Two weeks ago, we reported on brave trans youth, their parents, and a physician who are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their challenges to Tennessee and Kentucky’s bans on trans teens receiving lifesaving gender affirming medical care. Similar laws are on the books in 19 other conservative Republican-controlled states, and the U.S. Supreme Court could decide soon whether or not to hear the Tennessee and Kentucky cases. We consider these cases to be of utmost importance because of the sheer cruelty of these laws that intentionally target and exploit vulnerable trans youth for partisan political gain. Moreover, the cases could also have enormous impact on the constitutional rights not only of transgender people, but also of all LGBTIQ people. That’s because the cases could decide more broadly the legal standard courts apply to determine whether a law that discriminates against transgender people violates the U.S. Constitution. And that decision could, in turn, greatly affect the standard that applies to laws
that discriminate in myriad other possible ways against LGBTIQ people.
For this issue of the Bay Times, we discuss one of a number of powerful arguments our community is making before the Court—that discrimination against transgender people is a form of unlawful sex discrimination that the Constitution proscribes. Wellestablished Supreme Court precedent holds that a government’s differential treatment of a person based on sex is unconstitutional unless the government can provide an “exceedingly persuasive justification” for it. The same standard should apply to discrimination against LGBTIQ people because discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation are indeed forms of sex discrimination.
Tennessee and Kentucky’s bans on trans youth receiving gender affirming medical care are textbook cases of sex discrimination. Under Tennessee and Kentucky law, a cisgender teenager who was identified as female at birth, but has delayed onset puberty, may receive hormone treatments to assist her in the process of developing into her gender identity as female. However, a transgender teenager who was identified as male at birth but has gender dysphoria and whose true gender is female is prohibited from receiving hormone treatments that would enable her to develop according to her gender identity as female. This is sex discrimination, pure and simple. The person identified as female at birth is entitled to medical treatment, but the
person identified as male at birth is not.
The Supreme Court applied parallel logic in its landmark Bostock decision, holding that employment discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is unlawful sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Court considered “an employer who fires a transgender person who was identified as a male at birth but who now identifies as a female.” The Court reasoned that “[i]f the employer retains an otherwise identical employee who was identified as female at birth, the employer intentionally penalizes a person identified as male at birth for traits or actions that it tolerates in an employee identified as female at birth.”
The Court made clear that “the individual employee’s sex plays an unmistakable and impermissible role” in the employer’s decision. A teenager’s sex plays an equally unmistakable and impermissible role in Tennessee and Kentucky’s laws that permit teens who identify as female at birth to receive gender affirming medical treatments to develop as females, but deny trans teens who identify as male at birth to receive gender affirming care to
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2024 is off to a sobering start in terms of anti-trans/LGBTQI+ proposed legislation. As of this writing nearly four weeks into the new year, 321 anti-trans bills are being considered in 33 state legislatures. This number is anticipated to grow in the coming weeks and months. Of these, 38 are national bills that would target trans people in education, sports, healthcare, and other settings. The states with the highest number of anti-trans bills under consideration at this time are Missouri (38), South Carolina (31), and Iowa (22). Closer to home, California officials have introduced proposed Assembly Bill 1314, with the goal of requiring public schools to out trans/nonbinary students to their parents or legal guardians, regardless of safety or other considerations. This is a crucial year for LGBTQ+ rights, and for our democracy overall. In addition to important local and state elections, this year we will be voting for President—and thus, electing whom we want to pressure to do better over the next four years. And yet, as the Republican Party scapegoats trans and LGBTQI+ people as
a strategy to captivate their constituents, it can feel tempting to ignore the headlines and remain disengaged as a way to cope with the hate.
This year, we cannot afford to do that. The constant onslaught of antitrans and LGBTQI+ sentiment is intended to dim our light. It is an intentional attempt to diminish our collective power by harming, disempowering, and isolating us.
Hateful bills and laws explicitly restrict our agency and human rights when we live in states and municipalities without protections. But beyond that, even those of us living in socalled “sanctuary” states and cities are impacted by the fear of what will happen next. These bills—regardless of where we live—can make us feel small, scared, and less likely to develop or maintain relationships with others, especially with people who are different from us. And when we are scared, we forget that we do, indeed, have the power to fight back.
Here are some examples of how to resist and fight back in 2024:
• Donate and/or volunteer for a cause or candidate that you believe in, whether it be at the local, state, or national government level.
Remembering how we each can contribute to improving the world feels empowering and hopeful!
• Donate and/or volunteer for organizations supporting communities in states impacted by anti-trans/LGBTQI+ legislation, as well as organizations experiencing higher demand for services in “sanctuary” states and cities. (A 2023 Data for Progress poll found that 8% of transgender people overall, and 9% of
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I long ago stopped making New Year’s resolutions—I’m lazy, I like chocolate, and the resolutions rarely lasted half a day. But on a less formal basis, I’m aiming this year to simply be more useful: to myself, my family, my neighborhood, my community. Let’s see how it goes.
Election Season: Something to
Think About
Four years ago, I heard actor and activist Sharon Stone speak about our responsibility for participating in the work of our democracy. She quoted some truly depressing figures about voter turnout in the LGBTQ+ community, and challenged everyone to get out and vote in larger numbers, if they want to survive and thrive.
According to a study of LGBTQ+ voting patterns by the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, in the 2020 election 9 million LGBTQ+ adults were registered and eligible to vote, but 21% of LGBTQ+ adults were not even registered to vote. Imagine if they had all registered and voted in the 2020 elections. Could they have changed the bal-
ance of power in swing states? In red states? Could they have helped prevent the crushing wave of hateful anti-trans and anti-gay bills coming out of state legislatures?
Two years later, there was some better news. A study from Human Rights Campaign and Bowling Green State University, during the 2022 elections, found that more than 1 in 10 voters was predicted to be LGBTQ+, with that percentage expected to rise to 1 in 7 voters by 2040. This is largely due to a huge growth in the number of young voters predicted to identify as LGBTQ+: 27% of Gen Z, as opposed to 4.6% of Baby Boomers.
Why am I throwing all these figures at you? Because representation is power. Voting for policies that directly affect your life matters. Voting for candidates who represent you in very real ways matters. According to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, which works to elect proequality, pro-choice candidates who are out members of the LGBTQ+ community to public office, LGBTQ+ elected officials make up only 0.25% of all elected positions in the U.S.
How can you help? First and foremost, register, and vote. Convince everyone you know to do the same. And if you want to help support
LGBTQ+ candidates, the Victory Fund is a good place to start: https://victoryfund.org/
The Latest Victim of the Culture Wars: The Dictionary?
This is your periodic reminder that those who try to ban books are never on the right side of history.
Last year, in their tireless quest to make sure that students cannot be allowed to learn anything even remotely relevant to their actual lives, the state of Florida passed Florida HB 1069, a bill that mandates that any book submitted for review for containing “pornographic material” must be pulled from the shelves until a review process is complete.
for Students to contain “pornographic material.” And the Guinness Book of World Records. And National Geographic’s Science Encyclopedia, as well as Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield You see where this is going ... .
In December, the Escambia County Public School District, faced with a tsunami of book challenges, pulled 1,600 books from library shelves pending the review process—which, by the way, has no specific timetable or deadlines.
So, while the school district is busy assuring parents and the media that they haven’t actually “banned” any books, in reality those 1,600 books are not available to students for an indeterminate amount of time, which could be many months, or even years.
Escambia School District shelves; it is fascinating reading. It can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/BanFLA
Overdose Prevention - Yes, You Can Help
The vague wording of the bill— and the fact that anyone can submit a book title for review for any reason—left schools and libraries across Florida in an impossible situation: keep books on the shelves and risk the consequences of breaking the law, or pull every book that has been challenged until it has survived the lengthy review process. The problem is exacerbated by a shortage of “certified media specialists” to review the books and approve them to be returned to the library shelves. And, of course, by the fact that there are determined right-wing activists who submit challenges for hundreds of books—whether they have read them or not—because they object to them for ideological reasons.
That brings us back to the dictionary. Yes, a challenger deemed Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus
This is all because one person can claim there was something objectionable in the books, like local English teacher Vicki Baggett, who has taken it upon herself to submit hundreds of books for review. This is why PEN America, Penguin Random House, and other plaintiffs are challenging these laws in court, claiming that restricting access to books violates the public’s rights under the 1st Amendment.
These attempts to restrict students’ access to books—largely due to perceived sexual content, LGBTQ+ issues, or racial and social justice issues—have spread across the country like a virus, but Florida remains the hottest spot, with more than 40% of the book bans nationwide during the 2022–23 school years taking place in Florida. I highly recommend reading the full list of all 1,600 books pulled from the shelves of the
In case you missed it: The San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Entertainment Commission recently partnered with drag artist and noted harm reduction activist Kochina Rude to produce a potentially lifesaving video: Overdose Prevention in Nightlife. With recent news that San Francisco counted 806 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2023— the highest level ever seen here—this video is a much-needed tool to educate the public about how to recognize and reverse overdoses. The video shows how to use fentanyl test strips, and how to use Narcan to revive someone who has overdosed. Thanks to the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District for sharing this on their website.
Please watch this video, and share it widely. You never know when this training will help save a life.
http://tinyurl.com/ODVidKR
Save the Date: Coronation is Coming
One of San Francisco’s favorite annual events is coming up next month—or, more accurately, series of events, because the annual selection
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On Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6–8 pm, the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza (FHMP) will be hosting a gathering at the historic Harvey’s restaurant space in the Castro neighborhood (500 Castro Street) for the community to come together and learn how they can help support the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza project. The event is free to the public and will include beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and light food.
The community event will be hosted by noted activist Cleve Jones, along with legendary drag queens Juanita MORE!, Sister Roma, Honey Mahogany, and San Francisco’s inaugural Drag Laureate D’Arcy Drollinger. Special guests will also include San Francisco State Senator Scott Wiener, State Assemblymember Matt Haney, and District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman
“We are so excited to bring the whole neighborhood together in support of this very important project celebrating Harvey, his legacy, and the history of the LGBTQ movement right here in the heart of the Castro,” Taylor Jordan, Co-Chair of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, told the San Francisco Bay Times. Fellow Co-Chair Andrea Aiello added, “The Castro and Harvey Milk mean so much to so many LGBTQ people across the globe. His message of giving others ‘hope’ is so important. It’s great to see all of this support for the memorial coming from the community.”
FHMP was formed in 2016, in response to San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) plans to install an elevator in the culturally sensitive Harvey Milk Plaza. FHMP was aware of the conversation about changes to the plaza that had been ongoing for over 25 years and sought greater community involvement in the redesign effort.
“From the very beginning, Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza has understood that this project belongs to the com-
EVENT POSTPONED!
FHMP
munity, and we have worked hard to create opportunities to involve community members in the planning for the new Harvey Milk Plaza,” said Brian Springfield, Executive Director of FHMP. “On January 25, we plan to celebrate with the community what we have already accomplished together, and to launch this new phase of community involvement, which is advocating for smart investment in this world-class civic space at Castro & Market that will lift up our struggling small businesses, help activate the Castro neighborhood’s public spaces, and foster a sense of belonging for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
To date, the project has been supported through financial contributions from the State of California secured by Senator Wiener as well as private donations from the project’s Founding Friends and other individual donors. Construction costs for the new plaza, which includes commemorative features as well as transit and infrastructure upgrades, are expected to be covered through a public/private funding partnership.
“I’m very happy with the new design because it is the result of many con-
versations with LGBTQ people of color, transgender leaders, youth leadership, and powerful lesbians,” said Castro LGBTQ Cultural District Manager, Tina Aguirre
“The imagery of us represented as
critical parts of the LGBTQ movement is clear and important. The legacy of Harvey Milk is that of a multitude of voices from activists that effect change, from the days of Gay Liberation Fronts and radical lesbians to Black Lives Matter and Transgender leaders of today.”
“The balance between Harvey’s history and the movement’s history feels correct to me,” shared photographer Dan Nicoletta, who was close friends with Milk and worked at his Castro Camera store on Castro Street. “Harvey would have liked it.”
“This design just feels right to me,” said Cleve Jones, author, activist, and cohost of the January event. Jones was a founding contributor to the San Francisco Bay Times. “The balance of hope and action, the call-toaction for activism, and the pieces that will allow visitors to feel seen and heard; this has many of the same qualities as Harvey himself. This belongs in the Castro, and we deserve it!”
To date, the project has received support from many notable individuals, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Mayor London Breed, Milk’s nephew and Milk family spokesperson Stuart Milk, Milk’s friend and campaign manager Anne Kronenberg, Academy Award-winning Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Academy Awardwinning Director, Writer & Producer
What is now Harvey Milk Plaza has served as a portal to the region for well over a century. Even before Castro Street existed—named after politician José Castro 1808–1860— working class families had already begun to settle on the slopes of Twin Peaks, with what is now Castro and Market serving as a natural crossroads.
At first Eureka Valley was primarily rural, drawing cattle and sheep ranchers as well as produce farmers, but by the 1860s there were local shops and bars. A relative of a San Francisco Bay Times team member worked as a barber in the area at this time. He would have appreciated when horsecars replaced, as the Castro Community Benefit District called them, the “smoky, noisy steam dummy cars” that ran from Market to Valencia and from there to 16th Street. Both modes of transportation were operated by The Market Street Railway Company.
