San Francisco Bay Times - November 16, 2023 by San Francisco Bay Times

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023) November 16–December 6, 2023 http://sfbaytimes.com

HIV/AIDS Crisis Training Applied to Another Challenge See Pages 4–5

OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES

Former Shanti Project Volunteer Coordinator Ann Dunn is the innovative Director of Oakland Animal Services, which is inspiring ways to end the suffering and deaths of homeless animals.

About Our Cover

Let’s Go Home!

Multiple surveys over the years show that LGBTQ+ adults are more likely than others to have pets. There is speculation that, because members of our community tend to have less social support than heterosexual cisgender peers, pet companionship could help fill the void by providing emotional support. It is also possible that the challenges faced by many LGBTQ+ people have led to some developing sensitivity to the different ways pets can communicate with us as well as having a greater sense of empathy than they otherwise would.

Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS): Meet Esmeralda! As a reserved senior cat during the height of kitten season, 7-year-old Esmeralda finds it hard to get attention. But once she warms to you, this gal is a lovebug who will make a great

Esmerelda

feline companion. Since she’s fully grown, we already know what her purr-sonality is, and it’s wonderful! Dory is a sweet girl with sparking blue eyes, a very affectionate disposition, and a love for long walks. This energetic pup is about 1 to 2 years old and is a perfect medium size at about 55 lbs. She can’t wait to go home with you to enjoy lots of snuggles and daily exercise and adventures!

Dory

The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org

Take Me Home with You! Allow us to introduce you to Conway, the charismatic 1-yearold Australian cattle dog whose zest for life is utterly contagious! His sleek white and black coat not only adds to his charm but also makes him stand out in a crowd.

Conway

Whether you are a “pet person” or not, the problems we struggle with often spill over to the dogs, cats, and other pets around us. One of the top reasons many homeless people cite for refusing to go into a shelter is that some shelters require relinquishment of pets. For low-income people with homes, this year has been especially difficult due to the COVID19 pandemic and its fallout. In Oakland, for example, the eviction moratorium established during the pandemic ended in July. Oakland Animal Services (OAS), along with numerous other animal shelters across the Bay Area, since then has seen a sharp rise in the number of surrendered pets, with large dogs posing some of the greatest challenges. Ann Dunn, the Director of OAS who is profiled in this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, says that many people have had to downsize. “They reach the point where they can longer afford to keep their pets,” she explained, adding that the lack of affordable housing in the region compounds the problem. She and her team have been tirelessly working to prevent euthanizing animals. The task has been overwhelming, as OAS is set up to shelter no more than 65–73 large dogs at a time, with 65 being the desired limit, but the number of homeless big dogs has been going well over those numbers this year. A member of the Bay Times team recently visited OAS and could see that the shelter was also packed with beautiful, loving cats—room after room of them with well-tended cages

stacked high. Just walking by the cages caused many of the cats to run to the front, trying to get attention and displaying unmistakable signs of affection. OAS has other animals up for adoption now too. As of this writing there are multiple rabbits, five birds, and two Guinea pigs. For so many of us, pets are beloved family members. It is heartbreaking, especially during the holiday season, to think of many in shelters and at risk of being euthanized. Since the overall problem is ongoing, we are not only highlighting it now but are also adding to our regular coverage of pets up for adoption by introducing a new OAS column, “Let’s Go Home,” which will run in every issue. If you cannot adopt a new pet now, please consider volunteering or donating an amount of any kind to your local shelter and helping to spread the word about the many animals in dire need of their forever homes.

San Francisco SPCA Holiday Windows 2023 at Macy’s Union Square

With a sprinkle of love, a dash of patience, and a pinch of guidance, Conway is sure to steal your heart and become your loyal lifetime companion. If you’re ready to embark on this adventure, adopt Conway today and start crafting unforgettable memories together. Please note, he thrives best in a home with experienced dog aficionados! Conway is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s CEO. To meet Conway in person, visit the SF SPCA Mission Campus @ 201 Alabama Street. Visitors are welcome from 11 am–6 pm (Wednesday– Sunday) and 1 pm–6 pm on Tuesdays. The SF SPCA is closed on Mondays. For more information: https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/

2024 Australian Firefighters Calendars

The San Francisco SPCA annual Holiday Windows at Macy’s Union Square will take place this year from November 17– December 31, Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 pm— except for Thanksgiving (11/23) and Christmas Day (12/25) when Macy’s will be closed. Yes, it is nearly that time of the year again, when the puppies and kittens will take over at least some of the windows of Union Square!

Produced annually since 1993, the Australian Firefighters Calendar is available for 2024 in specialized versions, including the Cat Calendar, Dog Calendar, Horse Calendar, Mixed Animal & Firefighter Calendar, and more. Since its inception, the project has raised $3,450,000 to support animal rescue and other services. In addition to the featured animals, the calendars contain photos of Australian and guest international firefighters from the Metropolitan, Aviation, Armed Services, and Rural Fire Services. http://www.australianfirefighterscaalendar.com 4

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The San Francisco SPCA’s adoptable puppies and kittens are more than ready to find their forever homes as they romp and play in the windows. Keep an eye out for the SPCA’s animal assisted therapy ambassadors who will be making surprise visits to snuggle with you until your heart’s desire. Holiday Live Cams will be live daily, 9 am–6 pm, November 17–December 31. Learn more and share your support by donating at www.sfspca.org/holiday

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Oakland Animal Services Director Ann Dunn Is Building Capacity to Save Lives

Ann Dunn, OAS Director since February 2020, approaches the role with the goal of bringing together her experience in human services organizations with her love of animals. She got her start in her professional career working at Shanti Project, the first HIV/AIDS service organization in San Francisco, in the late 1980s. Of that work, Dunn told the San Francisco Bay Times, “I was drawn to Shanti Project, first as a volunteer, then as a volunteer coordinator, when I witnessed the intense discrimination experienced by people with HIV. At a time when people were diagnosed and dying within weeks, I just felt compelled to do something to help.” After Shanti Project, Dunn began work at the San Francisco Housing Authority, which led to a 20-year career working in affordable housing. When her two cats, Langston and Tea Cake, passed away, it was her husband Steven’s idea, in 2009, for her to begin volunteering at OAS in their memory. Remembering that time Dun recalls, “I was so passionate about working in public housing that I wasn’t considering a career change, but once I got to OAS, I found myself spending more and more time saving animals. I never imagined when I went to OAS that it would lead me here, but with over 50% of the animals coming into the shelter being euthanized back then, I just kept thinking there has got to be a better way to help them.” After considering the obstacles to shelter animals being saved, Dunn founded Cat Town, a nonprofit cat rescue organization, in 2011, to help cats from OAS who are most at-risk for euthanasia, mainly because they are too scared in a stressful shelter environment to seem adoptable. “When I would mention to new people I met that I volunteered at a city animal shelter,” Dunn remembers, “almost inevitably I would hear people say, again and again, ‘I would never go to an animal shelter because it would make me too sad,’ or some-

thing along those lines. And I thought, how are we ever going to make a difference here if the people we need to solve the problem aren’t willing to show up?” Cat Town opened the first cat café in the United States in 2014, but started as a foster-based rescue organization with a mission to support OAS by saving the cats who wouldn’t otherwise be helped. Cat Town still operates a large foster program. By the time Cat Town’s adoption center opened its doors at 2869 Broadway, in Oakland, Cat Town had already helped reduce the euthanasia rate for cats at OAS from 42% when Cat Town started operating in 2011, to less than 10% in 2014. “From the beginning,” Dunn says, “my goal for Cat Town was to build infrastructure in the Oakland community that would outlive my involvement. It’s thrilling to see that after leaving Cat Town in the great hands of the current Executive Director, Andrew Dorman, Cat Town is absolutely thriving.”

Another major shift in how OAS saves more animals is the approach to adoptions. By creating a very welcoming adoption program, which is focused on matchmaking and helping people find an animal companion who is a good fit, OAS has seen its adoption numbers more than double in the last few years. It’s a big effort, through a great collaboration between FOAS-funded staff, the OAS volunteer coordinator, and a wonderful group of OAS volunteers, who dedicate themselves to making sure as many animals as possible get a chance for a loving home.

It is Dunn’s intention for OAS that the transformation underway today will also be lasting and that future leaders of that organization will have a strong foundation to build upon.

Since Dunn started at OAS, FOAS has made it possible to create new lifesaving programs for dogs, cats, bunnies, Guinea pigs, and even pigeons. All of this effort has resulted in OAS experiencing the highest live release rate in its history, at over 94% for all species combined, and an increase from an 87% save rate for dogs in 2019 to 95% today.

Having learned from her experience at Cat Town, Dunn turned to the Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS, a nonprofit founded in 2007 to support OAS) when she started in her new role as OAS Director to ask for resources to start a foster program for big dogs. As Dunn sees it now, “Of all the changes we’ve made to increase lifesaving, the foster program for big dogs is the real gamechanger.”

“Even with all of the changes, it still feels like it’s an against all odds effort every day to keep up with intake,” says Dunn. With the affordable housing crisis, and end of Oakland’s eviction moratorium last summer, OAS is experiencing a huge spike in intake, having already taken in 1,500 more dogs and cats from January– October 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, which is a 31% increase.

The program was launched in mid2020, with about 250 dogs placed in foster homes that year. Now, just a few years in, the big dog foster program is on track to help 1,000 dogs by the end of 2023. On any given day, about half of the dogs in the care of OAS are in foster homes. What this represents is the community stepping up in a meaningful way to help save shelter dogs who would otherwise be euthanized because OAS only has 73 kennels for big dogs. With an average daily intake of over 12 dogs a day, OAS simply doesn’t have the physical capacity to help that many dogs without the help of foster families.

“It’s heartbreaking what we are seeing today, with the number of people who are bringing animals to the shelter because they are newly homeless or are having to choose between being housed and keeping their pets, when leaving their family members is the last thing they want to be doing,” says Dunn. “If you told me last year that we would be faced with a 31% increase in animal intake, I would have said we are already at our maximum capacity. It’s been a minor miracle that we have been able to achieve the lowest euthanasia rate in the history of OAS despite this increase, but it is getting harder and harder to do so.”

OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES

If you are an animal lover, you will appreciate learning about some exciting changes happening across the bay. Oakland Animal Services (OAS), Oakland’s municipal animal shelter, has undergone a major transformation in the last few years, resulting in the lowest ever euthanasia rate for animals there.

From Dunn’s perspective, she is part of a journey as OAS continues to improve outcomes for animals over many years and she knows that one day she will be stepping out of the way for the next leader. “As with Cat Town,” Dunn says, “I want my time at OAS to make it possible for the person who comes after me to continue building capacity to save more lives. What makes this all possible is the incredible support from the Bay Area community. It is such joy to be part of an incredible community of people who are willing to give of themselves to help vulnerable animals.” Take Action! Donate to the Friends of Oakland Animal Services: https://tinyurl.com/aa8p3xcc Support Oakland Animal Services as a shelter volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/zcdwrted Foster an Oakland Animal Services dog, cat, kitten, or rabbit: https://tinyurl.com/2p9fjp6k Adopt a companion: https://www.oaklandanimalservices.org/adopt/

Adopt a Companion https://www.oaklandanimalservices.org/adopt/

Bernie

1-year-old male Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler/Mixed https://tinyurl.com/mtsyu5uh

Lieutenant Riley

Medium-sized male American/Mixed Rabbit https://tinyurl.com/4mtst7te

Messi

.5-year-old male Domestic Short Hair/Mixed https://tinyurl.com/ynh6jewk

Sparkle Diamond

Bernie

Lieutenant Riley

Messi

Sparkle Diamond

4-year-old female American Pit Bull Terrier/Mixed https://tinyurl.com/mtsyu5uh

Champ

Small Pigeon/Mixed https://tinyurl.com/2hhujbwz

Lionel

.5-year-old male Domestic Short Hair/Mixed (bonded with Messi) https://tinyurl.com/49ffmtz5

Shasta

2-year-old male Husky/Mixed https://tinyurl.com/3bvpjh2k

Champ

Lionel

Shasta

Uhura

Medium-sized female Chinchilla/Mixed Rabbit https://tinyurl.com/3zthxphv S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 16, 2023

Ready or Not, Here They Come forward to make sure our democracy still works. There are more events coming up in the next few weeks than one column can contain, but here are a few to mark on your calendar: Transgender Day of Remembrance

In Case You Missed It Joanie Juster By “they” in the title of this piece I mean the holidays, that pedal-to-themetal season of events, travel, family, stress, and, with any luck, joy. In a time when the news is filled with so much about war, strife, discrimination, and hate, we need all the good news we can get—whether it be the positive November 7 election results from places like Ohio and Kentucky, or the fact that the Golden Girls Live Christmas Episodes are just around the corner. And as we enter the season of gratitude, let’s give a huge post-election thank you to everyone who voted, and an extra huge shout-out to everyone who worked so hard to get out the vote, whether by donating, textbanking, phone-banking, knocking on doors, writing postcards, or battling in the courts to preserve access to voting rights. We owe a particular debt of gratitude to the countless election workers everywhere who devote themselves to rigorous standards to hold fair and accurate elections. What used to be a simple civic duty has become a battleground, with election workers often targeted. Thank you to all who keep stepping

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According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, more than one in four trans people has faced assault due to bias or transphobia, with the rates being even higher for trans women and trans people of color. They face exceptionally high levels of both physical and sexual violence at work, at school, at home, in public, or at the hands of government officials. The Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorated each year on November 20, is a day for honoring and remembering those lost to anti-transgender hatred and violence. The toll each year can be challenging to pin down, as misgendering on police reports and underreporting skews the data. In 2019 the American Medical Association recognized “an epidemic of violence against the transgender community,” saying they are over 2.5 times more likely than cisgender people to experience violence. With right-wing politicians and hate groups around the country specifically targeting trans people, this constitutes a public health and safety crisis. This Transgender Day of Remembrance, honor and remember those we have lost, but also commit to taking action. Help transgender people by working to ensure their safety: advocate for stricter gun laws, speak out against the tsunami of antitrans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have sprung up around the coun-

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try, and let trans folks know you have their back. It will take all of us working together to break the cycle of hate and violence. And, on the Transgender Day of Remembrance—Monday, November 20—show your support by heading to Oasis at 6 pm for a drag show and fundraiser hosted by Honey Mahogany and featuring an all-trans cast, with performances by Gina La Divina, Mahlae Balenciaga, Vanilla Meringue, King Lotus Boy, and The One and Only Rexy. Absolute Empresses’ Annual Thanksgiving Bake Sale Need to bring a fabulous dessert to Thanksgiving dinner, but don’t have time or the inclination to bake? The Empresses have your back. The Sisterhood of Absolute Empresses of San Francisco, in Conjunction with The Imperial Council of San Francisco, will be hosting their annual holiday sale featuring tasty treats made by the Empresses themselves on Wednesday, November 22, at 6 pm at The Lookout. Proceeds will benefit the Empresses 60th Anniversary Celebration and the Empresses Fund, allowing the

Empresses to support many important local causes. https://tinyurl.com/TGBake23

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Info and details: https://tinyurl.com/WTOH23

Help Decorate the World Tree of Hope

The good folks at Tenderloin Tessie are holding two big events in the next couple of weeks: their annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23, then their 5th annual Christmas Cabaret Spectacular on Friday, December 1. Both events will be at the First Unitarian Church. For details, to donate, or to volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/TTessie23

Volunteers are needed to decorate the Rainbow World Fund (RWF) World Tree of Hope—the largest origami holiday tree in the world, standing over 23 feet tall and decorated with over 17,000 origami cranes and stars, each hand folded and inscribed with wishes for the future of the world. The tree is created as a symbol of global unity and hope, to promote peace, love, and humanitarian action. Its purpose is purely humanitarian with the message that we are all one human family. It is open to everyone regardless of belief or non-belief. The tree lighting is on Monday, December 4, from

Tenderloin Tessie

45th Annual Milk Moscone Vigil The Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club is organizing the 45th annual vigil commemorating the assassinations of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. The vigil is an annual reminder of the (continued on page 26)

PHOTO BY PAX AHIMSA GETHEN

Mourning and Remembering

Musings on Trans Liberation Pau Crego Every year on November 20, people around the world commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) by coming together to mourn and remember the trans siblings who passed in the previous year. Since the last TDOR, reportedly 392 trans, nonbinary, and/or gender nonconforming people worldwide have died due to violence, suicide, or unknown causes. Of those, 25 were people living in the United States. Their names are: London Price, 26 Lisa Love, 35 Domonic Dupree, 25

