April 23, 2015 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

Marriage heads to high court

ARTS

SF Internat'l Film Fest

TV party

The

www.ebar.com

Serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1971

Man charged with murder in ex-B.A.R. writer’s death

Vol. 45 • No. 17 • April 23-29, 2015

Email shows Sister asked city for help for Pink Saturday

by Seth Hemmelgarn

Bill aims to protect trans foster youth by Matthew S. Bajko

state bill that would ensure transgender foster youth are placed in welcoming and affirming homes passed out of its first legislative committee this week. The legislation, Senate Bill 731, is authored by gay state State Senator Senator Mark Leno Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by several California LGBT rights groups. A number of professional associations for foster care workers are also backing the bill. The Senate Human Services Committee Tuesday voted 3-0 in support of the bill, which now will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Under the state’s existing Foster Care Bill of Rights, welfare workers and caregivers are already banned from discriminating against foster youth based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. But the law is silent on how best to place transgender foster youth. See page 5 >>

by Seth Hemmelgarn

A Crowds cheered and had fun during Pink Saturday 2012.

n email from a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to a San Francisco supervisor shows that the drag nun group had sought city funding for years to help with the Pink Saturday street party, which has recently seen a spate of violent incidents. Questions are now being raised about why the city is set to fund this year’s party, after

officials declined for years to directly support the event in San Francisco’s Castro district. Gay Supervisor Scott Wiener, whose District 8 includes the Castro, told the Bay Area Reporter that the city doesn’t typically fund such events, but had to do so this year after the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence announced in February they wouldn’t produce the event in June. The Sisters had organized See page 13 >>

Rick Gerharter

man has been charged with murder in the April 15 death of a gay former Bay Area Reporter freelance writer who had covered marriage equality and other issues before Courtesy Facebook opening a moped Daniel James Aiello shop in Sacramento. Daniel James Aiello, 53, is being remembered as a “passionate” journalist who was also known for his generosity and sense of fun. Kyle Billy Fletcher, 36, is charged with murder, and felony second-degree robbery and first-degree residential burglary, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office. Friends of Aiello said that he’d tried to help Fletcher before Aiello grew to fear the younger man. Officials haven’t provided details of how See page 10 >>

Slew of honorees named for SF Pride by Cynthia Laird

He cited Marty’s Place, a home to foster the next generation of HIVith the milestone 45th anpositive leaders that will begin leasnual San Francisco LGBT ing rooms soon and the city’s longPride parade approachplanned LGBTQ adult shelter is nearing ing, the organization that oversees the completion. festivities has released 11 more grand Basinger said he’s honored to be recmarshals and other honorees to mark ognized as a community grand marshal. the occasion. “Becoming one of the 2015 commuThis year’s theme, “Equality Without nity grand marshals is the sweetest icing Exception,” signifies the struggles that on the most marvelous cake a person continue to exist across all communities can have,” he said. “I’m grateful to the seeking social justice, said officials with Pride board of directors for bestowing the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebrathis honor and for providing the platCourtesy SF Pride Courtesy SF Pride tion Committee, which puts on the paform to continue to highlight the needs rade and two-day festival June 27-28. of our communities who are struggling Grand marshal Grand marshal For 16 years, the San Francisco Pride Brian Basinger to survive this housing crisis.” Belo Cipriani membership and board of directors have Cipriani, 34, writes the Seeing in the on their rights, and mediating landlord disputes. continued the public selection of comDark column for the B.A.R. He became A disabled person with AIDS, Basinger said blind after being attacked by a group of his munity grand marshals. The public choices were this year’s Pride theme resonates with the alli- childhood friends in the Castro. He is a disannounced in March. Last week, officials released additional grand marshals and recipients ance’s work. abilities advocate and the author of two books, “’Equality Without Exception’ means all peo- Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams. He is of several special awards. ple have a safe, decent, and affordable home,” he also a spokesman for Guide Dogs for the Blind said in an email to the Bay Area Reporter. Grand marshals and resides with his guide dog, Oslo. He said that 2015 is turning into a rewarding The SF Pride board named two more grand “I attended my first San Francisco Pride year for him. marshals: gay men Brian Basinger and Belo parade in 1995 and I never imagined I would “Not only did we just launch the first rental someday be a grand marshal,” Cipriani said in Cipriani. Basinger, 48, is director of AIDS Housing Alli- subsidy program targeting senior or disabled an email. “This is one of the best things that has LGBTQ or HIV-positive San Franciscans and ance/San Francisco. Under his direction, the allihappened in my life and I’ll always treasure this our first supportive housing subsidy for chroniance has prevented the eviction of, or found housmoment.” cally homeless HIV-positive individuals starts ing for, 2,700 households by providing financial Cipriani’s historic turn isn’t lost on him. in July,” he said, “but several of our other efforts assistance for back rent and deposits, providing See page 12 >> affordable housing applications, educating tenants are blooming this year.”

{ FIRST OF THREE SECTIONS }

THIS IS WHERE THE HOMES ARE The City’s Best Local Ownership. Global Reach.

Noe Valley Office 415.824.1100 Marina and Pacific Heights Offices 415.921.6000 www.hill-co.com

<< Community News

2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Anti-trans ballot measure introduced in CA

by Matthew S. Bajko

A Home as Unique as You! San Francisco prices keeping you from buying? Enjoy the best of SF & Marin in Sausalito – just 10 minutes to the Golden Gate Bridge & 25 minutes to the Castro! This enchanting home offers 2 private bedroom suites, large walk-out decks, spectacular bay views & enjoyment of lush gardens. 224 Woodward Ave., Sausalito Offered at $1,390,000 www.224Woodward.com

Stephanie Ahlberg

A Top Ten Producer Yearly Since 1986 415.321.4232 ahlberg1@comcast.net www.RealtyInSanFrancisco.com BRE License # 00795896

California group long opposed to LGBT rights has introduced a ballot measure that would legislate which public restrooms transgender people could use. Submitted April 17 by the Pacific Justice Institute to state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ office for title and summary review, the socalled Personal Privacy Protection Act would require a person to use restrooms and other facilities in government buildings “in accordance with their biological sex.” “We have great compassion for any person that is uncomfortable in traditional, sex separated facilities. But we also want to protect the privacy that most of us expect when we are in public bathrooms, showers and dressing areas” stated Gina Gleason, a proponent of the initiative, in a press release circulated by

Capital Resource Institute’s Karen England

the Capital Resource Institute. Gleason, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Faith and Public Policy, and the institute’s Karen England were behind the unsuccessful effort in 2013 to overturn at the ballot box a state law that allows transgender students to use

school facilities, such as restrooms and locker rooms, that match their gender identity. State officials determined they had failed to gather the necessary valid signatures from registered voters needed to place the repeal effort of AB 1266, known as the School Success and Opportunity Act, on the ballot in 2014. The proponents of the ballot measure, calling themselves Privacy For All, then sued the state, and the case is still pending. “California voters may have two chances to vote against co-ed bathrooms in 2016,” stated England. “We hope to wrap up the court battle over the AB 1266 referendum and place that on the ballot, but we also expect to have this new initiative before the voters at the same time.” The proponents of the new initiative would need to gather 365,880 See page 14 >>

Forum to discuss City College LGBT programs compiled by Cynthia Laird

ity College of San Francisco’s accreditation status is more secure, as the school has two years to fully comply with the requirements needed to be in good standing with the state and Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, but activists with the Howard Grayson LGBT Elder Life Conference will have a forum to discuss the future of programs important to the community.

The group will meet Saturday, April 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Harvey Milk Recreation Center, 50 Scott Street (at Duboce). “CCSF is the largest and most successful community college in California, due significantly to its outreach to San Francisco’s various communities,” said Sue Englander, the Grayson conference convener. “The LGBT Studies program and Queer Resource Center are beacons of light for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students.” She added that the program and resource center are places where students can “explore their sexual identities and the dimensions of LGBT life.” “That they be eliminated should be a cause of concern to the community,” Englander added. Enrollment at the school has fallen since its troubles began several years ago, although City College’s campuses have remained open. If enrollment doesn’t increase, programs such as those that examine diversity could be at risk. Classes for seniors and special programs for veterans could also lose their priority. Joining Englander at the forum will be CCSF board Vice President Thea Selby; former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano; LGBT student Glendon Hyde, also known as Anna Conda; and Madeline Mueller, part of the school’s music department for 50 years. For more information, contact Englander at graysonlgbtelderlife@ gmail.com.

LYRIC open house

The Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center will hold its 27th annual open house Thursday, April 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 127 Collingwood Street in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. Themed “Our Queer Stories, Our Queer History,” the event will include food, youth art, and a chance to meet community members. There is no cost to attend, but donations to LYRIC are welcome. LYRIC is one of the first LGBTQ youth centers in the country and provides various services, including workforce development and case management.

Forums focus on campus sexual assault

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley and her office are hosting public forums this week during National Victims’ Rights Week that focus on campus sexual assault. Representatives from the district attorney’s office, the Alameda County Family Justice Center, as well as victim advocates and claim specialists will be at the forums to provide tailored information regarding victims’ rights and resources. Upcoming forums include Thursday, April 23 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Ed Roberts Campus 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 220, in Berkeley and Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard in Oakland.t

#dolsf

Dine out at a participating restaurant and help fund lifesaving HIV services in San Francisco. Find your restaurant. Support the cause today!

DOLSF.ORG SPONSORED BY

SILVER SPONSOR: Blue Shield of California OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSORS: Bay Area Reporter

SF Station

ebar.com

Community News>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

Yee, Atkins honored in Oakland

VIP Grooming

Proudly serving the LGBT community Voted 2014 Best of the Bay 415-282-1393 • 4299 24th St, SF www.vipgroomingsf.com

Jane Philomen Cleland

tate Controller Betty Yee, left, a straight ally, received the Elected Leader of the Year Award, and lesbian Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) received the Legislator of the Year Award Sunday, April 19 at the East Bay Women’s Political Caucus’ annual Susan B. Anthony Women of the Year Awards reception, held at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. Other honorees included Donna McNichol, manager of the Alameda County/Oakland Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Health Centers, who received the Jerrie Meadows Advocate of the Year Award; and Emerging Leaders awardees Haley Broder, Sofie Karasek, and Meghan Warner of UC Berkeley, who asked the federal Department of Education to investigate the school’s handling of sexual assault complaints.

Project Inform marks 30 years

Khaled Sayed

Project Inform Executive Director Dana Van Gorder

by Khaled Sayed

n HIV/AIDS organization that has had to adapt to changing times – and changes in the epidemic – will mark its 30th anniversary this weekend. Project Inform will have a brunch Sunday, April 26 at Fort Mason, themed “30 Years of Information, Inspiration, and Advocacy.” The agency, which started at the height of the AIDS epidemic in 1985, has focused on encouraging better treatments for the disease, as well as to provide information on those treatments to people living with HIV/ AIDS and, more recently, hepatitis C. The agency does policy work around health care, including drug pricing and other coverage issues under the Affordable Care Act. And, Project Inform came out last year with a series of ads supportive of PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, serving as a direct rebuttal to ads from Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation that questioned several studies showing PrEP is extremely effective when used as recommended. It educates people about when and how to use medications to treat HIV and hepatitis C and manage their health care. It also helped to create the National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2010. During its first 20 years Project Inform’s educational activities were all conducted through its wellregarded National Treatment Hotline, in-person town hall meetings, and publications mailed directly to people. The phone line, which now provides only call-back service weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., is known as the HIV Health InfoLine. There’s also a Help for Hep line for hepatitis C questions that Project Inform participates in with other hep C organizations. “With the advent of the Internet, those activities began to slow and we were placing dozens of publications on our website to educate people,” Executive Director Dana Van Gorder said, referring to the mailings. “Most of our educational materials are actually printed and distributed directly to people with HIV and hepatitis C through testing sites, community clinics, and social service providers.”

Van Gorder, a gay man, has been with the organization for the past seven years, and was a founding member of the steering committee of the “Getting to Zero” effort in San Francisco. That collaboration among HIV/AIDS organizations, public health officials, and researchers, aims to cut new HIV infections by 90 percent by 2020. The ultimate goal is to get to no HIV infections, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported. “I chair the committee working to increase retention and reengagement in care and treatment,” Van Gorder said. “In the first days of the epidemic when government and industry were slow to investigate treatments for HIV, we smuggled any medication into the country that had a chance of helping people, and later developed our own clinical trials on potential therapies.” According to Van Gorder, as government researchers and pharmaceutical companies began to discover medications in the late 1980s and 1990s, Project Inform was part of the revolution along with ACT UP, demanding that people with HIV and their representatives be involved in all major decisions about bringing drugs to market- selecting compounds to investigate, designing clinical trials, deciding what drugs to approve for use and how to price them. In those days, Project Inform was led by its founding director, the late Martin Delaney. “We have had a role in bringing all of the 32 approved medications to treat HIV to the market,” Van Gorder said. “In the early years of drug discovery, we also fought for and won rights for extremely ill HIV patients to access experimental treatments before they were finally approved.” Today, Project Inform is heavily involved in monitoring and advising research into an actual cure for HIV. It has also branched out from HIV. “In 2011, Project Inform added hepatitis C to its mission,” Van Gorder said. “We work with pharmaceutical companies to advise the development of additional drugs to cure this disease.” Project Inform’s HIV education booklets are targeted to newly diagnosed people to help them understand the importance of early treatment and the role of treatment in prevention. “Because other agencies produce educational materials for people with hepatitis C, our booklets on hepatitis C are written for people coinfected with HIV,” Van Gorder said. “These are fairly lengthy documents, and so we break them up into sets of booklets that people can read as time permits. We have distributed over 100,000 sets of educational booklets in the last four years.” Project Inform’s revenue for this year is projected at $3,779,628, with $1.81 million coming from AIDS Walk San Francisco, which takes place this summer. Another $840,000 is from corporate support, while $460,000 is from estates and bequests. Van Gorder said that $234,000 is from

foundations, and $425,000 comes from events and individuals. Van Gorder said the agency expects a surplus this year of $555,000.t The brunch takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the General’s Residence, 1 Fort Mason, San Francisco. Tickets are $100 per person. For more information, visit www.projectinform.org. Click on “Support Us,” then “Events.”

Genuine & Personal Homecare offers compassionate care for LGBT seniors who want to age in place but need support to live comfortably in their own home.

Light Housekeeping • Companionship • Mobility Support Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care • Medication Reminders Fall Prevention • Shopping • Personal Appointments Eating Assistance • Menu Planning and Preparation Kevin Pete & Kenneth Boozer, Owners We invite you to contact us directly to discuss your needs or a FREE initial in-home assessment.

Call (510) 285-6484 www.GPinHomeCare.com

PETALUMA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION with PETALUMA POULTRY’S ROCKY & ROSIE CHICKEN present

FERTILE GROUND

All events produced by Petaluma Downtown Association info@petalumadowntown.com • www.petalumadowntown.com • 707-762-9348

<< Open Forum

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Volume 45, Number 17 April 23-29, 2015 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman BARTAB EDITOR & EVENTS LISTINGS EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • Seth Hemmelgarn CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ray Aguilera • Tavo Amador • Race Bannon Erin Blackwell • Roger Brigham Brian Bromberger • Victoria A. Brownworth Brent Calderwood • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Belo Cipriani Richard Dodds • Michael Flanagan Jim Gladstone • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell • John F. Karr Lisa Keen • Matthew Kennedy • Joshua Klipp David Lamble • Max Leger Michael McDonagh • David-Elijah Nahmod Paul Parish • Sean Piverger • Lois Pearlman Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr Donna Sachet • Adam Sandel • Khaled Sayed Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Jim Stewart Sean Timberlake • Andre Torrez • Ronn Vigh Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Jay Cribas PRODUCTION/DESIGN Max Leger PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland • FBFE Rick Gerharter • Gareth Gooch Lydia Gonzales • Jose Guzman-Colon Rudy K. Lawidjaja • Georg Lester • Dan Lloyd Rich Stadtmiller • Steven Underhil Dallis Willard • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge • Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.861.5019 ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lance Roberts NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad, Esq.

BAY AREA REPORTER 44 Gough Street, Suite 204 San Francisco, CA 94103 415.861.5019 • www.ebar.com A division of BAR Media, Inc. © 2015 President: Michael M. Yamashita Chairman: Thomas E. Horn VP and CFO: Patrick G. Brown Secretary: Todd A. Vogt

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • jim@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement which the publisher believes is in poor taste or which advertises illegal items which might result in legal action against Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation. Advertising rates available upon request. Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential and is not sold. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, and writers published herein is neither inferred nor implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.

Time to have women’s backs

ext week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a consolidated same-sex marriage case. Should the decision go our way, LGBT couples in all 50 states will finally be granted the right to marry. If that happens, there are other issues that the community must focus on. One of those is women’s rights; in particular, it’s time for gay men to stand with their lesbian and straight female sisters on income inequality and reproductive rights. Right now solidarity is missing, especially supporting heterosexual women. We must not forget – and for those too young you should ask your older gay friends – that at the height of the AIDS epidemic more than 30 years ago, it was women – gay and straight – who came to the aid of countless gay men as they suffered from the terrible complications of a ravaging disease, often with no family support. And it wasn’t only the women who worked as nurses or in other health care professions who stepped in to fill the void. Other women cooked meals, took them to appointments, donated blood, and held their hands at the end. No one during those traumatic years could have imagined that decades later we’d be on the verge of achieving the radical idea of samesex marriage. Again, especially in California during the fight over Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban, it was straight women who supported us. Despite our progress, there are new threats to our community. The Religious Freedom Restoration Acts in Indiana and Arkansas were initially written to allow business owners to discriminate against LGBTs. The governors of those states quickly backtracked when business and political leaders came

out strongly against the laws, causing them to be revised. But these types of laws also can be used to limit access for reproductive choice or anything that can be argued to conflict with one’s religious freedom. Even some states that allow same-sex marriage are working to restrict women’s rights. In Arizona, as New York Times columnist Gail Collins recently wrote, the Legislature passed a bill that requires doctors who perform drug-induced abortions to tell their patients that the procedure may be reversible, when in fact most scientists say it isn’t. As Collins wrote, “The nation is becoming more rational about gay sex and more irrational about heterosexual sex. Who could have thought?”

Income inequality

Income inequality must be made a priority. Studies show straight women earn on average 63 cents for every $1 a straight man makes. Interestingly, according to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, lesbians generally outperform their straight coun-

terparts even though they, along with gay men, experience more workplace discrimination. The study suggests that lesbians may feel less constrained by the dominant culture’s expectations about the way women are supposed to be, “freeing them to consider betterpaying, male-dominated fields at higher rates than other women do,” according to a story on Slate.com. But when considering earning power, the Center for American Progress says, lesbians are still far more likely to be poor than either straight women or the general population. Slate’s Vanessa Vitiello Urquhart notes that the CAP analysis goes on to explain this is “particularly true for older lesbians, lesbians of color, and lesbians who are raising children.” Of course, this vulnerability increases in states that lack employment protections for LGBT workers. Even in the state Capitol, a recent Sacramento Bee analysis showed that staff members who are women make 92 cents on the dollar compared to men in the Assembly, and 94 cents on the dollar compared to men in the Senate. The situation is worse for transgender people, who typically experience severe underemployment. It was only in recent years that the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBT rights organization and one that is mostly identified with gay men, started advocating for trans equality. The point is, we’re all in this together. And at a time when men in Congress and state legislatures are deciding what’s best for women or holding hearings on women’s issues without including female speakers, gay men could do more to support women, gay, straight, and trans. We may win marriage equality, but workplace discrimination still exists, and equal pay for women is a pipe dream.t

Happy 50th anniversary to the Dewey’s sit-in by Marc Stein

quoted in Drum as saying that “the trouble began ... when a ifty years ago this week, small group of rowdy teenagthree teenagers initiated a ers began using the restaurant sit-in at Dewey’s Restaurant in for a meeting and camping Philadelphia to protest multiple home.” The magazine referred denials of service to “homoto the restaurant’s “refusal to sexuals,” “masculine women,” serve a large number of homo“feminine men,” and “persons sexuals and persons wearing wearing non-conformist clothnon-conforming clothing.” ing.” Drum magazine, which The Janus Society concluded by 1965 had become the most its report by declaring, “All popular gay and lesbian movetoo often, there is a tendency ment publication in the United to be concerned with the Drum magazine States, called it “the first sit-in rights of homosexuals as long Photos of the Dewey’s sit-in that appeared in Drum magazine in August 1965. of its kind in the history of the as they somehow appear to be United States.” heterosexual, whatever that is. people, drag queens, and sex workers. To commemorate the The masculine woman and The reports published in 1965 indicate 50th anniversary of these events, OutHistory, the feminine man often are looked down upon that three teenagers – two male and one the award-winning queer history website, is by the official policy of homophile orgafemale – began the sit-in after more launching an exhibit on the Dewey’s Restaunizations, but the Janus Society is than 150 people were denied serrant sit-ins and demonstrations, which began concerned with the worth of an invice at Dewey’s. After a restaurant on April 25, 1965, and ended a week later on dividual and the manner in which manager contacted the police, May 2. For the first time, the public will have she or he comports himself. What the three teens were arrested on easy access to the flier that was distributed by is offensive today we have seen becharges of disorderly conduct. activists outside Dewey’s, the news story that come the style of tomorrow, and Clark Polak, a local gay activist was published in Drum, the reports that apeven if what is offensive today who was the president of the peared in the newsletter of Philadelphia’s Janus remains offensive tomorrow to Janus Society and the editor of Society, and a letter to the editor of Drum that some persons, there is no reason Drum, offered to help obtain a referenced denials of service at Dewey’s. The to penalize such non-conformist lawyer for the three protesters, at exhibit also features photographs of Dewey’s behavior unless there is direct which point he also was arrested for disorderly and excerpts of oral history transcripts that anti-social behavior connected it.” conduct. Janus activists and their supporters discuss the restaurant and the protests. In a letter to the editor published in Drum a few quickly organized a five-day demonstration What exactly happened 50 years ago? We months after the magazine reported on the sit-in, outside the restaurant, distributing 1,500 fliers do not know if the Dewey’s protesters were D.E. of New York recalled, “I, too, was not served to passersby. On May 2, after Dewey’s denied white, black, both, or neither, but it seems safe at Dewey’s. ... Four girls and I had just come from service to three additional customers, they to assume that they were inspired by the sitservices at church, planning to eat breakfast. None staged a second sit-in. This time, the police in movement that was launched by African of us had ever been to Philly before but were told: made no arrests and the patrons left the resAmerican college students in Greensboro, ‘Don’t you remember last night? I told you then taurant after several hours. Janus activists later North Carolina, in 1960. There were several we don’t serve you people here.’” proudly reported that the sit-ins and demonDewey’s restaurants in Center City, PhiladelFifty years later, OutHistory (http://outhisstrations were successful in bringing about “an phia, but the ones on 13th and 17th streets had tory.org/) is encouraging all of “you people” immediate cessation to all indiscriminate deespecially significant LGBT patronage. The to remember the many days and nights that nials of service,” preventing additional arrests, 17th Street Dewey’s, which is where the sit-in inspired new waves of gay, lesbian, trans, and and showing the “homosexual community” took place, was located near a large number queer resistance in the 1960s.t that “we were prepared to intercede in helping of bars, clubs, coffeehouses, restaurants, and to solve these problems.” parks that were popular with LGBT people. Marc Stein is a professor of history at The documents that will be made availThe oral histories featured on OutHistory San Francisco State University and the able on OutHistory make clear that the 1965 author of City of Sisterly and Brotherly make clear that the Dewey’s restaurants on Loves (2000), Sexual Injustice (2010), and Dewey’s sit-in deserves to be remembered as 13th and 17th streets were frequented in the Rethinking the Gay and Lesbian Movement an important episode in gay, lesbian, trans, 1950s and 1960s by a racially diverse group (2012). queer, and U.S. history. One source was of patrons, including LGBT and non-LGBT

Letters >>

Trans terminology corrections

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5

I wish to make some trans terminology corrections that appeared in your cover article [“Trans people face high costs to transition,” April 16]. The author, Sasha Lekach, incorrectly writes that gender reassignment surgery helps support trans men and women present “not as the gender they were born into, but as the gender with which they identify.” Here, Ms. Lekach incorrectly confuses sex and gender. In overly simplistic terms, sex refers to a person’s physical body, while gender refers to a person’s identity. Since gender refers to one’s identity, no one can be born into an incorrect gender, just as one cannot be born into the wrong sexual orientation.

Further, Ms. Lekach refers to “women becoming transmen” and “men becoming transwomen.” There are several problems here. First, trans people do not feel that they “become” a different identity through transitioning. Second, the word “trans” is an adjective, and it is incorrect to merge the words “trans” and the nouns “men” and “women.” Trans people do not need qualifiers before the words “men” and “women,” it is who they are. I hope that the editors at the Bay Area Reporter will further review future articles to avoid repeating these mistakes. Julianne Lawlor Nigro San Francisco

Issues prominent in SF also confront Seattle’s gay mayor by Matthew S. Bajko

n the early 1980s, recently out of the closet as a gay man, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray would often visit San Francisco on vacation. “As a gay man this city is extremely important. There is no place in the world like San Francisco for a gay man,” said Murray, who grew up in the suburbs of Seattle. “It is an incredible place to come out to, socialize, and meet people.” Murray, who turns 60 in May, also credits the legacy of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first gay elected official in the city who was killed in office, with laying the groundwork for his own electoral success. “Politically, without San Francisco and without Harvey Milk, I don’t think I would be sitting here today as the mayor of Seattle,” said Murray, whose 2013 election marked the first time a gay man had been elected mayor. “This city has always been a pioneer and, for many decades, a pioneer on our issues. It is a very moving experience to be in this city and to be the first gay man elected mayor of a major city in America. I want to honor that tradition.” Murray spoke with the Bay Area Reporter while in town last week with his husband, Michael Shiosaki, the Seattle Parks and Recreation director of planning and development, to attend the City Parks Alliance Greater and Greener 2015 conference. He noted Seattle and San Francisco face similar issues, such as the need to build more affordable housing, manage diminishing water resources, and improve transit infrastructure. The cities are also friendly rivals competing for investment from both Asian countries and the U.S. technology sector. “Yes, there is a healthy competition there, but I don’t think it is a bad thing,” said Murray. “It keeps us on our toes and keeps us awake.” Murray’s first 14 months in office has won him praise from his California counterparts, particularly his success last June in securing voter passage of a staggered increase to Seattle’s minimum wage, which went to $11 an hour this month and will increase to $15 within four years. “He seems to be a steady hand on government controls of the city of Seattle, which has many points in common with San Francisco right now with regard to their booming economy and challenges to affordable housing and transportation,” said gay state Senator Mark Leno (DSan Francisco). “He clearly did a very

Trans foster youth

From page 1

Under Leno’s bill, caregivers would be required to take a young person’s gender identity into consideration when deciding whether to place them with a foster care family or in a group home, many of which are segregated by gender.

www.seattle.gov

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray

good job in leading the negotiations for their minimum wage increase. It is something I am sensitive to, as I am authoring a statewide minimum wage increase in the Legislature.” Murray has formed close ties with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, who grew up in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood and regularly visits his mother who still lives there. The mayors appeared together on a panel at the parks confab, and a day later, Lee hosted Murray at City Hall for a private meeting. “He is of help answering questions about how this job works,” said Murray. “We are working on similar issues, such as around equality. He and Boston’s mayor (Martin J. Walsh) I have gotten to know the most.” Lee and Murray coordinated on a joint statement issued in early April with the mayors of Oakland and Portland announcing the four had withdrawn bans on city-funded travel to Indiana imposed in reaction to the passage of a law that allowed Hoosier businesses to cite religious beliefs as the basis for discriminating against LGBT people. Faced with blisteringly negative reaction from political leaders and business executives, Indiana lawmakers amended the law to clarify it did not authorize discrimination against LGBT people. While praising that action, Murray called on Hoosier legislators to also pass a comprehensive LGBT anti-discrimination law. “It was a gut reaction,” Murray said of his decision to impose the travel ban. “I wanted to make a point and I wasn’t sure how folks would react. People were just stunned by the nature of the law they passed in Indiana.” While some people questioned how often West Coast officials travel to Indiana, the quartet of mayors had effectively barred themselves and their cities’ public employees from taking part in the U.S. Conference “It is already law that all foster youth, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, have the fair and equal right to services and to be free from discrimination,” Leno told the Bay Area Reporter in a phone interview this week. “The problem is, and that is what this bill attempts to address, state law does not provide any specific guid-

of Mayors gathering in 2016, which is set to be held in Indianapolis next summer. (San Francisco plays host to this year’s conference in late June, and Murray plans to be in attendance.) Others have questioned if the mayors acted too soon in lifting their bans as Indiana has yet to enact statewide LGBT protections. Murray allowed that they raise “a very good point,” but he felt it was “important to acknowledge we got almost back to the status quo. I don’t think we can impose a ban on travel to a state without LGBT protections.” His own state, Murray noted, took 29 years to pass a broad-based LGBT non-discrimination law, which it did in 2006. Since his 20s Murray had worked on enacting such a law, first as an activist and later as a state lawmaker (he served in both chambers of his state Legislature). “Bans are not the way to go at this point,” said Murray. The episode with Indiana and similar anti-gay laws introduced in other states illustrate the need for the LGBT community to have a national organization that is focused on statehouses across the country, said Murray. “Many people in the community felt caught off guard,” he said. “There has never been an effort to create a national organization based on state and local political organizations. I believe we could have a national organization that coordinates information across all states and jurisdictions. The far right is very good at this.” Murray is still figuring out how much of a public voice he should have when it comes to LGBT issues. He visited Ireland last year and spoke out in favor of the country’s referendum on marriage equality, which will be voted on May 22, and travels to Israel in early June to take part in Tel Aviv Pride Week. “Given my profile, when should I be a voice on our issues nationally and internationally?” asked Murray, who has heard from some constituents who are proud of electing Seattle’s first out mayor “but are not wanting you to be too gay.”t Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check www.ebar. com Monday mornings at noon for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column looked at the hundreds of LGBT historic sites posted to an interactive online map. Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/politicalnotes. Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 8298836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

ance to those who place our foster youth who are transgender. This bill provides needed direction.” The state Department of Community Care Licensing would be tasked with developing regulations to implement the bill should it become law. See page 10 >>

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

family law specialist* • Divorce w/emphasis on Real Estate & Business Divisions • Domestic Partnerships, Support & Custody • Probate and Wills www.SchneiderLawSF.com

415-781-6500 *Certified by the California State Bar 400 Montgomery Street, Ste. 505, San Francisco, CA

ebar.com

<< Community News

6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

ESCAPE TO PALM SPRINGS

1161 E EL ESCUDERO VICTORIA PARK/VISTA NORTE, PALM SPRINGS $394,500 | 3BD/2BA/1460SF | POOL & MTN VIEWS

Mayor signs LGBT senior ordinance M

ayor Ed Lee signed the LGBT Long-Term Facility Residents’ Bill of Rights in his office April 16, surrounded by LGBT political leaders and senior advocates. The ordinance, introduced by gay Supervisor Scott Wiener and co-sponsored by gay Supervisor David Campos, amends the Police Code to prohibit discrimination against residents or patients at long-term care facilities in

20 CHANDRA LANE RANCHO ESTATES, RANCHO MIRAGE $359,500 | 3BD/2.75BA/2196SF | POOL & MTN VIEWS

Seniors with HIV face losing disability insurance by Matthew S. Bajko

760-832-3758 terrymurphy@windermeresocal.com www.MakeitMurphy.windermeresocal.com CalBRE #: 01346949

ebar.com

hen Lewis Nightingale turned 65 in February, he not only reached what is considered retirement age but also hit the end of his longterm disability insurance coverage. Nightingale, who has been living with HIV since 1984, has relied on his long-term disability insurance since he moved to San Francisco in 1997 and stopped working in March of that year. He also began receiving Social Security disability insurance that year and enrolled in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. For the last 18 years his income has consisted of the insurance pay-

our doctors = better care Thank you, Bay Area Reporter readers for choosing Kaiser Permanente as the “BEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.” At Kaiser Permanente our doctors are focused on more than practicing good medicine. They take the time to really listen. And give all members the personalized, culturally sensitive care they deserve. For more information call 1-800-464-4000.

kp.org/thrive

Rick Gerharter

San Francisco on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; to provide aggrieved persons with the right to seek investigation and mediation by the Human Rights Commission, as well as a private right of action; and to impose treble damages on violators. The ordinance was the first piece of legislation that came out of recommendations made by the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.

ments and Social Security. While his Social Security benefits were unchanged by his birthday this year, his income dropped by 40 percent once the LTD came to an end. Starting in March, Nightingale has been making do with $1,100 less a month, though he has been able to dip into his savings and has a partner to rely on for help with expenses. “Conceivably I could start working, which was not allowed when I was receiving LTD. Though I probably will not work, the most significant psychological effect of no longer being officially disabled has been unexpectedly strong, positive, inspiring and energy-producing,” Nightingale told the Bay Area Reporter. Living to see his senior years was not something Nightingale had planned for back in 1997 when his doctor wrote him a “Letter of Diagnosis” in order to receive benefits and services in which he stated, “This patient is not expected to survive.” At the time he told his best friend, “I figured I’d live for about a year,” recalled Nightingale. “I never planned on retiring in any conscious way; I planned to die. My survival during the past 18 years has not been without challenges. Turning 65 and moving beyond LTD does not feel like the end of challenges. The challenges are just different.” Nightingale is not alone in having to confront a future without the financial assistance of long-term disability insurance. A report issued in November by San Francisco’s Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office estimated that the number of people living with HIV or AIDS in the city who have private disability insurance is likely 1,254, although it could be higher. What is without question is that the city’s residents who are HIV-positive is rapidly aging, with people over the age of 50 now accounting for 55 percent of the PLWHA population. Of the 15,971 San Francisco residents who are HIV-positive or have AIDS, 8,837 are 50 years or older. “The good news is people living with HIV and AIDS are living much longer. The bad news is people have been living for decades in poverty and disability,” said AIDS Legal Referral Panel Executive Director Bill

Courtesy Lewis Nightingale

Lewis Nightingale

Hirsh. “Many folks didn’t plan for retirement because they didn’t think they would be around. We have seen this issue coming for a while.” In early April gay Supervisor Scott Wiener, who requested the report from the analyst’s office, held a hearing to highlight the growing number of PLWHAs who are losing their private disability insurance. “Today this hearing will focus on the increasing challenge that many people and our city is facing with regards to longterm survivors of HIV and AIDS who have been on private disability insurance policies and whose private disability will terminate when they usually turn 65 and transition onto Social Security, resulting in significant drops of income and housing insecurity and financial insecurity in general,” said Wiener, who noted the issue was highlighted in the report released last spring by the city’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force. “The task force identified this as a looming problem for our community. The purpose of this hearing is to learn more about it and begin the process to determine how best to address it.” The analyst’s office report noted that PLWHAs with private disability insurance are likely to see their income drop by 40 percent when their insurance payments run out, while their rent as a percentage of income would rise from 45 percent to 74 percent. “Since most LGBT seniors are renters, housing subsidies allowing people to remain in their homes will likely be the greatest service need,” said Hampton Smith, a public policy and public management See page 7 >>

Community News>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7

HIV, hepatitis C drug caps criticized by Seth Hemmelgarn

dvocates for people living with hepatitis C, HIV, and other conditions are pushing for the staterun health insurance exchange to cut what patients would have to spend on specialty drugs next year. Covered California, the agency formed under the Affordable Care Act to help ensure the state’s residents have access to coverage, has proposed maximum caps on what people would have to spend on their drugs. But some feel those ceilings aren’t low enough. The suggested limits range from $200 to $500 a month, “per prescription depending on the benefit level the consumer chooses.” James Scullary, a Covered California spokesman, said in an email.