An Early Independent Streak 1887 was a pivotal year for the area. That is when the company built a line linking Eureka Valley to downtown San Francisco. Since it took a while to fully connect the already developed neighborhood to the rest of the city, what would become known as the Castro District of Eureka Valley had an inherent social and commercial autonomy that would serve it well in the decades to come.
Eureka Valley, for example, was in large part spared from the overwhelming destruction that occurred throughout other parts of the city as a result of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Thanks in large part to the Golden Fire Hydrant at 3899 20th Street and those who operated it, the fire was stopped at Dolores and 20th. Since basic services were already in place in the Castro, its commercial autonomy proved to be very advantageous.
Twin Peaks Tunnel
In the years just after 1906, planning began for the 2.27-mile long Twin
Peaks Tunnel that runs under the Twin Peaks that are the second and third highest mountains in the city.
(Mount Davidson has the number one spot and is 928 feet high.) The project was challenging; several men died due to a cave-in and later blasting charge accident.
There was great fanfare on July 14, 1917, when the tunnel opened, including its eastern entrance that is located at the west end of the Market Street subway near the intersection of Market and Castro. The inaugural trip through the tunnel took place on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1917.
Then Mayor James Rolph served as the motorman for the first revenue trip, which took seven minutes.
When the Market Street subway— the two-level system that carries Muni Metro and BART trains under Market Street—was constructed in the early 1970s, it was connected to the Twin Peaks Tunnel. The original eastern entrance to the tunnel in the middle of Market Street at Castro was removed, however, and new
Ashbury district in the late 1960s during and just after the Summer of Love, spilled over into the Castro. The area also became a destination for LGBTQ individuals of the then most prominent gay neighborhood of San Francisco, Polk Gulch. Harvey Milk and other bright community organizers worked with the Castro’s already existing autonomy to develop a “gay mecca” that attracted still more queer individuals.
on September 19, 1982, with the conversion of weekend K-L-M service to light rail and the closure of the surface tracks on Market Street. (A Trolley Festival made seasonal use of the portals, but that too ended in 1987.)
entrances and ramps were constructed on the sides of the street further up the block.
All of this transportation change was echoed by societal changes taking place in the neighborhood. Progressive youths, drawn to the nearby Haight-
By 1976, a design was finalized for the Castro Muni Metro subway station. Just two years later, Supervisor Milk was assassinated. While service at the station began on June 11, 1980, five years later it was dedicated to Milk. Within that window of time, regular use of the tunnel’s east portal ramps to 17th and Castro ended
In May 2016, the escalator in Harvey Milk Plaza was retrofitted with colored lights to resemble the Gilbert Baker designed rainbow flag that flies above the plaza. That same year, the SFMTA announced plans for a large project to increase accessibility to the Castro Muni Station under the plaza. The announcement led to the formation of The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza (FHMP), a group of community members advocating for community involvement in the redesign effort. After years of work and significant public input, FHMP has developed a vision for the plaza with landscape architecture firm SWA.
Now FHMP has moved ahead into the next phase, seeking support for the newly envisioned plaza.
For more information about the plans for rescheduling the event previously planned for January 25: http://tinyurl.com/4k3zskcb
On June 7, 2024, the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) will celebrate a historic milestone: its 50th anniversary. It stands as a pioneering figure in the United States, being the first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce globally, and we look forward to seeing our members, partners, and stakeholders at the gala to be held in the beautiful and historic City Hall. Subscribe for all the details at https://www.ggbapowerconnect.com/
witnessed the founding of the National Association of Business Councils (NABC), and the organization played a vital role during the AIDS crisis, demonstrating its commitment to community support. The late 1980s saw the establishment of the Small Business Network and the Western Business Alliance, further broadening the GGBA’s influence.
Corporate Partnerships and Visibility (1990s)
Since its inception, the GGBA has played a crucial role in advocating for and advancing the interests of LGBTQ+ businesses, setting a precedent for inclusivity and representation in the corporate sphere.
The Founding Era (1970s)
In 1974, nine residents established a charter to “provide mutual assistance and communication in our business relationships with our members and the community,” and the GGBA was established, marking a significant milestone in the history of LGBTQ+ business representation. Five years later, in 1979, the GGBA made a bold move by publicly using the term “gay,” proudly embracing its identity as the San Francisco gay chamber of commerce. This era laid the groundwork for a future of advocacy and visibility for LGBTQ+ businesses.
Expansion and Advocacy (1980s)
The 1980s saw significant expansion for the GGBA. The early part of the decade
In the early 1990s, the GGBA forged its first corporate partnership, expanding its network and influence. The mid1990s were marked by the launch of the first-ever “LGBT Business Expo” in the United States, a groundbreaking event that significantly increased visibility for LGBTQ+ businesses.
New Milestones and Programs (2000s)
The early 2000s were a period of growth for GGBA, as it became a tenant at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center and a founding member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The late 2000s were marked by a notable collaboration with the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce/Silicon Valley, further cementing its role in the community.
Achievements and Leadership (2010s)
The 2010s were a decade of significant achievements and leadership for the
GGBA. In the early 2010s, the organization was involved in the Transbay Transit Center Project and celebrated its 40th anniversary, a testament to its enduring impact and relevance. The mid-2010s saw the GGBA advocating for historic legislation. At the same time, the late 2010s were marked by strides in sporting inclusion and accolades at the NGLCC Annual Conference, showcasing the GGBA’s commitment to diverse aspects of community and business development.
Current Vision and Future Goals
Today, the GGBA is driven by a vision of an economically empowered LGBTQ+ business community. Its future aspirations are rooted in the ongoing efforts for inclusion and equality, aiming to break new ground in business diversity and representation. The GGBA continues to champion the interests of LGBTQ+ businesses, seeking to expand opportunities and foster a more inclusive economic landscape.
Reflecting on the GGBA’s journey reveals its profound impact on the LGBTQ+ business community. From its bold beginnings in the 1970s to its current role as a business inclusion and advocacy leader, the GGBA has been a beacon of progress and empowerment. Its story is not just about business success; it’s about the enduring fight for equality, representation, and the right of every individual to thrive in the business world.
The GGBA’s legacy serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the power of community and the importance of inclusive business practices. As the GGBA continues to evolve and grow, its impact and
February Make Contact
February 13, 2024
6–8 pm
Location: TBD
March Make Contact
March 12, 2024
6–8 pm
Location: TBD
Industry Specific Networking Event:
Real Estate (and Related)
Quarter 1
Coming to San Francisco in March 2024 Date & Location TBA!
influence will undoubtedly pave the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Tony Archuleta-Perkins is the founder and owner of Ide8 Real Estate & Eclat Group He has worked in finance for 25 years, ten of those years specifically as a fractional CFO. He has two master’s degrees: an MBA and a Master of Science in Real Estate. In addition to his educational and professional pedigree, Archuleta-Perkins has a passion for advocacy for the LGBTQ+ Community and their allies. He proudly volunteers and serves on two boards here in San Francisco: President of the Golden Gate Business Association and Treasurer of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, SF Chapter. He and his husband enjoy international traveling and scuba diving.
“The Best Bagels Are in California (Sorry, New York)” reads the headline of a March 2021 New York Times story by Tejal Rao that declares Boichik Bagels to be “some of the finest New York-style bagels I’ve ever tasted. They just happen to be made in Berkeley.” At the top of the story is a large photo of owner Emily Winston in an athletic Artemis stance, poised to hoist ready-to-eat bagels from a wooden board into a metal wire mesh bin.
Consider that this was during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were closing or struggling to survive. Boichik Bagels, in contrast, was thriving and poised for growth—and all with a name that unapologetically celebrates Winston’s pride in her LGBTQ+ identity. It is also a nod to her grandmother and Jewish culture.
“When I cut my hair, my grandmother said, ‘You are such a boychik,’ which in Yiddish is a term of endearment for a cute little boy,” Winston says.
The Jewish News of Northern California reports in a headline that “Boichik Bagels Taste Like Home.” That proverbial home could have been H&H Bagels in New York City that had a manufacturing facility in New Jersey, the state where Winston grew up. She and her family enjoyed the original H&H bagels that, as singer Mariah Carey described, were “sublime: soft, warm, and plump to perfection, a classic NYC morning staple.”
Winston recalls licking the outside of H&H bagels to capture their unique malty flavor before chomping into them. She also remembers the moist and savory lox, ultrarich cream cheese, crisp vegetables, smoky whitefish, and more from other quality New Jersey and New York delis. These are memories that she seeks to capture and relive, not just for herself but for others.
Winston’s father Marvin, a scientist in the food and drug industry at his namesake Winston Scientific Consultants, LLC, had a major influence on his daughter. “He used to take me on visits to food factories,” she says. “I grew up seeing food manufacturing facilities just like it was a normal thing.”
where she was responsible for two $5 million prototype vehicles and more.
She then returned to New Jersey to help her aunt with EnergyCheck, an energy billing services firm for commercial real estate. The plan was for Winston to take over the business when her aunt retired, but that didn’t go as expected for a variety of reasons. Her aunt eventually closed out the business.
Winston moved back to California, where she did everything from serving drinks at St. George Spirits in Alameda to building light fixtures made from upcycled bottles to making bagels out of her home kitchen. She used to enjoy Schmendrick’s Bagels, which she had at Saul’s in Berkeley, but Schmendrick’s folded in 2013, so her home bagel pursuits intensified.
Ever the engineer, she constructed much of the equipment—board, racks, and more—that she used to make the bagels that she shared with very appreciative friends. Word spread, and demand grew beyond her own circle for the distinctive bagels. She next “flexed her mechanical engineering muscles with BakerBot,” as Eater reported.
Collaborating with the Livermore-based company BakTek, Winston designed a hybrid robot and production line system that is now at the center of Boichik Bagels locations, including a factory site in West Berkeley. She started her business in July 2017, and has not looked back since.
BakerBot would seem to counter the handcrafted, slow food movement, but Winston explains that it actually helps to reduce injuries that workers can sustain doing repetitive work. “Using machinery in the making of bagels has been around for a while,” she says.
While that is not completely innovative, her seamless melding of BakerBot with her large, dedicated teams of workers is unique.
“I think a lot about our culture and believe we should all try to be a mensch (a person of strength, integrity, honor, and compassion).” Workers receive fair pay, health insurance, all the bagels they can eat, and other perks. It is little wonder that, at Glassdoor, Boichik Bagels has a five-star rating from employees. “Fun place to work!” is at the top of the page.
Intelligent and ambitious, Winston is an Ivy Leaguer who graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 2000. She then moved to California and earned her M.S. at UC Davis in transportation, technology, and policy. For nearly three years she ran the Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Program,
Here we would like to give a shout out to Temmy, whom many of you might have encountered if you have visited the Boichik Bagels flagship College Avenue location in Berkeley. No matter the weather, Temmy is usually outside taking orders from customers. Some are regulars who can whip out their order in seconds. Others struggle a bit more, and get the Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” look from her and people in line. When an order is eventually placed correctly, her genuine smile and relief are palpable.
“Temmy used to own a high-end clothing store in Chicago, so she likes retail,” says Winston, who seems to have a personal connection to all of her employees.
She adds, “We have a very diverse workforce in all respects. I think that me being out makes a difference in helping to draw a more diverse staff to come and work here. We have a pretty high percentage of LGBTQ+ employees.”
Winston’s thoughtful, creative, and even playful nature carries through Boichik Bagels items. “Mensch” is on the menu (whitefish salad, cucumber, and tomato) on your choice of bagel. The “Classic” has Nova lox and all the expected delicious toppings. The organic malt syrup— one of the “secret” ingredients of the bagels—is blended with Mother Tongue coffee for a Chocolate Malted Coffee drink. “The malt is magic,” she says. What is not on the menu, at least not yet, is detailed information about the highquality ingredients. The flour, for example, is organic and from Central Milling, which is also the supplier for renowned Acme Bread. Founded in 1940, Central Milling is legendary for its quality and respect for the environment. The whitefish for the aforementioned Mensch is brought in from New York, duplicating the smoky, moist goodness of that dish at popular NYC area delis.
that of allies. She recommends that others join the association.
Winston already has five Boichik Bagels locations: the Berkeley Bagel Factory, the flagship College Avenue shop, and ones in Larkspur, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara. “We’re going to be coming to San Francisco very soon,” she says. “We are looking at Laurel Heights, Fillmore, and Downtown now.” She is also planning to expand the business to other parts of California.
“We are moving up in a big way,” she explains. “There will be multiple new stores opening by this spring.”
A member of the Golden Gate Business Association, Winston is grateful for the LGBTQ business community’s support and
Outside of work, Winston—who has been dubbed “the most eligible lesbian in the Bay Area”—practices martial arts and enjoys eating out. She recalls, for example, savoring a recent tasty meal at Good to Eat Dumplings, which is run by queer immigrant women.
When we caught up with her, she had just finished tinkering with some machinery at the Berkeley factory, on the floor and with a screwdriver in hand. As she says, “I’ve always enjoyed making stuff.” She is working on creating a new challah bread that will soon debut.
If a Boichik Bagels location is not near you, yet!, the business ships nationwide: https://boichikbagels.com/
Happy New Year! Assuming you’ve recovered from your New Year’s celebration by now, it’s time to shake off that fog and start the new year off right. While I’m not a fan of “resolutions,” I am a big fan of planning. Taking easy steps now can spare you headaches down the road. So why
not add some financial refreshers to your resolution list?
