved the way for my activism, and countless others who will follow me and build a bridge to the future ... we are and always will be an intergenerational movement and we should act that way ... equality is not enough, justice and liberation are where our hearts and minds should lead us.”
In lieu of flowers, Patrick’s family and friends ask that folks consider making a donation to one of the following causes in Patrick’s honor:
The full speech can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/5268fhpv
AIDS/LifeCycle: https://www.aidslifecycle.org
Bare Chest Calendar benefitting PRC: https://barechest.org/PatrickYork Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/ Food Bank of the Rockies: https://www.foodbankrockies.org
Terrrie Frye (1946–2021)
Cloris Leachman - (1926-2021)
“Nobody was more dedicated than she was to so many progressive causes,” wrote LGBTQ and social justice activist Tommi Avicolli Mecca about Terrrie Frye, who was one of the most beloved and hardest working queer activists in San Francisco and beyond. She died at age 74 following a long illness. A beautiful, well-attended memorial service for Frye took place at the National AIDS Memorial in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on February 7. During the HIV/AIDS crisis, Frye did all that she could from the start. She fed and cared for those who were ill, worked to educate others about HIV/ AIDS, and helped out in numerous other ways. A longstanding member of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Frye worked to get out the vote on progressive candidates and causes. She also was a tireless advocate for medical cannabis users and SRO residents.
PHOTO BY RINK
2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113
Patrick York (1985–2020) WOODHULL FREEDOM FOUNDATION
Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011
Carmen Vàzquez (1949–2021)
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Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978
But her dedication to volunteering for LGBT and progressive causes, and her warm presence, are what friends and family members have been remembering the most. As Kimberly Alvarenga, Director of the California Domestic Workers Coalition, wrote, “Oh Terrrie Frye, Creator broke the mold when they made YOU!!! Thank you for teaching us how to be 100% authentic, loving and powerful in this life. You left a mark by making this world a better place and by inspiring us with who you are! I will miss you! Until we meet again my friend.” 12
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Originally from Pittsburgh, she moved to San Francisco where she held a number of jobs to make ends meet, such as working as a bicycle messenger. That work led to her nickname, “Granny Gear.”
Actress Cloris Leachman, whose distinguished career spanned more than six decades, is remembered fondly by LGBTQ community members. In 2011, she appeared as a featured guest at the San Francisco AIDS Walk in Golden Gate Park.
Lesbians and Gays with Currency
Faces from Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky Not too long ago, the Bank of England made a surprising, but welcome announcement. “The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street,” as the institution is affectionately called, had chosen to honor Alan Turing (1912– 1954) on its new £50 notes. Wanting to recognize a leading scientist, the Bank asked the public for suggestions. In six weeks it received 227,299 nominations for 989 eligible names. From a short list of 12, the final choice was made by the Bank’s governor, Mark Carney. One of the most brilliant and original minds of the last hundred years, Turing “was an outstanding mathematician whose work has had an enormous impact on how we live today,” Carney explained. “As the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, as well as a war hero, [his] contributions were farranging and path breaking.” Among others, he detailed the design of a stored-program computer; invented a method to solve matrix equations and linear equations; and created a simple method to determine whether or not a machine was “intelligent.”
If issued in late 2021 as expected, the new notes will appear on the 70th anniversary of Turing becoming a fellow of the Royal Society. If delayed until early 2022, they will enter circulation 70 years after his arrest for gross indecency – he was convicted the next year – the same crime that sent Oscar Wilde to Reading Gael for two years at hard labor, exile, and early death. Turing escaped prison only by agreeing to chemical castration. According to Winston Churchill, Turing made the single greatest contribution to the Allied victory in World War II. His design for a computing device that could decipher enemy messages, written in the Nazi’s “unbreakable” Enigma codes, shortened the European conflict by at least two years, and possibly more, saving hundreds of thousands of lives from still more battles, bombings, and the death camps of the Final Solution. Churchill could have helped Turing after his arrest and conviction in 1952, but did nothing on his behalf. In 2009, however, 55 years after he died, then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a full apology to Turing, thanking him for his “contribution to humankind” and for fighting fascism and war. Four years later, Queen Elizabeth II gave him a rare royal pardon. Now with the £50 notes, he is receiving “a massive acknowledgement of his mistreatment and unprecedented contribution to society.” Turing will be the latest, but not the only one of our LGBT forebearers to be honored on his or her nation’s currency. Mário Raul de Morais Andrade (1893–1945) appeared on the Brazilian 500000 cruzeiros, which was used only briefly between 1993 and 1994 during a time of high inflation and currency reform.
Andrade was a founder and hugely influential member of Brazil’s avantgarde modernist movement of the 1920s, which revolutionized the country’s literature, arts, and culture. Some critics claim he essentially created modern Brazilian poetry with his Paulicéia Desvairada (Hallucinated City), published in 1922. Six years later his novel Macunaíma, with its combination of authenticity and fantasy later known as magical realism, helped to transform the nation’s fiction. He was also an essayist, a musicologist, folklorist, art historian, critic, and photographer. His work and his ideas remain highly influential. For many reasons, Andrade carefully guarded his privacy, although there was some speculation about his sexual orientation during his lifetime. In 1929 the writer Oswald de Andrade (no relation) published an article that referred to him as “our Miss São Paulo.” Some of what he wrote can be given a homosexual interpretation, but not until 2015 was one of his letters made available to researchers that showed that he was sexually attracted to other men. No country has honored more LGBT people on its currency than Sweden. Selma Lagerlöf, (1858–1940), became world famous as the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909, although no one except her most intimate friends knew she also was making history as the first lesbian to be given that high honor. In 1991, she also became the first woman to be depicted on a Swedish banknote. Lagerlöf’s first success as a writer came with Gösta Berling’s Saga,
published in 1891 when she was 32. In 1923, it became a film, starring Greta Garbo in the performance that brought her to the attention of Hollywood, where she arrived in 1925. Famously secretive about her personal life, the film reviewer and biographer Barry Paris described her as “technically bisexual, predominantly lesbian, and increasingly asexual as the years went by.” In 2016 her portrait appeared on a new 100 krona banknote, still in circulation. As part of the same banknote series, Sweden also saw a new 1,000 krona banknote honoring diplomat and United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld (1905–1963), an office he held from 1953 until his death in an airplane crash eight years later. In tribute, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed him “the greatest statesman of our century.” He is the only person ever to be honored with a
Nobel Peace Prize awarded posthumously. Like so many LGBT women and men of his generation, Hammarskjöld was intensely protective of his private life. Even so, gossip about him being gay began soon after he became Secretary General. True or not, he apparently was unable to accept his sexuality, whatever it was. The poet W. H. Auden, however, who knew Hammarskjöld, was convinced that he was a man who loved other men; some believe his saying so publicly cost Auden his own Nobel Prize for Literature. Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.
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Joe Hawkins
Ken Jones
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Carolyn Wysinger
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PHOTO BY MATT L. WONG
Alex U Inn
FEBRUARY Tony Bradford
Angela Davis
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Lisa Williams
Honey Mahogany Peggy Moore
Dr. Dee Spencer
SACHYN MITAL
Blackberri
Audre Lorde
VULTURE.COM
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Melanie DeMore
DJ Lamont Laverne Cox
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Michael Tate
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Samuel Gray
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Gwen Avery
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Julius Turman
Troy Brunet
Bayard Rustin
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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)
Alex Randolph
Brett Andrews
Imani Rupert-Gordon
Y Derek Barnes
Karen Williams
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Andrea Shorter
John Weber Kin Folkz
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Mandy Carter
IRENE YOUNG
Tracy Chapman
Mary Watkins
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WIKIPEDIA
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Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
Jewelle Gomez
Marsha P. Johnson
Michael Sam
Yvette Flunder SANDY MORRIS
BeBe Sweetbriar
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Linda Tillery
Judy Young S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Dr. Corbett Is In: Getting Vaccinated to See the 96th Black History Month A year ago, we experienced the first loss of an American life to the then fast-emerging coronavirus pandemic. To date, over 27 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus, and by the end of this February it is projected that we will have lost 500,000 American lives to coronavirus. The lack of truth, urgency, and competency in response to this massive public health crisis by the former president and his administration only served to highlight and worsen existing inequities in health care, economics, and other impacts on people of color. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Black Americans are dying at three times the rates of white Americans. Now under a new president—the former Vice President to the first Black President Barack Obama—an aggressive plan for producing and equitable distribution of viable vaccines is underway.
Cross Currents Andrea Shorter Happy Birthday, Black History Month! This year you are 95 years old. Born in 1926 as “Negro History Week” as a creation of historian and educator Carter G. Woodson, you eventually became a month-long celebration in the U.S. bicentennial year of 1976 to coincide with the February birthdays of former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President and emancipator Abraham Lincoln. Of note, February was also the birth month of civil rights icon Rosa Parks—on February 4, she would have been 108 years of age.