Seniors

From page 6

analyst who worked on the budget analyst’s report. The estimated cost to provide housing subsidies to those people losing their private disability insurance could range from $400,000 to $1.3 million over the next year, according to the report, and increase to $2 million to $6.4 million within five years depending on the number of people who require housing assistance. The estimates are based on the current rental subsidy provided by the federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program, which is $1,551 a month or $18,612 annually. “We know in San Francisco housing is extremely challenging right now,” said Wiener. “For some people, even if they are in stable housing, this may cause them to lose their housing because they no longer are able to afford to pay their rent. The last thing we want is for people to lose their housing and potentially become homeless; we want them to remain in their housing.” The city did allocate funding this year to the AIDS Housing Alliance/ SF to provide housing subsidies to LGBT seniors. But the program, which launched this month, will only assist 61 people. Due to his turning 65 in May, Ray Rudolph will lose his private disability insurance he has relied on since 2007. HIV-positive since 1999, Rudolph was able to remain working for UCSF as an administrator for the Ph.D. program in medical sociology and health policy in the school of nursing until 2007. After being diagnosed with bladder cancer, Rudolph went on disability on the advice of his doctor. He will see a $625 drop in his monthly income, or $7,560 annually, when his private disability insurance ends. “I will have Social Security and I do have a moderate pension from UC that will kick in,” said Rudolph in terms of his income when he officially retires this June. “Then my disability goes away. The pension is considerably lower than disability.” He expects to receive $2,500 a month, with $1,000 going to pay for his rent on a one-bedroom apartment, which is rent controlled. As he adjusts to his new income this summer, he said he is not opposed to shutting off his cellphone or canceling his cable subscription to reduce his monthly expenses. “I already gave up my car. It was too expensive and I couldn’t afford it,” said Rudolph. “I have been cutting corners. If I had to pay market rents, in my building a studio – they call it a one bedroom – is $2,650 a month, plus $100 a month for water and garbage.” See page 14 >>

In an interview, Scullary explained that for Covered California clients, the maximum out-ofpocket expenses are currently from $2,250 to $6,250 a year, depending on the level of benefits. The expenses were spread “over the course of a year,” he said, resulting in the proposed caps. The new limits, once approved, would go into effect January 1, 2016. The agency has been working on the issue “extensively over the last few months with consumer advocates, stakeholders,” and others, Scullary said. Covered California’s board had been expected to vote on the recommendations at its meeting last Thursday, April 16, but after the feedback that was given there, the agency is “going to continue working with stakeholders on this issue,” he said. The proposals are now expected to be up for a vote at the May 21 board meeting. In an April 14 letter to state Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley, who serves as Covered California’s board chair, and also to the agency’s other board members, state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said, “[W]e have asked Covered California to establish a monthly cap of $200 on out-of-pocket costs for

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones

specialty tier drugs. ... Unfortunately, however, your staff’s recommendation to cap out-of-pocket expenses for specialty drugs at $500 per prescription per month falls short of what is needed. Capping out-ofpocket expenses at this level creates an affordability barrier for the average consumer, particularly those who struggle with chronic conditions that require multiple prescriptions.” Jones urged the agency to adopt the $200 cap “per prescription per month.” Anne Donnelly, health care policy director at the San Francisco-based Project Inform, also would like to see more exploration done on the pricing issue.

“We definitely do not feel the caps have gone far enough,” Donnelly, a member of the working group looking at specialty drugs, said in an interview. Even when one drug is capped at $500 a month, “most people with HIV and hepatitis C are taking multiple drugs,” she said. Add expenses like doctors visits, monthly premiums, laboratory costs, rent, and food, and “it really does create a barrier.” Having “lower caps are the only thing that we feel will ensure that people with chronic conditions have both affordable and quality health care,” Donnelly said. The recommendations could affect people with hepatitis C more than people living with HIV/AIDS, she said. “The only reason is that almost everybody with HIV qualifies” for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, “and ADAP takes up those copays,” Donnelly said, referring to the program that helps people pay for drugs. Plus, she said, “the HIV drugs aren’t as expensive.” She added, however, there are many people who “don’t qualify for ADAP, and for them, it’s a really big deal.” Scullary, Covered California’s spokesman, said, “I couldn’t say what the odds are” of the caps being lowered.

He said his agency has “to find the right balance” on potential impacts on consumers, as well as short- and long-term impacts “to the costs of all our consumers.” “For instance,” Scullary said, if the caps are lowered, “what would the long-term impact be on health premiums?” If premiums did need to be increased, another question would be “by how much?” he said. “We need to make sure we really understand what that looks like in an effort to find that right balance.” Despite her concerns, Donnelly said, “We do appreciate Covered California for taking leadership in this and for convening the specialty drug workgroup and already approving some recommendations that will make it easier for people to get access and make informed plan choices.” She said she and others are supporting Assembly Bill 339, introduced in February by gay Assemblyman Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park). Gordon’s office said the bill would “define and limit the specialty prescription drugs that are subject to ... high cost-sharing.” The proposal is set for a hearing April 28 in the Assembly’s Committee on Health.t

Maylene Wong, joined in 2005

Truly

WONDERFUL People. Meet remarkable people who know San Francisco Towers is the city’s most appealing senior living community. People like Maylene Wong. It’s the life you and your partner want—right in the heart of The City. To learn more, or for your personal visit, please call 415.447.5527.

1661 Pine Street San Francisco, CA 94109

sanfranciscotowers-esc.org

A not-for-profit community owned and operated by Episcopal Senior Communities. License No. 380540292 COA #177 EPSF723-01HI 042315

<< National News

8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

All eyes turn to Supreme Court in same-sex marriage case by Lisa Keen

hen the United States Supreme Court hears arguments next Tuesday about marriage for samesex couples, there is much more on the line than whether states can ban the licensing and recognition of marriage for them. The court could also decide what level of judicial scrutiny must be applied to laws that seek to disadvantage LGBT people. At a time when some states are seeking to pass laws that enable people to discriminate by simply expressing a “religious” motivation, such a ruling could have far-reach-

radio news outlets reporting on the arguments as soon as they are completed a couple hours later. An audio recording and transcript of the arguments will be available at the Supreme Court’s website by the afternoon. The appeal being heard is a consolidation of four cases, Obergefell v. Hodges (Case No. 14-556) from Ohio; Tanco v. Haslam (Case No. 14-562) from Tennessee; DeBoer v. Snyder (Case No. 14-571) from Michigan; and Bourke v. Beshear (Case No. 14-574) from Kentucky. The issue is whether states can discriminate against same-sex couples in the licensing and recognition of marriage. Questions posed by the court: The court broke the issue into two questions: Question 1: Does the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex? Question 2: Does the 14th Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state? Petitioners bringing the appeal: There are 28 plaintiffs (called “petitioners” when appealing to the Supreme Court) from four states. The Michigan case arose when a lesbian couple sought to adopt children together but were prevented from doing so because that state’s law allows only married persons to adopt children. The Ohio lawsuit involves 12 plaintiffs denied rights in three different circumstances: while seeking a death certificate that identified the deceased’s spouse; while seeking a birth certificate that listed both legal parents; and seeking recognition of marriage licenses obtained in other states. The Tennessee lawsuit was brought by three same-sex couples who married while living in other states, then moved to Tennessee. And the Kentucky lawsuit was

45 The big 4-0! days: The politics of Pride parade.

eB AR .co Ch

eck newIt’s out the s, art Ba s, y Are clas sifi a Rep eds orte , and r onl per ine son – als.

34 wraps up Frameline final weekend’s

in Highlights taries, shorts. Arts features, documen

see

the of the Those were and memories section and the music See second

EPORTER AY REA

by Seth Hemmel

gay, lesbian,

bisexual, and

garn

the 40th anis set to celebrate and celean Francisco LGBT Pride Parade to Sunthe June 26 niversary of weekend, Saturday, bration this stage talent day, June 27. as people enjoy main almost Boys or watch This year, the Backstreet that includes

communities

since 1971

▼

the anniversary historical parade contingents, to mind Pride’s 200 passing likely to call milestone is of the GLBT significance. executive director anniversary Paul Boneberg, said Pride’s 40th in events both Society, of the Pride Historical importance “shows the and around the world.” 24 San Francisco

page

es his

s retir Sweet Lip r 39 years

tes ena celebra

column afte

NectAr

ersary 10th anniv at this of the women t’s the year Francisco Pride Sunday’s San LGBT festival. San Francisco NectArena, Committee’s 10 Pride Celebration is celebrating women’s stage, In addition to the years of pride. two competing affiliated stage’s anniversary, events, not women’s Pride Committee – Eden with the Pride PrideFest – are and in the Bay to the celebration. [See adding glam in this month’s “Feast of Eden” stage, the BARtab.) NectArena The popular of its kind and also longest running

arn by Seth Hemmelg Reporter columhe Bay Area writing for the nist who’s beenwas founded in it paper since column today his 1971 is retiring 24). June (Thursday, a.k.a. Richard Walters, pubSweet Lips, B.A.R. founding roommates and the late Ross were his self-delisher Bob Lips started when Sweet column. Sweet Lips, and scribed gossip and people, bars, Reporter columnist He wrote about Polk and Bay Area with bar owner Marlena paper’s Francisco’s visits left, at the events in San He even worked in right, publisher Bob Ross, 2001 at the areas. B.A.R. party in April s. Tenderloin led him 30th anniversary a few bars. Club Rendez-Vou health has now-defunct declining But page 4

NectArena executive producer Jade Williams, as Edaj. better known

Pride has two most prominent one of the the world at stages in stages women’s L. idea of women’s “sparked the events,” said Kendall other Pride page 13

▼

Jane Philomen

. No. 25 . 24 June 2010

HES JUNE S I L B U P N DE EDITIO

▼

Rick Gerharter

transgender

Vol. 40

▼

Serving the

unfurl material a contingent rainbow Members of to the colors in the ing Parade. correspond the 2008 Pride flag during

Cassell by Heather

Glen Hartong/Associated Press

Jim Obergefell, left, the lead plaintiff in next week’s same-sex marriage case, and John Arthur, right, are married by officiant Paulette Roberts, in a plane on the tarmac at Washington International Airport in Glen Burnie, Maryland on July 11, 2013. Arthur died in October 2013 from ALS.

filed on behalf of four same-sex couples married in other states who sought recognition from Kentucky. States defending the bans: Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. They are among the 13 states that still enforce bans against samesex marriage. But if the bans are upheld, another 10 states would likely re-start enforcement of bans that have been struck by other circuits.

For states seeking to retain the bans: John Bursch, special assistant attorney general and former solicitor general of Michigan. Bursch did not argue the case before the 6th Circuit. Michigan’s primary argument has been that the democratic process allows “the people [to] get to decide what marriage is.” Bursch has argued eight cases before the Supreme Court and is fond of bow ties. (30 minutes.)

Attorneys arguing Question 1

History

For same-sex couple plaintiffs: Mary Bonauto, civil rights director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. Bonauto led the successful lawsuit that established the right to marry for same-sex couples in Massachusetts, the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This is her first time arguing before the Supreme Court. (She has 30 minutes.) For the United States: U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli is expected to present the U.S.’s position against state bans on same-sex marriage. In 2013, Verrilli argued against the Defense of Marriage Act in U.S. v. Windsor and against California’s ban on same-sex marriage in Hollingsworth v. Perry. (15 minutes.) For states seeking to retain the bans: Joseph Whalen is one of two associate solicitors general for Tennessee. Whalen argued for Tennessee’s ban before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, saying it is rational to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples because only opposite-sex couples can procreate accidentally. This is his first time arguing before the Supreme Court. (45 minutes.)

Attorneys arguing Question 2

Cleland

ing implications. And even beyond the law, a ruling that allows discrimination against LGBT people under some circumstances or in some places could stall momentum that has been clearly building in favor of greater acceptance of LGBT people and their families. To help readers prep for the April 28 arguments and the crush of media reporting on the case, the following is a quick guide to the issues, the attorneys, and what to listen for. The oral arguments take place at 7 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The oral arguments are not broadcast, but there will be many television and

NS ECTIO REE S OF TH FIRST

PRI OUR 2015

d -publishe ly s u o u in cont aper, ’s longest a ic r e BT newsp m G A L n As io t rancisco st circula and highe ated Pride in San F rades. br pa we’ve cele they began having s ore rate Pride’ since bef will celeb

ed and and verifi e 25, 2015 an audited the h es on Jun h it in w lis s b n er u io p m at su ar GBT public reach to LGBT con n of the ye L io ly it n o ed t e th t Our larges ersary. As er offers the larges PACE TODAY! 5th Anniv YOUR S a Report E historic 4 re V A R E ay S B E n, the rea. R n or circulatio sco Bay A informatio San Franci m for more o .c 9-county ar eb vertising@ n. r email ad itio 61-5019 o istoric ed -8 h 15 is 4 l th al in C e your spac e rv se re to

For same-sex couple plaintiffs: Douglas Hallward-Driermeier, partner at prominent conservative-leaning Ropes and Gray and head of its Supreme Court practice. He served as assistant to Republican Solicitor General Paul Clement during the administration of President George W. Bush and handled Supreme Court litigation for the U.S. Department of Justice. An article in the Journal of Law for Emory University School of Law said Hallward-Driemeier ranked 26th among the most frequent Supreme Court advocates between 2000 and 2012, having argued 13 cases. (30 minutes.)

In early June 2013, only 12 states had paved the way for same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. On June 26 of that year, the high court made that 13 by letting stand a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal ruling against California’s ban. It did not rule whether California’s ban was unconstitutional; it ruled only that the party who brought an appeal seeking to defend the ban did not have legal standing to do so. That prompted marriage equality supporters to file lawsuits in every other state that had a ban, with the aim of putting another case in front of the Supreme Court seeking a ruling on merits. Four federal appeals courts ruled that the state bans are unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court declined to hear those appeals last fall. But then one circuit, the 6th Circuit, ruled the bans to be constitutional, and that essentially forced the Supreme Court to step in and resolve the conflict among the appeals courts. The decision in this case has the potential to reach far beyond marriage in two ways. First, if equal protection applies to same-sex couples under marriage laws, then LGBT people could presumably rely on existing laws for equal protection in other arenas, including employment, public accommodations, and adoption. And, second, in deciding this case, the court dictates what level of judicial scrutiny all courts must apply to laws that discriminate against people based on sexual orientation. The argument brief submitted by Verrilli and the Department of Justice urges the court to use “heightened scrutiny,” an intermediate level of judicial review that is easier to meet than “strict scrutiny,” but much more difficult to satisfy than mere “rational” review, which most courts use now.t

EQCA honors Frank Rick Gerharter

quality California board President G. Joyce Rowland, right, presented former Congressman Barney Frank with the Vanguard Leadership Award at the annual Equality California Awards

dinner Saturday, April 18 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Other honorees were Suzy Jones, State Farm Good Neighbor Award; and Jody Cole and Geoff Kors, the Community Leadership Award.

National News>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

Signorile warns against ‘victory blindness’ by Brian Bromberger

ichelangelo Signorile is once again on a mission, similar to his outing crusade of the early 1990s, only now he wants to warn people that victory concerning full LGBT equality is not inevitable and homophobia seems as entrenched as ever. In San Francisco recently to promote his new book, It’s Not Over, his manifesto on defeating homophobia, Signorile met with the Bay Area Reporter to discuss his latest campaign. It was in 2009 just as major victories for LGBTs were starting to emerge, that he noticed a disconnect between LGBT equality wins and the horrible stories of discrimination listeners of his Sirius XM radio program were telling him about being fired just for being gay, as well as physical assaults. “Many feel it is inevitable that we are going to get our full civil rights, that we have reached a tipping point, yet there is still so much to be done,” Signorile, 54, said in an April 16 interview at his hotel. “My boyfriend and I kissed outside our home in New York City and a passing guy called us disgusting.” He wanted to discover why so many LGBT people were declaring success in the face of such blatant discrimination, a phenomenon he terms “victory blindness” in his book. “If you are a lesbian in rural Oklahoma or a transgender woman in Alabama, you will have a different experience of homophobia than an urban white male in Washington, D.C., which will influence you whether the battle has been won or not,” he said. “In many states, you are outed the minute you get married, so you can expect to face discrimination and a fierce backlash. “The gay political establishment in Washington or in Hollywood believes we have won so much we can be mag-

nanimous toward our opponents, otherwise we look played out or not respectable, with total victory just around the corner,” Signorile added. “Even David Brooks in a New York Times column said yes, we are right about Indiana, but we need to lower the tone otherwise we risk appearing unseemly. Yet in spite of all the controversy about the new amended religious freedom law, there are still no statewide protections for LGBTs there. Confrontation is needed here if there is to be any real change.” Still, why are so many LGBT people willing to ignore the prejudice and hatred surrounding them and claim premature victory? “We want to win. For centuries we have been despised and invisible, nearly eviscerated by the AIDS epidemic,” he said. “Then all of a sudden these wins come, which can be intoxicating and spellbinding. We want to feel good and valued, so we look at contrary evidence as isolated incidents to be downplayed, which ultimately encourages bigotry and allows a backlash to grow.” In his book, Signorile uses the term “covering,” described by New York University law Professor Kenji Yoshimo as referring to groups, once they have attained some rights, downplaying their differences with the majority to show they are just like everybody else. “Not all covering is bad,” Signorile said. “It can serve us well at strategic moments such as a job interview or avoid being attacked on the street, but it shouldn’t become a way of life, otherwise we allow straight people to accept us only on their terms. It’s like white people who say they are not racist if they don’t like the way blacks talk or wear their clothes. In other words they only accept black people who act like whites. We do the same by wanting to act less gay and be more like straight people. We don’t

Brian Bromberger

Author Michelangelo Signorile

challenge the bias and we must.”

In the closet

For Signorile, the question is not why are there still so many people in the closet, especially in red states, but why is homophobia so deeply entrenched in our society? “Why are there so many closeted gay men in Mississippi marrying women?” he asked. Signorile argues that the community’s recent wins, including a likely Supreme Court countrywide legalization of same-sex marriage later this year, will exacerbate the backlash and make it harder for LGBT people to come out of the closet in more conservative states. Meanwhile, there is a glass closet for Hollywood celebrities and political figures who have partners and reveal themselves at public events but still don’t publicly say they are gay because there is a slight chance their careers will be hurt, he said. “If homosexuality is accepted as normal, why shouldn’t we talk about it? Why is there this one thing we should avoid when we’ve been told being gay is normal?” he added. “Hollywood executives, despite movies and television making being gay okay culturally, are as conservative

and risk averse as Wall Street bankers in that they don’t want leading actors and stars to come out for fear it will diminish their box office appeal,” he pointed out. “However, younger actors like Jonathan Groff and Zachary Quinto are coming out and establishing gay careers. Of course, most actors can’t avoid the question today since everyone on the Internet talks about it, so it forces the issue. When these actors do announce they are gay, it is no longer news since most people already knew about it. If they had listened to the powers that be, they would never have come out. The industry is still the problem.” And speaking of outing, Signorile has no regrets about his role in that controversy of the early 1990s in that it focused attention on the closet and why it is so destructive. “The closet and power are a dangerous combination,” he said. “I hated the term ‘outing,’ a violent sounding word, invented by the now-deceased cultural critic for Time magazine, William Henry, who was himself closeted. Yes, I did out some celebrities, but when you look at their lives today, none of them regret being openly gay and have used their money, power, and fame for LGBT rights.” Signorile said that the media still has qualms about the issue. “The media is still in the same place today if you look at the Aaron Schock case, the [former] Illinois Republican congressman, who voted against the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal and supports a federal amendment banning gay marriage. Long rumored to be gay, yet the Washington media, despite viable leads, has never followed up on it, which is hypocritical. Straight reporters still have to be convinced it is a fundamentally important story,” he explained. Signorile noted that there is still so much misinformation propagated by conservative groups like the American

Family Association and the Family Research Council, with large portions of the country “living in a bubble of these hate groups, religion, and Fox News, that even seeing glimpses of the other side scares them. Fear, lack of education, and religious bigotry perpetuates discrimination.” On his radio show, Signorile realizes that attacking them is not the best approach and tries to show them other ways of thinking. “Conservatives, in their bigotry, are constantly recrafting, sending up trial balloons, devising better strategies to avoid court scrutiny and escape media attention,” he said. Signorile believes education is the key to dismantling homophobia and sees California’s law to teach LGBT history in schools as the model for the nation to correct misinformation and lies. “It is also the way to stop people from saying hurtful comments and reinforce the image of the homo as outsider and threat,” he said. “Our ideas of masculinity need to be reshaped, especially when it comes to team sports, where they call each other ‘fags’ and ‘pansies’ as putdowns and to encourage better athletic performance.” Signorile is not bothered by critics who call him a bully, fascist, or obnoxious. “I have had to criticize friends and gay pundits about their overSee page 14 >>

On the web Online content this week includes the Bay Area Reporter’s online columns, Political Notes and Wedding Bells Ring, the Out in the World column, and a story on the inaugural Queer Fashion Week. www.ebar.com.

YOU’LL FALL head over HEALDSBURG

taste

In the famed Sonoma County wine country. Local hospitality meets San Francisco chic.

ALEXANDER VALLEY MAY 15-17, 2015 FRIDAY MAGNUM DINNER & BARN DANCE

Bakeries, bistros, tasting rooms and 5-star restaurants. Stylish boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. Picnic baskets brimming with local farmers’ market delicacies.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11-4 WINERY OPEN HOUSES Visit over 25 wineries – food & wine pairings and other special offers GATHER. DRINK. EAT. alexandervalley.org

www.healdsburg.com

Taste the wine country the way Northern Californians do. And like everyone who visits, you’ll fall head over Healdsburg.

<< Community News

10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Porn shoot ejected from Castro restaurant by David-Elijah Nahmod

ensions flared at Dante’s Table, an Italian restaurant at 544 Castro Street, when an owner ejected the cast and crew of the gay porn feature, The Biggest Catch. According to mr. Pam, a director and head of production for Naked Sword, the company making the film, a $300 fee had been paid to the owners of Dante’s Table for a two-day shoot that would take place when the restaurant was closed to the public. As the shoot was drawing to a close April 16, Dante’s Table co-owner Max Tocarev burst into the restaurant and demanded that the cast and crew leave. “I understand that everyone won’t want porn shot in their business, but we had a signed agreement and we are a legitimate business,” mr. Pam told the Bay Area Reporter. “We have insurance, we pay taxes, our models fill out 1099 forms for the IRS.”

Trans foster youth

From page 5

“When a transgender foster child is inappropriately placed in a home that is not welcoming and supportive, that young person is at an even higher risk of bullying, harassment, and abuse,” stated Shannan Wilber, youth policy director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “The foster care system should be a place that embraces all young people, not a place that makes them feel ashamed of who they are.” It is unclear how far ranging a problem discrimination against transgender foster youth is in California. There were nearly 58,700 foster youth in California in 2013, and research suggests that anywhere from 5 to 10 percent identify as LGBT, though no actual data on the number of LGBT foster youth is available.

Mr. Pam, who’s also known as Pam Dore, is a 42-year-old cisgender woman (meaning her gender matches the sex she was assigned at birth), “Mr. Pam is a nickname I got way back in the day when I was editing for Falcon,” she explained. “We didn’t want the audience to know I was a woman. I’m a dirty gay boy in my mind.” Dore said Tocarev invoked God during his rant. “He said, ‘This is immoral, God would not approve,’” Dore recalled of Tocarev’s disruption of her shoot. She said that Tocarev called his lawyer, who told him that Naked Sword had a signed agreement and was within its rights to finish the shoot. Tocarev refused to back down, and was quite aggressive, according to Dore. “The models were shaking,” Dore said. “I called a friend and asked if we could use his backyard to finish the shoot.” Dante’s Table co-owner Dirk Leno said his office is aware of instances where a transgender foster youth was unable to be out about their gender identity. “And given that the broader community is still coming to learn and recognize how early gender identity begins to take shape in a young life, we need to be respectful of our foster youth when making these kinds of placement,” said Leno. “Our system should be culturally sensitive and respectful.” Sacramento resident Kevin West, 29, transitioned in 2002 while in the state’s foster care system. A dependent of San Joaquin County, West lived in a number of foster homes and group homes located in Santa Cruz County. He had been living in an allfemale group home when he came out as a transgender male and requested to be placed in a home with all boys.

Courtesy mr. Pam

Naked Sword director mr. Pam

Tacke told the B.A.R. that he was sorry about the disruption the filmmakers were forced to deal with. “There are three owners,” Tacke said. “Myself, Alejandro Pinot, and “It turned out I did not like living with the boys but did enjoy being allowed to have that experience. The boys were younger than me and a little more rough and tumble than I was used to being around,” West recalled in a phone interview with the B.A.R. this week. “I was 16 and in high school while they were in the seventh and eighth grade.” When he turned 17 West went to live in a co-ed group home where he had his own room. He said he never experienced any overt discrimination other than some teasing from the other youth. “I had really supportive staff that tamped that stuff done,” said West, who is earning a degree in deaf studies at California State University, Sacramento and wants to earn a master’s in rehabilitation counseling. “Some of the girls were not okay with it, they thought it meant I was

A Paid Study for People Who Are HIV+ Smallpox Vaccine Study

What A study to develop a vaccine against smallpox for people who are HIV positive Who HIV positive adults, 18 to 45 years of age, with t-cells below 500 Pay Participants will receive 2-3 vaccinations and up to $1350 Details For more information, please call Erika at Quest Clinical Research – (415) 353-0800 or email erika@questclinical.com

www.questclinical.com

Tocarev. Each has a vote – two were in favor of the video shoot, one was not.” Tacke and Pinot, who are gay, were in favor. Tocarev, who is straight, was not. “I did not know how seriously against this he was,” Tacke said. “I thought it was OK. I would not have done this if I’d known how against it he was.” Tacke said that he doesn’t think Tocarev is homophobic. “The incident got a little out of hand right off the bat,” Tacke said. “It got very emotional.” Tacke said that Naked Sword was given a full refund and that he offered his own home to the studio free of charge for a film shoot. Dore acknowledged that Tacke was supportive, but expressed concern that the Castro was becoming less tolerant of gay culture. That concern was also expressed by Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a friend of Dore’s.

“San Francisco is supposed to be a beacon with open arms,” Dore said. “Roma may be more aware of things than I,” said Tacke. “I have not seen anyone try to stamp out gay culture.” He did acknowledge that diners at Dante’s Table were more mixed than they were two years ago. He also reiterated his belief that Tocarev isn’t homophobic. “I don’t think that Max is trying to stamp out gay culture,” Tacke said. Tacke also stated that Dante’s Table was not slated to close, in spite of rumors to the contrary. A video shot during the on-set altercation is now posted at Naked Sword’s blog, http://www.TheSword.com. In the video Dore can be seen arguing with Tocarev. “You’re in the Castro,” said Dore. “This is the land of gay people.” “This is not the land of gay people,” said Tocarev. Tocarev did not respond to the B.A.R.’s request for comment.t

Kevin West, right, testifies alongside state Senator Mark Leno Tuesday in Sacramento.

gay and wanted to get with them. Being a guy had nothing to do with who I am attracted to; it so happened to be I am heterosexual and dating women.” West testified Tuesday on behalf of Leno’s bill, as he believes it will ensure transgender youth feel safe in the homes in which they are placed. “Transgender youth won’t be forced to live in homes with foster parents who don’t identify their gender,” said West. “No one is wanting to go live with people of the same gender identity they identify with for sexual purposes or predatory reasons. It is just who we are.” Josh Leonard, executive director of the East Bay Agency for Children, also testified in support of the legislation. Formerly executive director of Bay Area Youth Centers, Leonard recalled how the Hayward-based agency in the 1990s was one of the first in the state to place foster youth based on their gender identity.

Murder

From page 1

Aiello may have died, but the criminal complaint says Fletcher had used a belt as “a deadly and dangerous weapon.” Sabrina Eileen Ahrens-Gravelle, 39, is also charged with felony second-degree residential burglary in the case. Both are in custody. They are “ineligible for bail,” according to the Sacramento County Sheriff ’s Department. Court records show they were arraigned Friday, but plea information wasn’t available. Their next court date is April 28. It wasn’t clear as of Tuesday who Fletcher’s attorney is. Jeff Raven, the conflicts attorney assigned to represent Ahrens-Gravelle, didn’t immediately respond to an interview request. In a news release Wednesday, April 15, the Sacramento Police De-

“Many, if not, all the transgender and gender non-conforming youth who were referred to our program had conflicts with their previous foster families and their gender identity played a role in those conflicts,” said Leonard, adding that the agency’s trans-friendly policy “made a good first impression on the trans youth. It suggested to them the possibility that staff would see them for who they really are.” He argued that “SB 731 provides much needed clarity on this issue” and will “ensure well matched placements” for transgender foster youth. No one spoke in opposition to the proposed bill, though the committee vice chair, Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte), questioned how the state would be able to implement it. “It is a well intentioned bill, I get it,” said Berryhill. “If it is turned into law, I don’t know how we get there.”t partment said that the agency got a report from a neighbor at 3:20 a.m. that day “regarding loud noises and crashing heard from a business near the 1300 block of X Street.” (Aiello’s Midtown Moped is at 1326 X Street, where he also lived.) Responding officers “observed a man and a woman who appeared to be loading items into a vehicle parked in front of the business,” police said. They were “immediately detained” and eventually identified and arrested as Fletcher and Ahrens-Gravelle. “Once inside the business officers found an unresponsive male in his 40s,” police said. The Sacramento Fire Department was called and pronounced the man dead. The coroner’s office soon identified him as Aiello. Police said, “Although a motive is not yet known, detectives do not See page 11 >>

t <<

Obituaries>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

Murder

From page 10

believe this was a random act.” It’s not clear what Aiello and Fletcher’s relationship was, or how long they’d known each other. Officer Justin Brown, a police spokesman, said as of Tuesday, “detectives are not releasing any further information on that case.” Shelly Orio, a spokeswoman for the DA’s office, said, “We don’t comment on open cases.” Deputy District Attorney William Satchell is prosecuting the case. Brown said the coroner’s office was to determine the cause and manner of Aiello’s death. Trina Frias, an account clerk at the coroner’s office, said an autopsy was performed on Aiello last Thursday, but it could take “three to six months” before the cause and manner of death is released. Frias said she didn’t have any information on what his injuries were. She said Aiello had died April 15, but the records didn’t show what time he’d died. Megan Juring, 52, of Long Beach, a friend of Aiello’s since grade school, said, “I went to the scene when the police were still investigating, but they would not share anything.” However, she said, “The police took the door lock with them ... the knob and everything, as part of evidence.”

‘Afraid’

Juring said the last time she spoke with Aiello was via text Friday, April 10. He told her he was planning to come to southern California to pick up a scooter. In recent months, her longtime friend had been troubled, Juring indicated. “He had texted me in February that he was very nervous and afraid and was making a point to secure the shop and his living quarters there at night,” she said. “He was afraid someone would break in.” At the time, she said, he didn’t mention Fletcher, but she said neighbors confirmed Aiello “had determined not to have anything to do with the man.” Sacramento court records don’t show any attempts by Aiello to get a restraining order against Fletcher, but Juring said he’d mentioned to her that he’d sought help from the county’s Adult Protective Services office. “He didn’t feel like he’d received much benefit from doing that,” she said. The agency declined to comment, citing privacy law. Juring said Aiello wasn’t afraid someone would break in “because he had great wealth in his possession. I had to believe he was afraid of being hurt.” She said sometimes Aiello would ask her “at the end of the month to help with food. We would do a gift certificate to Target or something.” Aiello never mentioned Fletcher or Ahrens-Gravelle’s names specifically, Juring said. She didn’t think Fletcher had been living with Aiello. She didn’t know any more about the men’s relationship.

Courtesy Sacramento Police Department

Kyle Billy Fletcher

Courtesy Sacramento Police Department

Sabrina Eileen Ahrens-Gravelle

A screenshot from the moped shop’s Facebook page shows a shop counter and the post, “Kyle started to airbrush the logos, but like every Kyle overpromise I got tired of waiting. ... Meanwhile, out amongst the fleet of scooters, even less has been accomplished.” He added, “And yes ... that is my blood pressure medication by the cash register.” A friend of Aiello’s provided the screenshot. The message was posted in March. Kalie Sanjiyan, 29, of Sacramento, knew Aiello for over eight years. She used to walk his dogs, and they eventually became friends. Despite his limited means, Aiello was generous, according to friends. “Dan was always the one to help you, always the one to do whatever he could for you, and that’s really rare to find,” Sanjiyan said.

Talented journalist

Many are remembering Aiello as a talented journalist. B.A.R. news editor Cynthia Laird, who edited Aiello’s stories, said that she was shocked when she learned of his death last week. “It is a senseless tragedy,” Laird said. “Dan was a great person who cared a lot for his community. He was always looking to hold officials accountable, especially for their anti-gay stands.” Aiello wrote for the paper from 2000-2001, then again from 20082009 and 2011 to early 2013. During the Proposition 8 campaign in 2008, Aiello covered the anti-gay Yes on 8 campaign and investigated the involvement of the Mormon and Catholic churches, which provided financial support. He continued his reporting after the election, looking into donations by Catholic organizations.