Revise that budget.
If you haven’t revised your budget yet, this is the perfect time to do so. First, assess your monthly cashflow. How much money are you bringing in? What are your fixed expenses, such as a mortgage, insurances, car payments, numbers that won’t really change from month to month? Then work from there to personal expenses that are important to you, such as those for classes you take, morning coffees, and DoorDash. This also includes your retirement contributions as well (more on that later). Then take a hard look at your actual spending from 2023. Did you allow for enough for Ubers back from The Lookout? Make sure that your budget and bank account are in line and adjust where they aren’t.
Now that the calendar has turned over to a new year, it’s an opportune time to reflect not just on personal goals but also on securing your legacy. Estate planning might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your resolutions, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most crucial steps you can take for yourself and your loved ones.
Why Estate Planning Matters in 2024
In an ever-changing world, having a comprehensive estate plan isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s a roadmap that ensures your wishes are honored
Work to meet savings goals and set up an emergency fund. Were you able to hit your savings goal last year? If so, that’s great! Keep doing what you are doing and ask yourself: Could you increase your goal? Did you get a pay increase last year? Make sure you are making that money work for you somewhere. If you didn’t meet your savings goal, this will be a great time to sit down and see what you can tweak to set up for success this year. Your savings are for things like vacations, college tuition, and a down payment for a house. This isn’t your oh no I got laid off fund. That’s separate and you should be saving for life’s curveballs, too. The rule of thumb is to have enough in your emergency fund to sustain yourself for 3–6 months of housing expenses and monthly expenses.
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and your assets are protected. This year, amidst the evolving financial landscapes and legal intricacies, having a robust estate plan becomes all the more crucial.
Navigating the Complexity with Expert Guidance
At Greene Estate, Probate, & Elder Law Firm, we understand that estate planning isn’t just about documents; it’s about peace of mind. Our team of seasoned attorneys specializes in crafting tailored estate plans that align with your unique circumstances. We’re here to demystify the complexities, offering expertise that’s rooted in years of experience in San Francisco.
Components of a Comprehensive Plan
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Your Life, Your Changes, Your Updated Plan
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Why Choose Greene Estate, Probate, & Elder Law Firm
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Take the First Step: Contact Us Embark on your estate planning journey in 2024 by taking the first step—reach out to our firm for a consultation. Whether you’re just starting or need to update an existing plan, we are ready to guide you through the process, providing clarity and support every step of the way.
Secure your legacy, protect your loved ones, and gain peace of mind. Contact us at obed@greenelawfirm. com or call us at 415-905-0215 to
By Dr. Angie Perone, PhD, JD, MSW, MA
California is embarking on a landmark study of LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older adults throughout the state. This study will provide much-needed information and visibility about the experiences and needs of this population. And visibility and knowledge can bring new resources, funding, and support.
While most large studies are limited to surveys, this trailblazing study also includes focus groups, which will help ensure we collect in-depth information from some of the hardest-toreach LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians.
Focus groups are a powerful tool for maximizing diverse voices that may otherwise be difficult to include solely from surveys. Focus groups are ideal for examining complex phenomena and needs among minoritized communities—especially those who experience multiple forms of oppression. Surveys alone cannot always capture this complexity. As survey sample sizes get smaller, the likelihood for obtaining errors increases. Small sample sizes can undermine the internal and external validity of a study—meaning that they make it harder to show that conclusions are trustworthy and accurately explained (internal validity) and that the results can be generalized beyond the situation, group, or event studied (external validity). Studies that aim to capture experiences of communities that may be small in number often benefit from incorporating qualitative data, including focus groups.
Many of the hardest-to-reach LGBTQIA+ communities comprise small samples because of the multiple ways that they experience marginalization based on race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, income, etc. The more specific the community, the smaller it may be (e.g., low-income Black same-gender-loving older adults) compared to the general population. And sometimes being small in number can mean that a community has been overlooked in resources, funding, and support. This groundbreaking study aims to change that.
Overall, LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians remain vastly understudied compared to many other communities in California, and the survey will provide much-needed data to document the needs, hopes, and priorities of mid-life and older LGBTQIA+ residents throughout California. But we know even less about LGBTQIA+ communities of color, low-income communities, and other minoritized LGBTQIA+ communities. The focus groups will help to better understand the specific challenges, needs, and supports among some of the hardest-toreach, low-income, minoritized LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians.
Why does this matter? Why do we need to pay particular attention to these communities? While national research is sparse on older LGBTQIA+
communities of color, lesbians and bisexuals, transgender adults, and low-income communities, we do know that poverty rates, health disparities, and experiences of discrimination are higher compared to the general population and compared to white LGBTQIA+ older adults with higher incomes. Emerging research is revealing that LGBTQIA+ communities experiencing elevated disparities and discrimination may also have diverse forms of coping, resilience, and sources of support. To best serve all LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians, we need to better understand the challenges, needs, and opportunities to support this diverse community.
Facilitated discussions during focus groups can help identify potential interventions, resources, and supports that could be helpful. While LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians are by no means a homogenous group, many have shared historical experiences of exclusion, discrimination, and resil-
ience. Focus groups organized around common experiences allow participants to build off shared experiences, explore nuances and differences among shared experiences, bounce off ideas, diversify opinions, and flesh out issues more comprehensively. Focus groups can surface new ideas from group conversation.
Given emerging research on disparities within LGBTQIA+ communities, we expect that the survey will also reveal disparities among LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians. Focus groups will allow us to ask additional, targeted questions to unpack, contextualize, and help explain some of these disparities.
The study team will be recruiting focus group participants through three primary avenues: the survey, community partners, and community members. People who complete the survey can indicate if they are interested in participating in additional research. We also have a vast
and growing network of community partners that will be helping to share information about the focus groups. We anticipate that LGBTQIA+ community members and allies will also help us spread the word.
The focus groups would not be happening without generous support from the California Health Care Foundation, the SCAN Foundation, and the Metta Fund. We are also fortunate to have a very passionate and committed team of researchers and community collaborators whose expertise has helped shape this proj-
ect. We are thrilled to participate in this landmark study and to help elevate voices of LGBTQIA+ mid-life and older Californians, especially that of those who are often otherwise left unheard.
Dr. Angie Perone is an Assistant Professor at the University of California School of Social Welfare and Director of its Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services. She previously served as a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Executive Director of SAGE Metro Detroit.
Dr. Marcy Adelman oversees the A ging in Community column. For her summary of current LGBT senior challenges and opportunities, please go to: http://sfbaytimes.com/challenges-and-opportunties/
Alegre Home Care is proud to support Dr. Marcy Adelman’s Aging in Community column in the San Francisco Bay Times
Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders
Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor
1978
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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 first and only LGBTQ newspaper in San Francisco to be named a Legacy Business, recognizing that it is a longstanding, community-serving business that is a valuable cultural asset to the city.
dr. Betty l. SullivaN JeNNiFer l viegaS co-PuBliSherS & co-editorS
Beth greeNe, Michael delgado, JohN SigNer, aBBy ZiMBerg deSigN & ProductioN kate lawS BuSiNeSS MaNager Blake dilloN caleNdar editor kit keNNedy Poet-iN-reSideNce J.h herreN techNology director carla raMoS weB coordiNator Mario ordoNeZ diStriButioN JuaN r davila voluNteer coordiNator
CONTRIBUTORS
WRITeRS
Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Carolyn Wysinger, Leslie Sbrocco, Heather Freyer, Kate Kendell, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Joanie Juster, Julie Peri, Jennifer Kroot, Robert Holgate, Eduardo Morales, Dennis McMillan, Tim Seelig, John Chen, Rafael Mandelman, Tabitha Parent, Jewelle Gomez, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Bill Lipsky, Elisa Quinzi, Liam Mayclem, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia,
Nuestra Voz
Eduardo Morales, Ph.D.
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of AGUILAS (Asamblea Gay Unida Impactando Latinos A Superarse), so this year for the San Francisco Bay Times we are highlighting achievements of the longstanding San Francisco-based nonprofit. Language barriers can cause myriad problems. In healthcare, they may lead to poor patient-provider communications, failure to understand treatments, incorrect diagnoses, inability to complete or translate intake paperwork and online surveys, and much more. In employment, they can prevent an individual from being hired, hurt promotions, lead to miscommunications and decreased productivity, and pose challenges during group collaborations. At the very least, language barriers can result in a person having low self-esteem and a fear of being adversely judged by others. Sometimes language barriers can be subtle, affecting nonnative speakers even when they have a reasonably good grasp of multiple languages.
AGUILAS helps to eliminate such barriers by offering all services in three languages: Spanish, English, and Portuguese. For example, on January 2, 2024, AGUILAS hosted a Community Support Group in Spanish for people living with HIV.
On January 16, a similar event was held in Portuguese. Participants gain valuable information and connect with others without having to worry about communication challenges. Through La Academia, participants can also work to improve their overall communication skills.
Surveys show that AGUILAS participants appreciate the provided services. 94.5% of survey respondents in Spanish felt satisfied with the meetings and workshops offered at AGUILAS by rating them very good to excellent. Among Portuguese speaking participants, 96.7% gave similar high ratings for services provided in Portuguese. Among those who responded to the surveys in English, 85.9% rated services as very high to excellent.
AGUILAS is fortunate to have a very capable staff who provide services at a high level of satisfaction to its program participants in three languages—including the second most spoken language in the world, Spanish. (Mandarin Chinese is #1 according to the 26th edition of Ethnologue. English is third, while Portuguese if fifth.)
Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus, retired Distinguished Professor, and current adjunct professor at Alliant International University. He is
also a licensed psychologist and a founder and current Executive Director of AGUILAS, an awardwinning program for Latinx LGBTQ+. Of Puerto Rican decent,
Randy Coleman
he has received numerous distinguished awards and citations, including being named a Fellow of 12 divisions of the American Psychological Association.
Randy Coleman hails from New York, but has lived in San Francisco since 1975. Coleman shares that before moving to the Bay Area, he studied Art History and Architecture at Boston University while working as a resident artist for architectural rendering at a Massachusetts historical society. “All of my life I’ve been an artist,” Coleman says. “To know me is to know that I have a passion for art and architecture. I love this project for the San Francisco Bay Times, and hope that you enjoy my sketches.”
© Randy Coleman, 2024
Sit Tight, Your Honors
I bet you’re wondering what the Supreme Court has been up to since we last investigated their various machinations. So, shall we start a quick review? Or shall we pause and do an online crossword puzzle? Good plan. Now that the puzzle is done, let’s move on to the Court’s slightly interesting decision to dodge review of the Seventh Circuit’s transgender school victory. Last August, a three-judge Seventh Circuit panel ruled that an Indiana school district could not block a transgender male student from using the boys’ bathrooms and locker rooms. To do so, the panel said, was to violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of Equal Protection, as well as Title IX’s law against sex discrimination in public education. Note that this was not the first time we had a trans-friendly school ruling from the Seventh Circuit, although that earlier case was not appealed to the High Court.
This time, the school district did indeed ask the justices to revisit the case, but the Court recently said no, which was a nice reprieve for transgender teens in the Seventh Circuit’s ballpark (Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin). This doesn’t mean, however, that the High Court is done with the question. Other appellate courts have taken a stand on transgender student access, including the Fourth Circuit (victory) and the Eleventh Circuit (defeat). So, it’s possible that the justices are lying in wait for a better case or more background litigation before they pounce.
Justice Deferred
And speaking of the Fourth Circuit’s position on transgender students, perhaps you remember the compli-
cated story of Gavin Grimm, a trans student in the Gloucester County, Virginia, school district, who sued for the use of his school facilities back in late 2014 or early 2015. Don’t make me look that up, thank you.
Eventually, his case rose to the aforementioned Fourth Circuit where the three-judge panel decided to defer to the Department of Education’s interpretation of Title IX. Since this was the Obama era, the Department of Education had a very friendly interpretation, specifically they thought Title IX’s ban on sex discrimination automatically included a ban on transgender discrimination. Stay with me, everyone!
Using something called Auer Deference, which requires federal courts to defer to agency interpretations of their own policies, the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of Grimm and the school district petitioned for Supreme Court review. Fast forward to the Trump years, when surprise surprise, Betsy DeVos and company changed the Education Department’s policy and ordered transgender students to be tarred, feathered, and thrown into a lava pit. It was something like that; at any rate, it was a far cry from the Obama policy. When the Supreme Court got around to the petition for review, the justices pointed out that the administrative policy had changed and sent the case back to the Fourth Circuit.
The good news is a) I’m almost done rehashing the Gavin Grimm case, and b) the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of Grimm the second time in a final decision that the High Court declined to revisit. But part of my reason for going down this fascinating side street was to illustrate the pros and cons of Chevron Deference, which is similar to Auer Deference.
By Ann RostowChevron Deference says courts must defer to agency interpretations of statutes, while Auer Deference involves existing agency policies. Or at least that’s my understanding. If you’ve been keeping up with legal news, you’ve noticed that the High Court spent a day last week considering whether or not the 40-year-old Chevron precedent should continue to operate.
Does this affect our GLBT community? Well, it could as the Fourth Circuit example indicates. Agencies and the civil servants who work them are experts in the regulations, language, statutes, and precedents that govern their niche areas. Giving them control over the legal interpretations of some of these ins and outs makes sense. Handing that control over to federal judges, who may have zero expertise in a particular subject, makes far less sense. True, we may run the risk that a generous agency policy gives way to a strict one, but the reverse is also true, and this is part of a Democratic process. Take a look at the range of federal laws that ban sex bias. I won’t get into why all those laws also outlaw gay and trans bias, but arguably they do.