Still, because of the inhumane and unethical abuse of Black people as pharmaceutical tests subjects, namely the famously deceptive Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphillis in the Negro Male between 1932–1972 by the CDC, building trust in the safety of what presents as a lifesaving vaccine is paramount in 2021.
Since your last visit in 2020, the story of Black America can best be described as a continued and epic journey of resilience, reckoning, remembrance, and renewal.
President Biden and Vice President Harris—the obvious major Black History maker of 2021—were publicly inoculated with their first and
second doses of vaccine in their campaign to encourage the squeamish and ensure the skeptical of the vaccine’s safety. During her broadcast and live-stream of being vaccinated at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harris spoke of her late mother Dr. Shyamala Gopalan’s affiliation with the NIH as a cancer scientist and researcher. Having grown up with a renowned biomedical scientist, she asserted that the Biden-Harris response to this pandemic will be transparent and guided by science versus politics and denial. For those of us who had the honor of meeting her mother, an inspiring impression of her was her dedication and high ethical standards as a scientist to improve the human condition. Like her daughter, I do hope her story as a woman of color leading potentially lifesaving biomedical research will engender trust where needed about the types of people likely working to produce the current vaccines, and the vaccines themselves. Give the pandemic and the current Black History Month, I wish to call attention to another respected leader in her field: Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett. Dr. Corbett is an immunologist and research fellow, and is the scientific lead for the Coronavirus Vaccines & Immunopathogenesis Team at the National Institutes of Health
‘You’re Gay Too!’
Coming Out Stories
Photos courtesy of Lamont Bransfords-Young (aka DJ Lamont)
I was an extremely introverted teenager. In public environments I would just stand and look at the world as though I were watching a movie in the theatre. I was a passive participant; I didn’t say a word. It’s not that I had nothing to say, I just did not know how to express myself. At 16, my first after-school job was as a dishwasher at The Red Bull Inn, a restaurant in my hometown in Waterbury, Connecticut. I was hired by a handsome 30-something-year-old head cook named Kevin. I would always keep an eye on him. I worked 3 to 4 days a week, generally 5 to 6 hours per shift, or until the last dish was washed. Every night that I worked, I would perform my duties in a natural state of silence amongst the constant parade of eccentric, funny, witty, and loud middle-aged co-workers. I found them all entertaining. On my third or fourth shift, an 18-yearold busboy came to my station with a container of dirty dishes and said, “Hi, my name is Michael.” I did not utter one word. I just looked, smiled, and unloaded the dishes. There was a flair about him that I became fond of. He was funny and made sarcastic comments about the work environment. Each shift that we worked together he would drop down the bin of dirty dishes and say hi to me. I uttered nothing, smiled, unloaded the dishes. and just looked at the high pace, rhythmic dance of the front and back of the house co-existing.
DJ Lamont at the turntable, 1989
High School, 1984
As I was becoming more comfortable, I finally broke my spell of silence and I responded to his greetings. He was shocked when he heard my voice. He didn’t believe I could talk. I asked him if he had heard that new song “Physical Attraction” by Madonna. He said, “Who?” I then asked if he had heard “You’re the One for Me” by D-Train, “Beat The Street” by Sharon Redd, or “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa. The day DJ Lamont arrived in San Francisco, September, 1996 18
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I overwhelmed him. He was enthusiastically interested in my musical name dropping, but he did not have a clue. Michael asked, “Where do you hear this music?” I said, “At The Club.”
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(NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Vaccine Research Center (VRC). She is described by Dr. Anthony Fauci as being “right at the forefront of the development of the (coronavirus) vaccine.” Dr. Corbett is African American. To some it might sound simple and maybe even insulting to think that a Black American is a key leader developing the vaccines that could save us all from coronavirus and could engender a little trust and confidence amongst understandably skeptical Black Americans. The nightmare of the Tuskegee experiments officially ended 49 years ago. The traumatic effects of this singular episode in scientific mistreatment of Black subjects in a controlled study still lingers. However, thousands of people are now subject as pedestrians to being potential fatalities of an uncontrolled virus. With thousands dying daily of coronavirus, if lifting up Dr. Corbett and her critical role as a talented and trusted scientist working to save lives encourages or helps promote getting the vaccines, let this 95th Black History Month shine a spotlight on her work. Just knowing of Dr. Corbett’s role in combatting this epic crisis can save lives. It sounds simple, yes, but knowledge is power. I expect we will
Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett.
have Dr. Corbett to thank mightily along with her many other colleagues in science—not politics—for keeping us safer and alive to see the 96th Black History Month. Andrea Shorter is a Commissioner and the former President of the historic San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. She is a longtime advocate for criminal and juvenile justice reform, voter rights and marriage equality. A Co-Founder of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, she was a 2009 David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
By Lamont Bransfords-Young (aka DJ Lamont) The Club was Waterbury’s oldest gay bar & nightclub. I was under age and still in high school, and my friends and I would go every Friday and Saturday night. I invited Michael and we all danced the night away. Michael and I become best buds. For two consecutive years, my friends from high school along with Michael and me sought out every gay club in the major cities of Connecticut: Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. I would just dance, most of the time by myself. Michael would disappear for a period of time only to reappear dancing next to me with a smile on his face. Outside of the music we said very little about the experience of the night. We never spoke of your sexual interest or orientation. We would both underplay what we saw and what we wanted. After one night of clubbing, I was dropping Micheal off at his house in Naugatuck and we sat in the car for a few hours talking. We spoke about the music, the clubs, and the adventures traveling around the state seeking good times. We shared our wants and dreams. All of a sudden, awkwardness was replaced by words and there was complete silence. The results of my introverted character became dominant. Then finally I said to Michael, “I have something to tell you. I’m gay.” He replied, “You’re gay?” Silence resumed for eternity it seemed. He then asked, “You’re gay too?!” I replied, “What do you mean too?” He said, “I’m gay too!” Michael and I are still best buds. ‘You Didn’t Have to Yell’ One August Saturday, my one and only older brother Troy and I were entangled in a battle of wills. That afternoon, he took my 1984 power blue Dodge Omni without my permission. He returned my vehicle on an empty tank. I cursed him. He swung and chased me down the middle of the street wagging a big
Lamont Bransfords-Young with his husband, Christopher
stick cursing back at me. I was screaming, “Mommie, mommie, help!” until she appeared on the front porch and pulled rank, ordering us to stop the nonsense, quiet down, and come into the house. The three of us ended up in the kitchen. We were all fussing at each other. I was heated; steam was blowing from my ears. My heart rate was up from the chase. My face was covered in sweat, and my clothes were stuck to me. I was all fired up telling my mother how tired I was of Troy taking my things from me without my permission. Troy just hissed and sassed me, making fun of the whole situation, as though it meant nothing. He called me a big sissy. My mom would shout back, “Leave your brother’s stuff alone and stop calling him names.” He swung at me one last time and called me a sissy again as he stormed out of the kitchen. My mother again said, “Would you two stop it? Stop calling your brother names.” I was sitting across from her as she sat stoically at the kitchen table with a drink in one hand and a smokin’ cigarette in the other. “What’s wrong with you?” my mother asked. “Why do you let him get to you?” I replied, “He is always taking my stuff, that’s why.” “I know,” she said, “but your outbursts are getting out of hand. You never talk to me. You come and go in secret. What’s going on with you? All of this can’t just be about your things.” The more she inquired, the more frustrated I became. Finally, I said, “I’ll tell you what is going on. I’M GAY! Did you hear me, I’M GAY! That’s what’s going on with me. I’M GAY!” (continued on page 28)
The Importance of Electoral Politics in Social Change Movements By Mandy Carter
Photos courtesy of Mandy Carter
I wonder how many of us could ever have thought that we would have our first-ever woman, and woman of color, as our vice-president? I sure didn’t at first. That was until I remembered having had the good fortune of working on the historic election of our first-ever Black president, Barack Obama, in his 2008 presidential election campaign. As an out Black lesbian and lifelong Democrat, I count myself fortunate to have worked on two winning historic campaigns that proactively engaged our LGBTQ+ communities. In 2008, soon-to-be President Obama formed Obama Pride with five national co-chairs for his national LGBT leadership team. They included myself of Durham, NC; Marsha Botzer of Seattle, WA; Jesse Garcia of Dallas, TX; Campbell Spencer of Washington, DC; and Eric Stern of Berkeley, CA. For me, the experience underscored the importance of electoral politics in social change movements. I had done the hard work of organizing grassroots networks, especially people of color throughout the South. Notably, one of the first southern states that Obama won in his 2008 election was Virginia. He also won my state of North Carolina. And, in 2020, with the help of The LGBTQ+ Out for Biden-Harris Leadership Council and numerous others, Kamala Harris won her herstoric election, becoming our first-ever woman and woman of color vice-president.