Obituaries >> Joseph “Joe” “Boyet” S. Reyes December 5, 1967 – April 11, 2015 Joseph “Joe” “Boyet” S. Reyes, 47, of San Francisco passed away unexpectedly on April 11, 2015. Funeral mass 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 19 St. Mary’s Avenue, San Francisco. Burial will follow at Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma, California. Joe was born in Manila, Philippines on December 5, 1967, immigrating to the U.S. with his family in the 1979. He graduated

from Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from San Francisco State University. Joe enjoyed music and dance, participating in the LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble and singing in the church choir. He volunteered at Project Open Hand and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, finding joy in helping the needy. Lovingly remembered by his parents, Luz and Vicente Reyes; his brother, Mark, his wife Judie and daughters; and his sister, Marian, her husband, James, and sons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project Open Hand (http:// www.openhand.org). The Reyes family expresses their thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Aiello also covered marijuana reform efforts, state politics, anti-gay violence, and wrote stories about the lead-up to the 2012 presidential race. Gay state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) said in a statement, “I was deeply troubled and saddened to hear of Dan’s tragic passing last week. Dan was a prolific writer and a friend to our office. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones as they cope with this shocking loss.” Christine Allen, 65, of Sacramento, knew Aiello for around eight years. They met when he was a reporter interviewing her about Marriage Equality USA, where she’s the IT director. They eventually became friends. “I’m still in shock about this whole thing,” Allen, who’s Sanjiyan’s mother, said of Aiello’s death. Aiello “was really passionate. He was really open-hearted,” she said, and “he cared a lot” about “doing good writing.” Allen pointed to his coverage of the Mormon church’s anti-gay efforts as an example. His work on that topic came “long before many of us were aware or thinking about the issue, much less working on it.” He later became “passionate” about saving California’s Hetch Hetchy reservoir. With the serious nature of so much of his work, people sometimes didn’t see Aiello’s “incredible sense of fun” and his “enthusiasm for life,” Allen said. His lighter side was exemplified by his opening Midtown Moped. After the “long” process of getting his business license, Aiello “was really getting the word out locally about the shop, and he really enjoyed it,” Allen said. He planned to keep writing, but the moped shop, where he even taught people how to do their own repairs, was to be his primary focus. Allen, who referred to herself as an “old” lesbian, recalled the time last year Aiello came over with a scooter and said, “Come on, Christine, get on. Let’s take a spin.” She jumped on the bike and took off down the street, riding off and on people’s lawns. Aiello, who’d been living with AIDS, had seemed to be bouncing back from some hard times. “Dan went through a very serious illness in 2010 and fought very hard for his life at that time, and since that time he lived his life with great purpose and interests, and I think perhaps that brought a different perspective in his life about what was important,” Juring said. “It was important for him to touch people, and important to him to learn.” She said that was part of his passion for mopeds, which “really brought together his elements of curiosity and human connection.” Referring to Aiello’s death, Juring said, “It’s just a senseless act conducted by a very evil person.” The B.A.R. wasn’t able to find anyone who knew Fletcher that was willing to talk about him, but Sacramento County court records offer some information on his background. In 2005, he pleaded no contest to charges related to domestic violence and drug possession. Several other charges were dismissed, and he was sentenced to prison, according to court data. Then, in 2008, Fletcher pleaded no contest to a drunk driving charge, the court records show. He was granted three years of informal probation. In a brief phone call Tuesday, a woman who said she owns Classic Tattoo Club Sacramento, said, “We have nothing to do with Kyle,” and “he hasn’t worked with us for over a year.” She said she wanted “nothing to do with this story” before hanging up the phone. Plans for Aiello’s memorial are pending.t

In Memoriam Michelle Lloyd Brown Born 3/31/1952, died 4/24/2014. Michelle moved to San Francisco from Cleveland in the late ‘70s. Many of us met him at the Trocadero, The End Up, Dreamland, Pleasuredome, where we danced and danced to the latest hits. After the clubbing years, Michelle spent every Saturday at the Bingo Hall on Cesar Chavez. You could not have a more loyal friend. His no-nonsense sayings put a smile on your face: “Just coolin’ off ”; “My word is my bond”; “Put me on the windy side of the street”; “They carried on like junkyard dogs”. He truly celebrated life: yours, his, everyone’s! In the face of life’s challenges, Michelle displayed incredible strength. He wasn’t one to mope. He loved to be around people, to chat and tell stories (throwing in “Get ready for this, gurrrl…” to whip up anticipation). We laughed so much together! In his last years, Michelle made more new friends at City Church with whom he shared his faith and met to pray and read Scripture. Michelle’s favorite was Psalm 23, and he constantly reminded us that “Our God is a good God”. Michelle was not afraid of death; when friends appeared uncomfortable around him and his illness, he reminded us that “Death is just another part of life”. He always had a way of packaging heavy, universal truths into a single, simple phrase. Michelle was community, family, and our dear friend. He loved the rain and asked that his ashes be scattered on a cold and rainy day. One year after his death, we miss him deeply but remember the joy he brought to our lives. We find some comfort in the hope that Michelle has found eternal life, reunited with God.

SANYour FRANCISCO Meet Neighbors

COLUMBARIUM You’re invited to mix and mingle with the people who will one day share your permanent San Francisco address. Wine & Cheese Open House Friday, July 19, 2013 2—5pm

There are only a few window RSVP Required: (415) 752-8791 niches with stained glass available in 1 Loraine Court—San Francisco, CA 94118 the original building. We’re offering a $4,500 discount and 0% financing, until April 29, 2015. By reserving now, you can make the choice for your future. Cannot be combined with any other SF Columbarium offer.

Call 415.752.7891 Visit us at One Loraine Court, in the heart of the Richmond. COA 534

<< Sports

12 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Positive Pedalers: Cycling away the stigma by Roger Brigham

reg Mahusay joined Positive Pedalers two years ago looking for people to train with. What he found is so much more than that. Positive Pedalers is a national group of cyclists looking to eliminate the stigma of HIV and AIDS through positive public example. It boasts more than a thousand riders in 13 chapters, including three in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the group was originally formed during the second California AIDS Ride in 1995. From May 31 to June 6 this year, 331 of its members will once again ride in the seven-day, 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle, 50 of them in the supporting cast of roadies, helping to raise funds for HIV and AIDS services of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “I’ve been positive since 1989,” Mahusay, 54, told the Bay Area Reporter. “I’m a long-term survivor. I did everything back then to be self-destructive when I was first

SF Pride honorees

From page 1

“I am the first blind grand marshal and am thinking of ways to incorporate that into a theme for my contingent,” he added. “The only thing that is certain is that my guide dog, Oslo, will ride with me in the convertible. I am sure he’ll have a blast.”

Lifetime achievement grand marshal

This year’s lifetime achievement

Rick Gerharter

Lifetime achievement grand marshal Felicia Elizondo

Courtesy Patrick Carney

Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award recipient Patrick Carney

Rick Gerharter

Jose Julio Sarria History Maker Award recipients Julia and Sam Thoron

diagnosed. I’m amazed that I’m still alive. I’m very blessed.” He said when he was first dealing with HIV while living in Hawaii in the early 1990s, his family was supportive – so supportive and concerned about every chill or fever he experienced that he had to tell them, “If I’m not worried about it, you shouldn’t be worried about it.” But his first experience with public assistance was more cursed than blessed. “When I first filed for disability in the early 1990s with Medicare, it was my first experience working with a social worker,” he said. “I was her first poz person. She was the intake person when I was filing. While I was filling out forms she said she had to go take care of something. We waited 45 minutes, but she never did come back.” He told a friend who had encouraged him to file, and she in turn contacted higher-ups in the Medicare office. “Later I had the opportunity to go back to that building and be part of a sensitivity seminar and share my experience with that person.” grand marshal is familiar to many in the LGBT community. Felicia Elizondo, a transgender woman, was selected by the Pride board and has long been involved with trans and health issues. Elizondo, 68, was at the Compton’s Cafeteria riots in the Tenderloin in August 1966 and has a featured role in Screaming Queens, a documentary about the demonstrations, which were a precursor to the Stonewall riots in New York City that marked the birth of the modern gay rights movement. Elizondo, who was profiled earlier this year for a story on the Friendly Visitor program run by LGBT senior agency Openhouse, is also HIV-positive, and has volunteered for several AIDS service organizations. “I’m excited, overwhelmed, and honored,” Elizondo told the B.A.R. Monday. She said that she will be participating in Trans March meetings and looks forward to that event, which takes place Friday, June 26. She credited the Pride board with being “so appreciative” of the trans community.

In the late 1990s, he said, “I decided to clean up my act – focus on myself and take control of my life instead of letting circumstances control me.” That was also around the time he rode in one of the earlier AIDS rides. “I told myself then, that if I ever moved to San Francisco, I wanted to be part of it again,” he said. Mahusay relocated to San Francisco in 2010, then started riding with the Positive Pedalers a couple of years after settling in. “I started with Positive Pedalers two years ago in August 2013,” he said. “I wanted to become active within the HIV/AIDS community. I’m physical and like training, so Positive Pedalers was a perfect group for me.” And not just because they liked to ride. “I finally found a community who had dealt with the same issues I had,” he said. “I finally felt I was at home. It was so refreshing to be able to just be myself. It was great not to live with the shame I have been living for so long. I met a community that was supportive. I finally real-

Rick Gerharter

Audrey Joseph Entertainment Award recipient Audrey Joseph

Other honorees

Several other people were selected for a variety of awards, including some new ones for the 45th anniversary. The Pride board named pink triangle organizer Patrick Carney as the recipient of this year’s Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award. Carney, a gay man, has led the annual installation of the pink triangle on Twin Peaks on Pride weekend for the last two decades. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the gigantic pink tarps, which can be seen from the East Bay if there’s no fog. The pink triangle was once used by the Nazis to identify gay prisoners, but Carney and his group of volunteers have continued the effort to reclaim the symbol for the LGBT community. An architect, Carney, 59, has worked on low-income housing, historic preservation – including San Francisco’s City Hall – and the restoration of several art deco structures. He was appointed in 2013 by Mayor Ed Lee to the City Hall Preservation Advisory Committee. Carney didn’t respond to a message seeking comment, but said on Facebook that it was “a terrific surprise” to be chosen for the award. The Pride board selected Julia and Sam Thoron to receive the Jose Julio Sarria History Maker Award. The couple, who are straight allies and the parents of three grown children, became involved with PFLAG

Niccolo Cosme

Teddy Witherington Award recipient Tita Aida

after their daughter, Liz, came out to them in January 1990. By February, they had connected with the late MaryBelle Smith, who ran the San Francisco chapter at the time. “We got hooked,” Sam Thoron, 75, said. “When Liz came out she had not changed,” he added. “We needed some education and support around this new information.” They soon realized that support ran both ways, as Julia Thoron, 75, pointed out. “We wanted to educate the public and advocate for full equality for our child,” she said. Sam Thoron got involved as regional director and sat on PFLAG’s national board for a time, though both retired from the board of directors last year. The inaugural Audrey Joseph Entertainment Award will go to Joseph, a lesbian who had been the longtime main stage producer at SF Pride. In an email, she said that she is not producing the main stage this year, and that Jenn Stokes has taken over that responsibility. “She is great,” Joseph said. Joseph, who declined to share her age, preferring it “be a mystery,” said

Courtesy Greg Muhusay

Positive Pedaler Greg Mahusay was a flag bearer at closing ceremonies of last year’s AIDS/ LifeCycle ride.

ized I wasn’t any different.” He rode last year in the AIDS/ LifeCycle despite having pneumonia. This year, as the marketing representative for the local chapter, he’ll be one of the roadies and is taking part in the group’s 20th anniversary celebration, which will that she’s honored but a little shy about the award. The Pride board initiated the award, which honors those who have made a significant or historical impact, or left an indelible impression, on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights, through artistic expression, or through their contribution within the entertainment industry. “I am the back stage person and being on a stage is a little scary for me, even if only in the vehicle of an award bearing my name,” she said. “However, the purpose of the award thrills me and all too often we do not honor those who work in the shadows of the stars. “And this award will do that as well as those whose names have influence and fight for our causes,” Joseph added. “San Francisco Pride is a great event for me whether working it or being a patron.” Tita Aida will receive the Teddy Witherington Award, which was selected by Mayor Ed Lee. It’s awarded in recognition of an individual who has contributed a long-standing, large body of work to the LGBTQ community. “I am thrilled and excited to be part of SF Pride once again, in a different capacity,” Aida, who jokes that she’s “over 30,” said in a Facebook message. “To receive the Teddy Witherington Award is something that I will cherish from here on. I know and had the opportunity to work with Teddy. Teddy is one of my role models in terms of activism and community organizing.” Aida served on the Pride board when Witherington was its executive director. Aida, a transgender woman, works for the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center, where she is the program manager for Trans: Thrive, a drop-in program for the trans community. She has been with API Wellness for 18 years. “My acceptance of this recognition from both SF Pride and the mayor is due to the communities I identify and work with,” Aida said. “I would like them to reap the wonderful opportunities available right now to everyone, to build, collaborate, create, and strengthen our relationships with each other and toward the future. I hope that I can serve and be that ‘bridge’ for them through this recognition.” Tom Taylor and Jerome “Jerry” Goldstein will receive the Heritage of Pride 10 Years of Service Award, which was chosen by the Pride board. The couple, who married in

culminate with an I Am Visible dinner on Friday, May 29, hosted by Donna Sachet. The dinner at the Hotel Whitcomb will include guest speakers, a performance by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and a raffle. Tickets are $30 and available online at pospeds20th.eventbrite. com. The dinner will mark the debut of a public service announcement video to be filmed this weekend. The video is expected to feature about 30 or 40 riders from the three local chapters and will be filmed in the North Bay. It is being produced in partnership with the HIV Story Project. And Mahusay will be proud to be riding along. “They were the first core group I became involved with,” he said. “They were the group that was able to encourage me, the organization has helped me to give me a voice. They were able to bring out a lot I was feeling about insecurities.” Those insecurities are now a thing of the past. Mahusay came looking for friends to ride with. What he found was family.t

Courtesy Tom Taylor

Ten Years of Service Award recipients Tom Taylor and Jerome Goldstein

Courtesy SF Pride

Pride Freedom Award recipient Mary Midgett

2013 but has been together since 1972, is well known locally for the extravagant holiday decorations in front of their Dolores Heights home. The winter wonderland draws tourists and locals alike, who marvel at the 65-foot tall Norfolk Island pine tree and the assorted lights, presents, and other trimmings. Taylor, 71, and Goldstein, 73, are both long-term HIV survivors and known for their sense of civic pride. Goldstein, a physician, told the B.A.R. for a story last year that they first decorated the tree 26 years ago. Taylor did not respond to an email seeking comment by press time. Mary Midgett, an African American lesbian, will receive the Heritage of Pride Freedom Award, selected by the Pride board. Midgett, 78, founded the Bay Area Black Lesbians and Gays group and is an active speaker for Openhouse, the LGBT senior agency. She also co-founded the NIA Collective in 1986, with which she is most closely associated. It was created by and for lesbians of African descent during the black caucus at the Lesbian of Color Conference in San Francisco. See page 13 >>

t <<

Community News>>

Pink Saturday

From page 1

the pre-Pride parade festival for decades but had faced concerns about violence for years. One Sister told the Bay Area Reporter that the group has requested financial help from the city for years, but never received a direct response. Thousands of people are expected in the Castro June 27 whether there’s an official event or not, so Wiener quickly brought in the city’s LGBT Community Center to help pull the party together. The Sisters announced last week that this year’s planners can’t use the name Pink Saturday, and that they plan to hold their own event in 2016. This year’s organizers plan to announce the new name this week. In a recent email to the B.A.R., Ruth McFarlane, the center’s programs director, said the city “has agreed to cover the cost of this year’s event.” The 2014 festival cost the Sisters $80,000, though this year’s celebration is expected to cost more to produce. The budget is still being finalized.

Emails reflect concerns, efforts

Sister Selma Soul wrote an email to Wiener and his legislative aide Adam Taylor shortly after a woman was robbed, knocked down, and kicked in the face as people left Pink Saturday two years ago. In her July 2013 message, which she shared with the B.A.R., Soul, who’s also known as James Bazydola, said she was “distressed” by violence around Pride festivities. (To be clear, the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee is not involved with planning Pink Saturday.) Soul said, “While our Pink Saturday team, composed of Sisters, nonprofit volunteers, hired security and the SFPD, were prepared and effectively handled the crowds within our event footprint, both within and beyond our scheduled event times, the fact is it is currently beyond our team’s capability to address all the problems that arise when our community celebrations are targeted by thugs and, pardon my French, douche bags.” She expressed strong concerns about the event’s financial sustainability, and said, “The targeting of our community by thugs continues to strain our resources and our nerves. The Sisters and I are open to radically restructuring Pink Saturday or walking away from the event completely. I believe our coordination of the event brings value to the community and would like to continue to produce this event but I don’t know that we can commit to this without additional support from the city to address community concerns which affect all celebrations in this city.” Wiener responded, “I agree with you 110%. The Sisters have done heroic work around Pink Saturday,” and he wrote he’d “hate to lose the

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 13

organization’s leadership for this event.” The problems “shouldn’t fall on the Sisters alone to solve,” Wiener said. “We need to work together.” He agreed with Soul that they should set up a meeting. Asked about Soul’s July 2013 email, Wiener reiterated his office had been in “continual communication” with the Sisters. Every month for several months leading up to the annual party, he added, his office had convened meetings with “five or six different city departments,” the Sisters, and others. “I can’t think of any other event in the city where you have that level of interdepartmental coordination and resources devoted to a particular event,” Wiener said. The city’s backing of the festival has included “10 percent of the police department being present in and around the Castro” for the event, he said. His office has also helped by “running interference” with the city’s agencies. In response to a public records request, Taylor, Wiener’s aide, provided emails reflecting that. One exchange shows that his staff helped the Sisters get the health department’s approval for food trucks, just two days before the 2014 event. Soul couldn’t say how not getting direct assistance impacted the Sisters’ decision on whether to be involved in this year’s party, but she said they “would have had a better experience” if they had gotten the help. The event was “a huge financial risk for us,” she said. It was an annual challenge to break even, and they risked losing money they had earned in other places. Expenses for private security providers and other contractors “kept getting bigger and bigger” as the size of the event grew, “but income did not grow,” Soul said. Money the group could have spent on things like extra lighting instead went to pay for security. “I think he just thought we could handle it,” Soul said of Wiener. “I think there’s difficulty in finding the funding. I understand that. I don’t think it was out of any disrespect for us.” However, she thinks the supervisor “really didn’t think we would walk away, because we didn’t really want to.” Asked if he’d thought the Sisters wouldn’t leave Pink Saturday, Wiener said, “I knew that every year there was a possibility they would.” Soul, who coordinated Pink Saturday from 2012 through 2014, said that she had talked to Wiener and his staff every year to see if the city could do anything beyond waiving fees for police and other services. Last year, she also spoke with Mayor Ed Lee’s Chief of Staff Steve Kawa. Soul said, “Generally,” she’d talk with officials about getting money to hire private security staff. That expense is usually $15,000 to

SF Pride honorees

From page 12

She also authored Brown on Brown, a collection of black lesbian erotica; Riding Desire; and New York Flavor With a San Francisco Beat. She writes an inspirational column for the Western Addition newspaper in San Francisco. Midgett did not respond to an email message by press time. Monica Helms is the recipient of the Heritage of Pride Creativity Award, selected by the Pride board. The creator of the transgender pride flag, Helms, 64, told the B.A.R. that she is “humbled” to receive the award. “This was my interpretation of how I felt to display my pride,” Helms, a transgender woman, said of the flag. “I didn’t expect it to be well-known or well-used but apparently people saw it and now it’s seen all over the world.” Helms created the light blue,

Courtesy SF Pride

Pride Creativity Award recipient Monica Helms

pink, and white flag in 1999. The first large event where it was shown was in Phoenix at the 2000 Pride parade. Helms said that she carried it in the color guard. “The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color

Sisters approached

Rick Gerharter

Sister Selma Soul said the Sisters has requested city help for years for Pink Saturday.

$20,000 a year, although she didn’t remember if she ever discussed a specific amount with the city. “I’ve always asked if there was a way to find creative financing,” Soul said, but “those requests were always deflected. ... I never got a direct answer.” In response to Soul’s statements, Wiener said, “The city does not typically fund street festivals,” but he and his office had “worked closely with the Sisters every single year,” and through departments including police, Muni, and public works, “a lot of city resources” have been put into the event. The city has been “highly supportive,” he said. In a recent interview about Pink Saturday, Wiener was defensive. He expressed gratitude for the Sisters’ work, but repeatedly talked about the support he and his office had provided them, and how they’d had to rush to make plans after the Sisters announced their withdrawal. He said that when the Sisters made their February announcement, he and others “had to scramble to find an alternative community partner, and there was no way someone was going to step in with four months’ notice” and be able to pull together “all the financial resources they would need to run an event of this size.” “As a result,” Wiener said, “the city is going to need to provide direct financial support.” It seems that the city wouldn’t have to provide the extra support for the Castro street party this year if it had done so before, but the supervisor said, “The Sisters didn’t come to us and say, ‘We need you to provide financial support or we’re going to withdraw’” from the event. There have been some warnings that the Sisters’ efforts weren’t guaranteed.

Mixed signals

However, the Sisters seemed to have sent mixed signals. The emails from Wiener’s office include a December 10, 2014 news release the Sisters had prepared that indicates the Sisters had decided to produce the festival this year.

for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls,” the Wikipedia pages on the flag quotes her as saying. “The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning, or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives.” Helms, who lives in Atlanta, said that she donated the original flag to the Smithsonian last August and is now passing around the idea of designating August 19 as Trans Pride Flag Day. Formerly in the Navy, Helms previously lived in the Bay Area when she was twice stationed in Vallejo. She then went on to a career at Sprint in Phoenix, where she transitioned. She said the company was supportive. She moved to Atlanta in 2000 and retired from Sprint in January.

“The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have voted to produce Pink Saturday in 2015,” the news release says. The event “will be formatted differently than in years past ... The Sisters are committed to providing a fabulous and safe, multicultural, multigender, and intergenerational event. The Sisters please ask that while we work through this new format that both the press and community hold off on judgment with the understanding that more details will be shared in the future.” But the news release was misleading. Soul said in an email exchange with the B.A.R. that the statement wasn’t meant to signal the Sisters’ definite involvement in the party. Instead, she said, the Sisters voted in December “to authorize a committee” to proceed with developing plans for this year. There had been an “unofficial committee” before the vote, and the vote gave “official status” to that panel, she said. “The expectation was that the committee would come up with a plan that would address safety and financial concerns,” Soul said, but after several meetings, “the committee came to the general membership in February with the recommendation to cancel Pink Saturday.” She said a committee member created the December news release. “It was not vetted by the board and was perhaps overly optimistic about options for Pink Saturday 2015,” Soul said. Soul said Wiener and others had provided “great” support for the event, and messages to the supervisor’s office also express gratitude. A December 10 email from Sister Maryin A Mann to Wiener and Taylor says, “I thank you for the assistance that you and others have already given and for your commitment to partner with the Sisters to produce this coming year’s event. Personally, I am excited and appreciative of our new relationship.” Along with his husband, Mann was attacked at last year’s Pink Saturday. The incident heightened concerns about safety at the party.

Courtesy Scott McGillivray

Pride Community Award recipient Harry Lit

Harry Lit, who will receive the Heritage of Pride Pride Community Award, is known in the bear community as the producer of Lazy Bear, a fun-filled weekend of parties in the Russian River. The Pride board made the selection.

In the interview, Wiener said the center approached the Sisters and asked them to partner on the event this year, “and the Sisters said ‘No.’” He said he’d also asked the Sisters if there was anything he or others could do to change their mind on producing the event, “and the answer was ‘No.’” In an email, Soul said the center approached her about a possible partnership. “I said I couldn’t speak for the order but I thought that unless their plan for this year could address our concerns for safety for event participants and volunteers I doubted that there was support to partner with them on an event most Sisters feel should be canceled or held outside the Castro,” she said. Soul said Wiener “may have offered assistance when we canceled,” but “[i]f we thought there was anything specific the city could offer this year that would have made producing Pink Saturday feasible we would have requested it before canceling the event.” In response to a question about the center approaching the Sisters, McFarlane, with the community center, said, “We are honored and humbled to build off the tremendous work and legacy of the Sisters. ... We are currently in conversation with the Sisters about what role, if any, they would like to have in this year’s event.” The center is working with E. Cee Productions to put on this year’s festival. E. Cee’s Eliote Durham is serving as executive producer. On the phone, Soul said, “If they need to pick my brain about anything, I’m here for them. ... We still haven’t figured out if we’re going to be working with the center this year. We haven’t had a clear conversation yet.” Soul said she thinks the city’s increased involvement is “great.” “It’s about time they stepped in to help support the event in a more concrete way,” Soul said. “I don’t know if it’s just a matter of them being ready now, and they weren’t before.” Over the years, the Sisters raised thousands of dollars for local charities through Pink Saturday. McFarlane said organizers “plan to continue the fundraising aspect of the event” and “are working with the Sisters” to structure the beneficiary arrangements.

‘Screwed’

Other people associated with the Sisters have also weighed in on recent developments. Sister Kitty Catalyst commented on a Pink Saturday story on the B.A.R.’s website this month that “our city supervisor screwed over a leading group who wanted to keep doing the event” but was “forced to give it up due to a lack of city support – from him.” See page 14 >> He suffered a stroke several years ago and told the B.A.R. that he is appreciative of the support he received from the community during his recovery. Lit, 54, recently relocated to Florida to help care for his mom, but he said he’ll be back for this year’s Lazy Bear and he and his husband, Allen Eggman, will do the party next year, too. “I’m very honored to get this award and how fitting that it happened as I’m leaving San Francisco,” he said in an email.

Already announced

Last month the Pride board announced the first slate of grand marshals. They are Olivia co-founder Judy Dlugacz; #blacklivesmatter cofounder Alicia Garza; and the Transgender Law Center as organizational grand marshal. For the B.A.R.’s story, see http://ebar.com/news/article. php?sec=news&article=70438.t

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

14 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Anti-trans ballot

From page 2

signatures of California voters to place the measure on the November 2016 ballot. It is the second anti-gay statewide ballot measure introduced this year. In February attorney Matthew G. McLaughlin submitted the “Sodomite Suppression Act,” which calls for gays to be killed. It also would bar anyone who supports LGBT people from serving in public office and sentence them to 10 years in prison. Harris has asked permission from a state court to summarily reject McLaughlin’s initiative for being “patently unconstitutional.” LGBT leaders have used the introduction of the homophobic initiatives to call for reforming the rules governing how ballot measures are placed before the state’s voters. “Once again we see how a few individuals can subvert the democratic process and continue to target the LGBT community. This is an abuse of direct democracy to indulge in bigotry,” stated lesbian Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), chair of the Legislative LGBT Caucus. “We see it happening with the Sodomite Suppression Act and we saw it with Proposition 8. Opponents of the School Success and Opportunity Act already attempted to repeal the law through referendum and they failed.”

Signorile

From page 9

exuberance,” he said. However he does care about constructive criticism and is willing to listen and benefit from it. “Even when talking to the opposition, I have learned not to come off as too harsh, which takes discipline not to lose my temper. You win over more people if you engage them fairly,” he said. Signorile is a realist, recognizing the full equality he wants is years off. “Even with anti-discrimination laws, in most states, we haven’t gotten that far. We are many years away from a federal civil rights law,” he said. “But true equality will be when kids grow up and don’t put themselves – or allow others to put them – in boxes like transgender or bisexuality. They can be whoever they are without any criticism. We won’t dress baby boys in blue and insist they play baseball. However, we have made progress in that most people do not want to be perceived as homophobic.” He took some satisfaction from the recent fight over Indiana’s Re-

Pink Saturday

From page 13

Catalyst, who wouldn’t provide another name for herself, also called the supervisor’s recent work “a fairly naked attempt to save a queer event after he had for years turned his back on doing a minimum of help.” The sister didn’t mention Wiener by name, but it’s clear who she was talking about. Wiener called the Sister’s comments “incredibly inaccurate.” He referred to his work to support the Sisters and said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for Sister Kitty or anyone else to start lashing out and blaming other people.” But Kenneth Bunch, a former Sis-

Seniors

From page 7

He plans to enter the lottery next winter for one of the 40 units Openhouse, the nonprofit that focuses on LGBT seniors, is building at 55 Laguna as part of a multi-year project to construct 110 units of affordable LGBT senior housing at the site. “I have put myself on a waiting list for other affordable housing around town. As you know, it is quite a process,” said Rudolph, add-

Should the bathroom privacy initiative pass, it would allow individuals to file a civil claim for violation of privacy against a government entity or a person for “willful violation” of the act, with violators potentially liable for no less than $4,000 in damages and attorney’s fees. A person whose privacy “was violated while using facilities,” or who was unable to use facilities because of a violation under the act, would be able to seek damages through the state courts. “So ... transgender men like me could be fined $4,000 or more for using the men’s room. Please take this seriously, California. The act would also protect businesses from being sued or facing court claims for requiring a person to use facilities based on their sex at birth. In addition to bathrooms, the act would cover showers, dressing rooms, and locker rooms open to the public. The act would not apply to usage of family restrooms, single use facilities, or instances where a child or adult with a medical condition needs the assistance of another person to use the facility. “Not only is this initiative potentially in conflict with Title IX, it is also yet another attempt to roll back all of the progress toward equality we have made in California,” stated Eggman. “As long as individuals can legislate discrimination at the ballot box, we cannot assume that our rights will be protected.” t ligious Freedom Restoration Act law and how Governor Mike Pence eventually called for its revision. “Even Governor Pence of Indiana went out of his way to explain the new religious freedom law was not meant to discriminate against gays and lesbians, which proves to me that we shouldn’t be changing our strategy by being magnanimous to our opponents,” Signorile said. “Rather, we need to continue grassroots empowerment, with LGBTs pushing for their rights. After all it was everyday people all across the country who wanted to get married that galvanized the same-sex marriage movement. We dealt with the conservative backlash, not avoided it. We must not back down. Direct action and speaking out works, which is why explicit public hate is definitely declining, but implicit bias, our private ideas, of what we like or don’t like about LGBTs, hasn’t changed that much, and is still deeply imbedded in our culture. We have a long way to go.”t For a review of Michelangelo Signorile’s new book, It’s Not Over, see the Arts and Culture section.

ter, also had harsh words. In another comment on the B.A.R.’s coverage of the Pink Saturday developments, Bunch said, “We worked our asses off for 20 years, took abuse and endured violence, barely breaking even financially, begging the city for financial support and getting ZERO ... . As soon as another LGBT group takes over, Wiener gets the city to pay for ALL of it ($80,000+). It’s insulting, and almost like Wiener and the city are saying a bunch of drag queens do not deserve the same level of financial support.” However, Brunch said, “I wish the center well.” The mayor’s office didn’t provide comment for this story.t ing that until he is accepted, “I am holding on to my rent controlled unit come hell and high water.” He does have some savings he can dip into if needed. One option would be to move in with a friend in southern California, though his desire is to remain in San Francisco. “Maybe I am a little bit luckier than others,” said Rudolph. “But even I can’t think about staying in San Francisco if I don’t have my rent controlled apartment. It is not the best way to live your senior years.”t

Legal Notices>> SUMMONS SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: BERNARDO RAMIRO FUENTES YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: IRMA ENCINAS CASE NO. CGC-12-526901

Notice: You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp) your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102. The name, address, and telephone number of the plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is:

ROBERT P. GARCIA, 12 GEARY ST RM 708, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108; (415) 648-3060 Date: Dec 11, 2012; Clerk Of The Court, by Steppe, Deputy.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551033

In the matter of the application of: MEGAN ASHLEY GRIMM, 4540 CALIFORNIA ST #10, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MEGAN ASHLEY GRIMM, is requesting that the name MEGAN ASHLEY GRIMM, be changed to MEGAN ASHLEY KUMAR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 514 on the 2nd of June 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551034

In the matter of the application of: VISHAL AGARWAL, 4540 CALIFORNIA ST #10, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner VISHAL AGARWAL, is requesting that the name VISHAL AGARWAL, be changed to VISHAL KUMAR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 514 on the 2nd of June, 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036394700

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINSTER ESTATE OF SAMMY LEE BELL IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, 400 MCALLISTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102: FILE PES-15-298702

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SAMMY LEE BELL. A Petition for Probate has been filed by DONNA MARIE MADISON-BELL in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that DONNA MARIE MADISON-BELL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: May 18, 2015, Probate Department, 9:00am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Hilary Hedemark, 601 Van Ness Ave., #2056, San Francisco, CA 94102; Ph. (415) 692-1503.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036396500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PIZZA JOINT, 3088 BALBOA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JIHAD DABIT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/27/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/15.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036363500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: UBIQUITY RETIREMENT & SAVINGS, 101 GREEN ST, 2ND FLOOR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DECIMAL INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/12/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/12/15.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036377100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 1-2-3-4 GO! RECORDS, 1034 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVEN PHILIP RAY STEVENSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/15.

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036404500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHARDS OF HISTORY, 1578 INNES AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GREG FREEMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/26/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/26/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRACTISTRY, 945 IRVING ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed WENDIE SUE LASH & KAREN LEE ERLICHMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/02/15.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036358300

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036405400

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036402600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHRISTOPHER’S AT THE PALACE, 3601 LYON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed POFA CAFE, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/15.

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036384200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RED APRON PIZZERIA, 3214 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed RED APRON PIZZERIA, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/15.

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036375500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ANITA BOWEN PHOTOGRAPHY, 1034 STANFORD AVE #1, OAKLAND, CA 94608. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANITA BOWEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/17/10. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/17/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036415700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IDIOSYNCRATIC VISION, 857 CLAY ST #409, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANTHONY WILCOX. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/07/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/07/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036360800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUN STAR, 2545 A NORIEGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HUA JIANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/11/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/11/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036389000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TYCOON STATUS ENTERTAINMENT, 78 MARGARET AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JORELLE JONES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/24/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/24/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036416500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: A RAN, 161 THRIFT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HANG RAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/08/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/08/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036397600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SIN CHERRY, 1228 GRANT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ORLANDO SANCHEZ ALVARADO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/30/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/30/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036402300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DOGO LOVE, 538 CASTRO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MEERIYAGERD INC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/15.

APRIL 16, 23, 39, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036421300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GRANNY PANTY DESIGNS, 215 SANTA YNEZ AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARISSA CARTER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/10/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/10/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GIG TELECOMMUNICATIONS, 1225 JUDAH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed JIANG ZHI HUI & SHEN PENGYU & FUNG HUNG LAU GIMEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/02/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/02/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE SPICE JAR, 2500 BRYANT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TABELU LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/10/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/10/15.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036396000

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036389800

APRIL 16, 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036398900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TRISKELIAN’S KEY, 399 ARGUELLO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HERSCHELL LARRICK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/27/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PLEASANT AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION, 1931 QUESADA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed GALAXY UNLIMITED SERVICES, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/24/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LAUNDRÉ, 1278 PAGE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed LAUNDRÉ LIMITED LIABILITY CO. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/30/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/30/15.

APRIL 02, 09, 16, 23, 2015

APRIL 09, 16, 23, 30, 2015

APRIL 16, 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015

▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

Legal Notices>> STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-035898800 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: SUN STAR, 2545A NORIEGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by CHOI LIN IP. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/18/14.

APRIL 16, 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-036157500

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: SPOT ON SF, 325 NEWHALL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by HOGAN PENROSE LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/17/14.

APRIL 16, 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036438800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BILL’S GOODS, 262 12TH AVE #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed WILLIAM HOLDENSTERN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/20/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036397800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TAN’S FINE ART STUDIO, 235 MONTGOMERY ST #350, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ZIMOU TAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/30/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/30/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036433900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MTENEROWICZ ENTERPRISES, 1299 BUSH ST #204, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MICHAEL TENEROWICZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/16/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036434700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RED GARAGE, 39 ERVINE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOSEPH PELINA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/17/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/17/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036412500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE NAUGHTY HINDU, 1900 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SUDHIR POPAT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/06/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/06/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036419800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RIVERA’S HOUSECLEANING & JANITORIAL, 725 MOULTRIE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NORA LISETT BERRIOS RIVERA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/09/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/09/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036424100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MOKSHA DESIGNS, 228 CONGDON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MICHAEL DEAN OSGOOD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/10/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/10/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036439100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO SOCCER, 2653 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SULMA GARCIA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/20/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/20/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015

ebar.com

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

Classifieds The

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036436800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PESBAS FISH AND CHICKEN, 393 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KHALED OMER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/17/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/17/15.