That said, do we want those ambiguities to be sorted out by Biden’s political appointees? Or do we want Trump judges making those calls?
Enough said.
Right on Target
I have more to say about the High Court, but I think we’ve said enough for now. Meanwhile, did you see that another one of the “Moms for Liberty” is in hot water? First we had the one who was married to the head of the Florida Republican Party, who had a threesome with another woman. You remember
Brittany Ziegler, right? Her husband, Christian, was accused of raping that third woman a year after their tryst, and after he refused (inexplicably!) to step down from his position, his colleagues fired him and took away his responsibilities. Then we had one of the Moms who organized a little parade or protest with the Proud Boys, and another who quoted Hitler for some reason. I guess the fuehrer must have had something nice to say about children or book burning.
So this time, Tennessee Mom for Liberty Keri Leigh Blair, 43, was arrested and tossed in the clink on January 5 after she ripped off Target for some $728.00 and change. I guess Keri went through the self-checkout but failed to, um, actually pay for quite a bit of stuff over the course of seven shopping trips. To be accurate, Blair was elected to the Collierville school board last year with a stamp of approval from Moms for Liberty, so that’s her connection. She resigned after the shoplifting bust, for “personal, family reasons.”
Don’t you love these holier-than-thou “Moms” telling us what to do and what to read, while they screw people over, indulge white supremacists, quote fascists, and steal from their local Target. Oh, and I was just reading about yet another one who was nailed for serving alcohol to minors at a party. Not that a teenager should never have a little of this or that, but if you’re going to let the kids booze it up in your living room, spare us the moralistic lectures about our parenting choices.
Non-Star State
I’m going to take the lazy approach and simply provide you with a direct quote from the Texas Tribune, which is the Lone Star State’s top progres -
sive news source. It’s a description of this alleged pedophile, named Paul Pressler, who is given the courtesy of an “alleged” even though he has many accusers with detailed examples of a lifetime of predatory behavior. So, this is how the Tribune describes him:
“Pressler, 93, is one of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century for his key role in the Southern Baptist Convention’s ‘conservative resurgence,’ during which he helped push the nation’s secondlargest faith group to adopt literal interpretations of the Bible, align more closely with the Republican Party, ban women from preaching, and strongly condemn homosexuality. Before that, Pressler represented Houston in the Texas House and served for 14 years as an Appeals Court judge, and his endorsement has for years been sought by evangelical political candidates, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.”
I’m not in the mood to rehash the whole list of sexual abuses against young boys on his r ésumé. It’s depressing, and it’s such a familiar story, isn’t it? What is it about these guys? Devout men of faith on the outside; despicable child molesters underneath, more often than not the type that assaults little boys. I guess Mr. Pressler is in the news because another one of his colleagues who (allegedly) used to send him cute young “interns” to work at his house is now running for a seat in the Texas House, blah blah blah.
I find myself guilty of delivering full scandal details against all rightwing and/or anti-GLBT offenders, while ignoring many disturbing (continued on page 15)
The Memory Keepers Initiative panel discussion at The Chan National Queer Arts Center in San Francisco, held on January 11, 2024, began a new chapter in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ (SFGMC) legacy committed to documenting the living tapestry of stories and experiences that define and celebrate our diverse community. The vision of SFGMC Conductor and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, this powerful oral history project drew a full room for its initial event.
The first of a quarterly series for the year, the panel was moderated by Donna Sachet, who is affectionately known as the First Lady of the Castro. Sachet, a San Francisco Bay Times columnist, was joined by Derek Barnes, a local activist, fellow Bay Times columnist, and a member of several LGBTQ+ Boards of Directors; Selisse Berry, the lesbian activist and founder of Out and Equal; and SF Empress Alexis Miranda, who is an entertainer and Latino activist.
Sachet and each of the panelists shared their unique and compelling stories concerning their arrival in San Francisco, coming out, overcoming challenges, seeking community, and becoming involved in local nonprofits and more. Peppered with humor and poignancy alike, the stories captured the interest of rapt audience members, who were invited by Stensberg to submit questions.
The next Memory Keepers Initiative events will be held on February 29, April 18, and May 16 at The Chan National Queer Arts Center at 170 Valencia Street.
https://www.sfgmc.org/welcome/
By Donna Sachet
We were so proud and flattered to serve as moderator for the first Memory Keepers Initiative at the Chan National Queer Arts Center on January 11. Panelists Derek Barnes, Selisse Berry, and Alexis Miranda shared personal thoughts about the LGBTQ+ Community with the attendees, offering perspective and optimism. This is the first in a series, the brainchild of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Artistic Director Jake Stensberg, who hopes to stimulate more conversation about our past, present, and future. Watch for future events on February 29, April 18, and May 16.
Last Saturday’s Celebration of Larger-Than-Life for Michael “Shanté” Youens could not have been more perfect. Hosts Sister Roma, Chi Chi LaRue, and Ethylina Canne pulled out all the stops for a blow-out party at The Academy SF, featuring incredible passed hors d’oeuvres from Ryan Scott 2 Go, continuous slide show, DJ Sergio Fedasz, and select performers, followed by personal reflections by several guests. We attended with Gary Virginia and were pleased to catch up with Manny Yekutiel, Ron Huberman, Gus Bean, BeBe Sweetbriar, Dulce de Leche, Juanita MORE!, Mr. David Glamamore, Mercedez Munro, Honey Mahogany, Paul Miller, and too many Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to count. Even Michael’s sister and a few other family members were there. What a beautiful and well-deserved send-off!
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
—Robert BraultImperial Court high season is upon us, as evidenced by last Saturday’s Imperial Crown Prince & Princess Masked Ball last Saturday at the Cat Club. Despite the cold and rain, Imperial Court members and supporters of Imperial Crown Prince King Khalil Munro and Imperial Crown Princess Nicole Duminic were out in force, many wearing masks and fantasy outfits. The attendees enjoyed a taco bar, no-host bar, and lively show, featuring title-holders and invited guests. These important titles were revived some years ago with the intent of developing future leaders and possible Emperor and Empress candidates, so watch those names in years to come.
Immediately following that Imperial event was Bal Masque XXI: Two Decades of Decadence, the major fundraiser of the year for Krewe de Kinque (KdK), bringing New Orleans styled Mardi Gras madness to San Francisco for 21 years! King Robert “Mez” Tucker and Queen Moxie Penn had a busy year, producing regular monthly events at Midnight Sun and even creating a new event, the Vampire Ball on Friday the 13th of October. The membership of KdK chose Urban Angels as the beneficiary for this event, reaching out to those experiencing homelessness and/or poverty by providing essential products and volunteer hours. The Café on Market Street was decked out in Mardi Gras decor for Bal Masque XXI and many of the long-held traditions of New Orleans were honored, including a Second Line Parade with Celebrity Grand Marshal Sister Roma, tableau show performed by club members and the Boys of Bearlesque, and the crowning of the new King and Queen of Krewe de Kinque, Robert Makowka and Vivianne Vixen Jouke Lanning mesmerized with flagging, Rasa Vitalia drew guest caricatures as well as performing sword-swallowing, Gareth Gooch photographed guests in front of an elaborate Sparky’s Balloons backdrop, drink specials like Hurricanes flowed, a silent auction beckoned, and DJ Spazatron kept the party music going. Few San Francisco events offer so much for such a small admission fee, reflected in the rave reviews all over social media and truly a reflection of the production standards and attention to detail for which KdK Founder and King I Gary Virginia is known. Watch for video highlights soon on Gay Club TV with Marcelo Acevedo and next year, be there!
Keep your eyes and ears open for fundraisers thrown by candidate for Emperor Bob Glas and candidate for Empress Linda Summers, as they vie for your support during campaign season. It is hard to believe that the public election of a new Emperor and Empress is a San Francisco tradition for nearly 60 years! Since José Sarria was appointed our first Empress and the following year announced that the public would select a new monarch each year, the Imperial Council has administered this election. Participation has varied over the years with sometimes multiple candidates for each office and voters from the hundreds into the thousands. Those elected serve their community for a year, following many time-honored traditions, while adding new variations and modern adaptions. Over those many years, Emperors and Empresses and their respective Courts have raised significant funds for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, produced a variety of entertaining and well-attended events, and developed much-needed leadership within the LGBTQ+ Community. We are so proud to be a part of the history of the Imperial Court as Absolute Empress XXX. Join in our events, be sure to vote on February 17, and consider running for one of the Imperial titles yourself!
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
Friday, January 26
Divas & Drinks: A Date With Olivia SF Bay Times presents monthly party
Donna Sachet hosts
Guests Olivia Travel VP Tisha Floratos, comedian Marga Gomez, musician Aïma the Dreamer, DJ Rockaway, and the Bacardí team
The Academy SF, 2166 Market Street $15
www.academy-sf.com
Sunday, February 4
Give Back Sunday
Bob Glas fundraiser for Night Ministry
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk Street 4–7 pm Free!
www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Sunday, February 4
Queer AF
Linda Summers fundraiser for Castro Country Club 575 Castro 6–8:30 pm Free!
www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Saturday, February 17
Voting Day for Emperor & Empress
The Cinch, 1723 Polk Street, 11 am–4 pm Castro Muni Station, Noon–6 pm
Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street, 1–5 pm
Valid photo ID for SF, Marin, or San Mateo County www.imperialcouncilsf.org
CREGO (continued from pg 2)
LGBTQ+ adults 65 or older, have moved out of their communities as a result of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation in their state; additionally, 43% of transgender adults and 41% of trans young adults have considered moving for the same reason.)
• Educate yourself and stay informed about the local, state, and national issues that matter to you, and that influence your life and that of your community. For ongoing data and analysis on anti-trans legislation developments throughout the country, visit the Trans Legislation Tracker: https://translegislation.com/
• In addition to reading this publication, follow trans journalist Erin Reed’s writing at https://www.erininthemorning.com/
• Stay connected and in relationship to those around you, as much as possible. (In 2023, Data for Progress found that sympathy for LGBTQI+ people increases when voters know an LGBTQI+ person; this is most notable as it relates to trans people, as voters who personally know a trans person report almost double the rate [68%] of sympathy for trans people compared to those who don’t know a trans person [35%].)
• If you are eligible, vote! (Unfortunately, 17% of LGBTQI+ eligible voters report that they do not vote—this is especially the case for those ages 25–39 [16%], ages 40–54 [17%], and ages 18–24 [28%].)
This year, in particular, it is critical that we remain present, engaged, and empowered as individuals and as communities. Our future depends on it!
Pau Crego (he/him) is a queer and trans immigrant who has worked towards equity for trans and LGBTQI+ communities for almost two decades, both in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in Spain where he is originally from. His advocacy has included direct services, technical assistance, training and education, program design, and policy change. Crego worked at the Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI) from 2017–2023, most recently serving as the Office’s Executive Director. He is also faculty in the Health Education Department at City College of San Francisco, and a published author and translator in the field of public health.
HARVEY MILK PLAZA (continued from pg 4)
Rob Epstein, and a number of San Francisco organizations including the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, the Castro Community Benefit District, the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, Castro Merchants, the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association, and the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club.
https://www.harveymilkplaza.org/
LEWIS/GAFFNEY (continued from pg 2)
develop according to their gender identity as female. Indeed, the Supreme Court in Bostock went so far as to say that “it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.” This standard should apply not just to Title VII, which is a federal statute, but to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution as well.
Further, there’s no credible justification for this differential treatment, much less an “exceedingly persuasive” one. Consider how leading medical institutions advise teens and parents about medical treatment for cisgendered teens with delayed puberty. A Massachusetts General Hospital webpage informing parents about delayed puberty for cisgender boys states that the hospital provides treatment “if your son is bothered by his lack of pubertal signs.” Vanderbilt University children’s hospital, located in Nashville, Tennessee, recognizes that “[d]elayed puberty can cause embarrassment and stress for adolescents” and that some adolescents “will need treatment with hormones.”
As we described in detail two weeks ago, countless trans teens who do not receive gender affirming medical care suffer severe depression and anxiety,
JUSTER (continued from pg 3)
of the new Empress and Emperor of San Francisco, and properly celebrating and thanking the outgoing Empress and Emperor, require an entire week of festivities. The largest, and most glittering, of these events is Coronation itself, the night when the Imperial Council of San Francisco pulls out all the stops. It is a gathering of the clan, not just of San Francisco’s royalty, but also of members of sister councils from across the country.
Coronation Week events begin with Imperial Voting Day on Saturday, February 17, then an entire week of celebratory events leading up to Coronation 59 on Saturday, February 24, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA. And in case you still have energy left over, the following morn-
MILLER (continued from pg 8)
Down with the debt.
Debt can be a bump in your road to financial independence. Make sure you are paying it down and making higher than the minimum due amount when possible. Start with debt with high interest rates, such as credit cards and student loans. For debt, we don’t want to carry much of a balance. We understand that life sometimes has a way of catching us off guard, such as having an emergency vet visit or your car breaking down and needing to pay the mechanic. But don’t let the debt get so big that it looms over you like a dark cloud.
Save for retirement.
Make sure you are also saving via a retirement plan. If your company has a match, ensure that your contributions are capturing as much of that match as possible. It’s also not too late to add to your IRA.