A’nee Johnson, 30 Sherlyn Marjorie, 35 Chyna Long, 30 Luis Ángel Díaz Castro, 22 YOKO, age unknown Thomas “Tom-Tom” Robertson, 28 DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson, 28 Camdyn Rider, 21 Jacob Williamson, 18 Chanell Perez Ortiz, 29 Ashia Davis, 34 Banko Brown, 24 KoKo Da Doll, 35 Ashley Burton, 37 Ta’Siyah Woodland, age unknown Tortuguita, 26 Chashay Ashanti Henderson, 31 Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, 22 Zachee Imanitwitaho, age unknown Unique Banks, 21 KC Johnson, 27 Jasmine “Star” Mack, 36 The list above exemplifies the reason why trans communities need an annual day of remembrance: the loss of trans life every year is staggering. We know that these numbers are likely an underreporting of those lost to violence and suicide this past year. We also know that these numbers don’t include the many trans people who have passed away for other reasons, often stemming from violence

and discrimination as root causes. For example, it is well documented that oppression results in worse physical health outcomes, and that trans communities have higher rates of substance use and other survival strategies as coping mechanisms for the injustices we face—all of which lead to a higher proportion of illnesses and death, compared to cisgender people. These causes of death don’t affect all trans communities equally due to the compounding effects of multiple forms of discrimination, such as racism, anti-Blackness, misogyny, and xenophobia. As reported by the Human Rights Campaign, 88% of the 25 people listed here were people of color, and 52% were Black trans women. Additionally, all of them (the ones whose ages we know) were under 40 years old, a sobering reminder of the short life expectancy of trans (continued on page 26)

Fierce Advocacy: It’s All About Love

COURTESY LESLIE EWING

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis

We once told Rebecca at a party how much we admired her fearlessness in engaging in direct action and other forms of assertive and sometimes angry protest—and how we felt as if we could never do what she was capable of doing. She looked directly at us, responding, “You’ve got to understand: It’s all about love.” Rebecca’s invocation of love stopped us in our tracks. Her fierce and defiant advocacy was founded on the most vulnerable and intimate of human impulses: love. By that, we presumed she meant deep love, care, and connection with other LGBTIQ people, as well all others facing oppression. Rebecca was also a staunch advocate for women’s rights, including women’s right to healthcare and treatment for breast cancer, a disease that caused her untimely death. Queer and Present Danger was founded at a time when HIV/AIDS was devastating our community, while the federal government and much of the medical establishment sat idly by in indifference. It was a time when LGBTIQ people had virtually no legal rights and protections as the U.S. Supreme 8

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Rebecca LePere, second to the left, alongside Joanie Juster, far left, and others leading the Names Project contingent in the 1991 San Francisco Pride march

Court had recently upheld the constitutionality of criminalizing the physical expression of love between queer people. We’ve come a long way since the 1980s, but as we all know we currently face a resurgence of anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric, legislation, legal decisions, intimidation, Rebecca LePere, alongside her long-time partner Leslie and violence. A friend of Ewing and fellow Queer & Present Danger member Phil ours recently expressed Denney, taking part in the 1988 shutdown of the FDA his dismay and sense (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to protest federal of powerlessness at the government inaction on HIV/AIDS. ascension of anti-LGBeled on Florida’s notorious similar TIQ extremist Mike Johnson to law. This year, Johnson displayed the speakership of the House— utter ignorance and disregard for and thus third in line to the the lives of LGBTIQ people when presidency. As has been widely he attacked gender-affirming care reported in the media, Johnson for trans youth and even denied maintained in 2004 that “homothe validity and existence of the sexual relationships are inhertransgender experience entirely at ently unnatural,” falsely claiming a Congressional hearing. that “the studies clearly show” In reflecting on how our commuthey “are ultimately harmful and nity should respond to this anticostly for everyone.” At the time, LGBTIQ onslaught, a famous he was an attorney with the antiquotation from the early twengay legal group, the Alliance tieth century Supreme Court Defending Freedom, identified Justice Louis Brandeis comes to as an extremist hate group by the mind. Brandeis opined that the Southern Poverty Law Center. Constitution’s remedy for harmA year ago, Johnson introduced ful speech that does not incite national “Don’t Say Gay” legisimmediate serious injury was lation to ban LGBTIQ content (continued on page 27) in elementary education, mod-

COURTESY LESLIE EWING

The late Rebecca LePere was one of the most powerful LGBTIQ activists we’ve ever known. She alongside her partner Leslie Ewing and other extraordinary queer activists were the driving force behind the civil disobedience and direct-action affinity group Queer and Present Danger to which we belonged in the late 1980s. Rebecca, Leslie, and other leaders of the group exhibited a ferocity for fighting for queer rights, coupled with ingenious creativity and intelligence, unlike anything we had experienced before.

Poverty Epidemic are largely met, but income levels fall below the area’s average. A triggering event (illness, death, divorce, etc.) that has a negative financial impact with the opportunity for recovery describes situational or subjective poverty. Generational poverty is a condition that persists over two or more generations, where escaping the cycle of poverty is difficult.

Social Philanthropreneur Derek Barnes Most people think of poverty as being poor resulting from the lack of money and conjure up images tied to communities of color. A more nuanced definition describes it as a state or condition where people lack the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. It’s worth noting that being poor is different from being in poverty, and sometimes we conflate the two. It may explain why many people living in impoverished conditions within the U.S. do not consider themselves in poverty if asked. They just don’t see themselves as poor. It’s a quiet epidemic. There are several types of poverty. There is absolute, relative, situational, and generational poverty. Absolute poverty is when basic needs cannot be met—food, shelter, and access to clean drinking water. Relative is when basic needs

More recent data reveals an alarming trend and highlights a disproportionate impact on specific groups and communities. For example, new reports examining childhood poverty in the Bay Area over the last two decades have uncovered concerning trends, root causes, and potential solutions to this growing problem. Older adults are also more likely to be in poverty. About one in six people are food insecure, and over 40K people are homeless in the Bay Area, according to the Bay Area Economic Institute. Technically, these individuals are people in absolute poverty. The data for individuals under 18, collected and analyzed from various sources, paints a distressing picture. In the last 20 years, childhood poverty has surged, affecting not only the quantity but also the quality of life for children across the Bay Area—highest amongst LGBTQ+ youth and those from communities of color. Overall, poverty rates have increased by 30%, with a particularly alarming spike in the last five years—primarily due to the pandemic and sunsetting the child tax credit in 2022. The causes contrib-

uting to this trend are rising housing costs, income inequality, educational disparities, and other economic disruptions. The skyrocketing cost of living in the Bay Area, especially housing, has left many families struggling to make ends meet, especially after many COVID-19 social safety-net programs have expired. High rents and limited affordable housing options due to insufficient production and inadequate policies have pushed households deeper into poverty. The conditions of poverty have been turbocharged since 2020. According to a 2017 report by the Bay Area Council on Regional Solutions, the overall child poverty rate in the Bay Area was 18.4%, which is higher than the state of California (16.2%). Furthermore, the poverty rate is higher among children of color. In the Bay Area, 33.9% of Black children, 37.9% of Latino children, and 27.3% of Native American children are living in poverty. In addition, a 2019 study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that the share of children living in poverty increased between 2007 and 2017. The poverty rate in the Bay Area among Black, Latino, and Native American children increased by 2.6%, 4.1%, and 5.5%, respectively. The policy implications are startling. These figures demonstrate that childhood poverty is a real issue in

the Bay Area and that disparities between communities of color and those of other racial and ethnic backgrounds are profound. The public and private sectors must be aware of the continued disparities and address them through targeted policies.

children and families in poverty is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty.

Despite the region’s overall economic prosperity, income inequality has grown. Many lower-wage workers, often from marginalized communities, are unable to afford basic necessities. A living wage aligned with Bay Area housing costs seems out of reach for many. Raising the minimum wage to a living wage significantly reduces income inequality and helps families meet their basic needs.

Poverty has not affected all ethnic groups equally. Historically, the most at-risk communities are African American, Latino, and Native American children, with poverty rates significantly higher than the regional average. However, poverty among whites in the area remains high at about 10%, and the number of white people experiencing poverty far exceeds any other racial and ethnic group. Whites represent the majority of people in poverty both regionally and nationally.

Unequal access to quality education disproportionately affects children from lower-income families, limiting their future opportunities. Prioritizing early education and improving access to high-quality schools for all children can break the cycle of poverty. Programs that offer job training, apprenticeships, and support for career advancement can empower parents to secure better-paying jobs.

With federal emergency dollars no longer available, Bay Area community leaders, local governments, and advocacy groups must work together to implement solutions and other initiatives to reverse the alarming trend of poverty. It is essential to ensure that everyone in the Bay Area has an equal opportunity to lead a prosperous and fulfilling life, regardless of their economic background, age, or ethnicity.

Economic downturns, such as the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, had lasting impacts on families, especially those without significant savings. These disruptions can also generate more emotional and psychological distress. Addressing the mental health and support needs of

Derek Barnes is the CEO of the East Bay Rental Housing Association ( www.EBRHA.com ). He currently serves on the board of Homebridge CA. Follow him on Twitter @ DerekBarnesSF and on Instagram at DerekBarnes.SF

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NOVEM BER 16, 2023

Be on the Lookout for Online Scams that your computer has a virus. You don’t. This is a scam. No one will call you to inform you of an infected PC. They will claim to remove it for a fee, but they will also snoop around for relevant financial information, and you may unwittingly download malware that helps them track your every move.

Money Matters Brandon Miller While the spooky season is officially over, there are still a lot of threats out there to be mindful of as scammers don’t take a holiday. According to the latest data, total losses reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) increased a whopping 84% in 2022 to $3.1 billion. This may be just the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure most of us have gotten a scam text or two that are easily identifiable as such. The methods and scammers themselves are getting much more sophisticated. They also have a talent for appearing genuine, trustworthy, and convincing. They may make you feel like they genuinely care about your well-being and are trying to help. So, what can you do? Be on guard! There is no shortage of tricks leading you to a fraudulent website. Others may impersonate loved ones, requesting financial assistance. Tech and customer support schemes continued to be the most common type of fraud reported, while monetary losses due to investment fraud jumped 300%, largely due to the rising trend of crypto investment scams. For example, tech and customer support scammers take advantage of their victims’ unfamiliarity with technology and online banking to quickly take as much money as possible. Some may be as simple as a call from “tech support” informing you

Or, a pop-up message or blank screen on a computer tells the victim their device is damaged and needs fixing. A phone number to reach “tech support” is provided. Remember this: tech support won’t call you to tell you there are issues with your computer. If you get such a call, hang up. Ignore pop-up numbers. Just turn off your PC and turn it back on. A small dose of prevention goes a long way. It’s a difficult reality, but older folks are easier targets. There are steps we can take to fight back. 1. Designate a trusted contact. This person has no authority over your accounts but is someone your financial institution may contact to discuss issues if they suspect something is awry. 2. Be leery of unknown phone numbers. Signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry will reduce telemarking calls, but this does nothing to stop scammers. If you don’t recognize the number, be leery about who may be on the other line. Let it go to voicemail. Many are robocalls and don’t leave a message. Did the call come from a recognized firm you conduct business with? It may or may not be legitimate. It’s OK to call the company back using a phone number that you know is legit. 3. Don’t click on links from unknown senders. Just don’t do it! 4. You can also freeze your credit report with the three major credit rating agencies at no cost. This helps prevent accounts from being opened in your name without your knowledge. When the need arises, you may temporarily remove the freeze.

Understand their methods. The following are some of the primary scams being used now to defraud folks. 1. Investment scams promise quick riches and pressure you into accessing your retirement accounts, the equity in your home, or convince you to go into debt. 2. The lottery/sweepstakes/ inheritance scam falsely notifies individuals that they have won a cash prize or will receive an unexpected inheritance from a distant and previously unknown relative. 3. There has been an increase in romance scams, which can be particularly challenging to identify, as the perpetrator creates a false online persona to gain the trust and affection of the victim. So be extra vigilant on Grindr, my peeps! Once scammers earn your trust (and your heart), they start requesting money and won’t stop taking advantage of you until you cease sending them funds. You might think that this sounds implausible. Why would anyone send cash to someone they haven’t met and one that probably lives in another state? Well, lust clouds judgment, and there are countless stories of folks falling prey to this classic scam. 4. Scammers also call unsuspecting older adults and pretend to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare. These organizations never make unsolicited phone calls. Hang up the phone. 5. This one is another biggie for older targets. The grandparent scam goes like this. “Hi, Grandma. Do you know who this is?” When the unaware grandparent guesses the name of the grandchild the scammer most sounds like, the scammer secures their trust. The fake grandchild then asks for money to solve some urgent financial problems (such as overdue rent, car repairs, or jail bonds). (continued on page 26)

Estate Planning for Veterans: Honoring Your Service Beyond the Uniform preserving your values. For veterans, estate planning can be a critical step in securing their legacy, but it often involves special considerations. Benefits and Support for Veterans

Trust Essentials Jay Greene, Esq., CPA As a professional estate planning attorney, I’ve had the privilege of working with many veterans and their families. Our brave servicemen and women face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to estate planning. In this article, I will guide you through the essential aspects of estate planning for veterans, offering insight into how to secure your legacy and protect those who matter most to you. Understanding the Basics of Estate Planning Estate planning is the process of making important decisions about your future, ensuring that your assets and wishes are protected. It’s not just about distributing your wealth; it’s about planning for contingencies, providing for your loved ones, and 10

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One of the significant distinctions for veterans in estate planning is the benefits and support offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans and their families may be eligible for VA pensions and disability compensation, which can be substantial financial resources. Understanding these benefits and how they fit into your estate plan is vital. These benefits can impact your eligibility for certain assistance programs, which lead to the importance of crafting a well-thought-out estate plan. Special Considerations for Veterans Veterans often face unique challenges, particularly those with service-related disabilities. These challenges might include long-term care needs, special housing requirements, or a desire to ensure survivor benefits for spouses and dependents. By addressing these factors in your estate plan, you can help alleviate some of the stress that veterans and their families might experience. Wills and Trusts for Veterans Two fundamental tools in estate planning are wills and trusts. Wills allow you to designate how your

assets are distributed after your passing, while trusts offer more flexibility and can be tailored to meet specific needs. For veterans, it’s essential to consider the protection and passage of military benefits. In some cases, a trust can be the right choice, especially when dealing with VA benefits. Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney Healthcare directives, such as living wills and medical powers of attorney, are vital for veterans. They allow you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so. With the potential for service-related disabilities, these documents can provide much-needed guidance for your medical care. Powers of attorney are equally important for managing financial and legal matters. Designating someone you trust to handle these aspects of your life is crucial, particularly when frequent deployments or long periods of service are involved. Guardianship and Dependents For veterans with dependents, it’s essential to address guardianship considerations. This ensures that in the event something happens to you, your children or dependents are well cared for. Establishing guardianship plans and providing for minor (continued on page 26)

GGBA and Rainbow Community Center Present: Fa La La Fabulous! Holiday Gayla and Auction

GGBA CALENDAR

The Rainbow Community Center (RCC) and the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) are collaborating to raise emergency funds in support of RCC’s ongoing efforts to serve the LGBTQIA+ community. Admission to the Holiday Gayla is free! This spectacular soirée will be held Sunday, December 3, from 4–7 pm at Fluid510 (1544 Broadway, Oakland). Join GGBA and RCC for this dazzling FUNdraiser featuring drag performer Queera Nightly ( https://www.queeranightlyofficial.com/ ) and DJ Nut-N-Nice (IG: @thisisnut_n_nice). Enjoy food, entertainment, community, and lightheartedness, while also raising funds for an indispensable cause. Both live and silent auctions will feature fine art by local LGBTQ+ artists, along with gifts, products, and services from LGBTQ business owners and craftspeople. Financial donations via Give Lively will also be accepted. RCC provides vital programs and services to the LGBTQ+ community in Concord and across the entire Contra Costa County. Now, RCC finds itself in a dire financial crisis, without the funds it needs to cover its operating costs, as current public grants are restricted to direct program services. Without funds for operations, those programs can’t be serviced, and RCC is in danger of having to close its doors forever. As the only LGBTQ+ community center in the

Sunday, December 3, 2023 Fa La La Fabulous Gayla & Auction: A FUNdraiser by and for GGBA & Rainbow Community Center 4–7 pm Fluid510, 1544 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 https://tinyurl.com/y49uyf5m Tuesday, December 12, 2023 GGBA Annual Holiday Party 6–10 pm The Academy, 2166 Market Street, S.F. 94114 https://tinyurl.com/2s47kt2f entire Contra Costa County, we can’t let that happen. GGBA is standing by its family at RCC, so won’t you stand by us, too? Auction proceeds will be divided between both organizations. All Give Lively donations will go exclusively to the Rainbow Community Center. For tickets and/or to make a donation of cash or an auction item, please go to the Eventbrite registration page: https://tinyurl.com/2v5sm8zf About GGBA Founded in 1974, the Golden Gate Business Association is the world’s first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber proudly serves the LGBTQ+ Community and allies in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the Western Region. The GGBA helps create

