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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area
CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021) May 6–19, 2021 http://sfbaytimes.com
San Francisco Bay Times Now a Legacy Business
SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES THIS BUSINESS IS RECOGNIZED AS A SAN FRANCISCO LEGACY BUSINESS BY THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO Legacy Businesses are longstanding, community-serving establishments that have contributed to San Francisco’s history and identity. These businesses foster civic engagement and serve as valuable cultural assets of the city. Preserving Legacy Businesses–the soul of the city–is critical to maintaining the unique character of San Francisco.
San Francisco's Legacy Businesses San Francisco Bay Times Among Small Businesses Approved for Legacy Business Registry Seven businesses, including the San Francisco Bay Times, were unanimously approved by the San Francisco Small Business Commission on April 26 for the Legacy Business Registry. The Registry recognizes longstanding, community-serving businesses as valuable assets to the city. The following six businesses, with owners’ names mentioned, are the others newly added: Fanta Cleaners Inc. Fanta Cleaners Admin Young Park https://fantacleaners.com/
PHOTO COURTESY OF KENDRA MON
Finnegans Wake General Business Email Dan Serot Melinda (Lindy) Frenkel https://www.finneganssf.com/ Flowercraft Lydia Patubo https://www.flowercraftgc.com/ Lyon-Martin Health Services J.M. Jaffe https://tinyurl.com/3b3umzjc
Robertson, and Alana Schilling. They shared a desire to establish a free-standing clinic to give lesbians in the San Francisco Bay Area access to nonjudgmental, affordable health care.
Old Ship Saloon Eric Passetti https://www.theoldshipsf.com/ Businesses with Strong LGBT Connections In addition to the San Francisco Bay Times, three of the businesses, in particular, are known for their history of service to the LGBTQ community.
Yankee Clipper Travel Kirk Dalrymple http://www.yankeeclippertravel.com/
Finnegans Wake used to be Maud’s, the longest-running lesbian bar in the U.S. The iconic establishment was opened in 1966 by Rikki Streicher, when lesbians like Rikki and other members of our community faced overwhelming threats. Maud’s flourished throughout the 1970s and 1980s, though, enjoying an international reputation as a meeting place for lesbians and their friends, only to be shut down in 1989 as a result of the community’s shifting priorities. The present Finnegans Wake team values this past and for years the bar was the site of the annual Maud’s Reunion in June. Lyon-Martin Health Services was founded in 1979 by health care professionals Sherron Mills, Patricia
The clinic soon became a model for culturally sensitive communitybased health care. It was named for Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, two women whose lives and work were intertwined with their enduring dedication to social justice. In 1990, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California awarded the couple with its highest honor, the Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award. Now Lyon-Martin Health Services and the Women’s Community Clinic provide primary medical care, sexual and reproductive health care, and mental health services for women, gender non-conforming people, and transgender people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. They treat patients regardless of ability to pay and assist them with enrollment into a variety of health coverage programs. Yankee Clipper Travel is a neighbor! Based in the Castro at 4115 19th Street, this business has been providing quality leisure travel planning for more than 50 years. It was founded by James Boin, who also served as
Vice President of the International Gay Travel Association. Since 1997, Yankee Clipper Travel has been owned and operated by Kirk Dalrymple. Yankee Clipper Travel is staffed by people, not unlike Kirk, who love to travel and have been doing so for many years. They have explored destinations across the globe and have a wide range of experience and knowledge to share with fellow travelers. Bay Times in 1978 As for our own past, the first issue of the San Francisco Bay Times was published on May 1, 1978. Tom Ammiano was featured on the cover and Associate Editor Roland Schembari, General Manager Bill Hartman, and News Editor Randy Alfred were at the helm, among others. Contributors included the aforementioned Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, as well as Cleve Jones and other dedicated activists, journalists, and more. In an opinion piece entitled “Communities and Communications,” the Bay Times staff vowed, in part, to “provide reliable, authoritative news, covering the obvious and uncovering the less-than-obvious stories affecting lesbians and gay men. We will publish every two weeks. our crisply written basic news will be supplemented with lively features, reviews, photos, and graphics.” They concluded, “The Bay Times will be a forum for dialogue. News coverage will report on inter-group relations, and editorial comment will forge links between our movements and those of racial minorities, feminists, and rank-and-file labor, envi-
ronmentalists, the disabled, the old, the young, and the poor.” Bay Times Now While so much has changed since that first issue was published, the emphasis on equality, intersectionality, and coverage addressing all groups within our growing LGBTQ community remains. As mentioned on the masthead page of each issue, the Bay Times was among the first newspapers in the world to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men, so building community has been a consistent goal of the paper. The masthead gets to the heart of the paper now, sharing the names of the columnists, designers, and other team members who make the Bay Times possible. The paper’s longevity also is due to you, our readers. Many of you have been reading and following the paper from the very beginning. Whether you have been reading the Bay Times since the 1970s, or recently discovered us, we are grateful for your support. With our future efforts we hope to continue to honor the LGBTQ community and our history, in addition now to striving for the best qualities exemplified by other small businesses that have earned placement on the Legacy Business Registry. https://www.legacybusiness.org/registry
This Lesbian-Owned Paper You’re Reading Is a Certified San Francisco Legend steadfast, trusted mainstay, resource, and constant source of community pride—much of what makes the San Francisco Bay Times a cherished and celebrated part of the heart and soul of our city.
Cross Currents Andrea Shorter “Legacy Businesses are the soul of the city. Preserving Legacy Businesses is critical to maintaining the unique character of San Francisco.” —San Francisco Office of Small Business One can hardly imagine San Francisco-Bay Area LGBTQ history without this historic publication as a 2
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As one of the first LGBTQ newspapers in the Bay Area, for over 43 years the San Francisco Bay Times has endured mightily as the trusted chronicler of the vibrancy and life of our community; an avid beat reporter on our local, national, and global movements for liberation and equality; a bold champion and activist for free speech; the place for engaging LGBTQ columnists and ally guest contributors; the go-to for the calendar, reviews, and commentaries on LGBTQ community arts, cultural, and entertaining events; a big time promoter of LGBTQ small businesses; and so much more. The latest big news for this iconic newspaper: receiving a welldeserved, official honor by being certified as a Legacy Business by the MAY 6 , 2 0 2 1
San Francisco Office of Small Business—yes! Legacy Businesses are described as longstanding, community-serving small businesses that have operated in San Francisco for 30 years or more, and have contributed to San Francisco’s history and identity, are valuable cultural assets of the city, and are the bedrock of local neighborhoods. Starting in 2015, the Office of Small Business sought to recognize and preserve Legacy Businesses as the “soul of the city,”meaning those amazing small businesses that characteristically make San Francisco, well, San Francisco! Of course, we’re in great company, too. Along with other major iconic San Francisco attractions such as City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, Boudin Bakery, Golden Gate Fortune Cookies, Anchor Brewing Company, the Great American Music Hall, and the American Conservatory Theater, to be registered
along with other LGBTQ institutions such as Cliff’s Variety, the San Francisco Eagle, the Stud, Anchor Oyster Bar, and Moby Dick is also an honor. This is San Francisco Small Business Week ( https://www.sfsmallbusinessweek.com/ ). Check out the Legacy Businesses Registry to see and support many of these businesses, especially as local, neighborhood businesses work to recover from the year-long impacts presented by the pandemic. On this occasion, it is also worth noting that the San Francisco Bay Times is now one of the few women and/ or lesbian owned and operated Legacy Businesses. Perhaps as more San Francisco-based women-owned businesses started the in the 1990s with greater assistance from local, state, and federal small business initiatives, some of those enterprises will be recognized in future as well. The San Francisco Bay Times is more than a newspaper that represents our community. Equally important,
the San Francisco Bay Times is a creator of community. As a community leader, columnist, reader, and friend, it has always been an honor for me to be any part of the rich history and vibrant community created by the San Francisco Bay Times. Bravo to the San Francisco Bay Times and its 43 years of reporting on, elevating, engaging, and creating San Francisco-Bay Area LGBTQ community with perseverance, relevancy, fierceness, heart, soul, and care— the best ingredients that make a legend most. Andrea Shorter is a Commissioner and the former President of the historic San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. She is a longtime advocate for criminal and juvenile justice reform, voter rights and marriage equality. A CoFounder of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, she was a 2009 David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
San Francisco's Legacy Businesses In Support of the San Francisco Bay Times for the Legacy Business Registry other small businesses was added to the Legacy Business Registry.)
John Lewis
My name is John Lewis. Thank you for this opportunity to speak in support of the San Francisco Bay Times. My husband Stuart Gaffney and I moved to San Francisco 35 years ago. New to the city and its LGBTIQ community, we quickly became readers of the Bay Times. The newspaper already seemed like a community institution, even though we now know it was only eight years old at the time. For decades, we’ve turned to the Bay Times for incisive social and political commentary, news, arts, and entertainment, and to know what was going on in the community.
(Editor’s Note: On April 7, John Lewis provided the following comment before the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission. This meeting preceded that of the San Francisco Small Business Commission on April 26, when the San Francisco Bay Times along with six
On February 12, 2004, Stuart’s and my life changed forever when we showed up for a marriage equality rally on the steps of City Hall and became one of the first ten same-sex couples to get married. Later, we were one of the plaintiff couples in the historic lawsuit that won the freedom to marry in California. We’ve been active marriage equality advocates ever since.
6/26 and Beyond
Why the San Francisco Bay Times Merits Designation as a Legacy Business By Donna Sachet (Editor’s Note: On April 26, Donna Sachet spoke these words before the San Francisco Small Business Commission. That date is notable both because it was when seven new businesses, including the San Francisco Bay Times, were added to the Legacy Business Registry, and for the fact that April 26 is Donna’s birthday!) Good evening, I am Donna Sachet, proud San Francisco resident for over 30 years. Thank you each for your service to the city. To quote from the website of the San Francisco Legacy Business Program, its purpose is “to maintain San Francisco’s cultural identity and to foster civic engagement and pride by assisting longoperating businesses to remain in the city.” I can think of no more suitable and qualified candidate than the San Francisco Bay Times. For over 40 years, it has brought news and information about the LGBTQ+ Community to that Community and most recently written by a diverse variety of members of that Community. Full disclosure: my column Donna’s Chronicles currently appears in each issue, but I have written regular columns, features, and guest pieces for several other San Francisco publications and never have I received such wide-ranging editorial support and responsive readership, never have I felt more proud to be a part of not just a newspaper, but a news outlet with a strong online presence and frequent social media posts, and never have I seen a local business so willingly and skillfully serve as the media sponsor for organizations large and small, events for hundreds and events for dozens, and individual charitable efforts that impact a wide range of our diverse population. Under the leadership of Betty Sullivan and Jennifer Viegas, the San Francisco Bay Times has become the go-to source for the entire LGBTQ+ Community with columnists covering everything from politics and medicine to Gay history and sports, from fundraising galas and who’s wearing what to life-altering civil rights protests, and from front page national news to insightful perspectives on thorny local issues. The San Francisco Bay Times undoubtedly reflects San Francisco’s wide cultural identity; it encourages civic engagement and pride by its own example of generous media sponsorships, and we would be significantly diminished without its ongoing contributions to the city. Please give swift approval to the application of the San Francisco Bay Times to be designated an official Legacy Business. Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Several years ago, we were humbled when Betty Sullivan and Jennifer Viegas, the new publishers of the Bay Times, asked us if we would write a regular column for the paper. After decades of turning to the Bay Times for news and information, the Bay Times was turning to us—because they valued our voice as one of an extraordinary diversity of LGBTIQ voices they present and engage. We have been writing a regular column for the Bay Times ever since.
Plaza and the Castro live to the world—has served as an emotional lifeline to LGBTIQ people overseas who seek connection from isolation in their home countries. When Betty & Jen reached out to us years ago, they told us the paper strived for one thing: excellence. We believe the Bay Times has met and far surpassed that goal. The paper not only educates San Francisco and the world with up to the minute information, but also, for over 43 years from 1978 to 2021, it has created an invaluable historical record of San Francisco and its LGBTIQ community.
For years, we’d pick up the Bay Times from a metal news box in the Castro or some other part of the city—and the newspaper is still available in hard copy. But the reach of the Bay Times has expanded exponentially in recent years to a worldwide audience through its online presence. Indeed, we were gratified when representatives of the government of Taiwan reached out to us because they had read our column in the San Francisco Bay Times.
The newspaper is truly a Legend in its own time ... or should I say, San Francisco Bay “Times”! 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.