The IRA contribution limit for 2024 is $7,000 for those under age 50, and $8,000 for those age 50 or older. You can make 2024 IRA contributions until the federal tax filing deadline for income earned in 2024. This is up from 2023’s limits of $6,500 for those under age 50, and $7,500 for those age 50 or older. You can make 2023 IRA contributions until your April 15 federal tax deadline for income earned in 2023.
Get your affairs in order.
No, not those kinds of affairs. It is daunting to think about, but estate documents are critically important. Super key documents that we recommend everyone have prepped are a durable power of attorney and a revocable living trust. Updating your beneficiary designations is also part of this routine. At the very least, avail yourself of free resources to help get one set up. It’s crucial to have something in place.
Early January is an opportune time to consider the larger impact that changes you make now could have by the end of the year. Even minor adjustments today can make a big difference over time.
The second Friday of every January is infamously known as “Quitter’s Day.” It’s the day on the calendar by which most people have already abandoned
GREENE (continued from pg 8) schedule your consultation. Your future deserves the attention to detail and care that only a trusted legal partner can provide.
Statements In Compliance with California Rules of Professional Conduct: The materials in this article have been prepared by Attorney Jay Greene for educational purposes only and are not legal advice. This information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individuals should consult
and are at high risk for self-harm or suicidal ideation. If being bothered or embarrassed is a basis for cisgender teens to receive medical care, which we do not question, there should be no question that trans teens whose very lives are at risk should be entitled to receive the lifesaving care they, their parents, and their medical providers all agree they need.
Last week, the Supreme Court declined to consider a federal appeals court order blocking an Indiana law that prohibits trans students from using the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity. Although that decision is good news, we cannot infer from it whether the Court will take the Tennessee and Kentucky cases. In future weeks, we’ll continue to report on these cases and the critical issues at stake in them for trans youth and the entire LGBTIQ community.
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 samesex marriage legal nationwide.
ing—Sunday, February 25—there is a pilgrimage to Woodlawn Cemetery to honor the founder of the Imperial Council, José Sarria.
Throughout the year, the members of the Imperial Council, currently led by reigning Empress Cameron Stiehl-Munro and Emperor Michael Anthony Chua, have hosted countless events to raise money for charitable organizations in San Francisco. Their work is worth celebrating, so polish your finest tiara and join the fun. View all the events and pick up your tickets at http://tinyurl.com/ICSF5924
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
their freshly made resolutions. Truthfully, it’s not hard to believe, especially as we are even further into the month. As we have all experienced at one time or another, it’s easy to get discouraged with our goals, especially after the initial enthusiasm starts to fade. You don’t want to be a quitter now, do you?
The secret to staying power is breaking down your long-term goals into smaller, more manageable milestones. What can you do today that will improve your situation by Day 365?
Brio Financial Group is an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of Brio Financial Group by the SEC nor does it indicate that Brio Financial Group has attained a particular level of skill or ability. This material prepared by Brio Financial Group is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Opinions expressed by Brio Financial Group are based on economic or market conditions at the time this material was written.
Facts presented have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Brio Financial Group, however, cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Brio Financial Group does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax professional regarding your particular situation before implementing any strategies discussed.
Brandon Miller, CFP®, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals. For more information: https://www.briofg.com/
with an estate planning and elder law attorney for up-to-date information for their individual plans.
Jay Greene, Attorney, CPA, is the founder of Greene Estate, Probate, & Elder Law Firm based in San Francisco, and is focused on helping LGBT individuals, couples, and families plan for their future, protect their assets, and preserve their wealth. For more information and to schedule an assessment, visit: https://assetprotectionbayarea.com/
Community
AIDS/LifeCycle
Centering diversity and inclusion is at the heart of a new AIDS/LifeCycle team welcoming “all folks who are odd, strange, weird, eccentric, and/or unconventional” and are “of all genders, orientations, and sexualities, including allies.”
The Qweirdos will be debuting on the Ride this year with a team of nearly 80 people spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Washington, D.C. What started as an idea between friends Nathan Garcia and Michele Aguilar for an inclusive team has grown to a family of Riders and Roadies creating community from the shared experience of feeling left out of the mainstream LGBTQ community.
“We really wanted to create a team that is inclusive and provides a safe space for folks who just didn’t identify as gay men,” shared Co-Founder Garcia. “The name ‘Qweirdos’ references the feeling of being
an ‘outsider,’ ‘weird,’ and the letter ‘Q’ of LGBTQ.”
Initially, The Qweirdos started among friends, but membership soon grew rapidly as word spread of the team and their message. Riders found themselves attracted to the team for the safe space it provided and their values championing “self-care, community, love, and expression.”
“Cycling is a very white male sport and HIV advocacy in San Francisco has been associated with white gay men,” said Auilar, who is entering her fifth year participating and third year as a Roadie. “It’s important for us on the Ride to show that HIV disproportionately impacts other groups such as women and people of color—and have a team representative of that. We want people to know that HIV crosses demographics and there are diverse perspectives living through it.”
Now as the team gears up, they are reflecting on the importance of diversity and inclusion.
“It’s important to have diversity in your life,” Garcia said. “I feel like I am a better person for having a large, diverse friend group that allows me to approach charity work from a compassionate perspective that doesn’t ‘other’ the people we are helping, especially on the Ride.”
He added, “This Ride is bigger than just ending AIDS; it raises funds for many community services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.”
https://www.aidslifecycle.org/
AIDS/LifeCycle is co-produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
“Doing your own research” can lead to a place that isn’t necessarily where you want to go. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic, when normally discerning folks were swayed by theories and opinions that ran counter to the medical realities.
This came to mind as I evaluated two similar but very different compact SUVs, the $56,430 Lexus NX 350h Luxury and $36,545 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. They are both made by Toyota. They’re based on the same plat-
ROSTOW (continued from pg 11)
revelations concerning anyone in our community who may be accused of malfeasance of one sort or another.
Sometimes this is just because the naughty gay person isn’t a hypocrite, ergo I don’t care what they do.
Sometimes it’s because I feel I have to do a lot of research to make sure I’m not falling for a rightwing smear story, and I’m too lazy to do it.
Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to read about or slam a community member (my bad).
But, of course, if it’s a British lesbian behaving badly I’m going to report every little detail I can find because we all live for those stories and we don’t even care if they’re true or not. Plus, it’s like the difference between a show about an American undercover cop getting shot during a drug sting gone bad, and Mrs. Maplethorpe wondering why the
form and use the same powertrain, albeit with different tuning between them. Online forum users seem to have their minds made up: the Lexus is the obvious choice, based on the specs and perceived driving experiences.
After driving them both in San Francisco, I’d say, “Whoa, Nellie!”
Let me explain.
First of all, it’s a given that our fair city is not the typical driving environment, as there are few places that will present you with San Francisco’s dizzying inclines and declines.
Second, ours is a place of diverse modes of transport, from doublelength buses to electric scooters. Being on your toes and ready to react is the key to keeping your stress low.
From looks alone, the sporty, coupelike lines of the Lexus seem to fit the bill. Its sweeps and curves elevate it above the crossover rabble, and its tailor-made cockpit bolsters the let’sblast-off vibe.
In comparison, the tested RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition had thick fender flares, “Army Green” paint, and images of mountains etched into its grippy floor mats. It appears the
Reverend Billingsly was found dead in the chapel, impaled on a crucifix. Both scenarios contain violence, but one seems horrifying and the other seems entertaining.
Before we leave Texas, I just saw that a group of activists have asked several different U.N. agencies to call attention to seven nasty anti-GLBT laws passed by the Texas legislature and signed into law last year.
Another exhausting-sounding story. Sister Act
Did any of you know that Grover Cleveland’s sister Rose was a lesbian who was in love with a wealthy widow ten years her junior? The relationship is interesting, to some of us, because Rose Cleveland served as unofficial First Lady for the first year or so of Grover’s first term in office, which began in 1885. After
Toyota is prepped for a deliberate, wheel-by-wheel rock climb.
A peek at the numbers tells you that the Lexus draws 240 horses from its 2.5-liter hybrid engine, while the very similar setup in the Toyota claims only 219. Advantage Lexus, right?
Yes, except the Lexus weighs about 250 pounds more than its platformmate. And, its torque rating—the twisting force that gets the wheels rolling from a stop and up a steep hill—just about matches the lighter RAV4 Hybrid’s. So, while its horsepower puts the Lexus out front, it’s
that, Grover Cleveland got married, as was befitting a national politician, so Rose was relegated back to First Sister, or whatever.
Rose met her paramour, Evangeline Simpson Whipple, in 1889, when she was in her mid-forties and Whipple was in her mid-thirties. After meeting on some kind of vacation, they returned to their respective residences, but began a torrid correspondence:
“My Eve!,” wrote Rose, “Ah, how I love you! It paralyzes me ... Oh Eve, Eve, surely you cannot realize what you are to me. What you must be. Yes, I dare it, now, I will not longer fear to claim you. You are mine by every sign in Earth & Heaven, by every sign in soul & spirit & body— and you cannot escape me. You must bear me all the way ... .”
actually the Toyota that feels more eager to pounce. Getting going means you’ve soon gotta stop, and the Lexus nails the spreadsheet with 13-inch brake rotors all around, while the Toyota’s rotors are down one inch up front and two inches in back. It is time to log in and declare the Lexus the winner, one would think.
But rotor sizes and real-world responses are very different things, and the Toyota inspires more confidence in the urban flow. Hybrids employ a regenerative braking system to charge the main battery, and the Lexus’ pedal press felt goopy,
Whoa, Nellie!
As you know, Cleveland was the only president to win a second term after losing his first reelection campaign, and we fervently hope he will be the last to do so in the foreseeable future. But until the second week of November, we will have to live under the shadow of the Cleveland precedent. At least his sister gives us an amusing insight into his life, don’t you think? The two women called each other “Clevie” and “Wingie,” and traveled together through Europe and the Middle East. Then, as if scripted for a Lifetime movie, Evangeline married a bishop in 1896 and left Rose high and dry.
Years later, the bishop died and the two women resumed their correspondence, albeit on a less passionate level. In 1909, Rose appealed to Evangeline to resume their rela-
where at first it was slack to react and then felt heavy at the end. The Toyota settled its slowdowns with a more natural linearity.
Otherwise, these two accurately reflected their brand missions.
The Lexus impressed with its supple “Rioja Red” synthetic-leather (“Nuluxe”) upholstery, while the RAV4 was rigorously functional.
But overall, they were a reminder to align one’s online research with the actual realities.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
tionship. “I need you and life is not long enough to always wait,” she wrote, now in her mid-sixties. The two women wound up living together in Tuscany, where Rose died of the Spanish Flu in 1918 at age 72. Evangeline lived another 12 years, dying in London in 1930. Although we do not have her letters to Rose, we have a letter she wrote to her stepdaughter after Rose’s death:
“The light has gone out for me ... . The loss of this noble and great soul is a blow that I shall not recover from.”
I’m not sure why I went on to this extent, but I find it a touching and timeless tale—a nice note to end on in our turbulent times.
arostow@aol.com
The San Francisco Independent Film Festival will take place February 8–18, 2024, at the Roxie and the Balboa theaters as well as online. There will be a half dozen features and shorts by, for, and about LGBTQ folks, including Finding Lucinda , a documentary about non-binary singer-songwriter Avery Hellman, aka ISMAY, who goes on a road trip for inspiration, and Matter of Mind: My Parkinson’s, about three Bay Area subjects with the disease, codirected by out filmmaker Laura Green.
Here is a rundown of two narrative features and four shorts that will be screening at this year’s fest.
In the Meantime (February 13, 8:45 pm, Roxie) is writer/ director Nicholas Anthony’s modest, engaging drama about Max (Bronte Charlotte) a “messy,” would-be writer who does not have a job or a girlfriend, but she does have a crippling inferiority complex. Her despair is compounded as her best friend and roommate Emma (Domenica Garrett) as well as Caroline (Olivia Belamir), an old acquaintance from university, have a series of successes. The film, shot in luminous black-and-white (with a few color scenes), depicts Max’s quarter-life crisis over the course of a year. She struggles professionally with a thankless admin job she gets, and personally, reconnecting with her ex, Jordan (Antoinette Tracey). She also goes on a date with a guy, Phillip (Alexander Lloyd), and reluctantly attends parties with Emma. Max mostly copes with her malaise by sitting in the bathtub, loitering in a record store, and drinking wine. Her droll observations and interactions will amuse anyone who identifies with her, though Max will annoy viewers who don’t appreciate her “failure” qualities. Still, Charlotte wears her emotions on her sleeve, telling Emma what she feels during a fight, or saying all the wrong things while trying to attract a cute barista. In the Meantime is a slight film that, like Max, is a little rough around the edges, but it has its charms.
suicide, bullying, and more. Unfortunately, writer/director Graham Streeter’s film plays these serious topics for unintentional laughs. Ari (Zane Haney) is still grappling with the aftereffects of gay conversion therapy from when he was 11 and his father made him the poster boy for being “fixed.” Since then, he been romantically involved with Ava (Zoë Papia).
Meeting Cherie (Me’lisa Sellers), Peter’s friend who is in the military, Adam has a conversation with her that involves memories—some depicted in flashbacks—but also raises some uncomfortable truths that rock Adam’s world. The Knowing provides honest observations about Black families, faith, as well as issues of shame, lies, and denial that resonate even if the filmmaking is a bit amateur.
