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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES Est. 1978 February 22–March 6, 2024 http://sfbaytimes.com
RARE GEMS LGBTQ+ Black-Owned Businesses See Pages 2–3 pcorn Nosh’s Dirty Po
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RARE GEMS LGBTQ+ Black-Owned Businesses Skin on Market: A Beacon of Inclusivity and Community Support in the Castro By Leon Shannon My journey with skincare has been marked by struggles, triumphs, and a profound commitment to empowering others on their own unique paths to healthy, radiant skin. Originating from Michigan and raised in the vibrant East Bay, I had an initial encounter with persistent acne that became the catalyst for a transformative chapter: enrolling in beauty school. After graduating, I continued taking classes and eventually landed a position at ULTA Beauty for 6–9 months. In 2015, I was recruited at Skin on Market, seeking to further my education and experience while providing solutions for those grappling with similar challenges.
Photos by David Michael
The San Francisco Bay Times and The Academy SF on Friday, February 23, 2024, will honor dozens of local LGBTQ+ Black women leaders and allies for Black History Month. For more information and to register for the event, which will take place from 6–10 pm at The Academy SF (2166 Market Street), please go to http://tinyurl.com/54v7rhez The honorees will include (partial list):
Dennise Acio Joy Baucom The journey from being a newcomer in March 2015 to taking ownership in October 2019 was marked by personal growth, professional development, and a deepening connection to the Castro District community. Working alongside a great manager, Lisa Thomure, who went on to open CORE MVMT just a block away, I found joy in contributing to a space that felt intimately connected to the community. After expressing my ambition to have my own business to the founder, Deedee Crossett, she eventually presented a plan that materialized into the ownership and operation of Skin on Market in October 2019. However, this transition into entrepreneurship occurred just before the pandemic, introducing unforeseen challenges. The initial months as a business owner brought break-ins, staff changes, and product shortages—formidable obstacles compounded by the global turmoil. The loss of clients seeking stability in evolving living
About Our Cover Make a positive difference this Black History Month and beyond by supporting LGBTQ+ Black-owned businesses. Two local favorites, featured on the cover of this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, are Skin on Market in the heart of the Castro at 2299 Market Street, and Nosh’s Dirty Popcorn: https://noshsdirtypopcorn.square.site/ Their respective owners, Leon Shannon and NaNoshka “Nosh” Johnson, share their stories as successful entrepreneurs. This issue also highlights yet another out and proud LGBTQ+ Black business owner, John Eric Henry. He is the Founder of Pinnacle Drone Light Shows, which is one of only six companies performing drone shows in the U.S. Johnson gave a shout out to these additional LGBTQ+ Black-owned businesses, individuals, and allies: Art By Atsie (Atsie Pirtle) Artist http://tinyurl.com/4r7e6heb
Elana Bolds, aka Lady Lana Event Promoter https://www.facebook.com/elana.bolds
Despite the tumultuous times, the post-pandemic era has ushered in a renewed wave of support for local businesses. As a queer Black-owned establishment, Skin on Market has become an example of community resilience. The diverse staff, serving an equally diverse clientele, showcases the necessity and inclusive nature of skincare at Skin on Market, where individuals of all ages, professions, and gender identities find a welcoming space. Serving a clientele ranging from teenagers to those in their 70s, students to healthcare professionals, and our trans and non-binary brothers and sisters, Skin on Market reinforces the idea that skincare is not a luxury but an integral part of everyone’s everyday skin health. Gratitude extends to fellow small business owners and mentors like Lisa Thomure from CORE MVMT, Mary Mueller from Giddy Candy, Terry Asten-Bennett of Cliff’s Variety, Jenn Meyer of Local Take, Nate Bourg from The Academy SF, Alphonse (continued on page 10)
Angela Berry Aisha Brown Aarin Burch Tosca Comvalius Terri Lynn Delk Kayla Moore Melanie DeMore Patty Dingle Kin Folkz Jewelle Gomez Brendalynn Goodall Ebony Gordon Erica Huggins Alex U. Inn DJ Christie James NaNoshka “Nosh” Johnson Theodora Lee, Esq. Renée Lubin Shauna Madison, Esq. Honey Mahogany Linda Martley-Jordon Iowayna Peña Dr. Sonya Richardson
Imani Rupert-Gordon Dr. April Silas Dr. Dee Spencer Lisbet Tellefsen Jilchristina “Jil” Vest
Mitchells Transport Reliable, Eco-Friendly Carrier for Cargo https://www.mitchellstrans.com/
Stephanie Rae Wilburn
MadeByRheal Goods by Rheal, Owner, Designer, Maker https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByRheal SFB3 is a great resource, serving as a directory for many Black-owned businesses in the East Bay, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento. It allows searches by business name, zip code, city, keyword, and more at: https://sfbayblackbiz.com/ SA N F RANCISCO BAY T I ME S
and working environments added an extra layer of complexity.
Pat Robinson
Rev Louis V. Jones Spiritual Healer/Guide, Founder of Halo Praise Threads of Hope Empowerment Ministries https://linktr.ee/IAMREVLOUIEV
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By NaNoshka “Nosh” Johnson The importance of the internet as a business tool cannot be denied. When used correctly, it can lead to increased sales and enhanced customer service. I’ve been preaching this mantra to business owners and executives since the inception of the world wide web. Before I opened my first business NPI (a technology consulting firm) in the early 1990s, I was a consultant working with companies to translate their print document libraries into digital form. I became known as an industry expert and companies were desperate to share their content with their audiences, thus desperate for my services. I was in demand. Back in that day, PostScript was content king. However, once the military got involved ... their needs for smaller file sizes and easier portability coupled with platform independence gave rise to the evolution of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). Now there was a new king in town. I became one of a small group of SGML tool experts in the nation, and entities with large volumes of document sets/ libraries were ready, wanting, and willing to convert. The cost saving and accessibility within and across organizations was great. This gave me the ability to pick my projects and I had the pleasure of being brought in as a consultant to convert the California Code of Regulations for the winning bidder, Ford Aerospace and Space Systems Loral, in support of the Space Station Freedom Project and went on to Sun Microsystems in support of their publishing department. While at Sun, I and a handful of others worked with a CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) university research group who were exploring this
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new document standard as something that would be easier and more user friendly than SGML; something the general public— especially university branches and departments—could use to share information. We were a testing group for them. The new technology would be called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). This would change everything, allowing users the ability to use basic text editors to create content. It also provided the ability to link from one document set to another just by clicking on a blue highlighted text. These were truly exciting times. It also happened to be around the time World Cup Soccer came over to Stanford. Up until this point, all web content consisted of static pages; essentially online brochures. This in itself was a great feat, but our test marked the beginning of a critical aspect of the virtual world as we understand it today. Our test created the first live real-time statistics online (in support of the World Cup Soccer tournament). Before departing Sun, I created a print-on-demand system, SunDocs, which created a new revenue stream for them and an in-house intranet system to support employees and vendors. The organizations we serve include all sectors ranging from corporate, government, political, emerging technology, education, and nonprofits. It turns out that a lot of the issues overlap. Now I’m a Business Owner?
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How a Lifetime of Tech Keeps Me Popping
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If we have the pleasure of meeting, you should ask how I stumbled upon entrepreneurship. This is a story for another time. The short version is that, in 1994, we transformed the company into a “behind-the-screens” strategist for businesses desiring an effective online presence. This is also when I went from being a consultant to being a business owner of a technology consulting firm.
I found myself working more hours than in a day. In an effort to create some sort of worklife balance and actually see my friends, around the same time I was delivering our first major software product to our first major client, I decided to sponsor my softball team. This guaranteed I maintained some type of social life. Things to Look Out For Many organizations become enamored by the latest technologies and through all the glamour and glitz forget how the solutions they select must match their business strategies/goals. Now with the addition of artificial intelligence, it’s even more necessary to keep this front-of-mind. As a strategic business consultancy, I work with clients to use technology in ways that will allow you to implement your core goals and get better returns from your sites, web/ mobile/AI technology, while keeping an eye for the future. Your solutions should not just solve your problem but evolve to the next step or two with your organization—ultimately providing the best way to position you for the results you need, and sometimes want. One of NPI’s long-term clients, KPMG (an eBusiness practice in Silicon Valley), found us extremely flexible and customer-focused, even when the business priorities of our joint customer shifted over the length of the project. NPI was always able to grasp the subtleties of those changes. We stayed focused and remained on an aggressive timeline for getting the project launched and understood the objectives and implemented them in an extremely creative way. Time to Share What You Know Around 1994, I realized we had more inquiries for help than we could filter, and a significant portion of our leads were at the “pre-solution level, meaning they needed help determining exactly what they needed. You don’t know what you don’t know. So, I created a seminar series that would provide managers, department heads, and business owners with the strategic plan outline to help them articulate their needs. The series was very successful, so much so that I was invited to a ton of business networking groups and associations to keynote on this issue. The industry was evolving and many people were hired into new positions and just told to find a way to make IT happen. There wasn’t a lot of training or even, in some cases, documentation to help out. The world was changing fast, and all companies knew was they didn’t want to be left behind. At a certain moment I looked up and realized how I was teaching and training more than coding. And I wanted to change that. In 1995, UC Santa Cruz reached out and asked me to head up their new web multimedia & graphic design department for their students. My focus would be developing certification programs that students working in the industry could use to prove they had the skills necessary for all of these new jobs. (continued on page 10)
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Citizenship Fragility thy, lack of civic engagement, and loss of citizenship rights, which can happen slowly and methodically over time—especially during times of crisis.
Social Philanthropreneur Derek Barnes Over the last eight years and primarily during election season, political pundits and leaders have tried to gain their base’s attention and support by using hyperbole that brands individuals and acts as “existential threats to democracy.” What does a “threat to democracy” mean to the average American, and how concerned should we be about democracy’s fragility? Some Americans don’t know what a democracy is or how it works and why it’s different from other forms of government. Political historians would argue that the real “threat to democracy” is voter apa-
ple in America, and all U.S. citizens should be concerned and take heed.
In the chronicles of American history, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stands as progress and a milestone in the struggle for racial equality. Yet, despite the legislative triumph, the erosion of rights for African Americans has persisted, casting a shadow over the promise of full equality under the law. The journey from emancipation to the Civil Rights Movement was marked by struggle, sacrifice, and resilience, but the path toward true citizenship remains fraught with obstacles, challenges, and continued assaults.
Despite progress in some areas, such as the rise of Black businesses and political leaders, the influence of mega-celebrities, and the election of Barack Obama, systemic barriers to full citizenship and equal access to resources remain deeply entrenched in the fabric of society. Access to more exclusive products and upmarket services has turbocharged megaconsumerism in populations that didn’t have access to these markets historically. The quest for a better life and a higher standard of living has led to more wealth and capital extraction without tangible community investment or reinvestment by businesses that market to communities of color.
Over the last 60 years, eroding citizenship and rights for Black Americans have been a persistent and insidious phenomenon, manifested in various forms of discrimination, disenfranchisement, and structural inequality. From the rise of mass incarceration to the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, vestiges of racism continue to shape the lived experiences of Black and brown peo-
Economic justice is essential in claiming Black citizenship rights. Despite the gains of the civil rights movement, economic disparities between Black and white Americans remain stark and persistent. From employment discrimination to wealth inequality, Black communities continue to face structural barriers to economic opportunity and prosperity. To reverse this trend, we must
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. enact policies that promote economic empowerment and business investment while addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, including systemic racism, bias, and pay disparities in the workplace. One of the most glaring examples of what causes the loss of citizenship rights is the criminal justice system, which disproportionately targets and incarcerates Black and brown people. Over-policing these communities was born out of 19th-century slave patrols and white vigilante groups. From racial profiling to harsh sentencing practices, the criminal justice system perpetuates cycles of poverty, disenfranchisement, and social exclusion. Mass incarceration not only deprives individuals of their liberty but also strips them of their citizenship rights, including the right to vote, access to public assistance, and full participation in civic life. Comprehensive reforms are needed to address systemic injustices and inequality within the criminal justice system. The consistent effort to gerrymander communities and peel back voting rights poses a grave threat to American citizenship. Since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision to strike down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, states across the country have enacted voter suppression laws targeting minority communities with surgical precision. From voter ID requirements to the purging of voter rolls, these tactics are designed to disenfranchise voters of color and undermine the democratic process. To safeguard the right to vote and ensure equal access to the ballot box, Congress must pass legislation to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act, and states must enact measures to expand access to voting for all citizens. Education is another battleground in the fight for citizenship rights. Despite the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, which declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, educational disparities persist along racial lines today. In many ways, it has gotten worse with permanent public-school closings, demands for more charter and private schools, and limited school choices— primarily for Black, Latino, and working-class families. From underfunded schools to the school-to-prison pipeline, underserved communities continue to face systemic barriers to academic success and social mobility. Underpaid and underqualified teachers and harsher punishment for Black and Latino boys
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in school adds to the crisis. Investing in equitable and inclusive education policies that address the root causes of educational inequality and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality schools and social services resources is imperative. At the heart of the struggle for full citizenship and rights is the need for a collective reckoning with our nation’s history of racial injustice. From slavery to segregation, the legacy of white supremacy continues to shape our society and perpetuate cycles of inequality and oppression—fueled today by anti-woke and anti-history movements. To move forward, we must confront and reconcile this history with honesty and humility, acknowledging the deep wounds and trauma of the past while committing ourselves to building a more just and equitable future. Restoring and protecting citizenship rights requires more than just legislative reforms; it demands a fundamental shift in our society’s values and priorities. It requires us to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic standing, and to work tirelessly to dismantle the structures of racism, white supremacy, and inequality that continue to divide us. Let’s listen to the voices of those who have been marginalized and oppressed and stand in solidarity as allies and advocates for change and rehabilitation. Today, powerful forces continue undermining the freedom and individual rights of many historically marginalized communities that are often divided by gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQ+ identity. In a rapidly changing America, retaining political power and economic control by an elite class is critical. Controlling commodities, information, and the distribution of resources will ensure an enduring power structure is maintained. Keeping communities divided is essential to ensuring people aren’t enlightened or organized enough to push back and dismantle embedded power centers that harm us. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The erosion of citizenship and rights for Black Americans is not just a Black issue; it is a moral and ethical imperative for all of us who believe in the principles of justice, equality, and democracy. It is a call to action to reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental values that define us as a nation and to work together to build a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations. Only then can we genuinely claim the mantle of citizenship and democracy for all. Derek Barnes is the CEO of the East Bay Rental Housing Association ( www.EBRHA.com ). He currently serves on the board of Homebridge CA and Homerise. Follow him on Twitter @DerekBarnesSF and on Instagram at DerekBarnes.SF
Why Generational Wealth Is Important for the LGBTQ+ Community community, we face a unique set of challenges that make building, and sharing, what we have extra important. Whether it’s due to social discrimination, healthcare costs, or lack of family support, building assets can be a game-changer for our community.
Money Matters Brandon Miller To many people, the idea of generational wealth may seem like something only the capital “K” Kardashians can achieve. But as members of the LGBTQ+
Being gay is an identity, and not something we are traditionally taught. We have to learn the culture. We also have some freedom to define what that means to us. But we also have a responsibility to pass it on. Again, this isn’t about money; well, not only money. Nor is it about traditional family structure. It’s about sharing your assets and values with your chosen family and cherished causes. Back in 1999, when my former business partner and I decided to start Brio, one of our goals was how we
could help the community at large. Part of that is arming you with the information and tools to live your best life and get the most life out of your money. Hopefully, after all of that, you’ll still have some to spare. So, let’s explore the benefits of building balances and how we can start investing in our collective financial futures. Be part of the solution. Many of us in the LGBTQ+ community have faced financial hardships due to societal discrimination. Building wealth and financial stability can help break the cycle of struggle and open up opportunities for future generations. By investing in our financial futures, and causes that serve our community, we can foster a more (continued on page 12)
Love and Legacy: Crafting an Estate Plan That Reflects Your Deepest Values
Trust Essentials Jay Greene, Esq., CPA
Estate planning is a vital step that allows us to shape our legacy and ensure our loved ones are taken care of according to our wishes. As a member of the LGBT community, I understand the unique considerations that often come into play when it comes to love, identity, and legacy.