We also know first-hand that the Bay Times’ innovative Castro Street Cam—produced in collaboration with Cliff’s Variety and other Castro businesses and that streams Harvey Milk
Legacy Businesses ADULT Eros Good Vibrations ANIMAL CARE The Animal Company VIP Grooming ANIME Japan Video & Media ART GALLERY ArtHaus Gallery Canessa Gallery Galería de la Raza The Lab ARTS / CRAFTS / HOBBIES Arrow Stamp and Coin Co. F. Dorian Fireside Camera FLAX art & design Just for Fun National Picture Framing Centers Paper Tree The Hobby Company of San Francisco AUTOMOTIVE / MOTORCYCLE AJC Auto Body Cal’s Automotive Center California Choppers Faxon Garage Munroe Motors Royal Motor Sales Twin Peaks Auto Care BAKERY Boudin Bakery Cinderella Bakery & Café Dianda’s Italian American Pastry Company House of Bagels Noe Valley Bakery Pacita’s Salvadorean Bakery Schubert’s Bakery VIP Coffee & Cakes Shop Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop BAR/ ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Bimbo’s 365 Club Butter Cafe du Nord City Nights DNA Lounge/DNA Pizza Doc’s Clock El Rio Endup Finnegans Wake Gino and Carlo Great American Music Hall Ha-Ra Club Hockey Haven
Li Po Lounge Lone Star Saloon Make Out Room Moby Dick Old Ship Saloon Punch Line San Francisco Randy’s Place San Francisco Eagle Specs’ 12 Adler Museum Café St. Mary’s Pub The Ave Bar The Jazz Room The Plough and the Stars The Stud Uptown Zam Zam Zeitgeist BEER/WINE/LIQUOR Anchor Brewing Company California Wine Merchant The Jug Shop Val de Cole Wines & Spirits BICYCLE Ocean Cyclery BOOKSTORE Adobe Books Books Inc. City Lights Booksellers and Publishers Comix Experience Dog Eared Books Green Apple Books Russian Hill Bookstore The Booksmith BUTCHER Avedano’s Holly Park Market CATERING Knight’s Catering CHILD CARE Nihonmachi Little Friends CLOTHING Ambiance Cable Car Clothiers Couture Designer European Clothing Distractions Golden Bear Sportswear Rolo San Francisco CLUB/ASSOCIATION Analytical Psychology Club of San Francisco Bay View Boat Club Mechanics’ Institute COFFEE/TEA/CAFÉ Café International Farley’s Henry’s House of Coffee Sacred Grounds Café
COMMISSARY KITCHEN Eclectic Cookery FLOWER SHOP/ GARDEN CENTER Bo’s Flowers Stand Flowercraft Garden Center FOOD WHOLESALE, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION Casa Sanchez Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Mon Sing Noodle Co. Project Open Hand San Francisco Market Corporation Tin Wah Noodle Company Veritable Vegetable Washington Vegetable Company GAMES/TOYS Gamescape Jeffrey’s Toys GROCERY STORE/ DELICATESSEN Bi-Rite Market Courtney’s Produce Haight and Fillmore Whole Foods Le Beau Nob Hill Market Lucca Delicatessen Lucca Food & Wine Shop Marina Supermarket New World Market Noriega Market (Gus’s Market) Other Avenues Pearl Market Real Food Company S & S Grocery San Bruno Supermarket Ted’s Market and Delicatessen Valencia Whole Foods HAIR SALON Blade Runners Hair Studio Ocean Hair Design One Twenty For Hair HARDWARE Brownies Hardware Center Hardware Cliff’s Variety Cole Hardware G. Mazzei & Son Hardware Great Wall Hardware Papenhausen Hardware Soko Hardware HEALTH AND WELLNESS EHS Pilates Instituto Familiar de la Raza
Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco Kabuki Springs & Spa The Mindful Body World Gym San Francisco
San Francisco Prosthetic Orthotic Service Scarpelli and Associates Physical Therapy Spectacles of Union Square
HOME FURNISHINGS AND IMPROVEMENT Armstrong Carpet and Linoleum Company Gilmans Kitchens and Baths Rebuilding Together San Francisco Surfaces by David Bonk
METALWORKS Anco Iron & Construction Inc. Macchiarini Creative Design
HOTEL Beck’s Motor Lodge JEWELRY Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry Long Boat Jewelry Yadav Diamonds and Jewelry LABORATORY Anresco Laboratories LAUNDRY Fanta Cleaners Inc. LEGAL AIDS Legal Referral Panel La Raza Centro Legal Legal Assistance to the Elderly LOCKSMITH JHW Locksmith MANUFACTURER Ermico Enterprises Lorna Kollmeyer Ornamental Plaster
MUSEUM/HISTORIC PRESERVATION Cartoon Art Museum Chinese Historical Society of America GLBT Historical Society National Japanese American Historical Society, Inc. San Francisco Heritage NONPROFIT ARTS Clarion Performing Arts Center Creativity Explored Precita Eyes Muralists Association Ruby’s Clay Studio & Gallery NONPROFIT SERVICES Acción Latina Castro Country Club Community Boards Curry Senior Center Donaldina Cameron House GLIDE Horizons Unlimited Kimochi, Inc. Mission Graduates Natural Resources San Francisco Zen Center Shanti Project
MARTIAL ARTS Hwa Rang Kwan Martial Arts Center Korean Martial Arts Center Navarro’s Martial Arts Academy
PHARMACY Central Drug Store
MEDIA/FILM Bay Area Video Coalition Oddball Films Secret Studios
PUBLISHING Nichi Bei Foundation Potrero View San Francisco Bay Times San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper
MEDICAL/DENTAL/ OPTOMETRY 24th Street Dental For Your Eyes Only Optometry Lyon-Martin Community Health Services Mission Neighborhood Health Center San Francisco Natural Medicine
PRINTING Babylon Burning Image Conscious Lyra Corporation
REAL ESTATE Pier 39 Ltd Partnership RESTAURANT, AMERICAN Annie’s Hot Dogs Balboa Cafe
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GLBT Fortnight in Review Still in Kansas Because I’m still in Kansas, let me start off by telling you that the Democratic governor of the Sunflower State, Laura Kelly, vetoed the antitrans sports bill that Republicans passed through the legislature the other day. Subsequently, the lawmakers failed to override her veto, sending at least one of these bad bills to the bilge bin. Kelly has previously vetoed some eight other pieces of nastiness, although some of them have been resurrected. Still, it shows that it pays to have a Democrat in (Your State Capitol Here). Speaking of which, let’s put our community solidarity on the shelf when it comes to supporting Caitlyn Jenner for governor of California. Really, Cait? Who else thinks they’re smart enough and experienced enough to manage the fifth largest economy in the world? Any celebrity chefs or pro golfers ready to make a run? I know it wasn’t a good look to dodge Covid rules for a luxury din din at the French Laundry, but I think it’s best we just forgive and forget. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. And before we get into the meat of our column, I saw an item about two men living in University Heights, Ohio, who realized their rainbow flag was missing. Not again, I thought! Sometimes these stories come in bunches, and I had recently come across about three other rainbow flag incidents. Sure enough, all the nice people in what Pink News described as a “quiet, friendly” neighborhood were preparing to raise their own Pride flags in a gesture of support for the
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stoic gay family when the guys discovered that a raccoon had taken the banner, shredded it, and was using it to make a nest. Problem solved, hate crime off the table, and everyone in University Heights can live happily ever after. To the Courts! Amid the run of nine anti-GLBT laws now signed by red state governors across the land (a huge increase over recent years) I did notice something slightly positive, to wit a measure that repeals the anti-gay language in Alabama’s 1992 sex education law. The thirty-year-old law said state programs should include “an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of this state.” Governor Kay Ivey signed the repeal the other day, so that’s nice, I guess, (given that she previously signed one of the anti-trans sports bills). Seriously though, I think some of these states deliberately retain anachronisms throughout their code just for the hell of it. Didn’t Mississippi wait until this century to repeal slavery or something? Yes, I just checked and the Last on Every List State ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery in 2013. It makes one reevaluate the old expression “better late than never.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit just heard oral arguments in the challenge to Idaho’s anti-trans sports bill, the first of its kind that was passed early last year. I watched some of
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By Ann Rostow the arguments on YouTube, but our man’s audio was so screwed up I had to turn it off. After Idaho passed the law, it was put on hold by a federal judge, which allowed one of the two plaintiffs to try out for the Boise State women’s cross-country team as a transgender woman. She didn’t make the squad, which illustrates the absurdity of these efforts to “protect” cisfemale athletes. The judges on the panel included a friendly Obama appointee, a sleepy Clinton pick, and a fairly conservative George W. nominee, so we’ll see. A few days earlier, a federal court judge tossed a challenge to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s trans friendly sports policies, basing his decision on the High Court’s pro-GLBT ruling last June that placed GLBT rights under the umbrella of sex discrimination. The Alliance Defending Freedom (cue: boo, hiss) will appeal, but if courts continue to view these antitrans sports laws through the prism of impermissible sex discrimination, many if not all of them will be nullified. History Lessons My cousin sent Mel and me House Speaker John Boehner’s new book, which we were disposed to enjoy based on the snippets about how much he despises Ted Cruz and thinks the Tea Party House members were morons. Instead, we were sharply reminded of the simplistic, insular, unimaginative, and uncooperative world of the pre-Trump Republicans. Boehner has seemingly not given one thought to updating his 20th Century Reaganesque policy
blueprint in the decades since he was first elected to Congress. The son of a bar owner, he sounds like Chris Matthews on his worst day, speculating on the values of a mid-western male working class that belonged to a completely different generation of lunch-bucket buddies just trying to snatch a small piece of the post-war American dream. True, Boehner’s gang was nothing like the completely mad men and women now calling the shots in GOP politics. Indeed, compared to them, Boehner and his ilk are gentlemen and statesmen. But compared to Biden, they are the nay-saying small government pea-brains that have wasted trillions on wars, tax cuts, giveaways to the rich, and sheer ineptitude. I will try to remember that as I watch myself nodding approvingly from the sidelines at Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney. Vacation Tips Check out these four headlines from an April 30 news dispatch: “Severely beaten Uzbek blogger under house arrest after release from hospital,” “As many as 49 people are currently in jail for ‘homosexuality’ in Uzbekistan,” “Violence against LGBTI people in Kyrgyzstan intensifies,” and “Gay Latvian set on fire outside his home dies.” Last issue, I wrote a very condensed account of bad blood in Poland, where a right-wing wave has targeted gays and where maybe 100 towns have declared themselves “GLBTfree zones.” Indeed, I make no pretense at keeping close track of the state of affairs in the former soviet socialist republics, but it doesn’t look good, does it?
According to a recent study funded by “Open For Business,” a consortium of tech and financial companies, anti-gay politics and attitudes in four Eastern European countries are to blame for a 2 percent lower economic growth rate representing billions a year in lost opportunities. The report focused on Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania. Homosexuality is technically “legal” in all four, but there is no marriage equality and discrimination is rife. “Countries that are more open (in terms of LGBT+ rights) are generally speaking financially and economically in a much better place,” the report’s lead author George Perlov told Reuters. Remind you of anything? I’m thinking of Richard Florida’s turn of the century “creative class” theory, that tied a city’s economic growth to its openminded embrace of social and political innovation. The theory, now controversial, originated after Florida noticed a correlation between high achieving cities and gay acceptance back in the 1990s—or so I read somewhere back in the day. All I know is that a rigid, intolerant, conservative, mean city is not likely to attract high tech types, nor will it have much interest for artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Ergo, the theory still holds water from my point of view. What a Hunk! I was about to write about Alan Turing, the new face of the fiftypound note. But instead, I will lower my standards and turn to the controversy that surrounds the (continued on page 28)
California Might Spend $400 Million of Taxpayer Money for Useless Election
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History Louise “Lou” Fischer The nail-biter 2020 election was enough drama for most of us; 2021 was supposed to be the proverbial “night off” from an election in California. After a year of COVID-19 sheltering in place, replete with the drudgery of working from home, schooling from home, and relegating all social gatherings to video chat, we’re entitled to a break. However, after 5 tries, the 6th time’s the charm for a motley crew of Republican activists who could not accept that Gavin Newsom handily (by 62%) won the election for Governor in 2018. Republican campaign consultants and the posse of vendors who get paid real money are leaping in paroxysms of glee over the prospect of this unplanned election while underappreciated, beleaguered Democratic club volunteers are sitting shivah (mourning) because this was supposed to be a year of rest AND evil Republican crybabies are “going after our guy!”
The barrier to entry for a recall in California is ridiculously low—the signatures of a mere 12% of the votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election; in this case, 1,495,709 gets the recall on the ballot. If you want to climb out of your clown car and run in this election, you must be a U.S. citizen registered to vote in California, have never committed a felony involving bribery, and can shell out the bargain-basement price of $4,000. If you’re short on cash, gathering 7,000 signatures waives the filing fee, but don’t bribe anyone because that will disqualify you— shooting someone dead in the middle of 5th Avenue is apparently a lesser evil than bribery when running in a recall election. While it seemed unlikely to those of us in the “Democratic bubble,” on April 26, the Secretary of State announced that organizers gathered the required amount of signatures necessary to trigger the recall election. I guess the ill-timed fancy dinner in Napa at the height of the pandemic was the tipping point because most of the previously stated reasons, such as mandating all-electric cars by 2035 and allowing power companies to continue rolling blackouts to keep the state from burning to a crisp, were met with a collective yawn. The actual date of the election is undetermined and is dependent on multiple steps that are more complex than the Apollo 11 mission of landing astronauts on the moon and returning them safely to Earth. From April 26 to June 8, anyone who signed a recall petition can ask to have their name removed—just in case they had a change of heart or signed a petition thinking it was to save the spotted owls or ban hydraulic fracking.
After June 8, if there are still enough valid signatures, then the recall moves forward, the Department of Finance has 30 days to estimate the cost of the recall, and then the budget committee has 30 calendar days to review, after which our gal-pal Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis sets the date for the election. If each step took the maximum time allotted, the election could occur between October 6 and October 26, 2021, but despite all the draconian rules, the election could be pushed out to November. The ballot itself will be in two parts: a vote “yes” or “no” to remove the governor; and a vote for the chosen candidate. If a majority of voters say yes to the first question, the votes of the second question will be counted and whichever crazy clown or hasbeen porn star receives the most votes is our new governor, be it Caitlyn Jenner or some Republican wannabee such as John Cox who lost to Newsom in 2018. Here’s a tip (more of a directive): VOTE NO on the first question. There is talk in democratic circles of putting a “ just in case” candidate on the ballot, but that’s risky, and besides, who wants to be that guy (or gal)? Just ask former Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante how that worked out when he pulled that maneuver on Gray Davis in 2003—we ended up with Arnold Schwarzenegger. That said, Davis had an approval rating of less than 30% while current estimates put Newsom around 56% as long as he stays away from fancy dinners while telling the rest of us to stay home (or at least doesn’t get caught). While the Department of Finance won’t have a cost estimate until this summer, the county officials who
run the election have estimated the cost to balloon to $400 million due to continuing COVID-related precautions (yeah, we’re not done yet with this pesky pandemic). The average pre-pandemic cost in the March 2, 2020, presidential primary election was $12 per voter, but that figure increased to approximately $18 in the November 2020 election, due to the added requirements of statewide mailed ballots, protective gear for workers, and bigger facilities to accommodate social distancing. I can think of over a thousand more important things to do with that $400 million, such as hot meals for students, better computing platforms and broadband connections for the kids left behind by the digital divide, housing for the homeless, or interventions to stem the tide of fatal drug overdoses throughout the state, just to name a few. Moving forward, California needs to make it more difficult to put a recall on the ballot because 12% of all ballots cast in the last election for governor is not a high threshold. This special election is a waste of time and money. If you don’t like the current governor, be like 31 other states and vote him out after 4 years. By the Numbers 12,464,235 - number of votes cast for Governor in the last election; 1,495,709 - number of valid signatures needed for a recall (12% of votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election); 1,626,042 - the number of signatures deemed valid by the Secretary of State; 35 - the percentage of registered Republican voters in California in 2003;
24 - the percentage of registered Republican voters in California this year; 179 - recall attempts of state elected officials in California since 1913; 10 - recall efforts that collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot; 6 - number of times the elected official was recalled; 2003 - the last time a state elected office was recalled (Governor Gray Davis); 1921 - the year of the first successful recall of a governor (North Dakota’s Lynn J. Frazier was removed due to an economic downturn in the state’s agricultural sector); 19 - the number of states in the U.S. that allow recall elections. Louise (Lou) Fischer is a Former Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and has served as an appointed and elected Delegate for the State Democratic Party. She is a proud graduate of the Emerge California Women’s Democratic Leadership program, was a San Francisco Commissioner, and has served in leadership positions in multiple nonprofit and community-based organizations.
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How to Think About Money When ‘Me’ Becomes ‘We’ arrangements have been made in legal documents. If you are divorcing, things can get trickier. Business interests, 401(k) plans, and pensions may be community property, which means an ex-spouse could be entitled to a share of your retirement savings. But hey, this is a column about happier times, so let’s just leave it at choose your partner wisely and understand community property laws.
Money Matters Brandon Miller By her eighth marriage, Elizabeth Taylor was probably pretty accomplished at combining assets with a spouse. But most of us only get married once, maybe twice in our lives. So, figuring out how to handle money as a couple can be a little more challenging. If you’re new to the plunge, here are some things to consider as your thinking transitions from “me” to “we.” Community Property California is a community property state, so if you’re getting married here, you should understand how that impacts you. The assets and debts you come into the marriage with are considered separate property. But most everything you acquire as a couple is community property, split 50/50 between you. (Third-party gifts or inheritances received during your marriage are yours alone ... unless you mingle it with community property, such as in a joint bank account.) This may not seem important until one of the two Ds comes into play— death or divorce. If one spouse dies, any property held jointly or by the deceased spouse becomes the surviving spouse’s property, unless other
Cash Flow How you handle your money together is probably one of the biggest issues the two of you will have to negotiate. The hetero model of combining all of your money in one big pot doesn’t always work for LGBTQ+ couples, or even a lot of straight couples for that matter. There isn’t a right or wrong way to manage your cash flow, so work together to come up with something that you can both be happy with. One system that my clients have had tremendous success with is to have a monthly allowance spread over three accounts. Set up a joint account for all shared expenses from housing to food to gas for the cars. Include insurance, health-care premiums, deposits to joint savings accounts, and such, and remember to divide annual expenses by 12 to accurately account for your needs. Deposit that amount in your joint account each month, and divide the leftover allowance amount between the spouses. For example, if your monthly allowance is $10k and $8k is spent on shared expenses, you have $1k each to deposit into the individual accounts. Each spouse gets to spend their individual money however they wish. So, if one of you is a spender and one a saver, you both get to use your portion of the money however you want. This is an amazingly easy, yet effective, way to keep the peace and pay the bills.