At Lucy’s Last Night (in the Bay Area Stories and Storytellers shorts program, February 10, 4:30 pm, Roxie) is a cute romantic drama about two recent college grads, the gay Petey (Joshua Bippert), and the straight Zach (Joshua Michael Payne) who grapple with their feelings the morning after a hookup at a party. When Zach returns Petey’s phone, the guys smoke weed and try to tamp down the feelings each has for the other. Can a relationship work out?
Unfix (February 9, 8:45 pm, Roxie) tackles important issues including conversion therapy, self-harm,
Now, decades later, the couple are having financial problems. When they take in two teens, Jon (Damon McKinnis) and Max (Noah Toth), during the pandemic, things come to a head. Ari is secretly participating in surrogate partner therapy to cure his panic attacks brought on by same-sex socialization. And Max, who is studying to be a therapist, of course, is his surrogate. They meet
secretly in a motel room to consensually touch each other while dressed. Meanwhile, Ari suspects something is going on between Ava and Jon because he sees them touching hands one afternoon. The connection that is revealed is not shocking, because viewers know the truth that is being kept from Ari. But watching the emotionally overwhelmed Ari strip naked, grab a gun, and have a meltdown is more risible than dramatic.
The actors are overly earnest, which adds to the inadvertent hilarity. This crudely made film is well-intentioned, but is so bad it’s almost good. That said, Unfix cannot be unseen.
The Knowing (in the Four Stories shorts program , February 10, 12:15 pm, Roxie) is an ambitious dramatic short about Adam (Jack Perry) whose HIV+ ex, Peter (Deon L. Jones, Jr.), lies dying in a hospital room.
Writer/director Ethan Roberts teases out the answer but has fun as each guy monologues about their desires.
Panic Attack (available online February 8–18) has Alex (Laurence McCann) experiencing anxiety as he ventures out into the world as a transman. Episodes of him being misgendered on a bus or trying to use a men’s bathroom are juxtaposed with him in the safer space of his bath. This sensitive short captures the emotional rollercoaster Alex endures thanks, in part, to McCann’s delicate performance.
Day Jobs (available online February 8–18) has Stevie (Stevie Wain), a struggling, newly out comedian with stage fright, trying to make money nannying to pay rent to her ex, Jason (Jaren Kassebaum). There is a deadpan episode with Stevie interviewing for a job, and later apologizing for her bad behavior. She also unexpectedly rekindles a relationship with her ex, Scarlett (Becca Buckalew), who now has a baby. Day Jobs chronicles Stevie’s journey of empowerment, which involves getting out of her own way, but this uneven short features more cringy moments than amusing ones.
For tickets and more information, visit https://sfindie.com/
© 2024 Gary M. Kramer
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
Camp: The Story of The Attitude That Conquered the World by Paul Baker
Baker offers up an historical survey of the camp sensibility and explains how it creates cultural space for both refuge and resistance.
By Any Other Name by Erin Cotter
By Any Other Name can satisfy any itch: it’s at once a historical novel (set in Shakespearean England), a thrilling murder mystery, and a steamy queer romance!
https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson
This deeply fascinating transnational history of witchcraft trials shines a spotlight on humanity’s unpleasant tendency to demonize and persecute marginalized people.
Outside Voices (nonfictionhardbound) by Joan Gelfand
Outside Voices reports the ups and downs of finding one’s way as an artist, living with a women’s band, forging an independent Jewish identity, founding a women’s restaurant, and becoming a published writer and songwriter while exploring the limits of sexuality and spirituality. The story includes road trips to music festivals, beaches in Mexico, and concerts in Southern California.
Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date (fiction - paperback) by Ashley Herring Blake
Romance writer Iris Kelly has no interest in dating or being in love, but all of that changes after she tries out for the lead role in a local play, a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing. During the audition, Iris comes face-to-face with her feelings and with Stefania, her very recent one-night-stand that went very wrong.
Portal: San Francisco’s Ferry Building & the Reinvention of American Cities (nonfiction - hardbound) by John King
A two-time Pulitzer finalist explores the story of American urban design through San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building. A book for city lovers and visitors, architecture fans and pedestrians, Portal is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of San Francisco and the future of American cities.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 28 @ 1 pm (freeCorte Madera store) Susannah Breslin, author of Data Baby
Freelance journalist Susannah Breslin will discuss her new book, Data Baby, which is a compelling and provocative account of a woman’s quest to find her true self, and an unblinking exploration of why we turn
(continued on page 28)
photographer Rink took note of the books for sale that are currently on display at the Welcome Castro and Fabulosa Books shops on Castro Street. and at Browser Books on Fillmore Street.
Jan Wahl
The practice of writing out an acceptance speech for an awards show should not be allowed, period. The trend only gained steam a few years ago and it drives me, and some of you, crazy.
Watching winners pull out a list of agents, friends ... whoever and go through it is a cop out and is incredibly boring for many viewers. To winners I say: Speak from your heart and then get the hell off the stage.
We saw from the cold and disconnected Golden Globes that awards shows that do not bother with pithy writing, production values, and imagination die a slow death. Even a bad host can disguise flaws with a few well-written comments, or can sing or dance their way through an intro. Having absolutely no visual “bumps” in and out of commercials and showing a bare stage remind us that the producers left out the show in showbiz. But the biggest sin of all for this particular show was that the creators demonstrated no love whatsoever for the business of movies and television. They presented a near-empty stage with the world watching.
Conversely, and ironically, the Emmy’s had it all: creative ideas, a nostalgic appreciation of classic television, and production values that kept the show moving. Here’s hoping that the Academy Awards’ production staff is taking notes.
Hopefully the Grammy’s can up their present game, too. One year I was a network stage manager for the Grammy’s. Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé did amazing scat singing; Paul Simon and a band of incredible South African artists slayed with their memorable performance. These are just a few of the many iconic moments from the Grammy’s. Why not now give us some musical thrills from the
past, whether mixed in with the upcoming Grammy broadcast or even in a separate show?
From Streisand’s “Hello, Gorgeous” to David Niven and the streaker, from Clint Eastwood forced to go on for Charlton Heston to Madonna’s “Sooner or Later,” there are also Oscar moments so many of us will never forget. First televised in 1953, the Academy Awards has resulted in many wonderful moments to pull from. The Academy Library is well organized, so the producers should have no trouble selecting the best or most surprising moments from years past. A credo that they would do well to remember is that showbiz builds on itself and it is something to celebrate.
Thinking of nostalgia, I miss Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police! The gowns and other attire tend to be fabulous or weird, and I so enjoy them being discussed and described. In the right tone and context, throwing shade can be fun and stimulating. People for the Oscars have been dressing up beautifully, big and bold ... and strange. Hopefully reporting on such fashions will return. I vote for Laverne Cox leading a show with experts! And do not leave out the jewelry.
I will be hosting an Oscars event at The Academy SF a few weeks ahead of the ceremony on February 29. Do not miss it. There will be lots of shade, fun, and laughs.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
During his heyday from 1905 to 1930, the Arrow Collar Man was often described as one of the most handsome and certainly one of the most desirable men in the United States. He appeared in more magazines than the most acclaimed stars of stage and film, and at the height of his popularity, he received more fan mail than any of them, as many
His was the image of elegant, sophisticated masculinity that Irving Berlin, deemed “the nation’s songwriter” by The New York Times, wanted listeners to bring to mind in his perennially popular song “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which has been sung by everyone from Fred Astaire and Clark Gable to Gene Wilder and Taco, who all performed it wearing tuxedos or white tie elegance. Consider these lyrics:
“Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue?
High hats and Arrow collars
White spats and lots of dollars
Spending every dime for a wonderful time.”
as 17,000 letters addressed to him in a single month.
Men wanted to be like him. Women wanted to be with him.
Created by a clothing manufacturer and a New York advertising agency, he was brought to life by a successful artist and illustrator, Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874–1951), who modeled him after a specific individual, his life partner of 50 years, Charles Beach (1881–1954). At a time when companies were just beginning to sell their products with image advertising, the two men imbued the Arrow Collar Man with a virtually complete gay iconography, then unnoticed by most consumers, which has now endured for more than a hundred years.
a few months after they met, Beach began modeling exclusively for him and spending the rest of his time working at odd jobs at the studio. Soon he was doing a dozen tasks for the artist and eventually became his agent and general manager. According to Rockwell, “Beach transacted all Joe’s business for him, did everything but paint his pictures.”
but his illustrations for a series of Ivory Soap advertisements probably are the most blatantly erotic and revealing. They had to have been reviewed by the company, its advertising agency, and the editorial board of every magazine they appeared in, but apparently none of them noticed anything inappropriate about men watching each other taking showers in a locker room, admiring each other while swimming nude, and bathing together on board a ship during the Great War.
This fictional individual was much more than a figure to sell celluloid shirt collars, otherwise rather bland and boring products. He was the nation’s first male sex symbol, and for decades he personified modern American manhood. Even after detachable collars became a relic of an earlier time, he remained a national role model: tall, handsome, and physically fit, as well as stylishly dressed, at ease with himself, and popular with both women and men—a gay man as the quintessential masculine ideal.
Leyendecker portrayed a range of men in his commercial work, from founding fathers to friendly policemen, but his most celebrated images, like the Arrow Collar Man, presented many of the enduring masculine icons—including sailors, lifeguards, and athletes (no leather men yet)—who are still with us. President Theodore Roosevelt, a staunch advocate of “manly athleticism as a means toward a patriotic and moral good,” praised Leyendecker’s illustrations for depicting “a superb example of the common man.”
With his broad shoulders and slender waist, “chiseled features,” and masculine desirability, Beach was Leyendecker’s favorite model, not only for the Arrow collar advertisements, but for many of his images of the modern American man. The two men could not have been more different. Leyendecker was short, thin, and “very average looking,” with “an unnaturally sallow complexion and a weak jaw.” One biographer
Leyendecker needed all the time he could find for his work. Between 1899 and 1943, he created more than 300 covers for The Saturday Evening Post alone. Many were scenes of wholesome Americana, charming and sweetly sentimental, such as a youngster’s first date, the Easter parade, and a
Perhaps Leyendecker’s most daring commercial illustration was for an Ivory Soap advertisement that appeared in the early 1900s. It shows a fully covered man, wearing a somewhat flamboyant head to foot changing robe. Only his face and hands are uncovered, but just below his corded midriff, while he admires his bar of soap, the extent of his mascu-
described him as “being socially awkward and so painfully shy that he stuttered when any person of authority asked him to speak.”
According to the illustrator Norman Rockwell, whose own work was greatly influenced by Leyendecker and who knew both men well, Beach was “tall, powerfully built, and extraordinarily handsome,” someone who “looked like an athlete from one of the Ivy League colleges.” Rockwell also remembered him as being “always beautifully dressed. His manners were polished and impeccable.” Another admirer described him as “confident and charming,” having “an Adonis-like figure with a narrow waist and a flat stomach.”
Twelve years younger and six inches taller than Leyendecker, Beach might have seemed an unlikely mate, but the couple apparently liked each other immediately. Only
mother and child’s Christmas prayer together. Others were infused with a homoeroticism that was not recognized by his mainstream audience— what gay men at the time thought of it is not known—but is unmistakable when noticed.
Some covers, however, were frankly homosensual, including the one he did for the August 6, 1932, issue of the Post, to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Its highly oiled, amazingly handsome, and brilliantly muscled athletes, by themselves enough for any erotic gay daydream, wear tightly clinging, physically defining clothes—what there are of them— that actually do not leave much to imagine. The testosterone seems to leap from the page like the scent in a modern perfume insert.
Leyendecker’s homosocial imagery for Arrow may be more famous,
linity is apparent. Gay men everywhere must have been as excited as the model was to see his portrait in their favorite magazine.
Leyendecker’s classic masculine icons are still with us. Never mind that they exemplify an elite white masculinity that was hardly representative of the diversity of American men, then or now. The language of male imagery that Leyendecker helped create is still at least producing positive emotions to sell products.
The artist’s choices made all the difference. Unlike other illustrators of his time who portrayed handsome men in their work, commercial or otherwise, Leyendecker chose to emphasize not only the physical beauty of his models, but also their sexual allure and especially their flirtatious desire for each other. Depicting subtle and not so subtle poses, he included a homoeroticism that mainstream readers may have missed completely, but that would have been unmistakable to his gay admirers. Wherever they lived, they could see that they were not alone in the world.
Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “LGBTQ+ Trailblazers of San Francisco” (2023) and “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.
Revelry with umbrellas, beads, and masks returned to the Castro on Saturday, January 20, 2024, with the celebration at The Café of Krewe De Kinque’s (KDK) 20 years as an LGBTQ+ service organization. Bal Masque XXI was hosted by King XX Mez and Queen Moxi with Urban Angels as the beneficiary. Grand Marshal Sister Roma led the Second Line Parade through the venue. Featured entertainers included KDK Members Donna Sachet, Carly Ozard and Vivianne Vixen, KDK Queen IX BeBe Sweetbriar, KDK King X Kippy Marks, KDK Queen XVIII Christina Ashton, KDK Queen XVI Kelly Rose, KDK King XX Mez, KDK Queen XIX Tawdry Hepburnn, and Guest Performer Rasa Vitalia.