The Legal Landscape
Understanding Your Values
Building a Foundation: Key Estate Planning Documents
Take a moment to reflect on your personal values and priorities. Your identity, community, social justice, and family dynamics are key elements that will shape the foundation of your estate plan.
Understanding the legal landscape is crucial, especially considering the evolving rights and protections for the LGBT community. Be aware of the implications of marriage equality and the specific considerations that may affect your estate plan.
Crafting a solid foundation involves key documents such as a Last Will and Testament, a Revocable Living Trust, and Advance Healthcare Directives. These documents ensure that your wishes are legally documented and carried out appropriately. Inclusivity in Beneficiary Designations Ensuring equal treatment for chosen beneficiaries can be a delicate process, particularly when faced with potential challenges from family members. Explore strategies to protect the interests of all your loved ones. Charitable Giving and Social Impact Consider incorporating charitableness into your estate plan. DonorAdvised Funds and Charitable Trusts provide avenues to support causes aligned with your values, such as LGBT rights organizations and social justice initiatives. Legacy Planning for LGBT Families Preserving your narrative and personal history is a meaningful aspect of legacy planning. Document family traditions, values, and create a roadmap for future generations that reflects the rich tapestry of your life. The Importance of Regular Review and Updates Life changes, and so should your estate plan. Regularly review and update your plan to adapt to marriage, divorce, partnership changes, or the birth and adoption of children. In conclusion, aligning your estate plan with your personal values is an empowering journey. As we navigate the intricate aspects of love and legacy, let’s proactively take steps to ensure our wishes are respected, and our unique stories continue to be celebrated. The ongoing evolution of inclusivity in estate planning is a testament to our commitment to creating a more equitable future for all. (continued on page 12)
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Message from Leadership
Inspiring Leaders: Portraits of LGBTQ+ Legacies by Tony Archuleta-Perkins
Dear friends and supporters of the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA),
remains a steadfast beacon of support for our community. We also revere the pioneering work of Sylvia Rivera, a Latina transgender activist and integral part of the Stonewall uprising. Her life offers a powerful testament to the beauty and strength of diversity, an essential element of the philosophy held dear by GGBA.
As we approach our 50th anniversary on June 7, marking our role as the world’s first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, let’s pause to honor Tony Archuleta-Perkins the trailblazers of the LGBTQ+ community— those visionaries who carved out essential spaces in the face of In our journey, we cannot overlook the proadversity and helped inspire the foundfound impact of Tim Cook, the openly gay ing of GGBA and our ongoing advocacy CEO of Apple. Cook’s outstanding profestoday. sional achievements and the public embrace of his gay identity epitomize a harmoniIn our ongoing journey towards equalous blend of authenticity and excellence— ity and justice, the names of our heroes shine brightly, their legacies undimmed a valuable lesson for businesses operating across societies. by time. Among them, Harvey Milk stands tall as a pioneer in LGBTQ+ his- Finally, we honor the contributions of Audre tory and one of the original members Lorde, an openly gay Black female poet, of our organization. His fearless advowarrior, and mother. Lorde’s exploration of cacy and groundbreaking tenure as one intersectional identity illuminated the interof America’s first openly gay elected offiplay of race, gender, and sexuality, shaping cials laid the foundation for the accepsocietal discourse and understanding. tance and rights we champion today. His rallying cry, “Hope will never be silent,” In honoring these influential figures, GGBA echoes through our work at GGBA, fuel- seeks not to lay sole claim to their contribuing our endeavors for a more inclusive tions but to ensure their legacies serve as a society. wellspring of inspiration for our community. As we march forward, guided by the echoes Beyond the realm of politics, we honor of Milk’s hope, Gittings’ audacity, Rivera’s the spirit of Barbara Gittings, whose resilience, Cook’s integrity, and Lorde’s efforts to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder marked a significant tri- wisdom, we nurture the seeds of future umph for LGBTQ+ rights. Barbara was LGBTQ+ leaders and businesses within GGBA. Their anticipated growth is the fruit also responsible for organizing the first NYC chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis, of our commitment to diversity, promising a the first lesbian civil and political rights future illuminated by new beacons of inspiration, walking the path paved by our venerorganization in the U.S. With Gittings’ able forebears. courage at our core, GGBA diligently
GGBA Member Spotlight
As we celebrate our trailblazers, we also eagerly continue preparations for the upcoming landmark event, announced last month. On June 7, 2024, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of GGBA—the world’s first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. This golden jubilee is a milestone and a testament to our advocacy for an inclusive business community. We invite all members, partners, and stakeholders to join our grand gala at San Francisco City Hall, a perfect venue to reminisce about our achievements. Stay up to date on this significant event and future activities through GGBA Power Connect 2024: https://www.ggbapowerconnect.com/ With profound gratitude and unwavering pride, Tony Archuleta-Perkins, MBA, MS President, Golden Gate Business Association Tony Archuleta-Perkins is the founder and owner of Ide8 Real Estate. He previously worked in finance for 25 years, ten of those years specifically as an outsourced CFO. He has two Masters Degrees: an MBA and a Master’s 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 and his husband have called San Francisco home for over 13 years. ArchuletaPerkins proudly volunteers and serves on two boards here in San Francisco; the Golden Gate Business Association and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, SF Chapter. Personally, he and his husband enjoy international traveling, scuba diving, musical theatre, and concerts.
GGBA CALENDAR Wednesday, February 21 Introducing “Stay” 6–7 pm Online webinar http://tinyurl.com/2v63sdw4 Wednesday, March 20 Intersection Connection Series: Real Estate (& Related) Networking Event 6–8 pm Mindspace - 575 Market Street, SF http://tinyurl.com/5n75e9u6 Wednesday, March 27 Make Contact 6–8 pm Location TBA Tuesday, April 9 Make Contact 6–8 pm Brio Financial, 19 Sutter Street, SF http://tinyurl.com/f5suf6sw Wednesday, April 17 New (& Prospective) Member Orientation 6–7 pm Online http://tinyurl.com/mr23tspx Tuesday, May 14 Mega Make Contact 6–8 pm Brio Financial, 19 Sutter Street, SF http://tinyurl.com/f5suf6sw Friday, June 7 GGBA Power Connect - 50th Anniversary Gala! 6–9 pm San Francisco City Hall Rotunda http://tinyurl.com/yn5a76cy
John Eric Henry of Pinnacle Drone Light Shows Photos courtesy of Pinnacle Drone Light Shows
John Eric Henry is a trailblazer in the growing field of drone light shows. These spectacular displays, with unmanned lighted aerial vehicles flying in coordination, do not emit the noise and chemical pollution of traditional fireworks and they can generate more controlled imagery. Drone light shows can even take place indoors, leading to jawdropping three-dimensional effects either by themselves or in coordination with performers or other art displays. It is little wonder that Bay Area-based Pinnacle Drone Light Shows—one of only 6 companies producing such shows in the U.S.—is in high demand both state-wide and nationally.
displays using advanced drone technology. The company delivers unique entertainment experiences for various events, such as festivals, corporate events, public celebrations, and pri- John Eric Henry GGBA: Please tell us more about vate parties. We aim to revolutionize event Pinnacle Drone Light Shows. entertainment through innovative drone technology, providing mesmerizing, ecoJohn Eric Henry: Pinnacle Drone friendly, and safe aerial light displays that Light Shows creates stunning aerial light leave lasting impressions. Our core values are: • Innovation: Constantly pushing the boundaries of drone technology to create more spectacular and intricate light shows. • Safety: Prioritizing the protection of the audience and the environment in every show, adhering to strict safety protocols and regulations.
• Sustainability: Committed to ecofriendly practices, using energy-efficient drones, and minimizing environmental impact. • Excellence: Striving for perfection in every performance, ensuring high quality, precision, and reliability. • Customer Satisfaction: Focused on exceeding customer expectations and delivering unforgettable experiences tailored to each event’s theme and audience. GGBA: Why did you decide to create Pinnacle? John Eric Henry: I was itching for a fresh challenge after having crafted hundreds of indoor and large festival spectacles. Then, in 2018, while watching the Winter Olympics in Beijing, I had my “eureka” moment! Mesmerized by the aerial display of light show drones, making a panda in the sky, I exclaimed, ‘That’s it!’ Inspired, I dove into
three books: The Disney Way, The Story of P.T. Barnum, and The History of Cirque Du Soleil. These books were my muses, sparking the birth of Pinnacle Drone Light Shows. It was like a sprinkle of fairy dust on my creative journey, and voilà, Pinnacle became one of the four elite organizations globally performing drone light shows. And just like that, a new chapter of magical history began! GGBA: Who are some of your role models, and especially those who helped to influence Pinnacle? John Eric Henry: P.T. Barnum of the Barnum Bailey Circus, Arthur Navlet of Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, Walt Disney, and Guy Laliberté of Cirque du Soleil. GGBA: Why did you decide to join the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA), and how long have you been a member? John Eric Henry: I joined the GGBA with a clear vision: to intertwine Pinnacle’s flair for spectacle with the art of brand storytelling, both for the GGBA and its clients. Recognizing a ripe market among event planners and business professionals, I saw an opportunity to help them captivate their audiences and vividly highlight their missions. In a world of endless blah-blah, Pinnacle aims to bring a “wow” factor, (continued on page 12)
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PHOTO BY PAX AHIMSA GETHEN
Lessons From the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey Preliminary Report
Musings on Trans Liberation Pau Crego Earlier this month, the National Center for Transgender Equality published a preliminary report on the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS), the largest and most comprehensive study of trans people in the country. Given that most studies fail to include or capture trans people as a unique demographic, this survey is an invaluable resource to describe structural inequities. The previous USTS, from 2015, was instrumental to inform policy, advocacy, and resource allocation, so trans advocates have been eagerly awaiting the results of this fresh round of data.
took place leading up to the 2022 survey, in partnership with organizations like the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and the TransLatin@ Coalition. The preliminary report published this month does not yet provide the detailed analysis that the full report will offer. It also does not include population-specific analyses to shed light on how inequities are distributed among various trans communities. (For example, the 2015 data served to develop breakout reports for Black respondents, Latino/a respondents, and other subpopulations, as well as reports for each state.) Nevertheless, the initial data from the 2022 USTS can help us begin to understand how trans people’s experiences of health, economic mobility, and violence have changed or remained the same in this country over the past seven years. Some notable highlights are:
The first striking difference between the 2015 and the 2022 reports is the number of respondents. While the already-impressive 2015 USTS reflected the experiences of 27,715 trans people nationally, that number grew exponentially in this latest survey: the 2022 USTS leverages data from 92,329 respondents. This dramatic increase is probably a result of the comprehensive outreach and community engagement plan that
• Trans people’s current experiences in, and barriers to, healthcare are similar or worse compared to seven years ago. In 2022, 28% of trans people did not see a doctor in the previous year due to cost (compared with 33% in 2015), and 24% did not see a doctor in the previous year due to fear of mistreatment (similar to the 23% in 2015). However, of those who saw a healthcare provider in the past year, 48% had at least one negative experience because they were trans, such as being refused treatment, being misgendered, or being physically or verbally abused by their provider. This is a significant increase from the 2015 rate (33%) of people who had negative experi-
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ences in healthcare over the previous year due to transphobia. • The rates of unemployment and poverty for trans people in 2022 have increased compared to 2015. While in 2015 the unemployment rate among trans people was three times that of the general population (15% vs 5%), by 2022 that gap had widened to trans people being unemployed five times more than the general population (18% vs 3.6%). The proportion of trans people experiencing poverty went up from 29% in 2015 to 34% in 2022. When compared to the general poverty rate in each of those years, we see that, in 2015, trans people were experiencing poverty at more than twice the rate of the general population (29% vs 14%), and in 2022, that inequity became greater with trans people experiencing poverty at almost three times the rate of the U.S. population (34% vs 11.5%). • Harassment rates have subsided. In 2022, 9% of trans people reported being denied service in the previous year due to their gender identity or expression, compared to 14% in 2015. Moreover, 30% reported being verbally harassed and 3% were physically attacked in the previous year because of their gender identity or expression; these rates are notably lower than the 2015 data on verbal harassment (39%) and physical attacks (9%) due to transphobia. The 2022 USTS also included new questions that could prove useful in resisting the wave of anti-trans legislation across the country. For instance, 94% of people who lived at least some of the time in their current gender identity reported feeling more
we have seen and heard anecdotally in recent years: trans people are being forced to uproot their lives due to anti-trans laws and attitudes, hoping for better life opportunities in their new home states.
satisfied with their life now compared to before transitioning. 98% of people currently receiving hormone treatment, and 97% of those who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries in their lifetime, reported a higher life satisfaction as a result of that medical care. This data proves that gender-affirming healthcare— which many states are currently repealing—increases life satisfaction and mental health for an overwhelming majority of trans people. Finally, the 2022 survey asked about trans people’s decisions to relocate due to anti-trans sentiment. For instance, 40% of people thought about moving somewhere else due to experiencing discrimination, and 10% actually moved for that reason. Furthermore, 47% thought about moving to another state because their home state had either considered or passed an anti-trans law, while 5% actually moved out of state for the same reason. This describes what
As we await a more in-depth analysis of the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey, advocates should leverage the data we have right now to remind decision-makers that, despite significant gains in trans visibility over the past decade, trans people’s access to basic life resources remains sorely inadequate, and far behind that of the general population. 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.
Revisiting the Winter of Love Court declared marriage equality the law of the land.