Taxes One of the reasons that we fought so hard for marriage equality is that there are literally over 1,000 laws that offer benefits and protections only to couples with an official certification of their “I do” moment. Income, estate, and inheritance tax breaks are just the start of it. You also have the option of filing taxes jointly or separately, to work things to your advantage. And as long as you are hitched by December 31, the IRS considers you married for that whole tax year, so plan your big day accordingly! Estate Planning Have you already created your will or power of attorney or other financial documents? Good for you, but remember to change them from an “unmarried” person to a “married” one after your boo puts a ring on it. And make sure your beneficiaries are still the people you want to receive your generosity. Haven’t done your estate planning? Do it together because it really is one of the greatest acts of love you can show your partner. Insurance and Benefits Would you be better keeping your current health plan or going on your spouse’s program? Could you save money by grouping coverage for your home, cars, and more with one insurer? Options like these are yet another gift of marriage. Talking about money matters can feel intimidating, especially when you’re newly in love. But that’s also the best way for you and your spouse to minimize future money fights and capitalize on those “marriage” benefits you just acquired—the financial benefits, I’m talking about, of course. (continued on page 28)
Two Hatchbacks With Outdoorsy Style
Auto Philip Ruth Cars are dead. Long live tall hatchbacks! That’s the nature of this new breed of vehicle: a high-riding five-door with SUV-like styling.
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From its bold name, the Trailblazer seems most eager to go find some scenery. Trim levels confirm this, with an “Activ” trim that raises the ride height on a stiffer suspension with specific tires. The Activ’s design is enhanced with the look of skid plates molded into the plastic front and rear. It’s a lot of pretension for what is still a softroader in search of slippery gravel to do its best work, but maybe for some buyers, it’s enough to give the Trailblazer some SUV credibility. The Trailblazer has an odd way of summoning all-wheel drive; in fact, it doesn’t. It’s up to the driver to watch for a traction warning light on the instrument panel as a cue to hit a button to engage. This is so Chevy can keep the rear wheels out of the EPA mileage test. When it’s activated by the driver, the extra drag of AWD doesn’t count against it.
You could say we’re in the postmodern phase of SUV influence, as that brush has been applied to everything from sedans to minivans. With our two South Korean-made subjects, the Chevrolet Trailblazer RS AWD and Hyundai Venue SEL, we uncover varied levels of off-roading intentions beneath their rugged exteriors.
This shows the Trailblazer to be a car at heart. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Venue doesn’t bother with fourwheeled grip; its outdoorsy look is pulled forth by the fronts only. This represents a clean break from the Trailblazer’s earnest gestures toward the wilderness, or at least state parks. Contrast that with the Venue, where Hyundai says it’s OK to look like one thing and perform as another.
The Trailblazer and Venue are not direct competitors—you’d line up the smaller Chevy Trax with the Venue—but these two are useful in terms of defining what buyers actually want from their transportation, however it is sized and shaped. Besides, their entry-level base prices are within $250 of each other.
These different approaches lead to two vehicles that proved to be versatile and likeable. The Trailblazer gives a choice of two three-cylinder engines, and I was mostly content with the performance the larger one gave in the tester. The Venue has just one four-cylinder, and it was perky around town.
Chevrolet Trailblazer RS AWD
Hyundai Venue SEL
Despite the contrived visuals, I thought both looked appealing. The Trailblazer RS I drove came in a vibrant “Oasis Blue” with sculpted black framing. Strong horizontal emphasis in the lines gave it an authoritative look, which is rare in subcompact crossovers. The Venue highlights its tall-boy proportions— at first sight, I thought “London taxi”—and it’s just about as cute as cars come these days. The Trailblazer can be had with a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control, with a price to match. The Venue does without high-ticket items for a simpler array of conveniences. Both are functional and endearing, once you scratch their stylized surfaces. Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
Message from Leadership
Power Lunch 2021 GGBA CALENDAR
By Michael Gunther Once a year we have an opportunity to come together, as the Golden Gate Business Association Community, to celebrate business leaders and our corporate partners while also providing networking, sales, and marketing opportunities for our members. This year’s Power Lunch is especially important as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic to show our resilience and strength as a community. Through our Virtual Power Lunch 2021, you will have the opportunity to be inspired by leaders who were driven to thrive in these difficult times, learn new ideas to assist you in rebuilding your business, and promote your business through an online exhibit hall. Plus, you can rekindle past business connections as well as create new business relationships to lay a strong foundation for growth this coming summer.
GGBA Member Spotlight
I encourage you not only to attend the Power Lunch session but also to join the workshops and networking events sprinkled throughout the day. This is the time for us to show our leadership as a community, like we have done so many times in the past, to ensure that we all excel this year and beyond. I also challenge you to invite other business leaders you know to join the Power Lunch event to expand our sphere of influence, grow our membership, and highlight our mission. Strength does come from adversity and this year has been a year of adversity—so come celebrate with us as we showcase the strength and innovation our members have exhibited this past year as we prepare you for the future ahead. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/3wvt48ry Michael Gunther is the President of GGBA. He is also the founder of Collaboration Business Consulting: https://tinyurl.com/y6eaqbne
Cate Steane of Make It Happen Preparedness Services Photos courtesy of Cate Steane
Cate Steane, the founder and owner of Make It Happen Preparedness Services, did not set out to be good at emergency preparedness. The emergencies—the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, the Oakland Hills fire in 1991, the Wine Country fires in 2017, and more—kept finding her. Here, Steane explains how she and her select team of specialty contractors make preparedness happen for businesses. GGBA: Given all of the emergencies we have experienced in California, your business seems needed now more than ever. Please tell us about it. Cate Steane: You’re catching me at a—I’m so tired of the word “pivot” that I’m going to call it a swivel—point. My business, Make It Happen Preparedness Services, has been focused entirely on emergency preparedness for businesses. Did I mention that I’m based in Sonoma County, the home of annual wildfires and power shutoffs, spiced up with the occasional flood or earthquake? Of course, every business needs emergency preparedness training and planning. But few businesses understand its risk mitigation value proposition. It’s not an investment priority for them. So, I’m broadening my focus to include additional workplace safety services that businesses actually want, or need to have in order to get something they want. For example, I’m now trained as a Pandemic Compliance Advisor. If a business wants to bring employees and customers back into the workplace or wants to put on an event, I’m that master of detail who can ask about your goals and challenges, study the relevant regulations and guidelines, research implementation tools, and work with you to create procedures that will protect your customers, employees, and ass(ets). My training was particularly focused on safely producing meetings and events. A colleague asked me whether I do fleet safety programs. So, I’m doing some market research now to see what fleet managers are using currently and what they see as missing from the market. If I go in that direction, I may use the tagline “safety training that doesn’t suck.” I may need to do a little work on my mission to encompass this broader workplace safety vision. Our values will remain unchanged: • build competence and confidence; • provoke action; • achieve excellence; • act with integrity in all things;
TransNational Cabaret Takes the Virtual Stage Monday, May 10, and Thursday, June 10 Tickets are pay-what-you-wish starting at $5 Featuring a diverse array of Trans artists from across the country including Polly Amber Ross, Kimiyah Prescott, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, StormMiguel Florez, Zad Gravebone, and Ezra Reaves. Transcultural. Transformative. Transcendent. Artists from across the country unite to unearth the joy, power, and magic of being Trans in this effervescent celebration. Register: https://www.nctcsf.org/TransNational-Cabaret StartOut Presents: Peer Pressure: A Peer Coaching Event Tuesday, May 11 4 pm–5:15 pm 1-hour peer-to-peer speed coaching event for professionals of any industry.
• treat everyone with respect and kindness.
The host has built experiences for Airbnb, the Downtown Alliance, Girl Scouts, Ketel One, the Brooklyn Museum, and more.
GGBA: Why did you decide to create your business?
Register: https://tinyurl.com/38jyhk2e
Cate Steane: I call myself an involuntary entrepreneur. There are a LOT of us in the over-50 demographic. The industry I had been working in was done with me before I was done with it. When I lost my last job at age 58, finding new work in this semi-rural county turned out to be impossible in my field, and other industries didn’t see my skills as transferable.
Power Lunch 2021: Kick Off Event
Cate Steane
I realized that the only one who is going to employ me was me. So, I looked at what I am uniquely good at and started to build a business.
Funny story about ProVisors. It has a huge LGBTQ+ and Allies affinity group. I attended my first meeting of this group recently. As we shared stories in breakout rooms, I realized that at least 2/3 of the participants were allies. I met very few actual queer people. I got to spend two hours listening to the allies’ stories of how wonderfully they responded to their brother’s/daughter’s/grandchild’s coming out. GGBA: Why did you decide to join the GGBA, and how long have you been a member? Cate Steane: I’m a newbie. I joined just a few months ago. GGBA: Although you’ve only been a member of the GGBA for a short time, has it helped your business so far? Cate Steane: Because of my membership in GGBA, I was able to apply for certification as an LGBTQ-owned business for free. That certification will be a huge advantage for me as I move toward working with
Join us at the Kick Off Party to network with likeminded people and make some business connections. We are partnering with StartOut to bring you more business resources. We’ll also touch on how to login to the virtual platform in order to get the most out of the event. Register: https://tinyurl.com/afkebk7s Power Lunch 2021 Virtual Experience Wednesday, May 26 11:30 am–1 pm $75 All GGBA members will receive a free booth at the Power Expo valued at $500.
GGBA: Who are some of your role models, and especially those who helped to inf luence your business? Cate Steane: One has been Ana-Marie Jones, the preparedness guru better known as Ms. Duct Tape. I’m also finding some kickass role models in the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and a referral group I belong to called ProVisors.
Tuesday, May 25 5:30 pm–6:30 pm The Power Lunch is the GGBA’s Annual Signature Event. In 2021 we are bringing the Power Lunch programming to you virtually: Resilient Business, Strong Community.
businesses with supply chain diversity targets. GGBA: Do you go to the GGBA monthly Make Contact networking events (now virtual)? Have they benefited you and your business, and would you recommend them to others? Cate Steane: That’s easy for me to do now when everything is remote. If we go back to 100% in person, that will be a round-trip of at least three hours for every meeting. So, I hope we will retain some online meetings. GGBA: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business? Cate Steane: Do your market research before you spend money on anything else. Identify the type of person or business you would be selling to and interview 10 of them to see if there is truly a demand for what you plan to offer. A demand is different from a need. A demand is a need with cash attached to it. Ask people how much they would be willing to spend for your product or service. If there is not a robust demand, find something else to do or produce.
Once a year, we have an opportunity to experience the power of connecting, the power of learning and the power of our diverse community coming together. Our Power Lunch event this year is even more important in laying a solid foundation in building resilience and strength in our GGBA community. Join us for an elevated, interactive virtual experience that will provide opportunities to network with other businesses, pitch your business to our corporate partners, have an online exhibit space with your own company video, be inspired by leaders, and learn from the experts. Register: https://tinyurl.com/4scb5ymz
Secondly, get an individual coach. Make it a part of your startup budget; don’t wait for that mythical time when you have enough revenue to support the cost. You need it at startup more than any other time and you can waste a vast amount of time and money without proper direction. You’ll find so many people offering group coaching programs. That’s because group coaching is really lucrative for the coach. It’s not because it’s the best use of the business owner’s time. Finding a coach who will focus 100% on your individual product or service and help you with the areas where you need more development will end up being more cost-efficient for you, because it is more time-efficient. For more information about Make It Happen Preparedness Services: https://www.makeithappenps.com/ S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Supporting Small Businesses in the Castro & Beyond
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A familiar, colorful site on Market Street is Beck’s Motor Lodge, which has been welcoming visitors to the Castro since 1958 when the neighborhood was known as Eureka Valley. The recent renovation modernized guestrooms, revamped the building’s paint, and installed a fast, new elevator. The “buzz” about Beck’s also includes rooftop honeybee hives that help combat the worldwide honeybee colony collapse. With travel increasing again as cities here in California and elsewhere move to less restrictive COVID-19 tiers, Beck’s is poised to be a home away from home for your friends and relatives visiting from out of town. For readers in other parts of the Bay Area, it also makes for a fun staycation base that is a short distance to other Castro adventures. Check out the Lodge’s comfortable, stylish digs: https://becksmotorlodge.com/gallery/
Skin on Market 2299 Market Street 415-875-7546 http://www.skinonmarket.com/index.html Founder/Owner Deedee Crossett and her team at Skin on Market have a mission to educate guests about achieving healthy, sexy skin while offering “insanely great customer service.” They call it “skinformation.” Crossett explains why she wanted to become a skin care therapist: “Growing up I loved the ‘beauty’ industry, but didn’t know it was possible to make it a career. I went to college and did the corporate career thing, but I struggled with my skin and started looking for answers. I become obsessed with spa services and products. I decided to become an esthetician and open my own vocational school. Before opening the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, I worked at the Nob Hill Spa and trained with different skin care lines before committing to Dermalogica. The education with Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute is unparalleled and the results speak for themselves.” Her favorite Dermalogica products are the Special Cleansing Gel, Antioxidant Hydrating Mist, and Lip Renewal Complex. But mull over Skin on Market’s extensive line to see which ones you like best. Services include 30 to 60-minute facial treatments, waxing, BioActive Peels, and more.
Double Rainbow Ice Cream
Double Rainbow’s “delicious story” is as follows: 1970s - It is 1976 and two childhood friends open their first ice cream parlor as a double rainbow lights up the San Francisco sky. 1980s - A little recognition never hurts. Double Rainbow gets voted best ice cream in America. 1990s - Some local love, the mayor of San Francisco proclaims Double Rainbow as the city’s official ice cream. ‘Til Infinity - Double Rainbow remains a family-owned business and continues its tradition of making award-winning ice cream, using only the best ingredients. Plant-based, custard, and organic ice creams are available. One of our favorite flavors is It’s a Goody, with ribbons of peanut butter and rich fudge chips swirled in vanilla. But then there’s Chocolate & Vanilla Malt, Vanilla & Strawberry Lemon, Mango Tangerine Sorbet, and too many others to list here. Don’t forget the shakes, such as rich Chocolate that blends light and darker flavors for the ultimate luscious drinkable dessert.
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area
2222 Market Street Noon–8 pm 415-621-8212 https://tinyurl.com/282uukn9
Last June’s announcement that Double Rainbow Ice Cream would be returning to the Castro with a scoop shop offered a rare uplifting story during the pandemic. Now open in the heart of the neighborhood, the shop has fast become one of the most popular destinations for a sweet treat.
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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)
Featured Legacy Business: Beck’s Motor Lodge
415 Castro Street 415-757-0657 https://www.doublerainbow.com/
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Photos by Juan R. Davila
‘Hospice by the Bay’ Is Now ‘By the Bay Health’ Founded over 45 years ago, Hospice by the Bay is the oldest nonprofit hospice in California, and has been a trusted provider of hospice care and other services. Cherished throughout the Bay Area and the communities in which it serves, it has a legacy of providing patients with optimal care during some of the most vulnerable periods of the human experience. Recently, the venerable nonprofit announced its new name, By the Bay Health. The name change is designed to reflect the organization’s growing service lines, which now include hospice care, skilled home health care services, palliative care (comfort care), pediatric care, and grief counseling. With its origins as a hospice care provider, By the Bay Health has evolved its home-based health care services to meet patients early on in their health journey in the efforts to provide compassionate care at every stage of life. As the nation’s aging population continues to rise, By the Bay Health has developed services lines that allow patients to transition from rehabilitation care to higher levels of personalized care seamlessly, contributing to fewer hospitalizations and prolonged hospital stays. The organization continues to meet the rising demand for more options with regards to innovative home health care services and is committed to expanding its services, beyond hospice care, to more patients within Bay Area and Northern California communities. By the Bay Health’s affiliation with University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health has contributed to the growing expansion of service lines, allowing the organization to offer one of the highest physician-to-patient ratios in Northern California. This valued partnership grants patients the access to shared resources and clinical expertise from one of the world’s most renowned medical institutions. By the Bay Health is dedicated to creating a safe, confidential space where individuals feel comforted and understood as one navigates the challenges and changes that follow the loss of a loved one. Grief support and education on endof-life care are also offered to families, caregivers, and the community-at-large. Professionally trained counselors offer support and comfort to those who are anticipating or coping with the loss of a loved one through virtual grief counseling, support groups, and workshops. By the Bay Health is a local nonprofit and has offices in Larkspur, San Francisco, and Sonoma, and serves patients in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Alameda Counties, as well as American Canyon, Napa, and Vallejo. The organization also offers bilingual services in Chinese and Spanish to patients and families. For more information about their services, or to make a donation, call 415-927-2273 or visit https://bythebayhealth.org/
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Victory Fund 30th Anniversary Celebration The Victory Fund, a political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBTQ public officials in the U.S., celebrated on May 2 three decades of advocacy and work. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke and congratulated the organization on its many successes. Unveiled was the new LGBT Hall of Fame honoring a select group of leaders—past and present—from throughout the nation. Local Bay Area honorees included LGBT icons Harvey Milk, José Sarria, Roberta Achtenberg, and James Hormel. Activist Cleve Jones, a featured speaker, conveyed his experiences and memories of working with Supervisor Milk. A stirring performance of Andrew Lippa’s “I Am Harvey Milk” by J. Harrison Ghee, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and the Broadway All-Star Men’s Chorus closed the program. https://victoryfund.org/
The Broadway All-Star Men’s Choir performed Andrew Lippa’s “I Am Harvey Milk.”