A pinnacle moment of the evening was the crowning of the new KDK reigning royals, Queen XXI Vivianne Vixen and King Robert Makowska. Additional entertainment was provided by DJ Spazatron, Flaggers Jouke Lanning and David Reardon, and the Boys of Bearlesque SF. Congratulations to KDK founder and King I Gary Virginia and to everyone else who helped to make the evening such a success. Now on to Mardi Gras, which this year falls on Tuesday, February 13—just a day before Valentine’s Day!
The San Francisco 49ers for many years have supported Martha’s Kitchen, a San Jose-based nonprofit that has a mission of “feeding the hungry with dignity, no questions asked.” Last year, the organization provided over 2,800,000 meals to those in need.
During the holiday season, 49ers staff have helped to assemble hundreds of to-go boxes of hot dinner meals to distribute to underserved communities. Players in the past have even gone to Martha’s Kitchen to serve dinner in person to hundreds of hungry guests. In 2019, tight end George Kittle brought his entire family to help out. He was interviewed wearing a festive reindeer hat as he prepared to dish out some vittles: http://tinyurl.com/yncdy9yy
Star linebacker Fred Warner was also at that event, where he proudly refilled beverages and bussed tables. Martha’s Kitchen works with multiple partners that they provide food to throughout the year. At its San Jose site, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served during the week. Boxes of groceries are distributed on Tuesdays from 5–6 pm. Dinner and groceries are also served in Watsonville on Tuesdays. For more information: https://www.marthas-kitchen.org/programs
The name Honolulu conjures up Polynesian images of beautiful Waikiki beach, panoramic views of Diamond Head, warm tropical breezes, hula dancers, and more. But it’s not just a surfer’s paradise anymore. The Gay Gourmet recently visited and is happy to report that Honolulu has also become an important foodie destination well worth visiting for the culinary experiences.
But let’s start with where to stay. The Gay Gourmet’s favorite is always the luxurious Halekulani Hotel. It’s located smack dab on Waikiki Beach, with the famous outdoor House Without A Key restaurant and lounge, which is home to live Hawaiian music most nights. When we were there, we were lucky enough to hear the excellent Waitiki 7 exotica band, headed by the dynamic Randy Wong. This year, however, we decided to try the Halekulani’s new hotel across the street, the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani. What a find! It’s brand-spanking new, with modern touches and a contemporary vibe. The excellent Halekulani Bakery is located conveniently on the first floor, where some of Waikiki’s best pastries shine. The rooms are beautifully appointed, with luxe touches like Toto bidet toilets in each room. We splurged and took a suite on an upper floor with a panoramic view of the Pacific (and a view of the Sheraton next door), a living room, a bath and a half, and two balconies. One of my pet peeves in modern hotels is not having either ample closet space or storage in the bathrooms—luckily, the Halepuna has both! And the king size bed is soft enough for my picky husband but firm enough for his even pickier husband! Best
of all, the Halepuna is also home to the marvelous new Umi by Vikram Garg restaurant, one of Honolulu’s best—but more on that later!
So, what’s all this fuss about great new restaurants? Isn’t Honolulu just about coconut shrimp, bad mai tais, and mediocre battered fish tacos on the beach? The resounding answer is, “No!” Now, you can have a great time sunbathing during the day but have some real fine dining experiences at night. Here are some of my favorites.
Monkeypod Kitchen: This Waikiki outpost of the popular local Hawaiian chain has arrived at the Outrigger and its beachside location is reason enough to visit. Well, that, and you’ll enjoy one of the island’s finest mai tais, topped with lilikoi foam! Sample some fresh Kauai shrimp and Hamakua mushroom pot stickers as well as macadamia-crusted mahi mahi at this coastal café. Along with live music every day, you’re set either for dining while watching a beautiful sunset by the sea or enjoying a relaxing noontime repast.
Doraku Sushi Waikiki: It’s not new, but this casual spot for sushi and more in the Royal Hawaiian Center is, as the kids say, “the bomb.” I love the Sushi Nigiri Deluxe, the “Jumpin’ Shrimp” (basil tempura shrimp with firecracker sauce), the Wagyu beef fried
rice, and the charred shishito peppers with sweet yuzu miso (but watch out for that one spicy pepper that always takes you by surprise!).
Miro Kaimuki: Off the beaten path in the working class Kaimuki neighborhood is one of Honolulu’s great new culinary finds—Miro Kaimuki. It’s a 5-course fixe prix blend of French and Japanese, with Hawaiian influences. This eatery owes its innovation to the combined talents of Chef Chris Kajioka and San Francisco’s own Mourad Lahlo, who worked together at Aziza and Mourad. At $110/person, it’s a steal for dining of this quality. You can try some creative dishes, such as: scallop, pear, and trout roe; miso beef with black garlic; sea bass with curry and long bean; and a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut
dessert combo that will set your sweet tooth tastebuds on fire.
Skull & Crown Trading Company: Tiki bars in Honolulu used to serve mai tais made of a sweet concoction of pineapple juice, rum, and grenadine. But thanks to mixologists like San Francisco’s own Martin and Rebecca Cate (of the famed Smuggler’s Cove in Hayes Valley), tiki has been elevated to an art. That art is on display at this snug and intimate Chinatown bar in Honolulu. In addition to a Mauna Kea Mai Tai (based on the original Trader Vic recipe), you can sample the Dagger Mai Tai (where all the ingredients are a secret blend), an ‘Awa ‘Awa Mai Tai (made with lilikoi and Campari) and the aptly named “Skull & Crown,” which combines Plantation OFTD overproof rum, absinthe, and more—and serves 2!
Umi by Vikram Garg : Seriously, one of the best meals I’ve had in the past year was at Umi. Chef Vikram Garg cut his teeth at the Halekulani, but at Umi, he creates his own seafood-centric restaurant that celebrates “the ocean’s harvest.” The caviar and roe are served with an innovative twist: onsen egg, Burdock cream, and finger lime. Kampachi isn’t just raw tuna on a plate;
it’s complemented with jicama, fennel, and shishito vinaigrette. A creamy “popcorn soup” with lotus seeds, one of my favorites of the evening, followed. For our main, we savored a prime tenderloin that delighted with koji, okra tempura, and soy-pepper sauce. The dessert?
A lilikoi (passionfruit) pavlova, with mango, hibiscus, anglaise, and 24k gold flakes to top it all. This was a meal for the ages and one that I’ll remember for a very long time.
Senia: This is still one of the best restaurants in Honolulu and I was glad to see that it not only survived the pandemic, but also has been renovated and refreshed in a way that is glamorous and sophisticated.
Insider’s tip: order the tasting menu and sit at the counter, where Chef Anthony Rush personally serves you. It’s the best dinner and show in town! Also set in a storefront in Chinatown, Senia is a play on the Greek word xenia, which translates loosely to “a concept of hospitality.” The tasting menu changes seasonally, but on the à la carte menu, you can relish such tasty dishes as: porcini mushroom and gruyère tarts, kabocha croquettes, Hamachi with red pepper relish, braised beef cheeks, sea scallops with pumpkin puree, and agnolotti with Okinawan sweet potato.
Bits and Bites
I had the pleasure of visiting Sequoia Grove Winery recently with my pal and cheese author Laura Werlin. All I can say is, “Wow!” But rather than leaving it at
Cockburn’s Tails of the Unexpected “Ruby Soho” Ruby Porto, Portugal $28
https://www.cockburns.com/our-ports
As a port lover, I’m used to sticking with the classics like vintage port and 10- or 20-years old tawny. These are two of my favorite styles of the famed fortified wine. With a rich history dating back centuries, port (or porto as it’s called in Portugal) and the port houses that make them, have built their reputations on tradition. But things are changing in the world of port. New styles, more aging options, and more drinkers are beginning to appreciate the beauty of port, widening its appeal for many.
Cockburn’s (pronounced cō-burns) has always been on the cutting edge of innovation. Cockburn’s newest lineup of approachable, easy drinking ports is called “Tales of the Unexpected” and ranges from white to ruby to tawny styles. The “Ruby Soho” is purple hued and full of dark berry flavors with a hint of sweetness. It’s ideal to sip alone at the end of a meal, or with blue cheese or chocolate. But, for a creative retro drink, try the following reimagined cocktail classic, the Port & Lemon.
that, I thought I’d let Laura regale my loyal readers with her own thoughts, as summarized here:
“Some winery experiences are greater than the sum of their parts—a notion that is brought home on every level by Sequoia Grove Winery. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley, this is a place where great wine, nature, hospitality, and everything that’s special about living in California converge. It starts with the namesake Sequoia grove (although they’re actually coastal redwoods*), where the iconic California native trees stand watch over the winery and surrounding vineyards. It’s also where exemplary single-vineyard, reserve, and Napa Valley appellation cabernet sauvignons are crafted by star winemaker Jesse Fox. And it’s a place where you want to settle in, whether it’s in the rustic but modern tasting room or in one of the beautifully designed outdoor spaces in the shadow of the redwoods themselves.
Best of all, you may come here for the wine, but you’ll definitely want to stay for the food. The offerings include ‘Wines + Bites’—four varietal wines paired with small bites ($85/pp; club members: free), a vertical tasting of their flagship wine, Cambium ($90/pp; club members: $55), or their signature ‘A Taste For Cabernet’ in which Chef Britny Maureze creates a lights-out multicourse tasting menu paired with single-vineyard and reserve wines ($150/pp; club members: $100).
Having experienced this latter tasting with the Gay Gourmet, I can
attest to its special nature and pinpoint pairings, especially Chef Britny’s exceptional wine and cheese pairings—something that, take it from me, is not so easy with cabernet. Mostly I was struck by the feeling that is Sequoia Grove, not just their extraordinary offerings. A visit there is about languishing and being well taken care of. It is the good life personified. It is also a place to taste excellent wine and understand that what’s in the glass starts with their vineyard sites, land stewardship, and immense dedication. (And, it’s dog friendly.*) All together, it sure tastes good.”
Sequoia Grove Winery: In a final word (or rather two words) from The Gay Gourmet, “Go now!”*
*Indicates comments by The Gay Gourmet
Kokak Chocolates Donates to the Mostly British Film Festival: My pal and Mostly British Film Festival organizer (and former San Francisco Chronicle movie reviewer) Ruthe Stein has a red-hot tip. She says, “The audience for Pretty Red Dress, screening February 17 at the Vogue Theatre, will see red on screen and off.
Patrons will be treated in the lobby to red heart-shaped chocolate truffles, each lovingly emblazoned with the words ‘Hearts on Fire.’ The artisanal treats have been generously donated by Carol Gancia , owner of Kokak Chocolates, the gay-owned and operated, deliciously hip chocolatier in the Castro. The article of clothing from which this widely-praised movie derives its title is a sparkly red frock. After purchasing it for his wife, a
Fill a tall glass with ice and about twothirds port. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and another teaspoon of sugar syrup (I like mine without the additional sugar). Top with soda water and stir, then garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry. It’s beautiful to look at and delicious to drink.
Seedlip Garden 108, NonAlcoholic Spirit, United Kingdom $32
https://www.seedlipdrinks.com/en-us/ If you’re looking to curb or cut alcohol from your drinking repertoire, I recommend tracking down the Seedlip line of n/a spirits. For a company launched in 2015, there is basis in history for this young English producer. Owner, Ben Branson, discovered that more than three centuries ago doctors would distill herbal remedies without alcohol. Branson began experimenting with some old recipes using herbs grown in his garden. From there, Seedlip came to life.
Seedlip makes a variety of spirit-like sips including the Garden 108, which is a minty blend of rosemary, thyme, and spearmint. I find it has an herbal note reminiscent of a juniper and cucumber-based gin, making it ideal to substitute in a “Gin” & Tonic. It’s a guilt-free delight.
Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area,” “Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!” and “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.”
www.LeslieSbrocco.com
husband realizes he secretly covets the dress and traipses around in it when alone. To get in the mood, the Mostly British Film Festival encourages people to attend the film in something red or to show the color while in full drag.”
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani: https://www.halepuna.com/ Halekulani Hotel:
https://www.halekulani.com/
House Without A Key:
http://tinyurl.com/33mm83c2
Waitiki 7:
http://tinyurl.com/5a2zfknu
Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki: http://tinyurl.com/ternsy9d
Doraku Sushi Waikiki: https://dorakusushi.com/waikiki/ Miro Kaimuki: https://www.mirokaimuki.com/ Skull & Crown Trading Company: http://tinyurl.com/2u5t9efn
Umi by Vikram Garg: https://umibyvikramgarg.com/ Senia: https://www.restaurantsenia.com/ Sequoia Grove Winery: https://sequoiagrove.com/
Mostly British Film Festival: https://mostlybritish.org/ Kokak Chocolates: https://www.kokakchocolates.com/ David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF or email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “Happy MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., MONTH! Yes, I said ‘MONTH,’ because the Reverend Dr. King deserves more than just one DAY!”
He deserves an entire month because Dr. King is celebrated and remembered in an annual Federal holiday on January 5. Because MLK’s teachings are widely accepted, and his legacy is cherished; also, because his life’s work was—and continues to be—both critically necessary and deeply radical. And much can be said as well for the people who work at GLIDE FOUNDATION. As they celebrate their 60 years of service in this beloved community, GLIDE is both a respected institution in the fabric of San Francisco and a radical and disruptive force fighting for inclusivity and justice. Their work is not complete; and they are committed to being the love, hope, and change that we want to see in our queer community and everywhere. Their Glide Forward initiative is expanding GLIDE’s services beyond their home in the Tenderloin and across this city as they continue to strive for the allencompassing, radical thinking and doing what Dr. King and the Reverend Cecil Williams helped them to imagine.