Gaylesta2x2_0610CN Gaylesta2x2_0610CN Counseling >>

Movers>>

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036429700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HTH ADVISORS LLC PROPERTY ACCOUNT, 1074 UNION ST #11, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ARTHUR BRUZZONE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036429800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GET IT US, 532 40TH AVE #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HYUN JOO LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/15.

Confidential referrals made to licensed psychotherapists who understand our community. Referrals are available to LGBTQ therapists on all insurance plans. Visit www.Gaylesta.org and click on “Find a Therapist.” Or email us at contact@gaylesta.org

Visit our website to view profiles of over 150 therapists.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036433100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHE CAVE CREATIONS, 808 NAPLES ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SOFIA M. MATHEWS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/16/15.

Blogs>>

ADMIN ASSISTANT –

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036427800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ANGELS’ WASH HOUSE, 5205 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed LOW ANGEL ENTERPRISES INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/01. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/14/15.

www.amongthehogs.com

Legal Services>>

MACINTOSH HELP

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CANDY DOLL BEAUTY, 1737 POST ST #385, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PERFECT LADY COSMETIC & FASHION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/15.

* home or office * 24 years exp * sfmacman.com

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOME ON 15TH, 2281A 15TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed CONSTANCE RICCA & SALVADORE T. RICCA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/03/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/16/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036436100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ROADSTER; ROADSTER.COM; ROADSTER AUTOMOTIVE, 1388 SUTTER ST #900, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ROADSTER AUTOMOTIVE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/17/15.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-035723500

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: AQUA SPA, 14 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business was conducted by a limited partnership and signed by RALF SYMANZICK & GINA SYMANZICK. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/14.

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015

GROOMINGDALES –

R i c k 41 5. 82 1 . 1 792

PC Support

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036431000

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036433000

Appointment Coordination, Event & Meeting Planning, Make Travel Arrangements, Record Keeping, Bookkeeping, Scheduling. Send Your Resume & Salary Expectations to: cowdinaaron@ gmail.com or call 562-666-3004

Tech Support>>

APRIL 23, 30, MAY 07, 14, 2015 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036431800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MARTIN BUILDING COMPANY, 14 MINT PLAZA, 5TH FLOOR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MARTIN MCNERNEY DEVELOPMENT, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/89. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/15.

Pet Services>>

Job Offered>>

Ralph Doore 415-867-4657

Professional 30+ years exp. Virus removal PC speedup New PC setup Data recovery Network & wireless setup Ninth S.F. CAS.F. CA 395Street Ninth Street Discreet

Professional Dog & Cat Grooming * Gay Owned * Certified Master Groomers * All Brands * Friendly Service * Se Habla Espanol! 1130 Chula Vista Ave just off Broadway, Burlingame, CA. 650-340-8801 or groomingdalessfbayarea.com

VIP GROOMING –

Pet Grooming. Proudly Serving the LGBT Community. 4299 24th St, SF. 415-282-1393 or vipgroomingsf.com

BAYB AAY AR REPORTERFax to:Fax to: REA EPORTER REA 395

Fax from: Fax from:

PHONE 415.861.5019 FAX 861-8144 PHONE 415.861.5019 FAXreviews 861-8144  Yelp

Real Estate>> HOME BUYER BONUS!

Hauling >> HAULING 24/7 –

(415) 441-1054 Large Truck

Top LGBT Realtors Represent You FREE Plus up to $2,500 Cash Back at Closing! www.GayRealEstate.com/perk

Household Services>>

CLEANING PROFESSIONAL –

26 Years Exp. (415) 794-4411 Roger Miller

HOUSECLEANING SINCE 1979 –

Many original clients. All supplies. HEPA Vac. Richard 415-255-0389

Our readers make excellent customers. To advertise, call Scott Wazlowski, Vice President, Advertising at 415-861-5019 or email advertising@ebar.com

Brian had his HIV under control with medication. But smoking with HIV caused him to have serious health problems, including a stroke, a blood clot in his lungs and surgery on an artery in his neck. Smoking makes living with HIV much worse. You can quit.

CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

#CDCTips

HIV alone didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cause the clogged artery in my neck. Smoking with HIV did. Brian, age 45, California

Primal cry

All about Alan

Very Vanessa

Out &About

O&A

Vol. 45 • No. 17 • April 23-29, 2015

www.ebar.com/arts

PARTY LIKE IT’S

STUDIO

54! 58th San Francisco International Film Festival, week 1 by David Lamble

t’s hard to believe it’s been 58 years since the San Francisco Film Society launched its nowworld-famous showcase of international cinema.

Ryan Phillippe in a scene from Mark Christopher’s 54: The Director’s Cut, playing the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival.

See page 19 >>

Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society

Perception of politics at SFIFF by Erin Blackwell

o movies matter anymore? Did they ever? Were they always merely make-believe, inducing in us an illusion of significance? Perhaps. In the midst of the Sixth Extinction, as radical Islam dominates mediatized terror, body-cams capture cops shooting black innocents, bullies weaponize social media, the political process locks into dynastic stasis, and Silicon Valley millionaires desecrate our once-freaktastic town, movies offer few solutions beyond escape. The next two weeks’ worth of digital projections at the cosmopolite Kabuki, cool Clay, cavernous Castro, ratty Roxie, and museum-quality PFA in Berkeley, collectively known as the San Francisco International Film Festival, will make a fine side-dish to your popcorn. Tonight at the Castro Theatre, the opening-night documentary salutes Steve Jobs, a visionary who rendered cinema obsolete.

William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal star in Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon’s Best of Enemies, playing the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival.

See page 21 >>

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

45 eB AR .co

ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images, courtesy of SFFS

Our largest edition of the year publishes on June 25, 2015 and will celebrate Pride’s historic 45th anniversary.

eck newIt’s out the s, art Bay s, clas Are sifi a Rep eds orte , and r onl per ine son – als.

in Highlights taries, shorts. Arts features, documen

see

the of the Those were and memories section and the music See second

EPORTER AY REA Serving the

by Seth Hemmelg

gay, lesbian,

arn

bisexual, and

▼

page

es his

ive 10th ann Cassell

column afte arn by Seth Hemmelg

Jane Philomen

Reporter columhe Bay Area writing for the nist who’s beenwas founded in it paper since column today his 1971 is retiring 24). June (Thursday, a.k.a. Richard Walters, pubSweet Lips, B.A.R. founding roommates and the late Ross were his self-delisher Bob Lips started when Sweet column. Sweet Lips, and scribed gossip and people, bars, Reporter columnist He wrote about Polk and Bay Area with bar owner Marlena paper’s Francisco’s visits left, at the events in San He even worked in right, publisher Bob Ross, 2001 at the areas. B.A.R. party in April . Tenderloin led him 30th anniversary a few bars. Club Rendez-Vous health has now-defunct But declining page 4

NectArena executive producer Jade Williams, as Edaj. better known

Cleland

at this of the women t’s the year Francisco Pride Sunday’s San LGBT festival. San Francisco NectArena, Committee’s 10 Pride Celebration is celebrating women’s stage, In addition to the years of pride. two competing affiliated stage’s anniversary, events, not women’s Pride Committee – Eden with the Pride PrideFest – are and in the Bay to the celebration. [See adding glam in this month’s “Feast of Eden” stage, the BARtab.) NectArena The popular of its kind and also longest running

ies since 1971

s retir Sweet Lip r 39 years

celebrat NectArena rsary by Heather

. No. 25 . 24 June 2010

Pride has two most prominent one of the the world at stages in stages women’s L. idea of women’s “sparked the events,” said Kendall other Pride

▼

Rick Gerharter

S unfurl material a contingent rainbow Members of to the colors in the ing Parade. correspond the 2008 Pride flag during

Vol. 40

communit transgender

▼

34 wraps up Frameline final weekend’s The big 4-0! days: The politics of Pride parade.

As the only LGBT publication with an audited and verified circulation, the Bay Area Reporter offers the largest reach to LGBT consumers in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!

▼

OUR 2015 PRIDE EDITION PUBLISHES JUNE 25. CALL 415-861-5019 or EMAIL ADVERTISING@EBAR.COM FOR MORE INFO. page 13

NS ECTIO REE S OF TH FIRST

<< Out There

18 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Perfect moments

Erik Tomasson

San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Taras Domitro stars in choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s Swimmer.

Steven Underhill

Jonathan Burke plays a supporting role as Crier in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Head of Passes, now at Berkeley Rep.

by Roberto Friedman

ippy the Pinhead famously asked the existential question, “Are we having fun yet?” Edwyn Collins of the Scottish new wave band Orange Juice put it more piquantly: “Please tell me when the fun begins. As soon as you stop your whinging!” But for Out There and our trusty ward Pepi, the fun never seems to end. In the past few weeks we’ve had more than a few of the kind of art experiences that qualify as “perfect moments” for us. These included

taking in San Francisco Ballet’s Programs 6 & 7, reviewed in last week’s issue. The Shostakovich Trilogy by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky was such an evening-length thrill. There’s no doubt that Dmitri S. suffered and was persecuted under the Soviet system, and the fact that he was still able to make great art under those circs is frankly mind-blowing to us. That a contemporary choreographer could create great ballet from

his music is another rare good thing. Live music is mother’s milk to us, but live theatre has its store of perfect moments, too. The rewards this season keep coming, like last month’s crazy-good Tartuffe at Berkeley Rep. This past week we were lucky to be present at opening nights of Kwame Kwei-Armah’s Let There Be Love at ACT and Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Head of Passes at Berkeley Rep, both reviewed in this issue, and both amply rewarding. Young and handsome actor Jonathan Burke plays a supporting role in Head of Passes. He did a photo shoot with photographer Steven Underhill last time he was in town, with the touring Mary Poppins in 2013. Burke says

he’s happy to be back in the Bay Area for a longer stretch than the eight days he was here with Mary. He hopes the show is extended in Berkeley before it eventually heads to NYC. Also in the supporting cast of Head, in a role of great mystery and import: one Sullivan Jones. He’s 6’4”, played basketball for Brown, and simply hard to miss. Then Saturday night, we were back in our element at the War Memorial Opera House for SFB’s penultimate program of the season, featuring the first-year run of choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s ambitious Swimmer. Principal dancer that night was lanky brunet Joseph Walsh in a swimsuit. Enough said.

Briefly noted

Something about author Fredrik

Eklund, pictured on the cover of his new book The Sell – The Secrets of Selling Anything to Anyone (Avery; with Bruce Littlefield) looked familiar. The flap copy reads, “Ten years ago, Fredrik Eklund moved to New York City from his native Sweden with nothing but a pair of worn-out sneakers and a dream: to make it big in the city that never sleeps.” Now he’s one of the stars of the hit Bravo series Million Dollar Listing New York. But OT never watches TV, so that couldn’t be it. A little independent research revealed: Eklund is the male beauty who went by the name of Tag Erikkson in many an adult film of recent vintage. Hmmm, there’s nothing about that part of his resume in The Sell. But in viewing his oeuvre, OT had fun, fun, fun, till our Daddy took our T-bird away.t

Bonding across cultures by Richard Dodds

ick, old, and tired, Alfred pushes most people away. But he’s maintained a long-term relationship with Lillie. It helps that Lillie only pipes up when Alfred is in the mood to listen. Lillie, you see, is a vintage 1960s phonograph console, and she sounds a lot like Nat King Cole when she does give forth. Nat King Cole, Alfred says, can “answer all the questions in the world.” Kwame Kwei-Armah’s play Let There Be Love takes its title from a

Cole recording, a mildly up-tempo song of qualified optimism. Pretty much the same can be said of the play that ACT has appealingly mounted at the Geary Theater, and it’s a comfortable introduction to a playwright who has developed a reputation in his native London for socially charged plays that often confront the black immigrant’s status in the UK. That is certainly one of the dynamics at work in Let There Be Love, but it is nearly a red herring in a play that is fundamentally about forgiveness. Kwei-Armah’s parents emigrated

to England from Grenada, a former British colony in the Caribbean, and it’s also where the character Alfred was born and raised before he and his wife moved to begin a new life in the old world. That new life fell to pieces years ago, with his wife abandoning him and only one of his two daughters maintaining the merest shred of a testy connection. Despite his verbal abuse (he repeatedly calls her a “pussy hole”), she arranges for a caregiver to check in on him several days a week. And then the play quickly enters oddcouple territory, where the road for-

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER

“Briskly moving and bristles with suspense” N E W YO R K T I M E S

The sweetest revenge never ends

GL A AD ME DIA AWARD WINNE R

ward is pretty much as you’d expect. Alfred isn’t about to suffer a stranger in his house, let alone an English-mangling chatterbox recently arrived from Poland. “How long you been thieving English jobs, Ms. Polish?” asks Alfred, who must have faced the same questions decades before. But Maria is pretty much immune to his insults, and the therapeutic bonding we know will develop begins when Maria expresses an interest in Lillie, the gramophone. “First thing I ever bought in England,” boasts Alfred before resuming a cussedness that is no match for Maria’s blithely insistent ministrations. There’s a too-good-to-be-true trajectory in Alfred’s arc toward reclaimed happiness, but the play is still capable of inducing smiles. Maria believes in retail therapy, with Ikea as her Freud, and Alfred becomes a convert after she drags him to an Ikea store. In addition to this sort of idiosyncratic quirk, KweiArmah also playfully makes points with language and cultural chasms that begin to shrink. Carl Lumbly solidly inhabits the bitter, ailing Alfred, and the performance provides a potent contrast to

the happier Alfred that is gradually coaxed out. Greta Wohlrabe has infectious charm as Maria, while Donnetta Lavinia Grays believably seems ready to explode with bottled-up rage – when she isn’t exploding with the unbottled sort. Director Maria Mileaf has staged the play with room for both passion and compassion to effectively intertwine. But some of the language can get lost on its way to the audience. The Caribbean cadences that Lumbly and Grays employ in the their rapid-fire father-daughter arguments, at least for me, left some of the dialogue in the dust. It’s not a problem when Alfred and Maria are in conversation, at least in part because things must slow down as Maria searches for a word in English, or Alfred must come up with an explanation. “This word ‘fuck’ is bad word in English, no?” asks Maria, pronouncing it more like “fook.” “Then why you use?” To which Alfred succinctly replies, “It brings a wonderful focus and clarity to my sentences.”t Let There Be Love will run at the Geary Theater through May 3. Tickets are $20-$105. Call (415) 7492228 or go to act-sf.org.

MICHAEL PERLMAN IN COLL ABOR ATION WITH

CRAIG WESLEY DIVINO, K ARL GREGORY, JIMMY KING AND A ARON ROSSINI DIR EC TE D BY

SARA STALEY S U P P O RTE D I N PART BY

NOW THRU APR 26 B U Y TICK E TS AT N C TC S F.O RG BOX O FFICE : 415 . 8 61 . 8 972 25 VAN N E SS AVE AT MAR K E T ST

Kevin Berne

A homecare worker (Greta Wohlrabe) finds a way to coax an old man (Carl Lumbly) out of his bitter isolation in ACT’s Let There Be Love at the Geary Theater.

Theatre>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 19

When tragedy raineth down

kevinberne.com

Cheryl Lynn Bruce plays the matriarch of a Louisiana family whose family (including eldest son played by Brian Tyree Henry) has gathered for a birthday she does not want to celebrate in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Head of Passes at Berkeley Rep.

by Richard Dodds

he Bay Area received a triple introduction to the prodigious talents of young playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney when three major theaters each took a play from his Brothers/Sisters trilogy for production in 2010. The Louisiana bayous were the shared setting for tales that, from minor to major degrees, dealt with a key character’s gay inclinations in an insular black community. McCraney returns to the bayous for Head of Passes, his latest play, in which the gay playwright

SFIFF

From page 17

In the past couple of decades, the intensity of the competition, especially from our community’s own pioneering Frameline LGBT Film Festival, has at times overshadowed the importance of the Film Society’s key role: the annual two weeks of astonishing films from every corner of the globe where they’re made and appreciated. Our first week of coverage encompasses programs screening April 23-30 at venues spanning the Bay: the Castro Theatre, Roxie Theater, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Brava Theater Center, Landmark’s Clay Theatre, The Walt Disney Family Museum, Madame Tussaud’s, The Armory Community Center, Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, and El Cerrito High School. Many of the festival’s best offerings will unfold at our beautiful Castro Theatre, including the opening-night program, acclaimed nonfiction director Alex Gibney’s portrait of a Bay Area genius. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine will expand on insights offered in the two book bios of Jobs. (4/23) 54: The Director’s Cut Like the young, bare-chested Adonis of this disco-fueled drama from then-upand-coming young director Mark Christopher, I worked as a barback, doorman and all-around schlepper at a late-night dance club where beautiful kids danced, drank and drugged till they dropped. My stints at the Endup transpired right before the onslaught of AIDS. It’s taken awhile to figure out what any of this meant, whether there were any dots to connect. I think my original (1998) negative review of 54 probably derived as much from my own misgivings about my experiences as from anything up there on the screen. While I was certainly not a hot barboy like Ryan Phillippe’s character in the movie, I did observe drug-dealing (and was warned against toking on angel-dust-tainted joints passing around the bar) and found myself partying afterhours with underage kids I’d kept out of the bar during regular hours. It’s not a great film, but 54: The

forgoes any same-sex dramas for a story that has other catfish to fry. Oh, something along the lines of the meaning of life. And no, McCraney does not provide the answer, but he seems to be saying that you can best survive once you recognize that it is a presumptuous question even to pursue. In Head of Passes, the play begins as a fairly traditional family drama that ratchets up to Biblical proportions as the Book of Job becomes the point of reference. The spectacularly collapsing house and onstage flood (scenic design by G.W. Skip Director’s Cut allows us to view director Christopher’s original take on NYC’s most glittering and notorious 1970s dance palace. It contains 26 minutes of restored footage that reinforces the film’s biggest claim to our attention, the two standout performances at the drama’s core: Mike Myers (false nose and all) as the club’s slippery-smooth owner; and the young Phillippe, who spends half the film naked to the waist as the young “outer-borough kid” who symbolizes the sweaty dreams and drug-fueled ambitions of the era. (Castro, 4/24) The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Back in the 1960s, the question of which side you were on could be neatly pinned down by your gut feelings towards one of the most polarizing radical groups ever. The fact that the Black Panthers were an Oakland, CA-launched group only adds to the importance of African-American doc-maker Stanley Nelson’s new film. Nelson’s portrait marks the 50th anniversary of an elite corps whose controversial following among many white liberals would help give birth to the term “radical chic.” It was a group whose goals, members and turbulent history virtually define the achievements and the excesses of the 60s and 70s. The April 25 screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers and surviving Panther members. Also screens April 28, both dates at the Kabuki. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon Back in 1978 I was obsessed with the low-brow antics of John Belushi and his loutish partnersin-crime in National Lampoon’s Animal House. Time has dimmed the memories of just how outrageous, almost obscenely funny Belushi’s big-screen stunts (like the infamous guitar-smashing scene) were seen to be at the time they were first hatched, during the depressing last gasp of the Carter Administration. But we were young, hung, and needed to laugh. For those who have forgotten or never knew, National Lampoon began its debunking existence as See page 29 >>

Mercier) that end the first act set up a radically different second act that is essentially a gut-wrenching dialogue between a woman who believes herself to be righteous and upon whom unspeakable tragedies have been rained, and a deity that may or may not be listening, caring, or existing. Berkeley Rep is presenting the second production of McCraney’s play, first staged at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2013, and there are two pivotal holdovers from the Chicago production: director Tina Landau, who first suggested exploring the Job saga to McCraney; and Cheryl Lynn Bruce, who originated the role of the aggrieved Shelah and reprises it in epic proportions. Head of Passes is named for the marshy mouth of the Mississippi, where strips of inhabitable land are always at the mercy of surrounding gulf waters. This is where the matriarchal Shelah lives in a rambling house that she and her late husband once ran as a boarding house for oil workers. It is her birthday, and a comically bickering father-son catering team (Michael A. Shepperd and Jonathan Burke) is busily making final preparations. There is actually a third be-tuxed waiter (Sullivan Jones) sitting on stage in eerie stillness even as the audience enters the auditorium, and he augurs the spiritual crisis that will later befall the guest of honor. But early conflicts have softened edges from the repetition of familial rituals, and the tone is generally light as the birthday party gears up. Favored son Aubrey (Francois Battiste) bounces about as chief partyplanner, while older son Spencer (Brian Tyree Henry) gets blamed for the shoddy roofing job that proves ineffectual against the steady rain but becomes a running joke. There is more comic relief from Shelah’s

ready-to-party best friend (Kimberly Scott). But there are harbingers of doom, including the brooding presence of Shelah’s doctor (James Carpenter) and a strained visit from Shelah’s stepdaughter (Nikkole Salter), whose life has gone astray for reasons later revealed. And then there’s that strikingly handsome cater-waiter whom only Shelah seems to see. McCraney has many tones to balance as the play shifts directions, and the balance is not always smooth. Shelah’s one-sided conversation with God that makes up most

of the second act is a tour de force of language, thought, and performance, but it can also meander and makes one wonder if it really needs to be this long. But guided by Landau’s wise hand and strong cast, the play’s cumulative effect is ultimately a potent cry for answers from characters whose lives are rooted in a place where the land beneath their feet can shift in a heartbeat.t Head of Passes will run at Berkeley Rep through May 24. Tickets are $25-$79. Call (510) 647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.

MARIN CENTER PRESENTS

NEIL BERG’S

105 YEARS OF

BROADWAY

DIRECT FROM

NEW YORK!

Five of Broadway’s finest stars singing hit songs from classic shows! If you love Broadway musicals, this is your must-see event of the season!

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 3 PM 15 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge

MARIN CENTER • SAN RAFAEL marincenter.org

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and select Walmart locations. To charge by phone (800) 745-3000. Limit 8 tickets per person. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable service charges.

<< Music

20 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

MARIN CENTER PRESENTS

Mother’s Day with

n i t r a M a n a e D A Tribute to Dean Martin

and Frank Sinatra

Sunday, May 10, 3 pm Take a musical journey with Deana Martin as she honors her father Dean Martin and woos us with stories of her days with his Rat Pack cronies.

$60, $45, $35, $25, students (20 & under) $20 Join us before the show for a special Champagne brunch at the Embassy Suites San Rafael. $36 adults, $19 children (12 and under), 11 am and 1 pm

Marin Center • San Rafael

ORDER NOW FOR BEST SEATS!

marincenter.org 2pub-BBB_BAR_050715.pdf

CMY

Plenty of FREE Parking

4/19/15

3:18 PM

The Regina dialogues

by Tim Pfaff

rancis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites is pretty much a director-proof opera, at least on the evidence of live recordings of staged productions. The opera, which the tres gay Poulenc set to his own libretto, makes an unabashed pitch for audience sympathy, and inevitably gets it. Story: during the French Revolution, a convent of Carmelite nuns struggles to survive external evil as well as the enormous challenges of cloistered life. At the end, the devoted, officially condemned, if not quite Sound of Music-material nuns bravely march off to the guillotine one by one, their choral “Salve Regina” diminished by one voice at each drop of the off-stage blade. Political repression; religious martyrdom; heads rolling: theatrically, what could possibly go wrong? But it’s a talky piece – hence its title – and with anything less than a cast of superb singing actors, it can have its longueurs on that tortured trajectory to the guillotine. Oliver Py’s production, recorded live at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in 2013 (Erato, two DVDs), has, to the last cast member, those singing actors and is the most sensitive, least sensational Dialogues I’ve seen. I’ve hated previous Py productions, particularly the garish Lulu with added grotesqueries. But here the director, like Poulenc a self-identified gay Roman Catholic, is on the composer’s wave-length and keeps the stage pictures uncluttered and the action unexaggeratedly ritualistic while drawing keen, individual performances from his cast. San Francisco Opera’s history with the piece is distinguished. In 1957, general director Kurt Herbert Adler gave Dialogues its US premiere under Erich Leinsdorf, with a star-studded cast that included a debuting Leontyne Price as Madame Lidoine. Price returned in the part in 1982, when Regine Crespin, who created the role of Madame Lidoine in the Paris premiere in 1957, sang a searing Madame de Croissy, the abbey prioress whose death scene at the end of the first act is, in less fortunate productions, a peak from which the drama prematurely falls. Crespin’s blasphemous rage at the pain, and God, may still be echoing in the War Memorial. There’s no one quite so formidable in Py’s cast, but the women singing lead roles are Francophone, for which there is no good substitute, and they sing their native tongue with supple authority. As an ensemble, I actually prefer this cast: Patricia Petibon (Py’s overparted Lulu) a wide-eyed, impulsive, complicated yet thoroughly involving Blanche; Sophie Koch a commanding Mother Marie fully up to the increasing lead she takes throughout the opera; Veronique Gens a superbly focused Madame Lidoine; and Sandrine Piau a Sister Constance far above the feather-brain many directors make her. They’re all singers who cut their teeth on early music and Mozart, and now, consequently, sing with rich, saturated tone embellished with only sparing but expressive vibrato. The same is true with Topi Lethipuu’s fine-grained Chevalier de la Force. Rosalind Plowright is a stern Madame de Croissy, but the character’s deep, personal sympathy for Blanche comes through potently, and her death scene, filmed vertiginously from above, is a harrowing but nuanced mini-drama. I’ve been lucky with the piece onstage and always conceded its power in the theater, but I haven’t loved the work (or Poulenc) as I might have. Sometimes the music seems to approach Debussy or Tchaikovsky in compositional craft, only then,

Puccini-like, to slide off into banality (though a better composer for the nuns’ fervent, fragrant liturgical music is unimaginable). Also, the story depicts all too well what for me are the creepiest aspects of Catholicism. But this urgent, ideally proportioned performance, beautifully sung and incisively conducted by Jeremie Rhorer (with the Philharmonia Orchestra) has completely won me over. French Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine underwent a significant style change when he left his wife to become the lover of Arthur Rimbaud – and another when, post-Rimbaud, he converted to Catholicism. You have to wonder, given the converts, if the Church of Rome infused French drinking water. Verlaine’s verse, in that range of styles, has supplied the texts for more French chansons – and songs by Britten and others – than those of any other poet. Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky brilliantly shows how many, and how variously, in a fascinating new two-CD set, Green (Erato). A kind of follow-up on his earlier CD Opium, it also pays subtle tribute to absinthe, another source of Verlaine’s inspiration. Other countertenors have recorded chansons, with only mild success in my book, but Jaroussky, now at the top of his game, makes the enterprise work, sometimes highly affectingly. Part of the secret is that his unusually high falsetto often does

sound like a female soprano; when I first spun the disc, I thought I’d put in the wrong CD and was listening to a French soprano whose voice I couldn’t recognize. It’s a sound that seldom gets matronly and has the requisite perfume. But it’s the savvy programming – there are no composer groups, or even groups of settings of the same poems – that keeps the listening varied and fascinating. Wait until you hear Charles Tenet’s saucy “Verlaine (Chanson d’automne).” His colleagues – pianist Jerome Ducros, the Quatuor Ebene and (openly lesbian) mezzo Nathalie Stutzman – help give the material its essential elevation, and I found myself able to listen not just to an entire disc of these wonderful songs, but to two, which will be sharing my player for a while. While we’re in the neighborhood, Bryan Hymel’s new Heroique: French Opera Arias (Warner Classics) is so splendid the only thing to say is: get it. Jonas Kaufmann can’t sing all this stuff everywhere, and Hymel’s his own man vocally and artistically. He’s magnificent in the expected repertoire, by Berlioz, Gounod and Meyerbeer (and Rossini and Verdi in their operas for Paris), but he’s really firing on all cylinders by the soaring tenor aria from Massenet’s Herodiade – and the little-known arias by Reyer, Bruneau and Rabaud that end the disc are revelatory.t

Film>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 21

Dior and his doubles

Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, Joseph Piazza, Music Director, presents

The Coming of the Kingdom Sunday, May 3, 2015 Tuesday, May 5, 2015

4pm 8pm

Mission Dolores 3321 16th Street, San Francisco Courtesy the Orchard

Raf Simons in a scene from writer-director Frédéric Tcheng’s Dior and I.

by Erin Blackwell

had the pleasure of watching writer-director Frédéric Tcheng’s third foray into fashion documentary, Dior and I, in the wide-ass puffy loungers of Embarcadero Cinemas’ Screening Room 4. They have scary buttons that relax you into a position suitable for a root canal, from whence only the lower half of the screen can be seen. I opted out, not wanting to miss a frame of this poetic, dramatic, frenetic, ultimately elegiac hommage to the creative process. I highly recommend any aesthete see this intimate portrait of haute couture’s inner workings as newly anointed Dior pope Raf Simons’ first collection is whipped up over a pulse-quickening eight weeks, in 2012. Opens Friday, April 24, at Opera Plaza. Perhaps you’ve heard of John Galliano, the swashbuckling Gilbraltarian who was House of Dior’s savior-in-residence from 1999 until four years ago, when a drug-addled, Hitler-hugging meltdown in a Marais café made him persona non grata. His traces have been erased. The fallen angel’s professional prowess and personal tragedy have no place in a campaign to restore confidence in one of the last great fashion houses in Paris, which is to say, the world. The only onscreen ghost is its founder, the doughyfaced, beady-eyed Christian Dior (1905-57), whose revolutionary post-war New Look in 1947 remains a tough act to follow. Dior himself realized he’d created a “Siamese twin,” a brand, an expectation that preceded and eclipsed his mere person, which is why he called his 1951 memoir Dior et moi (Dior and me). We don’t learn much about his Belgian successor, but we notice Raf Simons is skinny, high-strung, wears black, has short spiky hair, bad skin, shifty eyes, indeed the haunted look of something out of the French Revolution. He speaks French with an unsettlingly guttural Flemish accent, evidence of which is edited out. Does a reptilian control freak who can neither sketch nor sew, whose background is archi-

SFIFF (2)

From page 17

The press conference on the top floor of the venerable Fairmont Hotel indicated the SFIFF has a high opinion of itself, and reminded us there was another San Francisco, a series of San Franciscos, before the one some feel has been lost forever to a 1% for whom the words “May 1968” have no meaning. May 1968 was the height of an international student revolution including, but not limited to, San Francisco’s Summer of Love, inspired by the atrocious U.S. war in Vietnam. The subsequent

tecture and Jil Sander minimalism, seem ill-suited to the voluminous voluptuousness that’s at least half the Dior magic? Not to worry. He’s only the guy in charge. His every impulse and notion will be passed through the severe sieve of house tradition and technique. Raf knows what he wants even before he’s sure what that is, and coldly goes head to head with the artisans, 95% of them women, virtuoso petites mains (little hands) who will make clothes out of his initially vague, abstract, yet technically demanding concepts. The heart of the film is l’atelier, the workroom, where it all gets very real, where the stitches meet the pins, and fabric either falls as intended or mutely resists. The technical conflict between Raf and the seamstresses is doubled by the time conflict between satisfying him and servicing the high-rolling clients who demand transatlantic house calls. Raf is meanwhile doubled by the dead Dior, who haunts his headquarters at 30 Avenue Montaigne, overseeing the placement of every bead. Tcheng delicately weaves in archival footage of Dior and his dresses, with the master himself in hypnotic voiceover. I was pleasantly reminded of Jacques Becker’s 1944 masterpiece of psychological insight into the madness that makes men make women’s dresses, Falbalas, which you can rent at Le Video. Jean-Paul Gautier put a loop from Falbalas in his recent career retrospective, crediting the film with showing him his career path, even as it educated him on the inner workings of l’atelier. In a chilling echo of Falbalas, Raf jokes that he “can jump out a window” in order to ensure his collection makes the cover of Paris Match. Tcheng isn’t interested in psychoanalysis, but he does get in there with his camera and capture close encounters between newbie chief and veteran artisans: moments of dispute, anxiety, and willfulness create dramatic tension atop underlying strata of joie de vivre, camaraderie, and self-surpassing, superhuman feats of haute couture. end of compulsory military service triggered a retreat from political engagement, as Americans turned inward for solutions to socio-economic problems we don’t dare face. Political action went underground, politics mimicked make-believe, California got its first movie-star governor, and films became the last vestigial vehicles of relevance. SFIFF offers a handful of films that might or might not awaken your civic conscience, as they trace the slow, steady decline of a once-vibrant democracy. Oakland was where it See page 29 >>

Dior and I is a group portrait, maybe even a national portrait, through time, of the French genius for materializing beauty fit for the human form, that far surpasses anything you could imagine from seeing ordinary mortals slobbing around in T-shirts and jeans. Tcheng’s one blunder is to crank up the music during the final 15 minutes, which undermines the purely visual pleasure of the clothes, the models, the front row, the heat of the moment. And I do have one request: that he next turn his lens on the Parisian patissiers (pastry makers), certainly the equal of the couturiers, whose edible works of art are priced within reach of us slobs.t Opens April 24, Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinemas in SF, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, and Camera 7 in San Jose.

General $25 / VIP $40 Tickets: www.ggmc.org or at the door. Student discount available at the door.

ebar.com

CONNIE CHAMPAGNE

MARILYN MAYE

STORM LARGE

May 14

May 15 - May 16

May 28 - 30

For tickets:www.feinsteinssf.com Feinstein’s | Hotel Nikko San Francisco 222 Mason Street 855-MF-NIKKO | 855-636-4556

<< TV

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Anticipating the big interview by Victoria A. Brownworth

here’s a lot happening on TV this month, as April has not been the cruelest month at all for the tube, unless you consider the end of Mad Men and Justified. The return of HBO’s Game of Thrones and BBC America’s Orphan Black (oh Cosima, and Tatiana Maslany, how we’ve missed you) is, well, fabulous. Don’t forget to watch Funny or Die’s send-up, Gay of Thrones. The latest murder on Scandal was shocking. A twist of fate will be revealed on Grey’s Anatomy this week that may signal a tectonic shift in several storylines on that show. We thought Callie and Arizona might be getting back together after a rapprochement on the April 16 episode, but our hopes were dashed. Promos for several new shows have us salivating, notably Wayward Pines, set to premiere on Fox on May 14. This thriller, exec-produced by M. Night Shyamalan, stars four Oscar-nominated actors, some now turned TV heavyweights: Matt Dillon, Terence Howard (Empire), Juliette Lewis (Secrets and Lies) and Melissa Leo (Treme). Dillon plays Ethan Burke, a U.S. Secret Service agent investigating the disappearance of two federal agents in a mysterious small Idaho town. Think Twin Peaks meets True Detective. Speaking of True Detective, season two of the HBO juggernaut returns June 21. But there’s plenty to watch in the interim. Aquarius is another limited series we’re anticipating. The NBC drama stars David Duchovny (Californication) as police sergeant Sam Hodiak. The series is set in 1967 (with fabulous music, including of course, the eternally sexy Jim Morrison of The Doors). LAPD sergeant Sam Hodiak (Duchovny) is helped in a missing persons case by undercover officer Brian Shafe (Gray Damon), who behaves like a hippie and fits in with the people being questioned. Unknown to them, their investigation will lead them to Charles Manson. Oh yes. The series will premiere in a two-hour opener on May 28 and move permanently to The Blacklist slot for the summer while that show is on hiatus. On June 4, Aquarius will be followed by season 3 of the most compellingly homoerotic gay-or-just-European thriller on the tube, gay showrunner Bryan Fuller’s incredible Hannibal. On May 3, Showtime premieres the second season of its fabulous horror/thriller series, Penny Dreadful. The series, which stars our personal fave, Eva Green (every bisexual’s heartthrob), and Timothy Dalton, can be picked up without seeing season one, as it’s largely episodic. If you missed the first season, Showtime gives a succinct description: “The title refers to the penny dreadfuls, a type of 19th-century cheap British fiction publication with lurid and sensational subject matter. The series draws upon many characters from 19th-century Irish and British fiction, including Dorian Gray from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Mina Harker and Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Victor Frankenstein and his monster from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” What isn’t said here is that this is the stuff of nightmares. Absolutely horrifying and well worth watching. Some shows we probably should all be watching as the 2016 presidential election season moves into full swing are HBO’s Veep, which just started its fourth season and has

been picked up for a fifth; Netflix’s House of Cards, in its third season and just picked up for a fourth to debut next year (star Kevin Spacey told Metro last week that he thinks the show will run for 12 seasons, which would take it through Hillary Clinton’s entire first term); Scandal, of course; CBS’ The Good Wife, which this season is really showing the seamy underbelly of Chicago politics; and CBS’ Madame Secretary, which increasingly is working as the shadow show for Clinton’s lead-in to the presidency. Every one of these shows uncovers a layer of politics, mostly Beltway. And each one reveals the nuances of what happens behind the scenes of decision-making that can and often does change the world. Last week’s episode of Madame Secretary was a most compelling look at how easy it might be to accidentally set a nuclear confrontation into motion. Téa Leoni is superb as Elizabeth McCord, the eponymous Secretary of State. It’s a show worth deconstructing for thinking about the next presidency.