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Noe Valley Home of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon Receives Landmark Designation
Photos courtesy of Kendra Mon
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on May 4 voted to pass an ordinance that will designate 651 Duncan Street—the former longtime home of lesbian activists Del Martin (1921–2008) and Phyllis Lyon (1924–2020)—a landmark. The decision itself is history-making, marking the first such designation for a property in the western U.S. due to significance primarily concerning the lesbian community. Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Dean Preston, Aaron Peskin, Ahsha Safai, and Gordon Mar sponsored the ordinance. Members of our San Francisco Bay Times team as well as “Betty’s List” fondly remember visits to the Noe Valley home perched atop a steep grade. Del and Phyllis would warmly greet visitors who could include everyone from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Bay Times columnist and former National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director/CEO Kate Kendell.
The steps, leading from the living room to the upper level in their home, were a favorite spot on multiple occasions for Del and Phyllis to pause for photographs.
The recent vote specifically calls for the following: designation as a landmark “consistent with the standards set forth in Article 10 of the Planning Code; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.” There are numerous technicalities associated with this article of the Planning Code, which may be found in its entirety here: https://tinyurl.com/2vm8r82m At the very least, a brass plaque will be placed in front of the home, which was sold in 2020. The sale included an adjacent vacant lot at 649 Duncan. The group “Friends of the Lyon-Martin House,” however, has indicated to other media outlets that they wish to do more with the properties. The GLBT Historical Society is a fiscal sponsor of the group: https://bit.ly/2PQRqHQ
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Adventures of a Lefty Lesbian
Photos by Rink
Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011
525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT HOLGATE
PHOTO BY WILL ZANG
2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113
E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men. We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community. The Bay Times is proud to be the only newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco that has always been 100% owned and operated by LGBT individuals. Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors
Beth Greene, Michael Delgado, John Signer, Abby Zimberg Design & Production
Kate Laws Business Manager Blake Dillon Calendar Editor
Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director Carla Ramos Web Coordinator Mario Ordonez Distribution
Juan R. Davila Volunteer Coordinator CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Kate Kendell, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Julie Peri, Jennifer Kroot, Robert Holgate, Dennis McMillan, Tim Seelig, John Chen, Rafael Mandelman, Jewelle Gomez, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Bill Lipsky, Elisa Quinzi, Liam Mayclem, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Derek Barnes, Marcy Adelman, Jan Wahl, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Michele Karlsberg, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Lou Fischer, Karin Jaffie, Brett Andrews, Karen E. Bardsley, David Landis, Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Deborah Svoboda, Devlin Shand, Kristopher Acevedo, Darryl Pelletier, Morgan Shidler, JP Lor ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only. CALENDAR Submit events for consideration by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com © 2021 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas
Out of Left Field Robert Holgate & Jennifer Kroot
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Pam and Cheryl with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda (2018)
“The lesbians have disappeared,” notes Pam David, the lifelong civil rights activist and organizer, who feels she’s not hearing the “L word” as much these days. Reminiscing with us, Pam describes San Francisco’s vibrant lesbian community that lasted decades, “along the Valencia Street corridor, there was a lesbian presence. I worked at Artemis, a lesbian restaurant. Down the street was a lesbian bookstore, craft store, and women’s bathhouse. On 18th Street was the Women’s Building and Full Moon Coffeehouse. Plus, there were our bars. They’re all gone.” Pam forged her progressive values as a teenager when her older sister took her to an SDS meeting in 1967. “I became politicized around civil rights and the Vietnam War,” she tells us for the San Francisco Bay Times. “I wanted to protest at the ’68 Democratic Convention, but my parents locked me in the house.” Later, she became a gofer for the Chicago Seven during their trial. In 1972, Pam was a sophomore at Pitzer College and met Guy Caraway, staff at the Highlander Folk School, a birthplace of the civil rights movement. Pam traveled with him to Appalachia where she spent 9 months living with families and working on issues of strip mining, black lung, and welfare reform. “As a city girl,” she says, “I saw close-up rural poverty and rural racism for the first time.” At the same time, during a workshop at Highlander, an ex-nun handed Pam the Redstockings Manifesto, introducing her to the feminist movement. Her time in Appalachia cemented her politics, and she remained an activist on her return to California. She also came out (via softball, of course) while in graduate school at Stanford, and then taught at San Francisco State’s Women’s Studies Program. “San Francisco in the ‘70s felt like a small town, but there was lots going on. As a lefty lesbian, it was very exciting,” Pam recalls. “George Moscone becoming mayor represented a break from the longtime Republican leadership of San Francisco.” But she had no idea that it was all about to unravel. “We were reeling from the Jonestown massacre, and then Dan White crawled into City Hall and shot George and Harvey,” she says. “The cops protected White. The relationship between the gay community and the police was already fragile, but it exploded. It was the most intense time of my life.” Pam recalls police raiding the lesbian bar, Peg’s Place. “Lots of people got beat up, so we formed Lesbians Against Police Violence. We did guerrilla theater around town to educate people.” When White got off on manslaughter charges, Pam joined the street protests, which devolved into the White Night Riots. “It was a police riot, the police instigated the violence,” she remembers. “A group of us stretched
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Cheryl Lazar & Pam David with Al Baum
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Activists Tre Allen, Ken Jones, Pam David, Gabriel Haaland, Lito Sandoval and Alex U Inn at the GLBT Historical Society Museum celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the 1987 Lesbian and Gay March on Washington (2017)
Pam with wife, Cheryl Lazar (2016)
along the steps of City Hall. We were peaceful, but they attacked with clubs and tear gas.” Pam notes that in the early days of the LGBTQ movement, “it was a struggle to put the word ‘lesbian’ into people’s consciousness.” She explains, “As usual, women were invisible. Everything was ‘gay.’ There was the Gay Pride Parade, and gay this and that.” In 1990, Mayor Art Agnos appointed Pam to the Office of Community Development, which made her the first out lesbian appointed to a San Francisco mayor’s staff. She worked for 3 mayors for twelve years, eventually heading up the office. But, she was dismayed at the rampant misogyny and power plays in City Hall. Offered a position in private philanthropy, Pam left in 2002 to continue her work supporting the nonprofit sector.
Pam and Cheryl with (left to right) Diane Jones, Roma Guy, Dr. Marcy Adelman and other friends at the Horizons Foundation Annual Gala held at the Fairmont Hotel (2017)
Pam has mixed feelings about Newsom’s performance as mayor. “He did some good things, like marriage equality,” she says, “but also fired several great women. But, he’s matured. As governor, he’s brought in some of the smartest, most experienced women I know. And I have a soft spot for him because he officiated my marriage.” Thinking back, Pam reflects, “We weren’t fans of marriage. The history is about ownership of women, but when the right wing wanted to take it away from us, it pissed me off and I wanted us to be married! Honestly, it validated our relationship in a way I never imagined, even to my mother.” Pam and Cheryl met in 1986 at Sofia’s, a lesbian bar: “Cher and I had known of each other, but hadn’t ever met, much less talked—and talk we did, as well as dance and laugh. I wasn’t ready for a relationship, and friends were worried I was ‘too political’ for her. But every time we got together it was magic.” In 2018, Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer. Pam shares she “didn’t want to miss a moment with Cheryl,” so she put her work on hold. Cheryl passed away in July 2020. Shortly after Cheryl’s death, Pam went to a farmers’ market. “I was the
Pam David with Jewelle Gomez, Robert Holgate and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman at the Openhouse Spring Fling held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel (2018)
cook in the family, so I always bought for two people. Anyway, I was buying something from a vendor and he asked how much I wanted. I had no idea. I said, ‘I don’t know,’ and burst into tears.” She says, “It feels like part of me went with her. And part of her is with me, but not in the way I want it to be.” Pam adds, “I don’t think grief is something you get through. Grief changes you, and stays with you always. Because it’s the flip side of love. I plan to love Cheryl forever. So, I will grieve for her forever.” When Pam left the foundation world, she talked about being “rewired, not retired.” Though taking her time after Cheryl’s death, Pam says she’s not done, but isn’t sure what she’ll do next. Meanwhile, she and her dog,
Ruby, are enjoying the outdoors and a quiet, slower pace. Jennifer Kroot is a filmmaker, known for her award-winning LGBTQ themed documentaries, including “The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin” and “To Be Takei.” She studied filmmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she has also taught. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A humanitarian, as well as a designer, Robert Holgate is dedicated to critical social issues. With his hands-on approach to philanthropy and social justice, he supports the advancement of local and national social causes. For more information: https://www.rhdsf.com/
Becoming Out
By Adam Sandel
Coming out does not happen overnight. In my case, it was more of a long evening. I guess I was always bisexual. I was attracted to both women and men during my formative years in L.A.—as a theatre kid in high school and then at UCLA. But I always dreamed of marrying a woman and raising children. And then I did. I married a wonderful young woman and raised three beautiful daughters in Santa Cruz, supporting them by teaching English at several community colleges, and keeping a hand in show biz as an arts writer and film critic for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. As time went on, certain things came into focus, including the fact that I was gay. After an amicable divorce, I felt the need to return to San Francisco, where my wife and I had attended grad school. This began the toughest transition of my life—from being a full-time dad to a single gay man. I would later capture the experience in my screenplay Dave’s New World. I came out to my close friends and siblings while explaining our divorce. They all understood. My father had passed, but I’d postponed
coming out to my mother, who had been fearful that I was gay throughout my teenage and college years.
PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS
Coming Out Stories Adam Sandel
to prove that it didn’t need to be. Nevertheless, Carol Channing outed me to my mother.
I also interArriving in San viewed Ian Francisco, I was McKellen, soon writing one of the first arts stories and major actors to celebrity intercome out. He Adam Sandel with Christopher Goodwin at views for The explained to the Academy of Friends Oscar Gala Bay Area Reporter me that there and the San Francisco Examiner— are many young people who are which gave me great access to the struggling with their sexuality. local arts and LGBT communities. When someone who is well-known or admired comes out, it can help One of my interviews for the BAR those who are struggling. I liked was with Carol Channing, who that idea. was doing a concert with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. My mother was a fan of hers, so I clipped out the interview (making sure that there were no ads for escorts or bathhouses on the back) and sent it to her. My sister called me and said, “You’d better call Mom. She knows.”
My mother’s reasoning had been, “Why would they choose Adam to write a story about the Gay Men’s Chorus ... ?” So, I rang her up and we had the talk. She ultimately understood, and ended by saying, “It’s a hard life.” I was determined
One day my writing partner Richard Link (with whom I’d written a musical) suggested that we write a song for the Gay Games to be held that year in Sydney, Australia. I wrote the lyrics and he wrote the music to the song “Watch Me Shine,” an anthem of overcoming obstacles to be your true self. We took it to the then San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Director Kathleen McGuire, who chose it for the group to perform at the Gay Games concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Adam Sandel with the Newsoms at the GLAAD Media Awards
Needing to be there, I explained to the three deans at my three colleges why I had to be away for 10 days. This was my coming out to them. They were thrilled. I wasn’t out to my students, but as I was explaining my upcoming absence to my most conservative class in Livermore (where the boys wore John Deere hats), they kept asking about the song and the event. I finally said, “It’s called the Gay Games.” Silence. Then: “Can we hear the song?”
Since media images are so vital, I spent six years volunteering for GLAAD, including three years as SF Leadership Council Chair and Co-Chair of the SF GLAAD Media Awards. Supporting LGBT immigrants is urgent, life-saving work, so I spent four years as a Founding Board Member and Director of Fundraising and Events for The LGBT Asylum Project. This work has brought me more satisfaction and friendships than I could possibly list here.
I took a breath and played the song, looking down as they listened. When the song ended, they applauded. It was a rough three minutes, but I figured that Ian McKellen would be proud of me. I’ve been out to my students ever since.
I’ve continued my creative projects, including the satirical web series The Gay Husbands of San Francisco (now on YouTube). Everything came full circle when I met my partner Christopher Goodwin, an actor and producer who had also been married to a woman and is raising a son. We’re collaborating on TV projects, and this year we celebrated our 3rd anniversary on Inauguration Day. New beginnings abound.
Hearing “Watch Me Shine” performed at the Sydney Opera House inspired us to write a musical revue of the same name, about the history of the LGBT experience. While researching the show, I realized that these are my people, our struggles, our accomplishments. The show premiered as an SF Pride event, and I’ll never forget feeling the audience react as one, as the songs tackled homophobia, AIDS, pride—and coming out.
Becoming out was essential for me. But dedicating my time and talents to those who need it most has given me the greatest satisfaction. Adam Sandel is an Emmynominated screenwriter and playwright who is also a journalist and activist.
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Imperial Council of San Francisco - Coronation 56 Each year the Imperial Court of San Francisco elects and announces at its annual gala a new Emperor and Empress. For 2021, an online show was held on Sunday, April 24, with virtual performances in addition to a live staging originating from The Oasis. Hosted by reigning Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa, the program began with remarks from Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great. The national anthems of Mexico, Canada, and the United States were sung respectively by Grand Duchess 18 of Anchorage, Zaide Manzano; Empress 35 of Vancouver, BC, Jaylene Tyme; and Absolute Empress 30 of San Francisco, Donna Sachet. Among the highlights of the multifaceted event was a unique Las Vegas-themed performance led by Emperor Bulkley: “A Bedtime Story from The Emperor.” Candidates Ehra Amaya, David Glamamore, and Juanita MORE! also gave memorable performances. The evening culminated with the crowning of the new monarch, Emperor XLVIV David Glamamore, and Empress LVI Juanita MORE! Ehra Amaya merits a shout out too, as she is a nurse, both in and out of drag, specializing in infection prevention. Thank you for helping others during this pandemic time of great need, Nurse Amaya! https://essentialehra.com/ On Sunday, following the Saturday evening event, the new Emperor and Empress led members and friends to Colma for the annual visit to the grave of Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, José Saria. To find out more, watch the show ( https://www.twitch.tv/videos/999775110 ) and download the Coronation 56 program: https://tinyurl.com/bjhj9m7k http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/
Divas & Drinks @ The Academy The San Francisco Bay Times on April 29 co-presented the virtual event Divas & Drinks @ The Academy, hosted deftly by legendary entertainer and Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet. Team MECCA 2.0, represented by Kelly Gilliam and business partner Tina Dollison, took on Team Olivia, with Tisha Floratos and DJ Rockaway, for the live game show portion of the event where contestants were asked questions about well-known women of the past and present. Talented DJ Rockaway kicked off the evening spinning tunes, and continued to do so during dance breaks throughout the show, which also highlighted cocktail demos curated by Heather Freyer of Bacardi. The demos featured not only Freyer, but also bartenders from the Midnight Sun and Wayfare Tavern.