On January 15, GLIDE participated in the annual MLK MARCH at Yerba Buena Gardens. Each year GLIDE marches in celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The march began at the San Francisco Cal Train Station and ended at Yerba Buena Gardens. After the march, folx joined them at Yerba Buena Gardens for a spoken word and civil rights program hosted by Minister Marvin K. White, along with an uplifting and stunning performance by the GLIDE Ensemble. I will conclude this paragraph with the incredibly poetic and empathetic words by Reverend MLK: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Elsewhere on January 15 MLK Day, our wonderful Vice President Kamala Harris headlined an annual event by the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights group, which included a prayer service and a march to the South Carolina House of Representatives in Columbia. On those steps she emphasized one of Democrats’ central election messages: President Joe Biden and his Democrats need voters’ help to protect Americans’ rights from Republicans. Harris warned everyone that some of our freedoms are at risk—including voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and a woman’s right to abortion. She exclaimed, “Let us not throw up our hands; because it’s time to roll up our sleeves!” Harris continued, “So with faith, hope, and optimism, we will fight! And when we fight, we win!”
President Biden marked the holiday by volunteering for PHILABUNDANCE , a hunger relief group in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—a state his aides regard as a must-win in November. There he loaded packages with fresh fruit and milk onto a conveyer belt in a warehouse.
In Iowa—a state that had rejected him in the caucuses eight years ago— The Almighty Orange Trump finished ahead of one of his main rivals, Ron Duh Santass, who has now dropped out and endorses T-rump. Tricky Nikki Haley took a distant second place to you-know-who (Triumph = minus “i” and “h”). Sister Dana sez, “I could care less about the outcomes of the coldest caucuses in history— unless voters are somehow convinced to leave the Repubs and go Demo! Yes, I know: ‘Dream on, Sister Dana, dream on!’”
A small but mighty group of protesters known as the COALITION TO STOP PG&E’S RATE HIKES gathered in front of the Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco on January 11. They pointed out that PG&E customers are already paying more for our utility bills this year, and another proposed rate hike could make our bills go even higher. They are calling on regulators to roll back rates to 2023 levels, and reject the proposed increase in May. They said these rate hikes could lead to serious financial consequences for many Bay Area customers. “Twenty million people in California already live paycheck to paycheck,” said Erica Hidalgo of the Coalition. “Every aspect of our cost of living has gone up since the economic crisis by the COVID pandemic. We cannot and should not have
to take on yet another financial burden like this.”
“This rate increase is an unmitigated attack on working class Californians,” said an unnamed speaker. “One-fifth of Bay Area households already report having to forego rent and basic utilities to meet the rising utility cost. This increase w ill lead to many further evictions!” The demonstrators burst into applause and shouting. They carried big placards stating: “Roll Back the Jan. 1 Increase!” and “Stop the PG&E Rate Hikes!” Sister Dana sez, “P as in Pig & Gee that’s a lotta dough—must stop milking us poor utility users to pay for their supposed losses!”
During the February 2021 impeachment trial speech in which Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Donald Trump “practically and morally responsible” for the deadly terrorist January 6 Attack on the Capitol, McConnell stated that impeachment alone was never intended to be “the final forum” for justice. “Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office—as an ordinary citizen,” he said as he sought to explain away the vote he had cast to acquit Trump. “We have a criminal justice system in this country,” McConnell continued. “We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one.” Unfortunately, later when McConnell was asked if he still believes Trump isn’t immune from prosecution, he dodged the question, saying, “Well, my view of the presidential race is that I choose not to get involved in it, and comment about any of the people running for the Republican nomination.” Sister Dana sez, “In the past, I was very close to kinda sorta almost rooting for Mitch—but now I see he is still smooching Trump butt and remains a feckless RepubliCAN’T!”
There is ample evidence to support that cannabis has legitimate medical uses, and yet the federal government’s current classification considers cannabis as equally dangerous and addictive as heroin or ecstasy. That is simply not the reality. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reclassify cannabis. “The federal government must reschedule this controlled substance to allow for medical use, open avenues for research opportunities, and legitimate cannabis businesses to thrive,” says A.G. Bonta. Sister Dana sez,
(continued on page 28)
BOOK PASSAGE (continued from pg 18)
out as we do. Breslin will explore disturbing questions about the consequences modern data-gathering will have on future generations.
Saturday, February 3 @ 10 am (ticketed - online)
Diana Nyad, author of Find a Way: The Inspiring Story of One Woman’s Pursuit of a Lifelong Dream Renowned record-breaking long distance swimmer Diana Nyad will read from her best-selling memoir that chronicles her swim between Cuba and Florida. She will also give a spirited account of what it takes to face one’s fears, engage one’s passions, and never give up.
SISTER DANA (continued from pg 26)
“It is “HIGH” time pot become legal in both federal and state cases. Free all prisoners with wrongful weed convictions!”
On January 13, friends and family of MICHAEL “SHANTÉ” YOUENS gathered at The Academy SF for A CELEBRATION OF LARGER THAN LIFE , the only way to honor someone who lived his life to the fullest. His expression of joy, eagerness to make us laugh, unending loyalty, and willingness to come to our assistance in any situation will be sorely missed—but never forgotten. He was loved and he loved you and me!
T here’s a new fee on wine and liquor in California. As of January 1, wine and spirits bottles cost a little more in California. That’s because these containers are now eligible for redemption at recycling centers for the first time, just like beer cans and soda bottles. So, while you’ll pay a deposit on them upfront, you can get that money back if you return your empties. Sister Dana sez, “Oh no you don’t! Do not further tax my boxed red wine and vodka! Are you trying to make me SOBER?!”
The friend of us queers, Jennifer Coolidge, won a well-deserved “Supporting Actress” Emmy on January 15 for the amazing TV dark drama series THE WHITE LOTUS Ms. Coolidge has said she “loves the gays” many, many, many times. In her acceptance speech she joked, “I want to thank all the evil gays,” who tried to murder her character in the scary series.
Also at the 75th annual Emmys, two presenters, Ken Jeong and Joel McHale, delivered the coveted trophy for “Outstanding Reality Competition” to RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE. RuPaul bragged, “We have
The popular Black Queer Arts Program at San Francisco AIDS Foundation/STRUT launched its 2024 series of events on Friday, January 12, with an opening reception for the exhibit Higher Self by queer artist Salome V. El. http://www.sfaf.org
Sunday, February 4 @ 2 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Ryan Grim, author of The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution
Ryan Grim is The Intercept’s D.C. Bureau Chief and the Co-Host of Counter Points. He will read from his new book, The Squad, a riveting insider account of the progressive movement in Congress centering A.O.C., Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar.
https://www.bookpassage.com/
released into the wild hundreds of drag queens!”
Hannah Waddingham and Colman Domingo presented the annual “Governor’s Award” honor to GLAAD for its four-plus decades of work fighting for fair and authentic LGBTQ representation on TV. President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis gave a truly moving acceptance speech.
The “Outstanding Variety Special (Live)” prize went to the Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, giving the legendary musician Sir Elton EGOT status for getting Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
And while we are talking Emmy awards, I was thrilled to death to watch THE BEAR star Ebon Moss-Bachrach passionately (for more than a moment—ten whole seconds) kiss his co-star, real-life chef Matty Matheson , after the FX/Hulu series won “Best Comedy.” Two male stars fervently, extensively, lengthily, open-mouthed smooching on stage! I was exhilarated! I must say, the Emmys were pretty gay. If I’d had a fag fan on hand, I would’ve been werkin’ it to filth!
It was the best Mardi Gras party in San Francisco hosted by the only authentic “krewe” in the city!
Krewe de Kinque’s Bal Masque XXI celebrated “TWO DECADES OF DECADENCE” 2004–2024 on January 20 at The Café, at Market and Castro streets! Kicking off the festivities and leading the Second Line Parade was Celebrity Grand Marshal Sister Roma. Upon arrival, guests received beautiful free beads happily handed out by Queen VII Sister Dana, Official Bead Bish. Many partygoers wore the official colors of Mardi Gras— green, gold, and purple. Many wore colorful masks as well as formal or
fetish wear. It was “anything goes” with a romping good time on par with Bourbon Street, where they say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!,” or in English: “ Let the good times roll!” Folx could get fun caricature drawings. There were dancers and flaggers with amazing music by DJ Spazatron. The fastpaced tableau show featured MC and club founder King I Gary Virginia and fab-u-lust live entertainment by royalty and others. King and Queen XX Mez & Moxie hosted the evening until it was time for them to step down and reveal the next royals being crowned.
Congratulations to King and Queen XXI Robert Makowka & Vivianne Vixen! All Ball proceeds supported the impactful work of URBAN ANGELS SF, which provides dignity and hope to unhoused men, women, and children living in San Francisco, and those living at the poverty level, by rallying community support to provide them with frontline aid.
The ex-president faces a $370 million penalty in the civil trial that threatens him and his family business. So, what did Trump do on January 11? He rebuked the judge directly in his civil fraud case. “Control your client,” the judge had to tell his lawyers. Judge Arthur Engoron who had denied Trump permission earlier to give a closing statement at the trial—cut him off and recessed for lunch. The same happened on January 17 during the defamation trial when another judge threatened to throw Trump out for his obnoxious behavior.
Sister Dana sez, “Donald is like a wild chimp that can’t be trained or controlled. So, why do we expect this feral beast to EVER be tame and civil? This animal is dangerous, and he might even bite!”
Special Offer!
Poppin’ Kettle Corn, a young and super affectionate tripod, has won hearts worldwide, and we’re thrilled to share his joy with you! Adapting beautifully to life on three legs, this lively lad’s spirit and love for squeaky toys know no bounds. He revels in outdoor adventures, playing with balls, chew toys, and enjoying tug-of-war, but he’s just as content basking in the sun. Kettle Corn’s sociable nature has earned him several best friends among fellow shelter residents. Come meet this delightful, sometimes salty, always sweet pup!
Think Kettle Corn could be the perfect addition to your family? Why not try a week-long foster trial to ensure a great fit, with the hope of adoption? Visit us and take the first step towards welcoming Kettle Corn into your home!
To meet Kettle Corn in person, visit the SF SPCA Mission Campus @ 201 Alabama Street. Visitors are welcome from 11 am–6 pm (Wednesday–Sunday) and 1 pm–6 pm on Tuesdays. The SF SPCA is closed on Mondays.
For more information: https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/
Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS):
Montana is about two years old and he is a friendly boy, greeting everyone with a wagging tail. Montana loves playing with toys, and also enjoys playing with his doggie friends at the shelter.
Biff is a big, loveable lug who makes new friends easily and is always fun to have around. Two-year-old Biff revels in attention and adores having his head and chin scratched, purring up a storm and making little biscuits to show his contentment.
The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/ Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org
Photos by Rink
San Francisco Bay Times team members were among those in the large crowd of participants gathered at Yerba Buena Gardens on Monday, January 15, 2024, for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day observance ceremonies in San Francisco.
Minister Marvin K. White and others from the GLIDE Memorial Church Ensemble Choir greeted and performed from the Esplanade Stage. Reverend Amos Brown, President of the San Francisco NAACP and Pastor of the Third Baptist Church, gave the benediction. Homemade posters were held by some members of the audience to make statements on issues of concern. Volunteers from Black Brothers Esteem staffed a table during the festival. There were also vendors offering artwork, books, and other commemorative items.
The Martin Luther King Memorial at the site, with its stunning 20-foot-tall, 50-foot-wide waterfall, drew many attendees, who also were inspired by the photo there of Dr. King with Bayard Rustin (1912–1987). Rustin was a leader in multiple social movements for civil rights including racial justice efforts and LGBTQ rights.
For more information about Dr. King and his legacy: http://tinyurl.com/5xhsens2
The larger-than-life of Michael Shanté Youens (1968–2023) was celebrated on January 13, 2024, at The Academy SF. A longtime supporter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and multiple LGBTQ nonprofits, Youens was the Owner of Ducati Models and a Designer at Falcon Studios.
The event was hosted by Sister Roma, Michelle Kubelich, and Ethylina Canne, with music by Chi Chi Larue and Sergio Fedasz. Performers included BeBe Sweetbriar, Juanita MORE!, Mr. David Glamamore, Stanley Frank Sensation, Dulce De Leche, and Miss Rahni Nothingmore.
Sister Roma, following the event, wrote: “The crosssection of people whose lives Michael Youens touched showed up in force for his celebration. His family and friends shared memories and funny stories, we ate his favorite food, we laughed, we cried, it was amazing. Some of you traveled far and I know seeing you there would have made Shanté so happy.”
A compilation of photos of Youens was created for the event. They may now be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syC4h_Lur7o
Cozy up by the “fire” with the Konwin Stove Heater!
This 20-inch heater has two thermostat-controlled infrared heat settings and a log flame effect. The flame is dimmable and independently controlled so you can add a warm glow to your home whether the heat setting is on or off. $149.99
Who says practical cannot be beautiful?
Cliff’s now has this colorful, sustainable 18”x30” Rainbow Coconut Fiber Door Mat and many other door mats available. $69.99
Since 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. 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.
https://cliffsvariety.com/