Jenner pass

But no matter how much there is to watch, there is one show everyone is poised for, and that is airing momentarily. The clock’s been ticking out on The Big Interview for months now. There have been the hints and the rumors and the denials. Is it even possible for The Actual Interview to live up to the hype? We don’t know, but we will definitely be among the millions watching April 24 when ABC’s Diane Sawyer does Bruce Jenner: The Interview in an expanded two-hour 20/20 slot. At press time the teaser clip on YouTube had already been viewed nearly two million times. Two million. Amazing. In the clip, promo’d heavily on ABC, in which the voiceover tells us “the journey, the decisions, the future,” Jenner says, “My whole life has been getting me ready for this.” Tune in for the “this.” Bruce Jenner has been rumored to be transitioning for months – growing his hair long, getting facial plastic surgery, occasionally being seen with nail polish. But there’s no sign of breasts, and Jenner has continued to dress like a man. With the exception of the hair, there’s really nothing different in Jenner’s appearance or manner to signal transition, this is why The Interview is expected to be a dramatic reveal. The clip shows Jenner walking with Sawyer outdoors in snow. There is nothing in Jenner’s look to signal a change. Jenner is walking, hands in pockets, dressed like a man, walking like a man. (Cue Grace Jones.) Jenner’s voice sounds the same, although a bit old, a bit shaky. Sawyer looks dazzling, as always. She’s 69, Jenner’s 65, yet Jenner looks markedly older than Sawyer, and the juxtaposition of her unstudied, casual femininity with Jenner’s butch good looks is a striking contrast. It somehow makes the story all-the-more compelling. There’s a poignancy to the clip, to Jenner’s words, as Jenner says them to Sawyer. ABC certainly got the promotion of this right for maximum interest. We aren’t sure how we feel about this interview. We’ve never been fans of the Jenner-Kardashian megalith. We’ve never understood the attraction to their reality series, to them, to any of it. We know Olympic Gold lasts forever, but 1976 seems an awfully long time ago to us, while Jenner’s 25-year marriage to Kris Kardashian seems to be the actual reason Jenner is famous. We know that there is a desire to

Bruce Jenner will be interviewed by ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an expanded two-hour 20/20 slot.

get the trans story out in the public eye. But we just wonder if Bruce Jenner (the new name is set to be revealed in the interview) is the best purveyor of that story, given Jenner’s age, reality-show history, volatile relationship with Kris Jenner, all of that. But, as we said, we will be watching. Sawyer is such a seasoned and superb interviewer. She’s won every important TV journalism award from Emmys to the Polk Award to the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. She’s received a GLAAD Media Award for Excellence in Media. She’s gone to women’s prisons and slept in solitary, sans makeup and contact lenses. She’s done a gut-wrenching series on hunger and poverty in Appalachia that was so memorable we doubt we shall ever forget it. She’s interviewed some of the most important figures in the world, like Nelson Mandela. And some of the most vulnerable, like Jacee Dugard after she was released from her 18 years of captivity after having been kidnapped at 11. Sawyer told TV Guide, in an exclusive on April 17, that “this is a really compelling conversation about so many things. A broad look at life.” Sawyer also noted, “It’s about family and about how we all live our lives.” Sawyer said in her interview with TV Guide that she conducted a series of interviews with Jenner, on both coasts. So Jenner is in safe and capable hands. Sawyer, whose close friend is Robin Roberts, has been vetted by the LGBT community and been found not just acceptable, but an excellent ally. Yet that doesn’t subvert the reason we will all be tuning in, which is the voyeurism factor, which is why we aren’t sure how we feel about this interview. Straight people have always been fascinated by our LGBT lives from that perspective. Since they have historically viewed us as freaks and perverts, they want to know the details, the specs, the intimate things they aren’t privy to. We can’t help feeling the Bruce Jenner interview is about that first and foremost. Since Sawyer had stipulated that no questions be off-limits, we can’t help wondering if this is the best thing for Jenner. But perhaps spending eight years on Keeping Up with the Kardashians primed Jenner for life in the spotlight. There are no aspects of Jenner’s personal life that haven’t already been given the media treatment. Yet this transition, despite the compelling promo line from ABC, is indeed a recent phenomenon for Jenner. A year ago Jenner was on Jimmy Fallon’s show in a suit and

tie, one leg propped guy-style on the other knee, doing guy-stuff with Fallon. He was irked by Fallon, as he told Kim Kardashian in a brief conversation that is actually quite insightful from Kim. Jenner also ate a banana throughout, and not delicately, either. Jenner’s 88-year-old mother has said more than Jenner about the presumed transition than Jenner has thus far. Her most interesting exchange was with talk show host Wendy Williams. We aren’t alone in wondering about this interview. On CBS’ The Talk last week, guest host Karla Mosley, the African American actress who is playing a character just revealed to be trans on the CBS soap The Bold and the Beautiful, initiated discussion of Jenner’s transition and the upcoming interview. We do want to know how B&B is going to gloss over the fact that Mosley’s character Maya Avant entered the show looking for the daughter she gave up for adoption after she got out of her women’s prison. Oops. Co-host Kelly Osbourne (Fashion Police) said she wasn’t that interested in what Jenner had to say because she has so many friends who are in the process of transitioning or who have transitioned. What she wanted to know was how Kris felt about it, after their many years of marriage. Lesbian co-host Sara Gilbert said she had a lot of questions, “Like I want to know when he knew and how he feels about it. I want to know if he’s going to be attracted to women still. Is he going to live as a lesbian?” Gilbert slipped then and started to say, “Is he going to live as a man?” instead of is Jenner going to be attracted to men. But that slip brought laughs from the co-hosts and the audience. Which made us cringe. It’s part of our concern over Jenner and this interview. Gilbert recovered and continued, “I want to know when we start calling him, her.” Mosley jumped in and asked, “He’s no stranger to the media, so was he a part of this whole media blitz? How did he feel? It’s challenging.” Sharon Osbourne, whose family was the subject of the MTV reality series The Osbournes from 2002-05, had her own questions, and voiced what many are thinking. She said, “He’s 65. I’m 62. Now I don’t think I’m going to wake up tomorrow and say, ‘I want to be a boy.’” Again the audience began laughing, but Osbourne did not. She continued, “No, seriously, how do you change? It must have been in him forever. And so this poor man must have been totally repressed for years and years and years. And then going and marrying into this family of

extremely sophisticated, beautiful women must have been torture for him.” Mosley added, “And also having to play a very masculine role.” Then Kelly posed this question to the group: “Can you imagine being trapped in someone else’s body?” At that point Sheryl Underwood went back to Gilbert’s earlier question, “How early did he know this? And when he was at Robert Kardashian’s bedside and saying, ‘I’m going to take care of your children and everything’s going to be alright,’ and now they got 10 kids, but did he [Jenner] tell the three wives that he had [that he thought he was female], and when did he tell them?” That last is a good question and one that we have always had about people coming out late in life as gay or lesbian. How much damage is done to others by remaining in one’s particular closet, be it gay, lesbian or transgender? Underwood then said, “But my real question is, ‘Are you truly happy?’ And when he says, ‘Yes, I am truly happy,’ then we all got to leave it alone. When he says, ‘I am happy and free for the first time in my life,’ we should just leave it alone after that.” This got wild applause from the audience, and it’s hard to argue with. All of us who are lesbian, gay or trans have had to come out at some point (or will have to: do it now!). For 18 years in this column I kept asking Robin Roberts when she was going to come out. When she finally did so a year ago she was 53. Yet it wasn’t like we didn’t know. So why wait all those years, appearing to live a lie? Still, coming out gay and coming out trans are vastly different. Only the “when did you know” question is similar, like when 83-year-old Joel Grey came out in January. At 83. Didn’t we all think he was gay the first time we saw Cabaret? We thought he was gay when we were in high school. But then he was married to a woman for 30 years, had two children, who knew? Likely not his wife. We saw that scene play out on ABC’s Scandal with Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry), the president’s gay chief of staff. We saw his early marriage to a woman and how the disaster of a closeted gay man marrying a straight woman destroyed her as well as their marriage. Come out. It’s not just about you. In January, Kris Jenner was giving an interview on E! in which she said unequivocally that the rumors of Bruce Jenner’s transition were false. And after 25 years of marriage See page 28 >>

Fine Art>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

Menagerie of deluded souls by Sura Wood

rtistic invention thrives in Sublimated Masks at the Museum of Performance + Design, where disguise, illusion, role-playing and high-stakes power games are fantastically translated into expressive, strikingly original, large-scale costumes and fiber sculptures. Latifa Medjdoub developed this menagerie of deluded souls for the Collected Works theater company’s revival of French playwright Jean Genet’s The Balcony, performed at San Francisco’s Old Mint last February. A French-born, San Franciscobased sculptor, painter and costume designer, Medjdoub was trained in Paris during the 1990s, a fertile period when film, theater, opera and couture artists collaborated on projects and moved freely between mediums. Perhaps owing to that legacy of cross-pollination, she has integrated a variety of genres, tools and techniques in the construction of the 45 giant, exaggerated masked dolls and related imagery that are currently on view. The dramatic creations, made of wool felt that was painted and printed with imagery, were originally designed for the distorted theatrical universe of Genet’s story about an armed rebellion in the streets of an unnamed city. The play unfolds mostly within the confines of a brothel, a “house of illusions” that caters to elite clients acting out and projecting their fantasies, while donning grotesque facades of highly placed officials – judges, generals, regents and bishops – who wield institutional power in a regime that is falling apart outside the brothel walls. Although the exhibition is its own world and appreciation of it is not contingent on intimate knowledge of the play, the works, hung on mannequins and walls, do lack a crucial element: human beings to animate them. It’s a challenge confronting any show of this kind, but the presence of photographs and video from the production offers some sense of how the costumes looked and moved in the context of performance. Medjdoub drew upon vintage and digital imagery for the compositions, and imprinted the masks with the faces of the actors who played roles. They seem to look through you, gazing toward the great beyond, and the noseand eye-holes lend a porcine appearance; pigs at the trough, as it were. A group of revolutionaries wears the masked visage of Genet himself, who advised the play be a “glorification of the Image and the Reflection.” Indeed, the brothel, a hall of mirrors, also functions as a meta-theatrical stage where its customers can indulge and realize their innermost desires. Visitors, however, may feel as though they’ve been abruptly dropped into a scene from Alice in Wonderland, with a cast of menacing irrational protagonists brandishing fetishized objects emblematic of their naked ambition and self-aggrandizing fantasies of status and domination. The costume for the Chief of Police, festooned with badges and medallions, verges on farce, illustrating the character’s desire to have not just a single badge, but also a badge from every agency to amplify the awesome power he has acquired. The general’s arrogance is parodied with a bevy of medals – awarded for other people’s valor, not his own – that coalesce into a vulgar cubist display of grandiosity on his chest, topped off by the oversized, lopsided military hat on his head. Another of his vestments is covered in a fruit salad of colored ribbons, epaulets and gold buttons. An imperious female envoy is dressed like a dragon lady in a woven bloodred gown, a soft red cap recalling the dark ministrations of the medieval clergy, her face rouged and disfigured. The Queen’s mask encompasses a crown above her head decorated with

a tiara and a jewel-encrusted choker around the neck befitting her wealth and rank. It was worn by a performer playing dual roles: the monarch and the whorehouse madam. And then there are the prostitutes, who facilitate and thwart desires. The general’s “girl” wears a fuchsia horse head, black stiletto boots, and a shank of horse hair on her hip. Who was riding whom is something you’ll be left to ponder. Another “girl” has a crocheted vintage face mask with long horsehair lashes that double as a veil of tears. Her smock, featuring head-shots of Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse, has a smudged gold design after Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt’s oil and gold leaf canvas, “The Kiss.” Some of Medjdoub’s big fiber creations served as stationary extras in the production, while others like “The Passage” could be worn. Inhabited by an actress during performances, the latter sculpture, which looks like a once-fashionable Parisian lady gone to seed, tentatively shuffled through the hallways of the Old Mint, a dazed silent witness to the violent events swirling around her.t Latifa Medjdoub: Sublimated Masks, through June 20, Museum of Performance + Design, 893B Folsom St., SF. (415) 255-4800

Courtesy of the artist and MP+D

“The Chief of Police” (2015), print by Latifa Medjdoub, part of Sublimated Masks.

Courtesy of the artist and MP+D

“The Judge” (2015), print by Latifa Medjdoub, part of Sublimated Masks.

FEB 11–JUN 29 2015

IN THE PRESIDIO 104 MONTGOMERY S A N F RA NC IS C O WALTDISNEY.ORG

Revel in the golden age of Hollywood through an exhibition of photography from George Hurrell—one of America’s finest photographers, credited with creating the opulent glamour portrait of the 1930s and 40s. See rare and vintage prints of Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, and more, including Hurrell’s uncle-in-law, Walt Disney. Image: George Hurrell, Carole Lombard in The Princess Comes Across, 1936; courtesy of Pancho Barnes Trust Estate Archive, © Estate of George Hurrell. Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell is produced by The Walt Disney Family Museum. The Walt Disney Family Museum® Disney Enterprises, Inc. | © 2015 The Walt Disney Family Museum | The Walt Disney Family Museum is not affiliated with Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Dine out at a participating restaurant and help fund lifesaving HIV services in San Francisco.

Find your restaurant. Support the cause.

Reserve your table today at DOL PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Each participating restaurant will donate a portion of their sales on April 28, 2015. All proceeds support the free, local HIV prevention and care services of San Francisco AID SAN FRANCISCO BERNAL HEIGHTS Precita Park Café CASTRO Anchor Oyster Bar Bar Vero Bisou Bistro Blush! Wine Bar Canela Bistro & Wine Bar Catch Fable Harvey’s Hecho Kasa Indian Eatery La Méditerranée Lookout Mama Ji’s Manos Nouveau Pesce Poesia Slurp Noodle Bar Starbelly COLE VALLEY Bambino’s Ristorante DOGPATCH Smokestack at Magnolia Brewery FINANCIAL DISTRICT Sauce: Belden Place

HAIGHT Alamo Square Seafood Grill Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery The Alembic HAYES VALLEY Destino Jardinière Sauce: Gough Straw Zuni Café LOWER HAIGHT Memphis Minnie’s Barbeque Joint MARINA Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria MID-MARKET The Hall MISSION Foreign Cinema Hoffmann’s Grill & Rotisserie Hog and Rocks Mission Beach Café Mozzeria The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen Velvet Cantina NOB HILL 1760 Bitter, Bock and Rye NOE VALLEY Bacco Ristorante Contigo Noeteca Café & Wine Bar

Current as of April 10, 2015. For an up-to-date listing, please vis

Family Owned & Operated Open Tues thru Sun for dinner 1000 Guerrero St

San Francisco

415-374-7479

#dolsf

LSF.ORG

Family Owned & Operated Open Tues thru Sun for dinner 1000 Guerrero St

San Francisco

415-374-7479

DS Foundation.

Serving the Castro since 1981

sit dolsf.org.

ST T M AR

17TH ST

Delicious Sichuan specialties

DUBLIN Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria DANVILLE Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria OAKLAND Pican Restaurant

SAN RAFAEL Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria

16TH ST

La Mediterranee Noe @LaMedNoe

EAST BAY

MARIN COUNTY

288 Noe Street, SF (415) 431-7210 lamednoe.com

15TH ST

NOE ST

Cafe | Restaurant | Catering

CASTRO ST

PACIFIC HEIGHTS Chouquet’s Curbside Cafe Dosa On Filmore Garibaldi’s on Presidio RUSSIAN HILL Cocotte SOMA 1601 Bar & Kitchen Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria Don Ramon’s Mexican Restaurant Luce Rocco’s Café South Park Café UNION SQUARE Aveline Restaurant Jones Burritt Room Tavern WESTERN ADDITION State Bird Provisions

Tasty Dim Sum made fresh daily in-house Great selection of Belgian beers & California wines

Ji’

MaMa “As long-time residents of the neighborhood, we look forward to welcoming you to Mama JI’s.”

Sum Dim

nner

& Di

4416 18th St. (Douglas & Eureka) San Francisco • (415) 626-4416 Visit us at www.mamajissf.com

<< Out&About

26 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Combo platter by Jim Provenzano

Out &About

O&A

hen art and life combine, some call it coincidence, a synchronicity, a symbiosis, or even a simulacrum. To me, those are just fancy words I have to spellcheck. Art is life. Go live it.

Thu 23 10 Percent @ Comcast David Perry’s online interviews, broadcast through the week. April 20-26 Rebecca Prozan and Kike Arnel. April 27-May 2: Christine Pelosi and Eric Jansen ( Out in the Bay). Check for times on Facebook: www.facebook. com/pages/10-Percent/66629477326 www.ComcastHometown.com

48 Hills First Anniversary @ Verdi Club Enjoy food and drinks with the founders Tim Redmond and Marke B, celebrity guest hosts, performers (comic Dhaya Lakshminarayanan) and Bay Area artists and activists to celebrate the first year of the nonprofit independent news and culture website. Comp beer & wine. $50, $100 and up. 6pm-9pm. 2424 Mariposa St. www.48hills.org

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley The acclaimed dance company returns for its annual residency, four Bay Area premieres and some classic favorites, in three different programs. $40-$96. Tue-Sat 8pm. Also Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm, thru April 26. UC Berkeley campus, Bancroft Way at Dana St., (510) 6429988. www.calperformances.org

Blackademics @ Thick House Crowded Fire Theater’s production of the West Coast premiere of Iris Goodwin’s new play full of searing wit, pop-culture humor, and psychological menace in an absurdist take on “post-racial America,” when two African American scholars argue over a dinner reservation. $10-$35. Wed-Sat 8pm. Thru May 2. 1695 18th St. 746-9238. www.crowdedfire.org

Sat 25

Thu 30 Nelly Queen Fundraiser

The Book of Mormon @ Orpheum Theatre The mega-hit musical comedy (nine Tony Awards and a Grammy) by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez returns. $60-$225. Tue-Sat 8pm. Sat 2pm. Sun 1pm & 6:30pm. Thru June 27. 1192 Market St. (888) 746-1799. www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com www.shnsf.com

The Cry of Jazz @ YBCA New documentaries about jazz music visionaries, with restored ‘80s documentaries and new films. Thru April. Also, Dark Horse: Film Noir Westerns. $10. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. ybca.org

Drag Me to Bingo @ Jack London Square, Oakland The new monthly Bingo game with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence returns. $10. 7pm. Jack London Square. www.jacklondonsquare.com

In a Word @ Tides Theater Lauren Yee’s drama about a mother who loses her son. $20. Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm. Thru April 25. 533 Sutter St., 2nd floor. 677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org

Jewels of Paris @ Hypnodrome Thrillpeddlers’ new production is a “revolutionary” Parisian-themed musical revue, with original music and lyrics by original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn, including characters based on Picasso, Cocteau, Josephine Baker and even Marie Antoinette. $30-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 2. 575 10th St. www.hypnodrome.org

Janis Ian @ City Winery, Napa The Grammy-winning veteran folkpop singer performs with Tom Paxton. $38-$45. 6pm doors/dinner option. 8pm concert. 1030 Main St., Napa. www.citywinery.com

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarishinha @ Modern Times Bookstore In Bodymap, the Lambda Literary Award-winning writer sings a queer disabled femme of colour love song filled with hard femme poetics of survival, joy and disability justice. 7pm. 2919 24th St. 282-9246. www.mtbs.com

Let There Be Love @ Geary Theatre

Art & Wine Auction @ Minna Gallery

Head of Passes @ Berkeley Reperotry Theatre

Academy of Friends hosts its first annual wine and art auction fundraiser, with live and silent auctions on artworks (Lenny Broberg as auctioneer), travel packages, theater tickets, local tours and jewelry, plus door prizes. $50. 6pm8pm. 111 Minna St. www.aof42415.eventbrite.com

Tarell Alvin McCraney’s poignant poetic drama about a Mississippi family’s trials of faith and tribulation. $29-$79. Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Sun 2pm. Thru May 24. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

The Braggart Soldier @ Custom Made Theater Custom Made Theatre Company’s updated version of Plautus’ Roman satirical comedy (which served as the inspiration for Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ). $20-$40. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru April 26. 1620 Gough St. at Bush. 798-2682. www.custommade.org/braggart/

Caribbean Carnaval @ Mission Cultural Center Dance party with a Carnivale theme; wear your festive ensembles at this fundraiser for the Center’s Carnivale parade contingent. $12. 9pm-12am. 2868 Mission St. www.missionculturalcenter.org

King Lear @ Emerald Tablet Independent Eye’s unusual twoman, 30-puppet production of Shakespeare’s classic family drama about royalty, seniority,madness and family betrayal. $20-$25. Fri & Sat 8pm. April 26, 2pm (closing day). 80 Fresno St. www.independenteye.org

Lena Hall @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko Tony Award winner and grammy nominee Broadway actress-singer ( Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kinky Boots), and San Francisco native, performs Sin and Salvation, her new cabaret concert. $40-$55. 8pm. Also April 25, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. lenahall.com ticketweb.com hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx

The Facts of Life @ Oasis

New & Classic Films @ Castro Theatre

Those wacky queens who gave you Sex & the City are now doing drag parody versions of two episodes from the cult classic schoolgirl sitcom. $25$30. 7pm. Thu-Sat thru May 16. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Classic and new films in repertory. April 24: 54, The Director’s Cut (9:30). April 25-28: SF Int. Film Fest. April 29: Rope (3:45, 7:30) and Bound (5:20, 9:05). April 30: Fingers (7pm) and Reservoir Dogs (8:45). Most tickets $11. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

American Conservatory Theatre presents Kwame Kwei-Armah’s family drama about a West Indian immigrant and a Polish young man, whose lives connect, despite prejudices (Out With A.C.T. April 22). $20-$105. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru May 3. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Wed 29

Nick & Nora @ Eureka Theatre The lighthearted 1991 musical by Arthur Laurents, Charles Strouse and Richard Maltby, based on Dashiel Hammet’s 1930s The Thin Man, gets a production by the vintage musical revival ensemble. $25-$75. Wed & Thu 7pm. Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm. Sun 3pm. Thru April 19. 215 Jackson St. 2558207. www.42ndStMoon.org

Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line @ Brick & Mortar Bittersweet rock and witty country music vocalist and her band; also on the bill, The Lady Crooners, Ben and Alex Morrison. $10-$14. 9pm. 1710 Mission St. www.brickandmortarmusic.com

The Ultimate Adventure @ New Conservatory Theatre Center Teen Performance Ensemble performance of Homer’s Odyssey, adapted and directed by Stephanie Temple. $10-$15. Thu & Fri 7:30pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru May 3. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.org

Fri 24 The Addams Family @ Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto Palo Alto Players’ production of the Broadway musical adaptation of the Charles Addams comics about an eccentric spooky family. $15-$35. Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru May 10. 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. (650) 329-0891. www.paplayers.org

Arcadia @ Cinnabar Theatre, Petaluma

The Grand Duke

Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece play, a comedy, mystery and love story with 12 actors, is produced by the North Bay company. $9-$25. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Extended thru April 26. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. (707) 7638920. www.cinnabaetheater.org

Cuong Nguyen’s exhibit

Fifth of July @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley

Queer Open Mic @ Modern Times Bookstore

Lanfod Wilson’s “Talley Trilogy” continues with a production by the East Bay theatre ensemble; Ken Talley returns to his Missouri home after losing his legs in the Vietnam war, where he reminisces and makes decisions with his family and friends. $20-$50. Thru May 17. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Kamala Puligandla’s the guest artist, with cohosts Baruch PorrasHernandez and Blythe Baldwin. 7pm sing-up. 7:30pm. 2919 24th St. 2829246. www.mtbs.com

From White Plains @ New Conservatory Theatre Center Michael Perlamn’s suspenseful drama involves a film director who outs a high school bully in his Oscar speech, leading to a confrontative reunion. $30-$40. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru April 26. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

Hairspray @ Julia Morgan Theater, Berkeley Berkeley Playhouse presents their production of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s musical theatre adaptation of John Waters’ lighthearted film about a chubby Baltimore girl in the 1960s who fights racism on a dance show. $5-$20. Fri 7pm. Sat 1pm & 6pm. Sun 12pm & 5pm. Theu May 17. 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542. berkeleyplayhouse.org

Sandy Campbell, G. Scott Lacy @ Hotel Rex The singing/piano duo perform “Chasing Our Own Tales,” a musical cabaret show of their longtime collaborations; cocktails and small plates available. $25-$45. 8pm. 562 Sutter St. 857-1896. www.societycabaret.com

SF International Film Festival @ Various Cinemas 58th annual expansive fest of films with a global perspective. Thru May 7. www.sffs.org

Stereotypo @ The Marsh Don Reed’s new solo show, subtitled Rants and Rumblings at the DMV showcases the banal automotive office as a showcase of diverse characters. $20-$100. Fri 8pm, Sat 8:30pm. Extended thru May 9. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Out&About>>

Talley’s Folly @ Harry’s Upstage, Berkeley Aurora Theatre Company restages Lanford Wilson’s lyrical uplifting two-actor drama. $30-$50. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru June 7. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 8434822. www.AuroraTheatre.org

Tiny Dance Film Festival @ Ninth Street Film Center Evening of compelling short films made with and for dances. $17-$35. 8pm. 145 9th St. detourdance.com

Under the Golden Gate @ Kink.com Maria Konner and DJ Dank’s offbeat irreverent talk show is taped at The Armory, this time with Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Gos), Tom Ammiano, The Ethel Merman Experience, Mama Dora and kink master Danarama. Free/donation $5-$10. Online RSVP required. 8pm. Edwardian Suite, 1800 Mission St. underthegoldengate.com

Sat 25 A.C.T. Gala @ Strand Theater Come Get Stranded, a black-tie gala fundraiser for American Conservatory Theatre’s actor training and community programs, features Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, a lavish dinner, cocktails and entertainment; cocktails at The new strand Theatre, dinner under a tent at UN Plaza, and after-party back at The Strand, with muisc by DJ Flaxo. $1250-$2750 and up. 5pm-11pm. 1127 Market St. 439-2470. www.act-sf.org

Antigonick @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowship-winning playwright Anne Carson’s take on Sophocles’ Antigone is produced by the innovative Shotgun Players. $20-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Wed 7pm. Extended thru May 3. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. (510) 8416500. www.ShotgunPlayers.org

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi The musical comedy revue celebrates its 40th year with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. Reg: $25$160. Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 4214222. beachblanketbabylon.com

Botticelli to Braque @ de Young Museum Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, an expansive exhibit of classic paintings; thru May 31. Also, Embodiments: Masterworks of African Figurative Sculpture, thru July 5; photographer Janet Delaney: South of Market, thru July 19. Other exhibits of modern art as well. Free/$25. Thru May 31. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. www.famsf.org

Feral @ Plough and Stars The local Americana band performs with Storm Miguel Florez. 9pm. 116 Clement St. Also April 26 with Ghost Town Gospel, 5pm. at 924 Gilman, Berkeley. www.musiciansareferal.com

Justin Sayre @ Oasis The New York downtown sensation brings his sassy sardonic ultragay-themed The Meeting of the International Order of Sodomites to SF. $20. 7pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27

Lear’s Shadow @ The Marsh

Fri 24

Geoff Hoyle’s new solo take on Shakespeare’s King Lear, from the perspective of the unemployed Fool. $15-$35. Wed & Thu 8pm. Sat 5pm. Thru May 30. 1062 Valencia St. 2823055. www.themarsh.org

Miriam Frank @ Modern Times Bookstore Author of Out in the Union: A Labor History of Queer America reads from and discusses her new book, about the evolution of labor politics with queer activism and identity formation, showing how unions began affirming the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers in the 1970s and 1980s. $5. 3:30pm. 2919 24th St. 282-9246. www.mtbs.com

Stand Up Sit Down @ La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley Stand up comedy and sit-down interviews with Karinda Dobbins and Lakshminarayanan, comic and storyteller Josh Healey and Boot Riley. $12-$15. 7pm. 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www.lapena.org

Storybook @ Modern Eden Gallery Opening reception for a group exhibit of works that offer a new take on classic children’s stories. 6pm-10pm. Thru May 9. 801 Greenwich St. www.moderneden.com

Stupid F#cking Bird @ SF Playhouse Aaron Posner’s satirical Hollywood update on Chekhov’s The Seagulls. $20-$120. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm. Sun 2pm. Thru May 2. 450 Post St. 677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org

Vanessa Williams @ Nourse Theater The elegant singer-actress performs in a concert with pianist/host Seth Rudetsky, guest Varla Jean Merman; proceeds benefit San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Project Open Hand & San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. $50$100. 8pm. 275 Hayes St. 392-4400. www.cityboxoffice.com

The Waiting Period @ The Marsh Brian Copeland returns with his popular solo show, about the tensions of considering suicide, and waiting for approval to buy a gun. $30-$100. Saturdays 5pm, Sundays 5:30pm. Extended thru May 31. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Sun 26 Abrazo, Queer Tango @ Finnish Brotherhood Hall, Berkeley Enjoy weekly same-sex tango dancing and a potluck, with lessons early in the day. $7-$15. 3:30-6:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St., Berkeley. (510) 8455352. www.finnishhall.com

Fertile Ground @ Oakland Museum Fertile Ground: Art and Community in California (thru April 12). Also, photographer Marion Gray: Within the Light thru June 21; Bees: Tiny Insect, Big Impact thru Sept 20. Free/$15. Reg. hours Wed-Sat 11am-5pm (Fri til 9pm). 1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 318-8400. www.museumca.org

The Grand Duke @ YBCA

Hairspray David Allen

Fool La La! @ The Marsh Unique Derique’s holiday clowning show’s fun for kids and adults alike. $15-$35. Sundays 2pm. Extended thru May 31. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman @ Masonic Auditorium The married comedy duo (Parks and Recreation) perform together in Summer of 69: No Apostrophe. $42.50. 7pm. 1111 California St. www.sfmasonic.com

Rirkrit Tiravanija: The Way Things Go @ YBCA A Special Curatorial Project … uncovers narratives, reveals personal stories, and shares vignettes that lead to a larger understanding of the migration of people in the production of material culture. Free/$12-$15. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. Thru June 21. 978-2787. www.ybca.org

Seduction: Japan’s Floating World @ Asian Art Museum New exhibit of ancient art from the John C. Weber Collection. Thru May 10. Also, The Printer’s Eye: Ukiyo-e, from the Grabhorn Collection. Other fascinating exhibits as well. Free (members, kids 12 and under)-$15. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. www.asianart.org

Mon 27 Letters to Afar, Poland and Palestine: Two Lands and Two Skies @ Contemporary Jewish Museum Dual exhibit of new Jewish cultural documentation (thru May 24). Other exhibits (Tzedakah Box, Bound to be Held: A Book Show, Lamp of the Covenant), lectures and gallery talks as well. Free (members)-$12. Fri-Tue 11am5pm, Thu 11am-8pm (closed Wed). 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

Memory of Trees @ SOMArts Cultural Center Kathryn Cook’s exhibit of photos commemorating the Armenian genocide. Reg hours mon-Fri 12pm7pm. Sat & Sun 12pm-5pm. 934 Brannan St. www.somarts.org

Ohio State Murders @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley Staged reading of Adrienne Kennedy’s play about an African American writer who returns to her alma mater in Columbus, only to discover a violent past. $20. 8pm. Also April 28. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org

Tue 28 Cindy Goldfield @ Oasis One-Night Stand, the comic performer’s show with David Aaron Brown about the foibles on online dating. $15. 8pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

The Griots of Oakland @ CIIS Multimedia exhibit of visuals and storytelling by young African American men of the East Bay. Thru June 20. 1453 Mission St. www.ciis.edu

It’s Everything @ KOFY-TV Local nightlife host and singer BeBe Sweetbriar’s new streaming web talk show welcomes local celebrities. 7pm. Audience welcome at KOFY-TV, 2500 Marin St. www.BeBeSweetbriar.com

Ralph Eugene Meatyard @ Robert Tat Gallery Exhibit of black and white prints by the creator of creepy yet beautiful imagery. Tue-Sat 11am-5:30pm (1st Thu til 7:30pm). Thru May 30. 49 Geary St. 781-1122. roberttat.com

Wed 29 Cuong Nguyen, Carl Dobsky @ John Pence Gallery Dual exhibit of the accomplished realists painters’ works. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am-5pm. Thru May 2. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Michael Feinstein @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The multi-platinum jazz pianist-singer, and proprietor of the intimate cabaret club, performs a tribute ocncert of Frank Sinatra classics. $80-$95. Wed 7pm. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat & Sun 7pm. Thru May 3. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb. com www.hotelnikkosf.com/ feinsteins.aspx

Out in the Bay Anniversary @ Oasis Marilyn Pittman and Eric Jansen celebrate their LGBT radio programs’ tenth anniversary with a live broadcast at the new SoMa nightclub, with best broadcast clips, live music from the SF Gay Men’s Chorus Lollipop Guild, and Joshua Klipp; T-shirts, cocktails and noshes. $20-$50. 5pm-8pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. (510) 816-0450. www.outinthebay.org www.sfoasis.com