DUKE.EDU
Mandy Carter
President Obama’s Statement on Stonewall
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO/PETE SOUZA
I also now think of former President Obama’s statement concerning the Stonewall Riots. He said this on June 1, 2017, at the start of Pride month that year: “While we have come a long way since the Stonewall Riots of 1969, we still have lots of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But, at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s Mandy Carter (right) with students at the Edmund Pettus Bridge about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO/PETE SOUZA
A truly historic event was held in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 SelmaTo-Montgomery Voting Rights March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Georgia Congressman John Lewis (1940–2020) walked across the bridge with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO/PETE SOUZA
Remembering Georgia Congressman John Lewis
(left to right) Former First Lady Laura Bush; former President Barack Obama; Congressman John Lewis, former President George Bush and other officials at the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge
In 1965, Lewis was a civil rights activist and chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He attempted to lead 600 people across the Edmund Pettis Bridge to the state capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, for the right to vote. They were brutally attacked by Alabama state troopers. That led to then President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. I got to participate in the 50th Anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge crossing representing our National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) with students from Warren Wilson College, a progressive liberal arts college located in Swannanoa, North Carolina. NBJC, founded in 2003, is a national civil rights organization serving our LGBTQ+ and same-gender loving people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. We collaborate with national civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ organizations. President-elect Kamala Harris in 2024 or 2028? We now have the 2020 election win of President Biden and Vice-President Harris. That said, I am already eagerly looking ahead to when Vice President Kamala Harris will run for the presidency. It could be in 2024 if President Biden doesn’t run for re-election. Or, it could be 2028 if he wins and can’t run again and she can. Either way, count me in! For more information about the National Black Justice Coalition: www.nbjc.org Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, Mandy Carter is one of the leading Black lesbian activists in the United States. She is known for organizing grassroots networks, especially people of color throughout the South. Carter was inducted into the International Federation of Black Prides’ Black LGBT Hall of Fame during the January 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday and is the recipient of numerous other honors. For more information, see her biography at the Woodhull Freedom Foundation website: https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/leadership/mandy-carter/ S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Donna’s Chronicles
By Donna Sachet
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation. And only one bad one to lose it.” –Benjamin Franklin
T
hose of our readers who know us well can vouch for our love of history. Knowing where we came from is a valuable tool in moving forward with purpose. In the LGBTQ Community, we have learned that if we don’t participate in the recording of our history, it is often written incorrectly with key figures omitted or mischaracterized. Therefore, we are committed to supporting the work of the GLBT Historical Society, the Rainbow Honor Walk, and the various neighborhoods in the City that are seeking or have already received specific designation as historically significant areas. So, when the San Francisco Board of Education voted recently to rename 44 of its 121 schools (more than 36%), removing the names of any that had ties, no matter how isolated or remote, to racism, sexism, the institution of slavery, etc., it gave us pause. At first, our biggest concern was the criteria used by the committee formed by the Board of Education for the express purpose of considering which schools needed renaming. Evidently, a single demonstrable act determined by them to show racism, colonialism, sexism, or other characteristic is enough to disqualify an individual from the honor of having a school bear that name. The entirety of a person’s life work would not be used to outweigh any number of negative acts. The ancient Egyptians believed that after death a person’s heart would be weighed by the gods against the weight of a single feather. If that heart was loaded with hurtful and disreputable actions, therefore weighing it down and throwing off the balance of the scale, that soul was consigned to eternal punishment. If that heart was found lighter than a feather, in other words without perceived sin, that soul ascended to live with the gods in eternal pleasure. Perhaps that seems a remote reference, but the parameters of the Board of Education’s decision run counter to most civilized systems of justice, including our own in the United States. When determining an appropriate sentence, doesn’t a judge review the criminal’s past history of arrests? Isn’t early release from prison and the whole parole system based on weighing a person’s criminal behavior against current life patterns? Isn’t a first offense usually looked upon more favorably when considering the offender’s entire life history? Much has been written in the local press about this issue and we have devoured it voraciously, but recent articles in The New Yorker (2/4/21, Nathan Heller) and The Atlantic (2/2/21, Gary Kamiya) drew our attention as well. Unlike those who disregard outside criticism, when such storied publications on the opposite coast of the country take note and state strong objection to actions in San Francisco, we read their remarks with interest. The New Yorker article took an intriguing stance, chalking up many of the committee’s decisions to a fascination with celebrity, not documented history. They even pointed out that “the city’s mayor, London Breed, has wondered publicly whether it doesn’t, perhaps, have some more important stuff to do.” The Atlantic’s evaluation of the process by which the Board of Education formed a School Names Advisory Committee and then the questionable and at times error-prone deliberations of that committee are covered more thoroughly than in any local publication we’ve seen. Promised engagement with the community was ignored, historical research was limited and sometimes erroneous, and final decisions were made after only seconds of discussion, even contradicting the committee’s own standards. Given these complicated questions of process, standards, and priority, what names will replace those of politically astute Senator Dianne Feinstein, beloved writer Robert Louis Stevenson, and widely revered Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln? So, why would this columnist be so concerned about the renaming of San Francisco schools? Because this single action reveals a seriously flawed process, recognized and ridiculed by many locals and a host of national observers. San Francisco has long held a reputation for compassion and taken a leadership role on progressive issues, but decisions like those of the Board of Education threaten to trivialize this city’s very deep roots in progressive politics and historical commitment to civil justice for all. Is the decision to strip names from 44 schools final? That remains to be seen. But if we had the chance to address the School Names Advisory Committee or the Board of Education, we would concentrate on three topics. First, honor your original promise to welcome community input. The very topic of certain school names appearing inappropriate evidently arose from public comments and inquiries to the Board of Education; why not use public input before putting a plan into place? Second, take the time to set clear parameters before making sweeping changes. What actions should disqualify a name from gracing one of the schools of San Francisco? How many adverse actions should result in elimination and are those actions taken in context of the person’s entire life? How can today’s accepted standards of right and wrong be effectively and justly applied to people living in entirely different times? And third, once those parameters are established, research into the lives of those involved must be thorough and broad and any decision must abide by those parameters fully and without exception. Let’s hope the announcement of these school name changes is not a fait accompli and that wiser heads will rule. San Francisco has often led the way in defining civil rights, pointing out inequity, and taking decisive action when needed, but let’s not become a national laughingstock before doing some painstaking homework and balancing calls for change with common sense. We live in a flawed nation with a history of mistakes made by well-intentioned, but misinformed or unenlightened people, but in our continued effort “to form a more perfect union,” let’s not expunge significant contributions by remarkable people. We in San Francisco are better than that.
Calendar
a/la Sachet Saturday, February 13 Imperial Crown Prince & Princess Ball; Matched Hosted by ICPs Andrew Munrose & The One and Only Rexy Imperial Council virtual fundraiser parody of TV’s Match Game Performances by Baby-Shaques Munro, Olivia Hart, & more 5 pm Contributions accepted www.imperialcouncilsf.org Saturday, February 13 All You Need Is Love: REAF’s Virtual Valentine’s Spectacular Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation cabaret show on YouTube Live featuring Leslie Jordan, Bruce Vilanch, Spencer Day, Petula Clark & more 11 am $25 & up www.reaf.org Saturday, February 27 Snack Bar Reigning Emperor William Bulkley & Reigning Empress Mimi Osa Monthly fundraiser with the current Monarchs 4 pm Contributions accepted www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)
Chip Zecher, Jewelle Gomez
Photos by Mark Rhoades
In June 2020, LGBT community leader and PR strategist Mark Rhoades contacted popular artist fnnch and suggested that he paint rainbow honey bears all over the Castro. Fnnch loved the idea, and added that he would like to honor Pride by painting one specific wall, with one dynamic focus: the SF LGBT Center. Rebecca Rolfe and Roberto Ordeñana of the Center approved the mural, which is dedicated to fnnch’s late gay uncle. Now Rhoades is taking photos of LGBT leaders, well-known artists, and others in order to support the Center. In this column the San Francisco Bay Times is featuring highlights from the colorful collection of images that will be exhibited at the Center for SF Pride 2021. For More Information Mark Rhoades PR https://www.markrhoadespr.com/ fnnch https://fnnch.com/ SF LGBT Center https://www.sfcenter.org/
Jewelle Gomez, Author, Playwright, Poet, Activist
Chip Zecher, Attorney
More Recipes from Joanne Weir: The Jacqueline of All Culinary Trades Preheat an outdoor grill over medium heat.
Paella with Chicken, Shell Beans and Green Beans
Slice two of the tomatoes into thin slices and reserve.