In Case You Missed It Joanie Juster I try not to regret missed opportunities, but I will forever regret not going to City Hall 20 years ago when word got out that same-sex marriages were being celebrated. Twenty years ago, I hesitated: surely, this extraordinary freedom would only last a few hours before they shut it down ... then maybe a few days. By the time I got up the nerve to take time off from work, the magical period now known as the Winter of Love had come to a close. A couple of years later, I was walking down Steuart Street on a drizzly afternoon when I encountered two charming young men huddled under an overhang with a clipboard, politely asking me if I would care to sign a petition advocating for marriage equality. I listened to them, was hooked, and became part of the movement. And after years of rallies, marches, petitions, court cases, and a sea change in public opinion, on June 26, 2015, I was able to celebrate outside City Hall with those same two men—John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney—when the U.S. Supreme
The screening of Pursuit of Equality at the Castro Theatre on February 6 was a family reunion: the audience was filled with couples who had been married at City Hall during the Winter of Love—and married again and again, as those first marriages were nullified, then validated; it was a dizzying revolving door for a few years. Most same-sex couples I know celebrate multiple anniversaries, as they said their vows anew every time it briefly became legal again, just in case. The thing is, despite the monumental victory of Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, there are still powerful forces seeking to strip same-sex couples of the right to marry. Anyone who doubts this danger wasn’t paying attention in June 2022 when the current Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade after 50 years of being enshrined in law. They can take away rights, and they will, given the opportunity. Our work is not done, and I’ll say it again for the umpteenth time: elections matter! Pursuit of Equality deserves to be seen, and needs to be seen by a new generation. The filmmakers are seeking both funding, and venues to show the film. To support the distribution of this film, sponsor, or support a screening: https://www.pursuitofequality.com/ ‘Take Action’ Event on February 24 When the latest HIV Epidemiology Annual Report was released in December 2023 by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, it contained some shocking news: while numbers within the city were
generally trending in a hopeful direction, from 2021 to 2022 there had been a dramatic increase of over 60% in new HIV infections in the Latinx community—an increase not reflected in other racial or ethnic groups. Seeing this, local HIV activists banded together to do something about it. On February 24, they are holding a free event at the Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts. “Call to Action!/Tomar Accion!” is hosted by a coalition of Marty’s Place Affordable Housing Corporation, SF Latinx Democratic Club, SF AIDS Foundation, and the HIV Caucus of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, thanks to a ShineOn Action Award from the SF Parks Alliance. The event will include a resource fair where people can learn how to access services or volunteer for community organizations including Instituto de Familia de la Raza, Marty’s Place, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, STRUT, Shanti, the Mission Neighborhood Health Center, AGUILAS, the HIV Advocacy Network, and more. Local advocates and activists will host discussions about barriers to prevention and treatment that still exist, and how to work together to dismantle those barriers. The health and resource fair will be followed by a screening of Moe, a film directed by José Luis Valenzuela, from the SF Latinx Film Festival. For info, & tickets to this free event: http://tinyurl.com/TomAc24 (continued on page 12)
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F EBRUARY 22, 2024
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Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 Kim Corsaro, Publisher 1981-2011
celebrating 30 YEARS celebrando 30 AÑOS
The Untold Story About the Founding of AGUILAS an acronym for Asamblea Gay Unida Impactando Latinos A Superarse, which translates to Assembly of United Gays Impacting Latinos towards Self-Empowerment. The group developed bylaws, encouraged voting registration, and invited individuals who were seeking political office in San Francisco to discuss their candidacies.
2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men. We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community. The Bay Times is proud to be the 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
Nuestra Voz Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. In 1991, Latinx LGBTQ community members decided to come together regularly in a meeting room at Saint Francis Lutheran Church at 152 Church Street to discuss how to improve visibility within the larger SF LGBTQ community. At these monthly meetings, attendees conceived of a new organization that they named AGUILAS, which means “eagles” in Spanish. It is also
Two years later, 5 Latinx gay psychologists met in response to a request for proposals from the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) to develop intervention strategies addressing the HIV/ AIDS epidemic among Latinx men who have sex with men. SFDPH had obtained the funds from the now defunct agency CURAS.
year, it was discovered that NTFAP was breaking their promise of only charging AGUILAS the indirect cost of 15% of the grant to function as its fiscal agent. Later it was found that NTFAP was expending costs for their own administrative expenses using the direct costs designated for AGUILAS’ program, thus breaking their original agreement. Written evidence about this misuse of funds was distributed at a town hall meeting that was held in the last week of June of 1995. At this meeting, representatives of NTFAP, SFDPH, and AGUILAS discussed the strained collaborative relationship, and it was decided that a new fiscal agent, Instituto Familiar de la Raza, would become AGUILAS’ new fiscal agent.
A proposal was written for a randomized trial comparing two strategies and was funded in the spring of 1994 with the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention (NTFAP) being the fiscal agent. Throughout the
Meanwhile, an application for 501 c-3 status to the IRS was filed by AGUILAS and an IRS recognition letter was mailed to AGUILAS’ first offices located at 22 Guerrero in San Francisco with the date of August 5,
1999. Hence, AGUILAS became a federally recognized, free-standing nonprofit organization with 501 c-3 nonprofit status. This year, 2024, marks the 30th anniversary of AGUILAS providing services to the Latinx LGBTQ community. 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, he has received numerous distinguished awards and citations, including being named a Fellow of 12 divisions of the American Psychological Association.
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, Zoe Dunning, Derek Barnes, Marcy Adelman, Jan Wahl, Holly Near, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron, Michele Karlsberg, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Lou Fischer, Brett Andrews, David Landis Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Sparks, Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Karina Patel, Abby Zimberg, Joanie Juster, Debra Reabock ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only. CALENDAR Submit events for consideration by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com © 2024 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas
"NOSH" JOHNSON (continued from pg 3) Apparently, a few of my clients were students at UCSC and had passed my name on to the administration. Behold, a teacher was officially born. I taught at UCSC until 2017. I would also teach web design and front and back InDesign principles, e-commerce, business strategy, and more at San Jose State University, Golden Gate University, UNLV, and various Silicon Valley corporate Universities, like SunU. Now I just do guest speaking. It is nice to almost be retired! What an Idea! EventRegistration.com Like many entrepreneurs, I daydream about new product ideas. After guest speaking for the annual Meeting Professionals International group on the state of technology in meeting and event planning, I was struck with an idea. It came to me post panel during my Q&A session. The planners were complaining about the process of collecting and managing all of the data associated with running events and meetings. What seemed like an easy thing to resolve to me was clearly one of their largest challenges. So, I asked my audience two questions: 1- If there was a tool in the marketplace that could solve these issues for you, would you use it? There was a resounding yes. And 2 - Would you help in the creation and crafting of the tool? A smaller, yet still significant, percentage of the audience said yes. So, with that brainstorm, EventRegistration.com was born in 1998. Until 2015, it was an online portal for meeting and event planners.
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A Son Is Born 1999 was a special year for me, not because I was partying like it was 1999, but because my son Miles was born. I also foster parented two other older siblings of Miles, William and Sarah, and am so proud of all three! True statement, parenthood changes everything. Life would never be the same. I thought I was sleep deprived before Miles showed up, but now I really understand what people had been telling me. For the record, it was worth it, in spades. Choosing to be a parent is the best and most rewarding decision I ever made. Miles is now 25, and has come a long way from that seven-year-old boy who beat me at chess (captured on the cover of the San Francisco Chronicle as part of a feature on a day in the life of female entrepreneurs). I’m glad to say he is completing his doctorate at CalTech. Civic Engagement Beginning in the mid 1990s, organizations began calling. I found myself either leading, training, teaching, or sitting on the
boards of various organizations or counsels including the Golden Gate Business Association, the National Institute on Aging, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners, Women Presidents Organization, and so on ... you get the drift. But there truly is only so much bandwidth in one day and eventually I had to slow my participation. The Body Can Only Handle So Much Crash! My body had had enough. Now I need to say I’m used to this. I have an extremely compromised immune system, so when I got sick during the early 2000s, I could feel it was serious. I ended up having open heart surgery in 2008. Last year, I had my tricuspid valve replaced due to a wonderful medical trial I’m a part of. My medical issues officially categorize me as disabled. My new goals take into consideration these limitations. I now put more emphasis on project selection and effort required. But as long as I’m breathing, I will do my best to serve others. Nosh’s Dirty Popcorn As a parent, you are responsible for snack time. In our house, that consisted of my special blend of sweet and savory vegan popcorn. Everyone in my circles new of this product because I brought it to every event, etc. I would also bring it to church, and one day, as I was handing my Pastor (City of Refuge, Oakland, CA) a bag of my snacks, she told me that I should be selling it. It hadn’t
really crossed my mind before that moment. Once she planted the seed, I decided it would be a great way to teach my son about entrepreneurship. So, I asked my kids to name the product and Nosh’s Dirty Popcorn was launched. Nosh’s Dirty Popcorn is sold online and is guaranteed to be addictive. Give it a try! Future Whether it’s a snack or a little strategical help or training, I remain here to serve and look forward to meeting new friends along the way! NaNoshka “Nosh” Johnson is an information systems expert and founder of Nosh Productions, Inc. (NPI), as well as Nosh’s Dirty Popcorn. She lectures, keynotes on topics including E-Business, E-Commerce, web/mobile/AI technology, and making the design transition from print media to online web publications. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown appointed her as Technology Chair for San Francisco’s Small Business Forum. Her projects have included supporting the Space Station Freedom Program, the California Code of Regulations, and web projects for Sun Microsystems World Cup Soccer effort, NIKE running shoes, Grants for the Arts, and local politicians. As for that tasty popcorn, you can order some at https://noshsdirtypopcorn.square.site/
LEON SHANNON (continued from pg 2) Wiebelt of Muse Beauty.Pro, and Danni Pomplun of HAUM. Their support, advice, and mentorship have played a crucial role in helping me to navigate the challenges while celebrating the successes. As a proud member of the Castro Merchants Association and the Castro Community Benefit District, Skin on Market has a commitment that transcends the studio’s walls. Beyond offering skincare solutions,
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This part of our business took off like gangbusters. That was the good news. The not so good news was that the effort required to launch our new product, followed by the success, meant I was never home, so that life balance we all strive for was definitely off kilter. I was unbalanced and proverbial plates began to fall. As a result, we created a management system for the management system. And all was good again, at least for a while.
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Skin on Market actively contributes to the community’s well-being. My role as an educator at San Francisco’s Institute of Aesthetics and Cosmetology is a natural extension of this commitment. At the institute I share knowledge and empower the next generation of skincare enthusiasts. Inside the studio or out in the community, my passion for happy, healthy skin is presented with authenticity and compassion. Skin on Market has evolved into more than a
business; it is a hub for skincare education, a testament to personal and professional growth, and a beacon of inclusivity and community support. In reflecting on this journey, I am thankful for the support of countless small business owners who have influenced and shaped my path. They have offered support, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging to a community that understands the unique challenges and joys of being a small business owner. As Skin
on Market continues to thrive and contribute to the Castro District’s vibrancy, I remain committed to fostering a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. The journey is ongoing, and I am excited about the chapters yet to unfold as Skin on Market continues to evolve, empower, and celebrate the beauty within us all. Leon Shannon is the Managing Owner of Skin on Market: http://www.skinonmarket.com/
GLBT Fortnight in Review Whither the Transmen? Here’s something I’ve written about many times, which I stopped mentioning in an effort not to belabor the point and annoy my cherished readers. But I feel compelled to bring it up again. I was just reading attorney pundit Chris Geidner’s Law Dork blog, where he notes that Utah has once again won the prize for first enacted anti-GLBT legislation of the calendar year, this time for a bill that essentially bans transgender kids from using school facilities that don’t match their birth sex and restricts transgender men and women from government facilities under various convoluted circumstances. I gather that there are exceptions for post-operative transgender men and women, but it’s not at all clear to me what happens to transgender men and boys who are taking hormones. Testosterone treatment means these guys may have beards (if they’re old enough), muscles, bulky male looks, and styles. What the hell, Utah lawmakers? Are these men really supposed to hit the ladies room if they want to go the bathroom in a government building? Why isn’t this obvious lapse in reasoning brought to the forefront of debate more often? Why don’t we see more cases of transgender men forced to confront women in their facilities by illogical laws like these? The bill is titled “Sex based designations for privacy, anti-bullying, and women’s opportunities.” As always, it’s all about the specter of male-born men pretending to be trans-women so they can sneak into the bathroom and pester hapless females under the
protective ambit of civil rights laws. This scenario happens, um, never. Any creepy guy who wants to prey on women will find ways to do so regardless of legislative dictates, and the last people who would fit such a category are transgender women. And what kind of reception do you think an ultra-feminine pre-op transwoman is going to get in the men’s room? I have a generally positive view of human nature (which is being sorely tested these days), so I think most men will be respectful, but many of them won’t. So much for privacy, anti-bullying, and women’s opportunities. What a Piece of Work Is Mark Robinson I guess the GOP candidate for governor of North Carolina is not one of our friends and allies. According to NBC News, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson suggested that transwomen, or rather “people who are confused” about their gender, should “find a corner outside somewhere” to go to the bathroom. Mark? I think there are laws against that. Of course, we’ve all been in that position at some point in our lives, but we’ve generally had excellent explanations for our predicaments. “We’re going to defend women in this state,” Robinson said at a campaign stop. “That means if you’re a man on Friday night and all of the sudden on Saturday, you feel like a woman and you want to go in the women’s bathroom in the mall, you will be arrested—or whatever we got to do to you.” The women’s bathroom in the mall? I’m sorry. This is serious stuff, this candidate is a horse’s ass, transgender
By Ann Rostow rights are being shredded throughout our country, and this guy’s choice of imagery is really inconsequential. But still! No one goes to the women’s bathroom in the mall. No one goes to the mall, period. And “all of a sudden on Saturday?” What’s that all about? The whole thing is something out of a Tarantino movie. A drag queen squats in an alleyway. That night, she staggers home, removes her wig and make up. The next morning, a bedraggled male stares back in the mirror. He makes his way through the deserted mall, stopping at the cosmetics counter of a fading anchor store. Passing the empty food court, he goes down a short hallway, hesitates for a second, and enters the door marked with a stick figure in a skirt. Trying a new lipstick, we see his image becoming transformed to hers. But wait! We hear a flush, a stall opens, a menacing figure emerges in the reflection. It’s Mark Robinson! (Cue: screaming. Fade to black.) I know. I conflated drag queens and transwomen, but hey, the scenes worked better that way. Oh, and in 2018, Robinson reposted a Facebook bit about gun control that included a little history lesson: “This foolishness about Hitler disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash,” wrote whoever it was. We may not know who wrote the original post, but we do know that Robinson liked it, and that’s enough for us, isn’t it?
to punish the state for removing their transgender teen daughter from their custody back in 2018. Hey, I did the math too! Years have passed. This kid is an adult. And the High Court usually does not accept cases in which the original dispute is moot. Still, I wanted to understand what happened, and why this kid was removed from her parents’ home absent some other issue. Parental rights are considered fundamental under the Constitution, so Indiana should have had a really good reason. Much as it would be hellish for a transgirl to live with hostile parents who used masculine terms and so forth, it’s technically not grounds for getting removed from your household unless you manage to get declared an adult somehow. To make a long story short, if that’s still possible (which it isn’t because I rambled), I could not find any mainstream reporting about this. Headline after headline trumpeted the fact that Mary and Jeremy Cox have filed this petition before the Court, but they were all from rightwing or Christian media. I finally resorted to reading the petition, which consisted of argle bargle, if I may borrow a legal term of art from Antonin Scalia. So, I still have no idea what happened, what constitutional issues might be at stake, or why the High Court should overlook the many years that have intervened since the facts of the case took place. If you see a reference to this petition, just know that I tried to cover it for you.