Fri 24

Lamplighters perform the firstever stage production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s final collaboration, a rousing operetta about a theatre troupe that deposes a tiny European Duchy. $20-$54. 8pm. April 26 at 2pm. 700 Howard St. 978-2787. www.ybca. org Also April 30 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. $25-$48. (650) 903-6000. www.mvcpa.com And May 2 at Lesher Center for the arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $25-$54. (9925) 943-7469. www.lamplighters.org

Miriam Cabessa @ Dryansky Gallery Exhibit of works by the New Yorkbased lesbian artist. Wed-Sun 11am-5pm. 2120 Union St. at Webster. 932-9302. www.miriamcabessa.com www.thedryansky.com

Thu 30 Buck 65, Astronautalis @ The New Parish Canadian and Texan/Minneapolis rap? Yup. Two witty hip hop guys share a bill. $17-$20. 9pm. 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. (510) 444-7474. www.thenewparish.com

Hot Draw! @ Mark I. Chester Studio Erotic, fetish, bondage poses for gay male sketchers of all skill levels; a fun, friendly group open to erotic drawing, with Jeff, the model who’s into bondage and kink. Donations. 6:30pm. 1229 Folsom St. Call day of to reserve: 621-6294. www.markichester.com/hotdraw

Nelly Queen Fundraiser @ GLBT History Museum Supervisor David Campos hosts a fundraiser for Dante Alencastre’s documentary-in-progress Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of José Julio Sarria, with wine, cheese, and a screening of rare clips of Sarria; $75. 7pm-10pm. Also, Queer Past Becomes Present, exhibits about Bay Area LGBTQ people, history and communities. Free (members)-$5. Reg hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistory.org

The Orb @ Regency Ballroom Everybody’s favorite international electro duo (“Little Fluffy Clouds”), performs; Govinda and DJ Icon open. $22-$25. 8pm. 1300 Van Ness Ave. www.theregencyballroom.com

Spring Wild Flowers @ SF Botanical Gardens See blooming Spring floral displays, including new Magnolia blossoms (51 species and 33 cultivars), plus trees and exhibits. Daily walking tours and more ; outdoor exhibits of hundreds of species of native wildflowers in a century-old grove of towering Coast Redwoods. Free-$15. Daily. Golden Gate Park. 661-1316. www.SFBotanicalGarden.org

San Francisco Magic Parlor @ Chancellor Hotel Theatre David Facer’s solo magic show, The World of Paradox, entertains and beguiles. $40. Thu-Sat 8pm. Openended run. 433 Powell St. at Post. www.MagicParlor.blogspot.com To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com. Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication. For more bar and nightlife events, go to On the Tab in our BARtab section, online at www.ebar.com/bartab

Tiny Dance Film fest

<< Theatre

28 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Alan Cumming keeps on kicking by Adam Sandel

lan Cumming’s career has only one gear – overdrive. For the better part of the past year he spent his days playing the anal-retentive politico Eli Gold on the CBS hit The Good Wife, then raced from the Brooklyn studio to Broadway’s Studio 54 to play the decadent, bumpand-grinding Emcee in Cabaret. Now that both shows have wrapped, he’s hitting the road. On April 25, he’ll hit San Francisco as the special musical guest at ACT’s Annual Gala, and on April 26, he’ll do two performances of his cabaret concert Alan Cumming: Uncut at Feinstein’s at the Hotel Nikko. He acts, he sings, he dances, and he writes. Spring and summer will find Cumming touring the country with concert appearances and book

events to promote his 2014 memoir Not My Father’s Son. He also pens a regular column for Toronto’s Globe and Mail. Nailing down the fast-moving Cumming for an interview is no easy task, but the B.A.R. managed to do it recently, while he was still doing double-duty on The Good Wife and Cabaret. The bisexual actor and gay activist is well-known to theatre and LGBT fans, but The Good Wife has made him a household name to a much larger audience. “More people call me Eli on the street, and even when I’m on stage in Cabaret,” he says. “Doing The Good Wife means that for the past five years I’ve been home for nine months of the year. I’ve enjoyed playing the role long-term, and it’s had a calming influence on my life. I can still be a gypsy, but for only

three months a year.” Cumming lives with his husband, graphic artist Grant Shaffer, whom he married twice: in the U.K. in 2007, then again in New York in 2012. His Good Wife character Eli Gold seems to have a new job each season, pin-balling from campaign strategist to crisis manager for both Chris Noth’s Governor Florrick and Julianna Margulies’ newly elected State’s Attorney Alicia Florrick. “I don’t think Eli has evolved that much over the years, although now he has a daughter in the story [the snarky Sarah Steele], which is great,” says Cumming. “It’s such a well-written character and he’s such a solid, stable influence in the show. You always know how he’s going to react.” Cumming admits that shooting The Good Wife by day and performing in Cabaret at night had its challenges. “One of the biggest challenges was when my book was coming out, I went for over 90 days with no day off. And doing an early day after a late night can be rough. I’d have all this adrenaline pumping through my body after the show, and think, ‘I should go to bed so I can look good in front of the camera the next morning,’ but I can’t. Fortunately I’m a good napper.” Cumming’s Cabaret gig was a revival of the 1998 Sam Mendesdirected production that he starred in, and won a Tony for. “I’m a different person and the world is different since we first did it,” he says. “The show’s sexy quality is not as sensational today, so the message of the show is more intense without the focus on its sexy, daring quality.” His fame has also increased in the 16 years since he first took to the stage as Cabaret’s Emcee. “As a

BAR 3.75x5 online appointment ad v3.indd 1

8/15/14

Lavender Tube

From page 22

and two children (Jenner had two children each with his previous two wives) and raising Kris’s four children from her marriage to Robert Kardashian as well, did the topic never come up until the couple split last year? These questions aren’t just 10:17 AM being raised on the top-rated daytime talk show. They are being raised in our own community. How Sawyer poses those questions and how Jenner answers them will reverberate through the LGBT community. It’s one thing to have activist trans persons like Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black, The Mindy Project) or Janet Mock addressing the trans question in TV interviews. Cox is 30, Mock is 32. Their millennial status means they have come of age in a trans-accepting milieu. Cox and Kelly Osbourne are only a few months apart in age, and as Osbourne noted, many of her friends are trans. Model Kendall Jenner, daughter of Bruce and Kris, shut down reporters last week during an interview with GQ when she was asked about her father’s transition. The 19-year-old said, “That’s not about me, so can we move on?” She was asked if she was upset because the rumored transition was true or not true, and she said, “That is not for me to answer.” The Sawyer interview is alleged to be the lead-in for a new reality series Jenner has planned, a spin-off of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which will document all aspects of Jenner’s transition, including the final gender reassignment surgery. TMZ reports that this show, rumored to be on E!, is in a holding pattern until after the Sawyer interview airs. The show is rumored to be debuting in May, and likely will be announced and promo’d during the Sawyer interview. We hope the interview goes well. Most of all, we hope Jenner will be,

“It’s nice doing kick flings with girls half my age.” –Alan Cumming star turn, it makes more sense than before. I was just a weird boy from Europe before.” During the show’s run, Cumming turned 50, a milestone that he felt in more ways than one. “Physically it’s more demanding now. My body has taken a pounding – in my legs and my back,” he says. “On the other

hand, I’m really fit now, and it’s nice doing kick flings with girls half my age. It puts a spring in my step.”t

as Underwood queried, happy.

killer has been simply superb. Ealy, with his amazing pale blue eyes and runway-model good looks, is swoon-worthy. But his evocation of the chameleon killer Theo, FBI consultant Ryan Hardy’s (Kevin Bacon) new nemesis, is peerless. He makes a fabulous counterpoint to James Purefoy’s Joe Carroll, the serial killer who brought Hardy back to the FBI. The Following is dark. Possibly the darkest show on TV. But its exploration of masculinity and where that takes some men is endlessly fascinating. We’re sorry Valerie Cruz, who has played lesbian FBI supervisor Gina Mendes since the show began, is leaving, but there are so many intricacies on this show, there’s much more to be revealed. Finally, out lesbian and perennial fag hag (are we still allowed to say that?) Sandra Bernhard has returned to comedy on CBS’ 2 Broke Girls, and she’s, well, perfect as the postmodern ennuied hipster Joedth (pronounced Jo, in a running joke that the edth are silent), the owner of The High, a restaurant where Max and Caroline (Beth Behr) start working. The show has amped up the gay this season, and Bernhard delivers some of the primo lines. Max (Kat Dennings) has a new crush – a beautiful Irish boy who prompted one of the diner’s regulars to query when he walked in, “Is it too late to be gay?” (We cannot tell you how funny this line was when delivered by former SNL cast member Garrett Morris, who is 78.) No, it is never too late to be gay. Or lesbian. Or trans. Or bi. So for The Big Interview and some really stellar TV that’s scripted, for the latest political announcements – because at least a half-dozen more Republicans are going to announce – and for gay showrunners competing for the darkest shows on the tube (yes, we mean you, Kevin Williamson, Bryan Fuller and Ryan Murphy), you know you really must stay tuned.t

Looking back

Jonathan Groff isn’t so happy. The sexy 30-year-old has played Patrick Murray on HBO’s Looking for the past two seasons, and the out gay actor wishes the show had not been cancelled. He told People magazine, “There’s not a lot of gay programming on TV. We wanted to create a show with gay men where they weren’t tragic figures or the comedic relief or sexually sensationalized. but just multi-dimensional human beings. So I feel sad that Looking was canceled, but grateful for the time that we had.” Response to the show’s cancellation, Groff said, was overwhelmingly positive about what the show had accomplished. “That was amazing to see that sort of outpouring of love and support for the show. I think that speaks to just the need and desire for more gay stories to be told. Hopefully it maybe paved the way for other people to create [more] gay stories. Hopefully someday there won’t be just one gay show on the air but multiple shows. I remember being a kid and feeling like when somebody mentioned in a moment that they were gay or [saw someone gay] on TV, it was like an exciting sense of relief to see someone talk about being gay, so I try to do that as often as I can. It sort of goes back to that Harvey Milk thing of, ‘Tell your friends, tell everyone.’ I always try to wear that on my sleeve.” Did we not just say, Come out, come out now? We like Groff. We hope someone puts him in something else soon. We also like Fox’s The Following, from out gay showrunner Kevin Williamson. This show has retained its homoerotic drama. The new season, which began last month, is, well, fantastic. The addition of Michael Ealy (The Good Wife, Almost Human) as TV’s only black serial

Alan Cumming at ACT’s 2015 Gala: act-sf.org/home/support/season_ gala.html or (415) 439-2470. Alan Cumming: Uncut at Feinstein’s: ticketweb.com.

t <<

Film>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 29

SFIFF

From page 19

a magazine, a commercial spinoff of the legendary college-humor mag The Harvard Lampoon. In this funny bio-doc, Douglas Triola traces its rollercoaster ride, detailing how some bright and twisted Ivy League grads broke all the rules of good taste and propriety, and for a time seemed to be getting away with murder. Eventually the laws of gravity reinstated themselves, and the core founders were left with some wild if bittersweet memories. The film is valuable for its cutting portrait of a Lampoon founder, the late Douglas Kenny. Next time you catch Saturday Night Live or relish a juvenile caper like the Jesse Eisenberg/ Bill Murray buddy film Zombieland, remember this is where it all started. (Kabuki, 4/24, 26) The Wonders A possible sleeper hit at this year’s festival flows out of the comic struggles of a balding, macho Italian farmer whose life revolves around bees and daughters. Sam Louwyck imbues the sputtering would-be domestic tyrant Wolfgang with a hyper-comic charm reminiscent of Roberto Benigni. Wolfgang is angling to be a prizewinning beekeeper, but life, the untamable nature of the pesky insects, and the will of his 12-year-old daughter Gelsomina keep getting in the way. In an early scene, he tries

SFIFF (2)

From page 21

all started for The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Kabuki, 4/25, 28), directed by Stanley Nelson, who will do a Q&A after the Saturday show. No glimpse was offered of the film, so I can only hope the two-hour documentary is as riveting as its titular totem animal. Founded in 1966 and dissolved in 1982, this black-nationalist, far-left group had the distinction of being considered “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country” by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, the late, great, closeted-gay connoisseur of greatest threats. The Panthers’ tactic of “policing the police” sounds like an idea whose time has come again. Attempting to locate where it all went wrong philosophically, Best of Enemies (Kabuki, 4/24; Clay 4/26) fo-

Courtesy of SFFS

A scene from Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders, playing the 58th SFIFF.

A scene from Andrei Konchalovsky’s The Postman’s White Nights, playing the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival.

recruiting Gelsomina to his project by dangling an old childhood fantasy in front of her. “If you work plenty, we’ll buy you a present – a camel? You used to want one.” “Yes, when I was a child. And by the way, it’s against the law.” “The law? Bullshit! Who’s gonna ever find it here?” The Wonders will appeal to fans of classic Italian comedy, intergenerational farce, and young talent. Maria Alexandra Lungu shows great potential as the headstrong Gelsomina. (Clay, 4/25; Kabuki, 4/26; PFA, 4/29) The Diplomat Was he the “thinking man’s Henry Kissinger?” Was his

a vital liberal foreign-policy voice stilled (at 69) way before his time? How did one man manage to serve every White House occupant from JFK to Obama? This unusually intimate guide to the world of highstakes, globe-trotting diplomacy is directed by Richard Holbrooke’s older son David. (Kabuki, 4/30, 5/3) The Postman’s White Nights Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky uses a beautiful corner of his sprawling nation as a backdrop for an affectionate look at a flabby middle-aged mailman who forges personal links to the customers along his route, viewed over the course of a few lazy summer days. (PFA, 4/26; Clay, 4/28; Kabuki, 4/29)

Black Coal, Thin Ice Director Diao Yinan plays with time, a veteran cop’s mental stress and snippets of extreme violence in this Hong Kong-set noir where a once-unshockable detective is traumatized over the course of a gruesome serial killer case. We get a twisted peek at the cop’s failings in a first-act scene when he brutally mistreats (practically rapes) a young woman. Kudos for a truly brave performance from lead actor Liao Fan. (PFA, 4/25; Clay, 4/27; Kabuki, 4/29) Iris Fans of his cutting-edge nonfiction films such as Gimme Shelter, the classic portrait of Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones confronting

murder and the Hells Angels at their Altamont Speedway concert, will appreciate this final work by the legendary Albert Maysles (he was 88). It’s an affectionate portrait of his friend, the fashion queen Iris Apfel, in her 90s. (Kabuki, 4/24, 26) An Evening with Guillermo Del Toro This cutting-edge Mexican filmmaker, known to a broad audience for his dark horror-film visions (Cronos, Hellboy), gets the festival’s Irving M. Levin Directing Award, followed by a rare screening of his magnificent ghost-story drama The Devil’s Backbone. (Castro, 4/25)t

cuses on the Right-Left divide in the context of the 1968 national conventions. The clash of Staid vs. Hip galvanizes the televised debates between conservative William F. Buckley and radical Gore Vidal, who wins by calling Buckley a crypto-Nazi, provoking Buckley to self-destruct in a stunning tizzy of homosexual panic. As if to illustrate its thesis that TV killed intellectual discourse, Enemies doesn’t even try to elucidate the issues that continue to corrupt the country. The biography Listen to Me Marlon (Kabuki 4/25, 29; PFA, 4/27) offers insights into the complexities of career management for an artistic genius with anti-Establishment political convictions. Brando, the world’s greatest avatar of Stanislavski’s “method” as translated for the New York theater, revolutionized acting by replacing pseudo-British technique with deeply personal, wildly sexy,

passionately poetic embodiments of rebel youth and men of conscience. His private life was a sensationalized fiasco, as were his final films, but he is always worth watching, like a T-Rex in a tar pit, in his death struggle with the forces of American success. Another look at artistic conscience, What Happened, Miss Simone? (Castro, 4/24) aims to provide a definitive portrait of singer Nina Simone, but as no peep was permitted this press person, I can only express my deepest admiration for the subject matter. That people draw strength from

adversity never ceases to amaze conformists. As a black musician devoted to fighting and singing for civil rights, Simone found a resonant power denied better-known performers who evade community engagement. A blood-rare exemplar of musical intelligence, emotional intensity, and poetic integrity. No review of the decline of 20thcentury political activism would be complete without celebrating the leftist terrorist crash-and-burn known as the Red Faction Army or Baader-Meinhof Gang, sexy post-

Nazi anti-fascists turned desperados who flamed out in a series of crimesagainst-the-state that continue to haunt, inspire, and unsettle. A German Youth (PFA, 4/25; Kabuki 5/2, 5) vomits up a compelling compendium of obscure archival footage illuminating the militants’ rise and fall, circa 1967-76. Enlightened-militant icon Ulrike Meinhof and her comrades tried wresting the means of media production from state-sponsored military industrialists. First by film, debate, and article. Then by gun, kidnap, and explosion. They failed.t

Courtesy of SFFS

A scene from Stevan Riley’s Listen to Me Marlon, playing the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival.

Info: SFFS.org.

Gowns, accessories, and other looks by the most influential designers of the last hundred years—including Chanel, Givenchy, Dior, and Charles James— trace the evolution of fashion in the 20th century. See this exclusive West Coast presentation from the Brooklyn Museum’s distinguished costume collection.

MARCH 14–JULY 19, 2015

Legion of Honor

Lincoln Park • legionofhonor.org This exhibition is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Courtesy of SFFS

A scene from Jean-Gabriel Periot’s A German Youth, playing the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival.

President’s Circle: The Estate of Merrill and Hedy Thruston. Conservator’s Circle: The Diana Dollar Knowles Fund. Benefactor’s Circle: The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, the Estate of Harriet E. Lang, and Robert and Carole McNeil. Patron’s Circle: Mr. and Mrs. William Hamilton, Mrs. James K. McWilliams, and Jim and Arlene Sullivan. Additional support provided through proceeds from The Art of Fashion: Runway Show and Luncheon. Digital Design by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Media Sponsors Charles James, “Tree” ball gown, 1955. Silk taffeta and tulle. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., 1981. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

<< Books

30 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Premature exultation by Brian Bromberger

It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia & Winning True Equality by Michelangelo Signorile (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $27) efore we pop the cork on the champagne bottle to celebrate the likely countrywide Supreme Court legalization of same-sex marriage in late June, muckraker journalist Michelangelo Signorile cautions us in his new book It’s Not Over that parties trumpeting the ascendancy of LGBT equality are premature. The gay and lesbian community is suffering from victory blindness, a refusal to see the ongoing discrimination and violence hiding in plain sight, the dangerous illusion that we’ve won the war and are being precipitously magnanimous to our enemies. Signorile is all too eager to provide the heartbreaking evidence: 29 states with no laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination, rising reports of anti-gay violence, more people still entrenched in the closet (especially in intolerant states like

Mississippi, upwards of 80% of gay men), 30-40% of all teen suicides are LGBT-related, not to mention rampant school bullying. Overt homophobia still thrives, such as lesbian Jennifer Tipton not being allowed to enter Dollywood, a Dolly Parton-themed amusement park, because she was wearing a progay-marriage T-shirt. Signorile also

predicts a serious backlash once same-sex marriage is legalized in all 50 states. Famous as one of the first proponents of outing in the early 1990s in his OutWeek columns and in his book Queer in America, Signorile is no wallflower when it comes to reminding readers that all the stories, case histories, and research he documents in his book have already been broadcast on his Sirius XM Progress radio show or published in a blurb on Huffington Post Gay Voices, of which he is editor-atlarge. He borrows Kenji Yoshino’s 2006 concept of covering, or “a toning down of a disfavored identity to fit into the mainstream,” to describe why so many queers have jumped on the assimilation bandwagon by downplaying differences to make themselves palatable or inoffensive by never stepping on establishment toes. Signorile makes the case that many straight people who are accepting of LGBTs do not want to know what they do sexually. Hollywood is inclined to make sure they don’t, by creating gay characters (mostly in supporting roles) who are witty but largely nonsexual. Both Hollywood and the media enforce the glass closet by protecting celebrities and politi-

cians who live openly gay lives yet don’t acknowledge themselves publicly. When such sensitivities are not honored, such as NFL player Michael Sam kissing his boyfriend in front of the ESPN TV cameras, all hell breaks loose. Signorile is incisive on skewering the gay conservative incrementalist approach, which he rightfully exposes as a kind of legislative covering, with a prime example being HRC trying to push an ENDA bill which initially cut out any protections for transgender individuals. Up until this past December, HRC supported a broad religious exemption enabling right-wing homophobes to discriminate against LGBTs under cover of religious liberty arguments. This topic is now in the news with new religious freedom laws enacted in Indiana and Arkansas. Signorile highlights recent psychology research revealing that while explicit public bias against LGBT people has declined, implicit bias, meaning privately held attitudes, have changed little. Finally, Signorile is excellent on chastising the media for providing a platform for anti-gay bigots to spew hateful comments to provide more “balanced” arguments, arguing that the media would never tolerate white supremacist proponents to counterattack pro-black positions. Though he is current in his vic-

tory blindness examples, such as the Brendan Eich, resigned Mozilla CEO, brouhaha of last year, and how some gay activists sought refuge under the false premise that the LGBT mainstream was intimidating Eich’s free speech, Signorile’s basic thesis of overhasty equality is not new. A year ago, sociology professor Suzanna Walters in her book The Tolerance Trap presented many of the same concepts in similar areas (such as Hollywood and media) in a less alarmist manner, with a sophisticated cultural criticism absent in It’s Not Over. While Signorile tends to adopt a pessimistic approach to continued discrimination and backlash, he does suggest a series of steps to help win true equality, such as teaching LGBT history in schools, teaching LGBT youth self-defense to encourage self-empowerment, and scrapping the victory narrative so we can win the long war against bigotry, reject covering, and demand full civil rights through grass roots empowerment. These are worthwhile moves in a battle plan to fight still powerful and well-entrenched attitudes and opponents. All this evidence renders It’s Not Over a trenchant critique of Washingtonmedia-Hollywood bias and gay establishment triumphalism, coupled with provocative advice we ignore at our own peril.t

Hayworth the public had never seen – treacherous, hard, cold. She is superb, but audiences wanted the warmer, more traditionally sexy star of Gilda (1946). Appalled, Columbia rushed her into The Loves of Carmen, a more typical, forgettable vehicle. She divorced Welles late in 1948, married Prince Aly Khan the next year, and stayed away from the screen until 1952. Sloane’s reptilian Arthur is riveting, and Anders and De Corsia were never better. The picture may be classified as a film noir, but it rises above the limitations of that genre. Like Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep (1946), the plot is nearly indecipherable, but it doesn’t matter. Welles is fine before the camera, but even better behind it. The San Francisco locations are remarkable

and capture a city that barely exists today. Welles guided three cinematographers – Charles Lawton (credited), Rudolph Mate and Joseph Walker (both uncredited) – to achieve the memorable black-andwhite look. Welles is credited for the screenplay, based on Sherwood King’s novel. Shooting costs soared beyond the budget. Cohn was unhappy with the results and demanded re-takes. With the exception of the spectacular finale, American reviewers disliked the picture, and it failed commercially. It got good notices in Europe, however. Today, it’s considered a masterpiece. David Kehr has called it “the weirdest great movie ever made.” In 2012, six influential English critics listed it as one of the 10 best films of all time.t

Desperate brilliance by Tavo Amador

n Chuck Workman’s fascinating documentary Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014), the great director/ actor’s life is pieced together using interviews he gave over the years. In those, he was humble, charming, carefully burnishing his legend, frequently downplaying the stress of his professional life. In fact, the creation of his films was often a troubled, unpredictable result of vision, inspiration, and desperation. That is especially true of his dazzling The Lady from Shanghai (1948), recently released in Blu-ray. In 1946, Welles was in Boston, staging a hugely expensive version of Around the World in 80 Days. He needed money to keep the show afloat. His marriage to Love Goddess Rita Hayworth was crumbling. But she was Columbia Studios’ biggest star, so he called mogul Harry Cohn for a loan of $50,000. Cohn

was willing, if Welles would make a movie for the studio. Welles accepted. Cohn wanted specifics. Welles, in a phone booth, glanced at a rack of paperback books. One caught his eye. If I Die Before I Wake, he said, and proceeded to invent a plot. Cohn was hooked, but insisted that Hayworth star. Welles agreed, although in Magician he claims she asked him to play the title role of the renamed picture. Beautiful Elsa Bannister (Hayworth) is riding in a horse-drawn carriage in Manhattan’s Central Park. She meets Irish sailor Michael O’Hara (Welles). She and her husband, famed criminal defense attorney Arthur Bannister (Evert Sloane), have just arrived in New York from Shanghai, and are planning to sail through the Panama Canal to San Francisco. When her carriage is accosted by three hooligans, Michael rescues her. Grateful, she offers him a job on their yacht. He accepts. It’s clear she’s interested in

ebar.com

more than his sailing skills, however. Joining the cruise is Bannister’s business partner, George Grisby (Glenn Anders). He offers Michael $5,000 (a substantial sum at the time) to fake murdering him. George will simply disappear, and without a body, Michael can’t be convicted of the killing. Michael agrees. Complications arise, however, when private detective Sydney Broome (Ted De Corsia), whom Arthur has hired to monitor Elsa, foils the plot. George had planned to murder Arthur and pin the crime on Michael. After a series of complicated confrontations, Grisby is found dead, and Michael is arrested in San Francisco. Arthur, unaware that Elsa has seduced Michael, undertakes his defense. Arthur believes Michael can be acquitted if he pleads justifiable homicide, but during the trial, he learns of Elsa’s affair with him. Realizing Arthur’s not going to help him, Michael fears he will be convicted. Just before the verdict is announced, he and Elsa flee the courthouse and race through Chinatown, hiding among the audience in a theatre, watching the live stage show. Then friends of Elsa knock Michael out, taking him to an abandoned Fun House at San Francisco’s old Playland by the Beach. When Michael awakes, he is surrounded by the Fun House’s mirrors, which distort his reflection – and those of Elsa and Arthur. During the magnificently photographed climatic scenes, the true murderer is revealed while shots are fired, shattering the mirrors, before ultimately hitting their target. This is one of the greatest sequences in movie history. The film can be seen as Welles’ misogynistic attack on Hayworth for leaving him, although he always spoke warmly of her and praised her performance. Still, he insisted that she cut her fabled shoulderlength copper-red tresses short and bleach them blonde – perhaps echoing Lana Turner’s look in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Hayworth would later say the new look was Cohn’s idea, which seems unlikely. In any case, this was a

Music>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 31

Vanessa Williams takes the town

sure to touch on all of them when she appears on Sat., April 25, at the Broadway @ The Nourse concert series. The evening is a combination interview and concert hosted by Seth Rudetsky, with a special appearance by drag diva Varla Jean Merman. “I have no idea what’s in store with Seth,” Williams told me in a recent interview. “I don’t know what to expect, so we’ll just see what happens!” Williams recently finished shooting a pilot for the Fox comedy series Fantasy Life opposite Kevin Connolly of Entourage. “It’s a workplace comedy about fantasy football,” she says. “I

play the Senior VP of Programming for the Fox Sports Channel: another strong, opinionated boss woman. In TV, I’ve proven that I can do that role.” Williams first came to national attention as the first African American to be crowned Miss America in 1984. The title was later revoked when nude photos of her surfaced, but she parlayed the notoriety into a successful music career throughout the 90s, most notably with the hit song “Save the Best for Last” and the Oscar-winning “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s Pocahontas. As Williams recounts in the 2013 mother-daughter memoir You Have No Idea, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, despite the pageants and the music, she was first and foremost a theatre girl. That dream came to life when she made her 1994 Broadway musical debut following Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman. “My most emotional performance was opening night of that show,” she says. “My family, my friends, and my friends from school were all there, and it was like a collective triumph. I grew up in New York, and it was a dream come true.” In the 2002 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical Into the Woods, Williams earned critical praise and a Tony Award nomination for her performance as the Witch. She only saw part of the recent film version with Meryl Streep (while her daughter was watching it), but she says it’s impossible to draw parallels or comparisons. “Stage and film are always such different experiences,” she says. “There’s nothing like doing live theatre, and I love that show. I saw the first production [with Bernadette Peters], and I saw Cleo Laine do it. I just loved working with Stephen and James, and it was great to get a Tony nomination.” Her dastardly doings as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty, aided by her conniving gay assistant Marc St.

porch stomp of “Song of Sorrow” do raise one question. Where will she find a place to be heard in the current musical climate? Lilly Hiatt also has a famous father; singer-songwriter John Hiatt. On “Far Away,” the opening track of Royal Blue (Normaltown), Hiatt gives the impression that she’s been listening more to Rosanne Cash than to her own father, which is interesting since Cash had a hit with John Hiatt’s “Pink Bedroom.” The mid-1980s Cash influence remains in effect throughout the disc. Hiatt is a marvelous singer and songwriter, at her best on “Get this Right,” “Jesus Would’ve Let Me Pick the Restaurant,” “I Don’t Do Those Things Anymore” and the raucous “Machine.” WTF, Kelly Clarkson? How dare you release an album as horrifying as this? You were AI’s one great hope, the talented singer-songwriter who overcame the show’s mixed blessing and achieved success and respect. On the generic Piece by Piece (19/RCA), you’ve allowed yourself to be erased piece by piece, and replaced with a faceless singer spewing forgettable tripe by song-

writing-by-committee-ringleader Kara Dioguardi (please go away!), the tireless and tiresome Sia, and the formerly interesting Greg Kurstin. “Heartbeat Song,” “Invincible,” and “War Paint” are lazy, formulaic variations of every song playing on the airwaves. With the exception of the mildly inoffensive John Legend duet “Run Run Run” and the potential club track “Dance with Me,” this album is a complete waste of digital technology. More than 10 years ago, acoustic-electro singer-songwriter Toby Lightman had a minor hit with the song “Devils and Angels.” She ups the beats a bit on the title track from her latest album Every Kind of People (T Killa), not to be confused with the Robert Palmer song of the same name. Lightman’s voice is the selling point here. She’s a good songwriter, as you can hear on “My Love and Me,” and “Talking Too,” but it’s Lightman’s radiant voice that gives the songs their glow. Broadway diva Morgan James loads her artillery with a set of soulful tunes on Hunter (Epic). James joins a long line of stage stars, including Patti LuPone, Jennifer Holliday, Betty Buckley, Elisabeth Withers, Heather Headley, Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, to aim for pop success. Only Menzel has been able to establish that, mainly due to a hit song from a Disney movie. James certainly has the chops; her voice is an impressive instrument. “Bring Yourself to Me” and “I Want You,” which borrow liberally from Diana Ross and Sophie B. Hawkins respectively, are derivative. “I Don’t Speak You,” and “Let Me Keep You” are refreshing takes on blue-eyed soul.t

Mike Ruiz

Vanessa Williams: “There’s nothing like doing live theatre.”

by Adam Sandel

race yourself, San Francisco, Wilhelmina is coming to town! Actually it’s Vanessa Williams, the beautiful star of stage and screen, whom millions of fans remember as the devious fashion diva Wilhelmina Slater on TV’s Ugly Betty. Whether your fondest memories of Williams are from Ugly Betty or Desperate Housewives, her film roles in Soul Food or Eraser, her Broadway turns in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods, Sondheim on Sondheim, or The Trip to Bountiful, she’s

James (Michael Urie), endeared her to fans of camp comedy both gay and straight. The show ran for four seasons, from 2006-10, and is currently earning new fans on Netflix. Williams is the proud mother of four children (ages 15-25), she’s been married twice (to PR consultant Ramon Hervey II and NBA player Rick Fox), and in 2014 she announced her engagement to retired accountant Jim Skrip. She’s been an outspoken advocate for gay rights and has partnered with HRC to fight for marriage equality, yet she’s never experienced any backlash. “My parents were both teachers, and they were very progressive,” she says. “My mom had gay friends, and I grew up with them vis-

iting our house.” Supporting LGBT rights came naturally to Williams, who grew up surrounded by gay friends. “I majored in musical theatre in high school and college,” she says. “I was a dancer! I have gay friends who’ve been together longer than me in all my marriages combined!”t Vanessa Williams: Broadway @ The Nourse, benefits San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Project Open Hand & San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, with pianist/host Seth Rudetsky and guest Varla Jean Merman. Sat., April 25, 8 p.m., Nourse Theatre, SF. Tickets: (415) 392-4400 or cityboxoffice.com.

Madonna & on & onna by Gregg Shapiro

adonna’s Rebel Heart (Maverick-Live Nation-Interscope) is her best and most accomplished album since Ray of Light. The deluxe edition, which contains 19 tracks, finds the almost immaterial girl (see MDNA and Hard Candy) on the road to redemption. For instance, there’s a lot of Catholic symbolism and references (oy, the Kabbalah community must be wiping the shvitz from their foreheads now that the meshuggeh shiksa has gone back to her roots) on the album, in songs such as “Devil Pray,” “Illuminati,” “Inside Out,” “Messiah” and the sexually explicit “Holy Water.” The best tracks, including the nondenominational gospel fervor of “Living for Love,” the simplistic but enjoyable “Hold Tight,” the sensitive and personal “Joan of Arc” and “HeartBreakCity,” the wordplay of “Body Shop,” the almost comically self-referential “Veni Vidi Vici” and the acoustic/electro title cut, all qualify as an artistic comeback. But Madonna’s overuse of “bitch” on “Unapologetic Bitch” and “Bitch I’m Madonna” (two song titles, really?) detracts. Elle King sounds like she’d rather be Imelda May than Madonna on her debut album Love Stuff (RCA). At least that’s the impression she gives on the modern rockabilly of album opener “Where the Devil Don’t Go.” King, the daughter of SNL alum Rob Schneider, has a growl that would make Lulu jealous. Her songs “Under the Influence,” “Kocaine Karolina,” the bare-bones “See You Again,” the empowerment spiritual “Ain’t Gonna Drown” and the front-

BESTIES 20 15

THE LGBT BEST OF THE BAY

WINNER - Best Wedding Photographer

Steven Underhill

PHOTOGRAPHY

415 370 7152

WEDDINGS, HEADSHOTS, PORTRAITS

stevenunderhill.com · stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

“Visceral, fresh, and ultimately sublime” — The Huffington Post

HELGI TOMASSON’S 30TH SEASON

MARIA KOCHETKOVA AND JOAN BOADA IN TOMASSON’S ROMEO & JULIET (© ERIK TOMASSON)

MAY 1–10

BUY TICKETS TODAY! SFBALLET.ORG 2015 MEDIA SPONSORS

ROMEO & JULIET MEDIA SPONSOR

FILMING OF ROMEO & JULIET IS SPONSORED BY FIRST REPUBLIC BANK.

Girl Sex 101

Royal road trip

NIGHTLIFE

SPIRITS

DINING

On the Tab

SOCIETY

ROMANCE

LEATHER

PERSONALS Vol. 44 • No. 17 • April 23-29, 2015

www.ebar.com ✶ www.bartabsf.com

Tv PaRTY

UNDER THE GOLDEN GaTE, THE QUEER vaRIETY SHOw by David-Elijah Nahmod

he producers of Under the Golden Gate, the Bay Area’s queer variety series, invite you to join them inside the hallowed halls of the San Francisco Armory for the taping of another naughty but nice and fun-filled episode of their show. The Armory, former home of the San Francisco National Guard, which was also at one time turned into a far-off galaxy for the Star Wars franchise, currently serves as the headquarters for Kink.com, See page 46 >> purveyors of BDSM porn.