10 cups homemade chicken stock Kosher salt 1 teaspoon saffron threads 1 small yellow onion, peeled 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 1/2 pounds skinless and boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 teaspoon sweet pimenton ½ teaspoon sweet smoked pimenton ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 cups short grain Bomba rice from Valencia, Spain 1 pound green beans, trimmed, cut into 1 ½-inch lengths, blanched 2 cups cooked kidney or other large white beans Kosher salt Lemon slices as a garnish
Grill the bread on an outdoor grill, toast in the toaster or under a broiler until golden on each side. Holding the garlic clove, lightly grate or rub the garlic on one side of the toasted bread. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
The Gay Gourmet David Landis For the last issue of the San Francisco Bay Times I interviewed San Francisco-based chef Joanne Weir, who authors cookbooks, conducts culinary/travel tours, creates tantalizing new recipes, writes for numerous publications, oversees the hot Mexican restaurant Copita in Sausalito, and hosts one of the most popular cooking shows on PBS. Previously she was a chef at Berkeley’s famed Chez Panisse and more.
Spread one heaping tablespoon tomato tapenade on each slice of bread. Twist and curl a slice of prosciutto and place it onto the top of the tomatoes. Serve immediately garnished with olives alongside. Serves 6
To serve, cut the cauliflower into wedges, place a wedge on each individual plate and serve with a spoon of the Garlicky-Almond Sauce around the side.
Weir generously shared several of her recipes. Two ran with the prior article. Here are six more! Grilled Bread with Tomato Tapenade & Prosciutto di Parma 6 slices rustic country-style bread, ½ to 3/4-inch thick ½ cup Tomato Tapenade 1 large garlic, peeled Kosher salt 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 6 paper-thin slices Prosciutto di Parma Cured olives as a garnish 22
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Core the cauliflower, leaving the head intact and discard the core. Place the cauliflower in the oiled pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over top of cauliflower and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until tender and golden on top, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
Whole Roasted Caulif lower with Garlicky-Almond Sauce 1 head cauliflower, outside leaves removed Extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt Garlicky-Almond Sauce Set the oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet. FE B RUA RY 1 1 , 2 0 2 1
Heat the stock, 2 teaspoons salt, saffron and the halved onion over high heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove the onion with a slotted spoon and discard. Turn off the heat, cover and keep warm. Preheat an oven to 400°F. In a paella pan with about a 15” base, heat 4 tablespoons of the oil over high heat until rippling. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and cook, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and make a well in the center of the chicken and fry the sofrito, sweet and smoked pimenton and parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add the rice to the pan and stir for 1 minute to coat the rice with the oil.
Bring the chicken stock to a boil again and add it to the paella pan along with the green beans and shell beans and simmer briskly over high heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. The paella should be boiling very hard. Continue to simmer briskly until the green beans are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt as needed.
Sprinkle the peas onto the top. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a spiral pattern over the top of the paella. Increase the heat to high and cook, undisturbed, for 2 minutes to form a light golden crust on the bottom of the pan. To check, use a spatula to see that it is sticking slightly and golden brown on the bottom. Place a piece of parchment over the paella. Let it sit off the heat for 5 minutes before serving. To serve, garnish with lemon wedges. Serves 8 to 10
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This Month at the Castro Farmers’ Market Flowers Forever By Debra Morris Valentine’s Day reminds us how lucky we are to have loved ones, family, and others close to us. There’s no better way to show them you care than with a lovely bouquet of fresh-cut flowers. We take enjoyment in the sensory pleasures of their fragrance, color, and variety and those from the farmers’ market are exceptional in their just-picked freshness and seasonal variety.
Begun by the Fernandes matriarch in 1992, the family has developed year-round production to keep customers satisfied through all four seasons. Currently, Sunrise Nursery has 30 acres of farmland and 6 acres of greenhouses, producing over 30 different varieties of flowers and greenery. Roses, alstroemerias, lilies, godetias, sunflowers, proteas, carnations, and many more varieties are just some of the gorgeous blooms you’ll find at their booth each week. Why buy flowers from your neighborhood farmers’ market? Most florists purchase flowers from South America because they’re cheaper, but this doesn’t help our local economy. Local nurseries who are growing flowers for the farmers’ market can get their fresh-cut flowers to you within 48 hours, as opposed to one or two weeks for non-local growers. In addition, these growers create a smaller carbon footprint, delivering to market within 100 miles instead of shipping across the country. They will even last longer once you get them home, having spent less time in transit. You’re also supporting local farmers and your local economy, which helps them continue farming!
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA MORRIS
Stop by the Divisadero Farmers’ Market on Sundays and you’ll see a booth filled with gorgeous freshly cut flowers in almost every seasonal variety. Maria or Tim Fernandes of Sunrise Nursery are usually there and love to talk about their nursery and what the family grows.
Orange roses
This month buy extra flowers and dry press them! You can use your creations in a picture frame, pressed into a candle, or on a pretty glass vase. Pressed Flowers It’s important to choose flowers that are fresh and haven’t wilted yet in order to get the best results. Choose flowers that are flat-faced like pansies. Thick flowers are best cut in half to lay flat. Choose a big heavy book that you won’t mind damaging. No books? Use two concrete blocks or other heavy objects. Place a few flowers between two pieces of printer paper. Then, place this between two pages of the book. Close the book and place a few more books on top to ensure that enough pressure is placed on the flower. Every couple of days replace the printer paper. After about two weeks your flowers should be completely dry. Don’t want to wait two weeks? Place flowers or leaves between paper and gently press with an iron (no steam, please) for about 15 seconds, let paper cool for 15 seconds and repeat until flower is dried to your liking. Then enjoy your dried flowers for a long time. Please note: The Castro Farmers’ Market is closed for the season. Until we return in the spring, please visit the nearby Divisadero Farmers’ Market at the DMV parking lot, 1375 Fell St., SF. Debra Morris is a spokesperson for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA). Check out the PCFMA website for recipes, information about farmers’ markets throughout the region and for much more: https://www.pcfma.org/ Carnations
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)
Sobriety Cinema
Off the Wahl Jan Wahl
Russell Brand
This is a tough time to stay sober. But what isn’t? As some truly great movies and documentaries show us, it is a challenging journey, yet one well worth taking. From Yale to jail, young to senior, gay or straight ... it’s something that touches us all and reminds us that there is a way out. It’s not the beginning of these stories, but it does start at the founding of Alcoholic Anonymous. 1989’s My Name is Bill W gives James Woods the part he was born to play: the intelligent, edgy, desperate man in the middle of his deadly disease of alcoholism. He meets up with Doctor Bob ( James Garner), about to lose his medical practice through his own drinking. Together, they begin the program of recovery for now millions around the world. Clean and Sober gives us Michael Keaton as a real estate agent who thrives on excitement, highs, and cocaine. Always the hustler, he checks into a rehab to run from the law. There he meets up with a counselor (Morgan Freeman), who’s a recovering addict himself, hip to all of our guy’s tricks. This one is perfect to show the river of denial in the addict, and a possible way to freedom. One of the scariest and most visually exciting movies ever made is 2000’s Requiem for a Dream. This unforgettable story tells of a woman addicted to diet pills, evoking an inner landscape of what the drugs do to her system as her disease takes over. Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans, and Jennifer Connelly bring this story alive. It is one that I recently showed to a friend with similar issues. The film changed her; it will change you. The same year, Sandra Bullock played a hard-drinking newspaper columnist in 28 Days. She enters rehab as a way of killing time to the next drink, but finds a way to care about others, and herself. Like 2010’s Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, 28 Days reminds us of the impact drinking and using have on the family, I have been a Russell Brand fan since first viewing him on talk shows.
The Man with the Golden Arm
He is smart, witty, outspoken. The drug and alcohol death of his friend Amy Winehouse led to 2012’s Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery. We follow the man through his drug fueled years into a program of recovery, saving the life of this unusual performer. In addition to this one, there is a fine documentary, Amy (2015.) This one not only portrays the connection between the artist and the addiction, but also how codependents can be the enemy. Classic Hollywood was just as strong when it came to depicting drugs and alcohol. Frank Sinatra spent time studying heroin addicts for his searing performance in 1955’s The Man with the Golden Arm. Director Billy Wilder had the creative courage to put onscreen one man’s struggle not only with drink, but also with the madness it brings. 1945’s The Last Weekend won Oscars, but it is priceless in its approach to a writer who will go to any length to continue his passion for booze. Like The Man with the Golden Arm and later Requiem for a Dream, there are cinematic visuals of the detox process here one never forgets. Leaving Las Vegas, Smash Up: The Story of a Woman, Dallas Buyers Club, Flight, Panic in Needle Park, the classic brilliance
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Amy Winehouse
Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story
of The Days of Wine and Roses ... this is a long list and continues to this day as more folks who make movies are examining their own recoveries. Being clean and sober is one of the great gifts of life, and some terrific movies reflect it. Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian, film critic on various broadcast outlets, and has her own YouTube channel series, "Jan Wahl Showbiz.” She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
CELESTIAL HONORS A crater on Mercury was named in honor of this LGBTQ groundbreaking artist in 2012: A) Frank Ocean
B) RuPaul
C) Jean-Michel Basquiat
D) Alvin Ailey
ANSWER ON PAGE 28
Giving: It Feels So Good Liam’s LGBTQI List Liam P. Mayclem “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” —Maya Angelou Donate here, give to this, volunteer for that event: our inboxes are bombarded daily with requests for us to part with some green for a cause when we ourselves may also be in
ity of time. It felt so good to share that gift. I have spent many other Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings over the years at other nonprofits serving others: Project Open Hand peeling potatoes, Meals on Wheels doing ride-alongs, or Glide serving meals. It’s a wonderful way to spend those mornings, and to be on the receiving end of that gratitude is quite something. It leaves a mark in your heart for sure. To those who have dedicated their lives to service and giving, thank you.