Lordy Lordy
Lesbians Behaving Okay
I was planning on telling you about a “Christian” couple from Indiana who have asked the Supreme Court
I just ran a search for lesbian news in the hopes of finding one of our delightful lesbians behaving badly
stories, but no such luck (yet). First up, however, was a story about a lesbian bar in London where transwomen will be barred. Really, ladies? I’m not even going to read this story. We have fought bravely against discrimination for decades alongside our gay, bi, and trans comrades in arms, only to come to this? A meanspirited narrow definition of what it means to be a woman that denies the humanity and femininity of an important minority of our fellow sisters. Why? What are these bar women afraid of? Why so hurtful? This isn’t an Olympic trial where excessive testosterone might play some competitive role. It’s a frigging bar! I can’t go on. What else did I find on there? Let’s see. How about this subhead? “Kristen Stewart is in Berlin for the international premiere of lesbian crime-romance Love Lies Bleeding.” Makes you want to be in Berlin too, doesn’t it? I’ve never been. I’m in a different generation from Kristen Stewart, but when I was her age, I would either have wanted to be just like her, or go out with someone just like her. I can’t decide. Luckily, it doesn’t matter. As for lesbian crime-romance, I lived on Christopher and Bleeker in the early 1980s when everyone was up in arms over the movie Cruising, because the killer was a lesbian (or something) and I remember watching some protests out my window before heading to the Duchess as we did every single night. I can’t recall what was wrong with lesbian killers. I think it was just too much for us at the time. We were already reviled just for being us. Did we have to be ax murderers on film too? (continued on page 13)
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F EBRUARY 22, 2024
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PINNACLE (continued from pg 7)
MILLER (continued from pg 6)
turning ordinary events into unforgettable narratives in the sky. GGBA: How has being a member of GGBA helped your business so far? John Eric Henry: Returning to the GGBA feels like hopping back on a familiar bike. As a past board member who spearheaded event development, networking, and East Bay meetups, I’m rekindling old flames. It takes a moment to regain that rhythm, but once I’m rolling, it’s like moving at lightning speed. I am here to reignite connections and create dazzling new paths, just like the old times—but faster and brighter! GGBA: Do you go to the GGBA monthly Make Contact networking events? Have they benefited you and your business, and would you recommend them to others? John Eric Henry: Stepping into my first Make Contact event in over six years felt like walking into a family reunion. Surrounded by many new faces and a handful of familiar ones from my earlier days, I thought the atmosphere blended fresh energy and nostalgic warmth. It reminded us how far we’ve come and how the GGBA continues to be a vibrant, ever-evolving community. GGBA: What other advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business? John Eric Henry: Starting your own business? Here’s some advice, served with a side of humor: • Be like a duck: Stay calm on the surface but paddle like mad underneath. In business, as in duck ponds, it’s about appearing serene while navigating the crazy. • Coffee is your new best friend. Embrace caffeine. Coffee is not just a drink; it’s a survival juice. Remember, behind every successful entrepreneur is a substantial amount of coffee. • Plan for Plan B. Your first idea might not be your best. It’s like ordering at a restaurant— sometimes, the side dish is more delicious than the main course.
• Embrace your inner squirrel. Save like one, especially for winter. Or in business terms, for the lean times. Acorns or dollars, it’s all about stashing. • Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. Stand out, be bold, and occasionally stand on one leg if it helps (okay, maybe not the last part). • Expect the unexpected. Like a cat chasing its tail, in business, sometimes what you’re after can be right behind you. • Master the art of the nap. Power naps are power moves. Recharge yourself to recharge your business. I take my power nap religiously every day around 3 pm for only 20 minutes max. • Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. They were laying bricks every hour. Your empire will take time, too, so keep laying those bricks! • Finally, laugh often. It’s the best free investment you can make in your business and sanity.
stable and secure community for everyone today and for future generations.
Remember, entrepreneurship is a wild ride— best enjoyed with a sense of humor and a willingness to roll with the punches!
We’ve been told time and time again that we can’t achieve our dreams. What better revenge is there than building generational wealth, where we can create the financial freedom to pursue our passions and ambitions? Whether it’s starting our own businesses, traveling the world, or supporting our communities, investing in our financial futures can be the key to achieving our dreams.
GGBA: You are on a roll here! All of this is helpful, well-earned advice. Anything else to share? John Eric Henry: • Embrace the Tech Tango. At Pinnacle Drone Light Shows, we dance with drones! My advice? Find your “drone” (aka your tech niche) and lead it in a tango of innovation. It’s like teaching a robot to salsa—tricky but spectacular! • Networking is not just schmoozing, but wooing. In the art of networking, I’ve learned it’s less about schmoozing and more about wooing. Treat every handshake like the start of a beautiful friendship or a sitcom-worthy partnership. • Sustainability is not just for tree huggers. Going green isn’t just for tree-huggers—even us drone-lovers do it! My mantra: If your drones can be eco-friendly, so can your coffee cups. Save the planet, one latte at a time! https://pinnacledronelightshows.com/
JUSTER (continued from pg 9) Applications Due March 8 for Equality California Leadership Academy
U.S. Trans Survey Preliminary Results Are In
Voting for candidates who reflect your values and will support the LGBTQ+ community is a responsibility we all share. But opportunities also exist to take devotion to public service to a higher level. We must also train and prepare people to enter public service either by running for office, or by seeking appointments to municipal, state, and private sector boards and commissions.
We live in an era where data is essential. While we have quite understandably become cautious about how our personal data is used to target us for marketing and other purposes, data is also used to help shape legislation and public policy that can affect us all.
Equality California’s LGBTQ+ Leadership Academy is currently seeking applicants for their next session. The Leadership Academy prepares participants for public service by connecting them with current elected and appointed public officials. EQCA has already trained over 200 leaders from around California. The deadline to apply for the Leadership Academy is March 8: http://tinyurl.com/EQCAapp Memory Keepers #2: Centering Black Trans Joy I absolutely love the idea of the Memory Keepers Initiative created in January by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Their efforts to document and share the stories from within our communities is an important step in engaging people in preserving our history, and building vibrant connections. The power of sharing these stories in person as living history was evident by the large crowd that turned out to hear them at the first event in the series, moderated by Donna Sachet, on January 11. The next event, “Centering Black Trans Joy,” will take place February 29 at 7 pm. Hosted by the Transgender District’s Breonna McCree and Carlo Gomez Arteaga, the event will include stories from community leaders including Shayron Grayson, Andrea Horne, and Fresh Lev White. Other upcoming Memory Keepers events are scheduled for April 18, and May 16 at The Chan National Queer Arts Center at 170 Valencia Street. For info and tickets: https://www.sfgmc.org/welcome/ 12
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Until now, the only real data source available on the transgender community was the groundbreaking 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, which included responses from 27,715 people. So, the release of the 2022 survey, which included 92,329 responses, is a major step toward understanding the lives and needs of the transgender population of the United States. The information gathered will provide valuable insights for researchers, academics, and policymakers. The information contained in the survey is particularly vital at a time when the far right is doing everything it can to threaten, demonize, and virtually erase transgender people from our country. We’ll all be hearing more about the U.S. Transgender Survey in the months to come, as researchers take deeper dives into the data. In the meantime, here’s the link. Take a look; it’s fascinating and enlightening: https://ustranssurvey.org/ Follow the Money Speaking of elections: With the March 5 primary right around the corner, our mailboxes, email inboxes, and social media are overflowing with political flyers and ads. There is an avalanche of money pouring into our city elections from certain wealthy individuals and groups in an attempt to alter the very nature of our city and our politics. When you see these ads and when you read your voter guides, first ask yourself: who is paying for this advertisement? Who is funding this campaign? And do their values really align with yours? Of course, everyone wants our city to be safer, cleaner, and more functional. Slogans are meaningless. But the question is always: how do they want to achieve those goals? When in doubt, follow the money. Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
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About those future generations ... a lot of us don’t have kids. Who is the next generation if you don’t have kids? As usual, the default settings on life don’t work for our community all the time. If you have offspring, it’s a little more straightforward. You can set up retirement accounts and get them involved in the family business and follow the more traditional path that defines generational wealth. For the childfree among us, maybe this means you may have more to share with your chosen family and favorite organizations. We can have a hand in impacting our community and culture, so let’s vow to collectively do a better job of handing off to the next generation. Invest in our dreams. My motto is dream big!
Create a safety net for our community, whoever they are. When disasters, health emergencies, layoffs, breakups, or other unexpected events happen, being able to throw a loved one a life preserver can make all the difference. By building up our financial reserves, we can create a safety net for ourselves and our loved ones. Leave a legacy for future generations. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we often create our own families and support networks. Giving back to those who gave us so much helps leave a legacy for future generations of our chosen families. This legacy can include financial stability, education opportunities, or even community support programs. Leaving a positive impact on our communities can be one of the most rewarding things we can do with our wealth and time on this earth. How to start building generational wealth? That’s the big question, right? It starts with making a plan and sticking to it. Whether it’s investing in the stock market, real estate, or our own businesses, creating a financial plan and sticking to it can be one of the most important things we do for our financial futures. By working with financial advisors, setting realistic goals, and staying committed to our plans, we can start building generational wealth and creating brighter futures together. Practically, though, here are some things you can do: • Start planning early. This helps maximize the benefits and minimize taxes. • Understand tax implications. Educate yourself on the tax implications of gifting assets, including gift tax, estate tax, and employ tax-sheltered savings wherever possible.
• Promote financial literacy. Help educate younger generations about financial responsibility. • Contribute to your loved ones’ 529 plans. This higher education investment account is not subject to federal income tax. • Take advantage of educational and medical exclusions, which allow for tax-free payments of qualified educational or medical expenses on behalf of another person. • Utilize the annual gift tax exclusion, which allows individuals to gift a certain amount of money or assets to each recipient tax-free each year (which is currently $18,000 per individual or $36,000 per married couple). • Make gift IRA contributions to loved ones up to $6500 at present. • Provide down payment assistance for a home purchase. • Establish Trusts: Create trusts to transfer assets to beneficiaries while maintaining control over how those assets are managed and distributed. Trusts can provide benefits such as asset protection, minimizing estate taxes, and ensuring assets are distributed according to your wishes. Generational wealth is a powerful tool that can create positive change for our community. By breaking the cycle of financial struggle, creating a safety net, investing in our dreams, leaving a legacy for future generations, and working towards a financial plan, we can start building a brighter future for ourselves and our chosen families. So, let’s commit to investing in our financial futures and creating a more secure, stable, and thriving LGBTQ+ community. 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/
GREENE (continued from pg 6) Choose to 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 schedule your consultation. Your future deserves the attention to detail and care that you have established for your present life. Statements In Compliance with California Rules of Professional Conduct: The materials in this article have been prepared by Attorney Jay Greene for educational purposes only and are not legal advice. This information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individuals should consult with an estate planning and elder law attorney for up-to-date information for their individual plans. Jay Greene, Attorney, CPA, is the founder of Greene Estate, Probate, & Elder Law Firm based in San Francisco, and is focused on helping LGBT individuals, couples, and families plan for their future, protect their assets, and preserve their wealth. For more information and to schedule an assessment, visit: https://assetprotectionbayarea.com/
Slava Ukraini! By Joanie Juster Let us not forget that this week marks the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are still fighting fiercely for their homeland, and while many people who had fled during the beginning of the onslaught are now returning, they are coming back to a devastated landscape with infrastructure destroyed. With no electricity or running water, their needs are urgent, and basic. For an update on the current situation in Ukraine, we talked with Laura Polli. An Accidental Activist Laura cheerfully describes herself as “marketing by day, humanitarian aid by night,” and she comes by that description honestly. Her expertise in marketing for the tech industry may pay the rent, but her passion is helping people at the most basic level, providing emergency aid to people in desperate need. When Laura arrived in San Francisco in 1987 during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, she stepped up to help, delivering meals for Ruth Brinker, founder of Project Open Hand. Over the years, she became a professionally trained chef and certified sommelier. When the Lightning Complex Fires and Glass Fires devastated swaths of California in recent years, she felt compelled to put her culinary skills to work for a more urgently needed cause. She spent weeks working with World Central Kitchen, cooking relief meals in disaster zones. In January 2022, she completed WCK’s chef relief training course, and when Ukraine was
Photos courtesy of Laura Pauli
Laura Pauli with a Ukrainian soldier
invaded on February 22, she was ready to put her training to good use. ‘So Much Sadness’ “I just had to be there,” Laura told me for the San Francisco Bay Times. Having just started a new job in January 2022, though, she wasn’t able to leave until June of that year. Through other WCK friends she was able to find a small apartment in Zamosc, Poland—a major point of entry for refugees fleeing Ukraine— and started working in a 10,000 square foot emergency kitchen at the train station. She would work at the kitchen from 8 am until 1 pm each day, then go back to her tiny apartment to do her day job remotely, from 1 pm to 10 pm. “You couldn’t get through a shift at the train station without periodically walking around the back and crying,” she said. She recalled one particularly heartwrenching day when a train car full of babies arrived. No one knew who the babies were, whom they belonged to, where they had come from, or where they should go. That day, she said, everyone cried.
As trainloads of refugees arrived each day, usually with what few possessions they still owned in one small bag, Laura described seeing “so much sadness, so much heartbreak. What they saw they will never recover from.” Laura and her fellow aid workers would greet them with water, food, kindness, and whatever other comforts they could provide. Children received goodie bags with juice boxes and a small stuffed animal. Her crew cooked meals on massive paella pans over propane burners. They could not only cook 700 pounds of meat or vegetables quickly and efficiently that way, but also even cake—she said it takes 1000 bananas to make 100 sheets of banana cake in one of those giant pans. Urgent Needs: Wood-Burning Stoves, Sanitation Laura has returned to Ukraine several times since that first visit. She did three humanitarian aid runs in 2023, delivering whatever was needed to smaller villages that had been overlooked, and delivering portable wood-burning stoves to soldiers in the trenches near the frontlines. Putting on a bulletproof vest and helmet the first time she was within two kilometers of the frontlines was an eye-opening experience, as they could hear the shelling. In a hollowed-out landscape with no electricity, the portable wood-burning stoves are essential not just to provide heat, but also to allow for cooking. For many Ukrainians, she said, especially the older generation, owning their own home was their life goal. They are strong and fierce, and they simply don’t want to leave their homes, no matter what condition they are in now. One older woman thanked Laura for the little stove she had brought, saying, “Now there are no more mushrooms growing on our walls.” LGBTQ+ Ukrainians
World Central Kitchen volunteer Laura Pauli makes chili for Merced, CA, flood victims
When Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there was legitimate concern for the safety of LGBTQ+ Ukrainians. In general, Laura reports, your level of safety in Ukraine largely depends on geography. Eastern and Southern Ukraine are more conservative and old-school, whereas Middle and Western Ukraine are more open. She said that in the larger cities, and in universities, younger
World Central Kitchen volunteers at work
Laura Pauli and a World Central Kitchen team of volunteers in Poland, where they made 35,000 sandwiches for Ukrainian refugees
Ukrainians can often be who they are, and love whom they love. However, the war has added extra dangers. Many queer Ukrainians have been displaced, and have had trouble fleeing the country due to Ukraine’s conscription policies. Many originally fled to Poland. But although Poland opened their doors to 1.5 million displaced Ukrainians at the beginning of the war, Poland also ranks last in the European Union in recognizing LGBTQ+ rights. Queer refugees often face discrimination, isolation, difficulty finding safe housing and employment, as well as getting access to appropriate medical care and benefits for themselves and their families. What’s Next, and How to Help For Laura, this difficult work has become her mission; “It is definitely a calling,” she says. In her recent trips, she began fundraising, and has been involved in rebuilding an orphanage. When asked how they can help children heal from so much trauma, she said, “We just try to give them the best life we can. There is so much joy and love; the kids are amazing. All we can do is love them as much as possible, and give them opportunities.” She is concerned that the United States isn’t giving enough military aid to Ukraine. Without substantial military assistance, Ukraine could lose to Russia—and then the rest of Europe is in danger of falling as well.
Laura worries that the world has moved on and forgotten Ukraine. But she and her colleagues are doing everything they can to provide humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable Ukrainians. Besides World Central Kitchen, Laura is raising money for two charities providing direct immediate assistance like wood-burning stoves, insulation. adult diapers, sanitation supplies, and, always, healthy food. Laura’s life has been changed by what she has seen. She remains awed by how strong and fierce the Ukrainian people are in the face of the most brutal attacks. She is encouraged by the words of one of her colleagues there, who said, “Of all the horrors I’ve seen, I’ve never seen so many angels.” Be one of the angels. You can help by donating to these organizations: Feed the World: https://bit.ly/feedtheworldnow UAid Direct: https://www.uaiddirect.org/ Locally, Rainbow World Fund has been raising emergency funds for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians since the war began. They are able to get help directly to people in need through their partnership with Ukrainian LGBTQ+ organizations Fulcrum, LIGA, and Insight. Donate here: http://tinyurl.com/RWFund Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
ROSTOW (continued from pg 11) Here, we can see from Kristen’s movie, is yet another example of progress towards equality and civil rights. Yay! There’s also something called a “chapstick lesbian,” which is not of great interest. In my experience, there have always been chapstick lesbians, and there will always be chapstick lesbians because who wants chapped lips? We also have “chapstick straight women,” who are similar to “chapstick lesbians” except they are attracted to men. Bottom line? All women use ChapStick/lip balm. Further, I was struck by an article on the high rates of lesbian divorces, which aren’t actually that high but are higher than gay male divorce rates. First, same-sex marriage statistics are relatively new. We’ve only had the right to wed legally for ten or fifteen years, so whatever numbers you can find are probably erroneous.