) Y T N U

O C ( EST

W GO

ay w a t e g ate m i t l u The

ur o n i d un o f e b n ca

Dan Karoska, guest Danarama, Director of Kink University, and Maria Konner at The Armory’s salon for a taping of Under the Golden Gate.

ard y k c a b own

Waves crashing on the rugged Sonoma Coast north of Bodega Bay.

by Sean Timberlake

erhaps the best thing about living in the Bay Area is that we are graced with abundant natural beauty right at our fingertips. Even in the hearts of our cities, there exist parks that can transport you to a world apart. If you’re in need of a more literal getaway, See page 34 >> you needn’t travel far.

{ THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

45 eB AR .co

Our largest edition of the year publishes on June 25, 2015 and will celebrate Pride’s historic 45th anniversary.

eck newIt’s out the s, art Bay s, clas Are sifi a Rep eds orte , and r onl per ine son – als.

in Highlights taries, shorts. Arts features, documen

see

the of the Those were and memories section and the music See second

EPORTER AY REA Serving the

by Seth Hemmelg

gay, lesbian,

arn

bisexual, and

▼

page

es his

ive 10th ann Cassell

column afte arn by Seth Hemmelg

Jane Philomen

NectArena executive producer Jade Williams, as Edaj. better known

Cleland

ies since 1971

s retir Sweet Lip r 39 years

celebrat NectArena rsary by Heather

. No. 25 . 24 June 2010

Pride has two most prominent one of the the world at stages in stages women’s L. idea of women’s “sparked the events,” said Kendall other Pride

▼

Rick Gerharter

S unfurl material a contingent rainbow Members of to the colors in the ing Parade. correspond the 2008 Pride flag during

Vol. 40

communit transgender

▼

34 wraps up Frameline final weekend’s The big 4-0! days: The politics of Pride parade.

As the only LGBT publication with an audited and verified circulation, the Bay Area Reporter offers the largest reach to LGBT consumers in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!

▼

OUR 2015 PRIDE EDITION PUBLISHES JUNE 25. CALL 415-861-5019 or EMAIL ADVERTISING@EBAR.COM FOR MORE INFO. page 13

NS ECTIO REE S OF TH FIRST

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

34 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Sean Timberlake

An old dinghy doubles as a planter at Nick’s Cove in Marshall.

Go West (County)

From page 33

While Russian River and the Wine Country get most of the local tourism buzz, the less-traveled roads of Western Sonoma and Marin counties offer a serene alternative. Quaint small towns dot the region, each with its own particular character.

Sean Timberlake

Handsome hunks frolic on Portuguese Beach north of Bodega Bay.

Where to Stay One of the best ways to enjoy the region is to rent a house. This affords you the maximum amount of privacy as well as the ability to cook in, if you like. HomeAway (www.homeaway.com) and AirBnB (www.airbnb.com) have the most comprehensive offerings. Though for coastal rentals specialty service Bodega Bay and Beyond (www. sonomacoast.com) has a more curated set of properties. In the event you want someone to change your sheets for you, there are plenty of charming options. Nick’s Cove (23240 Highway 1, Marshall; www.nickscove.com) is hard to beat for romance and luxe. Five of the 12 elegantly and eclectically decorated cottages (one has a toilet that’s more a throne) are perched on piers right over Tomales Bay, for an immersive experience. Room service will deliver anything from their recommendable bar and restaurant, so you may find you never leave the confines of your room. Heading up Route 1, you might breeze through the tiny hamlet of

Top: The old Potter Schoolhouse was made famous by Hitchcock’s The Birds. Bottom: Hitchcock memorabilia at The Country Store.

Valley Ford without noticing. At its heart sits the Valley Ford Hotel (14415 Shoreline Hwy, Valley Ford; www.vfordhotel.com), a Victorian manse with rockers on the porch and homey, country-inflected rooms, convenient to explore the area. Farther inland, up the Bohemian Highway, the Inn at Occidental (3657 Church St, Occidental; www. innatoccidental.com) looms over the old railroad town. Each of the 14 rooms is eccentrically decorated with quirky bric-a-brac and bold color motifs, like a bed and breakfast on a fever dream. It’s no less cozy for the quirk, though. Where (and What) to Eat Being coast-adjacent has its benefits, provided you like seafood. Throughout the area, there’s no shortage of places hawking oysters, clam chowder and fish and chips— and for good reason. Tomales Bay boasts some of the best oysters in the world, and it’s well worth heading directly to the source. In the thin thread of buildings that hugs the eastern shore of

the bay in Marshall, two growers sell direct to customers. For a shucking good time, grab a bag of bivalves at Hog Island Oyster Co. (20215 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall; www.hogislandoysters.com) and plonk down at one of their bayside picnic tables. It pays to plan ahead; the tables with grills can only be had by reservation. They also come with shucking tools, lemons and hot sauce, all for just $5 per person. Oysters are not included, but they’ll give you a free shucking lesson if you ask nicely. Nearby Tomales Bay Oyster Company (15479 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall; www.tomalesbayoystercompany.com) has a similar arrangement, as well as a bit of beach that you can loll on and admire the bay. Both places fill up fast, and parking is scant, so get there early. If you’re concerned about shucking your thumb off, pop in to the Marshall Store (19225 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall; www.themarshallstore.com) for Tomales Bay Oyster Company’s finest either raw or cooked in a variety of ways, plus crab, fish tacos and See page 35 >>

2016

Sean Timberlake

The Sonoma Coast beaches are great for hiking and horse riding.

Read more online at www.ebar.com

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 35

photos: Sean Timberlake

Top Left: Shuck up a few dozen bivalves at Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall. Top Right: Bodega Bay’s Spud Point Crab Company serves up award-winning clam chowder. Bottom Left: Wild Flour Bakery in Freestone bakes up their loaves in a wood-fired brick oven. Bottom Middle: A fresh take on a Pimm’s cup at Rocker Oysterfeller’s in Valley Ford. Bottom Right: Enjoy oysters, crab and more bayside at the Marshall Store.

>> Continued from page 35 meats from their smoker. On the ground level of the aforementioned Valley Ford Hotel, Rocker Oysterfeller’s (www.rockeroysterfellers.com) serves up comfort fare in a rustic, saloon-like environment. Of course there’s oysters and fish tacos, but the menu is inflected with a touch of Cajun flavor, with items like a cornmeal fried oyster po-boy and grilled eggplant jambalaya. Competent cocktails and cheerful service make this a popular spot, especially for $1 oysters on Thursdays and $3 happy hour fish tacos on Fridays. Stick around Sunday evenings for live music, too. Wending up the coast road, leaning to and fro like the lovebirds in Tippi Hedren’s sporty Aston Martin, you reach the most infamous destination on the coast. Surprisingly little has changed about Bodega Bay in the 50-plus years since the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, and the town remains an active fishing village fairly lightly touched by tourism. It retains a peaceful, small-town feel. You can peruse memorabilia from The Birds at the Bodega Country Store (17190 Bodega Highway) www.bodegastore.com), and check out the famous sights, including The Tides restaurant, and the Potter

School (17110 Bodega Lane). Clam chowder is a big deal in Bodega Bay; every restaurant hawks their signature recipe. Each March the town celebrates the dish with Chowder Day, a town-wide tasting event. The people’s choice award has consistently gone to Spud Point Crab Company (1860 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay; www.spudpointcrab. com), on the low road that hugs the expansive bay, and rightly so. It’s a complex number with a good bit of spice. However, its fame precedes it, and lines can be daunting.

Fine dining is not de rigueur in the area, but if you want to make a special night of it, Terrapin Creek (1580 Eastshore Rd, Bodega Bay; www.terrapincreekcafe.com) is the spot. Though in an unassuming strip mall-like structure, the restaurant has a cheery, colorful inside. The chefs serve elevated, elegantly presented food with farm-fresh ingredients and a nod to California fusion cuisine. For example, currylime vinaigrette lifts fresh Monterey sardines with watermelon radish and avocado.

Fish & Spuds Immediately adjacent, Fisherman’s Cove (1850 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay; m.mainstreethub.com/ bodegabayoysters) boasts a comparable chowder, as well as very good crab sandwiches and more, with significantly less wait. It’s also a tackle shop for all your fishing and marine needs. Up in the heart of town, Fishetarian (599 Hwy 1 S, Bodega Bay; www.fishetarian.org), next to the historic Lucas Wharf, also serves up a quality chowder that competes with the rest, plus arguably the best fish and chips around. Fun fact: At this year’s Chowder Day, both Fisherman’s Cove and Fishetarian’s chowders ranked higher than Spud Point in the blind tasting.

Wine, Bread, and Thou There’s no better way to take in the view over Bodega Bay than with a glass of wine. Stop into Gourmet au Bay (913 Coast Hwy 1 Bodega Bay; www.gourmetaubay.com) for one of their “wine surfing” flights from their carefully curated collection. Pair that up with a cheese plate featuring local creameries and Rustic Bakery crackers, and call it dinner if you like, then pick up a bottle of your favorite for the room afterwards. On the way home, swing through the diminutive town of Freestone for Wild Flour Bakery (140 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone; www.wildflourbread.com). Though in business since 1998, these hearty, rustic breads are a flashback to the great bakeries

Sean Timberlake

Left: Bodega Bay remains an active seaport and fishing village. Right: Metal pelican sculptures grace the entrance to one Bodega Bay resident’s house.

of the 1970s. Whether it’s a fougasse with goat cheese and herbs or a dense loaf of walnut levain, it’s delicious. Treat Yo Self Also in Freestone is one of the most remarkable –and unusual– spa experiences. Step through the doors of Osmosis (209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone; www.osmosis. com) and be transported to a zen garden in Japan. Enjoy a cup of tea and relax while admiring the serene landscaping. Then it’s time for the bath. Instead of soaking in hot water, though, you

lower yourself into into beds of cedar shavings and rice bran that are actively fermenting, creating heat. The cedar enzyme bath is meant to draw toxins out of the body; at the least it is astonishingly relaxing. This is best done with a partner. Once you’re out of the bath, you need to brush the shavings out of every bodily crevice, so choose your company well, and book the couples massage for good measure. t Read more of Sean Timberlake’s features on food at www.punkdomestics.com

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

36 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Girl Sex 101 New and improved how-to

by Krissy Eliot

who has girl sex.” This isn’t just any other howf you think you know how to get to book on doin’ it (though there it on with the ladies, think again. are cunnilingus tips aplenty). The Sex educator and author Allison book alternates between nonficMoon redefines what it means to tion and erotica, and follows two fuck women in Girl Sex 101, a book characters on a road trip with sex that says the word “girl” doesn’t alscenes that will rev your engine. ways mean cisgendered female and The road trip story was inspired can encompass a vast array of bodies, by Moon’s take on how girl sex is personality types and states of mind. like learning to drive: it’s a big reThe meaning of gender sponsibility and gets is changing and so is easier the more you the definition of female do it. The nonfiction fucking; if you’re getting parts of the book exwith chicks, that doesn’t plain techniques and mean you’re only dealing ideas and the erotic with breasts and vaginas. fiction demonstrates “Queer sex is by defihow they can be hot nition not easy to dein practice. scribe. And I think it’s The book is super Girl Sex 101 the same way for gender inclusionary – not now,” Moon said. “I designed the just for sexualities – but for all As a white, bisexual, cisgender book to open the scope a little more humans and body types. There are female who is used to seeing many so that I could include more people people of color, women who are versions of myself depicted in the – like gender queer folks and trans menopausal or pregnant and even sex books and articles I read, it was women and cis women and lesbithose who are differently abled. The surprising and refreshing to see ans and bi people – and encapsubook is so inclusive that its mere other lifestyles and bodies casually late whomever might at some point existence calls attention to just how referenced and treated as normal. consider themselves to be a person much erasure there is in media. (There’s an entire section on how to touch girl dicks!) It also made me feel really badly about how little I think about diverse sexualities on a regular basis (a necessary guilt). Though the book has a lot of written content, it’s also reliant on some wild and wacky illustrations that bring the facts and advice to life. Illustrator KD Diamond, whose work can be seen in The Ultimate Guide to Kink, Playing Well With Others, The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure, and Partners in Pleasure, said her Girl Sex 101 drawings were inspired by a combination of influences, from 1980s/1990s animation to R. Crumb. Diamond included herself and a number of good friends in her illustrations throughout. No dildo harness or vulva drawing is alike and virtually every body type imaginable is given a chance to shine on the pages. “If you’re looking for a fun Easter egg hunt,” Diamond said, “See if you can find a Diamond on (almost) every page.” But even though the book is heavy on the pictures, don’t think it’s something you can just leaf through and get the gist. And don’t think it’s just all Moon’s ideas either. The book features advice and stories Girl Sex 101 co-authors Allison Moon and KD Diamond (at the wheel). from many sex icons like educators Sex Nerd Sandra and Reid Mihalko

and porn stars like Nina Hartley and Jiz Lee. And the book covers far more than just the mechanics of fucking, with discussions about consent, coming out, dating, “dyke drama” and how to integrate a new sexual identity into your life. Moon makes a point to discuss sex and sexuality labels and what they mean to different people. There’s a glossary with words that the general public isn’t privy to, such as trans-clit, grounded, normative, non-normative, etc. If you’re not familiar with most of the terms, it can get a little taxing to keep up with all the lingo. And after you’ve expended energy trying to learn it all, you can feel kind of defeated when you reach the end of the book and Moon says language is a “frail thing” anyway and you can claim any label you desire if it means something unique for you. She quotes Dan Savage, who said, “Anyone is allowed to identify however they want. And you’re allowed to not believe them.” So if any label can mean anything to anyone, what’s the freaking point of gender and sexuality labels anyway? “There’s a lot of power in identity words. But the flip side is, those iden-

tity words become limiting as people grow,” Moon said. “I think that ultimately, humans are more diverse than the words we have to describe them. Description by very nature is reductive and loses a lot of nuance. And I think for me, with this book, it was my attempt to place a little more nuance back in. There are all sorts of ways to be, and ultimately we’re dealing with a faulty system. And that’s nobody’s fault. That’s just the system we’ve been given, and our job is to be kind to one another and ourselves.” So if you can’t understand how a dick can be involved in girl-on-girl sex, then this book is for you. And if you can understand and want to learn how to touch it, then this book is for you, too. And speaking as someone who has yet to ride chick dick, reading Girl Sex 101 made me think of going down the road not taken.t You can get a copy of Girl Sex 101 by visiting www.GirlSex101.com, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can also find Allison Moon’s writing and work at www.talesofthepack.com and KD Diamond’s artwork at www.katiediamond.com. Readers can contact Krissy by email at thekrissyeliot@gmail.com and view her previous work at www.krissyeliot.com.

Illustrations from Girl Sex 101.

Brandon Flowers Killers front man’s ‘Desired Effect’ by Jim Provenzano

The Desired Effect will be released in May, but the single “Can’t Deny My Love” has made the music video rounds. Produced with Grammy-winning Ariel Rechtshaid, there is a less clear Killers reflection

t a sold-out night of PopScene’s 20th anniversary celebrations at The Rickshaw Stop, Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers performed some of the songs on his new solo album, The Desired Effect (Island Records). The appreciate audience sang along to most all the older songs, including his inclusion of a few Killers favorites. In a sparkly black jacket and shaggy hair, Flowers popped onto the stage early at the intimate club, known for its eclectic band choices and soundbuffering red curtains. He opened with “Dreams Come True,” from his forthcoming new album. In his brief onstage comments between songs, Flowers recalled his visits to San Francisco (from Las Vegas, where The Killers started) to Brandon Flowers’ The Desired Effect see bands like The Strokes. His cover of the INXS 1982 clasthan Flowers’ prior solo efforts, with sic “Don’t Change” revealed a bit a more pleasant upbeat tone. of Flowers’ influences, and his afAnd that’s not just vocally. While fection for slightly anthemic rock he was in good voice, with a pair sounds with an electro beat. of lovely women back-up sing-

ers, three guitarists and acoustic and electronic drummers, Flowers seemed upbeat, and not as serious as with some of his Killers shows. Even the solemn “Lonely Town” had a plaintive yet hopeful quality. His new singles include the power-pop “Can’t Deny My Love.” The lyrics reflect a less strange urgency than some of his Killers hits (like “Are We Human?”), and little of the dark anger in “Mister Brightside,” (which, when performed as a closing encore, Flowers more chanted/shouted than sang along with the crowd). “Still Want You” reveals a bit of unfulfilled desire, but the melodic line sounds like he’s enjoying his longing. Songs on The Desired Effect have a much more upbeat feeling, and are downright pleasant. There may be a larger or darker meaning to the new songs, which I’ll investigate later. For now, it’s great to hear some new yet similar sounding tunes from the affable Flowers.t www.brandonflowersmusic.com

Torey Mundkowsky

Brandon Flowers at The Rickshaw Stop on April 16 for PopScene’s 20th anniversary.

Read more online at www.ebar.com

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 37

Royals on the road

by Donna Sachet

an Francisco took the East Coast by storm as Reigning Emperor Kevin Lisle and Reigning Empress Khmera Rouge led a contingent of 12 San Franciscans to the Night of a Thousand Gowns & Imperial Coronation on April 11 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square! We spent Friday there exploring the glorious expressions of retail fantasy represented by BergdorfGoodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany, and all the other prestigious stores lining Fifth and Madison Avenues. Nothing like a little retail therapy to get the blood flowing! Then it was time to dive into Imperial activities as our group joined the Out of Town Show at Hardware Bar on 10th Avenue, where the entertainment was non-stop, old friends were reunited, and new friendships were begun. We ended the evening appropriately at Stonewall Bar, site of the original riots credited with igniting the modern gay rights battle. Few experiences can compare to standing in this iconic location, casually enjoying cocktails and conversing with fellow members of the LGBT Community with freedoms and self-confidence only dreamed of 50 years ago. We couldn’t help thinking back to our own recent gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Imperial Court of San Francisco and how powerfully intertwined our stories have become. Time seemed to stand still as we joined our reigning monarchs in signing the official register book presented by Stonewall Riots witness and Stonewall Bar current employee Tree Sequoia to mark our visit. Then it was time to prepare for the main event on Saturday night. After a short visit to a very wellstocked hospitality suite and a few carefully selected jewelry purchases, the troops began to gather. From the Hyatt Times Square came the reigning monarchs, Kevin and Khmera, Travis Wise, Rusty Gaspard, and Lu Conrad. Joining us at the Marriott Marquis were Emperor Bradley Roberts, Grand Duchess Roxy Cotten Candy, Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n’t, Cory Vaughan & Walter Vandernald, and Ray McKenzie & Matt Homier. For those unfamiliar with the Night of a Thousand Gowns, it is a distinctive event, combining standard elements of an Imperial Coronation like in San Francisco with

Donna Sachet at the Stonewall Bar in Manhattan.

much more live entertainment and local awards and ceremonies. When an event begins with a red carpet which includes press interviews with Candyce Cane, Deborah Harry, and Larry Kramer, then continues with a three-course dinner starting with lobster risotto, and proceeds with entertainment by Jody Watley, Cheyenne Elliott, Rebecca Glasscock, and members of the Broadway cast of Avenue Q, you know this is no typical Imperial Coronation. As is our tradition, the Imperial Court of San Francisco proudly walked the runway of Coronation first, followed by more than 20 other visiting courts. Among the many special moments of the night, we were especially moved to see the 20th anniversary commemoration of the reign of Empress Philomena, a sweet friend from long ago who added wry humor and regal pageantry to the Court of New York. The weekend ended with the standard Victory Brunch, but at the dazzling Lips restaurant and club on East 56th Street. All in all, this was a trip full of grand ostentation, heartfelt reunions, newfound friendships, and genuine pride. Back in San Francisco, we attended Bill Wilson’s ceremony at the Pink Triangle Park to commemorate the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp 70 years ago. This tiny sliver of land on Market Street as it veers at Castro Street up into Twin Peaks was dedicated in 2003 to mark the horror of the Nazi Holocaust with a series of concrete posts topped by pink triangles, a symbol worn by prisoners who were identified as homosexual. Since then, the space has filled in with blooming rose bushes and the pink triangle has grown to represent gay unity and power over persecution. For the past 20 years, Patrick Carney and his team have assembled a huge pink triangle atop Twin Peaks for all the city to see during Pride Weekend. Bill’s uncle, Conrad Wilson, participated in the liberation of that camp, making this day of commemoration particularly meaningful for Bill, who shared passages in a letter from his uncle as well as other first-hand accounts. Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan also spoke, confessing that his broad knowledge of the Holocaust and his academic study of the aftermath did not include an awareness of this very local and significant memorial plot. Attendance at the event was small, but included Gary Virginia, Anna Damiani, Rick GerBill Wilson and Anna Damiani at Pink harter, Andrea Aiello, and Triangle Park in the Castro. Patrick Carney. Emotions

ran high as the ceremony ended with the placement of flowers and contemplative silence. We are so pleased with the Grand Marshals and other honorees announced by SF Pride with the promise of a few more to come, particularly our Celebrity Grand Marshals! All indications are for a record-breaking Pride Parade and Celebration, so prepare yourselves. With just over two months to plan, it may seem distant, but we are already in the planning stages for the Frameline Film Festival, June 1828, the 17th annual Pride Brunch and Beatbox Pride anniversary party on Saturday, June 27, and live television coverage of the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28. What are your plans? Of more immediate attention, please join us tonight at Q-Bar for Homo Thursday, 9PM-2AM, with a special birthday salute to this aging columnist. Yes, Locoya Hill insisted on including a birthday shout-out and we humbly acquiesced. On Saturday, April 25, Emperor Kevin Lisle and Empress Khmera Rouge invite you to a stunning

The touring Imperial Court entourage in New York City.

private home in Sausalito for their exclusive Golden Jubilee Cotillion, noon-4PM. A great deal of planning has gone into this new event and it includes a Cajun buffet by Rusty Gaspard, hosted premium bar, music from Kippy Marks, and other entertainment, all for $100 per person. This elegant setting demands wardrobes of daytime tans, whites, and pastels with a nod to days gone by. Check out complete details online. Later that night, don’t miss the Queens of the Castro drag show at Mission High School Auditorium, starting at 8:30PM and benefiting LGBT Youth. Performers include Phi Phi O’Hara of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jessica Wild, Grace Towers, The Rice Rockettes, and more. That same night, you have a chance to see Vanessa Williams at The Nourse Theatre at 8PM with special guest Varla Jean Merman, benefiting Project Open Hand and the SF Gay Men’s Chorus, or indulge in a little naughtiness at Code’s two-year anniversary at The Edge, hosted by Bestie Award-winning bartender Eric Lopez.

The following weekend, Supervisor David Campos invites you to a reception, Thursday, April 30, 7-10PM, at the GLBT History Museum on 18th Street to help generate funding for Dante Alencastre’s film project Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Julio Sarria. Saturday, May 2, is Patty McGroin’s Dollhouse, 4-7PM at Midnight Sun, the third annual Red Dress Ball, 9PM-2AM at Lookout, and NCLR’s annual gala at the Marriott Marquis for dinner and City View at the Metreon for the party and dancing. We’ll end this column with an invitation to thank Mike Smith, soon to be leaving AIDS/Breast Cancer Emergency Fund as its Executive Director after 13 years, at a party on Tuesday, May 5, 6-8:30PM, at Chambers restaurant at the Phoenix Hotel. So many lives have been changed and improved by the work of these dedicated organizations thanks to the tireless leadership of Mike Smith. Let’s turn out in great numbers for Cinco de Mike-O to show our appreciation!t

In Springtime, a young man’s fancy turns to... the World’s #1 Source for Gay News, Photos, and Entertainment!

edgemedianetwork.com

<< On the Tab

38 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

eON THE –TAB f April 23 30

★

Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Themed event nights at the fascinating nature museum, with DJed dancing, cocktails, fish, frogs, food and fun. $10-$12. 6pm-10pm, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

The musical comedy revue celebrates its 40th year with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Team Oasis @ Oasis The AIDS Life Cycle team's fundraiser includes raffles, prizes, and a drag show with U-Phoria, WooWoo Monroe, Linden Linty, Gia Maica, Laundra Tyme, and several more. . $10. 10pm-2am. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Thu 23

Thirsty Thursdays @ The Cafe

The Facts of Life live @ Oasis

hen the clock strikes, where will you be? At the bar, awaiting a drink? Stageside, awaiting the headlining band? At a cozy table, awaiting your date? Wait no more. Carpe noctem.

Thu 23 48 Hills First Anniversary @ Verdi Club Enjoy food and drinks with the founders Tim Redmond and Marke B, celebrity guest hosts, performers (comic Dhaya Lakshminarayanan) and Bay Area artists and activists to celebrate the first year of the nonprofit independent news and culture website. Comp beer & wine. $50, $100 and up. 6pm-9pm. 2424 Mariposa St. www.48hills.org

Bulge @ Powerhouse Grace Towers hosts the weekly gogotastic night of sexy dudes shakin' their bulges and getting wet in their undies for $100 prize (contest at midnight), and dance beats spun by DJ DAMnation. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Circle Jerk @ Nob Hill Theatre Rocco Steele, the super-hung porn actor, joins the interactive downstairs wank session (see his onstage shows listed Fri). $10. 9pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Damien Rice @ Fox Theatre, Oakland The lyrical Irish folk-pop singer performs. Marketa Irglova opens. $50-$60. 8pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. www.thefoxoakland.com

The Facts of Life @ Oasis Yes, it's true. Those wacky queens who gave you Sex & the City are now doing drag parody versions of two episodes from the cult classic schoolgirl sitcom! $25-$30. 7pm. Thu-Sat thru May 16. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Fuego @ The Watergarden, San Jose Weekly event, with Latin music, halfoff locker fees and Latin men, at the South Bay private men's bath house. $8-$39. Reg hours 24/7. 18+. 1010 The Alameda. (408) 275-1215. www.thewatergarden.com

Funny Fun @ Club 21, Oakland LGBT comedy night hosted by Dan Mires. $10. 8pm. 2111 Franklin St. Oakland. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Gym Class @ Hi Tops Enjoy cheap/free whiskey shots from jock-strapped hotties and sexy sports videos at the popular sports bar. 10pm-2am. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Homo Thursdays @ Qbar Celebrate Donna Sachet's birthday with guest DJ Riley Patrick and resident Franko at the weekly mashup/pop music night. No cover. 2 for 1 welld rinks, 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.qbarsf.com

Janis Ian @ City Winery, Napa The Grammy-winning veteran folkpop singer performs with Tom Paxton. $38-$45. 6pm doors/dinner option. 8pm concert. 1030 Main St., Napa. www.citywinery.com

Karaoke Night @ Club BnB, Oakland Sing your heart out at the free lively night. 8pm-2am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Mary Go Round @ Lookout Suppositori Spelling, Mercedez Munro and Holotta Tymes host the weekly night with DJ Philip Grasso, gogo guys, drink specials, and drag acts. 10pm-2am. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Drink specials, Top 40, gogo studs and no cover. 9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Disco guru DJ Bus Station John spins grooves at the intimate retro music night. 11th anniversary night!! $4. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

VIP @ Club 21, Oakland Hip Hop, Top 40, and sexy Latin music; gogo dancers, appetizers, and special guest DJs. No cover before 11pm and just $5 after all night. Dancing 9pm-3am. Happy hour 4pm8:30pm 2111 Franklin St. (510) 2689425. www.club21oakland.com

Boy Bar @ The Cafe Gus Presents' weekly dance night, with DJ Kid Sysko, cute gogos and $2 beer (before 10pm). 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Caribbean Carnaval @ Mission Cultural Center Dance party with a Carnivale theme; wear your festive ensembles at this fundraiser for the Center's Carnivale parade contingent. $12. 9pm-12am. 2868 Mission St. www.missionculturalcenter.org

Celebrate the queer/lesbian bar's last days with DJs Chelsea Starr, Doc Sleep, Siobhan Aluvalot, and Miss Pop. April 25: DJs Jenna Riot, Andre, Durt, Jibbz, and gogo gals galore. (open thru April 30). 3464 19th St. 863-2052. www.lexingtonclub.com

Club Papi @ Oasis The hot Latin night, with sexy gogos, pays a birthday tribute to Selena (with drag acts). $10. 10pm-2am. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.clubpapi.com www.sfoasis.com

Happy Friday @ Midnight Sun The popular video bar ends each work week with gogo guys (starting at 9pm) and drink specials. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Fri 24 Closing Parties @ The Lexington

Fri 24 Club Papi @ Oasis

Rocco Steele @ Nob Hill Theatre The super-hung daddy porn stud performs onstage live and nekkid, $25. Solo 8pm; sex show with Kyle Kash at 10pm. Also April 25. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Rock Fag @ Hole in the Wall Enjoy hard rock and punk music from DJ Don Baird at the wonderfully divey SoMa bar. 12pm-2am. 1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. www.hitws.com

Sandy Campbell, G. Scott Lacy @ Hotel Rex The singing/piano duo perform "Chasing Our Own Tales," a musical cabaret show of their longtime collaborations; cocktails and small plates available. $25-$45. 8pm. 562 Sutter St. 857-1896. www.societycabaret.com Mica Sigourney and pals' weekly offbeat drag performance night. 10pm-2am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Under the Golden Gate @ Kink.com

My So-Called Night @ Beaux

Sing out loud at the weekly least judgmental karaoke in town, hosted by the former owner of the bar. No cover. 9pm. 3152 Mission St. 8292233. www.virgilssf.com

Kyle Kash performs with Rocco Steele @ Nob Hill Theatre

Some Thing @ The Stud

The dearly missed Cookie Dough's weekly drag show continues, with gogo guys and hilarious fun. $5. 9pm2am. 4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Nap's Karaoke @ Virgil's Sea Room

Fri 24

Closing Parties @ Lexington Club

The Monster Show @ The Edge

Carnie Asada hosts a new weekly '90s-themed video, dancin', drinkin' night, with VJs Jorge Terez. Get down with your funky bunch, and enjoy 90cent drinks. '90s-themed attire and costume contest. No cover. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Fri 24

Latin Explosion @ Club 21, Oakland

Art & Wine Auction @ Minna Gallery

The festive gogo-filled dance club, with host Lulu, features Latin pop dance hits with DJs Speedy Douglas Romero and Fabricio; no cover before 10pm. April 24: DJ Kane. $6-$12. 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St., Oakland. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Lena Hall @ Feinstein's at the Nikko Tony Award winner and grammy nominee Broadway actress-singer ( Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kinky Boots), and San Francisco native, performs Sin and Salvation, her new cabaret concert. $40-$55. 8pm. Also April 25, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.lenahall.com www.ticketweb.com www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx

Manimal @ Beaux Gogo-tastic dance night starts off your weekend. $5. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Midnight Show @ Divas Weekly drag shows at the last transgender-friendly bar in the Polk; with hosts Victoria Secret, Alexis Miranda and several performers. Also Saturdays. $10. 11pm. 1081 Polk St. www.divassf.com

Kaiser Chiefs, Priory @ Regency Ballroom The two cool pop bands perform. $27$30. 9pm. 1300 Van Ness Ave. www.theregencyballroom.com

Red Hots Burlesque @ El Rio The saucy women's burlesque revue's weekend show; different musical guests each week. $10. 7:30pm. 3158 Mission St. 672-4735. Also Wed nights at Oasis. www.redhotsburlesque.com

Maria Konner and DJ Dank's offbeat irreverent talk show is taped at The Armory, this time with Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Gos), Tom Ammiano, The Ethel Merman Experience, Mama Dora and kink master Danarama. Free/donation $5-$10. Online RSVP required. 8pm. Edwardian Suite, 1800 Mission St. www.underthegoldengate.com

Sat 25 A.C.T. Gala @ Strand Theater Come Get Stranded, a black-tie gala fundraiser for American Conservatory Theatre's actor training and community programs, features Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, a lavish dinner, cocktails and entertainment; cocktails at The new strand Theatre, dinner under a tent at UN Plaza, and after-party back at The Strand, with muisc by DJ Flaxo. $1250-$2750 and up. 5pm-11pm. 1127 Market St. 439-2470. www.act-sf.org

Aprilween/Decadent Oasis @ DNA Lounge Booty gets costumey in spring downstairs, and extra Burning Manly, with the playa crew, including NeonBunny, hosting the upstairs room at the mash-up night. $15. 9pm-2am. 375 11th St. www.bootiemashup.com/sf/

Beer Bust @ Hole in the Wall Saloon Beer only $8 until you bust. 4pm-8pm. 1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. www.hitws.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle The classic leather bar's most popular Sunday daytime event now also takes place on Saturdays. 3pm-6pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

On the Tab>>

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 39

Bleaux @ Beaux

Sugar @ The Café

Name That Beat @ Toad Hall

Haute Toddy and Lindsay Slowhands' popular dance n drag n fun night, with guests Ethical Drugs and Gina Cide. $5 long island iced teas all night. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Dance, drink, cruise at the Castro club. 9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

BeBe Sweetbriar hosts a weekly musical trivia challenge and drag show. 8:30-11:30pm. 4146 18th St. at Castro. www.toadhallbar.com

La Bota Loca @ Club 21, Oakland DJed tunes, gogo hotties, drag shows, drink specials, all at Oakland's premiere Latin nightclub and weekly cowboy night. $10-$15. Dancing 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Club Rimshot @ Club BNB, Oakland Get groovin' at the weekly hip hop and R&B night at their new location. $8-$15. 9pm to 4am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Big Top @ Beaux Joshua J.'s homo disco circus night, with guest DJs and performers, hotty gogo guys and drink specials. 9pm2am. 2344 Market St. www.BeauxSF.com

Brunch @ Hi Tops Enjoy crunchy sandwiches and mimosas, among other menu items, at the popular sports bar. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

GlamaZone @ The Cafe

Suppositori Spelling's wacky weekly drag show at the cute lil gay bar. 10pm-2am. 1900 Folsom St. 5710925. www.trucksf.com

Pollo del Mar's weekly drag shows takes on different themes with a comic edge. 8:30-11:30pm. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Code @ The Edge

Jock @ The Lookout

Feral @ Plough and Stars The local Americana band performs with Storm Miguel Florez. 9pm. 116 Clement St. Also April 26 with Ghost Town Gospel, 5pm. at 924 Gilman, Berkeley. www.musiciansareferal.com

Mother @ Oasis Heklina's weekly drag show night at the fabulous renovated SoMa nightclub; plus DJ MC2 and guests. April 25: High School Confidential. $10. 10pm-2am. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Second Anniversary @ SF Eagle Celebrate two years of the renovated and re-energized historic leather bar, with DJs Taco Tuesday and Chipmint, Rotten Robbie, DJ Bus Station John, and Dano; live shows with Ethel Merman and SheGees (the bear BeeGees cover band); drink specials, free BBQ food, no cover. 7pm-2am. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Stand Up Sit Down @ La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley Stand up comedy and sit-down interviews with Karinda Dobbins and Lakshminarayanan, comic and storytellers Josh Healey and Boot Riley. $12-$15. 7pm. 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www.lapena.org

New weekly dance night, with Jocques, DJs Tori, Twistmix and Andre. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni's Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

Patio dance party (4th Saturdays) with DJ Justime, Jeremy Rosebrook, Lamont Young and Pete Avila. $5$15. 3pm-8pm. 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. (510) 444-7474. www.thenewparish.com

The classic leather bar's most popular Sunday daytime event in town draws the menfolk. 3pm-6pm. Now also on Saturdays! 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Enjoy the two-year anniversary of the 'leather in the Castro' night at the popular bar, with host Erik Lopez and DJ Sean McMahon. Leather/kink dress code, please! 9pm-2am. 4149 18th St. www.edgesf.com

Opulence @ Beaux

Afternoon Delight @ The New Parish

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

Cocktailgate @ Truck

Mica Sigourney and Tom Temprano cohost the wacky weekly game night at the cool Mission bar. 8pm. 3152 Mission St. www.virgilssf.com

Sun 26

The ursine crowd converges for beer and fun. 4pm-8pm. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Vanessa Williams @ Nourse Theatre

No No Bingo @ Virgil's Sea Room

Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman @ Masonic Auditorium

The elegant singer-actress performs in a concert with pianist/host Seth Rudetsky, guest Varla Jean Merman; proceeds benefit San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Project Open Hand & San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. $50$100. 8pm. 275 Hayes St. 392-4400. www.cityboxoffice.com

Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon

Sat 25

Sun26

Vanessa Williams @ Nourse Theater

The weekly jock-ular fun continues, with special sports team fundraisers. DJed dance music 3pm-7pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Liquid Brunch @ Beaux No cover, no food, just drinks (Mimosas, Bloody Marys, etc.) and music. 2pm-9pm. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman @ Masonic Auditorium The married comedy duo ( Parks and Recreation ) perform together in Summer of 69: No Apostrophe. $42.50. 7pm. 1111 California St. www.sfmasonic.com

Salsa Sundays @ El Rio Salsa dancing for LGBT folks and friends, with live merengue and cumbia bands; tapas and donations that support local causes. 2nd & 4th Sundays. 3pm-8pm. 3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.elriosf.com

Sat 25 Boots Riley in Stand Up Sit Down @ La Peña Cultural Center

Underwear Night @ 440 Strip down to your skivvies at the popular men's night. 9pm-2am. 440 Castro St. 621-8732. www.the440.com

Soberlicious @ Oasis Sober tea dance, with DJed grooves. $12. 4pm-9pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550

Mahogany Mondays @ Midnight Sun Honey Mahogany's weekly drag and musical talent show starts around 10pm. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Dance it up at the popular twiceweekly country-western night that includes line-dancing, two-stepping and lessons. $5. 5pm-10:30pm. Also Thursdays 6:30pm-10:30pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. at Industrial. www.sundancesaloon.org

Mash Up Mondays @ Club BnB, Oakland

Sunday Brunch, Xtravaganza @ Balancoire

Monday Musicals @ The Edge

Weekly live music shows with host Galilea and various acts, along with brunch, mimosas, champagne and more, at the stylish nightclub and restaurant; shows at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:45pm. After that, T-Dance drag shows at 7pm, 10pm and 11pm. 2565 Mission St. at 21st. 920-0577. www.balancoiresf.com

Weekly Karaoke and open mic night; RuPaul's Drag Race screenings, too. 9pm-2am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 7597340. www.club-bnb.com

Sing along at the popular musical theatre night; also Wednesdays. 7pm2am. 2 for 1 cocktail, 5pm-closing. 4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Tue 28 Block Party @ Midnight Sun Weekly screenings of music videos, concert footage, interviews and more, of popular pop stars. 9pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Bombshell Betty & Her Burlesqueteers @ Elbo Room The weekly burlesque show of women dancers shaking their bonbons includes live music. $10. 9pm. 647 Valencia St. 552-7788. www.elbo.com

Cindy Goldfield @ Oasis One Night Stand, the comic performer's show with David Aaron brown about the foibles on online dating. $15. 8pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

See page 42 >>

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet hosts the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.starlightroomsf.com

Mon 27 Cock and Bull Mondays @ Hole in the Wall Saloon Specials on drinks made with Cock and Bull ginger ale (Jack and Cock, Russian Mule, and more). 8pmclosing. 1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. www.hitws.com

Drag Mondays @ The Café Mahlae Balenciaga and DJ Kidd Sysko's weekly drag and dance night, 2014's last of the year. 9pm-1am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Epic Karaoke @ White Horse, Oakland Mondays and Tuesdays popular weekly sing-along night. No cover. 8:30pm-1am. 6551 Telegraph Ave, (510) 652-3820. www.whitehorsebar.com

Gaymer Meetup @ Brewcade The new weekly LGBT video game enthusiastnight include big-screen games, and signature beers. No cover. 7pm-11pm. 2200 Market St. www.brewcadesf.com

BESTIES 20 15

THE LGBT BEST OF THE BAY

WINNER Best Wedding Photographer

Steven Underhill

PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDINGS, HEADSHOTS, PORTRAITS

stevenunderhill.com · stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

WARNING HOT GUYS! San Francisco

415.430.1199 Oakland

510.343.1122 San Jose

408.514.1111

Irish Dance Night @ Starry Plough, Berkeley Weekly dance lessons and live music at the pub-restaurant, hosted by John Slaymaker. $5. 7pm. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www.thestarryplough.com

FREE to listen and reply to ads!

