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Gay icon Jose Sarria dies at 90 by Cynthia Laird
J
ose Julio Sarria, a legendary San Francisco drag queen who made history as the first openly gay person to seek political office in America and founded the Imperial Court system, died Monday, August 19. He was 90. Mr. Sarria had been ill for several months and died at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was in San Bill Wilson Francisco last December to be recognized by Jose Sarria the Imperial Court on the occasion of his birthday. Last year Mr. Sarria told the Bay Area Reporter that he was diagnosed with a rare cancer in the adrenal glands. He had declined chemotherapy treatment. Local officials praised Mr. Sarria. “He provided inspiration,” gay Assemblyman Tom Ammiano told the Bay Area Reporter. “He was one of the people who lit the fuse – at great risk to himself. He’s just irreplaceable.” In a statement, gay state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) said LGBTs of all stripes lost a “dear friend and fearless community leader who will forever hold a place in our hearts.” “When Jose threw his hat into the ring for San Francisco supervisor more than 50 years ago, he became one of the first to publicly proclaim that there is no reason, constitutional or otherwise, to deny lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people first-class citizenship, respect, and dignity under the law,” Leno said. He added, “Jose’s visionary and legendary leadership helped build the foundation for our successful, modern-day LGBT civil rights movement. His sly humor and wicked wit disarmed nearly every adversary.” Stuart Milk, the openly gay nephew of slain former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who was the first out gay elected official in the city, also praised Mr. Sarria. “He paved the way for my uncle, Harvey Milk, to run for public office by being the first openly gay man to put his name on the 1961 ballot and was right there to support Harvey’s first campaign in 1973,” Milk said in a statement. Milk said that Mr. Sarria led an “extraordinary” life. “For the International Court system he was a guardian and an inspiration. For anyone who felt like they were different he was a defender of our dreams,” Milk said. “He taught us how to turn an idea into action, how to wear a tiara, and how to laugh and ultimately he taught us See page 16 >>
Vol. 43 • No. 34 • August 22-28, 2013
Social Security updates name change policy
by Seth Hemmelgarn
T
he Social Security Administration has updated its policy so that partners in same-sex couples can go through the
agency to change their names. The development comes after the federal agency had denied numerous couples the right, even though same-sex marriage has been legal in California for more than
Dawn and Lisa Hagan were married in Oakland earlier this month by volunteer officiant Pamela Whitney, right. Lisa Hagan was initially rebuffed by Social Security officials when she tried to legally change her name following the wedding. The Social Security Administration has since announced that same-sex couples can change their names after they marry. Courtesy Lisa Hagan
a month and an SSA document from July acknowledged marriage equality coming to the state. The document also said marriage certificates for same-sex couples who’ve been legally married are “valid evidence of a name change.” The policy change hadn’t made it to the Social Security office in the East Bay city of Fremont when Lisa Hagan, 46, went there to have her name changed. Hagan – whose maiden name is Gray – married Dawn Hagan, 37, August 12 in Oakland. The women, who live in Fremont, have been together for four years. Hagan went to her local SSA office August 14, with a completed Social Security form number 5 (http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5. pdf) and her marriage certificate in hand. A worker there “said I had all the right paperwork,” but then “she asked me if it was a same-sex marriage, and I said, ‘Yes,’” said Hagan. The employee left. When she returned about 15 minutes later, “She said she was sorry, they did not have the go-ahead to do name changes for same-sex marriages yet,” said Hagan. She said the staffer told her that See page 17 >>
LeatherWalk changes hands by Seth Hemmelgarn
A
fter 14 years at the helm, the longtime producer of the San Francisco LeatherWalk is passing the duties over to someone else, but not without a little leather drama. Longtime leather community leader and straight ally Sandy “Mama” Reinhardt, 71, is stepping down from the annual event, which kicks off Leather Pride Week each September. Hundreds of people march down Market Street from the Castro each year to celebrate leather and kink while raising money for the nonprofit AIDS and Breast Cancer Emergency Funds. Lance Holman, 46, who’s worked with Reinhardt on the walk in recent years, is taking over. “Lance has been one of my rocks,” Reinhardt said in a statement. “I know he will produce an event that stays true to our roots and raises funds for AEF/BCEF. I look forward to being able to enjoy LeatherWalk this year alongside my family and community.” But in an interview, Reinhardt expressed some bitterness over the transition, indicating that she feels pushed out. Asked if she would participate this year, Reinhardt said, “Honey, I don’t know yet. I really don’t know. ... I want to be there, but I’m so fucking pissed at being degraded and not being acknowledged for the work I’ve done.”
Sandy “Mama” Reinhardt, left, is handing over the reins of the San Francisco LeatherWalk to Lance Holman; this year’s event is September 22.
Joe Pessa
LeatherWalk 2013 is set to step off on Sunday, September 22, at noon at Jane Warner Plaza. The walk route culminates at the SF Eagle, 398 12th Street, and includes stops at various South of Market leather bars and clubs. Holman, who was Mr. San Francisco Leather 2010, said, “I want to do everything I can to one, make sure we have a successful event,” and also “honor the work of the leather community,” and honor Reinhardt’s efforts. Leatherman Art Tomaszewski founded LeatherWalk in 1992 as a fundraiser for AIDS Emergency Fund. During her tenure, Rein-
hardt urged people nationwide to donate to both AEF and BCEF (AEF’s sister organization), and under her leadership, the event became a joint fundraiser for the nonprofits, which raise money for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS or breast cancer. LeatherWalk has raised over $200,000 over the past decade, according to AEF. The 2012 event raised more than $16,000. Mike Smith, AEF and BCEF’s executive director, said in a statement, “Mama and her family are the soul of LeatherWalk. Mama’s See page 17 >>
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MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBITOR & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The Bay Area Reporter & BARtab are Official Media Sponsors and Marketing Partners of the 40th Anniversary of the Castro Street Fair, founded by Harvey Milk while he was the first Political Columnist for the B.A.R.
October
6th, 2013
11AM - 6PM
Our October 3rd edition, kicking off LGBT History Month, will be a special commemorative edition celebrating the Fair. We invite businesses to support the 2013 Castro Street Fair. Reach 150,000 + individuals. Call 415.861.5019 for more information on both Exhibitor and Sponsorship opportunities.