Second, it seems women are more likely to initiate divorce proceedings in straight marriages as well, perhaps because we have a lower tolerance for infidelity than the guys. I’ll say! Half the gay male couples I know have elaborate rules for their relationships, like you can only sleep with someone else on alternate Fridays, or you can only sleep with the same guy three times, or you can only sleep around if your husband sees a photo and approves of the guy first.
this, and what are we supposed to do about it? I dutifully went to the Lesbian Visibility Week website ( just for you) and I can tell you that “we will be celebrating the power of sisterhood by uplifting incredible LGBTQIA women and nonbinary people from every generation, in every field and in every country around the world. One community, so many brilliant individuals.”
Third, our U-Haul tendencies may lead us to hop into marriage before we’re ready, the corollary being that we hop out faster as well.
“This year DIVA is working in partnership with EL*C (Euro Central Asian Lesbian Committee), ILGA World, GLAAD, Curve, and LGBT Foundation to make Lesbian Visibility Week a truly international stage where iconic LGBTQIA women and non-binary people can all take a moment in the spotlight to be recognized for the work they do and the joy they bring.”
Fourth, like the business with chapstick, who cares? I See You! Oh, by the way, I just saw that “Lesbian Visibility Week” is April 22–28. Who thinks of things like
But there’s more!
For the record, I have a non-binary grandchild, aged eight, who plays ice hockey and just promised their other grandmother (my wife) that they were going to “knock that guy into next week,” referring to a player on the other team. I certainly hope these fine organizations give my little buddy a chance to shine during Lesbian Visibility Week. They (grandchild) have also mastered some choice phrases, including a two-word expression with the initials “MF,” probably launched at one of the unfortunate little children across from them on the ice rink. I do, in fact, get a great deal of joy out of this. There’s also a special Lesbian Visibility Day in the middle of the week, specifically April 26, a Friday. I have learned from the website that Lesbian Visibility Week began in Los Angeles in 1990 and “was celebrated until 1992.” In other words, it was an immediate flop.
International Lesbian Visibility Day was revived by DIVA, a British magazine in 2008, and the whole week of visibility came along in 2020 when, if I recall correctly, the entire world spent two years hiding out in sweatpants and t-shirts, eating junk food and binge-watching TV from home. “Lesbians need to be given space to be visible and shown to the world on our own terms,” said DIVA publisher Linda Riley. She seems like a good person and a gogetter, but I don’t even know what this means. Given space by whom? To do what exactly? What does she mean by “shown to the world on our own terms?” Whose terms? Shown how? By whom? I lack patience for this kind of vague rhetoric. But I feel guilty for criticizing someone who’s trying to do something useful while I sit around and complain. Forgive me, Linda. arostow@aol.com
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20 Years Later The Winter of Love 20th Anniversary of the Winter of Love at San Francisco City Hall Mayor London Breed joined city officials, LGBTQ community leaders, and advocates on Wednesday, February 14, to celebrate San Francisco’s 20th Anniversary of the Winter of Love. The historic milestone originally took place in 2004, from February 12–March 12, when then Mayor Gavin Newsom directed city officials to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses. PHOTO BY RINK
2024’s anniversary celebration at San Francisco City Hall on Valentine’s Day welcomed nearly 200 couples who registered with the County Clerk’s Office and were married on that memorable day. As part of the celebration, Mayor Breed and other elected city officials led renewal vows and officiated marriages for couples throughout the day.
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PHOTO BY RINK PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTER ROMA
PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTER ROMA
PHOTO BY BILL WILSON
PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTER ROMA
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PHOTO BY RINK
PHOTO COURTESY OF RAFAEL MANDELMAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTER ROMA
Among the couples who married were Jing Xin and Hui Zheng, who acknowledged the significance of the occasion saying, “Love is love.” That phrase has also been shared by marriage equality activists and San Francisco Bay Times columnists John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, who renewed their vows during the Winter of Love 20th Anniversary event. Another local well-known couple who renewed their vows were San Francisco Pride’s Executive Director Suzanne Ford and her wife Beverly.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Donna Sachet
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f you thought only New Orleans, Sydney, Rio, and Venice celebrate Mardi Gras, think again! Purple, green, and gold beads and balloons and festively dressed celebrants were spotted all over the Castro in recent weeks as the local Mardi Gras club Krewe de Kinque hosted its annual Bal Masque, Fat Tuesday Bar Crawl, and last Saturday’s check presentation at Midnight Sun. At that last party, Founder of Krewe de Kinque and King I Gary Virginia announced $7000 raised for SF Urban Angels, a local organization providing basic supplies to many impacted by poverty and homelessness. That money will purchase lots of water bottles, blankets, clothing, and other basic needs to be distributed by their volunteers. In the great tradition of San Francisco, Krewe de Kinque has raised money for a variety of social causes, provided a host of volunteer opportunities, and created many fun-filled events from a grassroots foundation. Last Wednesday, Mayor London Breed hosted a reception at City Hall to mark and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the samegender weddings started by then Mayor Gavin Newsom. It was raining outside, much as it was 20 years ago, but attendance was great and enthusiasm was high. Several elected officials shared personal memories from that time, quickly transporting us back to those days of lines around the block, flowers arriving from around the country, minor protests, and extraordinary pride, smiles, and tears as hundreds of couples tied the knot. We were happy to share the afternoon with many friends, including Sister Roma, John Lewis & Stuart Gaffney, Suzanne Ford, City Administrator Carmen Chu, Drag Laureate D’Arcy Drollinger, and Maceo Perrson. After the formal program, several couples lined up either to marry or reaffirm their vows under the dome of City Hall. The next night, we joined visiting friend James Holloway at a reunion of past members of the Board of Directors of the LGBT Community Center, hosted by Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe. What a great idea to gather all those who have dedicated so much to the success of the community asset together once again. There was no ask for additional donations, just a pleasant mixer and a short program giving us an update on the Center’s progress and its exciting future. We chatted with Frank Woo, Derek Barnes, Mark Leno, Doug Pinter, and so many others. What memories we share! And we continue to believe in the Center and its important mission. Candidate for Emperor Bob Glas and candidate for Empress Linda Summers have been out and about for weeks seeking your support, but it all comes down to Voting Day, last Saturday, February 17, and the results have been sealed and held by an accounting firm in preparation for this Saturday’s Imperial Coronation 59: Seasons of Love. Join hundreds of local and visiting LGBTQ+ Community members at the Hyatt Regency SOMA at 5 pm to find out the voting results and so much more. Reigning Emperor Michael Chua and Reigning Empress Cameron Stiehl-Munro have an exciting night planned, including elaborate productions, entertaining performers, distribution of charitable funds, and all the traditional pageantry we’ve come to love. They have been very popular monarchs and served their community well; let’s be there for them on Saturday as they close out their year. One of the highlights of any Imperial Coronation is the celebration of Emperors’ and Empresses’ anniversaries, looking back at reigns and personalities that enriched the nearly 60 years of this incredible organization. As one can imagine, many of the early monarchs have passed away, leaving only memories of their time leading the Imperial Court. Others have left the organization, choosing to separate from the many unique opportunities given them by the Imperial Court. And others are prevented by circumstances or geographical challenges from attending. An exciting group of Emperors and Empresses from years gone by, however, will be attending on Saturday and several have memorable presentations planned. We expect Empress XXIX Anita Martini, Empress XXXIV Sheba, Empress XXXIX China Silk, Empress XLIV Angelina Josephina Manicotti, Emperor XLII J.P. Soto & Empress XLIX Misty Blue, and Emperor LVII Terrill Grimes Munro & Empress LIV Baby-Shaques Munro all to attend, promising a thrilling evening. Don’t miss it! 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
Thursday, February 22 Anniversary Monarchs Reception Celebrate milestone anniversaries Hosted by John Carrillo & Misty Blue HaRa Club, 875 Geary Street 6:30–8:30 pm Free! www.imperialcouncilsf.org Friday, February 23 Divas & Drinks celebrates Black History Month Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Women Leaders & Allies Imani Rupert-Gordon, Jewelle Gomez, Theodora Lee, Renée Lubin, Dr. Dee Spencer, and many more! SF Bay Times presents monthly party Donna Sachet hosts Performance of a show highlighting Black women composers DJ Christie James of iHeartRadio courtesy of Olivia Travel Bacardí cocktails The Academy, 2166 Market Street $15 http://tinyurl.com/54v7rhez Friday, February 23 Out-of-Town Show The best of Court performers Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 6 pm $25 www.imperialcouncilsf.org Saturday, February 24 Imperial Coronation 59: Seasons of Love Crowning of new Emperor & Empress Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 5 pm $70 www.imperialcouncilsf.org Sunday, February 25 Annual Pilgrimage to Colma Visit the gravesites of Joshua Norton & José Sarria Emceed by Donna Sachet Bus departs Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 8 am Free! www.imperialcouncilsf.org Sunday, February 25 Victory Brunch End of one reign, start of another Hyatt Regency SOMA, 50 Third Street 11 am $30 www.imperialcouncilsf.org Thursday, February 29 Memory Keepers Initiative SF Gay Men’s Chorus panel discussion Chan National Queer Arts Center, 170 Valencia Street 7 pm Pay as you wish www.sfgmc.org
Donna Sachet with James Holloway at Twin Peaks during the Krewe de Kinque Fat Tuesday Castro Bar Crawl on Tuesday, February 13. PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2024)
Memory Keepers Initiative: Centering Black Trans Joy The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the nation’s premier queer chorus, will explore local queer history with “Centering Black Trans Joy,” the second program of the Memory Keepers Initiative. Hosted by Co-Executive Directors of the Transgender District Breonna McCree and Carlo Gomez Arteaga, and featuring Shayrn Grayson, Andrea Horne, and Fresh Lev White, “Centering Black Trans Joy” will be presented at SFGMC’s home, The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street) on Thursday, February 29, at 7 pm. In an effort to make this event accessible to all, it is “pay what you can.”
The Transgender District, which will be a subject of discussion during the event, is the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. Originally named the Compton’s Transgender Cultural District— Carlo Gomez Arteaga and Breonna McCree appeared in the Chasing the Dream series program “American after the first documented uprising of transProblems/Trans Solutions,” broadcast on KQED (2023) gender and queer people in U.S. history, The Compton’s Cafeteria Riots of 1966—the district encompasses six blocks in the southeastern Tenderloin and adjacent areas.
In addition to enjoying the 90-minute interactive panel discussion, attendees are encouraged to remain afterwards and record their own stories about queer history in the Bay Area. Volunteers will be on hand to audio or video record anyone with a story to tell and a desire to share it for posterity.
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“San Francisco’s queer history is a rich and complex tapestry that involves so many impactful icons and instances almost lost to history,” said SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “Through our continuing Memory Keepers Initiative, these stories and the trailblazing people whose stories come alive through their telling serve as reminders that the past can inform the present and that we can learn from the strength, courage, and wisdom of those who came before us.”
Fresh Lev White
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The first program in the Memory Keepers Initiative was held on January 11, 2024, and was hosted by San Francisco Bay Times columnist and legendary drag artist Donna Sachet. The featured panel members were fellow Bay Times columnist Derek Barnes, who is also a local activist and member of several LGBTQ+ boards of directors; Selisse Berry, a lesbian activist who is the founder of Out and Equal; and SF Empress Alexis Miranda, who is an entertainer and Latino activist. Following the February 29 event will be the third program in the series, on April 18, which will be hosted by the GLBT Historical Society. The final program of the four-part series will take place on May 16, 2024, and will present a history of the SFGMC with Stensberg as host.
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The Memory Keepers Initiative is an oral history project that uplifts and preserves the stories of our community’s visionary LGBTQ+ elders in order to foster intergenerational connection among LGBTQ+ communities and allies, as well as inspire a bigger, brighter future through learning and understanding of our collective history.
Andrea Horne
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Tickets are available at https://www.sfgmc.org/
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Tru Joy and Tragedy
Off the Wahl Jan Wahl Truman Capote’s greatest character was surely himself. Although he stood only 5’3” and died 40 years ago, his legend—encompassing operatic emotional highs and lows—still looms large, as evidenced by this year’s hit FX series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Hopefully it will inspire you to learn more about him, and to read his signature works. Capote was a sad but talented man, with moments of satisfaction and a need to be surrounded by the uber wealthy and beautiful, but not when he was writing his true crime novel, In Cold Blood. It led him to spend much time in the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas, where a family had been murdered. He followed the story all the way to the deaths of the two men who did it, taking a deep dive into the community, personalities, and tragedy. He took this event and turned it into his own crime and punishment, using it as well to delve into
the nature of evil. Capote’s commitment to accuracy and exhaustive research elevated the book into journalistic perfection. Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s was originally a novella from 1958. It tells of his early New York days and a remarkable neighbor named Holly Golightly. Novelist and playwright Norman Mailer said this work was the best of his generation, and that he would not have changed one word in it. Golightly remained Capote’s favorite character and he was heartbroken when the 1961 film adaptation (starring Audrey Hepburn) miscast that character. I agree with him that Marilyn Monroe would have been the perfect Holly, but I’m a Marilyn fan in anything. There were other problems with the film—Mickey Rooney, anyone?—but it cemented Capote as a cultural icon. Feud: Capote vs. the Swans is now on Hulu, giving me enjoyment every minute. This American anthology TV series was created by Ryan Murphy among others and directed by Gus Van Sant. Its eight episodes were based on the book Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love Betrayal and a Swan Song for an Era by Lawrence Leamer. I love this book because the swans themselves are allowed more space to fly. In the series we do not get their backstories, but it is still a visual feast of fun and fashion.
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I have always been fascinated by stories of very wealthy women, their style and their personalities. In Feud, we see how they are driven to go within, to hide feelings and thoughts from everyone except each other. Sometimes it seems that their husbands or ex-husbands have defined them to the erasure of their own souls. But there is so much to rejoice for them: gorgeous gardens, clothes, homes, jewelry. Is that enough or really important? I find myself saying, “Hey, Babe, it would be enough for me!” There are many ways to learn more about the Swans themselves. My favorite is Slim: Memories of a Rich and Imperfect Life by Slim Keith. There is also Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire’s Wife, and the Murder of the Century by Roseanne Montillo and Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott. The most fun to read is The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin, a nonfiction novel Capote would have enjoyed. In 2005, Philip Seymour Hoffman was excellent in Capote, a film that focused on the writing of In Cold Blood. Toby Jones is also perfection as Capote in Infamous, a different look at In Cold Blood researching, relations, and reporting. Tom Hollander has stepped into the role in Feud, a Capote surrounded by his glamorous swans and beginning the end of his downfall. But we shouldn’t leave out the one time we see Capote the actor, basically playing himself in the terrific 1976 comedy Murder by Death. This underrated howler is one to see, and you’ll need it after Feud! 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
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2024)
A Roundtable With the Drive-Away Dolls
Film Gary M. Kramer Drive-Away Dolls is a fabulously queer comic thriller opening February 23 in Bay Area theatres. The film, directed by Ethan Coen, who co-wrote it with his wife, Tricia Cooke, is set at the beginning in Philadelphia, 1999, with a man known as “The Collector” (Pedro Pascal) being violently relieved of a briefcase that needs to be delivered to Tallahassee. Coincidentally, Jamie (Margaret Qualley), who has just ended things
Beanie Feldstein: We all auditioned, and it was a wild ride. My eyes were getting bigger and bigger but it is so rooted in their relationship of true love and connection and humor and populated by these Ethan and Trish characters—the goons, and the cop, and the boss—and the fact that I get to play one of those true character side roles the Coens are famous for and then this being an Ethan/Trish version of that and a lesbian hard ass cop, I was kind of mind blown.