Karaoke @ The Lookout Paul K hosts the amateur singing night. 8pm-2am. 3600 16th St. at Market. www.lookoutsf.com

415 370 7152

FREE CODE: Reporter

For other local numbers call:

1-888-MegaMates

2586

ORIGINAL THIN MINT

SAN FRANCISCO STOP BUYING FAKE GELATO, ORIGINAL THIN MINT ORIGINAL THIN MINT FAKE SHERBERT AND FAKE COOKIES!!! ORIGINAL THIN MINT Dont’ be fooled by FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES, we are the ONLY SANFRANCISCO STOP BUYING GELATO, collective inFRANCISCO the Bay Area to STOP work withBUYING Berner andFAKE the Cookie Fam, and we are SAN FAKE GELATO, ORIGINAL Home THIN MINT the only FAKE Bay AreaSHERBERT collective with Authentic CookieCOOKIES!!! Fam Genetics. of the AND FAKE FAKE SHERBERT AND FAKE FAKE COOKIES!!! SAN FRANCISCO STOP BUYING GELATO, Official Fam SUNSET SHERBERT and and Dont’ be fooledCookie by FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES , weGELATO are the ONLY Dont’ be fooled by FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES , weFam, are the ONLY AND FAKE COOKIES!!! collective inFAKE the BaySHERBERT Area to work with Berner and the Cookie and we are Official BERNER’S COOKIES. collective theArea Bay Area to work with Berner and the Cookie Fam, SAN FRANCISCO STOP BUYING FAKE Dont’ beinBay fooled bycollective FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES , weGELATO, are theand ONLY the only with Authentic Cookie Home ofwe theare Friends don’t let friends smoke Fam fake Genetics. cookies. the only Bay Area collective with Authentic Cookie Fam Genetics. Home ofare the collective in the Bay Area to work with Berner and the Cookie Fam, and we FAKE SHERBERT AND FAKE COOKIES!!! (415) 769-5001 Official Cookie Fam SUNSET SHERBERT and GELATO and the only Area collective with Authentic Cookie Fam Genetics. Home ofTHIN the MINT Official Cookie SUNSET and GELATO and 5234 Mission St. SHERBERT San Francisco, CA 94112 ORIGINAL Dont’ beBay fooled byFam FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES , we are the ONLY ORIGINAL THIN MINT Official BERNER’S COOKIES. SHERBERT and GELATO and Official Cookie Fam collective in the Bay AreaSUNSET toBERNER’S work Berner and thecookies. Cookie Fam, and we are COOKIES. Official Friends don’t let with friends smoke fake the only Bay Area collective with Authentic Cookie Famcookies. Genetics. Home of the Friends don’t let friends smoke fake Official BERNER’S COOKIES. (415) 769-5001 @CookiesSF215_ SAN FRANCISCO STOP BUYING FAKE GELATO, (415) 769-5001 Friends don’t let friends smoke fake Official Cookie Fam SUNSET SHERBERT and GELATO and 5234 Mission St. San Francisco, CAcookies. 94112 SAN FRANCISCO STOP BUYING FAKE GELATO, (415) 769-5001 5234 Mission St. San Francisco, CACOOKIES!!! 94112 FAKE SHERBERT AND FAKE COOKIES!!! BERNER’S COOKIES. FAKE SHERBERT AND FAKE only patients with legally recognizedOfficial medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative 5234 Mission St.friends San Francisco, CAcookies. 94112 Friends don’t let smoke fake Dont’ be fooled by FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES ONLY Dont’ be fooled by FAKE COOKIE COMPANIES, we, we areare thethe ONLY @CookiesSF215_ Insta

Insta

769-5001 collective in the Area to work with Berner Cookie Fam, collective in the BayBay Area to (415) work with Berner andand thethe Cookie Fam, andand we we areare 5234 Mission St.@CookiesSF215_ San Francisco, CAFam 94112 the only Bay Area collective with Authentic Cookie Fam Genetics. Home of the the only Bay Area collective with Authentic Cookie Genetics. Home of the @CookiesSF215_ only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative SUNSET SHERBERT GELATO Official Cookie Fam Official Cookie Fam SUNSET SHERBERT andand GELATO andand only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative Insta

Insta

BERNER’S COOKIES. Official @CookiesSF215_ Official BERNER’S COOKIES. Friends don’t friends smoke cookies. Friends don’t let let friends smoke fakefake cookies. (415) only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may769-5001 obtain cannabis from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative (415) 769-5001 5234 Mission Francisco, 94112 5234 Mission St. St. SanSan Francisco, CACA 94112 Insta

only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative

Insta

@CookiesSF215_ @CookiesSF215_

only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis a medical cannabis collective/cooperative only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis recommendations may obtain cannabis from from a medical cannabis collective/cooperative

8 STRAINS FOR

5 $$ 5 5 $ 5 $ 5 $

8 STRAINS FOR

15 $ $ 1 5 15 $ 15 $ 15

8 STRAINS FOR

50 $ $ 50 50 $ 50 $ 50

8 STRAINS 8 STRAINS FORFOR 8 STRAINS FOR FOR 8 STRAINS FOR 8 STRAINS 8 STRAINS FOR AN 1/8 A GRAM 8 STRAINS FOR

8 STRAINS FOR

A HALF OUNCE 8 STRAINS FOR

8 STRAINS FOR A GRAM A GRAM

AN 1/8 AN 1/8 8 STRAINS FOR AN 1/8

8 STRAINS FOR A HALF OUNCE A HALF OUNCE

A GRAM

AN 1/8

A HALF OUNCE

A GRAM A HALF OUNCE 8 STRAINS FOR 8 STRAINS 8 STRAINS FOR 8 STRAINS FOR 8 STRAINS FOR FOR 8 STRAINS FOR

1 5 $$ 1 5 $$ 1/8 ANAN 1/8 $ A GRAM A HALF OUNCE A GRAM HALF OUNCE WAX FOR A AGRAM

50 50

20 $ WAX FOR 20 A GRAM $ WAX FOR$ 20 A GRAM WAX FOR 20 A GRAM WAX FOR $20 A GRAM COOKIES SF - 5234 MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112 (415) 769-5001 OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 10 PM

COOKIES SF - 5234 MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112 769-5001 COOKIES SF - 5234(415) MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112 OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 10 PMCA 94112 COOKIES SF - 5234 MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO,

(415) 769-5001 (415)DAYS 769-5001 OPEN SEVEN A WEEK 9 AM - 10 PM OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 10 PM COOKIES SF - 5234 MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112 (415) 769-5001 OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 10 PM

20 20

$ $ WAXFOR FOR WAX

GRAM AAGRAM

COOKIES - 5234 MISSION SAN FRANCISCO, 94112 COOKIES SF SF - 5234 MISSION ST.ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA CA 94112 (415) 769-5001 (415) 769-5001 OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 10- 10 PMPM

<< On the Tab

42 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

On the Tab

From page 39

Cock Shot @ Beaux Shot specials and adult Bingo games, with DJs Chad Bays and Riley Patrick, at the new weekly night. No cover. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Wed 29

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey's Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gay-friendly comedy night. One-drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Gay Skate Night @ Church on 8 Wheels LGBT night at the former Sacred Heart Church-turned disco roller skate party space, hosted by John D. Miles, the "Godfather of Skate." Actually, every night is gay-friendly, including Saturday's Black Rock night (Burning Man garb encouraged). Also Wed, Thu, 7pm-10pm. Sat afternoon sessions 1pm-2:30pm and 3pm5:30pm. $10. Kids 12 and under $5. Skate rentals $5. 554 Fillmore St at Fell. www.churchof8wheels.com

Ink & Metal @ Powerhouse Show off your tattoos and piercings at the weekly cruisy SoMa bar night. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Meow Mix @ The Stud The weekly themed variety cabaret showcases new and unusual talents; MC Ferosha Titties. $3-$7. Show at 11pm. 9pm-2am. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.studsf.com

Naked Night @ Nob Hill Theatre Strip down with the strippers at the cruisy adult theatre and arcade; free beverages. $20. 8pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Retro Night @ 440 Castro

Marilyn Pittman and Eric Jansen at Out in the Bay’s Anniversary Show @ Oasis

B.P.M. @ Club BnB, Oakland Olga T and Shugga Shay's weekly queer women and men's R&B hip hop and soul night, at the club's new location. No cover. 8pm-2am. 2120 Broadway, Oakland. www.bench-and-bar.com

Michael Feinstein @ Feinstein's at the Nikko The multi-platinum jazz pianist-singer, and proprietor of the intimate cabaret club, performs a tribute concert of Frank Sinatra classics. $80-$95. Wed 7pm. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat & Sun 7pm. Thru May 3. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins

Miss Kitty's Trivia Night @ Wild Side West The weekly fun night at the Bernal Heights bar includes prizes, hosted by Kitty Tapata. No cover. 7pm-10pm. 424 Cortland St. 647-3099. www.wildsidewest.com

Open Mic/Comedy @ SF Eagle Kollin Holts hosts the weekly comedy and open mic talent night. 6pm-8pm. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Out in the Bay Anniversary @ Oasis

Weekly game night for board and electronic gamers at the warehouse multi-purpose nightclub. 21+. 6pm12am. 1425 Folsom St. www.showdownesports.com

Marilyn Pittman and Eric Jansen celebrate their LGBT radio programs' tenth anniversary with a live broadcast at the new SoMa nightclub, with best broadcast clips, live music from the SF Gay Men's Chorus Lollipop Guild, and Joshua Klipp; T-shirts, cocktails and noshes. $20-$50. 5pm8pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. (510) 816-0450. www.outinthebay.org www.sfoasis.com

Switch @ Q Bar

Pussy Party @ Beaux

Jim Hopkins plays classic pop oldies, with vintage music videos. 9pm-2am. 44 Castro St. www.the440.com

Showdown @ Folsom Foundry

Weekly women's night at the stylish intimate bar. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Trivia Night @ Hi Tops

Weekly women's happy hour, with allwomen music and live performances, 2 for 1 drinks, and no cover. 5pm9am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Play the trivia game at the popular new sports bar. 9pm. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Red Hots Burlesque @ Oasis The saucy women's burlesque revue weekly show at the new SoMa nightclub; different musical guests each week. $10-$20. Wednesdays at 8:30pm-11:30pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

So You Think You Can Gogo? @ Toad Hall The weekly dancing competition for gogo wannabes. 9pm. cash prizes, $2 well drinks (2 for 1 happy hour til 9pm). Show at 9pm. 4146 18th St. www.toadhallbar.com

Twin Shadow @ Regency Ballroom The Brooklyn indie singer performs with his band. Eric Hassle opens. $22$25. 8pm. 1300 Van Ness Ave. www.theregencyballroom.com

Way Back @ Midnight Sun Weekly screenings of vintage music videos and retro drink prices. Check out the new expanded front window lounge. 9pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 8614186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Wooden Nickel Wednesday @ 440 Buy a drink and get a wooden nickle good for another. 12pm-2am. 440 Castro St. 621-8732. www.the440.com

Wrangler Wednesday @ Rainbow Cattle Company, Guerneville The Russian River bar's country music night attracts cowboys and those who like to ride 'em. 8pm-1am. 16220 Main St., Guerneville. (707) 869-0206. www.queersteer.com

Buck 65, Astronautalis @ The New Parish

Vicky Jimenez' drag show and contest; Latin music all night. 9pm-2am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Canadian and Texan/Minneapolis rap? Yup. Two witty hip hop guys share a bill. $17-$20. 9pm. 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. (510) 444-7474. www.thenewparish.com

Underwear Night @ Club OMG Weekly underwear night includes free clothes check, and drink specials; different hosts each week. $3. 10pm2am. Preceded by Open Mic Comedy, 7pm, no cover. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Hot Draw! @ Mark I. Chester Studio Erotic, fetish, bondage poses for gay male sketchers of all skill levels; a fun, friendly group open to erotic drawing, with Jeff, the model who's into bondage and kink. Donations. 6:30pm. 1229 Folsom St. Call day of to reserve: 621-6294. www.markichester.com/hotdraw

Wed 29 Booty Call @ QBar Juanita More! and her weekly intimate –yet packed– dance party. $10-$15. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.qbarsf.com

The Orb @ Regency Ballroom Everybody's favorite international electro duo ("Little Fluffy Clouds"), performs; Govinda and DJ Icon open. $22$25. 8pm. 1300 Van Ness Ave. www.theregencyballroom.com

Bondage a GoGo @ Cat Club The (mostly straight) kinky weekly dance night, where fetish gear is welcome; DJs Damon and Tomas Diablo play electro, goth, industrial, etc. 9:30pm-2:30am. 1190 Folsom St. www.bondage-a-go-go.com Play board games and win offbeat prizes at the popular sports bar. 9pm. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Weekly LGBT and friends skate night, with groovy disco music and themed events. $9. 8pm-10:30pm. 1303 Main Street, Redwood City. www.rainbowskate.net www.facebook.com/rainbowskating/

Thu 30

Una Noche @ Club BnB, Oakland

Bottoms Up Bingo @ Hi Tops

Rainbow Skate @ Redwood Roller Rink

Thu 30 Buck 65 @ The New Parish

Want your nightlife event listed? Email events@ebar. com, at least two weeks before your event. Event photos welcome.

Grab a coffee, coffee take a survey,

change the world.

Making a Difference is Easy.

Take the 9th Annual LGBT Community Survey

速

LGBTsurvey.com

Your information is confidential, used for research purposes only. You will not be contacted for marketing purposes.

Proudly LGBT-owned and -operated A pioneer in LGBT research, founded in 1992 NGLCC-Certified LGBT Owned Business Enterprise

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

44 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Rocco Steele Big man, smart talk by Cornelius Washington

occo Steele is a big, hairy, Italian-American butt pirate; direct, masculine and sexy. If you want to take a bite out of The Big Apple this weekend, check out the man, live, at The Nob Hill Theater. Meanwhile, the Bay Area Reporter gets the scoop. Cornelius Washington: Is this your first time performing at the legendary Nob Hill Theater? What are your expectations, if any? Rocco Steele: Yes, it’s my first time. I expect to have an amazing time in this legendary space, with a sexy San Francisco audience. What made you decide to begin dancing nude and performing live? To be honest, I resisted it for a while. I never saw myself as a dancer or gogo boy, so I avoided bookings, because I felt that’s what I would have to do. However, I started get-

ting approached about performance-only gigs, and after doing a few of them, I really enjoyed them. What do you think you’ll bring to the NHT stage, that no one else can? Well, I think everybody is so talented and brings something unique. What I bring is that I am an older dude who is new in this business, so, I hope I bring a fresh spin to things. And, oh yeah, I bring my overaverage penis. What are your best and worst experiences as a dancer? I’ve only done about five gigs so far, so, there isn’t really a best or worst; all great experiences and all very different. I really enjoyed my live performance in Antwerp with David Benjamin. We did a shower scene on stage. It was really sexy, and we got water everywhere! What do you wish that people understood about nude dancers and

live performers? For the most part, everybody is polite and behaves. But once in a while, we run into guys with no boundaries. Even though we are in porn and are performing a sex act onstage, some guys don’t realize that it’s still not a free-for-all. For example, I did a show where it was a very intimate setting. Before the show, I told guys that nobody was to touch my ass. During the show, I had to keep stopping, because some dude kept trying to finger my hole! What’s your fitness regime? I hit the gym 6-7 days a week. What first drew you to the porn world? I guess you could say the desire to make more money from escorting. I had no desire, my entire life, to do porn. I went to law school and worked a corporate job my whole life. But, when I decided to change careers and own my own business, I started escorting to save money for that. Somebody told me porn could help with my escorting, so, I decided to do a video or two. One or two videos led to many more, and here I am. How did you create your porn name? I’ve always loved the name Rocco. I was raised Italian-American and my cousins all had great Italian names like Vito and Anthony and Gino. I liked my name, but it wasn’t Italian. Rocco is a strong masculine name. I always thought if I had a son, I would name him Rocco. When it came time to pick a name, it was easy. Rocco was at the top of the list. What’s the first porn film you ever saw? I do not know exactly, but I remember when I first came out, I was living in New York City. I was 22 and my roommate was a 30-year-old actor who used to travel a lot for out of town shows. He had an amazing porn collection, all on VHS, of course. So, when he went out of town, I would pull out his videos and have wank marathons, because I never knew when he would be out of town again. How do you prepare yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.) for a scene? Sleep well, drink lots and lots of water, and I don’t wank off for two days before.

Rocco Steele

world to see. I see so many boys, in and out of the industry, talking shit about each other on Twitter. We need to be more gracious and dignified, even when we are posting dick and ass pics. Where do you see porn going in the 21st Century? I think it’s heading more in the direction of smaller independent studios - porn models starting their own sites. It’s become so hard to make money in the business, you have to cut out all the frills and the overhead, and have a pure, more stripped-down version of fucking, without all the bells and whistles. I think that’s what people want nowadays, anyway. So many people get off

Who’s your fantasy porn director and company? I really want to do a scene for Men At Play.

You’ve done a lot of bareback work. What is your opinion of the Truvada debate? I am not an advocate for barebacking, nor am I an advocate for Truvada. I am actually focusing on more condom work this year. What I will say is that this is an individual choice. It’s not for me to say negative bottoms need to be on Truvada. It’s their body and their right to choose. I think this is all still so new. I feel that we will know more of its impact five years from now, and then, maybe, I will have a more solid opinion. Congratulations on maintaining your long-term sobriety (over 16 years), the most difficult part of recovery. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from the process? Thank you. It’s not really about learning lessons as much as it is about learning how to live my life and face difficult situations without drugs and alcohol. Porn is a difficult industry to navigate. There’s a lot of rejection, selfdoubt and some interesting personalities. These all take their toll on me and begin to fuck with my serenity, if I don’t stay on top of my program, go to meetings and work with my sponsor.

Who’s your fantasy scene partner? I want to be Jimmy Durano’s first, if he ever decides to bottom. Have you ever fallen for a scene partner? No; bad, bad idea. What do you think is behind the current trend of gay men over 35 entering the porn world? For obvious reasons, I think it’s great. And it makes sense. I think we are at a place in porn, where, because of the internet, we have so many choices and guys don’t just want to watch young 20-somethings anymore. You are very social. What, in your opinion, is the worst social mistake that gay men make with each other? Well, in the age of social media, we should not air our shit or create drama for the

on these webcam sites and XTube vids, because they love knowing that it’s real. They want shit that’s more organic and they want to feel like they are a voyeur watching real sex.

How do you think you’ll feel when you see your name on the Nob Hill Theatre marquee, and your films on its 30x40 feet screens? It’s going to give me a boner...a very big boner.t Rocco Steele

Follow Rocco Steele at https://twitter.com/ roccosteelexxx

Read more online at www.ebar.com

Iconocrass Icon Men’s underwhelming line by John F. Karr

crime was a secret lust for other men”; and Forbidden Encounters, aken in by IconMale.com’s “Their passion is forbidden, but stable of stars, and the gloss of their lust is insatiable.” its videography, I bought a month’s And yes, the cinematography is membership. It took only a few days sterling, but the prevailing silence to realize how irritating and listless that Noelle encourages during sex its films were. makes things seem airless. The I never thought I’d find boring sets are make-do. When representsuch formerly entertaining stars like ing a bar, we’re in a suburban tract Ty Roderick, Trenton Ducati, Adam home’s rec room, where piped-in Russo, Liam Harkmore, Colton crowd noises fail to convince us Grey, and Nick Capra (well, actualthere are more people present than ly, I did rather expect that a mere two lonely actors. When of Capra, who can be a representing prisoner of war feisty fucker, but whose camps, barracks and parpredominant mode ticularly jail cells, we’re is a cheeks-suckedin the laughable Landin Zoolander mask, o-Fakes we know so along with a heavy well from the Valley dose of tight-lipped porn of Southern grim). Yet viewing California. films by the site’s diAnd what transpires rectress of film, Nica Noelle, engenin these glossily filmed but weariders indifference and escape. some locations? When pretending I knew nothing about her, but to be heterosexual, or just coming thanks to Wikipedia, I can tell you out, or an enemy combatant, or that she’s vastly experienced. As a some trick’s father, the actors have performer, she’s filmed truckloads been coached into a halting delivof lesbian and hetero movies; a wife ery of lines, accompanied by dull and mother, she accounts herself and sad expressions that make them bi. I thought I’d tell you how many seem constipated. And, oh, the lonfilms she’s directed, but they were gueurs of awaiting the next line to too numerous to count. Dozens of be delivered—I cooked a brisket titles. Busy lady, Ms Noelle. and attended a bris while waiting Perhaps too busy. She seems to for unfortunate Brad Kalvo to unme more a production line than a load his woebegone condition upon filmmaker. Along the way she has Armond Rizzo. founded eight companies, each fulAfter enduring endless minutes of filling a particular niche, including this assault, the sex we reach is mostthe transgender films of TransRoly phlegmatic, with lack of continumantic Films, and the gay ones of ity and a tamped-down tone. Rock Candy Films. Her most reOh, now and again some of the cent endeavor is IconMale, where sex becomes airborne and has some punch. But what can you expect of the beleaguered porn star who has to suck and fuck while pitifully maintaining his German accent—which sounds like a cross between Deutschland and Southern Rhodesia. One of my favorite IconMale DVDs Forbidden laughable scenes is in Encounters 2, His Son’s Best Prisoner of War (“They Friend, Prisoner of War. knew the meaning of sacrifice”), which the site synopsizes thusly testicles descended. In this movie (somewhat truncated) (“He was the star of his football —“American soldier Ty team…until he came out”), the Roderick is tied up and team’s doctor manipulates his retortured by German solluctant players into sex acts that dier Liam Harkmore [‘Gif make them just morose about their me a rheason not to keell hard-ons. And then watch how the you, you schtupid Ameriteammates morph from bullies to can’]. Freeing himself, butt-bangers. Roderick gets revenge Bandleader Ted Lewis had a on Harkmore by making IconMale trademark greeting (boy, what an him suck his dick.” antediluvian reference that is!), “Is Kissing his captive seems to be the KommanThis use of force to get everybody happy?” dant’s idea of torture; Ty Roderick and Liam an unwilling someone to When taking a gander around Harkmore, in IconMale’s Prisoner of War. suck your dick is a very, IconMale, that would become, is very tired porn trope. anybody happy. Lots of conflicted And despite what maksouls at IconMale. themed scenes are debuted before ers of porn would have you think, I wasn’t at all conflicted when my being collected onto commercial it won’t work on someone who membership concluded. Bye-bye!t DVDs. doesn’t like you. Especially when Noelle began her career at age 19 he’s a German Kommandant. www.IconMale.com at a psychodrama house (I had to Some of the porn tropes that look that one up), and it shows. Her show up in Football Hero are so IconMale movies have their roots in old, they were old even before my the potentially enlivening psychodramas of life, only to be slathered with the blahs. First, it’s her tedious and frequently insulting scripts (how much homophobia can one company represent?). Then, it’s her unsuccessful direction of the actors, and the lack of impetus in their ensuing sex scenes. You ask, what are the psychodramas of Noelle’s films? Oh, standard, brain-numbing fare, the majority of it couched in negative terms. There’s Fathers and Sons, “When fatherly love becomes forbidden IconMale fruit”; His Daughter’s Boyfriend, “He was the perfect boyfriend… Here’s a sultry moment for Colton Grey, with Nick Capra in Iconuntil he fell in love with her father”; Male’s, His Son’s Best Friend. Men Seeking Men, “Their only

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 45

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

46 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 23-29, 2015

Personals

The

Massage>> SENSUAL FULL BODY MASSAGE 415-350-0968

SEXY ASIAN $60 JIM 415-269-5707

People>>

WARNING HOT GUYS!

HOT LOCAL MEN

Browse & Reply FREE! SF - 415-430-1199 East Bay - 510-343-1122 Use FREE Code 2628, 18+

Model/Escorts>> HANDSOME 9X7!

San Francisco

415.430.1199

Vic $150 Call 1-415-735-4548

ebar.com Personals

Oakland

510.343.1122 San Jose

408.514.1111 MEN TO MEN MASSAGE I’m a Tall Latin Man in my late 40’s. If you’re looking, I’m the right guy for you. My rates are $80/hr & $120/90 min. My work hours are 10 a.m. to midnite everyday. 415-515-0594 Patrick call or text. See pics on ebar.com

FREE to listen and reply to ads! FREE CODE: Reporter

For other local numbers call:

1-888-MegaMates

Dan Karoska and Maria Konner prepare for a taping of Under the Golden Gate.

2586

To place your Personals ad, Call 415-861-5019 for more info & rates

TV Party

From page 33

The next taping of Under the Golden Gate takes place on Friday, April 24 at 8pm in the Armory’s Edwardian Suite. “Our shows at Kink.com are free to the public, but we do ask for a $5-10 donation to help us cover expenses,” said co-host and co-producer Dan Karkoska, aka DJ Dank. “We might start charging in the future, but we want as many people to come as possible.” DJ Dank, Karkoska’s alter ego, has become a fixture in the queer club scene. He began spinning around eight years ago at The Cinch, where he was part of Charm Pop and Candyland. Other venues include Toolbox, a drag show at Club 93, Show/ Off, a drag show at Truck, and Bloke, a British music night at Truck. Karkoska recalled how he got into club music. “There was a Goth night called Revolver at The Cinch,” he said. “My boyfriend at the time asked to DJ. As I watched him do it, I decided that I wanted to try it.” He asked Cinch manager Eric Berchtold if he could and started soon after. “Eric just handed the show over to us,” Karkoska said. “My ex is David Hawkins aka DJ Dingbat. We DJ’d at The Cinch for two years.” Karkoska said that Under the Golden Gate is produced as though it were a TV variety show. “We slate the scenes, yell ‘cut’, stuff like that,” Karkoska said. “The audience gets to meet interesting people, hang out at Kink.com and have a drink at the bar. It’s a great experience.” Guests for the April 24 taping include political veteran and gay comic Tom Ammiano, Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos, and musical group The Ethel Merman Experience. Karkoska said that the show would continue taping at Kink.com for as long as they can.

Top: Dan Karoska Bottom: Maria Konner at the piano.

Episodes can be viewed online. “Our idea is to become The Tonight Show of San Francisco,” Karkoska said. “Every major city has a self-reflective TV show to talk about current events and to interview celebrities and people of note, so why not us! No one else is doing it. We are using top-notch equipment, so we are catching modern San Francisco history with three cameras, including a steadicam, and professional sound. No one else is doing

what we’re doing.” Karkoska said that the show taped its earlier episodes in the home of co-producer Maria Konner, who currently finances the show with the help of her tech salary. They were also heard on Mutiny Radio. Konner is a drag queen, but she’s not what viewers might expect. “I identify as a natural straightcurious person who lives in a queer See page 47 >>

Read more online at www.ebar.com

April 23-29, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 47

Shooting Stars

photos by steven underhill Gaymer Meetup at Brewcade

erdgasm! Gaymer Meetup, the new weekly Monday LGBT video game enthusiast night, includes bigscreen multi-player games, as well as the new theme bar’s arcade games and signature beers. 7pm-11pm. 2200 Market St. www.brewcadesf.com More event photo albums are on BARtab’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife. See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at www.StevenUnderhill.com.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

For headshots, portraits or to arrange your wedding photos

call (415) 370-7152 or visit www.StevenUnderhill.com or email stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

Bearonce, Jada D’Angelo, Duplicity, Rey Alejandro, and Effervescence Jackson on a Guerrilla Drag party bus show in 2013 for Under the Golden Gate.

>> Continued from page 47 world,” Konner, who declined to reveal her male identity. “I’m not normal. Normal by definition is average, middle of the bell curve, which in this world means being put into a male versus female box by our advertising-driven culture.” Konner’s sexual identity is fluid and ever changing, she says. “I’m straight when I’m a man, I’m more bi when I’m a woman,” she explained. “I’m highly accepting of all forms of sexuality. But for me personally, when it comes to sex, there simply has to be a woman in there somewhere, even if it’s me.” Konner describes herself as a New York Jew who came to San Francisco twenty years ago. She is currently divorced from a woman, and started doing drag for Halloween. “I had no intention of performing, but I got pulled up to the piano

at Martuni’s by other trans women,” she said. Konner said that she has an engineering degree, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. “While at the business school I spent a lot of time at the College of Fine Arts next door playing music and putting together shows about the ironies of business and politics; using art to deliver important messages.” It all led to the creation of Under the Golden Gate three years ago. She says it’s a classic male-plus-female job. “The male needs to keep everything extremely efficient and Maria is the performer,” she explained. “She’s the delivery mechanism, and a face.” Of course Maria can’t finance the show out-of-pocket forever. “We are currently looking for sponsors and for some kind of money to come in and help take our show to a larger audience,” Karkoska said. He explained how Kink.com

came into their lives. “We had done a multipart, behind the scenes piece on Kink.com that was super-popular, as well as a behind-the-scenes for Naked Kombat with Sebastian Keys, so he helped us get the Edwardian Suite on the fourth floor of Kink.com’s empire inside the SF Armory,” Karkoska recalled. Kink has worked out well for the show. “It’s a great fit,” Karkoska said. “We love the ambiance of the room, the people there are awesome to work with, and since Maria is a big fan of Kink, we work kink demonstrations into the show.” Karkoska likened Kink.com to what the Playboy Club had been to the “swinging bachelor pad” crowd during the 1960s. “It’s a great way to lure guests because they want to tour the facility and experience what Kink.com is like,” he said.

Top: Jason Brock (left) with Maria Konner and Dan Karkoska at a taping of their show. Bottom: Cassandra Cass (center) in a recent Under the Golden Gate episode.

Guests run the gamut from porn stars to priests, musicians, artists, entertainers and politicians. “In the future, we would love to have Armistead Maupin, DJ Shadow and John Waters, among many, on the show to talk about modern day San Francisco and to tell their own stories,” Karkoska said.t

If you’d like to attend the April 24 taping of Under the Golden Gate at The Armory, just show up. The Armory is at 14th and Mission. Doors open at 7pm. For information on past and future episodes, tapings, sponsorship, or booking, please visit www.underthegoldengate.com.