Danielle Siragusa, the Center Development Director, recently spoke with me about the importance of giving and about the upcoming April soirée. Liam P. Mayclem: Is the need for support greater this year? Danielle Siragusa: Yes, the need for support is especially great this year as many of our community members have been hit hard by the effects of the pandemic and rely on the Center for critical services like employment counseling, financial services, small business services, and connections to resources for food, housing, and legal advice. During these uncertain times, we have quickly and successfully pivoted, bringing many of our services online and doubling down on our mission to connect people to the resources they need. The Center has continued supporting those most in need, including unemployed LGBTQ+ jobseekers, youth in need of housing, and transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.
Danielle Siragusa: We hope to host in-person events again once state and local officials determine it’s safe to gather again, which of course largely depends on the vaccine rollout. In the meantime, we are continuing to offer virtual events and plenty of ways to connect to community online. We can’t wait to see everyone in person at the Center when it’s safe to do so!
guests virtually to enjoy an evening filled with entertainment, an online silent auction, specialty food and beverage experiences, and a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ community. I will be part of the hosting team for the virtual Soirée alongside Juanita MORE! and Sister Roma. Please join us on April 10, 2021.
Liam P. Mayclem: Does every dollar and every gift count? Danielle Siragusa: Yes, every single gift helps us reach our $200,000 goal and supports the Center’s vital programs and services. Liam P. Mayclem: Why is it important to support the LGBT+ Center?
need. But what to give to? And how and what to give? Twenty-five years ago, soon after I moved to San Francisco, I was coming out of a challenging relationship and was consumed with doom and gloom and uncertainty. A friend, David, said to me quite bluntly, “Get over yourself and go and give time to a cause for others.” It was Thanksgiving and the place was St. Anthony’s. I volunteered as a greeter and table prepper for a Thanksgiving luncheon. For one precious day I was no longer in my head about my own stuff, worries, and woes. My personal upset shifted to gratitude that I had a home to go to later that day and a warm meal cooked with love by friends awaiting. I got the bug. I didn’t have any cash to spare for a donation, but I did have the precious commod-
Our homeless shelters, food kitchens, and nonprofits would not survive without you. Another nonprofit near and dear to me is the SF LGBTQ+ Center. One of my best friends, Tony Lee, donated to the capital campaign when the Center was built in 2002. His name adorns the Center walls along with hundreds of other big, giving hearts. “The LGBT Center is extraordinary,” Lee told me for the San Francisco Bay Times. “My small donation came from empathy with their mission. When I was coming out in the U.K., many years ago, I would have welcomed such a safe space, with its kindness, acceptance, and community.”
Liam P. Mayclem: When can we hope to have events again at the Center?
Liam P. Mayclem: What can we expect at this year’s Soirée? Danielle Siragusa: This year’s Soirée will be a virtual event celebrating our community’s strength in the face of adversity, particularly for the most vulnerable among us—a theme which has hit home especially hard over the last year. Soirée is an opportunity to invest in the Center’s vital services, which help thousands of community members make it through the toughest of times. Soirée will welcome several hundred
To learn more about Soirée or to sign up to support, please visit https://bit.ly/3rGDAoF Emmy Award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem is regularly featured on KPIX as well as KCBS, where he is the popular Foodie Chap. Born in London, Mayclem is now at home in the Bay Area, where he lives with his husband, photographer Rick Camargo. For more information: https://www.bookliam.com/
NJGOV/STATE/VOLUNTEER-IN-NJ
The culinary staff at La Cocina SF and Liam Mayclem share great affection for cusine and for each other. Photos courtesy of Liam Mayclem
Danielle Siragusa: The SF LGBT Center serves the entire spectrum of LGBTQ+ community members in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area. At a time when those who already face systemic discrimination—like Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community members and transgender and gender nonconforming individuals—are experiencing compounded challenges related to the pandemic, the Center’s services are more critical than ever before. Programs and services include Youth Services, Host Homes, Community Programs, Financial Services, and Employment Services.
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A Film to Make You Melt for Valentine’s Day
Film Gary M. Kramer The passionate Chilean romance The Strong Ones, now out on demand and DVD, is cozy Valentine’s Day viewing. Writer/director Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo expands his terrific 2015 short, San Cristóbal, for this heartfelt feature about the relationship that develops between Lucas (Samuel González) and Antonio (Antonio Altamirano) in a coastal town in Southern Chile. The attraction between the two men is electric; the actors have tremendous chemistry. Viewers will likely melt just watching these guys gaze at each other. But their relationship may be temporary. The filmmaker chatted via Zoom with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about The Strong Ones. Gary M. Kramer: Your film is very romantic. What can you say about the passionate elements in the film—the stolen kisses, and developing the intimacy between Lucas and Antonio? How did you find the balance between the longing and the rush of intense love? Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo: When I first set out to make this film more
than six years ago, I wanted to portray a love story that felt honest and genuine in a way that I hadn’t seen, and in a way that I feel we need more of. There’s an authenticity to the quality of the relationship between Lucas and Antonio. It has to do with them never denying what they feel or going through a moment of shame, or regret, or denial—which is something I keep seeing even today in 2021. I see this pattern in mainstream films and it just pisses me off. I really wanted them to feel sure of who they are, whom they loved, and allow them to love in a way that is free and unapologetic. We wanted to make something that felt true to our experiences and the way that we love. We haven’t seen that love portrayed before. It has to do with desire, longing, and with finding something when you least expect it. The sex scenes in the film—it was important for us to go against the pattern of many things we have seen. We did not want them to have any shame, or pain, or trauma. We wanted them to feel passionate, and tender, and, most of all, pleasurable. Love is not linked to something you hide, but something that you celebrate. Through these scenes, you see how the men fall for each other, and their connection. They allow us to see how vulnerable they are with each other. Gary M. Kramer: That said, there are elements of homophobia in the film. Can you discuss what it means to be gay in Chile? Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo: For me it was important that the film por-
unions, and anti-discrimination laws. I wanted the film to show acceptance and support of same-sex relationship, and strange family tension; you see the hostility of a town and the bravery of people not being afraid of who they are and fighting for their place in their communities. We wanted to portray this in a way that was plausible in Chilean society today.
trayed a certain quality of the queer experience today in Chile. In the film, you see the complexity of it. We are halfway between an idea of progress and conservative attitude from the past. We have evolved quickly and there is more acceptance and equity than when I was growing up, but we have a long way to go. In Chile, we don’t have marriage equality. We don’t have samesex adoption rights. We have civil
Queer people have difficulties all over the world. You can be killed or tortured in some places. We deserve to live the lives we want to live in the places we are in and the communities we choose. I hope we can all feel empowered to fight for ourselves for that space. That’s something that is very important to me. When you are in a place when your very existence is not a threat to people, you forget that others are not in that situation. Gary M. Kramer: Speaking of space, there are rugged settings and warm scenes between the men. What can you say about the film’s atmosphere?
Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo: I wanted to set the film in southern Chile—the water, the ocean, the rain. I wanted that to feel authentic and real. The fort [where Antonio participates in historical reenactments] was a key element too. I set the film specifically there because there were all these forts built by the Spanish during colonial times that were key to the process of Chilean independence. There was an idea of resilience and resistance against the waves that keep crashing against you. I was drawn to that, and that was similar to Lucas and Antonio’s resilience. The space is important to them and creates parallels between the place they are in and what they are going through. © 2021 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
FRE E ESTAT E P L A N N IN G SE M I NARS Join us virtually from the comfort of your home. Feel free to attend any or all of the series. Learn from Lisa Fialco, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Attorney at Kelley & Farren, LLP, and Jeff Woods, Legacy Giving Specialist at Hospice by the Bay about how you can start planning now.