Margaret Qualley: A thousand percent! It was such a good vibe. It was just a good hang.
Gary M. Kramer: What can you say about the female camaraderie in the film? The women are all very supportive of each other—although Sukie, who is mad at Jamie, may be the sole exception. I also appreciated the emphasis on female pleasure; it not only talks about
Margaret Qualley: You said it!
Beanie Feldstein: That’s kind of all I like. That’s my main joy. Geraldine Viswanathan: The men in the movie are all fumbling fools. Margaret Qualley: All the good parts are girls! Gary M. Kramer: As they should be! Gary M. Kramer: Geraldine and Margaret, can you talk about finding your characters through the way they speak and dress? It is very amusing to see how they express themselves verbally and visually. I found Jamie sultry and irresistible, and I loved Geraldine’s reaction to a guy who says, “Anyhoo ... .” Margaret Qualley: For me, I am a straight girl in life, so when I check out another woman it’s usually a quick [makes noise]—you look up and down to see what the girl is wearing. It was fun to luxuriate in it. Jamie is such a hound dog at any
with Sukie (Beanie Feldstein), is headed to Tallahassee with her best friend Marian, (Geraldine Viswanathan). The young women don’t know that the aforementioned briefcase (along with another questionable box) is in the trunk of the car they are delivering one-way. Moreover, Jamie is less concerned with arriving in Florida on time; her mission is to help Marian “loosen up,” as it has been several years since she last had sex with a woman. ( Jamie, in contrast, has sex with a woman almost every day; hence the breakup with Sukie.) Meanwhile, the Chief (out Philly native Colman Domingo) has two goons ( Joey Slotick and C.J. Wilson) chasing after the women and the suitcase. Suffice it to say, sex, mayhem, and comedy ensue. Drive-Away Dolls is tremendous fun with jokes, sex toys (including a dildo attached to a wall), as well as fists and bullets flying fast and furiously. I recently met with Qualley, Viswanathan, and Feldstein for the San Francisco Bay Times to talk about their new film. Gary M.Kramer: This film is likely to become a lesbian classic. What did you think of this film when you read and were offered it? Margaret Qualley: I loved it. I was so excited to read it and get my hands on an Ethan Coen/Trisha Cooke script. I couldn’t be a bigger fan. Geraldine Viswanathan: When I heard there was an Ethan Coen movie going around, I thought, “Oh, my God. It’s such a dream come true.” It felt so out of the realm of possibility. The script was unique and interesting. They are such brilliant writers. 20
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that, it shows it ... in several scenes. Can you talk about that? Margaret Qualley: It disheartens me, the generations of women that didn’t have that or get to talk about it, but here I am saying that because I’m conditioned to. Beanie Feldstein: It’s OK. We’re working towards something. There is progress. Margaret Qualley: It was super f-ing fun. Geraldine Viswanathan: It kind of just makes you want to do movies where you are hanging out with girls all the time.
moment in the bar, if she can creep around and catch a woman’s butt walking by, she will. Which is a fun position to be in. Women don’t usually check out men that way, so to ogle is a fun thing to do. A lot of my character was figuring out ogling and enjoying ogling. Geraldine Viswanathan: [dryly] Oh my God, that is so fun. Beanie Feldstein: And you nailed it. Margaret Qualley: She’s ogling ... . Beanie Feldstein: When you put your arm up on the wall. Margaret Qualley: I was going for Tom Cruise in Magnolia. (continued on page 27)
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2024)
Ballet and Sinatra: A Perfect Match in Michael Smuin’s Rollicking Fly Me to the Moon
Also featured on the program is Zorro!, another brilliant showcase of Michael Smuin’s inimitable pizzazz. The story ballet’s electrifying choreography was declared, “Delicious. Irrepressible. Broadway meets ballet in the greatest terms,” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and a “sword fighting, whip cracking spectacular” by Talkin’ Broadway.
From a soft-shoe duet to heroic leaps and dazzling spins, Michael’s playful choreography features classical ballet movement, as well as dance styles ranging from ballet to ballroom and even tap. With Fly Me to the Moon, the company celebrates Michael’s lifelong dedication to expanding the perception of ballet, creating works that would surprise, delight, and inspire.
Celebrating Michael Smuin is dedicated to the memory of the company’s dynamic late founder. A consummate ballet choreographer, as well as a Tony Award-winning Broadway dancemaker, Michael Smuin was equally renowned for his incandescent, jubilant, and sometimes heartbreaking ballets, including his landmark Romeo & Juliet for San Francisco Ballet (broadcast on PBS’ Great Performances), to his magnetic storytelling in works ranging from The Blue Angel to Pinocchio. Michael’s bold, athletic, unexpected choreography expanded the boundaries of traditional ballet,
A critical and audience favorite, Fly Me to the Moon garnered widespread acclaim for its range of dance
The final performance of Celebrating Michael Smuin will be followed by Smuin’s Annual Gala at The St. Regis San Francisco. Arts, community, philanthropic, and civic leaders of San Francisco will mingle with Smuin artistic staff and dancers at this grand celebration hosted by cochairs John Konstin and Lee D. Baxter along with Smuin’s Board of Trustees and Friends of Smuin host committee. This year’s gala will honor Smuin Artistic Director Celia Fushille and her achievements over her 30-year tenure with the company. A founding member of Smuin and its principal dancer for more than 12 years, Fushille has served as Artistic Director of Smuin Contemporary Ballet since 2007. She has built on Michael Smuin’s philosophy to create pieces that merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance, as well as added her voice to Michael’s, creating a unique legacy during her 17-year tenure at the helm. After completing three decades with Smuin, Fushille will step away as Artistic Director at the conclusion of this season in June 2024. For more information on Smuin’s Annual Gala, visit http://tinyurl.com/5n7wp5ff Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Celebrating Michael Smuin will perform February 29–March 3, 2024, at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA (700 Howard St, San Francisco). Tickets are available by calling 415-912-1899 and at https://www.smuinballet.org/
PHOTO BY KEITH SUTTER
Performed against a twinkling backdrop of glowing stars, Fly Me to the Moon is set to warm and witty Sinatra favorites including the dreamy “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” funny and charming “I Won’t Dance,” brash and brassy “That’s Life,” and more, culminating in a full chorus, high kicking “New York, New York” finale.
allowing his dancers the chance to shine in works that included everything from tango to tap, soft-shoe to swing, ballroom to Broadway. Boasting a career filled with accolades, Michael Smuin possessed a rare talent.
PHOTO BY KEITH SUTTER
styles that perfectly complemented the tunes. San Francisco Classical Voice called the ballet “hard to beat,” declaring Smuin’s dancers “the ringa-ding greatest.” The San Francisco Chronicle also complimented the work’s artistry, noting, “Look past the pizzazz and you’ll find some rigorous classicism, with challenging turn combinations, nifty footwork, and allegro jumps, well dispatched by all 13 dancers. The piece has moves!” Floating in gorgeous pastel costumes, topped with fedoras reminiscent of the ‘50s, the dancers perfectly showcase Sinatra’s—and Michael’s—panache in this timeless crowd-pleaser.
PHOTO BY KEITH SUTTER
Start spreading the news! Smuin Contemporary Ballet marks its 30th anniversary with a joyful evening that includes Michael Smuin’s beloved Sinatra tribute. An audience and critical favorite since its premiere in 2004, Fly Me to the Moon pays homage to the timeless tunes of Ol’ Blue Eyes, brought to life with Michael’s ineffable Broadwayinfused choreography. Fly Me to the Moon will be joined by Zorro! in Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s program, Celebrating Michael Smuin, to be presented for only five performances (February 29–March 3, 2024) at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA.
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F EBRUARY 22, 2024
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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2024)
13th Annual BAAITS Powwow Photos by Rink
Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion was filled with hundreds of organizers, participants, and audience members for the 13th Annual Bay Area Indian Two-Spirit (BAAITS) Powwow. The annual event is the largest public, standalone Two-Spirit powwow in the world. This year’s intertribal social gathering of Native Americans and allies started with a Native Market featuring traditional foods and drinks, which was followed by a Gourd Dance Exhibition, the Powwow Opening ceremony with the Ohlone Sisters, a performance by Danza Mexica, and the Closing Song and Prayer. “Two-Spirit” is a Native American term for people with both female and male energies. Two-Spirits may (or may not) also identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or gender non-conforming. Traditionally, Two-Spirits often held—and many still hold— honored positions in their Native American and First Nations communities. To find out more, visit http://www.baaits.org
Top of your stack
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK PASSAGE
Neighbors and Other Stories (fiction - hardbound) by Diane Oliver This is a bold and haunting debut story collection that follows various characters as they navigate the day-to-day perils of Jim Crow racism from Diane Oliver, a missing figure in the canon of twentieth-century African American literature, with an introduction by Tayari Jones. I Heard Her Call My Name (nonfiction- hardbound) by Lucy Sante This is an iconic writer’s lapidary memoir of a life spent pursuing a dream of artistic truth while evading the truth of her own gender identity, until, finally, she turned to face who she really was. Sante brings a loving irony to her account of her unsteady personal transitions; there was much she found she still needed to learn about being a woman after some sixty years cloaked in a man’s identity, in a man’s world. Darkhearts (fiction- hardbound) by James L Sutter When David quit his band, he missed his shot at fame, trapped in an ordinary high school life while his ex–best friend, Chance, became the hottest teen pop star in America. Then tragedy throws David and Chance back into contact. As old wounds break open, the boys find themselves trading frenemy status for a confusing, secret romance—one 22
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that could be David’s ticket back into the band and the spotlight. Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Red, White, & Royal Blue, Darkhearts is a hilarious, heartfelt, enemies-to-lovers romance about love, celebrity, and what happens when the two collide. Upcoming Events Saturday, February 24 @ 3 pm (free - SF Ferry Building store) Malia C. Lazu, author of From Intention to Impact Award-winning diversity and inclusion strategist Malia C. Lazu will teach attendees how to take the elements laid out in her new book and apply them to their businesses and organizations every day. From Intention to Impact shows what organizations, leaders, and people at all levels must do to create more inclusive environments that honor and value diversity. Tuesday, February 27 @ 5 pm (free - online) V (formerly Eve Ensler), author of Reckoning, in conversation with Michael Cunningham The Tony Award-winning, bestselling author of The Vagina Monologues will have an unflinching conversation with critically acclaimed novelist Michael Cunningham about her writing journey career and her latest project, Reckoning. The book invites you to travel the journey of a writer and activist’s life and process over forty years, representing both the core of ideas that have become global movements and the methods through which V survived abuse and self-hatred.
Lit Snax North Woods by Daniel Mason North Woods tracks the history of a plot of land in Massachusetts wherein rival sisters, a catamount, ghosts, apple orchards, and runaways all find a home. It’s a beautiful love letter to the importance of place and connection. Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt by Brontez Purnell This memoir in verse is disarmingly candid, strange, wise, and witty. Fans of 100 Boyfriends will not be disappointed.
This promises to be a riveting and vital conversation between featured author Tommy Orange and Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. In his new novel, Wandering Stars, Orange traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through three generations of a family in a story that is by turns shattering and wondrous.
Nothing Ever Just Disappears: Seven Hidden Queer Histories by Diarmuid Hester In lucid but luscious prose, Hester investigates queer places linked to (among others): suffragettes, filmmaker Jack Smith, cabaret phenomenon Josephine Baker, and San Francisco’s own beloved littérateur, Kevin Killian. This is a fresh and charmingly accessible way to explore history.
https://www.bookpassage.com/
https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
Friday, March 1 @ 7 pm (ticketed - Dominican University of California) Tommy Orange, author of Wandering Stars
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Bay Times Dines
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Peace, Love, and Piroshkis at a Gracious New LGBTQ+ Eatery
David Landis Finding a new restaurant before others discover it is thrilling. When that restaurant is owned by two queer women, employing folks who are gender fluid, and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, it’s even better. And when the food tops the bill—well, that is a home run. That’s how I would describe DACHA Kitchen & Bar, the terrific new California/Russian restaurant at the corner of Sutter and Larkin in San Francisco. I recently visited this new inviting eatery with my husband and Soviet émigré-turned-Bay Area resident Katia Bloom. After enjoying our meal, I had a revelation. Rather than just serving up my opinion, wouldn’t it be better to have someone who intimately knows wellexecuted Russian cuisine to be my guest columnist? So, I asked my foodie pal Katia for her musings.
That mission is rooted in some very unfortunate real-world experiences as Russia-born Katya needed to seek asylum in the United States to escape the oppression faced in that country by all those who identify as queer, gay, lesbian, or anything else that isn’t 100% straight. Point being, you can feel this desire woven into the very fabric of the restaurant’s foundation. This restaurant is the embodiment of LGBTQ+ friendly and accepting of whatever brand of human you are on any given day.
And have no fear, for those of you looking to shake it, DACHA puts on a monthly Borsch & Beats gathering the last Friday of every month, with a DJ and party where they are also raising money for Ukraine. Why? Because this is a place with heart above all else. They also host Drag Bingo every third Thursday (here’s looking at you, Katya SmirnoffSkyy), and public mixology classes on the second Saturday of each month. So, there’s something fun for everyone to enjoy at this new spot. By now, I’m guessing you’re curious about the food. As the Gay Gourmet’s honorary Soviet-born guest columnist, I, along with the rest of the former
Chef Katya is classically trained with one of the most famous Russian chefs, Alexei Zimin, at his French cooking school in Moscow. She continued her training at elite restaurants in both the Netherlands, and as a private chef in California. So, if you’re imagining only herring covered in layers of creamy, fatty substances, or plain potatoes smothered in butter, this is quite the opposite. Having been to the restaurant many times, I haven’t had a single dish that wasn’t mouthwatering. The syrniki brulée (cottage cheese pancakes served with custard cream and jam) at brunch will revolutionize your relationship with cottage cheese. And the scrumptious mushroom soup at dinner will make you appreciate that not all mushroom soups have to be in cream form. You simply can’t go wrong. I’m getting hungry again just writing about these tasty dishes! If you go for brunch, in addition to the syrniki,
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For dinner, the chicken liver pâté is just like mom used to make it. Even the Gay Gourmet himself couldn’t help but exclaim that it’s exactly how his mom Laverne Shirley used to do it. This is authentically how liver pâté is supposed to taste. The porcini mushroom soup is getting another mention because it is life changing. For the main course, the goulash will melt in your mouth for those cold rainy days where you want a cozy stew. If you want something very traditional, but equally delicious, try the garlic chicken thighs with buckwheat. They’re a throwback to coming home after a long day at school and feeling that warmth that only mom’s cooking can bring. (Although after discovering DACHA, I’m nervous to take my kids there, because they will realize that Mama Katia’s cooking just can’t compete with that of Chef Katya). A meal isn’t complete without dessert, and the pavlova will make you question why you haven’t been paying as much attention to Eastern (continued on page 25)
Chef Katya Peruvshina with Sean Dowdall and David Landis (The Gay Gourmet)
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Katya Skye, Chef Katya Pervushina, Tanya Ivanovich, and Suki Skye of DACHA Kitchen & Bar
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In addition to this fabric of tolerance and love, let’s talk about the actual fabrics and décor. This restaurant
is gorgeous. Designed by Suki, the atmosphere is a perfectly curated balance of beauty and comfort. The walls have both exposed brick and dainty murals; the bathrooms display a luxe look that rivals the Four Seasons; and the intimate lounge off the full bar screams elegant romance. In addition to the restaurant’s overall cozy, yet contemporary, vibe, the service, price-point, and ambiance make this the kind of place that’s perfect: a great destination for a slightly off-the-beaten path meal when you want to impress your friends with how worldly and in-the-know you are, surprise your sweetheart with solid and unpretentious relaxation, or simply come home.