Moderator Donna Sachet
At the end, author, activist, and Bay Times columnist Jewelle Gomez introduced the featured mystery guest, Margaret Cho, who shared her thoughts about women whom she admires and who have inspired her life and work. If you missed the event and would like to watch (and learn which team won), The Academy has archived it at their Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/3tavrwrc
Celebrity Guest Margaret Cho
Jewelle Gomez
Team Olivia
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Team MECCA 2.0
Heather Freyer
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DJ Rockaway
Wayfare Tavern Bartender
Midnight Sun Bartender Steven
Donna’s Chronicles
“It feels so great to wear heels again! –Donna Sachet,
emerging from the pandemic
By Donna Sachet
A
Calendar
s we write this issue’s column, the San Francisco Bay Times joins the list of Legacy Businesses in San Francisco. Nominated by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, the San Francisco Bay Times was determined by the Small Business Commission to meet qualifications of having “made a significant impact on the history or culture of their neighborhood.” According to the city website, “preserving our longstanding businesses is critical to maintaining that which makes San Francisco a special place.” So, kudos and congratulations to the Bay Times! The first ever virtual San Francisco Imperial Coronation on April 24 exceeded all expectations, protecting its 55 years of important traditions and pageantry, while opening the event up to a much larger audience. It began with beautifully produced videos of performances of the National Anthems of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, the three nations that have active chapters of the International Court System of which San Francisco is the Founding Mother Court. Emcees for the evening were Emperor XLVII, After Norton, Terrill Grimes Munro and Absolute Empress LIV Baby Shaques Munro, offering a witty combination of casual humor and appropriate grandeur. Many elements of Imperial Coronation 56: Get Lit, a Novel Idea were prerecorded, including Command Performances, Anniversary Monarch presentations, and messages from dignitaries, but the live portions were from the familiar main stage of Oasis, providing red velvet curtains and professional lighting with grand props such as the Imperial thrones. Co-chairs of the ball, Cameron Stiehl and Absolute Empress XXXVI Chablis, skillfully wove these live and prerecorded segments into a seamless evening, much to the amazement of many and the delight of all. Emperor XLVIII, A.N., William Bulkley and Absolute Empress LV Mimi Osa offered remembrances of their just completed reign with performances and photographs in the online program, as well as distributing the thousands of dollars they raised during that year to their selected charitable organizations. Over its 55 years, the Imperial Court of San Francisco has raised and distributed funds adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. They have made a significant difference in the success of many nonprofit groups and their charitable work. Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole the Great and King Father of the Americas Terry Sidie each provided recorded messages, Miss Pearl Teese, Miss Rahni Nothingmore, and the 36th Grand Duchess of San Francisco Landa Lakes gave standout performances, and the candidates for Emperor and Empress entertained. As loyal readers well know from last issue’s column, this was one of the most hotly contested elections in recent history, with Ehra Amaya and Juanita MORE! running for Empress and Mr. David Glamamore for Emperor. Their lively campaigns came to a conclusion the Saturday before with record voting in the Castro, Polk, and SOMA of over 1400 votes, with the results to be revealed this night. As the candidates were sequestered live, Imperial Crown Andrew Hirst Munrose and Imperial Crown Princess The One and Only Rexy took their final walks, the new Board of Directors was named, and William Bulkley and Mimi Osa received their official titles, rings, numbers, and other recognition. Then, Imperial Council Chair John Carrillo unsealed the results of the election and announced newly elected Emperor Mr. David Glamamore and Empress Juanita MORE! who were then crowned with all the pomp and circumstances for which the Imperial Court has been known since its origin.
a/la Sachet Sunday, May 9 Mother’s Day Show them some love today! Saturday, May 15 Empress’ Bake Sale Culinary delights from the Imperial Kitchens of San Francisco Castro Stitchery (formerly The Mask Shop), 4072 18th Street Noon–4 pm www.imperialcouncilsf.org Wednesday, May 26 GGBA Power Lunch Virtual expo, networking, speakers 11:30 am–1 pm $40–75 www.ggba.com Thursday, May 27 Petchitecture, Pets Are Wonderful Support Virtual gala for Shanti’s PAWS 6–7 pm FREE! www.shanti.org
The traditional annual Pilgrimage to Colma the following day was not possible due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, but nevertheless, the Empresses of San Francisco held their ceremonial cleaning of the Rainbow Honor Walk plaque for Our Beloved Founder José Sarria in the Castro and the presentation of the Empresses’ veil. A small group then made a personal visit to the gravesites of José Sarria and Emperor of the United States Joshua Norton, laying flowers and paying respects to these historic figures. We counted 11 Empresses in attendance and we know José Sarria would have been proud of the entire weekend. There is much more to come from the Imperial Court as these new Monarchs take their place and begin to make their marks. The Bay Times new event Divas & Drinks at The Academy last Thursday paid tribute to women’s history, culture, and more. Team MECCA 2.0, led by Kelly Gilliam, and Team Olivia, led by Tisha Floratos, competed by answering trivia questions with multiple choice answers posed by this columnist as hostess and emcee. We certainly learned a great deal from the variety of questions and appreciated the energy and attention of the teams. DJ Rockaway provided musical breaks, Vice-President and General Manager for Open West States at Bacardi USA Heather Freyer shared some cocktail recipes, as did others, and viewers played along with the teams. At the conclusion of the competition, the winner of prizes from the Bay Times and The Academy was ... watch the video at The Academy’s Facebook page to find out! Closing out the event was a recorded message from mystery guest Margaret Cho, introduced by local well-known author and fellow Bay Times columnist Jewelle Gomez. This is planned as a series of events, so watch for the next Divas & Drinks at The Academy in June and this time live from The Academy on Market Street. And finally, we can report with great enthusiasm and confidence that the Russian River is on its way back! This resilient community has seen fires, floods, and now this pandemic, but it keeps reviving and continues to offer us a casual retreat in idyllic wine coun-
Donna with performing artist Dan O’Leary at the R3 Hotel in Guerneville
try with quaint shops, bustling bars, friendly people, and comfortable resorts. Our recent visit to celebrate our friend Kevin Lisle’s birthday saw a score of familiar faces embracing newly relaxed COVID restrictions and returning to dearly missed celebrations at the r3 Hotel in Guerneville. CoCo Butter produced a splendid weekend with sumptuous buffet, Cinco de Mayo themed décor, poolside entertainment, and surprises galore. The warm welcomes there and at the Rainbow Cattle Company downtown evoked nostalgic memories and renewed friendships. Plan your weekend soon! Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT
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_______ Celebrating M A Mother's Material Message By Derek Barnes
Derek Barnes and his mother
Like many, I labored each year before Mother’s Day to find the right thing to give and say to let my mom know how much I care. I sent the obligatory card or bouquet of flowers that I thought would best declare my undying love— thinking that these material items would somehow make up for all the love that she poured into me over a lifetime. Do you ever get so busy with your own life, that you scramble at the last minute to make sure things were rushed to arrive in time? I did. A few years, I missed the Mother’s Day deadline and would feel guilty. But a phone call on that day was always a sure-fire way to earn redemption—never figuring out that it wasn’t really the stuff that I sent that mattered to her. How do you express love for someone who has provided you with so many tangible and intangible gifts over the years? The answer finally hit me in a way that I never expected. Several years ago, I lost my mother on November 20 due to cancer treatment complications. Every year leading up to Thanksgiving provides a time for grieving and reflection. 2020 felt notably different and my grieving amplified as we all navigated a world that had been changed forever by COVID-19. My mother's youngest sister lost her battle with cancer at a very young age. She was only 60 and they were very close. I still remember my mother being strangely stoic when her sister died. My aunt was like a second mother, and I was asked to deliver the eulogy at her funeral. At the time, I didn’t feel like I had the
strength or emotional fortitude to perform the request. It was difficult, but in some strange way it prepared me for mom's inevitable death.
health. Her final treatments were just too much for her frail body and lungs, and these medicinal assaults made breathing a horrific struggle. Most of us take the ability to breathe normally for granted. Healthy breathing is essential for physical strength, stamina, focus, and mental acuity. Mom's ability to breathe worsened to the point that she was ultimately admitted into critical care, where she would spend her final days.
When my mom finally passed,
a day in her life, she was born with chronic asthma and lung disease, which rarely kept her from doing what she wanted to do in being of service to others. With these preexisting conditions and hospitalized
Derek with his mother Sarah Barnes
the waves of emotions were unimaginable and overwhelming. Years later, it's still a strange feeling to realize that she's not physically here. Her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Mother's Day are the times when I think about her the most. I wish I could still send her all those silly material expressions of love and gratitude. For those who met my mom, she was that quintessential New Yorker. She was intrepid and resourceful, and a successful entrepreneur, always on the move and never slowing down, and blessed with infinite energy and opinion. But it was her big heart that most remember as she extended endless generosity and compassion for those who were not as fortunate. All qualities and non-negotiable values she bestowed upon me and many others in her orbit.
many times during her life, she always beat the odds. She never stopped caring for those around her even as she fought her bouts with cancer later in life. She was still the eternal optimist, never complaining as she moved to conquer any obstacle that got in her way. All amazing gifts that she also passed along. The last few months of her life were difficult as a series of medical conditions and emergencies, due to her chemotherapy, severely taxed her already impaired
While mom never smoked
Her doctors and medical practitioners took excellent care of her and made her as comfortable as possible. When it was time for me to decide to discontinue life support, I didn’t think I had the strength to make that decision. She had been unresponsive for several days, and I intellectually knew there was no more that we could humanly do for her, even though I still hoped she could rebound and rally as she'd done so many times before. Her body was just too worn down. Mom was unselfish, but she also relished a little vanity, and I knew that she would not have wanted to be in this condition. Being the sole person deciding to end her life was the most daunting and painful decision I have ever made. I’m someone who likes inquiry and data to support my decisions. Myriad questions arose that I wished I could ask her, like could we have done anything more, is there something you want me to know, and can you tell me what to do? I consulted with doctors, family, and friends. But through some telepathic connection, I listened to my mother’s wishes and found the strength. I decided to take her off life support late in the evening with many questions that went unanswered. After making several calls to other family members, I remained with her in the room alone. It was late, several hours passed, and I eventually fell asleep in the chair beside her bed—emotionally drained. Deep in my slumber, I heard a voice that gently said, "Wake up now, it's time to go." I woke up suddenly,
feeling relaxed, having extraordinary clarity, and profoundly connected to my mother. When I stood up and glanced over at her lying in the hospital bed, I could see her breathing gradually slowing down. Instinctively feeling that it was time to say goodbye, I held my mother's hand and watched her breathing become shallower until she took her final breath. In the space between her chest rising and finally falling for the last time, a flood of thought and emotion were unleashed as I cried uncontrollably. Rest now. I'm very proud of you. Thank you. Forgive me. You are loved by so many. I'm so fortunate. Don't leave me. I'm scared. I wish we had more time. I hope you've been proud. I'm sorry ... I love you.
All those thoughts and emotions, in a split second, were distilled down to a single pure feeling of love. It was a moment to remind me that we unknowingly pass along our gifts to one another every day—tangible and intangible. Each John Lewis’ mo breath is an opportunity to tell someone what they mean in our lives while they are still with us. Being there with mom, the moment of her passing, was the ultimate gift. This final lesson was revealed to me and what she always wanted me to understand. I was grateful to have been with my mother as her spirit left its ailing physical body to begin a new journey, and I would begin mine with all her strength and remarkably beautiful and extraordinary gifts. Derek Barnes is CEO of East Bay Rental Housing Association (www.EBRHA.com). He currently serves on the boards of Horizons Foundation and Homebridge CA. Follow him on Twitter @ Derek BarnesSF or on Instagram at DerekBarnes.SF
Jennifer Kroot and Tina at Mama’s Fis Gary Kramer and his mother Judee
Jan Wahl with her mother Joan and husband Russ Jan Wahl, her mother Joan, sisters and brother-in-law
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David Landis’ mother LaVerne Shirley Landis, in high heels with a pitchfork
David Landis (far right standing) and his mother (seated) at a family wedding GGBA President Michael Gunther (bottom right with legs crossed) with his mother Marianne, his father Andy and 16 siblings (1968). The couple had 17 children in all with one set of twins (seated on their parents’ laps).
_______ Mother's Day 'This is the Result Because Mommy Worked So Hard' A Mother's Day Reflection By Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis “This is the result because Mommy worked so hard." When South Korean actress Yuh-Jung Youn uttered those words last month in her acceptance speech for the best supporting actress Oscar, our thoughts immediately flashed to our own mothers and the ongoing struggle for women’s dignity and equality. Seconds earlier, Youn with a touch of humor had thanked her two children “who made me go out and work.” What Youn didn’t explain was that, years
other Martha Hoffman Lewis
ago, she was a newly divorced single mom in her late 30s, raising two young children as a Korean immigrant in Florida. Before she married and followed her husband to America in the 1970s, Youn had been a pathbreaking Korean movie star at the peak of her career. But she suddenly had to
Stuart Gaffney’s mother
ask herself whether she could support herself and her two children on a minimum wage job in Florida that she estimated paid about $2.75 per hour. She determined she couldn’t. Even though the Korean entertainment industry shunned divorced actresses, Youn’s tremendous talent and hard work ethic enabled her to return to Korea as an actress and make ends meet. Her grit and determination took her to the Oscar stage last month.
film’s star Frances McDormand received the best actress Oscar, she emphasized the power of women’s voices and work, declaring: “My voice is in my sword. We know the sword is our work. And I like work.”
As Youn spoke, we recalled how Stuart’s mom, also a woman of Asian descent facing formidable odds, worked full time, completed her doctorate, and raised children all at the same time on her own. For many academics, successfully completing your doctoral dissertation almost feels like winning an Academy Award. At the beginning of her doctoral dissertation on the struggle of women in higher education, Stuart’s mom thanked Stuart and his siblings for their unfailing support of her work, which she said “made the entire process a cooperative one.”
McDormand has shattered gender stereotypes throughout her career not only through her acting and producing but also through her authentic presentation of herself on the high-glam red carpet, as she did at this year’s Oscars. No makeup, no fancy hairdos, no form-fitting attire— just “Fran” as a real 63-year-old woman.
Of course, millions of mothers and women in America, Korea, and around the world do not receive Oscars for their extraordinary feats forged by their hard work and often unacknowledged skills. The struggles of those women were also recognized at this year’s Academy Awards. The film Nomadland about women living on the margins of American society won best picture, and its director Chloé Zhao made history as the first woman of color and only second woman to take home the prize. When the
We could not help but think of John’s mother, a barrier breaking professor, who also had no interest in makeup or hairstyles and along with John’s father turned many gender role stereotypes upside down to the extent they were able to in 1960s America, where women workers earned just 59 cents to the men’s dollar. Oscar-winning actress and director Regina King began the ceremony by giving voice to other women’s struggles, that of African American moms whose sons live daily under the specter of police brutality. "As
mother at home and “in tears,” and not at her job working with small children at the local Jewish community center. Her tears that day were not born of anti-Black violence but of an anti-Semitic threat to blow up the center. Perry said: “My mother taught me to refuse hate. She taught me to refuse blanket judgment.” As we mark Mother’s Day this weekend, we think of these powerful women and mothers and the value of their words, work, and example not just to themselves and other women but also to their children and society more generally. But even with so many “momStuart Gaffney’s mother Estelle Lau at the San Francisco Pride Parade mies” working “so hard” a mother of a and achieving so much, American Black son, I women on the whole still earn 82 know the fear cents to a man’s dollar. The struggle that so many continues forward. people live with—and no amount of fame or fortune changes that.”
Later, producer Tyler Perry praised his mother as a role model and thanked her for the wisdom she imparted to him, forged as a woman who came of age in the Jim Crow South where she often grieved the murders of numerous of her African American peers. Perry recalled as a boy coming home from school one day to find his
Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making samesex marriage legal nationwide.