GGBA Member Spotlight Enspira, a Certified LGBTQ+ Business, is an innovative human resources consultancy. This year Enspira ranked 325 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, Inc.’s annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. The recognition is a testament to Enspira’s unwavering commitment to driving innovation, offering exceptional client service, and maintaining consistent revenue growth. Here, Founder and CEO Kurt Landon shares more about Enspira. GGBA: What was the vision behind Enspira, and what is its mission now? Kurt Landon: Enspira is your growth engine. We partner with clients to maximize business results with innovative, inclusive practices and solutions that enable people & organizations to thrive. We celebrate differences and interact with respect, empathy, and care for all people and organizations. We set the example with uncompromising integrity and purposeful transparency, while always striving for psychological safety. Learning, un-learning, and re-learning in service of evolution and transformation is how we do business. We believe collaboration leads to the best work and best-fit, customized solutions. Together, we’re reimagining and revolutionizing the human-work experience by presenting the best and brightest, and intentionally listening to the human heartbeat of organizations. Through our breakthrough solutions, we seek to

opportunities for marketing, networking, procurement, and referral-based business growth programs that support the development of business skills and expertise through workshops and seminars. The GGBA advocates for positive economic, social, and political change. https://ggba.com/

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 LGBTQ+ Real Estate Investors Monthly Meetup 6–7:30 pm 501 Castro Street, S.F. 94114 https://tinyurl.com/axfdj4u9 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 GGBA New Member Orientation 6–7 pm Online https://tinyurl.com/5b3nsf6s

About RCC Since 1995, the Rainbow Community Center has been offering support and social opportunities to the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Rainbow envisions a society that advocates for and celebrates gender and sexual diversity, racial justice, safety, and liberation for all through healing centered engagement. Rainbow transcends its vision from inclusive to expansive, as we will be able to represent by centering and reaching a wider scope of Marginalized

LGBTQIA+ and Intersectional Identities more effectively. (“Inclusive” has an implied power differential, whereas “expansive” refers to centering power with marginalized people.) https://www.rainbowcc.org/

Kurt Landon of Enspira

put the power of business purpose in the hands of the people. Our values: • Be Human First: We celebrate differences and interact with respect, empathy, and care for all people and organizations. • Compassionate Candor: We set the example with uncompromising integrity and purposeful transparency, while always striving for psychological safety. • Curious Innovation & Conscious Disruption: Learning, un-learning, and re-learning in service of evolution and transformation is how we do business. • Better, Together: We believe collaboration leads to the best work and bestfit, customized solutions. GGBA: Why did you decide to create Enspira? Kurt Landon: Enspira was started in 2018 under the name Thrive with just one client, and one team member. We focused on the “messy” HR problems that are often difficult and complex to solve. Some of our founding principles are that we meet clients where they are with “fit for purpose” solutions. We don’t let budget constraints get in the way, and we typically work directly with (not in competition with) in-house HR teams (if they exist) so that we can support the success of HR professionals, HR teams, and further advance the field of HR. Another reason I started the firm was to finally solve some of the long-standing talent/people/culture/HR/human capital issues. Having worked in this field for almost 30 years, I’ve observed that many

leaders and organizations “admire the problem” but the problems don’t actually get solved. For example, almost every organization I’ve worked in, for, or with self discloses that they have a suboptimal level of frontline manager capability and effectiveness. At best, these organizations send managers to training, but the quality level of the training is typically average and it’s a point in time “event” that doesn’t typically lead to the desired outcome of actually raising the levels of frontline manager capability and effectiveness. Furthermore, most organizations are still practicing the Jack Welch leadership development mandate of developing leaders at the top of the organization and then they rely on those senior leaders to develop more junior leaders. This results in two problematic things: 1) those senior leaders don’t typically follow through on developing more junior managers, and 2) by the time the frontline managers get what they need, it’s too long to wait. There are many examples like this and I started Enspira to solve these long-standing issues once and for all and we are proud that we have really “cracked the code” and are emerging as a market leader on many of these topics such as frontline manager capability and effectiveness, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), foundational HR support for early-stage startups, and more. GGBA: Who are some of your role models? Kurt Landon: Adam Grant is a human capital thought leader whom I respect and whose content really resonates with

me. I’ve also built our advisory board with leaders who have been instrumental in helping us design, grow, and operate our business. GGBA: Why did you decide to join the GGBA, and how long have you been Kurt Landon a member? Kurt Landon: We joined in March 2021 and did so because we have a large number of Bay Area clients and because we are an LGBTQ+ owned firm. The combination of these two things makes the GGBA the perfect organization for us. GGBA: Has being a member helped your business so far? Kurt Landon: As we have only been a member for a relatively short period of time, the honest answer is that we haven’t really gotten involved yet. I’m confident there are many ways we could benefit from our membership, primarily for lead generation/business development purposes. The motivation for us is less about revenue generation and more about being of service and support to other GGBA member organizations. We’re here to help! (continued on page 26)

The GGBA page is sponsored by Anne Sterling Dorman

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NOVEM BER 16, 2023

APEC Includes GAYPEC and Other Queer Additions CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO PHOTO

As of this writing, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference (APEC) is wrapping up in San Francisco. Held from November 11–17, the summit is the largest international political gathering in San Francisco since the 1945 United Nations Conference on World Organization that led to the establishment of the United Nations. Parts of San Francisco were transformed for the summit, allowing APEC visitors to experience a more secure and spruced up city. A legacy from Pride returned, with Illuminate reprising its June 2022 display of laser lights up Market Street. Emanating from the Ferry Building, the lights have been filling the night sky with jewel tone colors such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red. Ben Davis of Illuminate has also worked with Patrick Carney of the Pink Triangle Project atop Twin Peaks in June. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, along with co-hosts Mayor London Breed, California Assemblymember Evan Low, and State Supervisor Scott Wiener, organized GAYPEC, a reception and party at Beaux in the Castro on November 15 for LGBTQ attendees of APEC. Equality California and the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) were also involved with the event. The focus was on queer Asian history and drag, with multiple drag artists performing. The San Francisco Bay Times plans to recap GAYPEC in the next issue.

PHOTO BY RINK

The Castro Merchants were also brought into the planning of APEC, and created a “Perfect Day in the Castro.” Anyone can enjoy the recommendations, listed at https://sf.gov/perfect-day-castro

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For more on APEC 2023: https://www.apec2023sf.org/

Jewish Voice for Peace Staged Protest at Oakland Federal Building

“Right now, there’s a lot of pain and fear and grief for so many communities. We all want to feel safe, to feel beloved in our community and welcomed in the world. And right now, that’s just not the case. Not for us as Jews, not for our Muslim friends and family, and not for Palestinians and those who speak up for Palestinian freedom. We know that we’re most safe when we all stand together, we’re most welcomed when we stand up for the 12

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The organization also released a statement that the U.S. is complicit “in the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians.” It added, “Genocide is not inevitable. It is made possible by the choices of people in power, who have the ability to stop this violence now. Actions to support the genocide Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb of Palestinians are choices that the U.S. and Israeli regimes are making. We refuse to fall in line with their endorsement of genocidal violence. We will not rest until we get a ceasefire and justice for all Palestinians.” https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/ NOVE MB E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 3

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We won’t rest until we’re all safe.”

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Earlier that day, the organization posted:

War mongers try to make it hard, but it’s actually really clear and simple: fighting for Palestinian freedom, against Islamophobia, and against antisemitism are intertwined.

JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE/INSTAGRAM

Security guards in the building helped workers enter and leave, but according to live news reports showing footage of the protest, they largely stood by as Rabbi Gottlieb and others staged a lengthy sit-in. By 9 pm, U.S. Department of Homeland Security police arrived and escorted the protestors out of the building. Jewish Voice for Peace wrote that dozens of people were taken into custody.

rights of others, and that we feel most cherished when others stand up for us. Which is precisely why higher walls, bigger guns, and more warmongering can’t and won’t keep us safe. And why it’s so important that we have clarity about what is threatening our communities, and what isn’t.

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The nonprofit Berkeleybased Jewish Voice for Peace was among the organizers of a protest at the Oakland Federal Building on the evening of November 13 that lasted for several hours. Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, one of the first women to be ordained as a rabbi in the Jewish Renewal movement, announced that she and others would not leave the building until a ceasefire was declared in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. As she told KNTV, “There is no other choice. How many people do we have to kill before we arrive at a ceasefire?”

Multiple Protests Take Place as APEC Summit Is Held in SF

IMAGE BY BETTY L.SULIVAN

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CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO PHOTO

During the week of November 12–17, multiple protests took place as APEC was held in San Francisco, with hundreds of individuals filling parts of Market Street and other portions of the city. Many were protesting Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, but others held signs against capitalism and a lack of attention to environmental issues. Still others protested against economic injustice. On November 15, some protesters staged a die-in, while others attempted to prevent APEC attendees from entering the summit. The protests received both national and international media coverage.

Monday, November 13

Tuesday, November 14

SkyStar has opened in its new location just in time for APEC visitors to enjoy.

You Could Be Next By Matan Zamir Imagine a rare, sunny day in San Francisco, the perfect setting for the annual Castro Street Fair. People are enjoying the day, celebrating, drinking, and spending time with close friends and loved ones. Now imagine that thousands of terrorists emerge, seemingly out of nowhere, armed with grenades, Kalashnikov (rifles), and knives. These terrorists begin brutally attacking the partygoers. In mere minutes, a day of joy turns into a bloodied scene, with piles of desecrated bodies and people attempting to flee for their lives. Imagine that, the very next day, LGBTQ organizations and influencers speak out, not in support of the victims, but in support of the terrorists. How would you feel? This is what hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ community members in Israel, myself included, have experienced over the past month. We feel disappointed, and we feel abandoned. For me, one of the hardest things to process in the wake of the October 7th massacre has been the stance of some LGBTQ organizations in the Western world, and of well-known LGBTQ icons. When Israel, a democratic, liberal country, was attacked by a barbaric and bloodthirsty organization that rapes and beheads women, slaughters babies, and burns families alive, many prominent members of the queer community, including some you know here in San Francisco, did not raise their voices for Israel, but for the terrorists. Some chose to stay silent, but as we all know, silence is complicity. I have always wholeheartedly believed that there is a deep, intimate connection between the Jewish and LGBTQ communities, both per-

secuted, courageous, talented, and peace-loving. I have always believed that gays around the world knew how to cherish us, appreciate our openness, our liberality, and the miracle we call Tel Aviv. I believed that the hundreds of thousands of gays who attended our Pride parades, and enthusiastically sang our Eurovision songs, would be the first to embrace us during the type of disaster that recently befell us. What a disappointment! I can hardly believe my eyes when I see drag queens, lesbians, and other queer community members holding up signs against Israel, in support of Hamas, an organization that persecutes and murders sexual minorities. A preacher at a mosque on the Temple Mount once said that “the day Islam rules the land of Palestine, not a single homosexual will remain alive.” Do you know what radical Islam thinks of gays? It would appear that the anti-Israel queer icons do not. Rather than supporting the group that shares their values, they take the side of those who have sworn to destroy Western civilization. They call for a ceasefire, yet refuse to advocate for the 240 Israeli abductees, including a 3-year-old girl and a 9-month-old baby. What a disappointment. I ask myself, as people continue to slander Israel in favor of a violent terrorist organization, do they not know the truth? As a gay Israeli man, I can say firsthand that, despite its many flaws, which exist in every country,

Israel is an open and accepting place where gays are integrated into society, politics, and the army. Do they not know that gays living under the rule of the Palestinian Authority live hidden and oppressed? They are often murdered, either by Palestinian police or by their own family members. Have they not seen the videos documenting the treatment of gays under radical Islam, which include footage of a young man being put in a bag and thrown off the top of a building? They must not know that gay Palestinians have been known to flee their homes, coming to Israel to live as their authentic selves. It is hard to put into words the unholiness of the support by queer liberals for the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization, an organization whose goal is to abuse, burn, or behead anyone who does not mold to their extremist views. Don’t you know that, alongside Jews, you, gays, lesbians, and the queer community, are their primary targets? Matan Zamir is Israel’s Deputy Consul General to the Pacific Northwest. https://tinyurl.com/59myvbf9 S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

NOVEM BER 16, 2023

In Memoriam Remembering Eleanor

Eleanor is the reason I have a queer comedy career—I stole all her material. Since we were both lesbians, I coined us the “Double Dyke Familia.” My family was surprised at our Sapphic sister’s phenomenon, and our mother always asked: “Is this contagious? Should I be worried?” Eleanor escorted me to my first gay bar in San Jose; it was called DESPERADOS! That is so gay! On this particular night way back in 1978, she pulled me aside before we got to the entrance and told me, “If anyone asks you to dance, tell them, no thank you.” She was teaching me to be polite to gay people because she had no idea I was a budding dykeling.

LGBTQ community as an activist. In the early 2000s, Eleanor was a volunteer at the new San Francisco LGBT Center on Market Street and founded, along with friends, the Latino Forum, a space for Latinx queer and trans people.

a San Francisco State student and starting my lesbian comedian career and Eleanor was a full-fledged lesbian working for the company Proctor and Gamble. Eleanor was extremely supportive of me getting on stage and talking about my queer Chicana life as I performed at the first gay comedy club in the nation: The Valencia Rose Cabaret on Valencia Street in San Francisco. I always talked about us being lesbian sisters and the crowds loved it. I often introduced her from the stage and she would stand and take a quick bow. By 1983, Proctor and Gamble moved Eleanor to New York, which totally bummed me out but she would come back to the Bay Area to visit for the holidays.

In 2005, Eleanor started working with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, as their Events Manager. Eleanor’s biggest high-

After 8 years of trying to live in the crazy cold weather of the East

light working with NCLR was on May 15, 2008, when the California Supreme Court ruled: “Lesbian and gay couples have the same constitutional right to marry as heterosexual couples.” Eleanor immediately called me announcing this declaration because NCLR was the lead counsel for this ruling. Two weeks after this historical same sex marriage victory, Eleanor and I were at the annual fundraiser dinner for NCLR in San Francisco with over 1,000 lesbians, and allies, experiencing Queer Love Pride Power—to the max! I was massively proud of Eleanor for being connected to NCLR and doing her own activism in the gayest city in the world. After NCLR, Eleanor went on to work for the Chicana Latina Foundation, Olivia Travel,

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLGA TAL3MANTE/FACEBOOK

Memorial Table

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Milt Commons On November 6, 2023, Milt Commons made his final exit at the age of 96 in his longtime home of San Francisco, California, after an exceptionally long, useful, and fascinating life.

Broadway. His skill and professionalism led him to other major stages, including the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

The son of Milton and Katherine Commons, and brother of Carol, Milt was born and raised in tiny Macksville, Kansas, on June 17, 1927. Possessing a bright and curious mind, he set out to see the world beyond Kansas, attending the University of Santa Barbara, then graduating from Kansas University with a B.S. in English Education and an M.A. in Drama.

It was at the Mark Taper Forum that Milt began his longest professional association, working with Luis Valdez on his groundbreaking play (and subsequent film) Zoot Suit. Milt continued to stage manage for

My family will host a memorial for Eleanor: Remembering Eleanor, on Sunday December 10, 2023, from 2–6 pm at the Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Sreet at York in San Francisco. Please RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/msz9v8fu

Valdez’s theatre company, El Teatro Campesino, on their annual bilingual Christmas plays in San Juan Bautista for 25 years, culminating in his final performance in 2018. Throughout those years, Milt also stage managed at many other professional theatres. When he was in his 80s and found stage management jobs increasingly hard to come by, he pivoted to a new career, studying for and passing the test to become a member of the theatrical wardrobe union. Milt dressed local and touring productions until he was 92, when the COVID-19

Monica Palacios is a Los Angeles-based Chicana lesbian playwright and solo performer. And it’s totally true; the reason Monica has a queer comedy career is because she stole all of her sister Eleanor’s material. More info and guacamole recipes: www.monicapalacios.com

By Joanie Juster

pandemic closed theatres and there was no more work for him. Never one to sit idle, Milt was a valued participant in several reading groups, filled a number of key roles as a lay member at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, and loved to travel. He was the consummate theatre professional, an artist, an intellectual, a rigorous scholar, a witty raconteur, a charming bon vivant, and the most faithful and devoted of friends. He mentored generations of theatre artists for over seven decades, and was a

proud Union man, being a 70+-year member of Actors’ Equity, as well as SAG-AFTRA and the Theatrical Wardrobe Union. Milt leaves behind a loving family, including his sister Carol (Ray) Ladbury, nephews Ray Ladbury, Jr., (Michelle Chesnut), John (Ranelle) Ladbury, and Laurie (Scott) Biethan; grand-nieces and -nephews Sarah (Andy) Robinson, Michael Biethan (Marie Kapelke-Biethan), Peter Biethan, Colton (Ashlee) Ladbury, Tony Ladbury, and Janelle (Beau) Kelley; and great-grandniece and -nephew Kira Biethan and Leonardo Robinson.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JOANIE JUSTER

In addition to his biological family, Milt was blessed with the love of his extensive chosen family of friends and colleagues, including legions of theatre artists he mentored throughout his legendary career.