Thursday, March 25, 2021 – 12:00 p.m-1:00 p.m. Why Estate Planning Especially Matters for Unmarried People
(Editor’s note: This issue of the San Francisco Bay Times marks the launch of a new column, Artshot. It features images of street art as discovered by photographer, artist, therapist, and designer Abby Zimberg. She has been on the Bay Times design team for many years, and also has done several important photo shoots for the paper. Originally from New England, she comes from a long line of successful artists. She now lives in San Francisco with wife Helene Wenzel.)
Thursday, May 20, 2021 – 12:00 p.m-1:00 p.m. Estate Planning: Your plan. Your way.
The Advance Health Care Directive will receive special focus.
Reservations are required, register on our website at www.hbtb.org or call (415) 526.5580
Artshot Abby Zimberg
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Abby Zimberg is a licensed California Marriage Family Therapist with training in art therapy. She formerly worked as a graphic designer and has always been a photographer. https://theartoftherapysf.com/
Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Sister Dana sez, “Every year I question why do we make such a big deal over VALENTINE’S DAY? A day named after Saint Valentine, a 15th century martyr, who on February 14th was beaten to a pulp with clubs, then stoned, finally beheaded, and unceremoniously buried. How romantic?! Puhleeeze!” On January 28, the EDUCATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION (ETF) virtual gala THEATRE ALIVE: A CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL THEATRE was livestreamed on iHeartRadio Broadway. The show opened with a rousing “This Is Me” (which I think should be our national gay anthem). We watched being honored award-winning director, producer, and actor Kenny Leon with its second annual Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award and The Shubert Organization with the foundation’s annual Standing Ovation Award. They joined an exciting lineup of performers that included Tina Fey, Wayne Brady, LaTanya Richardson, Samuel L. Jackson, Chasten Buttigieg, along with hilarious hosts Nia Vardalos and John Stamos. We were treated to showcase singing by Jennifer Hudson (“I Know Where I've Been” from Hairspray); Audra McDonald (“Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music); and Amber Riley (“Home” from The Wiz)—alongside performances by current high school students. The event was co-chaired by Broadway and television producer Robert Greenblatt and film and television producer Neil Meron. The incredibly inspiring program supported two critical ETF programs: the new PATHWAY program to address racial disparity in theatre and THESPIAN RELIEF GRANTS TO SAVE SCHOOL THEATRE, which assist theatre programs financially struggling from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. BTW I was a proud member of Thespian Troupe #508 when I was a “drama fag” actor in high school. And as Wayne Brady of Thespian Troupe #4276 proclaimed, “Theater gave me life!” Miss Gay San Francisco Linda Summers with TMIM Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa presented a virtual
Sister Dana sez, “Happy Lunar New Year! 2021 is a year of the Ox, starting from February 12th, 2021 (Chinese Lunar New Year Day), and lasting until January 31, 2022.” Learn more about how Lunar New Year is observed around the world with the ASIAN ART MUSEUM CULTURAL CELEBRATION PACKET. For many, this is the most important day of the year. It’s a time for thinking about the past, honoring ancestors, and making preparations for a successful year to come. https://bit.ly/3juLcb0 Congratulations to Pete Buttigieg becoming the first out LGBTQ person to be nominated for a Cabinet position and confirmed by the Senate. Buttigieg was confirmed on February 2 as the Secretary of Transportation by a bipartisan vote of 86 to 13. Sister Dana sez, “It’s outrageous! They’re at it again. After t-Rump lost, the GOP has launched over 100 bills in 28 states restricting voting rights!” President Joe Biden will deliver his first public address before a joint session of the U.S. CONGRESS on February 23. While not technically a State of the Union address, it is commonly called such for a first-year president. We can expect Biden to detail every single way that Trump left this country in a mess. AIDS/LIFECYCLE will present TOGETHERIDE: A Drag Show on February 12, 6 pm online. It will showcase the fiercest fashionistas in the TogetheRide community, special guest performances, and everything you need to know about drag. It will benefit SF AIDS FOUNDATION and LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER. https://www.togetheride.org/ RICHMOND/ERMET AID FUNDRAISING (REAF) is known for producing outstanding live entertainment events and now, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re creating some wonderful virtual concerts utilizing some of the best archival performance clips from their 25 years of live concerts. Their Valentine-themed ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: A Valentine Concert happens on Saturday,
February 13, 7 pm, live-streamed on YouTube Live. This special concert will raise funds for REAF’s Small Emergency Grants Program to support members of the theater community impacted by the pandemic. This stellar show will feature stars from broadway, film, TV, and the music industry, including Susan Anton, Barbara Cook, Spencer Day, Sharon Gless, Leslie Jordan, Kimberley Locke, La Toya London, Carly Ozard, Bruce Vilanch, and many more. https://www.reaf-sf.org/ BLACK HISTORY MONTH is an opportunity to consider the specific challenges that arise when preserving Black LGBTQ places. One challenge is conducting thorough historical research to open “historical closets”—to uncover and identify the people and events that haven’t been talked about within an LGBTQ context. This also entails examining the broader networks of queer Black people, in order to reconstruct social worlds and find unexplored threads. On February 19, Jeffrey “Free” Harris will join Shayne Watson in a program presented by the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY about LGBTQ historic preservation. Harris will discuss online some significant sites of Black queer history and how preservationists are correcting and updating the historical record. https://tinyurl.com/y5ga9vxt During Black History Month, the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL honors Black lives lost to AIDS with a specially curated selection of 56 blocks of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The exhibition uses the beauty and power of the Quilt to bring to light stories of the countless men, women and children who have died, and the impact AIDS has had on Black Americans. Open free through March 31. https://www.aidsmemorial.org/ In the 40 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported, Black Americans and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by AIDS. By 1993, HIV was the leading cause of death for Black men between the ages 25–44 and by 2004, HIV became the leading cause of death for Black women in the same age group. In 2018, Black Americans made up 42% of the nearly 38,000 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S., with half of those living in southern states. The Quilt is a powerful tool to reach these communities through its stories of resilience, healing, hope and remembrance represented in each panel. For more information regarding BLACK HISTORY MONTH: https://bit.ly/3rBGwTG Sister Dana sez, “ Wow! After four years of nothing but LIES coming out of the White House,
President Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki promises she is COMMITTED to telling the TRUTH! So refreshing!” Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continues her America First Agenda by cosponsoring Rep. Jeff Duncan’s Old Sister Dana with his “Angels” from TMU (Trash Mash-Up) at Project Glory Only Act Runway 2018. Find out more about TMU at (H.R. 85), which http://www.trashmashup.wordpress.com would ensure that Project Nunway, sponsored by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, is a only the American charity fashion show where designers are paired with Sisters to create a high fashion look from recycled materials. @ProjectNunway on Facebook flag flies over U.S. embassies. The MODERN Milk Club and did not tolerate bull MILITARY ASSOCIATION OF crap easily throughout her decades AMERICA (MMAA)—the nation’s of progressive activism—particularly largest LGBTQ military and veton AIDS and cannabis rights related eran nonprofit organization— issues. has condemned Congresswoman Lisa Geduldig’s next installment Greene’s speech on “hate American of the monthly (every 3rd Thursday flags,” including the PRIDE flag. of the month) “LOCKDOWN “Congresswoman Greene’s stateCOMEDY” show is on Zoom, ment told over ten million LGBTQ February 18, 6 pm. The February Americans that their existence and show will feature Jackie Hoffman their symbol, the Pride flag, of diver(NY), Elvira Kurt (Toronto), sity and unity is divisive, hateful, and Bernadette Luckett (SF), Lisa unwelcome,” said MMAA Executive Geduldig and Arline Geduldig Director, Air Force veteran Jennifer (Lisa’s mother – Florida). It's great Dane. “America’s history has long fun to Zoom in and hear yourself and been written by diverse voices and others laughing out loud! differing experiences, including those who are LGBTQ. Comparing SOUTH BAY MUSICAL LGBTQ Americans to a hate group THEATRE will present South that wants to bring mass destruction Bay Cabaret: Classic vs. and erase history is extremely probContemporary Show Tunes virlematic. Congresswoman Greene tually on Wednesday, February 12, must be held accountable for her 7:30 pm. Each singer will perform unethical statement.” one classic show tune and one contemporary show tune, in a cabaret Sister Dana sez, “Let’s all start that should please all. This will give a calling her ‘Marjie Q Greene’ chance to contrast the changes in culbecause of her dangerous ture in musical theater from yesterQAnon conspiracies!” year vs. today. And if you despise Marjie Q, https://bit.ly/3aR28op check out Randy Rainbow’s sterSan Francisco’s 42ND STREET ling Streisand song parody to MOON will hold a virtual 2021 “Evergreen.” Gala, YOU CAN’T STOP THE https://bit.ly/2YYtZNH BEAT, an evening of uplifting perforSTREAM ALLY presents mances and optimism for the future WORLD’S FIRST DRAG QUEEN of the arts. Streaming on Sunday, GAME SHOW every Wednesday, 5 February 28, 6 pm, it will showcase pm. Hosted by Nicole Halliwell, the who’s who of Bay Area talent pertwo new queens compete every week. forming hit numbers from musical https://captionthat.streamally.live/ theatre favorites like Hairspray, Come From Away, Bye Bye Birdie, Hamilton, Sister Dana sez, “Let’s not get and so many more! TOO bipartisan in Congress https://bit.ly/3jupxjl over the budget, remembering that the Trumpy Repugnicans Be truly inspired by “What Will We spent three trillion dollars in Hear,” SF GAY MEN’S CHORUS’ debt and did not pass over 350 virtual performance featuring proposed bills.” Kristin Chenoweth and composed by Andrew Lippa. Longtime HARVEY MILK CLUB https://bit.ly/2YY0s6L member and my friend Terrrie Frye passed away at age 74 at a Sister Dana sez, “We need to do better in this vaccination proWashington Hospital in Fremont. cess. EVERYBODY should get a Granny Gear, as Terrrie was known shot! Vax to the max!” by many of us, had deep roots in the
Dog Eared Books, on Castro Street, celebrates Black History Month
Photos by Rink
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variety show, “GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT!” with Mr. Gay San Francisco Sage Sanchez Munro and Linda Summers co-hosting on February 7. It was a lovely afternoon of drag, music, and dance performances by some of our local artists/performers in the Bay Area. It was a fundraiser for LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES, a nonprofit organization that has helped hundreds of youth overcome homelessness.