Robert Holgate and his mother, Darlene, in Hawaii (1977)
d her mother shhouse, Maui
Liam Mayclem and his mother Maureen in London on his 17th birthday (1986) Jewelle Gomez and her mother Grace (1971)
Jennifer Kroot and her mother Tina at book signing for Hillary Clinton’s What Happened
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_______ Celebrating Mother's Day _______ Tim Seelig and his mother
Andrea Shorter and her mother Karen
Tim Seelig with his mother and father
Beth Greene with her mother Robin in Pasadena, CA (1998) Tim Seelig with his daughter-in-law, son, granddaughters Edna Mae and Clara Skye and son-in-law, grand son-in-law
Iris at the piano Beth Greene and her daughter Layla near Moab, Utah visiting the Corona Arch, and at Bryce Canyon
Tim Seelig with his daughter-inlaw, son, granddaughter Edna Mae, and daughter
Jennifer Viegas and her mother Elaine with former State Senator Mark Leno
Lou Fischer and her mother Iris at Lou's graduation ceremony
Betty Sullivan with her mother Callie Louise and her daughter Elizabeth Louise (1982)
Betty Sullivan with her daughter Elizabeth Louise and her granddaughter Callie Louise (2012)
As Heard on the Street . . .
With Mother's Day happening soon, what other woman made a positive difference in your life? compiled by Rink
Jokie X. Wilson
“My great aunt Katherine, who taught me to cook and to care for the natural world around me”
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Alex Huie
“My aunt Sally, who has been a role model in my life, and one of my life's best influences”
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Mia Simmons
“Thomasina De Maio, who brings all kinds of people together to create and enjoy art and culture. She makes it happen in galleries, on the street, and on Zoom.”
Troy Brunet
“My sisters, aunts, and cousins who are always so loving and supportive”
Jason Brock
“A neighbor who taught me piano when I was a teen, and took me into her family when I was going through some tough times”
This Month at the Castro Farmers’ Market Myths About Honey By Debra Morris
PAIN PERD U WITH BE RRIES AND HONEY Have you ever wondered wha t the French ca French toast? “P ll ain Perdu” mea ns lost bread, but you won’t lose any points dishing up Fren toast with fres ch h berries for br eakfast! 4 slices of dayold bread, each 3/4 inch thick 4 large eggs 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons
Pirate Creek Bees honey
A spoonful of wildflower honey on a warm biscuit, a dollop of clover honey in your tea, and a drizzle of blueberry honey in salad dressings are made possible because of honey bees. These hardworking insects are responsible for pollinating most fruits, vegetables, legumes and more. To produce a pound of honey, bees must visit some 2 million flowers. Those floral blossoms help create more than 300 varieties of honey ranging from clover and sage to blueberry and buckwheat. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding honey and honey and honeybees. All honey you buy is pure honey. Not true. Honey fraud is quite common. Some honey you buy at the grocery store has been adulterated with high fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, or has been watered down. In April of 2014, the FDA ruled that any honey that was adulterated by the addition of sugar or corn syrup could not be labeled as “pure honey” but would have to label it as a “blend.” You can count on honey from your farmers’ market to be pure local honey. The
honey 1 teaspoon vani lla ½ teaspoon sa lt ½ cup almond s, finely chopped and toasted 1 cup fresh berr ies Butter for coo king Finely chop and toast almonds. Spread evenly on a plate. W hisk together eg gs, milk, honey, vanilla, and salt. Put this m ixture into a de plate and add o ep ne slice of brea d to soak up th mixture. Flip th e e bread to even ly coat with liq uid. Dredge one side of the brea d in the toasted almonds. H eat a pan to m edium and add one pat of butt er. Cook one si de of toast till golden brown, flip, and repeat . Once the second side is gold en brown, push on the toast to see if any of th e liquid is still pr esent. If still w finish in the ov et , en at 350°F for 5 minutes. Cover with fres h berries and du st with powdered sugar. D rizzle with hone y, maple syrup, or if you are lu cky enough to have some, Alpine Blue Farm s apricot sauce!
beekeepers at your farmers’ market do not add anything to their honey and stand by its purity. Crystallized honey has gone bad. Crystallization, or granulation, of honey is the natural process of honey preserving itself. Typically, honey contains natural sugars and around 20% water. Because this is saturated, the glucose may separate from the water and form (continued on page 29)
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Road Trip on a Tank of Gas (or One Charge)
Photos courtesy of Liam Mayclem
Pescadero Road Trip Stops
Pescadero State Beach
Liam’s LGBTQI List Liam P. Mayclem
Highway 1, Pescadero 8 am–Sunset Come for the people watching, but stay for the sunsets. The picnic tables allow for a fun family gathering or place to hang with your quarantine pod. There is a fee for parking in one of three lots. The mile-long beach offers great trails and nature abounds. https://bit.ly/3b39aXO
Road trips are a thing again with international travel grounded and domestic air travel not something all are comfortable doing. I love a good road trip: a one-day getaway and overnight stay. For almost a decade on CBS 5’s nightly magazine show Eye on the Bay, we took viewers on weekly trips to all corners of the region we love, the Bay Area. A tank of gas will take you as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as Medford, Oregon, just across the county line. In this new occasional series, I will share some of my fave spots for local road trips for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies. This first road trip is a coastal journey along Highway 1 to the beach town of Pescadero, just several miles past Half Moon Bay and exactly one hour from the Castro in San Francisco. Pescadero is easy to get to, and once you are there, you will find all of your heart’s desires: coastal charm, good eats & shopping, plus inviting locals. Stage Street is Main Street and you’ll find all you need in just a few short, beautiful blocks. While there are no gay-owned businesses referenced specifically here, all welcomed myself and my partner Rick with open arms.
Pescadero Grown Community Farmers’ Market Seasonal from June 1–November 1 Enjoy the bounty from the region’s purveyors at the farmers’ market from June to November. Beyond artichokes, which are the talk of the town here, there is an ever-evolving array of fruits & vegetables with the farmers behind them to share their stories. https://mypuente.org/farmers-market-kickoff-june-1/
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Harley Goat Farm 205 North Street, Pescadero Daily 11am–4 pm This is one of my favorite places on Earth. Run by Dee Harley, this bucolic working farm boasts not only a great interactive tour but also tastings of the best goat cheese in America. Yes, stop by and pet the goats, but don’t leave without visiting the store to fill your cooler with goat cheese, olive oil & more. The farm is also available for a limited number of farm dinners & gatherings. http://www.harleyfarms.com
Duarte’s Tavern 202 Stage Road, Pescadero Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 12 pm–3 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12 pm–6 pm Duarte’s is the spot in town for good eats & killer cocktails. The vibe is old school, but inviting and warm. The star here is the artichoke soup served with the warm artichoke bread from Arcangeli Grocery Co. down the road. Order a pie to go—the olallieberry is especially good and best served with ice cream. http://www.duartestavern.com/
Liam’s Road Trip Tips Before you hit the road, consider these tips: 1. Book your hotel and restaurant(s) in advance whenever possible. 2. Call planned destinations on the day of your trip to confirm opening hours. 3. Pack masks & sanitizer. 4. Pack snacks & lots of water. 5. Pack shoes & coats befitting the coast. 6. Pack a tent in case you choose to camp. 7. Gas up or charge up the night before. 8. Print out a hard-copy map(s) as a back-up. 9. Leave early & avoid the weekend crush. 10. Travel mid-week for better deals & less crowds. Now, grab your boo or your pandemic posse, hop in the car, and let’s get going!
210 Pigeon Point Rd Hwy 1, Pescadero How cool is this? At the foot of this charming 116-foot-tall lighthouse, the property offers vacation/rental-style accommodations spread out over several buildings for groups of family and friends. It’s located a few miles south of downtown Pescadero. At this time, they are only offering vacation rentals instead of dorm or private rooms, for guests’ maximum privacy and safety. That may change as restrictions lift. It’s a memorable place to crash with bragging rights for life. https://tinyurl.com/2b37ap62 Enjoy your travels. See you down the trail! Emmy Award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem is regularly featured on KPIX as well as KCBS, where he is the popular Foodie Chap. Born in London, Mayclem is now at home in the Bay Area, where he lives with his husband, photographer Rick Camargo. For more information: https://www.bookliam.com/
Arcangeli Grocery Co. 287 Stage Road, Pescadero 11am - 6 pm This family-run bakery and grocery, open since 1929, is the heart of Pescadero. It is where locals and visitors unite over their passion for the famous Arcangeli artichoke bread. All manner of crafted goodies are up for grabs here too, from fresh produce to jams, sauces, cheese, wine & more. http://www.normsmarket.com
Downtown Local Coffee Shop 213 Stage Street, Pescadero Daily 9 am– 5 pm Their incredible coffee hits the spot, but it’s the psychedelic Beatles lounge that drew me in. Part coffee shop & part consignment store, this local hangout features lots to feast your eyes on, such as clothes & collectibles, as your coffee kicks in. Enjoy a pastry to go with your brew. https://m.facebook.com/downtownlocal/ 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 (1978–2021)
The Academy Museum ... At Last! Photos courtesy of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Off the Wahl Jan Wahl Debbie Reynolds would practically go door to door in West Los Angeles hoping to raise money for her Hollywood Museum. I remember as a little girl feeling sorry for her—the Unsinkable Molly Brown seemed to be missing her dream of raising enough money to house her fabulous collection of classic film costumes and props. There was a minor celebration of classic Hollywood with the Hollywood Wax Museum, and Max Factor gave us a glimpse into his makeup magic in his building. But for as long as I can remember, we have always needed one, extravagant, important Hollywood museum, as fabulous as classic Hollywood itself. Let’s raise the curtain on the Academy Museum, opening at the end of September 2021, to the public, at the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax. For those of us who remember, it’s the May Company building, and they have thankfully kept its gorgeous Art Deco façade. Everything else is new. Speaking with Exhibitions Curator Jenny He for the San Francisco Bay Times had me so excited I was forgetting to breathe! Jenny He comes to this exciting job with important credentials: she organized a Tim Burton exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art and also curated exhibitions on Kathryn Bigelow, Lillian Gish, the Coen Brothers, great film posters, and Pixar (Pixar: 20 Years of Animation). She has served as the Programming Director for the South Asian International Film Festival and on various international film juries. She earned degrees in film and environmental studies from Wesleyan. She is as impressive as you can get, but chatting away, we are just two total movie fans, like so many of you. “We are going everywhere in the world of film, from cinematographers to costumes, writers to sound and everything possible," Jenny tells me. "We are celebrating every aspect of film, from history to contemporary. Let’s just take the small example of costumes. We just put in Jeff Bridges' bathrobe from The Big Lebowski and have beautifully displayed Jane’s
and Marilyn’s outfits from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." She adds, "There’s film-worn red slippers from Oz and other iconic fashion. Special events include coloring costumes with Oscar-winning designer Ruth E. Carter, Black Cinema 1898–1971, and a retrospective on Hayao Miyazaki. Seeing scripts, props, and costumes from all angles and their backstories adds to the appreciation of detail and art.” One can hear Jenny's passion as she talks about the installation on Pedro Almodóvar. The renowned director’s own specifically edited film segments and intimate information about his perspective on filmmaking, sexuality, gender bending, and more will immerse visitors entirely in his films and themes.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian, film critic on various broadcast outlets, and has her own YouTube channel series, "Jan Wahl Showbiz.” She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Of course, Jenny and I would not be film fanatics if we didn’t dish our favorites. She loves screwball comedy, with some of her favorites being the brilliant Ball of Fire and the films of Ernst Lubitsch. I weighed in with Capra’s You Can’t Take It with You. Regarding current cinema, we raved about Nomadland; both of us loving its brave use of cinematic simplicity. I know we could have spoken for days, but that will wait until she shows me around this exciting world. And the giftshop, you ask? She says, “Expansive!” There will also be a restaurant so we can relax between exhibitions, information overload, overwhelming visuals, and tours.
POP QUIZ
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https://www.academymuseum.org/en/
The galleries will be rotated every twelve months, and I am rooting for Busby Berkeley, George Cukor, Hugh Jackman and Bette Davis immersions. These immersive exhibitions are powerful, as the gorgeous Immersive Van Gogh in the Bay Area shows us.
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I am filled with an attitude of gratitude that this dream is finally a reality. Thank you to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and to hard workers like Jenny who are the wind beneath its wings.
MAY 6 , 2 0 2 1
LET'S HAVE A KIKI Which one of the following women icons was a baton-twirling teen who went by the nickname Kiki? A) Hillary Clinton B) Michelle Obama C) Ruth Bader Ginsburg D) Madeleine Albright
ANSWER ON PAGE 28
San Francisco Artscape Shifts as City Moves Into Yellow Tier
Photos by Rink
As businesses shuttered during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, plywood and other drab coverings were a common sight on most San Francisco streets. They were a constant, harsh reminder of the overwhelming health and financial challenges that still remain. When artists received permission to paint murals and create other forms of art on these protective coverings and at other select places, their efforts brought welcome visual relief along with feelings of hopefulness for many. In keeping with this renewed emphasis on the arts, Mayor London Breed late last year launched the San Francisco Creative Corps pilot program to support artists and promote public health through art. During these past several months, San Francisco Bay Times photographer Rink as well as others captured images of the resulting artwork, and particularly street art, in the Castro and other neighborhoods throughout the city. The Bay Times also featured the honey bears of artist fnnch, who has raised thousands of dollars for San Francisco nonprofits. In response to critics, fnnch recently wrote: “Duchamp said that the artist is only responsible for 50% of the work, and the audience brings the other 50%. I have tried throughout the pandemic to provide a spot of light in a dark time. But it is still art. Obviously not everyone will like it. I think this is okay and totally normal. Elie Wiesel says that the opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The worst thing that could happen to an artist is for someone to walk by their work and feel nothing. If someone is going to walk by and feel love, then someone is going to walk by and feel hate.” As of this writing, San Francisco is moving into the yellow tier, which is the least restrictive tier in the state. The city’s artscape is now changing, too. Here then is a look back at just some of the murals and other art—many works already removed or painted over—that will likely forever be associated with this unprecedented time.
Photo by Mark Rhodes featuring Pernella Sommerville, public relations specialist with MedSpa & Medical Associates, and the SF LGBT Center’s Honey Bear mural by artist fnnch
Hayes Valley Grill
Mural by artist Jazz Fuller at Flore Cafe
KNTV/NBC BAY AREA
A mural on Fillmore Street featuring an image of transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox
The tallest mural in Oakland, recently painted by artist Victor Ash, is dedicated to overcoming the causes of food insecurity. Mural located at the Unionmade Men’s Store by artist Tanya Wischerath depicting writer James Baldwin on a tarot card
Mural by Mace Wod installed in front of the Castro Theatre box office S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Altered Innocence Features a Mixtape of LGBT Coming of Age Films
Film Gary M. Kramer A collection of recent and classic international short films about gay, lesbian, trans, and straight characters all coming of age, Altered Innocence Volume 1—out May 25 on DVD, BluRay, and available on demand—is described as a “cinematic mixtape.” The 7 shorts film are a mixed bag, with music videos dividing up the program, but there is certainly something for everyone. The program opens with a new HD restoration of Cam Archer’s video “Our Time” by Imperial Teen, featuring a young man dancing and dressing in a mirror to the titular song. It’s a pleasant amuse bouche. The first short, Gabber Lover, by Anna Cazenave Cambet, from 2016, is the sole lesbian entry. Teenager Mila (Mila Lendormy) kisses her crush Lorie (Laurie Reynal), only to be rebuffed. As Mila grapples with the consequences of her actions, Lorie tries to reach out and make peace. Gabber Lover builds its tension between the two girls right up to the satisfying conclusion. Doors Cut Down, directed by Antonio Hems, is arguably the best short in the program. Originally made in
2000, and getting an HD restoration for this re-release, it recounts the experiences of Guillermo (Israel Rodríguez), a handsome gay teenager who cruises for sex in the local shopping mall. He tries to keep his behavior discrete, but he gets into trouble seducing his English tutor ( Juan Carlso Rubio), or coordinating a tryst with a local mechanic, Asier (Pablo Puyol). Doors Cut Down is a classic queer short that celebrates Guillermo’s sexuality even as others try to shame him. It is gratifying that this film is back in circulation. The program continues with a cheeky and hyperviolent music video by Yann Gonzalez and entitled “Les Vacances Continuent.” This short allows viewers to shift gears for the next two films that depict straight characters. After School Knife Fight from 2017 is writer/director Carline Poggi and Jonathan VInel’s poignant drama about unspoken desire. The title refers to the name of the band comprised of Roca (Lucas Doméjen), Näel (Pablo Cobo), and Nico (Nicolas Mias), with Laetitia (Marylou Mayniel) singing vocals. Roca has long harbored a crush on Laetitia, but he is afraid to tell her. When Laetitia announces she will be leaving to go study elsewhere, Näel encourages Roca to tell her the truth. After School Knife Fight features a terrific performance scene that expresses the characters’ anxiety about the future. (Näel is worried about his career options.) This is a beautifully made and acted short about growing up. Bunny, from Scotland, is Shaun Hughes’ 2018 short about Buckley (Connor Newall), a young man who wears rabbit ears as a means of coping with the death of his mother.