Milt Commons on his 90th birthday (2017)

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Eleanor is survived by myself, Monica Palacios; our sisters Marty Ramirez and Clara Bueno; and our brother Art Palacios. Our younger brother, Greg Palacios, recently passed on June 20, 2023. Eleanor leaves 14 nieces and nephews and a red wagon full of adorable great nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was a force of nature, the life of the party, an amazing cook, and could make an elegant cocktail; she was a battleaxe, a badass, my older sister, my best friend. Eleanor is no longer here on this planet but her powerful spirit is all around us!

She was 10 years older than me so we started hanging out after I graduated from high school, and it was during this time we discovered that we were extremely Eleanor and Sisters funny together. We laughed a lot—too much. Many times we Coast, Eleanor returned to her would have to leave a restaurant in beloved California and found a the middle of a meal because of our cool pad in San Francisco near crazy loud cackles that would lead to the intersection of Church and choking moments. Market behind the huge grocery store Safeway. Eleanor We ended up living together in became very involved in the Oakland in the early 1980s. I was

His professional career in theatre began in 1950 with the Imperial Players, a melodrama company in Cripple Creek, Colorado. From there he traveled to Phoenix, working in shows with stars such as Kirk Douglas, Roddy McDowell, Mel Ferrer, and Cesar Romero. He worked his way around the country, from Hollywood to Maine, as both a stage manager and an actor, in summer stock, small regional theatres, and finally off-Broadway and

Openhouse, and was on the Board of Directors of Puente. She also served on the Board of Directors for Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, and in 2017, received the Acey Social Justice Feminist Award from Astraea. Eleanor received posthumously the Community Philanthropist Award from the Chicana Latina Foundation, November 3, 2023.

Details of services are pending. If you have stories to share of Milt, his family would love to hear them. And to honor Milt’s life and legacy, go see a live theatre performance, and raise a glass to him!

Milt Commons and Ken Ruta at ACT

ACT PHOTO

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my beautiful, dynamic, hilarious, chingona older sister Eleanor Cruz Palacios. She gracefully flew into the sky on July 19, 2023. Eleanor was a proud San Franciscan lesbian resident for over 30 years. Because she was a queer activist and a concerned citizen, Eleanor knew a ton of people, so I referred to her as the Unofficial Mayor of San Francisco.

By Monica Palacios

Joanie Juster is a longtime community volunteer, activist, and ally.

The Bay Times is proud to be the first and only LGBTQ newspaper in San Francisco to be named a Legacy Business, recognizing that it is a longstanding, community-serving business that is a valuable cultural asset to the city. 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

Juan R. Davila

Volunteer Coordinator

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Nuestra Voz Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. AGUILAS wishes you a happy and safe holiday season! Our Thanksgiving social, scheduled for November 17 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the SF LGBT Center, will allow us to express gratitude for participants, staff, and the AGUILAS Board of Directors for their support and engagement throughout the year. We realize that, at this time, some people may feel the holiday blues for many different reasons. But we encourage you to take advantage of the wide range of local services available to you. At AGUILAS we are willing and able to help, providing assistance and referrals as needed. Approaching the 30 Year Anniversary of AGUILAS HIV/ AIDS Services In the Spring of 2024, AGUILAS will celebrate its 30th year of providing HIV/AIDS services to the community. This is an important landmark anniversary for all of us. As we move forward in our efforts for the well-being of our community, we continue to seek funding opportuni-

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Meanwhile we continue to provide individual counseling and group interventions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additionally, we will continue in 2024 with La Academia leadership training workshops as funded by the ViiV Healthcare Foundation. The topics for each of the four workshops will be 1) Legal Awareness for Latinx Persons; 2) Basic Financial Knowledge; 3) Effective Strategies AGUILAS Thanksgiving 2018 for Advocacy; and 4) Efficient Communication Tools and Talking AGUILAS Thanksgiving 2019 to the Media. Those who successfully complete the four three-hour als of the Institutional workshop sessions will receive a cerReview Board while tificate from AGUILAS and Alliant collaborating with the International University to confirm CDC. AGUILAS, participation in the program. More with its established information about AGUILAS’ sernetwork, hopes to vices and La Academia is posted at assist with additional AGUILAS our website: www.sfaguilas.org research efforts at Thanksgiving 2019 UCSF, such as those New Partnerships concerning HIV/ AGUILAS has been selected as a AIDS. partner for a new research effort As these projects develop, I will funded by the Centers of Disease attempt to keep you updated and Control and involving a team at informed about details and the progUCSF. A goal is to increase the trust ress, with the hope that readers who between healthcare providers and might directly benefit from such their patients who are Latinx cisAGUILAS Thanksgiving 2019 research could also participate. The gender men who have sex with men, findings of these research efforts will such that patients receive sufficient founder and current Executive provide vital information for deterquality healthcare. The study will Director of AGUILAS, an awardmining the types of services required employ qualitative and quantitative winning program for Latinx to respond to the health needs of our methods over a five-year period that LGBTQ+. Of Puerto Rican decent, community. will involve two phases, culminating he has received numerous disin the development and piloting of an Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. is a tinguished awards and citations, intervention in the second phase. Professor Emeritus, retired including being named a Fellow Distinguished Professor, and curof 12 divisions of the American Recruitment efforts for this research rent adjunct professor at Alliant project will not be realized until the Psychological Association. fall of 2024 given the need to preInternational University. He is pare and obtain the required approv- also a licensed psychologist and a

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ties and hope we will be successful in these efforts.

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A Thanksgiving Celebration at AGUILAS and News About Our Latest Projects AGUILAS Thanksgiving Social

GLBT Fortnight in Review What’s in a Name? To what extent may a school require faculty and staff to use preferred names and pronouns for transgender students? Some might attack such a regulation based on “free speech,” but schools may police speech in many contexts, including antigay speech, racism, Nazi propaganda, and hate speech in general. When transgender kids are being denied access to bathrooms and healthcare itself, this feels like a lesser violation of rights, particularly if a school allows the anti-trans teacher to use surnames instead of first names. But if allowed to persist and expand, it infects the entire school community. The practice of misnaming students veers into hate speech when it’s used to denigrate, insult, and single out trans kids for hostility from a person in power. That cannot be allowed in a healthy school system and that’s what the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit found earlier this year in the case of a “Christian” music teacher out of Indiana. The teacher, John Kluge, was fired in 2018 after his anti-trans behavior drew complaints and stigmatized the few transgender students in his classes. He sued on religious freedom grounds and lost both at the lower court and the appellate court levels. Subsequently last June, the unanimous Supreme Court ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, an employer must demonstrate a “substantial” hardship if they must violate the religious freedom of a staff member. The case, a Christian postal worker who refused to work on Sundays, was more or less your typical religious freedom case, and the standard of substantial hardship was only one step up from the unmodified “undue hardship” that

previously governed the courts. After this ruling (in Groff v. DeJoy), the Seventh Circuit vacated its ruling in favor of the Indiana school, and sent John Kluge’s case back to lower court for a review that takes the latest High Court decision into account. Kluge has just asked the lower court for a summary judgment. I hadn’t realized that Kluge was back in action until his latest court filing, but it’s disturbing to see the ripple effects of this High Court’s conservative jurisprudence, even in this instance where the Court ruled 9–0. I can’t help but feel that our side of the Court is picking its battles in the ongoing war over so-called “religious freedom,” deciding here perhaps that Mr. Groff’s desire to save Sunday for services was basically not a big deal and the post office should have accommodated his faith. Fine, okay. But will that mean that the federal court in Indiana and the Seventh Circuit will be obliged to give the green light to Kluge and his meanspirited “religious” impulses? We all understand that devout Christians might want to spend Sundays doing some religious things, just as Jews won’t want to work on Friday night or Saturday and what have you. But since when does someone’s faith mandate public animosity and disrespect towards a group of people that they don’t like or understand? Surely it would be a substantial hardship for a school to tolerate such a person in a position of authority. I hope so at least. High Court Agenda Undetermined for Now In other legal news, the ACLU has taken the plunge and asked the Supreme Court to decide whether a state may ban medical care for

By Ann Rostow transgender youth, appealing a Tennessee law that was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. At the same time, the Sixth Circuit upheld a similar ban out of Kentucky, where activists also reportedly plan to petition the High Court.

nice.) At any rate, the Court decides whether or not to take cases during the weekly or biweekly conferences, and they often make us wait around months for a thumbs up or thumbs down.

We figured this issue would arrive at the Court’s doorstep sooner rather than later, as might the question of whether states can forbid transgender girls from playing on public school sports teams. It wasn’t necessarily clear that our side would be the first to petition the Court, but the Tennessee law may be one of the more vulnerable of the 21 such statutes enacted around the country.

I’m actually a little behind today, because a) our coffee pot died and I had to wait for my wife to come home with takeout coffee, and b) I was doing some research and discovered you can apply to earn $2,500 for watching 25 holiday movies in 25 days. I stopped everything to fill out the forms and will be eagerly waiting to see if I’m chosen. I always watch two or three every year. What’s another 22 or 23?

According to the ACLU of Tennessee, the law limits its ban to kids diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a “targeted restriction” that “discriminates based on both sex and the fact that a person is transgender and violates the Equal Protection Clause.” Tennessee also tramples on the rights of the parents of transgender minors, who are stripped of their ability to make medical decisions for their children despite clear constitutional ground rules. I really should check but I think there are several GLBT-related petitions hanging around the Court at this point. For example, I know one of our foes filed an appeal on a state ban on conversion therapy, arguing that restricting a professional’s right to pursue this damaging practice was tantamount to a block on free speech. I think there are some others but, like Billie Eilish, I’m gay and tired so I’ll move on. (The singer posted a selfie with those words written on her cheek on X or Insta or somewhere the other day, much to everyone’s excitement. Whatever. She seems

Holiday Time

There’s usually a new one from Netflix about the prince and the princess in the tiny Alpine country with the disabled sister and the friendly king and queen. I think they’ve had a baby by now, and I’m not sure, but maybe the king died and the prince is king? Must check this! There are also gay holiday pictures, and it feels as if there are more every season. Last year we had the one where the guy and his “best friend” go back to his home town, realize they were meant to be together and abandon LA to open a flower shop in the little town. Really, guys? That only happened at the end, because our guy was dating the cute hottie handyman or something during most of the movie. And when I say “dating,” I mean they went for coffee, bought a Christmas tree, and went to the kids’ Christmas pageant. No wonder that relationship went nowhere.

Anyway, I’ll let you know if I make the cut. Shameful Lusts Speaking of holiday things, One Million Moms is up in arms over the lineup for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the yawn fest that takes over the airwaves for interminable hours every Thanksgiving Day. We were always “allowed” to watch the tedious procession when I was a kid as if this was a big treat. Thanks for nothing, parents. Anyway, this year’s parade includes some performers from two Broadway shows, Shucked and & Juliet, both of which feature non-binary actors (and neither of which I’ve ever heard of). Some 17,000 people signed a petition from the Moms condemning the “liberal nonsense” as the Moms put it. “Shame on Macy’s for promoting and sponsoring this type of entertainment,” they tsked. “It is clear that Macy’s does not have our children’s best interests in mind. Macy’s needs to know that trust must be earned, and once trust is lost, it is difficult to get back.” In other Million Mom complaints, we hear that Vitaminwater is using Lil Nas X as a spokesperson, “pushing an agenda of sexual confusion instead of promoting its product.” The ads, Moms say, attempt “to blur the biological distinctions between males and females. Thanks, Vitaminwater. Now, parents have to explain these disturbing ads to their confused children!” Who are these children the Moms continually write about? Poor creatures; they are disturbed, perplexed, and shaken to the core by routine (continued on page 26)

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NOVEM BER 16, 2023

First Ever LGBTQ Cultural District Established in Oakland

It is essentially the triangle of streets between Grand and Lakeshore Avenues. The Oakland LGBTQ Center, at 3207 Lakeshore Avenue, is within the new district. Prior to the City Council vote, Jeopardy! champion and transgender activist Amy Schneider emceed an event advocating for the district and the local LGBTQ community as a whole. Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, who is also a San Francisco Bay Times columnist, said that the district will create a “supportive environment for diverse LGBTQ individuals, families, allies, and businesses, and nurture a safe, vibrant, and welcoming community.” Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said to the LGBTQ individuals in attendance, “We love you. You are what makes Oakland so beautiful. You are what makes Oakland so proud.” Schneider, in turn, expressed her gratitude that Oakland has become “a haven for LGBTQ people.” Joe Hawkins, a Co-Founder of The Oakland LGBTQ Center, said of the district area, “This is where we found community in Oakland. And that’s why today you see this beautiful rainbow of people before you.”

Photos by Sandy Morris

A coalition of LGBTQ policy leaders, health professionals, organizers, entrepreneurs, and more developed the initial proposal for the district. The coalition members included: Jeffrey Myers, Co-Founder and Board President, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Joe Hawkins, CEO and Co-founder, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Dawn Edwards, Board Vice President, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Benjamin Jackson, Testing Services Manager, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Kunal Basu-Dutta, Board Member, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center; Partner, Modern Bay Strategies Romario Conrado, Board Member, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Andrea Sosa, Board Member, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

NBCBAYAREA/SCREENSHOT

The City of Oakland now has its first official LGBTQ cultural district and neighborhood: The Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District. The Oakland City Council voted in favor of the district on November 7. Its borders are Grand Avenue to the west, El Embarcadero to the south, Lakeshore Avenue to the east, and Kenmore Avenue to Fairbanks Avenue and Boulevard Way to the north.

Jeffrey Houston, Celebrity Hairstylist and Community Activist Fern Stroud, Principal, SME Inc. Sergio Ardila, Supervisor’s Assistant for LGBTQ Issues, Office of Alameda County Board of Supervisors Lena Tam, District 3 Brandon Harami. Director of Community Resilience, Office of Mayor Sheng Thao Edward Wright, Immediate Past President, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club Peter Gamez, President & CEO, Visit Oakland George Smith, President of Oakland Pride Lisa Williams, Senior Field Representative, Assemblymember, District 18 Mia Bonta; and Director of Soul of Pride. https://lakeshorelgbtq.org/

Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners Free Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Thursday, November 23, 2023, 1:00–4:00pm First Unitarian Church 1187 Franklin St. (between Geary & O'Farrell)

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• Live Entertainment • Free Clothes • Gift Bag

Feeding the Hungry in San Francisco for 40 Years

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To Volunteer: (415)584-3252 (landline/no text) Ask for Michael

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PRC’s 7th Annual Mighty Real Gala Described as PRC’s annual celebration of hope, resilience, and pride, Mighty Real is a signature gala named for the hit song by Sylvester, the organization’s benefactor and disco legend. This year’s gala was held on Thursday, November 9, at Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, which is a unique venue in a former church repurposed to celebrate arts and culture. The fundraiser featured tours of the location, interactive activities including a live auction, reception, the annual awards ceremony, and an after party with the jazz ensemble Dotcom & The Noise.

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City of San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey joined PRC’s Chuan Teng, Esq., CEO, in welcoming guests and supporters. Honorees for 2023 were author and PRC benefactor Joshua Gamson, Sylvester Community Pillar Award; San Francisco Pride, Keystone Service Award; and Wells Fargo, Outstanding Corporate Partner Award.

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All proceeds raised will benefit PRC’s lifesaving integrated social, legal, and behavioral health services helping San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations. http://www.prcsf.org

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San Francisco Bay Times extends special thanks to Randi Paul, PRC Chief Development Officer.

Sports

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Meet the AIDS/LifeCycle Community

Empowering Women, Embracing Diversity, and Riding for Change By Evan Payne, Kasha Horton, and Gonzalo Garcia

Let’s get to know two of our teams that bring a deeper sense of community to our women, queer, nonbinary, and trans cyclists and roadies throughout the year. Since AIDS/LifeCycle 2019, Team Rider Dykes has created a safe space for women, queer, nonbinary, and trans folks in the cycling community. Getting into cycling can be intimidating, especially when there is an apparent gender gap within the com-

munity. Their goal is to uplift and encourage folks of marginalized communities to get involved with cycling and AIDS/LifeCycle, while also raising awareness about the women and girls that are living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Team PuMadres emerged in 2022 during the pandemic as a group of moms whose families formed a closeknit pandemic pod. Chelly Espinoza Zabarsky, Angela MacKinnon, Melissa Hawkins, Victoria Folks, and Jennifer Koscielniak, though not all mothers, share a common thread of kindness, nurturing, and fierce protectiveness. As a diverse group of queer folx and allies, they believe in supporting queer causes and amplifying voices that face threats. They create safe spaces, promote visibility, and uplift women, trans people, and the LGBTQ community at large.