To say that DACHA gets it right is the tip of the iceberg. The food is on another level. It rivals the Michelinstarred or should-be Michelinstarred restaurants that we all know and love. Chef-owner Katya Pervushina (no, that’s not a typo as, indeed, two of the owners are named Katya) isn’t your typical creator of Eastern European cuisine. You know: the menu that’s simply unpalatable because of its content of cabbage and mayo.
That’s the thing about DACHA. It’s country-style Eastern European cooking at its most innovative and finest. After all, “dacha” is the word for summer cottage in Eastern Europe (if you’re an oligarch, it rivals a mansion in Atherton, and if you’re a typical Soviet person, it was more akin to a summer shack than a sprawling country estate).
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The Gay Gourmet
“Have you ever had that magical experience of walking into an establishment, and catching that ever-rare feeling of coming home? We’re all in search of those effervescent butterflies that start to flutter when you simply know this will become a place you’ll come back to again and again, because it’s just that great. This is exactly what the owners of DACHA Kitchen & Bar set out to accomplish. They achieved it with flying, rainbow colors. DACHA is entirely female (and queer) owned, which is wonderful and rare these days. Married couple and founders, Suki Skye and Katya Skye, explained that inclusivity is at the heart of the restaurant’s mission. (The other two owners are Chef Katya Pervushina and Tanya Ivanovich, who also obviously share this vision).
the latkes with red caviar, and the mortadella toast are must orders. I didn’t know things like this could be accomplished by the simplicity of whole wheat bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mortadella!
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Soviet bloc emigres of the Bay Area, have been desperately waiting for a proper Eastern European restaurant to open. I’m obviously going to be both particular and critical of what’s on the menu because these are the things I grew up eating, so the bar is very high.
All I can say is, I think we have a new Gay-Friendly Gourmet reviewer in the making. Here are Katia’s thoughts:
Bay Times Dines
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‘SHE CAN’ Rosé From the Acclaimed McBride Sisters and a Vinous Trip to France McBride Sisters “SHE CAN” this an affordable option to enjoy year-round. Sip fireside or tableside Dry Rosé, California $17 (fourpack of cans) and enjoy a vinous trip to France. http://tinyurl.com/yckeykbf To celebrate not only Black History Month but also the lead into Women’s History Month, try this fun canned pink from a sister duo making a big splash in wine. Robin and Andréa McBride grew up a wine world apart—one in California and the other in New Zealand. They reunited in California years later, and through their shared passion for wine, the McBride Sisters Collection was born. It is currently the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States with a roster of labels including the Black Girl Magic Collection. The SHE CAN Collection is inspired by the pursuit of women making their dreams come true. Grab a can of this fruity yet dry sipper, and as the sisters say, “Break the Rules. Drink the Wine.”
Sbrocco Sips Leslie Sbrocco 2022 Château de Saint Cosme, Cotes du Rhône, France $19 http://www.saintcosme.com Many wine drinkers are familiar with reds from the southern French region of the Cotes du Rhône. An iconic producer from the appellation of Gigondas is Château de Saint Cosme. The estate’s Saint Cosme (pronounced “Comb”) is made from 100 percent syrah unlike many versions from the region, which are blended with other grapes such as grenache. The winery’s farming is certified organic, and it shows through in the purity of this red. Sleek with vibrant mineral notes, it’s not made using oak barrels, which allows the grapes to shine. Red berry fruit with a black peppery kick and silky texture make
We haven’t yet mentioned mixologist Eva Kowalchik and her creative concoctions. The Gay Gourmet’s husband, Sean, ordered the Swallowtail (bourbon, brandy, maraschino, china china, and walnut bitters) and proclaimed it “a winner.” But the eclectic cocktail list also includes: a gin-forward Monarch with mezcal, lemon, and celery bitters; a Sulfur with tequila, apricot brandy, pear syrup, agave,
www.LeslieSbrocco.com
and lime; and, from what we’re told, one of the best Espressotinis in town. Best of all, you can either enjoy your drinks with dinner at your table, at the convivial zinc-top bar, or in the adjacent cozy, private lounge. And the service at DACHA? In a word, divine. Server Tony Ramona (who uses every pronoun in the book) is professional, informative, and best of all, glamorous! Trust me, put DACHA at the top of your ‘must visit’ dining destination list, and you won’t be disappointed. Eastern European culture is full of superstitions, and one of them is that, when you stand between two people with the same name, you make a wish. As a Katia who stood between Owner Katya and Chef Katya, instead of wishing, I took in the feeling of joy at discovering this absolute gem in San Francisco. It’s not very often that I would feel completely comfortable going to eat a meal
by myself, and I would do so at DACHA in a heartbeat. So, if you see me there, come say hi. We’ll find another Katya for you to make your very own wish come true.” DACHA Kitchen & Bar: http://tinyurl.com/4snut52w Katia Bloom is a multilingual lawyer, dancer, coffee enthusiast, budding author, and Soviet émigré who is perpetually on the hunt for the authentic food she grew up eating. You can contact her at: katia@katiabloom.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
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European cuisine with the fervor it deserves. Then there’s the simple apple pie. You may presume that the green scoop of ice cream on top is a pistachio ice-cream twist on the standard vanilla ice cream because Chef Katya is trying to impress. While a reasonable guess, you would be wrong. It’s actually tarragon frozen yoghurt, and this may be the best apple pie you’ll ever have. Like Laverne Shirley’s version, a DACHA-style apple pie isn’t overly sweet, the apples are chunky, and the crust isn’t too refined. It’s country dessert at its best.
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.”
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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun down now!—which also applies to Trump and his so-called ‘big brain’!”
By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “VOTING DAY is March 5. If you haven’t mailed your ballot in yet, this is the last day to do so in person. But if you are Republican, kindly ignore the above!” A reminder: Vote-By-Mail was vital for HUGE Democratic turnout in 2020 and 2022. Mail-in ballots should be available for every citizen of the United States. THE QUEER ANCESTORS PROJECT is devoted to forging sturdy relationships between LGBTQ people and their ancestors. Using history as a linchpin, they build community by providing queer and trans artists, age 18 to 26, free interdisciplinary workshops in printmaking, writing, and queer and trans history. Strut gallery is excited to have new art from The Queer Ancestors Project. On February 9, we celebrated the work created by emerging queer and trans artists! QAP hosted an Artist Reception, Print Sale, and Button-Making activity—all presented by Creative Director Katie Gilmartin. On display are dozens of art pieces on the first floor of Strut, 470 Castro Street. And on the third floor are dozens more.
At his MAGA campaign rally in Conway, SC, Trump said he would encourage Russia to attack our NATO allies. The crowd actually cheered this traitor. But we people for democracy know that “an attack on one ally is an attack on all.” Immediately, the White House put out this statement: “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged—and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.” The warning continued: “Rather than calling for wars and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to bolster American leadership and stand up for our national security interests—not against them.” Sister Dana sez, “Traitor Trump should use those two words from The White House statement at his rallies: ‘appalling and unhinged.’ His MAGA maggots would eat it up!” On February 13, President Biden called Trump’s comments about NATO “un-American, dumb, and dangerous.” He said the United States has to send Russia and the world a strong message. “No President in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator,” Biden emphasized. “I never will!” Trump has forced out the latest Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and reportedly has a new pick planned. His choice is Michael Whatley, the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party and also head of (get this!) “elections integrity” efforts at the RNC. Whatley has repeated many of the “Big Lies,” including claiming that there was “massive fraud” around the country, even if Trump could produce no evidence. Meanwhile Trump is pushing to have his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as RNC Co-chair. Nepotism much?! Sister Dana sez, “We might have been worried over Monkeypox and Smallpox; but now we can be concerned about the newest COMBINATION of the TWO—with the new Alaskapox!” Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, the late Sinéad O’Connor, and heavy metal’s so-called Prince of Darkness are some of the 2024 nominees for
On February 13, KREWE DE KINQUE, a Mardi Gras-themed social club and fundraiser, held our annual FAT TUESDAY CASTRO BAR CRAWL. We started at 440 Castro and later paraded down Market Street to Lookout—following Krewe de Kinque’s new royalty, King & Queen XX Robert Makowka & Vivianne Vixen, with many folx twirling colorful parasols along the way. Then we headed for Twin Peaks Tavern, and finally to our last stop at Midnight Sun (with us closing at actual midnight). We truly followed the Mardi Gras slogan, “Let the Good Times Roll!” Our glorious founder King I Gary Virginia was our lively emcee and introduced flawless performers that included (KdK King XIII) DJ Sergio Fedasz, Donna Sachet, Christina Ashton, Vivianne Vixen, and Jose Flores aka Fabulosa. And then on February 17, our Krewe de Kinque folx held a fun fundraising beer/soda bust, “Love Is in The Air,” (with the appropriate color of red everywhere, including my red sequined veil) at Midnight Sun. We came to support our new King XXI Robert Makowka & Queen XXI Vivianne Vixen at their first benefit, and to congratulate King XX Mez & Queen XX Moxie on their fantastic year! KdK Queen VII Sister Dana had earlier been bestowed upon the title of “Mistress of the Door” at the Masked Ball—which I took literally. We had a final count of proceeds from our annual Masked Ball fundraiser to URBAN ANGELS SF with a Giant Check of $7,000. Urban Angels SF founder and President Nelson Barry gratefully received the check. Performers included King Robert and Queen Vivianne, Queen XIX Tawdry Hepburnn, Fabulosa, Dirty Dionysus, Miss Candi Mint, King XX Mez, and King II Mark Paladini singing live. On Valentine’s Day, Mayor London Breed joined city leaders, LGBTQ community members, and advocates to celebrate San Francisco’s 20th Anniversary of the ‘WINTER OF LOVE,’ the historic milestone that took place in 2004 when then Mayor Gavin Newsom directed city officials to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The official “Winter of Love” ran from February 12–March 11, 2004; and the February 14, 2024 celebration at City Hall welcomed more than 200 couples to be married on the city’s annual Valentine’s Day celebration of love. (continued on page 27)
PHOTO BY GARY VIRGINIA
After the “stolen” classified document trial of President Joe Biden, he was dealt both a legal victory but also a political hit-job. Special Counsel Robert Hur, a Trumpy Republican attorney, decided no criminal charges be made against Biden. But he managed to get very political in the “old age” mention, accusing him of memory lapses and “willfully disclosing government secrets.” Hur’s description of The President as an “elderly man with a poor memory and diminished faculties” did not sit well with Democrats. According to Lawyering 101 for Dummies, lawyers are not doctors, nor are they editorialists. Their personal opinions are not valid in the courtroom. Vice President Kamala Harris (a former prosecutor herself) slammed Hur’s report as “politically motivated,” as well as “gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.” She noted that, in such a high-level event, “we should expect a higher level of integrity (by the prosecutor) than what we saw.” Sister Dana sez, “If old age and memory lapses are applied to other political situations, most of Congress should step
President Joe Biden will deliver his third State of the Union Address on March 7. This will be President Biden’s LAST State of the Union of his first term. Sister Dana sez, “This could be Biden’s last State of the Union EVER ... if the MAGA minions have their way.”
induction into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. Sister Dana sez, “If my fave iconic singers, Cher and Mariah, are not inducted—there will be hell to pay!”
Sister Dana (second from left) held his hands high and waved at event organizer and photographer Gary Virginia during one of the stops at local Castro watering holes in the annual Krewe de Kinque Fat Tuesday Castro Bar Crawl. Participants had a blast at the Mardi Gras-style procession that included 440 Castro, Lookout, Twin Peaks Tavern, and Midnight Sun on Tuesday, February 13. 26
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KRAMER (continued from pg 20) Gary M. Kramer: I would think of someone more like Barbara Stanwyck. Margaret Qualley: Yes! Let’s go with that!
Gary M. Kramer: No, but I have read Henry James. Beanie, can you talk about your action scenes? You are badass.
Gary M. Kramer: She gets looser.
Beanie Feldstein: It was amazing. Our stunt coordinator was a woman of my height, and her assistant was a 6’5” big, built guy. It was perfect. They would show us what to do and we would emulate it. It was amazing to be led by a female stunt coordinator. It’s not that common. It was fun to be taken seriously, and Suki is really taken seriously—people are scared of her in some ways. That was a real empowering moment for me. C.J. [Wilson] was wearing a contraption so I could actually kick him. It was really practical; we were actually doing it, which made it all the more visceral and fun, which was something I’d never done before.
Geraldine Viswanathan: The costumes track that after she gets laid. She’s suddenly in a sundress.
Gary M. Kramer: Can you each tell me about a road trip mishap you’ve had?
Gary M. Kramer: The language is also so precise. I love how she tangles with all the characters.
Margaret Qualley: I rented an RV with some friends in Los Angeles, and we drove to Montana. It took two days to get there, and three days on the return. We ran into some moose. I was driving on the way home and there were sirens behind me, and I realize I don’t have my license on me. My dear friend, who is a model, was in the passenger’s seat and she swoops under me and takes my seat. She took all the blame, and because she did the right thing, the Gods were kind to her. When she opened the RV door, the cops were taken aback. She had the boobs out, and her blond hair ... she was stunning. She is British. The cops were all hubbada hubbada hubbada. She was, “I’m so sorry, was I speeding?” and they were like, “No, it’s fine actually.” She carried on the driving, and I sat there stunned. She was such a good friend!
Gary M. Kramer: What about you, Geraldine? How did you find the verbal and visual clues because your character, Marian, is rather, well, uptight? Geraldine Viswanathan: In the script, she is written as “zipped up.” The costume really helped with that. She’s buttoned up to the very top in the first outfit in the bar watching Jamie on stage; couldn’t be more conservative. That helped inform the character.
Geraldine Viswanathan: She has a deep appreciation for literature and words. She is old school. Not a lot of young women turn to Henry James’ The Europeans. Gary M. Kramer: Did you read it? Geraldine Viswanathan: Some of it. It’s a big book. I would listen to it on audio. Beanie Feldstein: She prayed to the God of Henry James. Geraldine Viswanathan: I would have needed a year to finish the book. Beanie Feldstein: The Gods were kind. Geraldine Viswanathan: Have you read it?