When his idiosyncratic behavior is challenged by a group of new arrivals in his trailer park, things come to a head. This short is a raw drama about difference, mental illness, and trauma, and it is quietly powerful. Altered Innocence Volume 1 shifts up its tone again with an experimental short, GUO4, directed by Peter Strickland. This eye-popping 4-minute film from 2019 depicts a physical fight between two naked men (Gyula Muskovics and Csaba Molnár) in a locker room. What is more, it is told entirely through stop-motion photography. Terror, Sisters! is the program’s trans entry, an outrageous 2019 horror comedy by director/cowriter Alexis Langlois. When the Kalthoum (Nana Benamer) meets her friends for a drink, they are all fed up with being victims of transphobia. Wanting respect, they imagine various scenarios for revenge, from a campy, candy-colored baking class to activists burning their government ID cards in retaliation for refusing their rights and not being recognized by their preferred gender identity. There is also a nightclub scenario where Léo (Féliz Maritaud) is punished for abusing Kalthoum. Terror, Sisters!, however, soon folds in on itself, but it makes a valid point about fantasy and reality in a way that is empowering. The last music video, “Niemand’ (Kompromat) by Bertrand Mandico, is a violent entry about a woman in a car accident. It is shot in a highly stylized manner and leads into the
Doors Cut Down
Terror, Sisters! last two films, which feature younger boys.
older local boys, Kjell (Cato Skimten Storengen), a local farmer, rescues him. Seeing that the boy needs some friendship, Kjell invites Asgaut to help him care for his lambs. But despite the fatherly relationship that develops between Kjell and Asgaut, a complicated situation arises that has a lasting impact. Jakt is incredibly potent, but it does end this provocative anthology on a downbeat note.
Gambozinos (Wild Haggis), director João Nicolau’s 2013 film, is the weakest entry. It is a slow drama set at a summer camp, where a 10-yearold boy (Tomás Franco) is crushed on Tania (Isabel Portugal) and bullied by older campers. There is also a monster (Pedro Leitão) the boy befriends. This frustrating short could have been pulled from the lineup.
© 2021 Gary M. Kramer
The last film, Jakt (Hunt), from 2018, is writer/director Gjertrud Bergaust’s grim but gripping short about Asgaut (Håvid Kringstand Hagen), a 14-year-old boy in a Norwegian village. When Asgaut is bullied by some
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
Artshot Abby Zimberg
Two views of a sculpture entitled “Passage” by Dana Albany at Paradise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa
Abby Zimberg is a licensed California Marriage Family Therapist with training in art therapy. She formerly worked as a graphic designer and has always been a photographer. https://theartoftherapysf.com/ 24
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Tallulah Who, You Ask?
Faces from Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky Leave this article immediately. Surrender your ruby slippers and put your Ken doll back in the closet. One of the greatest and most famous actors of her time, Tallulah Bankhead (1902–1968) also was the most scandalous. She was outrageous, outspoken, and gloriously uninhibited. Laurence Olivier claimed that she “had more glamour than almost anybody alive.” Among Gaydom’s Magnificent Seven, she surely ranks second only to Bette Davis, who ranks second only to Judy Garland. Judy, of course, ranks second to no one. There was only one Tallulah, astonishingly open about her behavior and herself when celebrities tried desperately to hide their truth. Described as “Humphrey Bogart in silk panties” and the “most thoroughgoing libertine and free-swinging flapper of the age,” she claimed having more than 500 affairs during her life. She was very much aware of her reputation, too, once admitting, “I’m as pure as the driven slush.” Not that she minded. “Say anything about me, darling, as long as it isn’t boring.”
She knew she was a great beauty, a fine actor, and a star. When she appeared in Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra, she insisted that she die alone in the last act, without the handmaidens who always perish with the queen, “Because, of course, darling, we only want one death in that scene!” Critics were not kind. One called her “more a serpent of the Swanee than of the Nile.” Another famously wrote that she “barged down the Nile last night as Cleopatra—and sank.” An equal opportunity enjoyer, Tallulah freely admitted she adored both women and men. According to the actor Patsy Kelly, “Tallu had more girlfriends than Errol Flynn,” and her first apparently was the celebrated actress Eva Le Gallienne. “My father warned me about men and alcohol,” she explained, “but never said anything about women and cocaine.” Neither
devotion was a scandal for her. “Cocaine isn’t habit forming,” she claimed. “I should know. I’ve been using it for years.” Was it someone with a mischievous sense of humor or a message who titled her first three films, all made in 1931, Tarnished Lady, My Sin, and The Cheat? Either way, nothing stopped her candid, often discomforting, comments. After appearing in Devil and the Deep (1932), she claimed, “Darling, the main reason I accepted [the part] was to @#$% that divine Gary Cooper!” Later she said, “Garbo, Crawford, Harlow, and Cary Grant were Hollywood’s most desirable women,” which certainly did not make the deeply closeted Grant happy. Others took her remarks in stride. When she asked the producer Irving Thalberg, “How do you get laid in this dreadful place?” Thalberg retorted, “I’m sure you’ll have no problem. Ask anyone.” Meeting Joan Crawford, she told her, “Darling, you’re divine. I’ve had an affair with your husband [Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.]. You’ll be next.” Joan never lost her poise. “I’m so sorry, Miss Bankhead,” she replied simply, “but I just love men.” Shocking statements, flamboyant behavior, and what many considered to
be an unorthodox, promiscuous sexuality became her trademarks. There was much more to her, however. Born into an aristocratic, politically powerful Alabama family, Bankhead publicly—and courageously—campaigned to stop lynching, condemn the barbarity of the Southern sharecropping system, and end racism in the performing arts. Beginning in 1940 with The Little Foxes, her greatest theatrical triumph, she determined to appear only with integrated casts on stage and screen. She especially encouraged the efforts to desegregate the National Theater in Washington, D. C., where Blacks could be seen on the stage but not in the audience. “It is not only a national disgrace,” she told reporters in 1946, “but an international scandal that our great country’s capital should make a laughing stock of our Constitution and Bill of Rights by discriminating against any human being.” The National became an integrated theater in 1952. By the time she appeared on Broadway in The Skin of Our Teeth in 1942, Tallulah, never shy about anything, had forsaken underwear. Some theatergoers complained that she was revealing more of herself than her portrayal required, so back on they went, but not for long. On the set of Lifeboat in 1944, her finest film, she again did without. Again, people groused, this time to the director, Alfred Hitchcock. Sorry, he said, not my responsibility. Whose was it? Either the makeup or the hairdressing department, he replied. Tallulah met Tennessee Williams in 1940, when he asked her to play Myra Torrance, a part he had written for her, in his Battle of the Angels. “The
play is impossible,” she said, declining the role, “but sit down and have a drink with me.” She never altered her opinion. Twenty years later, when she saw the film The Fugitive Kind, based on his revision of the play, she comforted him by saying, “Tenny, darling, how awful for you. They’ve absolutely ruined your perfectly dreadful play.” Bankhead and Williams developed a deep, abiding friendship with numerous interests in common, including the theater, the same church, liquor, and barbiturates. “Tallulah,” he told her, “you and I are the only two consistently high High Episcopalians I know.” Her last stage appearance was in the 1964 Broadway revival of his The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore. The production lasted only five days, but achieved immortality when someone asked her about her co-star Tab Hunter’s sexuality. “Well, I don’t know, darling,” she replied. “He’s never sucked my %$#@.” Was she a great actor? Because live performance is the most ephemeral of all the arts and because styles and tastes change, we and future generations may never know. All who saw her, however, agreed that she was a great presence, a true and unique personality. Whether they found her to be endearing or overwhelming, exciting or exhausting, she was her own self—her last words were, “Codeine. Bourbon.” She will remain a theatrical legend and a gay icon for decades to come. Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.
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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun clap and sat on their butts. Sigh.”
By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, "A recent poll reveals that 44% of Republicans refuse to vaccinate. Hey, you stubborn elephants, roll up those sleeves!" HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) streamed TIME FOR EQUALITY on April 22 at 5 pm. The technically sketchy event (virtual can be difficult) included a presentation of the HRC "National Visibility and Impact Award" to the Emmy & Golden Globe nominated hit FX television series POSE. Accepting the award on behalf of the cast and crew were Co-Creator and Executive Producer Steven Canals, and actors Sandra Bernhard, Dyllón Burnside, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Billy Porter, Mj Rodriguez and Hailie Sahar. HRC President Alphonso David was joined by elected officials including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Senator Alex Padilla, Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jeff Merkley, State Senator Sam Parks, Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine. Despite tech probs, the program was inspirational. Especially the Pose peeps in person! Sister Dana sez, "President Biden has announced an enormous $670 million investment to combat HIV. This is over a 30% increase in the annual federal budget to help end the epidemic! There's only one catch: Congress has to approve. Hello, Mitch? You up, Lindsay? Yo, Ted!” SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS produced their annual fun fundraiser, CRESCENDO, this year held virtually and was entitled VOICES RISING on April 22 at 6 pm. Yes, sister was a busy nun that night! We enjoyed the gorge singing of SFGMC, Jake Shears, (with his new number, “Last Man Dancing”), a cappella Homophonics, and actor/ hostess Shangela. Rita Moreno, LeAnn Rimes (who sang from the heart with the Chorus), and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Chorus Artistic Director Terrance Kelley were honored and awarded. Veteran Board Chair Michael Tate was auctioneer and introduced Mayor London Breed. Marvin White of Glide gave inspirational prose, composer Andrew Lippa, SFGMC Artistic Director Tim Seelig, and Executive Director Chris Verdugo spoke, as did many others. I have to add that I had the fortunate experience of meeting Ms. Moreno at a fundraiser a while back where I delighted in confessing that I had been at a bathhouse in just a towel watching her as bathhouse entertainer Googie Gomez in the comedy movie The Ritz. She laughed and we both hugged! https://www.sfgmc.org/crescendo Sister Dana sez, "During the address to Congress, President Biden struck a hopeful tone on the pandemic, and history was made with two women on the dais. Yet Repugnicans refused to 26
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The SF Imperial Founding Mother Court of the INTERNATIONAL COURT SYSTEM presented CORONATION 56: “Get Lit, A Novel Idea” virtually on Facebook on April 24. We celebrated SF TMIM Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa stepping down and crowning our next Monarchs of San Francisco. The show was flawlessly co-hosted by Empress Baby Shaques Munro & Emperor Terrill Grimes Munro. The program opened with the Sister Dana enjoying a cocktail (2010) “National Anthem” sung live BAY TIMES collaborated with by empresses from Mexico, THE ACADEMY to present a Canada, and SF (Empress Donna new live game show in a matchup. Sachet). The Imperial Court of the Challenging questions regarding Majestic Golden Gate’s entire cast famous women were devised by Bay did a witty if not a bit naughty bedTimes co-publisher Jennifer Vietime story, a very wacky Wondergas. Team Mecca 2.0, led by capland to “Welcome to the Tea Party.” Emperor William and Empress Mimi tain Kelly Gilliam, took on Team Olivia, led by captain Tisha Florreceived their lovely official poratos. We enjoyed lively music spun traits. The Queen Mother Nicole by DJ Rockaway while learnMurray Rodriguez sent a message ing how to make delicious cocktails of hope and “light at the end of the by various mixologists from varitunnel” and congratulations to the ous bars and curated by Heather reigning monarchs on doing a grand Freyer of Bacardi. And, there was job and superior fundraising durthe big reveal at the end: the unveiling such a horrible lockdown. Photoing of an internationally-renowned graphs of past and current monarchs mystery guest who shared thoughts flashed on the screen, bringing tears about the women who have helped of both sadness and joy to my eyes. and inspired her throughout her Such memories! We celebrated 40th amazing life. Jewelle Gomez introto 30th to 10th anniversaries of varduced Margaret Cho, who was ious emperors and empresses (far too on the cover of the SF Bay Times for many to list here because of my word her activism for queer rights, AAPI limits, alas). rights, and just plain human civil Act 2 included several clever comrights. Such an honorable person! mand performances. Awesome pieces Also, I learned that one story holds were performed by the three Impethe Margarita cocktail was named rial candidates. Ehra Amaya did after singer Peggy (Margaret) the Spice Girls’ “Stop Right Lee. Now” with the perfect lockdown Hundreds of LGBTQ candilyrics: “I need somebody with a dates won their races with the human touch.” Mr. David Glasupport of VICTORY FUND mamore did a magical “Midnight and their supporters. Let’s work Radio” from Hedwig and the Angry together to elect hundreds more in Inch. Juanita MORE! glammed the future. Victory Fund virtually it up with Follies’ “I’m Still Here,” celebrated its 30TH ANNIbecause we have to remind ourVERSARY on May 2. Speakselves that despite the pandemic, we ing were U.S. Senator Tammy ARE still here! Act 3 concluded with Baldwin, U.S. House Speaker the dramatic step-down of Empress Nancy Pelosi, Georgia State Mimi and Emperor William. They Representative Park Cannon, received their official rings. They Georgia State Representative gave us their final numbers. Mimi Sam Park, Pennsylvania State sang us an emotional “Goodbye.” Representative Malcolm Emperor William did “Yellow Brick Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Road” followed by a joyful piece Representative Brian Sims, with many members of his court. But veteran activist Cleve Jones, this all led to the greatly anticipated and Virginia Delegate Danica announcement of our now newly Roem, and we learned firsthand crowned EMPEROR DAVID how this community has empowGLAMAMORE & EMPRESS ered equality. For the last 30 years, JUANITA MORE! All hail the Victory Fund has caused rainbow Emperor and Empress of San Franwave after rainbow wave, electing cisco! Hip! Hip! Hooray! LGBTQ candidates up and down Sister Dana sez, "It's great to the ballot who have gone on to make know that while there won't be a huge changes in their community. Pride Parade this year, we will We heard from our LGBTQ leadonce again have an illuminated ers themselves on how Victory Fund Pink Pride Triangle all June changed the course of their career— Pride Month this year on Twin and helped them make history on Peaks!" Election Day. The musical guest among others was Sara Bareilles. SF Mayor London Breed will use Senator Baldwin received the Lifethe Pink Torch (LED) to illuminate the Pink Triangle on Tuesday, June 1, time Achievement Award from Victory Fund. (start of PRIDE MONTH ) at dusk. The lighting will be preceded by a Pink Torch Procession that will start at Oakland City Hall then cross the Bay Bridge and wind through parts of San Francisco and culminate when the torch is used at the ceremony by the mayor as she pushes the “illumination button.” The Pink Torch Procession is again being produced by event wiz Patricia Suflita Wilson. DIVAS & DRINKS was Zoomhosted by Donna Sachet on April 29. THE SAN FRANCISCO
SOMA SECOND SATURDAYS started May 8 and continues every 2nd Saturday from noon to 5 pm, Free! We’re taking it back to the streets! With the City reopening, the LEATHER & LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT, Folsom Street, and SOMA West CBD are partnering to bring us SOMA Second Saturdays, a Vendor, Art, and Artisan Fair on Dore Street next to Powerhouse. COVID-19 protocols enforced. (continued on page 28)
Dykes
With Drills
Tip of the Week By Julie Peri
A Useful Yet Not Well-Known Tool: The Palm Nailer A great tool that is not as wellknown as it should be in the palm nailer. To use this tool, you place a nail in the nozzle of nailer, then press down on the nail and watch the palm nailer sink your nail into the wood! Nailing has never been easier than with using the palm nailer. We have more awesome workshops and events coming up this summer! Check out the lineup and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Learn Advanced Wood Burning, May 22, Online Make Your Own Charcuterie Board, May 29, Online Tiny House Workshop Series, June & July, Walnut Creek For more information about these and other events, go to: https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/workshops Julie Peri is the Founder and Director of Dykes With Drills. https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/
Take Me Home with You!