PuMadres aims to be a judgment-free space for women of all ages and backgrounds, inspiring perseverance and strength in those who feel excluded. They make an impact beyond themselves, as they aim to contribute to causes that matter.

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Teammates help make the AIDS/ LifeCycle experience smooth as (chamois) butter! Being part of a team gives you access to training and fundraising support, keeping you strong, inspired, and creative as you earn your ticket to ride over the course of the season! And for a firsttime participant, a team is a great way to get involved with the AIDS/ LifeCycle community.

https://www.aidslifecycle.org/ Evan Payne, Kasha Horton, and Gonzalo Garcia are with AIDS/LifeCycle, which is co-produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Gay Games XI in Guadalajara Photos courtesy of Nguyen Pham Gay Games XI, profiled in the previous issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, took place earlier this month simultaneously in two international cities: Hong Kong and Guadalajara. Nguyen Pham, the President of San Francisco Pride, attended the Guadalajara Games in Mexico. Pham is a member of CHEER San Francisco, which both performed and competed. The sports at the Guadalajara Games included badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, cheerleading, dance sport, diving, dodgeball, figure skating, golf, marathon, powerlifting, road races, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

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https://gaygames.org/

Nguyen Pham and friends at the Gay Games XI in Guadalajara, Mexico 24

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Sports

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Zoom Zoom! Grand Prix Racing Arrives in Las Vegas

By Colby Michaels

for all the teams and drivers. That alone is exciting!

Formula One (F1) Grand Prix (GP) racing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and is already a worldwide phenomenon. Here I will provide a primer on how this sport works, and how you can catch the premiere of a brand-new race in Vegas this weekend. The sudden surge of interest is thanks to the Netflix series Drive to Survive, which conveys some of the drama that occurs during an F1/GP race. There are five seasons of the series now to watch; that’s how I got into the zoom-zoom of F1 racing. Here is a link to all things Las Vegas GP: https://tinyurl.com/3dv9crfy In F1, there are ten teams with two cars and drivers for a total of twenty racers on the starting grid. As of 2023, there are 23 GP races around the world, with Vegas GP being the newest one added, so this will be a new street race—Like Monaco GP—

What’s important about finishing in the top 10 is that there is serious money to be had—I’m talking tens of millions, depending on where a driver or team finishes. At the end of the F1 racing season, the difference between placing first and tenth is hundreds of millions of dollars. The profit teams make is surprisingly small considering what money is won because of costs; most of the ca-ching goes into the engineering of the race cars and to the drivers and staff. Teams make money from outside the track, though, through merch, advertising, sponsorships, and more. I could talk about the geeky, technical side, but I won’t go down that rabbit hole. There are many YouTube videos that can further beef up your knowledge. For example, here is a helpful F1 rookie viewer primer to get you started: https://tinyurl.com/yaarw44r As an F1 newbie fan myself, I will cover one important element of the races: tyres! (That’s not a typo.) Simply put, there are three types of tyres: soft, medium, and hard (compound). It all depends on the con-

dition of the track, the length of track, and how many laps, as well as weather condition factors.

three practice runs, then a qualifying run (pole position amongst the 20 drivers), and the actual Grand Prix on Saturday night at 10 pm. Yes, night racing! P.S. Lando Norris is Colby’s Crush.

Soft tyre is used for fast driving, Medium is exactly that, not as fast but more durable, and hard is used for durability, but is not as fast. Tyre degradation is a big deal, as I have learned. For example, choosing the right kind helps reduce the number of pit stops during a race. As for the drivers themselves, there is eye candy for everyone! There are daddies, zaddies, twunks (twinks who are hunks), and plenty of international flavor among the twenty. Some are rookies, while others are long term vets. Almost all have a strong social media presence, and are hugely popular around the world. (Aside from the new Vegas race, there are already two GP races in the U.S.: Miami and Austin.) November 16–18 will be the longawaited and aforementioned Las Vegas Grand Prix. There will be

You can catch all the zoom zoom action on ESPN+. I would advise listening and learning from the commentators, 2023 F1 Constructors’ Tropy Replica who provide valuable insights and observations the Washington Commandeers. This about the teams and drivers and the reunites Young with Nick Bosa (both drama behind the scenes. #1 picks in their respective drafts).

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Colby Michaels

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The goal is two-fold for both the teams and drivers. At the end of GP racing season, there are two categories at play: The Constructors’ Cup, which is team/engineering standings, and the Drivers’ Cup standings. These are determined by an accumulation of points after each race.

I hope you find this F1 primer helpful. While watching cars go round and round might at first seem a bit dull, the unpredictability of what could happen on the track—crashes, bumping, overtakes, lead changes— is what makes F1/GP racing exciting and fun! The last GP race in Sao Paulo had two crashes, and five drivers (all okay) DNF (did not finish) the 71-lap course.

The 49ers now have a d-line with Ohio State Buckeye Bookends! I know some of you want to “bookend” with Bosa!

Gym Bag Extras

Colby Michaels is a San Francisco Ingleside native. He grew up as a sportsball fan, and has lent his volunteer time fundraising for the Imperial Court, the San Francisco Ducal Court, and Krewe de Kinque. In addition to sports, he also enjoys sci fi and mysteries.

The San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb has been named one of the three finalists for the Cy Young award. Congrats, Webby!

Nick Bosa

WIKIPEDIA

F1 Drivers’ World Championship trophy

WIKIPEDIA

After a three-game losing skid, the San Francisco 49ers made a huge splash at the trade deadline, acquiring defensive end Chase Young from

The Golden State Warriors are off to a decent start to the season, placing seventh as of this writing in the Western Conference with six wins and five losses. Chef Curry has been cooking!

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MILLER (continued from pg 10)

JUSTER (continued from pg 6)

As you can see, there is plenty to be aware of. And these are just some of the more prevalent scams that are used.

progress that Milk and Moscone fought for, and a call to action to all of us to continue working toward positive social change. The vigil will take place Monday, November 27, at 7 pm at Harvey Milk Plaza at 17th and Castro Streets. Details: https://tinyurl.com/MilkVigil23

If the request looks out of the ordinary, that should be a red flag. It may turn out to be legitimate. But if not, caution and an ounce of prevention are worth their weight in gold. Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brio Financial 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. For more information: https://www.briofg.com/

GREENE (continued from pg 10) dependents and special needs family members should be a part of your estate plan. Legal Support for Veterans Legal support is readily available for veterans. Estate planning attorneys with experience in military matters can provide expert guidance. Additionally, many organizations offer free or reduced-cost legal aid for veterans. Seeking legal support can help navigate complex issues and ensure your estate plan reflects your unique circumstances. In conclusion, estate planning for veterans is not just about safeguarding your assets; it’s about protecting your legacy and the well-being of those you love. By understanding the unique benefits and challenges veterans face, you can create a comprehensive estate plan that honors your service and secures your family’s future. I encourage veterans and their families to seek professional advice to ensure their estate plans are tailored to their specific needs and aspirations. Your service to our country deserves nothing less. If you are looking for help with your own estate planning needs, or would like to discuss how we can help your loved ones with their plans, please feel free to contact us at obed@greenelawfirm.com or call us ( 415-905-0215 ). We look forward to hearing from you! Statements In Compliance with California Rules of Professional Conduct: The materials in this article have been prepared by Attorney Jay Greene for educational purposes only and are not legal advice. This information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individuals should consult with an estate planning and elder law attorney for up-to-date information for their individual plans. Jay Greene, Attorney, CPA, is the founder of Greene Estate, Probate, & Elder Law Firm based in San Francisco, and is focused on helping LGBT individuals, couples, and families plan for their future, protect their assets, and preserve their wealth. For more information and to schedule an assessment, visit: https://assetprotectionbayarea.com/

CREGO (continued from pg 8) communities. This is reflected in how many trans people view our lifespan due to the level of violence, discrimination, and consequent mental health issues we endure: I know that I never expected—and I hear this from many of my peers—to live this long. To my mid-30s. Institutions like governments, health care systems, and schools are charged with caring for and protecting us. But we know that many of these across the country are instead intentionally targeting and attacking us. And even those that are not have failed us over and over again. We also know, because we hear it from our trans elders, that our collective efforts for greater justice and dignity for trans people have been successful. I often hear from trans elders that they couldn’t have ever imagined the opportunities that our community has access to now. And yet, it is not enough. We must absolutely do better. Let us mourn, celebrate, and honor our trans siblings today. Tomorrow, we will continue the fight for justice and accountability from the systems that have harmed and neglected trans people. Tomorrow, we persist in working towards a world where trans people—especially Black trans people—are safe, cherished, and loved. Pau Crego (he/him) is a queer and trans immigrant who has worked towards equity for trans and LGBTQI+ communities for almost two decades, both in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Spain, where he is originally from. His advocacy has included direct services, technical assistance, training and education, program design, and policy change. Crego is the Executive Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI), is a faculty member in the Health Education Department at City College of San Francisco, and is a published author and translator in the field of public health. For more information about the Office of Transgender Initiatives: https://tinyurl.com/4e3w6srd

GGBA (continued from pg 11) GGBA: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business? Kurt Landon: We have so much advice to share! Some ideas that come to mind: Start with a sound financial plan/budget and business plan. Engage a fractional CFO/finance leader to help establish an inaugural budget. Take the time to listen, learn, do market research, and talk to potential customers before setting your business strategy. Be thoughtful about timing—these are challenging times due to world events, the economy, and more. https://enspirahr.com/ 26

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San Francisco Is a Drag! One way to counter the dreary “doom loop” narrative that has been hanging over our city is to go on the offensive, offering joy in massive quantities. The Civic Joy Fund, in partnership with D’Arcy Drollinger, Honey Mahogany, and Juanita MORE!, is proposing to do exactly that by flooding the streets of San Francisco with drag performers on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd, from 1–6 pm. Called San Francisco Is a Drag!, the event will include performances by over 100 drag queens and kings in neighborhoods around the city, including: Saturday 12/2: North Beach, Chinatown, Pacific Heights, Polk Gulch, Nob Hill, Union Square, Mid-Market, Theatre District, SOMA; Sunday, 12/3: The Castro, Haight Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Lower Haight, Mission Dolores, and the Mission. For performance details and a realtime drag map go to: https://tinyurl.com/SFDrag23 World AIDS Day World AIDS Day is a day of remembrance, but it is also so much more. It is a day to acknowledge that AIDS isn’t over, and that inequitable access to health care means that millions of people around the globe are still living with HIV and AIDS, with new people getting infected every day. And there is a whole generation of people now aging with HIV whose

needs are not being fully met. And it is a day to commit to taking action. Here are some of local events that are being planned to commemorate World AIDS Day: National AIDS Memorial: Light in the Grove and World AIDS Day The annual kick-off to World AIDS Day is Light in the Grove, the National AIDS Memorial’s annual gala, set in the midst of the AIDS Memorial Grove on the evening of November 30. It is followed the next day, on December 1—World AIDS Day— as people return to the Grove for a national observance of World AIDS Day. Each year this event brings together leaders for a national conversation to discuss the ongoing efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to report on progress made, and to inspire hope for the future. This year’s World AIDS Day event will feature a panel on bodily autonomy moderated by Imani RupertGordon of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and will include Aria Sa’id, Asmara Gebre, Lashanda Salinas, a spiritual performance by Danza Azteca, an appearance by Olympic gold medalist and HIV activist Greg Louganis, and emcee Karl Schmid. For Light in the Grove tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/LITG23 The World AIDS Day presentation will be free and open to all. Details: https://tinyurl.com/NAMWAD23 Inscribe Each year on World AIDS Day, activist George Kelly puts out buckets of chalk on the sidewalks of Castro Street and encourages people to honor those who have died of AIDS by inscribing their names on the sidewalk with chalk. Described as a colorful celebration of life, love,

and memories, the 9th annual Inscribe will pay tribute to the more than 25,000 San Franciscans who succumbed to the disease over the last 41 years, including more than 15,000 who called the Castro home. Inscribe is an all-day free public event, starting at 18th & Castro at 9 am on December 1. There will be a short program at 18th & Castro at 2 pm. Free shuttle buses will take people to the World AIDS Day event in the AIDS Memorial Grove from 10 am to 3 pm. Details: https://tinyurl.com/Inscribe2023 Songs of Our Mothers The HUES program (Healing & Uniting Every Sista) of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation is hosting a new event this World AIDS Day. Called Songs of Our Mothers, it is a coming together of women who are long-term survivors of HIV. They will share their stories of growth, love, family, and careers. The event will bring together the Founding Mothers of HUES to share their journeys as long-term survivors of HIV, and will include symbolism, imagery, a 9-foot mural, a short film, and process art collected over a year-long creative process. Songs of Our Mothers will begin on 12/1 at 7 pm at Oakstop, at 1721 Broadway in Oakland. Details: https://tinyurl.com/HUES23 Golden Girls Live! Going back to needing some joy: Get your tickets now for Golden Girls Live! The divine Coco Peru will be stepping into the role of Dorothy, played for years by the late great Heklina. Come to the Victoria Theatre and make sure Coco is welcomed warmly to the cast. https://tinyurl.com/GGL2023 Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.

ROSTOW (continued from pg 19) TV commercials and innocuous cartoon characters. Could that fragility possibly be the fault of, um, the Moms? Nah. It’s us and our insidious propaganda. “These gay-inclusive commercials are attempting to desensitize and brainwash viewers by convincing them that homosexuality is natural,” the Moms say. “In reality, it is an unnatural love that is forbidden by Scripture. Romans 1:26-27 makes this very clear.” I just looked that one up: “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” Spicy! And the Land We Belong to Is Grand! Let’s see what else. Have you heard that Kellyanne Conway’s rebellious daughter, Claudia, is gay? I didn’t know that. I vaguely remember this girl posting some family spats on Instagram, much to her mother’s chagrin. But lately, Kellyanne was given the “Spirit of Lincoln” award by the ridiculous Log Cabin (gay) Republicans based on her supposedly tolerant embrace of Claudia’s sexual orientation. “I don’t care if you’re with a girl or Mickey Mouse, as long as you get your ass up for school,” Kellyanne reportedly told her daughter. Get that woman a PFLAG membership card! In other mildly pro-GLBT news, our friend the Pope has fired a virulently anti-gay bishop, Texas-

based Joseph Strickland, a man who refused to resign on his own. I guess he did this after an “apostolic visitation” last summer, whatever that is, when it seems Bishop Strickland did not impress. The dismissal was announced November 4.

that they have had to go through,” Morgan wrote. “We do embrace all of our Board goals, to include addressing the diverse needs of our students and empowering them for success in a diverse and complex world.”

And while we’re in Texas, a school principal in Sherman along with some conservative administrators generated some negative national news headlines when they delayed the school production of Oklahoma! because a trans boy was cast in one of the male roles as were a few girls (since there were not enough boys in the drama group). According to their new policy, all actors would be required to play characters that matched their genders at birth, a theatrical dictate that would have come as a shock to Shakespeare companies and many other stage producers.

The Bell Tolls

The group also decided that the musical would be replaced by a shorter kids’ version, designed for younger audiences, telling the press in a statement that the regular show “contained mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content.” That’s not the Oklahoma! that I remember, but who the hell knows what these people see when they look at the world around them. The fiasco was rectified after a unanimous vote by the full school board, which restored the original cast and production at a public meeting November 13. Dozens of people showed up at the meeting to protest the censorship, and Board President Brad Morgan apologized to the school community for the entire brouhaha. “We want to apologize to our students, parents and our community regarding the circumstances

Finally, there was a sad story out of Smiths Station, Alabama, where the small-town mayor killed himself after a local paper published photos of him dressed in women’s lingerie and quoted some erotic fiction he had written. F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, who had been mayor for seven years, apologized on a church website where he served as a pastor, and friends say he was profoundly upset by the exposure. A couple of days after the news report, sheriff’s deputies conducting a wellness check followed his car down the road, but could not prevent Copeland from shooting himself. By all accounts, he was a hard-working mayor and a nice guy; a father of three in a happy marriage. The news outlet, 1819 News, was a rightwing offshoot of Breitbart, but our own news outlets are often the ones to take hypocrites to account. This time, however, there was no evidence that Copeland was ever antiGLBT, and his story gives me pause as I look back on the many times I gleefully reported on the secret lives of various hapless men with wives and families. I don’t promise never to do so again, but I may think twice. arostow@aol.com

Will Reduced Prices Sell Electric Cars? Ford, Volkswagen, General Motors, Honda ... the list goes on of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) realizing the demand isn’t there to meet their previously lofty plans. First adopters have adopted, and Tesla buyers are gonna Tesla. What’s left is the mushy middle that seems stuck in wait-and-see mode, and these are the buyers both cars this month hope to attract.

Auto Philip Ruth The right-sizing of the electric car market continues unabated. Ambitious manufacturer goals of converting their fleets to electricity are running head-on into buyer antipathy. This was summed up by my sending a photo of one of this month’s electrics to a friend who’d just bought a Jaguar gasser: “It’s neat, but I’m not trading five minutes of refueling for 45 minutes of charging.”