Geraldine Viswanathan: Oh my gosh, how am I going to top that? Gary M. Kramer: Make it up! Geraldine Viswanathan: I could make it up! I was driving across country and it was crazy! No, actually I feel very Marian about this. I was on a holiday in Hawaii, with my friends, and we did that drive through the mountains in Maui. I was so carsick in the back seat while they were having a blast in the front. That’s all I can think of. Margaret Qualley: “One time, I got carsick” is your story? Geraldine Viswanathan: That’s Marian! Beanie Feldstein: My wife and I were invited to the Hannukah Party at the—this sounds so stupid and silly—The White House. We drove from New York to Washington, and literally as we crossed from Maryland into D.C. proper, she turned to me and said, “I don’t have my passport with me!” She’s not American. They wouldn’t let her into the White House because she only had her British driver’s license, and the Secret Service “didn’t feel comfortable with that.” My wife came up with a whole song about how the Secret Service are uncomfortable with her, and we sing it to this day. That was our road trip mishap. © 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
SISTER DANA (continued from pg 26) Sister Dana sez, “Thank you, Mayor (now Governor) Newsom for making that brave decision and helping make your decree vitally important in the movement for LGBTQ human rights!” “During the historic ‘Winter of Love’ in San Francisco, people of all backgrounds came together to champion human dignity. In those few weeks we learned to listen to people, not pundits; focus on fairness, not tradition; and err on the side of inclusion,” said Governor Gavin Newsom on February 14, 2024. “We must continue to apply those lessons and stay vigilant to protect the fundamental rights that were so hard won. The actions taken by countless individuals garnered overwhelming support for equality and protections everyone deserves.” While the California Supreme Court ordered the city to halt those marriages on March 11, 2004, and later annulled the marriages in August, Newsom’s directive and the Winter of Love propelled the city’s legal fight for marriage equality! “Twenty years ago, a large majority of Americans opposed same-sex marriage,” said District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “Two decades later, an overwhelming majority across the country now support it. San Francisco’s civil disobedience during the Winter of Love kicked off a decade of political and legal activism that won new rights and a shift in public opinion in support of queer people.” THEATRE RHINOCEROS is presenting the world premiere of BILLY—written and directed by John Fisher. After a lifetime of fighting America’s wars, The Col-
onel is recalled to service to handle the greatest Russian spy of all time, Ivan. But the assignment is too much for him, so he is assigned the aid of a non-binary master spy. Ivan threatens to tip the balance in the War in Ukraine and win it for Russia, unless the Colonel and Billy can stop him. Ironically, all three characters are queer, and while they are separated by nationality, they are linked by proclivity. How can they reconcile the personal and political in a world torn apart by politics? Now through February 25 at 4229 18th Street, in an intimate Castro theatre. https://www.therhino.org/billy It will require sweeping gun violence prevention legislation in order to stop the current gun violence epidemic. We must support Universal Background Checks. We must support a BAN on assault style weapons. President Joe Biden should make gun violence prevention legislation a top priority during his Presidency and especially during his campaign for reelection. Sister Dana sez, “President Biden at one time expressed this wisdom: ‘Who the hell needs a high-capacity assault weapon?’ Any responses out there, Republicans? I thought not!” GLOBALSF’s first post-APEC event will celebrate the pan Pacific wins and opportunities on February 23, 5–7 pm. GlobalSF folx will meet at the Harborview Restaurant and Bar, Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco. The combined Panda Bear and Dragon image was AI-generated by GlobalSF board member Peter Hirshberg. Why? Because San Francisco wants a panda bear for the Year of the Dragon! Check it out at https://www.globalsf.biz/
Join SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE in honoring esteemed Members of the LGBTQ Community at the 3rd Annual KEN JONES AWARDS CEREMONY Reception and Fundraiser, hosted at Cityscape Bar and Lounge in the Hilton, San Francisco Union Square, 333 O’Farrell. Celebrate local advocates and give back to San Francisco’s queer community at this one-night-only event on February 29 (“Leap Day”) 6–8 pm. Among the eight deserving these acclaimed awards is some schlub named Dennis McMillan—who can’t even use his true name in his byline! http://tinyurl.com/3amyspef Rest in peace and power, awesome activist and Russian anti-Putin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who suddenly died suspiciously at age 47 wrongfully in Putin’s prison. His wife, Julia Navalny, attending the Munich Security Conference, shouted, “Putin will not go unpunished! We will fight against this evil!” “Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death,” President Biden said at a White House news conference on February 17. Sister Dana sez, “This amazing activist for democracy should absolutely be sainted and called a martyr!” NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH begins March 1. This entire month commemorates and encourages the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. And INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY is March 8, all day long. Sister Dana sez, “Brava and kudos to all you women, wymyn, and however you identify! Keep on making history!!!” S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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My 2023 Manic Travels in Review, Part Two
Photos courtesy of John Chen
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania
John Chen 2023 was an exciting traveling year for me. The pandemic finally ended so it was time to breathe some fresh air, see and hear new sights and sounds, and smell lots of roses! Like millions and millions of people, I headed out of town, out of state, and out of the country. I turned into an insatiable force, hungry to devour brand new experiences as often and as much as I could. With so many places to choose from, I thought I would share with you some historic, utopian, fun, adventurous, unique, and even scary destinations. (Editor’s Note: See the February 8 issue of the San Francisco Bay Times for Part One of this series: http://tinyurl.com/jvuczfea )
It’s every child’s dream to go to Disneyland. But what if you told those same children that they can go to another magical place where they can sample an unlimited amount of Halloween chocolates, stuff their very own giant chocolate peanut butter cup with whatever they desire, make their own signature chocolate bar, and ride roller coasters? The 10-year-old me would push Mickey aside and make a beeline for the chocolates. Heck, the older me would do the same! Our visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World turned out to be an educational experience as well. We learned about the history, chocolate making, and packaging process of Hershey, as well as about the
SF Giants vs NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium on MLB Opening Day 2023
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Arguably the most loved and hated team in all of professional baseball is the New York Yankees. The Yankees are also the most successful American sports franchise with 27 championships. That’s 10 more than the Los Angeles Lakers (most in NBA) and 10 more than the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s combined! Also known as the Bronx Bombers, a well-earned nickname due to their homerun hitting prowess throughout their illustrious history, the Yankees attract a large contingent of fans wherever they play. In 2023, we decided to travel to New York and watch our very own San Francisco Giants play the Yankees on Opening Day to welcome the official start of the 2023 MLB season. Although the historic stadium rocked and filled with energy, touring the onsite Yankees Museum was, in my opinion, the highlight. The number of baseball awards, records, historic firsts, and household names were astonishing! A must see for true sports fans! Even the virtual offerings are worth checking out: http://tinyurl.com/mr3zwj4w Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania Visit Bushkill Falls shares: “The ‘Niagara of Pennsylvania,’ Bushkill Falls is a ... unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains” that is “accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest.” Those who know me well know I am a sucker for waterfalls. I love the sound, smell, and majestic sight of water falling and cascading in nature. On our visit to Pennsylvania, I could not pass up the opportunity to see the largest collection of waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains. The brisk chill air of early spring paired with the harmonious and yet maddening sounds of rushing and falling water brought an overwhelming feeling of Zen and a sense of calm, tranquility, and serenity. Although Bushkill Falls may not be as wellknown as some of our amazing California falls, this state park is definitely worth a visit for nature lovers. 28
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1800s Amish covered bridge on a farm next to a mall in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Ted Maylath and John Chen at Yankees Museum, Yankee Stadium, New York
company’s successes and failures. Did you know Hershey’s Kiss was invented in 1907? The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was an acquisition in 1963? The Chocolate World opened in 1973? The original Hershey’s Chocolate Factory closed in 2012? And very importantly, that Hershey made chocolates, once luxury items, affordable and available to the masses? Amish Country, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Amish Farm and House, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
I have to admit, growing up in California, I knew nothing about the Amish people. In fact, I had no idea they existed until my first visit to the Pennsylvania countryside 20 years ago when our rental car got stuck behind a horse-drawn carriage on a state highway. I also then saw that horses were tied to a hitching post in front of a grocery store, and that there were Amish handmade furniture signs everywhere. I quickly learned, from the online Amish History Timeline, that the Amish way of life is centered on shunning, or the act of “withdrawal from civic life and separation from the ‘worldly.’” The Amish people “shun” modern technology, innovations, and societal structures. They instead choose to live off the land away from civilization. FE B RUA R 2 2 , 2 0 2 4
Chocolatetown at Hershey, Pennsylvania
One of eight falls at Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania
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I learned that the first Amish immigrants landed in Pennsylvania some 300 years ago from Switzerland to escape religious persecution due to their separatist views. Throughout the years, the Amish community kept to themselves and continued to live and prosper off the land, ignoring the fast-moving and advancing world around them. According to Discover Lancaster: “[Pennsylvania] Amish are involved in agriculture as well as an array of businesses and cottage industries. Arriving in Amish Country allows you to step back in time to enjoy a slower, more peaceful pace—one where the horse & buggy remains a primary form of transportation, and where windmills dot the landscape, providing power harnessed from nature ... it’s like time-traveling to the past where tens of thousands still live a centuries-old ‘Plain’ lifestyle.”
Ted Maylath and John Chen at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania
On our latest visit to Amish Country, we took the opportunity to tour the Amish Farm and House, built in 1805, and dubbed America’s First Amish Attraction. Ironically, the Farm and House was located out of sight directly behind a Target Superstore in a modern strip mall. There were many other Amish attractions where visitors can ride in a century-old horsedrawn carriage, purchase handmade goods, attend events, tour the countryside, and sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Miami Open, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Miami Open Complex
The Miami Open is one of the largest men’s and women’s combined professional tennis tournaments in the world. Recently, the tournament moved from Crandon Park in Key Biscayne to Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes play their respective football games. Last year, I wrote about Tennis Paradise, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. These two major tournaments run back-toback in March of every year and are affectionately called the “Sunshine Double.” When I lived in Fort Lauderdale nearly 20 years ago, I worked for the public service arm of professional tennis, First Serve. During my time in South Florida, we took kids from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods to see some of the greatest players such as Roger Federer, Venus and Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal compete for the coveted title. It has been a long time since I returned to watch the Miami Open in person, so I could not pass up the opportunity to see worldclass tennis players compete and tour Hard Rock Stadium. It was like I also got to see the Dolphins and the Hurricanes play. Okay, not really, but it was a great experience to see another modern sports stadium and check it off my list.
Ted Maylath and John Chen at Miami Open in South Florida
John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball, and football teams.
Let’s Go Home! Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS): Omelette Adoptable Omelette is a sweet dog who is learning how to feel safe and relaxed in the world. Little Omelette is about 12 lbs. and he is playful and gentle with other dogs. Once you have his trust, he is a snuggle bug who will follow you everywhere giving kisses and asking for pets!
Omelette
Tinkerbell Tinkerbell is a shy girl who Tinkerbell hides in her bed but if you go slow, she welcomes gentle pets and returns the gesture with soft purrs and soft head bonks. She is looking for her forever home where she can continue to blossom in a calm, loving environment. The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org
Take Me Home with You! Tulip
Tulip Discover your new family member with our special offer! Foster Tulip, a charming young cattle dog mix, for a week to see if she’s the perfect fit. With an endearing underbite and adorable ears, Tulip’s alluring smile will captivate you. She’s shy but blossoms with treats and gentle care, showing off her agility skills and love for puzzles. Tulip has mastered commands, enjoys fetch, and excels in agility. Come meet her and prepare to welcome this beautiful flower into your home! To meet Tulip 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/
Fitness SF Trainer Tip “To track your workout progress, maintain a detailed workout log or use fitness apps that allow you to record exercises, sets, reps, and weights lifted. Regularly assess your performance by noting improvements in strength, endurance, and overall workout consistency. Tracking progress not only provides motivation but also helps identify areas for improvement, ensuring a more effective and goal-oriented fitness routine. This practice enhances accountability, encourages adherence to a workout plan, and allows for adjustments to optimize training, ultimately contributing to sustained fitness and health benefits.” — Abia Roberts with Castro Fitness SF
Aaron Zamarron, Customer Service Manager for Fitness SF, provides monthly tips that he has learned from colleagues, professional trainers, and more. For additional information: https://fitnesssf.com/ S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES
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Round About - LGBTQ+ Artists Photos by Rink
On his travels around San Francisco, photographer Rink frequently stops to view art at gallery openings, festivals, and community art events. He encourages support of local artists, including those featured in this issue. A favorite event highlighting local artists, the Castro Art Walk, takes place each month on the first Friday. Mark your calendar for the next one: Friday, March 1, from 5–8 pm. A fun fact, for those of us looking forward to spring, is that sunsets will occur after 6 pm in March so, depending on the weather, there should be ample natural light for the upcoming Castro Art Walk. (It takes 70–100 minutes for full darkness to set in after sunset.) https://www.castroartwalk.com/
Art lover Nguyen “Win” Pham at the 2358MRKT Gallery
Musician Breno Arago, second from left, with friends at the Gallery-O-Rama art show
Artist Hannah Beeves at the 2358MRKT Gallery Art fan Alexander Nowik with artist Colin Hurley at the 2358MRKT Gallery
A colorful free book box outside the Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento Street
Artist Will Houng at the 2358MRKT Gallery
As Heard on the Street . . . Do you believe in soulmates? compiled by Rink
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Sofie
“I believe that we have the capacity to have many soulmates.”
“I believe in soulmates, to be in touch and connect with someone.”
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Magdalene
“I believe that the reason we exist is to be in union with each other. I don’t believe in a ‘pre-ordained one.’ Love is a gift, and therefore also is a free choice.”
Raphael Buenaventura
“Soulmates exist. It’s real. I think the universe has communicated with me enough to recognize these soulmates and their bonds are so strong, they transcend into lifetimes.”
Beverly Ford
“I believe in soulmates. I don’t know what I would do without my wife Suzanne Ford.”
Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 in San Francisco Photos by Rink
Signs of the Lunar New Year are all over San Francisco now: Union Square, North Beach, on Grant Avenue in Chinatown, and more. Earlier this year, Mayor London Breed led an unveiling ceremony for the U.S. Postal Service stamp depicting the Year of the Dragon. Stylized, colorful dragons have therefore been in visual force all month long, as the Lunar New Year is marked by numerous events, starting with the Flower Market Fair, which this year happened February 3–4.
STREETCAM presented by
On Saturday, February 25, 2024, the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade will take place. The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, led by Drum Major Mike Wong, will represent the Bay Area’s LGBTQ+ community, as it has for decades. This year’s parade will start at 5:15 pm, with step off at Second and Market Streets. It goes around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Avenue. The distance of the parade route is approximately 1.3 miles! Named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining nighttime illuminated parades in North America.
http://sfbaytimes.com/
A dragon sculpture marking the Lunar New Year in San Francisco
PHOTO BY RINK
Year of the Dragon postage stamp unveiling at San Francisco City Hall
PHOTO BY RINK
https://chineseparade.com/
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
49ers Fans @ Super Bowl Watch Parties Photos by Rink
Commercials and music are also a big part of the Super Bowl experience, with partygoers this year having strong opinions about Usher’s Halftime Show. While those responses varied, a majority of viewers seemed to give a thumbs up to the Beyoncé for Verizon commercial, which made Billboard’s #1 for best commercial shown during the Super Bowl LVIII broadcast: http://tinyurl.com/4hjy25vd
KTVU2/SCREENSHOT
San Francisco Bay Times lead photographer Rink joined LGBTQ+ community members for Super Bowl LVIII watch parties held at locations on Polk Street, in the Castro, and more. On the field, as part of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleading squad, was Jonathan Romero. Openly LGBTQ+, he is the team’s only male cheerleader. Romero was profiled in the November 2, 2023, issue of the Bay Times. While he did not make it to the Super Bowl, Carl Nassib—who retired from the NFL in September 2023—did previously make history by becoming the first NFL football player to come out as gay while on an active roster. Outsports shared more about Nassib and 15 other out gay and bi football players in NFL history: http://tinyurl.com/msszwfz3
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
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/
Football fans are now looking forward to the 2024 Preseason, which is scheduled to start in August.
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