Dugan
“My name is Dugan! I’m 3 years old and I come from the Central Valley. I’m excited for a new life in the big city, and I’m hoping to find someone special to show me around and take me on adventures! I really enjoy exploring and meeting new people. I’m a mellow fella and enjoy hanging out with other pups, as long as they’re not too rowdy. I have tons of love to give and I can’t wait to open my heart to the right person. If you think that might be you, let’s meet!”
Dugan is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Dugan. To apply to meet Dugan, visit https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/ Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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MILLER (continued from page 6)
ROSTOW (continued from page 4)
The opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. Any indices referenced for comparison are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital; please seek advice from a licensed professional. Brio does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such.
respected Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson, who recently tweeted some praise for Josh Hawley.
Brio Financial Group is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brio Financial Group and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Brio Financial Group unless a client service agreement is in place. Brandon Miller, CFP®, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.
SISTER DANA (continued from page 26) Since I attended last year’s virtual SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG? fundraiser for HARVEY MILK CIVIL RIGHTS ACADEMY, the public Elementary School in the Castro with a Civil Rights based education, of course, I caught this year’s delicious drag show and competition online on May Day, May 1st. Live from Oasis TV, sponsored by the DUCAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO, it was hosted by always awesome Kylie Minono and Chyna Maykit. They told great tales about Harvey Milk. Senator Scott Wiener lauded the Academy. Fabulous performances were executed by Alex U. Inn, Afrika America, Landa Lakes, Madd Dogg 20/20, The One and Only Rexy, CoCo Buttah, Snaxxx, Polly Amber Ross, Dusty Porn, BeBe Sweetbriar, and Kylie. Who would be crowned San Francisco’s Drag Superstar? Four community members had signed up to raise funds for the school and were put in drag to compete for the crown. Contestants had to slay it in their performance and charm the celebrity judges, Honey Mahogany, Bebe Sweetbriar, and Alpha Betty: “Why is drag important?” with their videos. Academy teacher Miss Information, Betty Bottoms, and Drag King Man Whora competed; but several times competitor Eve Swallows took the crown having been so timely “Gaga” for Mother Earth, Netflix, and vaccination! Congratz, Eve! LOCKDOWN COMEDY has been taking place on Zoom every 3rd Thursday of the month since July of last year. The show is produced by San Francisco comedian, Lisa Geduldig, from her mother’s retirement community home in Florida. The May 20th, 6 pm PST show features Steve Mittleman (LA), Nathan Habib (NY), Emily Van D yke (SF), Lisa and Arline Geduldig (Lisa’s 90-year-old mother—Florida). https://www.koshercomedy.com/lockdown-comedy Sister Dana sez, "We need to rename tyrannical Donald J. T****p State Park in New York to icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg State Park. How cool would it be to say: 'Let's go hang out at RBG!"
“I’m on Capitol Hill and just saw Sen. Hawley walk by,” Johnson wrote on April 26. “His chest is so built you can see it protruding from underneath his suit. I’m sorry but it’s true.” As you know, Josh Hawley is the appalling Missouri Senator who now personifies the worst of the Trumpster insurrectionists. As for his posture towards the GLBT community, he is against the Equality Act, opposes marriage equality, and thinks anti-gay discrimination by religious actors is appropriate in all areas of society. In other words, it’s hard for some of us to imagine he could be an object of desire in any respect. Johnson’s tweet was greeted with widespread WTFs by others in the GLBT tweetosphere and called out by Queerty in a blog post. A couple of days later, Johnson wondered: “Isn’t it part of the gay experience to pine after men who will never return those feelings, even ones who would vote against your rights?” I know I have to re-imagine a lesbian version of this scenario in order to weigh in, but even so, I would answer no. My stepson, Nathan, has an amusing (in his view) habit of challenging some of my personal quirks, such as my distaste for heavy dumplings and gravy. “Do you know who else hated dumplings and gravy?” he mused to my baby grandson in a quiet singsongy voice. “Hitler.” The point is, there are some people with whom you can’t identify— on any subject. I can barely manage to bridge the gap between my love of pugs and my profound distaste for the Nazi sympathizing Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who also loved pugs. But I can do it, barely. Because pugs! Their love of pugs is the only thing I like about them and I hate everything else. As for Hitler, forget it. And as for Hawley, I think I would hate him even if he liked pugs. Just now, Nathan has asked whether or not the column I’m writing at present is brilliant, Pulitzer level, or just average (the grade I gave myself last time). I’m not sure, but I feel a little pressure thanks to this query. Does he have any idea who else likes to put pressure on innocent columnists just trying to get by? Josh Hawley. There Be Monsters So, I was just reading an article in The Washington Post about some people’s reasons for avoiding a Covid vaccine. One woman told the Post she kept thinking about a Will Smith movie, I Am Legend, in which everyone is given a cure for cancer that turns them into monsters. “I love that movie, for all kinds of reasons. But that was kind of scary. Don’t want to be a zombie,” she explained. This person was eventually convinced to get a shot after listening to some expert on C-SPAN. “At that point, I felt that it was pretty safe. I believed him,” she told the Post. That’s all well and good, but this woman was described as a “regular” C-SPAN watcher. That even tops me, a “regular” cable news, and newspaper junkie who consumes large amounts of respectable media. How could she possibly have worried about becoming a “zombie” in the first place? Is she insane? It’s like avoiding the dentist because you watched Marathon Man, and subsequently changing your mind after someone explains that the vast majority of dentists are not sociopaths. It’s a movie! Finally, before we go, let me just remind you for the umpteenth time that we are waiting for a pretty major Supreme Court opinion, which should be announced very shortly. Argued in early November, the case will decide whether or not a religious business, organization, or individual can use faith as a First Amendment excuse to ignore GLBT civil rights laws and policies. I know I’ve rehashed this case, Fulton v Philadelphia, many times. But it will be our first look at the intensity of this Court’s bias in favor of religious actors, it will be our first direct look at Amy Coney Barrett’s attitude towards GLBTs, and it will set the tone going forward for all sorts of policies, political efforts, legal strategies, and more. All High Court opinions will be released by the end of June, but since this case was argued so early in the session, I thought it would be out by now. While we wait, we were all happy to see the Court reject review of a lawsuit filed by Texas against California, challenging California’s refusal to pay for state-sponsored travel to states that do not protect against GLBT bias. It was a good sign. arostow@aol.com
QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on pg 22)
C) Ruth Bader Ginsburg Kiki came from “Kicky Baby,” which apparently she was, according to her older sister Marilyn.
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Legacy Businesses (continued from page 3) Beep’s Burgers Bix Restaurant Brazen Head Restaurant & Public House Caffé Sapore Chloe’s Café Eddie’s Café Hamburger Haven Izzy’s Steakhouse Joe’s Ice Cream Perry’s St. Francis Fountain The Cove on Castro Toy Boat Dessert Café
New Delhi Restaurant
RESTAURANT, ASIAN Benkyodo Company House of Nanking Moshi Moshi Mums - Home of Shabu Shabu New Asia Restaurant Sam Wo Restaurant San Sun Restaurant Yuet Lee Restaurant
RESTAURANT, MEDITERRANEAN La Méditerranée
RESTAURANT, ITALIAN Caffe Trieste Escape From New York Pizza Fior d’Italia Giorgio’s Pizzeria Jackson Fillmore Trattoria Little Joe’s Pizzeria Marcello’s Pizza Original Joe’s Sodini’s Green Valley Restaurant Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano
RESTAURANT, FRENCH Zazie Restaurant RESTAURANT, INDIAN
RESTAURANT, MEXICAN Don Ramon’s El Toreador RESTAURANT, SEAFOOD Alioto’s Restaurant Anchor Oyster Bar Hayes Street Grill Pacific Café Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar
Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant Scoma’s Restaurant Two Jack’s Nik’s Place Seafood SCHOOL/EDUCATION Academy of Ballet Blue Bear School of Music Community Music Center Kinmon Gakuen (Golden Gate Institute) Wah Mei School SPECIALTY STORE Britex Fabrics Elite Sport Soccer FTC Skateboarding Pipe Dreams Rooky Ricardo’s Records The Wok Shop TATTOO Picture Machine Tattoo THEATER American Conservatory Theater Balboa Theatre
Dance Brigade / Dance Mission Theater Joe Goode Performance Group New Conservatory Theatre Center Phoenix Arts Association Theatre Roxie Theater TOURISM/ TRANSPORTATION Cruisin’ the Castro Walking Tours Luxor Cab Company Marine Chartering Company, Inc. Red and White Fleet Ruby Sailing Yankee Clipper Travel WHOLESALER San Francisco Supply Master WIGS Gypsy Rosalie’s Wigs & Vintage
FARMERS MARKET (continued from page 19) crystals. However, the honey is largely unchanged and remains just as tasty. An easy way to de-crystalize it is to remove the lid and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. White foam on honey means it is not fresh. The white “foam” that appears at the top of honey is simply air. This “foam” is a result of tiny air bubbles in the honey escaping to the top of the bottle. All species of bees produce honey. Only 5% of the 20,000 species of bees in the world produce edible honey. Most bees only produce enough honey for their own survival, but not enough to harvest it for human usage. Filtered honey is not as authentic as raw unfiltered. Raw honey comes straight from the honeycomb. The beekeeper filters the honey just enough to remove small bits of pollen and beeswax. Filtered, or pasteurized, honey is clear and smooth. The pasteurization process (adding high heat) increases its shelf-life and kills yeast cells that can affect the taste of the honey, but it is still pure honey. It’s ok to give babies honey.
Honey should never be fed to infants under one year of age because their digestive tract has not developed enough to fight off honey’s natural bacteria. Honey is otherwise a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults. You’ll find only pure, unadulterated local honey at your Castro Farmers’ Market from Pirate Creek Bees who harvests the honey from bees roaming the fields and hills in the Sunol area. Brothers Mike and Jim Garcia have hives in locations that are full of flowers for bees to forage year-round and that are vital to the strength and health of their bees. They wanted to do more to help the dwindling bee population in the area and help the various native plant species around their ranch so they began operating several bee yards. They grew up in the East Bay and come from a family of cattle ranchers who have been in the area since the mid-1860s. Their bees make a most delicious and diverse honey. You won’t find better quality, purity, or variety than at your local farmers’ market where you can trust the farmer who harvested it. Debra Morris is a spokesperson for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA). Check out the PCFMA website for recipes, information about farmers’ markets throughout the region and for much more: https://www.pcfma.org/
Mission Food Hub Update Mayor London Breed joined volunteers and friends at Mission Food Hub’s booth during at the Cinco de Mayo activities on Saturday, May 1. Led by organizers Roberto and Mariana Hernandez, the team provided information about the Food Hub, free hand sanitizer, and Cinco de Mayo t-shirts. On Sunday, May 2 the volunteer team was also on hand offering free burriotos, during the Cinco de Mayo Bike Ride at Raza Park. Mission Food Hub volunteers are making preparations for the upcoming two-day Memorial Day Weekend resource fair, “Our Existence Is Resistance,” to be held in conjunction with the Carnaval SF organization, 12-5 pm at the intersection of Harrison and 21st Streets. Juan Davila will represent the San Francisco Bay Times.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN R. DAVILA
If you would like to volunteer or make donations to support the Food Hub’s distribution assisting those experiencing food insecurity during the on-going health crisis, text the word "Comida" to (202) 858-1233 to find out more or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1169152970117653
STAY SAFE. WEAR A MASK. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Launch of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Photos by Rink
“Celebrate Resilence, Uplift Voices” is the theme for San Francisco’s 2021 celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. On April 28, Mayor London Breed, along with Museum director Jay Xu, led a press conference launching the month-long schedule of virtual events produced by the Asian Art Museum. CAAM (Asian American Film Festival) director Masashi Niwano also spoke, discussing the Festival to be held May 13-23. To find out more, visit http://apaheritage.org and http://www.caamedia.org
AIDS Quilt Display
Photos by Rink
During the Shared Spaces Noe Art Mart at Noe and Market streets on Sunday, May 2, neighbors and visitors viewed a pop-up display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The display was a partnership of the National AIDS Memorial Grove and AIDS Walk San Francisco, which will be held on Sunday May 16. Among those assisting were volunteers Joanie Juster, Al Hawley and his daughter Tomasina, and SFPD Special Patrol Officer Cody Clemens. Newly crowned Empress Juanita MORE! and Emperor David Glamamore attended along with several local elected officials including District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
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Round About - All Over Town
Photos by Rink
CASTRO STREETCAM presented by
Located at Union Square, “Tea Time for the City” by artist Laine Wiesemann is one sculpture in the Hearts of San Franicsco public art installation project benefiting the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation.
Server Drisilla at the Sausage Factory welcomed a couple arriving for dinner on April 21 during the 2021 Dining Out for Life project.
A cable car on display at the Powell and Market Street cable car turnaround. MTA hopes to return the cable cars to operation before the end of the year.
http://sfbaytimes.com/
“Black Lives Matter” is the theme of a heart sculpture installed at Union Square. The Hearts in San Francisco series began in 2004.
The Smoke Signals shop on Polk Street is known for its large selection of publications, including foreign magazines and speciality issues.
Curtis Canady (center) and Scott Reed (right), who are retired servers at Cove on Castro restaurant, enjoyed a meal served by David Crown during Dining Out for Life on April 28.
Trainer Rachel works with puppies on their socialization skills at the Lookout bar’s parklet on April 21. A small pup watches from under a bench while the larger ones interact. Owners and friends observed from just outside the enclosure.
Diners enjoyed the sidewalk service at La Mediterranee’s Upper Fillmore location on April 26.
For those of you who have spent the last year battling foggy lenses, we finally found something that works really well. Anti-fog lens cloths are good for 200 wipes and come with their own resealable storage pouch for just $5.99 At their sidewalk tables, customers at Woods Beer & Wine Company on Polk Street sampled unique small batch beers and wines.
Rink Remembers
Photos by Rink
Shock G Oakland rap legend Shock G of the Digital Underground was memorialized at the Hibernia Beach site, 18th and Castro, on April 23. The band’s smash hit you may remember is “The Humpty Dance.”
Air plants are back in stock! We have a cheerful assortment of small Tillandsia for $4.99 each, plus a wide variety of terrariums and plant holders to give them just the right home.
ince our founding in 1936, Cliff’s Variety has been constantly growing and evolving in response to the needs of our customers. Our buyers strive to keep our selection fresh, on-trend and competitive. We carry the best of everything from hardware & tools to cookware, garden supplies, toys, crafts, and gifts.
Olympia Dukakis
Event organizer Jim Rosenau (far left) and guests gathered for a photo with Olympia Dukakis at the McLoughlin Gallery in San Francisco.
Activist actress Olympia Dukakis spoke at the Horizons Foundation benefit held at the McLoughlin Gallery in San Francisco on November 5, 2014.
HRC-SF officers Linda Scaparotti and Frank Woo with Olympia Dukakis
Walter Mondale
Senator Walter Mondale of Wisconsin accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for President during their 1985 Convention held in San Francisco.
We also offer re-keying and lock repair, knife sharpening, glass, acrylic & wood cutting. Light fabrication, pipe threading and cable crimping are among the many other services we offer at Cliff’s Variety. If your project has gone a little beyond your abilities, we’re here to help.
Grand Marshal Olympia Dukakis in the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 26, 2011.
Presidential candidate Walter Mondale greeted voters after speaking on the Embarcadero (1984).
Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale, with then Harvey Milk Club President Carole Migden standing a few rows back, spoke during the 1984 Democratic Convention in San Francisco. S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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