It’s not for want of compelling choices. Take the Hyundai Ioniq 6, which won Car and Driver’s EV of the year—an award the previous year went to the Ioniq 5. They’re based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, and both Ioniqs are indeed thoroughly impressive and well-rounded. Go nuts with options in the top Limited trim, and you’ll crest $57,000. But as of this writing, there’s $7,500 off that price on 2023 models. For 2024, Hyundai has reduced prices to where the base SE Standard Range comes in below $39,000. The company is clearly focused on getting meat in the seats. The RZ 450e is the first electric car from Lexus, and it shares its e-TNGA platform with the Toyota

Hyundai Ioniq 6

bZ4X. RZ trims range between $58,500–64,000, and Lexus is sweetening the pot on 2023 models with a $15,000 cash incentive for leases. Hyundai and Lexus would love to sell these for full prices, but they’re wisely following buyers’ ideas of the actual worth of these vehicles. Both came in their most powerful all-wheel drive trims—320 horsepower for the Hyundai and 308 horses for the Lexus—and both were as quick as anyone would need a car to be. Thrust rolls out smoothly and silently. Handling leans sporty in the Hyundai, and Sport mode further

sharpens the response to where it’s quite a fun car to drive. Predictably, the Lexus emphasizes a posh feel. As with its bZ4X platformmate, I wished for more communicative steering, but this was balanced by the RZ’s exceptionally compliant ride. I came to see it as a pleasing little cream puff, as it smoothed out the ruts and kept body motions in check. Special mention goes to the Ioniq 6’s styling inside and out. When I parked in Hayes Valley in search of Sunday brunch, I got out to meet eyes with a dog walker who was fixed in place as she silently stared at the

Lexus RZ 450e

Ioniq 6’s charming curves and contours. Later, when I drove a fellow bruncher home, he got in and said, “Whoa. Wow. Whoa,” as his eyes landed on the scooped-out door panels, the beam-like console, and the expansive sunroof overhead. Price reductions might get buyers off gas and into either of these electrics. We shall see. Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.

GAFFNEY/LEWIS (continued from pg 8) not “enforced silence,” but, in fact, “more speech.” As a threshold matter, Brandeis’ words are a call to the LGBTIQ community to speak out louder and clearer and to live and love more openly and proudly than ever before. As Joanie Juster wrote two weeks ago in this newspaper: “Now is the time for all of us to stand up and fight.” She implored us to vote in next year’s elections, a call echoed by Sister Dana, who reminded us: “For heaven’s sake—Our human rights are at stake!” But in thinking about Justice Brandeis’ words, it occurs to us that the circumstances we face today demand of us not only “more speech,” but also more of the impulse that our friend and fellow activist Rebecca LePere articulated lies behind it: “more love.” More love manifests in many ways. Very tangibly, the love that LGBTIQ people have for themselves, each other, and our community—and everything that flows from that—is the reason that marriage equality commands strong majority support across the country. It’s why the U.S. Supreme Court has not moved to reverse it, and even Johnson in a recent interview stated that marriage equality is “the law of the land.” More love also entails not only active and strategic political engagement, but also extending care and support in concrete ways to the most vulnerable members of the LGBTIQ community today, especially trans youth and other transgender and gender nonconforming people who are particularly under attack. More love was also on display during U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Buttigieg chose not to cut Mike Johnson to shreds verbally as he easily could have done; instead, he took advantage of his status as the most prominent gay dad in American politics. Buttigieg wryly suggested “maybe we’ll just have him over” to his house to hang out with his husband Chasten as they feed their toddlers dinner and change their diapers, just like any parents of young children do. Refusing to allow Johnson to be arbiter of religion in the country, Buttigieg asserted that “the love of God” was in his home. As outspoken LGBTIQ supporter Tina Turner once queried: “What’s love got to do with it?” When it comes to effective queer activism—everything. John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Saltburn Is a Naughty, Entertaining Thriller with you,” but Ollie is seduced by the privileged class.

Film Gary M. Kramer Saltburn, writer/director Emerald Fennell’s follow up to her Oscarwinning Promising Young Woman, is a delicious cuckoo-in-the-nest story. The dazzling pre-credit sequence sets the stage; Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) claims that he “wasn’t in love with” Felix Catton ( Jacob Elordi)—even though everyone thought he was. Images of Felix, lying shirtless in the sun, kissing a female classmate, or just smiling, emphasize how damned handsome and appealing Felix is. (Fennel and cinematographer Linus Sandgren objectify and fetishize Elordi in ways that will make women and gay men swoon.) Oliver recounts his experiences with Felix, which form the spine of the film, a twisted story of class, attraction, and yes, murder. The two young men meet at Oxford as part of the class of 2006. Felix is a member of the cool crowd, which includes his gay cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe). In contrast, Oliver is a scholarship student whose only friend is Jake (Will Gibson), a math whiz/geek. After Oliver bikes past Felix, who is waylaid with a flat tire, Felix befriends “Ollie,” and folds him into his clique. Jake, jealous, warns Ollie, “He’ll grow bored

Moreover, when Ollie recounts the death of his father, as well as the difficulties he has with his drunk mother—one anecdote begins, “the first time I put my fingers down her throat ...”—Felix pities Ollie. Felix cares because Ollie is “real,” and invites his downtrodden friend to his family home, Saltburn, an estate with hot and cold running servants. Saltburn pivots on the bromance between Ollie and Felix, and while that aspect of the film should have been stronger, it is enjoyable to watch Keoghan and Elordi make eyes at each other without ever kissing. Oliver certainly does what he can to ingratiate himself with Felix’s parents, playing to Elspeth’s (Rosamund Pike) and Sir James’ (Richard E. Grant) vanities. But then there is Farleigh telling Ollie that he “almost passes”; he sees right though this interloper’s charade. Even so, Oliver transfixes Felix’s sister, Venetia (Alison Oliver), a bulimic, getting her to eat. He also has a sexual relationship with her that makes Felix jealous. Felix shouldn’t worry; in one of the film’s more outrageous scenes, Ollie slurps Felix’s bathwater after the hunk pleasures himself in the tub. Fennell leans into the upper-crust decadence, which provides much of the film’s pleasures as the louche Catton youths sunbathe naked, play tennis in tuxedos, and more. There is a fabulous costume party that gives Sir James a chance to wear his suit of armor, and a darkly comic moment when a character’s death prompts Elspeth to quip, “She’ll do anything for attention.” Fennell has fun satirizing her uppercrust twits who reveal their silliness all by themselves. (Elspeth’s remarks about her lesbian phase or her lack of knowledge are hilarious.) Mostly, however, the film is focused on Oliver, who is far more calculating than everyone, save Farleigh, might expect. Yes, it is awkward when he complains about runny eggs at breakfast, but the longer he stays at Saltburn, the more he manipulates everyone. There is a suggestion that Ollie is “one of Felix’s toys,” as well as a mention of a previous

Photos Courtesy of Amazon Studios/MGM

friend of Felix’s who was ejected from the estate, but Fennell does not concentrate on those details sufficiently. The film’s greatest flaw is that Felix’s interest in Oliver is undeveloped. Oliver’s attraction to Felix’s family and his money is much clearer. Moreover, Farleigh is presented as a troublemaker, and the battle they have

over Felix is interesting but never quite escalates to an intense degree. Farleigh may try to humiliate Oliver by a forced karaoke performance, but Oliver has no compunction about going into the gay Farleigh’s room at night and having sex with him—as well as screwing him over by getting Farleigh in trouble with Sir James. Such is Oliver’s twisted nature and means of self-preservation.

marvelous showcase for his talents. It is fun to watch him behaving badly and even as he dances naked through Saltburn, an expression of his joy

Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer

What Oliver wants is hardly a mystery and the tension of Saltburn pivots on if Oliver will succeed, even when he is exposed. Felix makes a discovery that he sees as a betrayal—one that sets the film’s last act in motion and involves bodies piling up. It may feel contrived, but in Fennell’s hands it is satisfying—at least on initial viewing. (Like her previous film, Promising Young Woman, the story falls apart if scrutinized too closely.) Saltburn is not deep, but Keoghan is deeply invested in his performance, which is what makes the film so watchable. He is cut from the Ripley mold, and his codeswitching is enjoyable. His flattery is supercilious, and his naïveté is deceptively charming. Keoghan is unselfconscious as an actor here, letting Oliver’s cunning seep through, almost winking at viewers as he enacts his dastardly plan. In one of the best scenes, Oliver squirms during an unexpected visit. Keoghan’s body language here has him seething internally in ways that reveal his true character. Jacob Elordi, in contrast, is given little to do other than be blindingly handsome, which he is. But his appeal is meant to make Oliver desire him, and it works. In support, Archie Madekwa injects the film with some verve, and Pike and Grant are both highly amusing in their roles. Saltburn doesn’t linger in the mind; the conceit, once revealed, is hardly surprising. But Keoghan gives this film his all and it is a S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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The Greatest Holiday Time Travel Ever lecture and converse. That is where Edith Castorena becomes Anne Lister. Lister was a very wealthy Victorian woman who often dressed as a man and lived an open life as a lesbian. Highly educated, she was known as Gentleman Jack. That is the name of a remarkable television series from BBC/HBO starring Suranne Jones.

Off the Wahl Jan Wahl

Every year at this time I start counting days to my favorite holiday event. I get to meet Oscar Wilde, Anne Lister (aka Gentleman Jack), Sherlock Holmes, and Charles Dickens. Taking a leisurely stroll through upper class London, with all the dancing and fabulous lace, bookstore, hats, and feathers, I end up at seedy Mad Sal’s, singing dirty ditties with the lowest of the low. It’s a good location to chat up the Oliver Twist folks, from Fagin to Bill Sikes. The songs wafting from Sal’s are actual songs of the time, reminding us that Victorian England was colorful, wild, and outrageous. The tall, dashing man whose parents began it all is Kevin Patterson. He shared with me for the San Francisco Bay Times some early

memories of The Great Dickens Fair & Victorian Holiday Party: “I started at ten as one of Fagin’s boys picking pockets, working the audiences and, of course, giving back the purloined items. I morphed into backstage, but always, like everyone, in period costume with period language.” “Every year Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future interact with the crowd, the kids riding and creating art, eating fish and chips from the Napala Family (HMS Fish & Chips),” he added. “Jeff Schoenberg is a third generation seamster who beautifully fits clothes for gentlemen at Alan Jeffries, the booth next to the Dickens Family Home. My General Manager son Drew and I catch as many of the shows as we can with my coproducer Leslie Patterson, but it is really the joining of the fictional and non-fictional coming to life that is so exciting and unique to this extravaganza.” One of my favorite hangouts at the fair is the Athenaeum Club, where everyone from Edgar Allan Poe to Karl Marx to brave suffragettes

Castorena told me why she admires Lister: “I am a gay person, part of the queer community. The bravery it took for Lister to live in her time when it was so unsafe to be out amazes me to this day. She survived terrible hatred, yet had the ability to love and be loved. It’s all in her unearthed diaries. She had multiple lovers, from women of accomplishment to her wife who had none. Lister was a Tory; her money and land funded her ability to travel the world and become a town planner in her community. Watching Gentleman Jack again is helping my progress and inspiration, as well as reading her diaries. There is a rainbow plaque at Holy Trinity Church in York today to honor her, declaring her marital commitment to Ann Walker, 1834.” I’m hoping our own Rainbow Honor Walk in the Castro will honor Lister too. Now we meet the gutsy, tragic, brilliant genius Oscar Wilde. I

have his quote, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,” over my bed. Portrayed by Sean Owens at the fair, Wilde is greatly loved by so many of us. Owens told me, “Oscar was civil and savage at the same time. He was something like Truman Capote, quotable and controversial. I’ve been compared to Wilde for a long time, which is an honor. Oscar was part of a thriving LBGTQ community in London at this time, attending his very successful plays, reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, loving his out loud lifestyle. There were stage weddings with gay people at private pubs, cross dressing. Wilde knew that stuffy Victorians needed fresh air and reality. He fell madly in love with a young man, believing firmly that beauty mirrored the soul. This was Oscar’s tragedy, but there is so much to celebrate and admire.” One way to appreciate Wilde before you meet him at the fair is to see the amazing 1997 movie starring Stephen Fry, Jude Law, and Vanessa Redgrave. It is a profound and moving film simply (continued on page 40) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

Sister Dana sez, “November 23 is THANKSGIVING. Although I prefer to call it ‘ThanksGaying,’ because I am thankful to be Gay. TGIG! Thank God I’m Gay!” Democrats scored big Election Night wins on November 7 at the special election voting booths. Access to abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare are now legal in Ohio, and Democrats won other victories in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia— the latter voting for its first transgender State Senator Danica Roem. Note that all the Trumpendorsed GOP candidates have lost their elections. Meanwhile, clueless Trump continually brags that he is responsible for doing away with the 50-year precedent of Roe v. Wade. Sister Dana sez, “Go Trumpie go! Keep on losing ‘bigly’ for the GOP! That way we will eventually win civil rights for ALL people!” PRC has been transforming the Bay Area for decades, helping those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues realize their best selves by providing the support and services they need to reclaim their lives. Services include emergency financial assistance for short-term security; legal representation for access to basic income and healthcare benefits; and residential treatment, supportive housing, and employment training for longer-term social rehabilitation. PRC’s integrated services help over 5,000 clients annually on their path toward long-term stability and better financial and health outcomes. We attended PRC’s signature event of the year, MIGHTY REAL, named after PRC’s patron saint and greatest benefactor, the larger than life “Queen of Disco,” Sylvester. This event was about being absolutely fabulous, just like Sylvester. Named after his signature song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” PRC’s Mighty Real event pays homage to the star who benefited from PRC’s services and in turn gifted his future music royalties to PRC. The event was held on November 9 inside the stunning Saint Joseph’s Arts Society—a former church transformed by designer Ken Fulk into a truly novel, unique, and extraordinary space. Master of Ceremonies was Dale Johannes. PRC Chief Executive Officer Chuan Teng welcomed us saying, “This year we honor transformation, to underscore the transformative impact PRC has on its clients, the transformation PRC has undergone over the past year, and our endeavor to leave you, our guests, transformed by a powerful, cathartic event experience.” PRC Board of Directors President Brian Schneider added, “To those new to PRC, and those who have supported our work for many years, thank you for joining us on our mission to transform lives.” PRC honored Joshua Gamson with the Sylvester Community Pillar Award presented by Teng. Joshua chronicled the life of Sylvester in The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco and 32

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Every first Friday, THE CASTRO ART WALK gives us art lovers a range of 16 venues and studios in the Castro district to explore at our leisure on our self-guided tours from 5–8 pm. This one was on November 3. Many of the galleries offer nibbles and liquid refreshments. One of my favorite galleries is 2358MRKT (located at 2358 Market Street, of course) with one of my favorite artists, Clint Frederic, who is frequently onsite with his latest pieces, mixed media on wood. My faves include Energ y Is Alchemy, and The CEO of Grindr Is a Pimp. Also, here you will enjoy JB Higgins’ black and white erotic photo pieces. Then on November 10, 2358MRKT held an opening reception for a series of 34 paintings, LIFE 101: an INner Child Exhibition by Christopher Coker all month long. This collection “recognizes the hardships, celebrates the realizations, and acknowledges the growth we face, as we grow into the who we are supposed to be.” My faves are: #3 One Hundred and Three with 7-yearold Christopher tragically losing his father in airplane flight 103 crashing; #8 INfragments, when one feels broken into shards of glass but puts them together to create something new; and #34 The INner Light, how darkness can also illuminate a brighter

future when powered by the light within. Welcome Castro (525 Castro Street) is currently showing amazing, historic black and white photographs by talented photographer Daniel Nicoletta—as well as pieces on loan from LGBTQ history museums nationwide. Here you can see every celeb from Sylvester to Harvey Milk to a scene from the terrible but necessary “White Night Riots.” QAF (Queer Arts Featured) (575 Castro Street) features more of Nicoletta’s fine photography. But what enlightened me most was a brilliant brown and bronze poster alerting us that “Grace Towers presents Butch Queen Pageant 2023 at the Castro Theatre.” Strut (470 Castro Street) had their monthly art opening to celebrate the work of Julien Tomasello, Secrets of Summer. It’s pop culture, it’s high art, it’s gay, it’s collage! Then on November 11, Strut held a reception for Brittany Maxste, part of The Black Queer Visual Arts Program. Curated by Ajuan Mance and Serge Gay Jr., this solo exhibition, The Queer Body Project, is a collection of stunning color photographs focusing on queer people and a diverse group of body types. A special treat was the reading of truly emotional, inspirational poetry by Aja Renae! So, I will see all of you fellow art lovers at the next Castro Art Walk on Friday, December one! https://www.castroartwalk.com PROJECT OPEN HAND’s mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life by providing nutritious meals to the sick and vulnerable, caring for and educating our community. Open Hand is having their annual HAND TO HAND fundraising gala on November 17, 6 pm at the Hibernia, 1 Jones Street. https://www.openhand.org APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders’ Week has been observed November 11 through 17 in San Francisco. The United States was proud to host APEC this year under the theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.” By midNovember, concluding its host year, the U.S. will have hosted the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) in our iconic San Francisco because (continued on page 40)

PHOTO BY CHRIS MICHAELSON

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

has researched, taught, and written extensively about social movements, popular culture, and gay and lesbian people. PRC also honored San Francisco Pride with the Keystone Service Award for its pioneering work in improving the quality of life in creating a vibrant and inclusive community for LGBTQ individuals and allies. The award was presented by the inimitable Donna Sachet and accepted by SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford. SF Pride shows us all that— through dedication of spirit, hard work, and sheer determination—we can envision a brighter future. In addition, Wells Fargo was given the Outstanding Corporate Partner Award—presented by Brian Schneider—for being instrumental in helping PRC to significantly advance its mission through its generous support of PRC’s housing initiatives and community events. The evening concluded with us dancing to the lively vocals and sound of Dotcom and the Noise.