STUART & JOHN (continued from page 6) openly gay person has ever been nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court, and only two LGBTIQ people have served in the U.S. Senate itself. We are excited about President Biden’s diverse LGBTIQ appointees, in particular Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of Health, who if confirmed will become the first openly transgender person to win Senate approval. Vice President Harris acknowledged in her victory speech last November that she stood “on the shoulders” of countless women who had fought for equality. So too does Secretary Buttigieg stand on the shoulders of Achtenberg and myriad other LGBTIQ activists who have stood fearlessly for our right to be ourselves and be equal. Indeed, Buttigieg was just eleven years old when Achtenberg prevailed in her confirmation battle. When Achtenberg was confirmed years ago, we felt that “we” as a movement had risen to a new level of acceptance and access to power. We remember how, shortly after the 1992 election, Achtenberg convened a community meeting where she articulated hope for the future for us as a movement like never before. Unlike Achtenberg, Buttigieg did not cut his teeth as an
BARNES (continued from page 6) LGBTIQ activist. But when we hear Buttigieg speak authentically about his experience as a gay person, advocate for full equality, and kiss his husband Chasten on the presidential primary debate stage, we feel the sense of “we” as well. We take inspiration from LGBTIQ people in public office or otherwise in the public arena who are not just in it for themselves but consider themselves participants in a broad civil rights movement for freedom, dignity, and equality. We embrace a movement where we not only stand upon the shoulders of others who worked so hard to make our dreams possible, but also we move forward shoulder to shoulder together. Our individual victories become collective victories. “We” win, and we can all proudly claim the moniker “damned lesbian” in our own way. Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
need—philanthropy. The need for frugality under the guise of fiscal responsibility is often the excuse for not doing what’s morally right in supporting communities in need. After 40 years of exploring different versions of voodoo economics (coined by George H. Bush), the middle class, quality of life for many, and economic security have diminished for many Americans over the last four decades. We repeatedly place profits over people. Why do both sides get it so wrong, and why do these problems persist? Unsustainable business models solely focused on profit and a broken political system that produces bad policy and encourages more debt are significant catalysts for this ailment. When a small number of powerful individuals or big businesses extract so much value from finite sources of labor and natural resources without replenishing those areas of extraction, you end up with the extreme conditions expressed today in a widening wealth gap—America becoming a tale of two cities. Debt is also the most effective tool for population control, and it’s easy for the U.S. to print money and circulate its fiat currency to produce more of it. The byproducts of an uber-capitalist economy are essentially enslaving, disempowering, controlling, and relegating groups of people to a hard-to-escape condition. The system only provides the basic needs to keep people fiercely productive and dependent, or delivers tailor-made aspirations to keep them unwittingly consuming. By the time the next federal stimulus has passed, America will have racked up almost $30T in public debt, and 50M people will still live in poverty, including one in every four children. In my next column, we’ll explore who really benefits from poverty and keeping a stable contingent of working-class poor. Derek Barnes is CEO of East Bay Rental Housing Association ( www.EBRHA.com ). He currently serves on the boards of Horizons Foundation and Homebridge CA. Follow him on Twitter @ DerekBarnesSF or on Instagram at DerekBarnes.SF
COMING OUT (continued from page 18) My mom took a puff and blew the smoke throughout the kitchen, followed by a swig of her afternoon cocktail. Shen then said, “I know. We all know. Everybody in the family knows. We have been waiting for you. We did not want to pressure you. We talk about you all the time wondering if you would ever come out to us. You didn’t have to shout at me that you’re gay.” I was stunned. My mom outed me. I lost my ability to speak for a few moments. I started sobbing like a little boy whose toy was taken from him. A river of tears welled up and rolled down my face. I felt like a million years of stress and a million tons of weight were released from my body. For the first time in my teenage life, I felt free. I’m gay. SF Pride
QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on pg 24)
D) Alvin Ailey According to NASA, “Ailey is one of 23 Mercury craters assigned names by the IAU (International Astronomical Union), and is named for the 20th century choreographer and activist Alvin Ailey. Ailey was best known for his role in revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance and popularizing modern dance with pieces like his signature 1960 work, Revelations. Like its namesake, Ailey crater has revelations of its own, as landslides expose fresh material along the crater walls.” See a picture of the Ailey crater on Mercury at: https://tinyurl.com/2dpxcx22
My friend Tiea and I hopped from community stage to community stage at SF Pride 2001. The sky was crystal blue and the sun was beaming down on all the revelers at the festival. We made our way through thousands of people—stepping on toes, bumping shoulders, enjoying unlimited cruising and eye to eye contact with a plethora of men of every color, shape, and size. I was feeling lucky. It was Pride, and everyone was there for a good time. It was the last hour of the festival and our final destination was the Fag Friday Stage on Groove Street, between Polk and Van Ness. The party was jumping, the Disco and House Music was pumping. Boys were on top of boys dancing to the beat of the music. I was thrilled and thought to myself, “I am a gay man at SF Pride.” The day was slowly coming to an end. My eyes locked with a handsome man with a head full of dreadlocks. He smiled. I looked to my left and right. We locked eyes again. His smile grew bigger. There were hundreds of people passing around me. I had doubt that he was focusing on me because of the state of pandemonium. Then our eyes locked again. He worked his way through the crowd and approached me: “Hey, I am Gabriel.” We chatted a bit over the loud music and danced body to body until the festival was officially closed. We jumped on a BART train, got off in the Mission, and feasted on a fat burrito. We walked around until the sun set and the fog blew in. I invited him to my home. We sat, I put a record on, and drank a beer. “Ah,” said Gabriel, who stammered, “I, I, I, I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression. But, I’m not gay.” The Whole Family Waved Goodbye “I’m moving to San Francisco someday” was one of the last hopes and dreams that I shared with my mother on Tuesday, January 10, 1995, while she was sitting at the medical center receiving chemotherapy. My mom, Jacqueline A. Young, passed away February 2, 1995. The day after Labor Day 1996, I packed up a moving truck. Along with my guts, vision, sense of adventure, and my ambition, I traveled from east to west with 2 turntables, 75 boxes of records, 300 cassette tapes, a reel to reel player, and furnishings. Destination: a new life for me. Some of my oldest friends said to me, “You’re going to San Francisco to be gay.” In my reponse to them, I said that I had been gay all my life in Waterbury. After my last personal effect was packed in, the rolling door locked in place, and the millionth tear came rushing down my face; the time had come to leave the nest. I left everything that I knew to embrace the unforeseen of my journey. Friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances gathered to celebrate and send me off to San Francisco. To this day, my farewell to California was the largest and only “coming out party” that was hosted in my honor. DJ Lamont Bransford-Young for decades has been one of our community’s best loved, and busiest, spinners. DJ Lamont has played at a multitude of community events including SF Pride, Sunday Streets, Mission Community Market, and SF Juneteenth. He shares his love of spinning via Fingersnaps Media Arts, which is both an educational and artistic space. For more information: https://fingersnaps.net/index.html
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ROSTOW (continued from page 2) a hundred Moms, let alone a million. Still, who writes these press releases, and what kind of a life does this person lead? Maybe it’s a college intern who regales his or her friends with the outrage of the day over shots and a few lines of coke. Did You Get the Memo? Finally, on February 4, the Biden administration issued a 6-part “Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World,” which commits the United States to the fight against GLBT discrimination in foreign policy, immigration and diplomacy. I guess my favorite section is the last one, titled: “Rescinding Inconsistent Policies and Reporting on Progress,” which includes the following order: “Within 100 days of the date of this memorandum or as soon as possible thereafter, all agencies engaged abroad shall review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take steps to rescind any directives, orders, regulations, policies, or guidance inconsistent with this memorandum, including those issued from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, to the extent that they are inconsistent with this memorandum.” There goes Mike Pompeo’s appalling revision of our country’s human rights policies, the product of a Draconian “Commission on Unalienable Rights” that met for a couple of years before producing a faith-based report last summer that was condemned by most of our allies. There is something supremely satisfying in seeing Pompeo and his twisted colleagues work for months and months to undermine our nation’s commitments to equality and justice, only to see Biden and company trash the whole effort in a single page. arostow@aol.com