Dennis McMillan (aka Sister Dana) with John Brett, the Imperial Council’s Mr. Cowboy 2022, at the Saint Joseph’s Arts Society on Thursday, November 9, attending PRC’s 7th Annual Mighty Real Gala.

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand Icon! Genius! At over 900 pages, Streisand’s new memoir is a grand survey of her brilliance and grit throughout her careers—musical, theatrical, and cinema—with no shortage of dishy details.

Lit Snax

Madonna: A Rebel Life by Mary The Woman in Me by Britney Spears Gabriel Mickey Mouse No performer has Club wunderkind ever known better turned internahow to follow and tional pop star create the zeitgeist, turned cause celefor four decades bre tells all in her now, and this rivetmemoir, tragic ing biography foland entertaining lows the rise of one of the greatest pop in turn and all the name dropping you want from the early 2000s’ pop performers. scene. https://www.fabulosabooks.com/

Top of your stack

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK PASSAGE The Little Book of Mushrooms (nonfictionhardbound) by Alex Dorr

Creep (nonfiction/memoir hardbound) by Myriam Gurba Here is a ruthless and razorsharp essay collection that tackles the pervasive, creeping oppression and toxicity that have wormed their way into society—in our books, schools, and homes, as well as the systems that perpetuate them—from the acclaimed author of Mean, and one of our fiercest, foremost explorers of intersectional Latinx identity. With her ruthless mind, wry humor, and adventurous style, Gurba implicates everyone from Joan Didion to her former abuser, everything from Mexican stereotypes to the carceral state. Braiding her own history and identity throughout, she argues for a new way of conceptualizing oppression, and she does it with her signature blend of bravado and humility. The Book of Goose (fiction paperback) by Yiyum Li This book is now available in paperback! It is a propulsive, gripping novel about fate, art, exploitation, and intimacy by the award-winning author of Where Reasons End. The Book of Goose is a genre and gender bending story of disturbing intimacy and obsession, of exploitation and strength of will, by a celebrated author.

This is a beautifully illustrated guide to 75 of the most unique and fascinating mushrooms in the world, including interesting insight into their history, uses, and etymologies. From sweet little toadstools to giant puffballs, mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes. There are over 10,000 mushrooms in the world; some are cute and colorful, while others may look super adorable but are actually deadly. This compact book is vibrantly illustrated and packed with information, making The Little Book of Mushrooms a great gift idea for the holiday giftgiving season. Upcoming Events Sunday, November 19 @ 2 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Jill K. Robinson, author of San Francisco Scavenger San Francisco lures people in search of a wide variety of treasure: fame, wealth, property, inspiration, love, family, community, freedom, and a fresh start. With this book in your hands, you will hold a treasure map to the history of the City by the Bay—from its earliest days to more modern times. Author and travel (continued on page 40)

Lesbian Game Changers 5th Anniversary Lesbian Game Changers founder Robin Lowey, on Friday, November 3, welcomed a standing room only crowd to Manny’s, frequent site of community events addressing political and social issues, to celebrate the fifth anniversary since the launch of the project.

series of biographical short films about the work of the women profiled in the book. The event at Manny’s featured the premiere of two such films and a panel discussion with the subjects of them, Olga Talamante, the first executive director of the Chicana Latina Foundation, and Kate Kendell, the former executive director of The National Center for Lesbian Rights.

In addition to the project’s initial publication, a resource book about lesbians who have made a difference and now in its second printing, the project offers school presentations for students, workshops for educators, and a new

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Olga Talamante and Kate Kendell

PHOTO BY ABBY ZIMBERG

(left to right) Moderator Robin Lowey, Crystal Jang, Franco Stevens, Olga Talamante, Kathy Wolfe, Kate Kendell, and Bonnie Morris. The event also honored the memory of community leader Eleanor Palacios.

http://www.lesbiangamechangers.com

Bay Times Dines

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

Wines and Books to Gift Yourself and Others This Holiday Season

Sbrocco Sips

aptly named for kicking off the holiday season as we give thanks and gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Made with mostly pinot noir blended with chardonnay, the bubbly sports mouthwatering brightness, a kiss of red berry fruit notes paired with floral aromas, and a rich texture. Gratitude is also a wine with a purpose, since $5 of every bottle sold will be donated to The Redwood Empire Food Bank. This is a wine that does good while you drink well.

Leslie Sbrocco

2020 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir, Tri-County, California $20

With the holidays around the corner, I recommend two wines that complement meals from turkey to ham with all the trimmings. One is a splurge, the other a steal, but both are deliciously festive options.

https://www.cherrypiewines.com

2019 Iron Horse “Gratitude” Blanc de Noirs, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $75 https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com One of California’s iconic wine producers, Iron Horse is known worldwide for its elegant sparkling and still wines. This stunning bottling is

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With an inviting label and catchy name, this joyously affordable wine is one to share with friends and family. Pinot noir is the perfect partner for the cacophony of flavors on the table from savory sausage stuffing and salty gravy to sweet potato casserole and tangy cranberry sauce. Made with pinot noir grapes hailing from three of California’s top coolclimate regions—Napa County’s Carneros area, Monterey County, and Santa Barbara County—it has succulently bright fruit notes that end with a kick of spice on the finish. Thinking of getting a start on holiday gifts for the wine drinkers in your life? Bottles are always welcome, but I recommend books to deepen knowledge and appreciation of

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the fruit of the vine. These are the best new releases to read, gift, and collect (even as a gift for yourself!):

Known as The World Wine Guys, Mike and Jeff have a signature depth of knowledge that is deliciously wrapped up in their engaging style in this fascinating and fun read. The well-known duo profile great white grape varieties of the world from A (albariño) to V (viognier) and just about everything in between. Are you a chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, or riesling drinker? They have you covered. But don’t forget other blanc treasures such as white Bordeaux and Sherry. Chapters include fun facts, food pairings, and recommended wines.

The World in a Wineglass: The Insider’s Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable and Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now by Ray Isle (Scribner) $50 Want to take a deep dive into top wine regions, producers, and wines with a focus on quality and sustainability? This 706-page tome is worth its weight in vinous gold. Author Ray Isle is the Executive Editor of Food & Wine magazine. His extensive knowledge is on full display as he covers familiar wine names and places while taking readers on a virtual trip to lesser-known and up-and-coming regions and producers. Written with Ray’s trademark combination of wit and wisdom, it’s a book for every wine lover’s collection. White Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles by Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen (Countryman Press) $35

Italian Wine: The History, Regions, and Grapes of an Iconic Wine Country by Shelley Lindgren and Kate Leahy (Penguin/Random House) $35 If you love Italy and Italian wine, this gem of a book is a must-buy. Shelley Lindgren is an award-winning sommelier who owns Italian restaurants such as the fantastic A-16 in San Francisco. Kate Leahy is an acclaimed cookbook author. The two together have created a compelling and beautifully photographed book that’s a pleasure to read. It’s a journey through all 20 regions of Italy complete with grape variety profiles, recommendations, and regional backgrounds. Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area,” “Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!” and “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.”

Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen

www.LeslieSbrocco.com

Bay Times Dines

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN KONSTIN, JR., JOHN’S GRILL

Historic John’s Grill: 115 Years And Counting

The Gay Gourmet

To honor that milestone anniversary, The Gay Gourmet decided to revisit this marvelous steakhouse, talk with co-owner John Konstin, and dine with my fellow San Francisco Bay Times columnist (and movie buff), Jan Wahl. “Being the third-generation owner of John’s Grill,” commented John Konstin, Jr., “I have a lot of pride and joy. I love every ounce of this place. Many of my early memories come from John’s Grill, with friends, family, and the team at John’s that I call family as well. I’ve been working here on and off from when I was a child, starting at the age of 13. Many of the cooks, chefs, and waiters have watched me grow up since I was a kid. It’s a real full circle moment to now work side by side with them as the leader of the restaurant! Being the next owner of this historic business and celebrating 115 years made things so clear that John’s Grill is here to stay for another 115 years.” He added, “Moving to New York at the age of 20 and finishing my 38

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San Francisco Bay Times movie columnist and historian Jan Wahl

culinary arts and B.A in restaurant hotel management from the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park has me poised to steer this ship in a successful direction. All the wisdom I’ve attained from my parents and grandparents also has a huge role in John’s Grill’s success over the last 5 or 6 years since I’ve taken over.” “(Our celebration with) three thousand attendees was a special moment for me and my family,” he continued. “We love our community and always give back whenever and however we can. This celebration was a massive offering of free wine and beer and food! It truly felt like the whole city was there to celebrate with us! It was special to just see everyone smiling and having a good time. It made me proud to be a part of such an amazing organization and city. My whole team worked so hard to put this together and it truly couldn’t have been better! Food always brings people together. (I loved seeing) the smiles, and the line around the block to Market Street. It makes me so happy to be in this industry to facilitate and invoke this sort of emotion with people. We are here to shine a light on our beautiful city and the memories of the last 115 years while we look forward to the next century!” NOVE MB E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN KONSTIN, JR., JOHN’S GRILL

John Konstin, Jr.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LANDIS

Now, 115 years later, John’s Grill is prospering more than ever. Co-owner John Konstin, Jr., (and his other co-owner, his dad), celebrated recently by closing the adjoining street and serving a free lunch to more than 3,000 people. That lunch, in honor of the book and the movie, of course included the famed lamb chops and sundried instead of sliced tomatoes.

The Maltese Falcon replica and related memobrilia

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LANDIS

It was only two years after San Francisco’s devastating earthquake, in 1908, that John’s Grill emerged from the ashes and opened its three-story steak and chop eatery near Union Square. It’s one of those iconic and classic haunts, made famous by The Maltese Falcon, Dashiell Hammett’s popular Sam Spade detective novel (and the subsequent movie starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Peter Lorre). There’s even a replica of the famous falcon upstairs at the restaurant, which was stolen and returned. More on that later. To quote the book, “Sam Spade went to John’s Grill, asked the waiter to hurry his order of chops, baked potato, sliced tomatoes, and was smoking a cigarette.” Hammett wrote the San Francisco-based novel while working as a detective at the Pinkerton Agency next door in the Flood Building. According to the restaurant, “John’s Grill was— and still is—the downtown gathering place for those who ran the town and those who wanted to run the town. Inside, today’s customers will find period furnishing and dark paneled walls framed with hundreds of photos of movers and shakers.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LANDIS

David Landis

David Landis (The Gay Gourmet) with Jan Wahl at John’s Grill

In her inimitable style, Jan Wahl added: “I’m not sure there is a real falcon. As memorable as it is, it was always stolen or in mysterious hands. If the one at John’s Grill was stolen, I hope it was by movie buffs! I think Willie (Brown) knows where the real Maltese Falcon is! The restaurant is perfect for this perfect film, full of film noir-ish corners and set designs. My favorite dish is Sam’s lamb chops. Kinda macho and perfectly seasoned. This movie reminds me of one of my favorite actresses, Mary Astor. This witty and wise woman was coming off a real-life scandal, yet she persevered and won even more fans as the femme fatale. If you like her in the Falcon, you’ll love her in Dodsworth. See you at John’s Grill. I’ll be the dame in the corner.” So, how’s the food? Well, let’s start by recommending that a proper start begins (as my recent dinner did) with a John’s Grill dry gin martini, shaken, served straight up. That will evoke the memory of Sam Spade while you peruse the menu. For my lunch with Jan, I opted instead for a crisp, light, Lichen Estate pinot gris from the Anderson Valley. Jan chose the Virgin Paloma (grapefruit, soda water, and simple syrup) since, in her own words, “there must be something—or

someone—I haven’t done.” The San Francisco sourdough bread arrives without asking (and without an additional charge), which sets the stage for the delicious meal to follow. Throughout the meal, our attentive waiter Poom was always there when we needed him—and not there when Jan and I had our not-so-private tête-à-têtes. As my loyal readers know, I’m a native Midwesterner and a glutton for a good steak. John’s Grill delivers on that front. The corn-fed medium-rare filet mignon is tasty and tender. It might be the best in the city, served with vegetables, baked potato, and sliced tomatoes. But when you dine at Sam’s, you have to take Jan’s advice and order Sam’s chops: lamb chops, sliced tomatoes, and a baked potato. For dessert, we chose a flan with berries—light and custardy and a sweet ending to a lovely meal. In summary, and to quote the last line of the film version of The Maltese Falcon: John’s Grill “is the stuff dreams are made of.” Bits and Bites According to 24/7 Wall St., the best bakery in California is Acme Bread Company in Berkeley and San Francisco. 24/7 Wall St.

recommends ordering the jalapeño cheese bread. Mooala Oat and Almond Milk, unlike some other alternative milks, doesn’t contain sugar. It’s dairy-free, organic, and shelf-stable. That’s a plus for The Gay Gourmet. The book Oldest San Francisco by Alec Scott (from Reedy Press) “draws a picture of a city that exploded during the Gold Rush and has since drawn generations of dreamers to it. From Alcatraz to the Presidio to the Ferry Building, from the Mechanics’ Institute to Gump’s Department Store, it tells the stories of the institutions that have made San Francisco distinctive. The book spotlights Ghirardelli, a family firm that helped make San Francisco a chocolate mecca. It also pays tribute to the Tadich Grill, which has served downtown diners since the Gold Rush and introduced mesquite grilling to America.” Locally acclaimed Woody’s at the Airport (at the Monterey Airport) was named by readers of USA Today as the Best Airport SitDown Restaurant in 2023. My sister Kate says they have the best sand dabs on the Monterey Peninsula.

Bay Times Dines Woodhouse Fish Company on Fillmore Street recently went through an interior renovation and is looking spiffy. I’ve always loved their Tuesday all-day $1-ish oysters! There’s a new gin in town from Sausalito Liquor Company called Marin Coastal Gin. It’s a balanced coastal gin that highlights California citrus peel, locally foraged nori seaweed, angelica seeds from Santa Rosa, and a combination of two types of junipers. Well worth a try! I just visited The Vault Steakhouse for its recent partnership with Cal-Indian restaurant ROOH and the results were astounding. The combination of two great restaurants yields extraordinary concoctions. Plus, the live jazz piano gives The Vault a turn of the century, sophisticated New York feel. Standouts that night included: the potato pavé tots with

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2023)

caviar from the Vault; the yoghurt magic puff with tamarind and raspberry dust from ROOH; the chutney stuffed mussels from the Vault; and the beef short rib with madras curry from ROOH. Bravo! Sterling Vineyards recently reopened its doors to the Napa Valley community. The winery has new and improved attractions, including the world’s only winery aerial gondola, elevated tasting rooms, and a strong commitment to sustainability. They’re offering four new tasting experiences (The Sterling Stroll, Tour and Terrace Tasting, Hilltop Tasting, and The Founders Experience). Time to visit Napa again! John’s Grill: https://www.johnsgrill.com/ Acme Bread Company: https://acmebread.com/ Mooala Oat and Almond Milk: https://shop.mooala.com/

Oldest San Francisco: https://tinyurl.com/2p8u4sca Woody’s at the Airport: https://tinyurl.com/bdzm2nuw Woodhouse Fish Company: http://woodhousefish.com/ Sausalito Liquor Company/Marin Coastal Gin: https://www.sausalitoliquor.com/ The Vault Steakhouse: https://www.vaultsteakhouse.com/ ROOH: https://tinyurl.com/4acr6xhn Sterling Vineyards: https://tinyurl.com/yyzzs8r2 David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF or email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com

The Gay Gourmet and Chef Jeremiah Tower Reminisce About Legendary Stars Restaurant Photos courtesy of David Landis David Landis, The Gay Gourmet at the San Francisco Bay Times, met Chef Jeremiah Tower at Foreign Cinema on November 9 for a one-night-only Stars dinner. Stars was Tower’s landmark San Francisco restaurant that was open from 1984 to 1999. Its legacy lives on, however, given its memorable dishes and the many other notable chefs who worked at the restaurant, such as Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn, which received three Michelin stars in 2018), Mario Batali (Food Network personality), Steve Ells (the founder of Chipotle Mexican Grill), and Emily Luchetti, who was the lauded pastry chef at Farallon. Landis said, “Meeting Chef Jeremiah Tower at San Francisco’s Foreign Cinema restaurant may have been one of the highlights of my life. His restaurant, Stars, was the epitome of class in the 80s. I had many unforgettable evenings there—including hosting choreographers Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino—since I worked for years at the San Francisco Symphony. Jeremiah brought David Landis (left) with Chef Jeremiah Tower and his husband Curtis back some of the best dishes from that iconic restaurant for one night only at Foreign Cinema. And pianist Billy Philadelphia tinkled the ivories that evening, recalling many an elegant soirée at the former Stars.” The extensive menu for the evening included dishes such as a twice baked soufflé with golden chanterelles, Gruyère, and persillade; a floating island soup with king leek, gold potato, celery root, and black truffle; and Tower’s elegant steamed Alaskan halibut in a fig leaf. To this day, Chez Panisse, where Tower first gained local fame, often serves its fish in this manner. The charismatic and talented Chef Tower writes a weekly series called Out of the Oven with anecdotes, recipes, and much more. Subscribe here: https://jeremiahtower.substack.com/

An entrée from the one-night-only Stars dinner at Foreign Cinema

Stars restaurant cookie plate recreated at Foreign Cinema

A hot dog with an array of condiments was served as a reminder of the memorable hot dogs Stars restaurant used to serve late at night.

Jeremiah Towers’ twice-baked soufflé S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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JAN WAHL (continued from pg 31) called Wilde. While we’re at the movies, there are terrific ones out there to get you in the mood for this immersive Dickens Fair experience, or at least to keep you in the holiday spirit. Oliver! (Best Picture Oscar winner 2005) and the classic 1951 A Christmas Carol should do the trick. I love

Scrooged from 1988; a holiday comedy with Bill Murray perfection as a bitter television executive. Or just head over to the 39th Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace, weekends November 18 to December 17. Tickets are $18–$45. For more info: https://dickensfair.com/

Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com

and 18th Streets. Come celebrate the holidays with Mayor Breed, Donna Sachet, Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF Gay Men’s Chorus, SF Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band, and Santa!

Drescher, who was overjoyed to announce an extraordinary labor deal for fellow actors and the end of an 118-day strike! Tens of thousands of actors will now go back to work. Drescher gushed, “It’s a great deal, a triumphant deal, a historic deal, a seminal deal!”

SISTER DANA (continued from pg 32) we represent a story of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity—the core themes of APEC 2023. With a GDP of $501 billion, the San Francisco metropolitan area is the fourth largest economic region in the U.S., and the San Francisco Bay Area is home to many of the biggest Fortune 500 companies in the world. And we can proudly say Asian Americans represent 33% of San Francisco’s total population. And just in time for APEC, Illuminate San Francisco displayed 12 lasers of color-changing rainbow splendor, beginning November 13 through 16, sunset to sunrise, the full length of San Francisco’s Market Street. This was a reprise of Illuminate’s PRIDE 2022 impressive display of rainbow lasers, but twice as many this time. Sister Dana sez, “I’m not saying these 2023 rainbow lasers represented LGBTQ pride— but that’s MY queer-identified interpretation. That’s so gay, and that’s a good thing!” The annual TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (TDOR) is November 20. The week before TDOR, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise visibility for transgender people and address issues the community faces. TDOR was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Hester’s death, and began an important tradition. The annual CASTRO TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY is on November 28, 6 pm outside Castro

The November installment of LOCKDOWN COMEDY on Zoom took place on November 9, and sadly this was the LAST “Lockdown Comedy.” This finale featured Matt Kirshen (LA, via London), Dhaya Lakshminarayanan (SF), Nicole Tran (LA, via Vietnam), and show producer/ comic Lisa Geduldig (Florida). Goodbye and farewell, you funny funny show! https://www.koshercomedy.com Sister Dana sez, “Have Congressional Republicans DISCUSSED the best way to avoid Government Shutdown— or are these Republicans just plain DISGUSTING?!” Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has announced that he will not seek re-election—dealing a blow to Democrats. The decision by Manchin to step down will leave open a seat in a deeply red state. It should be pointed out that this senator was not progressive and watered down much of what President Joe Biden proposed when the other senators gladly passed the legislation. Manchin, along with now Independent Kristen Sinema, were blue-dog Democrats and sore thumbs to the Senate. Manchin gave deals to Big Oil and billionaires while West Virginia citizens suffered. He plans to travel the states “listening and lecturing.” Sister Dana sez, “Bon voyage, and bye, bish!” Congratulations to actor and SAG-AFTRA President Fran

Sister Dana sez, “Way to go, and props to ‘Nanny Fine’!” SALTBURN is coming to theaters on November 22, a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton ( Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten. (See Gary Kramer’s review of Saltburn in this issue.) The annual HARVEY MILK CANDLELIGHT MARCH is Sunday, November 27, 6–8 pm at Castro and Market Street. This is a night of remembrance of the lives and untimely deaths of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone on the anniversary of their 1978 assassinations—and commemorating the spontaneous candlelight march on the night of the shootings. Bring your candles to the Castro to honor SF’s fallen leaders, Milk and Moscone. Meet at the Castro Station area, then march two blocks up the street to the site of Milk’s old camera store for speeches by local celebs and recorded archival speeches from Milk. Sister Dana sez, “While at the Milk memorial, be sure to check out the plaque over Milk’s ashes, and look up to see a small mural of Harvey looking down at us! So inspirational!”

BOOK PASSAGE (continued from pg 34) journalist Jill K. Robinson left her heart in San Francisco in her earliest childhood years. She brings her years of research, love for the city, and countless hours of exploring to this epic scavenger quest. Come with an adventurous spirit, and whether you solve the clues alone or with family and friends, this creative excursion will help you unlock the secrets of San Francisco. Monday, November 27 @ 7:30 pm (ticketed - The Curran Theater in San Francisco) Henry Winkler, author of Being Henry: The Fonz ... and Beyond From Emmy-award winning actor, author, comedian, producer, and director Henry Winkler, Being Henry:

The Fonz ... and Beyond is a deeply thoughtful memoir of the lifelong effects of stardom and the struggle to become whole. Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood, he shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you. Filled with profound heart, charm, and selfdeprecating humor, this is a memoir about so much more than a life

in Hollywood and the curse of stardom. It is a meaningful testament to the power of sharing truth and kindness and of finding fulfillment within yourself. Wednesday November 29 @ 5 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Sarah BlakelyCartwright, author of Alice Sadie Celine This is a hypnotic, sexy, and incisive debut adult novel following one woman’s affair with her daughter’s best friend that tests the limits of love and ambition from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Riding Hood. Set over the course of decades—from Alice and Sadie’s early friendship days and Celine’s decision to leave her husband to the radical movements of 1990s Berkeley and navigating contemporary Hollywood—Alice and Celine’s affair will test the limits of their love for Sadie and their own beliefs of power, agency, and feminism. Witty and relatable, sexy and surprising, Blakley-Cartwright’s debut adult novel is a mesmerizing portrait of the inner lives of three very different women. https://www.bookpassage.com/

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The Gay Court of Louis XIV

Images courtesy of Bill Lipsky

en’s clothing (until he was eighteen) and who as an adult became a wellknown author, diplomat, and crossdresser.

Faces from Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky

Louis de Bourbon, Comte de Vermandois painted by Pierre Mignard

During that great era of gracious courtiers and chivalrous cavaliers known as the Age of Louis XIV (1638–1715), the behavior of the men at court who loved each other was largely ignored, unless their affair became un grand scandale. Contrary to both royal edict and canon law, the Grand Monarch, who disapproved of such goings-on, tolerated it in his inner circle. After all, to do otherwise would have meant exile or prison for some of his closest relatives.

desires with his valets and officers.” The King disapproved of his “vicious habit,” but looked the other way. LouisJoseph, “though most odiously stained with that vice—so publicly that he treated it as an ordinary gallantry—never found his favor diminished on that account.”

Whether understood as le beau vice or disparaged as le vice Italien, those relatives included the king’s own father Louis XIII (1601–1643), known as “Louis the Chaste” because there is no evidence that he ever had a mistress. He much preferred the companionship of his male attendants, developing “an intense emotional attachment” first with his equerry, François de Baradas, then with Charles d’Albert, his falconer, whom “he visited at all hours of the day and night.” Louis XIII’s last deep involvement was with Henri Coiffier de Ruzé (1620–1642), Marquis de Cinq-Mars, who unwisely plotted against the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. According to the chronicler Gédéon Tallemant des Réaux (1619–1692), on one royal journey His Majesty “sent [Cinq-Mars] to undress, who returned, adorned like a bride. ‘To bed, to bed,’ said the king impatiently.” This tidbit somehow was overlooked by Alexandre Dumas Père when he wrote The Three Musketeers about the king and his beloved male companions.

Monsieur married twice. His first wife, Henrietta of England, who disliked her husband’s male lover, persuaded the king first to imprison and then to exile the chevalier to Italy in 1670. He returned two years later, after she had Philippe, Chevalier de died, but was again ordered Lorraine to absent himself from court The most renowned of the in 1682, when he was accused king’s sexually contrarian relaof being part of a scandalous clique tives was his brother, Philippe, of sodomites who often used the garDuc d’Orléans (1640–1701). From dens of the newly built Palace of Versailles for their “unnatural meetan early age, his mother, Anne of ings.” Austria, who called him “my little girl,” encouraged him to wear womThe group included Louis de en’s dresses, shoes, fanciful wigs, jewBourbon (1667–1683), the eldest surelry, and other tasteful accessories, viving son of the king, and his miswhich he did all his life. His joy in tress Louise de La Vallière, named cross-dressing caused one observer a Légitimé de France and Comte to unkindly call him “the silliest de Vermandois. Louis XIV exiled woman who ever lived,” but he was him to Normandy, then ordered him constantly surrounded by handsome to Flanders as a soldier, where he young men and he never had diffidied a year later. Many of the othculty finding companionship. ers, including François Louis de Philippe was known all his life simply as “Monsieur,” the traditional term for whomever was next in line to the French throne. His first great love may have been Guy Armand de Gramont, Comte de Guiche (1637– 1673), one of the great bedroom warriors of his generation. They met at the home of François Timoléon, Abbé de Choisy (1644–1724), whose mother also dressed him in wom-

In addition to his father, Louis XIV had numerous other relatives who enjoyed same sex intimacy. They included his uncle, César de Bourbon (1594–1665), the eldest of Henri IV’s three children with his mistress Gabrielle d’Estrees, who was recognized as a Légitimé de France in 1595 and became Duc de Vendôme in 1598. César’s two grandsons, Louis-Joseph (1654–1712) and Philippe (1655–1727), also were lovers of men. Their affaires de coeur became so notorious that the family mansion in Paris was known as the Hôtel de Sodome. According to Louis de Rouvroy (1675–1755), Duc de Saint-Simon’s Memoirs, Louis-Joseph, “one of the most remarkable soldiers” in French history, “plunged ... more than anyone else” into sodomy, “satisfying his

Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, portrait by Pierre Mignard

Another of Monsieur’s early lovers was Antoine Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis d’Effiat (1639–1719), Henri Coiffier’s nephew, who remained a member of his household until Philippe’s death. The most enduring romance of his life, however, was with Philippe, Chevalier de Lorraine (1643–1702). Known to be “as beautiful as an angel,” the two Philippes met in 1658, when both were living at the Palais-Royal in Paris. The chevalier remained Monsieur’s abiding passion and constant companion for 44 years.

Bourbon, Prince de La Roche-surYon; the Comte de Marsan; the Chevalier de Saint-Maure; and the Vidame de Laon were sent home to their family estates.

Monsieur’s second wife was Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (1652–1722), known after they wed simply as Madame. She was remarkably accepting of her husband’s sexuality and exceptionally understanding of his endless dalliances. “I do not wish any harm to the mignons,” she wrote to her aunt Sophia, Electress of Hanover, in 1697, using the contemporary and somewhat catty term for the “frivolous and fashionable young men” who surrounded him. “I chat amicably and politely with them.” In fact, Madame was more distraught about the immense amounts that Monsieur spent on his pleasures than whom he spent the money on. “All he has in his head are his young fellows ... and he gives them huge sums of money; nothing is too much or too costly for these boys,” she wrote to Sophia. Her greatest fear was that her husband’s extravagance would eventually leave her and her children penniless. It never did.

Magazine illustration of the Abbé de Choisy, 1855

Louis XIII, portrait by Philippe de Champaigne

For a man more concerned with young men in his boudoir than on a battlefield, Monsieur was an effective, often fearless, and successful military commander. “I have seen him during campaigns for an entire fifteen hours on horseback,” the Abbé de Choisy remembered, where he risked “not only his life but his complexion [!] to sun and gun smoke.” Perhaps Monsieur’s greatest triumph was during the Battle of Cassel in 1677, during a war with Holland, where he defeated the forces of William of Orange. William, the future William III of England, also was Madame’s second cousin and she was convinced the two men shared much in common. “People here think King William belongs to that brotherhood,” she wrote to Sophia in 1695. If nothing else, their confrontation on the bat-

tlefield proved that not all men who loved men were “frivolous and fashionable effeminates,” as the stereotype then portrayed them, or au poil et à la plume—“after both fur and feathers”—as some were described. Sadly, those not of the privileged classes typically suffered much different fates when their behavior became well known. Members of the nobility and the clergy might be forced into exile, but commoners convicted of “crimes against nature” faced death. Same-sex intimacy was effectively decriminalized during the French Revolution when the Penal Code of 1791 made no mention of it. Public acceptance changed slowly—France did not recognize marriage equality until 2013—but consenting adults no longer had to fear legal prosecution. Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Round About - All Over Town Photos by Rink and Juan R. Davila

Day of the Dead masks for sale at Terrasol Gifts on Nob Hill

Organizers, volunteers, and guests joined the festival’s Artistic Director, Shawna Virago (center), for a photo at the SF Transgender Film Festival on Opening Night, Friday, November 8. Volunteers at the Native American Film Festival, held at the Main Library, joined the festival’s Executive Director, Mytia Zavala, and KPOO Radio’s Mary Robinson in welcoming guests on Sunday, November 5.

Photographer Jeannie O’Connor at the AIDS Self-Portrait exhibit on view on the 6th Floor at the San Francisco Public Library’s main library

Guests arriving for Opening Night of the 26th Annual SF Transgender Film Festival on Friday, November 8, were welcomed to the Roxie Theatre by Shawna Virago, the festival’s Artistic Director.

Protestors at San Francisco City Hall voiced opposition to a new wave of missile attacks by Russia affecting Ukrainian civilians.

As Heard on the Street . . . October was LGBT History Month. What was an important moment of it for you?

compiled by Rink

Carole Barrow

John Zowine

Michael Fiumara

Dawn Dzurilla

JB Higgins

“When Mark Leno stepped forward and brought public attention to AIDS and its treatment”

“The Stonewall Riots”

“People following a Harvey Milk solution for achieving LGBT rights: coming out”

“The assassination of Harvey Milk”

“The screening of the outrageously gay film Pink Flamingos that was shown worldwide and is still popular”

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The Academy’s Legends Awards 2023 Photos by Juan R. Davila

STREETCAM presented by

The Academy’s Legends Awards ceremony for 2023 was held on Saturday, November 11, at the Swedish American Hall. The annual event honors members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have led by example in making San Francisco a more dynamic, vibrant, and interesting place to live. Hosted by Sister Roma, the program included a tribute performance honoring the late Heklina. The night’s top honor was presented to Peter Berlin. His camera, which he used to take many of the images that made him an icon, was installed on permanent display at The Academy’s Legends Archive.

http://sfbaytimes.com/

Also honored were the following community award recipients: Carolyn Wysinger, Exemplar; Terry Asten Bennett, Bridge Builder; and West Walker, The Architect Award. https://www.academy-sf.com/

Check out the newest Le Creuset color, Rhone. Particularly nice for the fall season is the 4-quart pumpkinshaped Dutch oven. $367.99 Another Le Creuset classic is the 1.7-quart tea kettle in the new Rhone color with gold accents. $134.99

From cookware to holiday decorating, gifts, and much more, Cliff’s Variety hopes to help make your fall holiday season merry, bright, and unforgettable. As a customer, Benjamin, wrote: “Cliff’s has everything and is always my first stop for projects, the kitchen, and much more. The staff is attentive and helpful. The pricing is great for Cliff’s quality, convenience, and service.”

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