HOLGATE/KROOT (continued from page 8) September 2020 featured a prominent commercial realtor describing hopes of ending Hayes Valley’s chain ban. One merchant mentioned frequent sightings of commercial realtors scoping out suffering stores like vultures around a dying carcass. Ben asserts, “The fantastic thing about Hayes Valley is that it continues to be a draw for the never-before, excitement of interesting, independent stores and small restaurants. Formula retail offers nothing but higher rents for the small companies, which endangers our very existence.” Trina adds, “We’re a true mom and pop—well, mom and mom shop. Many newer Hayes businesses are smaller chains that found loopholes to get footing here. It’ll be a sad day when unique is replaced by cookie cutter.” Nonetheless, the merchants are optimistic for 2021. Trina is “hopeful but wary.” Ben declares, “Our hope is for a return to the creative renaissance that has always been the hallmark and draw of San Francisco.” He reveals MAC’s newest project. Designers will create garments inspired by The Stud, and proceeds will go to The Stud, which Ben notes, “is a landmark that’s being threatened. This collaboration is a creative and political push to continue to embrace queerness—in all senses of the word—in San Francisco.” More about these local, independent stores at: https://www.macmodernappealingclothing.com/ https://www.metiersf.com/ https://allaprimalingerie.com/ Jennifer Kroot is a filmmaker, known for her award-winning LGBTQ themed documentaries, including “The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin” and “To Be Takei.” She studied filmmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she has also taught. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A humanitarian, as well as a designer, Robert Holgate is dedicated to critical social issues. With his hands-on approach to philanthropy and social justice, he supports the advancement of local and national social causes. For more information: https://www.rhdsf.com/
MILLER (continued from page 10) movie. Let’s hope Congress plans to release Stimulus 3 sometime soon as well. The opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. Brio does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital; please seek advice from a licensed professional. Brio Financial Group is a registered investment adviser. SEC Registration does not constitute an endorsement of Brio by the SEC nor does it indicate that Brio has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brio Financial Group and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Brio Financial Group unless a client service agreement is in place. Brandon Miller, CFP®, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.
LANDIS (continued from page 22) Tomato Tapenade 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup minced red onion 1 clove garlic, chopped 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped 2 anchovies, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes and pat dry 2 tablespoons capers, chopped 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Freshly ground black pepper Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the sundried tomatoes and ¼ cup water and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid is gone, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan, place in a bowl to a food processor and let cool. Add the anchovies, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice and pulse to make a rough paste. Season with pepper. Carlicky-Almond Sauce 3 whole salt-packed anchovies, or 6 oil-packed anchovy fillets 1/3 cup blanched whole almonds, toasted 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons aged red-wine vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh finely chopped flat leaf parsley 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper If you are using salt-packed anchovies, fillet the anchovies and remove the bones. For both types of anchovies, soak the fillets in cold water, rinse, and pat the anchovies dry with paper towels. In a food processor, combine the anchovies, almonds, garlic, and butter and pulse until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl and gradually whisk in olive oil and vinegar. Add the parsley and red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper.
Take Me Home with You! “My name is Sam! I’m a super friendly 4-yearold fella who loves to meet new people. I very much enjoy being showered with attention. If you come visit me, I’ll probably climb right into your lap—especially if you have a treat! If you pet me, I’ll purr and roll around to let you know just how much I appreciate it. I’ve got a lot of love to give and I’m looking for someone special to be with for the rest of my life.” Sam is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Sam.
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup
To apply to meet Sam, visit https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/
Serves 6 Sofrito 3 Roma or Italian tomatoes, halved 1 large yellow onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced Preheat an oven to 400F. Place the tomatoes cut side down on an oiled baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Remove the skin and discard. Mince the tomato. Warm the olive oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and caramelized. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a paste, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside. David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a PR executive. Follow him on Instagram @ GayGourmetSF, on Twitter @ david_landis, email him at: david@landispr.com or visit him online at www.gaygourmetsf.com S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
F EBRUARY 11, 2021
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Round About - All Over Town
A mural in tribute to National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman—who performed at the Inauguration and the Super Bowl—can be seen at the Zen Center located at Laguna and Page Streets.
Photos by Rink
The Russian Hill Bookstore, located at 2162 Polk Street, has a variety of Valentine’s Day cards available.
Hand-decorated shortbread Valentine’s Day cookies are a favorite among the offerings at Batter Bakery located at 1517 Pine Street.
Mollie Stone’s grocery at 18th and Collingwood Streets in the Castro has a selection of Valentine’s Day speciality items including the 6-inch Chocolate Celebration Cake.
The front window at Peak Designs store in Hayes Valley features a backpack with a social justice message.
The Year of the Ox sculpture by artist Monique Zhang, set up by Lunar New Year Parade float makers, is on view at the Civic Center. The sculpture will be sold as a benefit along with other Year of the Ox sculptures.
Scopo DiVino Wine Bar in Pacific Heights reopened its sidewalk service on January 30.
Parklet dining has retuned at Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street.
With all seats taken, a line formed outside Toast restaurant on Polk Street on January 31.
Guests enjoyed the front patio service at Blind Butcher on January 30.
Dining services are once again open in the sidewalk seating area at Wasabi Bistro, specializing in sushi, at 524 Castro Street. 30
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Catch, the popular seafood restaurant located at 2362 Market Street, has reopened its sidewalk service for food and beverages from the full bar.
Reopening San Francisco!
Photos by Rink
CASTRO
STREETCAM
Customers filled the outdoor tables on February 6 at Twin Peaks, where sidewalk cocktail service has reopened, and with meal service from Orphan Andy’s.
Orphan Andy’s is now daily 11am-6pm, in partnership with Twin Peaks Tavern, for outdoor dining and takeout.
http://sfbaytimes.com/ The Castro Coffee Company welcomed guests back to their sidewalk tables on January 30.
Sidewalk service resumed at Harvey’s restaurant and bar, located on the corner of Castro and 18th Streets, on January 30.
Items of the week Classic Snuffles Teddy Bears from Gund
Beaux lounge’s sidewalk seating on Market Street has reopened for business.
In desperate need of something to hug? Classic Snuffles teddy bears from Gund make for the perfect quarantine Valentine. They are soft, cuddly, and non-judgmental of your Zoom meeting attire.
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven A line of guests waited for sidewalk and parklet service on Saturday, January 30.
Cafe Mystique’s outdoor sidewalk and parklet service has retuned at their Castro Street location.
This Le Creuset round Dutch oven with a heart knob is great for Valentine’s Day or just for fun!
WE
With their menu displayed on the sidewalk, Gyro Xpress’ outdoor service was underway on January 30.
All tables were occupied, with masked customers waiting, for outdoor service at Fable restaurant on Castro Street.
can honestly say that 2021 hasn’t started out how we would like. Normally we would start the year out at buying shows picking out all the latest and greatest things for the year to come, but this year is starting out different. The first week of the year saw an attempted takeover of our government, two employees with health situations, and we were burglarized twice, all in one week! Since pulling the covers over our heads and hiding out until this is all over isn’t an option, we keep on keeping on, because that is what we do. And we know we aren’t perfect and we aren’t always going to get it right, but we are trying. So, we ask that you be kind to yourself and spread some extra kindness to others; we all need a little more right now.
2017 L A MBDA LITE R ARY AWARD W I N N E R
Customers occupied the outdoor seating in front of Double Rainbow Ice Cream on Castro Street on January 30.
Eye Gotcha, the popular eyewear store on Castro Street, has reopened with staff members providing outdoor service for customers who can view selections of glasses and complete transactions on the sidewalk.
“Enlightening . . . Powerful.” — Booklist (starred review)
Available Now in Trade Paperback, Ebook and Audiobook
Cafe De Casa, at 3085 17th Street, welcomed guests back to their sidewalk service on January 30.
Having served the neighborhood since 1947, Louie’s Barber Shop reopened with masks required and an outdoor waiting area. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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